Sharing the Love and Words of Jesus - Grace Lutheran Church
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Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
News and upcoming events
May 2018
Sharing the Love and Words of Jesus
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Our mission is to share the love and words of Jesus with everyone and move their hearts to become followers of Jesus Christ.
Grace and peace from God our Father and “Discerning God’s Will for Our
our Lord Jesus Christ. Congregation.” The focus of our study will
be on discussing and discerning if it is
I wanted to begin this month’s letter God’s will for Grace to enter into
by expressing my sincere gratitude to those cooperative ministry with St. Paul. Our first
of you who were able to make additional session generated a lot of good discussion
financial contributions this month. We were and was very engaging. Please consider
able to make up some ground on our budget joining us if you are able.
which has been a great relief. Also, over the last couple months, a
Additionally, if you have not had the committee from Grace has been meeting
opportunity to look around the corner, with a committee from St. Paul to discuss
several members of Grace have worked the vision of cooperative ministry, concerns
hard over the last month in an effort to that need to be addressed, and other ideas
renovate the former “Youth room” and of how we may work together for the good of
convert it into a meeting room. I would like our communities. Over the next couple
to say a big “Thank you” to Bill & Linda months, we will continue discussing what
Adams, Trisha & Pete Ward, Dale Harwood, cooperative ministry may look like in terms
& Mandy Carpenter for all of their hard of logistical details. These discussions will
work. The room looks wonderful and is now take place in committee meetings and in
able to be used much more frequently. informal meetings that are yet to be
Please take a moment to stop by and see scheduled.
how it looks now. Please keep an eye on the bul letin,
I also thought I would take this time the Facebook page, and the weekly “This
to update you on the status of our Week at Grace” emails for specific dates
cooperative ministry conversation with St. and times for these meetings. We continue
Paul. We have enjoyed several shared to look forward to your thoughts and input.
ministry opportunities over the last three
months including: joint Lenten soup suppers
and services and a joint Seder meal and In Christ,
Maundy Thursday service at St. Paul.
These events have been enjoyed by
members of both congregations and have
served as a time for members of Grace and Pastor Matt
St. Paul to get to know one another.
Over the next two months, our
Thursday Bible Study will focus on
event. Any donations of ice cream and
toppings are also appreciated. Funds
raised will go towards the ministries of
Grace.
SERVANT’S CROSS
Please take a moment to check out
the Servant's Cross. It is located next to the
Swedish Bible, where the Flower Chart used
to be. The point of the Servant's Cross is
that committees and members of Grace can
hang small cards with requests on the May 6 – Sixth Sunday of Easter
pegs. Then congregation members can Worship with Communion
look at the requests, take a card (or cards),
fulfill the request, and then place the cards First Reading Acts 10:44-48
into a box located on the shelf next to the Psalm Psalm 98
Second Reading 1 John 5:1-6
cross. You are encouraged to make a habit
Gospel John 15:9-17
of checking the cross at the back of the
sanctuary the same way you check the back May 13 – Seventh Sunday of Easter
shelf for sign-up sheets. Currently the Worship with Communion
Servant’s Cross has requests for: 1) New First Reading Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
pads for the AED outside of the office, and Psalm Psalm 1
2) Bulletin Board for Office hallway. Second Reading 1 John 5:9-13
Gospel John 17:6-19
May 20 – Day of Pentecost
Calling all Bakers!!! Worship with Communion
First Reading Acts 2:1-21
The Stewardship & Evangelism
Psalm Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
committee is sponsoring an ice cream social
Second Reading Romans 8:22-27
on Saturday May 26 at 1:00 pm. This event Gospel John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15
will be open to the public for a free-will
donation. Starting at 2:00 pm there will be May 27 – The Holy Trinity
an auction for baked goods (pies, cakes, Worship with Communion
cookies, etc.). Tom Barbret has graciously
First Reading Isaiah 6:1-8
donated his time as auctioneer for the Psalm Psalm 29
event. Come enjoy some delicious ice Second Reading Romans 8:12-17
cream and pick up your dessert for Gospel John 3:1-17
Memorial Day at the same time! If you
prefer not to participate in the auction,
baked goods may be purchased at any time
for a preset amount. Synod Assembly
The committee is asking for members
of Grace to donate baked goods for this The North/West Michigan Synod
event. Can't bake and feel like helping Assembly will take place in Lansing from
out? We will also need people to help May 20th through the 22nd. Pastor Matt and
serve ice cream and clean up after the Mandy along with Sheilah and Waverley
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Monroe will be our delegates at this year’s Evening Bible Study
assembly.
