Hennepin Church

Don’t Look, Listen

Leah Rosso — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 15:15:16 +0000

Christian mysticism understands salvation as overcoming isolation from God. When have you had a mystical experience? When have you felt isolated from God? How does a beloved community help us in both of these times?

Steeple People Donates $30,000

Daniel Pederson — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:25:33 +0000

Because profits of the Steeple People Surplus Store increased substantially in 2011, the Board has authorized donating grants totaling $30,000 to organizations in our church, local community and around the world. At the request of our volunteers, our largest grant of $5,000 will go to the “Imagine No Malaria” campaign. We will also give substantial grants to ministries sponsored by our church, such as the Dignity Center, Community Meals, and the Russia Partnership. In our local community, we will support the missions of such groups as the KIPP School, Father Project, Neighborhood Involvement Program Community Clinic, Open Arms and Ujamaa Place. A full list of the recipients will be posted at the store and in Carlson Hall. In addition, during the past year, we have given vouchers worth approximately $12,000 to clients of the Dignity Center so that they could buy clothing and other essential items at our store. Since the store opened in 1979, we have given over $800,000 in grants to organizations, in our neighborhood and beyond, who act as God’s hands and feet. If you have donated items, bought items or volunteered at our store, you can feel proud of what has been accomplished, and we sincerely thank you for your donations, time and efforts.

Between Two Worlds: My Life and Captivity in Iran

Sally — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:16:11 +0000

Between Two Worlds:My Life and Captivity in Iran by Roxana Saberi
March 18, 25, and April 1 at 11:00
Led by Matt and Amanda Hunter

In anticipation of Roxana Saberi’s presentation at Hennepin on April 15, this class will read and share the compelling story of her arrest and captivity. As an American journalist Saberi is a talented storyteller and invites us into her experiences in this fascinating country. Books are available in the Hennepin Church library, local libraries and your bookstores.

Nonviolent Communications Book Study

Sally — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:12:27 +0000

Non Violent Communication – A Language of Life by Marshall B. Rosenberg
March 4-April 1 at 11:00
Book Study led by Cynthia Ashley

Nonviolent Communication (NVC) is based on the principles of nonviolence– the natural state of compassion when no violence is present in the heart. The practice of NVC is a Global initiative and is active in over 65 countries around the globe. It is a study, a practice, a personal process that will enhance your relationships and allow a deeper connection with your/our world. NVC begins by assuming that we are all compassionate by nature and all have universal needs that are either met or unmet. At birth we are taught behaviors, values, attitudes and violent strategies within our prevailing culture that form our method of communicating. How can we learn to communicate compassionately with all cultures, with respect for self and others?
Come study, practice and communicate with the NVC individuals during our 5 week Book Study on Sunday’s beginning March 4th – April 1st Books are on available to purchase for $14.00 through Cynthia@haumc.org

Bible Study in Lent

Sally — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:06:10 +0000

LENTEN SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY
February 26-April 1 at 11:00

Using the Kaleidoscope Bible study process, the class will have an opportunity to explore the lectionary scriptures for the following Sunday. These scriptures, used in all Sunday morning worship services, will be shared not only in a large group but also in small groups as we seek to understand the context in which the scripture was written and how it has meaning for us today. Facilitators for each week are: February 26-Sally Johnson, March 4-Matt Hunter, March 11– Paula Colton, March 18 & 25, April 1– Bruce Robbins

Summer Fun for Kids

Dana Neuhauser — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:58:58 +0000

Earth Camp 2012: Got Spirit?

July 23 — 26, 2012
ages: 1st — 4th grade (grade completed)

Children are invited to encounter God in creation at Earth Camp, an overnight camp at Koinonia, our church retreat center in Annandale, MN. This year’s theme will focus on finding God in the everyday.

Vacation Bible School: OPERATION OVERBOARD

August 20 — 24, 2012
ages: 3 yr — 4th grade (completed)
9am — noon (with extended care available for an additional fee)

Dare to go deep with God! Dive in and discover God’s underwater universe! Swim with humpback whales and seahorses, scuba through a vibrant coral reef, and take a personal submarine to the ocean floor, where eels and octopi play. As we journey miles below the water’s surface, we’ll plunge into Bible stories of people with deep faith and learn to trust a God whose love is bigger than the sea.

