grace lutherangmail.com pastor vicki loss and hope our lives are precious and meaningful in the eyes...
TRANSCRIPT
1
Worship at Grace
Communion is celebrated
at all services.
December 4 Worship 8:30 & 10:30 a.m.
Christian Ed 9:30 a.m.
Semi-Annual Mtg. 9:30 a.m.
December 11 Worship 8:30 & 10:30 a.m.
Christian Ed 9:30 a.m.
December 18 Worship 8:30 & 10:30 a.m.
Christian Ed 9:30 a.m.
Christmas Eve
Candlelight Service
December 24 at 6:30 p.m.
December 25 Service of Lessons & Carols
with Communion
Worship 8:30 & 10:30 a.m.
Lutheran CHURCH
Grace
December 2016 Newsletter
Grace Lutheran Church 900 N. Mason,
Appleton, WI 54914
Pastor Vicki Fink 920/450-7796
Office Manager:
Sarah Bultman 920/733-9135
[email protected] www.gracelutheranappleton.org
Loss and Hope
Our lives are precious and meaningful in the eyes of God. If we
could only have God’s eyes sometimes- and be able to see
ourselves as God does. Children at Christmas time inspire many
of us. For me, it’s because I can see the openness and trust in
them that I want for myself. Openness and trust requires us to
let go of our own expectations and give up control over our
future. This is the way to a hope that will not disappoint us.
Hope involves letting God define things. Hoping involves
returning to the truth that we are precious to God- and that
God, out of love for us, is molding us and moving us away from
the sources of our fear.
It’s just that there are so many losses. Our whole lives are filled
with losses, endless losses. How we live with our losses and work
our way through them makes a big difference. Hope will win
out eventually as we are able to let our losses take us to
something new, something wider and deeper than we knew
before. Our lives can resemble the Israelites’ in their great
exodus from slavery into freedom. It was a process. They kept
moving, and God was faithful.
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great
light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness
on them light has shined.” Isaiah 9:2
Loss and hope, darkness and light run along the same line.
There is a lot of darkness; loss is real- so is uncertainty and the
unknown. Light and hope are just as real for us who trust the
Christmas gift of God. We are precious to God. God comes to
us this Advent season knowing our losses and leading us into
new territory far beyond our own imagining into the freedom of
hope.
May God grace us with openness and trust, and guide us into
the light and hope that is ours in Christ.
Pastor Vicki
2
Welcome Trinity Lutheran! This month the offices for Trinity will relocate to Grace. Trinity’s church office will be housed in the Grace office. Sarah Bultman, the Office Manager for both congregations, will be working now in one location. Pastor Brian Bankert will have an office at Grace. He has chosen the room between the Conference Room and Nursery. Trinity bible study groups, meetings, music rehearsals and mid-week evening worship will take place at Grace. Grace’s Executive Committee is coordinating the arrangements on space use. Expanding the use of Grace’s building in this way is a welcomed opportunity for supporting mission.
His Name is Jesus – Sunday, December 18th, 10:30am The Sunday School children will lead worship with Holy Communion on the 18th telling the Christmas story in word and song. A service of Holy Communion will also be held at 8:30am that day, members may want to consider worshiping at 10:30 on the 18th to hear the gospel preached through the voices of children.
Semi-Annual Meeting December 4th 9:30am Grace will hold its regular December congregational meeting between services on Sunday December 4th. The budget for 2017 is on the agenda.
Advent Mid-Week Worship. Trinity Lutheran Church will hold Advent Services on Wednesday evenings at Grace at 7 p.m. beginning November 30. Holden Evening Prayer will be used and all are welcome. Advent Worship together is a great way to begin sharing the space with Trinity. We are now four churches under one roof!
Christmas Worship Services Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 6:30pm Saturday, December 24th
Christmas Day Worship Services
Service of Lessons & Carols with Communion 8:30am and 10:30am Sunday, December 25
Grace Happenings
Shared on the Synod Prayer List Recently… In Celebration and Gratitude Grace Lutheran Church, Appleton w ill celebrate “Sheltered Together in Christ-A Joint Thanksgiving Service” on Thanksgiving Eve with the Appleton Pentecostal Assembly. This racially diverse mission congregation began worshipping on Sunday afternoons at Grace in September. Starting in December, Trinity Lutheran Church, Appleton will also be housed at Grace during the week. Salvation Church of God, a Hmong speaking congregation, has worshipped at Grace for over 12 years. Join members of Grace in giving thanks for the blessing of sharing space and a common calling in Christ with these congregations.
