normandale news december 2015

Volume 36, Issue 12 | December 2015

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December 2015 NORMANDALEnews

I’m always struck this time of year by those who will remind us to “Keep Christ in Christmas.” On the one hand, I understand the phrase seeks to retain the heart of the story and to break people out of the distractions of consumerism, busyness, apathetic cynicism, or self-interested merriment which attempt to cloud the mes-sage. But on the other hand, it always seems like it’s uttered either out of fear that Christ might somehow be lost, or to encourage us to put on a crusader helmet and fight to keep Christ around. Noting how many times in the story of Jesus birth the angels say, “Do not be afraid,” and remembering that it is news of “peace among all whom God favors,” I’m not willing do either (fear or fight). I’d like to propose a different slogan… Keep faith in Christmas. After all, isn’t creating faith really what God is up to in the story? God reveals and enacts the deepest form of relationship and movement toward us in becoming flesh and blood, living in our skin, taking on our life and death, so that we might trust and have faith in God. In that way, maybe it is a call to stop fighting and fear-ing and rather to simply listen and hear what the promise is. God won’t be lost. And you need not fight for it. God is on the way to you, to us, to the world. This Advent that’s what we will seek to encounter and proclaim together at Normandale. Our theme will be, “For All that Is to Come…” and each week we will gather and be reminded and sustained to say “yes,” to hope, to love, until we finally hear that Love has arrived. Emmanuel. God with us.

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For that reason there are lots of opportunities to do just this. Advent worship on Wednesdays, Dec. 2, 9, & 16 at 11:30 am and 7:00 pm will afford us time to stop fighting and fearing, and instead to slow down and ponder what God is doing.

Women’s Advent Pause events (Nov. 30‒Dec. 4),

Men’s Advent Breakfast (Dec. 4, 6:30 am),

Advent Wreath Making (Nov. 29, 12 noon-2 pm),

Sunday School Christmas Worship (Dec. 13, 11 am),

Sponsor-a-Family (sign up to provide gifts for fami-lies in need),

Regular Sunday Worship,

Advent Devotional, which has been mailed to your home or pick one up at church, will all serve to proclaim what the story draws forth – faith in grace and mercy.

I hope you take advantage of any or all of these times to hear and listen. If God truly is coming to each of us in flesh and blood, Christ will never be lost and there’s no need to fight to make sure he remains. When we gather together and hear the story, faith will be born, and whether you see it or not, God will be with you. So peace to you this season. Pondering, listening, living, and hoping with you for all that is to come,


Wednesday, December 2 11: 30 am | Matins, followed by lunch.

7:00 pm | Vespers Wednesday, December 9 Homebound | Second Wednesday

11:30 am | Matins, followed by lunch.

If you would like a ride to the Homebound worship and lunch, call Marta at The Center for Healing & Wholeness, 952.929.1697 x365 by Wednesday, Nov. 25.

7:00 pm | Vespers Wednesday, December 16 11:30 am | Matins, followed by lunch.

7:00 pm | Vespers

If you are able to help meet any of the needs listed below for our community, please, contact Marta Volbrecht at The Center for Healing & Wholeness, 952.929.1697 x365 or [email protected].

A senior needs a ride on Sunday mornings from The Waters (Hwy 62 & Tracy area) for the 11:00 am worship service at NLC.

If you are able to pick up a senior at 11:00 am who is in need of a ride to the Advent Service on Dec. 9, and then drop them off at 1:00 pm.

Bingo volunteers for Monday evenings at 6:30 pm at The Colony in Eden Prairie.

mailto:[email protected]

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Bio: Karen works with individuals and families in philanthropy for the Minnesota Historical Society. She's currently president of the Norwegian American Historical Association, serves on the board of the National Lutheran Choir, and is the biographer of Alma Lind Swensson. She enjoys every moment with her granddaughter, Estelle Ann, and winter evenings quilting or reading by the fire. Karen and Chuck are thankful for the community of faith at Normandale.

My Aunt Estelle brought an Advent calendar for each of us kids when the whole family came home to celebrate Thanksgiving at our farm near the country-crossroads community of Norseland. She lived in Saint Paul, was an active member of Saint Anthony Park Lutheran Church, and could easily shop for such things at Augsburg Pub-lishing in Minneapolis. There were six of us cousins - and for each to have our own Advent calendar was something pretty special. These calendars were wintry scenes with children dressed in colorful mittens and scarves waiting at a church door in the center of the calendar, eager to go inside. There were little windows on the church and in the starry night sky—each with a number printed in graceful script. But why did the number 7 have a cross through it? My mother explained that it was because the calendars were from Germany, and the church was like one that could be seen in Bavaria (not quite like the churches of Schleswig-Holstein in northern Germany where her grandfather immigrated in 1876). The whole scene was gently dusted with glitter to give the image of lightly fall-en snow. My brothers and I eagerly awaited December 1st when we opened the first window. Every morning before breakfast, each day of December, we'd open the appropri-ately numbered window where we found a symbol of Christmas and a Bible verse for Advent. And of course--that church door in the center was opened on the 25th-the best picture of all! This custom from my childhood is imprinted on my heart. Chuck and I still say that Advent is one of our favorite seasons of the year.

