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Galatians 6:2 says “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Volunteer Thank You Supper - 6:15p.m. – 6:55p.m. Clean up following (Note updated starting time). Bev Brosam, council representative for missions. As part of the Missions team for the past 7-8 years, I have been made aware of many of the activities and outreach that St. Luke’s does within the church and in our community. This year, when I joined Church Council as the Missions representative, I realized there are a number of additional groups that technically aren’t a part of the Missions team, but their actions as volunteers supporting St. Luke’s and its community bring them under a missions umbrella. The official Missions Team includes: Blood Drives, Bridging, Ebenezer Glen Orphanage, Feed My Starving Children, Fisher House, Knitting Ministry, Lift Garage, Loaves and Fishes, Lutheran: Immigration and Refugee Services, Social Services and Disaster Response, Meals on Wheels, Minneapolis Synod, Oasis for Youth, Quilting and Sewing Ministries, The Sandwich Project and VEAP. Some of our volunteer supported ministries include: Church Council, Altar Guild, youth Missions trips, VBS, Music, many forms of Worship assistance, Care Team, Office help, Grounds Maintenance, Treat providers, Card Ministry, Driving services to appointments and events, WNL team, Sound and Camera, Greeters, Dishwashers, Social Media support, and the list goes on … with the activities changing through the years as the needs of those we serve also change. I wanted to say Thank You to all who have volunteered over the years. We are a community of faith living God’s word through acts and deeds, and therefore we would like to celebrate this community with a special meal on Wednesday, June 4 from 6:15p-6:55p. We will be serving the same meal that we provide to the Fisher House residents at the VA. We will also provide samplings of the Manna Pack meal that we package at Feed My Starving Children. If you ever wondered what it tastes like, here’s your chance to find out. I hope you will join us for a meal on June 4. There is a sign-up sheet at the Welcome Desk, or you can send an email to office at St. Lukes Bloomington.org. The sign-up list is needed to help us plan for the amount of food to prepare and serve. Following the meal, for those who are interested in a new volunteer experience, we will be kicking off our new Missions partnership with the City of Bloomington… Adopt A Park – Harrison Park Missions and the Community Life team separately but simultaneously expressed a desire to host a clean up project in the Bloomington community. This led to our new partnership with the City of Bloomington to Adopt a Park. We are adopting Harrison Park (1701 W.110th St), which is just across the street from St. Luke’s. Harrison Park is the future site of the Bloomington Veteran’s Memorial and is lauded as a peaceful setting which also serves as a gateway to the Nine Mile Creek Corridor. In an ongoing effort, we will pick up litter in open areas, picnic and shelter areas, playgrounds, sidewalks, fields, natural areas, and trails, including the trail shoulder, ditch and the taller vegetation beyond the trail. We are committed to 1-2 times per month, spring through fall. Volunteering to Adopt a Park allows for city resources to be allocated to other projects and programs and therefore benefits our entire community. St. Luke’s has a limited number of “pick up/grabber” tools available for use; volunteers are encouraged to bring their own. The city will provide gloves and garbage bags. The garbage will be deposited in bins on the park property. Garbage bags that don’t fit in the bins can be left beside the bins. Notify our Adopt A Park coordinator, Julie Casey ([email protected]), and she will contact the City of Bloomington to have them pick up the bags. Registration is required for all volunteers (one-time) and volunteer hours reported to the City of Bloomington (ongoing). Anyone can volunteer, although an adult supervisor is required for volunteers under the age of 18. Please contact Julie Casey with any questions about this program or go to Adopt-A-Park Bloomington | City of Bloomington MN Click here to register.
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Three members of St. Luke’s attended the 2025 Minneapolis Area Synod Assembly on May 2 and 3: Greg Hornicke, Rob Norris-Weber, and Joy Enger Lindgren. The theme of this year’s assembly, “Church Together” took its inspiration from 1 Corinthians 12:26 “Indeed, the body does not consist of one member, but of many … If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.”
