Happenings and Messages from Grace Lutheran Church! | |
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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.
Sunday Worship 8:45am (Traditional) and 10:30am (Contemporary)
Wednesday Night Programing begins at 5:30pm with Worship at 7pm
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Outreach: A Part of our DNA
This past Thanksgiving weekend, I reflected on how God has blessed me as I transitioned into retirement this year; I am grateful for my wife, Lisa, our family, good health, extended family, and supportive friends. And now, I am truly enjoying my new role as Outreach Team Leader at Grace!
Outreach Ministry touches many of us who call Grace home. One could say it is “a part of our DNA” as a congregation! Whether you participated in God’s Work Our Hands, packed meals at Feed My Starving Children, and/or volunteered for Family Table and Sand Creek Elementary, outreach ministry involves nearly everyone at Grace.
Over the past few months, I have met many of the leaders who direct our Grace outreach ministries and I participated in a few of the outreach events. Although I have been involved in outreach for many years, I am stunned to see the depth of outreach going on in this congregation and how our events impact the lives of so many people in our local community and around the world! There are many ways to keep growing Outreach at Grace and I look forward to being a part of that effort.
Blessings,
Scott Christensen
Outreach Ministry Team Leader
Grace Lutheran Church
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FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN
A huge THANK YOU to all who participated in packing meals at FMSC in Coon Rapids on Saturday, November 18th. We were able to fill all 100 slots for volunteers with members, family, and friends of the Grace congregation. We packed 96 boxes of Mana Pack Meals, each containing 38 envelopes, for a total of more than 3,600 envelopes to feed hungry children in Ukraine. It was truly great to see so many people, both young and old, working together to feed the hungry!
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GRACE4RAKAI CELEBRATION
Sunday, December 3, and the following Wednesday, December 6, we will be celebrating the many ministries Grace supports over in Rakai, Uganda. Ann Hill, President of African Children Today (ACT), will be here on Sunday morning to share a Generosity Moment. We will also see a video message from Richard Mutaawe, Director of ACT in Rakai. They will be providing ministry updates from Rakai and lifting up child sponsorship of the more than 100 children sponsored through the extended Grace family. It has been truly amazing to watch how these children have grown; they are now reaching their dreams through the gift of a quality education in the ACT Schools. After Worship, the Grace4Rakai Ministry will be in the Narthex seeking sponsors for children and offering product for purchase from the Hope Again Women over in Rakai. Look forward to seeing you at Grace!
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Annual Report Articles Due Dec. 1st
Please have your ministry's article for the Annual Report into Marie Kolar by December 1st. Email them to mariek@graceandover.org along with pictures of your ministry, if you have them.
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Dear Grace friends,
We learned late last week that unfortunately, Aaron VanDananker, our new organist, is unable to continue to serve at Grace. His skills and musicianship were amazing and this is indeed a loss to us. We pray for Aaron and wish him the best!
Aaron has passed on these words: I am grateful for the hospitality at Grace Lutheran Church and wish you and the congregation all the best. I regret it could not last longer.
Blessings,
Pastor Joanna Mitchell
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Christmas Camp Out
Join us for Children's Ministry's 2nd Annual Christmas Camp-out! No! Not a real camp-out, but a camp themed Christmas event for the whole family!
Sunday December 3rd in the Fellowship Hall 5:00-7:00pm
Hot dogs will be provided, bring a picnic potluck side to share! We will have storytelling around a "campfire," twinkling lights, crafts, games and so much more! No need to sign up! Invite friends- we cannot wait to see you there!
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Girls Night Out
"Girls Night Out" will be Monday, December 5th at 6:00. We'll meet at Acapulco Restaurant in Andover. We hope you can join us! Please let us know you're coming so we can reserve a table. Text Gayle Pacholl at 612-750-2910, or send an email to pacholls@comcast.net.
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Advent Worship Opportunities
Sundays
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Come and celebrate Advent with the choirs from Grace and Lord of Life, along with singers from Cross of Hope as we present this year's advent cantata "The Jesus Gift." It will be presented on Sunday, December 10th at both 8:45 and 10:30. We will also be presenting it at Lord of Life on Sunday December 17 at 3:00pm. Come and experience this wonderful service of music!
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Children's Christmas Program | "Jesus Means Christmas To Me!"
Sunday, December 17th at both 8:45 and 10:30. Join us as we follow the story of Jesus' coming. Our children will help us discover what Christmas truly means to us.
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Wednesday nights throughout Advent (Dec. 6, 13, 20) we will be singing Holden Evening Prayer.
No Wednesday Evening Programming or Worship December 27th.
Blue Christmas Worship Dec. 20th 7:00 PM. An intentionally planned worship for those who are grieving this Christmas season.
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Grace's Opportunities for Christmas 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. Click here to find out about holiday giving to Stepping Stone.
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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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Christmas Worship Volunteers Needed
Worship help is needed for Advent, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. If you can help with Altar Guild, Communion, Ushering, Tech, Reading Scripture, or Assisting. Families are needed to light our Advent Wreath during worships at both Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings beginning Sunday, December 3rd. You will be given a short verse to read as someone from your family lights the wreath. Sign up for a specific service on the blue sheets/Christmas Opportunities Sheet or contact Kris Miller. krism@graceandover.org 763-421-6520
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New Hymnals
The Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW) Hymnal was published in 2006 and combines the green and blue books we currently use. It also has updated language to be more inclusive. We are investing in these hymnals, and you have the opportunity to help. A $25 gift will provide one hymnal, with a dedication on the inside cover.
"Why are we investing in these if the words are on the screen and in the bulletin?"
Great question! As beloved as our LBW (Green hymnal) is, it is outdated. Sometimes the words in the bulletin and on screen do not match what is in the green or blue books. Once we have the hymnals in place, everyone will be looking at the same music, and visitors will not be confused by the different words on screen versus in the hymnal. Just another way Grace can be the warm welcoming community we are!
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Giving Opportunities At Grace | | |
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Noisy Offerings in November will be going to Grace 4 Rakai & Stepping Stone. | |
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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Funding Proposal Request Form
Grace Lutheran Church is driven by its mission to assist and serve those who have unmet needs so that they too may experience grace. With that in mind, we are reaching out to our members and asking them to submit requests for funding the various ministries supported by our members. The available funding resources come from the Transforming Inside & Out three-year capital campaign tithe. Please click on this link for the FUNDING PROPOSAL REQUEST FORM. Please complete form and return to me at wmhentges@comcast.net or to the church office no later than December 15th 2023.
Requests will be reviewed in prayer to allow for resources to be maximized and help as many people as possible in the communities we serve. Thanks be to God!
Bill Hentges
Grace Vision Board Member
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Prayers of the Church
Please pray especially for: Jodi Montavon, Michael Wilson, Michelle Clossey. Lavonne Hite, Bev Scott, Kim, Dean & Jake, Alex Bombard, Flossie Knutson, Logan, Pat Scheuer, Shirley Kirkendall, Gary Spielman, Lois Vadner, Tara Swedberg, Dan Husak, Ken Quick, Teri Beckers, Judy Herring, Ann Lange and all those in need of long term prayers. Leah Hadler, Rick & Linda Breyette, Clint Trousil, Diane Rosky, Shannan Gautschi, Juleen Klawiter, Stephanie and Samantha Fernandez, Linda Christiansen, Judi Wold, and Ralph & Colleen Wernimont.
Pray for those who are grieving: Quentin & Michelle Busitzky as they mourn the death of Michelle’s sister, Jenny.
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