See what's happening at Grace this week
July 2, 2020
This is a quick reminder of what is happening at Grace this week in Worship and in ways to connect and serve in the next seven days.
Grace Happenings
A Note from Pastor Joanna
Dear Grace Friends,

It is hard to believe that 4 th of July weekend is just around the corner and we are still living in this very different reality. Long ago, the firework and community celebrations were cancelled, and large group gatherings are being discouraged. And yet, the 4 th of July will still come. We will remember and celebrate our independence as the United States of America.

In a time, where it feels like our freedom is being restricted, I believe we are given an invitation to contemplate what is freedom. Christian freedom is the liberation we have received from God who has freed us in love from the burden of our sins. God’s love is never-ending, and God’s forgiveness is for all. Our Christian freedom does not free us to live a life of self-centeredness, or a life of sinfulness, but instead it is a responsibility that we hold and extend to others. Martin Luther writes in his treaty, The Freedom of a Christian: “A Christian lives not in himself (or herself), but in Christ and in his neighbor. Otherwise he is not a Christian. He lives in Christ through faith, in his neighbor through love. By faith he is caught up beyond himself into God. By love he descends beneath himself into his neighbor. Yet he always remains in God and in his love.”  

God reminds us it is love that unites us. Love that helps us overcome our divisions. Love that brings healing to our broken world. I pray that as you celebrate the freedom of living in the United States, that you remember your identity not only as an American, but as a Christian. You have been claimed by God, marked in the waters of baptism, forgiven, and called to love and serve your neighbor, especially your neighbor who might be ignored or overlooked in our community, so that all might know the tremendous grace of God.

Blessings to you all!
Pastor Joanna Mitchell
Grace Lutheran Church Constitution Update

Grace Lutheran Church’s current constitution was approved over 30 years ago in 1988. In 2001, an updated version of the constitution was drafted but it stalled and never brought to a congregational vote. Over the years, there have been times of starting and stopping the review process of our constitution, but without ever reaching completion. The transition of our pastoral leadership provoked a review of our church documentation, which in turn, began a renewed effort to update our constitution.  In conjunction with our internal review, in 2019, the Synod also released a new model constitution for ELCA churches. This provided a solid template for Vision Board to follow to update our constitution, aligning it to the new Synod model. In June, we completed the steps required by the Synod to bring our proposed constitution to you for a congregational vote of approval. 

As you review our proposed constitution, here are a few considerations to guide you

  1. The constitution is structured into chapters, each with a specific focus.
  2. The “C” in front of the number system symbolizes that the document is a “Congregational” constitution.
  • Chapter statement codes are bolded. The first number in the coding represents Chapter, the second number represents the statement number within that chapter.
  • Bylaw codes within each chapter are not bolded. The first and second numbers follow the same representation of the chapter statements. The third number represents the bylaw order under each chapter statement.
  • An example of this can be seen on the bottom of page 11 and top of page 12 in Chapter 10, statement 1, bylaws 1 and 2.
3.The items with an asterisk in front of them are required, as written, by the Synod. 
The items without an asterisk could be customized for our congregation.
  • Chapters that could be customized are as follows:
§   Chapter 1 – Name and Incorporation
§   Chapter 10 – Congregation Meeting
§   Chapter 11 – Officers
§   Chapter 12 – Congregation Vision Board
§   Chapter 13 – Congregation Committees
§   Chapter 14 – Organizations Within This Congregation
  • Customized chapters are were you might focus your attention if you are wanting to limit your review. Bylaws throughout the document are also customized to Grace Lutheran Church.
Congregational Meeting

There will be Congregational Meetings on July 12th at 9:00 am. You will be able to attend via Zoom (see upcoming Zoom Meetings) or sign up to attend in-person (limited space is available).
Ending the Silence Class

A free NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) MN class called “Ending the Silence” will be offered via Zoom on Monday, July 13 at 6:30 pm . The 50 minute presentation is designed for middle school and high school students. It includes warning signs, facts and statistics, on how to get help for themselves and/or their friends.  “Ending The Silence” is an effective way to enhance student’s knowledge and attitudes toward mental health conditions and seeking help. This session is appropriate for students, parents, teachers, grandparents and anyone who has relationships with youth. 

Although there is no charge, you must register in advance and the link for doing so is provided below. If you know others who would benefit from this class (they don’t have to attend Grace), please share this opportunity with them. Once you register, you will receive the proper Zoom link and password information to allow you to connect via Zoom on July 13 th .

Date: Monday, July 13th (07/13/2020)
Time: 6:30-7:30 PM
Bible Study

Join us for Thursday Morning Zoom Bible Study at 10 am with Pastor Joanna (or the Sunday preacher).
 
Join us on Thursday mornings at 10 am for a bible study. Bring your bibles, yourselves and your questions. If you don’t have a bible, bring your phone or your computer and we will navigate through bible gateway to help you find the scripture.

The Sunday scriptures that we will be studying over the next couple of weeks:
July 2nd: Acts 18:1-4, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18
July 9th: 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13
July 16th: 1 Corinthians 15:1-26, 51-57

Join Zoom Meeting by clicking the link below.
Youth Events This Summer! 

After thought, prayer, and planning over the last couple of weeks we are excited to announce a few events for our young people to participate in this summer! Throughout July and August, we have events planned for High School Students (completed 9th through 12th grade) and middle school students (completed 5th grade through 8th grade).   

