Dear Augustana friends,

I don’t know about you, but I’m kind of done with the snow. I’ve been working on Holy Week planning this week and am sincerely praying we are seeing the grass - of whatever color it may be – by Easter. The snow is reminding me to be patient and to focus on whatever is good for this day, despite my grumpiness that I’m going to be shoveling the driveway again this week. That’s what we’re called to do as Christians; FOCUS on what is good, even in the face of adversity or impatience.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians “Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8) Meditate on this verse as a simple Lenten practice today and look for these things this weekend. I’d love to hear what you saw and experienced on Sunday morning.

Livestreaming Update

Speaking of patience, you have practiced great patience as we have waited for livestreaming equipment to become available. That time is drawing very close! The good news is that wiring for cameras will be going in to the sanctuary in the next couple of weeks. Cameras will be arriving right around Easter, with final set up and training happening in the week or two after that. Our goal is to be livestreaming by the end of April. We are currently recruiting a team of volunteers who will be trained to run the various parts of the system each Sunday morning. It will take 2-3 people per week to create a meaningful streaming experience. If you are interested in being part of that team, contact Nathan Thompson, our Digital Communications Specialist and he’ll get you connected.

I’m so grateful that we’ll be able to finally provide this experience for people who can’t be in worship in-person, for people who are curious about Augustana and want to see what worship is like before attending, and for those who travel and want to stay connected to our church while they’re gone. It will provide a way for families who live out of the area to be at baptisms, weddings, and funerals who aren’t able to travel and many other ways for us to reach out with the Gospel of Jesus to those we don’t even know are looking. Thank you for your commitment to this new ministry and your generosity in making it happen!

See you in worship,

Mark

your Calendars to

Welcome Deacon Stephanie!

Monday, March 20 Deacon Stephanie’s first day in the office.

Sunday, March 26  Deacon Stephanie’s first Sunday and first sermon. 

                                    Welcome activities and refreshments between worship services! 

Sunday, April 16     Deacon Stephanie will be installed by Bishop Patricia Lull at

all worship services.  

Experience God Through Simple Lenten Practices

Full to the Brim Daily Devotion Cards

Stop by one of the tables in the Narthex to pick up a packet of devotional cards (one for every day in Lent) to deepen your spiritual walk through Lent. The cards are also available in an online format. The card for today (3.10.23) is displayed below.

Day by day, may these prayers remind you of

God’s expansive love that fills us to the brim.

Sunday Worship & Conversations

Focused Living Lenten Sermon Series

Life can be full to the brim with busyness and tasks. When endless to-do lists cloud our vision it’s difficult to see where faith meets life. Lent is a time to refocus our gaze on the one who calls us into life that is full to the brim with forgiveness, hope, purpose, and strength for the journey.

Wednesday Mid-week Lenten Worship

Sermon Series: Out of The Depths:

A Lenten Journey with Jonah



 Continue the spiritual journey with the prophet Jonah this Wednesday as we explore the ways God works in the midst of our Unfinished faith.

March 15  |   Katie Gunn | Student, St. Olaf College

Requiem by John Rutter

Sunday, March 19 | 8:30 & 9:45 am

The Senior Choir, accompanied by harp, timpani, flute, cello, and organ, will sing John Rutter’s Requiem as part of the worship service. The beautiful flowing melodies and thoughtful texts that you will hear have made it an inspiring work to perform, as well as to listen to, since it was composed in 1985. As we travel on our Lenten journey and look forward to the triumphant celebration on Easter Sunday, it seems appropriate to take time to listen and be moved by music that affirms our faith in eternal life through Jesus Christ, our risen Savior. This is a wonderful opportunity to invite a friend to come and worship with you. 

Adult Forum

Sunday Mornings at 9:45 | Jerusalem Room



As we continue to learn within the framework of our theme “Imagine the Power Within” we need to re-imagine the Holy Spirit and how It impacts our lives. This month in Forum we will use Luther Seminary Professor Matt Skinner’s curriculum with his new book ACTS: Catching Up with the Spirit. Each session will include a brief video featuring Matt Skinner, scriptural readings, and discussion questions. You do not need to read the book to attend Forum.

March 12    |    Facilitator Stacy Eichman-Cardwell “Opposition” 

Women’s Coffee & Conversation

Mondays 10:00 – 11:30 am | March 6 - 27 | The Power of Embodiment

Disembodiment is a personal and collective issue that diminishes the “power within” that God has given us. This month using author and theologian, Ellie Roscher’s new book The Embodied Path as a guide, we will unpack the topic of embodiment and its fascinating components.

March 13  |  Ellie Roscher “Bodies Overcome: Surviving Oppressive Systems”

Welcome back Ellie! We live in a world of marginalized bodies and oppressive systems; one of these oppressive systems is the church but with listening and learning we can help the church and ourselves to move forward positively. Ellie will also have her books for sale.

