Voice of Victory
Christus Victor Lutheran Church
7510 Palomino Drive ● Apple Valley, MN 55124
P: 952-454-6927 ● F: 952-454-0300 ● www.christusvictor.org
APRIL 2015
VOLUME 18 ISSUE 4
Hello Easter people
Palm Sunday/Passion Sunday
March 29, Procession of Palms
Maundy Thursday Worship
April 2, 7:00pm – First
Communion for 5th graders
and a drama with
music by JIFY
Good Friday (April 3)
Passion Walk! – 2pm –
Meet at the Lebanon Hills
Park visitor center. The
Passion Walk was created by a Luther Seminary
student, to help people experience the final
hours of Jesus’ Passion in a different and
meaningful way outside the church walls. We
will be walking the same distance as the Via
Dolorosa in Jerusalem, stopping along the way to
read the Passion story from Luke’s Gospel. No
need to sign up, just show up with a Bible.
Depending on the number of people, we may
split up into smaller groups.
Good Friday Tenebrae Worship – April 3, 7:00pm
Prayer Vigil Begins – April 3, 8:00pm
Holy Saturday Prayer Vigil continues
Preparations and Decorating for Easter! –
April 4, 9:00am
EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 5, Celebrating the
Resurrection of Christ Jesus!
Worship at 7:30am, 8:30am, 11:00am
Easter Breakfast 8:00am-10:45am
Family Easter Egg Hunt at 10:00am
Someone, I forget who, said that we shouldn’t be known as
Christians we should be known as Easter people. Not Easter
bunny people or Easter egg people, but people who are known
because of their association with the resurrection of Christ from
the dead. I hope that as we move into the season of Easter you
don’t get stuck in the time of Lent. If Lent is a time to give things
up, then Easter should be a time where you take things up. If
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are about putting to death
things in your life that lead to death, then Easter should be a
time for planting, watering, and training up things in your life
that ought to be blosoming. Jesus didn’t come to die and rise
again just so that we could someday die and go to heaven. Jesus
rose from the grave so we can plant the earth with the life of
heaven.
In Colossians 3:1–4, Paul says that when Christ appears after the
resurrection, then you too will appear with him in glory. Paul
does not say “one day you will go to be with him.” No, you
already possess life in him. You already have this new life
whether you know it or not. When the angel rolls the stone
away from the tomb, the new life that happens for Christ
happens for us too.
As Jesus says in John 5:25, “Very truly I tell you, a time is coming
and is already here when the dead will hear the voice of the Son
of God and those who hear it will live.
So as we enter into this time after Easter, as we enter into the
exciting time of summer ministries, I pray that you would hear
the voice from the Son of God, that you would be filled with
new life, and that you would be able to live as Easter people.
In Christ,
Pastor Steve
REGULAR WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Sunday Mornings: 8:30am & 11:00am
Fellowship 9:30am - Education 9:45am
Wednesday Evenings: Worship Recharge 7:30pm
Activities 6:00pm CONFIRMATION & J.I.F.Y.
ADULT LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Thursday Adult Bible Study - Thursdays at the Apple
Valley Villas in the lower level Activity Room from
10:00am-11:00am. Everyone is welcome to join us! If
you, or someone you know would appreciate a little
encouragement to come, or needs a ride, please let
Pastor Kent know. Our current focus is on the book of
Genesis!
Who are the Joyful Servants?
We all are as we provide service to our Lord through
preparation and involvement in the weekly worship
services. Please prayerfully consider how you wish to
help. What a wonderful opportunity for fellowship and
support of Joyful Servants to the glory of God!
Click here to sign up online with signupgenius – find the
link on the CV website – or signup on the bulletin board
at CV.
Congratulations You’re
Getting Married!
Now what?
So, you are planning on getting
married, and you would like one
of the pastors to perform your
wedding service. Here are some
helpful and simple things you
should consider…
 Please contact the pastors before securing a site for
the wedding and reception, to see if either pastor is
available. If you reserve your dates for the
reception before contacting the pastors, you are
not guaranteed a pastor will be available.
