Happenings and Messages from Grace Lutheran Church! | |
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This is a quick weekly reminder of what is happening at Grace
in worship and in ways to connect and serve.
Sunday Worship
8:45am (Traditional) and 10:30am (Contemporary)
Wednesday Lent Programming
Worship at 1:00 pm
Catechism begins at 6:00 pm with Worship at 7:00 pm
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Friends of Grace,
As part of my year long participation in the living school, I have been spending this week reading one passage of scripture and reflecting on it (Lectio Divina). I have been reading Luke 15, which could be entitled: Parables of the Lost- you know lost sheep, lost coins, lost sons. Click here to read Luke 15. Below you will find one of my reflections and prayers. I have been wondering about the math of this passage. Jesus demonstrates that it doesn't matter if it's 1/100, 1/10, or 1/2- the ratio doesn't matter when it comes to God's love and grace. Sometimes we might find ourselves in the majority, other times we are the one. Too often we find ourselves divided. Perhaps there is another way. I believe this to be true.
PJM
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A Reflection on Luke 15: Division
Divide it- the son asked. Divide your property. Divide your love. Divide your attention.
We want to be divided don't we? We ask for it. Divide us! Divide it. Divide. Our world is divided into lost and found.
We want ratios that affirm that we are in the majority. We belong. We have done it right. After all, we didn't wander off. We didn't fall between the cracks. We didn't leave and squander anything.
We stayed.
It was the lost one that made us divided. Not us. We were once complete at 100 until you made us 99 to 1. 9 to 1 and 2 to 1. You asked. It happened. And now we blame.
And yet, the division doesn't matter. Who asked? Who divided? Who blamed? Our desire to come home is more important than previous requests. In the end, God will work to make us whole. A whole herd. A whole family. A whole person. A whole community. Not divided at all. Not divided anymore.
The party is for all. All are invited. All welcomed. God's arms are open. Welcome home. Rejoice, celebrate the end to division.
God you remind us, that it doesn't matter if we have wandered off and lost are way, or stayed by your side, we are invited to listen, to learn, to love. Help us to do this without division but in unity, peace and in wholeness. Recognizing the belovedness of one another. Amen
Pastor Joanna Mitchell
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Join us for Wednesday Worship | |
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This week in our Lenten Series Living Our Faith, Pastor David Lechelt from Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Ramsey is preaching ...a hope (1 Corinthians 13). Pastor David is passionate for community gathering and outreach, and collaborative mission and ministry. He's "thumbs up" for all things French and enjoys cooking for his wife Mary, family and friends. His message is a hope grounded in the new life that God is actively drawing forth from our shared cross bearing with Jesus.
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February 19 to 23, 2024
The toddler/nursery addition has been a primary focus this past week. The exterior walls have been totally enclosed allowing for lots of interior efforts to progress. The roof has been sealed by the roofers. No rain will now interfere with interior progress. Interior walls have been studded allowing electrical, low voltage and plumbing installations.
Lights have been going up in the narthex! It is almost like the roof has been peeled away, there is so much more light. Dark corners have disappeared. Thanks be to God and the electricians preforming the installation.
The youngest Seedlings of Grace have been moved to their new location, Rooms 105-107! The coffee maker has been moved too; this to the narthex where it will be ready to serve. This all means that the kitchen will be stripped of its contents and the expansion begins.
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Girls Night Out
“Girls Night Out” will be on Monday, March 4th. We will meet at Acapulco Restaurant in Andover at 6:00 to share a meal and some lively conversation. All women of Grace are invited. Please contact Gayle Pacholl at pacholls@comcast.net, or text 612-750-2910 to let me know if you’re able to join us. We hope to see you there!
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Join the Grace Andover Table and Pastor Joanna
Don't miss out on the Alexandra House Masquerade Ball | Hope Gala, promising an unforgettable evening. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year, essential in supporting our mission. The money raised will directly fund our services for victims and survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Join us as we celebrate resilience and strength, while supporting survivors. This is an incredible event you won't want to miss. Contact Pastor Joanna for more information.
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Saturday, March 23, 2024
5:30 - 9:00 pm
at Leopold's Mississippi Gardens
EMCEE:
Anoka County Commissioner, Mandy Meisner
KEYNOTE SPEAKER:
Maria G, Former Participant
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EVENING ACTIVITIES:
Cocktail Hour, Games, and Dream Vacation Raffle
Silent and Live Auctions
Event Program and Fund-A-Need
ATTIRE:
Guests are encouraged to wear their best masquerade attire or contemporary cocktail wear.
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Grace Choir | Good Friday and Easter Sunday
Each year on, the Grace Choir presents a service of music and readings to observe Good Friday at 7pm and provides an anthem on Easter Sunday at the 8:45am service.
As we do for our Advent Cantata, we are extending an invitation to anyone wishing to sing with the choir, but only for a limited amount of time. It is a great opportunity to make music together and walk alongside others in this holiest of times. Songs we will be singing can be found on the Grace website on the choir page, or by clicking here.
Rehearsals will be Tuesday evenings from 7:15-8:15pm.
Dates are February 27, March 5, 12, 19, and 26.
Performances will be Friday March 29 at 7pm, and Easter Sunday March 31, during the 8:45am Service.
Any questions please contact David Phelps.
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Welcome Meghan!
Welcome our new Organist!
We are excited to welcome Meghan Knudsen into the Grace family, as she has been hired as our part-time organist! She will be providing music at our traditional service 1-2 Sundays a month and accompanying the choir in their performances. She has recently moved back to the Twin Cities from the Duluth area where she taught music in the public schools. She has been playing piano for 21 years, and the organ since college. Welcome Meghan!
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Prayers of the Church
Please pray especially for: Nancy Anderson, Leah, Kendra Mattke, Jim & Cathy, Denise Gruetzman, Alex Bombard, Lynn Zirkle, Cherrie Rae Ruberg, Marie Kolar, Diana Heyer, Wayne Welle, Bev Scott, Lois Vadner, Tara Swedberg, Dan Husak, Teri Beckers, Judy Herring, Ann Lange. And all those in need of long term prayers: Leah Hadler, Rick & Linda Breyette, Clint Trousil, Diane Rosky, Shannan Gautschi, Juleen Klawiter, Stephanie and Samantha Fernandez, Linda Christiansen, Judi Wold, and Ralph & Colleen Wernimont.
Pray for those who are mourning: Jordie and Craig Powell and family mourning the death of their husband and father, Bob Powell; Nancy Knox grieving the death of her sister.
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