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's Message:
The Generosity and care of the People of Grace is abundant!
The phone has been ringing a lot this week. People calling looking for help. "Do you have a food shelf?" "Do you have diapers?" "Are you willing to help with Christmas gifts?" Perhaps, our phone rings like this all the time and I am only realizing how much need there is because Kris Miller is on vacation and the rest of the staff works together to cover the phones while she is away. But I do think it is more than that. While for many of us this is the most wonderful time of the year and we are able to fill our carts up at the store or online and check out with no worries. For many people it is the most stressful and anxious time of the year. How will I be able to do it all? How will I be able to provide the Christmas experience for my family and especially for my kids?
I am so grateful because as each of these phone calls came in, we were able to say yes. "Yes, we can help." "Yes, we have food." "We can help with diapers." "We can get gifts for your children." The generosity and care of the people of Grace is abundant. I am so thankful that because of your ongoing support we have line items in our budget to support people in need: providing not only food, but assistance when they need it for utilities, daycare support and more. I also am thankful that people know when they call the church, there is a compassionate person who is answering the phone on the other end and will listen with care and respond in faith. We have an incredible staff. People who work so hard to make sure that the phones are answered, the door bell is responded to, that communication happens, the heat works, the parking lot gets plowed and that on top of all that we put together programming that nourishes us in Spirit.
December is a month of giving. Giving to our family and friends and giving to organizations that we love and support. I hope that you will consider making a year end gift to support the ongoing ministries of Grace so that when we answer the phone and someone is asking for help we can continue to say yes, what do you need?
Blessings,
Pastor Joanna Mitchell
You can give to the ministry of Grace in a number of ways:
Mail a check to 13655 Round Lake Blvd. Andover, MN 55304
Give through our website: Click here
Text GRACEANDOVER to 73256
Thank you your generous support makes a difference!
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Worship
-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 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.
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Wednesday Night 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
(Wednesday Night Worship will be taking a break for the holidays from Dec. 16th to Jan. 6th. We will resume on Wed., Jan. 12th.)
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Holiday Worship
Here is an updated list of the added
Holiday Worship Services for this season.
December 11th 5:00pm-Blue Christmas Worship
December 12th 8:45am & 10:30am-Advent Cantata
December 18th 5:00pm-Holden Evening Prayer with Guest Preacher-Eric Nelson
December 19th 8:45am & 10:30am-Children's Christmas Program
December 24th 2:00pm Christmas Eve Worship
December 24th 3:30pm 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 9:00am Sunday Worship (No 8:45 or 10:30am Services)
January 1st No 5pm Worship
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Holiday Plants for Christmas
(Deadline is December 12)
You are invited to make a donation of $10 (or more) to purchase holiday plants to decorate the Sanctuary this Christmas in memory of, in honor of a loved one, or for a special occasion. Memorials/honorariums are published in Christmas Bulletins. Please sign up on the Blue Sheets in the weekly worship programs.
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BERTHA HAS A NEW FAMILY
One of the Gods Work Our Hands projects this year was to paint two bedrooms and a bathroom at Bertha. For those of you who are not familiar with Bertha, Bertha a manufactured home is one of the homes made available as part of Family Promises “Home for Keeps” program. Through this program families who have experience homelessness have the opportunity to own their home. On September 26th a six member team completed painting project mention above . I am happy to announce as of last Thursday a family of three has moved in, in time to celebrate Thanksgiving in their new home.
The following is am excerpt from the Family Promise weekly update.
The faithful team of volunteers who renovated the Day Center and updated the Bridge House are nearly done with their next big project—updating the Blaine Home for Keeps mobile home affectionately named “Bertha”. As many of you know, the family that was formerly housed in Bertha chose to move on to another housing program that is a better fit for them. With the help of our dedicated volunteers we have been able to update this home for the next eligible family to move in before the holiday season arrives. Project updates included painting inside and out, installing new screen door, new flooring, concrete work on the front entrance, resealing the roof with a fresh coat of paint and much more. Special thanks to a team from Grace Lutheran.
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Holiday Stress?!?!
As the holiday season gets into full swing, here are some helpful tips to help cope with the stress you may be feeling.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egb6bcSd0T8 – 4 minute video by a Mayo Clinic physician on Holiday Stress about remembering the meaning and spirit of the holidays rather than giving in to chaos, lack of control, and over-commercialization.
