Rosemount United Methodist Church has a WONDERFUL problem – we are running out of room in the sanctuary to accommodate contemporary worshippers! God is leading more people to discover the caring, loving, fun, Christian congregation that is RUMC. Expansion is necessary. The good news is – we have the space!
Sunday, February 11th, Pastor Karen presented ideas to the 10:30 Worship Service to expand contemporary worship services into the Family Life Center (FLC). This is a marvelous space. Enhancements are needed to transform the FLC into a warm, welcoming environment so that more people can participate and worship. Member DeAnne Parks has graciously sketched this possible version of the finished FLC.
Imagine a hand-made wooden cross, a baptismal fountain with moving water, beautiful, back-lit stained glass windows, comfortable seating, and, of course, a state-of-the-art sound system. The FLC is large enough for our whole congregation to gather for special worship services and able to hold the soul-stirring Christmas Cantata. It could also be used to host concerts for the community.
As a congregation we have embraced the vision that every person in our community would experience God through engaging worship. The Family Life Center is a blank canvas on which God is going to paint something wonderful! You will hear much more about this in the coming months. Your comments and suggestions are welcomed! Please feel free to contact Lori Maser lmaser@rosemountumc.org.
ROSEMOUNT UMC IS GROWING! ………….SO ALL MAY WORSHIP
What a joy it is to be part of this growing church! On a regular basis our 9:00 traditional service and our 10:30 contemporary services are quite full. Experts who have studied church growth have shown time and time again that once a sanctuary feels more than 80% full guests do not feel there is room for them and often will not return for a second visit. Our sanctuary comfortably holds 250-260 people. 80% of that is 208 people. Our Sunday worship services are well over that mark on a regular basis.
At Rosemount UMC we have a vision “That everyone in our community would experience God through engaging worship.” We want new folks to feel like there is a place for them here! New folks matter to God and they matter to us.
Several teams have been working on our behalf, for the past year, to plan for our growing church. During worship on February 25, 2007. Rosemount UMC’s growth plan called “SO ALL MAY WORSHIP” was introduced. This is a three-year capital campaign to help our church do several things:
1. Expand Rosemount UMC’s Worship Opportunities: To do this we will move our growing 10:30 contemporary worship service to a renovated Family Life Center that will be designed for worship (see separate article) We will add a 10:30 traditional service in the sanctuary. Our goal is to have these new opportunities for worship ready by September 2007. To do this there is significant work that must be done on the Family Life Center to improve sound, purchase equipment and create a welcoming worship environment. The new traditional worship service will require additional staff (musicians, choir director etc.). Outreach efforts into the community will also be part of this effort. Long range plans in this category also include parking lot expansion.
2. Ensure a functional and safe facility. Just like in your home, there are big ticket items in the church that need to be replaced. The BOILER that heats our building is in need of replacement. It is many decades old and is no longer able to handle our heating requirements. We have been talking about boiler replacement for years now, but the time to act has come. There were many days this winter when the boiler could not keep up with the heating demands and the sanctuary, offices and classrooms were very cold! There are also renovations needed on the old bathrooms in the education wing.
3. Mission Tithe: At Rosemount UMC we always tithe 10% of capital campaign proceeds to a mission project. The church leadership has chosen “NOTHING BUT NETS”, a mission project to reduce the spread of malaria in Africa, in partnership with the United Methodist Church, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the National Basketball Association. Malaria kills over 1,000,000 children every year. For $10 a piece Nothing but Nets provides a treated bed net and education to families in Africa. Let’s commit ourselves and our church to eliminating this very treatable illness.
Some may ask, “Why not just expand the sanctuary?” Our estimated cost of sanctuary expansion alone is $2 million. All of the projects listed above would still need to be done before we could expand the sanctuary, making the total cost more than we can afford as a congregation. We believe the “So All May Worship” plan helps us to be the best stewards of the resources of our church.You will hear much about the campaign in the months to come. Watch for several “DON”T MISS!” events, campaign brochure, words of witness during the worship services and more.
The “SO ALL MAY WORSHIP” campaign will culminate celebration Sunday on May 20, 2007. Together we will plan and give for the growth of our church SO ALL MAY WORSHIP!
