Rooted in Bloomington Since 1955
On a quiet stretch of East Old Shakopee Road in Bloomington, Minnesota, Redemption Lutheran Church has gathered as a congregation of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod since 1955. In the seven decades since its founding, the church has grown up alongside the surrounding community, made up of many original members and their continued generations of children, alongside newcomers drawn to the warm, family feel of the congregation. Pastor Joshua Parrish describes that fellowship plainly: "We are a community of broken people, for broken people, discovering together how God has a purpose for our lives."
The mission that hangs over the church's life is short and direct: "We nurture followers of Jesus, to share His love as a source of healing and refuge for all." Anchored to the Great Commission of Matthew 28, it points the congregation outward as much as inward, and shapes everything from Sunday worship to a Blessing Bag packed for a stranger on the road.
What Sunday Morning Looks Like
Regular worship is held at 9:00 AM on Sunday mornings in the Sanctuary, with Holy Communion offered at every service. The Sunday gathering is offered both in person and online through the church's YouTube archive. On the first and third Sundays of each month, the congregation follows the traditional Lutheran liturgy from the Lutheran Service Book. On the second and fourth Sundays, the service is built around the contemporary Creative Worship liturgy, with modern music and projected elements alongside the historic words. Months with a fifth Sunday are set aside for a special service between the Spring and Fall seasons or a holiday format between Fall and Spring.
Printed bulletins and projected screen elements make it easy to follow along. The pastors' words, the Scripture readings, and the prayers move through a structure that has served Lutheran Christians for generations, even as the musical setting shifts from week to week.
Wednesday Nights Around the Word and the Table
In addition to Sunday morning, Redemption offers a 6:30 PM Wednesday worship service in the Sanctuary. Like the Sunday service, it includes Holy Communion. The Wednesday gathering is held in person only, with one significant exception: there are no Wednesday services during Holy Week or the weeks immediately following Christmas and Easter.
Wednesday evening is also when much of the church's ministry to children and youth gathers. From 4:00 to 6:30 PM, middle school and high school students are invited to Open Gym, where they play games, build friendships, and share a meal that the elementary children join. Praise Club for kids in Kindergarten through fifth grade runs from 4:30 to 5:30 PM in the Sunday School Room, with an hour of singing, Bible lessons, art projects, games, and snacks centered on the parables of Jesus. Confirmation classes for students also meet during the Wednesday evening block.
What to Expect When You Visit
For first-time visitors, Redemption goes out of its way to remove barriers. The dress code runs the gamut from dresses, skirts, and slacks to khakis, jeans, and even shorts. "What is on the inside matters most," the church explains, and visitors are welcomed as they are.
Children are valued in worship. The congregation believes the most important people influencing the faith formation of a child are parents and grandparents, and that one of the key ways children learn about God is by watching their parents worship and imitating them. There is no staffed nursery during worship, but an unstaffed nursery is available for any family that needs a place for children to wiggle, with a television in the room so families can still follow along with the service.
Office hours run Monday through Thursday from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Visitors who would like to talk with the pastor can request a meeting through the church's scheduling link or call the office at (952) 881-0035.
Threefold Summary of the Lutheran Faith
As Lutherans, the congregation takes its name from Martin Luther, the German priest whose writing and teaching sparked the Protestant Reformation in the early 1500s. The teaching of Luther and the other reformers can be summarized in three short phrases that Redemption holds as central:
- Grace Alone: God loves the people of the world, even though we are sinful, rebel against Him, and do not deserve His love.
- Scripture Alone: The Bible is God's inerrant Word, in which He reveals His Law and His Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ.
- Faith Alone: Jesus' suffering and death is the substitute for all people of all time. He purchased and won forgiveness and eternal life for all. Those who hear this Good News and believe it will have the eternal life it offers.
