Honoring our Veterans

I received this from Ray Hibbs, a fellow-member of Beautiful Savior. It grabbed my attention, so I thought that I would send it to you as we prepare to observe Memorial Day. As you read it, I invite you to thank God for the blessing of living in the United States, where we are free to worship the Triune God and to serve Him in our daily life.

 A lesson that should be taught in all schools . . . And colleges . . .
Back in September of 2005, on the first day of school, Martha Cothren, a social studies school teacher at RobinsonHigh School in Little Rock , did something not to be forgotten. On the first day of school, with the permission of the school superintendent, the principal and the building supervisor, she removed all of the desks out of her classroom.

When the first period kids entered the room they discovered that there were no desks.

'Ms. Cothren, where're our desks?'

She replied, 'You can't have a desk until you tell me how you earn the right to sit at a desk.'

They thought, 'Well, maybe it's our grades.'

'No,' she said.

'Maybe it's our behavior.'

She told them, 'No, it's not even your behavior.'

And so, they came and went, the first period, second period, third period. Still no desks in the classroom.

By early afternoon television news crews had started gathering in Ms. Cothren's classroom to report about this crazy teacher who had taken all the desks out of her room.

The final period of the day came and as the puzzled students found seats on the floor of the deskless classroom, Martha Cothren said, 'Throughout the day no one has been able to tell me just what he/she has done to earn the right to sit at the desks that are ordinarily found in this classroom. Now I am going to tell you.'

At this point, Martha Cothren went over to the door of her classroom and opened it.

Twenty-seven (27) U.S. Veterans, all in uniforms, walked into that classroom, each one carrying a school desk. The Vets began placing the school desks in rows, and then they would walk over and stand alongside the wall. By the time the last soldier had set the final desk in place those kids started to understand, perhaps for the first time in their lives, just how the right to sit at those desks had been earned,

Martha said, 'You didn't earn the right to sit at these desks. These heroes did it for you. They placed the desks here for you. Now, it's up to you to sit in them. It is your responsibility to learn, to be good students, to be good citizens. They paid the price so that you could have the freedom to get an education. Don't ever forget it.'

By the way, this is a true story. And this teacher was awarded Teacher of the Year for the state of Arkansas in 2006.

Please consider passing this along so others won't forget that the freedoms we have in this great country were earned by U. S. Veterans.

Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go.

I hope that you have a good Memorial Day weekend. If you will be traveling, drive safely! If you will be in town, we will worship at Beautiful Savior on Saturday at 5:00 pm and Sunday at 8:30 and 11:00 am!

Random Acts of Kindness

Weekly Challenge: 
Give someone a bottle of water and thank them for what they do.

People who have taken the challenge report:
“Gave some cookies to the person who picks up our trash”
“Wrote a birthday and Mother’s Day card to a member that we haven’t seen for a long time in church”

CARING FOR OTHERS

It’s simple, yet so valuable. “Listen. It is the greatest compliment you can give: that I am worth hearing.” Dona Hoffman, in Yes, Lord.

Adult Bible Study Changes Gears

With the arrival of Memorial Day we now end our normal year classes. Special thanks to Randy Christoffersen for leading a group through the Book of Titus. Also thanks to the Pastors for teaching their respective classes. As we turn our attention to the summer months you will have opportunity, beginning June 3rd to attend an adult class in the Sanctuary at 9:45am each week. This will be the only adult class offered and there is no children’s Sunday School over the summer. Enjoy the change of pace remembering to stay connected to God, growing in faith, and serving others as part of a healthy spiritual diet.

Vacation Bible School

August 6-10 | K-6 graders | Amazing Wonders AviationYou’re clear for takeoff at Amazing Wonders Aviation™! Come join us as we fly to some of the world’s greatest natural wonders and encounter God’s awesome power and learn how God wants to give us everything we need through His power and to His glory! As we fly around the world, kids will take off from worship at the Worship Rally Hangar and make their first stop at the stunning Victoria Falls for Bible study. While flying around the world kids will also visit craft, music, snack and game stations in the Paricutin Volcano, Under the Northern Lights, the Matterhorn, the Grand Canyon, and the Great Barrier Reef! Amazing Wonders Aviation™ will be an event to remember! Register online at www.beautifulsaviorlc.org. Come join us!

WOMEN’S TEA PLANNING MEETING

Ah, nice warm weather is here. Green trees and grass. Yet it is time to continue planning our Christmas Tea, scheduled for December 8. A planning meeting is this Wednesday, May 30, at 6 pm in Room 118. Are you interested in joining the team? Please come. Contact for the team is Sally Price.