Our own children, Karna and Kirk, each had Advent calendars, too. And during those precious years when we were all home together for supper, we'd light our Advent wreath every evening at the coffee table. We'd take turns reading devotions, and then we'd read stories telling of Advent and Christmas customs around the world. It was a way for us to remember how we join with people every-where in Advent, throughout the ages—waiting, antici-pating, preparing, singing, praying—for the Light of the World. We'd be emboldened by the acts of kindness, compassion, generosity, and witness of Saint Nicolas on December 6th and Saint Lucia on December 13th. We'd read about the Procession of Posada in Mexico re-enacting Mary and Joseph seeking room at the Inn. We were reminded of accounts of Lutheran missionaries in Tanzania who told of people on Christmas morning walking and running more than eight miles to see the manger in a simple church of sunbaked clay bricks, and to sing songs of praise and worship to the newborn King.

Now that our children are grown, we still make sure they have their Advent calendars by Thanksgiving Day along with new candles marking the days until we celebrate our Savior's birth. At home, Chuck and I open a window on our own Advent calendars and light our Advent wreath at breakfast reminding us at the beginning of the day that we carry Christ's light within us and before us through our day's journey until we're home again. Then at supper, we light more candles and listen to the Advent music of choirs throughout the world. It is a blessed season! Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the way for your only son. By his coming shed light on our paths through the darkness of the world.


“Advent”

Sunday, December 13 10:00-10:30 am

We will begin by gathering in the Fireside Room and then move around to our newly renovated spaces. Let us gather All Together in One Place, as we dedicate this project to the glory of God for our current and future mission and ministry.

ATOP Updates

The Center for Healing & Wholeness and the Center for Children, Youth, and Fami-lies are open!

The elevator is up and running, and pas-sage can now be made throughout the building.

Screens have been installed throughout the building and will soon be operational.

The remaining work is in the sanctuary. An AV room is being built. New sound and AV systems are being installed. This will include a retractable screen which will greatly enhance our visual experiential and communication abilities.

We are also working on solutions to improve our ventilation system and the flow of cold air in the sanctuary. Thank you for your patience as we continue to improve our building as a tool for mission and ministry and, of course,

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THANK YOU to all who have provided their gift intentions to support our common ministry in 2016. To date, 31% of those responding have increased their pledge for 2016 from 2015. Making a plan for your giving decisions is helpful to you in reflect-ing on priorities in your life, and it is helpful to our faith community in planning for our shared ministry for the coming year.

If you have not yet responded, please do so as soon as possible to reduce the amount of follow-up that will be required. Please contact Steve Olson ([email protected]) if you need a pledge card or have questions. For your convenience, you can also go online to indicate your pledge or make a gift. For those who give electronically on a regular basis, please make sure your giving intentions are up-to-date, reflecting any change in support you will be making in 2016. Through our emphasis we have made ties between faith and money, finances, and our spiritual life. May we continue to be opened to generosity through the power of the Holy Spirit working through the lives of others who have been examples for us on how to be generous!

The momentum of our building project continues! The Church Council has authorized detailed design work for Phase Two. This Phase will include a chapel, gym, and multi-purpose studios below. The Capital Campaign Committee has met, and will continue meeting with OPUS for this Phase. We continue to make progress on the pledges needed to continue Phase Two in 2016. Currently, we have pledges totaling $525,000 of the $1 million needed. The Church Council will make a decision on timing based on reach-ing financial benchmarks by the end of December. If you would like to participate by increasing or starting a pledge, you may do so online at normluth.org/give, or please talk to Pastor Paul or Steve Olson for more information and conversation.

Please be sure you are up-to-date on your support for our annual ministry! We have significant ground to make-up before year end for our annual budget. You will receive more detailed information and a personal giving update in early December, reflecting gifts through the end of November. Be sure to review it carefully, to be sure that your gifts are being used as you intend: for the General Fund, for All Together in One Place, and for other designated giving.

Year-end gifts must be received by December 31 in the church office, or postmarked by that date. According to IRS rules, back-dated checks received after the postmark date need to be applied for 2016 giving.

To make a stock gift, please contact Donna Klingenberg ([email protected]) our accountant, for instructions and the DTC and account numbers in order to transfer stock from a brokerage account to the NLC account. It’s also important you let Donna know this gift is coming, as we do not receive names of the donors or where they should be designated.



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Come celebrate Epiphany, the Season of Light, as the Magi visits the newborn King and the Son of God is revealed to us. We’ll gather for one Sunday worship service at 9:30 am with a light brunch and celebration following. Mark your calendars! All are welcome!

Following worship, you are invited to take a pie to-go bag “a slice of thanks!” Deliver to anyone you come into contact with, run into, or think of who is working on Thanksgiving Eve or Thanksgiving Day.

