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

in worship and in ways to connect and serve.

If you missed worship this weekend join us on

Wednesday Night at 7pm in the sanctuary!

B.L.E.S.S.

It's amazing how Lent can creep up on you. Ash Wednesday is just two weeks away and we haven't said much about what we will be doing. Don't worry! We have a plan and have for a while now.

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.

We are looking forward to Lent and a chance to be blessed by God and one another.

Blessings,

Pastor Joanna Mitchell

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 Evening Programming

Schedule of Events Please note the changes for this week:

5:15-5:45pm-Family Pizza- Fellowship Hall

6-7pm Kids Night Out-Nap Room

6-6:30pm-Catechism Large Group- Sanctuary

6:30-7pm-Catechism Small Group

6-6:50pm-Listening Team in the Fellowship Hall

7:00pm-Worship-Sanctuary

Join us for the Valentines Day Dance!

For all kids and their parents, grandparents, friends etc. Friday, February 10, 5:00-6:30pm. It’s a potluck, so bring a dish to share. No need to sign up, just come! All are welcome! 

Congregational Listening Events

We need your help discerning direction for the future Children, Youth, and Family Ministry of Grace! First, if you have not already, please take the survey; it will close this weekend! As a ministry of Grace, it is important to have all of your input, no matter what age or stage you are in at this time. 

Second, please plan on attending one of our Congregational Listening Events on Wednesday, February 8^th, from 6-7pm (come early, and enjoy some delicious pizza and salad for $2 a slice starting at 5:15pm) or Sunday, February 19^th after each service! At these events, we will share what we have discovered so far, give some more input , and have a chance to ask any questions you have for us at the end. 

We appreciate each and every one of you and thank you all for your help in this time of transition!

Grace Children's Spring Choir

Grace Children’s Choir is back! We will be gathering on Wednesday evenings from 5:30-6pm, leading right into Kid’s Night out! (Note the start time change from the fall).

We will spend time singing and learning about our voices, as well as preparing music to sing on Palm Sunday, April 2nd. Both as a Children’s Choir AND with the adult choir! 

Anyone and everyone is welcome to join us!

Let’s make some Joyful Noise!

Catechism Parent and Leader Social Event

A gathering of fellowship and connection for Catechism parents and small group leaders. FEBRUARY 15, 2023 6:00-7:00 PM in the Grace Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall. Join us for the whole evening!

• 5:15-6:00pm Family Pizza $2.00/slice
• 6:00-7:00pm Desserts, fellowship, and connection with Pastor Joanna, Catechism leaders and parents
• 7:00-8:00pm Worship with Guest preacher Tony Ducklow from Summer Festival Camp (Middle school summer trip to Gustavus camp)

Empty Nesters / Parents of Independent Children!

This means you – all of you who have adult children or those of you who are feeling the freedom of having older/ independent kids. It’s a new year and we are excited about our next two social events:

Monday, February 13th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm – we will be meeting for dinner and drinks at Invictus Brewing Co / Tipsy Steer (2025 105th Avenue NE, Blaine). We aren’t able to make reservations for our group so please let Nancy know if you are planning to attend so that we can have enough tables together. If you aren’t familiar with Invictus / Tipsy Steer, their website says that they offer “local, sassy, brew food.” Here is a link. https://tipsysteer.com/blaine/

We look forward to seeing you! Feel free to invite your friends and please RSVP to Nancy at dnjenkins@comcast.net

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

Family Promise Update

The Vision

Over the past four years, Family Promise in Anoka County has been exploring the value and long-term stability of a permanent shelter space to replace our congregational rotation model. Most other Family Promise affiliates across the country have made a similar change to a single site. What makes our project unique is the creation of a campus, separating the service center from the shelter space. We believe this will better reflect the growing palate of services we have developed and help reinforce the autonomy and dignity of families in our shelter program. Our hope is that, when a young child looks back at their family’s time in our program, they won’t even realize they were in a shelter.

What are we purchasing?

