GRACE Pastor’s Corner VISITOR God’s...
Transcript of GRACE Pastor’s Corner VISITOR God’s...
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GRACE
VISITOR
Pastor
Rev. Gregory
Clagg
Intern Pastor
Angela Smith
Director of
Music
Henry Doktorski
Administrative
Assistants
Sue Hage
Caitlin Newton
Custodian
Annamarie
Perretta Rosepink
Handbell Dir.
Cherl Himes
NOVEMBER
2015
God’s Harvest
Pastor’s Corner
Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are
white already to harvest. John 4:35
I could not help but to pause, while looking at end-
less fields of cotton, considering humanity's harvest
history. It seems silly to romanticize the working
conditions of brothers and sisters trying to make
ends meet by their labor.
Harvest is the season for collecting the fruits of these
labors. Faithful witness endures and perseveres the
pains, troubles, and challenges of God's harvest field
of creation; while bringing to God the first fruits. We
are praising God, as the Harvest Father makes us
aware that our labor is not in vain. We work hard
and God is working harder still, providing
opportunities for witnesses to participate in the
salvation work of our Lord.
Help us dear Lord of the resurrection harvest to be
mindful of the purpose of our labor as we prepare for
your Advent, near! I am praying, the Lord of the
harvest will continue sending workers into God's
harvest field. Luke 10:2
The harvest truly is plentiful,
Gregory Clagg
Pastor
GR A CE
Page 2
Grace Family News
Please keep the families of those who have recently entered the
Church Triumphant in your prayers: especially Margaret Folland.
Member’s Celebrations
Prayers
Memorial Gifts
To participate in the
pray chain or to request
Prayer, please call Pastor
Clagg @ 724-601-1414
Church office
724-774-3792 or
Nancy Loughman
724-775-6657
Avery Storm Hartsell
10/04/2015
Danica Rodzankas
Born
10/12/2015
In Memory of:
Norman Murphy
Mr & Mrs J.Albert Brower
Lillian Carnegie
Mr & Mrs J.Albert Brower
Ruthanne Belus
Allen Sluder
Mary Ann Sluder
Victoria Smith
Julia Wiltrout
Arlene H. Teets
Mr.&Mrs.J.Albert
Brower
Pauline Haney
Mr.&Mrs.J.Albert
Brower
Frederick Keefer Sr.
Mr.&Mrs J.Albert
Brower
In Joyful expectation of the resurrection to life eternal, we
remember before the Lord our departed family and friends
who have gone before us in faith and all those who are in
our hearts and minds.
Geraldine Powell
Nancy Young
Lawrence Marko
Donald Ours
Pauline Matthews
Darrel Owens
Frederick Keefer
Arlene Teets
Norman Murphy
Pauline Haney
Lillian Carnegie
Jack Sanders
GR A CE Page 3
Grace Family News
Sunday, November 1st at 10:45 service, the Grace Lutheran Chancel
Choir will join forces with the Chancel Choir of the Beaver Valley
Choral Society, under the direction of Lee Pfeifer.
