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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The Power of Prayer
About 5 years ago, I read a book about pastors’ hesitation in prayer. I was a little surprised by this, because while I am not the best at remembering to pray before meals, I am very comfortable praying with people. This writer noted how often pastors don’t ask if people want prayer and in particularly how they don’t pray on the phone. Since then, I have taken up phone prayer as a regular practice. “What can I pray for you?” I would ask as I checked in during the pandemic. Can I pray for you? I often will ask in a phone conversation with someone and the next thing you know, God’s Spirit has done some wonderful work. They might be my words and invitation, but I have felt God at work even across cell phone lines. Thanks be to God! But lately, I have been on the receiving end of this. It’s amazing how good it feels to be prayed for. Regularly I get emails from many of you especially upon hearing about my mom entering hospice. Thank you! And now, I have also started to ask people to pray for me on the phone and they have. It’s been incredible. To be washed in the power of your words lifted up for me and my family in prayer. It has changed my heart, my spirit and my life. Thank you. If you haven’t tried phone prayer before, don’t be afraid. It’s worth it and thank you!
Blessings,
Pastor Joanna Mitchell
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I am so grateful for the many prayers and for your concern about my mother's health. My mom enrolled in hospice on Monday. It's a hard and necessary step for our family. In order to share the latest information about what is happening with my mom I have created a Caring-Bridge page. For those of you who are wanting to know how she is, this provides a lot of information. Thank you for your support and understanding of my need to be away periodically to support my family. I am especially grateful to the staff and volunteers who have stepped in to cover things for me while I have been gone.
Blessings,
Pastor Joanna Mitchell
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Do You Have Questions?
Do you have questions about Transforming Inside & Out? Would you like to know more information? Are you puzzled about the proposed building plan? We will be answering questions such as these and more after Worship services this weekend! So please join us after each worship this Sunday, Feb. 19/20 in the Worship Center.
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Worship
-Wednesdays at 7:30pm Intergenerational
-Saturdays at 5:00pm Contemporary
-Sundays at 8:45am Traditional
-Sundays at 10:30am Contemporary
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We do not require masks but wearing masks is a personal choice for all attending in-person worship. If you are unvaccinated we strongly recommend masks. 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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Fellowship
Fellowship is after Worship on Sundays. Coffee, water and treats will be available in the Narthex after worship.
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Wednesday Nights at Grace
6:00-6:30pm Family Pizza
6:30-7:30pm-Children, Catechism, High School, Adult Large and Small Groups
7:30-8:00pm-Intergenerational Worship
8:00-9:00pm-High School Fellowship
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HIGHLIGHTS FROM LAST WEEK:
Valentine Dance!
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Pastor Maria and friends getting our groove on! |
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I said it this weekend in worship and I will say it again: THANK YOU!!!!! Grace I am constantly blown away by your support and excitement around the current ministries at Grace. Last Friday we were all feeling the LOVE as we welcomed over 120 children, parents, and grandchildren to the Children's Ministry Valentine Dance. Participants were split: some members of Grace, Seeds of Grace Preschoolers and many were visitors and guests! I wanted to give a special thank you to Evangeline Kroeger and her family for decorating the fellowship hall! She really transformed the space with her vision and artistry. Thank you to our Children's ministry team, volunteers, and family members who made it possible! Thank you to Joel Anderson who built the fun Plinko game! It is one of my greatest joys to accompany a team that works so well together and whose foundation is to share the love of God with people of all ages!
Feelin' the love,
Pastor Maria
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Kiley, Jacoby, and Elijah |
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Special Congregational Meeting
Sunday, February 27th at 10am
Please mark your calendars to vote on two Constitutional Amendments on February 27th at 10am.
To change amendments, we need two votes and approval of the Minneapolis Area Synod Council. Our first vote will take place on February 27th as noted above. Our second vote will be at our May Congregational Meeting. The amendments will not go into effect until after our May vote and upon approval of the synod council. The precise date is unknown.
Our current constitution: 13.02 reads:
A Nominating Committee of four to six voting members of this congregation, at least two of whom, if possible, shall be outgoing members of the Congregational Vision Board shall be appointed at a Vision Board meeting for a term of no more than one year. Members of the Nominating Committee are not eligible for consecutive re-election.
Summary of changes: We eliminated the specificity about the Vision Board members and extended the term to have a more consistent Nominating Committee.
Proposed Amendment:
Nominating Committee constitution amending of Section C 13:02 (page 15)
C13.02
A Nominating Committee of four to six voting members of this congregation shall be elected at a Vision Board meeting for a term of three years. This amendment will be effective upon approval by the synod council.
Our current constitution: 13.03 reads:
An Audit Committee of three voting members shall be selected by the Congregational Vision Board. Audit committee shall not be members of the Congregational Vision Board. Term of office shall be three years, with one member selected each year. Members shall be eligible for re-election.
