2018 September Grace Notes

Come check it out and keep up with all the latest of what's going on with youth group. You can find our page called GLC Tally Youth or click on the link below to become a fan. See you on the facebook

Quilting dates:

QUILTING will start up again on Sept. 20 from 1:30-4:00 p.m. and will be held on the first and third Thursdays each month.

If questions, contact Carol Schroeder.

Dear Family of God,

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

~ 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Today, I am giving thanks. Well, not just today, but today I am going to talk about it. But the truth is that as some point, my life settled into a new 'normal', a new routine, in which my cancer is no longer the thing around which my day to day life revolves. It can't be.

This past Sunday, August 26^th, was the three year anniversary of the seizure that led to the discovery of a tumor growing in my brain. I am aware that my health is something I have not updated you on in quite a while. Some of you ask after me from time to time, and that is fine. But the truth is that at some point, my life settled into a new 'normal', a new routine, in which my cancer is no longer the ___ around which my day to day life revolves. It can't be.

Because nowadays, I am busy being the pastor you called me to be here at Grace. I am busy with Sunday worship - and right now I'm beginning to plan for Advent. I am leading Bible studies and small group discussions. I am working with our congregational council and our committee chairs to find new ways of serving our community and making our presence known. Ways of creating new opportunities to live out our call to do God's work with our hands.

Along with all of you, I am supporting our youth directors as they work to connect with the young people in our congregation and offer them opportunities to interweave their faith and their lives. Because it is not easy to be a young person in the world today. There are so many voices espousing so many different opinions and values and priorities - and the voice of faith, of church, of God can be drowned out by the noise of the world.

I am involved in local ecumenical groups, meeting other clergy and lay leaders in our community and I regularly participate in continuing education events. I seek out programs and activities that help me to gain insight into how our community can work together to do good for our neighbors. And I am a member of the Florida Bahamas Synod Council, working to set the vision and goals for how our 179 worshipping communities (churches) will work together to do God's mission in this place.

And I am walking with each of you, as well. On Sundays, in worship and fellowship. During hospital or home visits. When you stop in for a casual chat, or to discuss deeper issues of faith. When I provide premarital counseling, when we meet to discuss baptizing your child, when we spend time together as life ends, and when we celebrate that life and the promises of Jesus that have been fulfilled for your loved one.

I am so fortunate to have so much to do, so many opportunities to do God's work with you, so many chances to be your pastor, and so many chances to be ministered to by you, that my health is no longer the focal point of my day to day life. It is still important, and I go to regular check-ups - but the reports are good. I am still cancer free. I am healthy and happy and grateful. Grateful to my family and friends; to my doctors, nurses, and all the medical professionals who did everything they could to bring me to this place; to the Bishop's staff and all my colleagues who went above and beyond to make sure I was being supported; and to you, for your prayers, for your love, for your words of support and comfort, for the care that you offered to both me and to Rob, for your continued prayers for us, even today.

I do not spend a lot of time thinking about my cancer now. It is a part of who I am, but it is not all that I am. Mostly I think about it when I have an appointment at Shands, and when an anniversary comes around. Like this one.

And so, as I am spending this day giving thanks to God, in gratitude for my life, for the person - and the pastor - I am now and for the everyday blessings I appreciate a bit more because of my experience, I wanted to invite you to celebrate with me. I am so blessed to serve as the pastor of Grace and to share this ministry with you. I am so grateful to you for your ministry to me. And I am so excited to see where the Spirit will lead us next.

Living in God's amazing grace, Pastor Jenn

MONDAY CRAFT DAY will be held on Sept. 10 (note date change) from 1:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Bring what you are working on and have fun with crafty people. Come for an hour or join us for the entire time.

If questions see Peggy Schneider.

The Men's Ministry group -

MENS MINISTRY BROWN BAG LUNCH MEETING is Monday, September 17 at 11:45 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Bring a brown bag lunch. If questions, contact NickGandy [email protected] or 850-322-3404.

OUR WOMEN'S GROUP has now become a reality at Grace Lutheran Church! Our first get together will be Wednesday, September 19 at 11:45 a.m. Please bring your lunch and join us for faithful fellowship. We will meet on the third Wednesday or each month, hereto referred to as Women's Wednesday".

Music Selection Team

Do you love music? Would you like to be part of the team that selects the hymns for Sundays? Here's your chance!

The Worship & Music Committee is interested in forming a small team of people who would be available to work with Anthony and Pastor Jenn to pick our Sunday hymns. We would meet quarterly and invite two people from the "Team List" to join us for that meeting. We would rotate team members for each meeting, so that we could hear from a variety of voices and musical preferences.

If this is something you are interested in being a part of, please put your name on the sign-up sheet in the lobby.

If you have any questions, contact Anthony at [email protected] or Pastor Jenn at [email protected]

Weekly TexTalk

A discussion with Pastor Jenn, takes place each Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m in the Fellowship Hall. Please join us.

Bring your Bible and your copy of the bulletin from Sunday (both can be provided if need be) and let's talk about the text! Feel free to bring a brown bag lunch with you.

