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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Pastor Joanna in the Chapel at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago in Hyde Park (where she attended seminary). |
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Old Stomping Grounds and New Possibilities
Last weekend, my daughters and I travelled to Chicago, Illinois, and Madison Wisconsin to tour a couple of college campus and have a few days away. It was overall a beautiful weekend. I was quickly reminded of how much I love both cities. Their beauty, welcome and energy is something that I was fortunate to enjoy for 8 years. I am grateful for the opportunities to have lived elsewhere, and grateful that now I have returned home to the Twin Cities where I grew up.
It’s an interesting thing, walking the neighborhoods of your past. There are things that have remained the same, and yet your memory needs to reawaken. Some things that are altogether new. I was able to view all my old neighborhoods through the eyes of my daughters. In some ways, I long for them to live in these cities too and fall and love with them, like I did. And yet, I recognize that wherever God leads them in life be it to cities I love, or to new places, that they will have opportunities to connect, learn, and rejoice in the day. My prayer for their future is that they will find places that become home, that their friendships will be strong and that their faith will be strengthened.
When we returned home on Sunday, I felt renewed. My house was a welcome sight. I gave thanks for our home that we share together now and for wonderful memories of past dwellings. My faith has transformed through the various stages and places in my own life, by the people I have encountered, my faith community and life circumstances.
Through it all God has been faithful: accompanying me on whatever path I am on and helping me to see possibilities in front of me. I hope that today, you can give thanks for the ways you have been nurtured and shaped in life, and for the ongoing work of God who indeed is with us in all places and all things.
Thanks be to God!
Pastor Joanna Mitchell
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Worship
Saturdays at 5pm Contemporary
Sundays at 8:45am Traditional
Sundays at 10:30am Contemporary
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We do not require masks but it is strongly encouraged for unvaccinated 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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Fellowship
Fellowship is after worship on Sundays. Goodies and coffee are available in the Narthex after worship. We ask that you step outside to gather, socialize and get to know each other.
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Wednesday Nights at Grace is Back!!
November 3rd
5:30-6:30pm-Family Pizza
6:30-7:25pm-Catechism
6:30-7:25pm-Adult Study
6:30-7:25pm-Children’s Programming
7:30-8pm-Intergenerational Worship
8-9pm-High School Youth Group
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Holiday Worship
Here is a list of the added Holiday Worship Services for this season.
November 23rd 7-8:30pm Thanksgiving Worship and Pie Social
December 24th 3:00pm Christmas Eve Worship
December 24th 7:00pm Christmas Eve Worship
December 24th 9:00pm Christmas Eve Worship
December 25th 10:00am Christmas Day Worship (No 5pm Service)
December 26th 10:00am Sunday Worship (No 8:45 or 10:30am Services)
January 1st No 5pm Worship
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“THE WONDER OF CHRISTMAS”
Advent Cantata
Rehearsals begin
Tuesday, Oct. 26th at 7:15pm
Come and sing with Grace for Advent! We are collaborating with Lord of Life in Ramsey to present David Hamilton’s “The Wonder of Christmas.” There are two performance dates. December 12th will be at Grace during the worship services. December 19th will be at Lord of Life in the afternoon.
We would love to have anyone who wants to sing join us!
If you aren’t sure you’re ready to join the choir, but want to see what it feels like, this is your opportunity! It’s a short-term commitment and will be a wonderful experience! We will begin rehearsals on TUESDAY, October 26th (The choir rehearses on Tuesdays now instead of Wednesdays) from 7:15-8:15pm. Anyone interested can request more details by emailing David Phelps. (davidp@graceandover.org)
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The Chosen Video Study Group
The Chosen Video Study Group will not be meeting this Sunday, October 31st due to Halloween. The study group will resume on Sunday, November 7th at 6pm.
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Ruth Circle
November 1, 2021
12:00pm
Ruth Circle is group of mostly retired women who meet the first Monday of each month following quilters (12-12:30pm Lunch, 12:30-1:30pm study). Bring your own lunch and join Pastor Joanna and others as we engage the Gather magazine monthly Bible Study. The office has extra copies of the study for those who don't have a subscription or who would like to try it out.
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All Saints Luminary Event
Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021
(DATE CHANGE)
6-8pm
Drive through the parking lot at Grace Lutheran while remembering loved ones who have gone before us. You will have a chance to decorate a luminary in weeks prior. Music, meditation, and candles will guide your drive through the luminaries. Luminaries will be available at all worship services. Please return decorated luminaries by Wed., November 3rd. Look for sign ups on the blue sheets in the worship programs to help set up and take down for this memorial event.
