Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church

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1 In this month s Newsletter Bites for Business page 3 Register for Sunday School & Confirmation page 4 Feed my Starving Children page 7 Senior Moments page 9 September 2013 GA Church Our national church denomination, the ELCA, is 25 years old! To celebrate, we will join many of our 10,000 sister congregations across the United States in a day of service. We re marking the event by collecting and filling 500 school kits for Lutheran World Relief (LWR)! LWR is very specific about the contents of kits that will be given to school children around the world. The contents must be exact and new. We are purchasing 500 drawstring school bags from a Fair Trade resource. They will be decorating the Gathering Area to help grow the excitement! How to get involved: (1) purchase a school bag from the wall at BLESSING OF THE BACKPACKS! Sunday, September 8 9:00am & 11:15am Worship Children of all ages and education professionals are urged to bring their school bags as we bless the people who carry them. We acknowledge all who are beginning a new school year - from kids to teachers, parents, and bus drivers. SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 8 church for $3, take it home and add the specific contents (available at church and gachurch.org); OR (2) donate $10 to cover the bag, its contents and the shipping costs and we will shop for you; OR (3) purchase multiple items of specific school supplies and bring to church BEFORE Sept. 8; AND/OR (4) come and decorate the bags, help assemble and pack the school kits on Sunday, Sept. 8, after each service. Ministry Fair There will also be displays from ministry groups & committees at church with information about how they serve Christ through their mission. Sunday School Registration Families may also register children for Sunday School. Learn how to be a part of making The Tree House for kids happen! Sunday Worship beginning September 8 9:00 am Traditional Service in the Sanctuary 10:10 am Education for all ages 11:15 am New Life Service in Luther Hall (ASL Interpreted)

2 Page 2 SENIOR PASTOR COLUMN: HOW NOT TO SAY THE WRONG THING - To love each other, the first rule is comfort in, dump out. Ever said something you regretted afterward? You are not alone. (I am not alone.) One writer has identified a helpful coping mechanism she calls, The Ring Theory. At it s core about who we are as children of God. Love each other, as I have loved you, Jesus said this to his followers with the introduction, This is my greatest commandment Loving another person includes learning how not to say the wrong thing. If you have been seriously ill, badly injured, suffered a deep, personal loss you may have heard someone say the wrong thing to you. Do you know what I mean by that? The author* of How to be a Friend to a Friend Who s Sick, has collected some of the wrong things: The most well-meaning friends offer cliches like, "I'm sure you'll be fine," or, "Everything's going to be okay," when they know no such thing. As soon as patients report their diagnosis, many friends respond with unwanted advice or self-referential remarks. They'll say, "My cousin had the same thing and she got through it." Or, "You think that's bad! I had it worse." Or, they'll insist that you go to see their doctor, chiropractor, or herbalist. To a breast cancer patient who had a double mastectomy, a friend quipped, "Well at least you're married. To someone whose child died, a friend actually said, "Well at least you have two others." Any line that begins "Well at least..." is usually pretty offensive. Many patients resent hearing God clichés. For instance, "God will only give you as much as you can handle." Or in the case of someone mourning the loss of a loved one, "God wanted him." Or, "Don't worry, she's with God." However true this might be, it is not helpful. I admit I have too often said the wrong thing. Often, I have blurted something unhelpful in the face of shocking news. I meant well, but my mouth engaged before my brain had finished processing! Or I have laughed because I thought the news was a joke and it wasn t. [Forgive me, please, if I have done any of this to you.] Rather than dwell on the wrong things to say, I offer to you The Ring Theory. After her own experience with breast cancer, psychologist Susan Silk came up with this simple technique to avoid saying the wrong thing. A good way GA Craft Show and Bake Sale Saturday, November 30 The 21 st Annual GA