Hope to see you there!

NEXT BLOOD DRIVE will be held on Sundays Sept. 9 and Nov. 11. Please mark your calendar. Thank you to all who donated or attempted to donate at our July Blood Drive and to Paula Slade for coordinating. We provided seven units. If you have questions, please contact Barbara Ehlmann at [email protected] or 850-728-4677.

SINGERS AND RINGERS REJOICE!

Our Bell Choir and Chancel Choir are once again blessing us with the gift of music during our worship services. Rehearsals are on Vednesday evenings - 6:30 p.m.for Bell Choir and 7:30 p.m. for Chancel Choir. Please join us!

If questions, see Anthony Warrington.

Youth Group Events:

T HE YOUTH ROOM needs to be redecorated to be more inviting to our teens. We would like to start with the huge main room but need assistance. We will also accept gift cards so we can get paint and supplies and also some rugs and couch covers. Contact Joe or Charlene at
[email protected] or 850-241-4673.

A FALL FESTIVAL PLANNING MEETING, for those who have volunteered and those who are interested, will be held in the Youth Room after the second service on Sunday, September 16th. If questions, contact Joe or Charlene, 850-241-4673 or [email protected] Or 850-241-4673 .

OUR FALL FESTIVAL FOR THE COMMUNITY , including Trunk or Treat, is Saturday, Oct. 27 from 5:00 -7:00 p.m. (note the time change). This event is being hosted by the Youth Group, not as a fundraiser, but to have fun and show Tallahassee who we are. We plan to have a bounce house, small petting zoo and snowballs - in addition to popcorn and cotton candy. The Youth Group will provide the candy for Trunk or Treat, but we need volunteers to bring their cars and hand out candy, as well as folks to run simple games. Costumes optional. Help us to invite and welcome all to fun and fellowship in service to our community. If questions, please contact Joe or Charlene at 850-241-4673 or [email protected] .

Picture of Assistant Principal Ben Threadgill, Pastor Jenn, Joy, and Principal Kerri Anderson receiving supplies from Grace.

Volunteer opportunity:

The sanctuary at Grace is beautifully decorated with poinsettias at Christmas and Lilies at Easter. If you would like to take over this tradition, please contact Judy Blancett at [email protected] or 668-0493.

Hosting Early and Late Fellowship

HOST EARLY OR LATE FELLOWSHIP . Please sign up for a date and time to host. We hope everyone will participate. The sign-up sheet is next to the coffee urn. If you have questions, please contact Peggy Schneider (294-2251). Thank you to our hosts!

HARBOR CHASE ASSISTED LIVING worship service is at 2:00 p.m. on the fourth Sunday of every month.
Please join us. If you have questions, see Jim Akin or Burt Von Hoff.

FALL FESTIVAL PLANNING MEETING for those who have volunteered and those who are interested. It will be held in the Youth Room after the second service on Sunday, September 16th. If questions, contact Joe or Charlene, 850-241-4673 or [email protected] Or 850-241-4673.

SEPTEMBER 2018 - MANNA ON MERIDIAN

MANNA ON MERIDIAN DISTRIBUTION DAY is the third Saturday of each month. The signup link for the August 18 Distribution Day is coming soon. If you have questions or need help signing up, please contact Kris-Tena Albers (850-566-3635 or [email protected] ) or Burt Von Hoff (850-508-7793 or [email protected] ).

Thank you for volunteering to help the less fortunate.

GRACE MEMBERS COLLECT tuna and other non-perishable food and clothing each month in partnership with Manna on Meridian, for those in need in our community. The "Tuna Bucket" and the wicker basket for non-perishables and clothing are located in the Fellowship Hall. Monetary donations should be made out to "Grace Lutheran Church" with "Manna on Meridian" written on the memo line and placed in the offering basket or mailed to the church.

SEPTEMBER 2018 - SUNDAY MORNING

WORSHIP ASSISTANT SCHEDULE

Worship 8:15 A.M.

Sunday School 9:30 A.M.

Worship 10:30 A.M.

If you are unable to assist on your designated date please make arrangements to switch with another assistant. If you would like the change listed in the bulletin, please notify the church office. If the bulletin has not been printed, we will be happy to list the change for you.

Note: We are in need of assisting ministers to sign up in Dropbox for September. If there is a conflict with worship assisting duties because you plan to be an assisting minister, please let us know.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2018

ALTAR GUILD: Allison Wharton

ASSISTING MINISTER: (E) TBA (L) TBA

ACOLYTES: (E) TBA (L) TBA

LAY READER: (E) Victoria Heller (L) Jim Nelsen

GREETERS: (E) Otis & Fannie Chinn (L) Peggy Schneider, Lynn White

USHERS: (E) David Brown, Kevin Lundgren (L) George Ohlin, Frank Piepmeier, Daryl Barowicz

COMMUNION ASSISTANTS: (E) Fannie Chinn

(L) Bob & Joy Becker, Don & Judy Blancett, Randi Buehner

OFFERING COUNTERS: Jon & Linda Ahlquist, Wendy Akin

REFRESHMENTS: See signup sheet in Fellowship Hall, if no one signs up to host refreshments only coffee will be served after worship as a courtesy of the Fellowship Committee

