This is a quick weekly reminder of what is happening at Grace
in worship and in ways to connect and serve.
|
|
Dear Grace Friends,
This weekend we are once again focusing our worship together on Mental Health. May is Mental Health Awareness month. I am so thankful for the work of our Mental Health Team for the educational opportunities they have offered to us and their ongoing commitment to making our mental health part of our everyday language and discussion.
This past year has been one in which I had more anxiety than ever before. After months of feeling anxious and struggling to sleep, I finally thought I should call my doctor. I cried as I talked to her when I realized the depth of my own anxiety that I hadn’t fully recognized in myself. She listened and offered options for me to consider. It felt so wonderful to be heard and to feel seen. In the end, I ended up on a mild medicine for anxiety and depression. Within days of taking my new meds, I felt the difference. I felt so much better and then I knew that I had been hurting far more than I had previously realized.
For years I have been talking and promoting mental health to erase the stigma of mental illness. I have been an advocate, and at times even an educator. But, even with all this knowledge, I missed my own pain. This continues to amaze me. Some dear people in my life showed up for me in some incredible ways. In sharing my story, these friends also told me that they had noticed I was struggling and yet didn’t know what to do. Now, they assure me that next time, they will say something sooner. I am grateful.
I am doing much better now. I am sleeping and eating well. I continue to work with my doctor and take medication as needed. I also will continue to share and promote mental health awareness and I will keep learning about myself and from all of you. I hope that if you are struggling or hurting you will reach out to someone. Please call your doctor or nurse and do a general mental health survey. Call me or Pastor Maria, we would love to listen to you, pray with you and encourage you. Finally, if someone you love seems to be hurting, have the courage to ask, “are you okay?” And if they say “No.” Listen to them and encourage them to talk to their doctor and get help. You don’t have to have all the answers, noticing and caring is enough!
Thank you for all the ways you show up for each other and for your ongoing commitment to living and walking in faith.
Blessings,
Pastor Joanna Mitchell
|
|
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 no longer asking for people to sign up for a worship service. We do ask you to stay home if you are sick and to follow all of our COVID-19 protective guidelines, including wearing masks indoors and social distancing. Thank you!
|
|
Wear Red on Sunday, May 23rd
Pentecost is the festival when Christians celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is celebrated on the Sunday 50 days after Easter. Pentecost is regarded as the birthday of the Christian church, and the start of the church's mission to the world. It is traditional, on this birthday of the Church, Pentecost, to decorate our churches in red, and to wear red, as a symbol of the joy and fire of the Holy Spirit. Wearing red is a tangible reminder recalling the red of the flames of the Holy Spirit. We encourage you to wear red on Pentecost, Sunday, May 23rd, as a sign that the Holy Spirit comes to all believers.
|
|
OK@Play will be meeting outside IN PERSON in May!! TONIGHT!!
We are planning a picnic gathering to simply socialize in person and eat together outside. Here are the details:
-
Thursday, May 13th, from 6:30-8:00 pm on the Grace lawn and/or parking lot.
- Adjust the image above, as we will still require masks (except while you are eating) and social distancing per our guidelines.
- Bring your own food and drink for what you wish to eat.
- Bring your own lawn chair and roasting fork for marshmallows.
- We hope to use the church fire pit to enjoy S'mores. Ann will be bringing supplies for making the S’mores and Joe J will be bringing for Gluten Free S’mores.
- In case of rain, we will meet the following Thursday, May 20th.
Any questions, please contact Mary Jo Trapp, Deb Stang, or Ann Lange.
Hope to see you in person on Thursday, May 13th!!
Ann Lange
|
|
OUR FAMILY TABLE IS GETTING BIGGER!
Serving again on Sunday,
May 16th
12:30-1:30 PM
Help is needed for the Family Table Drive Thru meal this Sunday, May 16. We are in need of 2 people to help in the kitchen 11:45am-2:00pm; a runner/bagger from 12:15pm-1:30pm; and we need one more pot of Chili. If you can help, please contact Lynda Wilde lrwilde@comcast.net or 612-418-6444.
The news about Family Table is spreading, and the number of our guests is up from 14 last August to 54 last month! What a joy and privilege to provide a meal for those in need! Grace will be serving another Family Table “take-out” meal on May 16th. There are plenty of opportunities for you to help, whether it’s making a pot of your homemade chili, a batch of cornbread, or donating bottled water or bags of shredded cabbage! We also need assistance packing meals and bringing the meals out to our guests in the parking lot. If you can help, please sign up!
|
|
We also want to extend an invitation to Grace members to identify any neighbors or friends who might be in need of these meals, but who are unable, for whatever reason, to pick up the meals themselves. If you would like to reserve a few meals and are willing to deliver them to the people you’ve identified, please contact Lynda Wilde at lrwilde@comcast.net and we’ll be sure to have extras on hand.
|
|
Social Devotions-“You Are Not Alone”
The Women’s Retreat Team is excited to be hosting another “Social Devotions” in the month of May. “Social Devotions” is a monthly virtual Zoom Gathering for ALL Grace Women. Because of COVID-19, the Women’s Retreat Team wanted to connect and encourage every woman at Grace Lutheran Church during these trying times.