Craft Show and Bake Sale is coming! Application forms are available at the Welcome Center in the Gathering Area for exhibitors. Space is limited. Call Carol Ann Sideen at with questions. to love another person, especially a person you care about who is in need. [I even found an illustration for it.] Draw a circle. This is the center ring. In it, put the name of the person at the center of the current trauma. For Emma s cancer, that's Emma. Now draw a larger circle around the first one. In that ring put the name of the person next closest to the trauma. In the case of Emma s cancer, that is Emma's spouse. Repeat the process as many times as you need to. In each larger ring put the next closest people. Parents and children before more distant relatives. Intimate friends in smaller rings, less intimate friends in larger ones. The rings give order, permission and block who can complain, and to whom. Tape this Comfort In/ Dump Out rings to the refrigerator. Here are the rules. The person in the center ring can say anything she wants to anyone, anywhere. She can complain and whine and moan and say, "Life is unfair" and "Why me?" That's the one payoff for being in the center ring. Dump out. Everyone else can say those things too, but only to people in larger rings. Susan Silk: When you are talking to a person in a ring smaller than yours, someone

3 September 2013 Page 3 closer to the center of the crisis, the goal is to help. Comfort in. Listening is often more helpful than talking. But if you're going to open your mouth, ask yourself if what you are about to say is likely to provide comfort and support. If it isn't, don't say it. Don't, for example, give advice. People who are suffering from trauma don't need advice. They need comfort and support. So say, "I'm sorry" or "This must really be hard for you" or "Can I bring you a pot roast?" Don't say, "You should hear what happened to me" or "Here's what I would do if I were you." And don't say, "This is really bringing me down." If you want to scream or cry or complain, if you want to tell someone how shocked you are or how icky you feel, or whine about how it reminds you of all the terrible things that have happened to you lately, that's fine. It's a perfectly normal response. Just do it to someone in a bigger ring. Comfort IN, dump OUT. Complaining to someone in a smaller ring than yours doesn't do either of you any good. On the other hand, being supportive to someone s principal caregiver may be the best thing you can do for the patient. When you think about it, this Ring Theory not only makes sense, but it reflects how Jesus loves us. Jesus brings comfort to us, but does not dump on us. That s when Jesus reaches out to God the Father. Father, forgive them, for they don t know what they re doing. How might the Ring Theory apply to your life? Pastor Bonnie Wilcox I found Susan Silk s work through Minnesota Public Radio and an op-ed piece she and her husband wrote for the Los Angeles Times. * How to Be a Friend to a Friend Who's Sick, by Letty Cottin Pogrebin (another great resource) SUPPORTING THE MISSION & MINISTRY OF CHRIST Fall Mission & Capital Appeal Update Following the congregational meeting in June, we have looked forward to working with Kairos to plan for a fall appeal to encourage support for our mortgage obligation and overall stewardship. Those plans have been delayed based on my workload this summer as we have both reduced staffing temporarily and welcomed new staff. In addition, several staff members have experienced loss and family health issues. As a staff, we have focused on worship preparation and supporting our youth at camp and in VBS. Ongoing pastoral care has also been a priority. It is my intention that we will begin work on this appeal in earnest this fall, with an appeal that will take place over the winter. Your continued support for mission and ministry through regular and generous gifts is more valuable than I can say. YOU make mission possible! As of 2014, we have been a mission outpost for Christ for 125 years! Yet THIS remains the same: Jesus Christ is our Savior! We ARE a Lutheran Christian church, proclaiming that grace, love and mercy are our gifts to the world. Children and adults are baptized. People are married. We pass the faith on to children, youth and adults. We sing! We give thanks and grieve together at the time of death. We proclaim the hope of the Kingdom of God that is here today. We serve our neighbors. Contact me by phone, , or , b.wilcox@gachurch.org, to tell me how you d like to be