theMay 2020 | Vol. 44 • No. 5

Joshua Leroy HempelmanJoshua Leroy HempelmanJoshua graduates from Legend High School in Parker, where he was involved in baseball. He plans to continue playing baseball at Quincy University in Illinois while studying Criminal Justice. Joshua writes, “In baseball and in life you will not succeed without good faith. Having good faith to me is more than going to church and Sunday school. Good faith is taking what you believe in to heart and pursuing your life goals. And knowing that if I work to the best of my ability, God will open doors for me.”

Will ShellhornWill ShellhornWill Shellhorn, son of Brian and Julie, brother of Henry, will be graduating from the Denver School of the Arts. He spent seven years there studying theater. While in high school he also was on the George Washington dive team, and he participated in many programs and internships at the Museum of Contemporary Arts. In the fall he is set to attend Parsons School of Art and Design in Manhattan to study photography. He was baptized and confirmed at Augustana. He spent many years in Sunday school and choir. In his words, “Church is where I first developed the ability to think critically!”

Leilu ToweryLeilu ToweryLeilu is graduating from Chaparral High School in Parker. She looks forward to going to CU Boulder to study Asian Studies. Leilu played hockey each year of high school and participated in bells and choir and served as an acolyte at Augustana. She adds, “Faith means to trust the Lord that everything is going to be ok. Keeping my faith is important to me even in hard times. I feel faith brings communities and families together.”

Congratulations, Graduates!Congratulations, Graduates!

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Thanks for keeping yourself and Augustana safeAugustana Lutheran Church facilities are currently closed per the current state government order. Please follow the stay-at-home order, and do not come to Augustana’s campus. If you have an emergency, please contact Augustana staff to address your needs (info@augustanadenver.org or 303-388-4678). Augustana staff drop in occasionally to perform only those tasks that they cannot perform from home and are following all distancing and PPE guidelines when they do.

The Augustana Early Learning Center has shortened its hours but remains open as an essential facility, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Please keep the AELC staff in your prayers as they continue to offer this service to parents on the front lines.

Seki and Property Committee volunteers are watching over and inspecting the facility to ensure it remains secure, safe, and functional.

Mission Statement: Celebrating God’s grace, we welcome everyone to worship Jesus, grow in faith, and go serve in the world.

PHONE: 303-388-4678FAX: 303-388-1338

WEB: www.augustanadenver.orgEMAIL: info@augustanadenver.org

FACEBOOK: augustanadenver.com

5000 E. Alameda Ave.Denver, CO 80246

Congrega on Council: President: Lisa Boe-Sims | Vice President: Dane Vierow | Secretary: Karen Yeager | Treasurer: Dan Taron | Renee Bernhard | Grace Blanchard | Emmett Cruson | Michael Gentes | Michael Graham | Nancy Johnson | Ellen Kastens | Sharon Schillereff | Pam Uyemura | Rosalee Wanchisen | Ogden Willoughby | Michael Zumwalt | Pr. Ann Hultquist | Pr. Caitlin Trussell

Staff : Ann Hultquist, Senior Pastor | Caitlin Trussell, Pastor | Lisa Mikolajczak, Finance Administrator | Shanna VanderWel, Director of Youth and Family Ministry | Valerie Taron, Children’s Faith Formation Coordinator | Angela Howard, Interim Chancel Choir Director and Choristers and Cantabile Director | Sue Ann Glusenkamp, Faith Community Nurse | Lyn Goodrum, Publications Administrator | Julie MacDougall, Volunteer Ministry and Building Use | Asmir Hodzic, Building and Grounds Manager | Andrija Malbasa and Antoine Hines, Custodians | Ellen Kastens, Amy Tamminga, Erin Saboe Willoughby, Wedding Coordinators | Wendie Edwards, Director, Augustana Early Learning Center

Online Worship/Devo ons(https://www.facebook.com /augustanadenver/ or www.augustanadenver.org)

Online Worship, Sundays, 9 a.m. We Are One at 1:00, Online devotions, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1 p.m.

