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 Night Programing
begins at 5:30pm with Worship at 7pm
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Healthy Screen Relationships Workshop | |
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Reminder that this week is going to look a little different! We are having the Healthy Screens Relationship Workshop, hosted by the mental health team. This event is happening FOR CATECHISM, and BOTH students and their parents / guardians are requested to attend! Please plan to arrive by 5:40pm on January 24th. Pizza will be provided.
This is open to all families with children (of all ages). It is especially designed for children and youth ages 4th grade- high school. But anyone who wants to learn more about how to maintain healthy relationships with their screens, social media, technology and devices are encouraged to join us.
CATECHISM IS MEETING EARLY THIS WEEK. EVERYONE NEEDS TO BE AT GRACE BY 5:40 FOR SPECIAL PRESENTATION. FRIENDS and THEIR PARENTS ARE INVITED AND WELCOME TO ATTEND. If you know of friends who are attending, please let Pastor Maria or Will Weikle know so we can adjust our pizza order for those nights!
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Voting Members for Synod Assembly
Our congregational meeting that happens on February 4th has two main components. First is voting on our 2024 budget, a very important part of our life together. The second is to elect voting members for our Synod Assembly. More details are provided below.
The Synod Assembly is where we do the work of the greater church. If you have ever been curious about what is happening with other Lutheran Church in our area, this is a great time to connect with other Lutherans and also to learn. But more importantly this year is a bishops election. A bishop's election only happens every 6 years. Since our Bishop Ann Svennugsen has just completed her second term, we will be electing a new bishop. It is an exciting time to be the church and to be a part of the wider church body.
In February, we will gather at Conference assemblies (see below for details) where nominations can be put forth. After this event, nominees have a chance to withdraw their names, or go forward. Then we will have the opportunity to meet nominees and hear their hopes and dreams for the church moving forward.
Finally, in May we will gather and together we will worship, and pray and vote for a new Bishop for our synod. It usually takes a few ballots, lots of good discussion and is a great opportunity to get involved.
Both Pastor Maria and I will be in attendance. We also get to bring 3 adult voting members and 1 youth voting member. If you are interested in attending, please contact me as soon as you can. We do need to have names as soon as possible.
Blessings,
Pastor Joanna Mitchell
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Annual Congregational Meeting Information | |
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2024 Budget Question and Answer Sessions
On Sunday, January 28th there will be two budget question and answer sessions hosted by the Vision Board. The first one will be at 9:45am in Room 104 and the second one will be at 11:30am in Room 104.
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Voting Members For
The Synod Assembly
Grace has spots for 3 voting members and 1 youth member to go to the Synod Assembly. We will be voting on those members at the Congregational Meeting. If you are interested please contact Pastor Joanna Mitchell as soon as possible. Important dates to note: Conference Assembly is on Saturday, February 10th from 9:00am to 12:30pm and Cross of Hope in Ramsey. The Synod Assembly is at Lord of Life in Ramsey on Thursday, May 2nd from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, Friday, May 3rd from 9:00am to 8:00pm and Saturday, May 4th from 9:00am to 11:30am.
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Annual Congregational Meeting
Sunday, February 4, 2024
10:00am in the Sanctuary
The Annual Congregational Meeting will be on Feb. 4th at 10:00am in the Sanctuary. There will be two votes cast. The first vote is on the 2024 budget and the second vote is for whom to send as Voting Members to the Synod Assembly. In order to be able to vote on these items, you must be a Confirmed or Official Member of Grace Lutheran Church.
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Droolin' Moose Fundraiser
The next Fundraiser for our Youth is coming up this month! I am sure there are many who would call this one the best fundraiser of the year. Droolin’ Moose Chocolate will be sold between January 17th - 28th. There will be a station to order in the Narthex after Sunday worship on 1/28. Chocolate will be available for pickup and distribution on Sunday, February 11th (just in time for Valentine’s Day). Youth, please consider using this opportunity to jump in on the fundraisers, and congregation, I hope you will consider enjoying some chocolate to support our youth!
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Wild Mountain Youth/Family Ski Day!
Please join us for an outing to Wild Mountain! Anoka-Hennepin is on break Monday, February 19th for President’s Day. Let’s have a ski/snowboard day! We are inviting all adults, families, children, youth and friends. New skiers/boarders 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 adult supervision will be supervised and driven by an adult leader. Cost is: $31 and anyone needing ski or snowboard rental will be additional $25. You can bring additional money for food/snacks if you desire or bring a lunch. Grace will be providing some small snacks for this event. Please sign up by February 5th.
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Girls Night Out
The next "Girls Night Out" will be held on Monday, February 5th. We will meet at Acapulco restaurant in Andover at 6:00pm. Hope you can join us!
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Parent Date Night!
Feb. 16th
5:00-7:30pm
Kids will be having a movie night. This event is for kids of all ages. Kids will be signed in and out. If your child has food allergies let us know so we can have food for them other than pizza. The specific movie has not yet been chosen. No registration required just come! Four adults will be there as well as Middle School and High School volunteers.
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Empty Nesters / Parents of Independent Children
Empty Nester's will be having a gathering on Monday, February 19th at Chanticlear Pizza in Coon Rapids. We will be starting at 6 pm but feel free to arrive later as needed. Their address is: 11706 Crooked Lake Blvd NW, Coon Rapids 55433. All are Welcome!
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Giving Opportunities At Grace | |
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Women's 2024 Retreat
The Women's Retreat will be doing a service project and are in need of the following donations:
- Dove Brand, Full size or 3-4oz size of Neutral fragrance (vanilla or coco butter) of Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash and Body Lotion
- Shower Puffs
- Band-Aids
- mechanical and regular pencils;
- colored ink pens;
- thin dry erase markers;
- small note pads;
- Hot chocolate and apple cider packets;
- individually wrapper bite size chocolate
- cozy socks
For more information on the Women's 2024 Retreat click here.
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Prayers of the Church
Please pray especially for: Diana Heyer, Ruth Hildebrandt, Dave O’Brien, Vernitta Pahl, Kenny Zupon, Sherli & Ray, Bill Zimet, Curtis Breyette, Rick & Linda Breyette, John Malecha, Dan Doss, Jodi Montavon, Jerry Slater, Wayne Welle, Jan Summers, Bev Scott, Lois Vadner, Tara Swedberg, Dan Husak, Teri Beckers, Judy Herring, and 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: Jan and Wayne Margotto and family mourning the death of their nephew Patrick Roers; the Zepeda family grieving the tragic death of Gena Zepeda.
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