Shakopee Team Project

Happy May-time to you all!

Spring always seems like a huge hug from God, like a worldwide reminder that He loves us so much.  Today I was planting our family garden with my oldest son and watching his excitement as we transplanted the seedlings that have been growing in our living room window.  We grew those little plants from the tiniest seeds.  We were so careful as we placed them in the ground, touching them gently, making sure we didn’t step on them, watering them with the lightest, gentlest spray.  We really have little control over what happens next.  All we can do is water, weed and fertilize . . . and pray.

I thought of Renew, how we have been here since the beginning.  We have worked hard to make the soil welcoming, planted some seeds, been so gentle and careful of the seedlings that have sprouted.  We really have little control over what happens next.  All we can do is keep working, keep sharing the gospel, keep loving . . . and pray. 

Of course, that’s where you, our Prayer Team, has and will continue to be so vital to this mission.  Thank you for your continued care and support.  We crave your prayers!

We praise our Creator God for

• His unfailing love
• His leadership, power, providence and grace as we launched Renew over the last three years
• such good communication and support from the MN Conference
• a new place to worship!  Christ Lutheran Church in Shakopee has graciously agreed to Renew renting their church space from them.  We praise God for this partnership.

We ask you to pray with us for

• understanding the next steps for Renew as we transition to one pastor and a new worship space. 
• guidance as Matt and Jay transition to other jobs
• God’s Spirit to continue his work in our individual lives, in Renew, and in Shakopee
• more people from the Adventist community to be willing to support Renew
• our first worship service at our new location, Christ Lutheran Church, May 22.  Please pray for this service, that many people attend, that the Holy Spirit encourages the congregation and the church has a renewed sense of mission and God’s calling.  Praise for and pray for the relationship between their pastor, Pat, and Adam.
• Adam: he has accepted the invitation to include Westview SDA Church into a district with Renew.  This means a new congregation for him to pastor and to facilitate a network between the two churches.  This met the goals of Renew, the MN Conference and Westview and he is encouraged that it is a good arrangement.  Having Renew in a district at this point ensures more stability and funding for Renew over the next several years, as well as increasing the pool of volunteers.  Please pray for this partnership and Adam’s ability to pastor effectively in this context. 

May you enjoy this spring and may God’s love reach you wherever you are.

Kristin

Psalm 136

 ¹ Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.
       His love endures forever.

 ² Give thanks to the God of gods.
       His love endures forever.

 ³ Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
       His love endures forever.

 ⁴ to him who alone does great wonders,
       His love endures forever.

 ⁵ who by his understanding made the heavens,
       His love endures forever.

 ⁶ who spread out the earth upon the waters,
       His love endures forever.