Dear Augustana Friends,

“The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it;

For God has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers.” Psalm 24:1-2

This week I was reminded why I love living where we do. Spring is here and fresh green on the trees and the cacophony of birds songs remind us of the new life God has prepares for us. Longer days means hearing the joyful sounds of kids playing in the neighborhood longer each evening. The warmer temperatures (finally) beg us to slow the daily grind and pay attention to the world around us.

I know I forget to pay attention sometimes, and by that I mean pay attention to the most important stuff, like the relationships that feed my soul or the things in the world that have the power to break our hearts. How about you?

As we move deeper into the season of Easter, and savor the new life all around us, I encourage you to slow down a bit. Pay attention. Let your heart swell with pride over the little and big things that make life worth living. And let your heart break for the situations and hardships so many in the world (maybe even you) are facing. Then remember that God’s power lives within each of us; the power to love, the power to heal, the power to admit that things aren’t as you’d hope them to be, and the power to live in the ambiguity of it all.

Dear God, thank you for the amazing gift of creation. Help us to never lose a sense of awe at the work of your hands. Fill us with gratitude for the joys in life, and remind us of your deep and abiding love through those things that break our hearts. Amen.

I’ll be out of town this weekend attending a pastor’s conference. I’ll see you next weekend in worship!

Global Mission Offering Update

Thank you to everyone who made a gift to our Global Mission offering! To date, we have received $65,619 toward our goal of $72,000. If you would like to make a gift, you can drop it by the church office or click the button below. Thank You!

May Sermon Series | Romans: Alive in Faith



Easter changes everything. The empty promises of sin are defeated by the power of Christ’s resurrection. But what does that mean for us and our lives today? Paul’s letter to the Romans casts light on what God’s saving and redeeming love does to those who live by faith. To be alive in faith is to recognize God has done all that is needed for our salvation. In this series we’ll unpack some of the central themes of Paul’s theology and look at the ways God offers us new life as we live each day in faith. 

Summer Worship Schedule     

Summer is almost here! Augustana's summer worship schedule begins on Sunday, June 4.

9:00 am Outdoor Worship -  Augustana Parking Lot

• Tune your radio to 90.1 FM when you arrive in the parking lot.
• A designated section will be set up for those who wish to worship in community outside of their cars.

10:00 am Traditional Worship - Sanctuary

Volunteers will be needed for outdoor worship! If you would like to sign up to be an usher, communion server, or hospitality table host, please contact Barb Rolfes.

Emergency Response Training

Tuesday, May 9 | 6:30 - 8:30 pm

The South Metro Fire department will be conducting a free emergency response training, including basic CPR and use of our AEDs, and emergency first aid. This training is for anyone over 16 years old at Augustana and especially for those that volunteer in the building. (It is NOT certification level training.) Even if you are unable to administer CPR, please consider attending so you are up-to-date on emergency response procedures. Please register below or call the church office at 651.457.3373. Class size is limited to 24 people. 

You're Invited to a Synod-Wide Worship Service!

The Saint Paul Area Synod invites all people from its 107 congregations to join them at a special worship service on Friday, May 12, at 7 pm. Bishop Patricia Lull will preach at this service of Holy Communion. Music will be provided by a Synod Assembly Choir under the direction of Karen Wilkerson and organist/pianist Tom Bartsch. A brief reception with refreshments and fellowship will follow with goodies sponsored by the synod's Guatemala Committee.

This year’s assembly worship offering will go to the synod’s Planting Hope Campaign. You may place your cash or check in the offering plate during the Friday evening worship service or you may give your offering online via credit card. If you pay online, you will have the opportunity to cover the 3% credit card processing fee. We appreciate you doing that so your gift goes further!

Come early to visit the Mission Fair, which features two dozen displays of ministries, programs and events of a variety of affiliate organizations. Learn more about the Mission Fair.

Join us at the St. Paul Saints Ball Park!

Saturday, May 13 | 2:07 pm

We have a limited number of tickets available for this game. Tickets are on a first come, first serve basis with payment. Tickets can be picked up in the church office one week prior to the game. 

Let’s Paint with Jan

Tuesday, May 23 | 6:30—8:30 pm | Cost: $20

Hear a spring devotion and paint a beautiful water lily being visited by a colorful dragonfly with step-by-step instructions on an 11x14”

pre-primed canvas. All supplies included. You will go home with a lovely painting to keep or give as a gift!