Lenten Hiking Devotion

Saturdays, March 4—April 1  |  8:30—10:00 am

All adults and students in high school are invited to join Pastor Jason at Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Jensen Lake Trailhead (off Pilot Knob Road in Eagan) on the Saturday mornings listed above for Lenten meditation and movement. Please email Pastor Jason if you will attend.

Let's Paint - Spring Tulip Fence

Tuesday, March 21 | 6:30-8:30 pm



With Artist Jan Gunderson, we will learn tips and tricks on how to paint a meadow background with a friendly tufted titmouse as he rests peacefully on a wooden fence among the tulips and the first signs of spring! All materials included for an 11X13" canvas with step-by-step instructions. Cost $20. Please sign up with payment at Augustana's Information Center.

Where Faith Meets Family Take & Make

Sunday, March 19 |  9:45 am

All families are invited to join us on the third Sunday of each month to receive ideas on simple practices to grow their faith together and a bag of supplies (and instructions) to take home. The hint for this month is…these eggs won’t cost you an arm and a leg and there will plenty for your neighbors! Please

sign-up for the March project by emailing:

Cathy at chendrikson@augustana.com or Abby at anorlinweaver@augustana.com.

Where Faith Meets Family-Mental Wellness and Our Stories

Join us for part three of “Where Faith Meets Family-Mental Wellness and Our Stories.” This series is for students in grades 5 and up and any adult who supports and cares for a student in those grades.

Sunday, March 19  |  4:00—5:30 pm

Presentation for students & adults |  Kasey Erickson MA, MFT

5:30—6:00 pm Dinner

Topic: Trauma in Children, Youth, and Families

Kasey Erickson, a trauma-informed Marriage and Family Therapist in Saint Paul, will introduce us to the oft-hidden effects of trauma in our lives, how it shapes both youth and parents, and how to begin the process of healing from the past to find greater freedom and satisfaction in everyday life. To register, email: Abby Norlin-Weaver, Cathy Hendrikson or Joann Arneberg.

First Communion Instruction Classes

Tuesday, March 14    |     5:30 pm   OR

Saturday, March 18    |    10:30 am

Children in grade 2 and above are invited to attend one of two First Communion instruction classes being offered. All children must be accompanied by at least one adult when they attend the class. Children will make their First Communion on Maundy Thursday at the 7:00 pm worship service.

Embrace Our Neighbors with God's Love

at Second Harvest Heartland

Saturday, March 25 | 11:00 am - 2:30 pm

Youth in grades 7—12, lets embrace our neighbor with God’s love as we volunteer at Second Harvest Heartland! We’ll meet at Augustana for an early lunch, then drive together to Second Harvest Heartland to sort and pack food for local food shelves. Email Abby Norlin-Weaver to participate.

Augustana Summer Camps

Online registration is now open for Augustana Camps.

 Music & Arts Camp

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

Children finishing grades 1—5



 VBS Week 1

June 19—22  |  9:00 am-12:00 pm  |  $15  

Children 4yrs old—grade 5

VBS Week 2

June 26—29  |   9:00 am-12:00 pm  |  $ 15  

Children 4yrs old—grade 5

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. 

MN Foodshare Theme:

What is Your Favorite Meal? 

Food Collection |  February 26—April 8

Augustana has a hefty goal this year of 50,000 lbs of food/dollars. We will collect foods for different meals each week along with diapers, hygiene, and paper products. For our contest this year, a pastor, staff, or ministry will be assigned to each week. Bring in your food during the week assigned to your favorite meal and cheer on the staff member or ministry assigned to that same week! We will track how much comes in each week to see what meal, (breakfast, lunch, or dinner), diapers, or hygiene/paper products are our favorite.

Week of March 5          |    Breakfast Items   |   Deacon Stephanie

Week of March 12        |    Lunch Items         |   Pastor Jason

Week of March 19        |    Dinner Items        |   Children/Youth/Adult/Health Ministries

Week of March 26        |    Hygiene/Paper Goods    |    Music Ministry

Week of April 2             |     Auggie Bucks (any amount of money) |   God

Let’s come together to reach this attainable goal and

fill the foodshelf at Neighbors Inc.  

Feed My Starving Children Packing Event

Friday, March 24, 7:00 - 8:45 pm | 990 Lone Oak Rd, Eagan (please meet there)

Join Cathy for an evening of chicken, veggies, rice, and soy all packed into a nice

little meal for those around the world who are living through destruction from natural

disasters, experiencing homelessness, and those who don’t have the resources in their country for healthy meals. All are welcome, space is limited to 24 people. 

Children under the age of 16 years must be accompanied by an adult. Please sign up below.

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 Community Meals

More volunteers are needed for these coming months to help prepare our meals each Thursday. Please sign-up below if you would like to help.  

FYI - Augustana has updated our Instagram handle from augustanadoes to augustanawsp. If you already follow us, you're all set, if you don't follow us, please click on the image to visit our page!



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. 

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