The Voice. The Discipline of Lent at Grace Shrove Tuesday, Hide Alleluia, Ash Wednesday, Soup Suppers - Preparing for Easter

Transcription

1 The Voice Westerville, Ohio March 2013 of grace Evangelical Lutheran Church The Discipline of Lent at Grace Shrove Tuesday, Hide Alleluia, Ash Wednesday, Soup Suppers - Preparing for Easter

2 March: In like a lion. Out with the Lamb From the desk of Pastor Walston My Father was a farmer who often gauged the weather by certain sayings that I m not sure he really believed but liked to voice them. For example, when February 2 came around on the calendar he would never fail to mention Groundhog Day stating that if the critter peeked out of his hole and saw his shadow, there would be six more weeks of Winter. If the ground hog didn t see its shadow, Spring would be early. There were other things too. March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers; if it rained on Easter Sunday, it would rain for the following seven Sundays; fuzzy caterpillars meant it would be a bitter cold winter; an abundance of acorns in the woods was indicative of a hard Winter. And, of course, if the month of March came in like a lion, it would leave like a lamb...or vice versa. Even now, when the month of March comes around I think of that particular saying and am careful to observe the weather. Maybe I m like my Dad in that respect. But is there any truth in that old saying? I m sure careful meteorological observations have turned out to be accurate at times. More likely, however, is the fact that people long ago believed that bad spirits could affect the weather adversely. Therefore, they were cautious about what they did or did not do in certain situations. Those beliefs included the idea that there should be a balance in weather and life. Hence, if a month came in bad (like a lion) it should go out good and calm (like a lamb). With March being such a changeable month with the possibility of warm spring-like temperatures or late-season snowstorms we can understand how and why this saying came into being. So. Here we are and it s March. The Church finds itself in the changeable weather of Lent and Holy Week and Easter. I propose a little twist on the old March saying. In like a lion. Out with the Lamb. As March comes in we at Grace Lutheran are still on our journey to the cross facing the lion of temptation, fear, worldliness and suffering. We will face the lion s share of our life together as we re-live the story of Christ s last days on the Sunday of the Passion. Finally, as the king of beasts unleashed it s anger on Jesus through the people we will once more participate in his crucifixion and death. But as March comes to the end, the scene will be calm. Why? Because we go out, not like a lamb, but with the Lamb, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. We go out with the Lamb calmly and with great joy! We go out rejoicing that the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign and bids us to follow faithfully, calmly and with commitment. Pastor Walston Facing the Cross When the days drew near, Jesus set his face to Jerusalem where he would encounter the pain of the cross on our behalf (Luke 9:51). During this Lenten season we make time to set our faces on the cross of Christ and face those aspects of ourselves not always in line with the cross. Yet we are able to face them because Jesus set his face to Jerusalem and a cross so that we might see him face-to-face in heaven. Wednesday Services during Lent Each Wednesday during Lent, an evening soup supper takes place at 6:00 p.m. followed by Worship at 7:00 p.m. Feb. 27 Facing our Fears March 6 Facing our Worldliness March 13 Facing One Another March 20 Facing Suffering Holy Week Worship Schedule March 24 Palm Sunday - Procession with Palms March 26 Holy Week Eucharist and Luncheon - 11 a.m. March 28 Maundy Thursday - Eucharist and Washing of Hands - 7 p.m. March 29 Good Friday- Tenebrae of Good Friday. 7 p.m. (Service of Shadows) March 31 EASTER SUNDAY - Eucharist Celebration of the Resurrection 8:15 and 11:00 a.m. (Catered Easter Breakfast between services) The VOICE of Grace March Page 2

