Grace Notes
Email Newsletter
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January 25, 2023
For those who cannot worship with us in person access our live stream and recorded worship in its entirety here

Recorded sermons each Sunday can be accessed online here
Current Events/Info
Following the Chili Lunch
January 29th
@ 12 noon
Click blue box ABOVE to access the report and will be available to pick up at Grace both outside of the office and worship center.

Green box to left is zoom link for meeting.
Join us on Jan. 29th before the Annual meeting for our CHILI LUNCH!
We will be serving delicious Chili and all the fixings. Plus we will have buttered noodles for the kids.
This is a fundraiser for the 2023 Mission Trip to Kentucky.
Can't attend? We will also be selling chili after both services.
Grace Table & Chair Clean Up
We would like to get the tables and chairs cleaned up before our upcoming Lenten Meals. Please consider volunteering to help by clicking on the above link to help.

If there are other dates that work for you or if you have any questions please contact Arcelia in the office.

Dates and times below

Saturday, February 11th
12noon-2pm
Sunday, February 12th
12noon-2pm

Saturday, February 18th
12noon-2pm
Sunday, February 19th
12noon-2pm
UPDATE
Church Offering Envelopes
Greetings from The Church-Budget Envelope and Mailing Company,

Some of you may be aware of delays in the offering envelope mailings over the past couple months. Due to supply chain and the inability to add employees at the rate necessary has created a slow draw on production and shipping. Recently, both of those issues have been resolved. However the “catchup” would jeopardize long term delivery.

In order to get back to expected levels of timely deliveries, we are forced to suspend the production of the remaining supply of your January envelopes. The offering envelopes will resume and be delivered by the first Sunday in March. Quarterly supply will restart in April.

Never in our company's history have we had to skip scheduled mailings and we are doing all we can to make sure this never happens again. We deeply apologize for this necessary course of action and the inconveniences this has caused you and your church family.
The office does have some offering envelopes available for members to pickup. If you have any questions feel free to contact Arcelia.
RNT FEBRUARY EVENT
Grace's RNT event will be held February 15.

We will have lunch at the Flip Side at 1:00 p.m., followed by a tour and a tasting at the Rebellion Brewery in Cedarburg at 3:00 pm.

Please contact Linda Scott at 414-651-4373 to sign up. 
We did it!
Your Christmas Gifts celebrating the birth of Jesus totaled over $52,000!  These gifts will immediately reduce the debt on our building by over $79,500! 

Way to go!
Please know that designated gifts for debt reduction may be received at any time and will be immediately applied as a principal payment.  
THANK YOU from the ALC
On behalf of the Adult Literacy Center of Ozaukee County, thank you for your generous gifts as a congregation and from the endowment fund. We are proud of our roots as a mission of Grace and are honored to be part of your community.
 
Through your support, ALC is celebrating three decades of helping students transform their lives as they improve their literacy. This year we helped more than 75 students achieve their goals and provided more than 2,100 hours of individual tutoring – all free of charge to students. Your gifts and ongoing in-kind contribution of space and utilities allows us to keep expanding our services, such as our partnership with Concordia University and our growing outreach in northern Ozaukee County. 
 
Again, thank you for your generosity and kindness in helping our students and tutors succeed.
 
Adult Literacy Center Board of Directors & Staff
Worship Updates
GREAT NEWS FOR THE GRACE NURSERY ROOM
SERVICES CAN NOW BE LIVESTREAMED!
Great news for parents with young children who wish to/have need for the nursery during services – the TV in the Nursery room can now livestream services! This means should you choose to take your young child out to the nursery, you can still see and hear the service on any Sunday. Thanks to Dustin Lobner and his technology assistants for making this possible.

In addition there is a family bathroom, changing room and nursing room are all attached to the nursery.
We love seeing all of our Grace families on sundays!
Music Announcement
We will continue to have a variety of worship styles at the Sunday morning services, but due to our staffing needs, the Worship Team is on a break at this time. Our Director of Music will continue to provide different styles of music whenever possible for our worship during this time. Thank you for your understanding!
SIGN UP GENIUS AVAILABLE THROUGH FEBRUARY FOR BOTH WORSHIP SERVICES

Sunday worship volunteer positions are now available for both services in Sign Up Genius through the end of February. Please use the following link: 
 
If you have any questions on the volunteer positions needed for either worship service, you can contact Lori Mathias at 262-825-6632, or by email at:  lmathias31@outlook.com 
Council Updates
Call Committee Weekly Update
Now that we are past the busy holiday season, the Call Committee wanted to give the latest update. After ongoing conversations with a potential candidate of choice, the candidate decided that the timing was not right, and God’s plan was different then serving our Grace Congregation. The candidate was very much appreciating of the process, the conversations and was extremely impressed with Grace and the church the congregation has grown over the past 50 plus years.