An LWML Mission

This weekend we are praying for the national LWML mission "Cancer Care Package Ministry" for $100,000. Phil's Friends is a unique organization that began in March 2005 to deliver care packages to men, women, boys, and girls who suffer from any and all types of cancer. After surviving a difficult cancer battle himself, Phil Zielke knew he could reach out to those in need of help with a Christ-centered message of hope, resting on the words from Scripture, "I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Phil's Friends provides care packages, prayers, Christian counsel and always a new friend who will provide ongoing communication and compassionate support. This ongoing support reaches 1000 people per week. 20-30 new packages go out each week. All this material is free of charge-see their website www.philsfriends.org. Both donors and volunteers have increased each year and this LWML grant will provide support to approximately 1,670 patients and families. If you would like to support the many LWML missions, please place your Mites in the large LWML Mite Box placed in the Gathering Space this weekend.

ALL GRADUATES

We’d like to recognize all our graduates in worship June 2/3. If you are earning a degree or certificate from high school, community college, trade school, or college/university, please let us know by Wednesday, May 30, by emailing Jim Holmlund at jholmlund@beautifulsaviorlc.org. Please include name of graduate, school or program graduating from, certificate/degree earned, and future plans. Please plan to join us in worship June 2/3!

Used Hearing Aid Project for Bethlehem

The hearing aids that we collect at Beautiful Savior are sent to a church in Indiana. They receive hearing aids from all over the country. In January, they sent their sixth shipment to the International Center of Bethlehem (Daral-Kalima Health and Wellness Center). Please continue to place your used hearing aids in the box in the coatroom. They will be sent twice a year to the church in Indiana. For more information, please contact Jan Rathjen at 763-559-7571.

Cell Phones

are needed at the women’s shelter. If you have recently gotten a new phone or have one that is not being used, please consider donating it to the church. Just drop it in the box in the hallway across from the Youth Room. Why not consider setting up a box at work for used phones and then bringing them here.

PRISM DONATIONS

PRISM needs financial donations to help serve the needs of its clients.  You may contribute through Beautiful Savior or mail to PRISM, 730 Florida Ave. S, Golden Valley MN 55426.

Small Group Bible Study

Do you want to taste and see what a small group Bible study is all about?  You are invited to a group led by Sherry Olson.  This group has three sessions remaining.  They are on Monday, May 21, June 11 and June 25.  Our focus is on the early Christians as reported in the book of Acts.

Honoring Our Veterans: Memorial Day

If you've never submitted your name for our church veterans' list, we'd like to hear from you. Our semi-annual listing will be in the Service Folder soon. This request includes Gold Star mothers. Parents with family members on active duty, please update us on their status. Attention veterans: On May 26/27 veterans are invited to attend church "in uniform;” to further clarify, you're encouraged to wear any veterans’ organization uniform as well. This refers to the American Legion and the VFW. Contact the church office for more information.

Graduate Gifts

Beautiful  Savior’s “Comforting Yarns” group has prayerfully knitted and crocheted prayer shawls for all of Beautiful Savior graduates.  The will be available for you on June 2 and 3 in the Gathering Space.  They are available to all high school and college graduates.  As you are “graduating” to your next adventure we want the prayer shawl to be a constant reminder of how much God loves you and that you are being prayed for.  Prayer shawls are also available to  our congregation.  Please visit us in the Gathering Space on June 2 and 3 to learn more about this ministry.

Attention Gardeners!

This spring as you get ready to plant your gardens, would you consider planting a few extra plants for the Mission Canning Group? We are hoping and praying for you to have a bumper crop so you have so much produce you won't know what to do with it. What a wonderful problem to have...please donate your extra produce to Mission Canning, and we will turn it into delicious sauces, pickles, jams, jellies, relishes, breads and whatever else we can think of. If we get more than we can handle, we'll pass it on to PRISM for the foodshelf. All donated fruits and vegetables can be brought to the church kitchen. We sincerely thank you and your "green thumbs."

Looking for Talented Writers

Do you like to write? Do you enjoy sharing stories? We need your help! We’re hearing some amazing stories as people are starting to do more and more Random Acts of Kindness. And, we want to share the great stories. So, if you’re willing to do a little bit of writing – maybe for a blog, on Facebook, or in the announcements, please let us know. Contact Darvin Kaelberer at dkaelberer@beautifulsaviorlc.org or call him at 763-550-1000 to learn more.

Habitat for Humanity

Beautiful Savior has joined the NW Churches Coalition of Habitat for Humanity. We will be sharing two work camp weeks with churches in the area; those weeks are June 4-8 and June 11-15. The site is at 9901 Larch St. NW in Coon Rapids. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Darvin with the dates and times you are available.

