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!
Bible study at 6pm in room 105/107.
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Showing up!
Hi Grace Friends,
Last week my dad told me he thought he would just have a handful of friends at my mom's funeral this past Monday. I questioned him and listed a number of friends who I thought would be in attendance. "No, they don't do these things" my dad told me. Do these things? Attend funerals for beloved friends? I guess because I work in a church, I am accustom to the care of people during funerals. When we gathered on Monday at the chapel before my mother's service, there was a steady stream of people from our life: former employees of my dad, former neighbors, golfing friends, life-long friends. There were WAY more than a handful of friends of my dad who showed up. Even the people he told me "don't do these things" came.
When we reflected on the service afterwards, we were all amazed at the people who came to stand alongside us. There are no words to take away the enormous grief that my dad is experiencing right now, but people who show up bring the biggest comfort. It's interesting to hear my dad reflect on this. He repeatedly has admitted that he didn't know how hard this would be and how he is able to show up for people in new ways now because he knows how important it is.
This is something I continue to want to pass on to you all. Some of you know the lonely, hard road of grief. You have walked the path at least once if not more, while others of us might have lost more distant relatives or friends. It doesn't matter what road you have walked or not, all of us are able to show up. Showing up is calling a friend once a week the first year of grief and saying- How are you really? Showing up is sending cards. Showing up is dropping off a meal. Showing up is asking someone to lunch. Showing up is just stopping by to listen. There is no magic, no formula to showing up. You just do it, however you can. Don't overthink. Just show up.
I want to thank you all for showing up for me in countless ways. For the cards, the prayers, the hugs, the gift of time. it was a hard week to be gone with Pastor Maria out and VBS happening. All of the volunteers and organizers for VBS showed up by running this program and giving me the gift of time away. Thank you for your care and for continuing to show up for me and for each other.
Blessings,
Pastor Joanna Mitchell
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Welcome Rev. Christine Belfrey!
Rev. Christine Belfrey will be our Interim Associate Pastor, while Pastor Maria Markman is recovering. She is a 2020 M.Div. graduate of Luther Seminary, and recently served as Interim Associate Pastor at Christ Lutheran Blaine as of December 2021'. She previously served as Intern Pastor at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi. Christine has served as a Glocal Musician Educator for the ELCA Churchwide for several years and is a recipient of the Fund For Leaders scholarship along with the Leadership scholarship awarded by Luther Seminary. She has led worship as a musician and served as a Sunday School Minister at Redeemer Lutheran in north Minneapolis and Key of Faith Pentecostal church. In Addition, Christine has served as a Diversity Coordinator at Luther Seminary. Prior to attending seminary, Christine had a career in education and holds a Master’s degree in education from St. Mary’s University, along with a Post Graduate in K-8 Communication Literature Arts from Concordia St Paul and a Bachelors in Mass Media Arts from Clark Atlanta University. In addition, she is a songwriter, author & owner of Belfrey Books.
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Summer Worship
-Sundays at 8:30am Traditional
-Sundays at 10am Contemporary
-Wednesdays at 7pm Contemporary
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Kids Time @ Grace this Summer
We invite kids ages 3 and up to participate in Kids Time. Kids Time is for those who would like to go outside during the sermon for learning and fun. Kids Time is offered on Wednesday Nights for 7pm worship and 10:00am Sunday Worship.
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The Nursery is OPEN during Sunday Worship
at 8:30 & 10am for the Summer!
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Fellowship
Fellowship is after Worship on Sundays. Coffee, water and treats will be available in the Narthex after worship.
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PowerPoint and Streaming Help Wanted!
We are in search of new volunteers to help on Sunday mornings (And Wednesday evenings) with our PowerPoint projection and Streaming. It is not a large commitment, nor is it difficult to learn. One Sunday (or Wednesday) a month! Volunteers will go through a short training session, and then be able to assist. If you are interested, or have questions, please contact David Phelps. (It really is not that hard, and there are detailed instructions for every step of the way.)
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Graceful Seniors for June!
Due to Vacation Bible School the week of June 13th-17th, Graceful Seniors will be meeting on Tuesday, June 21st at 8:30am.
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Summer Stretch is a dynamic summer ministry for students who have completed 4th-8th grade! (We are opening Summer Stretch to Grace's 4th graders!) Summer stretch runs every Thursday (June 23rd – August 4th - from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.) Participants will be dropped off and picked up from Grace Lutheran Church. Each Thursday, we will travel to various service projects and recreational activities around the area. Before signing up for Summer Stretch please read more about the program on the Grace Youth Ministries page.
