EverydayisawalkwithJesus.WeChristiansbelievelifeisspentinthepresenceofourLord.There-fore,wecantalkabouteverydayasadayduringwhichwewalkwithJesus.SomedayswefeelJesus’presence.SomedayswefeelquiteadistancefromJesus.Weboldlyproclaimthat,regardlessofhowwefeel,Jesusisthere.Jesuswalkswithuseveryday.AswewhoareGraceLutheranChurchconsiderour inancialstewardshipoverthenextfewweeks,youwillbeaskedtothinkaboutyouruseofmoneyandpossessionsasapartofyourwalkwithJesus.Thisismostappropriate,becausewhenJesuswalkedthisearthwithhisdisciples,heoftentalkedaboutmoneyandpossessions.IfmoneywasapartofJesus’ irstwalkonthisearth,itshouldbeapartofourwalkwithJesustoday.WebelievethateverythingwehaveisatrustfromGod,giventoustocareforandmanage.WhatwedowithourmoneyisverymuchapartofourrelationshipwithourLord.Thiswillbeourfocusinthecom-ingweeks.ForthreeconsecutiveSundayswewillreadabulletininsertandhearatalkinworship.Forthreeweeks,wewilleachreceivealetterfromthecongregation.AllofthesewillfocusonourwalkwithJesus,andhowmoneyplaysanimportantpartinthiswalk.Then,onSunday,November10th,eachmemberofGraceLutheranwillhavetheopportunitytocompleteanestimateofgivingcard.Onthiscard,eachofuswillindicateourplanforgivingforthecomingyear.ThiswillnotonlybeaplanforgivingtoGraceLutheranChurch,itwillalsobeaplanforhowwewillwalkwithJesusinthecomingyear.TogetherinChrist,GraceStewardshipMinistry

Matt Wagner, Cindy Kirtz, Loretta Nichols, Karen Sandager, Curt Thorson  

 

GRACE NOTES

GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH November 2013

 

Grace Ministry Highlights

Semi-Annual Meeting

The fall semi-annual congregational meeting of Grace Lutheran congregation will be on Sunday,

November 17 at 12:30pm in the Fellowship Hall. The Youth will serve a

meal before the meeting following second service at 11:45am.

The primary purpose of the fall meeting is the presentation for

approval of the 2014 church budget. Copies of the Annual Report, including the proposed budget, will be available

in the narthex at least one week prior to the meeting. Please make plans to

attend this important meeting.

Grace Parish Planning Council Don Dinger President

Greg Spath President-Elect

Mike Schacht Vice President

Paula Lammert Treasurer

Jason Berghorst Secretary

Gloria Rolfs Evangelism Ministry

Paul Arends Finance Ministry

Sara Oldre Learning Ministry

Marv Fuerstenberg Parish Care Ministry

Ken Schiedt Property Ministry

Matt Wagner Stewardship Ministry

Lynette Stehlik Worship/Music Ministry

TyAnn Kramer Young Peoples Ministry

Rev. Ron Nichols Lead Pastor

Rev. Josh Enderson Associate Pastor

Experimental Website The church staff has been working on

a possible new website for Grace Lutheran. This experimental website is in the very early stages, but can be

viewed either from the link on our current website www.graceluverne.org

or at www.graceluverne.weebly.com.

The experimental website includes

photos from Rally Sunday 2013 and even a YouTube video of one of Pr. Josh’s sermons. Please check it out

and let one of the pastors know what you think!

What Makes a Good GLC Website? The church staff would like to hear

feedback from members on what features you would like to see on the

church website and other online media. If you have ideas or suggestions regarding the church’s

online presence, please visit with Pastor Ron or Pastor Josh. They want

to hear from you!

Time and Talents Opportunities

The Stewardship Ministry is working on updating the Time and Talent forms and

are also exploring the possibility of allowing members to complete the forms online again this time. More information

will be shared on these opportunities as it becomes available in the near future.

