PAGE 2

GRACE PRESS

Interim Pastor/Head of Staff

Rev. Dr. Michael Wallman grew up in Malibu, CA, the oldest of 5 separately

adopted children. He has served Christ as an ordained Presbyterian Pastor

since 1979, when he graduated from Fuller Theological Seminary. He earned

his Doctor of Ministry degree from Dubuque Theological Seminary. Most of

his ministry has been in California, but he has served churches in Boulder,

Colorado and Shreveport, Louisiana. For the last 12 years, Pastor Mike has

been an Interim Pastor serving 5 congregations during pastoral transitions. His

most recent position was at First Presbyterian Church of Oceanside. Pastor

Mike is married to Joni and lives in Vista. They have four adult children and

five grandchildren. Playing his guitar and singing has been a great joy since his

youth and he stays active through surfing, cycling, skiing, and golf.

Secretary

Veronica Campos was raised in North County San Diego but now lives in

San Diego. She loves to spoil her 3 year old fur baby, Toby. Veronica likes

nature, adventure, and in her free time she enjoys hiking. Veronica has ex-

tensive office knowledge and is bilingual in English and Spanish.

After School Program Director

Maria Haigh is a native Californian, born and raised in Salinas. She has been

married for 25 years to Dave and they have two children;

Logan (19) and Savannah (15), and Bernie the family cat mascot. Both she and

her husband have worked in education their entire professional life, they have 39

years combined. Their journey together has taken them through many different

experiences including missionary ventures to Mexicali, Oaxaca and Calcutta,

India.

Maria’s educational background earned her an BA in Religion/Youth ministries

from Warner Pacific College and an MA in School Counseling from Chapman

University. Most recently she has worked as an adjunct instructor and college

counselor for a state university. The last two years have led them to the Oceans-

ide area, where her husband took a position as a Senior Instruction Designer for the University of

San Diego.

She loves serving the Lord with her time and talents and advocating for the “underdog.”

She brings enthusiasm, a love and compassion for others, and a passion for education. She is look-

ing forward to serving the children and families in the Vista community.

Meet our New Staff

PAGE 3

SEPTEMBER 2017

Here it is September, already!?! Yes, it is really here. So the notice goes out to each of the

church committees that it is time to prepare budget requests for next year and get them

to the Finance committee by the end of the month. The proposed budget expenses will have to

be closer to the anticipated receipts as the Newby Bequest Fund that has supported some of our

programs dwindles.

So the call also goes out to the membership suggesting that we plan our personal giving for the

coming year.

A pastoral message might in all likelihood, tell you the way to a happy Christian life is to give 10%

of our income, save 10% of our income and live happily on what is left. It really works for some.

Yet for others, it is difficult to jump right up to 10%. That thought brought about the idea of “Work-

ing toward Tithing.” We would succeed soon by increasing our giving by 1% of our income each

year. How soon would that get you to the ideal of 10%? For some, by the time they reach 10%

level it will have become a comfortable habit.

I know, it sounds easy to write and easy to read. The truth is, it just might work for you. Let’s all

pray about it.

Finance Committee Report

PAGE 4

GRACE PRESS Test imony and Cal l for Unity by Glenna Spindelman

So here we are again… waiting.

People wait all the time. In line at the grocery store. In the airport. At home for SDG&E or Cox Ca-

ble to arrive. For the doctor to call with test results or scheduling of treatment or surgery.

And now, we are waiting for the Presbytery to take us one step closer to welcoming our next head

pastor.

What do we do while we wait? Lean back, arms folded across our chest? Tap our foot, check our

watch, straining our eyes toward the horizon? Do we complain about the waiting? Do we tire of wait-

ing, and walk away?...

My hopes for Grace:

• That we live and thrive, hope and serve, and pray during this time.

• That we do not give up meeting together, working together - side by side - to keep our

church strong and obedient to the calling of the Holy Spirit.

