Volume 93, Issue 3 March 21, 2017 community matters

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Mary Baker
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Read-A-Thon in our gym on Friday, March 3rd.

read with the 6th graders during our school

The preschoolers thought the big kids were

squeeze the cute little preschoolers, and all

Pancake Breakfast Thank you for your support

Together we are enabling children to be able

1 Volume 93, Issue 3 March 21, 2017 community matters Loves Park Elementary students held a Read-A-Thon in our gym on Friday, March 3rd. They invited our preschoolers to come in and read with the 6th graders during our school day. Everyone loved it! The preschoolers thought the big kids were pretty amazing, the 6th graders wanted to squeeze the cute little preschoolers, and all the teachers from both schools were in awe of the interactions between the groups. We hope to make this an annual get-together! Pancake Breakfast Thank you for your support of our Grace Preschool fundraiser held at Applebee s on Saturday, March 11 th. We served 161 people and others made monetary donations. We made $ for the Carol Johnson Scholarship Fund. Together we are enabling children to be able to attend our preschool to talk about God, make friends and learning curriculum that prepares them for kindergarten.

2 P a g e 2 C o m m u n i t y M a t t e r s 2017 is more than the 500 th Anniversary Year of the Reformation for Grace Martin Luther wrote and posted a document challenging the Roman Catholic Church to debate the issues of penance, indulgences and the authority of the Pope in The driving issue for Luther was the sale of plenary indulgences which were certificates believed to reduce the temporal punishment for sins committed by the purchasers themselves or their loved ones in purgatory. Luther claimed that repentance is required by Christ in order for sins to be forgiven. pastor dahlseng While indulgences had a significant spiritual consequence that Luther objected to, there was an equal economic issue that drove Luther to action. It was often the economically poor who out of fear and guilt purchased these indulgences. The money raised by the Church by the sale of indulgences was used to build St. Peter s Cathedral in Rome. Luther s posting of the 95 Thesis in Wittenberg, Germany on October 31, 1517 caused a fire storm in the Church. The end result was the movement called the Reformation and the formation of the Protestant Church. NEW: At 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 23 we will be showing a movie about Martin Luther in Founder s Hall. This is part of our 500 th Anniversary celebration of the Reformation. During intermission there will be popcorn, soda and water available (donations are welcome the goal is $500 in honor of the 500 th Anniversary designated for our Rockford Servant Immersion aka Grace Mission Trip). For all retirees we will convene a brief conversation about other outings and events that would be of interest. Time for Action: 2017 is the year for Grace Church in all of its ministries to begin growing again! Jesus died for the sake of the world to offer God s love, forgiveness and a new beginning to live by faith. How does God get the word out there and get this done? It s you and me baby! Invite your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and peers to come and worship with you. Pray about it. Be creative. Have fun. But do invite. Don t delay. Next Step for Chris Thomas Chris Thomas was recently assigned to the Lower Susquehanna Synod in South/Central Pennsylvania. After Chris and Katie returned from internship in Marian, Illinois at the end of August 2016, they moved to Chicago for Chris final year at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. Chris is now available to begin interviewing for openings in congregations in this Pennsylvania synod. Upon graduation from LSTC and receiving a call to a church, Chris will be ordained and then installed in his first church as an ordained ELCA pastor. Please continue to keep Chris and Katie Thomas in your prayers. Grace has been blessed to be a part of their journey! Holy Week Already on April 9 we launch into the most sacred of weeks in the Christian faith. Palm Sunday marks Jesus entry into Jerusalem. Palms will be available as we remember this kick off to Holy Week. The Easter Egg hunt on April 9 details are in this newsletter.

V o l u m e 9 3, I s s u e 3 P a g e 3 On April 13, at noon and 7 p.m. we will celebrate Jesus initiation of Holy Communion on Maundy Thursday. Good Friday begins at 9:00 a.m. at the Machesney Park mall parking lot with our annual ecumenical Cross Walk together with Bethany Presbyterian Church.