Need ideas where you could deliver? Gas stations, retirement facilities, police or fire station, restaurants, drug stores, bus, taxi, radio or news rooms.

Questions? Contact Amy James, [email protected] or 952.929.1697 x 349.

I will be leaving for Ranchi, India the evening of Sunday 29 November, return-ing Saturday 12 December to check on our partnership with the Northwestern Gossner Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Progress in construction of faculty and staff residence on NDTC Campus.

Progress in design & construction of the Health Ministry Training Center, also on campus (where we broke ground last March).

Progress of Special Health Committee that Rev. Dr. Neeraj Ekka chairs; it has been meeting.

Planning from Dr. Arthur Minz, new “Health Ministry Director”; especially around chosen areas of initial focus: malaria & alcoholism.

Meeting with our Community Health Workers, Salima and Arvind, who have completed their initial 6-week training at Christian Hospital in Bissamcuttack.

Perhaps additional contact with other potential partners (Holy Family & St. Barnabas hospitals).

Just seeing where we are!

We’ve been fulfilling the “High Level Implementation” Grid of our Outline Plan quite well and on schedule, so far.

Prayers for travel, conversations, partner-ship, understanding, and families, please.

Pastor Dale

What is Epiphany? Join us for a special series of “Meditation in Move-ment” classes as we explore how Christ comes to us through scripture, move-ment, meditation, and each other. Each class will include traditional yoga breathing and standing/seated poses with a focus on scriptures for this en-lightening season of our Church year.

Classes are taught by Jennifer Hicks, MT-BC, RYT, a member of Normandale and a Registered Yoga Teacher. New and experienced yoga participants are welcome and able to participate. Please wear comfortable clothing for stretching and moving. If you are not comfortable being barefoot, wear flat shoes with safe soles. Please bring a water bottle and yoga mat/towel to stand, sit, and lie on.

Sign-up online at www.normluth.org/events. This four- week session will be held on Wednesdays, Jan. 13, 20, 27 & Feb. 3, from 11:15 am to 12:15 pm in the 3rd Floor Multi-Purpose Room. Cost: $40 for the entire series. We need a minimum of four students registered by Epiphany (January 3) to hold the classes, and space is limited to 10 participants. Contact Amy James, Director of Connections ([email protected]) for information or questions.

Join us this February & March for a special Lenten series of “Meditation in Movement” classes as we journey with Jesus towards the cross through scripture, movement and meditation. More information in the next newsletter.


http://www.normluth.org/events


Contact Lisa Pettersen, Director of Blessing Place, at 952.929.1697 x 370 to register or for more information.

Normandale Preschool went on a very exciting field trip to Orchestra Hall where our four- year old students attended a Kinder Konzert! Kinder Konzerts is a unique program designed for preschool and kindergarten-aged children that combines music education with literacy development. The children first participated in what they call the Sound Factory, where students explore musical concepts and try out various musical instru-ments like the violin, cello, and snare drum. In the second part of the program, students actu-ally sit on stage and listen while musicians introduce their instruments. A story is then narrated to a composition the musicians perform. This year’s story was the Paul Galdone version of Goldilocks. The music was commissioned by FRIENDS of the Minnesota Orchestra specifically for this story and was composed by Daniel Dorff.

Contact JoAnne Gustafson, Preschool Director, 952.929.1697 x 371, [email protected] for information.

There are openings for Blessing Place on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays.


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We had a wonderful time of learning as we explored the various instruments and had the opportunity to meet members of the Minnesota Orchestra. This was a field trip that our students will long remember, and hopefully we ignited an interest in music and the arts that will last a lifetime.

All are welcome to join this community and discussion time. It is an opportunity for parents with kids of all ages to share challenges, victories, and wisdom with one another. Join us each week for a unique topic and vibrant conversation. There will be good coffee and yummy treats! Upcoming Schedule: Dec. 6 Speaker: John Devine Partnering with Your Child’s Teacher Dec. 13 Christmas Traditions: Lefse, Santa, and the Elf on the Shelf Dec. 20 Highs & Lows Dec. 27 & Jan. 3 NO ParentRest: Christmas Break

November 25 Not held due to Thanksgiving Worship December 23 & 30 Not held due to Christmas Break Resumes Wednesday, January 6, 2016

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Come share in the story of Jesus’ birth through song and scripture.

November 29 Sunday School WILL be held (Thanksgiving weekend) December 27 & Jan. 3 Sunday School WILL NOT be held Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! Resumes Sunday, January 10, 2016

Liz Paul, Director of Children’s Ministries | 952.929.1697 x350 | [email protected]

Start the Advent season by creating a live Advent Wreath on your own or with your family. Mark the days of Advent by lighting your wreath each week with the devotions that will be provided in your Advent mailer.

Sign-up online at www.normluth.org/events OR register with cash or check at the Welcome Center on Sunday, November 22. Questions, contact Janet Devine, 952.929.1697 x 347 or [email protected].

Sunday, December 13 | 11:00 am Worship | Sanctuary

Children with costumed or speaking parts meet in Valley View gym at 9:45 am on December 13.

