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| Grace Notes Email Newsletter |
The Importance of Worship!
We know that most of the weekends this fall have had beautiful weather and that people have busy weekend schedules. But it is also important for God's people to make the commitment to be in worship to hear God's Word, give praise to God and to receive Holy Communion. Please make sure that you and your family make worship a priority in your lives. The benefits are eternal!
Your Grace Office Staff
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This Week's Sermon: God's Investment Strategy
This year on Time and Talents Sunday we hear the Parable of the Talents. Three slaves are given money when their master goes away: two invest them to make more and one hides his in the ground. Jesus tells this story to encourage us to use what God has given us. Just safeguarding ourselves is not what God wants. God wants us to invest our gifts and blessings in the world.
Pastor Heidi
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Give Thanks through Operation
Christmas Child
This Sunday we want to fill the area around the altar with gift boxes to be sent to boys and girls around the world as we do our small part for "Operation Christmas Child". Last night I met with our ninth graders as we talked about why Christians are thankful and how we show our thanks. One of the students shared that her family is showing thanks by donating boxes to "Operation Christmas Child". A number of other students said their families are doing the same thing.
Your boxes are a great way to give thanks to God by helping others in his Holy Name. This is a wonderful way for parents to teach children about giving thanks and sharing God's love around the world. If you haven't yet packed your box or boxes, do so and then bring them with you on Sunday morning.
Pastor Paul
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Thanksgiving Eve Service & Pie Social:
Wednesday, November 22 at 7pm
Thanksgiving is not a Christian holiday, but giving thanks to God is a big part of being a Christian! Come to church at 7pm on Wednesday, November 22 for our annual Thanksgiving Eve service, followed by a pie social. Before you gather with your families around your tables at home, gather with your church family to be fed at the Lord's Table. It will be a special night as some of our young people will be receiving communion for the first time at this special service. Special music will be provided by our Jubilation Choir. If you're able to bring a pie, sign up on the sheet in the gathering area. And don't forget to bring a canned good or a monetary donation for Lutheran World Relief. Giving thanks and having pie? It's going to be a great night!
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Our Gifts to the Lord for 2018
We have received back about 125 commitment cards for next year's giving. Those who have returned theirs so far have been generous in their offerings for 2018. We still have a lot of commitment cards to be returned. If you have not yet handed in yours, please do so as soon as possible. Together, our offerings, enable us to fully fund the ministry work we do at and through Grace Lutheran Church.
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Annual Thanksgiving Family Sharing Food Donation
This year's Thanksgiving donation for Family sharing will be the week of November 19. If you are attending the Thanksgiving Eve service on Wednesday November 22, you may bring your donation to the altar at the time of worship. Anyone wishing to donate on Sunday November 19 or 26, can drop it in the one can plan barrel.
Items most in need are: 2lb pancake mix, 12oz Syrup, Quick Cook Oatmeal, Toilet Paper, Rice 2lb bag (white or brown), Canned Tuna, corn, peaches, or pineapple and Cream of Mushroom or Chicken Soup.
Any items on the list or items of your choice will be accepted and appreciated. All donations will be collected Mon November 26.
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Thank You from Pastor Heidi
I am so touched at all the cards and compassion of the people of Grace as my family mourns the loss of my aunt and grandmother. Your kindness is wonderful to see. We know they are both in God's hands, and we are so thankful for all they gave us and taught us- especially the importance of being a faithful Christian. Even though none of us are perfect, it's such a gift to be a part of both earthly families and the family of faith. God is good!
~Pastor Heidi
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Ninth Grade Class Service Project
Helping Big Brothers Big Sisters
On Saturday, December 9th, our ninth graders are providing and serving the meal at the Big Brothers Big Sisters Christmas Party which will be held at Harbor Hills Bowling in Port Washington. Each year our ninth graders help with this meal as a way for them to serve God by serving others in God's name. Next week sign-up sheets will be posted if you would like to help out by donating some of the food items needed.
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Looking for a way to give back for Christmas?