Mission Classic

What are you doing on Monday, June 25? Save the date for this year's Mission Classic Golf Tournament, Dinner & Auction. You can make a difference in the lives of children, adults & families throughout the Twin Cities all while having a great time with friends! Our goal is to raise $35,000. We are hoping you will be a part of this year's event and help us reach our goal. To register, go to www.beautifulsaviorlc.org and then click on the registration tab. Brochures and sign-up sheets available in the Gathering Space. Questions? Contact Darvin Kaelberer: dkaelberer@beautifulsaviorlc.org

WHERE DO YOU TURN?

On Tuesday, June 12, at noon we will have a presentation by Dr. Barbara Braun. An elder care consultant, she will share valuable information on providing the care and resources needed during the aging process. She consults with individuals and families, helping them learn where and how to access the many services that are available to help with senior living. So, before the need arises to quickly locate assistance, come to learn how to prepare for those situations. See Sherry Olson for further information.

Used Hearing Aids for Bethlehem Update

More used hearing aids were taken to the Director of Audiology in Bethlehem in February. Audiologists from the U.S. were going to arrive and they were going to do testing in the elementary schools in Bethlehem. WHAT A GIFT! THANKS!!!! Our shipment from BSLC was a little larger this time. Please continue to put your used hearing aids and batteries in the bin across from the Youth Room. Contact: Jan Rathjen 763-559-7571

MAY QUILTING MEETINGS

The Quilting Bee has been cancelled for this year but we will continue with our monthly meetings. Our May meetings will be Saturday morning, May 12, 9:00am and Monday evening, May 14, 6:30pm. Please join us for a rewarding mission endeavor. A note of interest: We have donated 3 quilts for the 2nd Annual Quilt Auction held at Redemption Lutheran Church, Bloomington on May 12. This is a benefit for Trinity First Lutheran School, Minneapolis.

Vacation Bible School

August 6-10 | K-6 graders | Amazing Wonders Aviation
You’re clear for takeoff at Amazing Wonders Aviation™! Come join us as we fly to some of the world’s greatest natural wonders and encounter God’s awesome power and learn how God wants to give us everything we need through His power and to His glory! As we fly around the world, kids will take off from Worship at The Worship Rally Hangar and make their first stop at the stunning Victoria Falls for Bible study. While flying around the world kids will also visit craft, music, snack and game stations in the Paricutin Volcano, Under the Northern Lights, the Matterhorn, the Grand Canyon, and the Great Barrier Reef! Amazing Wonders Aviation™ will be an event to remember! Register online at our church website. Come join us!

Trinity First Tiger Club

It's almost spring in the Twin Cities. The kids at Tiger Club look forward to getting outside after their homework is done. We send one staff person out to the playground and one staff person stays inside to help finish up homework and answer the phone. A volunteer would help us by getting the snack ready, helping with homework or helping with games and activities. Could you volunteer to help us out? Tiger Club is the after- school program at Trinity First. We are located between Franklin Ave. and 94 on 11th Ave. Our hours are 3:15- 5:00pm. If you are interested, please contact Diane Meyer - Meyer.tfl@gmail.com.

Moms in Prayer

Mothers, do you worry about your child(ren) now that they are “out in the real world”? Come experience how you can replace your anxiety and fear with peace and hope by praying with other mothers. We will be meeting Friday mornings at 9 by the Sanctuary. Questions? Please contact Brenda Clark at (763) 557-6919 or BkClark@attglobal.net regarding our local group. For more information about Moms In Prayer International, visit www.MomsInTouch.org

Attention Tech Heads!

Looking for people interested in sound, video, and computer to join Worship Ministry in reaching 100's of people every week. Great way for adults and teens to learn a technical skill. Professional training starting soon. Call Jon Holtz at 763-550-1000.

Additional Childcare Worker Wanted

We are looking for additional help in the nursery on a part-time basis. The needs are for Tuesday or Wednesday evenings, as well as Sunday mornings. Contact Bill Johnson or send resume to bjohnson@beautifulsaviorlc.org for more information. 

Comforting Yarns Ministry

The Comforting Yarns Ministry meets the 4th Thursday of each month from 6:30 until 8:00pm. Where do all the shawls go? To our congregation, community, graduates, mission trips, families and friends. They are given away by the pastors, church staff and members of the congregation. They are hand-delivered, mailed and sent in suitcases with mission trips. In 2011 we distributed 130 shawls, 278 pocket shawls for the Christmas Tea and 54 hats, scarves and neckwarmers. How does the ministry work? We have a number of shawl makers who knit and crochet shawls. Once a shawl is completed, it is dropped off in the church office, with the name of the shawl maker or brought to one of our meetings. We keep a log of the shawl recipients so at our monthly meetings we can pray for those who have received a shawl. If you interested in knowing more (we always need more shawl makers) or would like to request, a shawl you can contact Barb Hoeker, rbhoeker@hotmail.com, 763-420-3701, or Kris Jones, kjjones@usfamily.net, 763-535-4499

DAILY DEVOTIONAL BLOG

BEGINS JANUARY 1
Join Bill Johnson and Heather Schnese for a yearlong online devotional study using the chronological Bible. Go to bjsbrew.blogspot.com. A chronological Bible is not required as the readings will be given at the site. Bill and Heather will provide thoughts for each day as well as questions for personal study.

