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. |
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A Note From Pastor Joanna Mitchell |
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Dear Grace Friends,
I get irrationally hungry. My former colleague, Steve, used to keep a box of granola bars in his office for me. I will say, that over the past few years, I have gotten a better handle on my hunger. But it is not unusual for me to say things like: “I have to eat lunch now!” or “I have to go home, I’m hungry and out of food.” My stomach can drive my actions and my moods. Yes, hanger is real for me.
I recognize that many of us are hungering for things other than food right now. Hungering for community. Hungering for normalcy. Hungering for worship as it used to be. Hungering for our kids to go back to school in a normal way. Hungering for healing of our minds, bodies, and spirits. There has been some relief this summer due to the nice weather. I am so glad that summer has allowed us to gather in the parking lot for worship or that I can meet people outside. It feels a lot better than how isolated we were all spring. But even with this relief, I have found my hunger for community is not fully satisfied. I long for more.
Jesus said: “I am the bread of life whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35). Jesus on the day prior had fed over 5,000 people bread and fish to their deep satisfaction. A day later they were hungry again. Of course, this is part of being human. We need to be fed every day. Some of us (like me) need to be fed every couple of hours. What Jesus announces here of course is not physical food to satisfy our stomachs, but spiritual food to satisfy our souls. Jesus brings us the word of God, forgiveness, and an invitation to community with one another. He reminds us amid our hunger to turn to God who will feed us.
I don’t know about you, but there are times I forget this. I get too busy with my own agenda, or I have my own idea of how God should satisfy my hunger. I need to be reminded that Jesus is the bread of life, that God is feeding us today. Maybe not in ways we expect or in ways that feel different than they used to. However, I hope that in our hunger for what was, that we don’t forget to see the hand of God offering us something to eat today.
Grace friends, I am thankful for you. I am thankful for the ways that you feed me with your kind phone calls, your ongoing support and with your faithfulness to God, to the church and to living out the Gospel.
Blessings,
Pastor Joanna Mitchell
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Ministry Moment
By Tom Baker
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Confirmation 2020
After waiting a few extra months, we were finally able to confirm our class of 2020! Half of our students gathered with their families on August 30th at The Draw amphitheater in Ramsey and the rest gathered in the front of our church on September 12th. Although the settings were different, the experience of gathering families together to celebrate their students’ affirmation of their baptism and make a public profession of their faith for themselves was a blessing. Here are the names of our newest members of Grace:
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Kyla Lorraine Abrahamson
Annika Ahlstrand
Jason Blankenship
Gracie Lee Brausen
Luke Dikken
Zack Dikken
Adalyn Elizabeth Farber
Alexander Froslee
Reya Josephine Hadsall
Maiya Josephine Haggerty
Camron Hamling
Danika Hanson
Chloe Jordan Hoffmann
Tate Z. Johnson
Raeanna Lynn Jones
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Ben Kopetzki
Olivia Elizabeth Lien
Natalie Clare Leuty
Thomas Amos Leuty
Christina Jun Lewis
Samarah Love
Natalie Mattson
Aidan Thomas McCarty
Anna Slavik
Noah Stromberg
Olivia Grace Surratt
Maya Angela VanderLeest
Lucas Wheeler
Anna Wickland
Nathan Lloyd Wilkerson
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GOD’S WORK, OUR HANDS
September 19th-20th
This weekend is God’s Work, Our Hands weekend, when we will be serving our neighbors through a variety of activities designed for all ages!
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Outdoor projects (primarily lawn clean-up) will take place on Saturday, September 19th.
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On Sunday, September 20th, there will be just one worship service at 8:45 am (outdoors, weather permitting). Following worship, you’re invited to stay outdoors and participate in one or more activities such as making cards, painting blessing rocks, and assembling hospice or newborn kits for Global Health Ministries.
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ALL activities will be outdoors with social distancing in mind, and no food or beverages will be served. So be sure to bring your own water bottles!
If you’re not able to join us or simply prefer not to gather with others, you can still serve your neighbors individually or as a family! What needs can you meet or who can you help in your own neighborhood? We’ll look forward to hearing your stories and seeing your photos! Watch for more information coming!
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FAMILY TABLE DRIVE-UP - this coming Sunday - 5:30 PM!
If you or someone you know could use a delicious and nutritious complimentary meal, drive into our parking lot and pick one up this Sunday! We'll be serving from 5:30-6:30 (or until we run out of food, whichever comes first). Just pull up to the "KIDS ENTRY" doors and we'll bring dinner to you! If a "meal to go" would help someone you know, please pass the word along!