All children meet in Valley View at 10:15 am on December 13.

Children will process into the Sanctuary together, and lead the telling of the story of Christmas!

Following the program, children will return to Valley View with their Sunday School teacher, where they will be picked up by their parent/guardian.

A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall.

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During Advent, all Confirmation classes will attend the Wednesday 7:00 pm Advent Worship on Dec. 2, 9 & 16, and will meet in small groups for lively discussion and relationship building afterward until 8:00 pm. It's a way to draw closer to each other and our yearnings and questions of faith as the message of Christmas approaches.

Reading Buddies: Dec. 7, 2015 & Jan. 4, 2016

Confirmation: No classes Dec. 23 or 30 Classes resume Wednesday, Jan. 6

High School Hangout: No Hangout Dec. 23 or 30 Resumes Wednesday, Jan. 6

Second Wednesday begins at 10:00 am with Kaffebord, and then if you choose, the Book Club at 10:30 am, the Matins Service at 11:30 am, lunch at noon, and the program starting at 1:15 pm. DECEMBER 9 Back by request for the program, we will have the Sonok Dixieland Band made up partly of retired Lutheran pastors. Who says Lutherans don’t have soul? Frank may not look like Santa Lucia, but he will have a Kaffebord that will make you think you can hear her in the distance.

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Education Services | 9:00-10:30 am Support Group | 10:30-12:00 noon

Effective Communication Strategies is a program provided by the Alzheimer’s Association that explores how communication takes place when someone has Alzheimer’s disease.


Pastor Paul’s exercise classes return. You not only learn how and why to strengthen your muscles, but also biblical teachings. There are other exercise classes out there, but these are special as you are not expected to do jumping jacks or push-ups. Classes will be in Fellowship Hall on Fridays, Dec. 4, 11 & 18 from 10:30-11:15 am. No cost or registration needed!

This organization collects gifts and gives them to agencies that work with older seniors who have been identified as often forgotten and usually needy individuals. Items requested usually are everyday necessities, but something a little special

would be a treat. The barrel is near the elevator (lower level); gift list pamphlets available.

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has given the Senior Committee funds to help with the purchasing.

Normandale Lutheran Church is a community of believers proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ through love, learning, worship, and service. Currently we are hiring for a Director of Youth & Family Ministry. The work, focus, and goal of this position is to oversee and facilitate that youth and families will be welcomed, encour-aged, taught, and led to discover the revelation of Jesus Christ in the concrete lived, learned, and witnessed experience of their lives personally, in the community of their peers, and in the entire congregation at Normandale Lutheran Church. NLC is looking for a director with the ability to establish, command, and execute a vision for Christian ministry to, with, and for Normandale middle-senior high youth and families. The director will communicate that vision to congregational leaders and parents and recruit leadership sufficient to implement this vision in all youth ministry programs. For a full description of this position go to www.normluth.org/job-openings. This position assumes full-time salaried employment, competitive salary with benefits. Please email or send cover letter and résumé to Pastor Charlie Ruud at [email protected] or Normandale Lutheran Church, 6100 Normandale Road, Edina, MN 55436.

Happy Birthday to Fritz Lokengsgard who turned 104 years old on Friday, November 20.


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N O R M A N D A L E C E N T E R F O R

Healing & Wholeness


Dear Friends, It is both with sadness and joy that I say goodbye to you all. Sadness to be leaving you shortly (December), and joy as I reflect on the 11 years that I have worked alongside of you, serving the elders and families of both Normandale Lutheran Church and the wider west-metro community. How much we have accomplished together! We grew services, programs, outreach, as well as staff expertise, infrastructure, and reputation. How much I have learned from you as well—about grace, courage, and love. As some of you know, I have been performing “double-duty” these past 11 years, both in my healthcare / aging services strategy and evaluation consulting AND as your Executive Director of the Normandale Center for Healing & Wholeness. It is time to create a more balanced life. I came to that decision in May and have been assisting the Board and staff with their transition to a new lead-er since then. And, soon, the name of their top candidate will be announced! Together with the newly renovat-ed space, the solid programs, the amazing staff, financial reserves, and the dedicated volunteers, The Center will have a new and vibrant leader to help guide its next phase of development. What joy I feel in that! I so look forward to hearing all of the great things that will be done next. It has been my honor and privilege to serve you. I will miss your faces, your stories, and your community of faith. I hold memories of kind, lovely people and take that with me whereever I go on this journey of life. With Love and Deep Thanks,

Our beautiful new office space is complete and you can now find us back on the second floor, across from the new Youth and Family Life Center. Stop by and check us out!

Farewell and Best Wishes!

The staff of the Center and the Normandale Lutheran Church community extend a heartfelt thanks to Deborah for her 11 years of guidance and leadership.

We wish her the very best!

“...just remember in the winter, far beneath the bitter snow, lies the seed that with the sun’s love, in the spring becomes the rose.”

Anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one by death is invited to attend. More information can be obtained by calling: Coordinator—Boonie Cool @ 612.382.6504 Winter Series / January 7—March 31, 2016

Meetings every Thursday / 4:30-6:00 pm NO Meeting: March 24 Church of St. Patrick 6820 St. Patrick’s Lane, Edina (park in the East lot) 952.941.3164

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Focusing in Faith on LGBT Welcome

Join the Welcoming Team at this meeting to hear from leaders at a neighboring Lutheran church share their experiences in welcome, RIC process, prayerful conversa-tion and response. Details for winter and spring 2016 con-versation forums and events will also be reviewed. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Amy James, Director of Connections, [email protected] or


Set a morning aside to reflect, pray, and journey a bit deeper into your spirituality, faith and relationship with God. The time together will include speakers to inspire hearts, discussion to spark the imagination, and Bible texts to light the way. Come on your own or with a friend. Cost for both retreats: $40 (cost includes dinner, breakfast, and lunch) Sign-up at www.normluth.org/events.

Friday: 6:00-8:00 pm

Dinner & evening session Optional off-site gathering follows

Saturday: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Continental breakfast, lunch, speakers, discussion & time to reflect, pray and journey together as women of faith. Women’s Retreat Speaker

Rev. Sarah Ciavarri is the Director of Spiritual Care at Augustana Care Health and Rehabilitation of Apple Valley and the Apple Valley Villa. In addition, she is trained as a Certi-fied Daring Way™ Facilitator and Consultant which means she works with individuals and groups to bring clarity, language, and skills to living more authentically, with greater grit,

bounce-back-ability, and courage. She artfully weaves and integrates Brene Brown’s Daring Way™ material with biblical texts and perspective.

Sarah is an ordained Lutheran pastor (ELCA) earning a Master of Divinity in 2001 from Luther Seminary. Her undergraduate degrees in psychology and Spanish are from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. Sarah has also served as a chaplain in rural, inner city, and sub-urban care centers, as well as in a correctional facility and 6 years as a parish pastor.

Join us at Normandale for a men’s winter retreat.

Friday: 6:00-9:00 pm Dinner & evening session Optional off-site gathering follows

Saturday: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm Continental breakfast, lunch, speakers, discussion and time to reflect, pray and journey together as men of faith.

If you play a string instrument and will be here on Christ-mas Eve, we want you! The Normandale Strings gather each year in December to prepare a prelude of Christmas carols for the 9:00 & 11:00 pm Christmas Eve services. The music is accessible to most who have been playing for at least 2-3 years. Past groups have included players from 5th grade to adult! College students are encouraged to come back and join us!

Please email Suzanne Klein @ [email protected] or call David Clarke @ 952.929.1697 x 366 to find out more information. Music will be available in David Clarke’s office (3rd floor) starting Sunday, November 22.

Rehearsals will be determined via e-mail/text once the group is established. Please come and join us!


http://www.normluth.org/events



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Have you ever wondered just how radical was the entry of Jesus into the world? Amidst political and religious chaos, this wandering teacher of faith, speaker of truth, and healer of people was met by power and authority bent on destroying him. From humble beginnings, Jesus of Nazareth, by his teaching, preaching, healing, death, and resurrection, began a movement that changed the world. Calling people to repent, to turn around and see the kingdom of God in your midst. Calling people to come and follow him, making disci-ples of all people. Calling people to cross the bounda-ries of human division, and to give up his life for the salvation of the world. This is Jesus Christ, God’s Son, the suffering love of God poured out for the whole world. Come and enter into the learning. Come and grow in your discipleship. Over the next ten weeks of study, we will explore the depths of the Gospels and the Book of Acts, the unfold-ing story of early Christian community beginning with the Gospel of Mark. We will hear the words of Jesus in the context in which he spoke. We will follow him to the cross, his death, and resurrection. We will meet people along the way, perhaps ourselves, as we meet God’s Word made flesh. Please come, even if you’ve never studied before. Please come, even if you haven’t been in Crossways yet. Please come, there is room enough for all!

Sessions starting:

Wednesdays, 5:30 pm Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27, Feb. 3, April 6, 13, 20, 27, May 4 Thursdays, 10:00 am Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28, Feb. 4, April 7, 14, 21, 28, May 5 Fridays, 7:00 am Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29, Feb. 5, April 8, 15, 22, 29, May 6 Sundays, 9:45 am Jan. 10, 17, 24, 31, Feb. 7, April 10, 17, 24, May 1, 8 (During Lent and Spring Break, Crossways will not meet: Feb. 10-April 3.) Books for next series of Crossways will be availa-ble at the church office beginning December 1.

Email [email protected], call 952.929.1697 x348, or sign up online at normluth.org/crossways.

Nursery care will be available. Questions, call Lisa Pettersen at 952.929.1697 x 239, [email protected].

Remember: If you miss a day, no problem. Drop in on a different day.

Wednesday Women’s Bible Study

We are excited to welcome Pastor Meta Herrick Carlson to WWBS! She will begin her leadership role on Dec. 2.