The Tower is published monthly for Augustana Lutheran Church, 5000 E. Alameda Ave., Denver, CO, 80246-8104. There is no subscription fee.

Thursday, May 14, 4:30 p.m. is the deadline for the June edition. Email Lyn Goodrum (goodrum@augustanadenver.org).

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Recently lifted up in prayerFor hope and healing:

Minnie Carter, Carolyn Coble, Edward Hoffman, Margaret Luntz, Jess Miller, Win Nyquist, Dorothy Stenman, Rob Stenman, Father Don Sutton, Nancy Vikman, Jean Wagner, Phyllis

For comfort and courage:Jack and Gail Bartels and family in the death of their daughter, Paige BartelsRick Friesen in the death of his father, Ben FriesenMatt Miller in the death of his uncle, Warren MillerDianne Nelson in the death of her nephew, Peter HatfieldJayme Howard in the death of her life partner, Al LovasDianne Nelson in the death of her friend, Mina Mayfield

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Rejoice with . . .John and Ruth Pederson in their 50th wedding anniversary, May 9

Thank you for the gifts!Augustana Early Learning Center

In memory of Norm Aarestad

Augustana FoundationIn memory of Norm Aarestad, Sandy Kistler

Health MinistryIn memory of Norm Aarestad

Music MinistryIn memory of Norm Aarestad

Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp

In memory of Sandy Kistler

Special GiftsIn memory of Norm Aarestad, Liz Heins

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Faith, Doubt, and Tough TimesPeople often wonder why their faith isn’t available during a tough time in the way they assumed it would be. They’ll sometimes describe it as having “lost their faith” or that they “can’t pray” like they used to pray.

I don’t know anyone who is immune to the experience of having their faith shaken or shattered. Sometimes it doesn’t take much. Faith can be thrown off by moving to a new town away from your church peeps who kept you connected. It can be clouded by a fresh understanding of the Bible’s ancient scripture. Sometimes it’s way bigger. Faith cracks under the weight of broken trust or chronic illness. Or faith can be crushed by grief and loss. While age is not immunity to faith-shifting experiences, our eldest elders have a thing or two to teach us.

Our Care Team of pastors and staff have been making calls to people to find out how they’re doing. It’s been inspiring to hear our oldest folks talk about today’s challenges in the context of other challenges they’ve faced in their lifetimes. In the same breath, their faith frames these challenges and sustains them through it. Resilient faith isn’t universal for everyone of a certain age. Many of us regularly shift between anxiety and the peace of Jesus. But our eldest elders offer us important perspective from their vantage point of a long life. Their faith, like life, isn’t static. Faith flexes, bends, breaks, and resurrects.

Take heart and be of good courage if you’re in any one of these places of faith. Jesus meets us in all of them with relentless grace born of cross, tomb, and resurrection.

Peace, Pastor Caitlin

PastorsGuide me ever, great Redeemer, pilgrim through this barren land.I am weak, but you are mighty; hold me with your powerful hand.

–Hymn 618, Evangelical Lutheran Worship

As I write this just after Easter, there is so much we don’t know. How long will the stay-at-home order last? When can we worship again? When can we see family and friends again? Is social distancing just part of our new normal?

We are on a long journey together, with no end yet in

sight. As a faith community we have had to discover new ways to worship together, to care for one another, and to be present with one another. I am thankful for the ways that technology has made much of that possible, and yet it’s not quite the same, is it? I miss singing and praying and laughing together in the same physical space. I am guessing that there are any number of things, people, and activities that you are also missing.

That loss is a grief experience for us, no doubt about it, and there should be no shame in that feeling. Even when some things go back to what was ‘normal,’ there will still be a long journey ahead of us. As we navigate the future, there will be fits and starts, good days and bad days. We will need time and space for healing—for the physical stress as well as the emotional and spiritual pain we’ve experienced. We will have to let go of some of what was in order to live into what is.

