See what is happening at Grace Lutheran!
October 29, 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 Mitchell
We are less than one week away from the 2020 election being over. Thanks be to God! I always feel this way the week before an election. They seem to go on forever and I am SO READY for this to be over and for us to move on to whatever happens next. I encourage all of you who are 18 years old or older to please get out in vote. This is one of the ways we get to have a say in our government and policy making. I know that I am so grateful for the women who fought so hard so that I can vote today and I do not want to take for granted their sacrifice nor forget what a privilege it is to vote. 

On Sunday evening, I was speaking with my dad about the election, and he expressed a similar sentiment. But then he said this, “You know what I think would be great? If after the election was over, we could line everyone up- Republicans, Democrats, Independents and whoever else, and we could shake hands with each other like they do at the Stanley Cup. We could all say, ‘good game’ and ‘congratulations for a hard fight and a job well done.’ Wouldn’t that be great if we could do that!” I was a little surprised at my dad’s vision. He is politically opinionated, but even he recognized a need we have right now, which is to be united. 

One of the things I love about the church is that we are united in our diversity, that we are not all of one mind, or one opinion, but have different experiences that help shape and mold who we are. And yet, we are all God’s children, united by God in love, forgiveness, and grace. This Sunday, we celebrate All Saint’s Sunday. We will remember the saints who have come before us, the saints who will come after us and we will stand together as God’s saints. We will also be reminded that we are not defined by how we vote next week. If we are red or blue or in-between, but by our identity as God’s beloved. The image of us united at the Communion table is an image that I cling to today. I hope it is an image that gives you hope as we anticipate the days ahead.

Please pray with me:

Holy Trinity, one God, you show us the splendor of diversity and the beauty of unity in your own divine life. Make us, who came from many nations with many languages, a united people that delights in our many different gifts. Defend our liberties and give those whom we have entrusted with authority the spirit of wisdom, that there might be justice and peace in our land. Guide our nation in the week ahead in our election. Help us to find unity and care for one another no matter how we feel about the outcome. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen 

Blessings,
Pastor Joanna Mitchell

*Prayer from the ELW with a slight addition by me.  
Ministry Moment:
By Alden & Judy Riley

2021 Hopeful Expectations Stewardship Appeal
Learn about our new ministry initiatives and how you can play a role in expanding our ministry in 2021.



Don't forget to set your clocks back one hour this Saturday night when you go to bed!
All Saints Luminary Drive-thru
this Sunday!
Tune into our 91.7 FM on your radio for worship music and scripture to accompany your drive-thru..

On November 1st from 5:00-6:30 pm the Anoka Area Ministerium is joining together for a community-wide drive-thru to remember the Saints on All Saint’s Sunday. Grace Lutheran Church will be one of the six local churches welcoming people to their parking lot to see the luminaries, pray and hear music in remembrance of the saints. 
 
White bags will be available at worship and in the church office for anyone who wants to pick up and decorate a bag. We need you to drop off your bags by noon on November 1st so that we can put them on display for the evening. 
 
You can decorate a bag in remembrance of someone who has died over this past year, or many years ago. We hope that we can light up our corner with the glow of the saints as we pray, remember and give thanks for those who have gone before us. 
 
Please contact Pastor Joanna Mitchell or Kris Miller with any questions.
Red Cross Blood Drive
Monday, November 9th

The need for blood donation is so great right now! Grace will be having a blood drive on Monday, November 9th from 12:15-5:15 pm. Please sign up on the Red Cross website.
Youth Mental Health First Aid Course
Wednesday, November 11th

As we continue to raise awareness on mental health needs and illnesses in our community, Grace is happy to extend the opportunity to attend The Heart and Mind Connection’s offering of a virtual Youth Mental Health First Aid course scheduled for Wednesday, November 11th from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. If you’re interested in attending this FREE virtual class, please contact Chris Shaw at chris@theheartandmindconnection.org and tell him you are from Grace or contact Frances at the office to facilitate registration.  
PACK MEALS AT FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN
Saturday, November 21st - 9:00-11:00 AM

One of the things the pandemic hasn’t changed is the need to feed hungry children around the world. So get your friends and family together and join others from Grace as we pack meals together at 9:00 AM on Saturday, November 21st at FMSC in Coon Rapids! FMSC has worked diligently to ensure that COVID-19 precautions are in place, including limiting each volunteer group to five people per station. You will not be socially distanced from the other four people at your table, but you will be socially distanced from other groups in the packing room. And of course, masks are required. To read more about FMSC’s COVID-19 precautions, visit fmsc.org. You can register for the November 21st session directly on the FMSC website (look for the Grace Lutheran group on 11/21). Or simply contact the church office or Debbie Jorgens, and we’ll get you registered! 
Grace Lutheran's
 "Till All Are Fed"
Food Shelf Needs

