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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Message from Kristi Larson
Director of Youth and Family
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Rollin, Rollin, Rollin! Keep Those Eggrolls Rollin!
We did it! We sold and rolled 2232 eggrolls! THANK YOU to all of you that ordered eggrolls from us, your support means so much. Here is a little background on this fund raiser. Last summer Nick and Savang Hendrickson approached me about a new fundraising idea: making Cambodian eggrolls for the congregation. Nick explained that we would take pre-orders and under their guidance, we would make (including rolling) all of the eggrolls. We even got a Thrivent Grant for some of the supplies! Nick was working in the kitchen with a hard-working crew, chopping onions and carrots, browning pork, and mixing up the filling. Outside the kitchen, Savang kept a tight ship as we rolled, and rolled and rolled.
Why all this rolling you ask? We are heading back to Montana this year! Last summer we left a little piece of our hearts on the side of the mountain at Christikon Bible Camp in southern Montana. We need to go back and pick it up this summer. Our high school students will spend the week backpacking, and seeing all parts of the mountain, including the top! And this year we are bringing some middle school kiddos with us! Our 7th and 8th grade students will stay onsite for the week, worship, and play with kids from around the country.
Due to COVID-19, we haven’t been able to do many fundraisers like these for the past couple of years. Fundraising is partly about the money raised, but I think students and adults working together on a project is even more important. Over two afternoons, we talked, laughed and rolled away. It was a great couple of days. Thank you, again, to everyone that supported us during this fundraiser. It really was a FUN=raiser and we will be doing it again. If you ordered eggrolls, please come to church THIS SUNDAY, February 6th, to pick up your order after worship. If you are not able to make it on Sunday, please email me at kristil@graceandover.org. We can arrange for another time to deliver your eggrolls.
Thank you, for always supporting our youth as they grow in their faith.
Kristi Larson
Director of Youth and Family Ministries
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Dear Grace Friends,
This weekend in worship we are beginning a new 5 week worship series, "Transforming Inside and Out." We are so excited to share with you what we believe God is leading us to do as we move into the future at the corner of Round and Bunker Lake. Our hope is that EACH week of this campaign and our worship series will illuminate God's generosity towards us through scripture, song and story. This generosity leads to our total transformation inside and out! Our Generosity campaign team of Grace members and staff has been working hard for months to bring this series together. You will not want to miss out!
- Kick off Weekend: February 5/6
- Week Two: February 12/13
- Week Three: February 19/20
- Week Four: February 26/27
- Commitment Weekend: March 5/6
Come and See,
Pastor Maria and Team
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Worship
-Wednesdays at 7:30pm Intergenerational
-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 we strongly encouraged masks 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. This weekend, coffee will be available in the Narthex after worship but we encourage you to attend the Boy Scout Pancake Breakfast.
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Wednesday Nights at Grace
6:00-6:30pm Family Pizza
6:30-7:30pm-Children, Catechism, High School, Adult Large and Small Groups
7:30-8:00pm-Intergenerational Worship
8:00-9:00pm-High School Fellowship
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Congregational Meeting Results
from Sunday, January 30th
On January 30th, we held our annual financial congregational meeting. We voted on the 2022 proposed budget. The congregation also voted on the distribution of the Tithe from the sale of the Nightingale property. The results of these votes are as follows:
2022 Budget- passed
Total Ballots: 84
For acceptance of the 2022 Budget: 83 in favor
For rejection of the 2022 Budget: 0 opposed
1 invalid ballot
Tithing Amounts on the Sale of Nightingale Property- passed as proposed
For acceptance of the Tithing Amounts:82 in favor
For rejection of the Tithing Amounts - 0 opposed
Abstain from voting on the Tithing Amounts: 1
1 invalid ballot
If you have any questions, please contact: Ann Lange, Vision Board President, Pastor Joanna Mitchell, or Lori Ackerson, Vision Board Secretary.
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Boy Scout Pancake Breakfast
This Sunday, Feb. 6th
9:30am-12:30pm
Sunday, February 6th in the Grace Fellowship Hall after all Worship Services, 9:30am-12:30pm. Enjoy delicious pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee while supporting our local Boy Scouts. Freewill offering is greatly appreciated.
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The Genius of Generosity Book Studies
Sundays & Wednesdays
Beginning THIS WEEKEND!
