The Orchard—“The Ten Commandments”

Dr. Steve Paulson, Luther Seminary Professor of Systematic Theology, as he returns for his third series at Normandale.

February 5
February 12
February 19
February 26
March 4

Dr. Paulson asks: “What does God want? What is owed to him? The first thing any Christian learns is the Ten Commandments. Our teaching manual for the Christian life, Luther's Small Catechism, begins with this, and so nothing is more important to be clear about than what God wills for our lives.

The very first thing we need to learn in life is how to get along with our parents, and not long after we learn how to get along with our Creator. Without these our lives get messed up and full of trouble. Teaching us these things was so important, God sent Moses to give these commandments on tablets of stone!

But it is also true that nothing is more full of trouble than these ten words. Sometimes we read them with joy and anticipation, but usually we find them troubling, a burden, and wonder how we measure up, or why God would make a world like he has made with parents who need to be honored, neighbors who need to be treated well even when they do not treat us well, and a God who is owed all our worship leaving nothing else to anyone or anything else in life.

So we will dwell in these words of Moses to learn God's will for our lives, and also learn what God does with sinners who either do not do what the commandments say, or do them and find that they are pleasing to God not because of these commandments, but because of something quite extraordinarily different—simple faith in Christ.”

The Orchard—“Faith Bearing Fruit”

A Sunday Morning Bible Study with a fresh approach to adult education and spiritual development.

• Meets in large-group sessions in Fellowship Hall from 9:45 to 10:45 am with Luther Seminary professors who are outstanding Bible teachers. Join us for refreshments and take a bite out of education!
• Small-group communities, formed in the fall, seek to engage the topics through reflection and discussion at other times in the week.
• Sundays: 9:45–10:45 am / Fellowship Hall (fellowship begins immediately following 8:30 am worship)

From Generation to Generation: The Legacy of Faith in the Scriptures

November 27– Intergenerational Life In the Scriptures, Part 1
December 4 - Intergenerational Life In the Scriptures, Part 2

Pastor Paul Pettersen

In this two-week series we will look at the ways that faith is handed from one generation to the next. We will engage all ages in the learning, drawing together our elders, middlers, youth and children. What happened in the prodigal son when his father threw his arms around him and kissed him? As Isaac laid his hands on Jacob, what did the Holy Spirit convey? In the spoken and the unspoken, in the touches of grace…faith happens!”

Contact: Sue Schultz, Orchard Administrator sueschultz@mchsi.com 952-843-8001

Click here to go to archived presentations.

The Orchard leads participants toward:

• Growth in knowledge of the Bible and Lutheran teaching
• Nourishing of habits of personal Bible reading, prayer, and meditation
• Awareness of the power of Scripture to enter, shape, and transform their lives
• Motivation to reach out to serve others whom God loves

Dr. Dan Simundson,
Orchard Project Director, Professor Emeritus of Old Testament, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN

The Purpose of the Orchard is “to promote and facilitate the spiritual formation of participants through a comprehensive continuing study of God’s Word and key Lutheran Confessions and their application to daily life.”

The need for regularity in Bible study was clearly articulated by Martin Luther.

“See the order of treating God’s Word.
First, it is to be pondered in the heart.
Secondly, impressed faithfully and constantly on children by word of mouth.
Thirdly, discussed openly and everywhere.
Fourthly, written on the hand and before the eye.
He wants these words to meet us everywhere and be in our memories.”

Martin Luther Luther’s Works: Volume 9

Participate in The Orchard

• Come to the Lecture in Fellowship Hall at 9:45
  Fellowship begins after the 8:30am worship
  Coffee and light pastries served
  Pick up an outline and discussion questions
  Listen and ask questions
• Read the Transcript of Sunday’s Lecture, tapes and hard copies available
• Review Lecture
  Join an established small group
  Form your own group
  Review on your own

Small Groups in The Orchard

Join an Established Small Group
Wednesdays from 1:00 to 3:00 pm

Form Your Own Small Group
“Whenever two or three are gathered together…”
Great time for a small group: during the Community Meal on Wednesday nights (5:00 to 6:15 in Fellowship Hall)
Meet at Church or at another site
Email Sue if you need help setting up a small group: sueschultz@mchsi.com

Join your Normandale friends immediately after 8:30 worship for morning treats and coffee in Fellowship Hall before the lecture begins. You will find an outline and discussion questions for the morning lecture on your chair.

Consider joining the Wednesday afternoon discussion group to extend the conversation; deepen your understanding of the Sunday biblical teaching. Join this group or form your own group.

The Orchard Task Force - Kate & Eldon Arden, Patty Lindell, Pastor Paul Petersen, Bob Rydell, Dr. Dan Simundson and Orchard Administrative Assistant, Sue Schultz