Interim Youth Ministry Plan With Brian Westerbur’s departure from

Grace in October, TyAnn Kramer has agreed to work part-time (about 10 hours per week) coordinating youth

ministry activities during the interim time until a new Coordinator is hired.

PT Youth Position Available Grace is seeking applicants for a half-

time Youth Ministry Coordinator to work with middle and high school youth and their families. More information is

available on the church website. Please contact Pastor Ron to apply or for more

information.

Ministry News

Grace Lutheran’s first Live Nativity will be a

“Christmas Gift to Our Community”

At the September Parish Planning Council meeting, Terri Ebert presented an idea for a Live Nativity to be held at Grace. The PPC liked the idea and encouraged her

to move forward with it….and so she has. Big time! Since that time, Terri has assembled a planning team to organize what is turning into a major outreach event and opportunity for our church.

The goal of the Live Nativity is to invite people from our whole community to hear

and see the real message of Christmas…the gift of the Christ Child…in a whole new way. We also hope to make people feel welcome and comfortable at Grace and invite them to return for our Christmas services or Sunday worship in the future.

We plan to do extensive advertising to truly make it an outreach opportunity.

The event, to be held the evening of December 22, will be much more than a life-sized nativity scene with real actors. There will also be live animals, carolers, fire pits, free popcorn and hot chocolate outside, and Christmas carols from the carillon.

We’ll also welcome people to come inside with a free-will offering soup supper, more caroling and live Christmas music, and nativity-related activities for children.

In order for this free event to truly be our church’s “Christmas gift to our community”, we need help from our whole congregation. So far, the response has

been outstanding! People are already working on building the barn set, organizing the live animals, coordinating actors and costumes, planning the supper, recruiting

volunteer greeters and carolers, raising needed funds, and preparing advertisements. Please see below how you can help with this effort!

Please contact any member of the planning team if you are interested in helping with the Live Nativity: Terri Ebert, Gene and Deb Aanenson, Rita Miller,

Shirley Harrison, Jason Berghorst, Doug Bos and Lynette Stensland, Shermayne Hardick, Brad Sieve, Carrie Overgaard, and Jeff Hartquist.

How Can I Help with the Grace Live Nativity?

1. Volunteer to help as an actor, greeter, server, musician, or help with costumes 2. Donate fire wood for the fire pits or straw bales for the Nativity scene

3. Offer to bring in your farm animals to really recreate the sights, sounds, and smells of the first nativity! 4. Invite ALL of your friends and family. Make sure to clear your calendar now!

5. Make a donation to help with the costs of building the set, food, and advertising. Please mark your check “Live Nativity” and bring it to Carol in the church office.

THANK YOU for your help and support of the Live Nativity!

From the President’s Pew By Don Dinger, Congregational President

The Executive Ministry has been very busy

the last two months. As you all know, Amie

took a new job and Carrie Overgaard was

hired to fill in part–time, and now has

moved to full time part time.

Three weeks ago, we got news that Brian

was leaving so to help fill in as Youth

Ministry Coordinator, TyAnn Kramer has

been hired to be interim at 10 hours per

week. We are excited and lucky to have

both Carrie and TyAnn working with our

children and youth.

The Executive Ministry has also been

working hard with the Finance Ministry to

plan the 2014 budget. The budget will be

proposed for approval at the semi-annual

congregational meeting on November 17.

At PPC meetings the pastors are teaching

us from the book Reclaiming the “L” Word, a Study Renewing the Church from its Lutheran Core by Kelly Fryer. I wanted to

review a couple of great teachings from

the book:

With a picture of an arrow pointing down

“God always comes down. There is never

anything that we can ever do to turn the

arrow around and make our way up to God.

God came down in Jesus and still comes

down in the bread and the wine, in the

water, and in the fellowship. God ALWAYS

comes down.” The Lutheran church is clear

about a God who loves me just as I am

and what it means to be saved, not

because of anything we do or am but by

GRACE through faith alone.