Sheilah Monroe is hosting a once a
month evening Bible Study to be held at her
house on the second Tuesday of the month
at 7pm. Sheilah’s house is located at 1018
W. 1st. Street in Alabaster. If you are
interested and/or have questions for
Sheilah, you can either talk to her after
worship on Sundays or call her at 989-362-
5926. All are welcome to participate.
Serving in May
Ministers ............ the Members of
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
Pastor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rev. Matthew
Carpenter
Secretary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dale
Harwood
Custodians. . . . . . . . . . .Linda & Chad Given to the Glory of God
Steinbrink
Organist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . Dale Harwood May 6 For all the Saints
Pianist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christine by Waverley & Sheilah Monroe
Huebner
Lector. . . . . . . . .. . . . . Sandy Dalen (6th & May 13 In memory of her anniversary
20th)) by Sally Addis
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Youth May 20 In honor of Dennis Frank, Sr’s birthday
(13th) by Dennis & Cheryl Frank
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .TBD
(27th) May 27 In honor of Terrie Webster’s birthday
Communion Asst . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Al & Barb Webster
TBD
Ushers . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Barb & Al Webster (6th) The cost of altar flowers is $25.00 Please make your check
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jim & Carol Garlo payable to “WELCA” and give to Cheryl Frank or leave in the
office. Thank You.
(13th)
...................................
.TBD
Acolyte . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .TBD
Altar Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sandy Dalen
Children’s Chapel & Nursery . . . .Deann Hester
Funeral Dinner Chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .TBD
Please take a moment to check out the
worship assistant chart and volunteer to assist
with our worship service. We truly appreciate
your help. If you are willing to be a Communion April YTD
Assistant, please let Pastor Matt know and he 2018 2018
will schedule a training session for you.
Needed to
cover $11,471.95 $46,468.42
expenses
3
Church Website…graceet.org
Income
received $14,162.45 $39,294.09
(Through Church Council will meet
April 22nd) on May 16th at 5:30pm
Shortage ($2,690.50 $7,174.33
)
Former member, Don Harsch passed
away on April 16th. Pastor Matt will preside
at a graveside service for Don on May 11th
followed by a luncheon here at Grace. Our
heartfelt condolences to Don’s family.
Also, there will be a memorial service
and luncheon for Helene Sparks here at
Grace on June 27th.
President:
Marguerite Schmidt . . . . . .362-6354
Brett Allen, Trinity Barrett, Harvey & Peggy Brinkman,
Vice President Courtney Callahan, Drew Clark, Donna Dahlstrom,
Jim Garlo . . . . . .305-6725 Dorothy Gentry, Dianne Grant, Dick Haglund, Margaret
Haglund, Dennis Harten, Forrest Holmes, Rich Horne,
Secretary:
Steven Jasinski, Lauren Landgraf, Susan Leyland,
Deann Hester…..362-4296
William Lindholm, Reggie Look, Nicole & Lincoln
Treasurer: Markey & family, Gene Oesterling, Rebecca Ouillette,
Dale Harwood . . . . . .305-6397 Jim Spriggs, Jr., Eric & Austin Thomas, Brodie Tigue,
Jessica Travis, Mark Whalen and Wendy, Terra
Financial Secretary: Whiteman, Kathy Jo Wright and all of our Grace family
Sheilah Monroe……362-5926 and our homebound friends.
