Newsletter for disciples and friends of Spirit of Grace

Volume 9 June/July 2018 Issue 5

LOOK at what the summer will bring . . .

Your Leap of Faith Capital Appeal

Dollars @ Work!

Continued progress on the new building SoG South Campus will use:

Renovations to the North Campus, Phase I, begin June 1! Here’s what you can expect: Temporarily relocating of the church office down the hallway Movement of internal office wall to expand 1st classroom for more Esther’s School Students (all done by Esther’s School) Mr. Chad & Mr. Ralph will re-locate & rent the office for Esther’s School Office (school is adding students, increasing from mid 40’s to mid low 60’s!) The green carpet removed and the floor prepared for tile; new tile installed The walls painted Old mail boxes removed and replaced with drywall for now Questions? Contact Lou Vuozzo, Jim Clifford or Paul Boivin

at left: Front, facing Old County Rd 54 Below: inside worship area, south wall Below left: inside, east facing, altar wall

Leap of Faith Dollars: purchasing furnishings, sound system & re-finishing altar pieces!

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About Spirit of Grace

Who To Contact

We are a caring and welcoming congregation whose mission is: The Grace Place to connect, grow, and serve.

We are ONE congregation with TWO worshiping campuses

North Campus & Office 9525 Hudson Avenue, Hudson, FL 34667 Worship: Saturday 5:00 pm*, Sunday 8:30 am & 11:00 am

*Saturday 5pm worship on break for the summer!

South Campus Alternates Worship: Phi Delta Kappa Hall Sunday 10:15 am 11301 Phi Delt Way. Odessa Dobies Funeral Home Sunday 11:30 am 8825 Old County Rd 54, NPR

Mailing Address: 9525 Hudson Ave Hudson, FL 34667

Telephone 727-376-0919

www.soglutheran.org

Pastoral Staff The Rev. Dr. Rita Gardner Tweed, Lead Pastor Ph: 813-230-4907 Email: lpr@soglutheran.org

The Rev. Dave Kruger, Sr. Ministry, Spiritual Care & Funeral Ministry Ph: 727-247-2982 Email: pastordave@soglutheran.org Pastor Dave works Tue, Thurs, & Sun Afternoon

Sarah Conaway, Transition Parish Secretary, 727-376-0919, churchoffice@soglutheran.org

Linda Phipps, Bookkeeper, 727-376-0919 bookkeeper@soglutheran.org (Tuesdays Only)

Elaine Lorentzen, North Musician 11:00 am service (618) 830-8978 elorz4@charter.net

Debbie Bryant, South Musician 11:30 am service 727-967-5201 debenl@aim.com

Jonathan Rine, Contemporary Worship Director 8:30 am & 10:15 am Services 727-457-9822, jedarine@gmail.com

Sharon Burke Volunteer Project Coordinator, 727-207-7835 vpc@soglutheran.org

Kristie Beaudry 727-243-3243 Kathleen Casagrande, Tres 727-378-4105 Jim Clifford Vice Pres 813-528-1021 Ken Key 813-416-8208 Charlene Lee 727-844-0412 Erik Reisner, Sec 727-534-7825 Lou Vuozzo President 727-389-2167 Elaine Waldrup 727-457-3128

Church Council Members

Let Us Know Please let the church office know if someone is ill, hospitalized or in need of spiritual care. Hospitals do not call churches. At times we do not find out someone is hospitalized until they are home. Telephone 727-376-0919.

The deadline for the August issue of The Grace Place is July 17th.

Home Communion Spirit of Grace has a team of trained Home Communion Visitors. If you or a family member are not currently being visited and would like to receive a visit, please contact the church office at 376-0919.

The next church council meeting will be on Tuesday, June 12, 7:00 pm at the North Campus.

