“grace greetings” · 2018-12-20 · 2 grace lutheran church a worshipping community of the...
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Grace Lutheran Church 521 Providence Road Chesapeake, Virginia 23325 The Reverend Leslie D. Scanlon, Pastor Office (757) 420-4704 Cell (757) 598-3522 [email protected] Summer Worship Hours 8:30 am Contemporary Worship with Holy Communion 10:00 am Traditional Worship with Holy Communion www.GraceLutheranChesapeake.org Grace Preschool Offers Christian Preschool programs for 2, 3, & 4 year old children. Call 757-420-4720 for information www.GracePreschoolChesapeake.weebly.com
“G
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Grace Lutheran Church A worshipping community of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
July 2018 “Grace Greetings”
Mission Statement:
We are a community of believers in Christ called to be servants to all people.
“Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I’ve Loved”
Kate Bowler is “a professor at Duke Divinity school with a modest
Christian upbringing, but she specializes in the study of the
prosperity gospel, a creed that sees fortune as a blessing from God
and misfortune as a mark of God’s disapproval” according to the
dust jacket of her new book “Everything Happens for a Reason:
And Other Lies I’ve Loved.”
As I began to read this book, I was expecting to read a sort of
treatise against the prosperity gospel. I was hoping for a step by
step contradiction and dismantling of this gospel that is so contrary
to what I believe to be the true good news of Jesus Christ—that
God does not cause bad things to happen, but sits with us in the
midst of them, and promises that with eternal life there will be an
end to them.
Instead what I encountered was less classroom/theoretical
theology and more practical/lived theology. In the book, Kate
shares her story of being diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer
and what came after. Through her health struggle, we see her
work through her beliefs about God, dying, and the can-do spirit.
It is a beautifully (although sometimes a little stream-of-
conscious rambling) told real-life story of a faithful Christian
wrestling with how her faith and life intersect. It is not what I
expected and was in the end able to articulate what I wanted, but
when I was able to put that aside, I appreciate it for what it is.
I commend this book to you. It is a quick read, and although full
of talk about dying and God, it is overall light and airy in its
conversational tone. But by far my favorite part of the book are
the appendices. Appendix I is titled “Absolutely never say this to
people experiencing terrible times: a short list.” Appendix II is titled
“Give this a go, see how it works: a short list.” Either pick up a copy
for yourself or borrow mine and at least read over those two lists;
they will be of great help in being less like Job’s friends
(perpetuating bad theology and bad friendship in the midst of
humanity)!
God Bless,
Pastor Leslie Scanlon
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June 24-July 2 Youth Gathering
July 2 Food Pantry CLOSED
NO Bible Study
July 4 OFFICE CLOSED
NO Potluck/Bible Study
July 5 7pm CATECHUMENight Out
July 10 7pm Council Meeting
July 14 8am Men’s Group
10am VBS Decoration Making
July 18 12:30pm Ladies Lunch Out
July 23 NO Bible Study
Summer Worship Hours
8:30am—Contemporary Worship
10am—Traditional Worship Sunday School classes for all ages
are on hiatus for the summer!
ELCA Youth Gathering Please pray for Pastor, Hunter, Grant, &
Olivia. They will be traveling to Houston
Sunday, June 24th. They will attend the
Multicultural Youth Leadership Event June
24-27 and the Youth Gathering June 27-
July 1. They will travel home on Monday,
July 2nd.
CATECHUMENight Out
Thursday, July 5th at 7pm
at Kroger’s “bar”
(1653 Sentinel Drive, Chesapeake) Join us for some “pub theology” as we
discuss “what kind of person of faith you
are.” Please take the Belief-o-matic quiz
o n l i n e ( w w w . b e l i e f n e t . c o m /
entertainment/quizzes/beliefomatic.aspx)
ahead of time and bring your results with
you. Please invite others and RSVP on in the
Narthex or on Facebook.
Ladies Lunch Out
Wednesday, July 18th at 12:30pm
at Outback Steakhouse
(1255 Fordham Dr, Virginia Beach) Join the ladies of GLC for fellowship & food.
Please RSVP on the Facebook Event or sign
up in the Narthex by Noon on Monday, July
16th.
