WORD OF GRACE Newsletter of Grace Lutheran Church, Naugatuck November 2018 Edition Dear Friends in Christ, The geese are honking, beginning to wing their way south a loved and loathed herald of shorter, colder days to come. Perhaps, like me, you ve watched them go, and marveled at the arrowhead precision of their flight. I decided not to let another year pass without learning more about this natural phenomenon. And I found some facts I d like to share. Why the V? As each goose flaps its wings, it gives a lift to the one immediately following. This formation increases the geese s flying range by about 70%! That s why they all can fly so far. Of course, that means that the lead goose is working harder. So when the lead goose gets tired, he falls back into the formation and another takes his place. Now, that's teamwork! Why all the honking? Geese honk to encourage one another. It s easier to do something difficult when you know you aren't flying alone, isn't it? Sometimes, a goose becomes sick or injured and falls to the ground. When that happens, two other geese go down and stay with it until it s well enough to fly again. Wow! How much we can learn from the wisdom of wild geese! Lessons we can take with us as we pass through the winters of our lives. Through chilling times of scarcity and anxiety. Times heavy with work or with worry. Times filled with doubt and fear. Our church home is a safe, warm haven from the growing cold outside. A place that frights the gathering shadows with the bright light of Christ. A place
that shares the compassion and love of a good and Godly family. This happens by the grace of God, and by the teamwork of our members. Working together, we can brave any weather, any storm. So this autumn, when you see a V of prudent geese passing above, please remember the wisdom they impart, and: share the responsibility within the church rather than letting the same loyal leaders work until they drop! "honk" encouragement to other workers in the church. help those who are struggling or overwhelmed; give them the support of your caring presence. Together we can fly! Thanks be to God! Yours in Christ, Pastor Diane
COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS - OCTOBER 2018 Sale of Properties: On October 14 th, the congregation voted to accept an offer on our Coen St. properties. The contract of sale will afford us a minimum of six months to relocate our congregation. A team is being formed to work with our realtor to find a new location. The team and Council will be meeting with a prospective realtor on October 30 th. Vision & Mission: The team attended an inspiring workshop about building up a new church through building relationships within the congregation and in the surrounding community. There will be a special Vision and Mission event on October 28 th, Reformation Sunday, to share the team s learning with the congregation. Learning Team: A special 6-week Bible Study on the Psalms begins Thursday, October 4 th, and will continue through November 15 th. Bible Study meets on Thursday evenings at 7pm in the office building. Worship Team: October and November will bring many special worship opportunities: Reformation Sunday, All Saints Sunday, and Thanksgiving/Consecration Sunday. Finance: The finance team will begin working on a 2019 draft budget for the congregation. The draft budget will be up to discussion and vote on Sunday, November 18 th. SCCCC: The daycare is filling up with new students, and the upgrading of office operations are going well. There are ongoing negotiations with the new owners of 14 Salem St. concerning storage space. The SCCCC website is being renovated. Winter Weather Advisory We all know we don t want to hear the dreaded word SNOW!!! Sorry to say it is bound to happen at least once this winter. Pastor Diane does not like to cancel worship services but the congregation s safety is also very important. Please check the following for cancellations: WTNH Channel 8, WFSB Channel 3, MYTV9 and our Facebook Page
SPECIAL BIBLE STUDY! November 1 st, 15 th, and 29 th Join us as we explore the Book of Psalms, the songbook of the bible, filled with beautiful verse and powerful expressions of faith. The psalms give voice to the whole range of human emotion doubt, fear, grief, sorrow, exultation, hope, trust, and so much more. They witness to the ongoing beauty and challenge of an ever-deepening relationship with the Lord, our God. Join the discussion! Grow closer to God and to your fellow disciples in faith. MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Our Annual Congregational Budget Meeting will be on NOVEMBER 18 th after worship. Please attend this important meeting.
Sunday, November 4 th, 9:30am From all times, and all places, we come together as one in Christ. Together, we ll celebrate the Communion of Saints, and remember the saints we have known who now rest in God s nearer presence. Come, light a candle for your loved ones, and give thanks for eternal life in Christ. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25 th, 2018 SPECIAL THANKSGIVING WORSHIP Please join us at 9:30am for a special Thanksgiving worship service. Come, give thanks to the Lord for the many blessings he bestows on us! It will also be CONSECRATION SUNDAY, the culmination of our pledge season. All members are asked to bring to church with them their completed annual giving pledge cards. We will present them to the Lord as an offering of Thanksgiving. And then, we'll celebrate with a POTLUCK LUNCHEON! Bring your favorite dish to share, and together we'll give thanks over an awesome meal!