By the way, if the weather cooperates and we're able to sand and paint our picnic tables before Sunday night, they'll be available for those who wish to enjoy their dinner outdoors here at Grace. We just ask that you keep social distancing in mind. See you soon!
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Anoka County, Stand up to Racism
John Anderson, a member of Grace and leader of SALT will begin an 8-day pilgrimage through Anoka County beginning on Friday September 18th at 8:46 am in an anti-racism walk. Every day John will walk over 8 miles to keep the conversation going about race in our country and in our county. His walk will conclude with a walk from the southern tip of Anoka County to 38th and Chicago Ave S where George Floyd was killed.
John states:
I am acting to call attention to racism, I’m willing to talk to anyone, to discuss, to help myself and others discover better how to act to end racism. Yes, we can discover ways to commit ourselves to help end racism, this is what I need to do, how about you?
This Thursday at 4:30 pm on the church lawn we will be having a blessing and sending for John Anderson. Please join us if you are able. Masks are required. We are also looking for people to pray for John on each of these 8 days. Would you like to pray for John for an hour? A morning? A mile? We also want you to creatively think how you might be inspired by John’s walk and take your own stand against racism in our community.
On Friday September 25th, John has invited people to join him in the final day of his walk. We will share more information about the location next week in Grace at a Glance. If you need more information prior to this, please contact Pastor Joanna Mitchell at joannam@graceandover.org
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PLEASE SUPPORT THE KIDS AT SAND CREEK ELEMENTARY!
School may look different this year, but one thing is the same: the children we support through our Faith and Community Partnership with Sand Creek Elementary are still in need of school supplies. Many of them are also in need of food over the weekends. So let’s see what we can do to help!
Throughout the month of September, we’ll be collecting the items on the list below. Just drop them off at Grace on the tables inside the KIDS entrance, and we’ll get them to Sand Creek! If you would prefer to write a check, please make it payable to Grace Lutheran Church and write “Sand Creek” in the memo line. Monetary donations will be used by Grace’s Sand Creek Team toward the “Sharing Grace Backpack Food Bags,” given each Friday throughout the school year to kids who would otherwise go hungry over the weekend.
School Supplies Most Needed – because of COVID-19, students are not allowed to share any supplies.
- 24 count twistable and/or regular Crayola crayons
- Spiral Notebooks – Mead wide-ruled
- 8 count Crayola markers
- Pocket folders
- #2 pencils (Ticonderoga)
- Poly folders with prongs (red, blue, green)
- Permanent markers (black) for art
- Multi-pack pocket tissues (e.g. Kleenex)
- Dry Erase marker (low odor)
- Ziplock bags – sandwich size
- 12 inch ruler
- Ziplock bags – gallon size
- Pencil sharpener
- $25 gift card to Walmart
- Lysol wipes
- $25 gift card to Target
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Administrator's Corner
Hello Grace!
I'm so excited to start my weekly 'blurb' on Grace at a Glance. If you're interested in submitting a topic or question for discussion, please email me at francesf@graceandover.org. Today I would like to reach out to our youth for a fun outing to help with de-weeding our property/parking lot. Volunteer hours will be awarded and pizza will be served! Date to be determined in the coming couple of weeks to take advantage of the not yet so cold weather. All are welcome! COVID-19 has brought a lot of challenges and changes as we begin our indoor worship and activities. Please remember to stay safe and follow the safety guidelines we have posted throughout our house. We are all in this together! Wishing all a great school year!
Blessings,
Frances
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WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Outdoor Worship on Saturdays at 5:00 pm
Parking Lot Worship on Sundays at 8:45 am
Indoor Worship on Sundays at 10:30 am: On Sunday, September 20th there will not be an indoor worship due to God's Work, Our Hands weekend.
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Other Items of Importance:
- We will be having Communion on 1st and 3rd Sundays of the Month.
- 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.
- Restrooms are available during outdoor services in Portable #2.
- All of the worship formats are dependent on current and trending COVID-19 levels.
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Indoor services will continue at 10:30 am. (Reservations are required for the indoor service and seating is limited to 60 people or less. Reserve you spot, before Noon on Fridays, on Sign Up Genius, call the church office at 763-421-6520 or e-mail Kris Miller at krism@graceandover.org).
