As we near the end of the church year, the Congregational Council is taking time to reflect on where we’ve been and prayerfully consider where God is leading Abiding Savior Lutheran Church in the year ahead. In November, the Council will gather for a retreat focused on planning and visioning for the future of our congregation.

To help guide that important work, we want to hear from you — the members of our church family. The Council believes it is essential to reach out to the entire Abiding Savior congregation to listen to your hopes, needs, and desires for our church community as we continue to update and enhance our focus areas.

There are two simple ways to share your thoughts:

1. Online Survey – Complete the Fall 2025 Congregational Survey on our website: https://abidingsavior.org/OutreachPro/fall-2025-congregational-survey/. Your responses will be sent directly to the Council President.
2. Paper Survey – Pick up a printed survey in the narthex and drop it in the collection box located nearby.

Please complete your survey by November 10th. Your input will play a vital role in shaping our retreat discussions and helping us plan for the continued growth and vitality of Abiding Savior.

Together, we move forward with purpose, guided by our mission: “Living in God’s love, Abiding Savior Lutheran Church is a welcoming and caring family that nurtures spiritual growth, shares our Christian faith, and serves all creation.”

Dawson Blanck, President, Congregational Council

• November 5:  Planning for Your Own Funeral with Pastors Ryan and Katie
  • Making funeral plans and arrangements ahead of time can be a real gift to your family. It also helps to make your funeral service genuinely reflect your faith, your life, and your legacy. Don’t just leave your funeral planning up to your family! They will have enough on their minds after you are gone. Abiding Savior has put together a funeral planning packet that helps you think through your funeral service, obituary, and other arrangements. Join us and begin your planning and ask your questions.
• November 12:  What Is Your Legacy? by Joe Sullivan, Regional Gift Planner with the ELCA Foundation
  • Joe Sullivan, Regional Gift Planner with the ELCA Foundation, will provide an overview of how to make informed decisions while considering the current and future needs of you and your loved ones. The ELCA Foundation can help you navigate your options to create a gift plan that benefits the ministries that mean the most to you, while also maximizing your financial and estate-planning goals. You are invited to explore how you can support Abiding Savior Lutheran Church and other ELCA ministries by creating a charitable gift plan. It’s a meaningful way to make a lasting impact.
• November 19:  Wills, Trusts and Healthcare Directives, What You Should Know by Howard Helgen, Attorney at Law
  • Join attorney Howard Helgen to learn more about the importance of getting your affairs in order no matter what your age. Mr. Helgen will address wills, trusts, and healthcare directives (living wills) and answer questions about assisting our loved ones in handling our assets and carrying out our will when we are gone. He will also address any questions about how to make a charitable gift in the process of making or updating your will, trust, or estate. Mr. Helgen is the son of a Lutheran Pastor and past President of St. Philip’s Lutheran Church in Fridley.

This October, nine members of Abiding Savior travelled to visit our companion congregation in Makungu, Tanzania. Check out our Tanzania Trip page for updates from the group and join us Sunday, November 23 for Tanzania Sunday!

This fall, programming for Children’s Ministry will take new form! Check out the info below to learn about new opportunities, schedules changes, and more!

Sundays

• We love to see children of all ages join us on Sunday mornings! This year, there will not be Sunday School before worship, but we will continue on with Children’s Time during the worship service. After the children’s message, all ages are welcome to join adult leaders to engage a bit more with the readings for the day. Activities may include but are not limited to storytelling, crafts, games, and more!

Second Sunday Connections

• All are invited to enjoy brunch together after worship typically on the second Sunday of each month. During this time, there will be a designated space for kids and youth to eat brunch and hang out together while offering time and space for the adults to connect with one another. We’ll keep the kids engaged while you enjoy conversation with others!

Wednesday Nights

• Wednesday night programming will look similar to years’ past. We are excited to introduce ASK (Abiding Savior Kids) which includes faith-based activities for elementary-aged children. There will also be childcare and fun for our younger friends, too (preschool and under)!