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FEBRUARY "TIDINGS" NEWSLETTER ... Click here

MEMBERSHIP

Grace welcomes new members!  If you are interested in becoming a member of Grace Lutheran Church and working to build God's Kingdom in this community, please speak with Pr. Becky.

PLEASE PICK UP ENVELOPES AND YEAR END STATEMENTS

Please pick up your offering envelopes and year end statements in the boxes in the narthex.

PICTURES FOR THE DIRECTORY

Those who still need a picture taken for the directory, please call the office.

ADULT AND CHILDRENS CHOIR

Adult Choir rehearsals are every Wednesday at 7:00 PM.  Children's Choir rehearsal is now a part of Sunday School.  The last 15 minutes of Sunday School are music time.  Please contact Tara Humlie or the office. All are welcome!

WORSHIP TEAM

Rehearsals are every Wednesday at 6:00 PM. For anyone who has an interest in being on the Worship Team, either with your voice and/or a musical insturment. Please contact Kris Martin or the office. Everyone is welcome!

SOUNDS OF GRACE

Teen music group rehearsals are on Wednesdays at 5:00 PM.  All middle and high school age are welcome!

MUSIC LESSONS ... click for more details
If you are interested in voice lessons at the new Eastside Vocal Academy at Grace Church, please contact Dorley Lerud at 952-346-8012.

FREE FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT ... click for more details... Click for more information

Grace hosts a family movie night during the school year on the second Saturday of the month. The movie starts at 6:30 pm. Popcorn and juice are served. Join us on February 11th for "Dolphin Tale"!

FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN SERVICE EVENTS ... click for more information

A group of volunteers from Grace goes once a month to the FMSC facility in Eagan. To date we have helped pack more than 183,000 meals since our first date in December 2009.  Come help pack more!  Stay tuned for more details.

VEAP

Grace is always accepting donations of non-perishable food items for the Bloomington area food assistance program (VEAP).  If you would like to help feed hungry people right here in our own community, your grocery donations may be left in the wooden box in the narthex. 

ACOLYTE TRAINING

Acolyte training is open to older students who are interested in helping with specific tasks during the worship service.  Any interested students should speak with their parents and then with Pr. Becky.

SERMONS ON YOUTUBE

Click here or on the link at the bottom of the Home page to view previous Grace sermons on YouTube.

HOSPITAL POLICY CHANGE

Please note that hospitals and care facilities are no longer legally able to release information on their patients.  If you would like to be placed on the prayer chain, or have the pastoral staff informed of your hspital stay, please contact the office at 952-854-6638. 

ANNUAL MEETING - JANUARY 22

Grace's annual congregational meeting was held on Sunday, January 22, after the service at 10:30 AM. It was moderated by Council President, Stan Pehling. The Annual report was discussed.  New and returning church council members were elected. 

ANNUAL REPORTS

Grace annual reports were available in the narthex after the service on Sunday, January 15th.

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM - "MYSTERY OF SIMON SHEPHERD"
Special thanks to all the children for their outstanding performances, to the directors (Britt Halaas, Ben & Tara Humlie) for their expert guidance and dedication and to all the support volunteers who helped it happen.  It was great!

ADULT EDUCATION WEDNESDAYS EVENINGS 6:30 TO 7:15 PM

A study of Proverbs began Wednesday October 5th and concluded on Dec. 21st.  Please stay tuned for information on the next class. 

CHRISTMAS STRINGS
Thanks to the Sounds of Grace strings for their Christmas seranades in the narthex!

OPALS

Special thanks to Eldon and Rita Flatten for hosting the Annual Christmas get together at their home on Saturday, December 17th.

ANNUAL BAKE SALE

Thanks to all who contributed their fabulous goodies and crafts and thanks to all who purchased them on Sunday, November 20th. Total proceeds of $321.50 was designated to missions.

FALL MARKETPLACE -  SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH   Click for more information

Fall Marketplace was November 5th from 9:00am to 3:00pm. A Big Thanks to all who volunteered their time and crafts and to the vendors who helped make it a successfull event. Those who contributed to the Grace Table and have items to pick up are welcome to pick them up from the office.

OPALS EVENT AT THE OLD LOG THEATER

The OPALS enjoyed seeing "Everybody Loves Opal"  and having dinner at the Old Log on Friday, Nov. 4th.

MARTHA CIRCLE:  A study of the Gospel of Mark began Wednesday October 5th.

HOMECOMING SUNDAY - OCTOBER 2

On Sunday, October 2, Grace celebrated a Musical Homecoming.  The church was filled with wonderful music and favorite songs, courtesy of Kris Martin, our musician, assisted by all in attendance!  This was a day to celebrate the true breadth of Grace, as every name/address we could find in the church database was invited to celebrate a day of homecoming and renewing 'the tie that binds'.

CONFIRMATION MEETING

Wednesday, 28 September, 5:30 pm 

VEAP SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE

Great Results from the School Supply Drive!  15 Backpacks, 61 Notebooks, 20 Pencil Packs, Plus More!!  Great Job Grace!

TOWN HALL MEETING - August 28, 2011

GRACE CLEAN-UP DAY

Thanks to everyone who helped with Grace's clean-up day on Saturday, August 20th! Sign up is posted in the narthex for those who can help more.

In a heartbreak playoff loss of 16-17 on August 2nd, Grace ended the season 5-7!  It was a great season!!

Thanks to all players and fans!!

GRACE GOES TO BIBLE CAMP! ... click for more information

With guidance and support from Pastor Steve, Grace kids went to Luther Point Bible Camp in Wisconsin.  These were the dates:

-  Entering Grades 1-2 "Day at Camp"  8 August 2011

-  Entering Grades 3-4 Sunday - Tuesday 24-26 July 2011

-  Entering Grades 5-6 Sunday - Friday 24-29 July 2011

Bible Camp is one of the key ministries that help to form and find a young person's faith relationship with Jesus Christ.  This was a chance for young people to be part of this wonderful process.    

