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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No 5:00pm Saturday Worship
this weekend (March 19th)
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Celebrate Good Times, Come on!
Psalm 126
"When the Lord changed Zion’s circumstances for the better,
it was like we had been dreaming.
Our mouths were suddenly filled with laughter;
our tongues were filled with joyful shouts.
It was even said, at that time, among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them!”
Yes, the Lord has done great things for us,
and we are overjoyed.
Lord, change our circumstances for the better,
like dry streams in the desert waste!
Let those who plant with tears
reap the harvest with joyful shouts.
Let those who go out,
crying and carrying their seed,
come home with joyful shouts,
carrying bales of grain!"
This past weekend some of my friends came to worship with us at our traditional worship service. Speaking with them afterward, they were inspired by our congregation! They loved the diverse voices they heard and were encouraged that even through the difficult season of COVID, there is laughter and joyful shouts! Something seems to be happening at Grace. And we are growing in number and in faith! God is at work in us, through us, and beyond us!
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Remember when I said I was worried about our worship being a let down after the past 5 week's Transforming Inside and Out worship series?! Can you imagine what these friends would have thought, if they had been here for that too?! I don't know if my friends will return. I hope that they do! Regardless they were transformed by what God is up to!
This is what we get to celebrate! What God is doing at Grace. Where God is leading us! Join us for worship this Sunday at 8:45am or 10:30am as we hear again of God's unselfish love and extravagant generosity and as we celebrate the results of our Transforming Inside and Out Generosity Campaign! We will share the number and total of the commitments made this far! As always if you are curious and have more questions about what we are up to and the process feel free to reach out to me or any on our campaign team. And if you want to participate it is not too late for you to share your commitment and invest in the transformation that is happening here!
When I was a young girl, the congregation I grew up in would sing this old country Americana Gospel song that went, "God has been so good to me. I cannot tell it all!" This is the spirit with which I enter worship this weekend and the spirit in which I continue to discern how God might be calling me to more so that together we might achieve God's will for us as a congregation that is infinitely more than we could think or imagine!
Blessings,
Pastor Maria Markman
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There is still time to participate! Turn in your Commitment Card Today!
"The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood...Generous inside and out. We all live off God's generous abundance, gift after gift." John 1
We believe God is leading us to a time of transformation inside and out as we invest in our church so that we might better minister to our congregation and serve our community!
You are welcome to drop off your Commitment Card at the church office today or anytime before and after worships, or whenever you are in the church!
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At Peace
Mom died peacefully yesterday, March 15th, in the afternoon during dad's afternoon nap with Sadie and dad by her side. The hospice nurse, Aaron, told us this is what mom wanted. Sara and I came back from the walk to find her at peace at last.
Her funeral service will be at Lakewood Chapel on June 13th at 10am with a reception afterward in the Mausoleum. Mom didn't want to be buried in the snow in Minnesota.
I don't blame her.
Thank you for your ongoing prayers, notes of support, all of the cards, the flowers and all of the memories you have shared of mom and your time with her. We are so grateful. Mom treasured her friends and always enjoyed her breakfasts and golfing outings, Bunko and Mahjong games and more. These brought her great joy especially when she won. There are so many things that I will miss about her.
As much as it was a relief to see mom no longer in pain, we are all heart-broken to no longer have her with us, which is evidence of a life well lived and a life well-loved and she was and is!
Love,
Pastor Joanna
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Worship
-Wednesdays at 1pm and 7:30pm Lenten Worship (Holden Evening Prayer and the Study of the Shema)
-Saturdays at 5:00pm Contemporary(No Worship 3/19)
-Sundays at 8:45am Traditional
-Sundays at 10:30am Contemporary
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We do not require masks but wearing masks is a personal choice for all attending in-person worship. If you are unvaccinated we strongly recommend masks. 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. Coffee, water and treats will be available in the Narthex after worship.
