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!
When my children were young, one of them was a particularly picky eater – especially with new foods. Upon being offered a new food to eat, the response was often resistance or a defiant ‘no.’ My response was that we need to be “tryers” – to try the new food (or thing) rather than make up our mind before we even gave it an opportunity. We just might be missing out on something amazing.
Now I’m going to ask us to be “tryers” together, to be open to the Holy Spirit as we offer a unique opportunity on Sunday, July 14
th
to share in “Service Sunday.” We will meet at our usual time (9 a.m.), but will gather in the basement while new carpet is being installed.
Come to worship exactly as you are and we’ll share together in opportunities to serve. We will be serving by working together to create tie blankets, assemble hygiene kits for those in need, as well as other creative opportunities to serve and love God in all the ways we can. Opportunities for all ages and abilities will be present. Join us and bring a friend as we share in “Service Sunday.”
Many of you are camping, on vacation, biking, walking, traveling, getting together with friends and family, enjoying the pleasure of your own backyard, going to the beach. But I challenge you to engage in those moments of worship and consider how or where you encountered God today and post a word, phrase, or picture on our facebook page (Grace UCC @ Grace UCCKohler). I look forward to reading and seeing your posts.
Blessings,
Pastor Beth
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Thank you to Rev Petzke, Janet Carter, and LaVerne Gier for sponsoring altar flowers for the month of July.
Thank you to:
-David Rabe for fixing the drawer in the kitchen.
-Sandy Rabe for coordinating Sunday School during the 2018-2019 season.
-To Caitlin, Becky, Tahna, Heidi and Sandy for serving as Sunday School teachers this year.
-Memorial gift and anonymous matching gift to purchase light-weight tables.
-All musicians – Senior Choir, children’s choir, choir directors, accompanists, and special musicians that enhance our worship.
-Paul Green for coordinating the brat fry.
-Maureen & Richard Faucher for donating items for silent auction during the brat fry to benefit the carpet fund.
-All who shared their time, talent, and resources to support the brat fry.
-Dan Kasten with for seeding grass on the front slope of the church building.
-Marge Horneck beautifying the church grounds with planting and flowers.
-To all who contributed shawls and personal size toiletries given out at the national meeting of the United Church of Christ in Milwaukee to benefit those in need and the homeless.
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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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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June 28th
Strawberry Picking @9am
July 7th
Carpet Prep after worship
August 1st
Sundaes on Thursdays @6:30pm
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Join us for strawberry picking on Friday, June 28
th
. Meeting at the church at 9 a.m. Youth will need to have permission slips signed unless parent/guardian is attended as well. Donations of shortcake are welcomed and encouraged in anticipation of our coffee hour this Sunday, June 30
th
following 9 a.m. worship.
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Sundaes on Thursdays!
Beginning on Thursday, August 1st, Pastor Beth will be offering contemporary worship at 6:30 p.m. and will last approximately 30 minutes. Following worship, we will have a time of fellowship to include sundaes. Dates: Thursdays, August 1, 8, 15, 22. All are welcome!
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We will collect the following during the months of July and August to benefit local children:
-Financial support designated in the mission of the month envelopes available in the pews.
-A designated basket in the narthex to receive school supplies.
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There are still scented candles available for purchase in the lounge at church. They make great gifts! Proceeds from the sale go directly to Grace Church. Stop by and take a look at the selection!
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Refugee Support Opportunity
This past week when I was in Milwaukee, I received an E-mail from our local refugee support committee in Sheboygan County, asking if we could help. The following is their request:
“Our Syrian brother and son, Ashraf, has been instrumental in getting several cargo containers of goods shipped to Syria. Facilitated by the Salvatorian Mission Warehouse, shipments of rice, blankets, medical equipment, Lands End coats, new clothing etc., have filled four containers so far. One is in route with more Lands End coats right now.
Ashraf's dream has been to get toys shipped some day, as he worked with a sponsorship program for the thousands of Syrian children now grouped along the northern border who are left fatherless.
He is a member of the Hanan Refugee Relief Group that has provided many of the goods shipped so far. They are preparing another container with 3,000 pair of donated new shoes and he would like to fill it with toys for the children there.”
They asked if we would be willing to serve as a drop-off site from July 1st to August 2
nd
. They will get the container boxes to us and pick them up at the end of the drive. I said yes.