The cost (which includes travel, entrance fees, service project fees, guest speakers, snacks, and a tee-shirt) is $325. The balance is due on June 20th. You may pay online with a credit card or in-person with a check written to Grace Lutheran, memo lined: Summer Stretch. Students are responsible to bring their own lunch each day.
Parents: Please be sure to include your email for all communications.
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Come join us for our
OK@Play June Event!
Thurs. June 23rd at 6:30 pm
Ticknor Hill Bed and Breakfast
1625 3rd Ave., Anoka, MN
Come and tour the famous Ticknor Hill Bed and Breakfast in Anoka. We will meet with, owner/innkeeper Debbie Wallace (a long time Grace member) for facts and stories from the Queen Anne Victorian home built in 1867.
We will visit with our OK@Play friends outside at the B&B and then you may choose to join others by walking to 2 Scoops on 2nd Avenue for ice cream! We hope for a beautiful summer evening of fun.
No cost, except for your ice cream. No sign up needed. No lawn chairs needed unless you want to bring a special one for yourself. We are very gracious and give thanks to Debbie for giving us this opportunity to see and enjoy their beautiful B&B atmosphere! All are welcome!
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Empty Nester Event
Date Change to Thursday, June 23rd
Thursday, June 23rd from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the home of Doug and Angie Hanson. Their address is: 15102 152nd Terrace NW, Ramsey. This event will be a bon fire. Please bring a lawn chair and BYOB. The Hansons will provide snacks.
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High School Bonfire!
Join us on Wednesday, June 29th for worship and a bonfire. Worship begins at 7:00pm, the bonfire is from 8:00-9:30pm. Bring a lawn chair and dress for the weather! We will have hot dogs and smores to roast over the fire! All 9th – 12th grade students are welcome!
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Grace's Opportunities for Giving |
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Family Table
June 19, 2022
12:30-1:30pm
Grace will be serving another Family Table “take-out” meal on Sunday, June 19th. Family Table is held on the 3rd Sunday of each month and the sign-up sheet is available well in advance. If you are looking for a fun opportunity to serve with other Grace members while sharing food with our neighbors, please contact Lynda Wilde lrwilde@comcast.net or 612-418-6444. Or simply click on the link above.
We are always looking for 4 or 5 people to help in the kitchen by assembling the pre-cooked take-out meals (11:45 – 2:15PM). Food donations for side dishes will be listed on the sign-up sheet and vary each month depending on the meal we serve. We also need 3 energetic folks to run the meals to the cars as they pull up at the drive thru (12:15 – 1:30PM). Why not make it a family project! And remember, if you know of a family, who would appreciate a meal, whether they are members of Grace or not, please let us know!
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Meals for the Fernandez Family
Please click on the button below to sign up. The family would like meals for 3 people each day. NO NUTS. NO FISH. For gift cards, Noodles, Panera, and Mansetti's are favorites. There are separate coolers for hot and cold items on the porch. If meals can be delivered by 5:00pm, that would be much appreciated. Gift cards can be placed in the coolers too, if desired. The Fernandez home address is 2237 151st Lane NW. If you have any questions, please email or call Nancy Jenkins at 763-354-9764 or Anne Weikle at 763-242-5372. Frances and her family are so appreciative of your meals, your support, and your prayers!! If you would like to visit Samantha's Caring Bridge page to get updates on her progress please click here. (You will have to create an account or sign into your account.)
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Noisy Offerings from June 16th to June 30th will be going to Youth Summer Trips |
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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
Please pray for: Marshall Erickson, Carrie Orr, Marie Kolar, Mike Burckhard, Pastor Maria Markman, Phil Knutson, Diane Rosky, Maydelle Fennick, Harland & Anne Marie Johnson, Michele Hamling, Tom Taillefer, Rick Burnham, Kim Burnham, Lois Vadner, Colleen Wernimont, Julie Caldwell, Shirley Fystrom, Kathy Beckman, Jason Beckman, Lu Henning, Alison Husak, Juleen Klawiter, Carroll Potter, Clint Trousil, John Malecha, Stephanie and Samantha Fernandez, Christopher Sluis, Julie Swedberg, LaDonna Lilyquist, Charlotte Montei, Linda Christiansen, and Judi Wold.
We pray for those who have suffered the death of a loved one: Dick & Nadine Lovik & Family grieving the death of their daughter in law, Kathy Lovik; Pat & Dana Walters & family grieving the death of Pat’s Father, George Scholten; Silas Musuuza, (Joe & Low Jackson’s Rakai sponsored child) upon the death of his mother, Annette; Jeanette LaVine & Family upon the death of Janet’s son, Bradley LaVine; Marie & David Kolar and Isabel Burckhard & Family upon the death of Marie’s Aunt/Isabel’s sister-in-law, June Burckhard.
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