This is a quick weekly reminder of what is happening at Grace

in worship and in ways to connect and serve.

So Much to Celebrate

Dear Grace Friends,

Last Sunday, I had the opportunity to preach at Nativity Lutheran in St. Anthony. I was invited to preach for their mental health weekend. I had agreed to this months ago, and then as the day drew near, wondered why I had said yes. The truth was I missed being with all of you. While it was fun to be in a new environment, I missed your faces, your energy, and hospitality.

As we enter the month of May and I prepare for our congregational meeting, there is so much to celebrate. Our worship on Sundays are filled with God's presence, with people, with music, with opportunities to be both nourished and challenged in our faith. We have so many groups that meet on Sundays after worship and throughout the week who are dedicated to growing and building our outreach as well as our programming to strengthen the ministry God has called us to do at Grace. I am so grateful.

I have also spent (once again) too many hours on a slideshow in thanksgiving for our volunteers. As I have worked on this, my cup overflows because we have so many people who give of themselves, their time, their talents, their energy to making Grace live up to it's name. All of our volunteers should be celebrated for countless hours (however, IPhoto could make the construction of a slideshow easier to manage and save the user (me) a headache).

I hope to see you this weekend. I hope you can join in the celebration. I hope you can join me in giving thanks to God for all God is doing through this community and so many of you.

Blessings, 

Pastor Joanna Mitchell 

Mark Your Calendars!

The Spring Congregational Meeting

Sunday, May 7th at 10:00am

Agenda:

• Opening Prayer
• Approval of Minutes from the winter congregational meeting
• Thanksgiving for outgoing members of Vision Board
• Building Project Update
• Presentation of nominees for Vision Board
• Election of Vision Board members (Vote)
• Closing Prayer

Wednesday Evening Programming

Schedule of Events:

5:15-5:45pm-Family Pizza- Fellowship Hall

6-7pm Kids Night Out-Nap Room

6-6:30pm-Catechism Large Group- Fellowship Hall

6:30-7pm-Catechism Small Group

6-6:50pm-"Inspired" Adult Book Study-Room 105/107

7pm-Worship-Sanctuary

Dearest Congregants of Grace Lutheran,

It is with heavy heart after much thought and prayer that I have decided to retire from my ministry among you as Organist, Choir Accompanist, and Coordinator of Outreach Ministries. My ministry among you has been an overwhelming blessing to me. I have been deeply touched by your genuine hospitality and the many compliments you have shared with me. I will truly miss being part of your amazing staff-they are, to a person, so talented, energetic, and outgoing. I deeply love them all. I have told them that I am willing, as God allows me the ability, to work through the second Sunday of July (my second anniversary of employment date) or when they find someone to succeed me, whichever comes first.

Blessings to all,

A.P. Hopper

Vote for Vision Board Members this Sunday, May 7th at the Congregational Meeting at 10:00am!

Meet Jan Anderson

Hi, my name is Jan Anderson. My family and I first started attending Grace in 1988 when we moved to Andover from Crystal. Our daughter Jodi was eight years old at the time, and we quickly began participating in the Sunday school program where I played the piano for 10 years. We soon found Grace to be our spiritual home because there were many programs for the youth, including Saints choir and spiritual dance possibilities. The youth even worked on a musical called “Living On the Edge,” and we took it on the road in five states. I even drove one of the vans.

Currently, my husband and I have been married 44 years, and have become involved with the mission opportunities Grace offers, from supporting two children in Rakai, Uganda, to working with HOPE 4 Youth in Anoka. Indeed, one of the things that so attracted us to Grace was its heart for missions. To me, a church should have a servant heart, and Grace fits the bill. I have also been part of the Pastoral Care team and for the past four years have served as one of the team leaders for the WOW program. It’s been my privilege to have been on the Call Committee when we invited Pastor Joanna to be a part of our team. I have been excited to also be a part of the Grace Ensemble that shares its musical gifts on occasion. You’ll hear me as the tuba, but it’s really the keyboard talking.

