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Maundy Thursday – April 2, 7:00 PM
Gather at the Table Good Friday – April 3, 11:00 AM and 6:00 PM Gather at the Cross Easter Sunday – April 5, 8:30 and 10:00 PM Gather at the Empty Tomb Greetings from our brothers and sisters in the ELCA "We remember the whispers of Advent as we anticipated the birth of Jesus. Now, as we journey through Holy Week, we anticipate the joyful noise of alleluias on Easter Sunday. But before we reach the Easter celebration, we make our way through Lent, through an in-between time where we don’t know what tomorrow will bring. We often describe ourselves as an Easter church, but in this holy, solemn time that begins with Ash Wednesday and moves on to Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday, we are also a Lenten church. Living in uncertainty, waiting and hoping for renewal. Longing for the moments when God’s presence feels closer and more sure. During Lent, we learn what it means to live on unsettled ground. In Matthew’s retelling of the resurrection, he describes a “violent earthquake” as the angel came down from heaven and rolled the stone away from the entrance to the tomb where Jesus lay. I imagine the earthquake, the rumble deep below the earth, as the ground shifted far under the surface. Perhaps those who were nearby felt the tremble. Maybe the women who were on their way to the tomb with prepared spices felt the earth shift. They were unsettled, but they knew something powerful was happening. We can understand that human experience of feeling out of control, of not being able to make sense of what’s happening around us. Many of us can relate to this as we witness the current unrest in our world and in our communities. Like the women at the tomb, we feel isolated, disconnected. We’re unsettled, unsure, living the Lenten reality of waiting and hoping. And then, in the midst of that shaking, comes the promise. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen.” God’s promise offers reassurance and hope. The resurrection does not deny disruption — it meets us within disorder and disturbance. The stone is rolled away. Death does not have the final word. Yes, we are Easter people. Even when the ground below us is shaking, we will not grow weary. We know that Jesus is our foundation. Christ is risen, and that truth strengthens us. It gives us courage to live, to hope and to proclaim joy. Christ is risen. Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!" A Prayer for Holy Week from the Minneapolis Synod Gracious God, as we continue in these holy days, draw us deeper into the mystery of your saving love. As we prepare for this week’s services, also prepare our hearts to receive Christ’s love poured out on the cross. In a week marked by suffering and promise, keep us grounded in the knowledge of your redeeming grace. Strengthen us to trust your work even when the way is unclear and proclaim hope where the world knows despair. Amen.
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 In the week ahead we will Parade with Palms, Gather at a Table, Come to a Cross, and find an Empty Tomb. We do all this in remembrance of Jesus – who did all of this for you. Imagine being one of the crowd waving palms and shouting “Hosanna!” as Jesus enters the city. What hopes does Jesus give you? Imagine having Jesus, kneel before you with a basin and towel. Will you allow him to wash your feet? Imagine being one of the disciples seated at the table when Jesus announces that “One of you will betray me?” How would you respond? Imagine being one of the disciples at the table when he takes the bread and announces, “This is my body given for you.” Then he takes the cup of wine and announces, “This is my blood shed for you? We hear these words every time we take communion. On Maundy Thursday, I invite you to think about this again, for the first time. Imagine being one of the disciples in the garden as he announces, “Keep Awake.” Can you? Imagine being one of the disciples who watches Judas kiss Jesus and then be arrested. Would you follow? Imagine being Simon of Cyrene on the side of the road watching Jesus collapse at the “weight” of carrying in the cross. Then a soldier tells you to pick up the cross. Would you carry it? Imagine being one of the people watching Jesus hang on the cross and hear him cry out, “Father forgive them, they know not what you do.” Will you do likewise? Imagine being one the women going to the tomb to find the stone rolled away, a young man sitting where Jesus laid and tell you, “He has Risen.” Would you tell anyone? We don’t need to imagine any of this. We are invited to do this in remembrance of Jesus… Palm Sunday – March 29. 8:30 and 10 AM. Maundy Thursday – April 2, 7:00 PM Good Friday – April 3, 11:00 AM and 7:00 PM Easter Sunday – April 5, 8:30 and 10:00 AM Jesus did all of this for you. Will you remember him? Greetings!
