“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” -Matt 28:19-20

Easter at LCGS 2025

Fri., April 18          Good Friday Service, 6pm

Sun., April 20        Sunrise Easter Service, 6:11am

                              Easter Service, 9:30am

We have a very special service project for Damiano Center!

If you are able, we need 4-6 adults to serve an EASTER SUNDAY meal at the Damiano Center. 

Please click HERE for more information and chat with Brian Fischer if you have any questions. What a great way to celebrate the day than to share Christ's love in action!

For many years, the LCGS congregation has supported the Community Kitchen at the Damiano Center through the Hunger Team mission focus. Although homelessness and hunger have long been issues in our area, recent challenges to social safety net services have made the needs more dire.

Our serving efforts are broken up into two sessions, a meal preparation session, when food is prepared for that evening's meal and other future meals, and a serving session, where meals are put on trays and served to community kitchen diners. Both sessions are necessary and meaningful. There is nothing keeping someone from working both shifts, if thier schedule allows. There will be a break period between the shifts and usually a snack around.

Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you! Serving team volunteers will not need to wear masks, but must wear a hat or hair covering. 

A Celebration Auction of Generosity and Hope - Working together for 50 years to end hunger and poverty, both here and abroad, by supporting the work of the ELCA Hunger Appeal

Support the NEMN Synod in their efforts to alleviate hunger and win a beautiful quilt or handmade item in the process!

Quilts and other items are available in an on-line auction HERE or a link from the synod webpage (NEMNSynod.org go to upcoming events-synod assembly, scroll down to online quilt auction). The quilts will be displayed at the Synod Assembly at Breezy Point Resort on May 3-4.   

The website is open for bidding from April 27 until 11:30 am May 4. New items will be added until the Synod Assembly, so check back often.  (You do not have to be in attendance to bid on a quilt.  If you win a quilt or other item you will be contacted to make arrangements for delivery!)

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CONFIRMATION FAMILIES!  there are just a few weeks left of Confirmation:

- Wednesday, April 23 will be the End of the Year Parent Meeting at 6:00 pm

- Wednesday, April 30 will be the End of the Year Party at 6:00 pm

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SUMMER CAMPS Camp Vermilion, Camp Hiawatha, Canoe Country

Welcome to Summer Camp in God’s Great Northwoods! Whether you are joining us for the first time or 12th time, for one day or a whole week, for a more traditional camp experience or a specialty program, we cannot wait to welcome you to camp!

www.vlmcamps.org

Camp is hiring!! Summer Staff Positions still available!

If you are a college aged human interested in working at camp, there are some great opportunities! Not just counseling!

Visit VLMCamps.org to find out how to apply!

Best. Summer. Ever.

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Here’s what’s happening from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Quilting Group:

Join us weekly on Mondays in the Fellowship Hall from 9am-1:00pm to quilt or create your own works in the company of friends. It is a great space to spread your things. If you don't know how to quilt, we would love to show you

Remember anyone is welcome to join us so pass it on. Contact Sue Boutin with questions.

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“Laundry Love” is a national organization who’s soul mission is to help low and no income families wash clothes. Duluth is the 10th chapter in Minnesota, facilitated by CHUM’s “Stepping Up   Program.”  We serve 20-30 families weekly. In collaboration with Lakeside churches and  interested businesses or groups, we hope to build community through shared volunteers and fund raising efforts to facilitate the free laundry days.

Please stay tuned to updates as we move forward to better serve those who need our assistance.

If you would like to offer a Thrivent Grant for this purpose, please contact me, Sue Boutin sab.boutin@gmail.com  or Eric Kaiser from the “Reaching Out Leadership Team”.

Laundry Stories (a journey beginning)

There is something intimate and personal about washing clothes together. Exposing vulnerabilities like ragged, torn clothes, limited hygiene availability while sleeping in a car, owning only two pairs of pants or just the ones you’re wearing, changing in the bathroom so the spare pair can get washed. Arriving with so much family clothing that $24 washing limits means doing the rest another time. 

We all have vulnerabilities.  We protect our vulnerabilities by not talking about things that make us feel shame, weak, or less worthy. 

The thing about having enough is that you get to choose when to show your vulnerability. Those with less have little choice because their future is fleeting. Their need is now and it's a shame risk to ask for help, to be vulnerable. Planning for the future is a dream if you don’t know where to find safety, food, and warmth.

Our united church community is trying to help by providing a safe place to sleep in a church parking lot. Is it too much to ask for that?

