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In-Person Worship
9:30am
YouTube Livestream at 9:30am
| | See the Sunday morning Crosswinds to watch the YouTube Livestream this week. | | |
St. Barnabas Financial Support
Thank you for your ongoing financial support of St. Barnabas and our ministry partners. Your faithful support makes it possible to live out our mission in the community and the world.
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Yehiel Curry Elected
Presiding Bishop of the ELCA
PHOENIX — The Rev. Yehiel Curry was elected July 30 to serve a six-year term as presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly being held July 28–Aug. 2 at the Phoenix (Ariz.) Convention Center.
Curry was elected on the fifth ballot. There were 799 votes cast, with 400 votes needed for an election. Curry received 562 votes, and the Rev. Kevin Strickland, bishop of the ELCA Southeastern Synod, received 237 votes. Curry is the first Black presiding bishop of the ELCA.
Speaking to the assembly after his election, Curry reflected on his membership at Shekinah Chapel in Riverdale, Ill., where he eventually became a lay mission developer while he participated in the Theological Education for Emerging Ministries program, which prepares individuals for ordained ministry in the ELCA, with a focus on emerging ministry contexts like ethnic-specific, multicultural, rural and inner-city settings. He spoke to the assembly about his initial hesitation in accepting that first ministry role.
“Perhaps I’m out there in one of you,” Curry said. “I never saw myself as good enough, so for two years, I said no. I finally said yes. When I said yes, your support, this church’s support, of that ministry meant everything. So if you want to know what your benevolence dollars look like, it looks like me, and I want to say thank you. Thank you for your investment.”
Curry has served as bishop of the ELCA Metropolitan Chicago Synod since 2019. He previously served as mission developer (2009-2012) and pastor (2012-2019) of Shekinah.
He received a Bachelor of Arts from Lewis University in Romeoville, Ill., in 1995 and a Master of Divinity from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) in 2013. LSTC is one of seven ELCA seminaries.
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, is meeting under the theme “For the Life of the World.” The assembly will participate in plenary discussions to make decisions about the work of this church. They will also spend time in worship and engage in various ways of theological reflection. (reprinted from LivingLutheran.org)
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“Transitions” led by Pastor Alex George
Three Tuesday evenings: August 12th, 19th, and 26th at 6:30pm. Pastor Alex is a St. Barnabas member and chaplain at Children’s Hospital. Our church has been amid a sea of change since 2020 with the pandemic, pastoral and staffing changes, and those natural changes that happen within our own lives. Each of the three 60-minute sessions will include a topic discussion around grief and healing, opportunities to share, and a focus on ritual and prayer. All are welcome to participate. You can sign up at the Welcome Center.
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Guest Speaker
Our “Gift of Love” offering this month is Lutheran Campus Ministry. Maria Navarre, who is a student at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities will be preaching on Sunday, August 17th. Maria is double-majoring in Global Studies and French Studies and she currently works for the University of Minnesota Libraries as a Student Library Assistant in the West Bank Access and Information Services section.
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Christian Education
We are excited to be gearing up for another year of programing! Sunday School and Confirmation is open for registration. Sunday School will be studying the Bible story from worship each Sunday and Confirmation will be exploring what it means to be a Lutheran Christian. Please put September 7th on your calendar for our kick-off Sunday and Blessing of the Backpacks and Teachers! Please use the email registration link you received from Bryce or click on this QR Code to register.
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Like Coffee?
Everyone enjoys having a treat and a cup of coffee with their friends on Sunday mornings, but we can’t offer this ministry of fellowship without people to host the coffee hour. While we could use more volunteers in lots of ministry areas, we’re especially in need of extra Coffee Hosts. If you’ve never volunteered in this area before, we will train you in everything you need to know. Sign up at the Welcome Center.
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Hospital Visitation
If you or someone you know will be hospitalized and would like a visit from a pastor, please reach out directly to the church office or one of the pastors. HIPAA confidentiality laws prohibit hospitals from sharing patient information.