3 of Israel Stewardship Corner Ten Principles for Graceful Giving* This is the third in a series on ten principles for the Christian disciple s graceful giving. Each principle is reflected in St. Paul s words (2nd Corinthians, chapters have you asked of you what him. grant Go in peace, Katharine Circle will meet in Rose Garden #1 Tuesday, March 5 at 7:15 pm. We are studying the series Couples of the Old Testament. Our lesson Elkanah and Hannah will be led by Jan Breen. If you are interested in joining us or have any questions, please call Margie Cepek at the God and may Katharine Circle 8 and 9) to the new Christians in the prosperous, hustling and bustling first century city of Corinth. Scripture references are from the New Revised Standard Version. Principle Three: - Christian giving is always a persistent response to the Cross of Christ St. Paul writes: I do not say this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love against the earnestness of others. For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet Do you fast? Give me proof of it by your works. for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty If you see a poor man, take pity on him. you might become rich (2 Cor 8:8-9). If you see a friend being honored, do not envy him. Paul never scolds the Corinthian community about Do not let only your mouth fast, their giving. However, neither are his words a wishywashy or whatever floats your boat expression of and all the members of our bodies. but also the eye and the ear and the feet and the hands what it means to live generously as a steward of God s Let the hands fast, by being free of avarice. many gifts. He boldly tests their genuineness. It cannot be any other way. Why? Paul is bold in his proc- Let the eyes fast, by disciplining them not to glare at that Let the feet fast, by ceasing to run after sin. lamation that Christian giving is inspired by the Cross which is sinful. of Christ. Let the ear fast, by not listening to evil talk and gossip. Paul s words are not about his or the Corinthian congregation s need to receive. No. It is our need to give in For what good is it if we abstain from birds and fishes, but Let the mouth fast from foul words and unjust criticism. light of the miracle and mystery of God s great grace so bite and devour our brothers? generously given in the Cross of Christ. Having received May He who came to the world to save sinners, the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ in Holy Baptism, we respond as people who live generously. Have mercy on us and save us. Amen. strengthen us to complete the fast with humility! It s important to note Paul s references to poverty and (St. John Chrysostom, (347ad-407ad) wealth. It is because of our poverty that Christ became poor. And it is through the poverty of Christ that we Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church become rich. Although some would have us believe 100 E. Schrock Road, Westerville, OH otherwise, Paul is not preaching a gospel of glory and PH: (614) Web: prosperity. He is not talking about material poverty and office@grace43081.org wealth. On the contrary, Paul s words draw our hearts, Rev. William A. Hartfelder, Senior Pastor minds, and souls to the poverty of Christ seen in the VM 11 w.hartfelder@grace43081.org incarnation and most vividly in the Cross. The wealth Rev. Richard O. Walston, Visitation Pastor Cell (614) rjwalston@msn.com we receive is nothing less than the gifts of forgiveness, hope, salvation, and eternal life. Dr. Karen Eckenroth, Music Ministries Our Lord Jesus walked a persistent path to the Cross VM 10 KEckenroth@otterbein.edu for the sake of the whole world. This same Lord Jesus Linda Hoch, Organist calls us to be persistent in our response as generous Kathy Snead, Office Administrator stewards of the great gifts we have already received: our VM 18 k.snead@grace43081.org selves, our time, and our possessions, signs of his gracious Marjie Penn, Receptionist/Secretary love. Paul Hotchkiss, Custodian Next: Principle Four: Christian giving is always Jack Pfeifer, Property Manager wrtjack@yahoo.com proportional *Based on John Stott s Ten Principles of Christian Giving Jocelyn Shuman, Preschool Director; VM 14 littleblessingspreschool@grace43081.org Copyright 2002 John Stott The VOICE of Grace March Page 3

