GRACE NOTES

~A weekly newsletter of grace and information~

Be a pointe of grace — God’s grace, to everyone you meet . . .  

As people of Grace, made one in the waters of baptism, we are strengthened by diversity. We are a community that welcomes people of every ability, age, citizenship status, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, language, life circumstance, marital status, political perspective, race, sexual orientation, and creed.

Whether you are a believer, doubter, or seeker, or something in between, 

you are welcomed and valued here. We celebrate God’s unconditional love and respond joyfully to all of God’s diverse people present here.

The voice of the Lord is upon the waters. (Ps. 29:3)

Worship on January 7th will be onsite and live-streamed.

Click here to go to our Website.

Click here to go to our Facebook page.

Click here to go to our YouTube Channel.*

* Videos of live-streaming worship are not available until the actual start of the worship, and then are listed under Live Stream and then the recording is moved to "videos" for later viewing.

Worship in January

Waterfalls represent the waters of baptism: ever-flowing, never-ceasing streams of holy water. Waterfalls also represent justice flowing down into the places where justice is needed, a mighty river that refreshes and restores us to God's love for all people.

Beginning on Baptism of Our Lord on Sunday, January 7 and the following two Sundays leading up to January 28, you are invited to write on strips of colored cloth (will be provided in worship), that will eventually become a fabric "waterfall." From the moment you enter worship until the time of the Offering, you may write your hopes, dreams, and prayers for our community, the nation, and the world as we embark on another year of justice and healing. Place your stripes of colored cloth in the offering plates each week, and the altar guild will gather and assemble these strips into the fabric "waterfall" of justice and our reminder of our baptismal call to do such work in the world.

You are invited to write a separate prayer on each strip of fabric and may write as many as you wish.

Service of Healing Prayer 

January 7, 2024 at 10:30am 



Pastor Pam and the Pointe of Grace Care and Prayer Team will offer a Service of Healing Prayer immediately after worship on Sunday, January 7. The service is expected to last 20-30 minutes and will include quiet time for contemplation and private prayer, a Scripture reading and short reflection, and a time where prayer ministers are available to pray with you. You are welcome to request prayer for yourself or anyone else for any reason at all. You may choose to pray with a prayer minister or simply to pray by yourself during the service. 

Many people find great solace and comfort in prayer services like this. If you are familiar with healing prayer services we encourage you to join us. If this is new to you, we encourage you to come and check it out. Personally, I feel closer to God during these times of prayer than at almost any other time. It is a real gift to have someone pray for you and frequently God speaks and works through their prayers in ways we may not have experienced when praying for ourselves. This is a wonderful gift and we encourage you to attend. 

Children's Church

1st and 3rd Sunday of Each Month

We welcome our youngest worshipers to Children's Church on the first and third Sunday of the month. Children will begin service in the sanctuary with their families, and then are invited to go to Children's Church in The Hive. After crafts, games, and a bible lesson, children return to the sanctuary and their families during the Passing of the Peace.

Youth Group

Every Sunday at 11am

Every Sunday the youth (5th-12th graders) are welcomed into The Hive at 11:00 AM for bible study, just for them. This time is meant for youth to grow in their faith with their peers, and provide time to explore what it means to be Lutheran.

Confirmation Class

1st Sunday of Each Month at 11:00am

Held on the first Sunday of every month. This is a 2 year program for students 6th-12th grade with their parents and mentors walking through their baptismal promises. We cover topics and lessons of: Old & New Testament, Apostles' Creed, Lord's Prayer, Ten Commandments, and the Sacraments, intertwined with the small catechism and Bible study.

Theology Pub

1st Sunday of Each Month from 2-3:30pm

at Mukilteo Lodge Sports Grille

So what is Theology Pub? In a nutshell, it’s people sitting around a table, talking about issues of faith and philosophy, ethics and ideas over a beverage.

It is a safe space, where people can be open and honest about topics of faith, ask any questions, and at the end of the night, know that it’s perfectly fine if we disagree with one another.



In other words, this isn’t church, and no one is going to make anyone pray, sign a faith statement, or tithe (though be sure to tip the bartender!)

