Message of Grace
August, 2017 | Vol 10 Issue 8
Articles are due the 15th of the
month preceding publication.
Welcome to Grace Lutheran's eNewsletter!
Welcome back! Click on the links at the right to view or print the calendar and volunteer schedule, plus you can go directly to our website, Facebook and sites in the ELCA family. If you have anything you would like put in the newsletter, send an email to me at dreamstar_00@msn.com.
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A Word from Pastor Andy
Pastor Andy
Lots of opportunities this month to share, serve and learn. Read on to find out more!

Attitude is Everything
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
- Isaiah 43:19 

When I was in high school I played football for a couple of years. One year we all got t-shirts that had our team name on the front and a quote on the back. The quote was “Attitude is Everything.” I have to admit I didn't give the quote much thought when I first read it. However, over the years I have thought about that quote from time to time. I realized that life is not simply about what we do but also how we perceive it.

As Christians we are humbly trying to live like Jesus. But this does not simply apply to what we do but also should apply to what we think. We are called to not simply act like Jesus but to try to think like him. Throughout our lives we are constantly bombarded by messages about how we should think about ourselves and others. But the question that should drive our thoughts is how would Jesus understand or perceive a person. People were often surprised by the fact that Jesus didn't show special treatment to those in his culture considered powerful or important. Jesus loved everyone equally. But this made sense to Jesus because he was seeing people as God saw them. I think it's worthwhile to pause and ask ourselves how we perceive the world around us. Are we seeing things as Jesus sees them? May God bless you as you seek to grow deeper in your faith.

In Christ,
Pastor Andy

Stuff the Bus is Back - for School Supplies!
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Grace Lutheran is 'Stuffing the Bus again, this time with school supplies! 
All supplies are needed - paper, pens, notebooks, folders, pencils, crayons, glue, backpacks and whatever else you want to donate. The supplies will be given to the food pantry to distribute to their clients as needed.  Please bring your items to Church by Sunday, August 13th.
Bits and Pieces from The Church Mouse 
Hope you get some relaxing days in during the summer months because everyone needs time to relax…it is good so you become refreshed. Remember, the Lord rested on the seventh day.

There will be a spaghetti dinner from 5-7pm on Saturday, August 19th to raise funds for Greg Garnand. I thought I heard there will be pizza and dessert, too. Yum! Hope to see you there and be sure to invite your family and friends. I'll be there for sure. See Curt Bjorklund if you can help out.

While running around outside of the church, I have been smelling all of the beautiful flowers and plants. I love looking at them too…they are all so nice and make the church look welcoming. Many thanks to all of the gardeners who work so hard to maintain the gardens. 

Celia Villacres, our organist/pianist/choir director’s last day with Grace will be on Sunday, September 3rd. We are sad to see her go, but happy that she is pursuing her musician interests and goals. Good luck, Celia!!

Enjoy your summer days.
Upcoming Events, How You Can Help
Greg Garnand
Fund Raiser Aug 19th for Greg Garnand
You've probably heard about Greg Garnand's struggles with cancer leading up to the loss of his leg. He continues to need treatment and cannot work. We'll be hosting a dinner for the community on Saturday, August 19th from 5-7pm to raise some much needed money for Greg and Mary. Watch for fliers and announcements with the details.  You can also donate funds at gofundme.com/GregGarnand or by making a check out to Grace Lutheran Church and putting "Greg Garnand" in the memo line.
Vacation Bible School will be held July 31st to August 4th, 9:00am to 11:00am each day. The theme is “Rome: Paul and the Underground Church”. It is open to kids from age 4 to those entering 5th grade. We also need volunteers so if you can help please let Pastor know. Call our church office (815-678-3082) or email pastor@gracelutheran1.org for more information.Please register as soon as you are able as we have limited availability.
From Team World Vision
Bake Sale August 13th
Please come check out the bake sale on August 13 between services and after the late service. The runners and walkers for Team World Vision have been hard at work baking all kinds of delicious goodies!  All of the proceeds will help to provide clean water to those in need!  
Please pray for the runners/walkers participating in the '6K for Water' August 5th. Read more here.
Celia is Moving On!
Celia Villacres, our primary church musician and choir director, has accepted a position in Florida for the months of September and October. Celia has also made the decision to sell her car no longer allowing her to commute from Chicago to Grace. While we are sad she is leaving us, we are excited she is pursuing her God given gifts. Celia has agreed to be open to serving as a substitute musician, however her last Sunday in her current role will be September 3rd. We have begun the process of looking for a new choir director and musician. Please contact Pastor Andy with any possible candidates.
Join us for Outreach Cafe August 27th
Our next Outreach Café will be on Sunday, August 27th from 8:30-9:30. The Café benefits our Haiti Mission, PADS (homeless ministry), Habitat for Humanity and the food pantry. Thrivent Financial also helps support us with 'seed money' to buy supplies. To help out or donate food, see Tina Peterson. Live Generously!

