August 12-28, 2022
VACATION OFFICE CLOSURE
The church office will be closed until August 29 for vacation. Arrangements have been made for some office tasks to be covered while Jill is away. Please reach out to Pastor Amber at pastoramber@graceattheu.org or Pastor Justin at pastorjustin@graceattheu.org if necessary.
GRACE MEN’S BREAKFASTS
Saturday, August 13 at 8:30 am at Baker’s Square on Ford Pkwy, St. Paul
Saturday, August 27 at 9:00 am at Elsie’s in NE Mpls
Grace men are invited to breakfast, conversation, and community! Held the 2nd and 4th Saturdays. For more information, please contact Dan Olson, coordinator: olso1981@umn.edu
CONGREGATIONAL PICNIC
Sunday, August 14
Foundation Shelter in Central Park (2495 Victoria Street North, Roseville)
Gather with us at our annual picnic, which follows our 9:30am worship that day! Fun, fellowship, and food begins at 11:00am. Bring your own picnic lunch from home or get takeout from a Black Owned business, such as Afro Deli on Washington Avenue or Taste of Rondo in St. Paul. Johnny Pops will be provided for dessert! Please plan to attend this fun gathering.
GUEST PREACHER & CONVERSATION ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 21
As part of our racial justice journey as a Grace community, we are examining the relationship we have with the land under our feet – and that relationship includes the indigenous people who were here before we were. We have invited Rev. Joann Conroy to preach and assist in leading the liturgy on August 21st. Rev. Conroy is a member of the Oglala Sioux Lakota tribe and president of the American Indian and Alaska Native Lutheran Association. Rev. Conroy will lead us in elements of the Indigenous Peoples Liturgy, created by her daughter, Dr. Kelly Sherman Conroy, with support from Grace member Rev. Dr. Dirk Lange.
Following worship is a Conversation in the Peace Chapel, 10:45-11:30am. Join us to explore how Native history is entwined with Grace’s history and land. We will look at the Doctrine of Discovery, the settlement of Minneapolis, and how our church’s land came to us. Come to learn and bring your questions.
SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
Wednesday, August 24 at 7:00 pm via Zoom
A special meeting of the congregation has been called by the president and pastors. The primary item on the agenda will be a proposal from the council to accept bids and move forward with upgrading our sanctuary sound and video systems. Details of the plan and the link to join the meeting on Zoom have been emailed directly to Grace members.
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR HILVIE OSTROW
Saturday, August 27
Visitation at 10am, Service at 11am, followed by a light luncheon
Long-time Grace member Hilvie Ostrow died on July 27. Her service will be held at Grace. Her obituary can be found here: https://www.startribune.com/obituaries/detail/0000432411/?fullname=hilvie-elizabeth-(benson)-ostrow
WORSHIP SCHEDULE CHANGE IN SEPTEMBER
On Sunday, August 28 we’ll hold our last 9:30 am worship service for the summer, and it will be outdoors! (weather-permitting). On Sunday, September 4 we resume our school-year schedule of two worship services, at 8:15 am and 10:30 am.
TELLEEN FAMILY VISIT
On Sunday, September 4, visitors to Grace will include about 15 descendants of Grace Church’s founding pastor, Rev. Dr. Johannes (John) Telleen, who will be gathering locally for a family reunion. Rev. Telleen served from 1903-1905 and oversaw the construction of the original building at 212 15th Ave S, Minneapolis [at Seven Corners on the West Bank].
RECONNECT SUNDAY
On Sunday, September 11, join us for Reconnect Sunday activities between services at 9:15am. This is for all our children and youth to come and connect with each other, see where they will meet on Sunday during Grace Time between services, and register for Sunday school. We will also talk about other opportunities for our young people to participate in worship and throughout church. We will gather for some lawn fun at 9:15am and at 9:30am will move into the fellowship hall for introductions to our Grace Time. We are looking forward to seeing you!
NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION
Sunday, September 11 at 11:30 am
For those desiring to become official Grace members, and those who simply would like to learn more about our community or the Lutheran faith, we invite you to attend this orientation! A light lunch will be served. Please contact Pastor Amber at pastoramber@graceattheu.org or by phone 612-331-8125 if you plan to attend. We look forward to welcoming another wonderful group to Grace!
PUERTO RICO PRESENTATION
In June, 13 young people and two adults traveled to Puerto Rico for an amazing week of relationship building and learning with a community in San Juan. We will be sharing information about our trip after the 10:30am church service on Sunday, September 25. Coffee and treats will be served following the presentation. Join us to see pictures, hear stories, connect with and support our youth!
GRACE MEN’S RETREAT
The annual Grace Men’s Retreat will be at Heartwood Resort near Trego, WI on October 28-30. The men’s retreat is a great annual tradition that goes back over 20 years, with an unfortunate hiatus the past two years. So many great memories and experiences. Save the dates and watch for more details and a request for RSVPs in September.