4 COMING TO GRACE IN APRIL A Weekend to Remember Jerry Ray Lucas is a name connected with basketball with a capital B and a name many Central Ohioans will recognize. Jerry is a former basketball player who played from the 1950 s to the 1970 s. He became a local playground legend by the age of 15 in Middletown, Ohio. After high school, the 6ft 8in, Lucas played for Ohio State University from and in 1960 was named to the US Olympic team to play in the Rome games. Following graduation from college he went on to play for the Cincinnati Royals, the San Francisco Warriors and the New York Knicks. After his successful career in basketball, Lucas took up the role of educator and memory expert and has written books and produced television programs on the subject. Jerry Lucas will be with us at Grace Lutheran April 28-29, 2013 to present his ministry, A Weekend to Remember. During Sunday morning worship he will deliver the message entitled Improving Family Relationships. On Sunday evening he will teach a session entitled, Learning Made Fun and Easy using his Automatic Learning concepts. Monday evening s session is Names and Faces Made Easy. This session has been a great outreach into communities for people who normally do not attend church. During this session Lucas will also give his personal testimony. Be sure to circle Sunday, April 28, and Monday, April 29 on your calendar. It will be a weekend to remember! We re so glad you asked.. A response to questions and concerns on a variety of topics. If you have a question, please put it in writing and deliver it to the Church Office or it to: office@grace43081.org. Questions must be signed. Question: Why are we reading the Psalm in Sunday worship instead of singing it? We are in the season of Lent, a 40-day (Sundays in Lent are not counted) period beginning Ash Wednesday thru Maundy Thursday of Holy Week. During this season we participate in our Lord s final trip to Jerusalem and the self-giving nature of love that is shown in his passion and death. Accordingly, our Sunday worship takes on certain signs that reflect the sober, penitential character of the season. For example: We hid the Alleluia on Shrove Tuesday evening after our Pancake and Sausage supper. We do not say the A word until we return to it in full voice on Easter Sunday morning. This practice goes back to the fifth century. We use a special Lenten gospel acclamation ( Return to the Lord your God ) that omits the alleluia. We speak the Psalm responsively each Sunday rather than sing. The season of Lent is heard in the songs we sing, the prayers we pray and the Scripture lessons we read. Lent is seen in the color purple of the pastors stoles. Our church calendar is neither arbitrary nor random. Each season of the church year guides us along the path of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wednesday Mornings Grace Women s Bible Study The Wednesday Grace Women s Bible study topic is: The Book of Judges: Heroes and Heroines of Israel s History. Judges, the 7th book of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament, is full of stories about divinely inspired leaders who serve as wise and faithful champions. Participants practice reading these stories within their original contexts with application for faith and life today. Bring your Bible! Time: am. Day: Wednesdays. Location: Fellowship Hall. Teacher: Pr. Hartfelder. For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. (Romans 15:4) The VOICE of Grace March Page 4

5 Survey to Coordinate Volunteer Efforts is Enclosed by Carolyn Martin I am thrilled to be able to lead Welcome Desk or giving it to me personally. Sunday, a much needed service here at April 7 is the day selected to have all surveys completed Grace Lutheran Church by heading and returned. If you have any questions, please feel free to call, or see me. Thank you the People and Ministry very much for taking the time to fill Coordination. This ministry out the enclosed survey. will coordinate members of - Carolyn Martin, (614) , Grace through their volunteer martin1529@sbcglobal.net actions. Presently we have Grace Care Team Pastor no system in place to track Walston Visits the shut-ins and activities in which members sick with Holy Communion. volunteer and serve. The goal Hospitality and Invitation is to have a data base by which Ministry Mike Shuman we can add/delete members Personally welcome people into the of our more than 60 different Carolyn Martin, P. and M. Coordinator ministries. explained the program during SS hour in February. faith and life of our congregation. Learning Ministry Linda Once the system is in place, it will be continually updated. A review of its use and Fichtelman To create a learning environment so that each member young or old can learn more about the effectiveness will take place six months after it begins. Listed in the next column are brief descriptions of word of the Lord. Social Concerns Mark Will Inform our our main