Bible StudIES & Classes
Bible studies are offered day and night, and open to men and women of all ages and stages of life. Tuesday Morning Bible Study and Young Adults Zoom Bible Study run year-round, with a break the month of August. Other studies follow the school calendar and run September through May.
Rooted in Scripture
MONDAYS, 2pm
Join Pastor Mike Carlson to explore upcoming preaching texts, fostering open and thoughtful conversation, and creating space to wrestle with life’s big questions—together. Details are available HERE.
The Chosen
EVERY OTHER MONDAY, 6pm
Each week we will discuss an episode from Season 1. Pastor Amy will summarize the episode you watched at home that week, and then lead a discussion about what you’ve seen and the Bible stories it portrayed. Details are available HERE.
High School Bible Study
MONDAYS, 6pm
This Monday night Bible study just for High Schoolers will meet weekly, alternating between an independent Bible study and joining Pastor Amy Mihelich Smith’s Bible study on “The Chosen.” Contact Robin Kime for more information. Details are available HERE.
Young Adult Zoom Bible Study
MONDAYS, 7pm
Tuesday Morning Bible Study
TUESDAYS, 7am
Join Pastor Emeritus John Straiton on Zoom or Pastors Brian Norsman and John Swanson live in the Fellowship Hall on Tuesday mornings. Details are available HERE.
Living Hope Online Bible Study
THURSDAYS, 10am
Enjoy the flexibility of an online study! Join Pastor Amy Mihelich Smith for a weekly look at God’s Word. Details are available HERE.
STAFF CONTACTS
LEAD PASTOR
Michael D. Carlson
Pastor Mike Carlson married Tammy, his best friend from High School, in Duluth in 1993. They have three young adult sons together, and two have followed in his footsteps by pursuing seminary degrees and heading into ministry. An undergraduate degree from the U of M, Duluth, followed by an MDiv from Wartburg Theological Seminary gave Mike the educational foundation for ministry work. Various roles have led Mike to where he is today—youth work, training other youth workers, and Associate Pastor. Mike moved from northern Minnesota to Birchwood when he answered the call to be Executive Pastor at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in 2008. He transitioned into the Lead Pastor role in 2014.
What drives Mike to share the Gospel? He says, “The message of grace that’s come to set us free compels me to share the Good News of Jesus with all humans. Because its creator deeply and passionately loves the world we are called to engage in deeply loving the world in return. If the Son has set you free, you are free indeed!”
SPIRITUAL FORMATION PASTOR
Brian Norsman
After eight years serving as Pastor to a church on the north shore of Lake Michigan in Milwaukee, Brian was called to St. Andrew’s in 2009 to be Pastor of Children, Youth & Family. Since then Brian has been called to outreach ministry, started a church plant in Hugo, and currently leads the Pastoral Care & Spiritual Formation team. He earned his B.A. in Economics & Spanish from St. Olaf College, in Northfield, MN, and his MDiv from Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, IA.
Brian and his wife Sena have four children and three grandkids. He loves sailing, golfing, biking, pilgrimages/retreats, smoking meat in his Traeger, spiritual direction, and family adventures with kids and grandkids. Before going to seminary at age 30, Brian was in the banking and investment world and owned a Scandinavian Tour Company specializing in heritage travel, pilgrimages, and adventures.
TEACHING PASTOR
Amy Mihelich Smith
Pastor Amy Mihelich Smith has been St. Andrew’s Teaching Pastor since 2020, leading Christian education for all ages. Previously, she served in outdoor ministry at Luther Crest Bible Camp in Alexandria, the ELCA's Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program in Rwanda, and CYF ministry in Minneapolis. She majored in English and Political Science, with a concentration in Women’s & Gender Studies at St. Olaf College and earned her MDiv at Luther Seminary with a concentration in Justice and Reconciliation.
Before attending seminary, Amy worked as a reporter and editor for the Apple Valley Sun ThisWeek newspaper. She lives in St. Paul with her husband, Bryan, and their dog, Pepper. She likes to unwind by reading, running, doing yoga, hiking, snowboarding—and if any of these activities happen up north, even better!
