This is a quick weekly reminder of what is happening at Grace
in worship and in ways to connect and serve.
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A Note From Pastor Maria Markman |
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People of Grace,
Can you believe we are already in the last week of January 2021? I certainly cannot. This past month, although challenging at times, has also brought me great joy. We have seen a lot in this past month: national crisis, a Pastor with COVID-19, an inauguration, the death of our beloved Pastor Hahn, Tom Baker has retired from his role at Grace, and many more things in each individual’s life. My joy doesn’t come from any of these events, but instead through the care and curiosity of all of you.
While sick with COVID-19, I received countless cards, meals, dog walks (for my puppy Chandler, not for me), and prayers. As I say in my article coming in the February GraceNotes, I know you all didn’t act in this way because I am your pastor, but because this is what you do for anyone who has need. I am overwhelmed by the gift of your care of me and of others.
This past month many of us met on Monday nights for a book discussion on Waking Up White: Finding Myself in the Story of Race, by Debby Irving. I recall preparing for this study way back in November, wondering if this was the right book for Grace? Was this the right time to study it? Ultimately, being led by the Spirit, we said "Yes!". And I am so glad we did. For those of you who joined in reading and studying this book either on zoom or on your own, thank you. The conversations we had encourage me for our future in ministry together. And there is still work to do. One of the reasons I enjoy Debby Irving’s book is because for me, she highlights that our journey through the story of race is a continuous journey with on-going action and contemplation. There is a rhythm of learning, prayer, and experience that will continue throughout our lives. We do not simply get to check the box and move on, but in some ways have committed to this ongoing work. Thank you for being curious, making mistakes, and holding one another accountable. Thank you for holding one another in love and grace. And I give thanks to God for opening eyes, ears, hearts, and minds throughout this study and beyond.
If you didn’t join us this last month, know that you are always welcome to join the conversation. Should you ever get curious about what we experienced together, our study can be found on the Grace Webpage, click the link below, along with other resources (for all ages) on race to deepen your engagement. On our resources page you can find podcasts, books, movies, shorter readings, YouTube videos and more. Images and maroon letters indicate links that bring you to even more resources, so click away! We hope that together as a congregation we might continue to learn together. If you find a beneficial resource and would like to share it, email me! mariam@graceandover.org
Peace,
Pastor Maria Markman
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Remembering and celebrating the life of Pastor Delwayne Hahn this weekend at worship at Grace!
Pastor Hahn's funeral in New London will be at 11am on Saturday, February 6th at Peace Lutheran Church. There is only room for 125 people to attend. It will be live-streamed and we will share that information with you as it becomes available. We are exploring the possibility of showing the live-stream in the sanctuary at Grace for those who would want to gather together to watch it. There will also be a visitation at Peace on Friday, February 5th from 5-7pm.
We do not plan to have an official funeral at Grace, but we need an opportunity to grieve and say goodbye to Pastor Hahn, and to celebrate his life. This weekend’s worship service will do just that. While this won’t be an actual funeral, we will be using songs, scripture and other elements of Pastor Hahn’s funeral service in our worship together and giving thanks for him and his ministry at Grace. While not ideally how we would like to celebrate his life, spreading it out over the weekend will give us the opportunity to allow more people to attend worship and say goodbye to Pastor Hahn. Our worship will be at the usual times, 5pm on Saturday, 8:45am, and 10:30am on Sunday. It will also be shared through YouTube online for those who prefer to attend virtually. We do ask for you to please sign-up in advance through our sign-up genius.
Thank you for your prayers and for your kind words to the staff, and to me.
Some of you have asked ways you might support the family at this time. They told me that they very much enjoy going out for coffee and welcome gift cards to Caribou or Starbucks.
If you wish to send cards please send them to his address:
2889 377th Ave NW Stanchfield, MN 55080
You can also bring cards this weekend and we will get them to Pastor Hahn’s family.
If you are wanting to give a memorial in honor of Pastor Hahn the family has recommended giving in his name to the ELCA Hunger Appeal. I am also looking at purchasing a piece of new art for Grace in his memory and you can give to that as well. If you wanted to write a check to Grace and write in the memo line Pastor Hahn's art memorial.
Blessings,
Pastor Joanna Mitchell
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Virtual Service Availability
Throughout everything we will continue to provide worship online. We will be streaming worship through Grace's YouTube account. We encourage you to join us and listen to God's word through virtual services. Worship will be posted by 5 pm on Saturday evening, allowing you to worship at the time you prefer.
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Building Task Force Update
Last week, three open meetings were held to discuss the upcoming vote on Sunday, Jan. 31, 9:30am regarding our two church properties. As a first step, to determine how church membership will move forward regarding the removal of the two portables, the congregation will be asked to vote on one of three options: Keep both properties, sell the property on Round Lake and Bunker, or sell Nightingale. At each meeting, Greg Ackerson articulated a detailed presentation describing the data and the financial implications of each of the possible options. Members of the building committee were and still are available to answer questions you might have.
