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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Thanksgiving Eve Worship
A theme in the bible is sharing your first fruits. In many ways this is where the concept of the tithe comes from. Before we spend or eat anything the people would give the best 10% to God as an offering of thanksgiving. Our culture has not been the best at continuing to follow this tradition. However, it is a good spiritual practice and an acknowledgment that nothing is mine, everything I have is a gift from God, therefore I give thanks.
On November 22nd, we will be gathering for Thanksgiving Eve at Grace at 7pm for Worship and pie. We will be reading Deuteronomy 26, in which the Israelites are commanded by God to offer their first fruits in thanksgiving for all that God has done. While not many of us are taking part in a traditional harvest, we do have stories of thanksgiving to share. I would like to invite you to bring an item to place on the altar or in our chancel space (the area around the altar). For the sermon, we will be sharing why we brought our items and what they mean, while giving thanks to God. Yes, it’s an interactive sermon. I hope you will still come and more importantly participate. This worship is intended to be a time of giving thanks to God and I think we can do that best when many voices are raised up allowing us to see God in unique ways. There are not limitations on what you bring. It does not have to fit into the category of “first fruits” per se, but instead a representation of a way that you have felt God’s presence. If you want to participate and hate to speak, please write out the story and one of us will read it in your place.
Thank you in advance. I look forward to giving thanks with you!
Blessings,
Pastor Joanna Mitchell
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Sunday Live Streaming Update
We have heard from some that our Live Stream of Sunday Worships are hard to access (or not available) through the Grace website. Because of that, we have created a link that will take you directly to YouTube so you can join for worship wherever you are! Click Here, or copy and paste grace-andover.org/stream into your browser address bar.
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We Did It! All 100 spots are filled!
A big THANK YOU to all who are participating in the Feed My Starving Children packing event! See you Saturday Morning at 8:45am at 401 93rd Ave NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433. If you want to participate but didn't register, come at 8:45am to help FMSC fill other spots!
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The Grace Giving Tree
If you know of a Grace family who is in need please direct them to fill out an application for The Grace Giving Tree. Applications are available in the mail slot across from the church office, by clicking here or by contacting Annie Fitzl at 715-225-9957 (call/text) or andreafitzl@hotmail.com. Applications are due by Friday, November 24th.
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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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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.
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Giving Opportunities At Grace | |
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Meal Train
Circle of Grace is asking for volunteers to prepare and deliver a full meal for a Grace family located in Andover. Ideally, the meal would consist of a main course, salad or veggie, bread item and dessert. Anything else would be welcome, i.e. beverage, fresh fruit, etc. This family consists of 2 adults, a 6 yr old and an 18 yr old and have no nutritional restrictions or allergies. We are looking to provide a meal weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays.
If you are able to prepare the meal but not deliver it, arrangements can be made by contacting Julie Linaman (Info below) (Please allow 24 hr. notice!) Additionally, there is an option to provide a grocery or restaurant gift card which can be mailed directly to the family or even emailed! Gift Card can be used for additional meals during the week!
ADDRESS: 13939 Vale Street NW, Andover, MN
EMAIL: MICHELEHAMLING@YAHOO.COM
If you have any questions, please contact Julie Linaman at (218-329-2069) or (Juliel@minnworkcomp.com).
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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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Thank You!
Dear Friends of Grace,
As many of you know, I have been on my cancer journey for 6 months now and although I’m still in waiting for what may or may not be in my future, it’s time to say “Thank You!” I have been so incredibly blessed by the family of Grace that have provided support, prayers, sent cards, visited me during my hospital stays, filled in for Altar Guild and serving Communion, and all who stepped up to lead or co-lead in the Outreach Ministries for Sand Creek, Stepping Stone Homeless, OK@Play, Altar Guild, and Funeral Fellowship. A huge thank you to my consistent Grace volunteers that have come to my house to care for my garden, mowed and recently mulched leaves, cared for my cat, picked up groceries for me, and I could go on and on. I thank you for all these blessings, past/present/future, from my heart and soul!
Your friend in Christ, Ann Lange
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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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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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Prayers of the Church
Please pray especially for: 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: Dave Carls mourning the death of his aunt Marge Klostergard
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Seeds of Grace and
Church Office Closed
Seeds Of Grace and the Church Office will be closed on Thursday, November 23rd and Friday, November 24th in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend.
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