 All couples who desire to be married through the
congregation need to be involved in the life of the
congregation. Every couple is required to
participate in pre-marriage counseling and
preparation. We want to prepare you, not only for
your wedding, but for your married life together.
 If you have any questions, please contact the
pastors directly for more information and to set up
a face to face visit.
As we celebrate Christ’s victory over sin and death at
Easter, and the gift of new life and forgiveness given to
ALL people, won’t you help us welcome all of the guests
and visitors who will be joining us for worship during
Holy Week and Easter?
Many visitors come to worship on Easter. It’s a great
opportunity for all of us to reach out and welcome
those who will be visiting, so that they will know they
are welcome and invited to join us in living and growing
as disciples the rest of the year?
Please help us greet our guests and visitors, make them
feel welcome, and thank them for joining us in worship.
Let us all make a conscious effort to smile, introduce
ourselves, and say “Happy Easter, WELCOME, we’re
glad you’re here”
to every new
person you may
meet during Holy
Week and Easter.
Help us to share
the joy of the new
life we all share in Christ Jesus and reach out with that
joy to all of our guests and visitors!
Food shelf items for the
month of April are:
Canned fruit, cereal
LUTHER JAZZ
The Luther Jazz Orchestra (top jazz ensemble at Luther)
will be making a return visit to Christus Victor on Friday,
April 24th, performance at 7:00 PM. They were fabulous
last year, and we had a packed house, standing room
only. We hope to pack it again this year, so please mark
your calendars! We will also need housing for 15 – 20
students on Friday evening. Only 3 are girls, so we will
need one house that can take all three girls. The rest of
you get boys.  There is a sign up on the information
desk. We will also need cookies and bars to serve
during intermission. If you would be willing to
contribute, please sign up at the information desk. We
will need donations by Friday afternoon. Please plan to
come and enjoy an evening of amazing jazz!!
Bring Your Own Mattress
MILESTONES at CHRISTUS VICTOR
Baptisms:
Mar 1 Liam Patrick Singleton
Parents: Tim & Sarah Singleton
Sponsors: Julie Toner, Beth Wittnebel
New Members:
Mar 15 Val & Linda Jurjans
Sponsor: Elizabeth Kelly
SUNSHINE, LOLLIPOPS & RAINBOWS
Girls of All Ages Tea
Saturday, April 18th 1-3pm
Donations will be collected
for the B.Robert Lewis House
Tickets - $3.00 - on sale
Sundays between services or
contact the office.
As Tanzanian young people head out to school
the first time, whether it is to boarding school,
vocational school, or college, they are expected
to bring their own mattress for their dormitory
room. Shoulder to Shoulder (STS), the medical
group connected to Bega Kwa Bega, is hoping
that the Ilula Nursing School will finally open its
doors this year.
STS would like to welcome the first group of
nursing students to school with a quilt for their
bunk.
Kari Hurley, a member of the STS board, recently
remembered on a previous trip to Iringa that
upon touring a dormitory at a school, many of
the students had nothing but a mattress on their
beds; no pillow, no sheets, no coordinating
comforter with a lovely matching bed skirt.
Would you be willing to coordinate/join a
quilting group to make a quilt? Would you be
willing to make a quilt on your own? Would
you be willing to purchase a quilt?
Approximate dimensions would need to be is 60
inches (5 feet) by 84 inches (7 feet). If it is a little
shorter than 7 ft, not be a problem; the Hehe
people tend to be a bit shorter than us.
STS would like to collect 55 to 60 quilts
by the end of April.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS
OPPORTUNITY PLEASE CONTACT A MEMBER OF
THE CV MISSIONS TEAM AND WE WILL
COORDINATE DELIVERY
2015
Spring Bedding Plant Fundraiser
Newborn Kits
Join us in honoring mothers
around the world!
The Social Ministries
Committee is once again
partnering with Global Health Ministries to
provide nearly 300 Newborn Kits to mothers
in developing countries.
Global Health Ministries has shipped almost
250,000 kits to partners in Tanzania, Nigeria,
Zimbabwe, Liberia and other countries
where infant and maternal mortality rates
are still high. Healthcare workers who
distribute these kits also use them to
encourage women to seek prenatal care at a
clinic.
