Grace at a Glance (February 2018)

Transcription

1 Grace at a Glance (February 2018) Member of Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ We're on a Mission--Come Join Us! On a mission to grow in our faith... On a mission to reach out to others... On a mission to declare God's praises... Keeping Up with the Calendar: February. 4: February 5: February 7: February 11: February 13: February 14: February 15: February 18: February 19: February 21: February 25: February 28: (Church Office closed on Fridays) Worship at 10:15 a.m. (Pastor Jeff Tarras) Men s Bible Group at 7:00 p.m. Pastor Jeff -- Office hours 2-5 p.m. Confirmation Class at 6:30 p.m. Worship with Holy Communion at 10:15 a.m. Council installation. (Pastor Jeff Tarras) Women of Grace at 10:00 a.m. ASH WEDNESDAY Pastor Jeff Office hours 2-5 p.m. Meal at 5:30 p.m. (Laura Aschebrook/ group) Worship at 6:30 p.m. Council meeting at 6:30 p.m. Worship at 10:15 a.m. (Pastor Jeff Tarras) Men s Bible Group at 7:00 p.m. MIDWEEK LENTEN WORSHIP Meal at 5:30 p.m. (Women of Grace Bible Study) Worship at 6:30 p.m. () Worship with Holy Communion at 10:15 a.m. () MIDWEEK LENTEN WORSHIP Pastor Jeff Office hours 2-5 p.m. Meal at 5:30 p.m. (Sunday School Teachers) Worship at 6:30 p.m. Grace Lutheran Church and Child Care Center (a congregation of LCMC, Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ) Highway 10 West, Marshfield, WI Karla DeLeske, Office Manager gracemarshfield@tds.net Grace Lutheran Website: LCMC People on a mission The vision of the LCMC is that every church would be: 1) People of Prayer 2) Mission Minded 3) Connected to One Another 4) Trained and Equipped for Ministry. In this Issue: Keeping Up with the: Calendar pg. 1 Council pg. 2-3 Family pg. 4 Financials pg. 5 Ministries pg. 6 News pg. 7 February 2018 Page 1

2 Keeping Up with the Council: Hello Grace Lutheran! President s Corner I would like to thank the congregation for a robust and productive annual meeting yesterday, January 28th. We shared a delicious meal together while approving the 2018 budget and voting in some new council members (Jim Good, Josh Meissner and Breanna Van de Hey). I would like to thank and Rodney Dix for the work they ve done not only while serving on the council, but for everything else they do for our church. It s hard to believe that we have been without a permanent pastor for 19 months. During this time, we have been blessed with two different interim pastors, as well as numerous supply pastors. One thing that s remained constant through this pastor vacancy is the Word of God. Through all of the uncertainty at GLC over the last 19 months, His Word has provided me and others a peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7). Please thank God that He obviously sees fit to not only keep us together as a congregation, but, is also bombarding the Call Committee with new candidates! He is awesome!! May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit Romans 15:13 Your brother in Christ, Mike Lawyer (Council President) COUNCIL INSTALLATION WILL TAKE PLACE ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11 TH DURING WORSHIP. Grace Council Officers Council Members President ~ Mike Lawyer Mary Gilbertson Vice-President ~ Josh Meissner Ezra Schier Treasurer ~ Breanna Vandehey Sheri Denowski Secretary ~ Marlene Broeske Randy Schier Jim Good February 2018 Page 2