I do not want to impose on the missions committee and all the good work they are doing, therefore I will be coordinating this event. They are requesting new or "like new" toys and I will have a box in the rear of the sanctuary in the lounge to collect any toys you might want to contribute. Thank you in advance for all the ways you each support the ministry and mission of Grace United Church of Christ.
Blessings,
Pastor Beth
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Sponsorship is another way to support the ministries and outreach of the church. Through sponsorship of Grace Notes, worship bulletins, altar flowers, or Bridgeway meals you help the church fulfill its mission. Donations made to sponsorship can be sent to the church office or placed in the offering plate with a notation of what you're sponsoring. Thank you for your generosity. We couldn't do it without you!
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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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By sponsoring 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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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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A month's worth of worship bulletins can be sponsored for $40. Click the button below to be a sponsor.
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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:
Do you have an eye for decor? We want to move the older kids’ classroom to the former pastor’s office and I need someone with a creative flair to make this into a youth-worthy room. Please contact Sandy if you can help (call or text) 920.917.8317.
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 Carpet Replacement Project is scheduled to begin July 8th
. We will need many hands to move the church sanctuary, lounge and office furnishings in preparation for the carpet installation. Our project goal of $15,086.53 is within reach. At this point we’ve received $13,691.17. At this point we are $1,395.16 short of our goal. If you have not had an opportunity to complete your pledge or to contribute, we sincerely hope you can help us reach goal by July 1st. Thank you to all who have already contributed to the project.
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The Council meeting in June included a review of financials year to date reflects a shortfall ($4,300) against the budget which isn’t great but is better than prior year’s shortfall. We spent a good amount of time on Property matters and Pastor’s report. There’s a lot going on, getting done, and new ideas you’ll hear about elsewhere in Grace Notes. We are running with a vacancy on the Council and would be pleased to have that vacancy filled. Several individuals are being tapped for their interest. Progress on the website for Grace is coming along with approval of the new logo – a simple outline of a dove and accents highlighting the beautiful art glass windows that reflect the liturgical colors as well. Beautiful work Dan Petzke. We are working on a new lease for the church copier machine, discussing parsonage options and revising the Rules of Procedure under which the Council conducts it’s general business. The Council approved providing the Sunday after Easter and Christmas as “floating holidays” for the pastor should she feel the need to solicit pulpit supply. We will soon celebrate with Pastor Beth her 1 year anniversary at Grace. It was agreed she has brought a spark of energy to Grace and her passion and graciousness are just a few of the attributes we appreciate and give thanks for. Next Council meeting: July 16 at 5:30pm.
Submitted by Council President, Sandy Rabe
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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 want to know your favorite hymns to include in worship this summer. Requests can be made to the church office or by contacting Pastor Beth.
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June Mission of the Month:
Laundry Love
Our July Mission of the Month will benefit
Laundry Love. It
is a local mission that helps do laundry for people who are struggling financially, those living below the poverty line, those in shelters, and the homeless. One night a month, a team of volunteers meets at a laundromat to sign-in guests, help as people load laundry into washers/dryers, add detergent/dryer sheets, and feed lots of quarters into the machines. They also provides coffee, snacks, small gifts of toiletries, and crayons and coloring books for children.
Referral partners include the Department of Health and Human Services, the Salvation Army, Sheboygan Area School District, and Safe Harbor. Other faith communities have joined this effort, so opportunities for clean laundry are offered each week during the month. Laundry Love is a great way to begin friendships while providing a real service to those in need.
We will collect the following during the months of July and August:
-Financial support designated in the mission of the month envelopes available in the pews.
-An empty detergent bottle will be placed in the narthex to receive donations of paper money and coins.
-A designated basket in the narthex to receive donations of detergent and dryer sheets.
-The Missions Committee
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“You have reached the Sunday School of Grace. We are happily away from our classrooms for a summer break. The sleepover planned for June 21 will be rescheduled. We are just too busy enjoying the summer with our families. Leave a message after the beep and we’ll see you in September!” BEEP!
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Thanks to those that have come forward in providing special music for the summer months. We have Sundays available so please let the church office know when you might want to reserve your date. Way into the future, March 15, 2020 (that’s how busy this group is!) we have reserved the Winds of Worship to grace our 10am service. Mark your calendar to be sure you don’t miss this special treat.
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Ushers are on the front lines of welcoming and hospitality in the life of the church. Larry Ter Maat has been working on recruiting volunteers and updating the usher responsibilities. If you're curious about what is requested of you should you volunteer,
click here for more information.
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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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