Our Augustana faith community is uniquely prepared to care for and support each other in the days ahead. The staff will continue to accompany you on this journey, and you all will continue to pray for, listen to, and help one another. And, of course, as followers of Christ, we trust that we aren’t walking this road alone. We have one another and we also have the presence of Jesus, who promises “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). Together we will see this through.

In Christ,Pastor Ann

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Worship

Online Worship KudosAugustana’s AVE quartet continues offering their gift of sacred music for online worship. We are grateful for their determination across the logistics of social distancing and technology. Thank you, Leslie, Blake, Paul, and Emily!

Ken Rinehart co-produced past Augustana videos. His skills, gifts, and knowledge of Augustana are appreciated now more than ever in recording and producing our online worship. Thank you, Ken!

Augustana continues to offer online worship at 9 a.m. every Sunday, on Augustana’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/augustanadenver/) and on our website (www.augustanadenver.org). Through that page you can also download sermons, mini-bulletins, children’s bulletins and view archived video sermons.

Or we’ll mail them to you.Request US Postal Service-delivered copies of a mini bulletin and Augustana sermons by calling Augustana’s office (303-388-4678).

Feedback for Easter and Holy CommunionLet us know about your experience with Holy Communion at Easter. We’ve received a few photos and

Continuing to worship, grow and go during shelter-in-place

emails, and we’re interested to hear from more of you. Tell us about your choice to commune or not. If you did commune, share what that experience was like. Our plan is simply to hear what you have to say. Email the pastors at hultquist@augustanadenver.org and pastor.caitlin.trussell@gmail.com. We can also set up a time to talk with you if that works better for you. Thanks!

Grow

We Are One at 1:00Visit Augustana’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/augustanadenver/) at 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays for a live devotion presented by an Augustana staff member. These will also be available to view later on our Facebook page and on our website (www.augustanadenver.org).

Weekly Coffee “Hour” at 8:30 a.m.Sunday mornings, 8:30 a.m. via Zoom

Bring your coffee, let’s connect and catch up! Julie MacDougall will be your host!

Julie MacDougall, Paul Blanchard, and Pastor Caitlin did an Easter Sunday test-run. Paul plans to ring Augustana’s tower bells at 8:55 a.m. to conclude coffee time so we can join online worship at 9 a.m. We’re looking forward to seeing you over coffee! Remember you can join the fun by laptop/tablet OR by phone.

Watch for the Zoom invitation and link through the weekly e-Pistle, or call 1-669-900-9128 to join by telephone. The meeting ID is 620 686 615; the password is 381713.

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Sunday Adult Forum online or by phone!Sundays, 9:30–10:30 a.m., Zoom

The pastors will facilitate conversations via Zoom about the Bible readings for worship on their preaching Sundays.

Zoom is a private, online meeting format that you can either use via your laptop or tablet OR you can call in by telephone. Access the Zoom link/phone number, through the weekly e-Pistle.

Listen to Dial-a-Care, a daily 3-minute devotion recorded by Augustana staff and lay people. Call 303-996-2733.

Stay informedSign up for the weekly Augustana e-Pistle and receive prayer requests, announcements, opportunities to worship, grow and go, and the latest on how to stay connected during this shelter-in-place time. To sign up, visit www.augustanadenver.org, and click on the envelope icon on the right side of the page.

Offerings/TithesWe want to encourage you to remember that Augustana’s ministries will need your continued financial support now more than ever. You can always mail your offering

to the church, make an online donation on our website (www.augustanadenver.org), or send a text message to 303-653-9592. Your first text message needs to include a dollar sign $ and an amount. Then just follow the prompts to complete your gift.

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Thank you for joining ELCA World Hunger this Lent. As we journeyed with Christ toward the cross, we reflected on what it means to hope—in the resurrection and in the work God continues today and calls us into.