Your questions, concerns and comments are important. Please contact the leaders below:
We are now in the season of Lent. Lent is a season of the Christian Year when people are invited to think about their relationship with God in a serious and reflective way. Historically Christians have done this through prayer, fasting, worship and acts of service. During Lent we recognize that our lives are full of distractions and things that draw us away from Christ. Some people will choose to give up some of these distractions (television, junk food, candy, excessive spending). Some people will choose not to give something up, but to take something on, like volunteering, collecting food for those in need, giving up a meal a day and using the money that would have spent on food to give to a hunger relief organization.
Lent is the forty days before Easter, beginning with Ash Wednesday. Lent excludes Sundays because Sunday is always considered a “little Easter”, a day of resurrection.
During worship we will continue to walk through the life of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke to see what Jesus “gave up” and what he “took on”.
How will you draw closer to Christ this Lenten season? What will you give up? What will you take on? Challenge yourself to put your relationship with Christ first.
Spiritual Practices for Lent
Grace and peace,
Pastor Karen Bruins
New Member Class
A new member class will be held on Saturday, April 21, from 8:30 - noon, for those interested in joining RUMC. We will cover what it means to be a United Methodist, as well as a building tour and an overview of the many different programs that are offered here. Brunch will be served. If you will need free child care, please contact the church office by Wednesday, April 18. If you are interested, or have questions, please contact the church office (651-423-2475), or Jim or Dawn Dibley (651-423-5392 or jdibley@rosemountumc.org).
Adult Life News-"Journey with a FoCUS on Christ"
Tuesday Ladies Community (TLC) Spring Session- March 6-April 24 9:30-12:00 pm -An opportunity for women of all generations & experiences to gather, share ideas, joys & struggles, worship & serve God.
Breakout Choices include: Grace- A study of Psalm 23 , Cooking- Christian fellowship plus Tuesday night’s dinner!, Parenting Young Children: birth through 3rd grade or Reaching Teens in their Natural Habitat: a Field Guide for Savvy Parents.TLC for infants through kindergarten is available at no charge in the main nurseries: A113 & A115. Registration forms are available at the adult life table or online.
Getting to Know Jesus-“Jesus, the Early Years” is part of the “Understanding the Savior Series”. It focuses on the first 8 chapters of the Gospel of Mark and will continue meeting in March and April. You may join a class at any time.There are three sessions: Sundays, 9:00-10:00 a.m., Sundays, 10:30-11:30 and Wednesdays, 7:00-8:00 p.m. No homework or preparation time is needed—only regular attendance at the one hour sessions. The leader is Rev. Rick Ormsby; he may be reached at church (651) 423-2475 ext.209 or at his home (507) 333-2770.
Adult Bible Studies
- Adult Bible Study on Sundays 10:10-11:10 in the Conference Room. Contact is Dennis Lund-952-435-7133.
- "Faith Lessons"- adult Bible study held Sundays 10:15-11:15 in room D120. Contact Gerry Vuchetich.
Coming this fall! Watch for information about ALPHA. PLans are being made for the 12 week study, September-November 2007.Unidos en Cristo weekends: March 15-18 (men) and March 22-25 (women) hosted by Rosemount UMC. Summer dates are June 14-17 (men) and June 21-24 (women) hosted by Faith Presbyterian Church in Minnetonka. Contact Jim or Dawn Dibley at 651-423-5392.
Discovery Avenue Children's Ministry Ne
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The Bunny Brunch is coming to town right here at RUMC. The annual Bunny Brunch will be held on Saturday, March 31, 9:30-11:00 a.m. Watch for flyers in church school and at the Children’s Welcome table.
We’re excited to announce a new choice for Parent’s Morning Out! Parent’s Morning out is now available for you either Wednesday or Thursday! What is Parent’s Morning Out (PMO)? PMO is a great opportunity for parents to have a morning to themselves while your kids are having fun in a safe environment. PMO is from 9:15am – 12:15pm on Wednesdays or Thursdays. They’ll hear stories, play games, do crafts, run around in the Family Life Center, and end the morning with a lunch that you have packed. There is a small fee for PMO to help us cover costs.