Once the congregation makes this decision, we will together determine: What will the building plans be like going forward? What do we need to support our future vision? What are our budgetary constraints? Most importantly, what do we feel God is calling us to do?
Don’t forget to attend the congregational meeting on Sunday, Jan. 31, at 9:30am.
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Congregational Meeting
Sunday, January 31st at 9:30 am
Dear Friends in Christ,
Every year, Grace takes a day to review what we've done in the last year and discuss what we will do in the next. This year, the annual meeting for Grace Lutheran Church will be held this Sunday, January 31, 2021, at 9:30 a.m. A Zoom link and additional dial in information will be made available soon. We will review the 2020 Annual Report, and the 2021 Budget as approved by your Vision Board. Hope to see you all soon!
Frances Fernandez
Grace Lutheran Church Administrator
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***Reminder***
Zoom Fellowship & Prayer Gathering
on January 31st will be at 11:30am
This weekend only!
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FEARLESS
– an inspiring virtual experience featuring Kat Perkins
Friday, January 29th – 7:00-8:00 PM
Tickets: $12.00 (Proceeds will benefit Mental Health Connect)
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Please join us for an inspirational evening with Minnesota’s very own Kat Perkins, NBC’s The Voice Top 4 finalist, for this Mental Health Connect fundraiser. Kat will speak about making fearless choices, becoming the most successful person you can be, and how attitude is crucial to overcoming obstacles. She knows a thing or two about rising above one’s circumstances, as surgery on her vocal chords resulted in a three-year hiatus from her singing career. To learn more about Kat Perkins and to register for this event, click on the link below.
Grace Lutheran is a member of Mental Health Connect, a nonprofit organization that works to provide community-based resources, support and education to improve access to mental health services and to connect individuals and families with the services they need.
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Tips for Practicing Self-Care
Monday, February 8
6:30-7:30 PM via Zoom
Many of us are better at caring for other people than we are for ourselves. Yet, it is essential to pay attention to the needs of our own body, mind, and spirit if we are to live as fully as God intends. And it is through the nourishment of our own well-being that we can help nourish the well-being of others.
What has been successful for you in caring for yourself? Where do you struggle? We hope you’ll join us for an interactive one-hour zoom gathering for this important discussion on improving our self-care! No registration necessary. Sponsored by Grace’s Mental Health Team.
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Grace's Opportunities for Giving |
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Noisy Offerings
Noisy Offerings collected from February 1st-15th will support the "Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies" program through World Wide Village in Haiti. Being pregnant in Haiti is risky - especially in rural Haiti where access to maternal care is minimal, at best. Most women in rural Haiti do not receive consistent medical care during or after their pregnancies, sometimes causing heartbreaking results. World Wide Village is working to change that!
Every $5 given can provide prenatal vitamins for one mother for an entire month. Every $10 provides a birthing kit for an expectant mother. Funds may also be used for midwife salaries and educational materials, all contributing to a greater chance of healthy pregnancies and babies! Thank you for giving generously!
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May All Be Fed Food Shelf at Grace
Thanks for all of your generous donations to our May All Be Fed Food Shelf at Grace. At this time the food shelf is pretty well stocked except we are in need of cereal. Please drop your donations off in the Church Office.
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Ways to Give Electronically |
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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.
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Text to Donate
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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If you would like to give a gift online to Tom Baker, please click on the GraceRealm link below and indicate on your Current Offering in the Memo Field that this is to Tom Baker's Retirement. |
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Administrator’s Corner
Thank you to all who Zoomed in and/or attended in person to our recent Building Committee meetings to receive information regarding the property at Nightingale. If you were unable to attend, information is available in the December GraceNotes found in our website. Your discernment and comments regarding this property will help Grace continue its growth and ministries focus.
Don’t forget to add the GraceRealm app on your phone!
Don’t forget the Annual Financial Report will be presented at our Congregational Meeting this Sunday 1/31/21 in-person and via Zoom.
Blessings,
Frances Fernandez
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Prayers of the Church
Bring healing to those who are hurting, recovering, and living under disease, illness and injury. Today we pray especially for Julie Swedberg, Mike Burckhard, Dave Kolar, Twila Hansen, George Rongere, Marge Davidson, Pat Haggerty, Pastor Maria Markman, Lana Howell, Brett Froslee, Arden Kirkendall, Deb Corey, LaDonna Lilyquist, Lynda Wilde, Deb Stang, BJ Scott, Charlotte Montei, Elsie Weisenberger, Linda Christiansen, Carroll Potter, Judi Wold, and Colleen Wernimont. We pray for all those suffering from COVID-19 throughout the world, and we pray that the end of COVID-19 would be near. Lord, hear our prayers.
God of promise, grant comfort, peace, and the hope of Christ’s resurrection to all who grieve. We pray especially today for The family and friends of Pastor Delwayne Hahn upon his death; Sharon Bailey & Family upon the death of Sharon’s husband, Joe Bailey. Lord, hear our prayers.
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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.
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