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No Sunday School
on March 20th
for Spring Break
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Lent Worship Times
Wednesday Lenten Suppers - March 23rd, 30th & April 6th - 5:45pm (serving ends at 6:30pm)
Wednesday Lenten Worship - March 23rd, 30th & April 6th - 1:00pm & 7:30pm
Join us this Lent for a time of education and a time of worship and learning. Wednesday evenings have opportunities for people of all ages. 6:30pm-7:30pm.
- Kids night out will meet in the preschool daycare classrooms during Lent
- Catechism will be exploring the Shema
- Adults are invited to a time of study in room 105/107
Join us for Worship at 7:30pm where we will be using Holden Evening Prayer and learning the Shema together through the Bible Project.
Lenten Devotion Opportunity
If you are looking for a way to dive deeper this Lent and add a daily devotion, we have a wonderful opportunity for you. John Anderson, one of our members and a bible study leader has written a daily Lenten Devotion. We hope you will enjoy his words, reflections and images that allow us to see and experience the presence of God among us. Click here for access to the overall devotion. Click here to read today's.
Holy Week Worship Times
Maundy Thursday Worship - April 14th - 1:00pm & 7:00pm
Good Friday Worship - April 15th - 1:00pm & 7:00pm
Easter Vigil Worship - April 16th - 5:00pm
Easter Sunday Worship Times
Sunday, April 17th -7:00am*, 8:45am & 10:30am (*Please note the change from March's GraceNotes)
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Have you seen?
Have you seen the beautiful new Lenten banners in Grace's Sanctuary? These amazing creations were done by our one and only, Jan Margotto! We are so grateful to Jan and God's gift of her. Her ability to quilt and sew and her creativity are our blessings. Thank you, Jan for your hard work and wonderous gift!
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CALLING ALL SINGERS!
TWO UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES
Lent and Easter are both filled with wonderful music, and I would invite any and all to join us for these seasons!
Good Friday will be a service of music and readings. The choir will be providing most of the music, and we would love for anyone who wants to participate to join us. The music will focus on a them of introspection and the reverence of that most holy time before Easter morning.
Rehearsal schedule will be as follows: (6:45-7:30pm each week), with the service taking place at 7:00pm on Friday April 15th
Tuesday March 15th
Tuesday March 22th
Tuesday March 29th
Tuesday April 5th
Tuesday April 12th
Easter Sunday the Choir will be singing at the 8:45am service.
I would LOVE to have a BIG group of singers for Easter this year. If you are interested in singing, but don’t want to make a huge commitment, this is your chance! There is one song to learn, and one service to sing! If you’ve thought about getting your feet wet with choir before, THIS is your chance!
The rehearsal schedule for Easter will be:
Tuesday March 29th, 7:30-8pm
Tuesday April 5th, 7:30-8pm
Tuesday April 12th: 7:30-8pm
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Family Table
Sunday, March 20th
Grace will be serving another Family Table “take-out” meal on Sunday, March 20th. Family Table is held on the 3rd Sunday of each month and the sign-up sheet is available well in advance. If you are looking for a fun opportunity to serve with other Grace members while sharing food with our neighbors, please contact Lynda Wilde lrwilde@comcast.net or 612-418-6444. Or simply click on the link below.
We are always looking for 4 or 5 people to help in the kitchen by assembling the pre-cooked take-out meals (11:45 – 2:15PM). Food donations for side dishes will be listed on the sign-up sheet and vary each month depending on the meal we serve. We also need 3 energetic folks to run the meals to the cars as they pull up at the drive thru (12:15 – 1:30PM). Why not make it a family project!
And remember, if you know of a family, who would appreciate a meal, whether they are members of Grace or not, please let us know!
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Empty Nester/Parents of Independent Children
Tuesday March 22nd at 6:30pm
At Acapulco's Restaurant-Andover
Our next gathering will be dinner at Acapulco’s Restaurant in Andover on Tuesday, March 22 at 6:30 pm. We have reserved the private dining room. The address is: 13753 Ibis Street NW.
