Grace United Church of Christ
500 School Street • Kohler, Wisconsin 53044
Rev Beth Petzke, Pastor
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Grace and Peace to you all,
It appears Spring is here – or at least making an attempt to show up. There can be a strong temptation, especially here in Wisconsin, to want to get out and enjoy the sunshine, get your hands in the warm earth to plant and cultivate flowers and gardens. It’s a great opportunity to spend time in the warm sun, fresh air, and greenness in grass and trees that surrounds us. It can lift our spirits and lighten our hearts – and given the briefness of the season here in Wisconsin, we try and enjoy as much as possible of the warmer months.
In this time of year, following Easter, with the warmer weather and the busyness of life pulling us in a myriad of directions, we make choices about what we do with our time. It can be tempting to give up one thing for another, including weekly worship. But there is something amazing that happens when we worship together. In all God’s infinite wisdom, God is present with us through all the times of life – trials, celebrations, in our youth and in our more experienced time in our lives, the ordinariness of life and the extra-ordinariness as well. God remains faithful to us in all things through every season, let us in turn remain faithful to God throughout all seasons of our lives.
Worshiping together as a community of faith provides unconditional love and support in an amazing way. That is a gift like no other, and so in that spirit, I hope you’ll join us because you are an important part of this community of faith!
There are a number of upcoming special celebrations that you won’t want to miss.
Mark your calendars for:
-Sunday, May 12
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at 10 a.m. service, the children will sing, the confirmands will share their faith statements, and we will honor all women in the ways they make a difference.
-Sunday, May 19
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at 10 a.m. service we will share in the rite of confirmation including communion, followed by a coffee hour to celebrate with the confirmands.
-Sunday, June 2
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at one service (9 a.m.) the choir will offer their Encore Sunday
-Sunday, June 9
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, celebrate Pentecost with communion.
-Sunday, June 16
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, honor all men in the ways they make a difference.
Throughout the summer months (July through August), we will explore different ways to join in inter-generational worship. Join us to engage in contemporary worship, hands-on faithfulness, and open ourselves to worship with our whole selves (body, mind, and spirit).
Finally, as we prepare for the biannual meeting of the United Church of Christ in Milwaukee June 21-25, I invite you to join in the all-church read entitled, “Evicted” by Matthew Desmond. I just received my book in the mail and look forward to reading it as well. Join me.
Blessings,
Pastor Beth
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Thank you to all who have sponsored Grace Notes, Weekly Bulletins, Bridgeway Meals, and Altar Flowers in the past. This extra support makes a difference to many people in many ways. Thank you for your generosity.
Thank you to all who helped with the Emmaus Meal on April 13th. We served 176 plates! Our work crew was marvelous - 18 people joined us to set up, cook, serve and clean up for this event. To all who contributed (food items or financially), we were grateful for your support! The variety of cookies was fantastic and MUCH enjoyed! This is an important outreach programs our Missions Committee sponsors, and we couldn’t do it without your help and cooperation.
-the Missions Committee
Thank you to Linda Billmann for the donation of a 30 cup coffee maker for the church to use for fellowship and other events.
Thank you to the anonymous angel who has been organizing and cleaning up the basement.
Thanks to all who contributed their time and talents to enhance our Lenten and Easter season.
Thank you to the church mice who enhanced the chancel area during lent and Easter.
Thank you to Maureen Faucher for the beautiful Easter hanging she created.
Thank you to the church council for leading worship on Laity Sunday.
Tom & Judy Leonardt for coordinating and handing out the Easter gifts from Texas Roadhouse for the youngest among us.
There are a number of things that just ‘happen’ here at Grace. For those who give of their time and talent to make things happen – whether anonymously or whether I may have accidentally not included, please know that we are thankful for your generosity! Please let Pastor Beth know if there are any errors or omissions.
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Do you have a prayer request that you would like to share with Pastor Beth? Please reach out at any time
rev.beth.petzke@gmail.com
or
920-371-8018. All prayer requests will be kept confidential unless permission to share with the congregation is given.
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Please remember that if you admitted to the hospital and would like a visit from Pastor Beth, please contact her directly (cell 920-371-8018). Between HIPPA and the busyness of the hospital staff, oftentimes the hospital doesn’t call, therefore Pastor Beth would appreciate a direct call from you or your family to ensure timely visitation and pastoral care.
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Mark your calendars and plan to join us!
More details coming home with your children from Sunday School soon!
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Shop with SCRIP!
Kwik Trip cards are available in the church office. With scrip, you’re paying face value and you’re getting face value. Make your giving go farther! Pick up SCRIP the next time you're at church.
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Did you know that Texas Roadhouse offers a Sunday bulletin program to support local churches
. On Sundays, guests that come into the Sheboygan Texas Roadhouse location can have 10% of their total food purchases back to the church! Simply present a current copy of your church’s bulletin to your server.
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April 28th
95th Anniversary of Grace Celebration
Congregational Meeting
May 4th 9am-???
Spring Chicken Cleanup
May 12th at 10am Worship
Faith Statement Sunday
May 19th at 10am Worship
Confirmation
May 29th
Scroll Night Brat Fry
June 21st 7pm
Sunday School
Pajama Party
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Save the Date for our
SCROLL NIGHT BRAT FRY
May 29
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New Cookbook in Progress
Seeking your recipes
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Recognition of Graduates will be here before we know it! Please contact the church office if you or someone in your family will be celebrating a graduation (high school, college, etc) this spring. We would like to recognize this milestone and celebrate it as a church family in June.
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Sponsorship is another way to support the ministries and outreach of the church. Through sponsorship of Grace Notes, you ensure that important information gets out to our church family, strengthening communication and fostering a sense of belonging. You can sponsor the Grace Notes newsletter for a month for $40. To signup to sponsor Grace Notes click the button below.