Pastor Justin will be leading the retreat this year. If you have never attended a retreat before, ask one of the members of the planning committee to share a few of their reflections on past retreats – Kristian Bejarin, Rolf Carlsen, Steve Abenth, and Steve Solbrack. If you have questions or would like more information, feel free to emailsteve@solbrack.com.
WEEKLY BIBLE STUDY
Tuesdays at 1:30 pm via Zoom
This study on the lectionary texts for the upcoming Sunday will be led alternatingly by Pastors Justin and Amber. If you are interested in participating, please join by Zoom using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86478236987?pwd=Ky8xZE5GWDVuWGhMQlBrVEJ0WStFZz09
Meeting ID: 864 7823 6987
Passcode: 056068
BEYOND THE GRACE COMMUNITY…
LSS GALA – YOU CAN HELP CHANGE LIVES!
Saturday, September 17, 5:30 – 9:00 p.m.
The Depot (225 3rd Avenue South, Minneapolis)
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota’s (LSS) invites people to join in the Celebration for Changing Lives on Saturday, September 17, at 5:30 p.m. This gala brings together neighbors helping neighbors to celebrate LSS’s mission of inspiring hope, changing lives, and building community. Gifts and sponsorships support life-changing services that impact 1 in every 65 Minnesotans.
This year LSS is celebrating in person with a social hour, dinner, and program, as well as an invitation to support its vision that all people have the opportunity to live and work in community with full and abundant lives.
COMMUNITY EMERGENCY SERVICE: A Grace-supported Ministry in need of volunteers
CES’s Home Delivery Program is designed for our neighbors in the Phillips area who are low income and unable to physically visit the food pantry. Food is delivered free of charge, once a month. The food is hand selected based on the neighbor’s need and consists of canned and boxed non-perishable, produce, meat and dairy products.
CES relies on volunteers and are currently looking for groups of 4-8 people to help distribute groceries. Volunteers can commit to one time or on a monthly or bi-monthly basis. Home Delivery Volunteers arrive at CES to top off pre-packed grocery bags with perishable food items, load the CES van and then drive separately to a nearby apartment complex to deliver the groceries directly to the clients.
If you are someone you know would be interested in this fun interactive volunteer role please reach out to Linda Velez, Volunteer Engagement Director, lvelez@cesmn.org. The only requirement is a friendly attitude and a caring spirit.
MEALS ON WHEELS
Senior hunger and isolation are growing problems, and they have been exacerbated by COVID-19. The Eastside Meals on Wheels is serving 75% more clients than we were at the start of the pandemic! Volunteering to deliver meals makes such a difference to our older adult neighbors. It helps combat social isolation, addresses safety hazards, and provides holistic care for seniors.
Want to volunteer? Pick up is at 11:00 a.m. at Waite Park Wesleyan Church (1510-33rd Avenue NE, Minneapolis 55418.) Meals are delivered Monday through Friday and we can be flexible with your schedule. Contact Jessie for more information at (612)277-2529 or by email at Jessie@eastsidemeals.org.
VETERANS EXPERIENCE, STRENGTH & HOPE MEETING
Wednesdays, 12:00 CST, 1:00 EST, and 10:00 PST
Zoom meeting only
For zoom link to the meeting, contact: Carl—Tuck.rosenberg@yahoo.com, Mark—pastorstmartin@gmail.com, or Jeanne—rcnstcloud@gmail.com
For more information about this meeting please email: veteransesh@gmail.com
This meeting is for all who serve or have served in the Armed Services. Who are looking for support with recovery from substance use disorder. Who are looking comradeship so you know you are not alone. Substance use is about isolation, recovery is about connection. Connection is life on life terms. You never have to be alone again. Connections begin with reaching out.
VETERAN’S HELPLINE AVAILABLE 24/7:
CALL 1-800-273-8255 and PRESS 1, chat live, or text 838255
SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE
There are several faith-based organizations in place to offer tangible support to Ukranians right now.
- Lutheran World Relief is receiving donations at lwr.org for the World of Good Fund, which goes to support efforts in Ukraine and elsewhere.
- The Lutheran World Federation is supporting people and churches – lutheranworld.org
- Lutheran Disaster Response responds to a number of crises around the world, including Eastern Europe – elca.org/disaster
ADDRESSING HUNGER DURING THE PANDEMIC
CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH
Calvary Lutheran Church (3901 Chicago Ave, Mpls) has an emergency food shelf on Saturdays – (http://clchurch.org) see “Emergency Food Shelf” on the home page, which includes information for those seeking food and a link to volunteer.
COMMUNITY EMERGENCY SERVICE (CES)
CES provides high-quality direct service to people in need through direct aid relief, advocacy, referral, guidance and prayer support, if desired. CES seeks to strengthen families and individuals with the goal of moving them beyond crisis to financial stability, as well as emotional health, personal growth and spiritual depth. The Grace community has been a strong supporter of this ministry for many years. To learn more: https://cesmn.org
You may send your check to Grace with “CES” in the memo line, and funds will be forwarded.
