LIGHT FOR THIS MOMENT

“Jesus Christ you are the light of the world, the light no darkness can overcome.
Stay with us now, for it is evening, and the day is almost over.
Let your light scatter the darkness, and shine within your people here.”
– Holden Evening Prayer

Our experience of darkness is profoundly human and spiritual. You may have experienced this on a camping trip in the wilderness, or in your own home in the middle of a power outage. To kindle a small light in a place like that with a lantern or candle warms our spirit. There is beauty in something so simple and true. It comes as a gift.

Jesus said in Matthew 5 that his followers are now “the light of the world” and to “let your light so shine.”  Our own light is kindled by Christ’s love and grace.
 
And so we’re called to be Light for This Moment.

We bring light in any place where there is despair, loneliness or scarcity—our confidence made possible by Christ’s own generosity and selflessness for us. In some of his final words, Lutheran theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer said: “Our relationship to God is a new life in ‘being there for others’... The transcendent is not the infinite, unattainable tasks, but the neighbor within reach in any given situation. God in human form!”

In recent conversations with many who have newly engaged at All Saints there is a yearning and discovery of renewed hope, and grounding in the love and grace of God. Perhaps you have felt this too. Our presence as a faithful community, boldly sharing God’s love and grace for all provides this hope and scatters darkness. But we won’t stop with this. We will continue to support local and global partners accompanying people and sharing peace and holistic wellbeing in concrete ways. We know the struggles many face. This year we are stepping out to create a Light for This Moment Fund that will allow us to provide hope to children, teens and young adults in our community at Minnetonka’s Relate Counseling Center.

Your decision and commitment to share in our community and expand God’s loving presence is an act of hope and grace. We invite you to share your plan for giving in 2026. Whether you are a long-time member or newer participant at All Saints, pray and consider a response that will bring you joy and excitement for the year ahead. Even if you have not completed an intent card before, we ask you to do so this year so that we can prepare for the coming year thoughtfully together. Your response can be changed if your situation changes.

Complete the card digitally.

Thank you for taking time to reflect and pray about how you can respond with joy to God’s work among us!

Once again, All Saints generously gave away 10% of what we received from you. Half of that went to support the ministry of the ELCA. The other half went to support local partners that transform our neighbors’ lives: ICA, Mental Health Connect and Urban Ventures are among our largest recipients. In addition, we collected over 600 pounds of food (2 large pallets) for our neighbors in need through ICA.

All Saints seeks to be a neighborhood hub to support and partner with families on Sunday mornings and in opportunities year-round.

Our neighborhood events like Trunk or Treat, Easter Eggstravaganza and Fall Fest remain important introductions to All Saints. In fact, our Easter Eggstravaganza has become so well known that we drew people from across the metro this year.

Our preschool and child care remain highly rated programs by families in our community.
Families enjoy intergenerational gatherings as well, which is why we design events where the whole congregation can participate and serve. This year we gathered for Sunday playdates, an intergenerational potluck, and serving events at Feed My Starving Children and Second Harvest.

“It is well with my soul.” All Saints encourages people to see their spiritual formation as part of a larger vision for holistic wellbeing. A strong faith, woven together with every dimension of our life, allows us to thrive, find joy and step out to serve with heart, hands and voice. We’ve offered experiences, studies and messages to assist people in deepening their faith and integrating it throughout their lives.

With new and increasing gifts we can:

• Add new tables and chairs for the Fellowship Hall to complement our new flooring for a comfortable and attractive space for gathering with members and neighbors.
• Cost-effective updates to common spaces such as the new used chairs in the Lounge.

We will continue to invest in experiences and events that strengthen and grow connections among members and neighbors:

• New Inspired Life Speakers that help us connect faith and life.
• Adult studies to grow together.
• Family-friendly events and ministry that bring all ages together and reinforce the value of our faith community.

We have launched a process to add a half-time pastor position for a 3-year term call. New and continued giving will be critical to sustain this position long-term.

You can support our ministry by attending worship at least twice a month. Your regular presence helps build the energy we experience within relationships and community.

In addition, consider finding at least one way to engage in community more deeply—participate in a ministry, group, special event, or simply stay after worship to connect with others. You’re also encouraged to be a volunteer on Sundays, for special events, on a team, or with one of our local partners.

Your generous financial investment is also key to our ongoing mission. Your support will allow us to staff for the future, upgrade our facility, and continue to reach out to our community. By sharing a portion of our financial blessings for our neighbors and a greater good, and experiencing the peace and joy in doing so, we further develop a positive and healthy relationship with our finances.

With your financial support, we will seek the wellbeing of our community, our ministry and ourselves.