All Saints Day
GR A CE Page 4
Grace Family News
Jacob Albertson Jaime Albertson Charles Andrews David Bachman Charles F. Baird, Jr. George Baldwin, Jr. James Baldwin Paul Baldwin James E. Barr Terry Barr Charles Batto Ralph Batto Edward T. Baughman Edward A. Baughman Timothy Bean Charles H. Beckert William Belke Jack L. Bender John L. Berdell Donald Bingle Harold Bingle Judith M. Bingle Wilbur Bingle William Bingle Roy Bittner John H. Blair, Sr. Amy Bliss Terry Bliss F. W. Bloom, Jr. Kenneth Boffo David B. Boyers David B. Boyers, Jr. Sigbert Brauch James Breckenridge George Breckenridge Robert Buday William Burkhart Mike Caldwell James Camp Harold Carl James E. Carnegie James E. Carnegie, II
On Sunday, November 8, 2015 we will honor our Veterans—
Past, Present and Always
Melvin Ray Daman Richard A. Daman Joseph L. Davies, Jr. David Davis Howard B. Davis James C. Deem George A. Delo Betty Denison William Doty Harvey V. Dull, Jr. John R. Eakin Kenneth H. Eckles Charles E. Edwards Jeremy Egger Elmer Enigson Paul Evans James W. Fruth Jamison Fruth William Frye John Gallagher George W. Gardner, Sr. Herman W. Gardner Wayne Gardner George Gaskins William Gerhardt George Goehring, Jr. Thomas Goettman Robert Goodwald George B. Gordon Ellis D. Grant Brad Guinn Arthur R. Hage Donald L. Haney, Sr. Al Hartman Roy Hartman Scott Hartman Elvin Headland Wilbur Headland Jack Hesser Charles Hill Oliver Hohl Donald Householder John Hrbolich
Christina Kessler J. Wayne Koehler William W. Krouse Michael Kuppinger Rev. William Kurz Joseph Linnenbrink Donald Lotz James Lotz Bill Loughman John J. Marchitelli Francis W. Matika Wilfred Matthews John F. Mavers, Sr. John E. McCourt David McElhaney Walter McElhaney William H. McNear William L. McNear Albert R. McQuigg Kyle Medva Ted Mengel Gary Miller William A. Murphy Donald Murray Justin Myers Thomas Namadan John Neely Darrell Owens John O. Owens, Sr. Jack Porter, Sr. Clarence E. Powell Geraldine Powell Ronald W. Powell Robert Quigley Joseph Rakas Nicholas Randolph Robert Reader Francis A. Rodgers Walter S. Roth Erik J. Sarson Millard Sarver, Jr. Millard Sarver, Sr. Brian Seager
Marvin B. Sines Joseph Smith Charles Specht, Sr. William Springer Carl H. Stairs Leslie Steinacker George Stormfels Hope Svanda Paul Taddeo Betty Tait Kevin Tait Verner Tait Shaun Tice James Tolbert, Sr. Ryan Trimble Chuck Udick Dale Vodenchar Jeffrey B. Weigel Seth Weigel George F. Wehr Robert White
If you know of any veterans we missed please inform the office so their name can be included on our list.
GR A CE Page 5
Congregational News
GRACE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH AND
OAK GROVE LUTHERAN CHURCH 432 Harkins Mill Road, Zelienople PA 16063
ROOTED. GROWING. BRANCHING OUT.
Dearest Friend,
I am writing to let you know of a special service being held for parishioners of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church and Oak Grove Lutheran church. This service will be held at Oak Grove Lutheran Church located at 432 Harkins Mill Road, Zelienople. This service is for individuals, families, and friends who have experienced the death of a loved one over the last year (particularly since November of 2014). I would like to extend a special invitation to you and your family. The service is planned for Saturday November 7th at 7:00 PM.
The holidays can be a hard time for those who are grieving and this service comes before the holidays with the hope of helping in the grieving process over the holiday season. This is a service of healing for the living but it will honor our blessed departed.
This year we are honored to have Sue Vogel as our guest speaker. She will be sharing her experience of her brother’s death (an experience of hope in the midst of despair).
If you are able to attend please let me know by Thursday November 5th. Also, please provide the information listed below so that I can make sure to have correct information.
Blessings to you and your family as you prepare for the holiday season.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it John 1.5.
Intern Pastor Angela Smith
Please print carefully
I plan to attend the All Saints Service on Saturday November 7th at 7:00 PM
Full name of departed loved one: ______________________________________________________________
Name as you would like Intern Pastor to read it (if different):__________________________________
Date of birth: _________________
Date of death: __________________
If more than one please use back side:
Please mail to or drop off at: 393 Adams Street, Rochester PA 15074 or Email: [email protected] or call Grace at 724.774.3792
GR A CE Page 6
Congregational News
Sunday November 22nd.
9:30a in Fellowship Hall
The agenda of this meeting is as follows:
2016 Budget
Ratification of new constitution***
Election of new Council Members
Capital Budget ( a request for funding)
Any other concerns
***Our constitution was approved on January 25, 2015 at the Congregational
Meeting. Synod approval received by letter on March 21, 2015 and we will ratify it
at this meeting.
