Pastor's Message

Heavy Hearts

Below you will see the announcement regarding Phil Knutson’s recent death. He died last Sunday. I received word after worship and was able to talk with his family for a brief period and pray with them. As I left church, I cried. I am finding that this is the case often now. There have been tremendous losses experienced by people in our congregation. Each week in the prayers of the church when we come to those who are mourning, I am struck by the gravity and heaviness of my heart. It seems so simple to list these names, but behind each name is a story; a story of a life lived, a story of a family grieving, a story of heavy hearts.

Phil was one of our go-to ushers for funerals at Grace. He and John Peterson almost always ushered funerals together, the tall one (John), the short one (Phil). Arriving early and standing in our narthex, they would stand and greet people, passing out bulletins and making sure people experienced welcome and care. I would often look out during my sermon and see the two of them, waiting, perhaps listening, but ready for what came next. I confess I wasn’t ready for the next death at Grace to be Phil’s. Yes, he lived a long life (86 years), and yet, I imagined him out in the narthex for a while longer, greeting people and caring for them in his own way. I imagined him and John greeting and ushering together for a while longer.

This of course is just one of many losses experienced by all of you. I am thankful for the opportunity to be your Pastor. To be invited in to pray, to sit and to listen in the heart-breaking moments of your lives. To hold your heavy heart in tenderness and care, and to recognize the sacredness of space amid it all. 

In a month, we will be celebrating All Saints’ Sunday. One of my favorite Sundays of the year, where we remember those who have gone before us. We will be lighting candles and ringing bells in remembrance of the people who have died from Grace over this past year. We also invite you to submit a picture of a loved one who died this past year as well. Someone you are grieving and missing today. I will be submitting my mom’s picture.

Having a heavy heart is a good thing. It reminds us that the love experienced was real, profound and impactful. And Jesus also reminds us that our hearts do not need to be troubled. We can bring our heavy hearts to God, who will hold us in care, and also be assured of the promise that Jesus’ will lead the way home. 

I imagine, now there is a new greeter at heaven’s gates. He’s a short guy, with a quirky sense of humor, ready to greet us, usher us in and help us find our way. Thanks be to God!

Pastor Joanna Mitchell

Phil Knutson

1936-2022

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of our friend and a Charter Member of Grace, Phil Knutson. Phil died on Sunday, October 2nd, surrounded by his family, after suffering complications from a recent surgery. Please join us for a Celebration of Phil’s life at Grace on Thursday, October 20 beginning with a visitation at 10:00am, service at 11:00am, followed by a time for lunch and Fellowship immediately following the service. Please keep Flossie and the entire Knutson family in your prayers as they grieve.

Wednesday Night Schedule of Events:

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

5:45-6pm-Children's Choir Rehearsal-Nap Room

6-7pm Kids Night Out-Nap Room

6:00-6:30pm-Catechism Large Group- Fellowship Hall

6:30-7pm-Catechism Small Group

6-6:50pm-"Inspired" Adult Book Study-Room 105/107

7:00pm-Worship-Sanctuary

Worship Times

-Sundays at 8:45am Traditional

-Sundays at 10:30am Contemporary

-Wednesdays at 7pm Contemporary

High School Youth Group!

High School Youth (9th – 12th Grade) gather for conversation, fellowship, and discussion about how YOU want see the future of the High School program. Join us on Sunday mornings on Oct. 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th from 10:00am-10:30am and/or 11:30am-12pm. We are excited to see you! Join us!

New Member Class

Sunday, Oct. 9th 12:00-1:30pm

Anyone interested in becoming members of Grace or if you just want to learn more about Grace and the Ministry Areas we serve. Please sign up by clicking the button below.

Fall Fun Day

October 16th 1:30pm-4:30pm

Pearson Corn Maze in Ramsey

All are welcome to join us for a day of fun, corn maze, pumpkins and adventure. The cost is $5 per person at the entrance of Pearson Corn Maze and bring money for treats. High School & Middle Schoolers please meet us there. 5th Grade and under need an adult to stay with them.

Family Table

Imagine coming home and finding no food to prepare dinner for your family. Imagine being alone and never having friends to share a meal with. Imagine how you would feel and what you would do. Family Table is an outreach program sponsored by several churches in the area including Grace. It is an opportunity for us to help our neighbors, if even for only one meal. On the 3rd Sunday of each month, we are privileged to put together meals for our guests. As gas prices rise and inflation goes up, we see our numbers ticking up also. And for the first time since COVID, we have opened our doors so friends can grab their meal and share good conversation. If you are looking for a way to help, please check out the Sign Up Genius link. The calendar is posted thru December so you can do some planning. We know summer is a tough time, but imagine if you had no food on your table? Come help us help others! You are such an important part of our outreach programs! If you have questions, you can contact Lynda Wilde at lrwilde@comcast.net or call/text 612.418.6444.

