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 Tenderness of Gratitude
I've had a hard time not crying for the past few days. This is not something I am ashamed or embarrassed about. Father James Martin SJ, once pointed out that tears are often an indication of the movement of the Spirit. If this is true, well that the Holy Spirit is blowing strongly over me. I recognize that some of my tears are from the grief of my mom being sick and nearing the end of her life, which is a tremendous loss that many of you have encountered. However, more than anything, my tears are from gratitude. Gratitude from the care that I have received over the last few weeks. The notes, the cards, the prayers, the emails, the generosity of all of you. I am humbled by it.
My gratitude extends beyond my own person care. It is perhaps most visibly seen by the commitment and excitement regarding our Transforming Inside & Out Campaign. As we have gathered week after week in worship to imagine what God is calling us, and exploring generosity, you are showing up. Showing up in curiosity and openness. Showing up with genuine questions and support. As members of our team reached out to many of you, you have welcomed us in and also shown up in hospitality and most of all generosity. I am so, so grateful. Of course this appeal is not about me, it's about God and about the church, and about the mission we share. Having the privilege to walk alongside you all as you are being transformed (along with me) in faith, is perhaps the greatest gift I have received as a pastor. I am so grateful. And once again the tears are flowing as I write this in thanksgiving. I give thanks to God to share in the love and mission of Grace. Thank you for all you do to serve the community, to care for each other and to demonstrate your love of God.
Blessings,
Pastor Joanna Mitchell
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Commitment Weekend
March 5th & 6th
Commitment Weekend is March 5th & 6th at all Worship services.
"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!
Bring your filled out Commitment Cards that you have been pondering and praying about for the past five weeks, and joyfully place them in the basket during Worship this weekend.
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Ash Wednesday Events
March 2, 2022
1:00pm-Ash Wednesday Worship
1:45pm-Treats & Fellowship
5:45-6:45pm-Lenten Soup Supper
7:00pm-Ash Wednesday Worship
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Worship
-Wednesdays at 7:30pm Intergenerational
-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 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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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE WEEKEND
GRACE WOMEN'S RETREAT
at Luther Point Bible Camp
Grantsburg, WI
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The women’s retreat was a HUGE success. 28 women enjoyed worshiping through songs, devotions, connection activities and a service project. Thank you to the people of Grace and Thrivent for the donations. Thank you for your generosity! We were able to make 124 toiletry bags, 32 kitchen kits, and made and wrote out 124 cards for the residents at the farmstead. Through these service projects we are blessing four different non-profit ministries serving people in need in our community!
It is our hope that if you were unable to attend this past weekend, we are planning a Women's half day retreat in spring or early summer! We hope more amazing women will be able to join us for that time of connection and faith!
-Michelle Beeskow and the Women's Retreat team!
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Special Congregational Meeting
Sunday, February 27th at 10am
Please mark your calendars to vote on two Constitutional Amendments and voting members for Synod Assembly on February 27th at 10am.
To change amendments, we need two votes and approval of the Minneapolis Area Synod Council. Our first vote will take place on February 27th as noted above. Our second vote will be at our May Congregational Meeting. The amendments will not go into effect until after our May vote and upon approval of the synod council. The precise date is unknown.
Our current constitution: 13.02 reads:
A Nominating Committee of four to six voting members of this congregation, at least two of whom, if possible, shall be outgoing members of the Congregational Vision Board shall be appointed at a Vision Board meeting for a term of no more than one year. Members of the Nominating Committee are not eligible for consecutive re-election.
Summary of changes: We eliminated the specificity about the Vision Board members and extended the term to have a more consistent Nominating Committee.
Proposed Amendment:
Nominating Committee constitution amending of Section C 13:02 (page 15)
C13.02
A Nominating Committee of four to six voting members of this congregation shall be elected at a Vision Board meeting for a term of three years. This amendment will be effective upon approval by the synod council.
Our current constitution: 13.03 reads:
An Audit Committee of three voting members shall be selected by the Congregational Vision Board. Audit committee shall not be members of the Congregational Vision Board. Term of office shall be three years, with one member selected each year. Members shall be eligible for re-election.
Summary of changes: We increased the number on the audit committee from 3 to 4 and included one Vision Board member to serve as a liaison to the Vision Board
Audit Committee Amendment – proposed new
C13:03 The Congregation Vision Board shall select an Audit Committee of no less than four voting members. Committee shall consist of a minimum of three members at large who may not be members of the Vision Board. Members at large shall have a term of office of three years, with at least one member selected each year. Members shall be eligible for reappointment. In addition to the members at large, there will be one voting member who is a current member of the Vision Board whose term of Office will be one year and shall be eligible for reappointment. Said member shall act as a liaison to the Vision Board. This amendment will be effective upon approval by the synod council.
We will also be voting on voting members to send to Synod Assembly on April 30th, 2022.
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Lent Worship Times
Ash Wednesday Lenten Supper - March 2nd - 5:45pm
Ash Wednesday Worship - March 2nd - 1:00pm & 7:00pm
Wednesday Lenten Suppers - March 16th, 23rd, 30th & April 6th - 5:45pm
Wednesday Lenten Worship - March 16th, 23rd, 30th & April 6th - 7:30pm
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 last week's Grace at a Glance and March's GraceNotes)
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The Chosen Season Two Video Series and Study
Sunday Evenings
6:30-8pm
Back for another season, Grace Lutheran Church Adult Education invites you and your family to join Sunday Evenings starting February 27th at 6:30 PM to view and study scripture through The Chosen Season Two. This series study is eight episodes in length and will meet at least 8 times following February 27th. We will not meet on Sunday April 17th, Easter Sunday. Note that although this is the second season, viewers need not have seen season one to participate. If you want to catch up on Season one, you can watch on your own at home through The Chosen App (Pastor Maria would be happy to help you find this). Sign up now on Realm or just show up February 27th. If you need childcare make sure to indicate your need on your registration so we can schedule someone to be there. Questions email Mike Schaaf (mcccc06@msn.com) or Daron Yates (daronyates@gmail.com).
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Grace's Opportunities for Giving |
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Noisy Offerings
Noisy Offerings support outreach in our community and in our world. Noisy Offering collected from Feb. 1st to Feb. 28th will be going to Feed My Starving Children.
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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: Baby Sawyer, RD Nelson, Johnnie Tillery, Rick Burnham, Kathy Beckman, John Cairl, Betty Thompson, Scott Christensen, Margret Olson, Harland Johnson, Jason Beckman, Baby Dylan Salfer, Lu Henning, Jeffrey Kintzler, Alison Husak, Juleen Klawiter, Carroll Potter, Clint Trousil, Luke Galland, John Malecha, Stephanie and Samantha Fernandez, Christopher Sluis, Julie Swedberg, LaDonna Lilyquist, Charlotte Montei, Elsie Weisenberger, Linda Christiansen, Judi Wold, and Ralph & Colleen Wernimont. We also pray for those who have experienced the death of a loved one, especially Lola Money upon the death of her sister, Connie Hansen; Lavonne Lee-Bean upon the death of her brother, Delmas Studer; and The Morphew family upon the death of Bill’s Grandmother, Imelda Woodward.
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