Our Mission INSIDE THIS ISSUE.

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1 Abide in me, and I in you. John 15:4 Jesus invites us is to abide in him. He also uses the metaphor of the grape vine and its branches to describe the relationship of connectedness that God desires to have with us. Just as a branch draws its life and nourishment from the vine, so we draw our life and strength from God. When we place our faith in God, it is the Spirit of God that connects and unites so that we are no longer alone, or apart from God, but made one with him. This type of connectedness is also necessary for a church community, like Grace, that is a family of people who share a common mission. When Grace s Council met for a day retreat this past January, one of the primary themes that was expressed was for our church family to be united around our common call to mission. This theme was also an emphasis in the sharing at the Congregational Event (Oct. 2017) that was held with Bishop Yoos. In a sense, it is the same oneness to which Jesus is referring when he tells the disciples to abide in him. It is the hope and desire of Grace s Council to nurture this unity and oneness that God promises as a body of people. In order for this to become a reality, communication and openness is vital in how we relate to one another as brothers and sisters a part of God s family. To this end, the members of Council have set communication as a top priority in building this unity and trust. As your Interim Pastor, I want to make sure that you are aware of each of the changes in staffing that Grace s leadership is going through and keep you updated: Most recently, our Parish Nurse, Gwendolyn McBride, resigned her position effective April 29, due to changes in her family situation (the birth of twin grandsons!). She has been serving with us since October 2017 through a grant from Carolina Healthcare Systems. Our Associate Pastor, Rev. Rebecca Lord-Phillips, resigned effective April 8, to move with her husband s new job to the Greenville area. The other co-leader of campus ministry, April Hershey, has also announced her resignation effective June 30. The WELCM Board will pursue filling these two co-leader positions with one campus staff person, independent from Grace s Associate Pastor position. Council approved hiring Dr. Jeremy Mims as Director of Music Ministries. Dr. Mims will start May 20, and the council will host a meet and greet for him after both services that Sunday. There are a lot of changing taking place. Be sure to keep updated by reading about Council highlights in the newsletter and/or speaking with any of our Council members to ask questions. God is preparing Grace for its next chapter of ministry! Your prayers and commitment to Grace s ministry is critical during this time of transition. Yours in Christ, Pastor Ken I found I had less and less to say, until finally, I became silent, and began to listen. I discovered in the silence, the voice of God. Soren Kierkegaard INSIDE THIS ISSUE Pastor Ken 1 Stewardship 2 Milestone/Lutheroad 2 Golf Tournament 3 Council/Memorials 4 Grads/Meet & Greet 4 B-days/Call/HOP 5 Finance/Save Date 5 Calendar 6 Worship Assistants 7 Veterans Aide 8 Our Mission to welcome all people into a community of God s Grace, nurture disciples who live in faith, equip witnesses who share the Gospel, and send ministers who serve in love. Please Like us on Facebook

