Dear Friends,

We continue this week with Ordinary Time, but as always are challenged beyond the ordinary.  Jesus asks his neighbors to see him as the Messiah–a big leap for them. We are likewise called to see the divine in each other and respond accordingly.  Come; let us ponder these mysteries and grow together as the People of God.  PLEASE SEE SEVERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS BELOW.

Peace and love,

Pastor Kathy

Readings:

• Nehemiah 8: 2-4, 5-6, 8-10
• 1 Corinthians 12: 12-30
• Luke 1: 1-4;  4: 14-21

Announcements:

1. Board Election -remember to vote for three of the four below running for our board, either on Sunday, January 24, 2016 or by email to Eric Bartleson,  ejbartleson@gmail.com by Saturday evening, January 23, 2016.  (Mary Ludwigson, Pauline Christensen, Michael Maher , Nancy Miller).
2. Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser-for the Winona-Misato Friendship Association–Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 4:30 P.M. at the Eagles’ Club, 210 East 4th Street in Winona. Dinners are $8 and include spaghetti with or without meatballs, bread stick and salad. Desserts are for an extra purchase.
3. Winona County Developmental Achievement Center (DAC) 9th Annual Auction and Casino Night–March 12, 2016 at Signatures in Winona.  All funds raised will go to support individuals with developmental disabilities. If you would like to donate an item toward the auction, please call Ryan Buhler, 507-452-1798.

Dear Friends,

We meet this weekend on Saturday at 4:30 P.M. to reflect and pray over our God’s great love for us in the context of a wedding feast. Weddings in the best sense are about love freely given, deep trust in another human being’s willingness to say “yes” to life and love together as long as the two shall live.  Our God’s love for each of us is just that intense, that true. Come; celebrate and pray with us this Saturday.

Peace and love,

Pastor Kathy

P.S.  Think about whether you would like to have pot-luck suppers during Lent, February 20 and March 19. March 19, Saturday will be our celebration of Palm Sunday.  Get back to me with your wishes. 

Readings: 

• Isaiah 62: 1-5
• 1 Corinthians 12: 4-11
• John 2: 1-12

Dear Friends,

This Sunday’s liturgy, The Baptism of Jesus, calls us to reflect on what baptism meant to him at the beginning of his public ministry and likewise calls us to reflect on our own baptisms and what that initial blessing as infants, for most of us, means to us, today.  Does that fact make a difference in how we live our lives each day?

Come; ponder these questions with us.

Peace and love,

Pastor Kathy

Readings:

• Isaiah 42: 1-4, 6-7
• Acts 10 : 34-38
• Luke 3: 15-16, 22

Note: We are looking for people willing to serve on our board–please let the pastor know of your willingness to put your name on the ballot by Sunday evening, January 10, 2016.  Thank you.  aaorcc2008@gmail.com.