|
|
September 2018 | Vol 11 Issue 9
Articles are due the 15th of the
month preceding publication.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Welcome to Grace Lutheran's eNewsletter!
|
Don't forget the Ministry Fair September 9
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.
|
|
|
|
|
Access the
Mobile Directory
by clicking on the button at left, enter the access code (if it's the first time) and you're in! We sent you the access code by separate email in February or you can get it at church. Please don't share outside of Grace.
|
|
Ministry Fair September 9
After both services on September 9th, you will have an opportunity to see all of the ministries of Grace Lutheran church along with many of the people who lead or participate. There will be fun, food and informative displays. Please join us!
|
|
Something Bigger Than Ourselves
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the
Lord
, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
- Jeremiah 29:11
Over a year ago Shawn Tiani, now a church council member, of Grace stepped forward to lead our congregation in a series of focus groups. During this time we heard about the opportunities and challenges we felt God was calling us to. We have seen over the past year new and longtime members come together with a renewed sense of mission and purpose. We have done things that have honored the work we have done and looked to where God is calling us to in the future.
Over the past few months leaders at Grace have been looking ahead by putting together a ministry fair. This is different than a typical church ministry fair in the sense that it is NOT the primary purpose to have people sign up for things. While there will be plenty of opportunities to sign up, the primary purpose is to celebrate the good work God has been doing through Grace. I want to challenge each and everyone you to come to this fair on
September 9th immediately following both services.
While you may or may not be in a season in your life to take on new responsibilities at Grace, I think you will come away inspired by the community you are a part of. Grace is a place where God is truly at work and I am humbled to be your pastor through it all.
Thank you for the work that you have done and will continue to do. I am excited where God will lead us in the future.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Andy
|
|
People of Praise Rehearsals Begin Mon Sept 10 at 7:00
|
|
Danielle Cairoli
, our new pianist and choir director, will begin rehearsals
on Monday, September 10 at 7:00 pm in the sanctuary.
The plan is to sing twice a month, generally at the 9:30 service but she hopes to incorporate an 8:00 service on occasion.
If you enjoy singing, good company and fellowship, why not join us?
|
|
Who is caring for those loving gardens on the North Entrance?
|
|
In the last month, the north entrance of Grace has been enhanced with new planters, beautiful blooming baskets and plants. New members of Grace have adopted these gardens and are making new friendships along the way.
Kyle and Ray Truelsen
joined Grace in April this year. As soon as Kyle heard about Grace's volunteer gardeners she jumped in and asked to be part of the ministry. Kyle loves gardening. "It is my passion so when I found out the church was looking for volunteers to adopt a garden I was all in!" She and Ray built the garden posts holding the baskets at the North entrance. They have three children and 4 grandchildren all of who live within 10 miles of each other.
The same Sunday that Kyle volunteered, two other new member and good friends joined the ministry.
Kathleen Zank and Penny Dolan
ask if they too could adopt together. It seemed only fitting they be introduced to each other and be given gardens next to each other. While Kyle cares for the garden to the right of the North entrance, Kathleen and Penny care for the garden to the left. Kathleen, her husband Ron, and Penny are all new members to Grace this year. Kathleen and Ron have been married for 52 years and live in Greenwood. They have a son Steven and daughter-in-law Jackie. Kathleen shares she is "delighted to be a member of Grace and feels very blessed that God has led her here." Penny Dolan lives in Woodstock and is enjoying her first year of retirement. She volunteers in several activities and projects throughout her community. She has a love for theater and sewing.
Once these gardeners were introduced to each other they took off building a friendship and working together to care for the North entrance. Kathleen applied for a Thrivent grant that was approved to install 5 new arborvitaes to the left side of the entrance to complement those planted on the right. The grant covered the cost of the plants, and fellow gardeners
Andy and Rachel Rupnik
helped to plant them. As part of the grant, most of the church gardeners gathered after services for the group picture seen below.
Special thanks to all our gardeners working with their special gifts and time commitment to make our church beautiful, colorful and welcoming for all.
If you are interested in the Adopt-A-Garden program or have questions, please contact Deborah Billig
deborahbillig@gmail.com
or 815-271-5342.
|
|
|
|
Kathleen & Penny's Garden
|
|
Grace Lutheran Adopt-a-Garden team 2018
|
|
Upcoming Events, How You Can Participate
|
|
Outreach Cafe September 23rd
|
|
|
|
Our next Outreach Café will be on
Sunday, September 23rd
from 8:30-9:30. All funds raised will be donated to PADS, Habitat for Humanity, Richmond Food Pantry and our Haiti Mission. Thanks to Thrivent Financial for their support to purchase food and supplies. To help out or donate food, see Tina Peterson.
