December 2020 Grace Notes |
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Grace and Peace to you all,
There is something about waiting for Christmas, waiting for our Lord and Savior to be born now and again into our lives. We are waiting for the perfect gift – Jesus – and it is here in all God’s glory for us.
Jesus is with us! That is what our children really need to know – the stories of Jesus. Jesus was not only the baby in Bethlehem, but he is also the Savior who was born to live for us.
Jesus is with us! This is what our middle and high school youth, and our young people in college, trade schools, and out in the world need to know. In the middle of their challenges, identity issues, betrayals by friends, struggles to find their way in the world, and dreams for a great future, the baby of Bethlehem is with them always. Christ gives hope to them and to you.
Jesus is with us! This is the message of hope adults need. Whether single, and single-again and newly married couples, widows, and families with children and without children, empty-nesters and young retired folks and more experienced senior folks. The light we long for is the light we have been given in the joys and trials of life, and have been given it in God through Christ. The light of Christ is with us and remains always.
No matter what 2020 has thrown at us, our journey as a church, a community of faith, continues – together, because we are the body of Christ. You are an important part of it.
This year may not have gone as we planned it, but the faithfulness of God in these times has been what we expected, and God has delivered God’s faithfulness in all things. May you find this Advent filled with hope, blessed with peace, immersed in joy, and wrapped in love. Blessed be!
May God’s Richest Blessings Be Upon You. Merry Christmas!
Pastor Beth
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Thank you to everyone who makes Grace what it is!
Thank you to Dennis Kampmann for sponsoring altar flowers for December 6th.
Thank you to Bev Kramer for sponsoring Bridgeway, Grace Notes and the worship bulletins for the month of December.
Thank you to everyone who makes Grace what it is! Special thanks for the faithful members and friends of Grace that support the church with their financial offerings.
Thank you to the Church Mice who have so lovingly decorated the sanctuary for Advent.
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November 24, 2020
Greetings from the United Church Men & Women (UCMW) Leadership Team.
Here are a few examples of how 2020 has been unlike any year in the 83-year history of UCMW.
- 5 Scholarships were presented. This is a first.
- A record $6,500 was contributed to this year’s UCMW Scholarship Fund by churches and individuals.
- For the first time ever, the annual scholarship presentation event was done virtually.
- As of today, 117 people viewed the virtual scholarship presentation event. This is the largest number of event participants in 25 years!
During this season of Thanksgiving, as we reflect on all the blessings we’ve experienced, we acknowledge how much we appreciate your support. We are thankful that, despite all of the challenges surrounding us this year, with your faithful support, the accomplishments of United Church Men & Women were quite extraordinary.
God Bless You.
Stay Safe & Stay Well.
Sincerely,
The United Church Men & Women Leadership Team.
Reverend Nathan Athorp, President
Darryl Gumm, Vice President
Barb Post, Secretary
Doug Charles, Treasurer
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There are a number of things that just ‘happen’ here at Grace. For those who give of their time and talent to make things happen – whether anonymously or whether I may have accidentally not included, please know that we are thankful for your generosity! Please let Pastor Beth know if there are any errors or omissions. |
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Worship with us
Sundays at 9 a.m.
(in person and online)
Virtual Coffee Hour
December 3 at 9:30am on zoom
Blue Christmas
December 9 at 4pm (online only)
Christmas Eve Worship
December 24 at 4 pm
(online and in person)
Christmas Day Worship
December 25 at 9am
(online only)
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There are a number of ways to help you stay connected –
Join us for Worship
Online on Sundays at 9am on our Facebook page (Grace@GraceUCC Kohler) or from our website. Bulletins are also posted on our website, as well as sent via email each week those with email AND mailed to those in our church family who do not have an email address. Contact the church office to update your preference on how you receive updates.
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In-person on Sundays at 9pm with limited capacity to accommodate safety protocols for physical distancing. To RSVP call the church office (920.452.6795) or signup HERE.
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For those who are not comfortable worshiping in-person and are unable to access worship online, DVD's of our worship services can be delivered to your home. Please contact the church office if this is something you'd be interested in learning more about.
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Join us for fellowship
Join us for virtual Coffee Hour on the 1st, 4th, and 5th Thursdays of the month at 9:30am
This is an interactive opportunity to check in with one another. All are welcome, so feel free to share. Click Here to join us on Zoom or call in on the phone: (929)205-6099.
Meeting ID: 541 996 199
Password: 064281.
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Seasons Greetings, Friends!