After retiring from teaching 33 years in Anoka-Hennepin, St. Louis Park, and Fairmont, I have joined three book clubs because the exchange of ideas is crucial to keeping the mind alert. We have endeavored to make the clubs reflect different cultures in order to get a broader perspective. Envisioning a broader perspective is also what I would like to work on by becoming a member of the Vision Board. As we launch our Transforming In and Out program, may we reach beyond our walls to the community in order to reflect diversity, making the fabric of our congregation even stronger. My sincere thanks to the current board for their outstanding work.

Meet James Bell

James Edward Bell Jr. I have been at Grace Lutheran Church: Member since 2022, attending since 2019. I've been married to my wife, Victoria, since August 21, 2021. We have one 3-month-old son, also named James. We live in Elk River, where we like to star gaze with our two dogs. I am a Principal Software Engineer for Samsung, working within the SmartThings division focused on Information Security, Privacy, and Platform Architecture. I also run my own leadership coaching and technical product management consulting company. I believe our church is at an inflection point. We're past the long months of COVID, and our building project is about to get underway. I believe my unique history of activism and community building within my professional life translates well into the challenges we will encounter over the next three years. As we look to navigate more complicated financial and organizational landscapes as we renovate our church and look to grow our community. I bring a unique perspective being from Texas initially, and I believe this helps me reach out to new people not already a part of our church.

Meet Ross Chambers

Ross Chambers. I have been attending Grace since 2003. I am married to Sue Frischmon since 2001. I have four children, Emma (23), Jack (21), Matthew (19) and Molly (16). I graduated from UMD in 1996 with a Business degree. Since that time, I have been working with my wife family building a Manufacturing company. I am currently the Plant and Sales Manager. I have hosted Family Promise, regular reader and communion server and Men’s connection group on Tuesday nights. I feel I have developed knowledge, skill and talents that would be beneficial to the Vision board and the future of Grace Lutheran. I would have a positive and beneficial impact in any of the specific Vision board committees.  

Meet Deb Corey

Hi, my name is Deb Corey. I have been a member at Grace since moving to Andover in 1983. I have been married to my husband, Kevin, for 40 years, and we have two married children; Gretchen and Shawn Irvin; Ben and Cristi Corey. We are blessed with twin grandchildren, Lily and Eli Irvin. I am currently retired from a rewarding career at Ameriprise, a financial services company. I served there as an accountant and a technology project manager. I have enjoyed serving at Grace in many ways, some leading, some participating. These include: Sunday School teacher, Offering counter, Church Directory, Family Table, Bible studies, Worship services as a choir member, scripture reader and communion server. I would like to serve on Grace's Vision Board because I love the people of this church and feel called at this time to assist as we move forward with God’s work in this community and beyond.

Meet Dave Jenkins

I am Dave Jenkins. Nancy and I have been attending Grace for approximately 6 years. I have been married to my better half, Nancy, for over 27 years. We met in Kansas City and moved home to Minnesota in 2000. We have three grown daughters and a son-in-law. I graduated from the University of Iowa. I was a math teacher out of college in Omaha, NE and Brisbane, Australia. After six years I changed to insurance claims where I have been ever since. For over 25 years I have handled automobile claims both locally and nationally. I have volunteered over the years at Grace as an Usher, a part of the garden ministry (weed puller), and sound board operator. Currently I am a Catechism leader, Empty Nester, and member of the mowing group. This winter I was a part of the listening team for the CYF position, participant on the mission trip to Belize, OYF mentor, and chaperone to Lake Okoboji. This summer I am a chaperone for the mission trip to ASP with the high school kids. My interest in being on the Vision Board stems from my belief in serving, community, and Grace Lutheran Church. Volunteering has always been part of my life. I enjoy helping others become the best they can be. I want to use my gifts and talents that God gave me to make the world a better place. Community is important so we can help others, learn from others, and make life more rewarding. Grace Lutheran is a vibrant community with an exciting future. I want to help Grace continue to be a shining light in Andover and around the world.