Lastly Kelly talked about what are our

Guiding principles, her churches examples

are below:

1. Jesus is Lord

2. Everyone is Welcome

3. Love changes people

4. Everybody has something to offer

5. The World needs what we have

WOW…how strong are these and they are

a subject PPC will be working on! If you

have any good ones let us know. PPC is

planning a retreat in February to go over

our Mission and make long term plans.

Lastly, our year to date giving vs.

expenses is down around $25,000. As we

hit the fall and winter months, giving

normally comes up so we hope to make up

the difference. Our shortages have been

covered with carry over money from 2012,

paying bills week to week. We did have to

borrow $4000 from our Pastors Housing

Fund to seal and re-paint parking lot.

Yours in Christ,

Don

“Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures for ever.” 2 Chronicles 20:21b

Thanksgiving Worship and Pie Potluck!

You are invited to come to the

Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service with Holy Communion

On

Wednesday Evening

November 27th @ 7:00 p.m.

Please bring a pie to share, and then join us for worship to thank the Lord for the many blessings that he has bestowed upon us. Following the service, join us for fellowship and a piece of pie. There may even

be a scoop of ice cream for the top.

Oh, let’s not forget some coffee or juice to wash it all down.

Also, please bring a non-perishable item for the Rock County Food Shelf.

Thank you…

Thank you to Rhonda Olson for making the cakes and decorating for the Pastor/Staff Appreciation coffee on October 20. The cakes were delicious!

-GLC Executive Ministry

Thank you to everyone who made the Soup Supper a success again this year. Special thank to Gladys Siebenahler for help in making the soups and donating the crackers, to Glen Gust for donating the hamburger for the chili and to Arla Bakken for the beautiful table decorations. Thanks to all the women who made countless phone calls, set up the tables, chopped vegetables, brought chicken or desserts, gave money for supplies and/or worked at the supper. Thanks to Larry & Lorna Harms for their cheerful and willing cooperation in setting things up and making sure everything worked. And finally thanks to Thrivent Financial for adding $300 to the total proceeds allowing us to give over $2000 to fight hunger through the ELCA World Hunger Fund.

-Lona Klosterbuer and Janice Schei, co-chairs

Thank you to the executive ministry for hosting the Pastor/Staff Appreciation Coffee. The cakes were great! Thank you to everyone who attended and remembered us with cards and many well wishes. It was a good time of fellowship. -Pastor Ron Nichols, Pastor Josh Enderson, Larry & Lorna Harms, Carol Green, Lorraine Olson, Carrie Overgaard

Have an Extra Coat in your closet?  Please join Parish Care in assis ng S.H.A.R.E. and Atlas for Life in One Warm Coat Project.   

We will be collec ng new and/or cleaned used coats, snow pants, mi en, hats and scarves.  

Please drop them off at the church in the lower level coat closet marked for One Warm Coat Project by No‐vember 10th. 

This is a project that is spe‐cifically for our community, Parish Care would love to see a hugh re‐sponse.  Thanks in advance for your generosity.  

“Undy Sunday” is coming!

November 24th - watch the

bulletins for more info.

GLCWomen,November2013TheNovemberThankofferingIngatheringwillbedividedbetweentheELCAWaterProjectandtheDisasterFund.Circlesmaysendintheirgroupthankofferings.Individualsareinvitedtoparticipateinthisoutreachalso.GiftsmaybeincludedwiththeSundayofferings,checksmadeoutto:GLCWThankoffering..Thankyouforyourparticipation.

DatestoRemember:

HOMEDELIVEREDMEALS‐NOVEMBER

NOV7,21–MIA‐8:30to12:30

NOV10‐Pleasehandin illedShoeboxes/oritems

NOV12–GLCWEXBD

NOV19–1pm–DoThanksgivingBaskets

(Helpwithdeliveryisappreciated!)

