This is a quick weekly reminder of what is happening at Grace
in worship and in ways to connect and serve.
|
|
We are a community of faith united by God’s love to listen, grow, and serve in Jesus’ name so that all might experience grace.
Grow
My children have grown up. Helena started 12th grade and Lily 9th grade this fall. I am both thrilled and surprised. Not surprised that they have grown up, but surprised that I am somehow old enough to have kids this age. One of the best parts of having older children is the conversations we can have with one another about life, faith and more. Our relationships are changing and growing as they age. When I took Helena on some college visits, I shared with her some of my memories of college. Stories I might not have shared with her a few years ago, but can now because our relationship is in a different space. I am grateful. I also know that the years ahead will be ones with growing pains of letting her go, her coming back into her childhood home. It won’t be the same, and she will be testing her independence. Lord have mercy for us all! Because of this we have had some good conversations about our values, about what we need and want in life and from each other. I hope that we can keep having this discussion so that our relationship will be strengthen and nourished.
Looking into fall at Grace, there are so many opportunities for us to grow. Grow in our relationship with one another, and grow in our relationship with God. I hope that you will look at the small group opportunities and consider joining one. If you are worried about joining on your own, call me up and I will help you know what to expect and make introductions with a leader or another participant, so you don’t have to go alone.
What might growing in faith look like for you this fall? Does it look like engaging more in worship? Is it joining a small group? Is it recommitting yourself to worship? I am here and would love to help you explore ways you might grow in faith and grow at Grace.
Blessings,
Pastor Joanna Mitchell
|
|
Worship Service Commemorating the 20th Anniversary of 9/11/01
Saturday, Sept. 11th at 5pm
Please join us for a special indoor Worship service of prayer and reflection on the 20th Anniversary of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
|
|
Worship Times
5:00 pm on Saturdays*
8:45 am on Sundays
10:30 am on Sundays
|
|
*Outdoor Worship Our Saturday night worship will be outside in the courtyard at 5pm through September 30th. Please bring your own lawn chair. All are welcome to attend. We will have chalk for kids. In case of rain or high heat indices, worship will move inside. (Please note that Sat. Sept. 11th will be indoors)
|
|
Fellowship
Fellowship is after worship on Sundays. Goodies and coffee are available in the Narthex after worship. We ask that you gather outside to gather, socialize and get to know each other. We are still looking for a group or family to host a fellowship on the 4th Sunday of the month, please contact Kris Miller at the church office.
We do not require reservations or masks for vaccinated 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.
|
|
***THIS SUNDAY***
Rally Sunday
September 12, 2021
10:00am-1:00pm
From 10am-1pm, on Sunday Sept. 12th, there will be:
-
Food Trucks-Rustic Chef, Youniverse Foodie Waffles, Floyd's Donuts.
- Bounce House, games and fun!
- Sunday School, Catechism, Own Your Faith Information
- Ministry Fair
- Own Your Faith Blessing
- Blessing of the Backpacks
- Kindergarten Angel Pins
If you would like to help out to make this event a great kick off to Fall, please click the link below! Mark your calendars!!
|
|
Come Join us in Song!
Wednesday Evenings
6:45pm-8:15pm
The Grace Choir begun weekly rehearsals on Wednesdays. We will rehearse weekly on Wednesdays from 6:45pm-8:15pm in the Worship Center until Sept. 22nd. Everyone is welcome, no prior choir experience required. No commitment necessary. We just want to praise God in song with anyone who will join us! The first 15-30 minutes will be a time to connect with fellow singers and build community with each other. Any questions please email David Phelps: davidp@graceandover.org
|
|
Family Table
Sunday, September 19th
Help is needed for the Family Table Drive Thru meal on Sunday, September 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 September 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!
|
|
Inviting all Family Promise Volunteers,
past and present.
Mark the date September 14th, and time 6:00 PM to join our Family Promise team for some great Pizza and fellowship. You will also learn what the future holds for Family Promise and how it will affect how we at Grace can continue to serve our neighbors in need. Click on the link below to sign up so we know how many to expect.
|
|
Instrumentalists!
We are excited to be bringing back the Grace Symphonic Ensemble! If you play an instrument and miss making music with others, here is your opportunity! Anyone with at least one year of experience on their instrument is welcome to join! Our goal is to bring people together who want to make music. Especially after the hiatus we just experienced.
We will be rehearsing between services starting Sunday September 19th. The group will provide music for worship a few times throughout the year, starting on October 30th, Reformation Sunday!
If you have any questions contact Joe Jackson or David Phelps.
|
|
God's Work. Our Hands.
Sunday, September 26th
Beginning at 10:00am
There will be one Worship service on Sunday, September 26th at 9:00am so that everyone can participate in God's Work. Our Hands! There are many projects and ways to serve our community! From a carwash, yard clean up, gardening, to quilt tying, card making and rolling bandages. There will also be a community lunch for all to enjoy. There is something for everyone! There will be sign up flyers at worship on Rally Sunday for you to volunteer.
|
|
Thursday, September 30, 2021
Dinner will include a choice of chicken pot pie, Minnesota TatorTot Hotdish, or a vegetarian hotdish, dinner rolls, garden salad, Jello fruit salad, and warmed apple crisp. Tickets are available online at www.familypromiseanoka.org/events
$50 General Admission | $250 Reserved Table of 6 | Kids 5 and under FREE with a paid adult. For questions or more information email events@familypromiseanoka.org
|
|
Children’s ministry is excited you are registering your child(ren) for 2021-2022 Sunday School. We have already started planning and preparing for Sunday School to start September 19th. Please join us September 12th for Rally Sunday, come worship and following worship join in fellowship, learning, and play for all ages! |
|
Sunday School and
Wednesday Night Volunteers
We welcome YOU to join us by joining our Sunday School Team! We are in need of Wednesday Night volunteers to ensure success for our program and for our children. If you or someone you know would be interested in volunteering on Wednesday Nights, a separate registration for volunteers is now open.
