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

in worship and in ways to connect and serve.

Dear Grace Friends,

In our scripture from this past weekend (Matthew 22:1-14), the King makes all the necessary preparations for a wedding banquet only to discover that even the best laid plans do not always meet our expectations.  Those invited not only didn’t show up but acted poorly.  As a result, the king was disappointed and had to revamp his plans.  I imagine there was grief and loss for the king, and then a moment when suddenly the vision of what to do now- got bigger- better perhaps.  “I am not only going to invite some people in but all.”  The king didn’t give up when things didn’t go his way but tried again and kept going.   

These feelings of planning, unmet expectations and needing to revamp are analogous to our building project. For two years we have been praying and discerning, listening and planning and attempting to make decisions within our budget that meet the needs of Grace and our community.  We have cast a vision of welcome, connection and care that fits and have stepped out in faith.  In some ways it feels like we planned a party, sent out invitations and were thrilled with the people who said I will come along. I am so grateful to all of you who have made commitments and looked forward to meeting with us....

(To read the rest of the article please click here.)

...To read a summary of the information shared at the Q and A click here.   

Blessings,

Pastor Joanna Mitchell

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.

Family Table

March 19, 2023

12:30-1:30pm

Family Table is a free meal program that occurs every 3rd Sunday of the month. For March, the meal will be pulled pork sandwiches. If you would like to donate food to help feed our neighbors in need, please click the button below.

The Wait is Over!

The Chosen Season 3 begins on March 19th at 6-7:30pm at Grace!

Long awaited, The Chosen (season 3) will be returning to our faith formation line up. If you have not joined us yet, feel free to catch up on seasons 1 and 2.

Join us in the fellowship hall to watch, learn and grow during these next 8 exciting episodes!

OK@Play Next Event – ALL (young or old) are welcome to join us, come join the fun and social time together!

Date: Thursday, March 23, 2023

 Place: Feed My Starving Children

packing food from 4:30–6:15pm

401 93^rd Ave NW, Coon Rapids

Second Stop: Following FMSC Packing we will go over to

Olive Garden 150 Coon Rapids Blvd NW, Coon Rapids to eat as a group.

We have temporarily reserved 35 spots for FMSC. Please register at fmsc.org. The join code is 299YP8, otherwise it’s under Grace Lutheran Church Kris Miller or reply to this Realm email or call Vickie Meade at 763-712-0496 and we will get you registered.

If you are unable or do not want to join us at Olive Garden to eat, please let us know that because our number count for eating reservations will be taken from who has registered to work at FMSC.

Any questions, please let us know.

Ann Lange 763-438-5623 and Vickie Meade 763-712-0496 

First Communion Class

Who: 3rd grade or parental decision, if you feel your child is ready.

When: Wednesday March 22 and March 29 6:00-7:00pm. Thursday April 6th 6:30-8:00pm Worship Celebration at Maundy Thursday Worship.

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 First 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 April 6th (Maundy Thursday Worship) at 7:00pm. Please register before March 8th so we can make sure we have enough supplies for you! 

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. 

PEWS!

We are removing the pews on the Northwest side of the sanctuary and will be selling them. We are offering reservations to the Grace community for three weeks, then opening it up to the public. There will be a specific date in June and time for both removal and pickup, but you may reserve one now. There are 5 pews. Roughly 16’6” each. Solid Oak Construction. $250 each. Please contact the Church Office to purchase.

Meals Needed

Hello Friends,

Praying that this Lenten Season and late winter days are going well for all of you.

Thank you to everyone for your continued prayers for Leah and her family and Michele and her family as they go through their cancer journey. Your support has been so appreciated.  The rigors of treatment continue to require so much energy. If it works into your schedule, and you would like to share a meal with These families here is the link to sign up:

Leah Hadler

Michele Hamling

All of the information you will need are in the links above.

Thank you and God Bless,

Anne Weikle and Julie Linaman

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: 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. 

Comfort the grieving, especially Steve Potter & family grieving the death of his wife Carroll, Sonny & Michelle Beeskow & family grieving the death of Sonny’s Father, Harold Beeskow; the Kiefert family grieving the death of Jamie’s grandma, Shirley Borgen.