And to be clear, beer is not a requirement!

Non-alcoholic beverages are available too.

All are welcome, regardless of beverage choice.

In its simplest form:

Theology Pub is open conversation about stuff that

matters over a good beverage.

Blessing of Door Mantels for 2024

You are invited to write in chalk above your door frames at home: 20+C+M+B+24

Christus Mansionem Benedicat, 

which is Latin for "May Christ bless this home"

Say this prayer as you write it in your homes:

Peace be to this space and all who live, play, and visit here.

May all who come and go from this space,

Find welcome, kindness, gentleness, and love,

Because you, God, live here with us. 

Up-coming Adult Faith Formation

We will spend January discussing what it means to be an "RIC" community. Don't know what that means? Come find out! 

Sun, Jan. 14 at 11am: Pastor Pam will facilitate conversation and reflection of what the process was for Pointe of Grace to become an RIC faith community in 2020.

Sun, Jan. 21 at 11am: Ingrid Huff will facilitate a conversation using the RIC checklist to reflect on "what are we doing well and where can we do better." Come join in this wonderful conversation on these Sundays at 11am in the Meeting room.

Sun, Jan. 28: We will celebrate RIC Sunday with a special liturgy and rainbow cake for Fellowship Time.

Sun, Feb. 2 at 11am: We will have a financial update to the congregation and conversation.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

1st & 3rd Thursdays at 10am in the HIVE

Like to knit or crochet? Consider joining the Prayer Shawl Ministries. We are caring people who wish to share our God-given talent of knitting and crocheting with a prayerful ministry that reaches out to those in need of peace, comfort and solace.

If you would like more information on this ministry, contact Karen Evans, rlkaevans@comcast.net or contact the church office.

Women's Bible Study

Wednesdays at 10am

The Women’s Bible Study at Pointe of Grace Lutheran is a group of women committed to the study of the Scriptures, to prayer and to each other. The joy we experience learning and the support we receive as we look into the meaning of the Scriptures keeps us returning each week. The women in the study come from a variety of church experiences although most attend Pointe of Grace. What this study does is deepen faith and friendship as we go out to do what we learn. Please join us!

If you have any questions, contact Evelyn at evlnseymour@gmail.com.

Safe Haven Training

Sunday, January 14th at 1pm

All adults volunteering with minors at HPCP and PoG are required to do the Safe Haven training every two years. If you are due for renewal or are new to PoG and need to do this training, please plan to attend. 

Book Club

Sunday, January 22th at 12:00pm

The Book Club will meet the 4th Monday of the month in January 2024. We meet from 12:00 noon to 1:30 pm.

This month’s book is The Story of Author Trutor.

We read both nonfiction and fiction. Even if you haven’t had time to read the book, please come and hear what others thought about it. If you have any questions, contact Jan Dahlgaard at

jan.dahlgaard@gmail.com. This is a wonderful group and a great way to share reading and the love of books.

Mardi Gras Fundraiser

Friday, Feb. 9 at 6pm

to benefit the PoG Youth going to the ELCA National Youth Gathering

Come for a night of great food and fun! We will be serving green salad, gumbo, red beans and rice, bread pudding, and sweet tea. We'll even have a King's Cake and auction it off by the slice to see who gets the "baby in the cake"! There will be live entertainment and both silent and live auction items to bid on. So come for an evening of fun and great food! Tickets are $25 per person, or $175 to reserve a table of eight. So gather your neighbors and friends, colleagues, co-workers, and family members and come join us for this great event.

*Unable to come, but still want to support the youth group? We are still seeking specific items and themed baskets for our auction. Here are those baskets and items we are seeking: 

We are also seeking gift cards to local restaurants, movie tickets, etc, that we will place in these baskets.

We have raised $11,000 of the $18,000 needed to get us to New Orleans. We are so grateful for your ongoing support! Let's party at the Mardi Gras and help us reach our goal!

You can purchase tickets here: https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/8269029

National Youth Gathering Team: Hazel, Sarah, David, Evan, Reece, and Anders

Ash Wednesday is February 14th!