|
|
First Communion
Children of all ages are welcome to the Lord’s Table. Historically at Grace, children in third grade have been invited to receive first communion instruction. However, if you believe your child is ready, we welcome them to participate in first communion instruction. In the same way if your child is older than third grade, but they haven’t yet received communion instruction, they are invited to attend as well. Parents and children are required to attend this class together. Following our first communion class, children will receive their first communion in worship on October 3rd at either worship service.
|
|
Own Your Faith
We are so excited that you are entering your OYF year! We have had three great years together in Catechism and this year is going to be even better.
We also have an important and mandatory informational meeting on Tuesday, September 28th at 6:30pm. To make it accessible to all students, parents and mentors, the meeting will be virtual. The zoom link can be found below. If you are unable to attend virtually, please contact Kristi. If you cannot attend the meeting live, we will send out a recording. However, it is best if you can join us live in case you have questions, etc. If you cannot watch it live, please watch it within a couple of days.
|
|
Catechism
Catechism is a 3 year program that helps middle school age students grow in their relationship with God and with their peers. During weekly meetings students worship together, play games, meet in small groups and learn about how they fit into God’s Story.
Not sure if Catechism is for you? Want to hear more? Don’t worry! There is an important informational meeting on Wednesday, September 8th at 6:30 for NEW Catechism students and their parents. Join us to hear more! There also will be time for Q & A.
|
|
Wednesday Evenings At Grace
Wednesday evenings beginning September 22nd to Christmas. Have you ever wondered what God is really like? There are so many stories in the Bible about God being a king, or a warrior, or our Savior. We know that God is the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, but what does that look like and how might we experience that. This year on Wed. evenings, we are offering opportunities for people of all ages to explore this question: “What is God like” using the new children’s book by Rachel Held Evans. From 6:30-7:30pm children, catechism students and adults will meet to have age-appropriate learning. We will end our time together with worship from 7:30-8pm. Register on realm today!
|
|
The Chosen Season One Watch Party and Video Study group
Sundays 6-8PM starting Sept. 19th
Join Daron Yates, Mike Schaaf and others in watching and following along with the official companion study to Season 1 of The Chosen, the groundbreaking television series about the life of Jesus. What Does It Mean to be Chosen? parallels each episode, connecting you to the Bible in a brand-new way. As a group, each week (8-weeks), you will watch an episode, study, and share a dessert together.
On September 19th- Bring a Dessert to Share
|
|
Small Groups and More Event Registrations
Small Groups for all ages can be found by clicking the link below. Information is given on the specific group/events sign up page. Groups such as:
-
The Chosen Video Study
- W.O.W.
-
(Don't) Call Me Crazy Book Study
-
What is God Like? Book Study
-
The God Who Sees Book Study
- Centering Prayer
- Women's Half Day Retreat
- Rev. Jim Bear Jacobs-Guest Speaker
- MN Sacred Sites Tour
- Dr. Henry Emmons-Guest Speaker
- High School Fall Retreat
- And More to Come!
|
|
Grace's Opportunities for Giving |
|
Help Hope 4 Youth
by Donating
As a part of God's Work, Our Hands on Sunday, September 26th, you will have a chance to put together Birthday Bags and Cleaning Kits for Hope4Youth! To assemble these bags and kits for homeless youth, we need your donations! Please turn in your donations no later then Saturday, Sept. 25th in the Hope 4 Youth donation box in the Narthex at Grace.
Birthday Bags Cleaning Kits
Gift Cards or Gas Cards Lysol
Small Note Pads Clorox
Small Pkg of Tissue Handi Wipes
Hand Sanitizer Rubber Gloves
Playing Cards Soft Scrub
Sunglasses Soap-Hand, Dish, and laundry
Socks Sponges
Combs, brushes, hair clips Swiffer Sweeping cloths
Chapstick Disinfectant Spray
Scarves
Suntan Lotion
Pens, pencils
Small bags of candy, chips, gum
Calculator
Small pkg of batteries
Hand warmers
Manicure sets
Deodorant
Toothbrush/toothpaste
Note Cards
|
|
Noisy Offerings
For the month of September, our Noisy Offerings will support our God’s Work, Our Hands projects from yard clean up supplies to paint and stain supplies. God's Work, Our Hands will take place September 26th.
|
|
Give Electronically through GraceRealm |
|
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.
|
|
Prayers of the Church
For all who call upon your healing name: Carolyn Gorka, the family of Jen, Carroll Potter, Howard Prieb, Tim, Amy & Kelly Jo Daughtery, Linda Breyette, Jerry Slater, Baby Greyson, Alexis Funk, Christine, Clint Trousil, Luke Galland, as well as all those who suffer with long term illnesses. Margret Olson, Mary North, John Malecha, Stephanie Fernandez, Samantha Fernandez, Christopher Sluis, Julie Swedberg, LaDonna Lilyquist, Charlotte Montei, Lynn Zirkle, Elsie Weisenberger, Linda Christiansen, Judi Wold, Colleen & Ralph Wernimont; as well as all those who suffer with long term illnesses.
|
|
October Grace Notes
Deadline is Sept. 24th at 5pm
If your ministry or small group would like to place an article in the October Grace Notes, please have the article in Word format into Marie Kolar at mariek@graceandover.org by Sept. 24th by 5pm.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