Power in the Spirit
July 12-14, 2018
At Roanoke College (Salem, VA)
R e g i s t e r o n l i n e a t h t t p s : / /
www.regonline.com/registration/
Checkin.aspx?EventID=2327305
V i r g i n i a S y n o d i c a l W o m e n ’ s
Organization Annual Gathering
August 3rd & 4th
at Bethel Lutheran (Winchester)
Register at http://vswo.weebly.com/
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Vacation Bible School
August 6-10th
6-8:30pm each night
MARK YOUR CALENDARS! If you are interested in volunteering, please
let Pastor Leslie know!
VBS Decoration Creation
Saturday, July 14th at 10am
Items Needed for VBS Please continue to bring in the following
items for VBS:
• Large pieces of cardboard/
cardboard boxes (ex: appliance
size)
• Tin cans (no sharp edges, cleaned,
with labels removed)
• Seeds (flower, vegetable, grass)
• Fake foliage/flowers
• Globes and large maps
Please place items in the hall across
from Pastor Leslie’s office.
ACTS Course: Lutheran Confessions
October 20th & November 10th
Simulcast at Gloria Dei, Hampton
Visit www.vasynod.org/ministries/
ACTS for more information and to
register.
From the Council Our June meeting was busy, with updates
on various on-going initiatives and a few
new items on the agenda.
• Jacob Evans, our Treasurer, has been
working with Bill Robins and Amy Dale to
create our financial records for 2018.
We’re looking forward to our first set of
financial reports for the year.
• A second estimate has been received for
the sanctuary roof replacement, and we
had some discussion about the roof over
the sacristy (the room off the sanctuary
behind the piano). We’re investigating
repairing/replacing that roof also, either
by applying a sealant over the existing
roof, or by extending the sloped roof over
the sacristy much like the roof over the
vestry (the room off the sanctuary behind
the lectern) is now.
• The landscaping effort continues. We
hope to have new flower beds planted
soon!
• Forwarding Faith is the Virginia Synod’s
capital campaign to fund the Youth
Ministry and Faith Formation Endowment.
Last year, Council voted to set our
congregational contribution to the
Forwarding Faith campaign at $8,000.
Rally Day 2018 will kick off our fund raising
effort for the campaign.
• Council approved an update to our
building use policy. It is posted in the
Narthex and online (with request forms).
• We reviewed an initial draft of a gift
policy. The need for a gift policy was
apparent after our initial discussions with
Bill Robins, our CPA.
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• The Fall Flea Market has been set for
Saturday, October 6th, with a weather
backup of Saturday, October 13th. We
are looking for a volunteer to
coordinate the Flea Market. Please
contact Pastor Leslie or Rich Fraenkel if
you’re interested.
Additionally, our strategic planning
conversations continued, including
discussion about a welcoming statement
and taking the first steps on building
improvements. I welcome your thoughts
on any of these topics. Please, contact
any of our Council members, and let us
know what you think.
May the peace of Christ be with you
always!
Rich Fraenkel
“Why I Serve”—Betty Keefer Why do you do what you do
around Grace Lutheran?
I have always been a church person. My
mother always volunteered. I would help
her and enjoyed doing it. I still have my
Sunday School book from when I was 2
years old.
Why do you like to serve
in the ways you do?
I get great satisfaction in serving. It is very
meaningful to me when I'm Assisting
Minister. I enjoyed being in the Altar Guild.
One time I organized an Altar Guild in
another church. There was a study book
that we used and it really helped me to
understand more and it meant a lot more
to me by having an understanding of the
liturgical meaning. It's a big pleasure for
me.
How did you get started serving God's
people at Grace and in the community?
When I transferred to Grace I joined in the
Lutheran Church Women and became
president within my first year at Grace. It
was a very active women's group of 25-30
women. The women built the kitchen and
paid for everything including the
appliances, paint, pots and pans etc.
Why is it important to you to give of your
time and talents?
It's just part of me. I'm not sure I would it's
important to me, it's just natural. It's a calling
type thing. Years ago someone told me they
were upset that their child was not able to
attend Sunday School due to no teacher. I
thought, "I can do that." So I became a
Sunday School teacher. So yeah it's a calling
and just comes natural.
Welcome our New Members Michael Olson is a
native of Virginia
Beach and graduated
from Kempsville High
School. He attended
the first service of
Grace Lutheran in 1963
and was in the first
Confirmation class in
1965. He attended the
United States Naval
Academy, after which he served 20 years in
the US Navy. He retired to Chesapeake and
is currently an applied mathematician. He
has two grown daughters (one in Lynchburg
and one in CA).