Be sure to mark your calendar for the Children’s Good Friday worship service on Friday, April 6 at 7 p.m. (same time as the sanctuary service).
Roundup at the Rosemount Ranch (Triple R – get it?) will be happenin’ all summer long, pardner! Just want to give ya’ll a lil ‘ol heads up for some of the Ranch highlights this summer. Ya’ll will want to be sure and mosey on down for some boot tappin’ fun this summer.
Zone 56 News
Zone 56 kids are learning about how to deal with life Under Pressure and will move on to Growing Spiritually to finish out the year. Ask a Zone 56 kid about serving at Feed My Starving Children on 2/23—this is one of their favorite activities of the year!
Looking ahead, mark your calendars for May 4-5 for YUMYS retreat for our church conference 5th and 6th graders.
God’s Discovery Kids PreschoolCome join the fun! GDK is a preschool located in the RUMC Discovery Avenue. We are licensed by the MN Department of Human Services and specialize in immersing preschoolers in God’s love while preparing them for success in Kindergarten. We are now enrolling for the 2007-2008 school year. Hurry- classes are filling quickly!
The following classes will be offered next year:
4 -year-olds (4 by Sept. 1) 9:30 – 12:00 MWF or TWTh $120 per month
3-year-olds (3 by Sept. 1) 9:30 – 12:00 MW or TTh $95 per month
Young 3’s (3 by Dec. 1) 9:30 – 12:00 F $70 per month
5-year-olds (5 by Dec. 1) 1:00 – 3:30 MTWTh $145 per monthThere is a $55 per child registration fee. Scholarships are available. For more information contact Wendy Riphenburg at wriphenburg@rosemountumc.org or pick up a brochure at the children’s ministries table in the narthex.
Sunday, March 4th – Sr. High Youth meets from 6-8pm upstairs in the Attic.
- Sr. Class (for Seniors in High School) 2007 meets upstairs in the Attic from 8-9:30pmMonday, March 5th - NOOMA Night meets from 6-7pm upstairs in the ATTIC. This meeting is for all 8th & 9th graders and their mentors. Hope to see you there!
Wednesday, March 7th - Club 78 (for all 7th & 8th graders) meets from 6:30-8pm upstairs in the ATTIC.
Sunday, March 11th - Sr. High Youth meets from 6-8pm upstairs in the Attic.
- NO Sr. Class.(For Seniors in High School) See you next Sunday!
- **If you are a Leadership Quest participant please turn in your registration forms and your $150 deposit to Josh!!Wednesday, March 14th - Club 78 (for all 7th & 8th graders) meets from 6:30-8pm in the Attic
Friday, March 16-18th - UMY’s weekend in St. Cloud. This is a Sr. High weekend at the Holiday Inn in St. Cloud, MN. We will enjoy worship, workshops, food, and other events throughout the weekend with over 1,000 other High School students from around the state of Minnesota. We will leave around 4pm on Friday night and return on Sunday at around 3pm
- NO Sr. High Youth in the evening. Plan an evening out with your small group.
- Sr. Class 2007 (For Seniors in High School) meets upstairs in the Attic from 8-9:30pmWednesday, March 21st - Club 78 (for all 7th & 8th graders) meets from 6:30-8pm upstairs in the ATTIC.
Sunday, March 25th - Sr. High Youth meets from 6-8pm upstairs in the ATTIC.
- Sr. Class (For Seniors in High School) 8-9:30pm. Meets upstairs in the Attic.Wednesday, March 28th - Club 78 (for all 7th & 8th graders) meets from 6:30-8pm upstairs in the Attic.
There will be an orientation/informational meeting for both Duluth and Queens mission trips in the end of March. Be on the look out for mailings about this informational meeting coming soon!
Are you an Angel? If you were a Angel for the Angel Tree Christmas program, I would love to hear how your experience was. The Angel Tree program is always looking for ways to improve. You can call or email me at 52bazurko@charter.net or by phone at 952 985 5824. Deb Basurto Don't forget about the Birthday Cakes! Thanks, Deb Basurto
Want to help the hungry and homeless? The mission team is looking for cooks to prepare meals for Simpson Shelter on the 3rd Monday of each month. Preparation takes place at RUMC. For more information or to volunteer, contact Meredith Johnson at 651-322-6676.
