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. |
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A Note From Pastor Joanna Mitchell |
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Dear Grace Friends,
These are confusing times. While I like to think I have adjusted to this new normal, I know this is not completely true. I have for the most part figured out what I am doing today and how Grace Lutheran is going to operate this week (and next). However, if you were to ask me what we are doing a month or two from now, I will confess there is a lot I still don’t know. I wish I had the answers. I wish I could predict what November at church will look like, or Advent and Christmas. But I can’t. Instead, I try to concentrate on doing the best thing for today.
It almost seemed easier when everything was just erased from our calendars. At least then, we knew not to plan anything. Now, we are experimenting and trying new things. We are embracing the good weather and enjoying time outside connecting with friends. All of this has given me new life and revitalization, but along with it comes all sorts of new questions. Will we be to do this in a month or two? What will we do if it rains? Do we have enough zoom accounts? I don’t know if I have ever dreaded the coming of winter the way I am this year. I want to hold onto these beautiful fall days for as long as I can.
Psalm 118:24, states: “This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.” An important part of our faith is trusting in God and enjoying the day. We do not have to have all the answers today. It’s okay for the future to be uncertain. God invites us to enjoy the day we are currently living, to see God in it and give thanks for the blessing that are offered.
In our backyard we have a beautiful tree that is changing color quickly. As I eat my breakfast in the morning, I stare at the tree and notice how the colors have transformed from the day before. It brings me joy and I savor my view. I am trying to savor the day even in my frustrations about the uncertainty ahead of me, I know that God is inviting me to look, listen and rejoice.
Blessings,
Pastor Joanna Mitchell
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Ministry Moment
By Debbie Jorgens
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Grace celebrated “God’s Work, Our Hands” this past weekend, showing God’s love by serving our neighbors near and far through a variety of hands-on projects. We are reminded that although God is ALWAYS at work in the world, it’s our call to carry out that work each and every day! A picture speaks a thousand words, so we invite you to take a look at the photos below. And please don’t forget to post photos on our Facebook page showing other ways that you are serving your neighbors! You can also send your photos to Debbie Jorgens (debbiej@graceandover.org).
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Pastor Maria Markman's Installation
Pastor Maria Markman's Installation at Grace Lutheran Church is this weekend! We will be celebrating at all services on September 27th. Pastor John Hulden from the Minneapolis Synd. will be presiding this weekend. Remember, if you plan on attending the 10:30 service please sign up below.
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Anoka County, Stand up to Racism
John Anderson, a member of Grace and leader of SALT began a 8-day pilgrimage through Anoka County on Friday September 18th at 8:46 am in an anti-racism walk. John has walked over 8 miles every day this week to keep the conversation going about race in our country and in our county. His pilgrimage concludes on Friday with a walk from the southern tip of Anoka County to 38th and Chicago Ave S where George Floyd was killed.
John states:
I am acting to call attention to racism, I’m willing to talk to anyone, to discuss, to help myself and others discover better how to act to end racism. Yes, we can discover ways to commit ourselves to help end racism, this is what I need to do, how about you?
On Friday September 25th, you are invited to join John on the final leg of this walk. We will be meeting at Kordiak Park in Colombia Heights. The route is from the park to Central Avenue, then Chicago to 38th Street South (approximately 9.7 miles). In this walk we will physically connect Anoka Count to 38th and Chicago by our feet.
We will begin at 8:46am with an 8 minute and 46 second pause.
Join us along the way and/or walk part of the way if you wish. There are no rules.
This is a one-way route, please arrange for your own transportation to return to Kordiak Park, if you walk the full distance.
Please bring a mask for the portions of the walk that may be more crowded.
Questions? Please contact John Anderson at 763-360-2484.
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Small Group Sign Up
It is our hope that we get at least 100 people involved with small groups this fall at Grace! After almost 6 long months of disconnection, we are pushing to get reconnected. Please check out GraceLink for the different adult small group opportunities happening for 6 weeks starting October 5th!
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PLEASE SUPPORT THE KIDS AT SAND CREEK ELEMENTARY!
School may look different this year, but one thing is the same: the children we support through our Faith and Community Partnership with Sand Creek Elementary are still in need of school supplies. Many of them are also in need of food over the weekends. So let’s see what we can do to help!
Throughout the month of September, we’ll be collecting the items on the list below. Just drop them off at Grace on the tables inside the KIDS entrance, and we’ll get them to Sand Creek! If you would prefer to write a check, please make it payable to Grace Lutheran Church and write “Sand Creek” in the memo line. Monetary donations will be used by Grace’s Sand Creek Team toward the “Sharing Grace Backpack Food Bags,” given each Friday throughout the school year to kids who would otherwise go hungry over the weekend.
School Supplies Most Needed – because of COVID-19, students are not allowed to share any supplies.
- 24 count twistable and/or regular Crayola crayons
- Spiral Notebooks – Mead wide-ruled
- 8 count Crayola markers
- Pocket folders
- #2 pencils (Ticonderoga)
- Poly folders with prongs (red, blue, green)
- Permanent markers (black) for art
- Multi-pack pocket tissues (e.g. Kleenex)
- Dry Erase marker (low odor)
- Ziplock bags – sandwich size
- 12 inch ruler
- Ziplock bags – gallon size
- Pencil sharpener
- $25 gift card to Walmart
- Lysol wipes
- $25 gift card to Target
Thanks for all who have donated supplies! And if you haven’t, there’s still time! We’ll be collecting through September 30th.
