Tidings of Grace Weekly Newsletter May 22, 2020

Verse of the Week: Acts 1:11 – Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven." Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ is ascended – and Christ will come again. We live our lives in this world in the sure confidence of the world to come. We live as people who know our Lord Jesus – and who know that He is coming back. This makes all the difference in how we approach the things of this world. Office Email Address & Phone Pastor – Phil Hohulin: pastor@gracelutheranwcoh.org Cell: 937-823-0403. Please contact Brenda to schedule an appointment with Pastor Phil. Administrative Assistant – Brenda Crawford: gracewcsecretary@yahoo.com. Office: 937-859-3941. Website Editor - Gary Petticrew: http://www.gracelutheranwc.org. Phone: 937-866-1285

Dear Grace Family, Revised 05/15/2020 At its most recent meeting, the music and worship team determined that we will resume worship services on May 31, 2020. As you are aware, we will also be offering a livestream option for those who do not feel comfortable worshiping in person. It is my desire that we do everything within reason to mitigate the threat of spreading infection to one another when we resume in person worship services. Therefore, we are implementing the following procedures. 1. Hand Sanitizer. We have purchased several containers of hand sanitizer. We will have two containers available in each row. 2. Seating: We will place signs in alternating rows of pews prohibiting people from sitting in them. Our congregation will be asked to sit with fellow family members only in their row. Congregants will be encouraged to sit in the balcony and on the side naves if needed. 3. Passing of the Peace: Non-contact signs of greeting those with whom one is not domiciled will be strongly encouraged during the passing of the peace. 4. Offering: The offering plates will be located in the sanctuary prior to the service where we used to pick up our communion cups (see number 5 below for revised communion procedures). The ushers will not pass the plate. Worshippers will place their offering envelop in the plate as they go forward to receive communion. Ushers will then take the plates to the office following the service. (Revised 05/15/2020) 5. Communion: The celebration of Holy Communion will require the greatest deviation from our current practice. During communion, I will consecrate the elements as per our usual practice. Two eucharistic assistants will join me. I will commune them and then they will each carry three trays from the altar to small tables (the ones which now hold our empty cups) located along the communion rail. Instead of receiving communion in tables and kneeling at the rail, we will do the following: a. The ushers will direct people forward one row at a time. b. I will stand at the center and distribute the wafers to each communicant. c. After receiving the wafer, communicants will move to a table located on the side of the sanctuary where they were sitting. The eucharistic assistants will have placed trays with pre-filled cups on those tables after I have communed them. The communicant will take a cup from the tray. (The communion cups will be spaced apart to prevent worshippers from

inadvertently touching someone else cup.) A communion assistant will stand six feet behind the table and say the words “The blood of Jesus shed for you.” d. After receiving the wine / juice, the communicant will turn from the table and deposit their empty cup in the basket as per our usual procedure. e. After one row has received the wine, the usher will direct the next row to come forward to receive the elements. f. We will continue our practice of making gluten free wafers and grape juice available. 6. Choir / Special Music: Due to the proximity needed for a choir to sing effectively and the difficulties presented when attempting to sing while wearing a mask, we are considering having soloists and instrumentalists provide special music. We will constantly re-evaluate this on a regular basis and hope to allow the choir to return to its vital role in our worship service as soon as possible. 7. Children’s Moment: I believe it is unwise to have the children come up front and sit in close proximity to children from other homes. Therefore, I will conduct the children’s moment but ask the children to remain seated in their seats. I will stand up front instead of sit down and speak to the children from the space I ordinarily sit. 8. Gospel processional: Because the processional will likely bring me within closer proximity to some of our members, we will dispense with it until there is a vaccine for the coronavirus. 9. Post-worship pastoral greeting: Ushers will dismiss each row following the worship service. Wearing a mask, I will stand in the narthex to greet worshippers at a safe social distance. I will not shake the hands of parishioners. 10. Livestreaming of worship services: Because many in our congregation are in an at-risk category, we will need to livestream our worship services for those who wish to remain at home. I recently obtained a $5,000 donation for this purpose from a member of one of my former churches who has been a longtime supporter of my ministry. This donation, along with some funds already allocated to the worship and music ministry will allow us to purchase the necessary equipment and licenses and also contract with the volunteer who is currently producing our YouTube broadcasts to livestream our services. As we move forward into this new normal, there will be many adjustments to make and many details to iron out. Change is never easy! But, together, moving forward in a spirit of grace and trust, I believe that we will be able to continue to worship together and emerge as an even stronger community of faith. Grace and Peace, Pastor Phil

*Revised Summer Schedule for online prayer meeting: After conversation with participants of the afternoon prayer meeting, we have decided to

make two changes for the summer months.

Starting the week of Monday May 25, we will have prayer meeting only on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We also will shift the time back a half hour to 4:00 p.m.

We will continue to have our Wednesday evening Bible Study at 7:00 p.m.

Zoom Meeting Address For Prayer Meeting And Bible Study:

Join Zoom Meeting-Tuesday/Thursday PRAYER MEETING:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/642038709?pwd=OVI1cjg3dE9KSytodHFaclduZmFSQT09 Meeting ID: 642 038 709; Password: 003895.

Join Zoom Meeting-Wednesday Night Bible Study

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/595370970?pwd=MGQzK0VVZXkwUFF4VzJ6aXJjMGhTQT09

Weekday prayer meeting—Meeting ID: 595 370 970; Password: 023793.