• That we claim God’s promise in Isaiah, Chapter 40, Verse 31. “But they that wait upon the

Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and

not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

Our responsibility, according to the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 5, verse. 13 “You are the salt of the

earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for any-

thing, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”

Over the centuries, salt has been used not only to enhance flavor, but to preserve food. I say we

choose to be that salt that not only preserves our church during this waiting time, but to actively flavor

it.

Pastor Tom was with us for 21 years. A lifetime for some. I have been here for 31 years, some of you

have been here even longer. There are many in this church who were here for those years in between

Pastor John Chambers and Pastor Tom Straeter. What we saw back then, I hope to see once again.

Lay leadership arose from our midst to hold us together and make us stronger than ever. We learned

who we were and I believe we will learn who we are in the days ahead.

But we have suffered a tremendous loss that needs to be acknowledged and loss always carries with it

a period of grieving.

Back in 2005, after the loss of my mother-in-law, my father, mother, and my dear husband, Kirk, - all in

less than 10 months’ time - I learned that grief can be paralyzing. But there came the morning when

I awoke, yet another day of not wanting to pull my head out from under my pillow. Somehow my

fingers, resting on the side of my neck, found a pulse, a strong, steady pulse. My grieving mind brought

Continued on Page 7...

PAGE 5

SEPTEMBER 2017Test imony and Cal l for Unity cont. . . me a big sigh, tears, and the crushing reality that Kirk’s heart was no longer beating. In the midst of my

tears I heard a gentle, yet firm voice. “That’s right, my child. He no longer has a pulse, but you still do.”

It was clear what I was to do with that revelation. It was time to get out from under that pillow. Time to

get up and out, and see what God had for me to do that day. And the next and the next.

Brothers and Sisters, this church still has a strong and steady pulse. It is time to wake up, get up and out

and see what God has for each one of us to do. We need to be that collective heartbeat, not waiting to

see what others are doing and decide whether we like it or not.

We, need to step up and step in, not waiting for our orderly, yet painfully slow Presbyterian process to

fix everything for us. God has given us our Vision. God has given us our Mission. It is up to each of us to

do what we can.

Do what we are called to do.

Do what we are commanded to do - to make us strong, to keep us strong. To keep us heading for-

ward, in the direction that God has for this church. And it is not the sole responsibility of those in lead-

ership.

Please, next Sunday write the words “I WILL SERVE” on the blue cards before you drop them in the

offering plate.

In the last few weeks, this song has been sung as a part of our worship. It’s time we live this declaration.

“We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord

And we pray that our unity will one day be restored

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love

Yeah they’ll know we are Christians by our love

We will work with each other, we will work side by side”

Creciendo Juntos After School Program is starting a new year in September!

My name is Maria Haigh and I will be serving as the Creciendo Juntos new After

School Program Director. I am delighted to be part of this program that reaches

out to the children and families in the Vista community.

Be a volunteer and make a difference. It only takes 1.5 hours a week to make a difference in the life of a

child! Are you ready to share your time and talents?

I am looking forward meeting you, please contact me at ASPDirector@gpcvista.org or 760-724-0077.

Hasta Pronto!Continued on Page 7...

Creciendo Juntos

PAGE 6

GRACE PRESS

A very special thanks to the flock at Grace from Tom, Sherry, and the entire Straeter family. The

reception that was held for us in early August was such a blessing. We felt loved, appreciated

and encouraged through your attendance. We also want to thank you for the gift cards and finan-

cial support that were so graciously given. My family has been blessed to be a part of the Grace

family over the past twenty-one years and has been encouraged as we’ve sought God’s direction

and will. Our prayer is that Grace Presbyterian Church continues to be the hands and feet of our

Lord Jesus Christ throughout the Vista community. We have so many wonderful memories that will

be cherished deep within our hearts. May the Lord bless you and keep you from this day forward till

we meet again.

