11:30am Ash Wednesday worship has been CANCELLED due to inclement weather; the 6:30pm evening worship is STILL TAKING PLACE!

Due to inclement weather, we have made the difficult decision to cancel our Ash Wednesday 11:30am matins service as well as most evening programming, including community meals. Look below for more details or to our website regarding what's going on or not going on today!

We are hopeful that roads and lots will be cleared for us to still have our 6:30pm vespers service this evening in the sanctuary. Making your best judgment, come if you are able. If you feel uncomfortable driving, please tune into our livestream to still join us!

"Maybe this Lent, I invite you to spend a little more time dwelling in this word with us on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings, but also on your own... to see what you can soak in and soak up so it is right there on your tongue and in your mind... ready to give you grounding and confidence when you enter those wilderness times unexpectedly."

Preaching

Pastor Rebecca Gamble

Music

Cherub Choir, Normandale Choir

Scripture

Romans 10:8b-13; Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16; Luke 4:1-13

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.

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.

Tonight's Community Meal: CANCELLED

Here's what next week's menu will feature on March 12:

• Chicken shawarma gyros
• Roasted vegetables
• Seasoned rice
• Cucumber and tomato salad
• Fresh fruit
• Fresh baked cookies

Community Meal Changes for Lent

It's that time of year! Lenten midweek worship services on Wednesday evenings will start TONIGHT -- Ash Wednesday, March 5.

Due to the inclement weather, starting next week (March 12) until April 9, 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!

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.

Starting this Sunday, March 2, donations will be collected at the church and stored until April 6. As you leave worship this Sunday, ushers will have grocery bags with lists of what items we will receive. Fill it up and bring it by the packing our March 26 packing event.

On Wednesday, March 26, we will once again have our hands-on packing event starting at 7:00pm following our Lenten Vespers worship in the Fellowship Hall! All ages are welcome to come sort and box all the donated food, bag rice, repackage laundry pods, make personal notes of encouragement for food recipients, and more! 

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

We need you! Bring your in-kind items into the church or make your cash donation at normluth.org/give, select "One-Time Gift" and identify the "Hunger" fund. Thanks to an anonymous donor in our congregation, we have a challenge grant available that matchees the first $10,000 we raise dollar-for-dollar!

Did you know that, last year, Normandale contributed almost $26,000 to our hunger partners?! This included your gifts, a gift from Normandale Foundation, and a notable grant for innovative food lockers so people who can't come during business hours still have a way to receive their food.

Now... let's see what we can do in 2025!

If you were not able to make this past Sunday's annual meeting, here is both the copy of our 2024 Annual Report as well as the presentation that was given to those in attendance.

Any questions about anything here or not here? Contact Director of Operations and Finance Brent Malcom.

One of our objectives in celebrating our 75th anniversary is to graciously

acknowledge the gifts from our past and how they have led us to the gifts of our present and future.

During worship, you will see candlesticks on the altar that were among the first to illumine our sanctuary all those years ago, helping those who founded this congregation bear witness as they help us to do so today.

Special thanks to Bert Ledder who tirelessly assembled treasures in our narthex that showcase our beginnings, including a snapshot of our charter members, the vestment that Pastor Carlson wore at his installation, and more -- check them out!

Candlesticks are only out during worship.

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:

Thank you to everyone that made it to this past Sunday's Game Night!

We had fun learning new games and laughing through old favorites. The intergenerational connection was a blessing. Looking forward to more community building in the future with you all!

Interested in Becoming A Stephen Minister?

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

"What's the point of it all?"

In the postmodern world, the meaning and direction of human existence is increasingly a question mark with few satisfying answers forthcoming. People of faith are not immune to such questions as they struggle to meaningfully connect their faith to their daily lives. In "GPS: Finding Direction on Your Faith and Life Journey," pastor and author John Strommen -- who was on staff here at Normandale Lutheran Church from 1987-1992 -- makes the case that much of this existential struggle is born of an anthropocentric worldview that has banished God to the margins, leaving humans with the futile task of playing God as they attempt to create their own meaning, purpose, and identity.

Drawing on core Christian understandings through a Lutheran lens, the author asserts that life-giving meaning and purpose are gifts given by God alone, who frees people from their self-justifying ways to take an inventory of their many gifts and participate in a new creation where love of neighbor is the social currency. It is the core theme of this book that God is in fact present, deeply invested and at work in the everyday world, calling everyone daily to partner with God to co-create a more trustworthy, loving, and hopeful world.

