| Connect : Fireside Commons Art Exhibit |
through Oct. 20, Easter on the Hill
Enjoy the 5th annual Harvest of Art Exhibit in the fireplace commons. This community art exhibit features nearly 40 South of the River youth and adult artists and is on display across the community including our location, Dunn Brothers Coffee, Ring Mountain Creamery and the Eagan Community Center. For more information about this exhibit, contact Julie Andersen at the Eagan Art House, 651-686-9134.
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| Give : Sermon Series: The Generosity Factor |
You Gotta Have HEART!
He owns it all (Sept. 19)
Every day is an opportunity (Sept. 26)
Action is required (Oct. 3)
Remember your blessings (Oct. 10)
Thank God (Oct. 10)
The Generosity FactorWhat is the Generosity Factor? Author Ken Blanchard and fast food entrepreneur S. Truett Cathy attempt to answer the question in their best-selling book, The Generosity Factor: Discover the Joy of Giving Your Time, Talent, and Treasure. The story, told in parable format, introduces a range of characters whose interactions among each other reveal certain truths about generosity, greed and people. The characters include a rich, self-centered broker, the broker's driver, who is a hardworking man struggling to support his family, a very wealthy executive who embodies generosity, and a bag lady, who is arrested for panhandling in front of the broker's building. The broker reads in the newspaper that the bag lady he had arrested is actually his rich neighbor in disguise. She dressed up in rags to more effectively touch the lives of the poor. Upon learning her true identity, the broker begins his own journey to discover the "Generosity Factor," which involves differentiating between "success" and "significance." While success is concerned with wealth, achievement and status, significance is concerned with generosity, service and relationships. What is the Generosity Factor? The broker learns the answer is HEART, a heart changed by the grace of God. He Owns It All; Every Day Is an Opportunity; Action is Required; Remember Your Blessings; Thank Him (p. 104) Blanchard explains, "The really interesting thing about it is that a changed heart is a generous heart. The old way is to desire to have the good things to flow toward us. The new way is to want the good things to flow out of us. As a result, even greater things flow into our lives" (p. 107). This book is a quick read and the themes about generosity and greed are told in a way that invites the reader to reflect on his/her own values and behavior. |
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| Learn : Church School Teacher Workshops |
Wed. Sept. 8, 6:30 p.m., Easter on the Hill
Sun. Sept. 12, 8 a.m., Easter by the Lake
If you are volunteering to lead church school this year it is important that you attend one of the Teacher Workshops. You will learn what’s new for church school this year, and how to utilize the Akaloo website.
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| Learn : Infant/Toddler Center Training Session |
Saturday, Sept. 25, 9-9:45 a.m.
Easter on the Hill
Confirmation students – learn how to care for children in the Infant/Toddler Center. Earn one service hour for attending the training. After training, sign up for the worship time and location that works best for you. Questions? Contact the church office at 651-452-3680.
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| Learn : Family Faith Night for Preschoolers |
This is your special night! (Age 4 Kids and their families!)
Saturday, Oct. 2, Easter on the Hill
5 p.m. Family Worship, 6 p.m. Enjoy pizza with families. At 6:20 p.m. preschoolers and their parents have an activity time full of fun and interaction. Childcare is provided for siblings. The cost for pizza is $5/person the night of the event (age 3 and under are free). Please RSVP by emailing Rachelle Gill at rgill@easter.org if you will be coming for pizza and if sibling care is needed.
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| Connect : SMALL GROUP CORNER |
Grow in Faith and Carry on the Work of Jesus Christ
Through Small Groups!
I attended a leadership conference recently, and was impressed when Bill George, the conference leader and former CEO of Medtronic, talked about the value of small groups as a key way to deepen one’s growth in leadership character.
David Benner, author of The Gift of Being Yourself, writes, “Deep knowing of [God’s] love, just like deep knowing of ourselves, demands that we be in relationships of spiritual friendship. No one should ever expect to make the journey alone. And the knowing of self and God … depends on being accompanied by others on our journey into the heart of God.”
In truth, humans thrive when they are in significant relationship with others. Stacy Wollmuth’s wellness article this month on Social/Interpersonal well-being (page 6) supports this notion. All people need a variety of relationships if they are to thrive and grow personally or spiritually.
So, whether you wish to get to know yourself better, deepen your relationship with God, carry out service opportunities with others, or just connect with other members for fun, small groups are a key means to that end at Easter.
As one member recently shared with me, “I know I can count on my life group. We study the Bible, but we also support and count on each other, and have fun. We are at similar life stages so we share parenting and marriage experiences and learn from each other.”