involved. Pastor Bonnie Wilcox BITES FOR BUSINESS Sunday, September 15, 10:10 am We have done a Bite for in the past to raise money for mission support. This year we will do Bites for Business to increase our support for the capital fund for a SACCOS in Kiponzelo, Tanzania. SACCOS (Savings and Credit Cooperatives Society) Iringa Hope is the micro-financing organization that provides the education, sets guidelines, and requires repayment of loans after the harvest or sale of other products. Applicants must submit a request, attend classes, and have two co-signers to qualify for a loan. Loans only go to projects that produce income! There is so much for which to be hopeful so many stories of corn yields tripling, improved family nutrition, being able to give a greater portion to their church, or pay tuition fees for a child to go to school. Be a part of the ACTION! For Bites for Business, prepare an item to share at a table in the Gathering Area that morning. Tickets to eat will be sold. Drop a ticket at the station buy a delicious food item. Sign up to bring food that will serve bites at the Welcome Center. Questions, or to let us know what you will prepare, call Jean Schwartz at

4 Page 4 CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILY MINISTRY CONFIRMATION Parent-Youth Orientation - Essentials for Confirmation Wednesday, September 18, 6:00-7:00 pm It is essential that every student in 6 th, 7 th, 8 th & 9 th grades and their parent(s) come to this meeting to receive information about scheduling, curriculum, expectations, and more. If you have a son or daughter in 6 th, 7 th, 8th, or 9 th grade and have not received information about confirmation in the mail, please call Sherrie at the church office ( ). Students will participate in our Stuff-It Service Project after church on Sunday, September 22 & from 5:45-7:30pm Wednesday, September 25! This service project is for all confirmation students, and parents are encouraged to participate in this event as drivers, etc. FAMILY FAITH NIGHTS RETURN IN OCTOBER October 2, 9, 16, 23 5:00pm Meal (donation: $3 per person) 6:00 pm Worship for all in Luther Hall! 6:15 pm 7:15pm Learning & activities for all ages! Confirmation for parents & adults Confirmation for youth (Grades ) Kids in grades K-5 KINGS: Kids IN God s Service! (Gym/Tree House) Children under 5 years Childcare (Nursery) CLASSES BEGIN ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2 5:00 pm Meal (cost for youth included in yearly confirmation fee) 6:00 pm Worship for all in Luther Hall! 6:15 pm 7:15 pm Learning & activities for all ages! COME PLAY IN OUR CHURCH NURSERY Loving care by our experienced caregivers Cindy and Cassie - is offered for infants through 4 year olds on Sunday mornings from 9:00 am through 12:30 am. SUNDAY SCHOOL STARTS SEPTEMBER 22 SPARK Faith Formation Activities at The Tree House For children in preschool through Grade 5. 10:10 11:10 am each Sunday starting September 22 Tree House Rooms Use stairway near the gym To register for Sunday School at the Tree House pick up a registration form at the church Welcome Center or download a PDF file on the church website. The Tree House is for children who have turned 3 years old by 09/01/13 through 5 th grade. VOLUNTEERS WELCOME AT THE TREE HOUSE! How about leading a Workshop this year? Choose from Art, Drama, Music, Games, Science, or Cooking. Volunteers need only make a 2 or 3 week commitment. Use your expertise and a little of your time to help us share the Good News of Jesus love with our kids. Contact Sherrie Nordquist at the church office. No Sunday School September 15 Join in the edible fun of Bites for Business For more information about Sunday School and Confirmation programs, contact Sherrie Nordquist by calling the Church office (direct line) or sherrie@gachurch.org

5 September 2013 Page 5 SPARK IS COMING BACK TO THE TREE HOUSE THIS FALL SPARK is designed to get kids ages 2-grade 5 to open the Bible and explore God s Word in each lesson. They will study Bible stories through interactive learning like art, drama, storytelling, & games. Students will rotate to new workshops each week and will hear and experience the same Bible story in all of the workshops for three weeks. When children hear the same story through several different lessons, they remember it better. They are also able to go deeper into the story and have a better chance of personally reflecting on the importance of the lessons. SPARK BIBLE TIME FOR PRESCHOOLERS 10:10am-11:10am Teachers: Margaret Gustafson, Karen Weiblen Located in