The Lancaster Family are in the area due to
the Navy and were
introduced to
Grace Lutheran by
the Ownby Family.
Their family is back
home in Alabama.
Rodney & Diana Haberkorn have two grown
children (Jessica & Wesley) and two
granddaughters (Kourtney & Kaitlynn).
Rodney works at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in
Portsmouth and Diana was a stay at home
mother raising their two children and
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keeping everything in
order at home. She
has now graduated to
taking care of their
two granddaughters a
couple of times a
week. They are
originally from IL and
have lived in VA since
1988. They enjoy
volunteer activities and look forward to
being involved with Grace’s Outreach
ministries and lending a helping hand were
needed.
Gene Marchant
Born: Columbus, ND in
1938
Confirmed Lutheran:
1952/3
HS Graduation: 1957
Joined US Navy: 1957
Married: 1969 to Shirley
Jean Gibson
Retired US Navy: 1980
Joined Civil Service: 1981
Civil Service Retirement: 2002
Wife died: 2008
Hobbies: woodworking, metalworking,
fishing, gardening, part-time inventor, etc.
Bob & Mana Masters
Mana thought she
retired, but Is busier
than ever. She is an
RN back at work
doing home care.
She tries to keep up
with their three young
adult sons, loves o
q u i l t a n d d o
handiwork, read when she has time, and
tries to keep her gardens looking like they
are a part of God’s glorious creation!
Bob is retired USN as a Dermatology Nurse
Practitioner and has been in a private
Dermatology practice since 2007. He likes
pretty much all sports, cooking, travel, and
spending time with their expanding family.
2018 VA Synod Assembly Reflections Hunter Simpkins
The youth assembly portion of synod
assembly was awesome. We talked rights for
the LGBTQ community and how they should
be welcomed within the church and not
pushed away. We also discussed the
importance of women's’ rights and
discovered that there goal was for 2021 to
pass a resolution but we realize our time is
now. Along with the LYO board we surprised
our president with a going away gift of
ramen, Pepsi, and other Dollar Store goodies
and did the same with our youth gathering
representative. We also helped with a great
worship service. Finally the dreadful day of
leaving came. All around the trip was
amazing no lows only highs. And if you ever
get a chance to go...just do it!
Ed & La Quita Opperman
This year’s Synod Assembly was our first
assembly and although we have been to
many business conventions in the past, we
were still curious about what this was all
about. As it turned out, we saw many
people that we recognized: Pastors Mims,
Bozeman, Bolden, Delaney, and of course
Pastor Joel and Karen Segal. We were also
able to make new acquaintances. We met
Bishop Humphrey and so many others.
Once all the handshaking and introductions
were done we got down to the business of
why we were there. Friday afternoon
started with a service where we were given
an opportunity to serve communion, and
we both enjoyed that immensely. The rest of
the afternoon and evening was filled with
introducing people that were nominated for
Synod Council, making new nominations for
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Synod Office and taking nominations for
the Churchwide Assembly that would take
place in Milwaukee next year. They also
introduced other topics that would be
voted on the next day. There were the
reading of the reports from the many
ministries that the Synod supports. It was a
long day.
On Saturday, we were happy to see Pastor
Leslie elected to Synod Council and Hunter
Simpkins elected to be a voting member at
Churchwide Assembly next year. Another
day of business topics included the 50th
anniversary of the first ordained Lutheran
woman. We voted to have their pay come
into line with male clergy pay. The
effective date was for 2024. Later that
afternoon it was brought back to the floor
and the timeline changed to “as soon as
possible”. We also heard from the ELCA
about the Draft Social Statement On
Women and Justice. We have until
September 30, 2018 to give our input or
suggestions. The Tapestry Team gave a
presentation along with ACTS, Power in the
Spirit, Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp
and Retreat Center. We broke into small
groups to get to know one another and
some short exercises based on bridges to
go with the Theme of this assembly, which
was “Only By Grace Can We Stand”. Our
small group projects were to make a cross.
Then the crosses were displayed in the front
of the Sunday Morning service. All the
crosses looked great.
Sunday morning service was very uplifting
as were the final presentations but you
could tell by the looks on people’s faces
that they were ready to head home. Hugs
to old and new friends then we were off on
our way to Charlottesville.