Between now and May 8th, collect the
following items for Newborn Kits:
 Bars of white Ivory soap
 Wash cloths
 2 or 2.5 gallon baggies
 Bath towels (not longer than 48”)
It is time once again for our annual Spring
Bedding Plant Fundraiser.
Take a moment to ask your friends and
neighbors if they would consider ordering
from us instead of going to their usual
nursery. In case you are asked, the plants
come from Gerten Greenhouses. The order
form can be found on the church website at
www.christusvictor.org or at the Information
Desk at church. Any other questions can be
directed to Pam Luginbill at 952- 484-7597
or by e-mail ([email protected] All
orders MUST be submitted either to the
church office or to Pam Luginbill by Sunday,
April 5th. Plants will be delivered to church
on Saturday, May 16th and after the orders
are sorted, can be picked up after 4 pm on
Saturday, May 16th and on Sunday, May
17th between services and immediately
after church.
Make Checks out to Christus Victor. Thank
you for your order and your support!
Collection and assembly will take place in
May. Details will be available soon.
UPDATE FROM MEN’S RETREAT
I just got back from a wonderful men’s retreat at WAPO. It was great
to get out of town and relax and have fun with the men of our
congregation. Over the weekend we talked about the Islamic faith
and our “Legacies of faith” stories. The men had wonderful stories
about people who had helped them develop their faith earlier in their
lives. As always WAPO fed us well and the weather was nice enough
for some walks and outdoor conversation. I even taught the old guys
how to play gaga (a mix between handball and dodgeball). Our talk
about the Islamic faith was fruitful. We studied some history and
basics about the faith. This led to discussing ways we could create conversation with Muslims in our own
neighborhoods. There is a lot each of our religions can learn from each other. We watched some movies
Saturday evening and had a low key worship to wrap up the evening on Sunday morning. I want to thank all
the guys who went on the retreat for a relaxing and meaningful weekend. It was great to see the church
being church outside the church. Keep up the good work and keep an eye out for the next retreat.
In Christ Pastor Steve
CHRISTUS VICTOR 2015 SUMMER MINISTRIES
Summer Stretch - Sign up on Youth Board and get
registration to office by May 5. Info
meeting March 29 at 12:00. Summer
stretch is an awesome ministry
opportunity for middle school kids going
into 6-9th grade. We are also looking
for adult and high school helpers to help with this
program. Information meeting after church in the Art
room on March 29th. We meet on Thursdays during
the summer for fun and service.
Summer Stretch dates: June 18, 25, July 2, 9, 16, 23,
30 and August 6 at Valley Fair.
Fun Activities: Apple Valley Water Park, Beach day,
Como Zoo day, Sky Deck/Mall of America, Base Camp,
Fort Snelling tour, Scout Camp. Work Activities:
Lebanon cemetery weeding, Apple Valley Villa
visitation, congregation yard clean up, 360 food shelf,
bake and deliver cookies, clean church tables pews
and chairs, FMSC, help in church garden, clean park
by church, make bracelets or gifts for TZ trip.
WAPO Bible Camp - Register online today at
http://campwapo.org
Seeds: Completed grades 2-3. June 19-21.
Knowing that this may be a first camp
experience or even a first time away from
home, our counselors will spend every
moment with these campers. They will
provide a safe and caring environment filled with
music, Bible study, campfires, crafts, water activities
and tons of games.
WAPO: Completed grades 4-8. June 21-26. The week
is packed with a variety of activities that are meant to
impact kids for eternity. Each day includes Bible
study, chapel, cabin activities, free time, field games,
campfire.
TIM Team: Completed grades 9-11. June 21-26.
TIM Team is a leadership development opportunity
for Senior High youth. TIM teamers commit to one
year of service as leaders in their home congregations
working primarily with younger youth. TIM Teamers
will spend time at both Ox Lake and Wapo during the
6 day experience. TIM Teamers will have lodging at
Ox Lake, as well as experiencing the Low/High Ropes
Challenge Course. During the week, much of each day
is spent at Wapo interfacing and participating as
leaders amongst the youth from their congregation.
