See what's happening at Grace this week
July 9, 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,

I hope you were able to enjoy a wonderful holiday weekend. There is a lot happening at Grace right now. Our youth gathered for the first time in person since we locked our doors in mid-March. It was fun to see them together with Kristi Larson and Tom Baker, playing games and enjoying the outdoors. 

I hope that you all will take time to join us for the congregational zoom meeting on Sunday (7/12) morning at 9:00 am. It is an important time to look at a new Constitution for Grace and to vote on calling Maria Markman to be Associate Pastor at Grace. 

The Re-Open team continues to meet and figure out next steps for Grace. Our plan is to have gathering in-person but in the parking lot or outside for the rest of the summer. Mark your calendars for our next parking lot worship on July 19 th at 9:00 am. We will celebrate Holy Communion at that worship. On July 26 th , we will have outdoor/parking lot worship where you will have the option of leaving your car, if you choose and sitting in a lawn chair (bring your own chair). We are still working out the details, but we hope that you will join us as we experiment with outdoor worship opportunities this summer. We have also put together a congregational survey that we hope you will fill out to let us know your thoughts and preferences on our resources and re-opening.

I will confess that at times, I feel overwhelmed by all the changes that have transpired over the past few months. As COVID-19 numbers continue to rise across the nation and as we continue to live with so many questions, I feel the weight of big decisions we need to make as a congregation, and also I feel the absence of our community in our building. I know that we are united in spirit and in prayer. As I write these words, I recall Isaiah 43 and God’s promise:  “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through rivers, they shall not overwhelm you, and when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”  This passage is often used in baptisms or funerals. I always note the words that God states the words “when” not “if.” Allowing us to know that indeed there will be times we pass through waters, rivers, and fires. Life will be hard sometimes for all of us and yet, God will be there. We have been claimed and named by God and because of that the waters indeed will not overwhelm us. 

Thanks be to God!
Pastor Joanna Mitchell
Grace Lutheran Church Constitution Update

Grace Lutheran Church’s current constitution was approved over 30 years ago in 1988. In 2001, an updated version of the constitution was drafted but it stalled and never brought to a congregational vote. Over the years, there have been times of starting and stopping the review process of our constitution, but without ever reaching completion. The transition of our pastoral leadership provoked a review of our church documentation, which in turn, began a renewed effort to update our constitution.  In conjunction with our internal review, in 2019, the Synod also released a new model constitution for ELCA churches. This provided a solid template for Vision Board to follow to update our constitution, aligning it to the new Synod model. In June, we completed the steps required by the Synod to bring our proposed constitution to you for a congregational vote of approval. 

As you review our proposed constitution, here are a few considerations to guide you

  1. The constitution is structured into chapters, each with a specific focus.
  2. The “C” in front of the number system symbolizes that the document is a “Congregational” constitution.
  • Chapter statement codes are bolded. The first number in the coding represents Chapter, the second number represents the statement number within that chapter.
  • Bylaw codes within each chapter are not bolded. The first and second numbers follow the same representation of the chapter statements. The third number represents the bylaw order under each chapter statement.
  • An example of this can be seen on the bottom of page 11 and top of page 12 in Chapter 10, statement 1, bylaws 1 and 2.
3.The items with an asterisk in front of them are required, as written, by the Synod. 
The items without an asterisk could be customized for our congregation.
  • Chapters that could be customized are as follows:
§   Chapter 1 – Name and Incorporation
§   Chapter 10 – Congregation Meeting
§   Chapter 11 – Officers
§   Chapter 12 – Congregation Vision Board
§   Chapter 13 – Congregation Committees
§   Chapter 14 – Organizations Within This Congregation
  • Customized chapters are were you might focus your attention if you are wanting to limit your review. Bylaws throughout the document are also customized to Grace Lutheran Church.
Congregational Meeting

Hi all,

I hope you all are doing well! I miss seeing you and worshiping together. Who knows when we will be able to do so in person again, but in the meantime, I wanted to remind you and invite you to participate in the special congregational meeting happening this weekend, July 12th, at 9:00 am via Zoom . The link will be on the Grace website or click on the button below. 
In the meeting, we will be voting on our updated constitution as well as voting on calling Maria Markman as our next Associate Pastor at Grace. It would be awesome to have as many people as possible join the meeting so please mark your calendars and share the invitation with all your Grace friends, including those in other ministry groups. 

So, join us this Sunday, July 12 th at 9:00 am for a Special Congregational Meeting over Zoom.  If you have struggled with Zoom and would like to vote in-person, please contact the Church Office to reserve your spot in the sanctuary. Masks are required and we ask for people to show up at 8:45 am and enter through sanctuary doors.  
Hope to see you all there!! Be sure to mark your calendars so you don't forget!!

Be well,
Johnna Hirt
Reopening Survey

We are conducting a survey to get your thoughts and ideas surrounding reopening of Grace Lutheran. You will have until July 19th at noon to participate in the Reopening Survey. We would look forward to your responses.
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 9th: 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13
July 16th: 1 Corinthians 15:1-26, 51-57

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 July and August. July 15 and 29 and August 12 and 26. 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 July will be independent of our past meetings in June. In August, we will be discussing a podcast by Brene Brown with Austin Channing Brown on August 12 th and a movie (TBD) on August 26 th . Links to join the zoom meetings can be found on the Grace website or below.