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Fulfilling the Promise
We’re proud that Grace is one of the sponsors for Family Promise in Anoka County’s first virtual fundraiser to be held on Thursday, October 8 at 7:00 PM. This will be an interactive, live-streamed event featuring a look-back over 10 years with reflections from volunteers, community leaders, and founding board members. A former guest family will share their story, and there will be a special message from Family Promise staff. Be among the first to hear about Family Promise’s big plans for the future!
Let’s celebrate Family Promise and give thanks for our partnership with them by tuning in to this event from the comfort of our own homes, remembering those who struggle to find a home. Register at www.familypromiseanoka.org/events.
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Grace Lutheran Church presents the 6th Annual Oktoberfest. Sunday October 4th, 2020 9:30 am - 10:30 am. Due to the current circumstances, we have decided not to have the silent auction this year. In its place we will have a free will offering to help raise funds for Mental Health Connect. Food and musical entertainment will be provided. Social distancing guidelines and sanitary practices will be in place. Whether you join us after the outdoor service or come early for the indoor service, it will be a great time for celebration and congregation connection. Thank you! |
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New Member Class
We would love to have you join Grace Lutheran Church! There will be a new member class on Sunday, October 11th at 12:00 pm. To sign up, e-mail krism@graceandover.org or call the Church Office at 763-421-6520.
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Fall Clean-Up
The Garden Ministry Fall Clean-Up is scheduled for Saturday, October 24 beginning at 9:00am. Help is needed to “spruce up” the church grounds and gardens in preparation for winter. No gardening skills needed, just willing hands. Bring your gloves, rakes, pruners, etc.
call the Church Office at 763-421-6520.
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Rose Street Resurfacing
Rose Street (the entrance at the light) will be resurface sometime within the next few weeks. You may have to temporarily reroute to another entrance during the time of resurfacing.
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WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Outdoor Worship on Saturdays at 5:00 pm
Parking Lot Worship on Sundays at 8:45 am
Indoor Worship on Sundays at 10:30 am: On Sunday, September 20th there will not be an indoor worship due to God's Work, Our Hands weekend.
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Other Items of Importance:
- We will be having Communion on 1st and 3rd Sundays of the Month.
- Each week, we are trying new things and experimenting to improve our worshiping experience. We recognize that there will be things that go well and parts that need to be changed. Thank you for your input and patience.
- Restrooms are available during outdoor services in Portable #2.
- All of the worship formats are dependent on current and trending COVID-19 levels.
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Indoor services will continue at 10:30 am. (Reservations are required for the indoor service and seating is limited to 60 people or less. Reserve you spot, before Noon on Fridays, on Sign Up Genius, call the church office at 763-421-6520 or e-mail Kris Miller at krism@graceandover.org).
- Please wear masks and abide by social distancing recommendations.
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Bible Study
Join us for Thursday Morning Zoom Bible Study at 10:30 am with Pastor Joanna or Pastor Maria. Please note the time change.
Join us on Thursday mornings at 10:30 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:
Sept. 24th: Genesis 37:3-8, 26-34; 50:15-21
Oct. 1st: Exodus 12:1-13; 13:1-8
Oct. 8th: Exodus 32:1-14
Join Zoom Meeting by clicking the link below.
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Noisy Offerings
This month, we are shifting our focus more broadly. Noisy Offerings throughout September will be directed to the ELCA’s Lutheran Disaster Response to help those impacted by Hurricane Laura and the devastating wildfires in California. So far we have raised over $600, Thank you!!!
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Prayers
Give light to those walking in darkness, and healing to those who are suffering in body, mind, or spirit. We pray for Gary Spielman, Dr. Rao, Steve, Glenndy Ose, Erin, Linda Breyette, Carol Buettner, Jerry Slater, George and Kathy Rongere, Tom Taillefer, Colleen Wernimont, John Malecha, Carroll Potter, Joe Bailey, Julie Swedberg, Christopher Sluis, Judi Wold, Wes Hiller, and Zachary Elsenpeter. Lord hear our prayer.
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Devotions
Devotions this fall will be shared 3 days a week. Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays. Please check our website and our Facebook page for postings. We have introduced a new 28 day devotion, "Learning to Belong" by John van de Laar that will be shared every Monday. We invite you to read the introduction this week.
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!
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New Virtual Service Availability
Throughout everything we will continue to provide worship online. We will begin streaming worship this week through Grace's YouTube account. Worship will be live at 5:00 pm on Saturday night and at 8:45 am on Sunday morning. It will also be saved so if you are not able to join us at that time you can worship later through Grace's YouTube channel.
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Zoom Connect Time and
Prayer Gathering
Zoom Page on our website:
We have created a 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 9:30 am Sunday Prayer Gathering, Thursday Morning Bible study, and much more. Click below to check it out.
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We’re updating our website to also include text and QR code as ways to give electronically.
For these, the system will request the user a ONE TIME SETUP to include their name, credit card # etc. – this will be required only the first time. After that, when the user texts to give or uses the QR code to give it will just ask the amount to confirm. The users will be able to select funds to allocate their giving to as well – operational, capital, noisy.
The number to give is 73256 – text key word: GRACEANDOVER
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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.
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To minimize the spread of COVID-19 and out of love and concern for our church family and community, please follow all practice and procedures as directed by the State of Minnesota. |
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Links to Grace Lutheran's YouTube Channel |
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Virtual Worship will be posted online at:
www.graceandover.org
We hope that you will join us at a time that works best for you.
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