Our Mission. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.

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1 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself. John 12:32 It is through Jesus suffering and death on the cross and the power of God that raised him from the dead that people are drawn to God the Creator, the source of life. Jesus death was necessary to redeem the world from sin, death, and evil. This is what Holy Week, the Three Great Days (Triduum), and the Easter season are about God s love drawing all people to the one who gives life. This is what we will continue to celebrate throughout the coming 50 days (April 1- May 20) of Easter! We had a great 40 days of Lent at Grace! Thanks to all who made it special the groups who prepared the best array of soups I ve ever tasted; our guest speakers who presented at our Mid-week Lenten prayer services; those who coordinated and hosted the Lenoir-Rhyne university students, and the exceptional persons who have kept our music ministry going smoothly through transition! Hopefully, you were able to utilize the resource devotionals that we made available to you and that these links and resources helped you to remain focused throughout the Lenten season. We also hope that through some of the Do Justice projects like the Syrian Refugee Ministry, Racial Reconciliation Events, our Partnership with Ebenezer Ave. Elementary, and our communication with domestic abuse outreach, that our ministry will stay involved in doing justice and remain connected with these themes of justice. When I started my interim with you last July, we acknowledged that so much of Grace s ministry was going through transition. It seems that after eight months, and three different staffing transitions (Dir. of Children s Ministry, Dir. of Music, and Associate Pastor), that there is just as much unknown about Grace s future ministry. However, we are much farther down the path in the Call Committee s preparations and work, as they have completed their work of describing the congregations ministry site profile and begin to interview candidates for ministry. Grace s Council and its committees are also hard at work envisioning God s mission through the people of Grace Lutheran Church. Your prayers are vital, as we unite and rely upon God s Spirit for direction and provision. (continued on page 2) You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith and hope. Thomas Merton INSIDE THIS ISSUE Pastor Ken 1 Pr. Rebecca 2 GYM/NYG/Realm 3 Holy Week/WELCM 4 Golf Tournament 5 GraceC/Meditation 6 Nurse/Breakfast 7 Council/Memorials 8 Fin/B-days/Thanks 9 Calendar 10 Worship Assistants 11 Call Committee 12 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 Pastor Rebecca writes about Thank You In this time of my departure from Grace, I want to thank you for allowing me to be your pastor. I was called by God, and ordained here in this church, but Grace made me a pastor. Thank you for shaping, teaching, walking with, and nurturing me in my first call. Grace will always be special to Jim and me, and we will greatly miss the people and our time here. Grace will remain in my prayers as you continue to discern where God is calling you next, and welcome the pastor that God is preparing for you now. I cannot wait to see the ways that God will continue to bless you as you serve and live as God s faithful people. Peace be with you, Pastor Rebecca FAREWELL AND GODSPEED FOR PASTOR REBECCA will be on Sunday, April 8 at 9:45 AM in the Fellowship Hall. Please join us for cake and coffee as we say farewell to Pastor Rebecca, Jim, and Baby Phillips. (Continued from page 1) On April 8 th we will be saying goodbye to a valued and faithful staff member in Pastor Rebecca. The work that she has started in youth, campus ministry, and pastoral ministry will be dearly missed. We will need people to step up with their God-given gifts to sustain these ministries throughout the upcoming transition and to support the forms of ministry that God s Spirit helps to put into place. There will be some great opportunities upcoming (April 28 BBQ and Yard Sale; May 12 Golf Tournament) to join in support of the mission of our youth, as they raise funds for their trip to the National Youth Gathering this summer. On Sunday, April 29, we will have ONE WORSHIP SERVICE at 10am, followed by a covered-dish meal, that will give us a great chance to unite and get mixed up in fellowship (beyond our 8:30/11:00 acquaintances) and to hear how Grace envisions to future ministry. We are also anticipating the reception, welcoming, and introduction, of a number of new members to our church family! While we muddle through a great deal of transition, there is reason to be excited for opportunities for ministry that lie ahead of us. May the Easter triumph be ours! God s peace 2 and strength, Pastor Ken

