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

in worship and in ways to connect and serve.

Happy Mother's Day!

Mother's Day And All It's Complexities

Dear Grace Friends,

We are quickly approaching Mother's Day and I can feel my mind doing the mental gymnastics of this holiday. Now don't get me wrong, I am thankful for my mother and for all the mothering figures in my life. I believe strongly that mothers should be celebrated. I also am thankful for mother's around the world, those who have raised people I love and those who are strangers.

And even as I write these words, I feel conflicted because I want to add that we should celebrate ALL women not just those who have or have had children. Then I start to worry that I am taking away from what the day is about. I don't want to diminish the celebration, but Mother's Day is complicated. I think of all those years my dear friend Sarah didn't go to church on Mother's Day because she had buried her mother in high school and the day was too painful. I remember Alex, from my first congregation, who thanked me for praying for those who wanted more children but couldn't have them because they had longed to have more than one child but couldn't. And I think of all those mothers who are grieving children whose lives were cut short or who died before they lived outside the womb. I am now a part of the group that no longer has a mother to call on Mother's Day and feel that pain as well.

As we approach Mother's Day, I invite you to give thanks for the tender-loving gift of mothers and to also recognize the true complexity of the day. I hope you will join me in walking with compassion and care for all women this weekend, not knowing the journey they are on, or the ways this day might be felt or experienced. May we hold each other in love and grace.

Blessings, 

Pastor Joanna Mitchell 

Wednesday Evening Programming

Schedule of Events:

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

7pm-Worship-Sanctuary

* May 24th will be the last Wednesday Worship until September.

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

Move-In Baskets For Family Promise

WOW will be collecting supplies for Family Promise guests who have secured housing and are exiting the program. Families will be presented with a laundry basket filled with cleaning supplies and household items to help them set up housekeeping in their new home. If you would like to contribute to this gift, please stop by the table in the Narthex where you can choose from a list of requested items. Please return your donation by Sunday, May 28th, or sooner. 

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.

Family Promise in Anoka County

Every Child Deserves a Home

Family Promise is soon ready to move a homeless family into the house on their new campus. We need your help to acquire a few items to make this house a home. Please check the Sign up Genius below for items you can share. 

Summer Stretch

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: Rick Burnham, Jeff Burnham, Shirley Fystrom, Tammy Schettl-Morris, Martin Guggisberg, 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.

Pastors' Blog

Devotionals

Listen to the Sermon from Last Weekend

Grace Notes



Grace Calendar of Events