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Welcome Summert ime! Dear SoG Congregation & Friends, Are you welcoming summertime? Have plans for summer travels or special visits with family and friends? Doing lots of fun activities with the kids — swimming, beach, bike rides, fishing,

movies — you name it, there are tons of great summer activities to enjoy. While summer travels or summer play may get more atten-tion in the summertime when school is out, it’s a reminder that having play time or off-the-schedule time as part of our year round lifestyle is so needed, even critical to our overall well-being. The God-word for it is Sabbath. Part of the gospel for this upcoming weekend is the following verse from Mark 2:27-28: “Then he said to them, ‘The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath; So the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.’” Great gospel to launch summertime! In contrast, we are looking at a crazy summertime at SoG with North Campus building renovations and the new building to be used for South Campus coming in for completion. Maybe the craziness of it all happening this summer simply makes the point for sabbath even more profound. Often times, we make these choic-es about the pace of our lives. And that’s the good news — we can also make the choices about pri-oritizing rest, renewal, play and sabbath — that when given the chance, sabbath actually regenerates us for the industry, creativity, and serving of our lives. For your summer reading, I commend the book, Sabbath by Wayne Muller. Quoting the back cover: “In today’s world, with its relentless emphasis on success and productivity, we have lost the necessary rhythm of life, the balance between work and rest. Constantly striving, we feel exhausted and deprived in the midst of great abundance. We long for time with friends and family, we long for a moment to ourselves. Millennia ago, the tradition of Sabbath created an oasis of sacred time within a life of unceasing labor. Now in a book that can heal our harried lives, see how to create a special time of rest, delight, and renewal — a refuge for our souls. We need not even schedule an entire day each week. Sabbath time can be a sabbath afternoon, a sabbath hour, a sabbath walk. Use this time of sacred rest to refresh our bodies and minds, restore our creativity, and regain our birthright of inner happiness.” Our daughter, Marissa, an ELCA pastor in Indiana, gave this book to me for Moth-er’s Day — she said it’s changed how she manages her days. I’m reading it this summer and I hope you will too. This summer is calling SoG to many new opportunities and bringing our best, rested selves, to God’s great mission call through SoG is a gift we can return to God and give to one anoth-er and our families/friends. What’s your summertime sabbath?

See you in Worship, Pr. Rita Gardner Tweed, Lead Pastor, Spirit of Grace

REMEMBER:

1. Take your flat Jesus, that you color/decorate, with you on your sabbath adventures, outings,

and trips. Send picture of you/family with your flat Jesus to churchoffice@soglutheran.org.

2. Even while you are out and about, please send in your tithes and offerings as the Lord’s work

continues in full swing all year round! Consider signing up for simply giving auto giving or use

the giving+ app. Info in newsletter & on website:www.soglutheran.org

Special Offering for Holy Ground Homeless Shelter totaled $916.00 & was mailed to them this week! Thanks be to God for SoG’s on-going support of the needs of others.

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Father’s Day Waffle Brunch Hosted by the Houston Bound Youth

Bring your Fathers for

fellowship and waffles after Worship!!

June 17th @ SoG North & PDK

All donations benefit the Houston Bound Youth

CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED The church office will be closed

Wednesday, July 4th for the Holiday. In case of an emergency, please call

Pastor Rita at 813-230-4907.

SoG NORTH OFFICE HOURS June-August The North Office will be open Monday 12-2:30pm and

Tuesday & Wednesday 9:30 am - 1:00 pm. (Closed Thursday & Friday) We will resume regular hours in September.

New Friends Brunch

Are you new to Spirit of Grace?

Have you visited and would like to have “church chat” or “God Talk” with the Pastor or a Council

person?

You are invited to our New Friends Brunch. This is a two part gathering. If you plan on attending, please

plan to attend both parts.

South Campus Pt 1: Sunday, June 10th, 1:30pm Pt 2: Sunday, June 24th, 1:30pm

North Campus Pt 1: Sunday, July 8, 9:30 am

Pt 2: Sunday, July 15, 9:30 am grab food/drinks & meet in large classroom

Light refreshments served. Please RSVP to the church office 727-376-0919

OR churchoffice@soglutheran.org

First Communion Class this Summer A 1st Communion Class will be offered on Tuesday, July 24th 10:30 am @ North Cam‐pus. Please RSVP to Pr. Rita asap. The $30.00 fee will cover the chalice that will be

painted in class and will be the students to use for their first communion and to keep!

Are you new to Spirit of Grace? Text “Welcome” to 727-317-6166. We

would like to connect with you and hope to learn more about you while you can

learn more about us!

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The Flock is Here!! Donations help send our youth to Houston

Know someone who could use a “FLOCKING”?

...but be careful, they may take REVENGE!!

You may want to take out INSURANCE to protect yourself!

Additional information and SOGY Flamingo Flock forms are available at all Worship services.

