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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Why Church?
I changed my day off this week and spent Monday at home. For the last year and a half my kids have been around for a good portion of my day off, thanks to asynchronous learning and late start Friday in our school district. So Monday was different, a full day alone to read, reflect, run errands and recharge. What a blessing!
I spent a good portion of my day finishing the book I have been reading by Sarah Bessey: Miracles and other Reasonable Things, and reading her monthly newsletter. Sarah Bessey is writer, speaker, teacher and has put together large conferences for Christians to explore their faith. She describes herself as a Pentecostal Episcopalian (is this even possible???). In one of her newsletters she reflects on whether or not we need church. She writes: "I have learned to love the Church perhaps because the Church has so beautifully loved me. I love the Church in all the places I find her now - cathedrals and living rooms, monasteries and megachurches, school gymnasiums and warehouses." Her words speak truth to my heart. I recognize that the Church isn’t perfect and that we are an imperfect people who have done harm and get it wrong a lot. But I have been so well loved by the Church. My memory is filled with kind notes of support, and encouragement. Hugs and knowing looks when I tell the truth about life being hard. People who have cared for my children and husband and loved them as you have loved me. I am grateful!
This past Sunday, when I came home after church, my family was in a mood (I don’t need to say more). I muttered under my breath, “You all need to go to Church again.” To which my family responded: "We were there on Weds. night." This is true. Not only were they there, but they were leading music. And yet, I longed for this shared experience because worshipping together does change us. It might be uncomfortable at times, my kids might resist me or not pay attention. But when we leave Church, we are changed. Changed by God who continues to work through us even when we resist. Changed by a God who knows the importance of rituals and traditions and that lighting a candle in memory of a loved one softens you toward your neighbor. Changed by the taste of wine and bread on your mouth and the words- "given for you."
I am thankful Grace for you, for being the Church for me, and reminding me of the importance of who we are meant to be for one another people who love God by loving each other.
Blessings,
Pastor Joanna Mitchell
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Thank you to all of our Veterans! We are grateful for your service. |
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Worship
-Saturdays at 5pm Contemporary
-Sundays at 8:45am Traditional
-Sundays at 10:30am Contemporary
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We do not require masks but it is strongly encouraged for unvaccinated 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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Fellowship
Fellowship is after worship on Sundays. Goodies and coffee are available in the Narthex after worship. We ask that you step outside to gather, socialize and get to know each other.
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Wednesday Nights at Grace
5:30-6:30pm-Family Pizza
6:30-7:25pm-Catechism
6:30-7:25pm-Adult Study
6:30-7:25pm-Children’s Programming
7:30-8pm-Intergenerational Worship
8-9pm-High School Youth Group
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Holiday Worship
Here is an updated list of the added Holiday Worship Services for this season.
November 23rd 7-8:30pm Thanksgiving Worship and Pie Social
December 24th 2:00pm Christmas Eve Worship
December 24th 3:30pm Christmas Eve Worship
December 24th 7:00pm Christmas Eve Worship
December 24th 9:00pm Christmas Eve Worship
December 25th 10:00am Christmas Day Worship (No 5pm Service)
December 26th 9:00am Sunday Worship (No 8:45 or 10:30am Services)
January 1st No 5pm Worship
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Auditions for Children's
Advent Program
Nov. 13th 12-2pm
As the Christmas season approaches the Children's Ministry Team is excited to announce Rejoice: Hymns of Praise, a program filled with children sharing the stories, songs, and prayers that lead up to the birth of Jesus Christ! If your child is interested in this program, there will be auditions for those who want a singing or speaking solo in the show. Auditions for the program will be on Saturday November 13th from noon-2pm. Students will be singing "Happy Birthday" and reading from the script. Families are encouraged to come whenever works for them during those time slots. We are also looking for volunteers to help with singing, staging, performance day help, as well as adults who are willing to read some parts with the children. I am so excited for our performers and volunteers at the first rehearsal on Sunday, November 14th for our first rehearsal at noon! If you have any questions, you can email Bekah Hirt (rebekah.hirt@ahschools.us).