God ❤ you!!

Imposition of Ashes (drive-thru) will be at 11:30am-1pm

Soup Supper at 5:30pm

Imposition of Ashes at Holy Communion service will be at 6:30pm

Looking Ahead to Lent

Holden Evening Prayer and Soup Supper



Every Wednesday 2/21-3/20

Soup at 5:30pm, Service at 6:30pm

Click here to sign up to bring soup or bread.

We need 3 soups and 2 breads each week.

Service of Remembrance

Friday, January 5 at 4pm

Immanuel Lutheran in Seattle & live streamed

A time to remember, honor and pray for those who have died on the streets or as a result of being homeless. In person at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Seattle (1215 Thomas St. Seattle – limited parking) AND Live Streamed at www.youtube.com/c/ImmanuelLutheranChurchSeattle. The service will be available any time after 4.

Contact Pr. Kristy Daniels at PastorKristy@compasshousingalliance.org or (206) 474-1007 for more information or to add names to the list.

Bless This Night

Evening with the NEW Holden Vespers '23

Sunday, January 7, 6pm

at Trinity Lutheran Church, Lynnwood

5:45pm - Gather - doors open & fellowship time

6pm - Preview Session - hear about the creative process, societal and theological framework

7pm - Worship together

Tea & Treats reception to follow

Come for one portion - or both. Materials will be available for purchase

Free event - Donations will be welcome to support Holden Village.

Cannot attend in person? A livestream link will be coming soon! Look for it HERE!

SKY MEETING

Sunday, January 7th at 6:30pm

Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Everett

Our next SKY Meeting will be Sunday, January 7th. We’ll be talking about new beginnings as we start a new year.

SKY, or Sno-King Youth, is the new name of the regional youth group in the Sno-King region. All youth grades 6-12 are invited to join us! Our group grows each month, so come make new friends and enjoy an evening of faith and fellowship. 

If you have any questions, contact Annika Larsen at CYM@pointeofgracechurch.org.

Weekly Bible Study:

Abide in the Word

Tuesdays, 7-8 pm via Zoom

This is a year-long, Synod-wide weekly Bible Study that takes participants on a deeper dive into the coming Sunday's Lectionary text. Participants will have the chance to experience diverse perspectives and voices from various guest facilitators from across the synod.

You can find the Zoom link here.

This is a FREE LiVE offering! No registration needed.

Anti Racism Book Study

Thurs. Jan. 11 & 25, Feb 8 & 22

at 10:30 am online

from our partners at European Descent Lutheran Association for Racial Justice

Using “Ashes to Action” as the backdrop, we gather for the weaving of story and study in this four-part anti-racism workshop.

Copies of the book are now available on Amazon

REGISTER HERE

Cost is $10/ session

Please pay at the time of registration:

VENMO - @EDLARJ-2022

PayPal - https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=V8XQKZHBGN33W

Rest & Renewal Retreat:

Ministering in an Age of Mental Health

Saturday, February 3rd, 9am-3pm

at Our Saviors Lutheran, Everett

Free for Pointe of Grace congregants

Many in our congregations and broader communities are experiencing higher rates of anxiety, depression and stress these days. Rooted in our Christian faith, how is the Spirit calling us to wholistic healing for the body, mind & spirit, as well as becoming better companions to those longing for a more flourishing life? 

The retreat will provide space for learning, reflection, and embodied healing practices to accompany all of us who are working toward health and wellness in ourselves, our communities of faith, and the world. Hear from various leaders and practitioners in this field, including: Certified Mental Health Therapists, Pastor Kacey Hahn (breath and body work), Pastor Shannyn Fuerst (well-being, nutrition and exercise). 

Registration: FREE for those whose church purchased the Congregational Bundle; $50 otherwise.

Click here for more information.

