February 2020

Cornerstone Newsletter Grace and Peace Lutheran Church

PASTOR’S PAGE

great—they had supported the winning candidate. But mostly, the folks in my Bible study felt tired.

Election years can be hard work, especially because it is work that is communal. Together, we must weigh our values and consider the available choices from innumerable complex angles. Together, we must engage in dialogue and listen to many voices, whether or not we agree with what they say—or don’t say. And together, we all must continue to live with the outcomes of our collective choices.

It is a gift to be able to do this hard work in community, and it is a tremendous responsibility. Sometimes, that responsibility can feel more taxing than life-giving. But the blessing of work undertaken in community is that it reminds us that we are not in this alone. Our wellbeing always relies upon the wellbeing of our neighbor, and vice versa. There is grace in, as the author of Ephesians writes, “bearing with one another in love.”

As I write this article, we are just a few days past Martin Luther King Day in the United States. I have long admired Dr. King as an activist, visionary, and pastor, and this week I have found myself mulling over this quote from his Letter from a Birmingham Jail (1963):

7611 N Knoxville Peoria, IL 61614 309-693-8428 www.graceandpeacelutheran.org Pastor Mary Beenken

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Dear friends in Christ,

In just a few days’ time, the election year will have officially opened with the beginning of state primaries and caucuses. Our primary election here in Illinois isn’t until next month, but we will nevertheless be caught up in the start of this election cycle as together we watch our neighbors in other states work through their democratic processes and as we listen to the media follow each twist and turn with great scrutiny.

The last presidential election is still fresh in my mind, as I imagine it is for many of you too. What I remember is not necessarily the speeches that candidates made on the campaign trail or the nuances of televised debates. Instead, I remember how it affected the community around me: How people became nervous to talk to one another about politics, how quickly anger and contempt seemed to escalate, how the constant coverage was at once riveting and inescapable.

On the day after the election, I led a Bible study at my internship church. I remember asking everyone how they were feeling, now that the results were in and the long months leading up to the election were over. One person shared that they felt scared and depressed that the candidate they opposed had won. Another responded that they felt

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We must come to see that human progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability. It comes through the tireless efforts and persistent work of men [sic] willing to be co-workers with God, and without this hard work time itself becomes an ally of the forces of social stagnation. We must use time creatively, and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right. Now is the time to make real the promise of democracy.

Dr. King devoted his life to justice, particularly to the justice work of ending racism and white supremacy in the United States. As the Bible tells us—and as Dr. King understood deeply—justice is always a question of relationship. Our God is relational by nature and defines justice in terms of caring for the most vulnerable: the widow, the orphan, the immigrant, the poor, the sick, the isolated. As creatures made in the image of God, we too are called to uphold the sacredness of relationship by treating every child of God with compassion and dignity. The question is not about what we should prioritize, but who…and time and time again, God answers this question by pointing our gaze back to our neighbors.

And it takes courage, prioritizing our neighbors. It means laying aside the things

that make us fearful. It means sharing our much with those who have little. It means daring to see those with whom we disagree not as enemies or persecutors, but as fellow creatures made in the image of God. When we remember our neighbors, when we seek to live in right relationship and uphold justice, then the work of community becomes particularly powerful and lasting. And so, as we begin the 2020 election cycle, I pray that God gives you the courage to honor the relationships you have been called into: To treat those around you with dignity and compassion, to vote for the sake of your neighbor, and to be invited into the tireless and persistent work of being co-workers with God. The time is always ripe to do right. Thanks be to God!

Pastor Mary Beenken

THANKS BE TO GOD!

WK GREETERS ASSISTING MINISTERS LAY READERS

2 Vicki Bittner and Craig Lorentz Hilary Goff Chris Golden

9 Mary Jane and Jerry Hinshaw Deb Meyer Sid Peterson

16 Sarah and Ken Armstrong Roberta Groth Barbara Purple

23 Chris and Mark Golden Roberta Groth Deb Meyer

26 Linda Ericsson and Deb Meyer Linda Ericsson

WK COMMUNION ASSISTANTS PRAYER PARTNERS COUNTERS

2 Vicki Bitner and Craig Lorentz Ann Joyce and Terry Goff Roberta and Dave Dietrich

9 Mary Jane and Jerry Hinshaw Deb Meyer and Sid Peterson Roberta and Dave Dietrich

16 Sarah and Ken Armstrong Ann Joyce and Deb Meyer Roberta and Dave Dietrich

23 Chris and Mark Golden Linda Ericsson and Sid Peterson Roberta and Dave Dietrich

26 Linda Ericsson and Deb Meyer Linda Ericsson and Terry Goff Roberta and Dave Dietrich

WK COFFEE HOUR MISSIONARY SUPPORT ALTAR GUILD

2 Jim Claude Jim Claude Roxanne Hochsprung

9 No one has signed up at this time Carol Gard Mary Jane Hinshaw

16 CAN Ministry No one has signed up at this time

23 No one has signed up at this time No one has signed up at this time Jeannie Wineland

26 No one has signed up at this time No one has signed up at this time

Volunteers If you need the church unlocked — February Key Person — Mary Whitledge

So many of our church members are “snow birds”

during the winter months that sometimes it is

difficult to find volunteers to fill these positions ...