3 National Youth Gathering Fundraiser Day! On April 28, the youth will be hosting a yard and BBQ sale here at the church. We need your help! If you have unwanted items in your home, please set them aside for the sale. We will be collecting items at the church April 15th-20th. We can even arrange pick up for items if you let us know before April 11! If you are willing to help with any aspect (helping prepare and serve BBQ, yard sale pricing and prep, yard sale attendant) please contact Adele Evans. This is going to be a great event, so please make plans to attend! GYM CALENDAR (4:30 PM) April 1 - Easter - NO GYM April 8 - GYM Girl s Group - 3:30 PM April 8 - GYM - 4:30 PM April 15 - GYM April 22 - GYM April 22 - Yard Sale Pricing All Week April 28 - NYG Yard Sale & BBQ April 29 - NO GYM We encourage everyone to create an account with our new Realm software system. By now all active Grace members should have gotten an from Realm inviting them to set up such an account. If you have not gotten such an , please check your spam or junk folder. The s are automated and are identified as spam by some programs. If you did not get such an invitation or are having any difficulties in setting up your account, please contact our local Realm administrator Bob Stonebraker at stonebraker946@gmail.com or

4 The Winthrop Episcopalian Lutheran Campus Ministry (WELCM) program is one of the cornerstone ministries at Grace Lutheran Church. Over the last several years, this program has seen significant growth under the leadership of Pastor Rebecca and April Hershey. In October of 2016, the Synod completed a thorough review of the campus ministry program at Grace Lutheran Church and concluded that the ministry has reached a critical point where continued growth of the program requires some structural changes. Since then, our Church Council has been working with the WELCM Board and the Synod to determine the most appropriate path that will allow Grace to continue supporting this ministry but also provide enough flexibility for the anticipated growth. Church Council has elected to support the recommendation of the Synod and the WELCM Board to hire a part-time campus minister that will be spiritually and financially supported by the congregation (current level of $5,000 would serve a minimum.) Additionally, the congregation is encouraged to support this position and campus ministry in other ways. The hiring process will be done by the WELCM Board with input from Council. Please refer any question of comments to Nick Grossoehme or Bill Sliney. Easter Worship Assistants 8:00 AM 9:30 AM 11:00 AM Lector: Floyd Ritchie Eric Schmidt Larry Winsch Comm Asst: Sara Johnson Nora Sliney Debbie Gignac Petitioner: Pam Kirby Pam Kirby Dee Westbrook Crucifer: Dustin Stegall Dustin Stegall NEED 1 Acolytes: Noah Gamerl NEED 2 NEED 2 NEED 1 Ushers: Bob Schavey Steve Ashley Wally Seigler Eddie Hinson Dan Bartel Walker Stockley Bob Wasserman Bill Sliney Larry Winsch Floyd Ritchie NEED 1 NEED 1 Hospitality: Easter Breakfast Nursery: Katie Romero Tabulators: Carla Harrison and Bob Stonebraker Altar Guild: Melissa Tucker and Frances Stockley 4 HELP FILL IN THE NEEDS - CONTACT DEBBIE GIGNAC ASAP ( )

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6 (The following are excerpts from cards received by the GraceC Quilt Ministry) Dear Grace Lutheran, What a thoughtful mission your church is doing through the quilt ministry. It was such a pleasant surprise and certainly brighten my otherwise anxious day. I chose the grace quilt in hopes it will bring warmth and comfort over the next several months in my chemo treatment. Thanks again for your compassion. (name withheld for privacy) Dear GraceC Quilters, The quilt you sent me is absolutely beautiful and I take it with me to all my treatments. While many of the patients receiving chemo have to rely on a plain white blanket provided by the office to keep them warm, I have a bright colorful quilt to uplift my spirits! Thank you so much for keeping me in your prayers which I know is helping me to overcome my adversity. God bless all of you! (name withheld for privacy) When to Keep Your Mouth Shut (thank you, Dan Bartel, for submitting this to Grace Notes) DON T OPEN YOUR MOUTH: 1. In the heat of anger - Proverbs 14: When you don t have all the facts - Proverbs 18: When you haven t verified the story - Deuteronomy 17:6. 4. If your words will offend a weaker brother - 1 Corinthians 8: If your words will be a poor reflection of the Lord or your friends and family - 1 Peter 2: When you are tempted to joke about sin - Proverbs 14:9. 7. When you would be ashamed of your words later - Proverbs 8:8. 8. When you are tempted to make light of holy things - Ecclesiastes 5:2. 9. If your words would convey a wrong impression - Proverbs 17: If the issue is none of your business - Proverbs 14: When you are tempted to tell an outright lie - Proverbs 4: If your words will damage someone s reputation - Proverbs 16: If your words will destroy a friendship - Proverbs 25: When you are feeling critical - James 3: If you can t speak without yelling - Proverbs 25: When it is time to listen - Proverbs 13: If you may have to eat your words later - Proverbs 18: If you have already said it more than one time (Then it becomes nagging) - Proverbs 19: When you are tempted to flatter a wicked person - Proverbs 24: When you are supposed to be working instead - Proverbs 14:23. PROVERBS 21:23 TO WATCH OVER MOUTH AND TONGUE IS TO KEEP OUT OF TROUBLE. (NRSV) 6