We are purchasing two adjoining properties in southern Coon Rapids to become the new Family Promise Campus — offering a continuum of services for families experiencing housing insecurity and homelessness in Anoka County. One property is commercially zoned with a building that will become the offices and service center, with space on the property for additional future expansion. The second property is residentially zoned and has a house with space for one family at a time and land to expand in the future with multi-unit micro apartment buildings for the shelter program.

What are the next steps?

The purchase is just one step of many. Our initial focus will be on the commercial property, completing the needed modifications to be able to use the space for our offices and service center. Once we have that up-and-running, we will turn our focus to getting the house on the residential property, as well as potentially our current day center, ready to host families in our shelter program. We will soon begin working with an architect to create a design and site plan for a new construction multi-unit micro apartment building(s) for the shelter program on the residential property so we can get the necessary approvals from the City of Coon Rapids and start applying for grants to get the building(s) constructed.

How can the community get involved?

Our most pressing needs initially are primarily assistance with funding to complete the purchase and renovation and a commitment from skilled volunteers to help get that initial work done in a quality, cost-efficient manner. We also need connections to people and organizations who may share our vision for the community and can help us in this transition. We will continue hosting some families through the hotel model for the near future and will continue to need the same support from congregations and volunteers to keep that program operating through the transitions.

Summer Festival at Catechism

Wednesday, February 15th

Tony Ducklow, Director of Summer Festival Camp where our middle school youth will be attending camp this summer, is joining us at Grace! 

He will be leading a fun night of activities and message with our youth for catechism and he will be preaching at worship!

Also, that night we invite parents of our catechism students to join our catechism teachers and Pastor Joanna for a night of fellowship and connection. 

5:15-6:00- Family Pizza $2.00 a slice

6:00-7:00 Parents and Catechism Teachers with Pastor Joanna

Catechism Youth and Interim Youth Director Molly with Tony Ducklow

7:00-8:00 Worship

Youth interested in signing up for camp can do so now by clicking the button below.

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.

Registration Coming Soon!

Save the Dates for Summer Stretch!

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 22rd – August 3th) from 9:00am – 5:00pm. 

Food Shelf Needs

The Grace Food Shelf is currently in short supply of the following items. Please no glass containers, used items, or expired items!

Sand Creek Elementary Snack Donations

Sand Creek is in need of healthy snack donations. Please drop them off in the tub in the Narthex. Suggested donations:

• Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars
• NutriGrain Soft Baked Breakfast Bars with real fruit
• Gold Fish (Individually packaged)
• Skinny Pop (Individually packaged)
• Fruit Snacks (Preferably with real fruit nutrition)

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

Feed My Starving Children

Lenten Packing Session

We have reserved space at FMSC on Wednesday, March 8th from 7:00pm-8:45pm.  Please join the youth and others of Grace Lutheran Church!  Please register below, at FMSC's Web Site or email Kelsey Russell at kelseyr@graceandover.org

Results of the Annual Meeting

Our annual meeting was held this past Sunday, February 5, 2023. The annual report, 2023 budget and delegates to the Synod Assembly were voted on and approved. The meeting minutes you can find HERE.

Prayers of the Church 

We pray for: Lana Howell, Patricia Nelson, Quinn Thompson, Diane Zupfer, Luke Bastian;  Janiece Jaskierney, RD Nelson, Yolanda Cotterall, John Malecha, Rick Breyette, Bev Scott, Dick Henning, Joe Herring, , Leah Hadler, Kristi Riley; also those in need of long-term prayer 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.

Comfort the grieving: Isabel Burckhard and Dave & Marie Kolar grieving the death of Isabel’s son and Marie’s brother, Mike Burckhard;  Chuck & Julie Donaldson grieving the death of Chuck’s mother, Marilyn; Sue Ketz & family mourning the death of her husband, John.

Grace Notes Deadline

February 20th!!

The deadline for March Grace Notes is at 5pm on Monday, February 20th. Please send your articles to Marie Kolar at mariek@graceandover.org in Word format. The March Grace Notes will be in homes by the first week of March.