- Please wear masks and abide by social distancing recommendations.
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Conversations on Race "Just Mercy" Movie
Discussion Group
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Please join us on Wednesday, September 23rd from 7:00 to 8:30 pm for a discussion via Zoom of the 2019 movie, “Just Mercy.” This movie is “a powerful true story that follows young lawyer Bryan Stevenson and his battle for justice as he defends a man sentenced to death despite evidence proving his innocence.” Whether you have participated in any of our prior “Conversations on Race” or not, please join us.
This movie can be watched on Netflix or rented on Amazon Prime for $5.99. “Just Mercy” is also available on DVD and Blu-Ray at area Red Box locations. There is a DVD of the movie available in the church office if you would like to borrow it short term. We ask that you watch the movie in advance as we will be discussing key elements of the film.
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Grace Quilter's are in need! Can you help?
The Grace Quilter’s are in need of an ironing board in good condition. If you have a gently used ironing board that you are no longer using, please e-mail krism@graceandover.org or call the Church Office at 763-421-6520. Thanks!
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Bible Study
Join us for Thursday Morning Zoom Bible Study at 10:30 am with Pastor Joanna or Pastor Maria. Please note the time change.
Join us on Thursday mornings at 10:30 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:
Sept. 17th: Genesis 15:1-6
Sept. 24th: Genesis 37:3-8, 26-34; 50:15-21
Oct. 1st: Exodus 12:1-13; 13:1-8
Join Zoom Meeting by clicking the link below.
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Noisy Offerings
This month, we are shifting our focus more broadly. Noisy Offerings throughout September will be directed to the ELCA’s Lutheran Disaster Response to help those impacted by Hurricane Laura and the devastating wildfires in California.
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Prayers
Provide refuge and help for all who lack adequate food, housing, or health care. Strengthen organizations that provide neighborly care to all who struggle. We pray for an end to the fires burning up the west coast and for all the individuals who have lost homes, loved ones and are struggling to breath and don’t know where to go. Heal and be present with all who are sick or suffering in any way especially Erin, Linda Breyette, Carol Buettner, Jerry Slater, George and Kathy Rongere, Tom Taillefer, Lavonne Hite, Colleen Wernimont, John Malecha, Carroll Potter, Joe Bailey, Julie Swedberg, Christopher Sluis, Judi Wold, Wes Hiller, and Zachary Elsenpeter. Lord hear our prayer.
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Grace Lutheran's New Web Site |
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Jonathon Orwig and staff at Grace have been working on our new web site. The design of the new web site is to help those who are visiting our web site for the first time. As well as centralizing the information for our members. We ask for grace and patience as we all learn the new web page and any minor changes that may need to be completed. |
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Devotions
Devotions this fall will be shared 3 days a week. Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays. Please check our website and our Facebook page for postings. We have introduced a new 28 day devotion, "Learning to Belong" by John van de Laar that will be shared every Monday. We invite you to read the introduction this week.
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!
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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 8:45 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.
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Zoom Connect Time and
Prayer Gathering
Zoom Page on our website:
We have created a page on our website with all the Zoom opportunities that are happening regularly at Grace. This site is your go-to website to join the 9:30 am Sunday Prayer Gathering, Thursday Morning Bible study, and much more. Click below to check it out.
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Grace has heard you!! Over the last few months, the doors to Grace have been locked for the safety and security of the day care and staff. We are installing a Ring Video Doorbell which will alert staff when someone is at the Kids of Grace door. This will help us know who is at the door and respond promptly without having to call and will help members of Grace and day care families who need to enter the building. |
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Grace Notes will be going out on a monthly basis starting now through the end of the year to help keep you informed on what is happening at Grace. If you have an article that you would like to submit please have the articles in Word format and in to Marie Kolar (mariek@graceandover.org) by 5pm on the 25th of September for October’s Grace Notes. |
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We’re updating our website to also include text and QR code as ways to give electronically.
For these, the system will request the user a ONE TIME SETUP to include their name, credit card # etc. – this will be required only the first time. After that, when the user texts to give or uses the QR code to give it will just ask the amount to confirm. The users will be able to select funds to allocate their giving to as well – operational, capital, noisy.
The number to give is 73256 – text key word: GRACEANDOVER
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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.
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To minimize the spread of COVID-19 and out of love and concern for our church family and community, please follow all practice and procedures as directed by the State of Minnesota. |
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Links to Grace Lutheran's YouTube Channel |
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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.
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