7 Nurse's Notes April 2018 I am excited about spring and warmer days and the opportunity to get outside more! It's a great time to invite Grace Members to come join our walking group, "Walk by Grace". We meet on Thursdays at 12 noon (except on Seniors@Grace days) on the front steps of our church to get out in the fresh air, fellowship and get a little exercise in our busy day. It is recommended that we get at least 30 minutes of exercise 5 days a week. Did you know that even 10 minute increments of exercise counts and adds up? Come on out! Bring your home schoolers and little ones too! Surely the warm air and sunshine and sharing it with others will put a little "spring in our step"! The health cabinet looks forward to participating in Family Promise on Wednesday March 28 and give of ourselves to this great ministry. If you would like to help us that evening, please contact the nurse. I am now an American Heart Association Heartsaver Instructor, and I am preparing to teach classes at Grace for Heartsaver CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation). First, I want to train those who are interested in being First Responders at Grace and Nursery and Sunday school workers. Then classes will be offered to anyone who wants to learn this life saving skill. Now, there is equipment and training in schools, malls, buildings and even churches. Why? Because we value life and want to give the best we have to save lives. Consider taking a class. I know that we all have busy schedules, but I am available to work with your schedule to get theses classes in. Please share your interest by signing the tear and share in the bulletin. Contact me with any questions: gracenurse@comporium.net or my cell In Health, Gwendolyn McBride, RN, BSN, MHS, Parish Nurse Easter Breakfast Please join us for Easter Breakfast on Sunday, April 1, from 9:00-11:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall. A free-will offering is taken to cover the cost of the food. We will be serving quiche/breakfast casseroles, hash browns, fruit, mini muffins, orange juice, tea and coffee. We always have a big turnout for Easter Breakfast. If you would like to donate a quiche/breakfast casserole for the breakfast, please contact Ginny Miller. If you bring a quiche to share, please make sure it is heated before you bring it. Hope to see you at Grace s Easter Breakfast. 7

8 MEMORIALS & HONORARY GIFTS Received in March 2018 In memory of 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 In memory of Linda Ellison Judy and Sig Huitt Place of Grace Fund In memory of Stacy Johnson Judy and Sig Huitt Place of Grace Fund In honor of Laurel Grace Grossoehme Jill and Nick Grossoehme Youth Fund WELCM Council approved the recommendation from the WELCM (Campus Ministry) Task Force that the WELCM board hire a trained and or ordained part-time campus minister in light of the fact that April Hershey and Pastor Rebecca have both resigned. The person hired will not be employed by Grace or be a part of the Grace staff, but WELCM will be spiritually and financially supported by the congregation and the congregation is encouraged to support this position and campus ministry in other ways. The hiring process will be done by the WELCM board with input from Council. The Task Force also recommended that the White House be used primarily, though not exclusively, for WELCM. Any member or group desiring to used the White House must obtain a written assurance from the WELCM ministry leader that there is no conflict with the dates requested. Any conflicts will be brought to the Council for a resolution. SECURITY SYSTEM UPDATE The Property Committee continues to look for the best solution for Church security. Several possibilities are being considered and is close to a proposal to bring before council. MUSIC MINISTRY UPDATE A search committee has been formed to search for an Interim Director of Music or Director for Choirs with an accompanist. The committee is chaired by Nora Sliney with John Grogan, Veronica Sams, Linda Horst, Irene Pointon, and Amy Cassidy. We want to thank Irene for stepping in and directing through Easter. ASSOCIATE PASTOR INTERIM Upon the recommendation of the Bishop, we will not undertake a second call process at this time. We will use the opportunity to study and assess our staffing needs. During this time, we will be seeking an individual or individuals to work with the children and youth. Fortunately, we have people in the Grace family who have stepped up and taken on responsibilities. We encourage other members of our family to support our ministry to the children and youth. The Council wishes to thank Tammie Harbert, Adele Evans, and Art Harris for continuing to work with our children and youth. A NOTE FROM PARISH LIFE - In an effort to have more interaction between those that attend Grace s 8:30a.m. service and 11:00 a.m. service, Grace is going to have one service on the fifth Sunday of months that have five Sundays. The one service will be at 10:00 a.m. on April 29, July 29, September 30, and December 30. On Sundays in April, July and September we will have brunch following the 10:00 a.m. service (no brunch on December 30). We ask that 8 those in the congregation bring a dish to share. More information will be available in the near future.