As we now celebrate the Easter season together, we can continue to walk together in hope: hope for safety and stability, justice, livelihood, the renewal of the earth and much more.

Even as the coronavirus pandemic continues, even as illness, financial loss, isolation and hunger continue to confront our communities, God is at work in, through and among us and our neighbors, breathing new life just when we think all is lost. Here are a few final quotations from our companions and partners around the world to inspire you as you reflect on the question “What is your hope?”

“I hope that my community will find its feet again.”“I hope for peace, love and prosperity for the people.”“I hope there would be more love and more joy in the world today, because God loves us all.”“I hope that society realizes that no one is past all hope.”

Thank you for supporting ELCA World Hunger this Lent. Thank you for working in hope toward a just world where all are fed.

Thank you, Augustana, for your ELCA World Hunger gifts totaling $3,164.36 in the first quarter of 2020!

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Congregation CouncilHope springs forth!Happy spring! I love spring for all the little flowers that start to peek out of the ground and bring a sense of hope and growth! This spring is different, but still there is hope.

Since I have been hunkering down, I notice more people have really taken a pause and been able to open up to appreciate the little things in life. People are more kind to one another and appreciate those that are working and putting themselves at risk for us. Businesses are finding ways to help our fellow humans in new and different ways. It is heartwarming in these uncertain times.

In my gratitude journal, I wrote about my appreciation for the staff at Augustana as they had to embrace change to ensure we are still supported in our faith journey during this challenging time! I appreciate the online worships and “We Are One at 1:00” and AVE for keeping us in touch with our faith home. I am so proud of Augustana worshipers for your continued support for

Health MinistryIf you are an interested gardener, you can join us in our community garden (located in the southwest corner of Augustana’s grounds). Families, couples or individuals can sign up to plant and maintain a half or full plot or just help other gardeners with their plots. If you’re interested or would like a tour of our garden, contact Joyce Thomson (djthomson66@gmail.com.)

A garden feeds more than the table—it feeds the soul.

Nursing Notes from Sue Ann#anxiety#mentalhealth#manage#reachoutBe watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.

1 Corinthians 16:13

May is Mental Health Month, which was created over 50 years ago to raise awareness about mental health conditions and the importance of mental wellness for all by Mental Health America (www.mhanational.org).

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers wonderful resources for managing anxiety and mental health during this particularly challenging time of pandemic.

The NAMI Helpline listed below has prepared an in-depth guide with tips and resources for people who are experiencing anxiety, loneliness and other hardships due to the spread of the Coronavirus. You can share it with anyone who might be struggling or have questions about managing a mental health condition during this time. Additional information and updates at nami.org/covid-19.

If you feel in need of support and help, don’t hesitate to reach out to your pastors, faith community nurse, family, and friends or the NAMI HelpLine, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. (EDT), at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or info@nami.org. If you or a loved one is in crisis, you can text “NAMI” to 741741.

Stay well this day, pray, and keep washing your hands and wearing your face masks.

Sue Ann, your FCN

Augustana Community Garden update: Spring is here! Augustana gardeners are preparing their plots in our community garden for planting soon. Spring flowers are already blooming in the garden. Our community garden has nine 12-foot by 16-foot plots. Produce from our garden is provided to the SAME Café (So All May Eat, www.soallmayeat.org) and also shared with members and friends of our congregation.

If you are an interested gardener you can join us in our community garden (located in the southwest corner of our property). Families, couples or individuals can sign up to plant and maintain a half plot, a full plot, or just help other gardeners with their plots. If you are interested or would like a tour of our garden, contact Joyce Thomson (djthomson66@gmail.com).

A garden feeds more than the table—it feeds the soul.

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Online auction supports Augustana ArtsAugustana Arts is grateful for your continued support and enthusiasm for the arts during these challenging and uncertain times. While we will certainly miss seeing everyone at our spring concerts with Stratus Chamber Orchestra and the Colorado Women’s Chorale as well as the year-end City Strings recital, we can’t wait to present a new and exciting season of music in 2020–21 that is sure to intrigue and delight our audiences, young and old.

