Update from the Sewing Group

The Sewing Group recently shipped 25 layettes to Lutheran World Relief. Each layette contained enough clothing to give a newborn’s family and the newborn a great start. (Pictured above is a layette being given to an Afghani mother.)

We thank Thrivent for the financial support. The next project is school kits. A goal of 20 has been set. The spring project will be Health Kits.

You are invited to help. Come to an upcoming meeting or contact the church for more details. To find out how The Sewing Group's efforts combine with those of other Lutheran churches around the world, view this video from Lutheran World Relief, Ordinary to Extraordinary.

Evangelical? What Does St. Ansgar Mean By That?

The dictionary defines "evangelism" as “zealous preaching and dissemination of the Gospel, as through missionary work.” The official name of our church is St. Ansgar Evangelical Lutheran Church, and we are part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). As a church that preaches the Gospel, it is fitting to have the word "Evangelical" in our name.

Unfortunately, the word "Evangelical" has taken on a very narrow meaning in recent times. Evangelicals are often viewed as self-proclaimed Christians who preach a message of fundamentalism, nationalism, and narrow-mindedness towards others. What sometimes passes as evangelical faith would hardly be recognizable to Jesus, whose Gospel (good news) was about redemption, healing, and inclusion.

Recently, the Church Council at St. Ansgar voted to update our church sign and make more room for movable text. We shortened the name on our sign to St. Ansgar Lutheran Church, and removed the term "Evangelical," in part to save much needed space to publish dynamic messages, and in part because the term "evangelical" has gained such a negative connotation in today's society. People have actually commented on feeling automatically excluded when they see the term "Evangelical" on our sign! We have made a similar change on the header of our blog.

Despite its potentially negative connotations and its misuse by fundamentalists, the term "Evangelical" is a fitting name for a church that is Gospel-based. It continues to be part of our official name at St. Ansgar. As we develop new and better ways to evangelize in our modern times, the Gospel remains at the forefront, a beacon of hope, justice, and God's love. We are a people of the Good News!

Pastor Bill Barter

The fair is coming!

St. Ansgar Members and Friends,

It’s that time again. Our unique holiday fair will be held on the Sat, 11/13th. People from all over come to visit us on that day.

Your help is needed from set-up to clean-up. On the Friday before we will be baking our infamous Julekake bread. Volunteers are always welcome for that. On Friday evening, you are welcome to help make the delicious fish-chowder. And, we are looking for kitchen crew to work the luncheon on Saturday.

Other ways you can help:

• Help set up tables following worship on November 7th.
• Donate items for the White Elephant room.
  
• Make delicious items for Bake Table and Candy Table.
  
• Donate handmade items, decorations, etc.
• Volunteer to be a greeter.
• Work at a table.
• Be on the clean up crew.

Help make this fair the best ever! See you there.

Come Out to the Movies Sun, 10/10 at 5PM!

In honor of National Coming Out Day (10/11), St. Ansgar is hosting a viewing of the film Fish Out of Water. This is a new documentary exploring the seven scriptural references commonly used to condemn homosexuality. Every 6 hours we lose a gay teenager to suicide. The time is right to reclaim God's tent for everyone.

Our time together will begin with Holden Evening Prayer, a lovely Christian setting that includes Hebrew psalms. Then we will view the film, enjoy movie snacks, and discuss. Please come and invite your friends!

Communion at St. Ansgar

We have communion every Sunday. All who believe in Jesus as Savior are welcome to share in God’s meal.

Those who have not been baptized (children and adults), are invited to come to the altar rail with folded hands to receive God’s blessing. Young children are given a single grape with their blessing.

For the communion wine, individual glasses are used every Sunday. Grape juice is available for those who abstain from alcohol. For health precautions, we no longer allow intinction (the practice of dipping one's bread in the chalice of wine.)

Please join us in the singing of communion hymns as the spirit moves you.

VBS is full

As of today (July 8, 2010) our 2010 VBS is full! We are no longer taking registrations. Thanks!

Pride 2010 photo

St. Ansgar marched in Pride 2010. We distributed 80 bags of "Lutheran" dog treats, and they were gone halfway through the parade route! We will need 200 bags for next year. Everyone had a great time. This photo does not include all 13 of our marchers, but it is a nice shot of our banner. Thanks, Pastor Myke, for snapping the photo for us.