GR A CE Page 7
Endowment News Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church Insurance for Endowment
Purpose of an Endowment
The purpose of the Grace Lutheran Church Endowment is to build a fund which will provide funding
for our ministry, youth programs, community outreach, maintain our facilities and cover utility costs.
Grace Church uses a 5% rule for the long-term distribution. It applies the 5% to the three years trail-
ing average of the fund assets. Therefore, a three year market value average of $100,000 would pro-
duce $5,000 for distribution. Building an endowment would enable Grace to make an even greater im-
pact on the programs by providing long-term financial stability.
A Gift of an Unneeded Policy
Suppose your family is grown and no longer needs a $50,000 policy purchased many years ago. Let’s
assume further that the cash surrender value of your policy is $20,000 and the premium cost is $500
annually.
If you contribute the policy for the benefit of Grace Church and continue paying the premiums, you will
be entitled to an income tax deduction of the cash value, $20,000, reducing your taxes by $5,000 if you
are in the 25% tax bracket. In addition, each year you will be entitled to another $500 deduction for the
annual premium you pay, saving $125 in income taxes. At your passing, the full $50,000 proceeds will
be used for the important ministry of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Gifts on the Installment Plan
Would you like to be a $100,000 contributor or even more? Life insurance allows you to make a sub-
stantial gift at a very affordable cost. You can purchase a new policy on your life, naming Grace
Church as the owner and beneficiary. The premiums are fully deductible as a charitable gift and often
can be paid up after only five or seven years. The proceeds will be designated for Grace Evangelical Lu-
theran Church.
Why Give Life Insurance
Many individuals have found life insurance the ideal vehicle for making a significant charitable gift,
either during life or death.
Consider the advantages:
A gift of life insurance is certain. The full proceeds are payable to assure your philanthropic goals
are achieved.
Life insurance is paid promptly; it is not tied up in the administration of the estate.
Unlike a will, life insurance is not a matter of public record. Proceeds can pass for the benefit of
Grace Church in privacy, if you desire. We would be pleased, of course, to provide public recog-
nition of your generosity.
Life insurance gifts are simple; just ask the insurance company for the appropriate forms to make
Grace Church the owner and beneficiary of the policy.
Gifts of a policy are tax deductible, as are future premium payments.
Your charitable gift of life insurance can be even more satisfying if you direct your gift to a par-
ticular program of the church. We also would be grateful if you inform us of your plans for a gift
of life insurance.
Any questions, please feel free to contact Harry Baker, Chick O’Data of Walt VanDyke.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
___I have already included Grace Church in my Will or other estate plan.
___ I would like someone to contact me about my estate plan and a gift to Grace Church.
___ Send me some suggested wording to include Grace Church in my estate plan.
Name _________________________ Address ____________________________Phone___________________
Mail to: Grace Lutheran Church, 393 Adams Street, Rochester, PA 15074
GR A CE
Page 8
SAVE THE DATE EVENTS
5
-6:15P
GINGERBREAD
HOUSE DECORATING
CONTEST
6:15-7P COVERED DISH DINNER
JOIN US FOR AN EVENING OF FUN AND FELLOWSHIP TO
KICK OFF THE ADVENT SEASON
GR A CE
Page 9
Christian Ed/Youth Group News
2015 grace youth annual craft show
November 7th, 2015
10am-3pm
393 adams st Rochester pa 15074
food available for purchase
Chinese auction
If interested in setting up please contact 724-359-8441
GR A CE Page 10
Save the Date Events
PASTOR’S 2014 ENTRY…..
WHICH WAS DISQUALIFIED OF
COARSE!!!
