March 27, 2026
Dear Church,
On Sunday afternoon, over 60 members of Grace will be joining thousands of Christians from across Minnesota at the Capitol as part of the Palm Sunday Path – publicly proclaiming a Christianity that centers loving our neighbors, freedom for the oppressed, and a world where we live out the truth that there is enough! There won’t be a forum after worship this week, so that those going to the Capitol have time to eat and arrive ready to go in the afternoon.
A few notes on our 9:30a Palm Sunday service at Grace:
From 9:00-9:20a we will be playing music in the sanctuary that will be sung at the Palm Sunday Path worship service at the Capitol. If you’re going to that event, this is a great way to familiarize yourself with some of the music ahead of time! And if you aren’t able to join in the afternoon, this is a way to connect to the Palm Sunday Path, and keep these songs in your heart as the day goes on.
At 9:25a, we will gather in the Narthex to process into worship, waving our palm branches. There will be bulletins and palms by the door so that you can pick them up on your way in. If you don’t plan to, or aren’t able to, join the procession, you can head into the sanctuary and find a seat!
In worship, we will commission and bless the group attending the afternoon Capitol worship service.
This Sunday is also the final Sunday to drop off food donations for Minnesota Foodshare Month! All donations for MN Foodshare will go to the Apple Valley Food Pantry at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church.
And then as we enter Holy Week (3/30-4/5), a few pieces of orientation:
On Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, we will be sending emailed reminders with a short devotional and the worship times for that day.
There will be no midday worship on Wednesday, April 1st
On Maundy Thursday, the midday worship and brunch-style meal will be at 11:30a. Our evening worship at 6:30p will start in Koinonia, with foot and hand washing, sharing a Middle Eastern feast, communion, and then moving into the sanctuary for the stripping of the altar. The kids who attended the Intergenerational Communion Workshop will be serving communion!
Good Friday’s worship service at 6:30p is prayer around the cross – a more contemplative and prayerful worship experience in the sanctuary.
Holy Saturday’s service is only on Zoom, at 10:00a.
We have been invited to join the Easter Vigil service at Our Saviour’s in Minneapolis on Saturday evening – see the invitation from Pastor Martha below!
And then on Sunday, April 5th, we will worship with a 7:30a sunrise service, and a 9:30a festival service!
Holy Week is the heart of the Christian story, so however you are able to, I invite you to make space in your heart and in your week to journey alongside Christ. May God bless you in this holy time!
In Christ,
Pastor Reed
Every Friday, we send an email to the congregation and any others who would like to learn more about the Grace community. The last four Friday emails are posted below.