My name is Jamie Breeding and l am the new custodian here! I instantly felt welcomed with a sense of community and joy here at beautiful St. Luke's. You can call me the "Jill of all trades"! I also work part time at Most Wanted Comics, the comic book shop owned by the Denesen Family, and currently enrolled at Normandale Community College working towards a business degree. I love to spend my time in my little slice of Heaven here in beautiful Bloomington. I share my home with my partner, Dan, and our four fur babies (Billy, Kilo, Purrfessor Snape, and Purrmione Granger). During the Summer I enjoy tending to my garden while our kitties enjoy their outdoor custom Catio on the padio. I look forward to hopping into and facilitating fun classes and activities for the community. My mission is to help continue making St. Luke's a welcoming place for all and helping it sparkle even more! God knits us together for a moment or a season, a lifetime or a reason.
9 Years ago, Susana Castillo was hired as St. Luke’s Custodian. She came from another organization where she was scheduled for specific times and days. She did the best she could, but due to her life circumstances, a strict time schedule didn’t match her reality. Many of you have probably met her daughter Vanessa. She has special needs and is blessed to have a very special mother. Susana’s desire to be a mom superseded her need to work. It was member Mark Hagelin, who had worked with Susana in the past that helped create the match. St. Luke’s was in need of a part-time custodian and Susana was in need of a position that allowed for the flexibility for Susana to be a mom. It was about finding a proper work/life balance. Susana tells me often how much St. Luke’s has been a blessing for her. She returns the blessings not only in her work, but in her volunteerism. You can enjoy her Walking Tacos tomorrow night, March 11, 5:30 PM at the Wednesday Church Night Dinner. You will have one more chance on April 29 as she will continue to volunteer after her retirement this coming Sunday. Thank you to Bev Brosam for organizing a gift for Susana. You are invited to celebrate Susana and to wish her well in her retirement on Sunday, March 15. Cake and refreshments will be served after the 8:30 and 10:00 AM worships. If you would like to contribute to a gift card for Susana, please contact the office with funds by noon on Thursday, March 12. You can give cash or a check* (*made out to: St. Luke's with a memo of "Susana Gift Card"). We will use St. Luke’s RaiseRight account to purchase the gift card. If you have not already signed the retirement card for Susana, you can do so when you drop off your gift. There will be an additional card available for you to sign at the Welcome Desk. If you have any questions, please call or text me at 952-715-0158. Thanks. Bev. Susana – May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. Amen. Together we create pathways to stronger, more hopeful communities through access to healthy food, housing stability, and supportive services.
It’s time for VEAP’s March Food and Fund Drive From March 1-April 6, VEAP’s goal is to raise $300,000 and collect 75,000 lbs of food. Winter is often a season of endurance, but for many families across the Twin Cities, this winter has been defined by fear and uncertainty – a time when cold weather, rising food costs, and reduced funding to food assistance programs have stretched families to the brink. Food insecurity remains at an historic high and VEAP demands continue to grow. VEAP is receiving 30% LESS food from food bank partners compared to 1 year ago due to cuts in the Emergency Food Assistance Program, and they anticipate increased need with expected cuts to SNAP and Medicare. Every dollar and every pound of donated food counts! Over the next 5 weeks, St. Luke’s will be collecting items for VEAP’s Express/Emergency Packs. Express Packs are provided to participants who may not have an appointment and are in need of immediate assistance. VEAP distributes 50 Express Packs of shelf-stable items every day – this is an increase from 35-40 per day last year! We request that you bring one of the following items each week: March 8 – Canned Protein* March 15 – Canned Fruit* March 22 – Canned Vegetables* (No Green Beans) March 29 – Rice (brown or white) April 5 – Pasta (No Mac & Cheese) *Each Express Pack contains 2 of each of the canned items Donations can be made to VEAP through the weekly offering – just indicate VEAP on the envelope. If you have any questions, please contact someone on the Missions Team or Becky Olson. You can also read more about VEAP’s Mission and ways they support our community at www.veap.org Blessings, Bev Brosam Missions |