Good morning, 

It’s the week before Thanksgiving, can you believe it? I’ve been thinking of how many things I’m thankful for lately. Serving among the people of Augustana is high on my list this year. If you’re in town on Wednesday, I hope you’ll gather with others here to give thanks for the ways God has blessed and sustained you through this last year.

2023 Giving Update 

Gratitude opens our lives to generosity. I want to thank those of you who have already responded in faith and generosity by returning a 2023 Giving Plan. So far, 305 households have returned Giving Plans, totaling $1.12 million. That is ahead of where we were last year, at this time. So, thank you!

Right now, staff and leadership are planning ministry for next year and developing a budget. We are Imagining the Power Within that God has given our church and believe God will do some amazing things through our ministry. The only way for us to develop an accurate budget is to base it on what is pledged through Giving Plans. It will take all of us to accomplish what God has in mind. The goal is to have Giving Plans totaling $1.25 million and collect 50 more plans by the end of the year, so that we can confidently move forward with ministry plans for 2023. If you have yet to complete a Giving Plan, I invite you to do so by clicking the button below.  

Call Committee Update 

The call committee is receiving more candidate names and will be interviewing in the coming days. I invite you to lift this process in your prayers, and the people we are interviewing.

Keeping Each Other Healthy

As much of life moves indoors for the winter, we continue to be mindful of the spread of illness when we gather in larger groups. We’re all at different comfort levels in groups at this point, and probably will be for the foreseeable future. Masks at Augustana, as they have been for many months, remain an optional way to protect against getting sick. To accommodate those who are particularly vulnerable and vigilant, we’ll designate the last three rows on the east side section of the sanctuary for those who wish to sit with other masked people. 

See you in worship!

Pastor Jason

Thanksgiving Eve Worship

Wednesday, November 23 | 7:00 pm

Join us for worship! Stay for the pie!

Learn what is new for Advent and Christmas this

year at Augustana in the December newsletter!

Thanksgiving Morning Ice Skate

Thursday, November 24 | 8:30 - 10:00 am

West St. Paul Ice Rink

Provide warmth and dignity to those in

need through gifts of new socks and underwear.

Join us for the annual Augustana ice skating get-together, organized by member Jim Butwinick! Bring your own skates for a morning of fun with friends and family. We are collecting new socks and underwear for both male/female of all ages for non-profit, The Drawer. The Drawer works with local shelters in our area to supply socks and underwear to those in need. Hot chocolate and coffee will be provided.

Advent Devotion

Click the image to access this online devotion. As you read through each day, take a close look to how the Christmas story unfolds. Pay attention to each of the characters in these familiar narratives and ask; What did each person pass on or contribute? What can we learn from them and what is our role now? What will we pass on to the next generation?

Join us for midweek worship at 6:30 pm on the following

Wednesdays during Advent: November 30, December 7 & 14

Simple Practice Advent Calendar

Beginning the first Sunday in Advent (November 27), a simple practice will be offered each day on the augustana.com homepage. As you complete an activity, color a section of the calendar. You can print off the activity page by clicking the image below or pick one up at the Information Center.

Advent Giving Fair

Sunday, December 4         |         9:00—11:30 am

Looking for the perfect Christmas gift or a way to honor someone on your list? Stop by the Advent Fair and discover the many ways to support our global and community mission partners and perhaps check off a few gifts on your list! There will be products available for purchase including fair-trade chocolate and Peace Coffee. Then visit some of our community mission partners in attendance (Neighbors Inc Sponsor a Christmas Dinner, books for CLAG, Rezek Teen Housing, Life Haven, LSS Foster Care, and Lyngblomsten) to learn how you can participate in the meaningful work being done in our community and world! We hope to see you there!   

Neighbors Inc Holiday Program—Sponsor a Senior/Family

Drop Off Reminder

If you sponsored a family or Senior through the Neighbor’s Holiday program, please remember that all gifts need to be back to Augustana no later than

Sunday, December 4. Gifts can be dropped at the Information Center or at the Neighbor’s table in the Advent Fair. 

Where Faith Meets Life Bible Study

We will take a break during Advent and Christmas and resume after the new year. Please join us Wednesday evenings at 6:30 pm, November 30, December 7 and 14 for midweek worship.