Other Council Members: To start the prayer chain, please call: Cheryl
Property Committee
Frank at 362-5680 or the Church Office at
Steve Shaver……………………..362-6995 362-5371.
Christian Education Committee
Karen Alda……….362-4890
Stewardship & Evangelism Committee
June Pursey………362-8161
Worship & Music Committee
Wes Thompson……….248-672-3504
Youth Representative
Kristine Kubisiak………………..362-7150
Please contact any one of the
Council members with your
questions, concerns, or comments. Aimee Fowler
c/o Cedar Lake Home
Lay Ministers 5135 Cedar Lake Rd.
Don Ross................... 305-0944 Oscoda, MI 48750
Claudia O’Neal…….......329-4900
Pastor Matt……..............362-3139 Claudia O’Neal
Church Phone number…..362-5371 The Harbors – A2
Church e-mail… graceet@att.net 1010 Alice St.
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East Tawas, MI 48730 this time so am hoping that they will share
the experience with us at our June 7th
Harvey & Peggy Brinkman meeting. At our meeting on June 7 th we will
6968 Lakewood Dr. be finalizing plans for the Salad Luncheon
Oscoda, MI 48750 and discussing who and when we might
invite speakers to come to our meetings. If
Alice Mayburn
you have ideas please bring them to us
The Harbors
then. Please plan to attend this meeting so
1010 Alice St.
East Tawas, MI 48730 that we can get a good idea of what all of
you want from these WELCA meetings.
Margaret Haglund My thought is that we need to clean &
Iosco Medical Facility– Rm. 105 straighten the cupboards in the kitchen and
1201 Harris Ave I am hoping that maybe there are a couple
Tawas City, MI 48763 people that can meet me there, possibly
before the luncheon and that we can get it
done in a couple of hours. If you think you
can help please let me know & we will set a
time and day to work on this. Thanks in
advance.
Jan Ernst has also asked, again, if
we can get together to watch the videos
Celebrating Bold Women
about Human Trafficking. Anyone
We are always Celebrating the Bold interested?? Let me know.
Women of Grace Ev. Lutheran Church and Women of the ELCA is open to all
are thankful for every one of YOU! women of the congregation and their
Today it is suppose to get into the friends, & family. We have 4 general
50’s, maybe even 60’s! Hurray! Maybe we meetings a year, & join in study, devotions,
have seen the last of the SNOW!!!! work bees, fun and fellowship. We
I applied for a Thrivent grant for the encourage the women of Grace in many
Salad Luncheon and received it. I will use it ways, by our support of each other both
to purchase those things that we will need emotionally & physically. Mark your
to get started in preparing for the luncheon. calendars for our meetings in March, June,
I hope that all of you are thinking about what September & December.
you can do to help with the luncheon – what It is always a pleasure to work with
wonderful salads you can contribute, if you the Women of Grace Lutheran Church.
can help set up, if you can take some God Bless you all,
posters to display around town, if you can Cheryl Frank
work on the day of the luncheon (June 22nd
– 11am to 1pm) and of course, how many of
your friends and neighbors you can invite to
have lunch at Grace. As usual, we will have
a sign up sheet out by the end of M ay and
hope to have everyone sign up so that we
do not have to make any phone calls,
asking for help. Congratulations to Coats for Kids
There are some of our ladies Board member Al Webster and his wife
planning to attend the W ELCA Spring Barb, as they received the Hand-in-Hand
Gathering in Midland on April 28th. I hope Award on Monday, April 9th. This award
that they enjoy this Gathering as much as I is presented by the Oscoda Board of
always have. Unfortunately, I cannot attend Education to people and organizations
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who have voluntarily supported students We meet on the second Thursday of the
and programs at Oscoda schools. month at 10:00. We sing at Lakeview
Al and Barb have been active Manor first and then proceed to
with Coats for Kids for at least ten Tendercare. There is no need to read
years and have also raised money with music or have a solo voice. We sing old
their Comfort Food dinners at Grace favorites and always say, “God does not ask
Lutheran Church to support the program. for beautiful harmony, but asks us to make a
We are proud of all they have done for joyful noise to the Lord.”
the schools over the years.
