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 Lent Programming
Worship at 1:00 pm
Catechism begins at 6:00 pm with Worship at 7:00 pm
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Friends of Grace,
My wedding anniversary is this weekend. Jeff and I will have been married 23 years (photo below, before we were married). I know this pales in comparison to those of you who have been married for 50 or 60 years. As I think about how we have transformed over time, I give thanks. Our partnership has morphed. There was a time that I made dinner, now he does. There was a time when he commuted, now I do. There was a time when kids dominated our lives, now they check in with us now and then (well, it's more than that, but the intensity has definitely changed).
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I recognize that I have been given many partners in my life. I am so thankful. I am thankful to have Pastor Maria as a partner in ministry. Our relationship has changed throughout time too- I was once her pastor (photo above of Maria and me in Faribault, we are the ones on the right.) and now we are colleagues. I also have wonderful friends who have been spiritual partners or swimming partners. I have had running and walking partners. It's too bad in some ways that we really only celebrate anniversaries of things like marriage, because these partnerships are very important.
God is clear that partnership and companionship are essential to our well-being. In Genesis 2:18 states: "It is not good for the human one to be alone, I will make him a helper as a partner." Of course, we often go on to seeing this passage as a description for marriage, and yet, it is clear, that God is about relationship. God is after all, a relationship onto themselves as the Trinity: Creator, Son and Holy Spirit. God gives people partners to live with, learn from, and grow alongside. Ruth had Naomi, Paul had Silas and Timothy, Jesus had the disciples. Who are the partners that you give thanks for today? How have they helped you learn and grow in faith and life? How can you celebrate them and the partnership you share.
Blessings,
Pastor Joanna Mitchell
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Join us for Wednesday Worship | |
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@ 1:00 Rev. Karen Evenson has been Pastor of the United Methodist Church of Anoka since 2022. She is a graduate of Concordia College --Moorhead ('92) and of United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities ('15). Karen lives life with a "Choose Joy" attitude which permeates her life and ministry. She has three grown children, two granddaughters, ages 4 1/2 years and 9 months. "Jesus' breath brings into us the Holy Spirit, by which we can live, love, forgive and be forgiven in the best and most difficult of times.
She is preaching: Living Our Faith, a breath | John 20:19-23.
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@ 7:00 Pastor Kristina Hill (she/her) serves as the Pastor of Cross of Hope Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Ramsey, where she has been since July 2021. She grew up five minutes away from Cross of Hope but attended Grace Lutheran in Andover from preschool through college. A graduate of Anoka High School and the University of Minnesota Duluth, she is currently in her second year of Ph. D. studies in Systematic Theology at Luther Seminary. She lives with her husband, two sons (Zack, age 8 and Darby, age 5), three dogs and cat in Andover.
She is preaching:
Living Our Faith: a connection | John 15:1-17
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The obvious area of work is the new front entrance. As you walked into church this past week you would have noticed the beginning of the new bathrooms. Not real obvious as it was just the underground plumbing risers that were visible, but the single element of progress on those new facilities. In the coming week that floor slab will be poured and the structural steel will be erected.
How about the brightness of the narthex and sanctuary? It is bright enough that now we can follow along with the new hymnals as we sing. More electrical activity will continue with conduits along the north and east walls. Major wall activity that will cover those conduits is scheduled to begin after Easter.
The daycare addition is progressing at a steady pace. There is a lot of activity by a number of different crafts. Walls are nearly all furred and sheet rocked. roof drains have been insulated, ducts are being installed, conduits and plumbing are in the walls and with taping of joints early next week, we can begin painting following the taping.
The kitchen is cleared of all old furnishings and of asbestos contains materials. The floor has been cut and opened for the installation of underground plumbing. it is expected that wall furring will begin next week.
There are quite a number of other construction elements that have effected different parts of the facility. They are important to the whole of the project but are more systems specific. -Charlie Wold
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REMINDER to Register - It’s Trivia Time for OK@PLAY!
Join OK@PLAY on Thursday, March 14, 2024 from 5:00-7:00 pm for a Trivia night at Davanni’s located at 3430 129th Ave NW, Coon Rapids. All are welcome!
We have limited seating for 25 participants, so we encourage you to sign up on Realm or contact the church office to join us in the fun. Davanni’s does not charge a fee, but they would appreciate your food and beverage orders as “payment.” If you have any questions, you can contact Vickie Meade (763-712-0496) or Deb Stang (763-427-3252).
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Egg My Yard Fundraiser
Don't miss out! Deadline is Friday, March 15th.
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Green Ribbon Parents
Do you have a child who struggles with mental health? Are you feeling isolated as a parent and in need of support? Come join Green Ribbon group. A group of supportive and confidential parents supporting other parents raising their children. Our next meeting is March 20th in Pastor Maria’s office during Wednesday night programming from 6:00-6:50 PM. Meetings are led by Jeff Anderson and Dan Brasgalla. If you are curious or have questions please reach out to Pastor Maria and she will help get you connected!
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Join us at FMSC
APRIL 6th
12:00-1:45 PM
Calling all Meal Packers! Grace will be hosting a meal packing event at Feed My Starving Children in Coon Rapids on Saturday April 6th, from 12:00 PM!
Grace has produced thousands of Mana Pack meals over the years that feed hungry children and vulnerable families around the world. The current need has never been greater, with a famine in the Horn of Africa and the war in Ukraine disrupting food shipments globally.
We have a history and tradition at Grace of packing meals for FMSC. At our last packing event in November we had a great time packing meals for over 100 children to feed them for a year. It’s easy to learn if you’ve never done it before and it is also a family friendly way to serve!
We have reserved 50 slots, so feel free to bring a friend, neighbor, or family member. You can sign up through the link below, the Blue Sheets in Worship, or by calling the church office.
Thanks for serving and sharing God’s Love!
Scott Christensen
Outreach Ministry Team Leader
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A Night for Hope 2024 Gala
Saturday April 20th
Our community of Grace supports the Hope 4 Youth drop-in center for homeless youth in Anoka County. We support this organization through monthly meals, donations of clothing and supplies, and through our annual tithe from the Transforming In & Out campaign. Hope 4 Youth is hosting their annual gala and fund raiser on Saturday evening November 20th.
5:00 – 6:00 PM Social Hour
6:00 – 8:00 PM Dinner/Program and Silent Auction
8:00 – 10:00 PM Live Entertainment
Please join Jan Anderson, Lynda Wilde and Scott Christensen if you are interested in joining us at this event. We would love to welcome you at this fun event! Please contact Scott, Jan or Lynda if you are interested!
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April News Articles
Due March 15th
Articles for the April Grace Notes are due on Friday, March 15th at 5pm. Please have articles in Word format emailed to Marie Kolar at mariek@graceandover.org.
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Prayers of the Church
Please pray especially for: John Malecha, Lois Vadner, Jim & Cathy, Denise Gruetzman, Alex Bombard, Lynn Zirkle, Marie Kolar, Wayne Welle, Bev Scott, Tara Swedberg, Dan Husak, and 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.
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