Register below or email Stacy Eichman-Cardwell. Payment can be made the night of the event.

Adult Forum

Sunday Mornings at 9:45 | Jerusalem Room

Meditation Sundays | May 7 & 14

This new learning opportunity will enhance your faith, health, and life! We will learn and practice a variety of meditation modalities, breathwork techniques, embodiment practices, centering prayer, Lectio Divina, and visualizations. Weather permitting, we will also experience a pilgrimage on Augustana’s Labyrinth. If you are new to meditation or a seasoned meditator, this is an experiential opportunity to further develop your relationship with the Divine. 

Women’s Coffee & Conversation

Mondays 10:00 – 11:30 am | Jerusalem Room

The Power Within Relationships

We are created to be in relationship with ourselves, family, friends, and communities. However, statistics show we are more isolated than ever. In this three-part series, we will watch portions of host Maria Shriver’s recent course on Radically Reframing Relationships.

May 8 | Radically Reframing Relationships

Deacon Stephanie will facilitate our last session in this series.

Women’s Event with Author Nancy Koester

Saturday, May 13 | 9:00 – 11:00 am

Nancy will share her recent book We Will Be Free: The Life and Faith of Sojourner Truth. Truth defied the limits placed on her as a Black woman to become a renowned female preacher and civil rights activist in the nineteenth century – talk about the power within! A continental breakfast will be provided. No cost, but please sign up below.

Parent Conversations

for 7th - 12th grade parents

Facilitated by Deacon Stephanie

Tuesday, May 9 or Wednesday, May 17 or Monday, May 22 | 5:30 - 6:30 pm

This is a listening/action event for parents/caregivers of Augustana youth. As we plan for the fall and seek to deepen our engagement with youth, we would love your help getting a clearer sense of what our kids are experiencing. What is school like for them these days? What are you as a family experiencing at home? What big questions do you/they have right now? Where do they find hope? Despair? Joy?

Join Deacon Stephanie for one of the parent conversations this month. We’ll gather at church for an informal, facilitated conversation. You don’t have to prepare anything ahead of time, just bring your whole self and story to the conversation. We know an evening commitment is asking a lot amidst the chaos of life as a parent, so appetizers will be provided! This event is geared toward parents, but youth are welcome to attend. Please let us know which session you will attend.

A reminder to graduating high school seniors, please complete the Baccalaureate Inventory so we can highlight your accomplishments and the gifts you have shared! 

VBS Registration

VBS Week 1: June 19-22 (Children 4yrs - Finishing grade 5)

VBS Week 2: June 26-29 (Children 4yrs - Finishing grade 5)

Registration is open and we are ready for your child to join us for summer fun. Our VBS theme this year is Pet’s Unleashed: Where Jesus Cares “Fur”Us. Our bible verse for the week will be “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” 1 Peter 5:7. There will be crafts, snacks, service projects, games, and most importantly… Bible Adventures! Invite your friends, neighbors, and family to join you in this fun-filled week. Cost is $15 per child. 

Music & Arts Camp Registration

June 12-15  |  9:00 - 11:45 am |  $15   

Children finishing grades 1 - 5

Join Kathy Andrews & Kim Zemple for a week filled with music, dance, arts, and fun with a performance on the afternoon of the last day of camp. Cost is $15, which includes a t-shirt. All Augustana camps are open to friends, family, and community members.

High School Summer Service Trip

Contact Abby Norlin-Weaver for more information and to register.

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. 

Praying as a Community 

The names of those we pray for this week are listed below. We invite you to pray for them throughout the week so that our prayers are multiplied and the care for those in need is broadened. Prayer requests can be emailed directly to our prayer team at prayers@augustana.com. All requests remain confidential.

 Prayers for Healing & Strength: Le Braun, Sarah Greene, Annika Hansen, Krista Jacobson, Ron Little, and Harley Peterson.

Looking for Ways to Get

Involved at Augustana?

The Drawer Bundling Event

Saturday, May 20  |  9:00 —11:00 am

Join us for doughnuts and juice at 9:00 am. Then we will bundle socks and underwear for The Drawer, one of our newest mission partners. This event is great for anyone aged first grade or older. Children must be accompanied by an adult.  

Ways to Serve on Sundays

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

Help with Thursday Community Meals



We would love to have you join our volunteer team to help prepare our meals each Thursday. Please sign-up below if you would like to help.  

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