What This Church Believes
The congregation's stated beliefs unfold from those Reformation anchors. Redemption confesses belief in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who makes Himself known through the written Word of the Bible. The church teaches that the chief message of Scripture is that God came to earth in the person of Jesus Christ, true God and true man, who through a sinless life and a holy death on the cross paid the debt of sin so that believers live with God today and forever in heaven. The Lord's presence with His people continues through His Word and the Sacraments, working in the hearts of the redeemed to respond to His love by serving Him and their neighbors.
Around the LCMS cross on the church's logo are four symbols that tell the story of Jesus. A star marks His birth. A fish recalls His earthly ministry and miracles. A butterfly represents His resurrection from death. And a nimbus, the circle of light, points to the glory of His ascension and reigning lordship.
Bible Study and Christian Growth for Every Season of Life
Adult Christian Growth meets every Sunday morning at 10:30 AM in the Sanctuary, where the congregation dives into the great stories of Scripture. Pastor Parrish leads sessions that revisit the powerful accounts of God's love and deliverance, the same stories many first heard in Sunday School, now explored more deeply.
A Monday Morning Bible Study for both men and women meets on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 9:30 AM. Led by Cheryl Bratsch and Pastor Parrish, the group studies books together in a setting that the church describes as a morning of brotherhood and sisterhood, encouragement and support, time in God's Word, and growing together in Jesus. Recent studies have included Acts to Action by William and Lori Utech.
LifeLight, a Christ-centered Bible study that combines daily devotions with rich group discussion, runs on Monday evenings from 6:00 to 7:30 PM, typically in ten-week sessions. Genesis is the current focus, with study books provided free of charge and options to join either in person or online. Participants may begin at any point, even mid-series.
A Women's Bible Study also meets on the second and fourth Mondays at 9:30 AM in the Computer Room, led by Cheryl Bratsch. Foundations of the Faith classes are scheduled as needed with Pastor Parrish.
Children's Ministry: Praise Club, Kingdom Quest, and VBS
Children's ministry at Redemption centers on the conviction that faith is formed in the home and reinforced at church. On Wednesday afternoons, Praise Club invites kids from Kindergarten through fifth grade into an hour of singing, instruments, Bible lessons, art, games, and snacks. The current season's theme walks through the parables, exploring the stories Jesus told and what they teach about God, His Kingdom, and His love. Children are welcome to stay after Praise Club for supper and gym time until 6:00 PM, sliding naturally into the Wednesday evening rhythm.
On Sunday mornings at 10:30 AM, Kingdom Quest gathers children in the Multi-purpose Room, while parents attend the Adult Christian Growth study in the Sanctuary. During the summer, the church hosts a free Vacation Bible School, partnering with Camp Omega Traveling Day Camp for a week of music, games, Bible stories, friendship, and outdoor fun for children from age four through sixth grade. Snacks and lunch are provided each day, and a closing program on Friday invites family and friends.
Youth Ministry: Open Gym, Monthly Activities, and the LCMS Gathering
Youth ministry at Redemption provides opportunities for fellowship, service, and support for students in middle school and high school. Open Gym on Wednesday afternoons from 4:00 to 6:30 PM is the weekly anchor, with various games and activities designed to build relationships, followed by a shared meal that includes the younger children from Praise Club. Monthly youth activities take place year-round, typically on the third Saturday, ranging from adventures to service projects to fellowship events. Students also participate every three years in the LCMS Youth Gathering, joining thousands of youth from around the country for a week of worship and praise.
Confirmation meets on Wednesday evenings and is overseen by Jason Koosmann, the Director of Christian Education. The Sunday morning Youth Christian Growth class, also led by Jason, gathers students at 10:30 AM in the Youth Room. The church treats Confirmation not as graduation from faith but as a meaningful confession: "This is the faith into which I was baptized. I believe it. I confess it. By God's grace, I intend to continue living in it."
Music at Redemption
Music ministry at Redemption is led by Music Director Kathy Henson and offers multiple ways to participate. The Celebration Choir rehearses on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM in the Music Room. The Alleluia Ringers handbell choir rehearses on Mondays at 7:00 PM in the Sanctuary under Naomi Beck's direction. His Own, an ensemble, rehearses on alternating Wednesdays at 7:30 PM. Solo opportunities arise throughout the year for those who would like to sing or play in worship. Each spring, the music ministry mounts a larger musical production that brings together singers, actors, and instrumentalists from across the congregation.