Grace ministries. The enclosed survey lists all of the ministries for your perusal and consideration. community of faith and the community in which we live Please complete the survey and return it to the church by about the ways available to both serve and be served. Youth and Family Ministry Linda Fichtelman placing it in the offering plate, dropping the survey at the Provide a safe environment for youth and family to Seraphina Sisters Event at Meza provide services, learn and participate in church and community activities. Worship and Music Susan Mahrt Provide support to the worship experience by serving various capacities such as lector, choirs, ushers other behind the scenes activities such as altar guild, art and environment, and sacristans. The ladies that attended the February Seraphina Sisters Event at Meza In Uptown Westerville for the Wine Tasting-Cupcake Pairing are pictured above. They enjoyed tastes of five wines beginning with Il Follo Rose Prosecco and finishing with Bordelet Poire. Each wine was paired with mini cupcakes from strawberry lemonade to chocolate...and more chocolate. The ladies that enjoyed the evening were l-r: Connie Brenning, Lori Bagwell (Connie s friend), Erin Bopp, Angela Hughes, Christy Drakulich, Lisa Stoll and Amy Quinn. The Seraphina Sisters will be meeting at Sarah Peters home for our March event on Friday evening, March 8. Details will be available soon on the Yahoo site. Women interested in joining the Seraphina Sisters can Connie Brenning at cbrenning@att.net The VOICE of Grace The human contribution is the essential ingredient. It is only in the giving of oneself to others that we truly live. -- Ethel Percy Andrus, founder of the National Retired Teachers Association and AARP Blanket Month Again a Success! Each February for as long as we can remember, Dick Scholl wrapped himself in a blanket and hung a sign around his neck to remind us to contribute $5.00 to buy blankets for those who need them. Now Robert Ayers has taken up the mantel and the blanket. Thanks to everyone who makes this ministry possible. Pictured with Robert is Logan Brenning, who donated to this worthy cause.. March Page 5

6 Celebrations 3/1 Jeff Warbritton Jack Funk 3/2 Linda Miller Lindsey Bright 3/3 Lyle Barkhymer Beth Hahn Jeffrey Cohagen Carissa Schroeder 3/4 Charles Roll Wendy Stone 3/5 Nancy Kleberg Mandi Bell 3/6 Janis Boughton Rob Long 3/7 Bill Grossman Stephen Miller 3/8 Joshua Rockwood Trenton Hahn-Minor 3/9 Cynthia Fue 3/10 Bart Hawkinberry Randy Stoll 3/11 Eloise Collier 3/12 David Patterson Jessica Thomas Carson Schroeder 3/13 Ben Vann March Anniversaries Ma r c h B i r t h d a y s Waldo Stoner 3/13 Robert Longfellow 3/14 Jacob Singleton Katie Singleton Bennett Calland 3/15 Mark Miller 3/16 Susan Monroe Mark Moore Avery Rowe 3/17 Elizabeth Penn 3/18 Pam Finy Bruce Berry Laura Calland Kylie Gehringer 3/19 Fred Ulrich Linda Morelli Heather Soster Randy Cashman Emily Gorgias 3/20 Carole Smith Robert Clark Alicia Dunn Noah Rowe 3/21 Ken Hagen Tami Stone Jonathan Dove Maren Traeger 3/3 Nelson & Faye Miles 3/6 Tom & Nicky Rothmann 3/14 Doug & Julie Fraser 3/21 Will Snead Jay Holland Forrest Workman Erin Okonak 3/22 Taylor Warren 3/23 Michelle Bosse Claire Jenkins 3/24 Rodney Smith Patrick Berry 3/25 James Ross 3/26 Phyllis Bale Eric Hartfelder 3/27 Louise Clifford James Newton Kim Harris 3/28 Mary Roll Bela Bernhardt 3/29 Sue Brown Nathaniel Rowe Sidney Skeie 3/30 Craig Weber Kelli Bogner 3/31 Pam Cooper Kathy Michel Amanda Bright 3/21 Rick & Sue Clark 3/25 Jim & Sue Monroe 3/25 Stephen & Sue Mahrt Invitation to Join Care Team The Grace Care Team Ministry (GCTM) is a group of twenty disciples who visit sick and homebound members of the congregation. On the first and third Sunday of each month Care Team members carry the sacrament of Holy Communion to those who are unable to attend worship. Members are also on call to visit the sick in hospitals, homes and rehab facilities. Pastor Walston trains and schedules Care Team members. Meetings to Review and Renew the ongoing ministry are held quarterly. New members to GCTM are welcome. To learn more contact Pastor Walston in person, by phone or . [rjwalston@msn.com or ] Training sessions will 1/12/13 Grace is on FACEBOOK. Check it out. Click like. Write on the Grace wall, or add some pictures or an event to the Grace calendar. St. Patrick s Day, March 17 Corned beef and cabbage is the traditional meal enjoyed by many on St. Patrick s Day, but only half of it is truly Irish. Cabbage has long been a staple of the Irish diet, but it was traditionally served with Irish bacon, not corned beef. The corned beef was substituted for bacon by Irish immigrants to the Americas around the turn of the century who could not afford the real thing. They learned about the less expensive alternative from their Jewish be scheduled in the Spring. neighbors. The VOICE of Grace March Page 6