To better understand the theme, here is a statement from the Synod Assembly web page, ‘We are Church Together, each members of one body “given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7). Though powers strive to divide and isolate us, to make us fear our neighbor and one another, we know that in Jesus Christ we are knit together, called to make God’s love real. Together, at this year’s Synod Assembly, we will reflect on what it means in this moment to be Church Together.’ The assembly began on Friday night with a worship service and ice cream social at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in South Minneapolis. Bethlehem Lutheran Church has a beautiful building whose architecture is more traditional than what we usually see in Bloomington. The sanctuary is in the shape of the cross, has a soaring vaulted ceiling, and beautiful stained glass windows. Although the sanctuary is truly awesome and lovely, what really made the worship service stand out was having a full sanctuary where everyone lifted their voices while accompanied by the beautiful tones of the pipe organ. Every representative of the assembly must like to sing because the volume of the singing matched that of the organ. On Saturday the Assembly met at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Ramsey. Saturday’s agenda included presentations, a keynote speaker, elections, approving budgets, and service projects. Here are some of the items that were covered or accomplished during the Assembly. The budget resolutions were adopted. The synod budget will be the same as it was last year. All candidates for open Synod positions were duly and unanimously elected. Two service projects were completed: snack bags for summer literacy learners and menstrual kits for homeless teens. The following Resolutions and/or Memorials were adopted: Child and Vulnerable Adult Safety Policies and Procedures, Accompanying Immigrants, Response to the Destruction of Palestinians, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, and Youth Gathering DEI. Just a note – the 2027 ELCA Youth Gathering will be held in Minneapolis. A secondary theme that emerged throughout the Assembly was on prayer and the importance of communal prayer. The keynote speaker, Reverend Professor Dr. Dirk G. Lange, provided the example of a Lutheran Cathedral in Leipzig, Germany, that supported its community by sharing its space with many diverse groups – musicians, artists, community and interest groups - who had no place to gather back when East Germany was part of the Soviet Union and under authoritarian rule. Communal prayer was the way that the various groups and members of the congregation shared their hopes, concerns, and joys. The practice of communal prayer established bonds and built trust among these groups. One of the initiatives that will follow the Synod Assembly is “Pray without Ceasing”, where congregations of the Minneapolis Area Synod are encouraged to meet once each week for communal prayer. Congregations will also be asked to invite other churches in their neighborhoods to follow the same practice. One other topic that stood out from the speeches and presentations was that the Lord’s Supper is a blueprint that we can follow to engage with our internal community and with the community outside the walls of our building: Gather around food, Receive Jesus’ healing, Share in abundance. For additional information on the Synod Assembly you may attend the next Listening Post, reach out to Greg, Rob, or Joy, or go online to https://mpls-synod.org/our-synod/synod-assembly-2/ “Sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs making melody to the Lord, giving thanks to God at all times and for everything in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ.” – Ephesians 5:19
What a blessing it is to have so many members willing and able to share their gift of music. Many thanks to all who participate and those who lead. Alanna Teragawa – Bells of Praise Director Greg Anderson – Jubilee Director Lori Murray – Choir and Congregational Accompanist Patrick Lair – Choir Director Music Sunday is an annual celebration which serves as a way of giving back and reaching out to the community. Join us on Sunday, May 18th at both the 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. worships. Bells of Praise, St. Luke’s Choir and Jubilee will be featured during both worships and culminating with a closing number performed by all 3 groups and the congregation. "As a worship leader I have the satisfaction of knowing that I along with Jubilee are being used by God to reach out, bringing someone a little closer to God. Jubilee adds variety through music to worship at St. Luke’s and I thank Jubilee members for their dedication and support. If you would like to participate with our Jubilee Worship Team, we meet Thursdays at 7:00 PM in the St. Luke’s sanctuary. If you have any questions, I invite you to call the St. Luke’s office at 952-881-5801. See you there" – Greg Anderson "As I conclude my second year as St. Luke's Choir director, I continue to be amazed at the dedication and commitment these singers have to our congregation. They work extremely hard to prepare choir anthems that both enhance the worship experience and, as much as possible, support the readings and the message through song. As a group, we strive to bring joy to all that we do and, more importantly, that we care, love and pray for each other. We would love to have you join this group of singing volunteers. Rehearsals are on Wednesdays from 7:00-8:30 p.m. (September through May). If interested, do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected]" - Patrick Lair “The Bells of Praise ministry is unique in that one person (ringer) plays only two notes. In order to play most of our songs, there are 11-13 ringers needed. We continue to learn how two notes are important in one section, but not in another section. We learn different techniques to bring surprise and somber to different scores. It continues to be a joy to work with this family of musicians, where we care for each other, strive to help the listener feel the glory and mystery of our faith, while having a great deal of fun. Our rehearsals at Wednesdays at 5:45-6:46pm and we perform the 4th Sunday of each month. Let me know if you want to give ringing a try next fall.” [email protected] – Alanna Teragawa Spring Ring & Sing Concert – 3 Faith Communities with 6 Choirs 3:00pm Saturday, May 31st at Oak Grove Presbyterian. Bells of Praise and St. Luke’s Choir will be joining Oak Grove Presbyterian and Community of Cross Lutheran Church. Three vocal choirs, three handbell choirs – ringing and singing separately and together. You don’t want to miss this. A great event to invite a friend. See you there!  On most Wednesday Nights during the school year, members, and friends of St. Luke’s gather for a meal at 5:30 PM in Fellowship Hall. After being nourished, many continue their night in one of the programs from 6-7 PM, where there is something for everyone: Preschoolers and Parents, Children, Youth, and an Adult Bible Study. Some adults and younger children simply enjoy one another’s company.