Well, we’ve made it to December! In what has felt like the longest year ever, 2020 is finally drawing to a close. With a new year brings a new Grace Church Council. Our congregation is seeking two council people for the upcoming year. Larry TerMaat and I both have terms coming to an end in January. The new council members would begin their terms after being voted in at our annual meeting at the end of January. Our church council meetings usually run around 1-2 hours just once a month, although a couple months we may have one extra meeting (for example, our budget meeting).
For me, it truly is bittersweet to be ending my 3-year term with the council. I took over as secretary when I started, filling the amazing Judy Leonard’s shoes. Receiving “the binder” from Judy was a bit intimidating, but I eventually figured out how to take proper minutes. I will never forget then-president Chuck Ebert pausing in a meeting to say, “Tahna-you don’t need to write down every word.” It’s really just about hitting the high notes. My second year I was vice-president to Sandy Rabe’s president. You may remember my shaky nervousness from that year’s annual meeting when I had to fill in for her. Man, was I nervous! Then I looked out at all your smiling faces and felt much more at ease. In 2020 I became your council president. As we all know…it’s been quite the year. I’ll leave it at that!
So while I’m sad to be going off council, I’m looking forward to two new people coming on. New ideas, fresh perspectives, and differing viewpoints are what council is all about. We don’t need a council of “yes-men” and “yes-women” but a council of people who are willing to take the time to mull over what is best for our congregation. And I will be the first to tell you- that isn’t always easy! But I have faith we have many members who are up to that challenge. So with that, I will get down to the brass tacks of it all.
In accordance with the constitution of Grace United Church of Christ:
"No member of the Council shall serve more than one term consecutively and may only be re-elected after an interval of three (3) years. One nomination for each vacant office of elder shall be made each year by the Council. Public notice of such nominations shall be given from the pulpit or by bulletin or letter at least two weeks before the election. One nomination for each office may be made by the floor at the meeting at which the election is held. No church member shall be eligible to serve on the Council unless he has been a member of Grace Church, in good and regular standing, for the uninterrupted period of one (1) year."
Please reach out to a current council member, Pastor Beth, or our church secretary, Marsha, by phone or email if you are interested in joining the Grace Church Council in 2021. The deadline for nominations will be Sunday, January 3, 2021. I thank you all for your consideration, and please let me know if you have any questions.
Peace,
Tahna Jensen
Council President
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The Giving Tree will happen, but with a twist. We are looking for monetary donations from the congregation to be used to purchase gift cards for each family. Each family will receive a family gift basket with some needed cleaning supplies, games, popcorn and Christmas candy. We plan to support 6 families giving a family of 5 roughly $250.00 to spend. We are hoping that the congregation will give generously so that we can bring some joy to these families during this unusual and difficult year. Checks should be made out to Grace UCC with the memo Giving Tree by December 13. Thank you!
The Missions Committee,
Laurie Joa, Anne Ebert, Rosemary Lohse, Carol Skeris, and Betty Jones
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Our church subscribes to the Upper Room devotional and we were invited to share additional resources their ministry is offering to our church free of charge during the pandemic. See details below:
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Click HERE to sign up to receive daily devotions to your inbox from the Still Speaking Writers' Group from the United Church of Christ.
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We continue to plug away at this new view of Sunday School.
As you know, we meet monthly in person outdoors and explore a theme together that is reinforced each week through family story time sent via a link.
The theme for November was “The bible teaches me to be thankful”; and December will be “The bible teaches me to love”.
As promised – here are a few pictures from our November activity which we could not have accomplished without the beautiful work in quilting by our own Maureen Faucher. Maureen selected a bible verse for each child and this quilt square helps the kids remember the five-finger prayer when they see it – to pray until we are together again for real and can join the squares together in celebration! THANK YOU Maureen for sharing your time and talent with our youth.
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Your financial support helps us with purchasing items for the monthly activity when needed. We had not anticipated these expenses so your help is greatly appreciated. |
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2020 has been a challenge for everyone and Grace UCC is no different. Through the end of October 2020, our General Fund has a $13,576.30 deficit. Our year to date expenses are $111,373.31 with our income only $97,797.01. The Church Council really appreciates everyone’s efforts in supporting Grace UCC with your time, talents and donations. Hopefully you will be able to continue to contribute as we close out 2020 and try to close the deficit as much as possible.
If you'd like an updated giving statement to know where you're at with your 2020 contributions, please contact the church office for an updated giving statement. Gifts received by Dec 31 will be included on your 2020 giving statement.
In closing, I thank each and every one of you in your efforts to keep Grace going. It has been a difficult year. One that we will get through and will be much better once this pandemic has run its course.