Blessing Bags: A Simple, Year-Round Outreach
One of the most tangible ministries of Redemption is the Blessing Bags program. Blessing Bags are kits packed with essential items, tailored to the season, compact enough to store in a car and hand to anyone in need of resources, encouragement, and love in the name of the Lord. The bags care for both physical wellbeing and personal dignity, offering warmth, nourishment, and a reminder that people are seen, loved, and not forgotten. Inside each one is a note of peace and comfort in the name of Christ.
The congregation gathers for Blessing Bag Packing Parties a few times a year, assembling summer bags, winter bags, and seasonal kits. Anyone interested in donating supplies or helping with packing can contact the church office.
Local Partnerships: VEAP and POBLO
Redemption partners with two major local organizations to extend its care beyond the church building. VEAP, the Twin Cities' largest food pantry, provides access to healthy foods, social services, and financial assistance, taking a holistic approach to building a stronger community. VEAP is the congregation's chosen recipient for donations gathered at the National Night Out event each August, and members regularly volunteer at VEAP.
POBLO, People of the Book Lutheran Outreach, is committed to helping immigrants and refugees meet their individual needs as they build new lives in the United States. POBLO's primary work is through English as a Second Language programs, soccer programs, basic skills classes, and many other opportunities. The church highlights POBLO as a key partner in extending the love of Christ to newcomers in the Twin Cities.
Global Mission: Missionaries Near and Far
Redemption's outreach extends beyond Bloomington. The congregation supports Rev. Carl and Kelsey Grulke, missionaries with Lutheran Bible Translators who have served since 2016 and currently work in Botswana and Ethiopia. Carl serves as Regional Director for Southern Africa and Ethiopia, while Kelsey works as a Scripture Engagement Coordinator among the people of Botswana, using technology, the arts, and other innovative methods to help others understand God's story.
Sarah Parrish, who grew up in the church and is the pastor's daughter, is preparing to serve with Mission of Christ Network in Costa Rica. A student at Concordia St. Paul in the Christian Ministry program, studying to be a Director of Christian Outreach and Education with a minor in Spanish, Sarah has been involved in mission work since her first high school trip to Anapra, Mexico, and has served in Idaho, Michigan, Alaska, and Guatemala. The church supports her prayerfully and financially through her newsletter and prayer card.
Christ in Cinema and Family Game Nights
Two recurring fellowship traditions draw the wider community into the church. Christ in Cinema gathers on Sunday evenings several times a year to watch a film together, then reflect on its themes through a Christian lens. Recent films have included Inside Out, Inside Out 2, Secondhand Lions, The Princess Bride, Home Alone, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and Bonhoeffer. Each evening includes snacks, conversation, and an open invitation to bring a friend.
Family Game Night is the church's monthly Saturday-evening tradition. From 5:00 to 8:00 PM, the church fires up the grill for hotdogs and hamburgers, lays out chips, salad, and brownies, and fills the tables with board games, cards, chess, and cribbage. Seasons and holidays bring themed touches like a Winter Warm-Up in January with chicken wild rice soup and hot cocoa. It is a deliberately simple night of food, laughter, and conversation across generations.
Seasonal Community Events
Throughout the year, Redemption opens its doors and its parking lot to the wider Bloomington community. Oktoberfest, held each fall with partner congregation St. Michael's, features free food, a free first beer, live big band music from The Execs, a bouncy house, and the always-popular minnow races. Trunk or Treat each October fills the parking lot with decorated trunks, candy, and allergy-friendly treats for a safe Halloween alternative. National Night Out in early August brings live music, carnival games, a bouncy house, door prizes, and free food, co-hosted with Martin Luther Senior Living and Care.
