• Worship with us this week… We gather on Thursday evening at 7:30pm and Sunday morning at 9:00am for Word and Sacrament during this summer season.  An attended nursery is available on Sundays (although the young ones are always welcome in worship). We invite you to join us in thanksgiving to God during these warm and wonderful days.

• Bring the kids. Stay and learn a thing or two yourself… Where did we ever get the idea that “Sunday School” was just for the little ones? Sure…it’s important that our children have a good, solid introduction to the faith. But do we really stop learning somewhere around age 12? Good heavens…let’s hope not!

Which is why when you bring your children for Sunday School at Grace, you’ll find more than grade-level classes for pre-schoolers through 6th graders taught by caring, experienced teachers. You’ll also find a ministry developed specifically for infants and toddlers. And a special study group just for junior high kids. And another gathering of high school youth. And three different learning options for adults…a Bible study, a topical study, and a rather free-wheeling discussion group that lets the conversation flow with the needs of the day and the guidance of the Spirit.

All these good things are happening right here every Sunday morning beginning September 12 at 9:15am. You don’t have to be a member. You don’t have to be a Bible scholar. You don’t need a special invitation. You don’t even have to be sure you’re ready to get hooked up with a church. You just have to come and check it out. So, sure…bring the kids. They’ll love it. But we’re betting that there’s something pretty special here for you, too. Come and see for yourself the goodness of God’s grace.

• Jazzercise dances at Grace… There are 8 one-hour classes throughout the week: Monday at 9:30am and 6:15pm; Tuesday at 6:15pm; Wednesday at 9:30am and 4:15pm; Thursday at 6:15pm; Friday at 9:30am; Saturday at 8:30am. Call Amy (419/898-8026) for information.
  • A Programming Note: our Yoga group is on summer sabbatical. But fear not: they’ll return on Wednesday evenings at 6:45pm beginning September 15. The group is free and open to the public…and a great way to stretch and pray. Join us then!

• Help amidst the storm… The Church is at work providing help and hope in many places from Haiti and Chile to Cedar Rapids and middle Tennessee…even in our own back yard in the wake of the June tornadoes that swept the area. If you’d like make a financial contribution to support the on-going response, click here to go to Lutheran Disaster Response. Thanks in advance for your generosity. And keep watching this space for more ways to help our neighbors in need.

• Men, Men, Men, Men… The Men’s Bible Study meets next on Saturday, September 11, at 9:00am, as we continue to explore Ezra and Nehemiah. Since we’re just getting started in these two books, this is the perfect time to come on board. You don’t need to have any prior Bible study experience…just a desire to learn and grow in faith alongside other guys. If you’ve got a favorite Bible, bring it. If you don’t, we’ll give you one. (We’ll also make sure you get a cup of decent coffee and a donut or two.) Join us!

• Caught on video just out from the ELCA: PD talks about the flood recovery work our team did recently in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It’s also about the calling we share. Check it out here.

• Grace has been gardening lately with our brothers and sisters at Salem Lutheran. Check out the video from that event here. Want to find out how you can get your hands dirty in the service of others? Give us a call!

• Operation Oreo marches on. Grace continues to support the troops with our monthly contact program for those deployed overseas. Email or call us to learn more about this program, and how you can be a part of it.