"How many of you might have a different understanding of what level of clean is ACTUALLY clean...? This week, we meet Peter... who has a different understanding of what 'clean' means... but God opens up a whole NEW understanding... something [Peter] didn't even think was possible. And I wonder what that means for us?"

Preaching

Pastor Rebecca Gamble

Music

Normandale Bells, Normandale Choir

Scripture

Acts 11:1-18; Psalm 148:1-6, John 13:31-35

Coming up after worship on Sunday, May 18, Pastor Hans will meet with us in Fellowship Hall to offer perspective on what it was like to be the church at the epicenter of the 2020 uprising (Calvary Lutheran, located one block south of George Floyd Square), and what this experience has taught him about being the Church beyond walls. 

What can we learn? Our Racial Justice & Equity Team (RJET) will be providing an opportunity for both questions and discussion.

For additional context, we also invite you to read / review Ashes to Action, a book by Calvary Lutheran church member Shari Seifert, as well as recent PBS documentary Religion, Racism and Reconciliation featuring local speakers including Pastor Hans himself. For a limited time, we can offer FREE access to this December 2024 program exploring the ways in which racism is intertwined with American religion.

Last community meal until fall!

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.

Here's the menu for tonight -- Wednesday, May 14:

• Spaghetti with meatballs
• Buttered angel hair pasta
• Roasted zucchini
• Fresh fruit
• Fresh salad
• Fresh baked cookies

A Shift of Focus in Our Narthex Display

As we continue to commemorate our 75th anniversary, you will notice that some of the elements that we celebrate shift in their area of focus. We have dwelled on our relationship with worship and faith and community formation. Now we sit with the celebration of how our leadership has developed over these past 75 years.

Come Worship Out at Trinity Commons Next Sunday!

It's time for the annual Twins game for our Normandale men's group! Our game this year is against the Cubs on Tuesday, July 8. In order to secure our seats, we have to let the Twins know our number by Tuesday, June 17 -- so let us know soon if you can go by signing up today!

Because this game is against the North Siders from Chicago AND because we have better seats this year, the cost per ticket is $37. You can access the registration form by scanning the QR code above with your phone's or tablet's camera or the button below.

Share this opportunity with other guys! Bring your sons and / or your dads. Don't wait -- do it now! Go, Twins, Go!

May 1, 2025

Dear Members of Normandale Lutheran Church,

I am writing with news of my plans to retire from the Director of Worship and Music position, effective November 23, 2025. With thanksgiving to God through our Savior Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, I will complete a 40-year career in church music.

When I came to Normandale in the fall of 2021 as interim organist, and subsequently assumed the full-time Director of Worship and Music position after retiring from the faculty at Luther College in June of 2022, it was with my own understanding, and that of church leadership, that my tenure at Normandale would not be a long one. I set out to create a new combined choral director and organist role and to re-establish strength in the choirs and overall music ministry in the wake of the COVID 19 pandemic. Much of this work and re-organization is now in place, and with the change in lead pastor forthcoming, it is the right time for Normandale to build a pastor-musician team that will carry the ministry into the future. I am also ready for less commitment as I move ahead after an extensive career in academic and church work. It has been extremely rewarding, and my time here at Normandale has been a fabulous, welcoming, and spirit-led capstone to my career. For that I am most grateful!

As to next steps, a Worship and Music Transition Committee is being created to finalize a job description and lay the groundwork for a search to find a new, full-time Director of Worship and Music once a new lead pastor is in place. Council President Alison Pence will chair this new committee and I intend to be fully available during this time to assist in the process as needed and desired. After the summer when I will be away for two months, I look forward to launching another choir season, and to participating in the concluding events of Normandale’s 75th anniversary year that will include a hymn festival on November 9.

I hold this congregation in the highest regard and pray for its future as a beacon in our community, synod and beyond. The future, indeed, is very bright! In this season of new life and always, God walks with us!

With faithfulness and love,

Dr. Gregory Peterson

Director of Worship and Music

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...

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!

​​

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!

Cherub Choir

END-OF-YEAR PARTY TONIGHT (5/14) from: 5:00 - 5:45pm

Children's Choir

END-OF-YEAR PARTY TONIGHT (5/14) from: 6:00 - 6:45pm

Normandale Choir

MEETS TONIGHT (5/14) from: 6:30 - 8:00pm

Normandale Bells

MEETS TOMORROW (5/15) from: 5:45 - 6:45pm

End-of-Year Party TONIGHT, May 14

Come together to celebrate the end of the programming year!

All grades 5th-12th and families are all invited from 6:45-7:45pm TONIGHT into the back parking lot and Trinity Commons for treats, games, and time outside!

Come with Us to MOA THIS Sunday, May 18!

Last travel offsite will be THIS Sunday, May 18 to do something fun! Each event will begin at 7:00pm and cost $35.00 per participant.

Contact Jacob if you'd like to come with!

IGNITE Movie Night on Friday, May 30!

For students in grades 6-8!

To celebrate the last day of school we will have a screening of "The Sandlot" outside starting at 7:00pm!

We will have popcorn and s'mores.

Bring blankets and chairs and friends! All are welcome.

Get Signed Up for Summer!