Week of November 27, 2022

Happy Thanksgiving and Blessed (almost) Advent,

 

This week is the first Sunday of Advent. It’s a time of expectation and waiting for Christ to be born for us and in us. This year’s Advent theme From Generation to Generation... reminds us of the ways our lives, histories, actions, and stories are interconnected and woven together. The work of God is always unfolding— in and through us. This theme also helps us live more deeply into one of our annual initiatives to “Celebrate the Faith God has Given to All Generations”.

 

From now until Christmas, we will walk with the generations of faithful who bore witness to Christ’s birth, and whose faith in the living God was changed forever. We, too, bear witness to Christ’s presence among us. The question we hold in this season is “How will we carry this faith forward to the generations that follow us?” I encourage us all to consider that question and be in conversation with people in different generations about what God is up to in your lives and where you see God leading all of us.

 

One of the joys of being church together is witnessing faith being passed from one generation to the next. We’ll have baptisms at both 9:45 and 11:00 worship. I invite you to keep the Kerber and Bjorklund families in your prayers this week as they bring their children to the waters and promises of baptism.

 

Giving Update

Last week, I told you about the goal to receive 50 more pledge cards and reach a total of $1.25 million in pledged giving by year end. This last week, we received 17 more pledges and have total pledged gifts of $1.175 million. Thank you for responding in faith and generosity!


See you in worship!


Pastor Jason

Congregational 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 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!  

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.  

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.

Sign up

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

Sign Up

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

Sunday at 9:45 am   | November 27 | Last Adult Forum of the season!


Session 3 of  Imagine The Power Within You to Read Scripture 

Rev. Karoline Lewis, Luther Seminary Professor

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

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

approaches to Scripture.


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

Coffee & Conversation

Mondays, through December 5 | 10:00 am



November 28 | Stacy will lead a discussion on why people are choosing to leave Christianity.

 

December 5 | Final Session of the season

Using a fun interactive small group format, we will uncover why people are choosing to stay Christian. Lunch provided.


Coffee & Conversation will take a few weeks off and resume on January 23.  

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.    

 

Watch FAITH + Video

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.

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 2nd and 4th Mondays. Visit Support Groups for Family Members - NAMI Minnesota (namimn.org) to find another group meeting (in-person or virtually) during this time.  

Need Pastoral Care?

The Augustana pastoral care team wants to care for you and your family as you walk through life’s celebrations and challenges. Please contact Faith Community Nurse, Joann Arneberg at  651.457.3373 if you are hospitalized, having surgery, or are in need of pastoral support. 

Have a Prayer Request?

Prayer requests can be emailed to our prayer team: prayers@augustana.com. All requests will remain confidential.

 


Looking for Ways to Get

Involved at Augustana?



Families, couples, and singles, we would love your help on Sunday mornings! Be the welcoming face at the Information Center, usher, read the lesson, prepare or serve communion. 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 27 |  First Sunday in Advent

Sermon Text: Matthew 1:1-17,

Sermon Title: There's Room for Every Story

Pastor Jason Bryan-Wegner


8:30 & 9:45 am Traditional Worship Sanctuary

11:00 am Contemporary Worship Fellowship Hall

December 4 | Second Sunday in Advent 

Sermon Text:  Luke 1:26-38,

Isaiah 11:1-10


Pastor Deb Kielsmeier


8:30 & 9:45 am Traditional Worship Sanctuary

11:00 Contemporary Worship

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

Calendar


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