This is a quick weekly reminder of what is happening at Grace

in worship and in ways to connect and serve.

Outside of Time

Two of the clocks in my house aren't working and I have a family calendar that hasn't been updated since August of last year. I have gotten used to relying on my phone calendar and phone clock, but I have realized that there are some aspects of my life that just seem to be outside of time. I actually do not mind that I'm not up-to-date on all of the stuff because it frees me to just be when I am at home. Maybe I don't always need to be focused on an agenda or a schedule. Maybe I can just be absorbed in a book, or a show or even a conversation and not worry about what comes next.

When it comes to faith, God invites us to embrace each moment that we are given, to live in the day and to not worry about tomorrow for today has enough worries. But I wonder, if there is some element of living outside of time that frees us to let go. As someone who values an agenda, I am mindful that God works in wilderness wanderings, and in long meals, and sleepless nights. That God often shows up at an unexpected time and not on schedule. Perhaps, I miss being awakened to God's presence when I am too focused on what is next, or my calendar and agenda.

The last few years have taught me this balance, or both obligation and letting go. It all began in COVID, but continues now as we move into our building project. There has been a lot of hurry up and wait. We are in the midst of waiting right now, waiting to start, waiting for final plans, waiting for permits, waiting for the schedule. But even as we wait, I know that God will be present in the day and invites all of us to keep our eyes, ears and hearts open to God showing up in God's own time.

Blessings,

Pastor Joanna Mitchell

Summer Sunday

Worship Times

8:30am-Traditional

10:00am-Contemporary

**We are working on providing a Zoom option for the meeting after 10:00am Worship.

CALLING ALL ARTICLES!!!

Fall Preview Grace Notes

Due August 1st

Even if you do not have definite dates for your ministry or event, the Fall Preview of Grace Notes is a way to highlight a ministry/event's purpose, plans, and/or needs for the programming year.

Grace Notes should be in homes in mid-August. Please have your articles in Word format to Marie Kolar (mariek@graceandover.org) by 5pm on August 1, 2023.

Girl's Night Out

Please join us for Girl's Night Out on Tuesday, August 1st at 6:00pm. NOTE LOCATION CHANGE: We will meet at Davanni's in Coon Rapids, just off Hwy 10 & Round Lake Blvd. Please RSVP by clicking the REALM link.  

Family Movie Night

"Clifford The Big Red Dog"

August 4th At 5:30pm

All are welcome to join us for a fun night of pizza, popcorn, and a movie. Come in your jammies, bring your pillow and blanket and enjoy the movie, "Clifford The Big Red Dog". The cost is $10 per family.



Emily Elizabeth meets a magical animal rescuer who gifts her a little, red puppy. She never anticipated waking up to find a giant ten-foot hound in her small New York City apartment. Clifford will teach you and the world how to love big! 

The Minnesota Fringe Festival 

is happening August 4-13! 

Come see tales of faith, comedy, drama, dance, improv and more! How about making a local church outing or a more distant field trip for various events for all ages?

Jonah & Joanna and The Great Big Fish is a modern adaptation of the biblical tale as set in Minnesota with two young and reluctant prophets and lots of local comedy and drama. Experience this unique tale by storyteller Marie Cooney at Mixed Blood Theatre during Aug 4-13! For information and to Purchase tickets click here.

Join us Wednesday, August 9th, 5:00-8:00pm for another night of fun, food, fellowship and music. A great way to connect with others from Grace, and from our community. AND you won’t have to cook. Pastor Joanna would love help with this event. If you are willing to help, sign up to help by clicking on the button below.

2023-2024 SUPPORT FOR SCHOOL SUPPLIES AT

SAND CREEK ELEMENTARY!

We are so thankful for your donations in past years, but last year we heard school supplies were becoming out of stock by the time we got our list published. So we are beginning our drive this year in July! School supplies are always in need each year and so appreciated by the students and teachers! 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 donations will be accepted through September 4.

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.

SUPPLIES MOST IN NEED

·       POLY POCKET FOLDERS 

·       DRY ERASE BOARD ERASER

·       BOTTLES ELMER'S GLUE

·       24 CT MINI TWISTABLE CRAYOLA CRAYONS

·       PRE-SHARPENED PENCILS (TICONDEROGA)

·       MEAD WIDE RULED SPIRAL NOTEBOOKS 

·       1 INCH WHITE 3 RING BINDER

·       PERMANENT MARKERS (BLACK SHARPIE)

·       PENCIL BOX – 8 3/4” X 5 5/8” X 2 1/8”

·       BOX KLEENEX

·       HIGHLIGHTERS

·       CRAYOLA OR PRANG WATERCOLOR SET (8 BASIC COLORS)

·       CRAYOLA CRAYONS (24 COUNT)

·       8-PK CRAYOLA MARKERS PRIMARY COLORS, LOW ODOR

·       ​​LYSOL WIPES

ONGOING NEEDS

·       SNACKS FOR STUDENTS

·       GIFT CARDS TO WALMART OR TARGET

·       GAS GIFT CARDS

Minneapolis Area Synod

Fall Women's Gathering

Saturday, November 4, 2023

9:00am-5:00pm

First Lutheran Church, Columbia Heights, MN

Inspire Bible Study~Worship~Connection~Music~Friendship

Ignite Explore Mental Health & Loneliness, Social Justice & Women's Imprisonment

Refresh Coffee & Lunch~Childcare~Chair Massage~Yoga

Serve On-site Impact Projects~Global Market

Gather your gals and come to this incredible opportunity to connect, inspire and create a better world~one act of love at a time.

Visit MplsWomenOfELCA.org to learn more and secure your spot for this transformative day!

Noisy Offerings in July will be going to the Mattke Family House Fire and Seeds of Grace Scholarships. Noisy Offerings in August will be going to Tapestry Ministry and Sand Creek Partnership.

Consider electronic giving on GraceRealm. It’s a convenient way to give consistently throughout the year. If you have any questions, contact Tracie 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."  

Prayers of the Church 

We pray for: Anna Nelson, Mary Ritt, Jillian O’dell, Katie Anderson, Lydia Becker, Scott Plourde, Vicki Anderson, Ann Lange, Lois Hawkins.  And also those in need of long-term prayer: Leah Hadler, Rick & Linda Breyette, Kristi Riley, Marty Lukaszewski, Clint Trousil, Lois Vadner, Diane Rosky, Shannan Gautschi, Harland Johnson, Shirley Fystrom, Alison Husak, Juleen Klawiter, Stephanie and Samantha Fernandez, Linda Christiansen, Judi Wold, and Ralph & Colleen Wernimont.



We pray for those in the midst of heartache, grief, or pain, be with Tom Reishus mourning the death of his Dad, Frederick; Ann Phillippi mourning the death of her husband, Tom Phillippi; Stacy, Travis, Danica Lenz, and Stacy’s mom Carol Stoddard grieving the death of Stacy’s father, Michael. 

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