9 ~~SAVE THE DATE ~~ APRIL 2018 Easter Sunday - April 1-8:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM Easter Breakfast - April 1-9:00 AM - Fellowship Hall New Member Class - April 8, 15, 22, 9:45 AM - Common Confirmation Class - Saturday, April 21, 8:30 AM NYG Garage Sale Pricing - April Fellowship Hall NYG Garage Sale - April 28 - Fellowship Hall Fifth Sunday - April 30, 10:00 AM - NO SUNDAY SCHOOL Pot Luck /New Member Reception - April 30, 11:00 AM MAY 2018 GYM Golf Tournament - May 12, 1:00 PM - Waterford GC Youth Sunday - May 13 Confirmation Class - Saturday, May 19, 8:30 AM JUNE/JULY 2018 Nat l Youth Gathering - Houston, TX - June 27 - July 1 Fifth Sunday Worship - July 29, 10:00 AM Pot Luck Brunch - 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 March 13, 2018 Grace Lutheran Friends, Thank you for your recent donation of funds for our school lunch program. Your church is supportive of our school and we are grateful. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of our children. With my gratitude, Chris Beard, Principal March 8, 2018 Hope House of Rock Hill, SC has been blessed to receive your generous donation in support of our ministry to assist those in need and help feed hungry people in our community. 9 APRIL BIRTHDAYS 1 - Janice Young, Emily Wheeler 3 - Jill Grossoehme, Caroline Clark 4 - Dixon Baird 6 - David Vaughn 7 - Steve Young 9 - Rick Westbrook, Linda Zieverink, Betsy Burns 10 - Harold Williams, Vivian Robinson, Rebecca Lord-Phillips 11 - Herb Wood, Kerri Howley 12 - Cindy Bennett 13 - Harry Hazen 15 - Bert Bobb, Leah Vaughn 16 - Megan Austin 18 - Elliott Baird 19 - Cameron Cassidy 20 - Nancy Barone, Erin DeMartino 22 - Ron Gordon, Tom Sturniolo, Trevor Lentini 23 - Tom Demartino, Christopher Lentini, Thomas Lentini 24 - Kyra Cordle 26 - Grace Bell 29 - Martha Mills, Sarah Baird 30 - Weltha Martin FINANCIAL REPORT - March 2018 NOT AVAILABLE AT PRESS TIME March giving for budget $ 2018 to date giving for budget $ 2018 budget to date $ ACM giving in March $ ACM campaign to date $ HUNGER OUTREACH PROGRAM Hunger Outreach is scheduled for Thursday, April 5 and Friday, April 6. Over 200 meals are cooked, packed and delivered each day to our neighbors around Grace. Sign up to cook, pack, drive or deliver meals on the sign-up table in the Fellowship Hall.

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12 Update From the Call Committee The call committee has met with the Bishop. He reminded us that this is a Spirit led time of renewal and encouraged all of us to be diligent in praying for the Holy Spirit to lead us to find a Pastor who is a good fit for our situation at Grace. He also reminded us that any new Pastor will not be perfect fit for everyone. The Bishop gave us three names and the call committee will now begin visiting and conducting interviews with these persons. Be assured that the call committee will continue to work hard to find the best person available to fill the position of Pastor, one who with God s blessing can lead us to an exciting future. Keep praying for all involved in this process. Prayer and patience! Grace Lutheran Church 426 Oakland Avenue Rock Hill, SC Phone: graceluthch@comporium.net NEWSLETTER DEADLINE Articles for the May 2018 newsletter are due by April 10, Feel free to the office at graceluthch@comporium.net or drop by Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Thank you! 12