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 World Feels Heavy"
“The world feels heavy.” These were the words my husband, Jeff said to me as we walked our dogs this morning in the rain. I responded, simply with the words, “Yes.” What more is there to say? What can we say? We walked in silence the rest of the way. My mind reeling from the images on the tv screen this morning of parents and loved ones waiting and searching for their children. What can one say? Nothing! And so I cried. But my mind was filled with more than that, not just the horror of yesterday, but the truth of it all. The feeling I have that things will not change and this will continue: another shooting, another act of terror, another hate crime, another, another, another… I am tired. I am weary. I am worn.
Tonight, the preschoolers from Seeds of Grace will perform for their parents and loved ones. They will graduate from preschool. A week from tomorrow, my own daughter will graduate from high school. My mind is flooded with images of her preschool graduation, her first day of kindergarten, her 6th grade graduation. These images smack up against the words that “tomorrow was the last day of school for the children of Robb Elementary in Texas.” Life is precious. It is a gift. These moments are fleeting, and nothing is certain.
I was reminded recently that the word repent really means change. It doesn’t mean turn around, like we often think, or confess your sins, but change. It involves a transformation of our hearts, our minds, our lives, our world.
And so today, I grieve. Tonight, I will listen to the voices of children who will remind me that God is love and I will give thanks, and tomorrow I invite you to join me as I work for change. Because I believe in a God of transformation, a God of resurrection, a God who weeps with us in times of sorrow, who lifts children up and invites us all to change. A God who invites the weary to come and lay down our heavy burdens in order to lift up light.
Pastor Joanna Mitchell
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Vacation Bible School
June 13th-16th
Growing spiritually doesn’t have to be an unsolved mystery! Take a four-day journey with kid detectives as they dig into a few of Jesus’ parables to solve the mysteries of how to grow their faith, how to care for, serve, and love others. They’ll discover that the answers have been there all along: spend time with God. spend time with others, use your gifts, and share your story. For schedule and more information check out VBS Registration below!
Please register by May 31st!
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Summer Worship
-Sundays at 8:30am Traditional
-Sundays at 10am Contemporary
-Wednesdays at 7pm Contemporary
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Kids Time @ Grace this Summer
We invite kids ages 3 and up to participate in Kids Time. Kids Time is for those who would like to go outside during the sermon for learning and fun.
Kids Time is offered:
Wednesday Night Worship 7pm
Sunday Worship 10am
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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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Summer Stretch is a dynamic summer ministry for students who have completed 4th-8th grade! (We are opening Summer Stretch to Grace's 4th graders!) Summer stretch runs every Thursday (June 23rd – August 4th - from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.) Participants will be dropped off and picked up from Grace Lutheran Church. Each Thursday, we will travel to various service projects and recreational activities around the area. Before signing up for Summer Stretch please read more about the program on the Grace Youth Ministries page.
The cost (which includes travel, entrance fees, service project fees, guest speakers, snacks, and a tee-shirt) is $250 if the deposit of $100 is paid before May 1st. This year families can "earn back" $50 by volunteering as an adult leader for one day of Summer Stretch.
The cost of Summer Stretch increases after May 1st to $300 and after June 1st to increases to $325. The balance is due on June 20th. You may pay online with a credit card or in-person with a check written to Grace Lutheran, memo lined: Summer Stretch. Students are responsible to bring their own lunch each day.
Parents: Please be sure to include your email for all communications.
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Come join us for our
OK@Play June Event!
Thurs. June 23rd at 6:30 pm
Ticknor Hill Bed and Breakfast
1625 3rd Ave., Anoka, MN
Come and tour the famous Ticknor Hill Bed and Breakfast in Anoka. We will meet with, owner/innkeeper Debbie Wallace (a long time Grace member) for facts and stories from the Queen Anne Victorian home built in 1867.
We will visit with our OK@Play friends outside at the B&B and then you may choose to join others by walking to 2 Scoops on 2nd Avenue for ice cream! We hope for a beautiful summer evening of fun.
No cost, except for your ice cream. No sign up needed. No lawn chairs needed unless you want to bring a special one for yourself. We are very gracious and give thanks to Debbie for giving us this opportunity to see and enjoy their beautiful B&B atmosphere! All are welcome!
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Empty Nester Event
Date Change to Thursday, June 23rd
Thursday, June 23rd from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the home of Doug and Angie Hanson. Their address is: 15102 152nd Terrace NW, Ramsey. This event will be a bon fire. Please bring a lawn chair and BYOB. The Hansons will provide snacks.