2 Our grateful response to God is an act of worship and discipleship. It is ministry. From 2 Corinthians 9 And God is able to give you more than you need, so that you will always have all you need for yourselves and more than enough for every good cause. TEV There are so many ways that our Grateful Giving at Grace drives our mission to reach out to others in need. At Grace, our giving helps us serve across the world, this country and this state through the initiatives of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and its South Carolina Synod. Additionally, it is through God s grace and generosity that provides more than enough for us to respond to the challenges of meeting the human needs that surround us locally. Through Grace, your giving enables outreach that builds houses through York County Habitat for Humanity provides over 400 warm and delicious meals twice monthly for struggling folks in the local Hunger Outreach program supports our neighborhood Ebenezer Avenue Elementary School, by underwriting meals for needy students and providing thanks to teachers for the vital work that they do in caring and guiding the lives of children in our community provides a welcoming presence, meals and safe shelter for families experiencing homelessness as part of Family Promise of York County. Sometimes we might not even think about how our grateful giving makes such an impact in the lives of others. One such incident occurred within the past few months when one of our Family Promise guests celebrated her 9 th birthday while staying at Grace with her family. Her family had been homeless for a while and just the fact that we could provide gifts, a cake, and a celebration for this little girl surrounded by her family, other guests, and volunteers from within our family made a memorable impact on her life. Tears streamed down her face (as well as many others in the room) as she blew out the candles on her cake. For that birthday, she had a home to celebrate in which was made possible by our grateful giving. There are so many other lives that are touched by us turning over our treasures from God to help others. There are a growing number of ways that we support God s work: through the Place of Grace right next door, where we provide at below market rent rates to the York County Free Clinic, Adult Enrichment Center and Chrysalis Autism Center; providing Christmas Angel Tree remembrances and gifts for Meals on Wheels recipients; collections for the Pilgrim s Inn and The Haven Men s Shelter of Rock Hill, making grant funds available for applicants from worthy community service organizations; and providing gathering space for countless humanitarian groups like AA. And the list goes on and on. We respond to God s goodness to us and our desire to share God s blessing with those who may benefit from receiving an expression of generosity and compassion. That is a Ministry. Our grateful giving helps to drive Grace s Mission: to reach out to others and do God s work. Think about it. Pray about it. Dear Grace, I cannot thank you enough for your kindness and generosity. Jim and I are so grateful for our time at Grace and for knowing such an amazing congregation. Thank you for our parting gifts, and beautiful reception. For years to come we will enjoy our gorgeous nativity and remember with fondness our Grace home. Peace, P. Rebecca and Jim GYM CALENDAR (4:30 PM) May 6 - GYM May 13 - YOUTH SUNDAY (NO Girl s Group or GYM) May 20 - GYM May 27 - NO GYM Milestone Ministry Update We are observing the Driver s License Milestone on Sunday, May 13. We would love to recognize your new driver at each worship service that day. Please send names to the church office NO LATER THAN May 9. We are also observing the Overnight Camper Milestone on Sunday, May 20. If your child is having their first overnight camping experience this year, please let the office know by May 9 as well (graceluthch@comporium.net). Lutheroad Day Camp Mark your calendar for a super fun week at Grace for your elementary-age children. We are hosting Lutheroad Day Camp on June The counselors from Lutheridge will spend the week with us, leading the kids in worship, games, Bible study, fellowship, crafts, and prayer. Lutheroad is for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. The hours are 9 am to 4 pm, Monday through Thursday, and 9 am to noon on Friday. Each child should bring a bag lunch. The cost is $115 per 2 child, and scholarships are available. Registration forms are in the fellowship hall. Payment is due by May 27.

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4 MEMORIALS & HONORARY GIFTS Received in April 2018 Dick Watkins Karen and Keith Habenstein Boy Scout Troop 540 Marsha and Mickey Tomlinson Boy Scout Troop 540 Cassandra Vogedes Boy Scout Troop 540 Linda and David Dean GraceC Quilts Jackie and Bill Reardon GraceC Quilts Bonnie Pardue GraceC Quilts Debbie and Fred Scott GraceC Quilts Vicky and Bob Goodbar Music Fund Linda Ellison Place of Grace Fund Stacy Johnson Place of Grace Fund In honor of Laurel Grace Grossoehme Jill and Nick Grossoehme Youth Fund Rebecca and George D. Fulmer Place of Grace Fund Jenni N. Anderson Memorial Fund Sandra Sue Bolton Place of Grace Fund Council News At the April 15th meeting, council members approved the salary and benefits for hiring Dr. Jeremy Mims as Director of Music. The congregation will be invited to a meet-and-greet with Dr. Mims after both worship services on May 20. We discussed Pastor Rebecca's exit interview and how we want to proceed with evaluating our staffing needs. The plan at this time is to hire a consultant to work with council and/or a congregational committee to discern the best staffing arrangement, with the understanding that hiring processes will be postponed until a permanent pastor is hired. Art Harris will serve as the contact person for the youth group at this time. The security of our building and the safety of our Grace family is of utmost importance to council. We are in the final stages of evaluating proposals to address door locks and other security measures. Specific details will be forthcoming after the May council meeting. We approved fourteen new members who will join the congregation on April 29th, and we accepted Michelle del Castillo's resignation from council due to her ongoing work and college commitments. Larry Winsch and Frances Stockley did a brief presentation on "Love One Another," the capital campaign for Lutheran Services of the Carolinas. Race & Reconciliation Update: The Race and Reconciliation group has had two discussion sessions since hosting the play, "Blessed Assurance" in February. An engaged group of people has emerged, including Christians, Muslims, African-Americans, Caucasians, and people of all ages from senior citizens to college students. The group has two goals: to create opportunities to build relationships across racial and religious groups and to raise awareness about issues of prejudice and privilege. The group will be meeting again in early May. Please check the bulletin for details. GRADUATE NAMES - Is one of your children graduating high school or college soon? Grace will publish their names and schools in the June Newsletter if you fill in their information on the Tear and Share. Please return information to the church office NO LATER THAN May 15. MEET AND GREET - Grace Church Council invites the Grace Family to welcome our new Director of Music Ministries, Dr. Jeremy Mims, on Sunday, May 20, from 9:30-10:00 am and again from 12:00-12:30 PM. Please join us in extending both a warm welcome and our 4 support as Dr. Mims begins his ministry with us. We look forward to his leadership with our congregation.