STOP TALKING AND START FLOCKIN’

Begin Final Countdown to Launch…

Departure: 6/27

Destination: Houston

Event: 2018 ELCA Youth Gather-

ing

The SoG youth pictured below are headed for Houston with 30,000+ ELCA youth & adult leaders for this mission trip that includes serving, singing, spiritual growth and so much fun being together. SoG Youth from left to right back row: Jon Jordan, Tanner Clifford, Joanna Boivin. Left to right, Front row: James Man-ning, Molly Boland, Christina Jenkins, Johnny Boivin. Front is Eddy Beaudry. Not pictured: Addisyn Elliott, Alex Wind-sor. SoG Adult Leaders: Kristie Beaudry, Pr. Rita GT, Marina Tweed, & Dcn. Darlene Weikel. Welcome to Deacon Darlene Weikel who will be join-ing the Gathering Trip as one of SoG’s Adult Leaders!

SoG will be traveling and attending the gathering again with ELCA neighboring congregation Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Palm Harbor! We will be joined by Avery Schuesler, and LCR Adult Leaders: Todd Schuesler & Pr. Dave GT. So many thank you’s to SoG for the ongoing donation support that is making it possible for these youth to experience this mission trip. To help out the finances, SoG youth received scholarships from the ELCA for most of the registration fee. That leaves about $1,000 per youth for airfare, hotel lodging, food, t-shirts &

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Adventures of Flat Jesus This summer, let’s send Flat Jesus to every corner of the world! Let Flat

Jesus be a reminder of Jesus’ real presence in every place we find ourselves and as a fun reminder to help others encounter God. 1. Decorate your Flat Jesus and laminate him if you are able. 2. Take Flat Jesus with you on vacation or just around town! 3. Take pictures of him with you in different locations. 4. Post pictures to Facebook & Instagram with #soglutheran & #flatjesus 5. If you aren’t on Facebook, you can email your pictures to churchof-

fice@soglutheran.org 6. If you don’t have access to a computer, you can bring in a hard copy

to the church office when you return. At the end of summer we’ll have a slide show of all the places Flat Jesus has been!

Pick up an extra Flat Jesus in the Narthex, or download from our Facebook page or website to print out a Flat Jesus at home.

REHEARSAL TIMES Praise Team Chancel Choir

Combined—Sundays, 7:30 am North South—Taking a break for summer North—Taking a break for summer

We offer Chancel Choirs that sing at the Traditional Services. We would like to invite anyone who loves to sing praises to God and singing in a choir to join! The South Choir is directed by Debbie Bryant 727-967-5201, the North Choir is directed by Elaine Lorenzen (618) 830-8978

The Praise Team sings at both Sunday 8:30 am North & 10:15 am service at the Phi Delta Kappa Hall. It is led by Jonathan Rine ph: 727-457-9822 email: jedarine@gmail.com.

FOOD PANTRY NEWS The next Mobile Pantry will be Thursday, June 14th 10-11:30am.

Any donations are appreciated. We are in need of items such as Cereal, Peanut Butter, and Canned Goods. Watch for July dates to be announced in

upcoming weekly Announcements. Questions? Call Marcia Baker 727-267-1719

Congregational Assistance Program (CAP)

BayCare Behavioral Health understands the importance of compassionate care. Our network providers are sensitive to the values and beliefs of those they serve. Our disciples are offered 3 FREE counseling ses-sions a year and FREE Hotline calls. Confidential Hotline: (800) 878-5470

Services Individual Counseling Family Counseling Couples Counseling Child Therapy

Help can be provided for issues including: Stress Anxiety Depression Family Discord Divorce Adjusting to Blended Families Substance Abuse Issues Parenting Challenges Bullying Grief and Loss

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Stephen Ministry is growing!

Pictured below are our current Stephen Ministers — Thanks be to God for them and the caring and compas-sionate ministry they provide. Please talk to them at any worship service. They are here to pray with you!

Ilona O’Connor Attends Sunday 8:30am

SoG North

Deacon Jay Kane Attends Saturday 5pm

SoG North

Karin Beeten-Stephen Leader Attends Sunday 10:15am

Phi Delta Kappa

Deacon Janet Boland-Leader Attends Sunday 10:15am

Phi Delta Kappa

Sharon Burke Attends Sunday 11:30am

Dobies

Kathy McGarrigle Attends Saturday 5pm or

Sunday 8:30 am SoG North

Sharon McTeer Attends Sunday 11:00am

SoG North

Carole Coleman Attends Sunday 10:15am

Phi Delta Kappa

Stephen Ministers: The After People

People often ask, “What exactly is a Stephen Minister?” One way to put it is that Stephen Ministers are the After People.