7 Direct Your 2012 Choice Dollars Now Thrivent Choice gives eligible Thrivent benefit members the chance to recommend where Thrivent Financial directs some of its charitable grant funds. The deadline to direct 2012 Thrivent Choice Dollars is March 31, You have two options in directing your Choice Dollars: Direct dollars online now through March 31. Direct dollars by calling 800-THRIVENT ( ) and say Thrivent Choice at the prompt, now through March 28. The Member Connection Center is open until 8 p.m. Central time. Note: The Member Connection Center will not be open during the Easter holiday: Good Friday, March 29 Easter Sunday, March 31. To learn more, visit Thrivent.com/thriventchoice. If you have questions, please contact the Member Connection Center at 800-THRIVENT ( ) and say Thrivent Choice. For faster service, please have your member ID or contract number available. Becoming a member of Thrivent Financial has its benefits Thrivent Financial offers you things you just can t get from other financial service companies. We re a strong and stable, faith-based, not-for-profit membership organization with nearly 2.5 million members. Our purpose is to strengthen Christian communities by inspiring others to be wise with money and live generously. If you want to learn more about Thrivent Financial s products and services, visit Thrivent.com and find a representative near you. If the time isn t right and you re not in need of our products, there is another way you can experience what Thrivent Financial has to offer. Consider becoming an associate member and you ll receive these benefits: Membership in a local Thrivent chapter, which gives you volunteer, social and educational opportunities. Discounted legal services, identity protection and online resources to help a loved one stay living at home longer. Quarterly issues of Thrivent magazine and access to free educational materials. The cost to become an associate member is $19.95 annually. Learn more/sign up by visiting Thrivent.com/joinus. If you have questions, please contact the Member Connection Center at 800-THRIVENT ( ) and say fraternal or send an to fraternal@thrivent.com. For faster service, please have your member ID or contract Concert Series Sunday, March 24, :30 p.m. The Otterbein University Concert Choir Gayle Walker, Conductor The Concert Choir is the most select of the Otterbein University s seven vocal ensembles. The majority of its 50 members are Music majors who study voice privately. The Concert Choir tours annually to destinations both domestic and abroad. Itineraries have included China in 2010; Charleston, SC in 2009; Chicago in 2008; Toronto in 2007; France and Switzerland in 2006; and New York in The choir has performed at prestigious locations such as Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, St. Stephen s Cathedral in Vienna and St. Nicholas Church in Prague. Conductor Gayle Walker is in her eleventh year as Director of Choral Activities and Associate Professor of Music at Otterbein University. She conducts the Concert Choir and the Opus One vocal jazz ensemble, and teaches ear training, conducting and early music history. Prior to coming to Otterbein she taught choral and vocal music at Marietta College in Ohio. She has performed as a guest conductor and piano or vocal recitalist in Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Ohio. She is also a skilled clinician and adjudicator, as well as a past President of the Ohio Choral Directors Association. A reception in the Gathering Space follows each concert. There is no admission charge for A Joyful Noise! concerts. A free will offering will be taken. As usual we are in need of volunteers to help park cars, greet our visitors and take up the freewill offering. If a husband and wife team would like to volunteer as a team, a single person or a family please let Carolyn Martin know your desires. Please contact Carolyn at (614) or martin1529@sbcglobal.net. Please consider helping us. Thank you! number available. The VOICE of Grace March Page 7

