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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BREAKING NEWS!!!!
Due to windy and cold weather forecast for the weekend, Grace Lutheran has changed the outdoor services for this weekend. Saturday's 5:00 pm service is cancelled. This Sunday's 8:45 am Service will be held indoors. Reservations are required for both Sunday's 8:45 am and 10:30 am Services. We will be streaming services if you are unable to attend. Please click on the Sign Up Link to enter your reservation.
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A Note From Pastor Joanna Mitchell |
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Ecclesiastes 3: 1 states: For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven. I must confess I am dreading the season of cold weather that is coming upon us this week. I am partially in denial that it is going to get too cold for us to continue to gather outside for worship on Sunday mornings. I lament that we didn’t start parking lot worship earlier and that the cold weather is here now. But it is. As I look at the forecast for this weekend, it looks like rain on Saturday with lows around 28 degrees on Saturday and Sunday.
Because of this weather forecast and MEA weekend for our local schools we have decided to cancel our Saturday evening worship service at 5pm this week and to move our 8:45 am worship service inside. There is a sign-up genius made for indoor worship for 8:45 am and 10:30 am. You can sign up through our website or by calling the church office, or through a link in this Grace at a Glance. I apologize for the short notice about schedule, but I think this is the best move for our worship leaders and for our equipment.
We do plan to have Saturday night worship the following week (Oct. 24th) as usual at 5:00 pm and will go inside if the weather is bad. Please pay attention for weekly updates in Grace at a Glance and any last minute updates on our website regarding changes in worship time. As the weather gets colder, we know we will need to move inside. We want to make sure as many people can worship with us in the way that feels the safest to them.
On another note, as the temperatures drop my family has reservations to go camping in a tent over this long weekend. I have always found God to have a good sense of humor. Please pray for warm nights for us and the wisdom to know when it makes the most sense to just pack it up and come home.
I hope you do know that whatever season we are in that the promise from our God is to be with us. God is with you as you worship in your living room and pajamas. God has been with us in the parking lot. God is with us in the sanctuary. And God is with us as we camp in Minnesota in the cold. In all seasons of life please know that you are God’s beloved.
Blessings,
Pastor Joanna Mitchell
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Ministry Moment:
By Kristi Larson
Masks are a current necessity in our world. Even so, there are significant down sides, particularly when working with kids. Two weeks ago, I stood in front of the 8th graders, most of whom I had not seen since last spring. Middle schoolers change and grow rapidly, so in the past 6th months they had grown significantly taller and I knew their faces had matured too. I missed seeing the smiles hiding behind their masks.
And so, I told them that on the count of three they needed to take off their masks for 3 seconds and smile so I could see their faces. For three seconds I was surrounded by the familiar smiles I’ve spent the last few years getting to know.
We have made a lot of changes to Catechism this year, but the smiles on those faces are there, even if they are wearing a mask. If you are in 6th-8th grade and are interested in joining us on Wed. evenings, please reach out to Kristi at KristiL@graceandover.org.
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FAMILY TABLE DRIVE-UP!
Sunday, October 18th
5:30-6:30 PM
We are still in need of a few volunteers for the Family Table “Meal-to-Go” this coming Sunday! We especially need one/two more people to package the meal in the kitchen and/or bring the meal out to our guests who drive up to the door. Please click on the link below to learn more or to sign up to volunteer! Thanks so much for helping us feed our community!
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Fall Clean-Up
Saturday, October 24th
The Garden Ministry Fall Clean-Up is scheduled for Saturday, October 24th beginning at 9:00 am. Help is needed to “spruce up” the church grounds and gardens in preparation for winter. No gardening skills needed, just willing hands. Bring your gloves, rakes, pruners, etc.
call the Church Office at 763-421-6520.
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Red Cross Blood Drive
Tuesday, October 27th
The need for blood donation is so great right now! Grace will be having two blood drives scheduled in the next few weeks. The first one is Tuesday, October 27th from 1:00-6:00 pm and the second one is Monday, November 9th from 12:15-5:15 pm. Please sign up on the Red Cross website.
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Grace Notes Articles Due
Tuesday, October 28th
If you would like write an article for the upcoming November edition of Grace Notes, please have your article in Word format in to Marie Kolar (mariek@graceandover.org) by 5:00 pm on Tuesday October 28th.
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Grace Lutheran Church's Annual Trunk or Treat
Wednesday, October 28th
What: CONTACTLESS PARADE!
Grace Lutheran Church's Annual Trunk or Treat!! This year will be slightly different, we are planning a parade through the parking lot. Decorated vehicles will line the route, as your family drives through and stops at each for trick or treating fun! We will give each child one goodie bag of edible or non-edible treats at the conclusion of the parade.
When: Wednesday, October 28, 5:00-6:30 PM
Who: You and anyone you want to invite, all are welcome!
Where: To enter the parade route you must enter through the 136th LN NW entrance at the side of the parking lot. This is the entrance that is normally roped off.
If you would like to participate as a decorated vehicle or by donating please register on GraceLink! There will be a prize for the best Trunk Decorations! Examples of donations and directions on how we will be safe during this event will be outlined in the registration form.
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All Saints Luminary Drive-thru
Sunday November 1st
On November 1st from 5:00-6:30 pm the Anoka Area Ministerium is joining together for a community-wide drive-thru to remember the Saints on All Saint’s Sunday. Grace Lutheran Church will be one of the six local churches welcoming people to their parking lot to see the luminaries, pray and hear music in remembrance of the saints.
