Pastor's Message

Generosity, Giving and Commitment Cards

One of my friends often tells me that "God's numbers don't make sense." When she first said this, I wasn't so sure. As a business major, I am used to looking at the numbers, adding them up, and subtracting expenses and working comfortably within a budget. But in my time at Grace, I have discovered that her declaration that "God's numbers don't make sense" is indeed true. Over the past three years, I have looked at our finances and wondered "how is this possible?" Only to turn around and find that we have received an unexpected gift, or a grant, or something that has resulted in us having enough. I am so grateful. Our finances don't come out of the sky, they come from the commitment of all of you. Your belief in the ministries of Grace, trust of leadership, and your willingness to say this is something worth supporting not only with my presence but with my finances. Thank you!

As we enter December, I want to invite you to think about your year-end giving. As I stated on Sunday: all of us have ample opportunities to financial support many worthy organizations at this time of year. Organizations that make a difference in this world. You will be asked at every store as you Christmas shop to round up, or to give a donation to a hospital, or some non-profit. I hope that you will intentionally think about how you give. Why do you want to support a certain organization? How does it align with your values? How does it impact your family? You? Your community? Others?

I support the following organizations: Grace Lutheran Church, Alexandra House, Feed My Starving Children, Habitat for Humanity, and Grace 4 Rakai. The reason I give financially to all of these places is because I believe in their mission, and I am invested in what they are doing in the world.

Here is why I support Grace. I give to Grace because I experience God's love, acceptance, welcome and care through this community. I see the impact that our ministry has that goes far beyond our doors, in the ways in which we love children and youth and support them in faith, that we are consistently feeding, and partnering with others so that the most vulnerable have the essential. We are a church that lives up to its name and is willing to remover barriers so that people can experience the love of God. I am so proud to be a pastor here and so grateful for the gifted staff that empowers and uplifts others to share in the ministry here at Grace and beyond. I am grateful to serve alongside all of you in your ministry in the world.

Last week, I turned in my commitment card. It was a week late. But I know how important a commitment card is to the planning of our Vision Board. I hope that if you haven't already turned yours in, that you will consider doing that soon. These cards help us plan for the future and help us to know what is possible. It helps us make responsible fiscal decisions as we continue to live in faith and recognize that nothing is impossible with God and sometimes God's numbers don't make sense.

As of today we have received 45 commitment cards for 2023. Last, year we received 68. Thank you to the families who have turned theirs in and for you who are late like me, please know it's not too late and it is so helpful to us. Please see the short video below about how simple it is.

Thank you Grace Lutheran for your generosity, for your commitment to God's work. Thank you for being a part of God's abundant goodness that overflows and results in the numbers not making sense! I am grateful for you!

Pastor Joanna Mitchell

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

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

6:30-7pm-Catechism Small Group

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

7pm-Worship-Sanctuary

During the advent season, we will be using the Holden Evening Prayer for our Wednesday evening worship service.  Come and worship with us and share this beautiful service as we once again wait in hope for the birth of Jesus. 

We know this is a congregational favorite normally used during Lent.  We are currently looking at other options for our Lenten Wednesday services, so come and enjoy this beautiful setting of the Evening Prayer during Advent! Wednesdays at 7:00pm.

Green Ribbon Parent Group

Dec. 5th at 6:30pm-8:00pm

Parent peer group for those seeking support with parenting challenges especially for parents supporting youth struggling with Mental Health challenges. 

Middle School Christmas Party!!!

What’s the recipe for a Middle School Christmas party full of cheer? 

A dash of spice 

One teaspoon fun-loving adult leaders 

Two tablespoons of friends(feel free to bring a friend!) 

A baker’s dozen of cookies 

1 cup pantyhose-curious now aren’t you? 

1 1/2 cups balloons 

2 cups creativity 

4 cups of games 

Mix well and serve on Friday December 9th from 7-9pm 

Register on Realm! We can’t wait! Don’t be late! 

High School Students.......

Do you know what Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph have in common?  

 

Of course you do, they are reindeer, but do you know what else have in common? They won’t be at the High School Christmas party like YOU! It will be a fun night to connect with friends from church and any other friends you want to bring along! ALL are welcome!! We will have some good eats and treats, and games that will be sure to make you laugh! When: December 16th, from 6-9 pm, register in Realm events! 

