See what's happening at Grace this week
July 30, 2020
This is a quick reminder of what is happening at Grace this week in Worship and in ways to connect and serve in the next seven days.
Grace Happenings
A Note from Pastor Joanna
Dear Grace Friends,

In Ecclesiastes, the teacher announces, “there is nothing new under the sun.” In other words, everything that we experience, someone else has gone through before. It seems hard to believe, and yet I find this to be helpful in this time and place. It is the most unusual time of my life. I know there have been pandemics before. There have been crisis and the church has survived them all. Thanks be to God. In this unusual time, I recognize my own longing for community.  I have been so grateful to see some of you in our parking lot worships over the last few weekends. I hope I will be able to see more of you. I have been amazed to see how some of our kids have grown over the past few months. Community is so important to who we are. I know you all are feeling that absence too.

Last Thursday, the reopen team met. We spent 20 minutes in prayer, listening to God before our meeting. We all spoke about the need we felt for community and ways that we can most safely gather for those who want to at this time and place. Based on the survey results, we feel most people feel safest outside. Some of you are ready to go indoors, but we know that we will lose some people who feel that is too much of a risk. Our plan is as follows: We will continue parking lot worship with the addition of our lawn chairs going forward every Sunday at 9:00 am in August. On August 1 st (this Saturday!) we are going to add Saturday evening worship, outside on the lawn. If there is bad weather, we will move Saturday night worship inside for those who wish to come inside with us.  We will experiment with Saturday night worship on August 1 st , and 8 th . On August 22nd, we will NOT have Saturday evening worship because Maria Markman will be getting ordained at Luther Seminary at 2pm (See below). You are invited! On August 30 th we will be adding an indoor worship service. As of now, we don’t know if we will be offering an indoor and outdoor worship service, but we want to move indoors before September so that we can figure out how to do it well with all of the new parameters before it gets cold.

When we move indoors, we will be exposing ourselves to more risks. We cannot eliminate the risks that are present because of COVID-19, but we will do our best to mitigate the risks by limiting the number of people in our worship space, sitting physically distant from each other, and wearing masks

Throughout everything we will continue to provide worship online. We will begin streaming worship this week through our YouTube account. Worship will be live at 5:00 pm on Saturday night and at 9:00 am on Sunday morning. It will also be saved so if you are not able to join us at that time you can worship later.

Thank you for your ongoing support of the ministries of Grace. I am thankful for you!

Blessings,
Pastor Joanna Mitchell

P.S. I will be away on vacation next week, so there will be no letter from me in Grace at a Glance. Pastor Maria Markman begins on August 3 rd , I hope you can join me in welcoming her to this new role at Grace!
B.Y.O.L.C. (Bring your own lawn chair) and
Parking Lot Worship at 9:00 am at Grace Lutheran

This Sunday, we are inviting you to leave your car for Parking Lot Worship and sit in your own lawn chair (if you want). The first two rows of the parking lot are reserved for people to sit in their lawn chairs while assuring social distancing. We will also fill in the places in front of the parking rows for you to put your chairs in designated areas (6 feet or more apart). For those who are getting out of their cars we are trying out our speaker system, but you might want to bring a radio as a back-up. 

Young families are invited to sit on the grass and use the sidewalk to keep their kids physically distanced and safe. We have chalk for your kids to use during worship.

In case of rain, we encourage you to stay in your cars.

Parking:
If you are going to get out of your car for outdoor worship, we ask that you park in the back of the parking lot or in the dental office, so that those who stay in their cars can have a better view of worship. If you need to park closer and still want to get out of your car, please use the parking for people with disabilities, or speak to a parking attendant who will direct you on where to park. 

Following worship there will be a chance to mingle outside with each other. We do ask if you decide to converse with people after worship that you please wear a mask .

Staying in your car:
If you would like to stay in your car, you are invited to do so and tune in on the radio on 91.7. Parking lot attendants will park you behind our lawn chairs to give you the best possible view. 

Future Sundays:
Our hope is to keep worshiping outside so that we can be together for worship going forward this summer (until we move inside). Each week, we are trying new things and experimenting to improve our worshiping experience. We recognize that there will be things that go well and parts that need to be changed. Thank you for your input and patience.

Outdoor Worship, Saturday August 1 st at 5:00 pm:
Join us for outdoor worship starting this Saturday night. We will gather on the lawn in front of the church. Please bring a blanket or a chair to sit on. We will use speakers for you to hear. We will not be broadcasting Saturday Night Worship on the radio.

Please wear masks and abide by social distancing recommendations if you plan to mingle with others.  

