Happy Friday all,

Thanks to everyone who came to the first Advent Midweek Worship on Wednesday night. It’s holy ground when we lift our voices together in this season of expectant hope. It’s not always easy to muster hope though, is it? We may live with heartache about loved ones lost and concern for what future generations may endure because of what is happening in the world today. Yet, faith calls us to put our trust in the One who is with us from generation to generation. In the expectant hope of Advent, we look for God to restore and redeem. In expectant hope we give voice to the courage, wisdom, and faith of those who have endured hard things in the past, and we act in faith to make a positive impact on the next generation.

This Sunday, you’ll have a chance to impact our community and global partners at our annual Advent Fair. Nearly 20 ministry partners will be here all morning. They’ll share stories of the ways they bring hope to our community, and you’ll have opportunities to support their work and purchase Christmas gifts that benefit our partners.

May God’s light shine through you this week, and may this Advent season bring you hope, joy, peace, and love. 

See you in worship!

Pastor Jason

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 global and community mission partners in attendance (Neighbors Inc Sponsor a Christmas Dinner, Lutheran Mideast Development (LMD), 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! 

Midweek Advent Worship

Wednesdays December 7 & December 14 | 6:30 pm

Take a 30-minute break from the busyness of the season and join us for the meditative and contemplative liturgy of Holden Evening Prayer.

Congregational Advent Devotion

Invest a few minutes each day with this devotion. This can be a family activity or an opportunity to enjoy some time to yourself. As you read through each day, pay close attention to how the Christmas story unfolds. Consider 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?

The devotional is available online (click the image above) or copies are available at the Information Center.

Advent Simple Practice

Each day during Advent, a simple practice will be offered at augustana.com. 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.

Welcome Nathan Thompson, our Digital Communication Specialist

We are thrilled to announce the addition of Nathan Thompson to the Augustana communication team! He has a passion for story telling through video and digital media channels. He will produce the weekly FAITH + practice videos and just as soon as our live streaming equipment arrives, he will get us up and running! You will see him on Sunday mornings (often with his camera)! Please stop by and introduce yourself! You can get to know Nathan (and his video production skills) by watching the video below.

Augustana Poinsettia Garden

Each Christmas season our church is adorned with beautiful poinsettias. If you would like to make a gift toward the Poinsettia Garden, envelopes are in the pews. Thank you for your generosity as we celebrate this most joyous season.

Where Faith Meets Life Bible Study



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

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. 

Jan Gunderson Painting Class Rescheduled

Due to the snowy conditions last week, the painting class has been rescheduled for Tuesday, December 6 at 6:00 pm. If you are unable to attend the rescheduled class, please contact Stacy Eichman-Cardwell at secardwell@augustana.com. 

Ornament Make & Take

Friday, December 9      |       6:30—8:00 pm



All are invited to join in the annual Augustana tradition of making homemade ornaments for your tree. Each family unit will have the supplies to make between 8-10 ornaments together. Space is limited to 22 families. Please sign up by December 2

Swedish Meatball Dinner

Wednesday, December 14 | 5:00—6:15 pm

Cost $8 per person which includes meatballs/gravy, potatoes, green beans, dinner roll, cranberries, pickles, olives, & lefse. You MUST sign up so we have enough food for everyone.

Drive-Thru Live Nativity

Friday, December 16 | 6:30—8:30 pm

Take some time out of your busy holiday schedule to drive thru the Augustana parking lot as eight different scenes will tell the story of Jesus’ birth. Please enter through the Allina parking lot and follow the parking attendant's directions to start your journey to Bethlehem. At the end of your journey, we will be collecting non-perishable food for the Neighbors Inc. Food Shelf.  

Adult Forum

Sundays at 9:45 am  

Adult Forum will take a break during December and resume on January 8!

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.    

Where Faith Meets Family December Take & Make

Sunday, December 18 | 9:45 am



HINT: "We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup."

The December project will be a pickup only! Please be sure to register so that we have a bag ready for your family to take! Email Cathy Hendrikson or Abby Norlin-Weaver to sign up. We hope to see everyone at the Congregational Carol Sing at 9:45 in the Fellowship Hall!

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.

 Augustana COVID Task Force Update

To help curb the spread of illness, the CDC, the county and state health departments recommend the following when we gather to worship:

• If you are experiencing symptoms related to any potentially contagious disease please do not come into the building until symptoms subside.
• We encourage you to discuss with your doctor about getting the COVID vaccine and boosters for you and your family members and consider getting the flu vaccine now.
• Masking remains optional in our building. *See the note from Pastor Jason below.

*A worship note from Pastor Jason: 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.

Please contact Joann Arneberg, Faith Community Nurse, for further information. 

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. 

Looking for Ways to Get

Involved at Augustana?

Poinsettia Delivery Volunteers Needed

Each year we deliver a poinsettia to our homebound members and they are always so grateful for these festive plants. You are invited to sign up at the Information Center or call the church office at 651-457-3373 to deliver a plant to one or more of our members. Delivery is set for Sunday, December 11. 

Wreaths Across America

Saturday, December 17, 12:00 pm

Meet at Fort Snelling National Cemetery to lay wreaths on the graves of the veterans who have served our country. Dress for the weather! All ages welcome; children must be accompanied by an adult. Please sign up below. 

Ways to Serve on Sundays (and holidays)

Families, couples, and singles, we would love your help on Sunday mornings and especially on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day! Usher, read the lesson, serve Communion, or be the welcoming face at the Information Center. Contact Barb Rolfes to learn more or sign up.

Christmas Eve Worship | 11 am Family Worship

2:30 worship | 4:00 & 10:30 pm worship with Communion

Christmas Day | 9:45 am NOTE: One Service Only

New Year's Day | 9:45 am NOTE: One Service Only

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.  

December 4

Second Sunday in Advent

Sermon Text: Luke 1:26-38

Sermon Title: God Meets Us in Our Fear

Pastor Deb Kielsmeier

8:30 & 9:45 am Traditional Worship Sanctuary

11:00 am Contemporary Worship

Sanctuary NOTE: Location change for this Sunday due to the Advent Fair in the Fellowship Hall.

December 11

Third Sunday in Advent  

Sermon Text: Matthew 1:18-25

Pastor Jason Bryan-Wegner

8:30 & 9:45 am Traditional Worship Sanctuary

11:00 Contemporary Worship

Fellowship Hall

Children’s Christmas Program

Sunday, December 11 | During Worship at 9:45 am

This year’s Children’s Christmas program will take place within the 9:45 worship on December 11. There will be hymns and prayers, a homily by Pastor Jason, and our children and young people will tell the story of Jesus’ birth in word and song through the ABCs of Christmas. Sanctuary worship will also take place at 8:30, and Celebration Worship at 11 am.  

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