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This Week's Message from Pastor Maria:

January 19, 2025: Second Sunday after Epiphany: Not Going to Do It But Does It, Anyway

Highlight from This Week's Video:

"Each week during Epiphany, more is revealed as to who Jesus is. This Sunday, he performs his first sign in the gospel of John turning water into wine after telling his mother that his time has not yet come. Very relatable, right? His mother tells him to do something... he says 'not going to do it...' and then he does it anyway."

Please Join Us for Worship, sumner: Second Sunday after Epiphany (9:30am)

Preaching

Pastor Maria Pederson

Scripture

1 Corinthians 12:1,4-11; Psalm 36:5-10; John 2:1-11

Join worship via livestream!

Community Meals

Offered by beloved chef friend Ian Gray, we have restarted this beloved tradition here at Normandale. 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 Menu

Here's what this evening's menu will feature:

  • Asian-inspired chicken tacos (cabbage slaw, pickled vegetables, citrus cream, crispy corn tortilla)
  • Roasted potatoes with honey glaze
  • Fresh salad
  • Fresh fruit platter
  • Fresh baked cookies

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

Lutheran Disaster Response

Support Victims of Wildfires in Southern California

Multiple wildfires have broken out across Los Angeles County in California, with tens of thousands of people under evacuation orders. Sparked by dry conditions, strong winds, and a limited water supply, these fires have destroyed homes and businesses and have led to injuries and loss of life. News is still unfolding about the full impact as firefighting efforts continue.


Lutheran Disaster Response is coordinating with the Southwest California SynodPacifica Synod, and other partners to assess the needs of people impacted by the wildfires. They are working with them to provide for immediate needs and recovery amid the widespread destruction. Lutheran Disaster Response is committed to accompanying recovering communities for months and years to come.


Your gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response equip them to respond to communities affected by wildfires and related disasters. You can send help to Lutheran Disaster Response directly through Normandale Lutheran Church. Please go to normluth.org/give and designate "One-Time Gift" and "Emergency Response" on our online form.

In Remembrance of Our Beloved

We humbly announce that Dr. John Allen Ferguson -- or "Ferg," as he was affectionately known to us at Normandale -- passed on into eternal life on Sunday, January 5.


We know Ferg best for being our "interim" organist from 2018 to 2022, but he is more widely recognized as Emeritus Professor of Organ and Church Music at St. Olaf College, who wrote a beautiful memoriam for Ferg.


Ferg was a beloved teacher, organist, church musician, conductor, and composer known for his compositions and hymn festivals. This excerpt came from a memoriam provided on canticledistributing.com:


"His name was immediately associated with hymnody and the words 'hymn festival.' Every year he was invited to design and lead such events, both in local congregations and at gatherings of organists, choral conductors, and church musicians. In 1995, he designed and led a hymn festival in the Washington National Cathedral for the American Choral Directors Association national convention, and in 1998, he did the same at the national convention of the American Guild of Organists in Denver. He presented such events abroad as well, including in Asia (July 1996 in Seoul, Korea) and Europe (August 1997) in the National Cathedral of Norway, Nidaros Dom, Trondheim, as part of the celebration of the millennium of the birth of St. Olaf. Although he was a Lutheran, his festivals were ecumenical experiences that drew upon the greatest treasures of Christian song from many centuries, traditions, and styles."


Arrangements are pending with a memorial service celebrating Ferg's life to be held at a future date. Once those details are determined, we will indefinitely share those with you.


We thank God for Ferg's life and commitment to the many communities he served.

Normandale Preschool & Blessing Place

Join us for a fun-filled evening of books, pizza, and family-friendly activities!


Normandale Preschool and Blessing Place is excited to invite you to "We Love to Read Night" on Thursday, February 6th from 5:00-6:30pm.


Enjoy arts and crafts! Explore our open gym!

Shop at the Scholastic Book Fair! Enter our exciting raffle!

Pizza available for purchase


This event is designed for families with young children, but all are welcome!


Don’t miss out on the fun—mark your calendars and join us for an evening of reading, laughter, and community!


See you there!

Plus, registration is now open for the 2025-2026 school year!


Normandale Preschool serves children ages 16 months to 5 years old, and we’d love to share more about our programs with you!

Mission & Outreach

Racial Justice & Equity

Sweet Potato Comfort Pie Presents the 10th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday of Service

Sweet Potato Comfort Pie Presents The 10th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday of Service


Upholding Our Beloved Community: Comfort Pies Build Stronger Ties


Sunday, January 19

1:30 – 4:30pm

Metropolitan Ballroom & Clubroom

5418 Wayzata Blvd., Golden Valley, MN 55416


Gather in community for an uplifting event where we come together to celebrate Dr. King and his enduring dream of Beloved Community. Enjoy music, speakers, food, and facilitated conversations about the issues of our times. Connect with community and leave inspired and fortified!


Amazing volunteers are the secret ingredient that makes this event so special and Sweet Potato Pie welcomes anyone who would like to be a part of it!


Space has been reserved exclusively for Normandale Lutheran Church volunteers who would like to participate in the pie preparation or other any other volunteer role!

VOLUNTEER TO HELP WITH SWEET POTATO PIE MLK EVENT

Help Make A Snow Fort with Our High Schoolers!

This January, help our high school youth build a “snow fort” out of toilet paper & paper towels as they aim to help make dignity delightful through fulfilling an fundamental and important need for our neighbors.