5 SAVE THE DATE MAY 2018 GYM Links to Mission Golf Tournament May 12, 1:00 PM - Waterford GC Youth Sunday - May 13 Dr. Mims Meet and Greet - May 20 Confirmation Class - Sat, May 19, 8:30 AM Seniors@Grace - May 24, 11:30 AM JUNE 2018 Lutheroad - June Family Promise - June Nat l Youth Gathering - Houston, TX June 27 - July 1 JULY 2018 Fifth Sunday Worship July 29, 10:00 AM Pot Luck Meal July 29, 11:00 AM - Bring dish to share JULY/AUGUST 2018 Vacation Bible School - July 30 - August 3 SEPTEMBER 2018 Stewardship Sunday Worship September 30, 10:00 AM Stewardship Celebration Meal September 30, 11:00 AM Update From the Call Committee The call committee continues to visit and interview candidates. The committee urges all members of Grace to pray faithfully that the Holy Spirit will guide all who are involved in the process of finding a pastor. Prayer and Patience. MAY BIRTHDAYS 1 - Cameron Tuck 2 - Hayden Cartner, Kodi Cartner, Reade Cartner 3 - Mark Kramer 4 - Linda Miller, Lyn Ashley 5 - Joyce Eickmeyer, Mary Vettorel 8 - Wayne Carter 9 - Jacob Corbett 10 - Bob Stonebraker 15 - Marilyn Swygert, Ellen Cafarella, Michele Minor 17 - Steve Johnson 18 - Cameron Litzinger 20 - Carsen Gamerl, Emma Lowrance, Laura Robinson 22 - Michael Wheeler, Mitchell Clark 23 - Ryan Brown 26 - Joan Mitchell, Jaxon Sidden 27 - Sean Litzinger, Brayden Mosley 30 - Cameron Tucker 31 - Michael Johnson FINANCIAL REPORT - March 2018 March giving for budget $35, to date giving for budget $115, budget to date $131,540 ACM giving in March $865 ACM campaign to date $720,540 FINANCIAL REPORT - April 2018 NOT AVAILABLE AT PRESS TIME PLEASE HELP! HUNGER OUTREACH PROGRAM PLEASE HELP! Hunger Outreach is scheduled for Thursday, May 3 and Friday, May 4. Over 200 meals are cooked, packed and delivered each day to our neighbors around Grace. We need packers on Thursday (4) and Friday (3). We need a delivery/driver team Thursday and 2 Teams on Friday. Contact John Barone (j.barone53@hotmail.com) 5 ASAP. Thank you in advance for your help.

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8 ANNOUNCING A NEW VOLUNTEER PROJECT Donna Wylie has begun a new volunteer project called York County Veterans Aide Committee. She is asking for adult volunteers to assist low income veterans who need our help. The Veterans Affairs Office is looking for adult volunteers to assist our local vets in York County with transportation and outreach needs. Could you provide a ride to the doctor s office for a veteran with no car? Could you do a small repair job for a veteran who is no longer able to do such tasks? Could you drop in for a brief visit twice a month to see a veteran who has no family or active support system? Could you call a veteran 2 to 3 times a month for a ten minute chat and update? These small tasks to help our veterans can make a huge difference in their lives. Let s not forget what their service and sacrifice has made in our own lives. Please contact Donna Wylie at (980) or donnawiley2265@att.net for more details on this program and to get a volunteer job description and application. Grace Lutheran Church 426 Oakland Avenue Rock Hill, SC Phone: graceluthch@comporium.net NEWSLETTER DEADLINE Articles for the June 2018 newsletter are due by May 8, Feel free to the office at graceluthch@comporium.net or drop by Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Thank you! 8