Here is a list of current needs for Grace's Emergency Food Shelf. If you are able to donate, please drop the items at the church office.

cream and chunky soup
boxed mac and cheese
boxed potatoes
crackers/snacks
jelly/jam
boxed pasta 
pasta sauce
canned tomato products
canned stew or beefaroni
Volunteer Spotlight: Altar Guild
By Tracie Russell

Do you ever wonder…… do angels set out the bread and wine for church service? What happens to the bread and wine after service? What is behind the big doors that disappear into the walls behind the altar? Where do the little communion cups come from? What elves clean up after communion and can they come clean my house? Well, wonder no more! Join our altar guild group by volunteering your time once per month for one of our services or even as a substitute. Altar guild is a very easy ministry with training provided that can be done on your own, with a friend or spouse or as a family. My family and I have been serving on altar guild for quite a few years and it is something that we all enjoy and can all participate in. More hands make light work so our efforts take us 10 minutes tops immediately following the church service or just before for setup. These efforts also take a job off the plates of our lovely church staff! So, if washing only a handful of dishes that will stay clean until the following week is more appealing to you than the consistently filled sink at home, Altar Guild may be the right fit for you!!! My family and I would love to meet you and induct you into the group of behind the scenes angels and elves!

Blessings, Tracie Russell
Family Promise Donations

Family Promise is looking for donations of gently used crock pots to give to our families who are living in hotels. If you have one you'd like to donate, please let me know. Please feel free to forward this message. Thank you! Gayle Pacholl
Noisy Offerings

MAKE SOME NOISE FOR STEPPING STONE EMERGENCY HOUSING!
Noisy Offerings received from today through November 4th will be given to Stepping Stone Emergency Housing in Anoka toward the purchase of higher quality PPE (face masks, aprons, gloves, and face shields) for staff, and toward air purifiers for the front office (in response to the recommendation from the Minnesota Department of Health). Thank you for helping to care for the health and well-being of both residents and staff of Stepping Stone through your Noisy Offerings! To learn more about Stepping Stone Emergency Housing, click here.   

Thank you for your generosity! 
Bible Study

Join us for Thursday Morning Zoom Bible Study at 10:30 am with Pastor Joanna or Pastor Maria.
 
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:
Oct. 29th: 1 Kings 17:1-16 [17-24]
Nov. 5th: Jonah (The whole book! It's short!)
Nov. 12th: Isaiah 6:1-8

Join Zoom Meeting by clicking the link below.
Prayers of the Church

God of healing: Provide refuge and help for all who lack adequate food, housing, or health care. Strengthen organizations that provide care to those who struggle. Give light to those walking in darkness, and healing to those who are suffering in body, mind, or spirit. Sue Barker, Kenneth Hoeschen, Evelyn Brausen, Sherry, Delaine, Erin, Linda Christiansen, Steve & Carroll Potter, Christopher Sluis, LaVonne Hite, John Malecha, Joe Bailey, Julie Swedberg, Judi Wold, and Zachary Elsenpeter. We pray for all those with COVID throughout the world. Lord, hear our prayer.
 
God of promise, grant comfort, peace, and the hope of Christ’s resurrection to all who grieve. We pray especially today for Mike & Haley Seide and family upon the death of Mike’s Grandfather, Ray Harris; Mike & Michelle Healy and Mike & Michelle Bangert & their families upon the death of Michelle Healy & Mike Bangert’s mother, Lorraine Dillavou also for the Enga family upon the death of Lee Enga. Lord, hear our prayer.
Worship Schedules

Indoor Worship on Saturdays at 5:00 pm*
Indoor Worship on Sundays at 8:45 am*
Indoor Worship on Sundays at 10:30 am*
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.
  • All of the worship formats are dependent on current and trending COVID-19 levels.
  • All Indoor services will continue to be on a reservations basis and seating is limited to 40 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).
  • If you are unable to attend, please cancel your reservation so that others may attend services.
  • Please wear masks and abide by social distancing recommendations.
  • NO Food or Drinks are allowed in the Worship Center.
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.
Ways to Give Electronically
GraceLink
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.  
Text to Donate
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