3
Sunday\\ Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
10 am - 1 pm
Grilled Cheese
6:30 pm
Fox Sounds
2 9 am
Bible Study
3 9 am Hmong
Worship
Sanctuary
4
8:30 am Worship
9:30 am Christian Ed
9:30 am Semi-Annual
Congregational Mtg.
10:30 am Worship 12:30 pm Appleton
Pentecostal Assembly
5 7:00 pm TLC
Bible Study
7:30 pm AA
6 8:30 am Quilters
10:30 am W&M
Meeting
6pm Confirmation
6:30 pm TLC
Exec. Comm. Mtg.
7pm FVC Concert
7 9am TLC Bible
Study
6:45 pm AA
7:00 pm Advent
Worship
7:00 pm APA
Bible Study
8 10 am - 1 pm
Grilled Cheese
10 am - 1pm
Salvation Army 6:30 pm
TLC Singers
7:00 pm
TLC Singers
9 9 am
Bible Study
10 9 am Hmong
Worship
Sanctuary
11
8:30 am Worship
9:30 am Christian Ed
10:30 am Worship 12:30 Appleton
Pentecostal Assembly
12 6:30 pm
Joy Circle
7:30 pm AA
13
8:30 am Quilters
6pm Confirmation
14
9am TLC Bible
Study
6:45 pm AA
7:00 pm Advent
Worship
7:00 pm APA
Bible Study
15 10 am - 1 pm
Grilled Cheese
6:30 pm
Council Mtg. 6:30 pm
TLC Singers
7:00 pm
TLC Singers News. Deadline
16 9 am
Bible Study
17 9 am Hmong
Worship
Sanctuary
Noon
Quintana
Quinceanera
18
8:30 am Worship
9:30 am Christian Ed
10:30 am Worship 12:30 pm Appleton
Pentecostal Assembly
19
7:30 pm AA
20
8:30 am Quilters
6:30 pm TLC
Council Meeting
21 9am TLC Bible
Study
6:45 pm AA
7:00 pm Advent
Worship
7:00 pm APA
Bible Study
22 10 am - 1 pm
Grilled Cheese
6:30 pm
TLC Singers
7:00 pm
TLC Singers
23
9 am
Bible Study
24 9 am Hmong
Worship
4 pm Christmas
Eve Worship
6:30 p.m. Grace
Christmas Eve Worship
25
8:30 am Worship
10:30 am Worship 12:30 pm Appleton
Pentecostal Assembly
26
7:30 pm AA
27
8:30 am Quilters
28 9am TLC Bible
Study
6:45 pm AA
7:00 pm APA
Bible Study
29 30 9 am
Bible Study
31 9 am Hmong
Worship
Grace Lutheran Church
900 N. Mason St.
Appleton, WI 54914
December 2016 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
4
Faith in Action
Thank you from Faith In Action Thanksgiving is over and Christmas is approaching quickly. Thank you to everyone who has picked an angel from the Christmas tree in an effort to make someone's Christmas brighter. You have made a big difference in the lives of those less fortunate. I know that the recipients of your gifts and generosity will be overwhelmed. The spirit of giving is strong at Grace. Thank you and have a blessed Christmas. Sincerely, Shari Waldron, BSW
Thanks in Transition… About a year ago exactly Grace started a transition. What a journey over the past year. It started with conversations about whether ‘decline’ was an accurate term for present realities. Numbers were crunched for needed building repairs and maintenance. The pastor’s compensation was reviewed. We learned that member giving at Grace is high compared with other congregations across the ELCA and that worship attendance has remained faithfully level over the last five years. Both strengths and challenges emerged from the conversation and reflection. In response, the Council decided to change the position of pastor to half-time for the new call. It was a hard decision, but it was felt to be a matter of good stewardship. The building was still of concern. Four Statements were developed by Council asserting that all things remaining similar to what they are now, Grace would not continue in the current building. A five year timeframe was set. The time from now until 2021 will be used for redevelopment. In the fall the Appleton School District asked if a preschool offering support for Hispanic, Hmong and Hindi 3 year-olds and their families could meet at Grace while they remodeled. A racially diverse mission congregation, Appleton Pentecostal Assembly began worshiping at Grace on Sunday afternoons. Now this month Trinity Lutheran will begin sharing office space and having meetings and bible studies at Grace during the week. They will offer a Wednesday night worship service in Grace’s sanctuary each week. The longstanding relationship with Salvation Church of God continues. SCG holds worship in the Hmong language on Saturday mornings at Grace. A total of four congregations are now housed at Grace! Other groups also are using Grace including two evening AA groups. God has worked in and among the members of Grace during this year of transition and there is much for which to be grateful. A new calling is emerging.