Pastor John Strommen will lead the discussion on the following Sundays in Fellowship Hall:

March 9, 16, 23, and 30

from 10:45-11:45 am

Books are available for purchase at the front desk for $25. Or you may purchase from wipfandstock.com or Amazon.

If you plan to attend, please read through Chapter 3 prior to the first session on March 9.

Hope to see you there!

March's Second Wednesday

Sign Up Today for this Beginners Pilates Session!

In this introductory Pilates class, you'll learn how to engage and strengthen your core muscles through mindful movement. The session focuses on learning what your “core” is and building awareness of your deep stabilization muscles. With a blend of exercises and focused breathwork, you'll improve posture and stability. This class is designed to help you connect with your core for better mobility and durability.

All ages and abilities are welcome!

About your instructor:

Jen Pederson, PT is a licensed physical therapist with over 20 years of experience. She is a certified Pilates instructor and a specialist in spine care. Jen has been a long time member of Normandale and is using her gifts / vocation to serve our community and help live more deeply into our bodies of faith!

... And These Happen Every Week!

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

WWBS was already off for Ash Wednesday; returning March 12!

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

Also available via livestream on our Facebook page.

Cherub Choir

MEETS NEXT WEDNESDAY (3/12) from: 5:00 - 5:45pm

Children's Choir

MEETS NEXT WEDNESDAY (3/12) from: 6:00 - 6:30pm

Normandale Choir

WARM-UP TONIGHT (3/5) at: 5:45pm

Normandale Bells

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

Sunday School from 10:40-11:30am

Regular CYF Wednesday Programming

First Communion Faith Marker THIS SUNDAY!

At Normandale Lutheran Church, we believe that Christ’s invitation to the table for Holy Communion is for all people and we support a child's coming to the table by providing a First Communion Instruction Workshop for any who are curious and want to learn more. 

Each year at Normandale, we extend a special invitation for this instructional workshop for all families with 2nd & 3rd graders. But we welcome children of all ages who are feeling ready to participate in communion and have not yet received instruction of this sacrament. Whether this is your child’s first time taking communion, or your child has communed for many years, this instruction is a time to find deep connection and understanding of Holy Communion.

We invite you to join us for this year’s First Communion learning class & recognition. Please note that if this date does not work for you, this is an annual event and you can join us next year, regardless of your child's age.

Save the Dates:

1. Sunday, March 9: First Communion Instruction, 10:40-11:30 am. Taught by Lily Askegaard in the chapel.
2. Sunday, March 16: First Communion Recognition in worship. Arrive by 9:00am to check-in.

This First Communion class at Normandale follows the "A Place For You" Holy Communion curriculum by Daniel Erlander. During the class, children will receive a wooden communion cup and decorate it with their name, learn about the elements of Communion, and practice taking communion together.

Please keep in mind that choosing to begin taking Holy Communion is a family decision. Jesus was clear that all people are beloved children of God, and that all are welcome at Christ’s table. The decision of First Communion readiness is a personal and family choice!

To participate, please complete this registration form no later than March 5th, so our staff can prepare enough materials for our class.

If you have any questions, please contact Lily Askegaard.

We look forward to sharing this wonderful and meaningful experience with you!

Escape to ABLAZE Night Out March 23

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!

Save the Date: Easter Egg Hunt!

Get Signed Up for Summer!

Details Around High School Trip to Holden Village

Our High School summer trip will be to Holden Village this June 14-23rd. Your investment to attend is $900 dollars including transportation.

Financial support is available!

Holden Village sits at the end of Lake Chelan, a river shaped lake, in the Cascade Mountains of Washington. The only way to reach Holden Village is via boat or by foot. Our group will be taking the Empire Builder Train from St. Paul's Union Station to Wenatchee, WA. This route hosts spectacular views of Glacier National Park and more! Upon our arrival in Wenatchee, we will take a bus then a boat to reach Holden Village. During our six days at Holden, we will spend time living in the community, sharing meals, hiking, creating, and learning.

Have questions or want to learn more? There are options! 

3/5 Open House Info Session RESCHEDULED for 3/12

Unfortunately, tonight's planned open house informational session has been rescheduled to next week -- Wednesday, March. 12 -- during community meals from 5:00-6:25pm. Jacob will be available to connect with you and answer questions during that time.

More to come on this fantastic opportunity soon. Until then, check out this video to get excited!