Online Worship Services

Visit our website for all recorded services http://www.gracelutheranwc.org/

**Denotes updated information

**Readers Needed!! Have you thought about being a lector for our services but were a little shy? Now is the time to get your feet wet and give it a try!! Our attendance will be a little sparse in the coming months so why not sign up to take a Sunday? You get the bulletin emailed to you ahead of time and can even practice the readings. Email me, Brenda, to get on the schedule. gracewcsecretary@yahoo.com Come on… you know you want to!

Many of you who have worshiped with us for some time might be sensing God’s call to unite in membership with this congregation as an expression of the life you experience in Him. If you would like to unite with us to do “life and faith

together,” please contact Pastor Phil at 937-823-0403 or pastor@gracelutheranwcoh.org.

We will receive new members into the Grace family when we again have the opportunity to worship together.

**Blessings from the power of prayer! The

residents and workers of the assisted living facility in DeWitt, MI , have all recovered !!! They were very

fortunate with only one death! We return thanks for all those prayed, and are over joyed that your prayers

were answered! Yours in Christ! John Cooper

West Carrollton Food Panty Needs The food pantry is in need of the following items: Peanut butter, jelly, crackers, spaghetti sauce, and canned peas. Be a blessing to those less fortunate, please consider donating. A labeled basket can be found in the hall outside of the kitchen for your items. Thank you. Needs for Jeremiah’s Letter One of our benevolence organizations, Jeremiah’s Letter, is in need of the following items: manual can openers, pots/pans, and silverware. Diane Jergens will have a labeled bin placed near the kitchen for your items. Thank you for helping support the many ministries of God in the Dayton area!

Matthew 25 Ministries Matthew 25 Ministries has ongoing needs for daily care items, shampoo, soap, nonperishable food, clothing, shoes, towels, kitchen supplies, cleaning supplies, sheets, and blankets. (No glass containers please)

Matthew 25 uses these items for worldwide disaster relief and improving the lives of impoverished people. Please bring your donations to the church. Item needed: Cleaning supplies: including rags. Please place the

clean rags in a plastic bag and mark. Personal care items: Clothes (must be washable) also underwear and socks (new or gently used; Shoes (casual and work); Small kitchen utensils – nothing electric; Medical equipment: canes, crutches, bath chairs, portable toilets, wheelchairs, hospital beds (must have cranks if electric); Plastic pill containers; Paint (must be latex – any color and any amount) Please read Matthew 25. Questions call Lea (937) 271-2052

Miami Valley Women’s Center News: Grace holds a "Baby Shower / Diaper Drive" annually in October for the Miami Valley Women's Center. In the meantime we collect items which are turned in periodically. Needs (may be new or slightly used) include 24 month to 5 toddler clothes and socks, diaper bags, crib sheets, and XL-3X maternity clothes. Other baby related items are always welcome. If you wish to contribute prior to October, please see Gretchen Walther.

May 6 – N’Anne Knight

11 – Lea Ravlin Jean Wheeler

18 – Joyce Mears 20 – Cynthia Michael

22 – Jan Ross 29 – Steve Gross 31 – Julie Watts

Our Member’s Prayer Concerns: *Denotes Grace Member Lynda Bragg–continued recovery (Pastor Phil) Jeff Brown–healing (Mick Mehlhorn) *Linda Hooghe–continued recovery (Becky Reinhart) Lj Aufuldish–(Nancy Smith) *Judy Yeager-healing (Shirley Pappas) MacKenzie Aitken-healing (Lea Ravlin) *Diane Jergens-healing from back pain (Pastor Phil) Missy Colen-back surgery (Lore Anders) Martha Williamson-mother of Susan Schmellenkamp (Roseann Costantino) Janet Zerger-healing (Cynthia Michael) Nancy Bruggeman-cancer (Cynthia Michael) Camille Evans-10 years old suffering PANDAS and Ehlers Danlos syndrome (Cynthia Michael) *Georgene Bonsteel-healing (Becky Reinhart) Tyler Heskett-recovery and healing (Cynthia Michael) *John Moore-healing (Cynthia Michael) Pam & Allen Smith-healing for Allen after stroke (Julie Hohulin) David Mancini-sister with cancer(Cynthia Michael) Mike Stein-heart issues (Shirley Schryver) *Joyce Slusser-healing (Pastor Phil) Brian Smith-needing double lung transplant (Matt Pfeiffer) Family of Bryce Costantino -comfort in the wake of Bryce’s passing (Joe Constantino)

Family and Friends in our Hearts: Ryan Morgan (Mary Kay Reed), Paul Yeager (Jay & Judy Yeager), Dorothy Pace (Gretchen

Walther) Bishop Emeritus Paull Spring- (Joe Costantino)

Those with Continuing Health Concerns: Nancy Hess, Janet Dovayak (Shirley Pappas), Sally Fiste (N’Anne Knight), Irene Bartus (Deb Ross), Joe Costantino Sr. (Joe Costantino), Farralee Baldwin (Becky Reinhart), Mary Welker (Sandy Rice), Georgene Bonsteel (Becky Reinhart), Fran McDaniel (Roseann Costantino), Robin Connellee (N’Anne Knight), Cindy Puskar (Becky Reinhart), Gary Rothermel (Annemarie Stein), Yvonne Becker (Joyce Mears), Clayton Daniels (Cassie Pfeiffer), Lois Costantino (Roseann Costantino) Harry Wright and Family (Aaron Mood) Lydia Mills (Sandy Rice), Pam Mehlhorn, Barbra Baker (Pastor Phil), Tanya Short – cancer (Shirley Pappas)

Those Confined to Care: Ada Doty (aunt of Roseann Costantino)

Those Serving in the Military: Josh Weiland, Cian Morgan, Zach Ravlin (Lea Ravlin), Matthew Spence (Lea Ravlin)