Stephen Ministers are there:

...after the phone call you hoped you’d never get. ...after the divorce papers are served and the bottom falls out of your life

...after the funeral, when everyone has left and the emotions you’ve held at bay come crashing in on you. ...after the doctor says “I’m sorry, but there's nothing more we can do.”

...after the nursing home director shakes your hand ands says, “Welcome to your new home.” ...after the last child honks the horn, waves, and drives away—and the house suddenly seems empty.

...after the gavel goes down, the handcuffs go on, and your loved one is led away.

...after the baby arrives, demanding more of you than you ever dreamed possible. ...after you find a pink slip with your final paycheck.

...after your family and friends have heard your story one too many times, but you still need to talk it out.

Stephen Ministers are the “After People.” they are ready to come alongside you—or your friends, neighbors, coworkers, or relatives—and provide comfort and support for as long after as needed.

AnnetteeCrickenberger Attends Saturday 5pm or

Sunday 8:30 am SoG North

SoG Stephen Ministers also make hospital visits and some home communion calls. They join in the prayer ministry for and with you, too

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Database Updates Do you have a new email? Are you getting emails from Spirit of Grace? Do you have a new Cell Phone? Please be sure to send any new email

update to churchoffice@soglutheran.org ASAP! Sending as much communication out as possible by email keeps post-age costs lower, and we want to stay in contact with you! Thank you!

Giving Through Your Smart Phone Is As Easy as 1-2-3!

You can now make a contribution to our church through a mobile app! To get started, download GivePlus Church for free from the App Store or Google Play. Simply search for

“GivePlus Church” to quickly find and download the app today. Then, you can easily make donations directly from your smartphone using your debit/credit card or checking/savings account.

You can also choose to donate as a guest or set up an account that allows you to securely and conveniently schedule recurring donations and manage and review your giving history.

We hope you enjoy this new way to contribute to our ministry, and thank you for your support.

**New Safety Team**

The Safety Team meets the first Sunday of every month at 2:00 north cam-pus, volunteers are welcome. Spirit of Grace is pro-active in responding to the recent shootings in church-es, schools, & other public places. The SoG Safety Team launch group has developed a Safety Policy and Procedure Guide for SoG that was passed at the March Council meeting. It’s time to invite volunteers from the congrega-tion, from each worship service for training and serving to keep our church a safe haven for all people.

If you are interested please contact: Kathleen Casagrande—casa4242@yahoo.com, Dean Hasse—ih.scout.in@gmail.com, Bob Marz—cmarz5@tampabay.rr.com, Erik Reisner—ereisner18@yahoo.com, Lou Vuozzo—plumlou@yahoo.com, or Jim Clifford—jclifford@jonesedmunds.com. You will need to a workable email that you check often.

REMEMBER: Designate Spirit of Grace

In the Amazon Smile Program for ALL of your Amazon Online Shopping!

Simply go to www.smile.amazon.com and designate Spirit of Grace, Hudson, FL and YOU can help SoG receive money by simply shopping!

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Quilting Ministries At Spirit of Grace Prayers & Squares

Prayers and Squares is taking a break for summer and will resume in the fall. Please contact Mae Haines for more info 863-4329

The purpose of Prayers and Squares is to promote prayer through the use of quilts. Our motto is: "It's not about the quilt: it's all about the prayers". We are in need of volunteers at both campus’. You need not be a seamstress to be part of our ministry basic sewing skills are all that is needed. How to Give a Gift of Prayer in the Form of Quilt? It is NOT appropriate to surprise someone with a prayer quilt. You must first ask the person you are considering giv-ing this gift of prayer to if they would accept it. You then re-spect their answer. To request a quilt please fill out a form that is located in the narthex of each Campus.

Women’s Monthly Bible Study

This Bible Study is taking a break for summer and will resume in the fall. Questions? Call Mae Haines at 727 863 4329.

Seniors Trip On May 9th the Graceful Seniors took a trip to the Tampa Bay History Center where they could learn from history! Pictured from left to right are: Hertta Holfeld, Homei Patel, Will Patel, Lillian Thompson, Pr. George Metzenthin, Lori Miller, Carole Cole-man, Jean Metzenthin, Helen Roark, Bob & Cookie Marz.