8 FIRST FRUITS FOR W.A.R.M. S SPECIAL EASTER BAGS Honor the Lord with your substance and the first fruits of all your produce. (Proverbs 3:9) W.A.R.M. s emphasis for March is to provide special bags of groceries for Easter to their clients. Items will need to be delivered to the pantry by March 17. Any items donated after this date will be taken to W.A.R.M. and be placed on their shelves for regular distribution. Cut out the list below right that includes sides for making a ham dinner for Easter and take it with you as you shop. Just one or two items given by each of us adds up to a multitude of items for all who are in need. Please also make note of the hygiene items of toilet paper, dish soap, and diapers (sizes 5 and 6), and hotel/motel toiletries. The April Pantry list also includes: Whole Grain Pastas (they have spaghetti) Whole and Multi Grain Cereal - Oatmeal and Oats. Whole Grain Helpers for Tuna, Chicken, or Hamburger. Brown Rice - Brown Rice Sides. Items may be brought to the church and placed into our grocery carts at any time and our main emphasis is always the first Sunday of each month. Monetary donations in the form of checks should be made out to Grace Lutheran Church with a notation to W.A.R.M.. If you would like to participate on a First Fruits Sunday at the service of your choice to thank those who donate items and to present our produce offering to God at the time of the offering along with the Munchkin Ministry children, please call Jill Morrison at vfebruary 3th Totalsv Food/Hygiene= pounds Monetary = $ vyear TO DATEv Food/Hygiene = pounds Monetary = 1, Reaching out with the love of Jesus to grow disciples and serve our community. God s blessings to all who have made this important outreach ministry a part of your tithes and offerings so that others less fortunate may have a HAND UP AND NOT A HAND OUT! NEXT FIRST FRUITS: MARCH 3 and then APRIL 7 A Thank You from W.A.R.M. On January 31, 2013, Pastor Hartfelder received a letter of thanks from Scott Marier, the executive director of the Westerville Area Resource Ministry (W.A.R.M.) expressing their appreciation for the continued support of that ministry to the neighbors in our community. As noted in the February Voice, Grace was able to provide food and hygiene products in the amounts of 3,773.2 pounds (not including Thanksgiving bags) and $12,442 (of which $4,707 was from our first fruits Sundays) during the year of Mr. Marier said We are thankful you have chosen to serve with us as we reach out in Christian love, hope and charity. Remember the General Mills Box Top$ The Central Ohio Women s Auxiliary of Lutheran Social Services continues to accept Cancelled Stamps and Campbell Company labels: LSS is collecting the BOX TOP$ rectangle on the top of General Mills products. These are redeemable for 10 cents apiece for Oesterlen Services for Youth. Place these along with cancelled stamps and UPS bar codes from Campbell Company Labels in our grocery carts. The following will help fill a special bag to bless our neighbors for Easter. apple juice boxed potato sides - scalloped or augratin Canned onion rings (we have the green beans) Pineapple chunks or tidfbits White cake mix vanilla frosting The VOICE of Grace March Page 8

9 Sunday School March lesson topics include: Preschool Jesus forgives, Jesus prays, Jesus goes to Jerusalem, the Last Supper Kindergarten/1st grade Jesus heals a blind man, Jesus heals an epileptic boy, Jesus goes to Jerusalem, the Last Supper, the Lord s Prayer 2nd/3rd grade finishing disciple unit, miracle in Cana, the Transfiguration, salt and light, the Garden of Gethsemane 4th/5th grade Peter finds money in a fish, Jesus tells about the greatest in the kingdom, healing on the Sabbath, prophesy of Jesus death, books of the Bible Note: There will be no Sunday School on Easter Sunday, March 31. Questions? Contact Linda Fichtelman at: lfichtelman@aceweb.com PARENTS PLEASE NOTE: As an effort to ensure the safety of all the children participating in any form of programming, as well as follow best practices, we request that each youth/child have emergency health and contact information on file. Forms can be found on the website under children and turned into the child s Sunday School teacher. Thank you for helping us maintain best practices. Have a little one who is not quite Munchkin Ministry ready just yet? Well, the nursery might be the solution you are looking for. The nursery allows the child to squirm and move to his/her heart s content, while