Counting Jesus NOISY OFFERING
Our Noisy Offering for May will help
A little girl returning from Sunday
with expenses related to our VBS program.
school was asked by her grandmother
how many had been in her class that
day. She replied, “Counting Jesus, there
were 15 of us.”
Beatrice Plumb
.
Ministries at
Grace
According to one account of Jesus’
ascension, commonly called the Great
Commission, he told the disciples to do
The Bible Study group meets on several things. Which of the following was
Thursdays at 2pm in the library. Please not part of Jesus’ instructions?
come and join them for a great learning
A. Make disciples
experience and a very lively discussion.
B. Perform miracles
C. Teach
D. Baptize
Answer can be found elsewhere in this
newsletter.
The UnOrganized Men’s group
holds their monthly breakfast meetings
on the second W ednesday of the month
at 8:30 am. Please plan on joining them
for coffee and conversation.
Twice this past winter we had to
cancel our nursing home visits because of
the weather. Now that spring has arrived,
we are happy to gather with no snow or ice
in sight. Please consider joining our group.
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been a peace activist who cared for
wounded soldiers on both sides of
the American Civil War, and created
Mother's Day Work Clubs to address public
health issues. Anna Jarvis wanted to honor
her mother by continuing the work she
started and to set aside a day to honor all
mothers because she believed a mother is
"the person who has done more for you than
anyone in the world".
As always, Mother’s Day is on the
second Sunday in May – this year May 13th.
Pentecost
On May 20, Christians around the
world will celebrate the Day of Pentecost. Lord, our God and King, your
It’s often remembered as the church’s greatness is seen throughout the earth.
birthday. Before Jesus ascended into When I gaze at the heavens which your
heaven, he promised that the Holy Spirit fingers have formed, and look at the moon
would come upon those who believed in his and the stars which you have set there, I
resurrection. realize how small we are in the
Three thousand people were magnificence of your creation. Yet you
gathered in Jerusalem when the Spirit came treasure us above all that you have made,
upon them. To symbolize the “tongues, as and you give us control over all the works of
of fire” that came upon the people present your hand - animals both wild and tame,
at Pentecost, liturgical churches display the birds in the air, and the creatures of the sea.
color red in their worship services on Lord, our God and King, your greatness is
Pentecost Sunday. Many people attending seen throughout the earth. Amen
worship wear red on that day.
· The church office will be closed
The modern holiday of Mother's Day
until opening. It will remain closed
was first celebrated in 1908, when Anna
after opening. It will reopen
Jarvis held a memorial for her mother at St
Monday.
Andrew's Methodist Church in Grafton,
· There is a sign-up sheet for anyone
West Virginia. St Andrew's Methodist
wishing to be baptized on the table
Church now holds the International Mother's
in the foyer.
Day Shrine. Her campaign to make Mother's
· If you need to heave during the
Day a recognized holiday in the United
Postlude, please do so quietly.
States began in 1905, the year her mother,
Ann Reeves Jarvis, died. Ann Jarvis had
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· It's Drug Awareness Week: Get · To our Church Council for keeping on
involved in drugs before your top of the running of Grace.
children do. · Deann Hester for leading the children
· Church Council Members, please during Children’s Chapel.
check your drawers. · To Trisha Ward for keeping the card
· The class on prophecy has been rack filled with beautiful (and
cancelled due to unforeseen inexpensive) greeting cards.
circumstances. · To Susan Buckler, Nancy Frisch and
Linda Adams for sending birthday,
anniversary and get well cards.
Those cards mean so much to all of
The Sanctuary Candle us.