Grace & Peace

Pastor Tom Straeter

October 21, 2017

The Crafter’s Guild of All Saints

Episcopal Church is hosting a crafters

fair. They are bringing together various

North County faith based organizations

to present and sell their homemade

goods. All sale proceeds will go back to

each participant’s church.

Sue Bouchard is going to be a part of this

event on behalf of Grace Presbyterian. If

you would like to join her with your own

crafts please contact her at sbsuebouchard@gmail.com.

Opportunity to serve the Grace youth: We are in great need for Sunday School teachers and

a volunteer coordinator for the program. Isn’t it the desire for our children to know the Lord

and what a difference He can make in their lives?

Once a month, you as a teacher can come alongside the parent(s) and provide a solid foundation

for each child in the program. Please consider and pray about this opportunity, then contact Susan

Hiltbrand at (760) 533-4130, and she can provide the details. We are in need of eight volunteers who

would teach just one Sunday a month. All materials would be provided. The blessings you might

receive by reaching out are sometimes far greater than you could imagine.

Thank you from Pastor Tom

Save the Date

Chi ldren’s Ministry

PAGE 7

SEPTEMBER 2017

At 9am worship on

Sunday, September 10th,

let us join grandparents

everywhere to honor our

grandchildren by uniting in

prayer for them.

Grandparents@Prayer

Join our next

Grandparents@Prayer

meeting on October 29 in

room 10 half an hour before

the traditional service begins.

You will make God smile.

PAGE 8

GRACE PRESS Local Missions: Chaplain Phi l l ipsChaplain Richard Phillips August 22, 2017

4890 Pointillist Ct, Oceanside, CA 92057 ishepherd2@sbcglobal.net (760) 631-7764

Scripture

“And you, who were dead in your trespasses…., God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.” Colossians 2:12-13

Prayer Requests

Wisdom in Writing book on Pastoral Care to the hurting Protection from Disease Development of Volunteers Relief of Neuropathy pain Energy for fast paced days Opportunities to share Christ SAVE THE DATE OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY OCTOBER 15TH

PHILLIPS Heathcare Chaplains Ministry Association

Donate To Ministry

HCMA (acct# 479) 101 S. Kraemer Blvd Suite 123A Placentia, CA 92870 www.hcmachaplains.org

The guilt of past sins can weigh heavily on the human spirit. Such was the case with a middle aged lady who stopped by the chaplain office for some desperately needed counsel. She is someone I had met a few years ago, who at the time couldn’t accept that her husband was actively dying. She said he was much older, and he had treated her with great love and kindness all of their marriage. Now she was suffering deep guilt over her unfaithfulness to him while he was still alive, and recently had even contemplated taking her life. Seeing a therapist hadn’t helped. She believed in God but nothing specific like Christianity. Her confession was very genuine and remorseful with tears as she felt a sense of great guilt, especially after her first husband had been so loving, kind and generous to her. After listening carefully to her story and concerns, I asked permission to share the only way I knew of experiencing liberating forgiveness and having a transformed life. She eagerly agreed, so I shared the Gospel and how I too had been in great need of God’s forgiveness for many sins of the past. I explained God’s great love, mercy and grace in sending Jesus to die on a cross in our place, and His bodily resurrection. She delighted to hear of God’s forgiveness that He offers in Christ, along with the freedom from condemnation, and the transforming life as we can live in Him. She was very responsive and greatly encouraged and wanting me to pray for her to receive Christ into her heart. A compassionate prayer was given, with the Gospel of Christ at the center of it, along with the transforming power God provides. Afterward, I felt led to share the story in the Bible of Jesus encountering the woman caught in adultery and accusers wanting to stone her. Jesus drew in the sand (maybe many types of their sins) and said to the accusers, “he who is without sin may throw the first stone.” They all left one by one without throwing any stones. Then Jesus said to her, “your sins are forgiven, go and sin no more!” My counselee expressed a deep commitment to not sin in adultery again. I explained that we won’t be perfect, but we are being transformed when we are daily trusting in Christ. She was very very grateful and said she had been helped a lot. I had spent about 40 minutes with her and had ignored the office phone ringing. The conversation seemed too important to interrupt it. Later I learned that ICU had called for a patient death and they wanted a chaplain for the family. But as it turned out I had already ministered to the family earlier and they were doing ok now.