Here at Grace we have a special fund that we use to help members of Grace and our community. As we know, Christmas can be a challenging time for some families whose finances are already stretched every month. If you'd like to give a donation to help support those in our community, you can mark it for the "Pastors Discretionary Fund" and put it in the offering or drop it off at the office (open from 9-noon & 1-4, M-F). If you know of someone who could use some financial assistance in our congregation or community, please let one of the pastors know so we can bless them with some help in the name of Christ. As we celebrate Christmas may we all rejoice in God's many blessings, and may our gifts to each other reflect the love and generosity of Jesus!
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Christmas Sing-a-long at the Milwaukee Ale House
on December 19
Come and get in the Christmas Spirit on Tuesday, December 19th! We are meeting in the upstairs of the Milwaukee Ale House in Grafton to sing Christmas Hymns and Carols. We'll start singing around 6, so come earlier if you want to eat before you sing. This is always a fun way to gather as Christians and prepare our hearts and souls to welcome Christ again. Friends are welcome, so spread the word!
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"Be the Dad: Fathering 101" Class
The next meeting for our fathering class will be at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 25. All dads are welcome to join us. There is nothing to prepare for the class. We're talking about being an absent or abiding father to our families.
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Looking for Church Council Nominees
Grace's Nominating Committee has begun its work of recruiting candidates to serve on the church council in 2018. This year we are looking for those who can serve as President - Elect of the council, chair of the Fellowship Committee (which runs our fun meals and social activities) and the chair of the Christian Care Committee (which works with new members). If you know someone you think might be a good candidate, please talk to one of the members of the Nominating Committee. They are Mike McGraw, Mara Schwartz, Jon Eifert, Sherry Bublitz, Lisa Bernd and the pastors.
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Grace Mug Gift Bag Sale Sunday
Sunday after the 8:00 service and before and after the 10:30 service we will be selling Grace mug gift bags for $5. They make a great stocking stuffer so make sure to pick one up!
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Upcoming Youth Events
JYG Lasata Shopping Trip is December 10th!
It's that time of year again. JYG is going shopping for the residents of Lasata. This is a joyful and fun service project for our youth.
The JYG Youth will be collecting monetary donations from the congregation at both the 8:00 and 10:30 service. Please consider making a donation. They will then go shopping at 11:30 at area stores to purchase wishlist items for the residents at Lasata after the 10:30 service. Youth can sign-up in the gathering space or in the JYG room.
HYPE Cookie Making is December 10th!
HYPE will be making cookies during Education Hour on December 10th. Youth will be decorating and making cookies for local organizations. Please make sure you sign up in the Gathering Space or in the HYPE room.
HYPE Event! Strategic Game Challenge!
On December 10th from 11:30 - 2:30 Pat and Chantal Murack are challenging the HYPE Youth to an afternoon of strategy game playing. Do you think you can handle the pressure?
Lunch will be provided and the Packer Game will be on. Friends are welcome and encourage to attend.
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Advent Devotionals Are Here!
Please pick up an Advent Devotional in the gathering space! We have devotional books and calendars for both kids and adults. Make time in your life to help prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior- it will have lasting rewards.
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Lunch Bunch - November 16th
The Lunch Bunch will meet on November 16th 11:30 a.m. at The Crave Restaurant, Port Washington Rd. in M
us.
equon next to the Chalet Motel. Call Diane Kiesow at 375-1476 if you would like to join.
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Christmas Cookie Fundraiser!
Each year host and support churches fundraise for our Family Promise organization. Hosting families wouldn't be possible without our staff, day center, transportation & a multitude of other expenses.
The cookie sale will be Saturday, December 2 from 9:00-12:00 & Sunday, December 3rd before and after both services in the gathering space. Boxed cookies are for sale for $8.00 a pound. There will also be small plates, St Nick treats, and assorted fun items. If you would like to donate cookies, pack or work the sale, a sign-up information sheet is on our FP board.
