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eConnection
weekly email of the
Rocky Mountain Synod
April 2, 2013 |
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Greetings!
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More hotel rooms may become
However, our initial room block is sold out. It is always a "best guess" to determine how many rooms to contract, since the number of participants and commuters is different for each location. If we contract for more than are sold, we end up paying for empty rooms, which is not a good scenario.
The hotel may be able to make additional rooms available after Friday. At this time we have a "wait list" for rooms at the Embassy Suites. To be placed on the list, email Kent.
Other hotels are in very close proximity to the Embassy Suites, including a Candlewood Suites and a Holiday Inn Express. If rooms do not become available at the Embassy Suites, we will look into a special rate nearby.
Assembly registration deadline is Wednesday, April 3!
After the deadline a $25 late fee applies. We have to provide the hotel with preliminary numbers, so we need everyone to register on time. Please register at www.rmselca.org/assembly.
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IN MINISTRY TOGETHER
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Bishop Gonia wants everyone to read about what ministry partnership looks like in Tillamook, Oregon, and he challenges RMS congregations to think about unity in Christ in their own context.
On Easter and all year long, Tillamook churches work towards unity
On Sunday in Tillamook, Lutherans, Episcopalians, Methodists and members of the United Church of Christ are worshiping together. Not because it's Easter, when ecumenical services aren't that unusual, but because it's the fifth Sunday of the month.
For two years, these Christian congregations have taken to heart one of Jesus' last earthly wishes: that his followers would be "as one"...
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| OUR LIFE TOGETHER |
Second Sunday of Easter
O God of life, you reach out to us amid our fears with the wounded hands of your risen Son. By your Spirit's breath revive our faith in your mercy, and strengthen us to be the body of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
Mark Honstein Ordination and Installation Set
 Mark Honstein has been called as Associate Pastor to Watford City Area Lutheran Parish in Watford City, ND. Please come and celebrate the Service of Holy Communion with Ordination on April 7, 2013 at the 10:30 a.m. service at Trinity Lutheran Church, 3333 Duffield Avenue in Loveland, CO (80537).
Bishop Mark Narum of the West North Dakota Synod will preside at the ordination, Pastor Ed Smith will preside at the service, Diaconal Minister Ann Maki will assist, and Mark Honstein will be presenting the sermon. A luncheon at the church will follow the ordination. The color of the day is red.
Mark's installation is currently set for Pentecost Sunday, May 19, 2013, at the 9:30 a.m. service at First Lutheran Church, located at 212 2nd St. NW in Watford City, ND (58854). Mark wishes to thank everyone for all their work in helping him follow this calling into ministry!
Korra Looschen to be Installed as AIM
April 7 in Greeley, Colorado
 Korra Looschen (pictured with her husband and son) has accepted the call to ministry at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Greeley as the new Director for Children, Youth and Household Ministries . The Service of Installation will take place at Our Savior's located at 1800 21st Avenue (80631) on Sunday, April 7 at the 8:15 and 10:40 a.m. worship services. Pastor Sarah Moening, Synod Minister for Deepening Discipleship in the Office of the Bishop, will preach and Pastor John Knutson will preside. The color of the day is white and there will be a reception with light refreshments served after the service.
Synod Prayer Cycle: Wyoming Conference
You are encouraged to include the listed leaders in your Sunday prayers of the people. The prayer list for May is available. Also, you may view the lists for the coming months.
to remember in prayers on 4/7:
Ascension Cheyenne, WY
Paul Everett Christ Cheyenne, WY Karen O'Malia Covenant Wheatland, WY Joshua Bruns Faith Lander, WY Kris Trahnstrom
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ELCA LUTHERAN MEN in MISSION
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LMM Retreat is April 5 - 7, 2013
Look forward to... - Banding together and being challenged
- Examining your life and making decisions
- Be prepared for a spiritual boot camp.
- This 45-hour experience is not for the faint of heart!
 YMCA Camp Santa Maria
51321 US Highway 285 Grant, Colorado 80448 303-443-4474 ext. 4450 SCHEDULE Arrive promptly at 5:30-6:00 p.m. on Friday and depart at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday. Please plan to stay for entire retreat-no exceptions. Registration is non-refundable, but is transferable to another participant for the same retreat. Includes 2 nights lodging, 6 meals and retreat materials. Early Registration is $175 by March 1, 2013. Late Registration cost is $195 by April 1, 2013 For more information, including the registration form, please check out this link.
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2013 ROCKY MOUNTAIN SYNOD ASSEMBLY
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Registration deadline is Wednesday, April 3!
