Connections Newsletter
October 23, 2026
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“Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly"
Matthew 20:1-16 & Micah 6:6-8
Guest Preacher: Rev. Nathan Schultz, Campus Pastor of Trinity First Lutheran School in Minneapolis
One of our greatest blessings at Family of Christ is having a “NEAR” mission partnership with Trinity First Lutheran School in Minneapolis! This year’s school theme is based on God’s call in Micah 6:8 – “To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.”
So, throughout each school day, teachers will not only instruct each student what God calls him/her to do, but also lead by example. But neither teaching nor showing can truly change a person’s heart. Only Jesus can do that through the power of the Gospel. Therefore, Campus Pastor Nathan Schultz will explain how Jesus does this by unfolding the “Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard” recorded in Matthew 20:1-16.
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Guest Preacher: Rev. Nathan Schultz
What a blessing to have the Campus Pastor of our NEAR MISSION partner, Trinity First Lutheran School in Minneapolis, preaching God’s Word to us this Sunday. Rev. Nathan Schultz will be preaching on how Jesus equips us to live for His glory. You are encouraged to generously bless the ministry of Trinity First Lutheran School by contributing to the door offering gathered following both worship services Sunday. Checks should be made to Trinity First.
| | Fall Ministry Opportunities | | |
Celebrating Our 2026 Confirmands!
This Sunday, October 25, we joyfully celebrate 27 ninth-grade students as they participate in their Rite of Confirmation at Family of Christ! This special milestone marks an important step in their faith journey as they publicly affirm their faith in Jesus Christ. We are grateful for the parents, mentors, pastors, and volunteers who encourage and support them along the way. We invite you to keep these young people in your prayers as they continue to grow in their faith, remain connected to Jesus, and share His love with others. Confirmation is not the end of their faith journey, but another exciting step in their lifelong walk with Christ!
Class of 2026 Confirmands
Robert Ryan Becker, Ryder Joseph Berndt, Nolan Richard Bittner, Cal Michael Conner, Nora Grace Engquist, DesiRae Grace Fischer, Autumn Natalie Gerads, Addison Grace Guimond, Emma Lee Hanson, Jonah Michael Herberg, Jullian David Iverson, Hunter David Johnson, Ryder Marshall Kaphing, Keagin Lee Keen, Conner Willie Kolbeck, Liam Robert Ladd, Alice Cadence Morrison, Reese Whitney Oberg, Laityn Harper O’Hanlon, Kendall Norrine Pederson, Andon David Richards, Matthew Stephen Ritter, Brynn Delaney Sanders, Jocelyn Wynn Shoemaker, Emmalyn Jo Sieling, Allison Taylor Sundeen, Halle Elizabeth Turner
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Sunday Morning Experience Survey
The strategic plan team that is working on improving the Sunday morning experience is asking for your help. Please take a few minutes to complete this brief survey that will shape the next steps in the process. The survey will be available through Monday, October 26.
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Trinity First Service Day Invitation | Saturday, October 31
Please join us on Saturday, October 31, from 9am-3pm for the Fall Service Day at our NEAR Mission Partner, Trinity First. We have over 80 indoor and outdoor projects to make a difference and improve the learning environment for the students. To volunteer for the event or review the project list, stop by the table by the Prayer Chapel on Sunday.
Pete Mumford
Family of Christ's NEAR Mission
pmumf94@gmail.com | 763-229-9792.
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November New Member Class
Anyone who is interested in learning more about membership at Family of Christ is invited to attend our upcoming New Member Class. The class will be held Monday, November 16, from 6-9pm, dinner at 6pm. Contact Alex Stohlmann at astohlmann@foclutheran.org or 763-434-7337, ext 302 to sign up.
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Thrivent Choice Dollars
If you're a Thrivent member, you can support Family of Christ through Thrivent Choice Dollars at no additional cost to you. Thrivent recently made giving even easier. Eligible members now receive their full annual Choice Dollars allocation upfront, rather than throughout the year. That means you can direct your entire allocation to organizations you care about anytime between now and December 31. Every Choice Dollar you direct to Family of Christ provides $1 in support for our mission. To direct your Choice Dollars to Family of Christ:
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Log in to your Thrivent account.
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Visit the Thrivent Choice page.
- Search for Family of Christ Lutheran Church in Ham Lake.
- Direct your available Choice Dollars before December 31.
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Information Meeting | Sun, Nov 1 | 10am | Gathering RM
You are all invited to our “Information Meeting” in the Gathering Room on Sunday, November 1, at 10am. We will be updating our Associate Pastor call process, Alex Stohlmann’s SMP status, progress on our strategic plan, current congregational finances and mortgage, church governance news, our upcoming 50th Anniversary, and more. Please come to be informed and ask questions.
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Pastor Bruce Frederickson
1946 - 2026
The visitation for Rev. Bruce Frederickson, who served as a vacancy Pastor at Family of Christ from 2013-2015, will take place at Messiah Lutheran Church in Mounds View on Friday, October 30, at 9:00am followed by a funeral service at 11:00am. We give thanks to the Lord for his faithful ministry and commend him to God's eternal care.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to Operation Christmas Child, a cause dear to Bruce’s heart.
Photo shown during his time serving Family of Christ.
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Prayers
- Holy Spirit, bless the students, families, teachers, staff, and administrators at Trinity First Lutheran School in Minneapolis.
- Lord, richly bless the 27 youth who will pledge lifelong faith, love, and commitment to you at this afternoon’s Confirmation Service.
- Jesus, thank you that yesterday's mistakes do not define today.
- Father, thank You for the church family with which I get to regularly worship, serve and befriend.
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