Attention Women

BETH MOORE STUDY. TUESDAY OR FRIDAY CLASSES. "James: Mercy Triumphs" is Beth Moore's newest Bible study. James, Jesus' own brother, started out as a skeptic. See how one glimpse of the resurrected Savior turned an unbeliever into a disciple with Moore's 8-session study. And in the process, learn how you can put your own faith into action. Plus, this study is flexible! Participants may watch the video sessions only, or watch the video sessions and do the homework each week, or even complete "go deeper" sections each week. Two groups starting: choose Tuesdays or Fridays. Tuesday groups start Jan. 10, 9:30-11:30 am in the Resource Room. Friday group starts Jan. 13, 9:30-11:30 in Room 168. MOMS: BRING YOUR LITTLE ONES - CHILDCARE PROVIDED IN THE NURSERY. Sign-up sheet is next to the Beth Moore poster on the display table in the Gathering Space.

Likes Us on Facebook

Are you a Facebook user? Beautiful Savior is too! Help promote Beautiful Savior. Go to www.facebook.com/beautifulsavior.plymouth and like us.

Blogs: They Don't Bite!

Blogs may be intimidating to some, but they are a great & easy way to communicate. If you are viewing this blog today...YEAH! So glad you are here! Just scroll down to view all the announcements that are in this weekends announcements or look to  the right hand column for a list of all the titles. You can respond to any of these blogs by adding a comment. If you want to volunteer for a project, comment and we will make sure your info gets to the right person. If you want to sign up for something, comment that you will attend.  Or if you have something to add to any of the posts, go ahead. We’d love to hear from you! If you have any questions or suggestions comment here or you can also contact Susanne Wagner: 763-550-1000 or swagner@beautifulsaviorlc.org

How to Join Beautiful Savior

Those interested in joining Beautiful Savior are invited to participate in the new member classes. The next set of classes begins Tuesday evening, January 10. The classes meet from 6:30 to 8:00 and run for 8 weeks. For further information please contact Sherry Olson solson@beautifulsaviorlc.org. 

Calling All Labels

School is back in session for Precious Corner Preschool and, once again, we will be participating in the Campbell Labels for Education Program. We can earn FREE educational equipment just by saving. Last year we were able to purchase a portable ball cart and electric ball inflator to keep those balls bouncy. Please remember to collect the UPC codes and V8 products’ caps. New participating products include Pace, Post, Dannon, Glad and Emerald. For a complete list of eligible products and instructions or to drop off your labels, check out our Campbell’s Soup bins in the coat room next to the main offices or outside the Preschool office, Room 127. If you have any questions, please contact Pat Meyer at 763-424-7678. Thanks for your support.

Bibles Available

We have several copies of The Today’s Light Bible for sale. They are $25. Please see Sherry Olson to obtain a copy.

Tutoring Available Wednesday Nights

Julie Curtis Dorfe, a licensed teacher, is available from 7:00 to 8:00 to supervise and assist with homework. She will be located near the Children’s Christmas Service Rehearsals to cast members with their homework and any other students in 1st through 6th grade that need homework help. She will be in the area of the rehearsals all through their rehearsal schedule which ends December 14th. She well then resume a weekly homework help schedule in the Children’s Library Wednesday, January 5th from 7-8:00.

Trinity First Mission Opportunities

An urgent need exists for volunteers during the afterschool program at Trinity First. Please contact Diane Meyer at Trinity First if you are interested. Also we need meal preparers and servers for the Tuesday night parent meals. Meals do not have to be expensive nor time consuming (ie. hot dogs and chips, mac and cheese, soup and sandwich). These meals are served to approximately 30 to 40 people (parents, children and staff). Currently the staff has been doing the meals which adds to their already long day. These parent nights get the parents more involved by offering classes (ie. Financial Peace University, fire safety and other parenting classes) to them with a meal. The Tuesdays available are as follows: Dec. 6, Jan. 17, Feb. 7, Mar. 6, Mar. 20, April 24. Please prayerfully consider this important mission. If you have any questions contact Dan Riser, Karen Kuhnly, or Carrie Butcher @Trinity First: 612-871-2353.