Sew And Sews

The Sew and Sews quilting ministry is taking a break for summer and will resume in the fall. This quilting group makes quilts that

are distributed all over the world through Luther-an World Relief. For more information see

www.lwr.org or call the church office.

PARDON OUR DUST!!

Please be patient this summer as we begin updating the inside of our North Campus, thanks to

our

Graceful Seniors

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Birthdays in July

In Memory

The sympathy and love of the congre-gation are extended Jackie Burden & family and friends at the death of her father, Bill Braun, who died May 22nd. Services were held on Wednesday, May 30th.

The sympathy and love of the congregation are extend-ed to Les Lee & family and friends at the death of his mother Lillian Lee, who recently died.

Worship Attendance (Average Weekly Attendance for the Month)

Does not include Easter Beach of 380

Sharing Reminder: When you, a loved one, or friend at Spirit of

Grace is in the hospital or in need of care and support, please remember to contact the

church office directly by phone 727-376-0919 or email:

churchoffice@soglutheran.org or pastordave@sogluthern.org or

lpr@soglutheran.org Posting prayer & care needs on your personal Facebook is just that -- a personal post to your family and friends. If you want to initiate a visit

or prayers from your church family, the per-sonal Facebook post doesn’t substitute for no-

tifying the church office, which leads to pas-toral/lay visitation follow up &/or prayer chain.

Anniversaries June Stan & Donna Watson 6/9/1990

Clifford & Sandy Geist 6/16/2004 Gary & Elaine Butler 6/19/1954 Don & Suzanne Granger 6/23/1996 Gene & Judy Kortier 6/25/1966 David & Nanci Larson 6/27/1959 Jeff & Kathy Wright 6/28/1986

April Income Projected: $44,147 Actual: $36,079

Your generosity matters!

Sat 5:00 Sun 8:30 Sun 11:00 Total Avg April 2018 28 53 42 123 Avg April 2017 37 57 41 124

April SoG NORTH Campus

Sun 10:15 Sun 11:30 Total Avg April 2018 46 28 74

Avg April 2017 44 33 77

April SoG SOUTH Campus

Birthdays in June 6/1 Madison Reisner 6/5 Charlo e Christensen

Kay Wright 6/9 Connie Brooks

Craig Brooks Doris Loher

6/12 Claire Ellio Erik Reisner

6/14 Bev Railey Lou Vuozzo

6/18 Harold Amundson 6/20 Paul Boivin 6/21 Judy Kor er

June Malonek Bayley Scahill

6/23 Gerry Gentry Lillian Pleickhardt

6/24 Ron Bartel 6/28 Dot Jordan

7/1 Jacob Conaway Kaleb Conaway Lois McDevi Lillian Thompson

7/2 Toni Amundson

7/5 Addisyn Ellio 7/7 James Cliford 7/9 Carole Coleman

7/10 Amanda Ellio 7/11 Eddie Beaudry 7/12 Will Patel 7/13 Deb Boland 7/14 Shelby Beaudry 7/15 Barb Calnan

Don McTeer Dorothy Trower

7/18 Charlene Lee 7/19 Pete Emslie 7/20 Clifford Geist

Midge London-Prace 7/21 Keagan Conaway

Cathy Kohl

7/25 Braelyn Doerrfeld Barb Paju Meghan Wright

7/26 Les Lee 7/27 Theone Emslie

David Larson

Roger Grant 7/16 Karin Beeten

Anniversaries July Pr Dave & Debbie Kruger 7/3/1992 Pat & Clarence Mullins 7/3/1967 Bob & Sherri Hubach 7/5/1998

Meg & Tim Adair 7/18/1987 Joe & Judi Salatino 7/19/1958 Nick & Gladys Binsberger 7/24/1948

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Spirit of Grace Lutheran Church 9525 Hudson Ave Hudson, FL 34667

Purpose Statement: The Grace Place to connect,

grow, and serve.

Guiding Principles: Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior

Be a Grace Place with open hearts. Share the Good News in meaningful ways

Fully engaged ministry for all ages Celebrate LIFE: Living In Faith Everyday

“Like” us on Facebook Spirit of Grace - ELCA - West Pasco “Follow” us on Twitter @SoGLutheran

Check out our website to stay informed!www.soglutheran.org “Follow” us on Instagram SoGLutheran