Click here to register. Pointe of Grace congregants register using “LIVEBUNDLE 2023"

Women's Retreat

February 2-5, 2024

at Holden Village

Spend a winter weekend at Holden Village this February for our annual Women’s Retreat. This year, we look forward to hosting cross-cultural advocate and chaplain Rev. Rachel Taber-Hamilton, poet laureate of Bainbridge Island Michele Bombardier, and Kripalu yoga teacher & ski instructor Kathleen Grimbly. Through teaching sessions, group conversations, reflections, crafts, and outdoor adventures like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, Women’s Retreat will provide opportunities to build new relationships, rejuvenate past relationships, reconnect with the self, and join other women in conversation and recreation. 

Holden Village uses an inclusive definition of women and welcomes trans women and non-binary folks. Attendees only need to identify as a woman in a way that is significant to them. Registration is open.

You can register for the Women's Retreat by visiting the reservation page and entering your arrival day as February 2nd for a three-night stay. There is no extra fee for the Retreat and no special registration page.

Click here to Register.

Lent with Baldwin & Bonhoeffer

6-week Course via zoom

Thursdays in Lent, 7-8:30pm, starting Feb 15

Free for Pointe of Grace congregants

What might Dietrich Bonhoeffer (a Lutheran German theologian) and James Baldwin (a Black, 20th century author and novelist) together have to prophetically speak to our current time? Through a combination of presentations, and brief selected readings, this co-facilitated course will invite a conversation for how these particular perspectives inform our lives as persons and communities of faith. Come join the conversation!

This 6-week course will meet via zoom Thursday nights during Lent (Feb 15th-March 21st), facilitated by Dr. Edward Donaldson III and Dr. Dan Peterson. 

Click here for more information.

Click here to register. Pointe of Grace congregants register using “LIVEBUNDLE 2023" 

You Are Not Alone

Saturday, Feb. 3 from 9am-1pm

at Rosehill Community Center

The Snohomish County Youth Suicide Prevention Taskforce is hosting a youth suicide prevention event February 3^rd, 2024 at Rosehill Community Center in Mukilteo.

There will be workshops, resources, art, therapy dogs and more. We hope to provide much support.

Click here for more information.

Sunday, January 7

9:30 am Worship Service—onsite & online

Children Chapel

10:30 am Service of Healing Prayers—onsite

11:00 am Confirmation—onsite

11:00 am Youth Lessons (5th-12th)—onsite

2:00 pm Pub Theology at the Mukilteo Lodge

—offsite

1:00-6:00 pm Unity Church—onsite

6:30 pm Sno-King Youth at Our Savior’s Everett

—offsite

Monday, January 8

9am-1pm Harbour Pointe Preschool Classes

—onsite

9:00am Preschool Parent Chat—onsite

9:45 am Preschool Chapel—onsite

5:30-9pm Boy Scouts

Tuesday, January 9

9am-1pm Harbour Pointe Preschool Classes

—onsite

9:00am Preschool Parent Chat—onsite

9:45 am Preschool Chapel—onsite

10-11am Pointe of Grace Staff Meeting—onsite

5:30-7pm   LoTH AA—onsite

7-8:00pm Abide in the Word Bible Study—online

7:00-9:00 pm Sober on the Sound AA—onsite

Wednesday, January 10

9am-1pm Harbour Pointe Preschool Classes

—onsite

10:00 am Women’s Bible Study—onsite & online

6:30pm National Youth Team Meeting—onsite

Thursday, January 11

9am-1pm Harbour Pointe Preschool Classes

—onsite

10:00-11:00 am AA Meeting—onsite

1:00pm Nominating Team Meeting—online

1:15 pm HPCP Staff Meeting—onsite

5:30-8:00 pm Girl Scouts—onsite

8:00 pm Order of St. Luke Prayer & Bible Study

—online

Friday, January 12

9am-1pm Harbour Pointe Preschool Classes

—onsite

Saturday, January 13

Sunday, January 14

9:30 am Worship Service—onsite & online

11:00 am Adult Faith Formation—onsite

What is RIC? Why is it important?

11:00 am Youth Lessons (5th-12th)—onsite

12:00 pm Worship Planning Meeting—onsite

1:00 pm Safe Haven Training—onsite

1:00-6:00 pm Unity Church—onsite

For more information, go to the Pointe of Grace website or call the office at 425-263-8730.

