Date: April 2025

Life Events Ministry

a strategic priority of Grace Lutheran Church

Starting Next Month: "Wednesdays at One"

A series of speaker and events every month (or so) at 1 PM.

Add a Potluck Lunch and we'll call it a "Lunch & Learn"



May 14th at 1 PM

Guest Speaker:

Beatrice Parker of Bea Well Counseling & Therapy (Chapel Hill)

Invite your friends!

Joy is not optional -- it is essential. Beatrice's life's mission is to create moments of joy. She embraces the meaning of her name: one who brings joy, happiness and blessings.

Beatrice is a double Heel, having received both her undergraduate (Poli. Sci & Spanish) and her graduate degree (MSW) from the University of NC at Chapel Hill. She is currently an LCSWA with offices in Chapel Hill and Charlotte.

A Wednesday in June or July

Date: TBD

Guest Speaker: TBD

Raise your computer IQ!

What does the underlined part of this web address stand for?

http://www.

whitehouse.gov

What's an ISP?

What does HTML stand for?

Which part is the "brain" of the computer?

How many megabytes make a gigabyte?

Are you familiar with...

TikTok?

WhatsApp?

Facebook?

Zoom?

August 27th at 1 PM

Guest Speaker: A Representative from the NC Department of Justice (Outreach Department)

The North Carolina Department of Justice is serious about shutting down scams and warning North Carolinians about frauds targeting seniors.

Learn more about identifying prevalent scams and frauds, how to respond if you think you’ve been scammed, and keeping yourself and your information safe.

What's Next? is a NEW small group (PALS group) designed for those contemplating retirement or recently retired. Moving from one vocation to the next is a time of excitement for some and a time of anxiety for others. Through the support of a group we can navigate together how God is calling us during this transition. The group will be fluid and based on ideas generated from the group, we will design activities, invite experts/mentors and provide service to others. Supporting each other will help us teach, serve and share Christ with our neighbors. For more information, contact Sharon Brooks.

Coming this Fall! (Tentative date is October 11th).

“Life is not ours to give nor is it ours to take … Indeed the cross of Jesus Christ makes the difference in facing and living through our end-of-life issues. Thanks be to God!”

More and more patients and families are becoming involved in ethical decision-making at the end of life. We'll gather a panel of experts (clergy, physician & attorney) who will answer your questions about end of life decisions and provide resources for your use.

Coming this Summer - An Online Discovery Discussion (Zoom)

(Selected Thursdays (June-September) from 6:30-7:30 PM

Based on the Book "Joyfully Aging: A Christian's Guide" by Richard Bimler

Read the reviews:

"Sometimes incisive, sometimes insightful, frequently humorous, but always Gospel centered. Each chapter lets the reader hear the confession of an aging pilgrim who shares his thoughts and reflections about aging gracefully, graciously, and gratefully. Here you have a Christian guide for celebrating God's gift of aging...a resource book for personal edification, for discussion groups, for suggestions in mentoring the next generation." -Rev. Walter M. Schoedel

"We have no choice in growing old, but we can choose how we live our later years. Rich Bimler invites us to experience growing older as a spiritual passage. He engages the reader with spiritual insights and a positive, hopeful attitude. He is a master storyteller, showing us how to make sense of the aging experience and how to live with courage and meaning. This gem of a book will delight, encourage, and inspire all readers." - Rick Herman (Wheat Ridge Ministries)

Aging often brings concerns about health, worries about finances, and frustrations about change. The so-called golden years can seem filled with loneliness and pain. How is a person of faith to cope with the challenges and find purpose for the rest of his or her life?

Missy Buchanan encourages older adults to maintain open dialogue with God. Through a series of personal poems and reflections, each coupled with a selection from Psalms, Buchanan presents heartfelt talks with God. She addresses topics such as the fear of falling, despair over feeling useless, and grief after the loss of a spouse. Available on Amazon

Easy 10-minute devotions for Seniors

Devotions bring comfort and strength to seniors. They offer moments of reflection on God’s love and promises. Short devotions fit perfectly into busy or quiet days. In just ten minutes, seniors can connect deeply with their faith. These devotions are easy to follow and encourage spiritual growth.