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.
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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​

You’re almost there… For all who gave something up or took something on for Lent, you’re down to 9 days, the end of the journey is near. Remember Sundays are “Little Easters” a day of grace, so enjoy your coffee or take the day off from picking up trash around your neighborhood – although you are welcome to continue to do so during Lent Sundays along with all the days that follow…
 
As has been stated in the Lent Messages,
 
“Let us be disciplined in our discipleship as we follow Jesus’ Way.”
 
Our messages have called us to…
 
…Have mercy by caring for the neighbor – Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)
…Choose the better thing by listening to Jesus – Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42)
…Be generous by sharing what you have – The Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21)
…Be forgiving by offering second chances – The Fig Tree (Luke 13:6-9)
…Be gracious by welcoming the lost – The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)
…Make amends by helping others – The Shrewd Manager (Luke 16:1-18)
…Be compassionate by giving to the poor – The Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)
…Converse with God by praying authentically – Prayers at the Temple (Luke 18:9-14
…Be accepting by welcoming the unacceptable – Jesus and Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10)

This Wednesday, April 9 for our final Lent Message, I invite you to decide what the message calls us to do – Luke 19:11-27
 
Palm Sunday is this coming week. The Lenten journey ends at the gates of Jerusalem and Holy Week begins.
 
All that we have been doing is living The Jesus Way. This is the song that inspired the Lent Theme. Read the lyrics or better join in singing the song with Jubilee at our 10 AM Worship. Lent may be ending but may we continue to choose The Jesus’ Way.
 
The Jesus Way, Song by Phil Wickham ‧ 2023
(Condensed Lyrics)
If you curse me, then I will bless you
If you hurt me, I will forgive
And if you hate me, then I will love you
I choose the Jesus way.​

If you're helpless, I will defend you
And if you're burdened, I'll share the weight
And if you're hopeless, then let me show you
There's hope in the Jesus way.

I follow Jesus, I follow Jesus
He wore my sin, I'll gladly wear His name
He is the treasure, He is the answer
Oh, I choose the Jesus way.

If you strike me, I will embrace you
And if you chain me, I'll sing His praise
And if you kill me, my home is heaven
For I choose the Jesus way.
And I choose surrender
I choose to love
Oh, God my Savior, you’ll always be enough
I choose forgiveness
I choose grace
I choose to worship, no matter what I face.
Oh, I choose the Jesus way!
Songwriters: Jonathan Smith / Phil Wickham
The Jesus Way lyrics © Be Essential Songs

​I am serving on the St. Luke’s council as Treasurer. My wife Mary and I have been members of St. Luke’s since 1987 and were married here in 1988. While we were preparing to be married, we knew that we would be settling in Bloomington and began searching for a church home. We visited St. Luke’s and found a welcoming and supportive community of believers. That is still true today and we have been here ever since.

Over the years, my faith journey here has involved participating in more bible studies and adult education events than you can shake a stick at. I have also had the opportunity to be involved in a wide variety of ministry activities. Those include everything from Habitat for Humanity to Confirmation mentoring and even babysitting a cantankerous FM transmitter during our pandemic parking lot worship services. These days you will often find me back in the corner, running the live stream of our worship services. All of those study and ministry activities have played an important role in my own faith formation.

That is also true of serving on the church council. When I was asked by the Executive committee if I would consider coming back as Treasurer, I realized that there was a need that I could meet, and here I am.

The duties of the Treasurer include some routine tasks like reporting the financial status of the church to the council every month and leading the effort to build an annual budget. There are also some ad-hoc projects as many new ministry ideas or service projects have a financial component. That said, I believe that the most important duties of the Treasurer are to help the council be the best stewards we can be of the funds entrusted to us by the members of this congregation, and to report the financial condition of the church as accurately and transparently as possible.

I will do the very best that I can to accomplish both of those duties.

Greetings, my name is Jane Nechville and I’m the Community Life chairperson for 2025.

When I was married and expecting my first child, my husband and I were looking for churches in the area. Many were nice, but nothing compared to St. Luke’s.

We felt like we were immediately at home.
Our girls were baptized here and confirmed at St. Luke’s.
My husband and I taught Sunday school and were worship leaders. We helped put on the Christmas program and the girls were in choir from a young age on.

Our committee’s goal is to provide leadership and to be an advocate for our community ministries. It is the mission of Community Life to support activities that nurture relationships within St. Luke’s congregation by maintaining and expanding small group ministries and fellowship ministries.