Meta Herrick Carlson is Pastor at Zion Lutheran Church. She is passionate about nurturing curiosity and wonder in conversation around scripture. Meta chooses to preach almost half of her Sunday sermons from the Old Testa-ment, so she's excited to join us in the Prophets; grace is sneaky and surprising in the wilderness of exile! Meta lives with her husband & three kids in South Minneapolis. She was confirmed, married, & ordained at Normandale.

Women’s Bible study will resume Jan. 5; studying Daniel. Questions: Maggie Valenta, [email protected].

Thursday Bible Study | 10:00 am | Dec. 3, 10, 17

Friday Bible Study | 7:00 am | Dec. 11 & 18

Pastor Chuck Humphrey will be teaching Thursday & Friday Morning Bible Study on the dates | times listed above in Rooms 209-211.

He will be teaching I & II Thessalonians. Please join us!

BAPTISMS

Jocelyn Louise Athman (November 8) Daughter Ross & Kelly Athman

Theodore Robert Hunter (November 8) Son of Robert & Natalie Hunter

Nora Ann Bigelow (October 25) Daughter of Thomas & Megan Bigelow

Lola Rae Wikoff (October 25) Daughter of Peter Wikoff & Ellie Walton

Drew Everett Herzer & Jack David Herzer (Oct. 11) Sons of Tim & Sandy Herzer

Gabriela Maria Llanes (October 11) Daughter of Carlos & Kirsten Llanes

Herper Elizabeth Pool (October 11) Daughter of Jeff & Molly Pool

Carolyn Kathleen Tzucker (October 11) Keane John Tzucker, Noah Ray Tzucker, & Ryan Maxwell Tzucker Daughter & Sons of Robert Tzucker & Mary Babel

WEDDINGS

Maddy Buck & Matthew Geisendorfer-Lindgren (October 17)

Jennifer Sackrison & Michael Metherd (October 10)

FUNERALS

Marilyn Gerecke (to be held on Nov. 21, 11:00 am)

Esther Pederson (November 19)

Carl Stanley Nelson (October 30)

LaVayne M. Finberg (October 23)

Sharon Lee Wood (October 10)


tel:952-929-1697

http://normluth.org/crossways


You are invited to share the Good News this holiday season by way of decorating the church at Christmas with plants or by making a contribution to community concerns such as VEAP & CES.

Please make contributions in the amount of $16 for each gift, complete this insert, and return it to the church office, along with your payment.

Payment by check should be to Normandale Lutheran Church and must be accompanied by an order form. All gifts will be recognized by way of a special insert in the bulletin on Christmas. Please turn your orders in to the church office by Friday, December 18. Consider these gifts during this season when we received the greatest Gift of all. Plants will be delivered to homebound members by members of the congregation after Christmas.

NAME OF DONOR______________________________________________________________

PHONE __________________________________ENVELOPE NUMBER __________________

Please check ONE option:

________ In memory of __________________________________________________________

________ In honor of ____________________________________________________________

________ A gift

Please check ONE option:

________ Christmas Chancel ________ VEAP (Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People)

________ ELCA World Hunger ________ CES (Community Emergency Services)

________ SAYFSM (Sub-Saharan African Youth/Family Services in MN)

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Wednesday dinner, 5:00-6:45 pm, $4/adult, $3/child under 12

Upcoming Meals:

Nov. 25 NO Dinner Dec. 16 Chili, cornbread

Dec. 2 Beef Stroganoff Dec. 23 & 30 No Dinner

Dec. 9 Swedish Meatballs

Wednesday Kitchen Lunch Helpers Beginning Wednesdays in December, Matins are scheduled in the sanctuary at 11:30 am-12:00 noon with a simple lunch following in Fellowship Hall. We need two helping hands each Wednesday from 11:00 am-1:00 pm to assist with welcome table, food prep, and serving. If you have availability and interest in being on a team of up to 8 serving on a schedule perhaps 1-2 times per month to make this lunch a reality, please contact Amy James, Director of Connections at [email protected] or 952.929.1697 x349. This volunteer experience will be led and directed by NLC Chef/Culinary Manager, Kimlinh Bui. Plant Caretaker Needed We are seeking an individual(s) with a heart for all things green to work with us on weekly plant care in our new planters and existing plants in the building. Contact us if you have a green thumb and regular time you can share with us to care for plants. Contact Janet Devine at 952.929.1697 x347.


