Happenings and Messages from Grace Lutheran Church! | |
|
This is a quick weekly reminder of what is happening at Grace
in worship and in ways to connect and serve.
Sunday Worship
8:30am (Traditional) and 10:15am (Contemporary)
Wednesday Nights
6:30pm Worship
| |
|
Eat the Frog First Thing in the Morning
… A Reflection on 5 Years Together
I work out to a YouTube video series called nourish, move, love. It’s run by a Minnesota woman, Lindsey Bomgren, who promotes strength training for women. I just finished the series: Build 30 for the second time. It’s been the most difficult 2-week weight training I’ve done so far. It’s hard and it’s also satisfying. Throughout this series Rachel, the co-leader, keeps quoting from Mark Twain saying, “if you are going to eat the frog it is best to do it first thing in the morning.” She says this before we do something hard like 30 burpees, or push-ups. In a lot of ways, it is the motivation to say, “okay you started the day with a hard thing, now things will get easier.” “Look at what you’ve done. You can accomplish other hard things too.”
Monday marks the anniversary of my 5th year at Grace. As I reflect on my time here, we have eaten many frogs right out of the gate. Selling land, COVID, a building project. I admit doing this together with you has made us stronger. We have collectively built some muscle as a congregation. Things that used to seem hard, now seem a little easier. It has also been so wonderful to not be doing this alone. This community of faith is special. I am so thankful to be your pastor. Whenever I meet with people and talk about my job, or my church, I am quick to note how supportive this community is. I have a wonderful staff, a supportive and faithful vision board, and a congregation that is invested in its future. What a gift. As I turn this page, onto this 6th year of ministry at Grace, I feel like we have done the frog eating for now and can face the challenges set before us. I also know that when we encounter another big obstacle that we have the capabilities to do that next challenging thing and keep sharing the Gospel in new ways.
Thank you, Grace Lutheran Church, you are amazing. It’s been a gift to be your pastor these past 5 years. I am excited to see where God brings us next.
Blessings,
Pastor Joanna
| |
|
Family Table
Sunday, August 18th
at 12:00pm
Imagine coming home and finding no food to prepare dinner for your family. Imagine being alone and never having friends to share a meal with. Imagine how you would feel and what you would do. Family Table is an outreach program sponsored by several churches in the area including Grace. It is an opportunity for us to help our neighbors, if even for only one meal. On the 3rd Sunday of each month, we are privileged to put together meals for our guests.
| |
W.O.W. Reunion
August 28th at 11:30am
You are invited to WOW’s 3rd Annual Reunion at Pizza Ranch (Andover) on Wednesday, August 28th anytime between 11:30am-1:30pm. We have the Bunkhouse reserved for past and present members as well as for women interested in joining WOW. There is no need to RSVP, just come. (The only cost for the reunion is the cost of your own lunch. If you are a senior, don’t forget to ask for the senior discount!)
| |
|
Grace Choir Rehearsals
Begin on August 27th at 7:15pm
Grace Choir is starting up again! The choir rehearses on Tuesday evenings from 7:15-8:30pm and sings two Sundays each month. Anyone 7th grade and older are welcome to come and sing at any time! There is a schedule posted on the choir website with dates and what song we'll be singing, so if you see a song you like, come and join us! There is no audition, and all experience levels are welcome! We make wonderful music together and want to share that with you!
Our first rehearsal will be Tuesday, August 27th at 7:15pm in the Sanctuary. Any questions, please contact David Phelps.
| |
|
2024-2025 SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR
SAND CREEK ELEMENTARY!
If you would like to help, please consider purchasing any of the items on the list here and return them to church in the green tote labeled “Sand Creek School Supplies” that will be located in the Narthex. The donations will be accepted from August 4th through September 8th.
You can also give a monetary donation of cash or check. If writing a check, please make it payable to Grace Lutheran Church and write “Sand Creek” in the memo line. The monetary donations will be used by the Sand Creek Grace Team toward the food expenses for the Sharing Grace Backpack Food Bags prepared and given each Friday to children who would otherwise go hungry over the weekend.
| |
Children, Youth & Family News | |
|
Lock-In at Zion Lutheran
Friday, August 16th at 8pm
We will be having a lock in at Zion Lutheran Church on Friday, August 16th! Students going into 6th grade - 12th grade are invited to come. There will be games, crafts, movies, snacks, and more. The lock-in starts at 8pm on August 16th and goes until 6am the following morning. You don’t need to stay up the whole night, there will be quiet space for naps and resting. If you do hope to rest, you can bring a blanket or sleeping bag and pillow. There may also be some couches available. This is a free event!
| |
|
Sunday School Registration is OPEN!