Live Generously!
|
|
PADS - Thanks for your help for the homeless
|
|
I want to share a story with you. It happened at McDonald's last week. There was a man sitting outside on a park bench. He came back inside a couple of times to get some more soda. I thought I recognized him from the homeless shelter. I went over to talk to him and asked him if he needed help. He said he was very embarrassed to talk to me but finally he said he was homeless. I bought him a $5 McD card. It wasn't much but he was very grateful.
When you work with the homeless for a while, you realize they aren't all drunks or bums or drug addicts. But circumstances landed them on the street with no one to help them.
Here's an interesting video
(I think you need Facebook to see it.) Real homeless people who aren't much different than you or me. Could you say a prayer for them and for our efforts to help them?
Thank you for your continued support.
They are always in need of
NEW underwear, t-shirts and socks
for both men and women. Please
do NOT bring used clothing
- they don't have any room to store them and neither does the church.
Curt Bjorklund, chbjorklund@hotmail.com or call 815-529-7746
|
|
Sunday School Starts Sept 16th - Join Us!
|
|
Rally Day September 9th is the traditional start of the Sunday School year. Come and learn more and to register your kids at the Ministry Fair following both services in Fellowship Hall.
Sunday school is open to kids from age 4 through 5th grade. Regular classes begin
September 16th
at the 9:30 service. After the Children's Sermon, children are dismissed to their classes and return in time for communion with their families.
Registration forms are in the Narthex on the counter next to the revolving notices board.
|
|
ALPHA Confirmation Classes start Sept 5th
|
|
ALPHA is our confirmation class open to 6th, 7th and 8th graders and is led by Pastor Andy. We meet Wednesday nights beginning with a meal at 5:30 and then enjoy a time of learning and fellowship. Register your children in the church office or contact Pastor Andy.
|
|
Stewardship of our Church
|
|
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.”
Ephesians 4:4-6
For Christian disciples, stewardship means taking care of everything God has blessed us with –the earth, our health, our relationships and our money. But what about our church – Grace Lutheran? What does it mean to be a good steward of Grace?
First and foremost, it means building a strong Faith Community. This means developing healthy relationships with others in our congregation using the principles of Christian love, trust, honesty and forgiveness. Growing closer to God takes practice and learning. What better way of doing this than regularly participating in worship and studying the Bible?
Flowing from a strong faith community are those things we do in the name of God - our ministries. Whether it is to assist and enhance the worship experience, provide opportunities for faith growth, or help others both within and outside our congregation – these ministries help us to grow in faith and work to spread God’s love to those around us and across the world.
Ministering to God’s people takes resources. A big one is our church building, which needs to be maintained. Yet it is central to all ministry at Grace. Also needed are your time and talents, so that ministries can continue to flourish.
Consider your stewardship to Grace. Remember we can accomplish so much more together as a faith community than as individuals.
Submitted by Ray Yoder
Stewardship: “Everything we do after we say I Believe.”
|
|
Bits and Pieces from the Church Mouse
|
|
Summertime is winding down and the first day of Autumn is September 22nd. I am ready for sweater weather. I look forward to cooler days and crisp air. This is my favorite time of the year. Also, I am looking forward to sipping apple cider and even eating an apple donut, apple pie, and apple crisp. Well, you get the message….
|
|
School has started up already. So, be careful to watch out for the little ones as they are hard to see sometimes (like ME!).
Monday, September 3rd is Labor Day
. How will you be spending your day? Some like to plan picnics with family/friends, some like to go on a vacation or a day to relax. However you plan on spending your day, make sure it begins with prayer. That is how I start my day; it makes my whole day go so much better. It is almost like getting off on the right foot or in my case…paw!!
September is going to be a busy month at Grace. Just look at what is happening:
September 5 – Alpha Begins
- Alpha (Confirmation) classes begin. Be sure to complete the registration form and turn it in to the office. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Andy.
September 9 – Rally Day/Ministry Fair
- Join us at the Ministry Fair on September 9 for a celebration of the many ministries at Grace. Meet the leaders of the ministries and learn about the many ways Grace serves in our congregation and community. The Ministry Fair will take place following both the 8 am and 9:30 am service in Fellowship Hall. Parents – if you haven’t already, you can register your child for Sunday School at the Ministry Fair!
September 10
- People of Praise choir begins rehearsal at 7:00pm
September 16 – Sunday School Begins
- Sunday School begins during the 9:30 am service. Be sure to complete the registration form and turn it in to the office. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Andy.
September 23 - Outreach Cafe
- Great breakfast to benefit PADS, Haiti, Habitat and the food pantry
Did you ever help assist in saving someone’s life. My sister and I had the experience and of all places at a hospital. The next day people called us heroes. But to tell you the truth, I did not feel like a hero. I did what anybody else would have done. We said we were glad to help out.
|
|
Have a good month. Time to get your sweaters out!
|
|
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:
$6 for the book. We are using Max Lucado’s
Life Lessons Series
to study the
Book of Acts.
