PARTY TIME! As we get ready to celebrate Independence Day, many of us are looking for fun, family-friendly ways to enjoy the weekend. Whether you're planning to stay close to home or venture out a bit, we’ve gathered a list of local fireworks displays happening all across the Anoka County and Twin Cities North Metro area. This weekend, as we enjoy the freedom we have as a nation, it's also a great time to pause and give thanks for the deeper freedom we’ve been given in Christ. Galatians 5:1 reminds us, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” May your celebrations be full of joy, gratitude, and good company. Check out the list below, and enjoy a safe and meaningful 4th of July weekend! 🎆 Thursday, July 3 Anoka – Castle Field (600 Castle Field Blvd/7th Ave.): 27th annual show, fireworks at 10 pm. anokaareachamber.com+12anokaminnesota.com+12anokaminnesota.com+12 Ham Lake – Lions Park (1220 157th Ave NE): Festival culminating with fireworks at 10 pm. familyfuntwincities.com Columbia Heights – Huset Park: Fireworks at dusk (~10 pm). familyfuntwincities.com 🎆 Friday, July 4 Coon Rapids – Ice Center grounds & Anoka‑Ramsey CC: Full celebration (parade, carnival & 10 pm fireworks). anokaminnesota.com+10coonrapidsmn.gov+10kstp.com+10 Blaine – National Sports Center: Free fireworks at 10 pm; rain date July 5. axios.com+2tcgateway.com+2familyfuntwincities.com+2 Elk River – Oak Knoll Athletic Complex area: Show starts at 10 pm. axios.com Forest Lake – Lakeside Memorial Park: 10 pm fireworks. coonrapidsmn.gov+10axios.com+10familyfuntwincities.com+10 Stillwater – Lowell Park near the Lift Bridge: Dusk show. fox9.com+5axios.com+5kstp.com+5 Shakopee – Mystic Lake Casino: Fireworks at 10 pm. axios.com+1familyfuntwincities.com+1 🎆 Saturday, July 5 (Rain‑date fallback) Should Blaine need it, fireworks may occur tonight. tcgateway.com+1familyfuntwincities.com+1 🎆 Sunday, July 6 Delano – Central Park (650 River St N): Fireworks at 10:30 pm. familyfuntwincities.com Hudson, WI (just across the river, still easy to reach) – Lakefront Park: Dusk fireworks. axios.com Don't forget to make Northgate a destination this weekend too! We're exploring an incredible story from scripture, and it's all about the importance of community to your story. Saturday at 5pm and Sunday and 9 + 11am. Catch you between the fireworks and the fellowship!
It’s summer! The days are longer, the grills are fired up, and calendars are sprinkled with road trips, weddings, beach days, and family reunions. After a long winter (and a chaotic spring), we all need a little rest. But here’s a gentle reminder: while you might take a break from your routine, don’t take a break from your faith. Vacations are great for the soul, but so is staying connected to the One who made your soul. Faith isn’t a To-Do List, but it should also never be “Out of Office.” When life slows down, it’s tempting to press pause on spiritual habits: church attendance, devotional time, small groups, even prayer. But God doesn’t need you to perform for Him—He just wants to stay close. Whether you’re watching the sunset at the lake, standing in line at Disney, or sitting on your front porch with a cold lemonade— God is already there. 3 Easy Ways to Keep Your Faith in Gear This Summer You don’t have to do anything complicated to stay spiritually grounded while you're on the go. Here are a few simple ideas: 1. Make Worship Part of the Road Trip Create a playlist of worship songs or podcasts and press play between destinations. Turn the car into a moving sanctuary. Northgate Live Streams every service and has a huge archive of music and messages, too! 2. Bring Scripture with You (Digitally or Old-School) Download a Bible app, pack a pocket devotional, or screenshot a verse each week. The goal isn’t to be impressive, it’s to stay connected. 3. Use Nature as a Reminder The lakes, the trees, even your neighbor’s backyard flowers—creation speaks! Let the beauty around you nudge you to say thanks and talk to the creator. God Doesn’t Clock Out. One of the best parts about our relationship with Jesus is that it’s not confined to a location, schedule, or season. He doesn’t need you to be “at home” with your regular routine to be present in your activities. He’s walking with you through every vacation photo, every quiet moment, and every family memory you’re making. So go ahead— rest, relax, recharge. Just don’t forget to bring Jesus with you.
“For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.” As we come to the final line of the Lord’s Prayer on this Palm Sunday , we are reminded that Jesus didn’t enter Jerusalem with the might of a warrior, but with the humility of a servant. The crowds shouted “Hosanna!” expecting a political revolution, but Jesus came to establish a far greater kingdom—one that would rule hearts, not just nations. This final phrase of the Lord’s Prayer isn’t just a cap on a beautiful prayer, or simply a sentiment of respect. It’s a declaration of trust: God is sovereign. The kingdom belongs to Him. The power is His. The glory is His—forever. Even now, Jesus reigns. And though we live in the tension of the “already, but not yet,” we can be certain: God is completing what He began. As citizens of His kingdom, we’re called to reflect His rule—marked by peace, justice, grace, and truth. C.S. Lewis said it well: “There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal… It is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit.” We live in light of eternity, under the rule of an eternal King. So as we wave our palm branches and lift our prayers this weekend, let’s do it with full confidence that Jesus is King, and He is worthy of our trust. Reflection Questions: What does Palm Sunday reveal to you about the kind of King Jesus is? How can you reflect His kingdom, His power, and His glory in your own life this week? Amen. Let it be so.
