Week of September 18, 2022

Hi everyone! We had a GREAT Welcome Back Sunday last week! Thanks to everyone who helped make it festive and for the energy you brought back into the building.

If you haven’t had a chance to come back to Augustana in a while, we’d love to see you. We’re back to our regular worship schedule this Sunday. We’ll be commissioning new BeFriender ministers at 9:45; and I’m excited to have Celebration Worship back at 11 am.


Hey, did you know that it takes about 80 people every week, plus staff to make worship happen? We’re always looking for friendly and helpful people to usher, serve communion, and welcome people to Augustana. If you’re interested in knowing more, check out how you can help below.


In all worship services, we’re moving into the second chapter of Ephesians this week. You could say this is a foundational text for building our lives in Christ. The foundation of faith starts with grace. If you want a sneak peak of what’s coming, I invite you to click the link below to watch the weekly Faith+ Video to deepen your own spiritual journey and ground your faith in this week’s Bible passage. 


See you this weekend!


Pastor Jason  


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.  


Community Meals Ministry

Thursdays, 4:30 - 6:00 pm

Augustana started a weekly Community Meal ministry in May and we are now serving over 300 people each Thursday. All who are in need of a hot meal are invited to drive up to the north doors and a volunteer delivers the food to their car. Volunteers are needed to prep, cook and serve these meals. Volunteers can be members, children/youth, community members, friends, or family. Prep/Cook shifts are 3:30 - 5:30 pm; Serving shifts are 4:30 - 6:00 pm.

Volunteer

Men's Meet & Eat

Tuesday, September 20 at 6:30 pm

This "come when you can" men's group meets at different restaurants monthly. This month they are meeting at Tommy Chicago's in Mendota Heights. Please email Tim Turgeon to reserve your spot or to be put on the email list. 


Augustana

Concert Series

Welcomes



 Bach, Beethoven, & Friends

 Sunday, September 25

3:00 pm

Join Minnesota Orchestra’s Helen Chang-Haertzen, (violin) Augsburg University’s Anne Ainomäe, (viola) and Jane Cords-O’Hara (cello) for an afternoon of chamber music. The program will consist of music by Johann Sebastian Bach and Ludwig van Beethoven. This concert is a great opportunity to introduce all ages to the joy of classical music! This concert is free and the community is warmly welcome! 

Women's Coffee & Conversation

Mondays at 10:00 am, begins September 26

From Wonder to Imagining the Power Within, we will begin by sharing some "moments of wonder" we experienced these past months. Moving forward, we will unpack and explore this year's annual theme, Imagine the Power Within

Where Faith Meets Life Bible Study

Wednesdays at 6:00 pm

Reading the Bible together helps us make sense of Scripture and grow in faith with others. God speaks through the Word and through us to help encourage one another in faith. Each week, we’ll look at the passage for the coming Sunday and explore what it might be saying to us, to our church, and to the world. No experience is necessary.

Weekly Online Ministry

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

create a 10 minute video to help you connect faith & life! The four segments of the video invite you to PAUSE to make space to hear God’s message, PONDER the scripture and message, PRAY for God’s continued work in your life, and finally engage with the PRACTICE offered each week. Videos can be found every Thursday at augustana.com, select GROW & CONNECT from the main menu bar, select Augustana Online from the drop down menu or watch below.    

 

Watch FAITH + Video 

Adult Forum

Sundays at 9:45 am, begins October 2

Learn about the people and circumstances that led to some of our most beloved hymns, as well as the unfolding musical traditions of the church that will lead us into the future. Led by Andy Jacob, Augustana organist and David Sims, music development manager for Augsburg Fortress. 

Do I Stay Christian?

ZOOM Book Study, Sundays October 9, 30 & November 13  |  6:30 pm

This book by Brian McLaren looks at why people are leaving our churches and the Christian faith, the reasons why staying in the church might be beneficial, and how the church needs to change if it wants to move forward. Different formats of this book are available on Amazon. Please email Stacy Eichman-Cardwell to sign up. 

Let’s Paint!

Tuesday, October 11, 6:30-9:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Cost: $20

Let’s welcome fall with a colorful wagon full of pumpkins, sunflowers, and a special scriptural message. Step by step instructions will be provided by your resident artist, Jan Gunderson. The cost includes everything you’ll need to make your very own masterpiece! All are welcome and remember to dress for mess! Please sign up with payment at the Information Center or in the church office by October 4.  

Senior High Sunday

Monthly on the second & fourth Sundays, 6:30—8:00 pm 

Calling all students in grades 9– 12 to join us for a new year of Senior High Sunday! Connect with your church friends and participate in a variety of activities throughout the year. Activities rotate between service, fellowship, and education. No need to register; just show up! Can’t wait to see you and your friends! 

