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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Food for Thought
Dear Grace Friends,
Happy November! We have turned the page on our calendar and are in the final stretch of 2023. What a year it has been. November is a big month in my family. Both of my girls will celebrate birthdays and then we have the added bonus of Helena coming home for Thanksgiving.
In this month of giving thanks, I want to highlight all of the things Grace Lutheran will do throughout the Holiday Season. We will serve food at Family Table and provide extra Thanksgiving groceries as well as a grocery gift card. Turkeys will be collected and given out to families. Wish lists for Sand Creek families, and Stepping Stones are being created and we will also be extending an invitation to any Grace families who need a little extra love this Christmas to sign up in Gifts of Grace. I am in awe of all of the ways we have to serve and care for others. I am also a little overwhelmed. My hope is that you find something touches your heart and do that. You do not have to do everything.
One of the things I hope you will do is join Grace Lutheran for our November packing event at Feed my Starving Children (register here). While yes, this is another way to serve, it is also a great community event. In packing food together, we will be able to share stories and make new friends. I am hoping that we fill the packing room at Feed My Starving Children. I am ready to get my hair net on. I hope you are too!
Blessings,
Pastor Joanna Mitchell
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Don't Forget to set your clocks back an hour!
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All Saints Sunday This Sunday | |
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Worships with us on Sunday Mornings
8:45am-Traditional Worship
10:30am-Contemporary Worship
Wednesday Evenings
7pm Intergenerational Worship
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Grief Support Group
Begins Tonight!
For help and encouragement after the death of a spouse, child, family member or friend. Please join the bi-monthly Grief Support Group. Grief group will meet the 1st & 3rd Thursdays of the month from 6-8pm. Beginning November 2, 2023 - May 2, 2024. Grief group will meet November through January at Grace Lutheran and will meet February through May at Our Savior’s in East Bethel. Cost is $20 for the Grief Share book. Please sign up by clicking the link below or come to the group tonight!
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Grace Lutheran and
Lord of Life Lutheran
3rd Annual Advent Cantata
If you’ve been curious about joining the choir, this is your chance to try it out! A limited commitment and a chance to join in fellowship with our neighbors! Join us again this year as we partner with Lord of Life for the advent season! This year we will be presenting “The Jesus Gift” by Tom Fettke.
We will rehearse Tuesday evenings beginning Nov. 7th from 7:15 to 8:00pm. We will present the cantata Sunday December 10th at Grace Lutheran (8:45am and 10:30am), and Sunday December 17th at Lord of Life (3:00pm). Rehearsal Schedule, recordings and practice audio tracks are available through the Grace Choir website. For more information or questions, contact David Phelps.
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Empty Nesters / Parents of Independent Children
Empty Nester's will be having a gather in on Monday, November 6th at Bootleggers Saloon & Eatery in Nowthen. We have reserved the back room at Bootleggers starting at 6 pm but feel free to arrive later as needed. Their address is: 19735 Iguana St NW, Nowthen, 55330.
Our next Empty Nester event will be at 6 pm on Monday, January 8 at Esmeralda’s in Riverdale. Their address is 12759 Riverdale Boulevard in Coon Rapids. Esmeralda’s is in the former location of the CR Acapulco’s. All are welcome! If you have any questions, please reach out to Julie Erickson or Nancy Jenkins.
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Girls Night Out
The next "Girls Night Out" will be held on Monday, November 6th. We will meet at Acapulco restaurant in Andover at 6:00pm. Hope you can join us!
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Feed My Starving Children Event
Saturday, November 18th
9:00-10:30am
Register by going to FMSC.org
| Our group has reserved 100 spots and 32 are filled. Invite family and friends and join us today. If you have trouble registering please call the church office. Here is the join code. NY1L2Y or click here. | |
Grace's Opportunities for Giving | |
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Wish List for the Holidays at
Stepping Stone Emergency Housing
Once again, this year, we look to Grace to help bring holiday joy to the residents at Stepping Stone. They have a group of Santa’s helpers sewing up a storm so each resident will have a special bag for their holiday gifts. What we need is your help with filling the 66 bags with gift cards and a few special items. We ask that all items collected are new and unwrapped. Your donations make their Holidays a little brighter!
Choose from the list as you wish. Bring your items back to Grace, taking gift cards and checks to the church office and put other gift items in the tote labeled for “Stepping Stone Holiday Gifts” by Monday, December 11th. We will then get all items to Stepping Stone for their packing into the handmade gift bags.
Specific Items Requested (NEW AND UNWRAPPED PLEASE)
- $25 gift cards to Kwik Trip, Walmart, or Target (plastic, not electronic cards)
- Please take the gift cards to the church office
- Hats, mittens, and gloves (adult sizes)
- Hand warmers
- Monetary donations for their Santa Helpers to do your shopping for you.
- Make checks out to Grace Lutheran Church with
“Stepping Stone Holiday Gifts” in the memo line.
- Give on Realm indicating “Stepping Stone Holiday Gifts”
Thank you for your loving and generous gifts to those in need within our community! If you have any questions, please contact Ann Lange at 763-438-5623.
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Sand Creek Elementary Needs | |
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Adopt A Family
Would you like to share God’s grace in a very tangible and REAL way this Christmas? Then please consider “adopting” a local family who will be truly blessed by your generosity. Through our partnership with Sand Creek Elementary, we will connect families from our church with local students and families in need. For more information click here.
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Clothing Needed
Sand Creek School is looking for girls’ and boys’ size 6-10 new underwear, and size small to XL leggings or athletic pants with stretchy waist. The donations are much appreciated and the donation box is in the entryway.
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Thanksgiving Turkeys Needed
Thanksgiving Baskets are being given to 10 families at and Creek Elementary. Donations of 12-15 lb. turkeys are needed. Turkeys should be dropped off at Grace by Sunday, November 19th. Sign up on the blue sheets or call the Church Office at 763-421-6520 if you are able to donate a turkey!
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Family Promise Wish List
Click here to see The Family Promise Wish List.
Please drop your items off at the Church Office or contact Gayle Pacholl at pacholls@comcast.net
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Election of New Bishop
We will be electing a new Bishop in 2024. Click here for more information. If you want to be a part of this process and learn more, attend one of the listening sessions. Also, we will be electing our Lay Voting Member for our Synod Assembly in February at our congregational meeting. If you are interested please reach out to Pastor Joanna Mitchell at
joannam@graceandover.org
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Noisy Offerings in November will be going to Grace 4 Rakai & Stepping Stone. | |
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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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December Grace Notes
Article Deadline Nov. 15th
If you would like an article in the December Grace Notes Newsletter please have them into Marie Kolar on Wed., Nov. 15th by 5pm. Please have them in Word format and email to Marie at mariek@graceandover.org.
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Prayers of the Church
We pray for: Flossie Knutson, Logan, Brayden, Pat Scheuer, Shirley Kirkendall, Gary Spielman, Lois Vadner, Dave LaFlamme, Sr., Harley Palmer, Tara Swedberg, Bev Tkachenko, Dan Husak, Ken Quick, Teri Beckers, Judy Herring, and Ann Lange. And also those in need of long-term prayer: Leah Hadler, Rick & Linda Breyette, Clint Trousil, Diane Rosky, Shannan Gautschi, Juleen Klawiter, Samantha & Stephanie Fernandez, Linda Christiansen, Judi Wold, and Ralph & Colleen Wernimont.
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Pray especially for: Nissa Rieck & family, the death of her father, Gerald Martinson; Anny Howard & family, the death of her Grandma; and Jeanette LaVine, the death of her sister, Donna. | | | | |