DECEMBER12th–GLCW–“WalkToBethlehem”

“ForweareGod’sworkmanship,createdinChristJesustodogoodworks,whichGodpreparedinadvanceforustodo.”Ephesians2:10

WALKTOBETHLEHEM

TheGLCWishostingaChristmasPartyatPOPLARCREEKonTHURSDAY,Dec12that2pm.Women(andmen)ofGraceareencouragedtojoinwiththeresidentsofPoplarCreekandtheOaks.Together we will celebrate the coming of the Christ Child with a Christmas program and Christmas Treats.  Mark Your Calendar NOW! 

MISSIONS IN ACTION   November 7 and 21, 2013   8:30 to 12:30 

Just a reminder of our winter policy.   If the weather is bad or if you don’t want to go out in the weather, please stay home.  We don’t want you to fall on the ice or snow.  If we decide to cancel because of the weather, we will send an e‐mail to those who have e‐mail.  We will try to call some of you who are regulars and don’t have e‐mail.  But you should use your own judgment as to whether or not you want to go out. 

The cost for transpor ng the Lutheran World Relief quilts and kits came to $411.00.  We give thanks to Elmer and Karen Ehde for taking this to Tracy for us.  Thanks to your generosity we have enough money le  to pay the shipping costs for 38 boxes for Opera on Christmas Child. ( Shoebox project). 

If you have not given us names for someone who should be ge ng a Thanksgiving basket, you  have un l the middle of November to get that informa on to us. 

The Mi en Tote will be set out in November for mi ens, scarves and caps which will go to SHARE and/or St. Francis House in Sioux Falls.  This will be out only during November. 

WewishallofyouaveryHappyThanksgiving.

ArdieandMary.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

6:30 Telecast Ch. 3 (WOW)

2

5:30 Worship/Holy Communion

3Noisy Sunday

8:15 Wor/Comm 9:15 Coffee 9:30 SS & Adult Sty 10:45 Wor/Comm/New Members Noon New Member Luncheon 1:30 MJB Worship 2:15 Pop Cr Worship

4

9:00 Bible Study 4:00 Telecast Ch. 3 (WOW)

5

9:00 Staff Meeting

6

7:00 Men’s study 7:00 Confirmation Gr 6-9 8:00 Sr Hi @ Pizza Ranch

7

8:30 Missions in Action 4:30 Book Study

8

6:30 TelecASt

9

5:30 Worship

10

Stewardship Sunday 8:15 Worship 9:15 Coffee 9:30 SS & Adult Sty 10:45 Worship/1st Grade Milestone

11

9:00 bible Study 4:00 Telecast 6:30 Echoes

12

9:00 Staff Meeting 2:00 GLCW Ex Bd 6:45 Ministries 8:00 Parish Planning Council

13

7:00 Men’s Study 7:00 Chancel Choir 7:00 Gr 6-9 Conf 8:00 Sr Hi @ Pizza Ranch

14

4:30 Book Study 6:45 Exec Ministry

15

6:30 TelecAst

16

5:30 Wor/Comm

17

8:15 Wor/Comm 9:15 Coffee 9:30 SS & Adult Sty 10:45 Wor/Comm 11:45 Lunch 12:30 Semi-Annual Meeting of Grace Congregation

18

GRACE NOTES DEADLINE 9:00 Bible Study 6:30 Echoes

19

9:00 Staff Meeting 1:00 Pack Baskets For Thanksgiving 1:30 MJB Comm 2:30 Pop Cr Comm 3:30 Vet’s Comm

20

7:00 Men’s Study 7:00 Chancel Choir 7:00 Gr 6-9 conf. 8:00 Sr Hi @ Pizza Ranch

21

8:30 Missions in Action CIRCLES 4:30 Book Study

22

6:30 Telecast

23 Today—

Tomorrow Jr. Hi Youth Gathering @ Wilmar 5:30 Worship

24

8:15 Worship 9:15 Coffee 9:30 SS & Adult Sty 10:45 Worship 4:00 Prairie Song Concert @ Grace

25

9:00 Bible Study 6:30 Echoes

26

9:00 Staff Meeting CIRCLES

27

7:00 Men’s Study 9:00 Assemble GN 7:00 Thanksgiving Worshp/Comm Followed by Pie Potluck

28

Thanksgiving Day Office Closed

29

Office Closed 6:30 Telecast

30

5:30 Wor/Comm

November 2013

DON’T FOR

GET.. 