the newly renovated Pre-K classroom at the Tree House! Parents are encouraged to sign-up for Sundays to assist and provide & serve a snack. Sign-up is located on the bulletin board just outside the classroom entrance. Our preschool department uses a sign-in/ sign-out system. IT S TIME FOR STUFF-IT September 25 The social ministry committee and confirmation youth of GA have been teaming up for over 20 years to do a fall food drive we call Stuff-it. Over the years many thousands of pounds of food have been collected and given to the Merrick Community Center Food shelf. How You Can Help Confirmation youth and their families are encouraged to sign-up at the welcome desk to help deliver flyers Sunday, September 22. Sign-up to help teams pick up food on Wednesday, September 25 (5:30-7:30 PM) Bring a grocery bag of food for Stuff-it by Wednesday, September 25. Sign-up at the welcome desk to help deliver food to the food shelf on Thursday morning, September 26 (Adults and families not involved in confirmation are also welcome to help out with this service project.) WE LOVE HEARING OUR KIDS SING! Our Tree House Children s Choir rehearses as part of Sunday School on Sunday mornings from 10:10am-10:30am. Children s Choir under the direction of Camille Farinella is open to any child in grades K-5! The choir sings at the start of the New Life Service. PARENTS NIGHT OUT Saturday, September 21, 6:00 to 9:30 pm Bring your child to a funfilled night while you have some time to yourself, go to a movie, out to dinner, or just read a book without interruption. Your child will get to hang out with Children s Ministry adult leaders and youth. We ll play games, watch a movie, play in the gym or just sit and chat. Pre-registration is required. $10 per child, $5 for each additional child. Sign up at the Welcome desk or sherrie@gachurch.org or lojehoward@comcast.net. A GiFT! Adults Growing in Faith Together! Sundays, 10:15am Would you like to give yourself A G-I-F-T on Sunday mornings this year? Each week between services, all adults at GA (members, friends, visitors) are invited to come into the Fireside Room to spend time exploring how faith and daily life intersect. The format this year is somewhat informal and interactive, and (we hope) more inviting for adults of all ages and interests. The A G-I-F-T hour will begin on Sunday, September 22, but you can stop at the A G-I-F-T booth at the Ministry Fair between services on September 8 to pick up information about all the opportunities in the months to come. (See schedule on the back page)

6 Page 6 HELPING PEOPLE HELP THEMSELVES We all have pretty well heard the directives from Jesus to love on another, be kind, be generous, care for our brother/sister. How do we do that and do it well? Another phrase that we hear is, I am willing to help people help themselves. There are a variety of opportunities that come our way to do just that some of us take advantage of them. We completed the SACCOS microfinance project with a total of $8,000 after a couple of matched gifts. Our Endowment Fund matched 50% of the $3200, and the other matched was a full match. Thanks to all who gave and matched! This project helps with loans for business ventures helping them help themselves in the Kiponzelo community. The barnyard animal project was also a way of helping our Kiponzelo friends help themselves. We all know that there is no better way to help people here or abroad than to see that they become educated. In Tanzania the only way for a student to attain a secondary education is to pay for it, and we know that most have no way of doing that. The BegaKwaBega of our synod, does offer such opportunity. people joining hands, to take on the sponsorship of a student for their four to six years of secondary education. Students must pass a national exam when they complete elementary education to go on; then attend Form I IV (comparable to grades 7-10), and pass another national exam in order to go onto Form V VI (comparable to our ), and then pass another national exam before diploma is issued!!! That s a lot of national exams and reflects the dedication of the student to obtain the education they so greatly value. What does it mean to sponsor a student? For $360 a year a student has tuition, room and board in a Diocese school. Some of our students attend government schools closer to their home, but they still need scholarships to make it happen. Education is the best way to improve their prospects of a brighter future! Think about sponsoring a student. There will be information