How to celebrate Holy Week this year with kids? At Bethlehem Lutheran Church - Twin Cities in Minneapolis, MN, the older elementary students will present the "A-B-C's of Holy Week!" on Good Friday via zoom. Super simple: Each child will be assigned a letter to decorate and lines for that letter using the script below. … Continue reading A-B-C’s of Holy Week

Since in quarantine, games and puzzles have been the rage for caregivers with kids, family pods, and friend circles. Like at most churches, Bethlehem Lutheran Church - Twin Cities is gearing up for Lent and plans to do an Ash Wednesday, Drive Thru event with ashes-to-go, Holy Communion sets for worship online, a Game On! … Continue reading Forgiven Game

Are you part of a congregation that gives out "Star Words" on Epiphany to each person? A "star word" is just that - a word like "hope" or "determination" written on a star to be displayed in the home. The word is to provide encouragement in the daily grind from Epiphany of one year to … Continue reading Epiphany Joy

On December 14, 2020, my position will change from pastor of faith formation at St John's Lutheran Church in Lakeville, MN to pastor of family ministry at Bethlehem Lutheran Church - Twin Cities in Minneapolis, MN. It's a new call from one beautiful space and people to another. Since it will be mid-Advent when I … Continue reading Keeping Christmas

Confirmation online? Yes! Last fall, a group of pastors, deacons, and youth directors came together to create some fresh confirmation material that could be used online, in-person, and/or as a hybrid approach, and that it is user-friendly! First, we created "Cafeteria Confirmation" about building resilient faith in students while facing one of the life's hardest … Continue reading Tell Me a Story

How about your congregation? Between the gray days and lack of sun to the uptick of Covid 19 cases and political news, this advent we all need an extra dose of hope. Right?! Check out some ways below you can encourage and inspire hope into your congregation and into your community: Photo Credit to Vicki … Continue reading Advent Hope

“All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth” was a famous song when I was a kid. I can remember watching Alvin and the Chipmunks belt out this song between their two front teeth! Our two front teeth are important; they help us sing, whistle, and cut into food. Life would be bland … Continue reading All I Want For Christmas Devotional

November is the month to be grateful and thankful. Many people post daily on their Facebook page, in a notebook, or through their Twitter handle on what makes them happy, or thankful, or grateful. It's often a 30 day challenge, and ends with the big celebration of Thanksgiving. One way to help parents, grandparents, or … Continue reading Fidget Spinner Prayers

One of my favorite days of the church year is All Saints' on November 1. Remembering the beloved that have gone before us from death into new life touches the depths of my heart. How will your congregation celebrate this special day in 2020? In past years, we have been in the sanctuary, where we … Continue reading All Saints 2020

Covid-19 might has changed the way we do ministry, but it hasn't stopped it. At St John's Lutheran Church in Lakeville, MN, we have Sidewalk Sunday School, outdoor classroom and bonfires for confirmation, parking lot services, Pet Blessing and now, looking at Trunk or Treat. Of course, we have Covid procedures to keep everyone safe, … Continue reading Trunk or Treat – Covid Style