Our goal is to cover the north-end wall of the Fishbowl with these much-needed paper products to then pass along to our VEAP partners. We already have started building our fort and will continue to do so throughout the month.


Can you help us fill the wall?

Normandale House

Help Us Welcome A New Family!

Dear Friends and Families of Normandale House,


Happy New Year! We hope this message finds you well and full of joy as we reflect on the meaningful work we accomplished together in 2024.


In December, we had the privilege of welcoming not one, but TWO new families to Normandale House! Thanks to your incredible support, we prepared Apartment 1 with a deep clean and a fresh coat of paint, creating a warm and welcoming space. We couldn’t have done it without you — thank you!


Now, we are excited to share that another family moved into their new apartment right before Christmas. As they begin to settle in and make it their home, we’re reaching out for help to meet a couple of their needs:


  • Dining room table for six (6)
  • Monetary donation towards curtains and hardware


Your generosity makes a tangible difference in the lives of these families. If you can assist in any way, please email Volunteer Coordinator Pam Werley or call (612) 416-4728. Donations can also be made directly at normandalehouse.org.


Thank you for being such a vital part of the Normandale House community. Together, we continue to build a stronger, more supportive environment for all.

Meals on Wheels

Help us welcome Crosstown Meals on Wheels to Normandale!


Meals on Wheels is a community based to bring your neighborhood to your door. They provide fresh, nutritious meals directly into the homes of seniors and individuals with disabilities. These recipients experience better nutrition, independence, and human connection that can greatly help with feelings of isolation.


Meals on Wheels has been serving Edina, Richfield, and southwest Minneapolis for over 25 years. They recently combined these neighborhoods into a single program named Crosstown Meals on Wheels and they are headquartered here at Normandale!


Crosstown Meals on Wheels deliver over 500 meals per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Volunteers are the magic that makes this happen—we utilize close to 25 volunteers each day we deliver!

Normandale members Andy Stotts, Betsy Pfeifer, Sandy Hoglin, and Chuck Hoglin help volunteer for Crosstown Meals on Wheels!

Volunteers can choose when they want to volunteer. Some people volunteer one time per month. Others choose one day per week. Still others choose every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Whatever fits their schedule!


Many people believe that it is retired people that do all the volunteering. They are certainly part of the team, but we also have working parents, college students, lunch-hour volunteers, and more.


Interested in learning more about the organization or would you consider volunteering for one shift a month or more? Contact Executive Director Lori Olson or Program Manager Elisa Tvede via email or call them at (612) 990-5398.


Or be at worship this Sunday to hear more from Crosstown Meals on Wheels and talk to them during Fireside Focus afterwards!

Pastoral Care Ministries

Interested in Becoming A Stephen Minister?

So Many Chances for You to

Engage, Give, & Learn, sumner!

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

... 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.

Choir Rehearsal Schedule

Cherub Choir

TONIGHT (1/15) from: 5:00 - 5:45pm

Children's Choir

TONIGHT (1/15) from: 6:00 - 6:45pm

Normandale Choir

TONIGHT (1/15) from: 6:30 - 8:00pm

Normandale Bells

TOMORROW(1/16) from: 5:45 - 6:45pm

Children, Youth, and Family (CYF)

The Winter Retreat has been moved to the Twin Cities and will be one night only!


We will be together from 5-10pm, Saturday, February 1st. For just $40, we will have dinner together, play games, and head to a surprise event location! Register today!


Keep in mind that any youth savings account dollars can be directed for this event!


Hopefully, this gives you the opportunity to participate while being available to attend other commitments.

Love One Another Children's and Youth Choir Hymn Sing Festival

Looking for another way for your child to continue singing? Normandale Lutheran Church singers in grades 1-12 are invited to participate in a Hymn Sing Festival in Minneapolis on Saturday March 15, 2025 from 9:30 am - 3:00 pm. Lily will attend alongside any interested singers.


Schedule:

Saturday, March 15, 2025 from 9:30am-3:00pm


9:30am = Check in

10:00-10:50am = Workshop 1

11:15am-12:05pm = Workshop 2

12:15pm = Lunch

1:00-1:45pm = Open rehearsal

2:00-3:00 = Hymn festival concert that is open to friends & family!


Location: 

Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church

511 Groveland Avenue

Minneapolis, MN 55403


Choir Clinicians:

  • Elementary choir, 1st-5th grades: Mari Espeland (Mount Olive Lutheran Church Children's Choirs, Minneapolis)
  • Youth choir, 6th-12th grade: Dr. Jennaya Robison (National Lutheran Choir Director). Did you know, the National Lutheran Choir rehearses at Normandale Lutheran Church every Tuesday? 


Registration:

Cost: $15 per singer. This fee will include music, lunch, and a t-shirt.

Register to attend with Normandale here.


Transportation to and from Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church will need to be provided by child's family. 


Music: 

In order to participate, singers need to be familiar with the hymn festival music ahead of time! In order to achieve this, Lily will hold (2) 30 minute rehearsals to learn this music with children registered. These rehearsals will be on Sundays following Sunday School and planned via an interest form with those signed up!

Regular CYF Wednesday Programming

5th and 6th Graders!



MEET TONIGHT from: 6:45pm - 7:45pm

7th and 8th Graders!


MEET TONIGHT from: 6:45pm - 7:45pm

9th - 12th 

Graders!



MEET TONIGHT from: 8:00pm - 9:00pm

Save the Date for This Summer!

Giving and Connecting

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