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Weekend is November 14th & 15th
Live Video & Chat with Ann Hill and Richard Mutaawe
Sunday, Nov. 14th at 9:45-10:15am
The Grace4Rakai Ministry Team is excited to be highlighting the weekend of November 13 and 14, 2021 at Grace Lutheran Church to lift up our friends and colleagues at ACT (African Children Today) who live in Uganda, Rakai. Many of us in this congregation sponsor children there and we want to continue to provide updates and critical support for ACT’s outreach efforts. During this weekend at Grace, we will provide you with updates on our sponsor children and the ACT Junior School; have an opportunity to purchase items made by the Hope Again Women from Rakai and learn more about what amazing and exciting things are happening there. We will provide updates on the Medical Clinic, Amazing Grace Bakery, the Milling Operation and updates on the progress of the new High School being built. We will also highlight the scholarship fund that the Grace4Rakai Ministry Team has established to provide financial support as needed for children sponsored by the Grace community.
Also stick around between services on Sunday morning, November 14th, as we will be hosting another “Live From Rakai” event from the Grace Worship Center. During this event, Ann Hill and Richard Mutaawe, Director of ACT, will bring us up to date with the various ministries over in Rakai and take your questions!
Even though the global COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted our friends in Rakai, we want to celebrate the generosity that the Grace community has provided over this past year. We look forward to seeing you the weekend of November 13/14 - It will be exciting weekend so please plan to be a part of it. The Grace4Rakai Team – led by Stacy Surratt and Scott Christensen
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Attention Parents of
Independent Children
and Empty Nesters!
There is a group for you!
Monday, Nov. 15th at 6:30pm
You took them to Sunday School for years. Maybe they're close to finishing Catechism, driving themselves to activities, or going off to college. Has the independence of your teen, college-aged or young adult children have left you wondering "What's next?" If you are in a relationship, how do you reconnect with your partner or spouse now that you have more "free time". Help us answer these questions, and more! Our topic based group (name TBD) will kick-off Monday November 15th from 6:30-7:30pm. Please join us for pizza and a short video while we discuss the next chapters of parenthood. Register on REALM below or email Pastor Maria at mariam@graceandover.org
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Conversations on Race and Culture: Intersectionality
November 16, 2021
6:30-8pm
Join us for a conversation on the topic of intersectionality. Intersectionality is defined as the complex and cumulative way in which the effects of multiple forms of discrimination intersect especially in the experiences of marginalized individuals or groups. We will take a glimpse into the experience of folks who get caught in multiple levels of privilege or discrimination based on their social location for exampled being both a person of color and someone who suffers with anxiety and depression.
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Escape for Pie!
Nov. 20th from 12-4:30pm
All high school students (and friends) are invited to join us for an Escape Room Adventure and followed by PIE! Cost: $25 for the escape room plus bring money for pie. We will meet at church to carpool to the escape room (adults will be driving) and the go for pie at Baker’s Square by church. Please eat lunch before you arrive. Sign up on Realm!
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Congregational Meeting
Nov. 20th & 21st
After All Worship Services
There will be meetings the weekend of Nov. 20th & 21st to discuss and vote on Tithing the sale of the Nightingale Property, which architect plan we will go forward with, and to move forward with a Stewardship Drive to raise the money needed for the architect plan that is chosen. Please plan on staying after worship for this important meeting.
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Family Table Drive Up Meal
Sunday, Nov. 21st
12:30-1:30pm
Help is needed for the Family Table Drive Thru meal on Sunday, November 21st.
If you can help, please contact Lynda Wilde lrwilde@comcast.net or 612-418-6444. Or simply click on the link below.
What a joy and privilege to provide a meal for those in need! Grace will be serving another Family Table “take-out” meal on October 17th. There are plenty of opportunities for you to help, whether it’s making food, or donating bottled water! 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!