 

September 25 - Bonfire and S’mores 

Youth Lock-in

Friday, October 7 at 6:00 pm – Saturday, October 8 at 8:30 am

Cost: $20

We'll meet at Augustana for dinner before going to Base Camp. Base Camp guides will lead awesome activities like rock climbing and archery. We'll snack on pizza and settle in for a movie on the big screen! All Augustana youth and friends in grades 7-12 are welcome! Email Abby, anorlinweaver@augustana.com to register. 

Confirmation Registration & Kickoff

Wednesday evenings, 5:50 - 7:00 pm

Grades 7 - 9


This year we will welcome new and returning students by grade level! Each grade is assigned a Wednesday evening designed to specifically cover grade level appropriate information. Students and a parent/guardian, please plan to attend the evening that is assigned to your grade.

 · Wednesday, September 21—students entering grade 8 and parent/guardian

· Wednesday, September 28—students entering grade 9 and parent/guardian 

Register

Kids' Kingdom Registration

Kids' Kingdom (ages 4 years - grade 4)

Sunday mornings at 9:45 beginning October 2


What about the kids in grades 5 & 6? 

Our focus this year is growing our faith as a family. We encourage families of 5th and 6th grade youth to worship together on Sunday mornings. Club 56 will meet on the second and fourth Sundays of each month. Our first Club 56 will be on October 9 from 3:00 - 5:00 pm. Friends are welcome to join us! 

Register for Kids' Kingdom 

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me.”

We want all children to feel welcome in worship at Augustana! A Prayground is set up at the front of the sanctuary to give young children a space of their own, and a better way of seeing what is going on in worship. The Prayground is stocked with soft, quiet toys, books, coloring sheets, and Bible based toys.

Blood pressure screening

Third Sunday of the month, 9:45—11:00 am

Begins September 18

 Stop by the office to get your blood pressure checked by a licensed health professional.

Flu Shot Clinic

September 26, 11:30-1:30 pm

Our Flu Shot Clinic will take place at Augustana and be staffed by the Hy-Vee Pharmacy. You must register online for appointment times!

Register Now

American Red Cross Blood Drive

Thursday, October 6 from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall

Please sign up online to schedule a donation time. Your help is greatly needed, and every pint of blood collected will help 3 people in need of life-saving blood. Thank you!

Schedule Online

“The Breathing Space”—Volunteers needed!

1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month, 9 am—1 pm, begins October 6 

 Augustana is partnering with DARTS and hosting a group respite opportunity, The Breathing Space. We are looking for volunteers to be paired up with a care-receiver and enjoy arts and crafts, music, education, and much more! For more information or to become a volunteer, contact DARTS at 651-455-1560 or visit 

www.dartsconnects.org/volunteer.



                   Sermon Series

                        September 11 - October 23


           Building in Christ

September 18

Sermon Text: Ephesians 2:1-10

Sermon: Living a Resurrection Life | Pastor Jason Bryan-Wegner

8:30 & 9:45 am Traditional Worship, Sanctuary

11:00 am Contemporary Worship, Fellowship Hall 


September 25

8:30 am Traditional Worship, Sanctuary

9:45 am Service of Confirmation, Sanctuary

11:00 am Contemporary Worship, Fellowship Hall 

The Associate Pastor Call Committee has completed the first round of interviews with several very gifted pastors. The next steps in the process will be to determine which candidates best suit the mission of Augustana and the needs of the congregation at this time. We will be scheduling the next round of interviews over the next few weeks. We ask for your continued prayers for the process. 

Fall Programming Start Dates



Sunday, September 18 - Full Fall Worship Schedule Begins

8:30 & 9:45 am Traditional Worship, Sanctuary

11:00 am Contemporary Worship, Fellowship Hall  


Monday, September 26

10:00 am Women’s Coffee & Conversation

 

Sunday, October 2

9:45 am Adult Forum, Kids’ Kingdom, and Youth Forum

 

Wednesday, October 5

5:50 pm Confirmation

6:15 pm Cherub & Chorister Rehearsal

Cherubs, grades 1-3 and Choristers, grades 4-6 will rehearse together.

7:00 pm Agape Choir Rehearsal

 

Sunday, October 9

3:00 pm Club 56 

Imagine the Power Within this Shopping Bag! 

Please stop by the Information Center to pick up this year's Annual Theme Gift!


Imagine . . . 

  • The opportunity to share Augustana's story and invite someone to a fall event or worship at Augustana because they asked you about the logo on your bag! 
  • The possibilities for Augustana when you use your bag to return your 2023 Giving Plan on October 23! 
  • The impact on the environment when you replace plastic shopping bags with your reusable bag. 


We appreciate your generosity!


Augustana makes it easy to support the vision and ministry of Augustana! 


MAKE GIFT

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