Our next session is
September 10th.
We will read about how the earliest Christians were transformed by their faith. We will also look at our own lives and see how knowing Christ can transform us.
Please contact the church office or Thorey Ellis at (815)276-2456 to sign up so we have enough materials.
|
|
Divorce Care Thursdays at 6:30
|
|
DivorceCare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. Don’t go through separation or divorce alone.
We meet Thursdays at 6:30pm
and run
through November 15th but you are always welcome to join us when you can. Cost is $15 to cover the cost of materials. (NO MEETING September 6th)
Call to sign up or click on the information link below to sign up online.
Contact: Linda Davis 815-347-5982
|
|
|
Women of the ELCA - WELCA
|
|
Summer break has come to an end for the WELCA ladies. We cannot believe that the summer months are quickly passing and the fall season will begin.
Please come and see us at the Ministry Fair September 9th. Our next meeting will be on Monday, September 10th in Luther Hall @ 1:00pm. Chief Gallas from the Richmond Fire Department will be our guest speaker who will give a presentation regarding emergency readiness and care in various situations. All are welcome to attend. Following our speaker, an agenda will be discussed and plans made to choose dates and times. Please bring your own lunch of soup, salad, sandwich or fruit which we will partake of after the meeting is adjourned. Coffee and dessert will be served by our hostesses. All women of the church are invited to the WELCA meetings. We hope you will join us and share your suggestions and ideas.
Regarding the WELCA Convention on September 22nd at Trinity Church in Harvard, Illinois, please direct your calls to Sandy Messick.
As always, WELCA is willing to help another committee when asked.
Hostesses for our next meeting on September will be on the TV/Video screen, and in the Sunday bulletin.
Contact Sandy Messick for more information. 815 354 6521
|
|
Remember –
- Curt Bjorklund is still collecting new men’s and women’s underwear, socks and t-shirts for the homeless in McHenry County. Please do
NOT
bring other clothing.
- $5.00 gift cards to McDonalds or Burger King are most welcome. They feed and shelter many who are in need.
- we are still collecting canned goods and staples for our food pantry.
- we are still collecting tabs from cans. Put them in a baggie and bring to church.
- Continue to save your (MarketPlace) Sentry receipts. There is a drop off container marked (Funds for Friends) in the hallway to the office. Recently we have more receipts coming in and this increases our money to donate to the Richmond and Twin Lakes food pantries.
- stop for school buses – do not try to pass when they are stopped
- stop to let people in crosswalks cross safely
- patience to locals and visitors
- obey speed limits
- do not throw garbage out onto roadways, keep streets clean
URGENT NEED FOR VOLUNTEERS –
Coffee service volunteers are needed to sign up to take a Sunday so that this service will continue. When no one has signed for a particular Sunday, no coffee service will be available. Check the signup sheet for a particular Sunday or who to see for signup. The more volunteers who sign up, this service will continue. All expenses paid for other than dessert (coffee cake, etc.
Thanks –
-to all who offer their time, talents and equipment to keep our church running smoothly. Special thanks to all the volunteers, young and old, who answer the call to help when needed.
- to Debbie Billig who has done a great job, under rain and bad weather conditions, to take care of the church gardens. Fall is shortly upon us and cleanup and fall planting of mums and bulbs will be ready for planting. See Debbie if you can help at this time.
- to all who make our church so friendly and welcoming. This means a lot to visitors and potential members.
- please make sure gate is closed during the week and open only on Sundays and for special occasions. Trucks and cars are beginning to use our roadway as a convenient bypass.
Dates to Remember in September –
-Monday, September 3rd Labor Day
-Sunday, September 9th Rally Day/Ministry Fair
-Sunday, September 23rd Café Breakfast
Never forget our armed forces personnel and our vets. Without them, we would not have the freedoms we enjoy today.
GOD BLESS AMERICA
|
|
Have You Tried Electronic Giving Yet? It's Easy
|
|
Grace Lutheran Church has implemented a new ACH contribution feature to our stewardship program. This program will allow members to make their weekly or monthly contributions electronically without the need to write checks. This program is administered by our own local bank and is safe, secure and confidential. You can fill out a form
available here
, on the website or at the welcome desk in the Narthex and return it to the church office or place in a collection plate.
This new program is completely voluntary and has been instituted as a result of many comments from our recent focus discussions with our members. This will allow you to make regular donations automatically even when you miss a Sunday worship session due to vacation or other reasons. If you have any questions, please contact the church office or Jon Petersen, 815-790-5934.
Download and print the form here.
Fill it out and return with a voided check to the church office. Please note that if you wish to donate to the building fund or other specific causes you will need to write a check or use cash as before.
|
|
July Giving: $16,723; Average Attendance per Sunday: 135
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