Susan Boutin

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FUN FOR ALL! Do you enjoy playing games or cards? Going out for lunch? 

If you do,  come join us on May 1st. You can come for one activity or both!

We will be having lunch at Lakeshore Ecumen at 11:00 am.  If you plan to attend, please call Lois Opseth 218-340-3605 so we have a correct count for our reservation.

Parking is tight at Lakeshore so let’s meet at the church at 10:40 to carpool.

After lunch, we will return to church (around 12:30) and to play games and cards in the Upper Lakes room. Any age is welcome. Bring a beverage for yourself, and your favorite game to share. Questions? Call Lois Opseth at 218-340-3605.

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OWLs (Older, Wiser, Lutherans) Join us and bring a friend!

MAY GATHERING!  BINGO.....Ya feeling lucky?

Mark your calendar - Sunday, May 18, 2025 and Potluck lunch

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CONFIRMATION FAMILIES! 

 there are just a few weeks left of Confirmation:

- Wednesday, April 23 will be the End of the Year Parent Meeting at 6:00 pm

- Wednesday, April 30 will be the End of the Year Party at 6:00 pm

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Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS) 

2025 Benefit for Youth “Growing with Purpose”

Thursday, May 15, Clyde Iron Works - 5:30pm check-in & social hour, 6:30pm dinner & program $25.00 

purpose - support - goals - encouragement - development - skills - progress - growth

LSS shares that trusted, nonjudgmental support can make navigating life's challenges easier and lead to personal growth that exceeds even our own expectations. This is the work of LSS. We hope you'll join us for our annual spring fundraising event held in support of LSS' services for children, youth and families.

Marcia Semerau (218 576 5531) and Linda Susens (218 213 0934) are serving as table hosts and will be happy to register anyone who is interested in attending the event and sitting at a LCGS table.  Please talk to one of us.  LSS is seating eight at a table - six guests and two LSS staff members.

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Churchwide Neighborhood Clean Up on Sunday, May 2nd!!

Everyone join us for this annual favorite!

Join us for the annual neighborhood clean-up! Meet at church  at 9:30am in the Sanctuary for a short worship and sending! Do NOT wear your Sunday best, but clothes for cleaning and the outside weather! We have tasks for all abilities, and some tasks inside the church to be done.

This is a special day to reach beyond our walls and help our community!

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The 20th Annual Chum Rhubarb Festival is moving to Asbury United Methodist Church 
6822 Grand Avenue, Duluth! Saturday, June 28th 10 a.m. to 3 p.m

We are so excited to be IN CHARGE of the kids space and games! So please mark your calendar now! More information to come!

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PLEASE SIGN UP TO USHER! We are hoping to have everyone get a chance to usher during worship! If you haven't ushered at LCGS before, no worries! We will set you up with an usher that knows the ropes! Sign-up HERE

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GIVE TO LUTHERAN DISASTER RESPONSE

Gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response equip us to respond to the L.A. firest and other disasters, whenever and wherever they strike. 

Your gifts in support of Lutheran Disaster Response help our church provide immediate relief, such as water, clothing, gift cards, tarps and other needs. Since many hurricanes also require a long-term response, Lutheran Disaster Response provides support on the long road to recovery with disaster case management, construction management, unmet needs, and emotional and spiritual care.  GIVE HERE

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“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble”

(Psalm 46:1)

Due to the horrific, ongoing violence in and around Gaza, a severe humanitarian crisis continues to escalate in the Holy Land. The ELCA is walking with many partners in the region, including the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land and Augusta Victoria Hospital, to address the most pressing needs for people in the areas surrounding Gaza, including the West Bank and other occupied territory. Right now, Lutheran Disaster Response is helping meet many basic needs such as food, water, basic and emergency health care, shelter and medical supplies. There is so much yet to be done.

In October 2023, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton issued a letter of solidarity to Bishop Sani Ibrahim Azar of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land.

More recently Bishop Eaton wrote a new message calling on us to continue to pray for those who suffer and grieve, advocate for an immediate cease-fire and walk with all who long for a just peace.

Gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response equip us to respond to this and other disasters, whenever and wherever they strike. Gifts designated for “Middle East Crisis” will be restricted to and used in full (100%) for those affected by disasters in the region. 

GIVE HERE

Vision Council Mtg. Minutes 2-13-23

Vision Council Minutes for 1-17-23

Mission and Vision 

Vision Council Recommendations HERE

Mission Vision Final Report with links  HERE