Staying Connected
Hi everyone. Hope you all enjoyed a great weekend. My Family and I were able to go on a short little camping trip. We went to the camp where Betsy and I met will in college. Some of you probably have heard before I used to work for Good Earth Village in Spring Valley, MN. We had a couple other friends join us and we tent camped in their Explorer Village area of camp. This part of camp is a more remote area but has a shelter and nice fire pit. During normal time when they'd be hosting campers during the summer they'd have the wagons out there covered. We chose to tent camp out there. It was a fantastic weekend away. Went went on hikes, walked through the creek, let the kids splash around and had some great food. Saturday afternoon when it was so hot we just took our folding chairs and sat down in the creak as the kids were able to splash around and have fun. Food is always one of my favorite parts of camping. We had hobo meals, pancakes, scrambled eggs, pie iron pizza sandwiches and much more.

One of the best part of the trip was being able to see old friends from camp. The two other families that were there also were the results of people working and meeting at camp together. With everyone there we had 6 adults and 13 kids with us. It was fun to see old friends. One family we have been able to get with occasionally over the years but the other we probably haven't seen since their wedding 12 years ago. What I found so great about this weekend was even though it had been so long since we had seen each other when we got together it was like no time had passed at all. When we look around though at the kids running around we can quickly release quite a bit has. Also I didn't remember the walk through the woods from the creak back to camp was as difficult as it was. It was worth it though.


We let time slip away and it gets harder to see old friends. Sometimes you just need to slow down life and make certain things a priority. Something I've always lived by is if you sit around waiting for the time to do something you may never find the time to do it.

This was also a great way to support a camp that is sitting mostly empty throughout the summer when normally there would be the sounds of singing and laughing campers.

Peace

-Ben
Grace Lutheran Virtual VBS
Check out our VBS Promo video
New Worship Opportunity!!!
Thank you all who took time to fill out the in-person worship survey. The council met this week to discuss the possibility of in-person worship opportunities. Considering the results of the survey we sent out, the council believes that the majority of people in our congregation feel that doing our part to keep everyone safe and healthy is an important starting point for us. It is also important that we not diminish the quality of worship we are providing to a large number of people in order to offer an in person option at this time for the smaller number of people who are ready to return, and yet we understand how important some aspects of in-person worship are. Taking all of this into consideration, the council has asked that we begin the process of hosting in-person worship for small groups. Our goal is to have people sign up to host a driveway worship service, where a group of 10 people or so can worship and celebrate communion together. We are working on planning a service format that uses best practices for health and safety, while also being meaningful. You can invite a few neighbors, some church members, and we will make it available for others to sign up to attend each service while keeping the numbers at each one small enough to maintain social distancing. More information will be available over the next week as we put together a plan on how to move forward. If you would like to host, you can contact the church office or click the link below and fill out a google form and let us know to help us as we make this happen. Our hope is that we will be able to continue to provide a great worship experience online, while also offering an opportunity to worship together and celebrate communion in a way that is accessible to all.
Fundraising Opportunity Youth BWCA Trip
I wanted to express a very big thank you to all that have giving money and prayers to the BWCA fundraiser. I was overwhelmed by the supports. A week from today 12 kids and six adults will make the trip up to Northern Minnesota, We'll have five nights up north. Three nights in the BWCA and a night before at Camp Vermilion which is part of Voyagers Lutheran Ministries.

If you still want to give to the trip you can still pledge some money have drop it off at the church or mail it in. One thing I hope from you all is for prayers while we're on the trip that it can be a safe and fun trip for everyone.
Connecting with you at Home
***Bible Study***
8:00pm Thursday July 23rd 2020
Join us this week but after that we will be having a two week break.
There will not be Thursday night bible study July 30th or August 6th.
It will then resume on Thursday August 13th
It has been great to see so many people joining in for bible study on a weekly basis. If you're interested, all are welcomed and I encourage you to join in. We've had great discussions and it's good to see each other and connect for a little while.

As a community of Christ we share in each others joys and pains as we share using the Rose Analogy.

  • We look for the Rose in our lives - A highlight, success, small win or something positive that's happening.

  • We look for a Thorn in our lives - A challenge you are experiencing or something you can use more support with.

  • And we look for the Bud in our lives - A new Idea that has bloomed or something you are looking forward to knowing more about or experiencing

We then jump into the bible where we get to study the word together.

