Grace and Peace to you all!
The season of Advent and Christmas are so filled – with decorating, parties, details, shopping, etc., that we often forget the true meaning of Christmas. Don’t get me wrong, I love to decorate for Christmas! When my husband and I first got married, I lived in Florida and one condition I had was that we would always have a real Christmas tree. I love to attend parties with family and friends like so many of you. I love to eat those goodies that only come out at Christmas. It’s a fun and busy time for so many.
But while I do love food, Christmas is not about the food, the poinsettias, and parties, the Christmas cards, and garland. It’s about God in the flesh, made real for each of us. It’s about God fulfilling God’s promises to us, coming to us as one of us – in Jesus. This leads me to think about how each of us, in genuine and authentic ways, can celebrate the season in ways that also make God, through Jesus, alive for others.
Perhaps we make the good cookies, but share them with a church member, neighbor, or other that needs to feel the love and hope that is so present in this season? Maybe it’s a Christmas card to someone who might not otherwise hear from you or may need a positive note of encouragement? Might it be reconnecting with a someone you haven’t seen in a while that has been on your heart? Reach out, reach up to the God, through Christ, to show God’s love in all the ways you can – in this Christmas season and all year round!
Merry Christmas to you all and may God’s richest blessings be upon you and yours!
Blessings,
Pastor Beth
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Thank you to Bev Kramer for sponsoring the Bridgeway Meal, Bulletins, and Grace Notes for the month of December. And to Dennis Kampmann for sponsoring altar flowers on Dec 22 in memory of Kris & Karen.
Thank you to those who ordered poinsettias to decorate the sanctuary this year.
Thank you to Chuck Ebert for having the elevator ballast fixed and working on organizing the furnace room.
Thanks to Dennis Kampmann and Chuck Ebert for working on the handrail in the emergency exit in the basement.
Thanks to those who were hard at work Marge Horneck, Wendy Opitz, and Betty Jones, in conjunction with our custodian, Mike Rolloff -- for helping to prepare the grounds for the winter season.
Thank you to everyone who makes Grace what it is!
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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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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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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Congratulations to our youth!
If you have any joys or concerns you would like included about your youth, please let Pastor Beth or the church office know.
Congratulations to Em Heinemann. As a senior at South High School, Em swam competitively for the first time. She achieved two personal records at the sectional meeting and also beat her mom’s best high school time.
Congratulations to Molly Montgomery. Cast as the “Roz” in the Sheboygan Falls musical “9 to 5,” she courageously acted and even sang a solo.
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Thank you for the gifts that Grace Church has received this year. With 2019 coming to a close, please keep in mind that our church office is only staffed for limited hours. Offerings received on or before worship on Sunday, December 29th will be included on the 2019 contribution statements. Gifts received after December 29th will be recorded on 2020 giving statements.
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On Sunday, December 15 at 4pm we are hoping a group can gather to treat our homebound members to some Christmas caroling. Please sign up in the narthex or let pastor Beth/the church office know to ensure we have enough participants – Pastor Beth does not want to do any solos.
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Friends and visitors of Grace that are interested learning more about joining the membership of Grace Church should contact the church office or speak directly with Pastor Beth so that you are included when details about a new member class is available.
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Grace needs a new meal coordinator for Emmaus Meals at the Salvation Army
Ann Ebert has faithfully served as the meal coordinator for our Emmaus Meals for many years as a part of her involvement in the Missions Committee (Many thanks Ann!) The Emmaus Meals have been one of Grace’s most successful community outreach programs. Please contact the church office or Pastor Beth if you’d like to volunteer to coordinate the Emmaus Meals for Grace church in 2020. Ann is willing to meet with any interested volunteers to ‘pass the torch’.
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Please note that we will all be worshiping together on Sunday, December 1st as we prepare to meet regarding our 2020 budget AND on Sunday, December 29th.
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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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December Worship Participants
Ushers
12/1 9am: Deb & Larry Ter Maat and Tiffany Ter Maat
12/8 8am: One usher needed
10am: Betty Musil, Carol & Richard Schoneman
12/15 8am: Cathy/Glenn Valenstein
10am: Mike & Lisa Rolloff and Judy Kummer
12/22 8am: Paul Green
10am: Dan Montgomery and Tom & Anneke Teaters
12/24 Christmas Eve 4pm:
4 volunteers needed
12/24 Christmas Eve 6:30pm: Larry & Deb Ter Maat
2 more volunteers needed
12/25 Christmas Day 10am:
3 ushers needed
12/29 at 9am: Larry & Deb Ter Maat, 1 more usher needed
Acolytes
12/1 Allie Finney
12/8 Anna Becker
12/15 Anna Becker
12/22 Brooklyn Ter Maat
12/24 (4pm) Allie Finney
12/24 (6:30pm) Janna Fenger
12/25 (10am) Matthew Leonhard
12/29 (9am) Janna Fenger
Liturgists
12/1 Marge Horneck
12/8 Phylis Preder
12/15 Pat Forkner
12/22 David Rabe
12/29 David Rabe
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Sunday, December 1st
Worship at 9am
Sunday, December 8th
Christmas Walk at 4pm
Wednesday, December 11th Blue Christmas Service at 6:30pm
Sunday, December 15th Choir Song Service during 10am worship
Sunday, December 22
nd
the Children’s Christmas Program at 10am
Sunday, December 29th
9am Worship
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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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Ushers are on the front lines of welcoming and hospitality in the life of the church.
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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.
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Two nominees are needed to serve on the Church Council. Nominees are voted on at the annual meeting held at the end of January 2020 and serve a three year term as is required by our church's constitution. If you are interested in serving the church in this capacity, please contact Pastor Beth or any member of the Council.
Grace Church Council Members are:
Sandy Rabe, Larry Ter Maat, Lisa Rolloff, Tahna Jensen, Wendy Opitz and John Fenger
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The December Mission of the Month is the Giving Tree. The tree is already up and is filled with ornaments. Please help yourselves to selecting an ornament from the tree and purchase the item written on it. Wrap the gift and ATTACH THE ORNAMENT to the package. Return the wrapped and tagged gifts to put under the tree. Gifts will help Head Start children and their families. The Mission Committee will deliver these holiday gifts to the Head Start headquarters in time for Christmas. Your generosity will bring much happiness to area families in need.
Submitted by: Ann Ebert- The Missions Committee
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