There WILL BE Sunday 

School December 1  

(Thanksgivi

ng break) 

Happy Fall Everyone! Seems as though the cool weather is upon us and we have some fun activities in store for FALL! I want to thank all of you who have stopped in or sent such kind word as I begin the part-time position as Children and Family Coordinator. I am very excited for what is to come and feel so blessed to work with all our families and young children at Grace!

Family Movie Day!

All children and their families are welcome to join us for a FAMILY MOVIE DAY on Sunday, November 17 at 2:00. We

will be watching the new VeggieTales Christmas movie Merry Larry and the True Light of Christmas;

featuring Si Robertson from Duck Dynasty!

Wear your comfy clothes and bring your pillows, sleeping bags or bean bags and get cozy! We will be serving popcorn

and pop as we ring in the Holiday Season together!

Sunday,  November  10;  all  1st 

Graders will  be  receiving  their 

Small  Catechisms  and  special 

Ten  Commandments  book   

Follow  and  Do;  God’s  Ten  

Commandments during  second  service. This 

year, in Sunday school, they are learning the 

Ten Commandments and next year will begin 

to  learn  the  meaning  of  each  Command‐

ment.  Both  of  these  books  are  a  great  re‐

source for them as they learn God direc ons 

and boundaries.         

Parents of the 1st graders are asked to meet 

in  the  Chapel  at  10:15  for  a  brief mee ng 

with the Pastors. On, Sunday, November 3, we will begin practicing for this years Christmas Program. Practice will be during Sunday School time and each child will be getting a schedule of the practice times and dates. We are

looking for parents who are willing to help with the program preparation and also with various jobs on the day of the program.

If you are willing to help please let me know!

Upcoming dates: 

December 22 - Living Nativity...are you willing to help? There’s a job for all ages!!

January..WINGS STARTS!!! ITS GONNA BE GREAT!! Can you help 1 Wednesday a month?

January - “GREAT GRACE” day and Great Bear skiing and tubing!

 

November Birthdays Nov 1: Nathan Overgaard, Mackenzie Petersen, Ava Sieve Nov 2: Richard Engstrom Nov 3: Erika Read Nov 4: Alice Brandt, Dave Deragisch, Rachel Helle, Harley Wendland Nov 5: Noah Abrahamson, Phillip Rolfs Nov 6: Rich Dreckman, Casey Sehr, Amy Versteeg Nov 7: Brad Hustoft, Sierra Schmuck, Arvid Thoreson Nov 8: Kinser Klosterbuer, Summer Phelps Nov 9: Betty Mulder Nov 10: Sara Altman, Trisha Goembel, Don Moeller Nov 11: Jim Harner, Sydnie Wiess Nov 12: Virgene Bullis Nov 13: Brent Dinger, Richard Hoven, Jonathan Kurtz Nov 14: Julia Hoogland, Jennifer Tofteland Nov 15: Jadyn Anderson, Gena Rolfs, Pam Schneekloth, Mel Viessman Nov 16: Sullivan Benjegerdes, Savanna Bremer, Brady Dinger, Tyler Johnson, Hal Paulson, Louise Rogrness, Lynette Stehlik, Sage Viessman Nov 17: Timothy Eisma, Tom Kopp, Betty Lauck, Melissa Sandbulte Nov 18: Jayona Bowman, Gordon Hansen, Tony Sandbulte Nov 19: Sylvia Eisma, Nathan Siebenahler Nov 20: Hailey Hamann, Margaret Hoh, Hayden Kruse, Heidi Sehr, Dana Swanson Nov 21: Curt Bloemendaal, Jan Rud Nov 22: Bill Thompson Nov 24: David Barber, Judy DeGroot, Allison Schandelmeier, Deb Schandelmeier Nov 25: Lisa Lundgren, Craig Martinson, Oliver Mead, Frank Mongold, Bart Thielbar, Sage Versteeg Nov 26: Gary Madtson, James Remme, Carol Svingen Nov 27: Blaycie Remme, Dylan Thorson, Cedar Viessman Nov 28: Lisa DeBoer, Jackie Gyberg, Erling Tofteland Nov 29: Kurt Kester Nov 30: Doris Fried