3 Keeping Up with the Council: Council Minutes - January 18, 2018 Call Meeting to Order - 6:35 PM Present: Marlene Broeske, Rodney Dix, Randy Schier, Ezra Schier, Sheri Denowski, Pastor Jeff Tarras, Larry Gilbertson, Mary Gilbertson Absent: Mike Lawyer Prayer by Larry Devotions Rodney Dix told his faith story. Discussion about sharing faith. Parents roll in learning. Secretary's Minutes - accepted Treasurer's Report Presented by Larry. Accepted. Move $30,000 from the General Fund checking account to the General Fund Saving account. M-Sheri, S- Randy, C. Does anyone want to meet with Church Mutual to discuss any coverage we do not have? Per Jeff- Church Mutual supports lots of ministries in our area. Pastor's Report Lent starts February 14. All services have leadership scheduled. Meals at 5:30 PM and worship at 6:30 PM. Lenten worship materials are ordered (Signs). Sundays use 6 growth points for a church as messages Jeff and Larry will discuss. Recommended retreats: Via de Cristo weekend retreat for lay people to have their faith challenged. Return to congregation empowered to do ministry. Camp Forest Springs March (Thurs eve-sun), $75. Conservative Lutheran basis. Jeff can sponsor whoever would like to go. Other conference information to be listed in bulletins: Marriage conference in Wausau. FCA couples retreat in March. Feb 3 No Regrets Men s Conference; Wausau. Another men s retreat in MN. Parent Summit in Marshfield (Cornerstone Church). Follow up on people who show interest in GLC? Will check with Karla about whether visitor cards are available for the pews. We all need to be the welcomers to new people. Team Reports Adult Education Teams (Mike Lawyer): Reported by Sheri D: No additional attendees at new Men s study. Good attendance at Adult Ed on Sunday. Building and Maintenance Teams (Rodney Dix) : No report Youth and Family Education Teams (Mary Gilbertson): Now have enough Sun. School teachers. GLCCC (Mary Gilbertson): No report Mission and Outreach Teams (Sheri Denowski):No report Stewardship and Finance Teams (Randy Schier, Marlene Broeske): No report Worship Teams (Ezra Schier, ): We appreciate the music on Sundays. Larry is Coordinating music. Karla should check with Larry about scheduling musicians. Old Business New meeting format study which book? Options: Connect by Phil Maynard (For the Council to study and then Jeff will have a sermon series on it; Jeff will order a dozen; start discussing at Feb meeting); Possible future studies: God Centered Church by Henry Blackaby; Multiply by Francis Chan; Who Broke My Church by Kent Hunter. Discussion of the council meeting with Call Committee to discuss where we are going as a church. Are we receptive to growing and being challenged as congregation?? Challenge to us talk to someone different than we usually do on Sunday morning. Nominations for council (Open Positions to fill: VP, Secretary, Treasurer, 3 council members)several people have showed an interest and will be nominated at the Annual Meeting. New Business Roof repair Larry will lead a discussion at the Annual Meeting about options. Adjourn 8:25. Next meeting date: February 15, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. February 2018 Page 3

4 Keeping Up with the Family: Jeff and Sandy Thoma Dan and Mackenzie Behling Grace Lutheran Prayer List: 1 Timothy 2 -- I, Paul, urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing. Isabelle Denowski 2-4 Ron Heeg 2-4 Tyler Heiman 2-4 Jamie Gilbertson 2-5 Logan Dix 2-6 Alexander Mitchell 2-17 Joel Franseen 2-21 Aleigha Hainz 2-22 Paige Bulgrin 2-23 Pray for: Jerry Meissner battling cancer Pray for our Mission of the Month: Samaritan s Purse Pray for our church in our pastoral search Pray for our Church Ministries: Sunday School teachers and students Women s Bible Studies Men s Discipleship Group Childcare Center Youth Group Confirmation Class Students and Mentors Pray for those who are homebound/in nursing homes: Evelyn Hewitt (at Stoney River) Irlene Wagner (at home) Dorothy Riedel (at home) Pray for our church leaders: Our Church Council Our Call Committee Pastor Mark Vander-Tuig, Service Coordinator for LCMC and the Board of Trustees of LCMC Pray for people serving our country: Governor Scott Walker, President Trump, Vice-President Pence and other leaders All those in military service February 2018 Page 4