Youthworks High School Mission Trip to Denver
Dates: July 4-12
Sign up on youth board. Deposit $100 to office today
to reserve your spot. Deposits due May 1st. We still
have openings! Bring a friend!
Serve homeless in the Denver area while creating
relationships with other youth groups and local
churches. We will be bringing two
15 passenger vans. This is an all
ages service trip. Youth and adults
are welcome to join us as we help
other church communities serve the
homeless and hungry.
Other stuff you can look forward to: Helping
homeless and children. Chaperoning youth trips.
Playing Bingo at elderly care facilities. Going to a local
park to eat meals with homeless. Evening activities
every night. One evening at Lookout Mountain. Going
to Buffalo Bill’s grave site. Learning history about the
old west. Going to a local church service on
Wednesday night. Thursday night community
cookout.
VBS
Dates: July 19-23 and closing worship July 26
Register at church office or at christusvictor.org
Theme: Sonspark Labs Science
Grades: Preschool-6th Grade. Helpers of all ages.
Join Christus Victor for age-appropriate
Bible stories, experiments, games, crafts,
snacks, skits and songs. This year we will
be exploring the amazing ways God is at
work in the world around us. From creation to
salvation in Jesus Christ we will look at all the
awesome ways Jesus changes our lives for the better.
Other key dates:
May 13: Year-end Parent/Youth
Confirmation/SWAG/JIFFY BBQ
Wednesdays after May 13th. High school bonfires
and movies at Pastor Steve’s house?
June 6-13: Pastor Steve is on vacation!
August 2-8: Church garage sale. Possible middle
school lock-in the week before.
Sept 13: Rally Sunday Picnic/Faith Trek starts
CV On-Line Connections
Daily Devotions and Staying Connected
Stay connected to the ministries, activities, and events happening at
Christus Victor Lutheran Church.
Two resources and options for you to receive excellent daily devotions and ministry announcements!!!
For daily devotions – click on the Christus Victor website!
When you click on www.christusvictor.org you will see the Daily Devotion – “God Pause.” Click on the link that will take
you to the full devotion on the Luther Seminary website, where you will find a place to SUBSCRIBE to this devotion,
which will then be emailed to you every day! You can join hundreds of people from CV and across the nation sharing in
the same daily devotions and growing deeper in faith together!
For weekly ministry announcements – on the Christus Victor website www.christusvictor.org you will find a place to
SUBSCRIBE to “Send Me the News.” Submit your email and you will not only receive the monthly newsletter, but you
will also receive once a week the ministry activities, events, and service opportunities happening at CV.
Are you on Facebook? Then check out and “friend” our Christus Victor facebook page! This Social Networking
site allows members and friends of CV to post ministry updates, special events, pictures, and other items of
interest for everyone to consider.
CHRISTUS VICTOR LUTHERAN CHURCH
7510 PALOMINO DRIVE  APPLE VALLEY, MN 55124  952-454-6927
www.christusvictor.org
Christus Victor Office Staff
Ministers………………………………………
Pastor…………………………………………
Associate Pastor……………………
Office Manager…………………………...…
Administrative Assistant……………………
Nursery Care Provider……………………..
Director of Music……………………………
Children’s Music…………………………….
Traditional Worship Accompanist…………
Contemporary Worship Accompanist…….
Senior Choir Accompanist…………………
ALL MEMBERS OF CV
KENT CLAUSSEN GUBRUD
STEVE BIEDERMANN
DEANNA LUKE
DEB GORCZYCKI
Kristi Manning
Anne Nyquist
NANCY ERLER
JULIE MCDONALD
JULIE MCDONALD
JULIE MCDONALD
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
CHISTUS VICTOR COUNCIL MEMBERS
Pastor Steve Biedermann
John Christianson
Pastor Kent Clausen-Gubrud
Shane Colin
Brenda Fischer
Stacey Klein
Aaron Nyquist
Paul Olson
Mike Radke
Jennie Rice
Sarah Thomson
Warren Youngner