So feel free to Virtually swing by to get a “Spiritual Nugget” and Socialize with the Women at Grace on a monthly Zoom Call. Each month’s call will have a different theme and is meant to uplift and provide a few spiritual truths for you to apply to your daily lives.
May’s Social Devotion will be on Sunday evening May 16, 2021 from 7pm-7:45pm. The Zoom Link will is available below as well as on the GLC website under Church Online – Zoom Meetings. There is no need to RSVP – just pop on each month and enjoy seeing our Grace Women and hearing how God can impact our lives!
This is our last Social Devotions event that is planned so far for 2021 – please try to join us for this fun and inspirational zoom gathering. You will not be disappointed!
|
|
Mental Health Awareness Weekend
May 15th & 16th
We will be having our Mental Health Awareness Weekend May 15th & 16th. We will have information available on different programs in the Narthex. Our worship services will also be surrounding Mental Health.
|
|
Prepare and Enrich Marriage Day Retreat
Saturday, May 22, 2021 10:00am-2:00pm
(we will break for lunch) in the fellowship hall.
Register by Saturday, May 15th!!
It is important married couples do things together to keep their marriages alive and healthy. Prayer, good communication and fun as well as dedicated time together for ongoing growth and understanding are all necessary tools. Join Pastor Maria for a day marriage retreat.
Total Event Cost: $45.00
$35.00 for Couples Assessment (details below)
$10.00 for lunch. Lunch will be provided by Nelson's Deli in Spring Lake Park.
When you register for the event, you will need to provide your email address and the address of your spouse. After you have registered, you will each receive an email with a link to the prepare and enrich couples assessment. Pastor Maria is a certified Prepare and Enrich Facilitator. The Prepare and Enrich assessment and curriculum has been #1 in marriage assessments for over 35 years. Your assessment should be taken on your own (not together). The assessment takes about 20 minutes. Whoever logs into the assessment first will be asked to pay the assessment fee of $35. Only one of you will need to pay this fee. This fee is paid through Prepare and Enrich and not on through Grace or Realm. I hope you consider taking the assessment and joining us for our day retreat. You must take the assessment prior to our retreat to attend so please sign up today!
|
|
Vision Board Elections
The following candidates are presented by the Grace Lutheran Church Nominating Committee to be elected for the open Vision Board positions to serve 3 year terms. The 2021 Vision Board Elections will be held during the 2021 May Congregational Meeting, which will be held on May 23rd. Links and more information will follow. Please pray for each of the following candidates:
|
|
Carl Chandler
My wife, Steph and I have been members of Grace since 2007. We have two children, Audrey (11) and Logan (10). We found our home at Grace, while searching for a church close to home and to help us grow our spirituality. Grace has welcomed us with open arms. I’m a Service Center Manager for FedEx Freight and have been with them for 20 years. We love to volunteer at FMSC and plan on more doing more as the pandemic allows. Thanks for your consideration! Carl Chandler
|
|
Bill Hentges
Hello, my name is Bill Hentges and I, along with my wife Denise and daughter Katie (21), have lived in Andover since 1998 and have been members of Grace for over 20 years. I have also served as a member of the Grace ushering team for most of this time. I have been an independent businessman, running a small business for over 30 years and have worked on various industry, municipal and state agency planning and code development and training committees over the years. I believe this experience has helped me develop skills that would be valuable as a member of the Grace Vision Board. As a member of Grace, I have always been proud of the outreach and services Grace has provided not just for our own members but to the community, as a whole, along with the international missions and ministries it has sponsored and supported. If I am elected to serve on the Vision Board I will do my best to ensure our continued commitment to these values. Thank you for your consideration. Bill Hentges
|
|
Stacy Surratt
Hi, my name is Stacy Surratt and I have been a member of Grace since 2007. I live in Andover with my husband James and my two children, my daughter, Olivia (16) and my son, Christopher (15) and our dog, Watson. I am a Health Systems Business Specialist for Boehringer Ingelheim where I call on hospitals and clinics in the Minneapolis metro area, helping healthcare professionals treat diabetes, COPD and heart failure. I love serving my community and the people at Grace Lutheran Church. I currently serve as the co-lead for the Grace4Rakai Ministry Team since the team was established in the summer of 2015. I was blessed to actually go to Rakai, Uganda in the summer of 2016 and experienced first-hand how our church is positively impacting vulnerable women and children in Africa. I was also on the Grace2Haiti team for several years and went to Haiti 2x with the Grace team as part of their mission trips. I also am very involved with the Children’s Ministry at Grace for the past 14 years. I currently am a Sunday School teacher and serve as the leader for the Children’s Ministry Team. I also have served as a leader on many children’s events over the years including VBS, “Egg-stravaganza”, “Trunk or Treat” as well as many other annual events offered each year. I am also actively involved in Women’s Ministry here at Grace. I have served on their leadership team for many years and currently have led the Women’s Retreat team for the past 8 years. I have also been on the Call Committee and several Nominating Committees over the years when hiring church staff. Me and my family love to serve together and volunteer at ACBC food shelf and FMSC on a regular basis. I would be honored to serve Grace as a Vision Board member. Thank you for your consideration. Stacy Surratt