At Christmas, the Community Christmas Party fills the building with a petting zoo, live nativity, games, cookies, and cocoa. The Holiday Bazaar earlier in the season offers handmade crafts, holiday decorations, treats, and a special drawing for the Giving Tree. EasterFest, held the Saturday before Palm Sunday, includes an Easter egg hunt, bouncy house, and a live retelling of the Easter story, while Journey to Bethlehem in December brings live animals, biblical characters, food, and fellowship to retell the Nativity in a new and wonderful way. Each summer, Redemption joins St. Michael's, Holy Emmanuel, and Mt. Hope for Worship in the Park, a joint LCMS service at the Normandale Bandshell, with golf carts available to help those who need a ride from the parking lot to the stage.
The Legacy Fund: Investing in Christian Education
The Redemption Legacy Fund traces its roots to the congregation's original Christian day school, which began as a kindergarten and grew into a K-8 school in conjunction with Mount Hope Lutheran Church. Even though the schools have closed, the Legacy Fund lives on, providing scholarships to current members of Redemption and their relatives for pre-K through grade 12 Christian education in the greater Twin Cities area, as well as for attendance at LCMS colleges, universities, and seminaries. Relatives eligible to apply include stepchildren, adopted children, and relatives by marriage.
Women's Ministry, Men, Seniors, and Young Adults
Redemption offers several smaller fellowship groups that meet around shared interests and stages of life. The Women's Ministry, led by Deb Dix, hosts regular gatherings including a Valentine's card-making evening each February. A Young Adult Group meets monthly under the leadership of Johnathon Koosmann. Seniors R Us gathers monthly under Ann Behning's coordination, usually on a Wednesday. A Knitters group meets every Tuesday afternoon at 1:00 PM in the Lounge. The Monday Morning Bible Study provides another avenue for men to gather alongside women around God's Word.
Pastor Joshua Parrish and the Pastoral Team
The pastoral leadership of Redemption centers on Pastor Joshua Parrish, who also writes the popular weekly Pastor's Ponderings blog. The blog includes a long-running Stump the Pastor series answering difficult doctrinal and ethical questions, alongside reflections on the church year, parenting, grief, the reliability of Scripture, the sacraments, and the Christian life. Jason Koosmann serves as Director of Christian Education and Office Manager, overseeing youth ministry, Sunday School, Confirmation, and the church's Christian Growth programs. Kathy Henson directs the music ministry. Cheryl Bratsch leads the Monday Morning Bible Study and Praise Club. Robin Pagel serves as the church bookkeeper.
Missionaries and the Wider LCMS Family
As a member congregation of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Redemption is part of the Minnesota South District. The church maintains active ties to LCMS mission efforts, Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML), Concordia Publishing House, and the church's supported missionaries. Members can follow news of the missionaries through their newsletters and prayer cards, and give directly through the church's giving page.
Giving and Staying Connected
Online giving is available through a secure Vanco portal, with credit, debit, and ACH options for one-time or recurring gifts. Checks may also be mailed to the church office. Subscribers to the church's newsletter receive monthly updates by email, and members of the congregation can request a meeting with the pastor at any time. A regularly updated calendar lists Bible studies, choir rehearsals, fellowship events, family activities, and seasonal celebrations. Worship services, sermon recordings, and additional Christian Growth teaching are all available through the church's YouTube channel.
Pastor's Ponderings: Teaching the Faith for Everyday Life
One of the distinctive features of Redemption's ministry is the depth and accessibility of Pastor Parrish's writing. The Pastor's Ponderings blog treats readers to substantial essays on the trustworthiness of Scripture, the doctrine of the Trinity, the difference between false prophets and the Antichrist, end-times theology, the resurrection of the body, the ascension of Christ, the role of fathers and mothers in passing down the faith, the danger of lukewarm Christianity, the hope of heaven, and many other topics. Recent entries include a powerful reflection on grief, "I'm Tired of Saying Goodbye," and a special Father's Day edition calling fathers to lead their families spiritually. The Stump the Pastor series tackles the hardest questions with patience, pastoral warmth, and careful attention to Scripture.