Assembly is May 2-4 in Loveland, CO
The 2013 Rocky Mountain Synod Assembly will feature our year-long theme: Deeply Rooted, Bearing Fruit. Taking place May 2-4 at the Embassy Suites in Loveland, CO. See details online.
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| GETTING READY FOR ASSEMBLY! |
Several requests for assembly volunteers and involvement...
- We are seeking an additional volunteer to staff our history booth for the Friday evening assembly celebration. Any additional donations for our history display are due in the Office of the Bishop by April 15.
- For the assembly, we would like to put together a video about the creation of our assembly "Family Tree" sculpture. Most of the videoing will take place in advance of the assembly at Loveland, CO. Do you have a video camera and video editing skills to offer? Email Tara Smith.
- We will need some volunteers to help construct our "Family Tree" attaching bark and leaves. This will take place in Loveland, CO. If you or a youth group would like to help out, email Tara Smith.
We will be happy to continue to receive your "leaves and bark" for our assembly
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Download leaf templates and make bark strips to submit bark and leaves to the Office of the Bishop by April 3. Information and instructions to add to our assembly "Family Tree.
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CRISTO REY EL PASO BORDER IMMERSION
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Faith Journey through Cooking and Food
Members of Faith Lutheran Church of Washington D.C. spent last week 2,000 miles across the country in El Paso, Texas, among other things, tutoring first-generation students in an After School Program and making traditional Mexican food with a member of Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey. They identified simple necessities which would greatly benefit the efforts of Cristo Rey's outreach programs:
- An electric pencil sharpener for the students in the After School Program
- A blender for grinding chile to be used in cooking Mexican meals, and
- A refrigerator in good working condition
These activities of tutoring and cooking are part of an immersion program sponsored by Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey through which people of faith learn hands-on about the complexities of life along the border region between the US and Mexico. The members of Faith Lutheran join with Cristo Rey in asking if you would please help by providing the above, or offering support to obtain them.
You can contact Justin Remer-Thamert, Border Immersion Program Coordinator at Cristo Rey, by email or phone (915-544-6545) about these needs or interest in an immersion trip.
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SPECIAL ASSEMBLY OPPORTUNITIES
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Discernment for Ministry and Medical Ministries are two assembly workshop themes (There are many others!)
Email Ron Roschke for more information about any of these workshops. A series of workshops (to be publicized soon) will be offered on Saturday, May 4 for anyone to attend, not just assembly registrants. A pre-assembly workshop is also offered on Thursday, open to anyone. Registration for assembly workshops on Saturday is $25 and includes lunch. Register for the Saturday experiences.
A DISCERNMENT WORKSHOP IS OFFERED AS A PRE-ASSEMBLY OPPORTUNITY
THURSDAY, MAY 2, 1:00 - 4:30 pm
"Discerning Rostered Ministry"
The RMS Candidacy Committee invites you to explore rostered ministry in the ELCA. Have you considered being a pastor, diaconal minister or associate in ministry? Meet with synod and rostered leaders along with Amber Remillard, Director of Admissions at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, to learn about the process for becoming a rostered leader and to share in conversations with others who are discerning their call just like you.
"MANY MINISTRIES" WILL BE PRESENTED AS AN ASSEMBLY SATURDAY WORKSHOP
SATURDAY, MAY 4, 10:00 - 11:30 "Many Ministries"
The RMS Candidacy Committee and the Deepening Discipleship team offer you this inter-generational workshop model to invite members of your congregation to explore ministry as a part of faith formation for all baptized Christians. The question before us is never "Will I be a minister?" but rather "What kinds of ministry are calling me today?" This is a lifelong project, and attending this workshop will give you the design for an event you can host in your own congregation to deepen ministries of all your members.
MEDICAL MINISTRIES NETWORK WILL HAVE LUNCH MEETING AT ASSEMBLY ON MAY 4
SATURDAY, MAY 4, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Medical Ministries Network in the Rocky Mountain Synod
Parish nurses, hospital chaplains and synod members interested in medical ministries are invited to a lunchtime conversation to discuss how creating a synodical network could deepen our healing ministries. This gathering will immediately flow into the "Awakening" workshop, which will look at how our companion synod relationships with Madagascar are providing us with new vision for the work of spiritual and physical healing.
HEALING MINISTRIES WORKSHOP IS OFFERED AT ASSEMBLY
SATURDAY, MAY 4, 12:30 - 1:45 pm
"Awakening:" Exploring Healing Ministries from Madagascar
The Awakening Movement in Madagascar challenges our most basic assumptions about the nature of health and illness. This holistic and community approach to healing offers the church in North America a place as a partner in accompanying our sisters and brothers who face serious medical, emotional and life challenges as together we build our lives on God's baptismal promises for healing and wholeness. Take a look at this amazing movement and dream with us what it might mean to share these gifts in our own twenty-first century, North American context.
