See what is happening at Grace Lutheran! | |
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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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First and Last Days
My social media feeds are filled with photos of first day of school photos. I find particular delight in seeing kids from previous congregations who have grown up. When I left they were just starting kindergarten and now some are graduating from high school and others are entering 4th grade. I am convinced that they are growing up, while I am staying the same age. Right?!
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 |  | Simultaneously, my grandmother-in-law died this past Sunday evening. Betty Oare, Jeff's maternal grandma turned 95 mid August. It's been 16 years since she buried her husband Gordy. I remember because I was pregnant with my daughter Lily at the time. Betty was a powerhouse of a woman. Grandma to everyone but literally mother to 7 children and 19 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren. I became an extra granddaughter when Jeff and I were dating because even though I tried to call her by her first name or Mrs. Oare, she only responded to Grandma. She worked until she was in her 70s. She dug holes, mowed her own grass, and kept the house spotless. Eventually memory loss took her away from us and we began the long goodbye. Her daughters and son visited often and many of the grandkids did too. It's been a few years since she has known our family and even Jeff, her first-grandkid. Nevertheless, as I reflect today, I am so grateful to have been included in Betty's family, for the love and care she showed us. Even when there was hardly any floor space in her house for the Christmas gatherings, there was always room for another person in her heart and in her family. I give thanks that today, Betty is at home in kingdom of God reunited with the loved of her life, and fully connected to God.
It strikes me as true that often the first and the last go together. In the midst of birth there is death, in the midst of goodbyes there are hellos. On any given day many of us are encountering both the beginning and end. Our faith tells us that God is in it it all. God is the beginning and the end, the alpha and the omega and we are part of this eternal family. I don't know what is starting or ending for you today, but my prayer is that you feel the love and strength of God in whatever you are going through.
Blessings,
Pastor Joanna Mitchell
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Wednesday Worships Resume!
After the summer break, Wednesday Nights at Grace resumes this Wednesday, September 13th!
Here is the schedule:
5:15pm-Family Pizza Night
6pm-Adult Bible Study
6pm-Catechism
6pm-Green Ribbon Group
6pm-Kids Night Out
7pm-Worship
7:45pm-High School Youth Group
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Registrations Open! Still Time To Sign Up!
The registrations are open for Sunday School, Trebelmakers, Catechism, Kids Night Out, and Own Your Faith!
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Camp Wapo-ENCOUNTER YOUTH RETREAT
September 29th-October 1st
Camp Wapo Retreat is for students in current grades 6-9 (2023-2024). The cost is $200. We have 30 spots reserved. Sign-up while you can. We will depart after school on Friday and return Sunday evening. Financial assistance is available. We will also be looking for adult volunteers to drive (personal vehicles) and participate. Please consider if you might go to this faith-filled event. Contact our Child, Youth, and Family Director Will Weikle (willw@graceandover.org) for more information. Click the link below to register on Realm.
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WOW (Women on Wednesdays) Begins on Sept. 20th
All women are welcome! Please join us for kick-off Wednesday, Sept. 20th at 9:30am in the Fellowship Hall. Please register by clicking here.
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Habitat For Humanity
Oct. 5th from 8:30am-4:00pm
We have two more spots available for the upcoming volunteer opportunity at Habitat for Humanity on Thursday October 5th. No construction experience required. Come with a willingness to learn, help others, and have fun doing it. They take volunteers as young as 16, if accompanied by a parent or guardian. The build site will be in Roseville and our build shift if from 8:30am-4:00pm. Grace will provide lunch and water.
It’s a great way to give back to our community. Habitat partners with the families and volunteers to build new affordable homes that help put families on a pathway to new opportunities. Since 1988, Twin Cities Habitat has helped more than 1,500 families buy an affordable home. Contact Angie Hanson at 612-508-6540) or aj_peacock@yahoo.com, if you have questions or are interested in volunteering.
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Grace's Opportunities for Giving | |
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Family Table
Sept. 17th from 12:30-1:30pm
So far this year we have served nearly 500 meals! If you are looking for a fun way to volunteer and great people to work with, please check out the Sign-up Genius link. Whether you are able to volunteer on site or contribute cash or food, we need you! You are such an important part of our outreach programs and you can make a huge difference in someone’s life! Also, if you know of someone who could benefit from our program, please let them know! If you have any questions, you can contact Lynda Wilde at lrwilde@comcast.net or call/text 612.418.6444.
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Family Promise Meal Train
Family Promise has started Meal Train to help feed families in the program. It replaces the meals we used to provide at Grace when we hosted families within our walls. The three families listed below are in the Prevention Program. This means they still have a home but are experiencing financial difficulties. Providing meals is one way we can lessen the strain on their budget, so they can focus on other needs, like rent and utilities.
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Noisy Offerings in September will be going to Maui Fire Relief.
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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 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."
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New Church Office Hours
Mon.-Thurs. 9:00am-3:30pm
CLOSED on Fridays
In order to have better staff coverage during office hours, the Church Office will be closed on Fridays.
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Prayers of the Church
We pray for: Al Walker, Logan, Teri Beckers, Baby Soren James Kolar, Judy Herring, Darlene Jorgenson, David Hubbard, 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 especially Shirley Christensen & Family mourning the death of her brother, Willis; Cindy Miller mourning the death of her wife, Katie Anderson; Jeff & Joanna Mitchell grieving the death of Jeff’s Grandmother, Betty.
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October Grace Notes Articles Due Sept. 15th!
All articles for the October Grace Notes are due on Sept. 15th at 5pm. The October edition will be in homes in early October. Please have them in Word format and emailed to Marie Kolar at mariek@graceandover.org.
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