also allowing his/her parent to focus uninterruptedly on the service. It s a win-win situation! The nursery is available during the 11:00 service for infants (4 weeks and up) and toddlers (up to the age of 3). Upon drop-off, parents will receive a pager so they can be contacted if there is a need for them to return to the nursery. All of the activity occurring in the room is recorded by a nannycam and is available for viewing should the parents so choose. Several of the families who currently utilize the nursery care opt to pick up their child before going forward for communion. This allows them to commune as a family and for the child to receive a blessing from one of the pastors. Other families opt to pick up their children following the service. Feel free to stop by if you d like more information. There is nothing like a newborn baby to renew you spirit - and to buttress your resolve to make the world a better place. Virginia Kelley - Nurse ( ) Looking ahead to summer Save the Date VBS/LOMO day camp for next summer will be the week of July 14-19, Mark Your Calendars... March Kingdom of Bounce Party - Grades 1-5 Spring All Church Camp - To be held on Church Grounds More details in next Voice and Sunday bulletins Check the Sunday Bulletins and the Grace website at www. grace43981.org The Youth and Family Ministry and Learning Ministry want to emphasize that all children are welcome to participate at any time throughout the year. If your child is only able to participate once or sporadically through the year, we still welcome his/her involvement. The VOICE of Grace March Page 9

10 Little Blessings Preschool is now enrolling for the preschool year! Please share with family, friends and neighbors looking for a preschool for their 3, 4 or 5 year old child, to call and schedule a visit to Little Blessings. Our teachers provide an awesome experience and preparation for children prior to entering Kindergarten. Call for information. Supper Club is Headed for: Wendell s in March- N State St Claddaugh s in April - Polaris Pkwy Barrel 44 in May - Bexley Sign up sheet at Hospitality Desk Please Note: Our reservations are arranged for the number of persons who have signed up at the hospitality desk. If for some reason you find that you will be unable to attend after signing, please call Rosemarie ( ) or Bev ( ) so the restaurant can be advised. Thank You! 10-Day Holy Land Tour November, 2013 Pastor Hartfelder and Bishop Callon W. Holloway are working together to offer members of our Southern Ohio Synod the opportunity to travel to Israel in early November, The 10-day tour includes hotels, airfare, incountry transportation, all breakfasts and dinners and most lunches. Planned locations are: Caesarea Maritima; Mount Megiddo (Armageddon), Caesarea Philipi, Nazareth, Cana, the Sea of Galilee, Mount of the Beatitudes, Capernaum, Bethlehem, the Dead Sea, Jerusalem, and many more. The estimated cost is $3,349* per person (double-occupancy hotel room). At this time there is room for 30 participants. Please contact Pastor Will ( ; w.hartfelder@grace43081.org) with your questions and to reserve a place. *price does not include gratuities (ca. $90), optional travel insurance ($270) and airport tax and fuel surcharges which are subject to change until tickets are An Easter message On Easter Sunday 1544, Martin Luther proclaimed in a sermon: The conception and birth of every human creature is no less a miracle and wonder-work of God than that Adam was made out of a clod of earth, and Eve out of a fleshy rib. The world is full of such works of wonder. ( On the Resurrection, The Table Talk of Martin Luther). That reminder holds yet today, that God brings life not only from death but from nothing Church Council President...Bill Kulju Ph: (614) kuljub@att.net Vice President...Julie Abrams Ph: (614) abrams.1@napls.us Treasurer...John Hicks Ph: (614) johnmh3@gmail.com Senior Pastor... Will Hartfelder Ph. (614) w.hartfelder@grace43081.org Members at Large: Jeff Brenning...jbrenni@att.net Ph: (614) Joanne Figge...jcfigge@gmail.com Ph: (614) Angela Hughes...angelajustine@gmail.com Ph: (614) Vanessa Stewart...vsrnc@aol.com Ph. (614) Randy Stoll...rstoll3@columbus.rr.com Ph. (614) Reaching out with the love of Jesus to grow disciples and serve our community Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church has been serving the Westerville Community for more than 100 years, supporting local ministries such as the Westerville Area Resource Ministry, Westerville Partnership Habitat for Humanity and Westerville CROP Walk. Grace also supports Lutheran Social Services programs like Faith Mission and provides weekly meeting space for issued. Boy Scout Troop 502 and two AA groups. The VOICE of Grace March Page 10