Our Jamaica team for 2007, Marti Jo Bruyer, Brian Hanson and Rick Ormsby, recently returned from a two week project near St. Ann's Bay, Jamaica. They worked with the Methodist Ebenezer Basic School for children aged 3-5. If you would like a program for your group or family, contact Pastor Rick Ormsby at the church office or at home at 507-333-2770. See any of this year's team members if you are interested in being on the January/February 2008 team.
Interested in being part of an African Fellowship? Plans are to meet monthly for worship, share an African meal, and relate RUMC to the needs of Africans. Contact Pastor Rick Ormsby for more information.
Lenten Offering will be designated to La Puerta Abierta, Greg Strock, and Becky Harrell (Kusayapu).
La Puerta is a church on the West Side of St. Paul with 77 members from Belize, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Chile, Honduras, and the US. Their hope is to make a safe and welcoming Christian place for all people. RUMC members currently reside on their board to work on making their dream of a larger church a reality.
Greg Strock is part of a group called the Evangelism Team through the Josiah Venture. His focus is to spur on evangelism in the Czech Republic. The major tool for doing this is the English Camping Ministry. Greg needs donations in order to continue his outreach in the Czech Republic. Greg grew up in the RUMC congregation. Additional information on Greg’s work is available at the RUMC Mission website.
Becky Harrell is our United Methodist Missionary in Chile. The work of Emana and the school Kusayapu is very important in the lives of so many Andean youth and their lives touch so many of us. Becky sends her thank yous for your love of our Lord and for the many different ways in which our congregation continues His work. Dios te guarde, siempre,
UMW NewsAll women are invited to the Resurrection Women Retreat offered May 4-6 which focuses on the theology of mission. James 4:8 employs us to, “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.” (NRSV) The retreat contains worship, Bible study, reflective activities, singing, skits, hands-on activities, prayer and interaction with others . This retreat is the work of the Women’s Division and is being offered in all conferences of the UMC.
Registration must be received by April 4. The cost is $150.00 and includes a “Resurrection Women” workbook as well as the room cost, linens, six meals and snacks. The retreat begins with supper at 6p.m. Friday and ends with lunch at noon on Sunday at Koinonia Retreat Center. Registration and more information can be found in the Fresh Connection posted on the UMW bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall or contact Janet Ewing, 952-431-7751, janete9@charter.net
“Day on the Hill” is Tues, March 27 and is sponsored by the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition (JRLC). Join others concerned about social justice in Minnesota. The Rev. Stephen Adrian will be the keynote speaker and this year’s theme is “The Power of a Thousand Voices.” Briefing on legislative issues will be presented and you are encouraged to contact your legislator ahead of time and ask to speak with him or her between 12:30 and 3 p.m. Cost is $25 when you register by March 19; it includes breakfast and lunch. Register online at www.jrlc.org or call (612) 870-3670.
Crossing Boundaries Quilt hanging on the west wall of the Fellowship Hall was made by the MN Conference UMW. It is signifigant for Black History Month and the UMW's continual theme of justice. It is based on a book, "Hidden In Plain View", written by Jacqueline L. Tobin and Raymond G. Dobard, Ph.D.. The book tells the secret story of quilts and the Underground Railroad. The quilt is made up of two each of ten traditional squares and the border is made of flying geese showing the way to freedom. It will be on display until April 18.
Prayer Lists and Announcements
Please pray for the following members and friends of our congregation:
Rose Ervasti
Paul Tim Berghuis and family Bill Wes & Anne Hasbrouck Betty Zimmel David Steele Courtney
Esther Eveyln
Joan Hart
Lisa Angela Dena Bill Smith
We extend our sympathy and prayers to:
Happy Birthday
Birthday Greetings:
On Wednesday, March 7, Floyd Skinner will be 90.
Please send cards to him at:
14160 Heywood Path
Apple Valley MN 55124
