Sunday Worship
9:30 am
In-person and
Live-streamed on YouTube
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, be sure to turn your YouTube notifications on in Settings so you will be alerted when Family of God goes live!
A Visit From the Bishop
Bishop Nagel is joining us for worship on
October 26th.
Please come and meet with her.
A Message From Pastor Paul
October 2025 Newsletter
Pastor Paul would like to share some quotes from Martin Luther this month:
“We are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone.”
“So when the devil throws your sins in your face and declares that you deserve death and hell, tell him this: ‘I admit that I deserve death and hell, what of it? For I know One who suffered and made satisfaction on my behalf. His name is Jesus Christ, Son of God, and where He is there I shall be also!’”
“Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.”
“This life therefore is not righteousness, but growth in righteousness, not health, but healing, not being but becoming, not rest but exercise. We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it, the process is not yet finished, but it is going on, this is not the end, but it is the road. All does not yet gleam in glory, but all is being purified.”
“The dog is the most faithful of animals and would be much esteemed were it not so common. Our Lord God has made His greatest gifts the commonest.”
“My heart, which is so full to overflowing, has often been solaced and refreshed by music when sick and weary.”
“True humility does not know that it is humble. If it did, it would be proud from the contemplation of so fine a virtue.”
“Everything that is done in this world is done by hope.”
“God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars.”
“Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world.”
“The heart overflows with gladness, and leaps and dances for the joy it has found in God. In
this experience the Holy Spirit is active, and has taught us in the flash of a moment the deep secret of joy. You will have as much joy and laughter in life as you have faith in God.”
“This grace of God is a very great, strong, mighty and active thing. It does not lie asleep in
the soul. Grace hears, leads, drives, draws, changes, works all in man, and lets itself be distinctly felt and experienced. It is hidden, but its works are evident.”
“To be convinced in our hearts that we have forgiveness of sins and peace with God by grace alone is the hardest thing.”
A Message From Pastor Erin
October 2025 Newsletter
Greetings to everyone at Family of God —
A lot of us have returned after being away for summer travels and activities. Now that the church program year is underway, we are spending more time together. This is a wonderful thing! Communities are so important. It’s how humans are built. We are social creatures. And this is also a clear expression of what God intends for us. “It is not good for man to be alone,” we hear in the book of Genesis. Jesus also says: “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I with them.”
We see God’s face when we look at those around us. That being said, the human spirit doesn’t always reflect the divine image! We hurt each other. We don’t always get along. We fight and develop grudges. And that is not a wonderful thing. We do have the ability to do something about that, though.
Whenever someone comes to me with an issue involving another member, I ask: “Have you talked with them about this?” I know that direct conversation is easy to think about but often so hard to do. Minnesotans are famously terrified of confrontation. If you want resolution, there really is no way around it. A conflict is like an injury. If you leave it untreated, it can fester into something deeper and more dangerous. Maybe a conflict comes from a simple misunderstanding. Maybe the other person is completely unaware of your feelings. If you don’t act, the relationship can’t be repaired.
Part of conflict isn’t just our words but our attitudes. If you find yourself with negative thoughts about another person at church, I encourage you to begin from a place of curiosity instead of judgment. Martin Luther explained the eighth commandment like this: “‘You are not to bear false witness against your neighbor.’ What does this mean? We are to fear and love God, so that we do not tell lies about our neighbors, betray or slander them, or destroy their reputations. Instead we are to come to their defense, speak well of them, and interpret everything they do in the best possible light.” I have seen, too many times, how someone can immediately jump to the worst possible interpretation of another’s words or actions. This is extremely unhelpful. A more positive attitude can truly make a difference.
If you have tried approaching someone with kindness in your heart and reconciliation on your mind (not just in word but in truth!), you are certainly welcome to ask one of the pastoral staff to assist you with mediation. Pr. Paul and I both have experience in this area. Sometimes, it helps to have a third party offer a neutral presence to clear the air. Promoting harmony when possible is a part of our call to ministry. We are happy to help when needed.
Kindness, forgiveness, and a focus on community strengthen the body of Christ on earth. Gossiping, forming factions, and undermining one another weaken the body. As we go further into our program year, I look forward to spending time together as a Family of God. May this year be filled with healthy relationships and a sharing of Christ’s love.
Blessings to you and your loved ones!
— 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.
Follow us on Facebook
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.