Family Promise will be part of a larger fundraiser in December. Sip & Sample will be held on Tuesday, December 5th from 6:00pm-9:00pm. at the Ozaukee County Fairgrounds in Cedarburg. The proceeds from this event will help offset the 2018 Family Promise budget. Please consider attending this special night of food and beverage sampling, silent auction, all while enjoying the sounds of the holidays. Tickets are 40.00 each. Available at Ozaukee branch and Commerce State bank, or see Mari Goecks.
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Save the Date for the Youth Education Christmas Program!
All youth education students in 3K-12th grade will be participating in our Youth Education Christmas Program on Sunday, December 17. As a reminder, to help make the morning easier for families, the two services will take place at 8:30 (instead of 8:00) and 10:30. The birthday party for Jesus will take place between services. Students in 3K, 4K and 5K along with 1st-5th grade will all be singing at the program. We'd encourage you to practice the songs at home as well. You can find the words to the Christmas program songs in the November Youth Education Newsletter found on the Youth Education page at
http://www.gracegrafton.com/christian-education.html. If you have any questions, please let Katie know (
Katie@GraceGrafton.com).
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Drywaller Needed
Sarah Brogni, property team chair, is looking for someone to do some minor drywalling at church.
If you are able to help, please contact Sarah Brogni at 414-322-9366 or sbrogni@att.net.
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Looking for Church Council Nominees
Grace's Nominating Committee has begun its work of recruiting candidates to serve on the church council in 2018. This year we are looking for those who can serve as President - Elect of the council, chair of the Fellowship Committee (which runs our fun meals and social activities) and the chair of the Christian Care Committee (which works with new members). If you know someone you think might be a good candidate, please talk to one of the members of the Nominating Committee. They are Mike McGraw, Mara Schwartz, Jon Eifert, Sherry Bublitz, Lisa Bernd and the pastors.
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You Can Register for Our
"In the Footsteps of the Apostle Paul" Trip in June 2018
We are starting to get registrations turned in for this exciting faith journey next summer. If this trip sounds interesting to you, your family or friends, please let me know. I can share the details of the trip with you. We have started to accept registrations to be part of this Christian pilgrimage.
Pastor Paul
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RNT Tree Decorating!
The annual RNT Christmas Brunch is Wednesday, December 6th at 9:30 am. Decorating the church will follow at 10:45 am. A sign-up sheet is in the narthex on the bulletin board. The date for taking down the decorations is Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at 10:30 am.
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Missing Anything?
Are you missing a hat, sweatshirt, sparkly headband, reading glasses or a pair of pants? We might have what you're looking for! Check out our new Lost & Found bin in the coat room next to the conference room. In the future, any lost items can be placed in there for their owner to re-discover.
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Who to Call in the Grace Office
As a general outline - Here are the general areas of coverage for each office support person.
Please direct your communication to the correct person when possible to minimize duplication of efforts.
Office - Main #262-377-4770
Lisa Bernd - Office Manager/Director of Involvement
- Building Cleaning
- Issues with Property Repair/Maintenance Needs
- Grace Notes & weekly bulletin insert
- Electronic Offerings & contributions
- Volunteer Coordination/New Member Orientation
Ed Borkenhagen - Administrative Treasurer & Office Assistant
- Expense Check Processing
- Payroll/Grace Financials
- Service Bulletins
- Service PowerPoint Presentations
Erica Dimmett - Youth and Family Ministries Coordinator
- Teen and High School Groups
- 4th Grade - 5th Grade (KFC)
- 6th Grade - 8th Grade (JYG)
- High School (HYPE)
- Confirmation Activities
- Parent Fellowship Group
Katie Eippert - Youth Education Coordinator
- Children Birth to 5th Grade
- Children's Message and Grace Quiet Sacks
- Sunday School
- Vacation Bible School (VBS)
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Staff Schedules
The office is open Monday thru Friday from 9-12 and 1-4.