OK @ Play Event:

An Evening of Christmas Carols

Fri, Dec 16 @ 8:00PM — 10:00PM 

Heart of the City Music Factory,

2665 4th Ave, Anoka, MN

Join us for an evening of singing traditional Christmas carols, led by Dan & Sandy Adler and a group of local singers. This is a participative night, so feel free to sing along! Seating is general admission and doors open at 7:30 PM. Concessions will be available for sale during the concert. The Music Factory is located on the 2nd floor of the WWI era Old Milk Factory on the Rum River in Anoka. It is not a wheelchair accessible building, and there are some stairs to climb.

A free-will offering will also be received to help with their on-going ministry. Contact Vickie Meade at 763-712-0496 or vmeade714@gmail.com with any questions.

Parent Leader Social 

We are excited to be hosting a catechism small group leader and parent social on December 21st at Acapulco in Andover! Do you ever wish you could meet and chat with your students small group leaders but pick up and drop offs are a bit hectic? Come for some appetizers and get to know each other! Students can be dropped off at Grace at 5:15 for pizza and a movie with Molly, Kelsey, and Will!! Invitations should have arrived in your mailbox recently, if not keep an eye out for it and RSVP in Realm events. We are looking forward to connection with you! 

What We are Teaching In Catechism 

This month we will be focusing on the Gospels and Christmas. There are certain things that make Christmas really feel like Christmas, right? Christmas trees, holly, candy canes, nativity sets, that one Christmas album your family can’t get enough of . . . oh! And angels. If you pay attention, you’ll find them everywhere this Christmas season. They’re on Christmas trees, ornaments, and greeting cards. They’re in Christmas carols, movies, and nativity sets. And they’re all over the pages of Scripture, too. That’s because angels played an important role in the very first Christmas. In this four-week series from the Gospels, we’ll pay close attention to the announcements the angels made surrounding Jesus’ birth. Together, we’ll see why the messages the angels shared back then still matter today — like the message that God’s timing is always right, that Jesus is always good news, that we can always share God’s story, and that God is always ready to rescue.  Thank you for allowing us to share in the life of your student!

Whirly Ball

December 28th 2-4pm

We will be going to Whirly Ball in Maple Grove for a game of Whirly Ball. Whirly Ball is a fast-paced game combining basketball, hockey, and lacrosse played while in bumper cars. Join us for fun and a new experience. Please arrive 15 minutes early. All participants must fill out waiver and if participant is under 18, a guardian must sign. We will carpool from Grace, or you can meet us there. Please sign up on Realm by clicking the button below.

Cost includes three meals, two nights lodging, fellowship and connection! 

High School Christikon Back Packing Trip

July 14th - July 22nd

A week at Christikon Lutheran Bible Camp in the beautiful Montana mountains for all current 9th -12th grade students (students must have completed 9th grade by July 2023.)

You spend your first and last nights at the main camp. The rest of the time you are hiking through our mountain wilderness. And you find a special life together: worship and Bible study are woven together with the exhilaration of high country camping. Two trained counselors will lead our group as guides and program leaders. Christikon provides you with backpacks, tents, cooking gear, and food. You supply your own sleeping bag, hiking boots, rain gear, and clothing. 

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Financial assistance is available. We will also be looking for adult volunteers to drive. If you have any questions please contact Pastor Maria at mariam@graceandover.org. Click on the button below to register. Register soon as there are just 5 SPOTS LEFT!

Appalachia Service Project

July 28th - August 6th

High School Youth- 9th-12th Grades (entering 9th graders) are invited to join Grace youth on a service project trip from July 28th-August 6th. We will be receiving our location assignment in February. The four states that the Appalachia Service Project (ASP) serve are Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Appalachia Service Project provides one of the most rewarding structured service opportunities in the nation — bringing thousands of volunteers from around the country to Central Appalachia to repair and replace homes for low-income families. Since 1969, we’ve made homes warmer, safer, and drier for families and provided transformational service experiences for volunteers.ASP repairs roofs, walls, floors, foundations, and bathrooms, in addition to making homes accessible through porch and ramp repairs or additions.