3 V o l u m e 9 3, I s s u e 3 P a g e 3 On April 13, at noon and 7 p.m. we will celebrate Jesus initiation of Holy Communion on Maundy Thursday. Good Friday begins at 9:00 a.m. at the Machesney Park mall parking lot with our annual ecumenical Cross Walk together with Bethany Presbyterian Church. We will carry the cross to Bethany Church with stops along the way recalling the Stations of the Cross in readings, prayer and song. Again at noon and 7 p.m. at Grace we will remember Jesus death on the cross in solemn worship. The Easter Vigil on Saturday, April 15 will begin at 5:30 p.m. Finally, we will celebrate the victory over death won by Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday at 7:30, 9:00 and 10:30 a.m.! Come and experience the power of this vital week in the life of our faith! Facebook Follow Gracelovespark on Facebook. Events, pictures of what is happening and video interviews and messages are posted there for your information. Please hit share and spread the message to your social network. Hit check-in when you come to worship or an event at Grace to let people know you like this church, who we are and what we are called to do. Rebuilding Grace We have just installed new thermostat controls in the church which will bring cost saving during the air conditioning season. A second project to save money was the replacement of the twenty-two pieces of glass with tempered low E glass in the car port. An additional safety project is underway with the upgrading of existing and addition of new parking lot and exterior building lighting. The goal is ensure that our parking lot is well lit at night so everyone feels more secure following after-dark worship and meetings. We will begin hosting Rebuilding Grace informational meetings after Easter when we bring new proposals pertaining to the sanctuary and narthex/lounge upgrades. Rebuilding Grace has been a protracted project that has wearied some of you. We are simply honoring our commitment to only spend money we have received and to communicate the progress on projects. Much has been accomplished with quality work because of volunteers and your generosity. Thank you. As money becomes available additional work remains: the parking lot, the north side of the office space (staff office spaces including the pastors), AC addition to the kitchen and youth room, additional gym updates and addressing the other entrances into the church. May 6 and 7 - Bits N Pieces Quilt Show of Rockford s Sinnissippi Quilt Guild at Sportscore II. Listen to a Bedturning - see and hear the story of locally made quilts. View our quilters ode to Cheap Trick, the traveling exhibit of quilts honoring our National Parks and 300 dazzling quilts. Browse the vendor booths and our Boutique. Bid on silent auction items or buy quilts that are For Sale. Proceeds will support SQG s community projects for RMH and Swede s neo-natal units, Christmas Stockings for IL soldiers, quilts for the Rockford Rescue Mission and raffle quilts to local charity s fund drives. Please go to for more details.

P a g e 4 C o m m u n i t y M a t t e r s pastor joanna Life is fragile. Just a few weeks ago we smudged ash on our hands and remembered that we are dust, and to dust we shall return.

4 P a g e 4 C o m m u n i t y M a t t e r s pastor joanna Life is fragile. Just a few weeks ago we smudged ash on our hands and remembered that we are dust, and to dust we shall return. That finality is weighing heavily on my heart. As I write this I am driving with my husband to visit his grandfather on his family farm. Ray is 83 and battling cancer. While we know not the hour, either that Jesus will come again, or when our time will be up and we will leave this mortal coil, we know that death will come. Nothing is certain but death and the love and grace of God. (With all that is going on in our country, I m not sure taxes fit in that category anymore!) I have no sense of how long Grandpa Ray has left. I hope and pray that we are able to spend some quality time with him. It is a time to share memories and laughter and joy. As I become older I realize how much time I have wasted in my life, and it makes me sad. I am sad that I have spent time worrying about what people think, worrying about what I wear or who I need to impress. I have not spent as much time with people I love. I am sad that I missed opportunities for laughter and love, opportunities for mutual understanding and opportunities to help others. I am sad that I haven t explored the beauty of God s creation as much I have wanted to. As we drive along under the bright waning moon, I know that our family is headed in the right direction. I know that, even as hard as it was to leave with all of the things going on at Grace in the coming week, the things we are doing are important and real. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity for us! I am so grateful to be a part of a community that values relationships and family. I appreciate the gift of this time. I hold this precious treasure of time spent with loved ones with kid gloves. I honor this gift and also want to make sure I treat it with care and tenderness. Life is fragile. Life is precious. Life is meant to be treasured, enjoyed, and celebrated when it comes to an end. We know that death is another beginning. It is the beginning of eternal life. ( Death where is your victory? Where is your sting? ) Whatever time we have, for as long as we are living, my prayer and hope will be that we continue to celebrate the miracle of life. Even in the midst of grief trust that through the life, death and the resurrection of Jesus, we are invited into life eternal, the biggest miracle of them all. Ordinary people like you and me are loved and treasured, and held with kid gloves. God is not fragile. God can handle all of our emotion, be it thanksgiving or anger, joy or grief. May God s loving grace continue to shine in us and through us by our actions and words. Treasure all the gifts including time with which you are blessed.