Inspiring Words of Wisdom

Cynthia Ashley — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:56:59 +0000

Imagine what an extraordinary quality of life you would have if you woke up every day feeling energized, happy for no specific reason, excited about the day ahead and with a big smile on your face!
Today I will share with you some of the keys to a balanced, fun-filled, happy life.
First and foremost, express how thankful you are for all that is good in your life. This will help you reach a deeper state of emotional well-being, and of spiritual grounding.
Set yourself apart from those who live their lives as if it were a rehearsal. You are performing “live” on the stage of your destiny. Give the best performance you can give every day.
Write down a list of your dreams and aspirations. Put a deadline to those wishes. They will become goals. Believe in these goals becoming reality!
Make a large poster with images of what you dream of, with powerful words like Determination, Joy, Love, Excitement, Success, Abundance, Resilience, Bliss, and pictures of you and your loved ones. Look at the poster often and believe that you can achieve what your mind imagines.
Surround yourself with positive people. Laugh a lot. Take life lightly.
Take full responsibility for what happens in your life.
Look at yourself in the mirror and say: “I love myself, I’m healthy, I’m gifted, I am so blessed!“
Affirm your uniqueness. You are an original!
Forgive those who may have hurt you. Let go of judgment, criticism and finger pointing. Release the anger.
Develop an unshakable character, based on integrity, honesty and sincerity.
Be a constant learner. Read inspiring stories. Watch uplifting movies. Remain vigilant of what you feed your mind.
Keep a healthy lifestyle.
Lend a hand to the less fortunate. Donate your time and your resources to those who face adversity.
Take time every day to pray or meditate. Watch a sunrise, a sunset or a star gazed, moonlit sky. Bathe yourself in divine light.
Write in your journal five things you’re thankful for each day.
True happiness comes from within. Make yourself happy. It is no one else’s responsibility.
Love deeply. Love every living creature. Make love the driving force in your life.

Help Us To Love

Bruce Robbins — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:12:57 +0000

We hope the love is the primary motivation of all that we do. Yet, we know how hard it is to love another. Are we capable of loving creation? Do these quotes help us know our capability?

The only solid piece of scientific truth about which I feel totally confident is that we are profoundly ignorant about nature…It is this sudden confrontation with the depth and scope of ignorance that represents the most significant contribution of twentieth-century science to the human intellect.

– Lewis Thomas in Medusa and the Snail: More Notes of a Biology Watcher (1974), p. 58.

Sunday, February 12 at 9:30 AM

Scripture Readings: Psalm 146, Mark 12:28–34

Bruce Robbins, Preaching, “Help Us to Love”

Click here for the 9:30 Bulletin for Sunday, Feb. 12.

Lenten Film Series

Sally — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:57:43 +0000

Many times the movies we love(or hate) teach us about what it means to be in community. Many times these same movies carry the threads of the breaking that happens in our lives. Most of the time these same stories carry a message that helps us see the Spirit moving and bringing a light that seemed unimaginable.

This Lent you are invited to join others in the Hennepin community as we share a potluck meal together, a brief time of worship, see a movie and have conversation. The films will be at different times during the week so people can fit them into their busy schedules. Choose one or all and join us for this time of practicing beloved community.

Little Kids, BIG Fun!

Leah Rosso — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:46:55 +0000

Little Kids, BIG Fun this Sunday, Feb. 12!
Grownups experience Cooking with Nick at the Parsonage
Kids make Valentine crafts and games with Ashley and Adrienne

Come enjoy some breakfast from 10:45–11:15am in the Social Hall/Dorcas Alcove as we eat together. (Cost $5/person; $12/family)
At 11:15am grownups will head over to the parsonage for some yummy treats and kids will make their own sweet things with Ashley and Adrienne. All will come back together by 12:30pm.

To make sure we have enough childcare, please email Leah that you are coming: leah@haumc.org or sign up online: Hennepinchurch.org.
Looking forward to seeing you!