at the Mission Fair on September 8 where your questions can be answered. Helping People Help Themselves what an opportunity! Care to share in it? Jean Schwartz Global Mission Chair For over ten years our family has sponsored different students through this opportunity. We have also been fortunate to meet a couple of them see their schools and hear their excitement about their studies and what they would like to do after graduation. GA has agreed to sponsor ten students through their secondary years of school; some boys and some girls. Following the last visit to Kiponzelo by our travelers, interest has grown in developing an opportunity for individual persons, a family, or several MONTHLY MISSION EMPHASIS Sept- Lutheran Health Care Bangladesh Oct- Merrick Community Services Nov- ELCA World Hunger Dec- Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity

7 September 2013 Page 7 REFLECTIONS FROM PASTOR AMANDA Saturday August 3rd was a special day for me and for our congregation as I was ordained into the Ministry of Word and Sacrament in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and installed as associate pastor at Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church. It was a day of joyous celebration for many in our community for our congregation to have a new associate pastor to share in ministry with Pastor Bonnie and you, for my internship congregation to rejoice that their intern pastor is now officially pastor and has found a new church home, for my teachers and mentors who have accompanied me upon the journey of preparation for ministry, for my family and friends who have supported me through my call to ministry and discernment of God s calling, and for me, a day to rejoice in the culmination of years of discernment, formal preparation and faithfulness to God s calling. Before beginning the rite of ordination Bishop Rogness spoke to the congregation about the call to ordained ministry and how this call is one call of many calls within our church. We are all called to serve God s ministry through our vocations and sharing the love of Christ. In his address, Bishop Rogness shared these words, All baptized Christians are called to share in Christ s ministry of love and service in the world, to the glory of God and for the sake of the human family and the whole creation. You have a calling and a vocation that God has and is calling you to. God has called you to love and serve God s people. Our callings and vocations take various shapes and forms and names throughout our lives. Daughter, mother, sister, grandmother. Son, father, brother, grandfather. Spouse. Partner. Friend. Teacher. Custodian. Engineer. Doctor. Student. Artist. Poet. Scholar. Athlete. Golfer. Mentor. These are all callings and vocations. Through our relationships, through our employment, through our talents and skills, through our gifts and passions, God is calling us to love and serve. Wherever we go, whatever we do we are the body of Christ, we are the church, we are the face, presence and hands of God in this world. This month I ask that you reflect upon these questions: What do you see as your vocation(s)? How are your vocations affirmed by others in your life? How are you the face, presence and hands of God in the world? And, what is God calling you to be and do now? As you contemplate upon these questions I leave you with these words from the theologian Frederick Buechner: The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world s deep hunger meet. A Spooktacular Organ Concert! Wednesday, October 30 6:30 7:30 pm Dr. Jerry Brakke will play some fun and haunting selections on the organ - and a few spooky surprises. Hear our amazing musician play classical, movie and TV show theme songs. And we ll sing silly songs! Come in costume to have some Halloween fun. Healthy Halloween treats for the kids of all ages! FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN Saturday, Sept. 14, 9-11am We have reserved 30 places. A time to gather and prepare nutritious meals for children & youth in orphanages throughout the world. Ages 10 and up. this would be a great day to bring the family and pack meals to be sent around the world. There will be sign-up sheets in the gathering area, or Lindsay Lowther, lindsay.lowther@gmail.com.

