Pastor Maria and I went to see "Come from Away" last night at the Orpheum. We stumbled into these tickets because I had bought them for my parents back in 2019 for their Christmas gift, hoping they would see it over the summer in 2020. Clearly, that didn't happen. It's hard to believe, but they didn't want to leave Arizona in the middle of January even to see a play. Who doesn't love the fridge temperatures and the ice?

If you don't know the story, Come from Away tells the story of the "plane people" who get trapped in Gander, Newfoundland on September 11th and the following days. This tiny town of approximately 9,000 people, ends up having to feed and house 7,000 unhappy travelers during a time of crisis. What the plane people experience is outrageous hospitality and incredible generosity.

One of my favorite characters in the play is black man from New York City (all of the actors play multiple roles and hardly anyone has a name). At the beginning of his journey he is worried about things like his wallet, and all of these people being around him. But slowly, transformation starts to happen. He is invited into the home of one of the mayors to shower and to stay overnight in the guest room. He continues to wonder what trick is being pulled over his eyes (People can't be this nice. Can they?). When he is told to go door to door and collect grills from people's backyards, he is convinced that the people of Gander are out of their minds. But he goes anyhow and at each house he is invited for tea, conversation and into relationship. Watching this man's transformation is amazing. He goes from a man worried, and skeptical of others, to one who admits that healing has happened within him. He is the first to suggest passing a hat to start a scholarship to say thank you to the people of Gander. Love, hospitality, unconditional welcome and care does indeed equal transformation.

I believe this is what God does for us. We might feel like our life has somehow gotten off course, but God invites us to come one in, find a place to rest, to be ourselves and to experience welcome and care. This is what I want people to experience when they come to Grace: radical love, abundant generosity and care, and outrageous hospitality. I am so grateful for the ways that you all show up to be the hands and the feet, and the hearts of God here in this place.

Blessings,

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.

The Youth will be taking orders for homemade egg rolls (made and rolled by our youth and adult volunteers) on Sunday, January 16th and 23rd. The egg rolls come frozen, fully cooked and ready to be warmed up in the oven or air fryer. They $10 for a pack of 10 and will be distributed on Sunday February 6th after worship, just in time for all your snacking needs during the Super Bowl the following Sunday! Don’t need them right away? They can be in the freezer for a year so stock up! Egg Roll Ingredients: Egg roll shell, ground pork, onion, carrot, bean thread noodle, garlic, pepper and fish sauce.

Not able to order on Sunday? You can place an online order through Realm HERE or, email Kristi at KristiL@graceandover.org. You also can call the front office at 763.421.6520.

When AP came to Grace mid-summer, I was immediately aware that God had gifted us with a tremendous individual who would enhance our ministry together. She told me in our first conversation that not only is she a fabulous musician (she didn’t say that- I heard it for myself), but she is also a Deacon (in the Catholic church), I wondered what God might be inviting us to consider. I asked AP where her passions lie. She told me as a Deacon her call is to do outreach, to help people live out their faith beyond the walls of the church.

We have been in conversation for a while now, about how she might expand her role at Grace and as of this week, it is finally official. AP will be serving as a part-time Director of Outreach. She will be connecting with our outreach leaders, serving as a liaison for the staff, helping with pastoral care and forming community relationships. I am so grateful to have AP share more of her time and energy with us. She is a woman of incredible faith with so many wonderful gifts to share.

Please join me in welcoming AP to this new role.

Pastor Joanna Mitchell

Monthly virtual sessions: begins January 27th at 6pm; offered the last Thursday of each month. A virtual monthly drop in group, Care/Support for the Caregiver. Each of these groups would provide community, support and an education topic. There will be a MHC Navigator, a therapist and our educator (Drew Brooks) at the meeting each month. Many of you are searching for help for a loved one, but you also need support too.

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.

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!

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. 

Noisy Offerings support outreach in our community and in our world. Noisy Offering collected from Jan. 16th to Jan. 31st will be going to Family Promise in Anoka.

We pray especially for: John Cairl, Tanya Blue & Family, Scott Christensen, Betty Thompson, Eric Nelson, Gayle Pacholl, Cathy Stoll, Jan Quick, Jim, Sandy, Harland Johnson, Jason Beckman, Amber Turner, Baby Dylan Salfer, Lu Henning, Jeffrey Kintzler, Alison Husak, Juleen Klawiter, Carroll Potter, Clint Trousil, Luke Galland, Margret Olson, John Malecha, Stephanie and Samantha Fernandez, Christopher Sluis, Julie Swedberg, LaDonna Lilyquist, Charlotte Montei, Lynn Zirkle, Elsie Weisenberger, Linda Christiansen, Judi Wold, Ralph & Colleen Wernimont. And we also pray for those who have experienced the death of a loved one, especially John & Lavonne Hite upon the death of their son, Dennis Hite.

Every year, Grace takes a day to review what we've done in the last year and discuss what we will do in the next. This year, the annual meeting for Grace Lutheran Church will be held on Sunday, January 30, 2022, at 9:45am to 10:20am in the Worship Center. We will review the 2021 Annual Report, voting on the 2022 budget and also hearing from the Vision Board regarding the distribution of the tithe. Please mark your calendars and join us for this important morning in our life together.