Do Not Be Afraid

2023 Children & Youth Christmas Play

Did you miss the Christmas Play? Click here to watch the video.

Financial Update

Coming soon...

Questions: contact the Council Treasurer, Peter Catterall at

council.treasurer@pointeofgracechurch.org.

National Youth Group Envelope Drive

National Youth Gathering in New Orleans 2024

Fundraising UPDATE:

A HUGE thank you to all who continue to support the youth in prayer and financial giving to help them reach their goal of $18,000.

We are more than half-way there!! We have raised $10,972 so far!! We are so grateful for your generosity! There are still envelopes for giving in the entryway to be filled and placed in the offering basket

Thrivent Cohort Opportunities

Cohorts come together with the intent of creating nurturing and empowering times, spaces, and relationships. They are intended to foster spiritual and contemplative practices in order to enrich life and ministry, and help the church and its leaders thrive. Cohorts meet virtually for 12 sessions using a curriculum of spiritual practices.

Draft social message on gun violence

What is a faithful Lutheran response when considering U.S. gun culture? The draft of a social message on gun-related violence and trauma probes that question, and your feedback is requested.

The draft focuses on trauma, public health and an ethic of shared responsibility for peacemaking, seeking to move beyond the strict polarization of gun rights versus gun control. This is an issue that affects everyone in the United States — let your voice in this process be heard!

To participate in the public feedback period, read the draft and use the response form. Responses are due by Jan. 31, 2024.

Worship Leaders

If you are interested in learning about or being a worship leader, please contact the people below using your church directory. They will schedule you accordingly. We will no longer be using the sign up sheet on the clipboard.

Assisting ministers: Coe Hutchison

Lectors: Jeff Mach

Communion Servers: Ingrid Huff

Ushers/Greeters: Ron Evans

Acolyte & Crucifers: Alicia Raaum

Altar Guild: Janet Hutchison

Fellowship: Shelley & Bill Franz

Tech Booth: David Kinner Jr.

Synod Newsletter

Do you receive the Synod Newsletter?

The weekly electronic newsletter contains news and events from around our Synod as well as important news from the National Church.

Click here to sign up.

Please Pray for your Council Leadership

Jeff Mach—President—council.president@pointeofgracechurch.org

Rolf Olsoy—Vice President—council.vp@pointeofgracechurch.org

Peter Catterall—Treasurer—council.treasurer@pointeofgracechurch.org

Dahlia Campbell—Secretary—council.secretary@pointeofgracechurch.org

Alicia Raaum—council.1@pointeofgracechurch.org

Ingrid Huff—council.2@pointeofgracechurch.org

Kristina Bowman—council.3@pointeofgracechurch.org 

Grace Notes Deadline

Announcements for the Grace Notes must be received by noon on Wednesday.

If articles are not received before the deadline, they will be added to the next week's edition.

Fundraising efforts and other charitable initiatives at Pointe of Grace and the NW Washington Synod will not be publicized in Grace Notes unless reviewed and approved by the church council beforehand.

Truth and Healing Movement Events

Find opportunities to learn the true history and current realities of our Indigenous neighbors. It is these truths, truths that have been ignored by most for hundreds of years, that will bring healing for both Indigenous people and non-Indigenous people. 

Click here to find webinars, book lists, and more.

ELCA Presiding Bishop Eaton's Statement on Israel-Hamas:

Read her statement HERE

Things you can do:

• Find updated resources and statements from the ELCA here.
• Join our partner Churches for Middle East Peace for prayer every Wednesday from 12:30 to 1 p.m. Eastern time. Register here.
• Call your lawmakers today through the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and urge them to take action to deescalate the conflict and uphold unrestricted humanitarian aid to Gaza. Find your member of Congress at govtrak.
• Support Lutheran Disaster Response here.

The Spirit

Click here for the January 2024 edition of The Spirit, a monthly publication of the NW Washington Synod.

This month's edition features articles written by our Synod Vice President, Kay Edgerton and Bishop Shelley Bryan Wee.

You can find previous editions at lutheransnw.org/news/the-spirit.