This is a quick weekly reminder of what is happening at Grace

in worship and in ways to connect and serve.

Snowstorms and Ashes

The weather in Minnesota is unpredictable especially in late February, early March, which is what we experienced this week once again. It is no longer surprising when bad weather impacts important church/worship days. On the one hand, I find God's sense of humor a bit annoying, "cut us a break!" On the other hand, I am reminded that many of our traditions are human-made traditions. There is no Gospel text where Jesus says, you must get ashes on your forehead on the first of the 40 days to do Lent right. And yet, this practice has meaning for us. It evokes memories for many, and for others, it is a reminder of God's faithfulness and claim on our life. The reality is, while I would have preferred to worship with more people at the end of Ash Wednesday, and marked more foreheads with the ashes cross with the declaration to "remember you are dust and to dust you shall return." This is true for us whether or not we received the ashes or not. Regardless, we are invited to remember: our identity as God's beloved, our mortality, and the faithfulness of God who says in the wilderness, in the snowstorms, on the hard days, in the suffering and in the pain, you are marked by me and my love. Thanks be to God!

Blessings,

Pastor Joanna

P.S. If you couldn't join us for Ash Weds. and would like to receive ashes, please come to worship on Sunday at 10am and Pastor Maria and others will be there to make God's mark upon you!

New Lenten Liturgy for Wednesdays

Wednesdays during Lent will sound a little different this year. We are moving to a new setting of the Evening Prayer, “Stay with Us, Lord” by Minnesota Composer David Cherwien. It follows the same outline as the Holden Evening Prayer but focuses more on the Lenten season and themes.

The melodies are beautiful, and very sing able for everyone. It will fast become a congregational favorite. If you would like to hear some of the music, contact David Phelps.

Wednesday Programming

Schedule of Events

1pm-Lent Wednesday Worship/Fellowship

5:15-6:15pm-Lenten Supper

6-7pm Kids Night Out

6-7pm-Catechism

7pm-Lent Wednesday Worship

North Metro Grief Support Coalition

Growing Through Loss ©

This series provides an opportunity for individuals to obtain information and support for a variety of grief and loss issues. Have you experienced the death of a loved one, infant loss, loss by suicide. Do you feel alone in your grief, in need of support, interested in learning more about the grieving process? There is a six-week series of speakers and small groups. There is no cost, or no preregistration. You are welcome to attend one or all sessions. Small group participation is encouraged, but always optional.

Speakers:

• Feb. 23rd – Multiple Losses and the Transformative Nature of Grief by Paul V. Johnson, Bereavement Educator
• March 2nd – Journey Through Grief and Loss by Pr. Sue Wallager, Spiritual Care, Zion Lutheran
• March 9th – Conversations on Grief with a Psychotherapist by Maddie Johnson, MA, LLPC
• March 16th – How to Care for a Grieving Heart by Linda Cherek, MSW, Spiritual Director, Loyola Spirituality Center St. Paul
• March 23rd – Love is the Only House Big Enough for All of Our Pain by Patty Brunn, BSA Marketing, Inspirationalist, Author
• March 30th –Prayer and Healing Service by Pr. Melissa Maltman, Servant of Christ Lutheran

Each session will be held on Thursdays from 6:45-9:00pm

Registration 6:45-7:00pm

Speaker 7:00- 7:45pm

Break 7:45-8:00pm

Small Groups 8:00-9:00pm

This Spring Sessions will be held at Servant of Christ Lutheran Church 740 E. Hayden Lake Rd, Champlin, MN 55316

North Metro Grief Coalition - 763.354.7828

B.L.E.S.S.

Our Vision Board and Adult Education group have been reading the book BLESS: Five Everyday Ways to love your neighbor and change the world by Dave and John Ferguson. This book gives us as followers of Jesus, simple ideas about how to reach out and share God's love.

We invite you to participate in a couple of ways. First come to worship on Weds. either at 1pm or 7pm in which we will be preaching on this book and also joining together for a time of spiritual reflection. In addition, you could join our Wednesday evening book study group in room 105/107 at 6pm starting on March 1st, in which we will discuss the book. Click here to sign up. Or, if you can't do that, start your own BLESS group and join in on the conversation.

Middle School Summer Festival Camp

Middle School Youth- Join us this Summer for Summer Festival Camp at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN. Camp runs from July 16th- July 19th. Cost for trip is $325. We will leave Sunday morning after church and check in at Gustavus around 1:30pm. Any questions please talk to Pastor Joanna Mitchell or summerfestivalcamp.com

For a week during the summer, teens have the chance to get away from real life, hang out with people from all across the Midwest, deepen friendships, and talk about God. Everyday speakers come to share inspiring and challenging stories about real life, God, and where the two intertwine. The days are packed with fun surprises of all kinds. From the music, the movies, the games, the speakers, and club – all with laughter to tears – Summer Festival Camp really has something for everybody. 

Summer Festival combines wild games, gut-busting humor, a messy fight, meaningful music, relevant speakers, breakout sessions and small group discussion time for a unique experience. Camp helps students draw closer to Jesus, each other and to the leaders from their church. See the daily schedule below for more details about what a day at camp looks like. Sign up today on Realm.

Summer Stretch

Registration Open!

Are you a current 5th-8th grader and worried you will be bored this summer? Worry no more! Participate this summer in a dynamic ministry that stretches your faith and your friendships at Grace Lutheran Church! Summer Stretch runs every Thursday (June 22nd – August 3rd) from 9:00am – 5:00pm. 

Feed My Starving Children

Lenten Packing Session

People of Grace - or should I say Grace-full people! On Wednesday night, March 8th from 7-8:45pm, we will have another wonderful opportunity to pack food to feed children in need while having a great time in the process. As I write this, I am having happy memories of our amazingly successful pack pre-Thanksgiving las November. What a blessing it is for those who pack as well as for the children who can survive because of the food we pack! So, please circle the date on your calendar; Wednesday, March 8th at 7:00pm at the Coon Rapids Feed My Starving Children warehouse. Make it a family event - invite your friends as well. You can register by

1. Signing up on the clipboard before or after worships in the Narthex.
2. Call the Church Office
3. Register below
4. Email Kelsey Russell at kelseyr@graceandover.org

For your dedication involvement in this and all our Outreach Ministries, I say; Thank you so much, muchas gracias, merci beaucoup, vielen dank!

AP Hopper

Coordinator of Outreach Ministries

Noisy Offerings gathered in February donations will be going to Circle of Grace and the Belize Mission Trip.

Consider electronic giving on GraceRealm. It’s a convenient way to give consistently throughout the year. If you have any questions, contact Tracie 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 

We pray for: Harold Zupon, Verneeta Pahl, Carly Hawkinson, Lana Howell, Craig Wallace, Brenda Montei, Patricia Nelson, Quinn Thompson, Diane Zupfer, Luke Bastian; Janiece Jaskierney, RD Nelson, John Malecha, Rick Breyette, Bev Scott, Dick Henning, Leah Hadler, Kristi Riley, Marty Lukaszewski, Clint Trousil, Lois Vadner, Diane Rosky, Shannan Gautschi, Harland Johnson, Shirley Fystrom, Alison Husak, Juleen Klawiter, Carroll Potter, Stephanie and Samantha Fernandez, Julie Swedberg, Linda Christiansen, Judi Wold, and Ralph & Colleen Wernimont.