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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"Unique Palm Sunday Worship Experiences"
When I was a teen, I was elected Youth Deacon of my youth group. What this meant was I served on Church Council and also led our youth group. One of my passions was in helping other people lead. I remember we had a youth led worship service that I had planned, organized and executed. When we were done, my dad said, "I thought you were going to do more." I told him, "Dad, I did a ton! But that doesn't mean I need to be the person up-front leading everything! It was a moment that shaped my future ministry because I realized my desire to help other people lead and use their voices to share their experiences of faith.
This weekend is a special weekend for a number of reasons. First, it's Palm Sunday and so we move into Holy Week. But, there are two very unique worship opportunities for all of us. On Saturday evening at 5pm, our worship will be entirely lay-lead. Stephen Hirt will be sharing the sermon, and Joe Jackson has planned and organized the music. I am so thankful for their willingness to step up and share their faith through word and through music.
On Sunday morning, our children will be sharing sharing the Holy Week/Easter story through a drama written by our very own Bekah Hirt. Bekah Hirt and Jackie Anderson directed our children's Christmas Program this past year and did a phenomenal job. They had so much fun, they wanted to do it again, but couldn't find a play that seemed right. So Bekah wrote one herself. What a gift! Together they have directed and organized our kids. I am excited to hear the story of Holy Week and God's promises told by our kids this weekend. They will be sharing the message at both the 8:45am and 10:30am worship on Sunday morning.
We have such gifted leaders in our church. I am so grateful to lead and learn with all of you!
Blessings,
Pastor Joanna Mitchell
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The Giving Phase of Transforming Inside and Out Generosity Campaign
We are in the GIVING phase of our Transforming Inside and Out Generosity campaign. We give thanks for the tremendous commitments we have received toward our campaign, over and above our goal!
As we begin fulfilling our pledged gifts to the “Transforming: Inside & Out” campaign, we have had questions regarding how to give online via Realm to the campaign.
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The first step is to log into Realm. If you do not have a Realm account, please call the Church Office (763-421-6520). Once you have logged in, go to your profile and click on the Giving link on the left side of the screen.
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In the Giving screen, you can view how much you have given, what is your Giving Number, your giving pledges, your 2021 Contributions, your scheduled giving, and more. Now to set up a reoccurring or one time pledge click on the Give Tab.
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After you click on the Give Tab, a secondary screen will appear. Here is where you can put in your dollar amount, and the drop down arrow will give you options of different Funds.
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Once you have chosen the dollar amount and which Fund you would like to place your giving, then you have other choices to make. You can add a note in the memo line. You can give to another fund (i.e. Ministry Operations, Noisy Offering, etc.). You can give just one time. You can set up multiple (reoccurring) giving. When you give multiple times, there is the option of how frequently. You can also indicate what day you would like the giving to begin and and end date (you can leave the end date open so that the giving does not stop until you go in and stop the giving). Once you have filled in all of the information, click on Continue.
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Now in the next screen, you can choose which of your bank accounts you would like the giving to come out. If you have set up giving previously, the accounts will all ready be there. If you need to set up another bank account or your initial account, you will need to click on Enter a Different Payment Method. Another screen will appear where you can enter your bank or credit card information. When you have entered everything into the last form, click on the blue Give button. You are all set!
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Many of us are also giving online or setting up recurring giving in Realm. If you have questions about making a gift online, making a non-cash gift, or other questions related to your “Transforming” pledge, please contact Frances at francesf@graceandover.org. If you are bringing your offering and placing it in the baskets in the narthex, our offering envelopes have our campaign on them so you can dedicate your giving. If you need new offering envelopes, please reach out to Kris Miller in the church office. She will gladly get new envelopes for you.
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Worship
-Wednesdays-No Worship on April 13th & 20th
-Saturdays at 5:00pm Contemporary
-Sundays at 8:45am Traditional
-Sundays at 10:30am Contemporary
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We do not require masks but wearing masks is a personal choice for all attending in-person worship. If you are unvaccinated we strongly recommend masks. We do ask if you are not feeling well or ill please stay home. We will continue to live stream worship services for those who do not feel comfortable coming to worship or those who are out of the area. |
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Fellowship
Fellowship is after Worship on Sundays. Coffee, water and treats will be available in the Narthex after worship.
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A Special Thank You!
We have a strong and dedicated leadership on Saturday nights. Because of our children’s program this weekend, worship this evening is possible because of these wonderful volunteers. Thank you to Stephan Hirt for preaching, to Joe Jackson for leading the music, to Johnna Hirt and Low Jackson for their planning, music and more.