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A month's worth of worship bulletins can be sponsored for $40. Click the button below to be a sponsor.
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Altar flowers can be sponsored to mark a special occasion in your life or 'just because'. Flowers can be sponsored for a Sunday for $37.50 or you can bring your own flowers. Click the button below to claim a week and specify any colors and kinds of flowers you prefer. Following 10am worship you are welcome to take the flowers home to enjoy throughout the week.
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As a church, we support the ministry of Sheboygan County Interfaith Organization (SCIO) One of the ways we partner with them in ministry is by sponsoring a meal once a month to cover the costs of feeding the families staying at Bridgeway House. A donation of $40 provides the groceries needed to provide a nutritious meal for the women and children living there.
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There are a number of opportunities to share your time and talent, please consider one (or more) of the following opportunities:
Liturgist/Lay Reader: If you are interested in reading scripture in worship, please contact the church office or Pastor Beth.
-Host a coffee hour/fellowship time. It’s as simple as signing up in the narthex and bringing some “goodies.” What is important – that we get together. Less important – what we eat or drink. Goodies can be homemade or store bought. Get together with a couple of friends or invite someone you would like to get to know better and host a coffee hour. Perhaps you like to bake but not host? Connect with someone to share the love! If you have any questions, please call the church office or Pastor Beth.
-Ushering: There is a signup sheet in the foyer. Or signup by clicking the button below. You are welcome to sign up for one (or more) Sundays. Consider ushering with a friend or invite someone you don’t know as well to serve with you. If you have questions, see Pastor Beth. It is quick and easy training!
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The Council enjoyed meeting with the Confirmands in early April and look forward to welcoming them to membership at Grace when we celebrate the Rite of Confirmation during worship on May 19 at the 10 o'clock service.
Several other topics from that meeting including a revision to the Warranty Deed protective clause has been fully executed so that use of the parsonage property can be flexible as opposed to former intention that it house the pastor or that the pastor be required to live in the Village of Kohler. Updating this document was definitely a step in the right direction for Grace.
After input from the Sr. Choir and a quick poll of attendees at both services, it was agreed to begin the summer worship schedule (9am worship) beginning Memorial Day weekend.
Submitted by Council President, Sandy Rabe
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There are a few items of note regarding music and arts:
The Choir's Encore is planned for June 2nd during 9am worship. Be sure to join us as we share our favorites throughout worship.
We are looking for musicians and vocalists to provide special music for worship this summer. If you're interested in sharing your talents, please contact Pastor Beth or the church office.
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We all know how quickly 5 years can fly by. It's not too soon to begin making plans for our centennial celebration. If you're interested in being a part of the planning team, please contact the church office or Pastor Beth.
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2019 1st quarter income $36,444.33
2019 1st quarter expenses $37,868.08
2019 1st quarter shortfall $1,423.75
Submitted by Dan Montgomery, treasurer
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May Mission of the Month:
Safe Harbor
Our May Mission of the Month will benefit Safe Harbor. Please watch for details in the bulletin and on the bulletin board in the foyer to see how your help is needed.
-The Missions Committee
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The Sunday School program continues on course, led by Sandy Rabe. This year’s new, more visual curriculum material has made the lessons more easily relatable for the students and more adaptable for the teachers. In using this more colorful curriculum, the mood and theme of the lesson is immediately evident. For my part, in teaching the third through sixth graders, I try to take the theme of that week’s lesson and circle it back to the kids’ day to day lives… Most of the parables can be simplified to relate to children’s experiences in school, sports, friendships and family life… I often ask them “How might you choose to handle this if you and a friend were in a similar situation?” For some lessons, I choose to focus less on the specifics and more on how having
empathy
. would play into that type of situation. We have a great group of kind hearted kids. They were an integral part of the kick off to the stained glass window project last year and they are proud to be a part of the success of that campaign. It is of great value to have the kids play a part of the efforts of the church itself – it gives them ownership and investment.
Next year, The Education Committee will be needing more Sunday School teachers. It is a one Sunday a month commitment (and may even be more flexible than that) The Sunday School time runs for only 30 minutes before choir practice! I see a very valuable market in people 50-100!!! If that’s you… consider teaching! You are wise and fun! There might be a great exchange of ideas and perspectives by merging these generations. Food for thought!
Dates to remember:
Mother’s Day : Sunday, May 12
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– Children’s Choir sings!
Last Day : Sunday May 19
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- Church School Celebration
Submitted by Sunday School teacher, Heidi Becker
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Your property committee has been addressing property and building concerns on behalf of the church. Below is a summary of what we've been working on:
Interior Ice damage repairs-plaster and paint, ceiling tiles-will begin, on Monday, April 22nd. Our Property Insurance will be covering $6,826.00 less a $1000 deductible.
We are hosting a spring chores and chicken clean up event on Saturday, May 4th beginning at 9am w
ith a chicken lunch at 11am.
(please sign up so we know how many to plan on for lunch)
.
Join us if you can! Bring your tools and signup for a chore or more. If you're not available on that day, but would like to help a list of chores has been posted on the bulletin board in the foyer. Just signup and let us know that you'll be taking care of that project. We hope you can help with the spring landscaping at Grace.
Also if you have interest, questions or suggestions regarding Property matters please contact us. (Your Property Committee consists of: Lisa Rolloff, Larry TerMaat, Chuck Ebert, & Marge Horneck)
Our next Property Committee Meeting is Mon. May 6, 2019 at 10 am. You are welcome to join us.
Submitted by Marge Horneck, chair
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Grace Church is an accepting community of faith, committed to growth through change.
-Core values statement written on Saturday, May 13, 2017
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Grace United Church of Christ
(920)371-8018
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