Children’s ministry is excited you are registering your child(ren) for 2024-2025 Sunday School. We have already started planning and preparing for Sunday School to start October 6th
Our curriculum this year follows the narrative lectionary. This means your child will learn the same lessons in Sunday School as you hear in worship! This makes having faith conversations at home easy, fun and meaningful! Our curriculum prepares a take home sheet to help facilitate these conversations.
We will have a couple of main Sunday School teachers at each service and many youth volunteers. We will also be utilizing parent volunteers each week. As a part of this registration you (as a parent or guardian) will need to sign up (https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904094CADAB28A2FF2-50593212-sunday) for two different weekends to serve in Sunday School.
| |
|
Kids' Night Out Registration is OPEN!
Kids’ Night Out is our Wednesday evening programming (6:00-7:00pm) for Kindergarten through 5th grade. Kids play games, learn Bible stories through creative exploration, storytelling and play and all have the opportunity to connect with one another. This is less structured than Sunday school but does involve a lesson and a means to grow in faith. Occasionally kids will have malts and do special faith formation events. Special this year on Wednesday Nights are our Faith Fundamentals nights which are for the whole family!
| |
|
Treble Makers Registration is OPEN!
Treble Makers is back for another wonderful year of youth choir at Grace! There are two rehearsals each week. We ask that you try to attend one every week, but you are invited to come to both. Rehearsals are Sunday mornings between worship services (9:40-10:10am), and Wednesday evenings before programming (5:50-6:10pm). The first day of rehearsal is September 15th.
| |
|
Catechism Registration is OPEN!
Attention ALL Catechism students and Families. On September 4th at 6:00-7:00 pm, we are hosting an open house and overview of our Catechism program. ALL Catechism students AND families are encouraged to attend!
Catechism meets every Wednesday with large group, small group and worship will run from 6pm-8pm. We encourage parents/guardians and siblings to join us for Wednesday Night worship at 7pm. This worship does count for worship attendance in order to fulfill Catechism requirements. It is also created with youth in mind.
| |
|
Own Your Faith 2024-2025 Registration OPEN!
Mark your Calendars for Own Your Faith Orientation on September 15th from 11:30 am -12:30 pm.
Mentors also asked to come.
9th Graders and guardians, we hope you can join us for an overview and orientation for your final year of Catechism at Grace Lutheran Church. Your mentor is also asked to join this orientation.
After 3 years participating in small groups and events at Grace on Wednesday nights, our 9th Graders final year of the confirmation program is to work one-on-one with a mentor. Together they will be discussing questions of identity and faith and doubt. These one-on-one conversations happen on your own time, and we provide all the materials you need to have these important conversations.
| |
|
Prayers of the Church
Please pray especially for: Sue Epley, Bonnie Wilcox, Karl Jacobson, Jen Nagel, Carissa Davidson, Toni Isle, Ellie Gustafson-Held, Rita Brown, Nora Brasgalla, Shirley Kirkendall, LaDonna Lilyquist, Brian Morris, Charlotte Anderson, Patty Michaelson, Kathy Tillery, Alden Riley, Carrie Orr, Lana Howell, Ron Wagenknecht, Larry Heltemes, and Ann Lange.
All those in need of long-term prayers: Teri Beckers, Lois Vadner, Jim & Cathy, Alex Bombard, Wayne Welle, Dan Husak, Rick & Linda Breyette, Clint Trousil, Diane Rosky, Juleen Klawiter, Linda Christensen, Ralph & Colleen Wernimont.
Pray for those who are mourning: Charlie and Julia Wold and family and friends mourning the death of Judi Wold. Ann Lange and family grieving the loss of Ann’s father-in-law Donald Lange. Sue Hoenigschmidt, Mike and Cheri Schaaf grieving the loss of Sue’s sister Karen. Willie Gregory grieving the loss of her brother.
| | | | |
