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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Our 2021 Christikon Mountain Top Experience
After last week at Christikon with our youth, it is no surprise that God’s people often throughout history chose high places, and climbed mountains to reach the presence of God. We are told on multiple accounts throughout the biblical text that characters like Abraham, Moses, Miriam, and even Jesus would excuse themselves from day to day life and find themselves in the mountains praying, and listening to a word from God. My experience with Grace’s youth last week felt very similar. Although I had planned for more access to cellular service, email and internet, our time on the mountain was removed from such busyness. One could say we had excused ourselves from the busy day to day and focused instead on the majesty of God’s creation and we spent many hours in silence, in prayer, and in relationship building with one another. Although God’s presence can be felt anywhere, I think we would all agree we had a great mountain top experience last week! On our return trip, Kristi, our youth director, asked our youth to reflect on their experience at Christikon. Many shared how their faith continued to develop through the repeated daily scripture readings. Each day we heard the same text three or four times -Jonah, Esther, the prodigal son. These texts were made relevant through preaching and bible studies and passing conversations with counselors, adult leaders, and fellow campers. Would you believe that many of their favorite experiences were when they were out on an overnight trail experience. Where even the nicer amenities of camp (shower, toilet, fresh water, warm food, and beds) were a couple of miles hike away. Some chose to sleep out under the Montana stars, while others feared rain and stayed under a tarp tent they built together. Giggling through bathroom woods stories and wilderness cooking mishaps a truth had been revealed: having once felt like groups who had all come to camp from different schools and different places, we left united, feeling like we belonged to one another. And feel free to ask any of us about folk dancing!!! All in all, our week in Montana at camp helped me realize the importance of nature to nurture our spirits, the positive influence of silence (the unplugged kind), and that wherever we are God promises are true, God is faithful and steadfast, God will quench the thirst of the thirsty, God calls us to our Nineveh (to places difficult to go), God calls us to a specific purpose for such a time as this.
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A special thanks to Kristi Larson for putting it all together, to our volunteers Dawn Kugler-Park, Jeff Anderson, and Michele Behnke-Nead, to Christikon director Mark and their staff, and to all others at Grace and beyond who helped in other ways make this trip a success!
Please join me in giving thanks for these continued opportunities for our youth.
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O God, we give you thanks for camps like Christikon whose mission it is to embody the Gospel of Jesus Christ, raise up stewards of creation, and grow leaders and faithful partners in ministry. Thank you for volunteers and staff who are committed to and encourage the faith formation of our youth. Continue to meet us where we are at, but remind us, sometimes, it is in the high, silent, unplugged and natural cathedrals where you speak to us most clearly. Amen.
Thank you!
Pastor Maria Markman
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Summer Worship Hours
5:00 pm on Saturdays*
8:30 am on Sundays
10:00 am on Sundays
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*Outdoor Worship Our Saturday night worship will be outside in the courtyard at 5pm. Please bring your own lawn chair. All are welcome to attend. We will have chalk for kids. In case of rain or high heat indices, worship will move inside.
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Fellowship is Back!!!
We are starting Fellowship after worship on Sundays. Goodies and coffee will be available in the Narthex after worship. We ask that you gather outside to gather, socialize and get to know each other. If you or your group would like to host a fellowship on Sunday, please contact Kris Miller at the church office.
We do not require reservations or masks for vaccinated people at in-person worship. If you feel more comfortable wearing a mask, please feel free to do so. 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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Graceful Seniors
Tuesday, August 10th
8:30am-10:00am
Come and join in the fun! From 8:30am-9:00am Treats and conversation (free will offering). Pastor Maria will be on vacation. David Phelps will be stepping in and having a hymn sing along with everyone! So bring your requests for David to play and sing along from 9:00am-10:00am.
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SAVE THE DATE:
Tuesday, August 10th
for OK@Play
at Headflyer Brewing
from 6:00-8:30pm
Join us for some fun fellowship, food and good beer (or soda if you prefer). Cost is $12/person which includes a beer of your choice (or soda) sloppy joes, chips, beans, pickles and yummy homemade sweets.
Please review the available slots below and click on the link below to sign up. Thank you! A reminder and more details will be communicated closer to the event, but put this on your calendar!
Address: 861 E. Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN
We can also consider carpooling from Grace if people are interested in this, let me know.
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Food Truck and Friendship Event
August 11, 2021
6pm-8pm
Join us for food and friendship and fun! Activities for the evening will include yard games (bring some from home to share), bounce house, 9 square in the air, and more! The Food Trucks for the event will be Mansetti's and Rustic Chef!
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Family Dinner & A Movie
August 13, 2021
6:00pm
Enjoy a fun family night with us! We will be having dinner, followed by a movie in the sanctuary! Families are invited to attend together. Come in your PJs and bring blankets and pillows.
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Kindergarten-4th Grade
Splash Day
Wednesday, August 17th
1:00pm-3:00pm
Rescheduled from 7/28/21
Ready to make a splash? If you’re an incoming Kindergartener through 4th grade you are invited to a fun afternoon of splish splashaderie at Grace’s water slide fun day! Cost is $10. Please register by clicking on the button below or if you need help registering email krism@graceandover.org
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Middle School
Water Fun Day
Wednesday, August 17th
6:00pm-8:00pm
Rescheduled from 7/28/21
Calling all incoming 5th through 8th graders! Take a break from the heat and join us for an evening of water fun with a giant waterslide at Grace! Bring a friend (or two or three) and have a splashtastic time! Cost is $10. Please register by clicking on the button below if you need help registering please email krism@graceandover.org
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Grace's Opportunities for Giving |
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Noisy Offerings
The Noisy Offering for July will be on behalf of Rob, a young husband and father of 2 small children, who was critically injured by an impaired driver in downtown Minneapolis in late May. He suffered many broken bones and has a very long recovery ahead of him. Funds collected will help this young family with added expenses caused by this tragic accident.
Beginning on August 1st, Noisy Offerings will be going to our Faith and Community Partnership with Sand Creek Elementary. The offering will go towards helping those families in need at Sand Creek.
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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
For all who call upon your healing name: Samantha Fernandez, Lennon Grae Budreau, Great Grandchild of Dean & Barb Keller, born prematurely; Kelly Jo Daugherty, Dennis, Kenny Zupon, Margret Olson Mary North, John Malecha, Ron Clarstrom, Stephanie Fernandez, Carroll Potter, Christopher Sluis, Julie Swedberg, LaDonna Lilyquist, Charlotte Montei, Lynn Zirkle, Elsie Weisenberger, Linda Christiansen, Judi Wold, Colleen Wernimont
We also pray for those who have experienced a recent death: Darlene Jorgenson & family upon the death of her husband, Don Jorgenson; Jim and Maydelle Fennick and family upon the death of Jim’s nephew Connor; Kevin & Deb Corey as they mourn the death of Kevin’s Uncle, Dean; Easton & Evie Ordalen upon the sudden death of their mother
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