Although the Call Committee is disappointed, we are very optimistic that the right person will be delivered to us, and God will provide. The synod continues to receive potential candidates and will pass them along to us for review when there are candidates that most closely match the needs and vision for Grace.

Please continue to show God's patience and keep Grace in your prayers during this discernment process. God has a plan for the future of Grace and will unveil it us when the time comes.

Call Committee Members: Katie Eippert, Steve Buchman, Tina Arnold, Avery Newell, Pat Murack and Scot Donovan
Grace Lutheran Church Financial Summary
We as a Church Council have decided in the spirit of continuous improvement and transparency to the congregation to begin publishing a summary of the church's financials on a monthly basis. We feel this is in everyone's best interest to be transparent and aligned upon the financial health of the church.

In these monthly reports, we will include:
  1. Income & Expense Results from the Most Recent Month
  2. Income & Expense Results on a Year-To-Date basis
  3. A Summary of Cash Balances
  4. A Summary of Debt Balances
  5. A Summary of Year-To-Date Giving vs. Prior Periods
We welcome any feedback or suggestions as we continue to find the best ways to engage with the congregation.

Thank you Thrivent Members!

Below are links to most current financial documents that will tell you how you have impacted Grace Lutheran Church!
JYG and HYPE Info
January 15th
Escape Room Event

January 29th
Chili Lunch

Please check your email for details for Erica!
Sunday School Info



Congratulations Gunnar!!
Please find Jen Jacobson or Katie Eippert to claim your prize.
Next drawing will be at the end of month.
Other Updates/Events
Grace Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Grafton, Wisconsin is looking for a dynamic Children’s Ministry Coordinator to join our staff in a part-time capacity. For details on position click HERE.

If interested, please submit a letter of application and resume to Erica Dimmett, Youth & Family Ministries, at: erica@gracegrafton.com, ph: 262-377-4770 
2023 Winter Camp Youth Retreat & Family Week-end Camp at Pine Lake

Pine Lake Camp is open all year around with programming for youth, families and adults.  

Winter Camp at Pine Lake is a week-end retreat on February 3-5, 2023 for youth in Grades 3-8. Kids can register for a week-end of winter fun. Time will be balanced between outdoor activities and time to warm up with some fun inside. Come and experience all that camp has to offer during a completely different season than summer.  

Individual camper or youth groups are welcome for Winter Camp.  

Youth cost is $175
Adult Chaperones are $50

Also consider Family Week-end Camp at Pine Lake on March 3-5, 2023.

Get away as a family and enjoy all that camp has to offer this time of year. The energetic camp staff will lead programming to engage family members of all ages. Time for worship and faith-building will spark wonder and conversation and the camp activities are certain to make lasting memories for your family, Families of all kinds and sizes are welcome at camp!

Youth (12-17) cost is $140
Youth (3-11) cost is $105
Adult cost is $170
Children (0-2) stay free
$65/room upgrade to the Evergreen Retreat Center for lodging.  

More information on these and other retreats, as well as on-line registration, can be found at:  https://www.crosswayscamps.org/retreats22-23

Also, as a reminder, Thrivent Members can always allocate their Thrivent Choice Dollars directly to Pine Lake Camp or to the larger Crossways Camping Ministries.   Remember to allocate your Thrivent Choice Dollars by March 31, 2023.   

If you have any questions or would like more information on Crossways Camping Ministries, please contact Kim or Chris Beloin at Beloin@att.net or by phone at: 262-376-0259 (Congregational delegates to Crossways) or contact Chris Eippert (Member of the Crossways Board of Directors)

Quilters Always Need Sheets Including Flannel
The word is out about the wonderful quilts we make. More and more organizations locally need our quilts, not just Lutheran World Relief. So please think of us as you attend rummage sales or mention to your friends when they are getting rid of sheets in useable condition. You all know the sizes – twin flat, full flat and fitted, queen flat and fitted, king flat and fitted in cotton or cotton blend and flannel. Please no microfiber or polyester. 
 