I accepted this position because I love meeting people and bringing folks together in community. 

As a member of St. Luke’s, I’ve participated in many of the amazing factions of our community, which I hope many of you decide to participate in also.  It’s a wonderful way to get to know people and be involved in this amazing church!

Some of the people I must recognize are the many folks who host and contribute to our Sunday morning treats.

Our dishwashers who clean up after us every Sunday and every breakfast, lunch, funeral, etc. 

Our Card Ministry writes out special messages to folks suffering an illness, death in the family, hospitalization, etc., using handmade cards made by our own Bev Brosam.

Our Care Team brings home communion to those who cannot come to church weekly. Many of these folks enjoy my dog Kaija, who loves visiting people like Margaret Dahl.

We hope you will join us on the last Friday of the month Game Night. This is for families of all ages.

Just bring a game and snack to share. Beverages are provided.

Please let me know if you’re interested in any of these functions of community life. We would love to have you and we welcome you with open arms. ​

Hello St Luke’s! I’m Leah DeSchepper and I am serving on council as Past President.

Who am I?

I have been attending st Luke’s since I was 6 years old. St Luke’s and its members helped raise me into the person I am today. I have been involved at St Luke’s for most of my life serving in many areas and leadership roles. Being on council has been a wonderful opportunity to give back to a congregation that has given so much to me.

What is my role on council?

The role of past-president here at St Luke’s is the third and final year in a presidential role. The first year is as President-elect, a year of learning, the second year is as President, a year of leading, and the third year is as past-president, a year of supporting and advising. This year I will support our council president Kelsey and all council members with almost anything they need. I will also lead the personnel committee.

How can you support?

Share your joys and concerns about st Luke’s with your council representatives. Council loves to hear from all members. And most importantly, continue to pray for the leadership of st Luke’s and your fellow members. 
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Thank you!

My name is Diane LaFontaine. I didn’t have any say about coming to St. Luke’s. In 1955 my parents moved to a house a block away.

After several years of continuing to drive to my mother’s home church in south Minneapolis, she realized having a Lutheran church a block away made more sense, so I’ve been here since 1959.

​I was confirmed here, I was married here in 1972 under that skylight when the sanctuary faced the other way. My children were baptized and confirmed here and some of my grandchildren were baptized here. My parents and husband’s funerals were held at St. Luke’s.

None of that is really important. What’s important is all of you. You’re why I stay. Over the years I’ve spent time with so many wonderful people on committees, in classes and bible studies. I’ll echo Becky Olson from last week: if you don’t feel like you know people, get involved! Join a group! There’s bible study on Wednesday night, you can learn to quilt, help out with property, be an audio visual volunteer, be on a committee, help with kids on Sunday mornings or Wednesday nights. As Rob says, there are 100 ways to participate in this congregation. I can guarantee you’ll be glad you did and you’ll make some good friends.

I’m your representative for Stewardship, after much thought and prayer. I’ll admit I never thought I would be on church council for Stewardship! I’m not 100% sure what all I’ll be doing.

There was no talk of money growing up. I got married right out of high school and had kids right away, we spent what we made - child care, mortgage, old cars. I still wasn’t really saving much for a number of years.

I took a class at church that emphasised saving, - I can never remember the name of the class - but it gave real ways to make savings happen. I had always known we should have savings, it just was hard to make it happen.

Now I have $1000’s in savings instead of $100’s, I’ve got CD’s which I never could have had and locked up 1000’s of dollars for any period of time before. I’ve got peace of mind if we have an emergency, and an interesting side effect is that as my savings have gone up, so has my credit score.

Best of all, I’ve been blessed to increase my giving to St. Luke’s in the last few years, and that’s wonderful. I love this church, and I’ve always wanted to be able to give more.

I think we’re so blessed to have this lovely building to worship and meet in, the talented musicians, a pastor who challenges us to grow closer to God and be better people. Most of all, we’re doing things in our community and the world that are making lives better. I hope you read the annual report that lists all the organizations that we support with your giving. It’s not just the visible gifts and collections at Christmas time, but the monthly gifts to places like the Synod that supports many organizations and congregations, Lutheran Social Service, and a host of others. The support that the recipients of those ministries receive doesn’t happen without us, and means we’re fulfilling our mission.
I realized that I did have a place on Stewardship after all. You may too!