PAGE 9

SEPTEMBER 2017Local Missions: Chaplain WestbrookChaplain Richard Phillips August 22, 2017

4890 Pointillist Ct, Oceanside, CA 92057 ishepherd2@sbcglobal.net (760) 631-7764

Scripture

“And you, who were dead in your trespasses…., God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.” Colossians 2:12-13

Prayer Requests

Wisdom in Writing book on Pastoral Care to the hurting Protection from Disease Development of Volunteers Relief of Neuropathy pain Energy for fast paced days Opportunities to share Christ SAVE THE DATE OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY OCTOBER 15TH

PHILLIPS Heathcare Chaplains Ministry Association

Donate To Ministry

HCMA (acct# 479) 101 S. Kraemer Blvd Suite 123A Placentia, CA 92870 www.hcmachaplains.org

The guilt of past sins can weigh heavily on the human spirit. Such was the case with a middle aged lady who stopped by the chaplain office for some desperately needed counsel. She is someone I had met a few years ago, who at the time couldn’t accept that her husband was actively dying. She said he was much older, and he had treated her with great love and kindness all of their marriage. Now she was suffering deep guilt over her unfaithfulness to him while he was still alive, and recently had even contemplated taking her life. Seeing a therapist hadn’t helped. She believed in God but nothing specific like Christianity. Her confession was very genuine and remorseful with tears as she felt a sense of great guilt, especially after her first husband had been so loving, kind and generous to her. After listening carefully to her story and concerns, I asked permission to share the only way I knew of experiencing liberating forgiveness and having a transformed life. She eagerly agreed, so I shared the Gospel and how I too had been in great need of God’s forgiveness for many sins of the past. I explained God’s great love, mercy and grace in sending Jesus to die on a cross in our place, and His bodily resurrection. She delighted to hear of God’s forgiveness that He offers in Christ, along with the freedom from condemnation, and the transforming life as we can live in Him. She was very responsive and greatly encouraged and wanting me to pray for her to receive Christ into her heart. A compassionate prayer was given, with the Gospel of Christ at the center of it, along with the transforming power God provides. Afterward, I felt led to share the story in the Bible of Jesus encountering the woman caught in adultery and accusers wanting to stone her. Jesus drew in the sand (maybe many types of their sins) and said to the accusers, “he who is without sin may throw the first stone.” They all left one by one without throwing any stones. Then Jesus said to her, “your sins are forgiven, go and sin no more!” My counselee expressed a deep commitment to not sin in adultery again. I explained that we won’t be perfect, but we are being transformed when we are daily trusting in Christ. She was very very grateful and said she had been helped a lot. I had spent about 40 minutes with her and had ignored the office phone ringing. The conversation seemed too important to interrupt it. Later I learned that ICU had called for a patient death and they wanted a chaplain for the family. But as it turned out I had already ministered to the family earlier and they were doing ok now.

PAGE 10

GRACE PRESS

1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

12pm Telecare

If you have a birthday or anniversary in September and your name does not appear above,

please contact the church office at 760-724-0077 to update our records. Thank you!