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URBAN SERVANT CORPS
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Urban Servant Corps Fundraising Events
 Alumni Community Meal SAME Cafe -- 2023 E. Colfax April 24 at 6:00 p.m. The USC Alumni and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans affinity group is supporting a gathering of Urban Servant Corps alumni to do one of our favorite things -- SHARE A MEAL TOGETHER and reminisce about the GOOD 'OL DAYS! Dinner is free and so is the fun! Please RSVP to krista@servantcorps.org by April 19th so that the appropriate amount of food is prepared.
 Silent Auction Celebration: The Many Hands of Service! Thursday, May 16 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at St. John's Cathedral: Dagwell Hall Join the Urban Servant Corps community for an evening of celebrating "The Many Hands of Service!" Snacks and beverages (home brew beer!) will be provided. You'll also have the opportunity to bid on a Champagne Brunch for 8, local restaurant gift cards, hand-made goodies, and MUCH MORE! $15 suggested donation. Please RSVP to krista@servantcorps.org.
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TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
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LMPC Training Opportunities
The Lombard Mennonite Peace Center has scheduled upcoming training opportunities in mediation and conflict transformation in ministry.
First, the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center will be leading a one-day workshop,
Leadership & Anxiety in the Church, at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Aurora, Colorado, on Tuesday, May 14, 2013. View a brochure with further information and a registration form plus a group discount coupon for groups of four or more registering from the same church.
In addition, there will be a Mediation Skills Training Institute at University Park Methodist Church, Denver, Colorado, during the week of October 7 - 11, 2013. This event provides 32 hours of training, which is useful for clergy who are looking for continuing education opportunities and to hone their mediation skills. Check out the brochure. Participants who register for the Mediation Skills Training Institute before the pre-registration deadline of September 13 will save $100 off the later registration price.
All brochures for events at The Center can be found on the website and downloaded, forwarded and/or printed. The Lombard Mennonite Peace Center is located at 101 W. 22nd Street, Suite 206 in Lombard, IL (60148).
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PEACE NOT WALLS
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International Prayer Vigil for Peace in the Middle East
We can support both Israelis and Palestinians by taking part in a new international prayer vigil sponsored by the ACT Palestine Forum that began December 24, 2012. The prayer vigil is  intended to take place around the world on the 24th of each month until the Israeli occupation of Palestine ends, all violence ceases and a just and equitable peace is negotiated. This can be as simple as co-workers gathering at lunchtime to pray for peace with justice in the Holy Land, or a meditative, musical liturgy followed by a speaker and time of education about the people and issues involved. Find educational ideas here.
There is also a Lenten litany bulletin insert:
Lenten Prayer Folder for International Prayer Vigil
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JOB OPENINGS
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Saint Peter Lutheran Church located at 9300 E. Belleview Avenue in Greenwood Village, CO (80111) is currently seeking a part-time bookkeeper (25 - 30 hours per month). The bookkeeper will have several responsibilities, including maintaining the financial records of the church and other critical administrative tasks. Candidates must be detail oriented and self-motivated with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Working knowledge of relevant computer applications (QuickBooks, Excel, and Microsoft Word) is preferred.
Applications will be accepted April 1 through April 15, 2013. Mail (address above) or email a cover letter and resume to Lynn Sherpe at lsherpe@stplc.org
For more information: http://www.stplc.org/files/library/ptbookkeeper.pdf.
Seeking a bell choir director and organist/accompanist
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church is seeking to fill a part time Handbell Director position starting late this summer or early fall. Previous director experience is desirable. Some benefits will be included. Resumes are being accepted now until the position is filled.
Holy Trinity is also seeking an organist and accompanist for Sunday morning worship and weekly (Thursday) choir practice. These positions may be filled separately or combined. Some benefits will be included. Resumes are being accepted now until the position/s is/are filled.
For more information, contact Pastor Dave Palma-Ruwe (303 798-1356) or Bob Zermuehlen (303 781-4107). You may submit a resume via fax (303 798-1366) or email. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church is located at 6322 South Lakeview St. in Littleton, CO (80120).
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ELCA WELLNESS CHALLENGE
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It's not too late...
It's not too late to take the health assessment! On April 10 we'll find out if we met our goal of 65% participation. But the ultimate, final deadline to count towards that goal is April 30! When leaders with Portico health benefits take the assessment, they get $150! So does an eligible spouse. More dollars are available for doing follow-up healthy-choice activities.