“God’s Work. Our Hands.” T-shirt Order Sign up in the Narthex or email Pastor Leslie
by Sunday, August 5th. T-shirts should be
about $10, but the final cost will depend on
how many we order. "Grace Lutheran
Church Chesapeake, VA" will be printed on
the back (if we order at least 10 shirts). Sizes
available: Youth S-XL, and Adult S-5XL
NEEDED: Flea Market Coordinator If you would be willing to help coordinate
the annual Fall Flea Market (Saturday,
October 6th), please talk to Pastor Leslie or
Rich Fraenkel (Council President) ASAP!
Draft Social Statement on Women &
Justice In 2009, the Churchwide Assembly
authorized the development of a social
statement on women and justice. The ELCA
Task Force on Women and Justice: One in
Christ has been at work since 2012 and
brought the work to a crucial stage: On
November 15, 2017 it released the Draft of a
Social Statement on Women and Justice.
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If you or loved ones are celebrating
significant events, let us rejoice with you &
announce to all in the Grace Greetings.
Please drop a note on the secretary’s desk
in the office to add any birthdays or anni-
versaries.
Prayer List
We Pray for Our Members
July 7 John Twiddy
July 8 Leonora Jones
July 11 Charlotte Maurer
July 13 Peggy Barry
July 13 Bob Masters
July 15 Cathy Ahlgrim
July 15 Juanita Urps
July 20 Jan Howell
July 23 Benjamin Moody
July 29 Stephen Urps
July 20 Mike & Cathy Ahlgrim
July 20 Ernie & Gwen Scherman
July 24 Bill & Betty Keefer
July 24 Mark & Pam Kohan
Elaine Babb
Joe Babb
Aimee Barnes
Kyleen Calkins
Doc Dougherty
Mildred Enga
Beverly Galles
Susan Graham
Maureen Griffin
Rebecca Headings
Jan Howell
Jane Jennings
Lenora Jones
Barbara Kilian
Dawn Kilian
Mark Kohan
Autumn Kraft
Shirl Kuykendall
Frankie Lunde
Charlotte Maurer
Kim Moody
Barbara Moran
Earl Richards
RoseMary Sidam
Bethany Solomon
Susan Stillman
Pam Twiddy
Margaret Van Dyke
Mary Zech-
Washington
We Pray for Our Friends
All who mourn
The Military & their Families
Our Food Pantry Clients ELCA Missionaries & Young Adults in Global Mission
Kamani Ames
Shirley Andersen
Lauren Atkinson
Bill Babb
Mary Babb
Katherine Barry
Suzanne Bergsten
Richard Bowell
Sarita Bowell
Marty Cabe
Tim Carrubba
Mike Caylor
Herb Dewar
Mary Beth Dickins
Beverly Dornberger
Jim Dougherty
Bonnie Dreyer
Bob Dyer
Carol Edwards
Jamie Evans
John Firth
Karen Flaherty
Heather Franco
Bill Galley
Madison Garriott
Jenell Gordon
Ross Gordon
Maria Greenside
Eddie Haga
Sherry Hall
Shalah Hammond
Tim & Donna Hess
Cheryl Hughes
John Johnson
Patricia Jones
Michael Keaton
Donnie Kerr
Darlene Kutzfar
Alma Lacey
Kathy Lapinski
Linda Lesher
James Lingenfelter
Brian Long
Andrew Lowe
Darrell Lowe
Brain McCarthy
Debbie Merrill
Johnny Miles
Wayne Miller
Katie Milliner
Jay Mumford
Bill Muse
Eugene Opperman
June Opperman
Samantha Page
Kay Parrish
Stephen Pleli
Adam Portor
Mary Powe
Tommy Reeck
Bill Reed
Victoria Reed
Lisa Sanders
Jeanlyn Sawyer
Mary Sawyer
Rick Sidam
Roy Simpson
Phil Slough
Larry Sommerfeld
Paul Soucy
Annette Stamper
Ken Sterling
Janice Stewart
Gini Stoddard
Sue Troyan
Carl Young Urps
Malcolm Vaughan
Shannon Vellines
Hank Via
Roy Wilson
Walter Wilson
Amy Wohlbold
Kevin Wohlbold
Victor Zech
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