Please contact Pastor Joanna Mitchell with any questions.  
August 10-13
We are excited to announce our partnership with Luther Crest in this Summer’s Vacation Bible School Programming. The program this summer will look different than in years past, Luther Crest is calling it: Bold Transformational Faith Program.
 
Time: TBD We plan at this point to offer programming virtually with supplies for crafts and games available for pick up at church. For registered participants there is the possibility for an evening zoom with camp staff. There is also a possibility as stay safe MN loosens, we will be allowed to meet in person. In the case of this, we would meet in the evenings from 6-8 PM at Grace either inside or outside depending on the decision. We realize the nature of these plans are not set in stone and this may be challenging for your family plans, we thank you for your patience. We understand this won’t work for everyone but hope you and your family will consider committing to this free program at Grace. 
 
Online components for all families of Grace will include daily worship, camp activities, 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. Secondly, for registered participants, there will be nightly Bible Dive interactions with Luther Crest’s summer ministry team during the week of August 10-13. You may now register your children on GraceLink.
 
The theme for the summer is Go! Make Disciples! We will study Matthew 28:19-20 which says, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” We are committed to leaning into this great commission given by Jesus to his disciples even if "going" looks a little different right now.
Next Parking Lot Worship July 19th at 9:00 am

Grace Lutheran will be having our next Parking Lot Worship service on July 19th at 9:00 am. More information will come next week. Here are a few quick highlights:
  • Enter into Grace's parking lot through the stop light on Bunker Lake Blvd.
  • Follow the instructions of the ushers as to where to park (they will be wearing orange safety vests).
  • All vehicles MUST BE TURNED OFF. You can roll down your windows.
  • Tune into the radio station that is indicated on the signs around the parking lot.
  • If you walk or bike to the service, please stay 6 feet apart and remain in the designated area. You will need to bring a radio.
  • If you need assistance please put your hazards on and an usher will come to your vehicle.
  • Ushers will dismiss each vehicle.
  • The church will be locked and no one will be allowed inside.
Noisy Offerings  

A total of $749.00 in Noisy Offerings was received throughout the month of June! On behalf of residents of Minneapolis who will benefit from your generosity, THANK YOU! Half of these funds will be used to purchase food and supplies for Holy Trinity Lutheran and Urban Ventures, who continue to serve people in need in south Minneapolis. The other half will be directed toward an organization (still to be determined) for our neighbors in need in north Minneapolis.

Noisy Offerings received during the first two weeks of July will benefit a family from Sand Creek Elementary School. Randy Wieden, the husband of Kari Wieden, one of Sand Creek’s secretaries, recently fell 20 feet, suffering severe injuries and requiring surgery. Thankfully, the surgery was successful and Randy is now at home. But he has a long road to recovery ahead of him is undergoing extensive therapy. He will be out of work for a long time to come. If you would like to help this family, please write a check to Grace (with “Noisy Offering” written in the memo line) OR click on the link below and select “Noisy Offering.” Thank you! 
Donation Items Needed

We are continuing to bring your donated items to Holy Trinity and Urban Ventures in south Minneapolis. If you would like to donate, please bring them to church and put them on the table just inside the entry doors. Here is the list of items currently most needed:


Shampoo                                          Black beans (dried or canned)                       
Conditioner                                        Brown lentils
Hand & bar soap                               Cooking oil
Body wash                                         Tomato paste 
Feminine products (pads only)          Pasta
Diapers (ALL sizes)                           Pinto beans (dried or canned)
Toilet paper                                        Rice (bagged or boxes)
Paper towels                                     Tortillas (NON-refrigerated)
Laundry detergent
Dish soap
Diapers (ALL sizes)
Prayers

We celebrate Pastor Delwayne Hahn’s 52 years of ministry in the church where he has worked to help people to follow Jesus. Thank you for his compassionate spirit, his humor, and his ongoing faithfulness. We ask for your continued blessing to be upon him.

God of healing, we ask for you to be with those who are affected by mental illness, that you would lift and ease depression and anxiety. Bring restoration to those who struggle in body, mind and spirit.  We pray especially for Sheri, Rodney Kirkendall, Randy Wieden, Vic & Marilyn Shaffer, Carol Alloway, Nikki Terning, Jerry Slater, Corey LaGree, Darlene Jorgenson, Shannan Gautschi, Arden Kirkendall, John Malecha, Rick Reisdorph, Jack Zirkle, Nancy Klein, 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 have recently lost loved ones, especially today we pray for The Behnke-Nead family upon the death of Michele’s mother, Van Bakko, the family of Arlen Hoffer, and Phyllis Hiller and family upon the death of her husband Walt. Surround them with your love and comfort them with the promise of the resurrection.
Worship

Worship will be posted by 5:00 pm on Saturday. Please join us for worship on our webpage, Youtube channel, or on our Facebook page. We invite you to take pictures of your family worshipping together and posting them in the comments, so that we can see you and imagine being together.
Devotions

The staff at Grace Lutheran are providing daily 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!
Zoom Connect Time and
Prayer Gathering  

New Zoom Page on our website:
We have created a new 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 Sunday Prayer Gathering, Thursday Morning Bible study, and much more. Click below to check it out

Contact Pastor Joanna Mitchell ( joannam@graceandover.org ) or Kristi Larson ( KristiL@graceandover.org ) if you have questions.
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
and Daily Devotion Posts

Virtual Worship will be posted online at:
www.graceandover.org
and on our Facebook page at
Grace Lutheran Church@graceandover by 5:00 pm on Saturday.


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