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL ... click for more information & photos

June 26 through June 30, "The Parable of the Sower".  Grow in faith, have fun, change the world!

A Big Thanks to all who helped and participated! 

RIDE FOR MS

Cindy Rostamo completed another Bike Ride For MS on the weekend of June 10th - 12th.  She will take pledges even after the event.  Please contact Cindy directly if you would like to make a pledge.  952-892-3835

NEW HOPE MISSION SOCIETY PRESENTATION

The New Hope Mission Society gave a presentation after the worship service on Sunday, June 5th at 10:30 AM. NHMS was formed in 2005 in response to a presentation by Dr. Roland Miller at a Mission Sunday Forum at Faith Lutheran Church, Hutchinson, Minnesota.  Dr. Miller, a long time missionary in India and a leader of the Malabar Mission Society in Canada, had brought Pastor K.K. Alavi to Christ and on that day told a riveting story of the witness of this little but bold man to his fellow Muslims.  The congregation was so moved by what they heard that they soon decided not only to support his evangelical witness as a congregation but to create a network of support.  This led to the formation of the New Hope Mission Society. 

SPRING CLEAN UP

May 21 through June 4.  Thanks for all who helped!

LENT AND EASTER ... click to see photos

Thank you to everyone who helped to make the Wednesday Lenten Suppers, the Maundy Thursday OPALS lunch, and the Easter Breakfast (prepared and served by Grace kids) a great success!

FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY

Financial Peace University (FPU) consists of a 13-week video curriculum—taught by financial expert Dave Ramsey—that incorporated small-group discussions to encourage accountability and discipleship. Financial Peace University is entertaining for everyone, with a unique combination of humor, informative financial advice and biblical messages.  For more information you may visit the following web site: http://www.daveramsey.com/church/home

Classes ran from January 13 thru April 7 and met every Wednesay at 6:30 pm.

JOINT COUNCIL MEETING

Wednesday, January 26, 2011 at 6:30 pm. All former and new council members met together.  Pastor Steve prepared and served an awesome dinner of baked Manicotti (his grandmother's secret sauce recipe) salad, italian sausage and bread. New and former members chose their commisions. We thank and applaud Karen Hagert who completed her 3 year term as Grace council president and we welcome Stan Pehling as the new president.  We also welcome Susan and Craig Pederson, Judy Faas and Doug Rhodes as new council members.  Lyle Rotvold and Joel Otten completed their terms on the council.

ANNUAL MEETING

Sunday, January 23, 2011 after the service.  Topics of discussion were the 2010 annual report, Grace plans for 2011 and nominations of new church council members. 

CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM 

The children's Christmas program was on Sunday, December 19th at 4:00 PM.  It featured songs and piano solos by the Sunday and Wednesday School children.  Thank you Kris and Tara for directing the program and the weeks of practice leading up to it. Thank you children for learning, singing and playing those wonderful songs. Thank you volunteers and audience!

ANNUAL BAKE SALE!

Sunday, November 21st, before and after church.  Thank you to all who braved the ice to donate and buy crafts and delicious goodies!

OPALS

On Wednesday, November 3rd, the OPALS went to the Old Log Theater to see "Jeeves in Bloom". 

2010 FALL MARKETPLACE

The Fall Marketplace was Saturday, November 6th from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. A quilt, a painting and a wax nativity set made by Grace volunteers were raffled away during the Marketplace event. Other crafts were donated for the sale and several local vendors had tables.  A Big Thank You to all the vendors and everyone who helped and /or attended the sale!

HARVEST DINNER

Friday, October 29th, Grace hosted a "Harvest Dinner" featuring Beef Stroganoff, cole slaw, rolls, apple crisp and great fellowship!  Following the dinner, Mary Halaas gave everyone a hands-on class in candlemaking.  Young and old enjoyed making their own candles using sand molds and a variety of wax colors and decorations. Thanks Mary! Special thanks also to Robbin, Karen, Suzan and all who helped with the dinner!

PASTOR STEVE'S ADVENTURES IN IRAQ

At Grace on Sunday, September 19th, 5:00 pm, the OPALS hosted a talk by Pastor Steve.  He gave a very interesting slide show and description of his experiences as an Air Force chaplain in Northern Iraq in 2009.  He had a unique perspective on a challenging assigment. While in Iraq he was promoted to the rank of Major and he continues to serve locally as an Air Force chaplain. 

Dessert and coffee were served after the talk. 

GRACE / RIVER - SUMMER NEIGHBORHOOD PICNICS ... click to see photos

Thank You to the crews from Grace and River Church who teamed up to give us some super picnics on June 23rd, July 14th and August 11th. We had good crowds and were able to meet some great new friends from the neighborhood.  The menus included grilled chicken, hot dogs, pasta salad, chips and cookies. An inflatable jumper kept the kids moving and live music was provided by the River Church.

COMMUNITY GARDEN ... click for more information

Grace hosted a Free Community Garden on our property this summer.   Thank you to the congregation for sharing some of our great yard space in this meaningful way with our good neighbors!

END OF YEAR PICNIC
We had our End of Year Potluck Picnic after the service on Sunday, June 6th.  Special thanks to Penny for organizing it! Thanks also to all who helped set-up/clean-up and all who brought your delicious creations!

MOTHER-CHILD LUNCHEON

Thank you to all who organized and came to the Mother-Child luncheon. The menu was Chicken Salad, muffins, fruit and dessert.  A special treat was the presentation by Helping Paws!  Click to see photos...