8 Page 8 OUR LIVES TOGETHER GROWING TOGETHER IN FAITH WOMEN S BOOK CLUB Fourth Tuesday of the month at 12:30 pm in the Ronald C. Peterson Library The women s book club took a break for the summer but we are meeting again this month! Our book selection for September 24 will be Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda. Copies of the book are available through Carol Sandberg in our church library. Somer s life is everything she imagined it would be she s newly married and has started her career as a physician in San Francisco until she makes the devastating discovery she never will be able to have children. The same year in India, a poor mother makes the heartbreaking choice to save her newborn daughter s life by giving her away. It is a decision that will haunt Kavita for the rest of her life and cause a ripple effect that travels across the world. The Ronald C. Peterson Library is open between services from 10:00-11:15 am on Sunday mornings. Large print selections are also available. Thank you for returning materials within two weeks. LIBRARY COMMITTEE MEETING AND WORK- DAY Second Monday of each month at 1 PM The role of the GA Library committee is to grow and maintain the library collection. The committee performs many tasks including: Selecting and purchasing materials for the library Preparing materials to be checked out, Promoting the library through preparing book displays and creating new library programs. If you would enjoy working with this group, please contact Sherrie Nordquist at the church office or stop by the library on Sunday morning. Librarians: Carol Sandberg, Karen Netwal, Marlys Siverson, Heather Nelson MISSION OPPROTUNITIES Greeters Would you and your spouse/family/friend come early a couple of Sunday mornings to welcome visitors and regulars to our church? Individuals, couples or families to greet people to worship on Sundays from 8:40 am 9:00 am, or 10:15-11:15 am. Duties include directing visitors to where we worship, restrooms, Sunday School rooms, and information at the Welcome Center. Sign-up at the Welcome Center. Coffee Hour Provide hospitality in the Gathering Area on Sundays between services. Includes providing cookies, bars (or a cake if you would like to celebrate a special birthday or anniversary), setting up trays and assist with serving. If you can not provide treats but still would like to help, you may also make a cash donation so we can purchase items to have on hand. Sign-up at the Welcome Center. Care Team Learn about how to be a Care Team member, or let us know you need supportive services, such as rides to appointments, light housekeeping, grocery shopping or a friendly visit? Over three months, the Care Team spent 168 hours helping members of our congregation. Call Joyce Miller or Nancy Johnson if you are interested in volunteering or have any questions. SEPTEMBER GREETERS Sept. 1: Sept. 8: Bruce and Verilyn Pelava Jean Muehlenthaler Nancy Selander Additional greeter needed Sept. 15: Dick Borgstrom and Carol Lundgren Arlene and Barb Higgins or Deb Hogen Sept. 22: Arlene and Barb Higgins or Deb Hogen Additional greeter needed Sept. 29: Eric and Marylu DeVahl Wes and Sharon Johnson If you are willing to be a greeter in September and fill in one of the available spots, please contact Nancy Johnson at

9 September 2013 Page 9 SENIOR MOMENTS September 19, 2013 The Twins won't be in the play-offs but you can hear Twins stories and see Twins memorabilia presented by Clyde Doepner at the Fall Senior Moments on September 19. Clyde is the Minnesota Twins archiver. The day starts with blood pressure checks at 11:00 and lunch at 12 noon. We will again be collecting old, outdated, and unused medications for safe disposal. The cost is $5.00. Be sure to wear your Twins jerseys and join the fun. 551 CLUB Wednesday, September 11 - Bus ride Daytrippers Dinner Theater for "Last Train to Nibroc." The cost is $53.00 for lunch and the play. The bus leaves the GA parking lot at 11:00. Monday, September 23, 30 & October 7, 14, 21 Wii Bowling League 1-3pm, Cost $10 Teams of four players compete in the Wii Bowling League for five weeks. Please register by September 19. Monday, October Defensive Driving Refresher Course 5:30-9:30pm, Cost $17 This 4-hour refresher course will make you eligible for a 10% discount on your auto insurance for three years. No driving and no test. Course taught by the Minnesota Safety Council. For more information or to register for any of these classes, stop at the Senior ministry kiosk in the Gathering Area and pick up 551 Club information booklets or call ONLINE GIVING (aka Simply Giving) Simply Giving is is a free service to you, provided by Thrivent Financial and benefits the church s cash flow all year. Gifts may be made weekly, or on a schedule that fits your personal needs. Consistency