Vacation Bible School is in June at Bethlehem Lutheran Church - Twin Cities. VBS is offered in a variety of ways: at the Minneapolis campus, there is a regular morning session from 9-12 noon and a family-style evening session with dinner, and at the Minnetonka campus, VBS happens after worship once a month. Check it … Continue reading Who is My Neighbor?

This Sunday between Ascension Day and Pentecost, my congregation is exploring the story of Mathias chosen to replace Judas (Acts 1:12-26). It's the end of the story that I am thinking about: "So they proposed two...Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed and said, ‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two … Continue reading Casting Lots

At Bethlehem Lutheran Church - Twin Cities, we are using the "Who is My Neighbor?" VBS by ELCA (2019). What I like about the curriculum is its simplicity, and how they worked in small group time to talk about "Who is my neighbor?" The curriculum calls this time "Family Time," but I changed it to … Continue reading Build A Neighborhood

When my kids were little, we were big into summer reading programs. The libraries here in St Paul, MN had a summer reading program, and the prize was a ticket to the MN State Fair (that's a big thing here!) But they also participated in the summer reading program with Barnes and Nobles (got a … Continue reading Story in a Bottle

Good Shepherd Sunday, or maybe it is just "Sheep" Sunday is May 8, 2022 in the Revised Common Lectionary. I love the verse that says, "My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me." (John 10:27) How might you make this "Sheep" Sunday memorable? Here are 4 simple ways to do something … Continue reading Sheep Sunday

Need some Holy Week inspiration for your families? Here are a couple of ideas:Cooking is a great way to engage families at home or at church. Check out this blog about "Eating Your Way Through Holy Week!" Time an issue for your families? Consider giving preschoolers a Bible with a bookmark of Holy Week stories. … Continue reading Holy Week Swag

In Bethlehem's Itty Bitty Book Club for February, we read the book "Jesus is With Me!" by Debby Anderson. What I love about this little board book is recognizing the fact that wherever we go, Jesus goes with us! (Plush baby Jesus helps to visualize Jesus going with us!) But to expand on that topic, … Continue reading Faith Lingo

Ash Wednesday is right around the corner! For the families who can make it to Bethlehem Lutheran Church - Twin Cities, we have a 5:45 pm Ash Wednesday Family Blessing service. It's sweet as families come forward to put ashes on each other, hear the words they are dust, and then snuggle up together to … Continue reading Lent: Building with Jesus

Lent is around the corner starting on Ash Wednesday, March 2, 2022. People observe lent by fasting, worshiping, Bible studying, giving up something, and prayer. Kids love to pray! So Children's Ministries at Bethlehem Lutheran Church - Twin Cities has put together 40 Days to Pray! It is as simple as 1-2-3! Starting Ash Wednesday, … Continue reading 40 Days to Pray!

So I did some digging with families of infants and toddlers at Bethlehem Lutheran Church - Twin Cities, where I serve as the family pastor. Of everyone I have talked to, most are happy little families, BUT they are tired. With interrupted sleep, working from home during a pandemic, and no vaccines for kiddos under … Continue reading Baby Book Club