Building Mission
Sheltered Together in Grace
Living Faith
5
Moving Forward in Grace
To Do List:
Worship on Wednesday evenings this Advent at Trinity’s 7 pm service in Grace’s sanctuary.
Pray for the Call Committee. Enjoy “His Name is Jesus” presented by the Sunday
School during worship on Sunday, December 18th at 10:30 a.m. Pray for children this Christmas.
Beginning Balance $ 42,542.99
Income $ 15,596.20
Expenses $ 13,446.31
Ending Balance $ 44,692.88
Mortgage: $ 104,710.38
Line of credit $ -0-
Thrivent Choice (YTS) $ 2192.00
Benevolence (YTD) $ 13,115.00
Savings $ 3274.10
October
Financial Report You are invited to
The Rock & Roll
Ugly Christmas Sweater Party
Sunday, December 4 at 4:00 p.m.
WE ARE LEO: Christian Rock Band
performing.
St. John’s Lutheran Church, Marion, WI
This night will be fun for the entire family
with a Christmas Carol Sing-along and ugly
sweater contest with the prize being a
stocking STUFFED with goodies! We Are Leo
is a Christian Rock group from Kenosha, WI
with a contagious energy that you have to
see to believe! Free Will Offering.
6
Ushers: Marty Grow, Laury Grow, Brian Klauer, Kathy Lanska
Organist: Diane Bailey
Sound: Robbie Johnson
December 4 Greeters: Mason - Robbie Johnson & Family East - Carol & Ralph Sievert
Asst. Minister: Mandie Klauer
Lector: Lois Hilger
8:30 Communion: Dennis Pringnitz
10:30 Communion: Deb Werth
December 11
Greeters: Mason - Nita Williams
East - Karen & Eugene Krull
Asst. Minister: Ron Williams
Lector: Brian Klauer
8:30 Communion: Ron Bailey
10:30 Communion: Judy Cross
December 18
Greeters: Mason - Art Peterson / Roger Schmidt
East - Mandie Klauer
Asst. Minister: Mark Balkman
Lector: Cheryl Muggenthaler
8:30 Communion: Gene Krull
10:30 Communion: LuAnn Seidl
December 24 Christmas Eve: Worship at 6:30 p.m. Greeters: Cory & Mike Keeney Family
Lector: Melissa Krahn
December 25
Greeters: Those Who Attend.
Asst. Minister: Lois Hilger
Lector: Haley Fens
8:30 Communion: Marty Grow
10:30 Communion: Deb Werth
December Worship Assistants
Scripture Readings
December 4:
Isaiah 11:1-10
Romans 15:4-13
Matthew 3:1-12
December 11:
Isaiah 35:1-10
James 5:7-10
Matthew 11:2-11
December 18:
Isaiah 7:10-16
Romans 1:1-7
Matthew 1:18-25
December 24: Christmas Eve
Isaiah 9:2-7
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-14 [15-20]
December 25: Christmas Day
Isaiah 62:6-12
Titus 3:4-7
Luke 2:[1-7] 8-20
7
Each week cards are on the table in the gathering
area for you to sign for a homebound member.
Please take a minute to sign the cards on Sunday
mornings or write a short note. Also, usually at
the end or beginning of each month, there
are envelopes that contain newsletters and/
or devotionals for homebound members. If
you are able to deliver one of these
envelopes to a member that would be great.
A short visit is very much appreciated.
Care List Prayers
In Prayer this Month
Do you have a need? When you need prayers said for you or a loved one, we have Prayer Chain Teams. If you have a prayer request, please call Mary Hubers, 731-1428 or Carol Sievert, 734-4473. For those in Hospice Care especially Earl Breitenfeldt. For Healing for Jim Learman, Joyce Learman’s brother-in-law; Tom Jensen; Mardie Paalman, Cookie Regal's sister; Larry Johnson, Cookie Regal's brother; Winston Augustus Smith, Cheryl Muggenthaler's nephew; Mary Langdon, Cheryl Muggenthaler’s sister-in-law. For those with cancer especially Melissa Heins, Gene and Karen Krull’s daughter; Mark Catlin; Robyn Messenger, Deb Baumbach's sister; and Roger Schmidt.