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Every Person, Every Congregation, Every Ministry, Boldly Serving
God's Mission in Christ
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THIS WEEK
Bishop Jim Gonia
- Mobility Review, Office of the Bishop, Denver, CO.
- Candidacy Meeting and Interviews, Office of the Bishop, Denver, CO.
- Visiting with and Preaching at First Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, CO.
- Webex meeting with Churchwide Assembly Voting Members, Denver, CO.
- Visiting with the congregation of Lutheran Church of Hope, Broomfield, CO.
Pastor Ron Roschke
- Candidacy Meeting and Interviews, Office of the Bishop, Denver, CO.
- Visiting with the congregation of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, CO.
- Begin First Call Theological Education, Las Vegas, NM.
Pastor Sarah Moening
- Mobility Review, Office of the Bishop, Denver, CO.
- Installation of Pastor Korra Looschen, Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Greeley, CO.
- Visiting with the Council of HKBP/Montclair Lutheran Church, Denver, CO.
- Visiting with the congregation of Trinity Lutheran Church, Laramie, WY.
Pastor Stephanie Quick Espinoza
- Visiting with Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains, Denver, CO.
- Prayer Circle with the Four Winds American Indian Council, Denver, CO.
- Assembly Planning meetings and tasks
- Synod Office Site Task Force meeting
- Visiting "Growing Home" ministry at former Valley Lutheran Church location
Brad Wood
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry CO
- Hearing on Senate Bill at the State Capitol, Denver, CO.
- Colorado Council of Churches Criminal Justice Task Force meeting, Denver, CO.
- Colorado Department of Human Services Board meeting, Denver, CO.
- Speaking at the Adult Forum at Saint Philip Lutheran Church, Littleton, CO.
- Skype with CIVJ volunteers, Office of the Bishop, Denver, CO.
- All Families Deserve a Chance Legislative Committee meeting, Denver, CO.
Ruth Hoffman
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry - NM
- Coalition to End Homelessness Advocacy Committee meeting, Santa Fe, NM.
- Speaking at the Adult Forum at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Albuquerque, NM.
- Meeting with the New Mexico Association of Food Banks Director, Albuquerque, NM.
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CALENDAR |
website calendar 2013 MAY 2-4 2013 RMS Assembly Embassy Suites Hotel
Loveland, Colorado SEPTEMBER 23-26 Theological Conference YMCA of the Rockies
Estes Park, Colorado
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| ELCA GLOBAL LINKS | |
eNewsletter of the ELCA
Haiti: Seeking a more secure future
The goal in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake and recent hurricanes goes beyond repairing the damage to buildings and includes making the lives of Haitians more secure and self-sustaining, says Joseph Livenson Lauvanus, president of the Lutheran Church in Haiti. With 1.3 million people still living in tents, much still needs to be done. See more
New: 2013 Directory of ELCA Global Missionaries, Scholarships and Ministries
You will want a copy of this annual directory, full of beautiful pictures and stories of our engagement with the global church. Request a single free copy at RIS@elca.org
Nigeria: Working toward a dream
A proud 15-year-old student of ELCA missionary Mary Beth Oyebade moved down to the fourth-grade to improve his math and reading, but his eye is on the goal of one day attending a university. More information.
Madagascar: "We have found our home here"
It was a year ago that the Rev. Austin and Tanya Propst came to Madagascar. The ELCA missionaries say, "Through much prayer, challenge, laughter, joy, wrong turns, ah-ha moments, quiet spaces, tears, noisy streets and handshakes, we find peace in our being here." Read more.
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UTAH
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Building an Inclusive Church
Building an Inclusive Church will be presented at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1070 Foothill Drive, Salt Lake City, April 5 - 6, 2013. Registration and information is available on the website of Institute for Welcoming Resources..
Events
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NEW MEXICO and EL PASO, TEXAS
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 St. Paul Invites Everyone to their Malagasy Experience Event
On Holy Hilarity Sunday the folks of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Albuquerque, are offering a novel opportunity for people to share in the joy of being part of the world-wide body of Christ. Please read on....
On April 7, at noon, we will be holding a Madagascar awareness event at St Paul. We will have a Malagasy meal, entertainment by our Malagasy members, and information about our companion synod program and ELCA global missions. Terry Cole's purpose in making a return trip to Madagascar is to increase awareness of and involvement in Global Missions at St. Paul, her home congregation, and throughout New Mexico. She is so excited to have four fellow New Mexicans on this trip!
 Since her last trip (in 2005), she has been on Global Missions Program Committee for the ELCA and also on our synod Companion Synod Committee. Through this involvement, she realizes that we need to do more to raise awareness "out here" in the synod away from the main action in the Denver area (where congregations tend to know more and do more in this area).