25% of your purchase goes to support Tuesday Night Family Co-Ed Softball League The Rockford Church Sports Association is planning another exciting season of co-ed softball for those 15 years old and

5 V o l u m e 9 3, I s s u e 3 P a g e 5 Gensler Fundraiser Mark your calendars for this year s Gensler Garden Fundraiser! Sales will begin March 29. We are changing the options this year and only offering gift cards which are available in increments of $25. 25% of your purchase goes to support Tuesday Night Family Co-Ed Softball League The Rockford Church Sports Association is planning another exciting season of co-ed softball for those 15 years old and up. Grace is joining this great league! Games start on Tuesday, April 25 (weather permitting) and play through the end of August. The games will be played on un-lighted diamonds and will be at either 6:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. at Loves Park Playground & Wantz Park. Please look for our upcoming sign up sheets if you are interested in playing! If you have any questions, please call the church office at Rockford Servant Immersion will begin July 23 and go though July 28. Our purpose is to serve the community and be the hands and feet of Christ reaching out a building relationship with our neighbors. If you are interested in helping out in the worship band or as a chaperone please contact Pastor JoAnna. Please also plan to keep our youth and their leaders in your prayers that week! Thank you!

P a g e 6 C o m m u n i t y M a t t e r s Mom & Tot s Upcoming Playgroups Wednesday, March 29 th Spring Break Fever Wednesday, April 12 th Easter Wednesday, April 26 th April

We will have games, food, crafts, and of course, the Easter Egg Hunt! All are welcome to come and all is free! We will have bags available if you need one!

12:00pm 0-2 year olds 12:15pm 3-4 year olds 12:30pm 5-6 year olds 12:45pm 7-9 year olds 1:00pm 10-12 year olds First Communion Class We are having our First Communion Class on

6 P a g e 6 C o m m u n i t y M a t t e r s Mom & Tot s Upcoming Playgroups Wednesday, March 29 th Spring Break Fever Wednesday, April 12 th Easter Wednesday, April 26 th April Showers Bring May Flowers Easter Egg Hunt 2017! Join us for our annual Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday, April 9th! We will have games, food, crafts, and of course, the Easter Egg Hunt! All are welcome to come and all is free! We will have bags available if you need one! Event starts at 11:45 a.m. and below is the egg hunt schedule! 12:00pm 0-2 year olds 12:15pm 3-4 year olds 12:30pm 5-6 year olds 12:45pm 7-9 year olds 1:00pm year olds First Communion Class We are having our First Communion Class on Saturday, April 22 nd from 9-12pm. Any and all children are welcome to attend with their parents. We will be learning about what communion is, why we take communion and how to do so. If you feel your child is ready for the class, please register them by calling the office. We will then celebrate with them on completing the class on Sunday, April 23 rd at all three services.

7 V o l u m e 9 3, I s s u e 3 P a g e 7 Registration is in full swing for the school year! Some classes are getting full, so contact us soon if you have a 3 or 4 year old in need of preschool. We have recently added a small 2 year old class which will meet 1 day a week. Several children are already signed up! We are always looking for ways to improve and expand our program to reach more families, and a 2 year old class has been requested several times. Other requests are longer days and summer programing - we are still evaluating how to make those happen. Our next family event coming up is Science Night on April 4th. Children of all ages love the interactive experiments and demonstrations we have all over the gym. We welcome all families, so please join us! After that, graduation will be upon us quickly. Our big events will be the week before Memorial Day, and we can't wait to show off how much we've learned. Mid-Week Lenten Worship Schedule March 29 and April 5 12:00 p.m. Lenten Worship 5:30 p.m. Children s Choir 5:30 p.m. Lenten Meal 6:00 p.m. Submerge/Emerge 7:00 p.m. Lenten Worship Holy Week Holy Thursday, April 13 12:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. Worship Good Friday, April 14 9:00 a.m. Community Cross Walk 12:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. Worship Saturday, April 15 5:30 p.m. Easter Vigil Easter Sunday, April 16 7:30 a.m. Blended Worship 9:00 a.m. Traditional Worship 10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship Lenten Meals March 29 - Bethany Circle April 5 - Rachel Circle PLEASE NOTIFY THE CHURCH OFFICE...when you or your family members are hospitalized or being sent to a rehabilitation facility. Due to HIPPA laws, we will not be able to call to verify unless we have a place and room number. We would like to visit and see how you or your family member is doing. Please let us know! (Also let the hospital know you are with Grace Lutheran Church)