Summary of changes: We increased the number on the audit committee from 3 to 4 and included one Vision Board member to serve as a liaison to the Vision Board
Audit Committee Amendment – proposed new
C13:03 The Congregation Vision Board shall select an Audit Committee of no less than four voting members. Committee shall consist of a minimum of three members at large who may not be members of the Vision Board. Members at large shall have a term of office of three years, with at least one member selected each year. Members shall be eligible for reappointment. In addition to the members at large, there will be one voting member who is a current member of the Vision Board whose term of Office will be one year and shall be eligible for reappointment. Said member shall act as a liaison to the Vision Board. This amendment will be effective upon approval by the synod council.
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Lent Worship Times
Ash Wednesday Lenten Supper - March 2nd - 5:45pm
Ash Wednesday Worship - March 2nd - 1:00pm & 7:00pm
Wednesday Lenten Suppers - March 16th, 23rd, 30th & April 6th - 5:45pm
Wednesday Lenten Worship - March 16th, 23rd, 30th & April 6th - 7:30pm
Holy Week Worship Times
Maundy Thursday Worship - April 14th - 1:00pm & 7:00pm
Good Friday Worship - April 15th - 1:00pm & 7:00pm
Easter Vigil Worship - April 16th - 5:00pm
Easter Sunday Worship Times
Sunday, April 17th - 7:30am, 8:45am & 10:30am
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Family Table Drive Up Meal
Sunday, Feb. 20th
12:30-1:30pm
Help is needed for the Family Table Drive Thru meal on Sunday, February 20th.
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 February 20th. 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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President’s Day Snow Tubing Trip to Elm Creek!
Monday, Feb. 21st
1:00pm-5:00pm
Middle and High School Youth are invited to an afternoon of snow tubing on Monday, February 21st. Meet at church at 1:00pm to carpool to Elm Creek in Maple Grove and then back to church for hot cocoa and a snack. Pick up from church at 5:00pm. Warming houses are available, please bring warm clothes appropriate for tubing. Cost is $15. Friends are always welcome! Sign up on Realm!
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Wild Mountain Ski Trip
Tues., Feb. 22nd
9:00am to 5:00pm
In December, a group from Grace went skiing at Wild Mountain and we had a BLAST! Anoka-Hennepin has Tuesday, February 22nd off and we are planning another Wild Mountain Youth and Family Ski Day! Open to all: adults, families, children, youth and friends. New skiers and old pros are invited to sign up. Students under 6th grade must have an adult join them. We will carpool from church at 9:00am. Youth without an adult will be supervised and driven by an adult leader. Cost is: $30 for adults, $26 for students plus $24 for anyone needing ski or snowboard rentals. Sign up on Realm by February 16th.
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The Chosen Season Two Video Series and Study
Sunday Evenings
6:30-8pm
Back for another season, Grace Lutheran Church Adult Education invites you and your family to join Sunday Evenings starting February 27th at 6:30 PM to view and study scripture through The Chosen Season Two. This series study is eight episodes in length and will meet at least 8 times following February 27th. We will not meet on Sunday April 17th, Easter Sunday. Note that although this is the second season, viewers need not have seen season one to participate. If you want to catch up on Season one, you can watch on your own at home through The Chosen App (Pastor Maria would be happy to help you find this). Sign up now on Realm or just show up February 27th. If you need childcare make sure to indicate your need on your registration so we can schedule someone to be there. Questions email Mike Schaaf (mcccc06@msn.com) or Daron Yates (daronyates@gmail.com).
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Grace's Opportunities for Giving |
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Noisy Offerings
Noisy Offerings support outreach in our community and in our world. Noisy Offering collected from Feb. 1st to Feb. 28th will be going to Feed My Starving Children.
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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
We pray especially for: Kevin, Aida, Johnnie Tillery, Cheynne, Judy Langner, Rick Burnham, Sonja Hawn,, Peggy Zellmer, Kathy Beckman, John Cairl, Betty Thompson, Scott Christensen, Margret Olson, Harland Johnson, Jason Beckman, Baby Dylan Salfer, Lu Henning, Jeffrey Kintzler, Alison Husak, Juleen Klawiter, Carroll Potter, Clint Trousil, Luke Galland, John Malecha, Stephanie and Samantha Fernandez, Christopher Sluis, Julie Swedberg, LaDonna Lilyquist, Charlotte Montei, Elsie Weisenberger, Linda Christiansen, Judi Wold, and Ralph & Colleen Wernimont. We also pray for those who have experienced the death of a loved one, especially Lola Money upon the death of her sister, Connie Hansen; Lavonne Lee-Bean upon the death of her brother, Delmas Studer; and The Morphew family upon the death of Bill’s Grandmother, Imelda Woodward.
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