Adults
Celebrate
community.
At Grace, we celebrate the community that we are as a whole, and we also seek to create opportunities to gather in small groups so that we can get to know each other and share life together. All of these groups welcome new people to join them!
Small Groups
We have ongoing and seasonal groups that get together (online and in-person) to build relationships and be in community.
Bible and Book Studies
We love to learn together as a community. We have opportunities to gather with others to discuss a book, a tough question, or stories from the Bible.
Sunday Forums
Most weekends, we gather in Friendship Hall after worship to learn together. Our forums are led by a variety of people and cover a variety of topics. Pick up a treat and cup of coffee and join us for these important conversations!
BIBLE AND BOOK STUDIES
BIBLE AND BOOK STUDIES
Our group meets the first Tuesday of the month to tackle tough questions about faith, the Bible, and life. This study explores questions with a discussion-oriented approach. You can bring your own meal and beverage (alcoholic and non-alcoholic are both fine!), or just come with your questions and eagerness for lively conversation! Our discussion is facilitated by a pastor or lay leader. No need to sign up in advance!
For more information please contact, Sue Swanson, or Andi Arntz.
October 7 | November 4 | December 2
Theology Tuesday
6:00-8:00p
Applewood Pointe | 12450 Drayton Trail | Apple Valley
(corner of McAndrews Road & Pilot Knob Road)
First Tuesday of the month, October-May
Thursday Morning Bible Study
9:30-10:30a
Grace Shalom Hall
Thursday Morning Bible Study resumes on September 11, 2025!
Start your Thursday with an hour of Scripture, conversation, and fresh insights. Open to everyone. Come to some or all! No preparation needed. Questions? Contact Jim Ollhoff or Craig Tigerman [their contact info is in Breeze.]
Daily Life in Bible Times | September 11, 18, 25 | Led by Jim Ollhoff and Craig Tigerman
How did people in the Old and New Testament live? What were family roles like, what did they eat, how did they travel? And how does that help us interpret passages in the Bible?
Fresh Philippians | October 2, 9 | Led by Craig Tigerman
A deeper look into an uplifting letter. Discover how Paul deftly handles a delicate situation, seeking to help two prominent women resolve. How can we apply Paul's message today?
Luther Nailed It | October 16, 23, 30 | Led by Jim Ollhoff
What was the world that Martin Luther was born into? What were those 95 theses? What was Luther like, and how did the Reformation begin?
The Gospel of Matthew | November 6, 13, 20, December 4 | Led by Matthew himself
Enjoy a unique look into the Gospel of Matthew. Get the author's own perspectives on the contents of his Gospel and on the circumstances surrounding its writing. Please pay no attention to any alleged similarities between Matthew Ben-Levi and Craig Tigerman.
The Christmas Story | December 11, 18 | Led by Jim Ollhoff
What was the census that made Mary and Joseph head for Bethlehem? What was the star of Bethlehem? Who were the wise men, and why did they visit? Join us for a reflective look at the Christmas story.
New this year!
Thursday Evening Zoom Bible Study
7:00-8:00p Grace Zoom
October 2, 9 | Fresh Philippians
November 6, 13, 20 & December 4 | The Gospel of Matthew
Read the Bible in a Year
Each Monday, Jim will send out an email with the Bible reading for the week, and an explanation of what you’ll be reading in those chapters.
There will also be monthly in-person meetings (6:30-7:45p).
Grace Shalom Hall
September 29
Read the Bible in a Year began September 2024
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There’s plenty of Bible passages that are obscure or confusing! The weekly guides will address some of those to try to bring some clarity. You can also bring your questions to the monthly meetings. You can also email Jim Ollhoff anytime with a question.
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The books of the Bible are not in chronological order. They are put into categories, such as “Books of History” which cover almost a thousand years. “The Prophets” are all put together, and they cover almost 600 years. Covering the Bible chronologically means that we’ll read them in the order according to the time when they were written. That way, you’re reading the history of the Old and New Testaments in historical order. We’ll jump around a bit, but reading it chronologically usually makes more sense.
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You WILL fall behind sometimes. That’s just a normal happening of life.
If you fall behind, just jump ahead to wherever we are. In other words, skip the old stuff and read the current reading, rather than trying to catch up. If you try to catch up and read everything you missed, there’s a good chance you’ll fall further and further behind.
Just jump ahead. It’s not a problem. It happens to everyone.
Grace Book Club
9:30a
Bonhoeffer Room, Grace Lutheran
First Saturday of the month, September-June
Grace Book Club
Everyone is welcome to meet at 9:30a on the first Saturday of every month (with a few exceptions) in the Bonhoeffer Room. Participants choose from a variety of books, including current and classic novels, and non-fiction from biography to history.
October 4 – The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger
November 1 – The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson
December 6 – No! I Don’t Want to Join a Book Club by Virginia Ironside
January 3 – Mousetrap: A Play by Agatha Christie
February 7 – Mornings on Horseback by David McCullough
March 7 - Normal Rules Don’t Apply by Kate Atkinson
April 4 - Horse by Geraldine Brooks
May 2 - Hotel Magnifique by Emily J. Taylor
June 6 - The Lemon Tree by Sandy Tolan
SMALL GROUPS
SMALL GROUPS
For the four Sundays in October, we will gather in small groups during the forum hour. The theme for this year is “Know Christ, Know Ourselves: Living into our Spiritual Gifts.”
Small Groups
4:00-5:00p - this group meets most Thursdays
Check the calendar to be sure.
Grace Zoom Meeting Room
Grandparents Happy Hour
Join other grands on Zoom to share stories, laughs, and engage in great conversation!
6:00-7:00p - this group meets most Fridays
Check the calendar to be sure.
Grace Zoom Meeting Room
Singles Living Alone
Gather on Zoom with single people of all ages and share in conversation and friendship.
Sunday Forums
Most Sundays, September-May, we gather after worship to learn together! Forums are led by pastors, lay leaders, and guest presenters and the topics vary from week to week. Sunday Forums take place in Friendship Hall, which is located at the south end of the newer building, right next to the coffee and cookies! Forums start around 10:40a and go for 45-60 minutes.
If you miss a forum and want to watch or listen to it later, you can find recordings of our forums here: Sunday Forums
Sept 21 | Rev. Dr. Cody Sanders | “Cultivating Community, Practicing Hope”
Sept 28 | Melissa Arbuckle | “Financial Foundations: Your Blueprint to Thrive”
Oct 5, 12, 19, 26 | Small Groups
Nov 2 | Rev. Jana Swenson | “Public Phase of the Capital Campaign Begins!”
Nov 9 | Hannah Edwards | “Transforming Families”
Nov 16 | Rev. Jae Bates | “Reconciling in Christ Sunday”
Nov 23 | Guatemala Ministry Team | “Our Partnership with Guatemala”
Nov 30, Dec 7, Dec 21 | Book Discussion on Falling Upwards by Richard Rohr
Dec 14 | Advent Matins and Fellowship
Kids can hang out at The Neighborhood during the Sunday Forum! Children whose parents are attending Sunday Forums are invited to come and hang out in The Neighborhood (right next to the nursery; across the hall from Friendship Hall, where the forums take place) where they can explore and experience free-play options such as The Café, The Church, The Library, The Theater, and more.