During the forty days of Lent, we are called to walk together with Christ and reflect on the self-giving love of his death on the Cross. As we take this extraordinary journey, we remember the "least of these" whom Christ calls us to serve. This Lent, all who are part of the St. Ansgar community are invited to join us as we collect supplies for Lutheran World Relief's Baskets of Promise Lenten Appeal. Our congregation has chosen to assembled Personal Care Kits. These supplies provide basic hygiene tools to our brothers and sisters in need around the world. Each Sunday during Lent, we will collect a different item that we will use to assemble Personal Care Kits. These kits will give people around the world tools to stay healthy in life's most challenging situations.
Following worship on Palm Sunday, March 24th, we will provide a soup luncheon and join the Sewing Group as they show us how to assemble the kits. Here is a list of items we ask you to bring on each Sunday in Lent. Please note that with the winter weather and busy schedules, this is a loose guideline. As long as we have items in time for Palm Sunday, your donation will be put to good use. Don't let the worry of being "off schedule" deter you from making a donation.
2/17 - Bars of Soap (4 to 5 oz, any brand in original wrapping)
2/24- Bath Towels (new, light weight, maximum 52" x 27", dark color)
3/3 - Toothbrushes (adult size in original packaging)
3/10 - Combs
3/17- Nail Clippers (metal, attached file optional)
3/24 (Palm Sunday)- Bars of Soap (4 to 5 oz, any brand in original wrapping)
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.
Hello, everyone. The website has not been updated in a while, but please don't think that things came to a halt at St. Ansgar. Your friendly webmaster has been dealing with happy, but busy life changes. While I was away from the site, ......
The Sunday School Christmas Pageant which had been delayed by snow was performed in early January to the delight of the congregation.
Valentine's Day provided lots of opportunities to brighten up the whitest of winters. The Sunday School decorated the church with colorful heart posters. The Sewing Group put together cheerful Valentine's baskets for shut-ins. The congregation exchanged valentines at coffee hour.
Lent was a time of community and prayerful reflection. As is our yearly tradition, we teamed up with First Lutheran, Trinity, and Emmaus for Wednesday evening services. The theme this Lent was finding meaning in work. The services were preceded by soup dinners and a pickup chorus. A somber holy week was followed by our Festive Easter worship. Young and old enjoyed punctuating the alleluias with bells and assembling a cross of fresh flowers. Many attended the Easter Breakfast before service, filling up on pancakes and funding camperships to Calumet for the youth in the congregation.
The Sunday School had another bake sale to benefit the orphanage in Hosur, India.
This Saturday a group of church members and friends came out for a Spring Potluck and Game Night. The food was fantastic, and all enjoyed the games and sing-a-long.
Happy Spring all!
The sewing group has been very busy. This Sunday they will have on display the many dress kits and school kits that they have been working on for Lutheran World Relief. These kits will be shipped on October 24th making it possible for women in need to sew their own dresses and provide school supplies for their children.
All are welcome to sew for a better world the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month 10AM-2PM.
St. Ansgar's Sewing Group has a rich history and a strong sense of mission. It meets every 2nd and 4th Wednesday from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM for sewing, food, and fellowship.
The sewers range in ability from novice to seamstress. Together they construct school kits, layettes (kits for newborns), and sewing kits for Lutheran World Relief. They also craft quilts which are either donated to Lutheran World Relief, sold to provide funds for the kits, or donated to local charities such as the Training Resource Center and Gary's House.
This work has a huge impact. If you have high speed Internet, click on the following link to watch the Lutheran World Relief video, Ordinary to Extraordinary:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHFuY2w97RA&list=PLG3PYu6_CExbAbzVVFnrlc12hIzACvLCF&index=1&feature=plpp_video
If you would like to attend a Sewing Group meeting bring a sandwich for yourself and a snack to share if you plan to lunch. Know that you can attend for any part of the meeting, arriving late or leaving early if necessary. Sewing ability is not required. There are always projects for beginners and/or non-sewers. Also, if the meeting times are not convenient, but you would like to sew for Lutheran World Relief at home, call St. Ansgar and someone will contact you.
Anyone can help the Sewing Group by donating the following:
1. Used clean blankets or sheets (for use as quilt stuffing)
2. Spools of thread
3. Buttons, preferably in matching sets of 6, but family button jars are also helpful