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Grace Quilters
Grace Quilters will not be meeting this Monday, May 30th due to the Memorial Day Holiday.
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Grace's Opportunities for Giving |
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Meals for the Fernandez Family
Please click on the button below to sign up. The family would like meals for 3 people each day. NO NUTS. NO FISH. For gift cards, Noodles, Panera, and Mansetti's are favorites. There are separate coolers for hot and cold items on the porch. If meals can be delivered by 5:00pm, that would be much appreciated. Gift cards can be placed in the coolers too, if desired. The Fernandez home address is 2237 151st Lane NW. If you have any questions, please email or call Nancy Jenkins at 763-354-9764 or Anne Weikle at 763-242-5372. Frances and her family are so appreciative of your meals, your support, and your prayers!! If you would like to visit Samantha's Caring Bridge page to get updates on her progress please click here. (You will have to create an account or sign into your account.)
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Cereal Boxes and Regular Sharpies NEEDED For VBS!!!
VBS is in need of 60 carboard cereal boxes any variety in 10 oz. or bigger! VBS also needs 80 regular Sharpie fine point type permanent markers! If you can donate please bring them into the church and put them on the cart outside of the Children's Ministry Office.
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Uber or Lyft Driver Opportunity
Grace is in the discussion stages of looking for an Uber or Lyft Driver who may be interested in contracting with the church to provide transportation for elderly folks who are unable to get to church themselves. If you or someone you know is a driver and is interested, sign up the blue sheet in your bulletin or contact the Church Office 763-421-6520.
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Noisy Offerings from May 16th to May 31st will be going to Family Promise. |
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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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Congregational Meeting Results |
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The Spring Congregational Meeting was held on
May 22, 2022 at 10:00am.
There were 77 ballots cast for three new Vision Board Members, two amendments to our Constitution and a building construction plan. The breakdown of the votes are as follows:
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Vision Board Candidates voted in for a three year term:
Holly Dodd
Chrissy Gast
Dan Johnson
There were a total of 77 ballots cast.
Grace Constitution Amendments:
C13.02 74 yes approved
2 no do not approve
1 abstained
C13.03 75 yes approved
2 no do not approve
Grace Building Project:
Plan B $2.2M Original Plan from Transforming Inside & Out
4 Yes
Plan B2 $3M Modified Plan B with renovated kitchen & expanded narthex
73 Yes
There were no proposals from the floor.
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We would like to give a huge THANK YOU to Ann Lange and Chad Hadler for their leadership over the past years.
Blessings,
The Staff at Grace
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SCAM ALERT!
Please be aware that there are a few scams going around that appear to be coming from Pastor Joanna Mitchell. Many are asking for gift cards and/or money. DO NOT interact with these scammers. Pastor Joanna would never ask for gift cards or money via text message or emails. If you have questions please contact the church office at 763-421-6520.
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Prayers of the Church
Please pray for: Pastor Maria Markman, Mike Burckhard, Maydelle Fennick, Harland & Anne Marie Johnson, Michele Hamling, Tom Taillefer, Maria Tran, Phil Knutson, Rick Burnham, Kim Burnham, Lois Vadner, Colleen Wernimont, Julie Caldwell, Shirley Fystrom, Kathy Beckman, Jason Beckman, Lu Henning, Alison Husak, Juleen Klawiter, Carroll Potter, Clint Trousil, John Malecha, Stephanie and Samantha Fernandez, Christopher Sluis, Julie Swedberg, LaDonna Lilyquist, Charlotte Montei, Linda Christiansen, and Judi Wold.
We pray for those who have suffered the death of a loved one: Mitch & Mary Danielson & Family upon the death of Mitch’s father, Erling; Joe & Low Jackson upon the death of Low's Uncle, Glennes Pahl, Steve & LeAnn Weisenberger & family upon the death of Steve’s mother, Elsie Weisenberger; Bill & Kim DeVries & family upon the death of Kim’s mother, Sally Gunderson.
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Deadline for Grace Notes is
Monday, June 6th at 5pm
The June/July Grace Notes deadline for articles is June 6th at 5pm. Grace Notes will be sent out to homes to on June 10th. Please send your articles in to Marie Kolar in Word format at mariek@graceandover.org.
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Church Office Closed
The Church Office will be closed on Friday, May 27th and Monday, May 30th for the Memorial Holiday weekend.
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