|
|
Anna Welle
My name is Anna Welle, and I have been a member of Grace since 2009. I have lived in Andover for fifteen years, and I have two children. Jameson (14) is currently in catechism, and Mackenzie (11) will be joining catechism in the fall. We came to Grace not only because of the welcoming environment, but also because of the wonderful children’s ministry and youth programs. In my professional life, I am a Vice President leading the Federal income tax function in the corporate tax department at Ameriprise Financial. I also serve as Treasurer for the Andover Girls’ Traveling Basketball Association. I have served in a variety of ways over the years at Grace, from assisting with SONday School to ushering to baking communion bread. I currently serve on the Abandoned Children’s Ministry, and I have been to Haiti twice on mission trips. I have formed wonderful friendships with people I have met at Grace. I want what is best for our church, so that others may also experience that type of connection. I want to see our church continue to thrive and grow. I would be honored to serve on the Vision Board, and I appreciate your consideration. Anna Welle
|
|
Red Cross Blood Drive
Red Cross blood drive at Grace Tuesday, May 25th, 1:00pm-6:00pm. Blood donations are especially needed around holidays. Please go to www.redcross.org to make an appointment to donate. Your blood donation will save a life.
|
|
Grace's Opportunities for Giving |
|
Grace Food Shelf Needs
The Grace Food Shelf is in need the following products:
Pancake Mix
Pancake Syrup
If you are able to help, please drop off your donation at the church office. Thank you!
|
|
Meals for a Family in Need
Meals are still needed for the Potter’s as Carroll recovers from COVID-19 and a terrible fall and subsequent surgery. If you can help, please sign up for a specific date and drop off the meal by 3pm the day you have chosen. Thanks for ministering to them. It is greatly appreciated!
|
|
Noisy Offerings
Noisy Offerings collected May 1st-15th will go to the Robin’s Nest Scholarship Fund that helps pay tuition for students in Haiti to attend sewing classes. On a mission trip several years ago, Harold Zupon and the Haiti team had noticed there was a need to have uniforms made for children to go to school and for teaching sewing skills to older students, providing them with both an income and a career option. This scholarship fund was initiated to help meet this need.
For May 16th-31st, in light of the fact that May is Mental Health Awareness month, our Noisy Offering for the last half of May will be directed to The Heart and Mind Connection in Anoka, a nonprofit organization that seeks to bring hope and help to those with mental illness and substance use challenges. Thank you for giving generously.
|
|
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.
|
|
Prayers of the Church
For all who call upon your healing name: Shane Larson, Deb Stang’s brothers Ken and John, Lois Golie, Sonja Hawn, Justin Richards, Carroll Potter, John Malecha, Christopher Sluis, Julie Swedberg, LaDonna Lilyquist, Charlotte Montei, Lynn Zirkle, Elsie Weisenberger, Linda Christiansen, Judi Wold, and Ralph & Colleen Wernimont.
For those who mourn, bring comfort and peace. We pray especially for Lynn Zirkle and the family of Lynn’s sister Mary Hockemeyer as they mourn Mary’s death; and Deb Stang & family upon the death of her Uncle Don.
|
|
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.
|
|
Meet the Architects
Philosophy
“Architecture for People”
Busch Architects, Inc. is in the business of inspiring people by transforming the spaces and buildings they inhabit. Each client has a unique story and their buildings should help them tell that story. When designing you have to “step into the shoes” of building users. A well-designed building will anticipate the needs of users and provide the flexibility to accommodate change over time. Architecture that is inspiring and nurturing speaks to people and invites them in.
Our Experience
In 1988, our firm began designing its first project, Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Since then, we have completed more than 100 church projects of various sizes. In addition to religious architecture, we have experience with education, recreation, municipal, and commercial projects. In all areas of work, we are well versed in working with existing buildings and the unique challenges and opportunities that they provide.
Our Team
The following members of our team are excited to begin working on the project and will be involved throughout all phases of design and construction.
Kevin Busch, AIA, CID (Lead Project Architect)
Gary Demele, FAIA, NCARB (Project Manager)
Amanda Maldonado (Production Coordinator)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
