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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Accepting Everyone
What does acceptance look like? Does it look like having a seat at a table? Or is it something more? Does it look like being given the microphone so you can share your story and experience? Or does it go beyond even that, not only are you giving a chance to speak, but you are actually listened to? Does it mean having a safe place to go to the bathroom? Or does the location of the bathroom make a difference too?
For the last 8 months we have been meeting with Busch architects to think about our building and the renovations that will need to take place. Some of the questions we have been asking, is not only what we need, but also how does our building help us live out our values? Let me be clear, our building is not the church, but the building is an instrument of our ministry. We do need renovations (I don’t want to celebrate Christmas Eve outside again in freezing temperatures). Our building does send a message about who we are and what we value. At the same time, our building does not stop us from being the church in the world. God doesn’t need a building to empower you to share God’s love.
As I think about this value of accepting of everyone, something that I believe completely in, I recognize how hard it is. If we truly are a congregation that lives this value, that means we will have people with very different opinions about how to live and how to practice our faith. Some of us will agree and others of us will disagree. It will mean that we, at times, have to let go of our own needs in order to make room for someone else. It also means we need to open our eyes to ways in which we are currently not accepting of everyone else and work to improve our acceptance.
If you were to ask me the number one thing, we need to do to enhance our building, I would tell you we need to fix our bathrooms so that we have ADA bathrooms within the walls of our building. Currently, the only ADA bathrooms are in the portables. Sometimes, I can live with this and feel okay, but most of the time, it makes me sad. Bathroom accessibility is a sign of welcome. It is a sign that says we provide for your basic needs. It is a way that we say, we see you and recognize you and your uniqueness. It is something that I believe is imperative that we fix as soon as possible. I can totally get on my soap box about bathrooms. I’ll be honest, I don’t just want bathrooms that are accessible for wheelchairs, but I also want some bathrooms that are gender-neutral too. When I think about the rich diverse world that God created, I believe we need to be accepting of everyone, and we do that in a variety of ways. We accept everyone by using our voices, with our willingness to listen and understand, and by making sure everyone has access to something as basic as a bathroom. It might seem like a little thing, but I am convinced it sends a big message of acceptance and welcome (or not).
I know that we might have different opinions about a lot of things, but I do believe that we all hold at our core, love for God, our family, and for others and when we agree on that, I know that God can do amazing things in uniting us in love, so that indeed we might accept everyone for the person God created them to be.
Blessings,
Pastor Joanna
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Summer Worship Hours
5:00 pm on Saturdays*
(There will not be Communion this Saturday, August 14th.)
8:30 am on Sundays
10:00 am on Sundays
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*Outdoor Worship Our Saturday night worship will be outside in the courtyard at 5pm. Please bring your own lawn chair. All are welcome to attend. We will have chalk for kids. In case of rain or high heat indices, worship will move inside.
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Fellowship
Fellowship is after worship on Sundays. Goodies and coffee are available in the Narthex after worship. We ask that you gather outside to gather, socialize and get to know each other. We are still looking for a group or family to host a fellowship on the 4th Sunday of the month, please contact Kris Miller at the church office.
We do not require reservations or masks for vaccinated people at in-person worship. If you feel more comfortable wearing a mask, please feel free to do so. We do ask if you are not feeling well or ill please stay home. We will continue to live stream worship services for those who do not feel comfortable coming to worship or those who are out of the area.
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Family Table
Sunday, August 15th
Help is needed for the Family Table Drive Thru meal on Sunday, August 15th. If you can help, please contact Lynda Wilde lrwilde@comcast.net or 612-418-6444. Or simply click on the link below.
What a joy and privilege to provide a meal for those in need! Grace will be serving another Family Table “take-out” meal on August 15th. There are plenty of opportunities for you to help, whether it’s making food, or donating bottled water! We also need assistance packing meals and bringing the meals out to our guests in the parking lot. If you can help, please sign up!
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2021-2022 SUPPORT FOR SCHOOL SUPPLIES AT SAND CREEK ELEMENTARY!
We hope and pray that this school year can be back to normal for the students at our Faith & Community Partnership school, Sand Creek Elementary. No matter what the future holds for the school year, school supplies are in need!
If you would like to help, please consider purchasing any of the items in the list below and return them to church in the tote labeled “Sand Creek School Supplies” that will be located in the narthex. The items indicated with the asterisks ** are MOST in need, however all items are in need! The donations will be accepted throughout August and the deadline is September 5th.
You can also give a monetary donation of cash or check. If writing a check, please make it payable to Grace Lutheran Church and write “Sand Creek” in the memo line. The monetary donations will be used by the Sand Creek Grace Team toward the food expenses for the Sharing Grace Backpack Food Bags prepared and given each Friday to children who would otherwise go hungry over the weekend.