The Genius of Generosity Book Study -Follow author Chip Ingram through this short book and study on the genius of living a generous life. Ingram pulls from his own life experience, from other faithful people's lives, and from the Bible in this fantastic study on Generosity. Ingram even invites us into our own experiment on Generosity! The Genius of Generosity has transformed the way I look at generosity and I pray that you will join us and allow it to transform you too! Join one of the following book studies during the month of February. Sign up on Realm where you can also indicate whether you have ordered your own book or need one from Grace. We have books for free will donation available please indicate whether you need one or not on your online registration. You may also sign up by calling the church office. We are offering different meeting times in hopes that you will find a time that suits you and your schedule best!
- Sundays in between services (9:45-10:20am) in the fellowship hall. February 6th (Due to the pancake breakfast we will be meeting in RM 101), 13th, 20th, and 27th.
- Wednesday Evenings In-person (6:30-7:30pm) in room 105/107. February 9th, 16th, and 23rd.
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Wednesday Evenings via Zoom (6:30-7:30pm) February 9th, 16th, and 23rd.
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Additional Annual Report Article & Corrections
With our deepest apologies there was an article missed in the Annual Report and credit needed to be given for articles written. The children's ministry article was written by Jackie Anderson, The Adult Education Article was just written by Bekah Hirt, and The WOW Article was written by Anne Weikle. Below please find the Women's Ministry Article.
Women's Ministry Report by Stacy Surratt
2021 was an exciting year for the Women’s Retreat team at Grace. Due to COVID-19, the Team was unable to plan and execute our annual February over-night retreat at Luther Point Bible Camp. So instead, the team put their heads together and created a new virtual activity called “Social Devotions”. “Social Devotions” was a monthly virtual Zoom Gathering for ALL Grace Women to attend. Because of the pandemic, the Women’s Retreat Team wanted to still connect and encourage every woman at Grace Lutheran Church during these trying times. So the team asked the women of Grace to virtually swing by to get a “Spiritual Nugget” and socialize with each other on a monthly Zoom Call. Starting in January and running thru May 2021, each month’s call had a different theme and was meant to uplift and provide a few spiritual truths to apply to our daily lives. The themes were: God has a Plan; The Power of Love; Faith and Worry; Sing for Joy and You Are Not Alone.
The Women’s Retreat Team was also able to have a wonderful Half Day Retreat in October 2021. Twenty five women enjoyed a morning of fun, laughter and a little creativity. Our theme was “Spiritual Splash” where we as women of Grace, got to know each other a little better, laughed a lot and each got to paint a beautiful sunflower picture lead by a guest painting expert. This half day retreat was fun and all the women who attended were able to grow in their faith and grow in relationships with each other.
Finally, the Women’s Retreat team is busy planning our Over-night Weekend Winter Retreat at Luther Point Bible Camp on Friday February 18-Sunday February 20, 2022. This year’s theme is “My Faith Journey” and all women who attend will receive daily devotion sessions, lots of free time, snacks and wonderful women fellowship. New this year we are going to be doing several service projects at our over-night retreat which will benefit women and families in need in our community.
Our goal for this year’s 2021 Retreats and activities was to grow in relationship with one another and God; provide tangible spiritual take-aways and always have LOTS OF FUN AND LAUGHTER. We can’t wait to see what 2022 has to bring for the Women of Grace!
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Valentine Dance
Friday, February 11th
6:00-7:30pm
On Friday, February 11th from 6:00-7:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall, we will be having a Valentine Dance! All ages are welcome, dance, craft, cookies, and more! We encourage you to wear your best Valentine's Day attire! A great event for grandparents and grandchildren!
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Empty Nesters/Parents of
Independent Children Group
Monday, Feb. 14th @ 6:30pm
Love & Money
Our next event will be on Monday, February 14th from 6:30 pm to 7:45 pm in the Seeds of Grace preschool classroom. We will socialize, have dinner, and discuss a lighthearted topic.
This group is still searching for a better, more accurate name, but we know our purpose: we are a welcoming group that gathers together for dinner, conversations, volunteering, and fun events. As our kids become more independent and reach milestones such as being confirmed, getting their driver’s license, or graduating from high school, we often sense a loss of connection with our kids and also with other parents at church. This group is for you if:
- You no longer have kids living under your roof
- If you have an adult “child” (18-30 years old) still living at home
- You have teenagers who can drive and you sense the changes that are approaching as they will someday graduate from high school
- You wonder whether anyone has good ideas on how to “parent” teenagers and adult “children” who live at home.
