See what is happening at Grace Lutheran!
March 11, 2021
This is a quick weekly reminder of what is happening at Grace
in worship and in ways to connect and serve.
Lenten Message
“Compassion”

God is often described throughout the bible as being compassionate. In fact, compassion is used over 100 times to describe God’s actions and approach to God’s people. Compassion literally means to suffer with someone else. It invites us to not only hear someone’s story but to take it into our body, mind and spirit. In our devotion for this week, Kristi Larson shares her own experience of seeing the transformational power of compassion that unites two former “enemies” and turns them into best friends. It is compassion that leads them to share their hard stories and to seek change, not only for themselves but for the world.   
 
We define compassion this way: We intentionally and actively care for each other and the earth God gave us. We are forgiven and forgiving people, striving to live out our name as an extension of the grace and mercy God grans us, as we live and interact with one another. We pay attention and listen to the cries of God’s creation when it is in pain and respond in faithfulness and care. As you pray this week, I hope you will reflect on the times you have experienced compassion. What difference did it make in your life? Consider a time when you extended compassion to someone else, what did that look like? How might we as a community of faith continue to strengthen our own compassion and share our hearts with the world.   
 
Blessings, 
Pastor Joanna    
Worship
Don't Forget
To Set Your Clocks
Ahead Saturday
Night Before You
Go To Bed!
Daylight Savings Begins Sunday, March 14th
Join a small group during Lent to discuss our Lenten Theme of Christian Identity and our values of being a community that is:

  • Christ-centered
  • Accepting of Everyone
  • Connected
  • Compassionate
  • Empowered to share God's love.
Lenten Wednesdays Worship
(Weds. 3/17, 3/24 & 3/31)
Worship: 1pm, 6pm and 7:15pm
With small groups in-person, and on Zoom.

For Lent this year we are looking at the values we hold as a congregation at Grace. Each week, we will talk about what these values mean for us and how to live them out as people of faith. We hope that you will join a small group discussion following worship. Join an in-person group or a zoom small group.
Click here to register.
Holy Week and Easter Sunday Worship
Holy Week Worship

Maundy Thursday, April 1st at 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm

Good Friday, April 2nd at 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm

Saturday Vigil, April 3rd at 5:00 pm
Easter Sunday April 4th Worship
7:00 am - Sunrise Worship

8:15 am - Traditional Worship

9:30 am - Contemporary Worship

11:00 am - *Parking Lot Worship *Reservations are NOT required for this worship time
Easter Worship Help Needed

Your help is needed for all Easter Sunday Worships. If you would like to volunteer for ushering, communion serving and for 11:00 am parking lot attending, please call Kris Miller at 763-421-6520.
Worship

Online Worship is now being recorded at our Saturday evening service. Online Worship will not be posted until late on Saturday nights. It will be available here for you to join us online on Sunday morning.

For In-person Worship, we are asking for people to sign up for a worship service (see links below). We ask you to stay home if you are sick and to follow all of our COVID-19 protective guidelines. Thank you!
Ministries News
OK@Play Movie Discussion
 
Tonight, (March 11th) at 6:30 pm is our next Zoom gathering to discuss the movie “Risen” by Joseph Fiennes. It is advertised as “The best film about the life of Jesus since The Passion of the Christ”. Please join us and our discussions in preparation for Easter!
 
What you need to do: Please watch the movie on your own prior to March 11th. 
 
Low and Joe Jackson have left their movie at Grace for you to borrow if you wish and return back to the church when done so someone else can watch it. Otherwise the movie is available in various places to watch, rent or buy. If you have questions about this, feel free to contact one of us.
 
Low and Joe have also graciously offered to lead the discussion on March 11th, so we are VERY GRATEFUL for that!!
 
Ann Lange, Mary Jo Trapp, Deb Stang
MARCH IS MINNESOTA FOODSHARE MONTH! 

In recognition of the many Minnesotans who are still hungry, Grace is collecting non-perishable items throughout March, to be divided between our onsite Food Shelf and the ACBC Food Shelf in Anoka. Please remember that food items need to be nonperishable only; no homemade, expired, or alcoholic items; and no glass containers. Items can be dropped off in the narthex or on the table in the hallway when you come into the KIDS Entrance doors. 


Each week the Sunday School kids
are invited to bring a specific item.

This Sunday, March 14th it's CEREAL !!
There is no
Sunday School
in person or virtual
on March 14th. 
No Youth Night on
March 16th
due to Spring Break
FAMILY TABLE “DRIVE-UP” MEAL
Sunday, March 21st – 12:30-1:30 PM
 
Grace will be serving our Family Table Meal again on March 21st and we're hoping you can help! There are opportunities to be on-site (helping pack the food or running it out to our guests in the parking lot) and/or donating specific food items. If you can help, please sign up using this link. If you have questions, please contact Debbie Jorgens at 763-370-9902. Thank you so much!
Resurrection Garden Event
March 21st 9:30 am-Noon

Suggested Donation $15 per garden kit.
EVERYONE is Welcome to participate

Register on Realm to ensure we have enough supplies for your family!

It is a fun activity for your family, a great teaching tool about Jesus’ resurrection, and a beautiful centerpiece that will grow just in time for Easter. 
First Communion Class

March 24th at 5:00 pm
Call the Church Office (763) 421-6520 for more information
Children’s Ministry Team Presents
The Easter Eggstravaganza

March 28th at 9:30 am - 10:20 am in the Fellowship Hall

Fun for the whole family: socially distanced crafts, games, prizes, and more!
Blessings in this Lenten season. May it be a time of reflection and simplicity.