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This Thursday we continue to move forward in Acts.
We'll be looking at  Acts 15

Conflict in the Church

One question to be thinking about coming into the bible study is:
What are you like when you are in a strong disagreement with others?

You can also reflect on on:
Think about those with whom you are in conflict. Talk about it and let his peace and compassion was over you as he teaches you
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Thursday Bible Study

Zoom Meeting ID 857 5766 8823

Time 8:00 pm Thursday
Every week will have the same meeting ID
Education & Fellowship Opportunities for Youth
Good Earth Village
Virtual Village Camp at home
While we will be having our own Virtual VBS in August through Grace there is still an opportunity for youth to get involved in summer camp in a neat way. Good Earth Village will be releasing a series of videos weekly that will help kids get engaged with not only with God but with the outdoors. Good Earth Village made the tough decision to not do summer programming this year. Instead they are doing Virtual Village. We here at Grace will be doing a similar program in August(more information will be coming out about this very soon). In fact one of the summer staff that helped create these videos for GEV will be helping us out at Grace. If you want more information about Virtual Village you can check it out on their website or click the link below.


Below is a bit about what to expect from Virtual Village
Below you can access Week 2 of Virtual Village. Week one is about Faith.

Week 1 Virtual Village http://goodearthvillage.org/faith

Week 2 Virtual Village http://goodearthvillage.org/peace

Week 3 Virtual Village http://goodearthvillage.org/openness

Stay Tuned for Week #4 coming out Monday July 27th
Connect with us
Zoom can seem like it might be tricky to use but it's really not that bad. If you have a Smart Phone or Tablet you can download the Zoom app for free. If you have a laptop with a camera you can easily join in too by going to the Zoom website. On the website there is a spot towards the top where you can click "join a meeting." That takes you to a spot where you can enter a meeting ID number. If you are using the App there is a there is a spot where you can Join too and then asked for the Meeting ID number.

To access the conversation by phone only call 1-312-626-6799 and enter the Meeting ID followed by # you will then need to hit # again to enter the meeting.

If you have any questions about getting connected with Zoom you can contact Ben at 507-524-3254.
Worshiping Together
I hope all have been able to continue to worship with us at Grace. It has been great to see people join into the Facebook Watch Parties Sunday mornings at 9:55am. Our goal is to ways make worship enjoyable and accessibly to everyone in their homes whether it be though Facebook, YouTube, Radio or KTV. There are many ways you can join in and we hope that you're able to find the way that best fits for you right now until we all can once again meet together for worship at Grace. If you are having troubles getting connected to any of that please reach out and we'd love to help you out getting connected.

Every Sunday we will be hosting a Facebook Watch Party Sunday mornings starting at 9:55am so we can all participate in worship together at the same time if you have Facebook

If you don't have Facebook the worships will still be available on KTOE Sunday mornings at 10:00 and the rebroadcast on KTV. We will also continue to share the link to where they can be found on YouTube. Our goal is that everyone will still have an opportunity to worship with Grace.
July 19th, 2020 Worship
Zoom Coffee Hour
Every Sunday after the worship is done on Facebook (approx 10:50) we will be having a Zoom Coffee Hour. It's been fantastic to be able to see some familiar faces from Grace and chat a bit. Even if you weren't able to be with everyone while worship was streamed on Facebook you are more than welcomed to join for the coffee hour.

SUNDAY COFFEE HOUR
MEETING ID 886 4204 9605
There is a new and easy way to continue to give to Grace. You can now text the amount you want to give to 507-607-7337. After a few very easy steps you can submit giving right from your phone. We thank you for your support to the mission and ministry of Grace Lutheran Church.
Christ in our Home
Devotional
Many of you may be unable to get a copy of Christ In Our Home from the church as you normally would.

During this time we are making it available to you digitally, paper copies are still available at Grace and can be picked up. If you stop to pick one up please do wear a mask while in the church building.
Pray Together
Lord God,

We thank you for the friendships we make. For the people that come into our lives and make a difference.

AMEN
Amen
Check out this Video!
As I sat around the campfire this last weekend I remembered this song that I'm sharing today. I remembered seeing this video as the band NeedtoBreathe say around the campfire playing music together. I wasn't able to fit my guitar in the car with all our camping stuff but I've had many times sitting around on with friends. I love this song too as we just want our love for God to continue to be Multiplied.
Multiplied by NeedtoBreathe