Small groups can form at any time during the year. Currently we have people who are interested in forming these groups:
Empty nesters
DVD movie watchers club (adults or families)
Wellness and nutrition
Book club
Exploring leadership topics
Scrapbooking
Life transitions (later stage)
At Easter, a key to small groups is this notion of being in significant community. I recently visited with a life group that’s been together for three years. They are clearly in significant community. As scary as that may sound to some, it isn’t the typical experience. Successful small groups spend the better part of the first year getting to know each other, while they gather for their defined purpose. Relationships deepen naturally when people show up in an authentic way – it isn’t forced or contrived, and the resulting sentiment is typically that they anticipate their time with their group, and want to make it a priority in their lives.
So, what kind of small group would you rearrange your schedule to be part of? Easter can help you find it or create it, and then support you in it. Please contact Mary Kay DuChene at marykay@easter.org, or 651-452-3680.
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| Connect : Social/Interpersonal Wellbeing - by Stacy Wollmuth |
We continue our spin around the wholeness wheel by lifting up social/interpersonal well-being. From the beginning of creation God intents for us to be in relationship with one another and in relationship with him. He teaches us that our love and care for each other is a way that we can honor his name.
John 13: 34-35 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
The ELCA Board of Pensions live well website reminds us that, "we were created to be social people by God with instructions to help and love one another. We are nourished by the love and intimacy of our family and friends. Isolation is a significant risk for depression and premature death. Whether we are introverted or extroverted, regular social contact is essential for health. Being healthy means having healthy relationships with family, friends,
co-workers and others. Studies have shown that volunteering in service to others actually lengthens life."
We belong to many different kinds of communities and experience many different kinds of relationships in our everyday lives. We are part of our local community, work and school communities, sports, recreation and service communities. Each day we are in relationships with a wide variety of people. We all share a need to feel a sense of belonging and acceptance. Each social/interpersonal relationship we are involved in has a direct influence on our
well-being.
As part of the body of Christ we are part of the living risen Christ that moves and works in the world today. Easter people have a unique opportunity to carry on the work of Jesus Christ. God's Work, Our Hands! It is within a faith community that we have the ability to enhance our own social/interpersonal relationships as well as nurture our relationship with our Savior!
Opportunities at Easter Lutheran to enhance your social/interpersonal
well-being:
Weekly worship
Small group ministry (See Small Group Corner on page 7)
Annual congregational events
Join others in service (Feed My Starving Children, Eagan Resource Center, Habitat For Humanity, etc)
Bible Studies and School of Faith offerings
Easter Kin/ Care Ministry
Support Groups
Join a book group and read the "Generosity Factor"
And many more!
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| Learn : Family Faith Night for 3rd graders and Families – The Bible! |
Sat. Oct. 9, Easter on the Hill - 3rd graders your special night!
5 p.m. Worship – 6 p.m. Pizza – 6:20 p.m. activity with your parents/guardians
Bring your family and celebrate! A blessing of the personalized Bibles will be given during the 5 p.m. worship service. After the service we will celebrate with pizza, followed by an interactive parent/child learning session. Childcare will be provided for siblings. Please RSVP to Rachelle at rgill@easter.org if you will be having pizza or childcare is needed. The cost is $5 per person (3 and under free) for pizza. Please pay the night of the celebration.
*Third grade parents if you have not picked up your child’s Bible, please pick it up soon at Easter on the Hill so you can personalize your child’s Bible before the celebration. Bring your personalized Bible to the Worship Service at 5 p.m. for a special dedication. This will be the first time your 3rd grader will see it! Thank you!
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| Learn : Join Spirited Feet Dance Classes today! |
Sign up by September 7 to assure you get in a class. The purpose of Spirited Feet is to honor Christ through dance. We strive to provide dance instruction in an atmosphere that is positive, fun, enthusiastic, and wholesome for all of our dancers. More information online at www.easter.org (Learn/Elementary) or in the Children’s and Family Ministry Brochure at either site.
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| Connect : Moms of College Kids! (MOCK) |
Thursdays, beginning Sept. 16
9:30-10:30 a.m., Easter on the Hill
Do you worry about your children that are away from home? Come experience how you can replace your anxiety and fear with peace and hope by praying with other moms.
Moms of college kids (M.O.C.K) is a small group that prays specifically and scripturally for our children. Won’t you join with us in prayer for this next generation? Come when you can, no registration. Contact Rachelle Gill at 651-452-3680 or rgill@easter.org if you have any questions.
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