Pastor Paul: Tuesday-Friday
Pastor Heidi: Tuesday-Thursday
Lisa Bernd: Monday-Wednesday
Ed Borkenhagen: Tuesday-Friday
Erica Dimmett: Wednesday from 3-Confirmation, Friday morning
Katie Eippert: Wednesday & Friday (8-11) & Tuesday & Thursday (8-3)
A pastor is always available in emergencies. Our cell phone numbers are always on the church voicemail recording- 377-4770. Please don't hesitate to call us if you need us. That is what we're here for.
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Mt. Meru Coffee is available for purchase in the Gathering Space
Several varieties of coffee are now available for immediate purchase. Please complete the order form, include cash or check made payable to the Mt. Meru Coffee Project and deposit in the box provided. If you do not find the type of coffee you need, please complete an order form as the coffee will be restocked monthly. Regular, decaf, or flavored coffee sells for $10.00/12 oz. bag. Drip and perk grinds as well as whole bean and single-serve cups are available.
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Check out AmazonSmile to Support
Grace
While
Shopping!
If you're buying gifts through Amazon's website, please consider doing it through AmazonSmile. AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at
http://smile.amazon.com
, you'll find the exact same prices, selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization. You can choose from nearly one million organizations to support- please consider supporting Grace Lutheran!
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| Don't forget...One Can Plan Our ongoing mission is collecting nonperishable goods for Ozaukee Family Sharing and All People's Church in Milwaukee. Please bring one nonperishable food item when you come to worship and place it in the yellow barrel. The yellow barrel is located in the corner of the Gathering Area under the Outreach Opportunity Bulletin Board. |
| The Good News is on the Website There is a lot going on at Grace this month. You can read all about it in this months Good News. Follow the link:
http://www.gracegrafton.com/uploads/2/6/4/1/26411638/goodnews_currentmonth.pdf |
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Responsibility List
Responsibility for Thursday, November 16
At the 6:30 p.m. service: Al & Sandy Nelson are the greeters
Responsibilities for Sunday, November 19
At the 8:00 a.m. service:
Joan Tuttle is the assisting minister, Paul Singer is the reader, Sidney Buchman is the acolyte, Dan Ernst's team is ushering, Mark Koehler & Gary & Marietta Northup are the greeters, Morgan Becker is in the nursery, John Bernd is in the multimedia room, Linda Scott is the communion assistant, Lisa Bernd has communion set up, Deb Donovan has coffee hour & Steve & Karen Janssen are at the Welcome Desk.
At the 10:30 a.m. service:
Jeff Olson is the reader, Jordan Walton is the acolyte, The Steinhoff Family team is ushering, Marla Aspenson & Tom Bremer are the greeters, Diana Koppa with Sheridan Gosselin are in the nursery, Jake Salzman is in the multimedia room, Romy McCarthy & DeeAnn Fugate are the communion assistants, Pam Jeletz has communion cleanup & Pat Murack is at the Welcome Desk.
Responsibilities for Wednesday, November 22
At the 7:00 p.m. service:
Howard Vrankin is the assisting minister, John Bernd is the reader, Jon Aspenson's team is ushering, Ann Turney is the greeter, Lisa Bernd is the communion assistant & Lisa Bernd has communion by Intinction set up.
Responsibilities for Sunday, November 26
At the 8:00 a.m. service:
Paul Singer is the assisting minister, Scott Steffen is the reader, Linda Scott's team is ushering, Ed & Sandy Schlicht & Joan Tuttle are the greeters, A VOLUNTEER is in the nursery, Scott Steffen is in the multimedia room, Jan Ernst is the communion assistant, Jan Ernst has communion by Intinction set up, VOLUNTEER has coffee hour & Jim & Kathy Kehoe are at the Welcome Desk.
At the 10:30 a.m. service:
Sherry Bublitz is the reader, Ashley Acevedo is the acolyte, Wendy Freeland's team is ushering, Sandy Luettgen & Rick & Nora Koenig are the greeters, VOLUNTEER is in the nursery, Owen Wolff is in the multimedia room, Laurie Gosselin & Dana Moran are the communion assistants, Lori Mathias has communion cleanup & Ken Steinhoff is at the Welcome Desk.
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