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January 2019 | Vol 12 Issue 1
Articles are due the 15th of the
month preceding publication.
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Welcome to Grace Lutheran's eNewsletter!
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Click on the links at the right to view or print the
calendar
and
volunteer schedule
, plus you can go directly to our website, Facebook and sites in the ELCA family. If you have anything you would like put in the newsletter, send an email to me at [email protected].
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The Plans We Make
"
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Proverbs 3:5-6
A new year causes us to take stock of things. To look at things that we have both lost and gained. During the year things can seem to move by so quickly that we don't always realize it. The arrival of 2019 causes us to ask, “Has another year really gone by?” We handle this realization by feeling gratitude for those things that are good and a desire to change the things that are not ideal. Whether formal or not, we often make New Year’s resolutions.
The above verses remind me that before we make plans for ourselves God has already made plans for us. These plans are not arbitrary or random, but instead are plans for something good. This is not to say our lives our absent of disappointment or challenges, but instead to point out that God has a purpose for us. When we seek to align ourselves with God's plans instead of our own, it changes the way we face our joys and challenges. By seeking to make God's plans
our
plans, it helps us see our lives as being part of something bigger. We don't see our lives as events that happen year to year, but as events that echo through eternity. So this year as you look at things in a new way, I encourage you to invite God into that process and discover the plans He has already made for you.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Andy
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Upcoming Events, How You Can Participate
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Thank You for Your Support this Christmas!
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Thanks again to all of our Christmas 'Angels'. You purchased over 100 gifts and also donated cash for postage and additional gifts plus LOTS of wrapping paper and decorations. Many families were blessed this Christmas by your generosity! Special thanks also to our 'elves', Debbie Oelert and Dawn Weinfurtner.
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The WELCA would like to thank all the bakers, buyers, and elf helpers for the success of the Holiday Bake Sale. It was very successful and could not have happened without the help and generosity of the whole church community.
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Outreach Cafe January 27th
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Please join us for our next Outreach Café on
Sunday, January 27th
from 8:30-9:30. All funds raised will be donated to PADS, Habitat for Humanity, Richmond Food Pantry and our Haiti Mission. Thanks to Thrivent Financial for their support to purchase food and supplies. To help out or donate food, see Tina Peterson.
Live Generously!
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Habitat McHenry - Thanks for your help!
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A small group from Grace volunteered for a painting day at a Woodstock townhome rehab on Saturday, December 1st. This will be a beautiful home on completion for its future homeowner, Debbie and her 2 grandchildren whom she has been raising on her own for the past 13 years. We’re hopeful some more Grace members will “raise their hand” in the New Year to help with future work on this or several other projects in the works! Meanwhile, a heartfelt thank-you to Kevin McGuire and Brian and Kim Morris for working with me and wishing all a blessed, Happy New Year!
If you are thinking about volunteering or for any questions or suggestions, please contact Rose McGuire at
[email protected]
or 815.245.0566.
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Bits and Pieces from the Church Mouse
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Happy
New Year
to everyone!
I hope you and your family will have a blessed New Year for 2019. Will you make a New Year’s resolution? Believe it or not, I don’t make New Year’s resolutions. If I need to make a make a change or make a personal improvement, I give it to the Lord in prayer to have Him handle it. Whether or not you make a New Year’s resolution, may your blessings for the New Year be bountiful and fulfilling.
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A “big thank you” to Dean and Tina Peterson and “their crew” who used their time and talents for the
Outreach Café
for this past year. By supporting the Outreach Café whether you worked or you came for breakfast, you supported many missions, such as PADS, Food Pantry, Habitat for Humanity and Haiti. The Outreach Café receives some funds from Thrivent too. (As you can guess, I picked up all of the crumbs and loved every one of ‘em.)
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A “big thank you” to everyone who participated or volunteered for the Giving Tree for the
Salvation Army and/or the Angel Tree Prison Ministry
. It was extremely successful. Without your assistance, Christmas would not have been the same for these people.
Have you noticed the new tv on the wall in the Narthex? This is there for everyone if you happen to be in the Narthex while the Service is going on. A "thank you" to those who purchased it, hung it on the wall and hooked it up. Oh man, now I get to watch TV - where's the popcorn!
Talk to you next month and stay warm. Now where did I put that sweater of mine???
Happy New Year to all of you!
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Bible Study Opportunities
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Women's Friendship & Faith Monthly Bible Study
What:
We will use Max Lucado’s Life Lessons Series to study Romans. We will read about how the earliest Christians were lead by Paul to learn to make better choices. We will be reminded of the importance of a relationship with God to help us make better choices in our own lives.
Who
: Women who want to grow in faith and share fellowship with other amazing women
When:
Second Monday of the month at 7pm at the church
Where
: Grace Lutheran Church Library
Cost:
$7 for the book.
Please contact the church office or Thorey Ellis at (815)276-2456 to sign up so we have enough materials.