in giving helps the church, whether you are unable to attend worship because of illness, business, vacation, or other reason. Sign up at and click on Donate Now on the left side. HAVE YOU REMEMBERED GA IN YOUR WILL? Newsletter Submission Deadlines GA Newsletter submission deadline is the 1st Monday of the month for the upcoming month newsletter: 1st Monday in September for October s Newsletter 1st Monday in October for November s Newsletter 1st Monday in November for December s Newsletter 1st Monday in December for January s Newsletter If you are responsible for a monthly article, please put these dates in your personal calendar. WEEKLY BIBLE STUDY Thursdays, 10:00 am Learn more about the Scripture passages for the coming Sunday, led by Pastor Bonnie Wilcox, Pastor Amanda Simons, or Helen McEvoy-Freese. A legacy gift will help continue the 120-year tradition of mission at Gustavus Adolphus. With the advice of your attorney or tax adviser, the following language may be added to your will, trust or codicil: I bequeath X% of my estate to Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church, 1669 N. Arcade, Saint Paul, MN 55106

10 Page 10 SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS 4 Amy Aarsvold Sylvia Anderson Judith DeLoy Doris Russo Karen Stern 5 Sherrie Nordquist 6 Bailey Aguirre Ken Bjork Michael Pedersen, Jr. Brittany Sheehan 7 David Ryan 8 Skylar Dalbotten Greta Fraser Davey Ylinen 9 Michael DeLoy Laurel Johnson Suzanne Johnson 10 Joanne Aanes 11 Phyllis Biedermann Carole Hultgren 12 Richard Nelson 13 Craig Capeder Mikaella Mealey 14 Sarah Larson Antonio Ramos 15 Jake Woinarowicz 16 Bethany Aarsvold Melissa Bjorkman Samantha Doiron 17 Andrea Estes Jordan Nelson Dan Stelter 18 Dale Berglund Nola Relay 19 Brenna Johnson Nancy Johnson Janice Kroll 20 Charles Hansen 21 Riley Himmer 22 Erik Bjorkman Jim Hill Neil Jones Don Lund Jerry Miller Diana Weggel 23 Leona Beckman Dorean Bewley Les Cromey Samantha Hill 24 Norman Carlson Amy Krueger Erin Lynch Kahli Pfankuch 25 Justin Bump Alyssa Carlson Cadence Carlson Samuel Coffelt 26 Warren Cournoyer 27 Paul Grauer 28 Richard Carle Janet Chapdelaine Glenn Wahman 30 Roger Carle LECTIONARY TEXTS September 1 Proverbs 25:6 7 Psalm 112 Hebrews 13:1 8, Luke 14:1, 7 14 September 8 Deuteronomy 30:15 20 Psalm 1 Philemon 1:1 21 Luke 14:25 33 September 15 Exodus 32:7 14 Psalm 51: Timothy 1:12 17 Luke 15:1 10 September 22 Amos 8:4 7 Psalm Timothy 2:1 7 Luke 16:1 13 September 29 Amos 6:1a, 4 7 Psalm Timothy 6:6 19 Luke 16:19 31 THANK YOU S: To youth and adults who created a festive and faithful Everywhere Fun Fair Vacation Bible School in August. Many of our confirmation students gave many Wednesdays in July to decorate and organize! From Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity in response to our gift of $5,000 from memorial bequests to support the building of a new home on the East Side. In our continued work towards providing affordable housing, we are so grateful for your commitment to Twin Cities families. We are blessed! From Pat Arons. Thank you for all your prayers and well wishes. God has blessed me with your kindness.

11 Gustavus Adolphus (GA) Lutheran Church 1669 Arcade St St. Paul, MN Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage P A I D Twin Cities MN Permit No. 585 Gustavus Adolphus (GA) is a member of the Saint Paul Area Synod ( of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Church Staff & Contact Information Bonnie Wilcox, Senior Pastor Amanda Simons,Associate Pastor Susan Schoon, Visitation Pastor Jerry Brakke, Dir. of Music Sherrie Norquist, Dir. of Christian Education Helen McEvoy-Freese, Business Manager Brit Barkholtz, Administrative Assistant Judy Hitchcock, Administrative Assistant b.wilcox@gachurch.org a.simons@gachurch.org susanschoon@comcast.net jerry@gachurch.org sherrie@gachurch.org helen@gachurch.org brit@gachurch.org judy@gachurch.org Rick Arons, Nelson Tracey & Kevin Berglund, (none) Custodians Kathy Laramy, Wedding Consultant Kendra Nielsen, Diana Williams, ASL Interpreters ironkl@hotmail.com A GiFT Adults Growing in Faith Together Sundays, 10:15-11:15 am in the Fireside Room September 22 MNsure s Executive Director How to Obtain Health Care Coverage Through the New Healthcare Marketplace September 29 Meet Our New Pastor, Amanda Simons! Come for lively conversation on a wide variety of topics. From learning about famous Lutheran composers to a presentation about icons, generous living and firsthand news from our Holy Land travel group, there is something for everyone.