November 11 Anita Carreiro November 15 Londyn Burger November 18 Patrick McMahon November 30 Sarah Krueger November 26 Maruta and Harry Jancis If you don t see your birthday or anniversary, please let the church office know, so we can add you to the list. MITTEN CHRISTMAS TREE The mitten tree will be at Grace starting November. Choose a mitten from the tree - write your name next to the child s name you picked on the sign-up sheet. Bring back your new, wrapped present with the mitten attached and place in the box in the narthex. For more information please see Carol Wallas.
NOVEMBER WORSHIP HELPERS November 4 November 11 November 18 November 25 GREETERS Charlotte Freer Budge Gabrielson Terri & Peter Meleschnig Carol & Arnie Wallas READERS USHERS Lisa DeBarba Allan Wood Gabriel Diamante Peter Diamante Harry Jancis Katie Gabrielson Ted Kosko Arnie Wallas Erik Krueger Jean Frennesson Bob Burger Mike Hines Budge Gabrielson Diane Wood Patrick McMahon Gerhard Roland WORSHIP ASSISTANT Ernst Reisinger Deb Diamante Allan Wood Carolyn Raming ACOLYTE Londyn Burger Abigail Diamante Jessica Baillargeon Ben Meleschnig ALTAR GUILD Carolyn Burge Terri Meleschnig Terri Meleschnig Diane Wood FELLOWSHIP FOR NOVEMBER November 04 Deb and Pete Diamante November 18 Deborah McMahon and Gerhard Roland November 11 Carolyn Raming and Mary Schmelcke November 25 Lisa DeBarba and Charmaine Lawton We greatly appreciate the times when folks find their own replacements. Please let the office know so we put the correct names in the bulletin insert. If for some reason you cannot find a replacement, please email or call the office. Thank you.
PRAYER LIST Please hold in prayer your brothers and sisters in Christ, especially: Jacqueline Mezick, Adam Wood, Jenn Wood and Brady Wood, John Karlak, Rhonda, Jane Strunck, Jim Baillargeon, Christina Hitchcock, Mike, and Mary Jean Pisani. Please also pray for the loved ones of Norma Meleschnig as they mourn her passing and celebrate her eternal life in Christ. and Please pray for the loved ones of Alice Johnson as they mourn her passing and celebrate her eternal life in Christ. If you would like to add someone to the prayer list, please contact the church office. Also, there is a prayer request sheet in the church entryway. If you want us to continue praying for someone beyond the month, just let us know. Remembering Friends & Family Addresses are listed below for our members who are currently unable to attend services. A card or note is always welcome. Betsy Robb 500 Woodside Ave Middlebury, 06762 Michael Roland The Village at East Farms 180 Scott Rd, Room #154 Waterbury, 06705 Allan Johnson 40 Lorann Dr Naugatuck, 06770 Lindy Parson 366 Millville Ave Naugatuck, 06770 Mildred Evenson 75 Trowbridge Place, Naugatuck, 06770 Dorothy Fritz Southbury Lutheran Home 990 Main St. N, Southbury, 06488 Anita Peterson Apple Rehab 35 Bunker Hill Rd Watertown, 06795 Thank You For Caring! Reminder: November newsletter articles and announcements must be in no later than November 15th. Thank you!
N O V E M B E R 2018 C A L E N D A R SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT 1 2 3 Bible Study Special Series The Psalms 11am AA 8pm 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8:45am Choir Practice All Saints Sunday 9:30am Worship Sunday School 10:45 Calvary in Sanctuary 6:30-8pm Boy Scouts in Hall 7pm 9pm 12pm Choir Practice 7pm AA 8pm 11am 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 8:45am Choir Practice 9:30am Worship Sunday School 10:45 Calvary in Sanctuary 6:30-8pm Boy Scouts in Hall 7pm 9pm 12pm Choir Practice 7pm Bible Study Special Series The Psalms AA 8pm 11am 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 8:45am Choir Practice 9:30am Worship Annual Congregational Budget Meeting after Worship Sunday School 10:45 Calvary in Sanctuary 6:30-8pm Boy Scouts in Hall 7pm 9pm 12pm Choir Practice 7pm AA 8pm 25 26 37 28 29 30 8:45am Choir Practice Thanksgiving/ Consecration 9:30am Worship Potluck Brunch to Follow Sunday School 10:45 Calvary in Sanctuary 6:30-8pm Boy Scouts in Hall 7pm 9pm 12pm Choir Practice 7pm Bible Study Special Series The Psalms AA 8pm 11am
Grace Lutheran Church 170 Coen Street Naugatuck, CT 06770 Staff: Rev. Diane E. Rainson, Pastor Dina Buonocore, Administrative Assistant Andrew M. Dixon, Music Minister Phone: 203-723-3402 Email: gracenaugatuck@yahoo.com