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

in worship and in ways to connect and serve.

Dear Grace Friends,

Our crew from Grace all made it back safely from Belize on Monday night/Tuesday morning. Going into this trip, I fully expected to spend my time working on the medical clinic which was our central focus and plan. However, once I arrived in the village of Georgetown, the need that was unmet was someone to be in a classroom. I set over to the school a couple of blocks away and arrived in a classroom without a teacher. The principal who was going to teach the class had been called into a meeting with leaders from the school and before I knew it I was teaching fractions to 5th and 6th graders. I spent two days teaching school to these young people and it was wild, unplanned and also truly fulfilling.

I love to teach classes, but I seldom teach more than an hour. I'm not trained for that! I teach First Communion, Bible, Bible Studies and more, but usually with adults or with students with a limited time frame and definitely a plan. Nevertheless, I was thankful for the opportunity. I have always had a deep respect for teachers and now my respect is renewed. I can't tell you how many times I had wished my sister was in the classroom with me. She actually is a 5th grade teacher. However, last night when our First Communion Class ended up with 20 people in the youth room, I felt more prepared than ever for the curve balls thrown my way. We've got this- adapt, teach, connect, create. Together our families talked about meals, and setting the table and the gift of food given to all so there is enough.

What I experienced in Belize is that there was enough- enough work, enough joy, enough teachers, if we were willing to open ourselves up and not be stuck in our expectations. I wonder how often we do that? Stay open? And yet this is what God calls us to do: be open so that together we might experience the presence of God.

Blessings,

Pastor Joanna Mitchell

The 5th and 6th grade class in Belize.

Grace's First Communion Class

Carroll Potter

1936-2023

It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we inform you of the death of our retired colleague and friend, Carroll Potter, who passed away peacefully on March 11th after struggling with serious health issues for the past couple of years. Carroll was a dedicated staff member of Grace as Organist and Worship Coordinator for many years prior to her retirement in 2016. A celebration of Carroll’s life is being planned for later in the spring.

Wednesday Programming

Schedule of Events

1pm-Lent Wednesday Worship/Fellowship

5:15-6:15pm-Lenten Supper

6-7pm Kids Night Out

6-7pm-Catechism

7pm-Lent Wednesday Worship

*During Lent on Wednesdays the Sermons are different than Sunday Sermons.

Holy Week and

Easter Worship Services

Maundy Thursday, April 6th

1pm & 7pm

Good Friday, April 7th

1pm & 7pm

Easter Sunday, April 9th

7am, 8:45am & 10:30am

*Please note that there will be NO Wednesday Night Activities or Worship Wednesday, April 5, 2023.

Empty Nester Event

Date: Monday March 27, 2023

Time: 6pm -Note time change is a little earlier - come when you can anytime after 6pm

Where: Pour Wine Bar and Bistro in Champlin

Address: 12379 Champlin Drive, Champlin MN 55316

Pour Wine Bar and Bistro specializes in boutique wines and farm to fork food. We have our own room that night so come and enjoy so great food, drink and fellowship. No RSVP required. See you all there!

Announcing The Return Of

"Girls Night Out"

Tuesday, March 28th at 6pm

Girls Night Out is a once-a-month informal gathering for women of Grace to share a meal and get to know each other a little better. 

We hope you will join us at 6pm on Tuesday, March 28 at Acapulco Restaurant in Andover for some good food and lively conversation.

Note: Since the month of April begins with Holy Week, we will have our first gathering at the end of March, then switch to the first Tuesday of each month, beginning in May. 

Join Us For Eggstravaganza

April 2, 2023

11:45am to 1:00pm

This amazing family event includes and Easter egg hunt, fun games, activities and food. Please note there is no Sunday School on April 2nd. Come and worship with us for Palm Sunday; stay for Easter fun, food and fellowship! No need to sign-up, just join us!

If you have graciously volunteered to donate food items please have them turned into Grace by March 29th! Eggstravaganza is still looking for donations of Snack Cakes and have them turned in by March 29th too! Thank you!

Egg My Yard Youth Fundraiser

Grace youth will once again be having their "Egg My Yard" fundraiser. Our "bunnies" will hide Easter Eggs filled with candy in your yard to help out the Easter Bunny. We will hide a minimum of 20 Easter Eggs at your home ($1/egg). You tell us how many eggs and where to hide them (front yard/back yard). We will hide them on Saturday before Easter. You may order a basket of Easter eggs to be delivered to your doorstep instead. Order now!

Jesus Revolution Movie

On April 1, 2023 at 10:00 am in the Andover Cinema (1836 Bunker Lake Blvd NW, Andover, MN 55304). No cost to get into the movie, snacks and drinks on your own. And if you wish to bring a donation you may! 

Our friends at Glen Cary Lutheran Church have rented out the Andover Movie Theatre on April 1^st and have invited us to attend a showing of Jesus Revolution. 

Based on the book of the same name, the film follows youth minister Greg Laurie (Joel Courtney), Christian hippie Lonnie Frisbee (Jonathan Roumie of The Chosen Series), and pastor Chuck Smith (Kelsey Grammer) as they take part in the Jesus movement in California during the late 1960s.  

PEWS!

We are removing the pews on the Northwest side of the sanctuary and will be selling them. This is the final week we are offering reservations to the Grace community, then the remaining pews will be offered to the public. There will be a specific date in June and time for both removal and pickup, but you may reserve one now. Three out of the 5 pews have been reserved. Roughly 16’6” each. Solid Oak Construction. $250 each. Please contact the Church Office to purchase.

Noisy Offerings gathered in March donations will be going to Turkey and Syria Earthquake Relief Fund.

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: Kristi Riley, Kevin Corey, Luke Pace, Darlene Malecha, Sean & Kelly Daugherty, Kelly & Jacob Oberg, Roger Anderson, Patricia Nelson, Carly Hawkinson, Luke Bastian; Janiece Jaskierney, Bev Scott. And also those in need of long-term prayer Leah Hadler, Kristi Riley, Marty Lukaszewski, Clint Trousil, Lois Vadner, Diane Rosky, Shannan Gautschi, Harland Johnson, Shirley Fystrom, Alison Husak, Juleen Klawiter, Stephanie and Samantha Fernandez, Julie Swedberg, Linda Christiansen, Judi Wold, and Ralph & Colleen Wernimont. 

Pray for the grieving: Pete & Lynn Zirkle & family as they mourn the death of Pete’s mother, Clarice Zirkle; Dan & Bev Tkachenko mourning the death of Bev’s sister, Betty; Steve Potter & family grieving the death of his wife Carroll; Sonny & Michelle Beeskow & family grieving the death of Sonny’s Father, Harold Beeskow; Tom & Lori Weaver and family mourning the death of Lori’s dad, Gene Nelson.