Meet Kylie Sand

Hello everyone! My name is Kylie Sand and I have been attending Grace since I was in the 2nd grade! I grew up in Andover with a fantastic family that includes my mom, dad, and younger brother Isaac, who is 20 years old. We also have a Yorkie puppy named Daisy. Last year I graduated from Bemidji State University with a degree in Elementary Education. This year, I began my teaching journey as an intervention (reading/math) teacher in the Anoka-Hennepin School District. I also am working towards my Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction through Saint Mary's University. I have enjoyed serving and participating at Grace in many ways throughout the years. One of the biggest ways I serve at Grace is through the Seeds of Grace Preschool. I began teaching at the preschool in 2018 and have loved serving alongside the Seeds of Grace staff as well as alongside the church staff to make it a great environment for the kids and the rest of the community. Other ways that I have served at Grace include: communion server, catechism leader, and attending Bible studies. I would like to serve on Grace's Vision Board because I have a passion for the Grace community, especially youth and children ministry. I want to provide a voice and guidance for a rebuilding of the youth, children, and family program as well as how to better incorporate Seeds of Grace into the church to make the community even stronger! 

Meet Hayley Seide

Hi, my name is Hayley Seide and I have been coming to Grace since 2015. I’ve been married to my husband Mike for 14 years. We have 2 kids that go to Crooked Lake Elementary - Jacoby is in 5th grade and Kiley is in 4th grade. I am a certified Athletic Trainer and currently work with an orthopedic surgeon where I am able to help patients with the care of their injuries, surgeries and overall health and wellness. Before this, I worked at a high school taking care of the student athletes, developing the Athletic Training program and mentoring many student athletes in an internship program. At Grace, I serve on the Children’s Ministry Team and help with events such as Trunk or Treat and Eggstravaganza. I also serve on the Stepping Stones team, Haiti Missions, listening team for the CYF ministry and many other serving opportunities as they arise. I would like to serve on Grace’s Vision Board because this church community made Andover a home to my family and I. I look at this as an opportunity to serve the church and God during this time of transition with the building project and the children, youth and family ministry program.

Summer Stretch

Family Table

May 21, 2023

12:30-1:30pm

Family Table is a free meal program in association with other churches across the area. Grace's Family Table occurs every 3rd Sunday of the month. For May, the meal will be chicken roll ups. If you would like to donate food to help feed our neighbors in need, please click the button below.

Noisy Offerings in May will be going to Grace Quilters and Feed My Starving Children.

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."  

Prayers of the Church 

We pray for: Shirley Fystrom, Larry Olson, Judy Herring, Daniel Davidson, Valerie Ketterling, Mavis Roelofs, Sharon Hofmann, Cherrie Ray Rueberg, Ben Hancock III, Don Pace, David Mosny, Ted Solberg, Judy Herring, Kristi Riley, Darlene Malecha. And also those in need of long-term prayer: Leah Hadler, Rick & Linda Breyette, Kristi Riley, Marty Lukaszewski, Clint Trousil, Lois Vadner, Diane Rosky, Shannan Gautschi, Harland Johnson, Shirley Fystrom, Alison Husak, Juleen Klawiter, Stephanie and Samantha Fernandez, Linda Christiansen, Judi Wold, and Ralph & Colleen Wernimont.

Pray for the grieving: especially Tom & Becky Baker & family mourning the death of Becky’s Dad, James Barnhill; Dan & Anne Nelson mourning the death of Dan’s mother, Patricia; Dan & Bev Tkachenko mourning the death of Bev’s sister, Dolly; Kent & Karen Swedberg and family mourning the death of their daughter-in-law, Julie.

Matching Donation Program

Do you participate in your company's matching donation program? If you participate in matching donations from Medtronic, Wells Fargo Employee Matching, etc. We want you to know that our bank accounts have changed. Please contact Tracie Russell or Marie Kolar for more information. Thank you for all of your continuing support!

News Letter Articles

June/July Grace Notes Articles

Due May 15th @ 5pm

All Grace Notes articles for the June/July edition are due at 5pm on May 15th. June/July Grace Notes will be in homes approximately the week of June 4th. Please send your articles in Word format to Marie Kolar at mariek@graceandover.org

Pastors' Blog

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