We’re beginning our Fall series this week titled “Witnesses,” looking at the book of Acts and exploring together what it means for us to be witnesses to Jesus today. This week, we’ll be in Acts 1, where we’ll see Jesus’s ascension, the early apostolic ministry, and the focus of this book. We also have Scripture journals for this series, so come early on Sunday to grab one!

Please click HERE to submit prayer requests. 

Our prayer team will begin weekly online meetings on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 - 8:00 PM, beginning September 16. Use this link to join the meeting:
https://meet.google.com/rxy-musb-yeg?authuser=2

You can give regularly by placing a check in the offering boxes at the back of the Auditorium, going to the South Suburban website and setting up a regular gift, or clicking on the GIVE button below. Please pray about how you can give regularly to support the great staff and many ministries God has given to us. Remember, all contributions are considered gifts and the church may use them to fulfill the continuing needs of ministry as they arise.

ONLINE GIVING:  Set up a one-time or recurring donation using the button below. 

Click the button below to see an overview of our budgeted income and expenses compared to our current actuals. If you ever have questions about the finances at church please reach out to any of the Elders. 

The current financial overview reflects numbers for July 2026, the month of our fiscal year. We apologize for the delay in getting this update there were a few things that needed adjusting in the report before we could post. 

Given from Donor: $250,000
Given From Congregation: $222,051
Final Amount Given: $472,051
Goal: $500,000

Thank you for your generosity in giving to the mortgage match fund! We paid $422,821 towards our loan in May to reamortize the loan and adjust our monthly payments reducing them by $8,000 per month. The remaining amount that was given will be applied to the principal of the loan to reduce the loan term. We can see God's provision through your generosity and trust that He will continue to provide all that we need to accomplish all that He has called us to do.

Join us as we focus on praying for Lauren Ellis this month. Click HERE to see the prayer requests.

Most recent figures show that 26% of Minnesota households with children are food insecure (Second Harvest Heartland). Our donations can help families in need eat well to start strong this new school year. Items that we give are delivered to Apple Valley’s largest food shelf, located at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church.

September’s Most Wanted: 

• Healthy Fruit Cups
• Flavored Oatmeal
• Healthy Breakfast Cereal
• Granola Bars
• Shelf-stable Milk
• Nut Butters (28 oz. or less)
• Dried Fruit Snacks
• Crackers

Other household and food items are also useful and appreciated. Items that are useful for your family will also be helpful for our neighbors in need. Healthy options are welcome!
Thank you for remembering that donations must be nonperishable store-bought items, unopened, with current dates. Please drop off at our collection shelves in the Atrium. Paper Grocery Bags with handles and in good condition are also helpful and appreciated.

Are you in need of food? Please find more information at our collection shelves in the Atrium.
Want to Volunteer? Click HERE for current volunteer opportunities.

Click HERE to read the September/October Kids Ministry Highlights.

To better serve your family and support your kids this year, we have streamlined information into one easy registration form for ANY child participating in the Kids Ministry. This covers the 9 AM Equip Class, 10:30 AM Children’s Church, and Wednesday Brite Night. If you’re not sure about Wednesday Brite Night, that’s ok! You can join anytime during the year. You can complete the form for ANY child participating in Kids Ministry by clicking the button below.

We will be taking a look at various apologetics debates to gain a clearer understanding of how the Christian faith stands up to current issues as well as age-old questions. We hope you will join us beginning September 13 at 9 AM!

As we jump into the start of Fall ministries, our Wednesday Youth Group gatherings are starting next week on September 16.
Our first night back will include outdoor games, a BBQ meal, raffle prizes, and a time of prayer as we step into a new school year together. We hope to see you there from 6:30- 8:00 PM if you're a middle or high school student!

A GriefShare group will begin meeting at South Suburban on Wednesday, September 16 at 6:30 PM. Click HERE to watch a video about the class. Share with a friend you think might find this group helpful. Click the button below to register.

Our Equipping classes will be kicking off this Sunday, September 13 at 9 AM. We hope you will join us for one of the classes offered:

Parenting: This 6-week class will provide parents with tools and guidance in how to grow as a disciple of Jesus in this season of life and how to better disciple our children to help them take one step closer to Jesus. This class will meet in the Fellowship Hall.

