“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

Last week, I highlighted some of what we learned about our church from the survey you took back in February. If you didn’t see it last week you can find it here. One of the things we learned through your responses is that we are a Transformational Church. We are a church focused on mission, we have low internal conflict, and we’re ready for God to use us and our ministries to transform lives, both in our congregation and in the wider world. This is all very good news!

Being a Transformational Church doesn’t happen by accident. It requires continual attention. One of the best ways for us to sustain and build on where we are going is by actively living in hope. That might sound cliché, but it’s true. Given all that we’ve been through as people, as a church, and as a nation in the last several years, it hasn’t always been easy to be hopeful. The Church Council and I recently read an article by Pastor Sam Ranier that shared what happens when churches live in hope.

The article provides these as signs of a hopeful church:

• Members care more about the community than traditions. While traditions are important markers in the life of a church and help shape our life together, these markers should never supersede a love for the community that needs the hope of Jesus today. Hopeful churches love the community more deeply than their traditions.

• The younger generations are willing to listen and learn from the older generation. One of the great bridges of hope between generations is a willingness to learn, especially when the younger generation learns from the older generation the ways faith has shaped their lives through all their experiences.

• The older generations are willing to give up preferences to reach the younger generation. As younger generations glean wisdom from older generations, it allows for a handoff of responsibility and leadership to the next generation. In doing this older, more mature people are called to mentor younger leaders and then let go of preferences for how things were done in the past so that the church continues to flourish with hope for the future.

• Members value sacrifice more than comfort. A church willing to sacrifice time, talent, and treasure for the sake of God’s mission in the world is one that knows the reality of hope.

• Devotion is more prevalent than nostalgia. In a church merely surviving, the past is often the hero. In a church filled with hope, Jesus is the hero. Congregation members are deeply invested in daily spiritual practices, and actively looking for the places where faith meets life. When the mission of the present evokes more energy than the memories of the past, the church is turning toward hope.

Friends, I see the hope you have in our life together here at Augustana and I’m grateful. I’m hearing about the hope you have for our children and young people as Deacon Stephanie meets with parents. I see it in the ways you are committed to caring and praying for one another when folks are going through challenging times. I see it the incredible generosity you exhibit toward our global partners. I also see some places we can work on. And I’m grateful for that too because it means that God isn’t finished with Augustana. There is hope to share, and life to live, and ministry to do – together. One of the values we’ve focused on this year is “Celebrating the faith God has given to all generations”. There is so much to celebrate and much to learn together. I invite you pray for God’s direction for how you are being called into hope in your own life, and as part of the body of Christ here at Augustana.

See you in worship!

Global Mission Offering Update

Thank you to everyone who made a gift to our Global Mission offering! To date, we have received 221 gifts bringing our current total to $91,725 which exceeds our $72,000 goal. Your generosity will expand the ways our global partners gather people at the table! Because at the table . . . stories are shared, hope is found, lives are restored, communities are nurtured, healing happens, faith grows, children flourish, relationships are built, and so much more!

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

Pack up the kids and pets, grab your coffee, and walk, bike or drive to the Augustana parking lot. You’re welcome to stay in your car (the service is broadcast on 90.1 FM) or set up your lawn chair and enjoy the summer weather! Come as you are! This service is casual and relaxed. 

10:00 am Traditional Worship - Sanctuary

Experience being together with God and each other in a worship style that

combines liturgy, music, and message. You will leave feeling renewed and

equipped to let your faith shape and guide who you are and how you show

up in the world each day!  

Volunteers will be needed for both summer worship services. Families and kids ages 10 & up can help, too! If you would like to sign up to be an usher, communion server, reader, or hospitality table host, please contact Barb Rolfes.

Livestreaming Cameras Have Arrived

After a very long wait, the livestreaming cameras have finally arrived! The 10:00 am summer worship services will be livestreamed and archived on our website and YouTube channel starting in early to mid-June. We are still looking for a couple more people to help run the livestream. If you are interested, please contact Nathan Thompson, our Digital Communications staff. 

Where Faith Meets Life Bible Study

Wednesday evenings through May 24 | 6:00 pm

Our weekly Bible Study concludes on May 24th. We will continue to explore the rich writing of Paul in the Book of Romans and explore the power of salvation that ignited the hearts of the ancient world and has shaped Christian faith for 2,000 years. 

Next Steps Following Congregational Survey



Last week, Pastor Jason provided a video update on the congregation’s priorities and next steps we’ll be taking based on feedback from the congregational survey. If you haven’t had a chance to view it yet, check it out below. 

Join us at the St. Paul Saints Ball Park!

Friday, July 14 | 7:07 pm

Sunday, August 20 | 2:07 pm

We have a limited number of tickets available for these games. 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. Reserve your tickets below.

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.

Parent Conversations

for 7th - 12th grade parents

Monday, May 22 | 5:30 - 6:30 pm | Facilitated by Deacon Stephanie

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 sign up below.

Congratulations to high school seniors Henry Huron, Claire Nesheim and Cece Wallace. Henry, Claire and Cece are the recipients of the 2023 Augustana Lindberg Music Scholarship. This scholarship has been made possible through a gift given by Lee and Mary Lou Lindberg. Because of their great appreciation for the music ministry at Augustana, the Lindberg family has established this scholarship as a way of encouraging young people to stay involved in church music.  

Vacation Bible School Registration

VBS Week 1: June 19 - 22 | 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

For children 4 years old - finishing grade 5

VBS Week 2: June 26 - 29 | 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

For children 4 years old - 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 1 Peter 5:7, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” There will be crafts, snacks, service projects, games, and most importantly… Bible Adventures! Invite your friends, neighbors, and family to join in this fun-filled week. Cost is $15 per child. 

Music & Arts Camp Registration

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

For 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 last day of camp. Cost includes a t-shirt.

All Augustana camps are open to friends, family, and community members.

Blood Pressure Screening

Sunday, May 21 | 9:30 - 11:00 am



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

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. 

The Breathing Space 

Monthly | 1st & 3rd Thursdays |  10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Are you a caregiver that could use a time of respite a few times a month? DARTS group respite, The Breathing Space, provides supervision and companionship for your loved one with the addition of social engagement and up to 4 hours of fun activities. The program is designed for individuals with early- to mid-stage memory loss or other conditions that require some supervision. Cost is covered by a DHS Live Well at Home Grant. Call DARTS to register at 651.455.1560. 

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: Cliff Bickerstaff, Le Braun, Sarah Greene, Annika Hansen, Jennifer Johnson, Ron Little, and Harley Peterson.

Looking for Ways to Get

Involved at Augustana?

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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