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Sunday, November 29 8:30 am Worship | Holy Communion 9:30 am Coffee Fellowship 9:30 am Sign-up: Lutfisk Dinner, Sponsor-a- Family, Women’s Advent Pause 9:45 am FnL - Fellowship ‘n Learning (7-12th gr) 9:45 am ParentRest 9:45 am Sunday School 11:00 am Worship | Holy Communion 12 noon Advent Wreath Making

Monday, November 30 7:00 am Men’s Monday Morning Bible Study 8:30 am Sew Day Quilting 4:00 pm Normandale Housing Board Meeting 7:00 pm Priscilla Circle (Vicki Brunsvold’s home)

WOMEN’S ADVENT PAUSE WEEK

Tuesday, December 1 1:00 pm Senior Committee Meeting 6:30 pm Alcoholics Anonymous 7:00 pm Stephen Ministry Class

Wednesday, December 2 9am-noon H & W Podiatry Clinic 9:30 am Women’s Bible Study 10:00 am Adaptive Yoga 11:30 am Advent Morning Worship 12 noon Advent Luncheon 4:45 pm Boys Choir Rehearsal (3rd-6th gr) 5-6:45 pm Wednesday Night Dinner 5:15 pm Brass Rehearsal 5:30 pm Wednesday Night Explorers (K-6th gr) 5:30 pm Youth Choir Rehearsal (7-12th gr) 5:50 pm Girls Choir Rehearsal (3rd-6th gr) 7:00 pm Advent Vesper Worship 7:45 pm Confirmation| High School Hangout 7:45 pm Normandale Choir Rehearsal

Thursday, December 3 9am-noon H & W Podiatry Clinic 10:00 am Thursday Morning Bible Study 2:00 pm H & W Tai Chi 4:30 pm Cherub Choir Rehearsal (K-2nd gr) 5:45 pm Handbell Rehearsal 7:00 pm DivorceCare

Friday, December 4 6:30 am Men’s Advent Breakfast 10:30 am Pastor Paul’s Exercise Class

Saturday, December 5 9:00 am Environment 9:30 am Flute Rehearsal 10:00 am Normandale House Holiday Party 10:30 am Food Disorders Support Group

Sunday, December 6 8:30 am Worship | Holy Communion 9:30 am Coffee Fellowship 9:45 am FnL - Fellowship ‘n Learning (7-12th gr) 9:45 am ParentRest 9:45 am Sunday School 11:00 am Worship | Holy Communion 12:30 pm Lutfisk Dinner

Monday, December 7 7:00 am Men’s Monday Morning Bible Study 8:30 am Sew Day Quilting 5:30 pm Reading Buddies

Tuesday, December 8 6:00 pm Finance Committee 6:00 pm Adult/Child Alzheimer Caregiver Support Group 6:30 pm Alcoholics Anonymous 7:00 pm Civic Orchestra | Normandale Choir Reh 7:00 pm Executive Committee 7:00 pm Stephen Ministry Class

Wednesday, December 9 10:00 am Adaptive Yoga 10:00 am Second Wednesday 11:30 am Advent Morning Worship 12 noon Advent Luncheon 4:45 pm Boys Choir Rehearsal (3rd-6th gr) 5-6:45 pm Wednesday Night Dinner 5:15 pm Brass Rehearsal 5:30 pm Wednesday Night Explorers (K-6th gr) 5:30 pm Youth Choir Rehearsal (7-12th gr) 5:50 pm Girls Choir Rehearsal (3rd-6th gr) 7:00 pm Advent Vesper Worship 7:45 pm Confirmation | High School Hangout 7:45 pm Normandale Choir Rehearsal

Thursday, December 10 10:00 am Thursday Morning Bible Study 2:00 pm H & W Tai Chi 4:30 pm Cherub Choir Rehearsal (K-2nd gr) 5:45 pm Handbell Rehearsal 6:00 pm Serving at Our Saviour’s Shelter 7:00 pm Mary Circle (Kay Melby’s home) 7:00 pm Civic Orchestra | Normandale Choir Reh

Friday, December 11 7:00 am Friday Morning Bible Study 10:30 am Pastor Paul’s Exercise Class

Saturday, December 12 9:00 am Alzheimer’s Education Series 9:00 am Environment 9:30 am Sunday School Christmas Program Dress Rehearsal 10:30 am Alzheimer’s Support Group 10:30 pm Food Disorders Support Group 4:00 pm Kids Night Out

Sunday, December 13 8:30 am Worship 9:30 am Coffee Fellowship 9:45 am FnL - Fellowship ‘n Learning (7-12th gr) 9:45 am ParentRest 10-10:30 am ATOP Phase One Dedication 11:00 am Worship | Sunday School Christmas Program 12 noon Sunday School Christmas Program Reception 4:00 pm VEAP Benefit Concert | Civic Orchestra & Normandale Choir 5:30 pm VEAP Benefit Concert Reception

Monday, December 14 7:00 am Men’s Monday Morning Bible Study 1:00 pm Archives Committee

Tuesday, December 15 6:30 pm Alcoholics Anonymous 7:00 pm Church Council 7:00 pm Stephen Ministry Class

Wednesday, December 16 10:00 am Adaptive Yoga 11:30 am Advent Morning Worship 12 noon Advent Luncheon 4:45 pm Boys Choir Rehearsal (3rd-6th gr) 5-6:45 pm | 7:45-8:45 pm Sponsor-a-Family Gift Wrapping 5-6:45 pm Wednesday Night Dinner 5:15 pm Brass Rehearsal 5:30 pm Wednesday Night Explorers (K-6th gr) 5:30 pm Youth Choir Rehearsal (7-12th gr) 5:50 pm Girls Choir Rehearsal (3rd-6th gr) 7:00 pm Advent Vesper Worship 7:45 pm Confirmation | High School Hangout 7:45 pm Normandale Choir Rehearsal