Indeed, we also were disappointed that we could not host our annual Heart for the Arts Gala, our one-and-only signature fund-raising event for the year, but the good news is we are still planning to host the “Shop, Click, Score for the Arts” Virtual Online Auction to support Augustana Arts, May 7–11 on our website. Look for more details in the weeks ahead for your chance to show your support for Augustana Arts, find some great silent auction deals, and give from your heart in support of the arts.

In the meantime, be sure to keep music alive in your homes and offices, because as theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said, “Music . . . will help dissolve your perplexities and purify your character and sensibilities, and in time of care and sorrow, will keep a fountain of joy alive in you.” May you feel that joyful sense of inner wellbeing and peace in the weeks ahead!

the vital work that continues here even when we are not in the building.

I look forward to seeing the church full of all of you when it is time. Everyone will need to determine when it is right to return to in person worshiping, but we can’t wait to see you!! Continue to pray for our church, our worshipers, and the world to find a common enemy and fight the pandemic together! We need each other’s ingenuity!

Lisa Boe-Sims,Congregation President

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Participate in these online calendar events through Augustana’s Facebook page (facebook.com/augustanadenver), on our website (www.augustanadenver.org), or through a Zoom link in the weekly e-Pistle.

Fourth Sunday of Easter, May 3 8:30 a.m. Coffee Hour 9 a.m. Worship 9:30 a.m. Adult Forum

Tuesday, May 5 1 p.m. We Are One at 1:00

Thursday, May 7 1 p.m. We Are One at 1:00

Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 10, Mother’s Day 8:30 a.m. Coffee Hour 9 a.m. Worship 9:30 a.m. Adult Forum

Tuesday, May 12 1 p.m. We Are One at 1:00

Thursday, May 14 1 p.m. We Are One at 1:00

Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 17

Seventh Sunday of Easter, May 24

Day of Pentecost, May 31

Watch Augustana’s website, e-Pistle, and mailed publications for additional online or in person scheduling in May.

5000 E. Alameda Ave.Denver, CO 80246 Non-Profi t Org.

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1 EJ Amrhein

2 Darryl FarringtonLynne HansonWilliam MahoneyDaniel MorganWalker SchmidtDJ Zerr

3 Kari DegernessCharlotte MitchellLee Reinhart

4 Yuki Trautmann

5 Kari BlanchardMarcus LandbergJohn RichardsonAndrew Woodward

6 Colleen PorterfieldFred Scott

7 Morgan LevyAnnie NessaJudith PetersKaren Rhea

8 Sofia ArnoldGreg HempelmanEric MacDougall

9 Abigail BeswickJosephine Cockrell

10 Cassidy EwellShirley Swedeen

11 Carol Garrington

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13 Connie TrippDrew Wolfe

14 Trevor Boodt

15 Karen AarestadJoan LeeDavid Peters

16 Evie GarringtonLarry JordahlMarti NeumannKay Price

17 Kim KoubaCarly MillerMonica NedlerLinda Sanders

18 Karen KahCausha Withey

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20 Brooks BerguinChase Cowne

21 Renee BernhardBonnie ConnorsMaggie FriesenJudy LarsonUlla-Majken LuggAlan MorastRachel Uyemura

22 Rylin FisherGavin GranberyMendy MotesDiane Wichert

23 Jean DuncanElise EarhartMackenzie FleschJean Garvey

24 Melanie BackesTed KoubaTristan SchraderRonald Stember

25 Linda PihlakEarl Pilloud

26 Paul Whitehurst

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28 Karen BassfordTimothy EdstromSeta Olson

29 Jayme HowardKaren Johnson

30 Margaret EllerbruchChristelle Menth

31 Wyatt Lager

If your name should have been on this list but wasn’t, please call Augustana’s office (303-388-4678).