Thanksgiving Eve Service
Wednesday, November 25
7 pm
Join us for pie afterwards!
Family of God Lutheran Church
YouTube Channel
To view the livestream:
- go to our YouTube channel
- click on "Live" on the horizontal menu, and select the video you wish to view. Typically the Sunday livestream will say "Upcoming" if you go to the channel prior to the start time.
Additionally, you can turn your YouTube notifications on in Settings so you will be alerted when Family of God goes live!
A Message From Pastor Paul
November 2026 Newsletter
A favorite stewardship story of mine took place when I was about 22 years old. It was a Sunday afternoon, and the Vikings were losing again, and I was not in a great mood. The doorbell rang, and an older couple from our congregation had come to call on me to make my stewardship commitment for the coming year. I confess, I handled it badly.
Though I listened politely while they delivered my pledge card (with one eye on the losing Vikings to be sure), inside I was filled with resentment. Here these two people I did not know had come to my home to ask for a financial commitment to the ministry of the church, and I felt like they were intruding and obtrusive. They talked for few minutes about the ministry of the church, closed with a prayer, and asked if I wanted to fill out the card at that moment or wait and mail it in. I think I filled it out there just to send them on their way. I was crabby the rest of the afternoon (and yes, the Vikings lost as well).
What was wrong with me? I was young and ignorant. Young in that inside I felt it was my own business, and who were these people to come uninvited and talk to me about my commitment, especially since I was a student and didn't have that much to give anyway?
And I was ignorant. While I was involved in the church in many ways up to that point (youth group, teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir, etc), I took for granted all the ministry that had been done on my behalf by others. People I never knew well had made generous offerings that built the building we gathered in, paid the salaries of the youth workers who had ministered to me, and put in place the music ministry where I could both feed others and be fed myself.
It is the nature of the young to not get it all, and thankfully, I have grown since. Not only have I come to appreciate the ministry that happens through the generosity of people sharing God's gifts, but I've learned that I don't have to see every dollar of my gifts in action, but can trust that through world relief organizations, for instance, good is being done with even a little help from me.
Finally, I've learned that giving is a joy. It is a releasing of what is God's anyway, of which we are stewards. Sure, I have needs for living, but there is still much left over that can be shared for ministry in many places.
These are tough economic times for many, and inflation is especially visible in our grocery stores. But whether you are doing well or struggling greatly, please pray how much you can joyfully give to the ministry of the church.
"Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9: 7
Pastor Paul
A Message From Pastor Erin
November 2026 Newsletter
Greetings to everyone at Family of God -
I've never been much of a November person. It's (usually) a cold and grey month. We're past the peak autumn colors and fun. of Halloween, but not quite close enough to the coziness of Christmas. And I must admit I have no strong feelings about eating turkey one way or the other. However, November does have a day that has played a big role in my life in these recent years.
Since 2022, I have volunteered as an election worker in my own town of St. Louis Park. The experience over these years has been a fascinating one. I have an opportunity to see the dedication of people who make our democracy possible. I have learned a lot about the ways we keep our elections safe and fair. And I have an even greater enthusiasm than ever about helping others to exercise their right to vote (as the law allows).
Being a poll worker is a long day, and as a precinct cochair, it's an even longer day for me this year. Part of the reason I put up with the 16 hour shift is because it's a way for me to express my patriotism. This is a complicated and thought-provoking topic, especially when it intersects with faith. Can these two ideas coexist?
My belief is that they can, and perhaps they should. We have to approach the junction of faith and patriotism with nuance, though. I feel the need to make a distinction between patriotism and nationalism. Patriotism is a dedication to one's country, uplifting the parts worth celebrating while striving to help improve the collective good when needed. Nationalism is the prioritization of a country's dominion over all other ideas and values.
Elizabeth Eaton, our previous presiding bishop of the ELCA, put it like this: "Christian nationalism identifies a human government with God's will and seeks privilege for Christians from the state. Lutherans teach that government should be held accountable to God but never identified with God's will." We are all human, made in God's image and beloved children of God. We all have inherent rights (and responsibilities). And at the same time, none of us is above criticism since the only one who is perfect is God! Loving our country means being honest about who we are and who we hope to be as a people.
The Minneapolis and St. Paul Area Synods just held a biannual event called Ministerium, where pastors and deacons get together and learn from an expert on a pertinent subject. Our speaker this autumn. was Rev. Kenneth Wheeler, a retired pastor and professor at Wartburg Theological Seminary. He summed up the hard work we are called to do as Americans like this: "It's about being human together." Being informed and engaged in our homeland, loving where we come from, working toward a brighter future-it takes intentionality and dedication. That's patriotism!
If you are able to vote, I hope you did. Our own church building serves as a precinct voting site on Election Day. We receive no compensation for this service. It's simply our way of offering what we have to the community. During this election season, I pray that God blesses and guides you and our country as a whole.
See you in church!
- Pr. Erin Koster
The Lighted Globe:
The Lighted Globe at the back of the sanctuary is for the lighting of a votive candle by anyone wishing to express a particular prayer or hope in this symbolic way. Candles remain lit after all have gone, a visible sign of the prayers of our community of faith "for the whole people of God, and for all people according to their needs."
Holy Communion:
All baptized persons are welcome who believe Christ comes to us in the bread and the wine to bring forgiveness, life, and salvation. Children not yet communing come forward for a blessing. Children receive instruction and usually have First Communion in Fifth grade. We receive the sacrament standing. Grape juice is available.
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Worship with Holy Communion
(Current Season)
Regular Worship
(September - May)
Sundays - In Person and
Live-Streamed
9:30 am
Summer Worship
(June - August)
Sundays - In Person and
Live-Streamed
9:30 am
Interested in making your own communion bread just like we use at church for the coming services? Click the yellow button to view/download the recipe from Jane Nelson.
Children in Church
Children in Church: At Family of God, as Jesus did, we welcome children of all ages as integral members of the body of Christ, and we welcome the sounds and activity that accompany them! There are a number of spaces and activities designed for children to experience and participate in worship according to their needs (see reverse); we trust families to work out the best option(s) for them and their child(ren) on any given day. We also understand that it takes a village to raise a child. A few tips for engaging families with small children include:
- Greeting/learning the names of the young children who sit near you in worship.
- Offering to read or color with one child during worship, especially if another child in the family is especially fussy or upset.
- Helping preschoolers and elementary-aged kids to navigate the liturgy, locate the hymns, etc. (Children learn to worship by participating!)
- Inviting kids to serve alongside you in worship, as greeters, ushers, etc.
- Recognizing that certain conditions or disabilities don’t present physically, and some children (and adults) may make noises or act in ways that seem strange or upsetting, but are perfectly normal for their situation.
- Celebrating that God put the wiggle in children, and that children’s “mode of being” in worship is intrinsically more vocal and more physical than that of adults.
Busy Bags:
Located in the back of the sanctuary, these bags contains books, crayons, toys, figures, and other things to keep little hands busy and occupied. Children’s Bibles and Bible Story coloring sheets are also available, near the busy bags, and Scribble cards are located in the pew racks.
Family of God Sunday School:
See CYF/Sunday School pages. FOG students (3 years olds - 5th grade) worship with their families through the children’s sermon, then attend FOG Sunday School classes through the end of the service.
Nursery: If your little one simply needs a break, a nursery is staffed through every Sunday worship service for children from birth to 3 years of age.
*In order to comply with Family of God’s Child Policy, parents and guardians are asked to pick up their own children from both the nursery and FOG classrooms rather then, for example, allowing one parent to pick up children from two families. Thanks for understanding.