11 Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church Council Meeting: February 14, 2013 Minutes Members present: Bill Kulju (President), Julie Abrams (Vice-President), Joanne Figge (Secretary), John Hicks (Treasurer), Vanessa Stewart, Jeff Brenning, Randy Stoll, Angela Hughes, Pastor Will Hartfelder Members absent: None. Others present: Glen Alexander President Bill Kulju called the meeting to order at 7:08 PM. Devotions: Angela Hughes, God s Box of Chocolates Approval of January, 2013 meeting minutes Upon consideration of the minutes from the January, 2013 meeting, Pastor Will moved to accept the minutes, supported by Julie Abrams with a second. Motion passed. Topic 1 Glen Alexander of the Columbarium Task Force presented written and verbal information about his research about the construction materials and processes and costs of the Columbarium to be installed in the Rose Garden. Costs proposed will include the cost of the Columbarium in its entirety, including landscaping installation, plants, and an irrigation system for a total cost of approximately $32,500. Eight of the thirty-five niches are pre-sold. There are eight more commitments pending. Glen Alexander as chair of the task force motioned that we construct a Columbarium in the Rose Garden location and relandscape the Rose Garden into an acceptable memorial garden. The recommendation of the Columbarium task force is a $32,500 budget. John Hicks seconded the motion after a discussion of the funding and its repayment from sales as well as several additional questions. Motion passed unanimously. Topic 2 Pastor Will has an initial interview with a call candidate in two weeks. Topic 3 Letter of credit with Peoples Bank is extended for an additional two years to cover our bond indebtedness on the remodel and rebuild of our sanctuary and gathering space. Topic 4 Mission Endowment Fund ByLaws and Guidelines and the Columbus Foundation Endowment were reviewed. Pastor Will suggested that the executive committee meet and determine next steps regarding the Mission Endowment Fund committee. Topic 5 Fundraising Application and Fundraising Policy draft forms were received and discussed. Some changes were discussed and made to the fundraising policy draft. After further discussion, Angela Hughes moved that the church council and/or Senior pastor shall review and approve or disapprove fundraising applications. Jeff Brenning seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Topic 6 Non-active church members were mailed a letter of explanation in 2012 and again in 2013 to let them know that their active voting membership requirement has not been met. Topic 7 June 2, 2013 will be Mission and Ministry Sunday. Ministry Updates Pastor Will sent out articles, letters, and his monthly statistical report and monthly update report to council by . Council reviewed and accepted these s. Required Reports Monthly Report: Pastor Will Hartfelder submitted his monthly report earlier in the week. It is included as part of these minutes. Statistical Report: Pastor Will Hartfelder submitted his monthly statistical report for January, It is included as part of these minutes. Treasurer s Report: John Hicks presented Fund Designations information to church council about generally accepted accounting principles. Treasurer John Hicks reviewed the financial report. Mission and Ministry support to the Southern Ohio Synod was $ for the month and $ year to date. $ has been contributed to Lutheran Social Services thus far this year. Total pledges through January, 2013 to the Growing in Grace new building campaign total $573,332. Total receipts and transfers through January, 2013 are $184,127. Through January, 2013, we have collected 32% of total pledges. Approval of required reports John Hicks made a motion to accept the financial report, and was seconded by Randy Stoll. Motion passed. Adjournment with prayer Angela Hughes offered a prayer for those with special concerns. The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Next Meeting The next church council meeting is March 14, Vanessa Stewart is responsible for devotions. Respectfully submitted, Joanne Figge, Secretary The VOICE of Grace March Page 11