Outreach Café Contact: Tina Peterson, tinap59@hotmail.com,
815-678-4335
 
Divorce Care Sessions will Resume August 17
Divorce Care meetings will begin August 17th and continue through November 16th .  You're always welcome. If anyone is interested in becoming a leader, please call the office. Contact: Linda Davis 815-347-5982

Divorce Care Recovery Support Groups More information

Women of the ELCA - WELCA


- The WELCA ladies are still on summer break for the month of August and will be resuming their regular monthly meeting schedule in September. We will be discussing our agenda for the fall and winter season and would encourage women of the church to attend our meetings. New ideas and suggestions are important to us. We will be meeting the second Monday, September 11th at 1:00pm in Luther Hall. Our hostesses will be Carol Heuer and Carol Runyard who will be serving coffee and dessert. If you wish to bring a light lunch of soup, salad, fruit or a sandwich, there will be time for socializing after our meeting adjourns. Our meetings usually adjourn by 2:00pm - 2:30pm.

Wanted and Needed –
New items (socks, underwear, tee shirts - size L) or slightly used clothes for PADS (pants, shirts, coats, etc. ) Also, with the warmer months and so much rain, the need for Bug Spray, Tarps, Flashlights and batteries adds to the list. Curt Bjorklund is always looking for donations of food or money to support P.A.D.S. Ask Curt if you have any concerns.

Continue saving the following over the summer months –
- Pull Tabs from pop and beer cans- place on desk in hallway to office – leave in a baggie
- Sentry (MarketPlace) receipts with sticker on back – box is provided in hallway to office
- Canned goods and staples for our local food pantries
- Coins for the jar, which turn into dollars, to supply our local food pantries with $ to buy larger items

Remember –
- some students will be returning to their respective schools at the end of August. School buses will still be bringing students to schools and returning them at various hours of the day. Please be aware of students entering and leaving buses. 
- uphold the law and stop when a school bus has stopped
- people are crossing in crosswalks and rely on your courtesy to stop whenever and wait until they are safely across the street or roadway to proceed. It is the law.
- please do not litter our roadways with cans or garbage. Use a plastic bag which you can carry in your car and dispose of it properly.
- farmers are out on the roadways driving heavy machinery and need your patience as they cannot move fast. If not for our farmers, you would really have a reason to be impatient. Thank You. 
- Vacation Bible School ends on August 4th. 
- if you didn't get your picture taken in June you can still sign up for your photo to be taken for our New Church Directory. Dates and times will be available for sign up in the coming weeks. 
- school supplies will be collected for ‘STUFF THE BUS’ . Leave your items at the church in bags provided. Sunday, August 13th is the last day for this collection. Supplies will be given out through the Food Pantry for people in need. Please do not forget. 

Thanks –
- to all who provide coffee, juice, cake and cookies after church services. Sign up and volunteer for a Sunday. Pat Petersen heads this service and will provide information to you. Remember there is a free will offering which helps to provide supplies needed. 
- to all who give of their time, expertise and materials to keep the wheels of our church in motion during these summer months. 
- thanks to Rose McGuire and helpers for their work with Habitat for Humanity in McHenry county. If interested contact Rose for more details and how you can help build affordable housing. 
- to all our gardeners who maintain their portion of our gardens. You sure do make our church look so well taken care of with your “special touch”. 
 - to Tina and Dean Peterson who manage our monthly Breakfast Café every fourth Sunday of the month. They rely on donations of food and $’s from a free will offering to provide for this popular event. They are supported by volunteers/helpers who come in at 6:30am to get this breakfast ready for all who wish to eat and socialize. 
- to our editor of the newsletter, Chris Bjorklund, who put together an easy-to-read format for the Newsletter. She puts it all together with highlights of her own. If you do not have a computer, a current copy will be made available for you to take and is located on the front desk entering the Sanctuary. If you would like a copy of the newsletter, please give Sue Fosdal your email address or leave your information on her desk in the office. The newsletter is emailed out each month.
- to Dave Popenhagen and helpers for getting our gate fixed and back in use. 
- never forget to give thanks for our many blessings

- every day we should honor our armed forces personnel and our veterans. We have more freedom in the USA which was fought for by these brave men and women. Our country is blest with the best. Thanks for all who are serving and have served. We give you our THANKS
God bless America!
Bible Study Opportunities
Women's Friendship & Faith Monthly Bible Study
Won't you join us for a once-monthly Bible Study, open to all women who want to grow in faith and share fellowship with  other amazing women.
When: Second Monday of the month at 7pm at the church. Cost: $11 for the book. We're studying the books of Ruth and Judges through September.

Please contact the church office or  Thorey Ellis at (815)276-2456 to sign up so we have enough materials.

Men's Group... is on summer hiatus.

Watch for updates in the bulletin and here in the newsletter. 

Contact Eric Spyra
June Giving: $19,090  Average Attendance per Sunday: 131