We are living out our Mission Statement…


St. Luke’s is a Welcoming and Growing Community of Faith, busy Making Christ Known to the World.


That happens in many and various ways within our building.


St. Luke’s alone has over 60 ministries and teams, meeting inside and outside of our building – take a look at the “Get to Know St. Luke’s” handbook to learn more; even better share the ones that you are a part of and why in the comments.

There is another worshipping community, that meets here – House of Ezra. They gather for worship on Sunday afternoons and Friday nights in the Great Room. St. Luke’s will be the site of their International Conference this summer.


Music is heard in the building not just on Sundays. St. Luke’s Bells of Praise and St. Luke’s Choir rehearse on Wednesdays. St. Luke’s Jubilee Team rehearses on Thursdays. The past year Angelica Cantanti Choirs have rehearsed at St. Luke’s as many as six days in a week. Thus, often every day of the week music fills St. Luke’s. 
 
You will often hear children’s laughter in the building. St. Luke’s Christian Preschool is over 50 years old. It meets during the school year, in St. Luke’s Education Wing. But you will hear children year-round as the Education Wing is also home to Learning Tree Development Center who welcome infants to 5-year-olds. Both centers are led by Barb Watson, Director of St. Luke’s Preschool and owner of Learning Tree.
 
We are also home to the NorthStar Scrollers, Gambler’s Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon, a Book Club, along with us taking our turn hosting the Bloomington-Richfield Grief Coalition.
 
Most of the organizations pay a room rate, rent or a gift. In 2025 St. Luke’s exceeded the 15% max square footage usage of outside groups. St. Luke’s will be filing a 990-T which is for nonprofits with income-generating activities that are not tied to its exempt purpose – “Unrelated Business Income Tax” (UBIT). St. Luke’s anticipated this situation and has budgeted for this expense.
 
St. Luke’s will continue to live out its mission of being a “Welcoming” community which is a way to fulfill the second part of the Great Commandment, “Love you neighbor.”  ​

When did Earth Day begin and when is it celebrated?

Every year on April 22, Earth Day marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970.

This is a trick question. The real Earth Day was given to us on the Sixth Day of Creation…
​
God spoke: “Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature so they can be responsible for every sort of seed-bearing plant and every kind of fruit-bearing tree, whatever grows out of the ground. For the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle, and everything that moves and breathes, on the face of Earth – And, yes, Earth itself!

God looked over everything, it was so good, so very good! It was evening, it was morning—Day Six. (Genesis 1:28-31, The Message Bible paraphrased)

Here at St. Luke’s we celebrate Earth Day – EVERYDAY!

From the very beginning when the Education Wing was built the members of St. Luke’s made sure that The Old Oak Tree that had been there much longer would remain.

St. Luke’s members continue to care for the old oak tree, pruning and giving it injections so it can remain healthy for years to come.

In 2021 St. Luke’s with funding from the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District put in a Rain Garden.  The water from the north parking lot drains into the garden, not into the creek.

Also in 2021 St. Luke’s added a few roof tops full of solar panels, substantially lowering our electricity usage; not to mention offering a significant savings in our electric bill.

In honor of our 100th Anniversary, in 1922 we planted a New Oak Tree. As the sayings go…

“One Generation Plants the Tree and another Generation gets the shade.”

"The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit," - Nelson Henderson

"A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in"

"The best time to plant a tree was 30 years ago, the second best time is now"

"Planting a tree is an act of love towards the earth and future generations"

Last year St. Luke’s adopted Harrison Park, so we can truly say, “Every day is Earth Day!” Take a stroll with a purpose anytime of the year. Sadly trash clean up isn’t seasonal. There is a stand inside Door F with everything you need. We ask that you sign the waiver and document your time.
Let us not forget that to care for God’s creation, includes one another. This summer St. Luke’s has invited the Harrison Park Community Gardeners to park in our south lot. So don’t be surprised to see a handful of cars throughout the growing season.
​
This is because of a new Veterans Memorial to honor and recognize veterans of Bloomington. The goal is to have it completed by Veterans Day November 2026.

Let us care for God’s creation including one another, on “Earth Day” and EVERYDAY!

In this Easter time of year, we are still experiencing the joy and hope of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. All around us are signs of rebirth as humans, grass, flowers, and trees awaken from the long winter months. As the days get longer and warmer, we begin to see neighbors we have not seen since November and marvel at the greenery sprouting from the ground and on tree branches. It is Easter! It is Spring! Alleluia!
 
What better way to celebrate this time of year and to go forth from the walls of St. Luke’s than to attend a truly community-based event. To that end, we would like to invite you, your family, and your friends to attend the annual SPRING, RING AND SING Concert, Saturday, April 25th, 3:00 p.m. at Community of the Cross Lutheran Church (10701 Bloomington Ferry Rd – Bloomington).
 
This event, started by our own Alanna Teragawa some 4 – 5 years ago, brings together handbell ensembles and vocal choirs from three neighborhood churches – Oak Grove Presbyterian, Community of the Cross Lutheran Church, and St. Luke’s Lutheran Church. The concert is FREE and attendees are asked to bring a non-perishable food or a cash donation for VEAP.
 
At the concert you will experience each ensemble doing their own piece as well as a combined handbell, vocal choir, and a mass bell and choir pieces. And yes, you might even get a chance to participate and meet new friends from our community (Community of the Cross will be providing refreshments after the concert).
 
Come and support St. Luke’s bell and vocal ensembles but, more importantly, come join in this community gathering filled with inspirational, touching, and uplifting music.

​SPRING, RING AND SING
Saturday, April 25th
3:00 p.m.
Community of the Cross Lutheran Church

– Paul
​
As was heard on Easter Morning…

31What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? 33Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. 35Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:31-39

Who was it that first met Jesus?
Mary Magdelene, a woman who had been possessed by seven demons (Luke 8:2, Mark 16:9). When the Bible uses the number seven it symbolizes completion in the Jewish tradition, indicating that she was completely overwhelmed, perhaps suffering from physical or psychological illness. Experiencing the Love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord, she was transformed from a state of total affliction to dedicated discipleship.

The one you seek will find you.
As Mary was searching for the dead body of Jesus. The Risen Jesus called her by name and invited her to share the Good News with the Disciples, who at that moment had separated themselves from the Love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Join St. Luke’s for this 5 Week Message Series:
Nothing Can Separate You from God’s Love

Find Freedom in God’s Love – Sunday, April 12
The fears you are hiding from cannot separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ask the Disciples behind the locked doors. (John 20:19-23)

Find Faith in God’s Love – Sunday, April 19
The doubts you may have cannot separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ask the disciple Thomas. (John 20:24-31)

Find Purpose in God’s Love, Sunday, April 26
Any uncertainty you have cannot separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ask the disciples who went fishing. (John 21:1-14)

Find Reconciliation in God’s Love – Sunday, May 3
Any denial you make cannot separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ask Peter. (John 21:15-20)

Find Accountability in God’s Love – Sunday, May 10
Any comparison you make concerning another person cannot separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ask the Beloved Disciple. (John 21:20-25)

When in life have you felt separated from God’s Love in Christ Jesus our Lord?
It is God’s Will, that nothing can separate you, or anyone else, from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. This includes people you desire to be separated from God’s love. God cannot deny God’s self, for God is love. (1st John 4:8)

​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?

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