Thursday, December 17 10:00 am Thursday Morning Bible Study 2:00 pm H & W Tai Chi 4:30 pm Cherub Choir Rehearsal (K-2nd gr) 5:45 pm Handbell Rehearsal

Friday, December 18 7:00 am Friday Morning Bible Study 10:30 am Pastor Paul’s Exercise Class

Saturday, December 19 9:00 am Book, Bagel & Brew 9-10:30 am Boys & Girls Choir Rehearsal 9:00 am Environment 9:30 am Flute Rehearsal 10:30 pm Food Disorders Support Group 11:00 am Cherub Choir Rehearsal

Sunday, December 20 7:45 am Boys & Girls Choir Pre-Service Reh 8:30 am Worship | Holy Communion 9:30 am Coffee Fellowship 9:40 am Jack’s Sing-Along 9:45 am FnL - Fellowship ‘n Learning 9:45 am ParentRest 9:45 am Sunday School 11:00 am Worship | Holy Communion 12:30 pm Environment

Monday, December 21 7:00 am Men’s Monday Morning Bible Study 7:00 pm Stephen Ministry

Tuesday, December 22 6:30 pm Alcoholics Anonymous

Wednesday, December 23 10:00 am Adaptive Yoga 4:45 pm Boys Choir Rehearsal (3rd-6th gr) 5:15 pm Brass Rehearsal 5:50 pm Girls Choir Rehearsal (3rd-6th gr) 6:30 pm Normandale Choir Rehearsal

CHRISTMAS EVE Thursday, December 24 2:00 pm Cherub Choir Rehearsal 3:00 pm Children’s Christmas Eve Worship 3:30 pm Boys & Girls Choir Rehearsal 4:30 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship 9:00 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship 11:00 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship | Holy Communion

CHRISTMAS DAY Friday, December 25 11:00 am Lessons and Carols | Holy Communion

Saturday, December 26 10:30 am Food Disorders Support Group

Sunday, December 27 8:30 am Worship | Holy Communion 9:30 am Coffee Fellowship 11:00 am Worship | Holy Communion

Tuesday, December 29 11:30 am Ruth Circle Luncheon 6:30 pm Alcoholics Anonymous

Wednesday, December 30 10:00 am Adaptive Yoga 5:00 pm Valenta & Ludlow Wedding Reh

Thursday, December 31 4:00 pm Valenta & Ludlow Wedding

Friday, January 1 Building closed—New Year’s Day

Saturday, January 2 10:30 am Food Disorders Support Group

Sunday, January 3 | Epiphany

ONE SERVICE ONLY 9:30 am Worship

10:30 am Light Brunch & Celebration

Normandale Preschool & Blessing Place meet daily Monday-Friday (Christmas Break: Dec. 21, 2015-Jan. 1, 2016)

Blessing Place 9-12:00 Normandale Preschool 9-3:00

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The Mission Outreach committee invites you to spread God’s love to families served by CES (Community Emergency Servics), Normandale & Elliot Avenue Housing, and SAYFSM (Sub-Saharan African Youth & Family Services of Minnesota) through the annual Sponsor a Family holiday giving program. There are two ways to participate:

Give tangible gifts: This program helps families in need enjoy the holiday season by anonymously matching them with donors, like you, who provide hope and compassion through food, gift cards, clothing, and toys. You may sign up for a family or an individual. Give a monetary gift: Sign up to bring a $75 Walmart gift card for SAYFSM families, or make a cash donation and we will purchase for you. Thrivent is generously providing supplemen-tary funding.

We will gratefully sign you up for family / individual gifts or receive your donations at the Welcome Center on November 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30!


Normandale Lutheran Church 6100 Normandale Road Edina, MN 55436

Phone: 952.929.1697 Fax: 952.929.2767 Email: [email protected]

Sermons posted weekly

online at www.normluth.org

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Normandale News (USPS 673-490) is published monthly by Normandale Lutheran Church, 6100 Normandale Road, Edina, MN 55436. Periodical postage paid at St. Paul, MN. Postmaster: Send address changes to: Normandale News / Normandale Lutheran Church, 6100 Normandale Road, Edina, MN 55436.

Worship Times: Sundays: 8:30 & 11:00 am

Thanksgiving Eve Worship Wednesday, November 25 | 2:30 & 7:00 pm

Advent Worship Wednesday, December 2, 9, 16 | 11:30 am & 7:00 pm

Christmas Eve Worship | 3, 4:30, 9 & 11 pm Christmas Day Worship | 11:00 am

For the calendar of events, go to: http://www.normluth.org/calendar

Website: www.normluth.org Visit www.normluth.org for upcoming events, ways to connect and serve others around us.



normandale news december 2015

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