All Saints Worship Sunday Pictures

We are looking for pictures of those who have passed this past year (Oct. 2021-Oct. 2022) to honor during the Worship for All Saints. Please send your picture via email to Marie Kolar mariek@graceandover.org along with their name by October 24th.

Catechism Fall Retreat

Grace Youth are going back to Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp this November for their “All In! Retreat!”. At the “All In” recharge, campers will join an eccentric expedition team seeking a treasure worth more than gold. Campers will walk away with practical tools on how to keep God at the center of everything they do. Stewardship is often a word associated with money, but it is so much more than that. Everything you have is from God, and is God’s. How can you take care of it and invest it for His Kingdom and His glory? You can use your time, talents, treasure, and so much more. Are you “all in” for God? We have 30 spots reserved. Sign-up on Realm while you can. We will depart after school on Friday and return Sunday evening. We will also be looking for adult volunteers to drive and participate. As with almost everything in the world right now, costs have increased, and the cost of the retreat this year is $200. However, we do not want cost to be a barrier, so if assistance is needed, please contact Pastor Joanna. Registration closes October 10th. 

Feed My Starving Children

We have reserved space at FMSC on Saturday, November 5th from 9:00am-10:45am.  Please join us in this November Tradition of Grace Lutheran Church!  Click on the link below or call the office at 763-421-6520.

Calling all Youth! (And Adults!) 

Did you know that our nursery is up and running? We take care of little ones during worship in our fun and colorful nursery. So, if you are interested in working with little ones on Sunday mornings this is for you! We are currently looking for fun, energetic youth to be part of our Grace Nursery Crew! Our shifts are Sundays 8:30am – 9:45am and/or 10:15am – 11:45am. This is a paid position at $12.00/hour! If interested please see / contact Molly Schroeder (mollys@graceandover.org)

Food Shelf Needs

The Grace Food shelf is in need of the following items. If you are able to donate please drop them off at the church office.

Mac & Cheese

Canned Soup-chunky style and condensed

Cereal

Canned Vegetables

Canned Chili/Kidney Beans

Peanut Butter

Rice

Canned Tomatoes (diced, stewed, sauce, paste)

Canned Fruit

Hamburger/Tuna Helper

Spaghetti Sauce

Boxed Potatoes

Trunk or Treat Candy & Trinket Donations

Now through Oct. 19th, we will be collecting wrapped Halloween candy and Halloween trinkets. Please drop your donations in the box by the Children's Ministry office. If you would like to participate in Trunk or Treat with your vehicle, please click below to register.

Love of Grace Bazaar Volunteers

Grace Lutheran Church is hosting our annual Love of Grace Bazaar from 9:00AM - 3:00PM on Saturday, November 12, 2022 and we need your help to make it successful. Please consider donating food or volunteering your time so we can share a little bit of grace in the heart of Andover.

The Noisy Offerings gathered from Oct. 1st to 15th will be going to Haven for Heroes.

Prayers of the Church

Please pray for: Lloyd Olds, Sandi Sohr, Russ and Gladys Hays, Jeff Kintzler, Shirley Jacobson, Joan Boyle, Lance Broderick, Scott Johnson, Bonnie Howard, Cy Solberg, Charlotte & Fred Montei, and those in need of long-term prayers: Marty Lukaszewski, Lois Vadner, Diane Rosky, Shannan Gautschi, Harland Johnson, Shirley Fystrom, Kathy Beckman, Jason Beckman, Alison Husak, Juleen Klawiter, Carroll Potter, Clint Trousil, John Malecha, Stephanie and Samantha Fernandez, Julie Swedberg, Charlotte Montei, Linda Christiansen, Judi Wold, and Colleen Wernimont.

Also, for the grieving: Flossie Knutson and Family mourning the death of her husband, Phil Knutson ; Travis, Stacy & Danica Lenz as they mourn the deaths of Travis’ Grandpa, Francis and Stacy’s Grandma, Goldie; Dick Henning & Family mourning the death of his wife, Lu.

We celebrate with Aaron, Melanie & Big Sister, Lily, the birth of Jackson Jerome Weixel. Bless this family and the gift of a new life.