Would you be willing to help?

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GRACE AND PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH Nathan and I are so grateful for the many ways that you showed your love and

support for us during the holidays! Your kind gestures made us feel welcome and

blessed beyond measure as we journey through Advent and Christmas with you.

Thank you so much for your notes, your cookies. And your generous Love Offering on

Christmas. We continue to be humbled by your hospitality and thankful for the gift

that is to journey alongside you in joy. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!

Pastor Mary Beenken

NEW PARISH OFFICE MANAGER

Hi, I’m Michelle Hatfield and I am so excited to be on staff at

Grace and Peace Lutheran. I have been married for almost

20years to my husband Daniel. We have three boys; Jordan

(16), Aidan (14) and Jaron (13) and two dogs, Daisy and

Bailey. We are a band, drama and sports family. Our boys

keep us really busy and we love every minute of it!

On a personal note, I didn’t grow up attending church other than the one week a

summer that I spent at my aunt and uncles and they would take me to their temple

for service (they were Mormon). My parents started attending church when I was

almost 10 years old. I gave my heart to the Lord when I was about 11 years old. I

was at a youth retreat with the youth group I was attending and it was the first time I

ever had the gospel shared with me in a way that I actually understood. I gave my

heart to the Lord on that retreat. It was the best decision I have ever made and am

so grateful to the youth leaders that took the time to explain to me who God is and

what He has done for all of us. This is just a little of my testimony and I can’t wait to

meet everyone and hear your testimonies!

I have been in administration for around 12-13years with the majority of that time

being church administration. It is a position that I love and believe God has not only

given me a calling for but has equipped me with the giftings in this area. I am coming

from a local nonprofit where I was the assistant to the Executive Director and also

played a huge part in planning the events and working along side the volunteers.

Which at times were up to around 500 volunteers. As much as I loved my time at this

local nonprofit, I knew it would only be temporary and I am so grateful the Lord has

opened the door or me to come and join the staff at Grace and Peace Lutheran

Church!

LAURA’S RETIREMENT How does one express one’s gratitude for receiving loving support, assistance,

and prayers of others? “Thank you” just doesn’t seem to be enough. The past

seven years have been such a joy. Grace and Peace is an amazing church and it’s

members are doing such important ministries for God. I am so thrilled to be apart

of all that. Please welcome Michelle Hatfield as your new Office Manager. She is

extremely qualified, sincerely compassionate about helping others, and generously

fun to be around. She brings so much to Grace and Peace. My retirement doesn’t

mean I won’t be around it simply means I hope to have a little more time with

my family. —- Many thanks...Laura

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r MAKING OURSELVES KNOWN—NEW TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD

The Evangelism Ministry Team is now sending out

professionally printed, custom designed, 4– color

postcards to new residents within a 2.5 mile radius of

church. The mailings will go out monthly using Outreach,

a church services provider. Grace and Peace receives

the mailing list each month for our use and follow-up

as appropriate.

Please be alert should new neighbors arrive for services

on Sunday morning and extend the usual Grace and

Peace hospitality. Terry Goff

LENTEN MOVIE NIGHTS RETURN

Our popular Lenten Movie nights return for five successive Wednesday evenings

starting Wednesday, March 4, 2020. Doors open at 5:30pm with the screening

beginning at 6:00pm. Movie theater themes and food returns as well.

The films this year center around the reality of individuals and the human

condition within which Christ provides Grace and strength. Our 2020 selections

and trailers will be shared as soon as all licensing is completed. Please mark your

calendars and make your plans to invite friends and family. Terry Goff

MIRIAM CIRCLE NEXT MEETING FEBRUARY 11

We will meet at church on Tuesday, February 11 with Mary Jane Hinshaw as

hostess. Ann Joyce will lead our lesson from the January/February issue of Gather

magazine. Our project will be missionary support for Rev. Kristen Lauterach

(Madagascar). Carol Gard

HELLO AGAIN FROM COMMUNITY ACTION AND NURTURE (CAN)

By February we will be just finishing up with our second Nourishment Thursday

at Bernardi. Hope you all enjoyed. We will continue to use your list of

restaurants every other month. On February 16th will be our next

adventure. We will be having a Tea and Crumpet hour right after the church

service. Of course coffee will also be served. Soooo everyone please stay

after church and taste our different varieties of tea we will offer, have a cookie

a crumpet or two. Looking forward to seeing you All. Thank you Diane Page

WOMEN AND FRIENDS OF GRACE AND PEACE!