“In mid-March when we all received the first stay-at-home order, we had a temporary plan to continue to provide shelter for families at our Day Center. As things progressed, and we gained knowledge on the novel Coronavirus, it became clear that our plan was unsustainable and unsafe for the families who wouldn't be able to quarantine while living in community in shared space. 
Through the CARES act and a partnership with Anoka County we were able to access funding to shelter families in an extended stay hotel, where they would have private rooms to quarantine if needed and a small kitchenette to prepare meals. Though the main goal of our organization is to provide case management to assist families with identifying and removing barriers to accessing stable housing, it is a core component of who we are to also provide shelter, hospitality, and meals. The network of congregations and community members like you who have been supporting our organization for the past 10 years didn't allow for these changes to completely change our service model. Your passion to help families and commitment to our organization inspired so much generosity and support during truly unpredictable times. Our partnering congregations quickly came up with some solutions and ways to offer hospitality and support to the families at the hotel. Eventually we even figured out a way to provide some meals. This response was later emulated by Family Promise affiliates across the country. Though many of us may prefer to give a more personal donation or volunteer to share fellowship with families experiencing homelessness, your financial contributions and donations of supplies and gift cards have been so truly helpful in allowing us to continue supporting families in need. “

Grace Lutheran is providing hospitality baskets and meals for our guests in Family Promise, who are continuing to stay in hotels funded by a grant, for the week of March 28th.
 
We are following the same procedure we used the last time we hosted families (Sign-up Genius). Hospitality items can be dropped off at Grace LC on Monday (3/29) and  Tuesday (3/30) between 8 am and 4 pm.  

Hot meals to be dropped off on Thursday April 1st between 4 and 5 pm. 
 
Click on this link to sign up.   Sign up Genius Family Promise
 
If you are able to help provide for our guests, please know that they are so very grateful for your generosity.
Grace's Opportunities for Giving
Meals Needed

Carroll Potter has had a tough year beginning in April 2020 when she was hospitalized with COVID-19. Then 4 months ago, she fell at home and broke her arm and shoulder and has been at the Homestead Care Center recuperating after surgery. She is now back home, but weak. They are in need of some help with meals. Meals can be dropped off at Grace for Steve to pick up.
Noisy Offerings

For the month of March, Noisy Offerings will be used to support our Food Shelf here at Grace and the ACBC Food Shelf in Anoka. Since March is Minnesota FoodShare month, a percentage of all donations that ACBC receives will be matched. So your gift can reach even more people! We are grateful, as always, for your compassion and generosity in caring for our neighbors! 

Give Electronically through GraceRealm
Consider electronic giving on GraceRealm. 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 GraceRealm link below.

If you are wondering where your giving is for the year, please log in to GraceRealm. Find Giving on the tool bar. Then select My Giving History.  
Grace's Resources
Instruments Available

The church owns a couple of instruments left over from when we had a music school here, and we’d like to pass them on to someone who can use them.

We have a flute and a cello, both will probably need a minor tune-up before they can be used effectively.

Contact Jonathan Orwig jonathano@graceandover.org if you are interested, first come, first served.
Prayers of the Church

Brock & Chelsea DeVries as they await the birth of their first child, Mary North, Charles Wagenknecht, Jeanie Ranft, Kristin & Tony, Paul & Michelle, Carroll Potter, Kathy Tillery, Mary Anderson, Alan Roettger, Ralph Wernimont, Sue Barker, Mike Burckhard, Roger Bergman, Donald Bemis, Eric & Candace Mahowald and their soon to be born twins, John Malecha, Christopher Sluis, Julie Swedberg, Marge Davidson, LaDonna Lilyquist, Charlotte Montei, Elsie Weisenberger, Linda Christiansen, Judi Wold, and Colleen Wernimont. We pray for all those suffering from COVID-19 throughout the world. Lord hear our prayer.
 
God you cross chasms in order to reach your people. May your promise of new life and peace bring comfort to those who mourn especially: Randy & Arlene Alberg & family upon the death of Arlene’s mother, Cyrilla Biedelman; Tom & Lori Weaver & family upon the death of Tom’s mother, Roseanne Weaver; Jan Quick and Kevin and Sue Quick mourning the death of Jan’s granddaughter, and Kevin & Sue’s daughter, Steffanie Quick; Justin & Becky Jacobs & family as they mourn the death of Justin’s Dad, Roger; Bobby & Beth Petersen & family upon the death of their sister in law, Colette Montgomery; Bob Roettger & Family upon the death of Bob’s wife, Pat; Anne Marie & Harland Johnson upon the death of their mother, Claire Hagerty and all who are grieving and continue to grieve.   Lord, hear our prayer.
April Grace Notes Article Deadline
March 26th at 5pm

Please have your April Grace Notes articles into Marie Kolar by 5pm on March 26th. Please have them in Word format and email them to mariek@graceandover.org.
Virtual Connections

During this time of high COVID-19 cases, we encourage you to connect with Grace and others! If you are looking for ministries and groups to connect with please visit our web site at www.graceandover.org and click on Church Online to see opportunities to connect.