We will also be looking for adult volunteers to drive. If you have questions, please Contact Pastor Joanna at joannam@graceandover.org. Register on Realm by clicking the button below. Register soon as there are just 4 spots left!!!

The Grace Giving Tree 

Offering Grace upon Grace Families 

The Grace Giving Tree (TGGT) assists families in need, who worship at Grace Lutheran, through donations. It is the intent of TGGT is the help relieve the financial strain on families through intentional support, confidentiality, and grace.

The Grace Giving Trees is set up now with ornaments. Gifts need to be back to Grace, unwrapped, by December 11th. Distribution to families will occur on or before Wednesday, December 21st

Thank you for supporting families within our Grace Family with bringing joy to all this holiday season.

Wish List for the Holidays at Stepping Stone

Stepping Stone Emergency Housing in Anoka is also under construction! They are very excited to be remodeling their second floor to get all the residents back into their building and out of temporary hotels, to spread their residents out more to be safer from Covid and other viruses that have impacted them so very much in the past two years.

Because of this remodel effort, their traditional Santa Shoppe will not happen quite the same this year. However, we want to be sure the residents have the merriest of holidays! They have a group of Santa’s helpers sewing up a storm so each resident will have a handmade gift bag for their Christmas gifts. What we need is your help with is filling the 66 bags with gift cards and a few special items. We ask that all items collected are new and unwrapped. Your donations make their Holidays a little brighter!

Pick and choose from the list as you wish. Bring your items back to Grace and put them in the tote labeled for “Stepping Stone Homeless Holiday Gifts” by the weekend of December 11th.

I will then get all items to Stepping Stone for their packing into the handmade gift bags.

Specific Items Requested (NEW AND UNWRAPPED PLEASE)

• $25 gift cards to Walmart or Target (plastic, not electronic)
• The following personal feminine/manly items ($10 or less per item):
• Jewelry/watch
• Wallet/purse
• Manicure set
• Nice facial moisturizer/lotion/foot crème
• Lip balm/Chapstick
• Donate at SteppingStoneEH.org and indicate “Holiday Gifts” and then Stepping Stone will use your donation to purchase items for the residents.

Thank you for your loving and generous gifts to those in need within our community! If you have any questions, please contact Ann Lange at 763-438-5623. 

Noisy Offerings gathered in December will go to Gifts of Grace and Family Table.

Prayers of the Church 

Pray especially for: Jerry Slater, John Ketz, Chris Lisy, Rick Breyette, Leah Hadler, Avery Mattke, Gloria Kroeger, Rick O’Leary & Karen, Dylan Stanger, Terry Kalmi, Lisa Kalmi, Luke Bastian, Elaine Brown, Kristi Riley, Rose Spielman, Johnnie Tillery, Shirley Jacobson and those in need of long-term prayer: Marty Lukaszewski, Clint Trousil, Lois Vadner, Diane Rosky, Shannan Gautschi, Harland Johnson, Shirley Fystrom, Kathy Beckman, Jason Beckman, Alison Husak, Juleen Klawiter, Carroll Potter, John Malecha, Stephanie and Samantha Fernandez, Julie Swedberg, Linda Christiansen, Judi Wold, and Ralph & Colleen Wernimont.

Comfort the grieving, especially Tom & Roxanne Benolkin & family mourning the sudden death of their daughter, Amanda; Tim & Julie Trude mourning the death of Julie’s mother, Patricia Walstad

Administrator's Corner

Attention Ministry Leaders:

Hello Ministry Leaders! We cannot believe another year of outstanding ministry has come and gone! Thank you for your leadership! As you know, each year we draft and publish an annual report that reflects what God and Grace have done throughout the past year. It is our hope that all of our ministries might have an article that celebrates what ministry was done and was provided but also looks toward the future and the hopes the ministry will fulfill in the coming year. I’m hoping you are willing to contribute to our report. Please email me back answering 1) yes or no to writing, and 2) if you would like help. Hard deadlines for articles and pictures is Thursday, December 15th. Please email to francesf@graceandover.org at your earliest convenience so we can start the layout. Let us know if you have any questions!

Blessings,

Frances