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.” Romans 12:12
Earl Breitenfeldt
Adeline Elias
Dorothy Henke
Ellen Holz
Donny Kassube
Marie Mueller
Ruby Niemuth
Gladys Prahl
Henry Schoenborn
Selma Torbeck
Rose Zinck
Advent bags for our Homebound Yes, the care team is organizing this project for our less mobile members once again. The collection box will be available November 27-December 11 at 9:30 AM. Then we will be packaging all of your generous donations to be delivered by the Grace Visitors before Christmas. Things that have been welcome in the past include: postage stamps (very popular) homemade cookies (very popular) new greeting cards hand sanitizer hand/body lotion cough drops
small Kleenex Chapstick hard candy (wrapped) socks gift certificates Christmas candy Christmas-theme (no Santas) gift bags
(approx. 6X6X2) any other ideas for a homebound person We will be packing about twenty bags this year. Cash donations are also welcome and may be noted on your giving envelope. Check with Sharon Meier if you have questions.
8
DECEMBER 2016 NEWS
Fox Valley Lutheran Homes wants to offer you a warm and blessed “New Year’s” wish as we
start the new Christian year with Advent! As you read this we will have already celebrated the first
Sunday and Wednesday of Advent. Here at Fox Valley Lutheran Homes, we have Advent Worship
Services every Wednesday morning at 11:30 AM, followed by a soup luncheon. Appleton Conference
pastors do the preaching and members do the cooking! Come and worship and break bread with us!
Our theme this year is Tidings of Comfort and Joy. We will even be singing an original song as our
hymn of the day, that I wrote back in 2003 because it fits this theme so perfectly.
We hosted a dinner and meeting for the Connectors on November 7th here at Fox Valley
Lutheran Homes, giving them several fliers and brochures to take back to their congregations. We also
hosted the Appleton Conference Pastors and Lay Associates for a Breakfast meeting on November
17th. We want to CONNECT with all of the congregations in the Appleton Conference better, by
sharing our mission, your mission, God’s mission, and working together. Ask around in your
congregation and see if you have a connector yet. Having one in your congregation can help this
happen! It’s a step in the right direction.
December is a BUSY month in all of our lives, or so it seems. In the midst of your decorating,
gift buying, and card mailing, take some time to reflect on all of the gifts that you have received. We
have the gift of our faith, the gift of the freedom of choosing a place to worship, the gift of loved ones in
our lives past and/or present, the gift of memories. This year consider giving a gift, whatever you can
afford, to both your church and to Fox Valley Lutheran Homes – a mission of your congregation, to
continue to carry on the ministry done both here in our building and beyond. Thank you and have a
blessed Christmas!
Becky Luett, Deacon Executive Director
Volunteer: Ring the Bell
The Salvation Army
To sign up: Call 920-955-1225 OR
Online at www.safoxcities.org
The need for bell ringers is great this year with
over 16,000 bell ringing shifts
to fill at 50 kettle sites
throughout the Fox Cities!
An hour or two of your time
ringing bells can really
contribute to helping families in
need in the Fox Cities.
9
Mission Statement
By grace, through faith,
we follow God’s word,
share gospel of Jesus Christ and bring
hope to others through worship,
education and outreach.
Congregation Boards
Executive Committee
Tom Jensen, President
Cheryl Muggenthaler, VP
Ron William, Secretary
Dennis Pringnitz, Treasurer
Council
Jon Seidl, Education
David Lease, Property
Rev. Jen Johnson-Wrege,
Worship and Music
Ministry Leaders Sharon Meier, Grace Visitors
Bob Waldron, Building Use Coord.
Susan Pringnitz, High School Lunch
Shari Waldron, Faith in Action
Chair: Gary Schroeder [email protected]
757-6228
Ed Kerwell [email protected]
731-3907
Verla Koerner [email protected]
734-3328
Cookie Regal [email protected]
739-2982
Jon Seidl [email protected]
759-2760
Deb Werth [email protected]
954-1936
Call Committee
Who Are We? The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with more than 3.7 million members in more than 9,300 congregations across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands,” the ELCA emphasized the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA’s roots are in the writings of German church reformer, Martin Luther.
10
Christmas Display
The Altar Guild is planning to decorate for the Christmas
season. There will be trees, plants, lighted garland, a Christ candle
arrangement and decorations on beams and doors.
You are invited to help with the cost by giving a suggested gift of
$12.00 or any amount you choose. Please respond by filling in the
form below and enclosing it in an envelope with your gift and
marked “Christmas Display” by Sunday, December 18. Donors will
be listed.
Name___________________________________________________________________
Amount ________________________________________
This gift is honor of (optional)
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
This gift is in memory of (optional)
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________