Maria Markman's Ordination Service

You're invited to Maria's ordination service into the ministry of Word and Sacrament. Her service will be held August 22, 2020 at 2 PM on Bockman Hall lawn at Luther Seminary in Saint Paul. For map and directions follow this link: https://www.luthersem.edu/campus/map/ .

You are invited to wear the red, the color of the celebration. We will be following pandemic safety protocols: worshiping outdoors, wearing masks and social distancing enforced. Join us for this celebration!

Maria Markman will be installed as Associate Pastor at Grace Lutheran on September 27, 2020
Bible Study

 Join us for Thursday Morning Zoom Bible Study at 10 am with Pastor Joanna (or the Sunday preacher).
 
Join us on Thursday mornings at 10 am for a bible study. Bring your bibles, yourselves and your questions. If you don’t have a bible, bring your phone or your computer and we will navigate through bible gateway to help you find the scripture.

The Sunday scriptures that we will be studying over the next couple of weeks:
July 30th: Ecclesiastes 1:4-11, 3:1-11
Aug. 6th: Lamentations 1:8-22, 2:10-22
Aug. 13th: Lamentations 3:1-3,17-32; 5:1-3, 18-22

Join Zoom Meeting by clicking the link below.
Youth Events This Summer! 

After thought, prayer, and planning over the last couple of weeks we are excited to announce a few events for our young people to participate in this summer! Throughout July and August, we have events planned for High School Students (completed 9th through 12th grade) and middle school students (completed 5th grade through 8th grade).   

We have missed seeing our kiddos and hope that families that are comfortable gathering in small groups will be able to join us! All events will be held outdoors with various safety precautions listed on our website and on the event registration. If you have any questions, concerns or have any special needs please contact Kristi Larson at KristiL@graceandover.org . Check out what we have planned below! 
Our “Conversations on Race” Continue!

Our “Conversations on Race” will continue on four Wednesday evenings from 7-8:30 pm during the months of August and September. August 19th. If you didn’t participate in any of our initial “Conversations on Race” or you missed some of the meetings, please don’t let that stop you from joining us.

Our discussions in August, we will be discussing a podcast by Brene Brown with Austin Channing Brown on August 19 th and a movie (TBD) in September. Links to join the zoom meetings can be found on the Grace website or below.

Please contact Pastor Joanna Mitchell with any questions.  
We are excited to announce our partnership with Luther Crest Bible Camp, who will be helping us, with our NEW free Summer Evening Bible Camp (formally known as Vacation Bible School). Because the program this summer will look different than in years past, we wanted to change the name to reflect the new camp. Our theme is still Go! Make Disciples! We will study Matthew 28:19-20, which we will lean into this great commission given by Jesus to his disciples even if "going" looks a little different right now.
 
This new Summer Evening Bible Camp is for kids ages 5 years old thru 5 th grade. This year the camp will be held 2 WAYS - virtually with supplies for crafts and games available for pick up at church. BUT for those kids and families that want to attend LIVE – we have that option now too! Starting Monday evening from 6 pm-8 pm August 10th thru Thursday August 13th , we are planning to meet in the front lawn of church – move into the sanctuary for a brief welcome and introduction to our theme, then enjoy all the camp activities under tents in the front lawn of the church. We will do a bible lesson, make crafts, sing songs, play games, and eat a prepackaged snack. Masks will be required to be worn when we are inside and we will have hand sanitizer and safety measures in place for safe learning. Because we want to stay safe, WE ARE LIMITING THIS CAMP TO 40 KIDS! That means you must register to be able to attend.  These spots will go FAST so SIGN UP TODAY! It is very important for you to register so we can plan accordingly.
 
Also, we are encouraging parents to stay and be a part of this new fun camp! With that said, We need 5 adult volunteers to help lead a small groups of kids (8 max in your group) and we need 10 youth helpers who will also help with a small group of kids and the adult leader. (As a youth leader – you will get service hours towards catechism!) We need you to volunteer 1, 2 or all 4 nights and we will provide all the supplies and FUN! No training necessary! If we do not have volunteers - we will not be able to put this amazing new Summer Evening Bible Camp on live.  
 
If you would like to volunteer – please call the church office and let us know if you can be there all 4 evenings. You MUST REGISTER your children on GraceLink REGARDLESS IF YOU ARE ATTENDING VIRTUALLY OR LIVE. Please indicate how you will be attending (live or virtual); how many kids you are registering and their ages. We are also keeping siblings together to decrease the risk of possible spreading of germs. Safety is very important to us at Grace, but understand that meeting live does increase risk so that is why we are offering 2 options. We understand this won’t work for everyone but we hope you and your family will consider committing to this free program at Grace. 
 