November Radio Sponsors

Nov 3 In memory of Don Odland from Mary & family Nov 10 In memory of George Gabrielson’s birthday from Arna & family Nov 17 In memory of Margaret Vegge from family & friends Nov 24 In memory of Wes & Marian Navara from family & friends

Wedding 10/5 Brittany Schmuck & Lance Van Der Weerd

Confirmed 10/27 Kennedy Gonnerman, Tatiana Gust, Hannah Hoogland, Alec Hoven, Taylor Nelson, Jakob Olson, Nick Overgaard, Madi Oye, Brian Richters, Micah Stensland-Bos,, Spencer Swier, Susan Thompson, Erik Tofteland, Mace Walgrave, Emily Wendland, Paul Witte

Transfer 10/23 Derek Ohme to Our Out Savior’s Lutheran, Sioux Falls, SD

Pastoral Acts

Youth at Grace

New email address for Youth news and events! - luvgraceyouth@gmail.com With the changing of youth staff and emails getting lost or not transferred, the Young Peoples Ministry has set up a new email account to send out all information. If you are not getting these emails, please send us one at the above address and we will get you added.

Wednesday Nights are back on! Meet at Pizza Ranch at 8pm.

Operation Christmas Child- Each classroom has a box to fill with gifts to send to a child. Some of these are empty yet. Please bring in donations by Nov 10.

Mission Trip meeting- Wednesday November 13 This will be the first meeting to discuss and plan. We will start right after confirmation at 8pm.

Sunday November 10- Bigger or Better Party This was previously set to be Amazing Race, but we have decided to give a Bigger or Better Party a try. All 6-12 graders are invited to meet at the church at 3pm. We will divide into teams and head out on this scavenger hunt of sorts and see what crazy things we find. Each team will have 1 hour to trade their penny for bigger/ better items.

Sunday November 17- Semi Annual Meeting & Meal New this year, before the meeting we are going to have the youth put on a meal for the church to help raise funds for the youth account. This meal will follow immediately after second service, and we will accept free-will donations from those eating. We will need be asking for volunteers and donations of food. Please watch your emails.

Saturday-Sunday November 23-24- Willmar Retreat Everyone is now signed up and eager to go to the Southwest Youth Gathering. Those signed up will get more information sent to them.

Winterfest 2013- more information to come on float set-up and participation in the parade

Wednesdays December 4 & 11- caroling We will go out to the Nursing homes before or after confirmation. We will need drivers and welcome others to join us in carol-ing.

Sunday December 15: Cookie Sales Once again we will be doing our cookie sale fundraiser, starting immediately after first service and going until the cookies are gone. The senior high will help with this during their normal Sunday School time. We had plenty of cookies last year with each family bringing 8 dozen. We will lower the amount to 6 dozen for each family, so thank you for being so reliable. Each Family, with at least one 6-12th grader, is asked to bring cookies.

Sunday School Notes November 17- No Sr High class- we will be setting up for Annual Meal November 24- No Sunday School for 6-8th grades- Willmar Trip, Sr High Movie Day December 1- Movie Day for 6-8th grades in Youth Room- Sr High will be visiting the Cathedral December 22 & 29- No Sunday School for Christmas Break If you have any questions, please feel free to give me a text or call. God Bless TyAnn Kramer Interim Youth Director luvgraceyouth@gmail.com 507-227-6891