"And on Sunday, we're going to be thinking a little bit about Luke chapter 6, which is known as The Sermon on the Plain. You may have heard of The Sermon on the Mount... this is Luke's version."

Preaching

Jacob Boettcher Belz

Music

Normandale Choir

Scripture

Jeremiah 17:5-10; 1 Corinthians 15:15-20; Psalm 1; Luke 6:17-26

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:

• Barbacoa (braised beef) tacos
• Cabbage slaw
• Cheesy potatoes
• Roasted carrots
• Fresh salad
• Fresh fruit platter
• Fresh baked cookies

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

SPARK & IGNITE Parents: Join Us TONIGHT!

Save the Date for March 2!

"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!

Registration is now open for the 2025-2026 school year!

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

As part of our ongoing effort to build enrollment and bring new families and children to our special community and with the tremendous support from Normandale Foundation, we are launching a new scholarship program that will provide 50% tuition discounts for families with financial need. This is a wonderful opportunity to welcome more children and families into our care.

For families applying and registering, now is the time! Scholarships will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, and these scholarships are exclusively available to families of Normandale Lutheran Church until February 15 for children who are newly enrolled in either our Blessing Place or our Preschool.

We are also asking for any and all donations towards this extraordinary scholarship program. The opportunity to give is now available online -- either through this special form or through the church's regular giving option -- just find "Preschool Scholarships" in the drop-down menu!

Hear Preschool and Blessing Place Director Kari Warnke talk more in detail about this initiative from our January 26 worship service.

Join the National Lutheran Choir (NLC), under the leadership of Jennaya Robison, for Healing Body, Mind, Spirit.

Hear the NLC at the Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas on Sunday, March 2, beginning at 4:00pm. This performance will include a premiere of a new three-movement composition called “Three Songs for Healing” by Hans Bridger Heruth with text by Brian Newhouse.

Additionally, this concert will include works by Karen E. Black, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Eric Whitacre, Moses Hogan, and more.

Tickets are free, and are available via NLCA.com.

On Saturday, February 1, an account on X (formerly known as Twitter) under the handle “General Mike Flynn” posted: “Now it’s the ‘Lutheran’ faith (this use of ‘religion’ as a money laundering operation must end)”

This inferred that certain Lutheran organizations like Global Refuge (formerly Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service) and Lutheran Services in America receive federal grant money with no transparency regarding its use of funding. 

ELCA Churchwide and Presiding Bishop Eaton released a video in response to these false allegations.

Did You Know: Better Late Than Never

The ELCA declared an apology to those of African American descent in 2019.

"There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:28

See “ELCA Declaration to the People of African Descent” at normluth.org/racial-justice-equity-resources.

Interested in Becoming A Stephen Minister?

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.

Cherub Choir

TONIGHT (2/12) from: 5:00 - 5:45pm

Children's Choir

TONIGHT (2/12) from: 6:00 - 6:45pm

Normandale Choir

TONIGHT (2/12) from: 6:30 - 8:00pm

Normandale Bells

TOMORROW (2/13) from: 5:45 - 6:45pm

Regular CYF Wednesday Programming

First Communion Faith Marker

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!

Introducing ABLAZE Night Out!

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!

Details Around High School Trip to Holden Village

Last week we announced on social media that 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! 

On Wednesday, March 5 from 5:00-6:00pm there will be an open house informational session. I will also 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!