See what is happening at Grace Lutheran! | |
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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.
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Perspective
This is my small group from our mission trip last week. In the front is Jeff, Barbara and Railin (pronounced RayLynn). We are standing in their "She Shed," which is made entirely of found garbage and recycled material. There house has been under construction for two summers. Having the walls, and floor replaced. We were the final team to complete the work this summer, putting on trim and covering outlets and putting the furniture back. And yet, even though they have new flooring and new drywall in their living room and Railin's bedroom, there is still work to be done. Most likely, they will have another summer with ASP (Appalachian Service Project), in which crews will remove walls that have rotted out and replace them for a longer more sustainable future.
Jeff, the homeowner, celebrated his 62 birthday on Monday. He had stories that would fill his house with laughter and entertain for hours. As an over-the-road truck driver, an EMS employee and a staff member of a funeral home, Jeff always managed to shock us a bit with his stories and also give us a glimpse of the depth of his experience in a humble and loving manner. His quick wit, and fun loving cantor made him a favorite to all of us. Barbara was quick to praise us, and also just as sharp as her husband ready to add to the humor, and Railin won all of our hearts as she led us in dance lessons and applied make-up to the girls on our crew. When it came time to say goodbye, we weren't ready. This family in just a few short days had taken up space in our hearts. I know I wanted more time with them. Jeff repeatedly told us- "If you are ever here again, you ALWAYS have a place to stay in our home. You all are family now." He said this with a shimmer in his eye and sincerity in his heart and we knew he meant it. My natural instinct caused me to silently wonder where? Their house was not in great shape and needed more work. But I know it was a truthful invitation, we would always be welcomed in their home, in fact, anyone would be. They would give up any space they had to welcome others in.
Too often, I live under the misconception that we need a big enough house, or enough room to open up our homes to others. I can at times fall into the spirit of scarcity instead of abundance. This is one of the virtues of trips like this, my perspective is changed. My eyes are opened. My heart is transformed, and suddenly I see more clearly, all that God has given me. It's never been about the right type of house, or adequate amount of space, it is about seeing the gifts given, seeing the people God has given me to love, and being willing to let everyone in because their is space not only in my heart, but in my home and in our church for all. Thanks be to God!
It's good to be home!
Blessings,
Pastor Joanna Mitchell
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Summer Sunday
Worship Times
8:30am-Traditional
10:00am-Contemporary
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THIS WEEKEND! AFTER BOTH WORSHIPS! | |
**The meeting will be streamed after 8:30am Worship but voting capabilities will not be open until after 10am Worship. Click here for the Zoom link. | |
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Family Table
Family Table is an outreach program sponsored by several churches in the area including Grace. On Sunday, August 20th at 11:30am-12:30pm, the 3rd Sunday of the month, we are privileged to prepare a variety of delicious meals for our guests, many of whom have been affected by the risings costs in food and gas and truly appreciate the meals we provide. If you are looking for a fun way to volunteer and great people to work with, please check out the Sign-up Genius link. The calendar is posted thru December 2023 so you can do some planning. Positions fill quickly sometimes, so sign up as soon as you can! Also, if you know of someone who could benefit from our program, please let them know! If you have any questions, you can contact Lynda Wilde at lrwilde@comcast.net or call/text 612.418.6444.
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Registrations Open!
The registrations are open for Sunday School, Catechism,
Kids Night Out, and Own Your Faith!
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Grace Musical Ensembles Rehearsals Are Starting!
We are nearing the start of our program year and getting ready to start our ensemble rehearsals. Our Grace Symphonic Ensemble is up and running already. Rehearsals for this group are on Sunday mornings from 9:45am-10:15am in the portable. For more information on this group, contact Joe Jackson.
Our Choir and Praise Team are also getting ready to resume their weekly rehearsals. Both groups will gather on Tuesday evenings starting August 29th. The schedule is as follows:
- 6:00pm-7:00pm: Praise Team Rehearsal.
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7:15-8:30pm - Grace Choir Rehearsal. (The Grace Choir schedule for the year is posted on the website. You can find it by clicking HERE. If you see a song you'd like to sing, join us for the two weeks leading up to that Sunday and join in the song!)
All of our ensembles are open to anyone and everyone at any time. It is not a year-long commitment, but you may want to come back once you make music together!
If you have any questions about the Choir or Praise Team, contact David Phelps
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OK@Play
Thursday Evenings at The Draw Amphitheater:
- August 10th-The Crown Jewels-Queen Tribute Band
- August 17th-Mick Sterling Presents: A Billy Joel State of Mind-Tribute to Billy Joel
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2024 Belize Mission Trip
Informational Meeting
August 15th at 7:00pm
Interested in going to Belize on the next mission trip? Need more information before deciding? Come to an informational meeting regarding the next mission trip to Belize on Tuesday, August 15th from 7-8pm in Room 105/107. Tentative dates for the trip are set for February 6-13th, 2024. If you would like more information prior to the meeting, please contact Greg or Lori Ackerson or Anna Welle. You can also check out boldhope.org for additional information on Belize.
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Grace's Opportunities for Giving | |
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Food Shelf Needs
The food shelf is in need of the following items. Please no expired items. Drop the items off at the Church Office.
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| Mac & Cheese | Boxed Potatoes | Travel size toiletries | | Dry Pasta | Rice |
| | Prepared Dinners (canned stew, canned pasta, etc) | Cereal |
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Noisy Offerings in August will be going to Tapestry Ministry and Sand Creek Partnership.
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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 Tracie 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
We pray for: Sonja Hawn, David Hubbard, Sawyer Droste, Dennis Leger, Anna Nielsen, Mary Ritt, Katie Anderson, Lydia Becker, Scott Plourde, Vicki Anderson, Ann Lange, Lois Hawkins. And also those in need of long-term prayer: Leah Hadler, Rick & Linda Breyette, Kristi Riley, Marty Lukaszewski, Clint Trousil, Lois Vadner, Diane Rosky, Shannan Gautschi, Harland Johnson, Shirley Fystrom, Alison Husak, Juleen Klawiter, Stephanie and Samantha Fernandez, Linda Christiansen, Judi Wold, and Ralph & Colleen Wernimont.
We pray for those in the midst of heartache, grief, or pain, be with Tom Reishus mourning the death of his Dad, Frederick and Holly Dodds and family grieving the death of her mother, Mavis Roelofs.
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News Articles for September
Grace Notes Due August 15th!
If you have a news article that you would like to have in the September edition of Grace Notes please send them in word format to Marie Kolar (mariek@graceandover.org). Please have your articles sent in by Tuesday, August 15th at 5pm.
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