How are you doing with these resolutions? Yes, I with you. I’m not there everyday

either! However, God is with us and He wants us to pray to Him everyday and in all

circumstances!

Here are three Bible verses that teach us LOVE :

Just Love: Psalm 136:1-26 John 15:13 Deuteronomy 6:5

Be It Resolved: I will Breathe in Grace, breathe out love! This was Pastor

Beenken’s message at the third Acoustic Advent Service.

Be It Resolved: As a member of “the community of women created in the image of

God”, I will “grow in faith”.

Be It Resolved: I will “support one another” in whatever way appropriate for me at

this time whether it be active participation in Women of Grace and Peace/Women

of the ELCA activities or by thoughts and prayers or simply a smile indicating that is

a nice idea!

Be It Resolved: I will “engage in ministry and action” as authentic to me.

Be It Resolved: I will “promote healing and wholeness in the church, the society,

and the world” as only I can do.

Be It Resolved: I will take note of the theme of the 2020 Women of the ELCA

Triennial Gathering coming up in July, and:

FELLOWSHIP DURING OUR COFFEE HOURS

2020 Coffee Hour and Missionary Support sign ups are now available.

Use these opportunities to celebrate your events and provide

fellowship for after our worship services along with support

for our missionaries. Reserve those special dates now!

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COMING THIS JUNE TO EAST PEORIA — SYNOD ASSEMBLY!

This year, the annual gathering of the Central/Southern Illinois Synod will be held in

East Peoria. The local ELCA churches are working together to plan and host this event,

and we are looking for volunteers to help make this year’s assembly an enriching time

of fellowship, worship, and conversation about our collective life of faith. If you have ever

wondered what a Synod Assembly is like, this year there are many ways to participate

close to home.

Here are just a few of the ways you can get involved:

WORSHIP Synod Assembly includes daily worship opportunities in a wide

range of styles, from contemporary and casual to formal and

liturgical. Even global music will be featured this year!

We need: Lectors, communion assistants, acolytes, ushers, altar guild,

and musicians of all kinds.

ELECTIONS Synod Assembly also includes important decisions regarding

everything from synodical leadership to policies that affect every

congregation. This committee counts votes from congregational

delegates as they elect officers and vote on other synod matters.

We need: Tellers (vote counters)

REGISTRATION This committee is responsible for welcoming all participants

to the Synod Assembly, helping with registration, and distributing

necessary materials.

We need: People to run the registration table, people to hand out extra

materials and voting machines.

LOCAL ARRANGEMENTS This committee takes care of set-up and tear-down,

transportation of guest speakers and materials between sites,

and hospitality for all participants.

We need: People with large vehicles or trailers to transport materials to

and from Springfield, movers, site coordinators, hospitality

representatives, prayer partners, and great logistical minds.

If you are interested in taking on any of these roles or have questions about what they

entail, please talk to Pastor Mary. Thank you in advance for helping make our 2020

Assembly a success!

LUTHERAN HILLSIDE VILLAGE COOKIE WALK The 2019 annual Cookie Walk was a sweet success! With generous donations of goodies

from area Lutheran congregations and the assistance of Carol Gard, Mary Jane Hinshaw,

and Mary Jane’s granddaughter Caroline, LWGP was able to raise close to $2,000 for the

Benevolent Fund! Our goal on December 13th was two grand and we did it!

We appreciate the assistance and support that we receive from the staff

at LHV and our faithful customers. LWGP thanks everyone that was

somehow involved! Submitted by Lisa Mack, coordinator

A closer walk with God through Spirituality, Evangelism and Community Involvement

Grace and Peace Lutheran Church 7611 N Knoxville Ave Peoria, IL 61614-2023

February

Hannah Shirven, Jim Claude, Lana Staelens,

Ethel Theinert, Lauren Huskins, Ron Groth, Cheryl Rauhaus

March

Kenneth Armstrong, Barbara Purple, Addisyn Smet, Brian Smith,

Gary Smith, Laura Tomblin

Don’t forget to sign this month’s birthday cards in the Great Room!