WHAT TO BRING:
(1) PRE-ASSEMBLED HOUSE
(2)DECORATION ITEMS TO SHARE
*ICING WILL BE PROVIDED*
Prayer Warriors
Since Feb 2015, Grace’s Pray Warriors have been meeting on last Tuesday of each
month from 9:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. at Café Kolache, Beaver to discuss issues that
impact individuals, our church, and our community. Topics have ranged from
drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, youth ministries, and church building
project. At the conclusion of each meeting, a group prayer is conducted with mem-
bers contributing to the prayer silently or aloud. Please consider joining this
group activity. Questions can be directed to Deb Newton at 724-728-5794 or email
GR A CE Page 11
Fall is here it’s time for Grace Lutheran’s small group discussions to get
started! This year’s book, When All Else Fails, Read the Instructions, is
written by group favorite James Moore. Books are $10.00 each.
Schedule :
Cindy Spearing 1st Thursday 7:00 p.m.
Lynda Steuer 2nd Saturday 10:00 a.m.
Amy Wolford 3rd Tuesday 10:00 a.m.
Marsha Johnson To Be Announced- Stay Tuned!
If you have any questions or simply want to sign
Grace Groups News
Small Groups
GR A CE Page 12
Community Outreach News
Grace will once again host the Annual
Passavant Homes dinner.
Where:
GELC
Fellowship Hall
For more information about donating, and or volunteering for this
event...Please contact Patty Avery or the church office 724-774-
Community Table
Come join every Thursday at 6 p.m. and the 3rd Tuesday of the month for
Community Table. Dinner is served at 6:00 p.m. This ministry is open to the
public and the entrance can be found on Ohio Street. For further information
please contact Judy Miller or the church office at 724-774-3792.
November Dinner Schedule:
11/5 Grace Lutheran
11/12 St. Cecilia
11/17 St. Cecilia
11/19 Vanport Presbyterian
11/26 No dinner/ Thanksgiving Day
When:
Wednesday,
Time:
Dinner served
Fill out and return to
Intern Pastor
Angela Smith
Food Pantry
Harold and Judy Bingle have started a food outreach ministry at
Grace. For more information on this ministry, please see Harold and
Judy, or contact the church office 724-774-3792.
3rd Sunday of
every month
Non-perishable food items
Cash Donations
Items will be delivered to local
food pantries according to need.
Ex: Salvation Army.
GR A CE Page 13
Community Outreach News
Oak Grove Lutheran Church is sponsoring a 5K race at Brush Creek Park on
November 14, 2015. Proceeds from this event will benefit Unionville's Com-
passionate Ministries Food Back. Brush Creek Park is located on route 588
in North Sewickley Township. There are two ways you can serve this event:
Run and/or walk in the event, or sponsor the event. Please contact Intern
Angela Smith at 814-688-8525 or [email protected] for more infor-
mation if you are interested in supporting this cause in either or both
ways. Hope to see you there!!!
5Kount Your Blessings! Walk/Run/Be Blessed
Click Here for ————>
Printable Registration
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Click pictures for links!
Grace Evangelical Lutheran
393 Adams St. Rochester PA
15074
724-774-3792
Email: [email protected]
Worship Services
8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
As disciples of Jesus Christ, we commit ourselves to God’s service by following the
teachings of our Lord and Savior. We will study the word of God, share His love,
and expand His kingdom by nurturing, sharing freely, and working together.
Thanks be to God! November is the month that we celebrate Thanksgiving. For all of us there
are seasons in our lives that we have trouble recognizing anything for which we
can be thankful and there are other seasons when our joys are in abundance.
However, no matter which season of our life we are in, we can always be thankful
for God’s gift to us in Jesus Christ.
It is through the Holy Spirit and Scripture that we come to know of God’s
saving love through Jesus Christ. It is in Jesus Christ that we know that we are
saved from sin, death, and the power of evil. We no longer have to endure alone
the wickedness in our lives and in the world. God comes in to our lives and cre-
ates us new. It is through Jesus that we are able to faith, hope, and love as St.
Paul so eloquently writes in his letter to the Corinthians.
In Titus 3:4-8 it is written, “But when the goodness and loving kindness of
God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness
that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and
renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus
Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become
heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is sure.”
In all seasons, in all situations we can be thankful for a God that came to live
among us, who suffered, died and was resurrected for our sake so that sin, death,
and the power of evil do not win. The light shines in the darkness, and the dark-
ness cannot overcome it. (John 1:5)
Intern Pastor Angela Smith