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The Prayer Chain
If you would like to participate in praying for our members and friends, please talk with Pastor Tom. If you would like to request prayer from our Prayer Chain, contact Brenda in the church office or talk with Pastor Tom or our Pastoral Assistant Bryce. Please indicate if you would like your prayer request to be shared with the congregation, or if it is confidential. For those needing our prayers, any member of the congregation can request a prayer shawl for themselves, friends or family. Please contact Bonnie Welshons or Brenda in the church office to obtain a prayer shawl and the pamphlet that goes with it.
| | Other News & Church Activities | | |
Carpet Cleaning
The Carpet throughout our building will be professionally cleaned on Monday, August 11th. This project will take the entire day. We apologize for any inconvenience. Thank you!
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Dementia Care Support Group
This group will meet on Monday, August 11th, and Monday, August 18th from 2:30pm-3:30pm in the Family Resource Office here at church. If you're looking for advice, encouragement, or simply need someone to listen, you’ll find support here.
For questions or to sign up, contact Melissa Weinhandl at (952) 484-9859 or mlweinhandl@gmail.com.
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OWLs Event
Join us in the ministry center on Tuesday, August 12th from 1pm-2:15pm to reminisce about growing up in the 1950’s & early 1960’s. Our guest Mike Henry is a former DJ and he'll take us back to the birth of rock & roll playing clips from over 100 of the biggest hit records today’s seniors grew up listening to. He will also tell stories about the songs, artists and the times while showing pictures on the big screen. This will be a very exciting event for all! Coffee and snacks will be provided. You can sign up at the Welcome Center.
The deadline to sign up is this Sunday, August 10th.
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Cross+Generational Ministry
Our next Cross+Generational event will be on Wednesday, August 20th from 5:30pm-7pm. These monthly events will be continuing into the fall on Wednesday nights. Join us!
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Beacon Action for New Funding for Housing
Sign Letter to Chairs and Ranking members
in Congress about Housing Funding
Right now, the House and Senate committees are working on the federal appropriation amounts for housing. We need a robust investment in housing vouchers and homelessness grants. We are doing a great job reaching out to the Minnesota delegation with our postcard action, and we need to raise our profile nationally. Help us elevate it by signing onto this letter to the Chair and ranking members of the committees making these decisions in Washington, D.C.
Click here to put your name on an official letter Beacon will send to the leaders of the Congressional Committees making budget decisions on housing. We will also cc all of the Minnesota members of Congress.
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August "Gift of Love"
Lutheran Campus Ministry
They are a Christian community by students, for students. Lutheran Campus Ministry-Twin Cities is rooted in Word and Sacrament, and lifts up the gifts of our ever changing young adult community. LCM-TC welcomes, gathers, equips, and sends students, trusting that through these young adults, the Spirit is active in transforming the campus and the world. Grounded in Christ’s love and mercy, they value hospitality, service, justice, integrity and curiosity.
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Plymouth Rockers ~ August 19th
7:00pm-8:00pm
Join us for this free concert at the Millennium Garden. Since 1991 the Plymouth Rockers Performing Senior Chorus of Plymouth, MN, has entertained Twin Cities audiences. They boast a membership of more than 65 men and women, all 55+ years old, from 15 cities in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. They sing music from Folk to Broadway and Gospel to Golden Oldies.
Bring your own chairs or blankets. Seating will NOT be provided.
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Nearby Farmers Markets
Maple Grove:
Thursdays, May 8th - October 16th from 3pm-7pm
Plymouth Outdoors:
Wednesdays, June 18th - October 1st from 2:30pm-6pm (1550 County Rd 6)
Plymouth Indoors:
Wednesdays, June 18th to October 1st from 10am-2pm (10050 6th Ave N)
Wayzata:
Thursdays, 1:30pm-5:30pm (850 Lake Street N)
Minnetonka:
Tuesdays, 3pm-7pm (14600 Minnetonka Blvd)
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These beautiful Trumpeter Swans were in the back yard at church on Monday.