Many thanks to the Meal Teams, some who have been serving for over 20 years, like the Sloppy Joe Group and the Soup and Salad Group. One started a couple of years ago, the Pulled Pork & Corn Dogs Group. And two Groups stepped up this year to serve, Walking Tacos and Pizza. Because of the volunteers, including a member who shops for groceries, we simply suggest a donation for the meal: $3/person or $10/family. But as scripture tells us: “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and those who have no money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” – Isaiah 55:1 and Minnesota State Law, “Churches can offer meals for free or at a reduced cost, relying on donations to cover costs.” The programs are led by a number of volunteers. A couple parents have told us that their children will choose church night over some other event. If you have never attended, come check it out – especially during… … The Sandwich Project Nights. Twice a year, at our Fall Festival (Wednesday of MEA) and at the Wednesday Night Live Spring Celebration. We will be making 400 sandwiches. The Sandwich Project of MN was established with a goal to help feed 150 homeless & hungry people in Minneapolis as many times a year as possible, with the ultimate goal of doing it every day of the year. Today, The Sandwich Project is helping to feed about 2500+ people per week through various shelters and food shelves. The Sandwich Project is a grassroots organization built on anonymous donations of time, talent, and treasures. All donations are given and used with the purpose of feeding those in need. At the Spring Celebration St. Luke’s will be making and delivering sandwiches to is The Harbor Light Center at 1010 Currie Ave., Minneapolis: https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/northern/HarborLightCenter/ In their own words… “I came for food, but I found so much more…” “When I came to The Salvation Army, I came because I was hungry. I had never felt this hungry in my life, truthfully I can't remember the last time I ate. I had a friend tell me about this place, so I went. What I found was more than food, it was a reason to stay alive. I could see a hope here and I think it is because of Harbor Light Center that I stay full and alive every day.” We offer a wide range of basic needs to anyone without discrimination. As Minnesota's largest homeless adult outreach facility, we meet people at their greatest point of need to inspire hope, instill belief in possibilities, and impart opportunities for a fresh start. We help cure hunger Free Hot Meals At 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, we invite any person in need to join us for a nutritionally balanced meal. Harbor Light Center serves more than 600 meals to homeless or isolated individuals each weekend day. We help provide housing Harbor Light Center houses about 350 people each night - those who rely on The Salvation Army for a warm bed at one of our emergency, transitional or permanent-supportive housing programs. Overnight shelter for homeless men and women This secure shelter offers a safe place to spend the night. The program is free and available on a first-come, first-served basis. A free hot meal is served at 6 p.m. and warm showers are available. Emergency housing funded by Hennepin County The emergency housing program provides up to three balanced meals each day and personal hygiene supplies for men and women who are eligible for county-funded shelter. Case workers provide referrals to subsidized housing, substance abuse recovery and employment services. A medical respite unit is available for those with medical needs. Other shelter options Men and women who are employed or seeking employment can live in a supportive environment, where advocates assist residents in finding referrals and community resources. Program fees are payable on a weekly basis. Transitional Housing Men and women seeking a sober living environment may live at one of our transitional housing facilities in the Twin Cities for up to two years. Residents receive case management and gain independent living experience. Program fees are payable on a monthly basis. Veterans Housing Twenty of our transitional housing units are set aside for veterans. This program is accessed through the VA Medical Center. Please attend a Front Porch meeting to learn about available Mental Health Homeless Programs or call 612-313-3240 for more information. Front Porch meetings are Thursday morning (register by 8 a.m.) at the VA Medical Center, One Veterans Drive in Minneapolis, and Monday through Friday mornings (register by 8 a.m.) at the VA Community Resource and Referral Center, 1201 Harmon Place in downtown Minneapolis. We help share God's love When you think of Harbor Light Center, you might think of Minnesota's largest homeless shelter, or you may envision our glowing red shield on top of our building. Yet most people don’t realize we are a Christian church. We meet people’s physical needs and heal souls through our spiritual ministry – by sharing the love of Jesus Christ and the promise of salvation. We want to help you explore what it means to have a personal relationship with God. Services & Ministries Whether church is already part of your life or you are experiencing faith for the first time, you are always welcome at our weekly worship service Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. We also offer spiritual ministries during the week. Our Church's Vision We will meet regularly to worship one true God, welcome everyone who enters our doors with the love of Christ, actively pursue lasting relationships, and build God’s kingdom one person at a time by providing opportunities for service that flow out of hearts filled with grace. Men's and Women's Ministries We want adults to reach a deeper understanding of God's hope and love for them. We believe that through fellowship in small groups. engaging worship that invites you to come as you are and leave transformed. Adults have the ability to discover a new life in Jesus. Thank you all who helps St. Luke’s is live out our mission… “busy making Christ known to the world.” https://www.stlukesbloomington.org/service-opportunities-in-the-community.html |