Dear people of Grace,
 Blessings to you during this unique observance of Holy Week!  Our journey this week to the places of Jesus’ last week of loving service, suffering, death and resurrection hold special and deep meaning for us this year more than ever. 

 

We would like YOU along with any who share your home to be part of our Easter Sunday video!  Here’s how:

  1. Using your phone camera or another camera, take a video of you/members of your family sharing the Easter Acclamation:  Leader – “Alleluia!  Christ is Risen.”  Response – “Christ is Risen, indeed.  Alleluia!”
    1. Feel free to add ‘alleluia’ art, ribbon streamers, balloons or anything to emphasize the joy of this proclamation.
    2. Be spontaneous and have fun with it.  That fun will be contagious.
    3. Keep it as short as possible while getting all the words in.
  2. Send your video to our videographer, Dave Lundahl, via his email address:  dave.lundahl@insightsnow.com .  If you have any problems with sending, contact him at: 541-602-3419. 
  3. Get it to him by midnight Friday night, April 10th. J

 

Our team here at Grace has produced short video devotion pieces for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.  They were filmed here in our sanctuary.  We pray they will help you mark the sacredness of these days in preparation for Easter.

This week we are working on an Easter Sunday video which we hope to send out via email on Saturday night.  We will also post it on our website, www.grace97330.org for viewing Easter morning or anytime thereafter. 

 

The Oregon Synod Staff is also hosting an Easter Worship service via Zoom in which Bishop Laurie Larson Caesar will preach proclaiming the Easter gospel.  Here are the details for it:
 

Sunday, April 12, 10:00 am

Please be prepared for the service with:

  • a candle
  • matches
  • a sprig of rosemary or greenery from your yard
  • a small bowl of water for the Remembrance of Baptism ritual 

We will be hosting the service on Zoom

Please email the church for the log-in details.

If you don’t already have a Zoom account, you can sign up for free.  You can use Zoom on:

  • your computer
  • smart phone (download the Zoom app)
  • your tablet

You can also call into Zoom meetings on your phone.
Click here to learn more about Zoom

 

If you or family members in your household are suffering from cabin fever, here are some opportunities to work in isolation outside the home (or in very small and socially distanced work groups.)
 

IMPORTANT VOLUNTEER NEEDS AND OPPORTUNITIES
 

The Garden which serves the Southside Food Bank
needs volunteers and 4″ or 6-pack pots

The Produce for the People community garden grows two to three thousand pounds of lovely produce for us each year. Much of the labor is provided by school groups, which have of course been cancelled this year. If you can help volunteer in the garden, contact Sue Domingues at 541.231.3859. Current work parties are Monday 9am-noon and Thursday 9am-noon. She could also use donations of 4” pots or 6 pack pots for plant starts, you can make arrangements with Sue to drop these off or just bring them to the food bank and we’ll pass them on to her.

Our Church Grounds and Flower Beds Need some TLC
Thanks so much to members of our Property Committee who have been mowing and to those who have already been doing some trimming.  However, there are many weeds.  If you can help, please contact our Property Committee Chair, Ron Larson, for details at 541-752-0754. 

Give Blood
A Blood Drive is scheduled at Grace Lutheran on Thursday, April 16th in Ronnenkamp Hall from 10 am to 3 pm.  Contact Marna Renshaw to make an appointment at 541-286-4537.  See further details in the April issue of Grace Gatherings. 

 

Finally, to end on a meditative note, you may find the below visual prayer litany especially meaningful.  Thanks to Deaconess Donna King for discovering it and passing it on.  Click on the “Stream Here” link below and push the play icon when it appears. 
 

FREE PANDEMIC VISUAL LITURGY
W
ritten and Ready by Christine Valters Paintner


Praise Song for the Pandemic is written and read by Christine Valters Paintner from Abbey of the Arts. Music by Giants and PilgrimsSTREAM HERE.