April Community Building Goal

April Community Building Goal

The church as we know it is changing. With a focus less on the institution of church and more on Christian community, our community building goal for April is to invite one other person in the Grace community with whom we do not already have a close friendship to spend time with us—to meet for coffee, go for a walk, eat lunch, or anything else that seems appropriate.

Pastor Sarah's Pen: The Church is Changing

Pastor Sarah's Pen: The Church is Changing

The church is changing—along with the world. Church leaders from a variety of denominations claim church decline. Many people grieve the death of the ‘church as we know it.’ The concern is valid; the ‘church as we know it’ is dying. I have spent many an hour contemplating this situation, many an hour worrying about these circumstances, many an hour coming up with brilliant plans to address the decline, many an hour in continuing education and meetings directly addressing this topic. Where I’ve landed after all that is here: Some things need to die in order to make space for new life. I think the ‘church as we know it’ is one of those things that needs to die. 

Grace Room transition

Grace Room transition

If you would like to help with any of the following tasks, please talk with Solveig Muus: sorting donations, staffing the Monday morning distribution, picking up donations from the West Valley Lutheran Thrift Store, dropping off donations to organizations for which some clothing is better suited, or helping in the kitchen on Monday mornings.

Ecumenical Vespers with St. Mary's Basilica

On February 25 at 5:00 pm, we will gather at Saint Mary's Basilica to celebrate our unity as we pray the Church's ancient Vespers (Evening Prayer) Service together. We will reflect on the Lenten journey and both choirs will unite to present beautiful musical offerings. There will also be refreshments and fellowship afterwards.

Saint Mary's Basilica is located at 231 N 3rd Street.

Sermon: Ash Wednesday

Sermon: Ash Wednesday

I’ve been meditating regularly. Back in Advent, and even just a few weeks ago, I thought I was doing well.  I like doing things well. Each evening, I would sit on the pillows in my meditation room and spend 10 minutes following the directions of a guided meditation from the app Insight Timer.  More recently, I was sitting in a chair each morning for 10 minutes engaged in a morning meditation from the same app. Then, one day a couple weeks ago, a friend asked: what’s your goal in meditation?  I realized I didn’t know the answer to the question.