Faith lives and moves within us as we change and grow.

This Lent, we’ll rediscover the foundational stories of our faith that are passed down from generation to generation. We’ll explore ways we live out that faith in the world both as a community and as individuals.

Historically, Lent has been a time of instruction in the basics of the faith. There’s no better time to dig into scripture, reflecting deeply on the ways God’s story intertwines with ours.

"What does abundant love smell like? I wonder... who has poured out love abundantly for you? What's the fragrance of love in your life? And, then, also... how can you share... or how are you sharing... the fragrance of God's great love this season?

Reflection

Matt Neuger

Music

Normandale Chamber Choir

Preaching

Pastor Rebecca Gamble

Music

Normandale Choir

Scripture

Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 126; John 12:1-8

The Normandale Center for Healing & Wholeness is celebrating 25 years of serving seniors and their caregivers in the southwest metro and we invite you to celebrate with us!

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This special event will be hosted by KARE11's Emmy award-winning journalist and caregiver advocate Karla Hult, featuring lunch, a keynote presentation by Nick Buettner, VP of Community Engagement at the Blue Zones organization, friends and founders from the past, and more!

Enjoy entertainment and refreshments as you peruse our silent auction, connect with friends, play the wine wall, and more!

To Find out more, go to normandalecenter.org/25thanniversary.

Agenda

11:30 am – Noon | Arrival + Check-In

12:00 Noon | Welcome Remarks, Karla Hult of KARE11

12:10 - 12:30 pm | Lunch

12:30 - 1:30 pm | Introduction + Keynote Speaker,

Nick Buettner of the Blue Zones

1:30 - 2:00 pm | Get Involved!

At worship on February 23, Pastor Maria introduced "75 Stories," an idea created to commemorate and celebrate our 75th anniversary.

Over the next year, members of our Normandale community will be sharing their stories of faith, hope, laughter, love, and service. Every week or so a new story will be added, building a more profound understanding and appreciation of who we are and have been, our impact on the world, and our dreams for the future.

So, now… listen:

Last Chance to Contribute to MN Foodshare Month!

Minnesotans made an estimated 9 MILLION visits to food shelves in 2024, up 20% from the previous record of 7.3 MILLION set in 2023.*

Annual visits to food shelves are now 150% higher than they were prior to the pandemic.

Partnering with Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches (GMCC) and benefitting local food shelves CES, VEAP, ELCA World Hunger, Meals on Wheels, and Every Meal (through culturally-appropriate food in backpacks for students attending Cornelia Elementary literally across the street), we will help feed our neighbors across the state with in-kind items and cash donations.

Donations of in-kind items will be collected at the church and stored from now until April 6, or make your cash donation at normluth.org/give, select "One-Time Gift" and identify the "Hunger" fund.

Feeding America reports that 537,890 Minnesotans are facing hunger. 34% of these individuals are under the age of 18.*

Grab your families, loved ones, and maybe a few friends, and come enjoy a delicious dinner in the middle of your week!

For anyone 16 and over, these meals will only be $8! For our younger friends ages 3-15, it'll only $5, and 3 and under are free.

NO Community Meal TONIGHT!

Next week's menu for April 9 will feature:

• Roasted salmon
• Roasted potatoes
• Roasted carrots
• Rice pilaf
• Butter sauce
• Fresh fruit
• Fresh salad
• Fresh baked cookies

Community Meal Changes for Lent

It's that time of year!

It's our final Lenten midweek service April 9, so that means it will be the last week community meals will stop being served at 6:25pm so everyone can have enough time to transition from Fellowship Hall up to the sanctuary for worship. You can help us by wrapping up any of the board games that may be out by then as well! Friendly reminder: we do not have childcare available during community meals or worship.

We can't wait to see and break bread with you!

ACT-TC Partners Seek Gently Used Items

Asylum seekers and other refugees desperately need gently used children’s and adult clothing, especially petite sizes. Families also need all types of winter outerwear – coats, hats, boots, scarves, mittens.