“
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who
love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
” Romans 8:28
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Women of the ELCA - WELCA
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Welcome 2019 – another year of changing weather but spring is not too far off, so the calendar states. As usual, the WELCA women will be busy with events such as our annual Craft/Vendor Fair scheduled for Saturday, April 6
th
from 9:00am – 3:00pm. Put this date and time on your calendars. Lunch may be purchased for a slight charge. The women of the church are sure you will find something you wish to purchase. At this writing, there are still some vendor spaces available. If you have any questions, please contact Sandy Messick @ 815-354-6521 and she will be able to answer you.
The WELCA women will also help any of the other committees who ask us to help them with a project.
A portion of the proceeds from the recent Bake Sale in November has been given to the Richmond Fire and Rescue Squad.
The next WELCA meeting will be held on
January 14
th
at 1:00pm
in Luther Hall. Our hostess will be Rita Popenhagen. When the meeting is adjourned, we will enjoy comradery with our fellow members. Please bring your own sandwich, soup, salad or fruit. Our hostess will provide coffee and dessert.
All women of the church are welcome to our meetings. Please come and enjoy us and find out all that we do. We welcome new ideas, suggestions and comments. You all play an important part in our mission.
Contact Sandy Messick for more information. 815 354 6521
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Remember –
-1) collecting tabs from cans, 2) Sentry/Richters MarketPlace receipts request sticker on back (Twin Lakes store only, (Ask for the ‘Funds for Friends’ sticker for the back of the receipt and bring to church. Receipts may be put into the marked container located in the hallway on the way to the office.) 3)
Empty pill containers for Haiti. Containers for these items available in hallway to church office, 4) boxes for canned goods and staples for the Richmond Food Pantry placed in the box by the entrance, 5)
coin jar on Welcome Counter for purchase of canned goods and staples for the food pantry.
- Curt Bjorklund who heads up PADS has requested
only new items
such as gift cards to McDonalds or Burger King, socks, underwear, gloves, scarves, and hats. They can be placed in Luther Hall in bags below the left freezer on the floor. Please
do not donate any other items at this time.
- Please mark in permanent marker any plates or dishes that will have or had food donated. We have several dishes that need to be picked up from the counter in the kitchen.
- the signup sheet for the coffee service after church has openings in January. If you wish to sign up for one of these dates contact Jan Heynis or Pat Peterson for information. If you are new you will be trained by another volunteer and not left alone.
Thanks –
- to all volunteers young and older who give of their time, expertise, equipment and contributions to keep our home away from home (church) in such good repair. Many spokes are needed to keep the wheels in motion and our volunteers do just that.
- to our wonderful choir and director for making such beautiful music and singing
- to Tina and Dean Peterson who make our Café such a success. Thanks to the many who come to join in a delicious breakfast and friendship
- to all the new families, young and older who make up our church
- for our warmth and friendliness making our members, visitors and guests feel so welcome
- to our Pastor Andy for his inspiring sermons, and his leadership
- to everyone who contributes to our monthly newsletter so can stay informed and inspired
- to our armed forces men and women who are serving our country – some away from home and families and in distant lands who are serving our country.
- to all our Veterans who have served their country, some with their lives to protect our freedoms that we enjoy to this day. We must and will not forget the sacrifices you have made.
Dates to Remember in January–
- Tuesday, January 1st – New Year’s Day
- Sunday, January 6
th
- Epiphany
- Monday January 21
st
– Martin Luther King Day
GOD BLESS AMERICA
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GraceNotes
Quick notes, reminders, who to contact
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Electronic Giving is Easy
Download and print the form here.
Fill it out and return with a voided check to the church office. Forms are also available in the Narthex at church. Please note that if you wish to donate to the building fund or other specific causes you will need to write a check or use cash as before.
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People of Praise Rehearsals Mondays 7:00 - 8:00pm
Note:
Rehearsal has been moved from December 31st to Wednesday, January 2nd because of the holiday. We will resume with Monday rehearsal on January 7th.
Director,
Danielle Cairoli
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Sunday School at 9:30 for children age 4 through 5th grade.
The children start in the sanctuary with their families and after the children's sermon, they go to their classes and return in time for communion. Call the church office for more information. 815-678-3082.
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P.A.D.S. Homeless ministry at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. First Thursday of every month from October thru April.
Every week from October through April, St. Joe's hosts from 25-50 homeless individuals with a hot meal, sleeping arrangements, breakfast and a sack lunch. McHenry County PADS provides transportation. Different churches in the area sponsor each week with meals, set up, clean up and laundry services.
Contact Curt Bjorklund at [email protected] or call 815-529-7746.
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DivorceCare
is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. Don’t go through separation or divorce alone.
WHEN:
A new session begins
February 14, 2019
and continue through May 23rd.
Time:
6:30-8:30pm
Contact: Linda Davis 815-347-5982
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ALPHA
is our confirmation class open to 6th, 7th and 8th graders and is led by Pastor Andy. We meet Wednesday nights beginning with a meal at 5:30 and then enjoy a time of learning and fellowship. Register your children in the church office or contact Pastor Andy.
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November Giving: $14,285; Average Attendance per Sunday: 154
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