Where Faith Meets Family Take & Make

November 20 | 9:45 am | Lower Level Commons

HINT: Blessing



Families will receive ideas on simple practices to grow their faith together and to take home. Please sign-up for the November “Take and Make.” Email Cathy Hendrikson or Abby Norlin-Weaver. All families are welcome!  

Adult Forum | Sundays at 9:45 am   

November 20, The Power Within: Contemplative Practices to Strengthen Faith

Pastor Jason Bryan-Wegner

In recent years, people like Fr. Richard Rohr, Brian McLaren, and Joan Chittister have brought contemplative Christianity out of the shadows of history. Pastor

Jason will explore some of the modern and historic voices, and introduce simple practices of contemplative Christianity that can assist us in tapping into the Spirit’s power within each of us.

November 27, Session 3 of  Imagine The Power Within You to Read Scripture 

Rev. Karoline Lewis, Luther Seminary Professor

Reading Through the Lens of Ecology—This session will engage Jesus' arrest in

the garden in John 18:1-12 through the questions and concerns of ecological

approaches to Scripture.

Let’s Paint | November 29, 6:00-9:00

Fellowship Hall | Cost $30

Join Jan Gunderson in step-by-step instructions for “We need a little Christmas!” This picture includes lights and a hidden battery pack to set your holidays aglow! Please sign up at the Information Center with payment by Tuesday, November 22. Limited spots are available.  

Weekly Online Ministry

FAITH + practice is a weekly online faith practice! Each Thursday the pastors 

create a short video to help you connect faith & life! We invite you to PAUSE, PONDER, PRAY, and PRACTICE each week. Watch this week's video below.    

Holiday Memorial Service

Saturday, December 10    |    10:00 am

The Holiday Memorial Service is for those who are hurting during the holiday season because of grief and loss. Join us in this annual Augustana tradition to celebrate your loved one’s memory and to light a candle in their honor. Special music and a message from Pastor Jason will encourage and inspire you during this meaningful, contemplative service. If you wish, bring a photo or a reminder of your loved one.  

Family Support Group

Monthly, 2nd & 4th Mondays, 6:30 to 8:00 pm

Facilitated by Joann Arneberg, Augustana Faith Community Nurse



 Does your loved one live with a mental illness? NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness) offers family and friends of individuals living with a mental illness an opportunity to meet with others who share their concerns and experiences. The meeting is free of charge and registration is not necessary. There will be NO meeting on December 26. We will meet December 12 and then resume in January on the 2^nd and 4^th Mondays. Visit Support Groups for Family Members - NAMI Minnesota (namimn.org) to find another group meeting (in-person or virtually) during this time.  

Embracing Our Neighbors with God’s Love

Augustana member, Nancy Schneider is living out Augustana’s annual theme, Imagine the Power Within! The video below highlights the work that Nancy and the Mat Makers are doing to help those in need rest a little easier by creating plastic sleeping mats. You can donate plastic shopping bags to this project by bringing them to the Information Center. Thank you, Nancy and all the Mat Makers for Embracing Our Neighbors with God’s Love.

Insight 7 - Mats for the Homeless on Vimeo 

Walk to End Hunger

Thursday, November 24, 8:00 - 10:00 am

The Walk to End Hunger is back in person at the Mall of America on Thanksgiving

morning. All money raised will go to help local Mn Food Shelves, Neighbor’s Inc, and Second Harvest. For more information and to register, go to walktoendhunger.org. 

Looking for Ways to Get

Involved at Augustana?

Families, couples, and singles, we would love your help on Sunday mornings! Usher, read the lesson, or be the welcoming face at the Information Center. We are also looking for funeral helpers! Times and dates vary. Training available! Sign up sheets are available at the Information Center or contact Barb Rolfes to learn more.  

November 20 | Christ the King Sunday  

Sermon Text:  Luke 23:33-43

Sermon Title: What Kind of King?

Pastor Deb Kielsmeier

8:30 & 9:45 am Traditional Worship Sanctuary

11:00 am Contemporary Worship Fellowship Hall

November 27 | First Sunday in Advent

Sermon Text: Matthew 1:1-17, Isaiah 2:1-7

Pastor Jason Bryan-Wegner

8:30 & 9:45 am Traditional Worship Sanctuary

11:00 Contemporary Worship

Fellowship Hall

Augustana Connect is intended to highlight activities and events coming up in the next few weeks. For ongoing weekly activities, please check the online calendar. 

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