If you choose to join our Summer Evening Bible Camp virtually - you will still receive the same components that the families joining live will get. These include: daily worship, camp activities, craft supplies and more. We will have several pre-recorded videos for your day camper, including worships, songfest, arts and crafts, and game ideas to play with their family. Also note, the live camp sessions are “weather permitting” because if it is raining on the evening of camp – you will be able to still do the “virtual” option of our camp at home! That way we will not have to cancel any of our camp activities due to rain!!
 
We are so excited for you to join us for this fun, new Summer Evening Bible Camp ! See you in August!
Noisy Offerings  

All Noisy Offerings received throughout the month of August will be given to the ACBC Food Shelf in Anoka. While donations of food are appreciated, financial contributions are especially important right now because this allows ACBC to be more strategic in what they purchase. We’ve also learned that ACBC has an outreach program which currently delivers groceries on a monthly basis to approximately 70 low-income people. The cost is roughly $25.00 per person (for food, delivery, and administrative costs). The need is great, as in addition to those who are currently being served by this program, there are another 30 people on a waiting list.

Thank you for continuing to contribute your Noisy Offerings! You are making a tangible difference in the lives of people in need!

HOLY TRINITY NEEDS US!

Join others from Grace Lutheran on Wednesday, August 5th from 9:30-noon as we serve at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in South Minneapolis! Anyone age 15 or older is welcome to volunteer! We’ll be helping to organize donations for residents to pick up. There are both inside and outside jobs - please be prepared for either because we won’t know until we get there what our specific assignments are. Please note that masks are required the entire time. You can sign up directly using the link below or let Debbie Jorgens or Kristi Larson know that you want to go and we can get you registered
SUPPLY DRIVE FOR HOLY TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH
Happening now through Friday, August 21st!

Since opening their doors to help the people of south Minneapolis in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church has seen a very consistent need for specific items. Among them are diapers,* baby wipes, and bar soap/body wash. Our goal is to collect 50 of each of these items by Friday, August 21. It may seem like a lofty goal, but if anyone can accomplish it, the people of Grace can!

You can drop off your donations at Grace - on the table just inside the doors - and we’ll get them to Holy Trinity. And please donate only the items listed here. Thank you!!

* While diapers of all sizes are appreciated, there’s a particular need for size 6 and pull-up’s.
Prayers

A s cases of COVID-19 grow and the death toll climbs, God we ask you to bring healing to those stricken by the virus. Give strength and encouragement to doctors, nurses and all who are caring for the sick, and grant wisdom to scientists everywhere who are working on a vaccine to end this pandemic. Remember all who suffer because of injury or illness and give them the peace of your loving presence. Lord hear our prayer. 

God of mercy, be with those who are affected by mental illness, and lift their depression and anxiety. Bring restoration to those who struggle in body, mind and spirit. Today we pray especially for Elsie Weisenberger, Max Carlson, Nancy, Timothy Hannemann, Darlyn (Darlene) Weber, Emma Krom, Pam, Sheri, Shannan Gautschi, Arden Kirkendall, John Malecha, Jack Zirkle, Carroll Potter, Joe Bailey, Julie Swedberg, Christopher Sluis, Kathy Lovik, Judi Wold, and Zachary Elsenpeter. Lord hear our prayer.

God of comfort, we pray for those who are grieving the loss of loved ones. Today we pray especially for Bill, Kate, Joseph & Grace Morphew upon the death of Bill’s Grandfather, Robert Woodward; Rochelle, Steve & David Poore upon the death of Rochelle’s mother, Adeline Farmes. Surround them with your love and comfort them with the promise of the resurrection. Lord hear our prayer.   
New Virtual Service Availability

Throughout everything we will continue to provide worship online. We will begin streaming worship this week through Grace's YouTube account. Worship will be live at 5:00 pm on Saturday night and at 9:00 am on Sunday morning. It will also be saved so if you are not able to join us at that time you can worship later through Grace's YouTube channel.
Devotions

The staff at Grace Lutheran are providing regular devotions through our website and Facebook page.

If you would like to write a devotion to share with the community at Grace please contact Pastor Joanna Mitchell at joannam@graceandover.org   Thank you!
Consider electronic giving on GraceLink. It’s a convenient way to give consistently throughout the year. If you have any questions, contact Frances or Marie in the Church Office or Click on the GraceLink logo below.

If you are wondering where your giving is for the year, please log in to GraceLink. Find Giving on the tool bar. Then select My Giving History.  
Registration Now for

To minimize the spread of COVID-19 and out of love and concern for our church family and community, all worship services, program organizations and activities are cancelled until further notice.
Links to Grace Lutheran's YouTube Channel
Virtual Worship will be posted online at:
www.graceandover.org

We hope that you will join us at a time that works best for you.