SEPTEMBER 9, 2018

ALTAR GUILD: Laura Brown

ASSISTING MINISTER: (E) TBA (L) TBA

ACOLYTES: (E) TBA (L) TBA

LAY READER: (E) Janet McPherson (L) Sharon Piepmeier

GREETERS: (E) Joy James, Allison Wharton (L) Joy Becker, Linda Wolters

USHERS: (E) Sue Homant, Karen Suchman (L) Bob Becker, Tom Hall, Gerald Kurtz

COMMUNION ASSISTANTS: (E) Otis Chinn

(L) Daryl Barowicz, Kris-Tena Albers, Priscilla Craw, Ed DeBardeleben, Nick Gandy

OFFERING COUNTERS: Daryl Barowicz, Kris-Tena Albers, Randi Buehner

REFRESHMENTS: See signup sheet in Fellowship Hall, if no one signs up to host refreshments only coffee will be served after worship as a courtesy of the Fellowship Committee

SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

ALTAR GUILD: Laura Brown

ASSISTING MINISTER: (E) TBA (L) TBA

ACOLYTES: (E) TBA (L) TBA

LAY READER: (E) Sandra Schorr (L) Bill Pomidor

GREETERS: (E) Rosalie Shupe, Paula Slade (L) Brent Kallestad, Kathy Van Loo

USHERS: (E) Otis & Fannie Chinn (L) Jim Nelsen, George Ohlin, Frank Piepmeier

COMMUNION ASSISTANTS: (E) Kevin Lundgren

(L) Frank & Sharon Piepmeier, Kathy Sanguinet, Don & Judy Blancett

OFFERING COUNTERS: Jon & Linda Ahlquist, Kevin Lundgren

REFRESHMENTS: See signup sheet in Fellowship Hall, if no one signs up to host refreshments only coffee will be served after worship as a courtesy of the Fellowship Committee

SEPTEMBER 23, 2018

ALTAR GUILD: TBA

ASSISTING MINISTER: (E) TBA (L) Linda Wolters

ACOLYTES: (E) TBA (L) TBA

LAY READER: (E) Burt Von Hoff (L) Kathy Sanguinet

GREETERS: (E) Joy James, Melinda Young (L) Buddy Dewar, Nick Gandy

USHERS: (E) Burt Von Hoff, Gary Williams (L) Daryl Barowicz, Bob & Joy Becker

COMMUNION ASSISTANTS: (E) Janet McPherson

(L) Randi Buehner, Priscilla Craw, Ed DeBardeleben, Nick Gandy, Jim Nelsen

OFFERING COUNTERS: Kathy Bolling, Michelle Deyounks, Susan Wessner

REFRESHMENTS: See signup sheet in Fellowship Hall, if no one signs up to host refreshments only coffee will be served after worship as a courtesy of the Fellowship Committee

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

ALTAR GUILD: TBA

ASSISTING MINISTER: (E) TBA (L) TBA

ACOLYTES: (E) TBA (L) TBA

LAY READER: (E) Kathy Von Hoff (L) Paul Schneider

GREETERS: (E) Otis & Fannie Chinn (L) Marie Harrington, Kathy Sanguinet

USHERS: (E) David Brown, Kevin Lundgren

(L) Tom Hall, Brent Kallestad, Kathy Van Loo

COMMUNION ASSISTANTS: (E) Karen Suchman

(L) Lisa Hall, Frank & Sharon Piepmeier, Bob & Joy Becker

OFFERING COUNTERS: Paul & Peggy Schneider, David Johnson

REFRESHMENTS: See signup sheet in Fellowship Hall, if no one signs up to host refreshments only coffee will be served after worship as a courtesy of the Fellowship Committee.

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS

09/01 Emily Eilers

Genevieve Jacobs

09/02 Gertraut Pyles

09/03 Mary Mork

09/06 Mary Forster

09/08 Melinda Young

09/09 Tracy Warrington

09/10 Jonah Campbell

Kathy Sabari

09/11 Bryon Ehlmann

Gregory Martinez

09/12 Rhianna Casey

09/14 Nancy Clark

Gregory Gandy

Gene Hollis

09/15 Oliver Jacobs

Kosturko Mike

09/16 Jennifer Farrell

09/19 Frank Piepmeier

09/20 Maria Eckard

Ivy Ranzinger

09/22 Barbara Johnson

Bruce Ortel

09/23 Hayden Farrell

09/24 Mark Heidorn

Fran Miner

09/25 Sandra Schorr

09/26 Lisa Monda

Jarret Oeltjen

09/28 Enid Johnson Evans

Luke Heller

Frieda Hutchison

Pamela Schilling

09/29 Brent Kallestad

09/30 Kathy Gatzlaff

Kathy Sanguinet

Jeanette Sickel

Christine Stabley

Doris Storey

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Sincerely, Sara Straub, Editor - Grace Notes