White bags will be available at worship and in the church office for anyone who wants to pick up and decorate a bag. We need you to drop off your bags by noon on November 1st so that we can put them on display for the evening.
You can decorate a bag in remembrance of someone who has died over this past year, or many years ago. We hope that we can light up our corner with the glow of the saints as we pray, remember and give thanks for those who have gone before us.
Please contact Pastor Joanna Mitchell or Kris Miller with any questions.
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Youth Mental Health First Aid Course
Wednesday, November 11th
As we continue to raise awareness on mental health needs and illnesses in our community, Grace is happy to extend the opportunity to attend The Heart and Mind Connection’s offering of a virtual Youth Mental Health First Aid course scheduled for Wednesday, November 11th from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. If you’re interested in attending this FREE virtual class, please contact Chris Shaw at chris@theheartandmindconnection.org and tell him you are from Grace or contact Frances at the office to facilitate registration.
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Thank You from Sand Creek Elementary!
THANK YOU!! to everyone who donated school supplies and/or made financial contributions to benefit our Faith & Community Partner, Sand Creek Elementary School! We delivered several big bags of school supplies, and the donations of $730 will be used for our "Sharing Grace Food Bags” that we supply to families in need to ensure that kids don’t go hungry over the weekends. It is all so greatly appreciated, and we are very grateful for your generosity during this time of such great need!
Ann Lange and Sand Creek Elementary
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Grace Lutheran's "Till All Are Fed" Food Shelf Needs
Here is a list of current needs for Grace's Emergency Food Shelf. If you are able to donate, please drop the items at the church office.
Chunky soup
Chili/Kidney beans
Baked beans
Boxed/bagged potatoes
Crackers/snacks
Jelly/jam
Canned stew
Canned beef-a-roni
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Administrator's Corner
By Frances Fernandez
Our Grace Team participated in a team retreat this past Tuesday at Sunshine Park in Andover. Our facilitator led us in prayer to start a beautiful sunny (yet windy) day on helping us learn to better identify our strengths, styles and creating a plan for increasing our effectiveness as a team - especially during these trying times. COVID-19 has thrown a few curve balls, to say the least, to our lives and how we worship. We’ve learned to be flexible, creative and technologically savvy (a bit at least) and always remembering to center our purpose around Christ. Your prayers and continued words of support are part of what makes your Grace Team take these challenges head on and strive to be better servants – Go Grace Team! Our volunteers have been very busy these last few months, whether ushering, helping with worship, painting, gardening or fixing. I want to extend our heartfelt thanks for always being present for our congregation! We always have a few projects around that need some volunteer help. If you have a Scout or teenager in need of volunteer hours, give me a call so we can discuss some opportunities for them. 😊 God bless and stay warm!
Yours in Christ,
Frances
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Volunteers Needed!
Grace Lutheran is looking to expand our volunteer pool. There are opportunities for inside and outside volunteering. We are currently looking for ushers, readers, community outreach, alter guild, working with our youth and many other opportunities! We will have training for all our wonderful volunteers! Please call or email Kris Miller in the church office at 763-421-6520 or krism@graceandover.org
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WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Indoor Worship on Sundays at 8:45 am*
Indoor Worship on Sundays at 10:30 am*
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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.
- 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 40 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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Bible Study
Join us for Thursday Morning Zoom Bible Study at 10:30 am with Pastor Joanna or Pastor Maria.
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:
Oct. 15th: 1 Samuel 1:9-11, 19-20; 2:1-10
Oct. 22nd: 2 Samuel 7:1-17
Oct. 29th: 1 Kings 17:1-16 [17-24]
Join Zoom Meeting by clicking the link below.
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Noisy Offerings
The Noisy Offerings for the first two weeks of October will benefit Family Promise in Anoka County. So far we have raised $225. Grace is one of 20 faith communities in Anoka County that partners with Family Promise to provide temporary shelter, hospitality, and case management to assist families experiencing homelessness achieve housing independence. For the past six months, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in families needing to be housed in hotels rather than churches. Needless to say, the expense has been significant. You can still contribute to Family Promise through your Noisy Offering!
Thanks for your generosity!
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Prayers of the Church
God of healing: Provide refuge and help for all who lack adequate food, housing, or health care. Strengthen organizations that provide care to those who struggle. Give light to those walking in darkness, and healing to those who are suffering in body, mind, or spirit. Linda Christiansen, Shane Larson, Steve & Carroll Potter, Christopher Sluis, John Lenz, Jason Ruud, LaVonne Hite, Annie Fitzl, Sophia Henkel, Linda Breyette, Sally McPhillips’ Mom, Charlotte Montei, Tom Taillefer, Colleen Wernimont, John Malecha, Joe Bailey, Julie Swedberg, Judi Wold, Wes Hiller, and Zachary Elsenpeter. We pray for all those with COVID including President Trump, Melania, and so many others throughout the world. Lord, hear our prayer.
God of promise, grant comfort, peace, and the hope of Christ’s resurrection to all who grieve we pray especially for Harold & Jamie Zupon & family upon the death of Harold’s brother, David Zupon, Gordon & Sandy Seim & family upon the death of Sandy’s father. Lord, hear our prayer.
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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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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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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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