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** 8 count Crayola Markers
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** 12 count Crayola Colored Pencils
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** Safety/Kids Scissors
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** 1 inch binders
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** Hardcover Pencil Boxes
- Pocket Folders – Red or Green color
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** Spiral Notebooks – Wide ruled
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** Highlighters
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**#2 Pencils (Ticonderoga)
- Ziplock bags – gallon size
- Multi-pack pocket tissues (Kleenex)
- $25 gift cards to Walmart or Target or Gas cards
- Snacks – Individual packaged – Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars, Gold Fish Crackers, Fruit Snacks, Skinny Pop.
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Family Dinner & A Movie
THIS FRIDAY
August 13, 2021
6:00pm
Enjoy a fun family night with us! We will be having dinner, followed by a movie in the sanctuary! Families are invited to attend together. Come in your PJs and bring blankets and pillows.
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Kindergarten-4th Grade
Splash Day
Tuesday, August 17th
1:00pm-3:00pm
Rescheduled from 7/28/21
Ready to make a splash? If you’re an incoming Kindergartener through 4th grade you are invited to a fun afternoon of splish splashaderie at Grace’s water slide fun day! Cost is $10. Please register by clicking on the button below or if you need help registering email krism@graceandover.org
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Middle School
Water Fun Day
Tuesday, August 17th
6:00pm-8:00pm
Rescheduled from 7/28/21
Calling all incoming 5th through 8th graders! Take a break from the heat and join us for an evening of water fun with a giant waterslide at Grace! Bring a friend (or two or three) and have a splashtastic time! Cost is $10. Please register by clicking on the button below if you need help registering please email krism@graceandover.org
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Come Join us in Song!
Beginning Sept. 1, 2021
6:45pm-8:15pm
The Grace Choir is beginning weekly rehearsals on WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 1st! We will rehearse from 6:45pm-8:15pm in the Worship Center. Everyone is welcome, no prior choir experience required. No commitment necessary. We just want to praise God in song with anyone who will join us! The first 15-30 minutes will be a time to connect with fellow singers and build community with each other. Any questions please email David Phelps: davidp@graceandover.org
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YOUTH MUSICIANS
We Need YOU!!
We are looking for youth to be a part of the praise band on Wednesday evenings beginning in September! We are in need of a drummer and bass player, and anyone else that would like to contribute to worship through music! If you would like more information on this opportunity, email David Phelps: davidp@graceandover.org
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Rally Sunday
September 12, 2021
After Worships, on Sunday Sept. 12th, there will be:
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Food Trucks-Rustic Chef, Youniverse Foodie Waffles, Floyd's Donuts.
- Bounce House, games and fun!
- Sunday School, Catechism, Own Your Faith Information
- Ministry Fair
If you would like to help out to make this event a great kick off to Fall, please click the link below! Mark your calendars!!
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The Chosen Season One Watch Party and Bible Study group
Sundays 6-8PM starting Sept. 12th
Join Daron Yates, Mike Schaaf and others in watching and following along with the official companion study to Season 1 of The Chosen, the groundbreaking television series about the life of Jesus. What Does It Mean to be Chosen? parallels each episode, connecting you to the Bible in a brand-new way. As a group, each week (9-weeks), you will watch an episode, study, and share a meal together.
On September 12th- Potluck Meal (bring a dish to pass)
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Flu Shot Clinic
Sunday, October 10th
9:30am-12:30pm
HyVee Pharmacy will holding a Flu Shot Clinic on Sunday, Oct. 10th at 9:30am-12:30pm, so you can get your flu shot after worship! The flu shot is free with insurance card.
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Grace's Opportunities for Giving |
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Noisy Offerings
For the month of August, Noisy Offerings will be going to our Faith and Community Partnership with Sand Creek Elementary. The offering will go towards helping those families in need at Sand Creek.
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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 Frances 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
For all who call upon your healing name: Luke Galland, Ellen, Jake, Victoria, Ken, Tim, Amy, Jackson & Emily Anderson, Levi Niccum, Dan Doss, Daniel Davidson, Kris Miller, Avery Reardon, nephew of Karen Gfroerer, Lennon Grae Budreau, Great Grandchild of Dean & Barb Keller, born prematurely, Kelly Jo Daugherty, Kenny Zupon, Margret Olson, Mary North, John Malecha, Ron Clarstrom, Stephanie Fernandez, Samantha Fernandez, Carroll Potter, Christopher Sluis, Julie Swedberg, LaDonna Lilyquist, Charlotte Montei, Lynn Zirkle, Elsie Weisenberger, Linda Christiansen, Judi Wold, and Colleen Wernimont.
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September Grace Notes Deadline
August 20th at 5pm
If you would like to place an article into the September Grace Notes, please have your articles in Word format in by 5pm on August 20th to Marie Kolar at mariek@graceandover.org.
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