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Holy Week & Easter Worship Times
Holy Week Worship Times
Palm Sunday Saturday Worship-April 9th-5pm (Stephen Hirt Preaching)
Palm Sunday Worship-April 10th-8:45am & 10:30am (Children's Program)
Maundy Thursday Worship with Holy Communion- April 14th - 1:00pm & 7:00pm (First Communion)
Good Friday Worship - April 15th - 1:00pm & 7:00pm
Easter Vigil Worship - April 16th - 5:00pm
Easter Sunday Worship Times
Sunday, April 17th -7:00am Sunrise, 8:45am Traditional & 10:30am Contemporary
Lenten Devotion Opportunity
If you are looking for a way to dive deeper this Lent and add a daily devotion, we have a wonderful opportunity for you. John Anderson, one of our members and a bible study leader has written a daily Lenten Devotion. We hope you will enjoy his words, reflections and images that allow us to see and experience the presence of God among us. Click here for access to the overall devotion. Click here to read today's.
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EGGSTRAVAGANZA
Sunday, April 10th
8:45/ 10:30 AM Worship
Children's Easter Program in Worship
9:45-10:20 AM
BINGO in the Fellowship Hall
11:45-1:00 PM EGGSTRAVAGANZA
ALL are welcome! Come and worship stay for Easter fun, food and fellowship! No need to sign up, just join us!
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Easter Egg Fundraiser
We will be hiding Easter Eggs to help out the Easter Bunny as a fundraiser for Youth Trips. We will be hiding a minimum of 20 Easter Eggs at your home! If you have any questions please contact Kristi Larson or click on the button below
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Arise With the Guys
April 23rd at 9:00am
Attention All Grace Guys You are invited to attend Arise With the Guys at Grace Church in Eden Prairie on April 23 at 9:00am. Guest speakers are Ben Roethlisberger and Tony Dungy, two athletes and men of strong faith. Cost is $10 but if you attend the free breakfast at 7:00am, tickets are free. Carpooling from Grace is available. For more information, see the link on our website or contact Daron Yates for more information. daronyates@gmail.com
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Fernandez Family Fundraiser |
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Sunday May 1st, 12:00-3:00pm
Grace Lutheran Church
13655 Round Lake Blvd. NW
Andover, MN 55304
www.graceandover.org
Sign up on Realm or call the Church Office at 763-421-6520
Join us in raising funds to benefit the Fernandez Family as 17 year old Samantha awaits a kidney transplant.
$20 per person entry fee (includes meal)
$5.00/person food for spectators
Bouncy House for kids
Silent Auction
If you are unable to attend this fun event but would like to give to the fundraiser. You can give online through Realm by clicking on the Miscellaneous Income in the Fund drop down menu and be sure to put the Fernandez Family in the Memo line. Or you can mail a check made out to Grace Lutheran with the Fernandez Family in the memo line of the check to Grace Lutheran 13655 Round Lake Blvd NW, Andover MN 55304.
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Grace's Opportunities for Giving |
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Food Donations for
Grace Food Shelf
The Grace food shelf could use a few donations. Please drop your donations off at the Church office. Please remember we can not take perishable, expired items, or items in glass containers. We are in need of the following:
canned soup
boxed cereal
canned vegetables
canned chili/kidney beans
canned baked beans
boxed pasta noodles
canned pasta sauce
canned dinners (stew, beef-a-roni, chili, etc)
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Noisy Offering collected from April 1st to 15th will be going to Grace 2 Haiti. Noisy Offerings collected April 16th to 30th will go to Robin's Nest Scholarship Fund. |
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Contributions/Gifts of Stocks & Mutual Funds
Hello friends! Just a note to let you know that a new bank account has been activated to allow for the receipt of contributions/gifts of stock & mutual funds. It's a little more complicated than a regular bank account and we appreciate your patience as we got the account going. Information is available via our website.
Also, please make sure you are receiving our Grace emails from Realm. I've heard some might be going into "spam" folders, so take a look in case you're missing any! Lots of activities and events are happening at Grace and announced via Realm - don't miss out!
Thank you for your continued support of our ministry work at Grace. The energy, collaboration and love is heartfelt by all!
Blessings,
Frances
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Give Electronically through GraceRealm |
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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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Prayers of the Church
Please pray for: Dean Keller, Cathy Hadler, Paul Doering, Sonja Hawn, Emily Oberg, Lois Vadner, Mary Anderson, Jeff, Heather & Julie Kintzler, Colleen Wernimont, and those in need of long-term prayers; Julie Caldwell, Shirley Fystrom, Kathy Beckman, Betty Thompson, Harland Johnson, Jason Beckman, Lu Henning, Alison Husak, Juleen Klawiter, Carroll Potter, Clint Trousil, John Malecha, Stephanie and Samantha Fernandez, Christopher Sluis, Julie Swedberg, LaDonna Lilyquist, Charlotte Montei, Elsie Weisenberger, Linda Christiansen, and Judi Wold.
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Grace Notes May Articles Due April 20th
The deadline for May Grace Notes is Wednesday, April 20th at 5pm. Grace Notes will be in the mail to homes by April 29th. Please have all your articles in Word Format and email them to Marie Kolar at mariek@graceandover.org.
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