Lutheran Churches often have at GREETING CARD MINISTRY
least one lamp continually burning to
indicate the presence of Christ in the Welcome Spring!!! I am hoping that
sanctuary, as well as a belief in the Real by sending a greeting to Spring that it will
Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Such decide to stay with us, at least until
sanctuary lamps are often colored red to Summer. As the birds are busy setting up
distinguish this light from other lights within new housing and the orange road crew
the church. cones are doted along the roadway, we are
We will begin offering the Sanctuary thankful for many events that we have
candle as a part of our memorial program, scheduled on our honey-do lists. It is a gift
ie. flowers on the altar, rosebud on the to be able to see Turkeys, Deer, Cranes,
piano. This will give you an additional Swans, and Eagles while doing our daily
option. It will be noted in the Sunday bulletin tasks. Thank you for shopping at the Grace
that “The Sanctuary Candle has been lit this Greeting Card Rack and for dropping in a
week in memory of John Doe by Betty Doe” few extra coins for St. Jude's Children
The cost for this memorial will be $5.00 per Hospitable. Please check out the Mother's
week. There will be a sign up sheet located Day cards. We will be adding many new
near the flower chart if you would like to cards this month.
take advantage of this program. Our Prayer: Loving God, give me eyes to
see other people as you see them, so that I
can love other people as you love me.
Amen.
Blessings, Pete & Trisha Ward
Thank you to:
· All members and friends who
continue to support the congregation
both spiritually and financially. Committees
· To Ginny Sloan who always has the
Prayer Corner “filled” for each Worship and Music – Cheryl Frank,
newsletter and for leading the Chair
worship at the Nursing Homes each · Normally meet on the first or
month. Thanks! second Wednesday of the month
8at 1pm. May 10 – Kathe Kirchner
· This committee is responsible for May 12 – Jon Billak, Sue Buckler,
the supervision of everything
pertaining to congregational
Pastor Matt Carpenter
worship. May 13 – Bob Oesterling
May 17 – Sara Gerlich, Warren Brewer
Christian Education – Deann Hester,
Chair May 21 – Dennis Frank
· Normally meet on the first Monday May 28 – J. Richard Ernst
of the month at 5:45pm.
· This committee is responsible for
planning and administering the
education program of this
congregation.
Stewardship & Evangelism – Mandy
Carpenter, Chair
· Normally meet on the second May 3 – Doug and Geri Keisler
Wednesday of the month at
9:30am. May 24 – Brian and Laura Loeffler
· This committee is responsible for
initiating programs for the
development of good stewardship CHURCH COUNCIL
attitudes in the members of this
congregation in regard to time, Several of our Church Council
talents, and treasures. officers will be completing their terms
this September and we will need to find
Property - Steve Shaver, Council people who are interested in taking on
Liaison these responsibilities. Open positions
Finance – Jim Garlo, Council Liaison include: President of Council, Secretary
· These committees meet on an as- and Treasurer. If you would be willing to
needed basis. take on one of these duties, please
If you are interested in joining any of speak with Marguerite Schmidt, our
these committees, please speak to the current Council President.
committee chair or council liaison. All are
welcome.
Would you like to give back to
Grace Lutheran Church beyond your
weekly offerings to support the Ministry
of the church? Listed below are some
items requested by our staff and lay
leaders that will better enable us to fulfill
our mission of Sharing the Love and
May 1 – Mark Nunn Words of Jesus. All items are approved
May 5 – Diane Brewer by the church council before being
May 6 – Alexandra Frank added to the list. We appreciate your
May 7 – Dorothy Gentry, Cheryl Sheridan generosity.
9Item Est. Cost Status
Basement $16,000.00 $13,880.00
flooring
Manger for $2,100.00 $60.00
Outdoor
nativity
Answer to Bible Quiz: B
(See Matthew 28:19-20.)
Memorial Day challenges us to live
so as to honor the sacrifices made by
members of the military. We value our
freedom because of the heavy price
people have paid for it. Likewise, every
day we’re challenged to live so as to honor
Jesus’ supreme sacrifice. He calls us to
spend our “priceless liberty” using our
blessings to bless others.
Please overlook any errors in this
newsletter; we certainly did when we
proofread it!
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