The fundraising focus of this event is to support the Global Mission Ministry at St. Paul. Our vision is to connect youth through Young Adults in Global Mission and offer others the opportunity to grow deeper in their awareness of God's global church. On behalf of the people of St. Paul, you and any of the kids or adults from New Mexico are invited to attend this event.
Share this information with anyone else that might be interested, and please RSVP to Terry Cole if you are coming.
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| COLORADO | submit Colorado news or photos
 Group for Progressive Lutherans meets April 8
A new group for progressive Lutheran theological thinkers holds meeting at Messiah Community Church, located at 1750 Colorado Blvd. The group meets once a month for discussions of Bible texts, church events, books, theological developments, and more. The next meeting is scheduled for April 8, 2013, at 9:00 a.m. If you have questions, please contact Pastor Wolfgang Stahlberg by email or phone (303-355-4471). New attendees are always welcome.
New Beginnings Church at the Denver Women's Correctional
Facility 
The women of New Beginnings Church welcome visitors to their weekly Friday Bible Study and Worship. This will be an experience of a lifetime and will bless both you and the women in prison.
Please contact Kathy at 303-831-7023 or via email with at least two-weeks notice for groups of six or fewer. Time is needed for a background check with name, birth date, and driver's license number provided for each visitor. Visitors may be either men or women, but must be 21 years or older.
Beyond Divorce Workshop
The workshop, Beyond Divorce: Rebuilding When Your Relationship Ends, begins on Thursday, April 11, 2013, at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Highlands Ranch. The seminar is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. each Thursday for 10 weeks, ending on June 13, 2013. Complementary child care is available.
For more information please contact Beth Walker by email or phone (720-352-9915).
 Spring is here! Time to celebrate with some worship under the blue sky!
All are invited to Prayer and Party in the Park on April 14, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at the pavilion and sports field on the South-west corner of Infinity Park in Glendale, CO. We gather to worship and celebrate the season of Easter, the blessings of Spring as well as have a blessing of Spring recreational activities and equipment.
We would love to see you there. If you cannot attend, we would be deeply grateful for your prayers for the event! More details and FAQ can be found at http://bit.ly/PPP2013
 Fundraiser Invitation to Cherokee Ranch for Children in Haiti Danielle Gilbert, a youth attending Well of Hope Worshipping Community has been planning (with some guidance from one of her high school teachers and Pastor Michelle de Beauchamp) to put on a fundraiser at Cherokee Ranch and Castle in Sedalia. She has worked tirelessly at getting people to donate so that all the funds can go directly toward the fundraiser! Funds raised by the event will go toward serving children in Haiti through the Haitian Timoun Foundation summer camps in the Jacmel, Haiti. These summer camps are set up to help child slaves and when the children attend they receive two meals a day, a water filtration system for their family, and new clothes. The event is being funded by Abiding Hope and Well of Hope.  There will be speakers throughout the night, and rostered leaders are especially urged to attend to show their support for the Rocky Mountain Synod's newest worshipping community (Well of Hope in Castle Pines). You can look forward to fabulous food from the caterer, a chance to enjoy the cash bar, an awesome silent auction, and if you get there by 6:00 p.m., there are free tours of Cherokee Castle! If you don't know about Cherokee Ranch it is a "big deal" in Douglas County as a venue and is actually like a Castle! Invite your friends, families and church members! Here are the details: Thursday, April 25, 2013 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Cherokee Ranch and Castle
6113 Daniels Park Rd
Sedalia, CO 80135The tickets are $45 per person or $80 per couple. To purchase tickets online, please visit the website or contact Pastor Michelle by email!
 Highlands Lutheran Church 90th Anniversary Celebration is Sunday, April 28. On April 28, 2013, Highalnds Lutheran Church celebrates 90 years of ministry in NW Denver. The Celebratory Service will take place at 10:30 a.m. and the Party is from 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. The theme of our celebration is: 90 and Forward in God's Grace!
Our celebration will include guest preacher and musician Rev. Kent Mueller, of the Office of the Bishop of the Rocky Mountain Synod. Former pastors and guest preachers at HLC will be in attendance. Doug Howe and his Band will uplift the attendees with music from all the decades between 1926 and 2013. There will be a Period Costume Contest, so choose an era that spoke to you in terms of clothing and come dressed up! Since Highlands Lutheran Church had a Swedish constituency in its early years, we will have a Swedish buffet and desert. ELCA pastors and church members are welcome to attend.
Highlands Lutheran Church is located at 3995 Irving Street in Denver (80211). Please RSVP to the church by email or phone (303-477-2031).
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