8 P a g e 8 C o m m u n i t y M a t t e r s thank you s To All of Grace Lutheran Church: Thank you for the Peace Lily plant you sent for Jack Jacobs. It was beautiful. Thanks to all the wonderful people who helped us set up the flowers and served the food and drinks and took care of the clean up. You all made the memories beautiful. - Love, June and family. I want to thank Pastor Dahlseng, Amanda Monroe, Kathy and Saylor for visiting me while I was in the hospital and their prayers. I also want to thank the ladies of the Grace Lutheran Women s Prayer Group for their prayers and my wonderful church family. This thank you comes from my heart. I love my Lord and my Grace Lutheran Church Family. - God Bless, Joy Swenson. Grace Lutheran Church: Give thanks to the Lord, for the Lord is good, for God s mercy endures forever. Thanks be to God for the many ways you touch lives with the love of our Lord Jesus Christ through the mission and ministry of your congregation. Thank you again for your gifts for Mission Support and please know that your gifts are extraordinarily important as we are about God s Works with Our Hands. - Sharing ministry together, Rev. Jeffrey Clements, Bishop, Northern Illinois Synod. On Sunday, February 12 we received a check from Grace Loves Park presented by Ron and Debbie Gustafson. The will be used for a new addition to our building for our Likamba church, which we started in May We thank you very much for this gift. May our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, bless you all! - Senior Pastor, Christopher Lukumay, Likamba Parish, North Central Diocese, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania. Grace: I would like to take this time to thank the helpers I had for Carpenter s Place lunch - To Joy Swenson, Jayne Workinger, and John Bennett. Thank you for helping me cook, transport and serve the 70+ people on February 24. It as greatly appreciated and very rewarding to serve. - Sincerely, Angie Wallace Spring Vendor Fair Saturday April 29, 2017 Doors open at 9:00 a.m. Shop locally for clothes, candles, jewelry, toys, and so much more with over 40 vendors. Please see Angie Wallace with any questions.

V o l u m e 9 3, I s s u e 3 P a g e 9 ELCA PRESIDING BISHOP ELIZABETH

Presenter: Presiding Bishop Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

limited (Sandwich, pasta salad, chips, cookie & drink) Reservation only

contacting Zion Church Corner of 7 th Street & 4 th Avenue 815-964-4609

9 V o l u m e 9 3, I s s u e 3 P a g e 9 ELCA PRESIDING BISHOP ELIZABETH EATON KATIE S CUP CONVERSATION TUESDAY APRIL 18, 2017 NOON-2PM Presenter: Presiding Bishop Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Topic: Reformation: Then and Now COST: $14 - Program & lunch Space is limited (Sandwich, pasta salad, chips, cookie & drink) Reservation only by April Seventh Street Rockford, IL Make your reservations by contacting Zion Church Corner of 7 th Street & 4 th Avenue or katiescuprockford@gmail.com (Sandwich option: Turkey, Ham, Beef or Veggie)

P a g e 10 C o m m u n i t y M a t t e r s Northern Illinois Food Bank is hosting a Senior Grocery Market (age 60 and over) Join us at NIFB Northwest Center and take home a variety of nutritious food.

org 100th Mobile Food Pantry at Grace (2007-2017) GPS Faith Community and Grace Lutheran started hosting these mobile food pantries in the spring of 2007. This April pantry will be our 100th pantry.

We give away 10,000 lbs. of food in less than 2 hours. We also have a free clothes closet and serve a hot dinner. Our next pantry dates are Monday, April 24 and Monday, June 19.