5 Keeping Up with the Financials: Financial Snapshot of Grace (January 30, 2018) Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse says the Lord. (Malachi 3:10) YTD Budget (Income) $ 12, General Fund is at $ 9, YTD Contributions $ 8, Bills waiting $ YTD Expenses $ 5, Savings Total is now $ 44, January Contributions to funds. (*Needed for Budget $ 12,627.13/month ) DATE Bldg *General Misc. Bene. Savings Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Totals Lent: what? why? how? In just a couple weeks we kick off the church season of Lent. What is it? It is a centuries-old practice of the church. It begins with Ash Wednesday (this year February 14) and continues for 40 days (not including Sundays because they are considered mini-easters) and culminates with Holy Week (Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday) and the Easter celebration. In the early church, Lent was a time for adult candidates to engage in group study and prayer to learn about the Christian faith in preparation for their baptism on Easter. Over centuries, this time of study and prayer evolved into a time when the whole congregation committed itself to study, prayer and spiritual growth. Why do Lent? Pope Francis said in his 2014 Ash Wednesday sermon: Lent comes providentially to reawaken us, to shake us from our lethargy. The season of Lent is a time for us to engage in spiritual practices that awaken us and help us to refocus on our relationship with God. How to do Lent? There are a number of ways you can refocus on your relationship with God in the season of Lent. Join in the worship gatherings both on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. In addition, join with others for supper and fellowship each Wednesday starting at 5:30 pm with worship following at 6:30 pm. This is a great time to get to know other people and build relationships plus you don t have to worry about what s for dinner on Wednesdays! February 2018 Page 5

6 Keeping Up with the Ministries: February Worship Assistants Serving at Grace February 4 February 11 Worship leader Pastor Jeff Tarras Pastor Jeff Tarras Musician Callie Schmidt Callie Schmidt Reader Mary Harris Stacy Melbinger Greeters Mary Harris Melbinger family Offering Ushers (4) Communion Assistant Acolytes Treats Mary Harris Dave/Sheri Denowski No Communion Mason Peckham Aubri Brown Corrine Dix Joe Gilbertson Dave Denowski Jordana Meissner Emma Olson Nursery Church Stina Jansen Trisha Heggebo Bulletin Folder Laura Aschebrook Heidi Post Counters Don Lang Carmen Good Josh Meissner Laura Aschebrook Deacon Linda Gilbertson Don Lang Serving at Grace February 18 February 25 Worship leader Pastor Jeff Tarras Musician Callie Schmidt Reader Dave or Sheri Denowski Josh or Sheri Meissner Greeters Dave/Sheri Denowski Josh/Sheri Meissner Offering Ushers (4) Dave/Sheri Denowski Mary Harris Josh Meissner Family Communion Assistants No Communion Marie Cattanach Todd Cattanach Acolytes Mason Peckham Hailey Hainz Jordana Meissner Emma Olson Treats Sheri Denowski Roberta Johansson Sheri Meissner Nursery Church Tiffany Halan Sheri Meissner Bulletin Folder Don and Nikki Lang Todd/Marie Cattanach Counters Don Lang Sheri Denowski Russ Rasmussen Deacon Todd/Marie Cattanach Laura Aschebrook Thank you to everyone volunteering to assist with worship this month! If you see a blank space and wish to help, please sign up on the bulletin board in the gathering space! February 2018 Page 6

7 Keeping Up with the News: LENT coming soon! Ash Wednesday February 14 U-Turn Lent Midweek February 21 Stop February 28 Merge March 4 Yield March 14 One Way March 21 Dead End HOLY WEEK: Palm Sunday March 25 Road Narrows Maundy Thursday March 29 Food Good Friday March 30 Cross Road Easter April 1 Road Work Ahead You don t want to miss this series based on the concept of road signs and how their messages apply to our life in Christ during the season of Lent! U-Turn, Stop, Merge, Yield, One Way, Dead End, Road Narrows, Food, Cross Road, Road Work Ahead. See you right here in the pews! This year we will be serving Midweek Lenten Meals every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. with Worship to follow at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome! LENTEN MEALS-- Dates and groups providing the meals are: Ash Wed. -- Feb Laura Aschebrook and group -- Hot beef sandwiches, scallop potatoes, fruit salad Lenten wk 1- Feb Women of Grace Bible Study -- BBQ Lenten wk 2- Feb Sunday School Teachers Chili Lenten wk 3- March 7 -- Marcy Leggate and group - Baked Potato Bar Lenten wk 4- March Men s Bible Study Group - Lenten wk 5- March Breanna Vandehey and group - LENTEN CALENDARS There are Lenten Devotional and Activity calendars for children and Daily Scripture Readings and Reflections for the Sacred Season calendars for adults available in the gathering space. Please feel free to pick one up anytime you enter or leave the building and enjoy the activities and readings as we all grow in our faith journey with Christ. May everyone have a blessed Lenten season. February 2018 Page 7