Again, thank you for always responding to our requests. Remember the Grace Quilters when donating for memorials. We could not continue without your help, monetary or otherwise. 
Schedule an Appointment with Pastor Greg!
Schedule an appointment to allow our interim Pastor to meet you. Plan to share your hopes and dreams for Grace in this time of transition. Typically these will be about 30-minute conversations held at church. If meeting off-site would be better, just let Greg know. If those date or times do not work, please contact Pastor Greg at pastor@gracegrafton.com to set up another time. Sign up HERE

If you have an questions or need help signing up, contact Arcelia at arcelia@gracegrafton.com or call 262.377.4770.
Several varieties of coffee are available in the Gathering Space for immediate purchase. Please complete the order form, include cash or check made payable to the Mt. Meru Coffee Project and deposit in the slotted lock box provided. If you do not find the type of coffee you need, please complete an order form as the coffee will be restocked monthly. Regular, decaf, or flavored coffee sells for $10.00/12 oz. bag. Drip and perk grinds as well as whole bean and single-serve cups are available.
 
Also available: Premium Peaberry
This special premium coffee is richer and less acidic than normal coffee and is created when a single oval coffee bean is grown within each coffee fruit instead of the normal double coffee beans. Only 5% of coffee grown is peaberry. Drip Grind or Whole Bean $15.00/12 oz. bag
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Premium SAMPLER
For anyone that would like to sample Fair Trade Premium coffee imported by a volunteer organization that is improving the standard of living for the peasant farm families on Mt Meru in Tanzania.
 
6 Sample packages: Regular Drip – Peaberry - Hazelnut – Butter Pecan – French Vanilla – Chocolate Raspberry $18.00
 
Any questions? Contact Bob and Jeanne Dries at 262.375.0997 or email rdries@wi.rr.com. 
Thank you for your support of this worthwhile project!
You can stay up to date at the Facebook page
Facebook.com/MtMeruCoffeeProject 
COVID Update
Please be aware that The new "bivalent" COVID vaccine that protects against the various Omicron strains are now available. For more information consult your physician and this website - Covid19 Vaccine — Oasis Healthcare
Please Pray For:
Pray for our members in nursing care, home bound & assisted living: Jules Nelson & Janet Trapp & Phyliss Barber
 
Pray for: Master Sgt. Matthew Wilkerson (son-in-law of Cindy Silverbrandt), Seaman Matthew Kulczyski (grandson of Grace Smaxwill) & Chief Jennifer Kurneta (daughter of Richard & Charleen Breest) who are serving our country in the U.S. Military.
Ron Simon (Friend of Katy Peterman) USAF in the middle east
 
Bill and Kathy Bahrke - Health & healing
Jim - Health & healing
Ken Steinhoff - Health & healing
Hannah Bulgerin – Health & healing
Alex Koenitzer – Health & healing
Gerry and Shelley Svara – Health & healing
Jean Fugate – Health & healing
Pastor Dale Erickson – Health & healing (Dale has often been our guest pastor)
Stephen Peltonen – Encouragement
 
Gloria Cmeyla (friend of Janet Sladky) - Cancer
Trudy Hannum (mother of Judy Kloehn) - Health & healing
Len Lapacz (friend of Bob & Jeanne Dries) - Cancer
Sharon Larson (friend of Joan Tuttle) - Health & healing
Barbara Papamarcos (friend of Sarah Newell) - Health & healing
Chris Robinson (friend of Kathy Kehoe) – Health & healing
Kim Saffran (friend of Christy Loeffler) - Cancer
Steve Zagar (brother of Terri Mullens) - Hodgkin's Lymphoma
George Zajicek (brother of Kathy Braun) - Comfort & strength
Mike Winter (brother to Cheryl Herboek and Sue Carlson) - Cancer
Debbie Cappelli (daughter of Arlene Liebenstein) - Cancer
Nancy Klaas (mother of Brandon Langer) - Cancer
Nadene Kramer (friend of Kate Peterman) – Health & healing
Rob Pasbrig (friend of Kate Peterman) – Cancer
Office Info
Would you like something to go into Grace Notes???


Please have them emailed to Arcelia by Tuesday evening to make it into that weeks email.

arcelia@gracegrafton.com
Please call prior or check Grace Calendar to make sure someone will be in office. Thank you!
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