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Auditions for Children's
Advent Program
Nov. 9th 6-8pm &
Nov. 13th 12-2pm
As the Christmas season approaches the Children's Ministry Team is excited to announce Rejoice: Hymns of Praise, a program filled with children sharing the stories, songs, and prayers that lead up to the birth of Jesus Christ! If your child is interested in this program, there will be auditions for those who want a singing or speaking solo in the show. Auditions for the program will be on Tuesday, November 9th from 6-8pm or Saturday November 13th from noon-2pm. Students will be singing "Happy Birthday" and reading from the script. Families are encouraged to come whenever works for them during those time slots. We are also looking for volunteers to help with singing, staging, performance day help, as well as adults who are willing to read some parts with the children. I am so excited for our performers and volunteers at the first rehearsal on Sunday, November 14th for our first rehearsal at noon! If you have any questions, you can email Bekah Hirt (rebekah.hirt@ahschools.us).
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Attention Parents of
Independent Children
and Empty Nesters!
There is a group for you!
Monday, Nov. 15th at 6:30pm
You took them to Sunday School for years. Maybe they're close to finishing Catechism, driving themselves to activities, or going off to college. Has the independence of your teen, college-aged or young adult children have left you wondering "What's next?" If you are in a relationship, how do you reconnect with your partner or spouse now that you have more "free time". Help us answer these questions, and more! Our topic based group (name TBD) will kick-off Monday November 15th from 6:30-7:30pm. Please join us for pizza and a short video while we discuss the next chapters of parenthood. Register on REALM or email Pastor Maria at mariam@graceandover.org
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Advent Wreath Making & Potluck
Sunday, Nov. 28th at 5pm
Come one, come all for a wonderful evening potluck, fellowship and advent wreath making. No experience necessary. Please bring yourselves, a scissors or plant snipper and a dish to pass. Sunday November 28, 2021 at 5 pm. The cost is $20 per kit. Please register on Realm. Please contact Mandi DeGrote with questions mjdegrote@gmail.com
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Wild Mountain Ski Day
December 3rd at 9am
Join us on December 3rd for a ski day at Wild Mountain. We will depart from Grace at 9am in order to enjoy a day of skiing. For a group of 20 or more adult rates for skiing are $30, youth are $26. Rentals are extra. We hope to carpool to the hill and will arrange transportation for high school and middle school students. Elementary school students need a trusted adult to accompany them.
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Grace's Opportunities for Giving |
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Sand Creek Elementary Kiddos
Need WARM Winter Mittens, Gloves and Hats!
The cold weather will soon be on its way in Minnesota. There are many of the children at Sand Creek Elementary in need of WARM winter mittens, gloves, and hats. Various sizes are needed for boys and girls in grades K-5. If possible, waterproof mittens and gloves are preferred so the kids can play in the snow to their hearts’ content. And please - NO light-weight mittens/gloves, as they just do not work to keep the kiddos warm and dry.
During the month of November, we will be collecting donations in the narthex in the “Sand Creek” green tote. Let’s see how many we can collect! With the effects of COVID-19 economy still causing issues with the families, there are many in need.
Any questions can be directed to Ann Lange 763-438-5623. Thank you for your loving generosity to the Sand Creek children in need!
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Noisy Offerings
For the month of October, our Noisy Offerings will be split equally between Alexandra House and Haiti. The mission of Alexandra House is to empower victims of domestic and sexual violence, and inspire social change, through education, support, and advocacy. Haiti was shook by a 7.2 earthquake on August 14, 2021, and then, two days later on August 16, 2021, Tropical Depression Grace came ashore both events brought devastation to the Haitian people.
Starting on November 1st to November 15th, the Noisy Offering will be going to Grace4Rakai.
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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: Jeff Kintzler, Lynda Leonard, Alison Husak, Juleen Klawiter, Chrissy Gast, Lianne Sterling, Jan Galvin, Jean Nowak, Gabe Beasley, Jason Beckman, Shane Larson, as well as all those who suffer with long term illnesses. Carroll Potter, Clint Trousil, Luke Galland, Margret Olson, John Malecha, Stephanie Fernandez, Samantha Fernandez, Christopher Sluis, Julie Swedberg, LaDonna Lilyquist, Charlotte Montei, Lynn Zirkle, Elsie Weisenberger, Linda Christiansen, Judi Wold, Ralph & Colleen Wernimont.
We also pray for those in our midst who have recently lost a loved one: Bonnie Howard & family upon the death of her husband, Ken; Jennifer Warner & family upon the death of her dad; Pastor Joanna & Family upon the death of her uncle, Paul; Lisa Broderick & Family upon the death of her mother, Mary North.
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