A new season for the St. Andrew Cancer and Extended Illness Support Group begins from 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7, at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie.

Kick-off speaker for this monthly group is Ruth Bachman, a St. Andrew member and member of the Eden Prairie community.

By Lauren Carlson-Vohs

By Bernard E Johnson

I’ve been thinking about happiness and why it eludes so many of us. Sometimes it seems as if Americans are programmed for unhappiness.

While it’s true that many people are enduring uncertainties in the current economic cycle, the majority of Americans are wealthy by the world’s standards. But alas, prosperity fails to deliver on happiness. The more we have, the more we want. We seldom meet the true test of happiness, which someone has described as “wanting what
we have.”

By Timothy Johnson

There is a dangerous disconnect in our thinking in America today that leads people to pursue life with little thought of the consequences of their behavior. There is an exaggerated sense of independence in which people believe they can pretty much behave as they wish without fear of any serious ramifications.

The Gloryland Gospel Band will be playing at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie at their 9 and 10:30 a.m. services on Sunday, Aug. 22. “Come join us for a morning of joyful music,” according to a news release.

For more information, visit www.glorylandgb.com. If you are interested in Gloryland Band singing for your church group, club or special occasion, contact Vicki Andersen at 952-934-5001.

By Karla Wennerstrom

“I saw the rocks come right toward my eyes and I thought this is not going to be good,” said Katherine Hanson.

The Eden Prairie resident of 25 years was on the third day of a week-long hiking trip with an Immanuel Lutheran Church group.

Her group was on a six-mile hike from Rainbow Lake up about 1,000 feet to Dewey Lake in the Beartooth Mountains. The trail was wet and about 10 minutes in, Hanson slipped, falling into rocks beside the trail, with her 40-pound backpack falling with her.

By Michael Miller

In nearly every faith tradition stories are central in passing on the convictions, values and beliefs of the faith community to future generations. The primary stories are recorded in sacred texts such as the Koran, Torah and Bible. A notable example of effective storytelling in early Christian writing is the parables of Jesus.

By Pastor Rod Anderson

Drop a leaf on the waters and watch as it begins to float down to the sea on any or all the rivers that ever flowed. It doesn’t take a prophet to make this observation. Rivers never flow upstream, always downstream. Heavy rains never are up-pours, always downpours! But it does take a prophet, like Amos in the Old Testament, to draw conclusions about the nature of God by observing the wonders of God’s creation.

By Lauren Carlson-Vohs

Summer has brought a more relaxed pace in our household what with the demands of homework and school activities gone – and it feels wonderful. I’ve actually been able to carve myself a cherished morning time for spiritual reflection while the kids sleep in.

Reading “The Buddha’s Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love and Wisdom,” has filled some of that time and been a very gentle, informative reminder of how important it is to make time to nourish one’s brain, mind and spirit.

By Bernard Johnson

I’ve been thinking about finishing well. Like some of you, I watched Dustin Johnson blow a huge lead in the final round of the U.S. Open Golf Tournament. I honestly felt sorry for the man who seemed to have all the composure in the word on Saturday. He led the pack after 54 holes and seemed destined to finish in the top three or four at least! Alas, he is young and vigorous enough to live and
play another day.