Here are some fun facts about Trumpeter Swans:
- They are the largest waterfowl in North America, with males weighing up to 35 pounds and having a wingspan of up to 10 ft.
- Their loud, honking calls sound like a trumpet or French horn.
- They form strong pair bonds and typically mate for life.
- They were hunted to near extinction in the 19th century for their skin, feathers, and meat.
- Conservation efforts have helped bring them back from the brink, with populations exceeding 16,000 today.
- Their white feathers can appear rust-colored due to staining from minerals in wetland soils where they feed.
- They incubate their eggs by covering them with their webbed feet.
- They are flightless for about a month during their annual molt and can be more vulnerable during this time.
- They can live for more than 20 years.
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Donation Station (Updated 7/2/25)
Here is what we're currently collecting at our Donation Station in the Narthex.
Good News Jail Ministry
Needed: XL thru XXXL sweat pants & shirts, and fall/winter coats.
IOCP
Most Needed Items
- Paper Grocery Bags
- Baby Wipes
- Diapers (size 6)
- Pull Ups (size 3T & 4T)
- Branded Box Cereal
Clothing & Household Items
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Pots & Pans, Everyday Dish Sets, Cooking Utensils, Silverware new or like-new
- Small Kitchen Appliances (coffee pots, slow cookers, blenders, etc.)
- Accessories (purses, shoes, jewelry)
- Men’s Clothing (all sizes, including Big and Tall): casual wear, active wear, jeans, shoes
- Children’s Shoes (all sizes)
- Summer Clothing and Shoes (all sizes and genders)
- Children’s Socks & Underwear (all sizes) new
- Men’s Underwear (S, M, L) new
- Women’s Underwear (XS, S, M, L) new
- Women’s Socks (all sizes) new
- Women’s Bras (XS, S, M) new
Donation Hours: Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays 10am – 5pm
Donations can be dropped off at the east side of our building at 1605 County Road 101 N Plymouth, MN 55447
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Back-to-School is Coming...
IOCP’s annual Back-to-School Program will take place again in August. This program helps to ensure K-12 students are equipped with the most-needed school supplies to support their learning.
This year we will be in need of:
- Donated backpacks. All backpacks should be:
- New and/or unused
- Large enough to hold a laptop or have the following dimensions: 17.5” tall x 13” wide x 7.5” in diameter
- Have at least two compartments and a pocket to hold a water bottle
- Solid colors and/or patterns – no character backpacks please. Consider purchasing bright and vibrant colors (blue, green, red, pink, purple, teal, yellow, etc.)
- High quality brands like Jansport, Columbia, WildKin, SwissGear, Cat and Jack (Target brand), Lands End, LL Bean, etc.
- Dropped off at the IOCP Donation Door during regular hours (Mon., Wed., Fri. 10am – 5pm)
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Volunteers. Look for shifts coming in August to help verify and pack supply kits or assist with distribution
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Spread the Word!
Have you Liked and Followed our Facebook and Instagram pages? No? Go there right now and do it! (Please.) When you like our pages, they show up for the people you know, and we can extend our reach. Plus, the more you engage (like commenting, liking, and sharing posts), the further the word gets out! It's an easy way to tell everyone you know about St. Barnabas!
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Want something in the E-News?
Do you want your small group information, community activities or church news in the
weekly E-News? Please email your articles to Brenda Ericson with all the details by Wednesday morning of the week you want it shared.
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Church Council Minutes
Copies of the minutes are available in the narthex. They are also located on our website.
If you'd like to be added to the email list, call the church office at 763-553-1239
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Bulletin Delivery
Want a Bulletin Delivered? For those who are not able to access the worship video, some of our BeFrienders will deliver printed copies of the bulletin on Friday's.
If you'd like to have a bulletin delivered, you can call the church office at
763-553-1239.
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