10 P a g e 10 C o m m u n i t y M a t t e r s Northern Illinois Food Bank is hosting a Senior Grocery Market (age 60 and over) Join us at NIFB Northwest Center and take home a variety of nutritious food. Choose from a selection of fresh produce and assorted meats. Thursdays April 6 & Research Parkway Rockford, IL th Mobile Food Pantry at Grace ( ) GPS Faith Community and Grace Lutheran started hosting these mobile food pantries in the spring of This April pantry will be our 100th pantry. We serve between households from Loves Park, Machesney Park, Roscoe, Rockton and South Beloit. Other than proof of residency, no other questions are asked to receive food. We give away 10,000 lbs. of food in less than 2 hours. We also have a free clothes closet and serve a hot dinner. Our next pantry dates are Monday, April 24 and Monday, June 19. Please come and help us serve our community. Doors open at 4:00 p.m. Pink Heals Winnebago 5K Run/Walk Saturday, June 24, :00 a.m. Martin Park 5701 Park Ridge Rd. Loves Park, IL The Pink Heals Winnebago County 2nd Annual 5K Fun Run/Walk for participants 13 and up. The race will start and end in Martin Park and is in support of Pink Heals Winnebago County. All money raised locally stays local. Sign up at

V o l u m e 9 3, I s s u 3 P a g e 11 monthly business We extended our Sympathy to: Robert Bergeron and family on the death of his uncle, Ronald Bergeron.

Cyndy Petticrew and family on the death of her mother. Chrissy Axe and family on the death of her grandmother. Nancy Hersey and family on the death of her husband, Doug.

APRIL BIRTHDAYS 1 Richard Swanson - 90 2-Milton Evans - 83 6-Charles Aronson - 81 12-John Sanders - 81 13 John Johnson - 90 18-Harlen Holte - 84 23-Patricia Lee - 87 24-Helen Wyatt - 86 29-Vi Knittel

11 V o l u m e 9 3, I s s u 3 P a g e 11 monthly business We extended our Sympathy to: Robert Bergeron and family on the death of his uncle, Ronald Bergeron. Kimberly Smith and family on the death of her mother, LaVonne Schutt. Steve Blankenship and family on the death of his sister, Judith Judy A. Merrifield. Cyndy Petticrew and family on the death of her mother. Chrissy Axe and family on the death of her grandmother. Nancy Hersey and family on the death of her husband, Doug. To the family of Carol Jean Fitzgerald. To the family of Betty L. Sundberg. To the family of Phyllis Robbins. To the family of Matthew James VanHauen. APRIL BIRTHDAYS 1 Richard Swanson Milton Evans Charles Aronson John Sanders John Johnson Harlen Holte Patricia Lee Helen Wyatt Vi Knittel - 89 APRIL ANNIVERSARIES 11 - Brian & Mindy Brown - 25 Birthdays that are published are 75 and older. Anniversaries that are published are 25th, 40th, 50th, and any Anniversary after the 50th. If you wish not to have it published please call the office ( ). General Fund (Mission and Ministry) March 15, 2017 General Fund Income Income: $142, Expenses: $136, Rebuilding Grace Income: $14, Expenses: $12, Thank you for your giving hearts. Mary Frykman Check out electronic giving and make a contribution. We are also accepting Credit Card donations The next newsletter will be published on Friday, April 21, 2017 and mailed out Tuesday, April 25, 2017 Items for that issue (April Calendar) are due in the church office by NOON, Friday, April 14, PLEASE NOTIFY THE CHURCH OFFICE...when members of your family are hospitalized so the pastors may visit them. (Also let the hospital know you are with Grace Lutheran Church)...when a member of your family has passed away so the pastors and members of the congregation may express their sympathy and include you in their prayers.

Grace Loves Park Church and Preschool 343 Grand Avenue Loves Park, IL 61111 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Rockford, IL Permit No.

org Grace Loves park VBS 2017 Come join us for Vacation Bible School 2017 June 5th - June 9th from 9am-12pm $20 with scholarships available Questions

12 Grace Loves Park Church and Preschool 343 Grand Avenue Loves Park, IL CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Rockford, IL Permit No Phone: Fax: Grace Loves park VBS 2017 Come join us for Vacation Bible School 2017 June 5th - June 9th from 9am-12pm $20 with scholarships available Questions call Worship Opportunities at Grace every Sunday 7:30 a.m. Weekly Communion Worship 9:00 a.m. Traditional Worship 10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship 1st & 3rd Sunday, Holy Communion at 9 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.

Volume 91, Issue 11 November 24, 2015 community matters

Volume 91, Issue 11 November 24, 2015 community matters Confirmation 2015 On Sunday, October 25 th we celebrated with 10 of our youth as they were confirmed and took the next step in their faith. It was