Life Events
Walking with you through every season of life.
Christian life is a journey and along the way there are certain milestones and markers which show where we are in our pilgrimage with Christ. Some of these times are times of joy, others are of sorrow and others are the times in between like when we are ill. Sometimes they are big and momentous like a baptism, wedding, or a funeral.
Baptisms are central to who we are as Lutherans
Baptisms are typically held on the 2nd of the month at 9:00 AM and 4th Sunday at the 10:30 AM service. Please provide two weeks prior notice when possible.
If you or a loved one is considering baptism, please contact Kathie Radcliffe or complete the Baptismal Registration Form. St. Andrew pastors are eager to celebrate this occasion with you and may reach out to you to talk about the baptism over the phone or set up a visit if that would be helpful.
We look forward to sharing with you the blessings of baptism and hearing from you with any questions you might have.
Weddings
Our congregation is committed to helping couples prepare for both their wedding service and marriage. Wedding ceremonies are worship services, and our pastors are happy to assist you in preparation for your wedding.
Our congregation is delighted to offer our congregation members the beautiful St. Andrew Sanctuary for weddings, and our pastors also officiate weddings off-site. Regardless of location, our pastors, musicians, and other members of our faith community will assist you in preparation for this event.
Contact: Kathie Radcliffe
Wedding Request Form
Funerals
Contact: Please call the church office at 952.937.2776. If it is outside of normal office hours the phone message will give you an emergency contact number.
St. Andrew Prayer Garden and Columbarium
The St. Andrew Memorial Prayer Garden is prepared for interring the cremains of church members and loved ones in a place kept sacred for the remembering of those who have died. The Memorial Prayer Garden proclaims our Church’s mission to be a caring community of saints who have gone before and those who grieve their death and bear witness to the gift of eternal life.
Contact: Kathie Radcliffe
The St. Andrew Memorial Prayer Garden is prepared for interring the remains of church members and loved ones in a place kept sacred for the remembering of those who have died by those who remain. The Memorial Prayer Garden proclaims our church’s mission to be a caring community of saints who have gone before and those who grieve their death and bear witness to the gift of eternal life.
About Our Memorial Prayer Garden:
Our Memorial Prayer Garden includes:
- A Columbarium—a beautifully constructed brick and stone wall of “niches” in which ashes or cremation remains are placed in urns, and on which names and years of birth and death are inscribed on the face of the granite wall
- A Memorial Wall—a limestone base with a wall of granite for inscribing names and years of birth and death of loved ones
- A Scattering Site—an area designated within the garden where cremation remains may be scattered
The Memorial Prayer Garden is located on the east side of the sanctuary. Funeral processions may carry ashes from the church to the prayer garden where they are placed or scattered as a part of the funeral service or as a part of a brief ceremony led by a pastor at a later date.
Families, friends and members of our congregation can view the garden from the chapel. They can also walk down to the patio area of the garden through the chapel, sanctuary doors, or following the handicapped accessible walkway.
All funds received are placed in a fund designated for our Memorial Prayer Garden and are used for the ongoing operation and maintenance of this beautiful garden. Interment and inscription agreements will be prepared upon receipt of reservations and payment in full.
History
Our Memorial Prayer Garden with the Columbarium and Memorial Wall was requested by several members of St. Andrew, including some whose loved one’s ashes were already scattered in the area. Construction was completed in the Easter season 2008 and dedicated during worship on Memorial Day 2008. Memorial gifts continue to be given for developing and landscaping the garden.
Anyone considering such a gift are invited to contact Pastor Peter Johnson at 952.697.7113 or pastorpeter@standrewlu.org.
Policies for oversight, maintenance and care of the garden were set in place by the Congregation Council and copies are available upon request.
Who is Eligible?
Members of St. Andrew Lutheran Church, spouses or prior spouses, their children and parents, current or former pastors, and prior members are eligible to purchase a niche or have names engraved on The Memorial Wall.
Reservation and Purchase for St. Andrew Lutheran Church Memorial Prayer Garden
Reservations of Niche in the Columbarium
Single Niche.................................... $1,000
Double Niche.................................. $1,500
Urn (due at interment)....................... $150
Inscription (due at interment)............ $200
Reservation on Memorial Wall/Scattering
Inscription on Wall............................ $200
Scattering........................................... $100
Return with Payment to:
St. Andrew Lutheran Memorial Garden
13600 Technology Drive | Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Funeral Reception Team
Age Range: Adults and Teens
Days/Times: Members of the Funeral Reception Team are notified via Sign Up Genius about the needs for the event. Needs of the funeral reception include but are not limited to donating food or helping with the reception. Reception day volunteers typically sign up for a 1½ hour time slot as their schedule allows. Most reception needs occur on weekdays between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM (occasionally weeknights or weekends). Frequency varies. You can help when you are available.
Description: If you are a person who enjoys supporting people during difficult times, we invite you to become part of the Funeral Reception Team. Members of the team provide food or time to the funeral reception following a funeral.
Provide homemade goods or donate purchased food items as requested. Help with setting the dining tables, serving family and guests, or cleaning up following a funeral reception. All needs are specified within the SignUpGenius notification. No experience is necessary. This is a rewarding ministry and a wonderful way to meet new people in the congregation. Please join us!
Contact:
- Kelly Anderson at kellyanderson1960@gmail.com
- Nancy Clemens at ntclemens@live.com
- Diane Schimelpfenig at dsschimelpfenig@gmail.com
- Janet Riley at bronco5204@mac.com
- Kathy Olson at kathyolson39@hotmail.com
- Karen Willyard at karen55346@yahoo.com
Take the Next Step
However you’re showing up today—thankful, hurting, or somewhere in between—know that you matter to God, and to us.