1 & 2 Kings: This study will examine God’s enduring faithfulness to his covenant people despite external attacks and internal unfaithfulness and corruption. This class will meet in Room 255.

ENCORE is designed to encourage and inspire senior adults (ages 55+) to be actively engaged in their local churches and beyond. Enjoy the beautiful camp setting for our annual fall retreat with others. Join us for a variety of activities (pontoon ride, high ropes course, nature tour, crafts,  wagon ride), delightful music, and an uplifting speaker. Enjoy fellowship with old friends and make new ones. Click HERE for more information or to register.

Join other men from South Suburban diving into the stories and lessons of men in the Bible.  We will study 8 men over the course of the study looking at their work, legacy, triumphs/sorrows, and our response to understanding their story.
Contact Scott Peterson or Phil Emery with any questions (mensministry@ssefc.org).

Tuesday evenings 6:30 - 8:00 PM; September 22 - November 17. Register using the button below.

We will be diving into the classic book, Ordering Your Private World by Gordon MacDonald, which explores how to better order our inner lives according to Bible principles, in order to be more faithful and effective in our everyday roles and responsibilities. Contact Phil Emery with any questions (phile@ssefc.org).

Wednesday Mornings 6:30 - 7:30 AM; September 23 - December 16 (Every other week, 7 Weeks). Register using the button below.

Men - We plan on meeting for prayer on the 3rd Saturday of each month from 8:00 - 9:00 AM, on the following dates:
September 19
October 17
November 21
December 19
We will be meeting in Room 257 (staff conference room).
Please mark your calendars and join us as we lift up our prayers and petitions to the Lord.

1 Corinthians - The Grace Changed Church by Andrew Wilson
Come explore 1 Corinthians with us as we look at Paul's message to a divided church influenced by its culture. We will discover how the cross of Jesus Christ calls us back to unity, holiness, and love, and see how God's grace should guide every part of our church today. 

There will be a morning and evening option offered, both covering the same study. 

• Tuesday Mornings (please note day change):  9:30-11 AM; September 22 - November 17  
• Thursday Evenings:  6:30- 8 PM; September 17 - November 12

Use the buttons below to register. Friday, September 11 is the last day to register!

Ladies, enjoy food and friends – old and new – when we gather together in small groups for a meal and fellowship in various homes on Friday, September 25 at 6 PM.
After signing up, you will randomly be placed in a group. A host will contact you about bringing something to share for the meal. Register using the button below.

Are you interested in taking the next step in your faith through baptism? Baptism is the public marker of your faith in Jesus Christ, and one of the first steps in declaring your allegiance to Him as Lord of your life. If you haven't yet taken this step, we would love to baptize you on Sunday, September 20. If you're interested in participating in this, please reach out to anyone on staff.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 24, 3-7 PM. We're bringing back the favorites!!
Join us for the chili cook-off, giant bouncy houses and more! We'd love you to invite your friends and neighbors. Invite cards will be available soon.
Watch for more details.

COMING UP:
Men's Golf Event- September 12
Equip Classes begin- September 13
Grief Share begins- September 16
Youth Kick Off Party- September 16
Women's Bible Study- September 17/22
Men's Prayer Meeting- September 19
Men's Bible Study- September 22
Brite Family Welcome Night- September 23
Men's Book Study- September 23
Women's Simply Supper- September 25
For more information, click the button below for a shortcut to South Suburban's calendar of events located on the website (ssefc.org/events).

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 9 AM - 3 PM
Wednesday: 9 AM - 12 PM
The office is closed on Fridays.

Lead Pastor - Mike Strand (mikes@ssefc.org)
Associate Pastor - Micah Anderson (micaha@ssefc.org)
Adult Ministries Director - Phil Emery (phile@ssefc.org)
Facility - Eric Zaske (facilities@ssefc.org)
Kids & Family Ministries Director - Erin Rivenburg (erinr@ssefc.org)
Kids Ministries Associate - Kimberly Hall
Music & Women's Ministries Director - Tami Peterson (tami@ssefc.org)
Office Manager - Heather Nelson (heather@ssefc.org)
Database Admin - Deb Veer 
Youth Ministries Director - Molly Auger (molly@ssefc.org)
Youth Ministries Associate - Katie VanBockel

Please email Friday News Flash items to communication@ssefc.org by end of day on Wednesday.