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Night Of Worship With Jennifer Marie
Friday, March 25th at 6:30pm
Come and worship through song with Jennifer Marie on Friday March 25 at 6:30pm
Jennifer is a local Andover resident that began her music ministry in 2021. She loves to lead worship at her local church and felt the Lord’s calling to pursue her long standing love of writing music to share the gospel message through song. You can learn more about Jennifer Marie at www.jennifermariemusic.com.
The evening will be filled with popular worship songs you know and love, and well as original material from Jennifer. All are welcome and encouraged to invite friends and family!
Admission is free, and a free-will offering will be taken during the evening to support her ministry.
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O.K.@Play
Let's Play BINGO!
When: Saturday, March 26
Time: 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Where: Grace Fellowship Hall
BINGO Caller: Our very own pun queen, Jan Anderson!
We will be playing BINGO, socializing to catch up from a long break, we will have light snacks, and prizes given to each winner. Free will donation for expenses. Come for laughs, fun and fellowship together! .
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Resurrection Gardens
Sunday, March 27th*
9:45-10:30am
EVERYONE is Welcome to participate. It is a fun activity for your family, a great teaching tool about Jesus’ resurrection, and a beautiful centerpiece that will grow just in time for Easter. Each kit is $20. Please register on Realm by clicking below. (*Please note Date Change)
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Grace's Opportunities for Giving |
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Noisy Offering collected from March 16th to April 15th will be going to ACBC Food Shelf in Anoka. |
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What do the different giving accounts mean?
When you log into Realm and go Giving, there are several drop down choices that you can choose when entering your giving online. Here is a general breakdown of your choices.
Ministry Operations-is our general operating fund. (i.e. salaries, electricity, water)
Transforming Inside & Out/Building Fund- is where the current capital campaign for the expansion/upgrades of the building.
Capital Funds-are the funds that go towards mortgage, building up keep, etc.
Gifts of Grace-are funds that go towards one time ministry (i.e. helping someone with rent or scholarships)
Noisy Offering-are funds that go to charities/ministries that we use the bread pans for at worship.
Miscellaneous Income-funds that are to go to a designated ministry (i.e. Quilters, flowers, WOW, Men's Ministry) or to something that has not been designated above.
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Contributions/Gifts of Stocks & Mutual Funds
Hello friends! Just a note to let you know that a new bank account has been activated to allow for the receipt of contributions/gifts of stock & mutual funds. It's a little more complicated than a regular bank account and we appreciate your patience as we got the account going. Information is available via our website.
Also, please make sure you are receiving our Grace emails from Realm. I've heard some might be going into "spam" folders, so take a look in case you're missing any! Lots of activities and events are happening at Grace and announced via Realm - don't miss out!
Thank you for your continued support of our ministry work at Grace. The energy, collaboration and love is heartfelt by all!
Blessings,
Frances
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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
Please pray for: Jeff, Heather & Julie Kintzler, The Fernandez Family, Colleen Wernimont, Julie Caldwell, Dick Thompson, Rick Breyette, Pat Cairl, Eric Nelson, Shirley Fystrom, Ann McFarlane, Baby Cash Hawkenson, Nancy Coughlin, Baby Sawyer, Roger, Marshall, Rick Burnham, Kathy Beckman, Betty Thompson, Harland Johnson, Jason Beckman, Lu Henning, Alison Husak, Juleen Klawiter, Carroll Potter, Clint Trousil, Luke Galland, John Malecha, Christopher Sluis, Julie Swedberg, LaDonna Lilyquist, Charlotte Montei, Elsie Weisenberger, Linda Christiansen, Judi Wold, and Ralph Wernimont.
For those who have experienced the death of a loved one; Pastor Joanna & her family upon the death of her mother, Margret; Nancy Jenkins and her family upon the death of her mother Lois.
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GraceNotes Deadline
Friday, March 25th at 5pm
Please have your articles into Marie Kolar by 5pm on March 25th. We will have GraceNotes into homes around April 4th. Please have your articles in Word format and email them to mariek@graceandover.org.
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