We have missed seeing our kiddos and hope that families that are comfortable gathering in small groups will be able to join us! All events will be held outdoors with various safety precautions listed on our website and on the event registration. If you have any questions, concerns or have any special needs please contact Kristi Larson at KristiL@graceandover.org . Check out what we have planned below! 
Red Cross Blood Drive

Grace will be holding another Red Cross Blood Drive on Tuesday, July 21, 2020 1:00 pm-6:00 pm. See link below to register.
August 10-13
We are excited to announce our partnership with Luther Crest in this Summer’s Vacation Bible School Programming. The program this summer will look different than in years past, Luther Crest is calling it: Bold Transformational Faith Program.
 
Time: TBD We plan at this point to offer programming virtually with supplies for crafts and games available for pick up at church. For registered participants there is the possibility for an evening zoom with camp staff. There is also a possibility as stay safe MN loosens, we will be allowed to meet in person. In the case of this, we would meet in the evenings from 6-8 PM at Grace either inside or outside depending on the decision. We realize the nature of these plans are not set in stone and this may be challenging for your family plans, we thank you for your patience. We understand this won’t work for everyone but hope you and your family will consider committing to this free program at Grace. 
 
Online components for all families of Grace will include daily worship, camp activities, and more. We will have several pre-recorded videos for your day camper, including worships, songfest, arts and crafts, and game ideas to play with their family. Secondly, for registered participants, there will be nightly Bible Dive interactions with Luther Crest’s summer ministry team during the week of August 10-13. You may now register your children on GraceLink.
 
The theme for the summer is Go! Make Disciples! We will study Matthew 28:19-20 which says, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” We are committed to leaning into this great commission given by Jesus to his disciples even if "going" looks a little different right now.
Thank you so much for continuing to send in your Noisy Offerings while we are unable to gather to worship in person! All Noisy Offerings received during the month of June are being directed toward one or more organizations in Minneapolis to help residents in need of food, cleaning supplies, and other necessities. We will be able to announce the total amount received in next week’s edition of Grace-at-a-Glance. 

Noisy Offerings received during the first two weeks of July will benefit a family from Sand Creek Elementary School. Randy Wieden, the husband of Kari Wieden, one of Sand Creek’s secretaries, recently fell 20 feet, suffering severe injuries and requiring surgery. Thankfully, the surgery was successful and Randy is now at home. But he has a long road to recovery ahead of him is undergoing extensive therapy. He will be out of work for a long time to come. If you would like to help this family, please write a check to Grace (with “Noisy Offering” written in the memo line) OR click on the link below and select “Noisy Offering.” Thank you!

Thank you!

Debbie Jorgens
Director of Outreach Ministries
Last week’s edition of Grace-at-a-Glance had an article about the many ways in which the people of Grace support the students and staff of Sand Creek Elementary School. We also included a link to a “THANK YOU” video from Sand Creek. Unfortunately, the link was to the 2018-19 video rather than the 2019-20 video that we just received recently. We apologize for the error. Please click on the link below to see the newest, very heartfelt “THANK YOU” to Grace Lutheran Church! Your generosity is greatly appreciated!  
Prayers

We celebrate with Anit a Thomas and Karl Sluis, the birth of their first Grandchild, Henry Jeffrey Sluis and bless them as they welcome him into their live s. Bob & Debbie Jorgens, son and daughter-in-law, Peter and Alexis, as they celebrate the birth of Riley Mae Kroening bless them as they welcome these new babies into their lives 

For all who have not been granted the healing they desire and for all who cannot access the care they need, send social workers, doctors, parish nurses, and other caregivers. Today we pray especially for Sheri, Zach, Randy Wieden, Vic & Marilyn Shaffer, Carol Alloway, Nikki Terning, Jerry Slater, Corey LaGree, Darlene Jorgenson, Shannan Gautschi, Arden Kirkendall, John Malecha, Rick Reisdorph Jack Zirkle, Nancy Klein, Carroll Potter, Joe Bailey, Julie Swedberg, Christopher Sluis, Kathy Lovik,, Judi Wold, Walt Hiller and Zachary Elsenpeter.

God of comfort, we pray for those who have recently lost loved ones, especially today we pray for Mary Danielson and family upon the death of Mary’s brother, Frank; The Behnke-Nead family upon the death of Michele’s mother, Van Bakko, and the family of Arlen Hoffer. Surround them with your love and comfort them with the promise of the resurrection.
Worship

Worship will be posted by 5:00 pm on Saturday. Please join us for worship on our webpage, Youtube channel, or on our Facebook page. We invite you to take pictures of your family worshipping together and posting them in the comments, so that we can see you and imagine being together.
Devotions

The staff at Grace Lutheran are providing daily devotions through our website and Facebook page.

If you would like to write a devotion to share with the community at Grace please contact Pastor Joanna Mitchell at joannam@graceandover.org   Thank you!
Zoom Connect Time and
Prayer Gathering  

New Zoom Page on our website:
We have created a new page on our website with all the Zoom opportunities that are happening regularly at Grace. This site is your go-to website to join the Sunday Prayer Gathering, Thursday Morning Bible study, and much more. Click below to check it out

Contact Pastor Joanna Mitchell ( joannam@graceandover.org ) or Kristi Larson ( KristiL@graceandover.org ) if you have questions.
Consider electronic giving on GraceLink. It’s a convenient way to give consistently throughout the year. If you have any questions, contact Frances or Marie in the Church Office or Click on the GraceLink logo below.

If you are wondering where your giving is for the year, please log in to GraceLink. Find Giving on the tool bar. Then select My Giving History.  
Registration Now for

To minimize the spread of COVID-19 and out of love and concern for our church family and community, all worship services, program organizations and activities are cancelled until further notice.
Links to Grace Lutheran's YouTube Channel
and Daily Devotion Posts

Virtual Worship will be posted online at:
www.graceandover.org
and on our Facebook page at
Grace Lutheran Church@graceandover by 5:00 pm on Saturday.


We hope that you will join us at a time that works best for you.