Keep the faith,
Dan Montgomery, treasurer
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We gratefully receive your offerings that are mailed to the church. In addition, we have set up several online giving options. You can contribute to the financial health of the church by making a donation through PayPal or Facebook. Thank you for your continued financial support of the ministries of Grace Church during this time.
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Please remember that if you admitted to the hospital and would like a visit from Pastor Beth, please contact her directly (cell 920-371-8018). Between HIPPA and the busyness of the hospital staff, oftentimes the hospital doesn’t call, therefore Pastor Beth would appreciate a direct call from you or your family to ensure timely visitation and pastoral care. |
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Please reach out to Pastor Beth
at any time
920-371-8018
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Grace Cookbooks are available for sale for $13 each.
They make great Christmas gifts or stocking stuffers.
To purchase, please contact the church office or Linda Billmann.
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Technology help needed! We are in need of a volunteer to help troubleshoot technology issues with our Kindles. Please contact Pastor Beth if you have experience in this area and are willing to help.
Bell ringers needed! With more people facing hardship this year, the need to serve those most vulnerable is greater than ever. Although these challenges are unprecedented, The Salvation Army is committed to providing hope to those who need it this Christmas and beyond. We need your help! Volunteer to ring bells at www.RegisterToRing.com. Just two hours makes a great difference.
Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center is in need of volunteers 18 and older. The positions that we currently have available are ambassadors and floor assistants. Ambassadors assist with greeting, wayfinding and transporting patients to their destination. Floor assistants help the team members on the nursing units with distributing waters, sanitizing, stocking, etc. We follow our Safe Care Promise by providing all personal protective equipment and training to keep you safe. Please complete an online application by visiting https://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/ap?ap=540687935.
Thank you so much for your time and consideration.
Warm wishes,
Michelle Tisljar, volunteer recruitment
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Lakeland University Offers Outstanding Scholarship Opportunity
Are you looking for ways to get involved in a religious studies community during your time at college? Do you have a passion to speak out for justice in our communities and world? Lakeland University offers a full-tuition scholarship competition opportunity to students with these interests; it’s called our Ulrich Scholars Scholarship Program. The Ulrich Scholarship is named after the long-time and beloved Lakeland Professor of Philosophy and Religion, Reinhard Ulrich.
Each year nine Ulrich Scholars earn a $20,000 per year scholarship to attend Lakeland University. We also offer one student a full-tuition award. Students who receive these awards major or minor in Religion, participate in Ulrich Scholars events throughout the year (including lectures, retreats, community service, and visits to various religious communities), and lead a social justice initiative on or off campus in their junior or senior years.
If this sounds interesting, we would love to have you learn more about the Ulrich Scholars Program. You may apply for the opportunity at lakeland.edu/portal. The full-tuition competition is set to take place on January 29, 2021. Applicants must submit their materials by January 22, 2021.
Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about this opportunity! Contact Dr. Karl Kuhn at kuhnka@lakeland.edu or
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December Birthdays
1st- Joe Limberg and Lin Van Koevering
3rd- Katherine Lindow
4th- Carl Hitchcock and Stacy Harriott
6th- Shannon Hoeppner and Valerie Linck
7th- Greg Lindstrom
13th- Karen Hendricks
15th- Tami Ter Maat
18th- Carol Skeris
20th- Kevin Jensen
28th- Chuck Pfrang, Rick Kleeman, & Rick Weeden
30th- Brooklyn Ter Maat, Lyndsay Fenner, & Olivia Davis
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December Anniversaries
5th- Al & Kate Vitale
13th- Robert & Vicki Mavis
19th- Jack & Suzie Bolling
21st- Christine Hitchcock & Michael Finney
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Click HERE to get the latest news from SCIO!
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Shop with SCRIP!
Kwik Trip cards are available in the church office. With scrip, you’re paying face value and you’re getting face value. Make your giving go farther! Contact the church office for more details.
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Grace is now registered with Amazon Smile. To choose Grace as the charitable organization to benefit from your Amazon purchases go to smile.amazon.com. Here are the step by step. Sign in to smile.amazon.com on your desktop or mobile phone browser.
1. From your desktop, go to Your Account from the navigation at the top of any page, and then select the option to Change your Charity. Or, from your mobile browser, select Change your Charity from the options at the bottom of the page.
2. Select a Grace United Church of Christ as your organization to support.
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Texas Roadhouse offers a Sunday bulletin program to support local churches. On Sundays between 11am and 9:30pm, guests that come into the Sheboygan Texas Roadhouse location can have 10% of their total food purchases back to the church! Simply present a current copy of your church’s bulletin to your server. If you go out for lunch or dinner on Sundays, consider patronizing Texas Roadhouse. |
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