Also, here is a 2 minute video titled “Managing Stress During the Holidays”. Why do we do what we do during the holiday season? Does what you do bring joy and fulfillment?
Merry Christmas!
The Mental Health Team
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Middle School
Christmas Party
Middle School is Friday December 10th - 7:00-9:00pm at Church! Games, snack, art project and the always exciting white elephant exchange! Cost is $5 and one wrapped white elephant gift. Friends are always welcome! Sign up on Realm.
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High School Christmas Party
High School Christmas Party on Friday December 17th 8:00 – 11:00pm! We will have a fun creative Christmas challenge, snacks and lots of games including night games around the church! The cost is $10! Bring a friend and sign up on Realm!
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Family Table Drive Up Meal
Sunday, Dec. 19th
12:30-1:30pm
Help is needed for the Family Table Drive Thru meal on Sunday, December 19th.
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 December 19th. 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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Women's Retreat
Feb. 18-20, 2021
LADIES OF GRACE– Come and join us for our wonderful Women’s Retreat on February 18-20, 2022 at Luther Point Bible Camp. Our theme this year is all about “My Faith Journey” where we will uncover and share how God is working in our lives and leading us on a journey to be closer to him. During this Retreat, we’ll savor good food, experience supportive friendships, laugh a lot and together, grow in faith. I can’t wait to relax and enjoy this fun-filled weekend with you!
Sign up NOW on Realm or call the church office today-SPOTS ARE LIMITED! If you have any questions regarding this women’s retreat – email Stacy Surratt at stacysurratt@yahoo.com.
Date: Fri., Feb. 18 – Sun., Feb. 20, 2022
Time: GLC parking lot at 5:30pm Friday night. Depart at 12pm Sunday, arrive back at about 2 pm
Place : Luther Point Bible Camp in Grantsburg, WI.
Cost: EARLY BIRD SPECIAL- $120 UNTIL DEC 31 - Includes lodging for 2 nights & All meals. (PRICE WILL INCREASE ON JANUARY 1, 2022)
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Grace's Opportunities for Giving |
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Would you like to share God’s grace in a very tangible and REAL way this Christmas? If so, please consider “adopting” a local family who will be truly blessed by your generosity. Through our Faith & Community Partnership with Sand Creek Elementary School, we will connect families, individuals, or groups from Grace Lutheran with local student families in need.
If you are interested in adopting a local family this Christmas, please contact Jan Margotto at 763-434-4617.
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Stepping Stone
Christmas Gift List
Grace will once again be providing Christmas gifts to the residents of Stepping Stone Emergency Housing in Anoka. In the past you have known this outreach as the red Target recycle bags with personal care items, last year we did only gift cards due to COVID-19. This year is again a bit different - we will be providing needs to Stepping Stone’s Santa Shoppe. Click here for a list of items you can choose to shop for. Gift items should be returned to Grace and placed in the tote labeled “Stepping Stone Homeless Santa Shoppe” by the weekend of December 11-12.
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Noisy Offerings
Until December 15th, Noisy Offerings will support the Fernandez Family to help with the mounting expenses that they are incurring as their daughter, Samantha, awaits a donor kidney and the upcoming kidney transplant.
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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: Christopher and Jennifer Leete, Cameron & Family, Josh Carlson, Korrie Zupon, Rick Johnson, The Daugherty’s, Ashley Pudas, Darrell Ekstrom, Becky Anderson, Kelly Larson, Jim Perra, Dave Lexcen, Baby Dylan Salfer, Lu Henning, Jeffrey Kintzler, Alison Husak, Juleen Klawiter, Jan Galvin, Jason Beckman, Carroll Potter, Clint Trousil, Luke Galland, Margret Olson, John Malecha, Stephanie and 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 who have recently experienced a death: The Lawrence and Schlechter families upon the death of Darcy Schneider; the family of Ashley Miller-Carlson upon her tragic death.
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New Member Class
Jan. 23rd at 10:00am.
Pastor Joanna will be having a New Member Class on Sunday, January 23rd at 10:00am. This class is for anyone wishing to join our family here at Grace Lutheran. Please sign up on the link below.
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