There is also a need for a:

• Couch
• Refrigerator
• Laptop with a camera
• Cell phones
• Target gift cards

Can you share items you no longer use?

Any and all donations can be marked "ACT-TC" and left in the freshly painted bin downstairs by the main northwest entrance just outside Fellowship Hall.

Clothing will be distributed directly to families who worship at the Church of the Nazarene in Crystal. ACT-TC is working with three (3) pastors from the Latino community who are ministering to a wide variety families in need. Families from Normandale have generously shared toys with families in the past.

If you have questions please email or text Karen Newcomer.

Serving the Community One Meal at a Time

Receive Meals: Choice, Convenience, Flexibility

Meals on Wheels is here for anyone who can benefit from home-delivered meals with a focus on older adults and people with disabilities. Want help cooking or a break from doing it? Recovering from an illness or injury? Give Meals on Wheels a try today.

Volunteer: Deliver Nutrition and Independence

Looking for volunteer opportunities in the Minneapolis / St. Paul metro area that truly make a difference? Consider volunteering with Meals on Wheels. Deliver meals during the lunch hour and know that you’re helping provide nutritious food and social connection to your neighbors.

Contact Lori Olson via email or phone today to see how you can help!

Check Out What's Coming In the Weeks Ahead...

Interested in learning more about Normandale? Following worship on Sunday, April 27, a gathering will be held from 10:40am - 12:30pm in Fellowship Hall for those interested in learning more about the life and mission of Normandale. Lunch will be served and childcare provided.

If you are new to the community or considering membership, please plan to attend. New members will be received during worship on Sunday, May 4.

You may RSVP by filling out this form or emailing Kati Salmon. If you need childcare, please let us know how many children and what ages when you RSVP so we can plan accordingly. Thanks!

Questions? Feel free to ask one of the pastors.

... And These Happen Every Week!

Join us in our chapel every Tuesday morning for a simple and timely service of piano, prayer, and reflection.

Bring your Bible; topical study guides for $10 per copy. 

Also available via livestream on our Facebook page.

Cherub Choir

MEETS NEXT WEEK (4/9) from: 5:00 - 5:45pm

Children's Choir

MEETS NEXT WEEK (4/9) from: 5:45 - 6:30pm

Normandale Choir

MEETS TONIGHT (4/2) from: 7:10 - 8:00pm

Normandale Bells

MEETS TOMORROW (4/3) from: 5:45 - 6:45pm

NO Sunday School This Sunday; Returns April 13

Regular CYF Wednesday Programming

Hop Over to Our Easter Egg Hunt!

Still Looking for Your Candy Donations!

We are also looking for donations of candy to fill the Easter eggs!! 

We are looking for candy that is small enough to fit inside a plastic Easter egg.

Here are example candies that are the correct size:

• Tootsie Rolls
• Mini Twix Bars
• Mini Hershey’s Bars
• Mini Snickers Bars
• Mini Kit Kat Bars
• Individual M&M packs
• Starburst

• Individual Skittles packs
• Jolly Ranchers
• Individual Jelly Bean packs
• Hershey’s Kisses
• Smarties
• Fruit Snacks

We are hopeful to have all donations in by Sunday, April 13. Contributions can be left at the front desk labeled "CYF Egg Hunt."

Thank you for your help with this fun need to make the Egg Hunt memorable for our families!

Next ABLAZE Night Out: Sunday, April 27

We had so much fun together bowling, laser tagging, and enjoying pizza recently at our Winter Retreat that we've decided to do it more often!

Once a month for the rest of the year we will travel offsite on a Sunday evening to do something new together! Each event will begin at 7:00pm and cost $35.00 per participant.

Check out the schedule above and register today!

Get Signed Up for Summer!

Come Volunteer with Us at VBS!

Anyone in 5th grade or older is eligible to volunteer for VBS!

This year, we explore God as our compass at TRUE NORTH and we need your help! We are looking for crew leaders, station assistants, snack makers, decorators, and more.

Tell us how you can help when you sign up. Volunteers receive a t-shirt for the week, get a snack each day, can be paired with a buddy, and get to form relationships with fun kids!