Since we will be serving dinner, we ask that you please register on Realm or contact Nancy Jenkins (dnjenkins@comcast.net) or Sandy Schmoll (sandys@graceandover.org). Please email us if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you!
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President’s Day Snow Tubing Trip to Elm Creek!
Monday, Feb. 21st
1:00pm-5:00pm
Middle and High School Youth are invited to an afternoon of snow tubing on Monday, February 21st. Meet at church at 1:00pm to carpool to Elm Creek in Maple Grove and then back to church for hot cocoa and a snack. Pick up from church at 5:00pm. Warming houses are available, please bring warm clothes appropriate for tubing. Cost is $15. Friends are always welcome! Sign up on Realm!
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Wild Mountain Ski Trip
Tues., Feb. 22nd
9:00am to 5:00pm
In December, a group from Grace went skiing at Wild Mountain and we had a BLAST! Anoka-Hennepin has Tuesday, February 22nd off and we are planning another Wild Mountain Youth and Family Ski Day! Open to all: adults, families, children, youth and friends. New skiers and old pros are invited to sign up. Students under 6th grade must have an adult join them. We will carpool from church at 9:00am. Youth without an adult will be supervised and driven by an adult leader. Cost is: $30 for adults, $26 for students plus $24 for anyone needing ski or snowboard rentals. Sign up on Realm by February 16th.
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Grace's Opportunities for Giving |
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Noisy Offerings
Noisy Offerings support outreach in our community and in our world. Noisy Offering collected from Feb. 1st to Feb. 15th will be going to Feed My Starving Children.
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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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2021 Giving Statements
Our giving statements of 2021 have been mailed out. Please review them and let us know if there are any discrepancies. This year the statements also show a breakdown of the pledges made as part of your contributions for 2021. In the coming days, those of you that have committed a pledge for 2022 will be receiving a pledge statement as well. Please review them for accuracy of pledge amount and fund. If you’re interested in contributing a gift of stock, we are finalizing opening an account that will allow for ease of these transactions – stay tuned for more information coming soon! As always, we are so grateful for all you do for Grace. Your contributions to our ministries are very much appreciated. God bless!
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Welcome Phil Gautschi
We are very excited to welcome Phil Gautschi to our team at Grace Lutheran Church. Phil is our new part-time custodian. He works Monday through Weds during the day and some evenings to close. Please take time to welcome him.
Phil and his family have been members of Grace for over 2 years. He and his wife Shannan live in Coon Rapids with their daughters Stella (6 years old) and Luna (3 years old). When Phil is not busy taking out trash and fixing things at Grace, you can see him rocking out at our local Roller Rink. Phil has vast experience in plumbing and drain cleaning along with being a former radio personality. He is a “jack” of all trades. We are thrilled to welcome him to our team.
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Prayers of the Church
We pray especially for: R D Nelson, Peggy Zellmer, Kathy Beckman, John Cairl, Tanya Blue & Family, Betty Thompson, Scott Christensen, Eric Nelson, Gayle Pacholl, Cathy Stoll, Margret Olson, Jan Quick, Harland Johnson, Jason Beckman, Baby Dylan Salfer. Those in need of long term prayers: Lu Henning, Jeffrey Kintzler, Alison Husak, Juleen Klawiter, Carroll Potter, Clint Trousil, Luke Galland, John Malecha, Stephanie and Samantha Fernandez, Christopher Sluis, Julie Swedberg, LaDonna Lilyquist, Charlotte Montei, Elsie Weisenberger, Linda Christiansen, Judi Wold , and Ralph & Colleen Wernimont. We also pray for those who have experienced the death of a loved one, especially Jeanette Lavine & family upon the death of her brother, Willard James; Marge Davidson upon the death of her brother, David Olsen; Ed Stang and family upon the death of Ed’s sister, Darlene Hasskamp; Doreen & family upon the tragic death of her son, Terry; John & Lavonne Hite upon the death of their son, Dennis Hite.
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Grace Notes Articles for March
Due Tuesday, February 15th at 5:00pm
Please have all articles for the March Grace Notes, which will be in homes by Feb, 28th. Please send articles in Word format to Marie Kolar by 5pm on Tuesday, February 15th to mariek@graceandover.org.
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