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Advent Wreath Making & Potluck
Sunday, Nov. 28th at 5pm
Come one, come all for a wonderful evening potluck, fellowship and advent wreath making. No experience necessary. Please bring yourselves, a scissors or plant snipper and a dish to pass. Sunday November 28, 2021 at 5 pm. The cost is $20 per kit. There is a limit of 30 kits. Please register on Realm. Please contact Mandi DeGrote with questions mjdegrote@gmail.com
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Wild Mountain Ski Day
December 3rd at 9am
Join us on December 3rd for a ski day at Wild Mountain. We will depart from Grace at 9am in order to enjoy a day of skiing. For a group of 20 or more adult rates for skiing are $30, youth are $26. Rentals are extra. We hope to carpool to the hill and will arrange transportation for high school and middle school students. Elementary school students need a trusted adult to accompany them.
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Grace's Opportunities for Giving |
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Turkeys Needed!
Turkeys needed for Thanksgiving Baskets for families in need at Sand Creek Elementary. If you are able to donate a 12-14 pound frozen turkey, sign up on the blue sheet or call the Church Office. Turkeys need to be dropped off at Grace no later than Sunday, November 21st.
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Sand Creek Elementary Kiddos
Need WARM Winter Mittens, Gloves and Hats!
The cold weather will soon be on its way in Minnesota. There are many of the children at Sand Creek Elementary in need of WARM winter mittens, gloves, and hats. Various sizes are needed for boys and girls in grades K-5. If possible, waterproof mittens and gloves are preferred so the kids can play in the snow to their hearts’ content. And please - NO light-weight mittens/gloves, as they just do not work to keep the kiddos warm and dry.
During the month of November, we will be collecting donations in the narthex in the “Sand Creek” green tote. Let’s see how many we can collect! With the effects of COVID-19 economy still causing issues with the families, there are many in need.
Any questions can be directed to Ann Lange 763-438-5623. Thank you for your loving generosity to the Sand Creek children in need!
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Would you like to share God’s grace in a very tangible and REAL way this Christmas? If so, please consider “adopting” a local family who will be truly blessed by your generosity. Through our Faith & Community Partnership with Sand Creek Elementary School, we will connect families, individuals, or groups from Grace Lutheran with local student families in need.
If you are interested in adopting a local family this Christmas, please contact Jan Margotto at 763-434-4617.
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Noisy Offerings
November 1st-15th our Noisy Offerings will support our Grace 4 Rakai projects. Then from November 16th-December 15th funds will support the Fernandez family to help with expenses incurred as their daughter awaits a donor kidney and an upcoming kidney transplant.
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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
We pray especially for: Daniel Davidson, Erika, Katie, Archie, Mandi DeGrote, Rick Johnson, the Daugherty’s, Jean and Jan Bruss, Christine, Jamie Zupon, Jeff Kintzler, Lynda Leonard, Alison Husak, Juleen Klawiter, Jan Galvin, Jason Beckman, as well as all those who suffer with long term illnesses, for those who mourn especially Bree and Jordan Foschi and family mourning the death of Bree’s uncle and those we name silently or aloud. Carroll Potter, Clint Trousil, Luke Galland, Margret Olson, John Malecha, Stephanie Fernandez, Samantha Fernandez, Christopher Sluis, Julie Swedberg, LaDonna Lilyquist, Charlotte Montei, Lynn Zirkle, Elsie Weisenberger, Linda Christiansen, Judi Wold, Ralph & Colleen Wernimont.
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December Grace Notes Deadline
November 19th at 5pm
Due to Thanksgiving Weekend, December Grace Notes Deadline is on November 19th at 5pm. Please send your articles in Word format to Marie at mariek@graceandover.org.
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Grace Lutheran Church will be closed at noon on November 12th for water main repairs. |
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The church office
will be closed for
Thanksgiving on
November 25th & 26th.
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