10:30am PWC Luncheon5:30pm Telecare7pm Deacons

6am Men’s Break-fast (Spanish)8am Men’s Break-fast (English)

SUN MON TUE WED THUR FRI SAT

9am PWC Coord. 10am E & L6:30pm Session

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

S U N D A Y S

9 & 10:30am: Worship Services

9 & 10:30am: Adult Studies

10:30am: Spanish Service

10:30am: Children’s Sunday

School

M O N D A Y S

7pm: AA meeting

T U E S D A Y S

5:15pm: Soup Kitchen

7pm: Men’s Bible Study

W E D N E S D A Y S

9:30am: Staff Meeting

1pm: Knitting Ladies

T H U R S D A Y S

9:30am: Nutrition Class

10am: Bible Study

6pm: Hand Bell Choir

6:30pm: Spanish Bible Study

7:30pm: Choir Rehearsal

FRIDAYS

10am E & L6:30pm Spanish Min. Leader Mtg.

12:30pm Finance

Committee

11:30am Comm. Fellowship

11:30am Comm. Fell.

9:30am PEO Book Club

10am E & L6:30pm Trad. Visionary Team

OFFICE CLOSED

17 Richard & Arcilia Tauber (57 years)

30 Earl & Valerie Allen (28 years)

1 Dorene Comerford

Gloria Cosgrove

2 Mark Hiltbrand

Donna Hubner

3 Ben Elliott

8 Carol Roley

9 Pat Carriker

11 Peg Long

12 Anna Belle Beaman

12 Pat Whisler

13 Marilyn Lee

Dick Woolsey

15 Norm Long

17 Judith Domercq

Merisue Repik

18 Barbara Goemer

19 Hannah Dickson

21 Sherry Straeter

21 Tom Straeter

22 Letty Calhoun

26 Scott Earnest

27 Karin Eldridge

28 Kate Duff

Asa Mori

30 Brooklyn Enger

PAGE 11

SEPTEMBER 2017

Albina Lumetta

Alice Nolf

Bill Greenway

Bob Wilson

Carol Lewis

Cathy Medlyn

Chad Woolsey

Charlotte Damon

Colbie Kelley

Debbie Barrie

Denise Stockman

Dickson Family

Dodie Bumgardner

Ed Neuman

Edna Murray

Elizabeth Johnson

Erin Eldridge

Fanny Aliaga

Grigorii Kirillov

Letty Calhoun

Marilyn Lee

Mark Compton

Maxine Fox

Mori Family

Neil Kirkland

Pauline Whiting

Phil Damon

Rich Yates

Rita Sinatra

Shane Ogard

Taryn Johnson

Terry Breen

Terry-Jeanne Sawyer

Trisha Roast-Sinatra

William Story

Yvonne Jones

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

Punch/Coffee Flowers

September 3 Deacons The Woolsey’s

September 10 Deacons Anna Belle Beaman

September 17 Deacons Juliet Faul

September 24 Deacons Available

Punch/Coffee Service and Flowers for September

Reidmuller Scholarship Committee Update

At this time, the Reidmuller Scholarship will not be available for application for the fall semester.

Church Staff

G R A C E P R E S B Y T E R I A NC H U R C H

1450 E. Vista WayVista, CA 92084

Phone: 760-724-0077

Fax: 760-724-2534

E-mail: info@gpcvista.org

www.gpcvista.org

Address Service Requested

W H E R E G O D ’ S F A M I L Y G R O W S

GRACEPRESBYTERIAN

NEIGHBORHOOD CHURCH

facebook.com/GPCVista

Interim Pastor/Head of Staff Rev. Dr. Michael Wallman

Associate Pastor of Hispanic Ministries Rev. Eliecer Barrantes

Administrator Christie Elliott

Bookkeeper Albina Lumetta

Secretary Veronica Campos

Bridge Ministries Director Felipe Huguet

After School Program Director Maria Haigh

Chancel Choir Director Jayne Parker

Organist Frances Hummel

Hand Bell Choir Director Pat Sexton

Facilities Jim Aliaga

GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IS A CONFESSING CHURCH, and we believe:

That Jesus Christ alone is Lord of all and the way of salvation.

That Holy Scripture is the triune God’s revealed Word,

the Church’s only infallible rule of faith and life.

That God’s people are called to holiness in all aspects of life.