GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH 907 LUTHER DRIVE WILMINGTON, IL 60481 (815) 476-9480 March 2017 Kuzma Item Canned Meat & Fish Generosity Sunday Ministry: The Nursing Project Tanzania Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Communion Worship Every Sunday 1 Ash Wednesday 2 3 7pm Worship Service 4 5 Generosity Sunday 6pm Sr. High Leaders Mtg 7pm Sr. High Meets 6 7 6pm American Cancer Society Meeting 8 9 10 U of M Group staying the night here @ GLC 11 Daylight Savings Time begins tonight Congregation Resourcing Event @ Malta, IL 12 13 14 15 16 7pm Boy Scout Meeting 17 18 19 10am Church Council Meeting 7pm Sr. High Meets 20 Lamp articles due 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 1
VOLUNTEERS Acolytes Liturgist Assistant Lector 03/01 A.W. Madelyn McPherson Jackie Danalewich Maryann Ricken Jodi Dzak 03/05 Carolann Stewart Dee Elsner Jessica Elsner Olivia Blackburn 03/08 (W) Grace Moyers N/A N/A Lynn Stehlik 03/12 Madelyn McPherson Jim Hankins Arlene Hankins Helen Warke 03/15 (W) Jace Christian N/A N/A Jackie Danalewich 03/19 Grace Moyers Christy Ziller Maryann Ricken Deb Claar 03/22 (W) Jacob McPherson N/A N/A Charles Schad 03/26 Jace Christian Jackie Danalewich Dee Elsner Laurie Humann 03/29 (W) Carolann Stewart N/A N/A Jodi Dzak 04/02 Jacob McPherson Dee Elsner Charles Schad Karen Nielsen Greeters Ushers 03/01 A.W. Mary Smith & Leaha Salazar Maryann Ricken, Christy Ziller, Arlene & Jim Hankins 03/05 Gary Gruhn & Joyce James Dan Bell, Jodi Dzak, Bruce Elsner, Stan Long 03/08 (W) Cindy & John Filas Elsie DeWald & Teri Dicken 03/12 Chris & Beth McPherson Bruce Elsner, Gary Gruhn, Lynn & Kurt Stehlik 03/15 (W) Deb & Gary Robertson Cindy Filas & Maryann Ricken 03/19 Kim & Jim Bell Gary Gruhn, Ken Wolski, Terry & Dave Phillips 03.22 (W) Olivia Blackburn & Joyce James Dan Bell & Stan Long 03/26 The Christian Family Arlene & Jim Hankins & Charles & Kim Schad 03/29 (W) Marjorie & Scott Soda Teri Dicken and Maryann Ricken 04/02 Terry & Dave Phillips Dan Bell, Elsie DeWald, Stan Long & Christy Ziller Altar Guild: Christy Ziller & Shelby Eaker In Our Prayers Members: Larry Welegala Norma Siebring, and Guy Warke. The Bereaved: The family, friends, and loved ones of Timothy Parker Stickel (step grandson of Ruth Chew) Friends and Family of Grace: Jonathan Becker (friend of Joyce James), Collin Warke (Grandson of the Warkes), Carolyn Moriarty (neighbor of the Warkes), Terry Wilder (Marie Christian s son-in-law), Linda Holmer (wife of Pr. Peter Holmer), Juanita Schreiber (Jodi Dzak s mother), Mary Kay Hays (Grace s Preschool Director), Matt Prodehl (son-in-law of Dan Bell) Home-bound: Dolly Hoover (Sunny Hill, Joliet) & Jean Goodwin Serving in Armed Forces: Captain Erik Gundersen (Grandson of the Warkes)
March 2017 Edition The Lamp Grace Lutheran Church Growing in Grace Making Christ Known Pastor s Pew Grace & Peace, As we prepare to enter into the 40 days of Lent, I can t help but think about the significance of 40 days. Biblically speaking 40 days is rather significant. From the days of rain Noah & Co. experience while on the ark, to days spent by Moses on the mountaintop getting the 10 commandments, and even the amount of time Jesus spent being tempted in the desert. It seems as though there s just something special about 40 days. As a kid 40 days felt like an eternity. The 40 days leading up to my birthday felt more like 40 years of wandering in the desert (a la the Exodus). Time stood still at the end of the school year as the last 40 days always seemed to drag on for an eternity as the warm weather beckoned through the open windows. On the other-hand the 40 days leading up to my wedding flew by so quickly that I felt utterly unprepared for the big day. I guess what I m saying is that somehow the length of 40 days can feel insurmountably long and at the same time occur in a flash depending - on the situation. Regardless of how the days pass, these 40 days are significant for us as God s people. We are called into a renewed relationship with God during the season of Lent. A relationship centered in honesty about who we are - the good, the bad, and the ugly. As we journey towards the cross s shadow we are called to take a journey to the dark places in our world, that we may find Christ there as well. I don t know if these 40 days will pass fast or slow this year, but I am hoping to be fully prepared for what stands at the end of them - the empty tomb. A polite reminder that in Christ we are given a new life not limited by time, but instead centered in God s eternity and life. I invite you to join me these 40 days as we seek to build a deeper relationship with Christ now, so that we may experience God s eternal love today. God s Love, Pr. Zak Wagner
Grace Preschool News What a wonderful February we have had! The playground has been in use every day the weather has cooperated. It has become a favorite pastime before and after school, even though we may not have been able to use it during school. We had a wonderful Valentine's Day party. Our Moms really knocked themselves out. March will be here very soon and we hope to get in a field trip to the Exploration Station in Bourbonnais. In looking ahead, we will be having our annual Easter Egg hunt on April 9th from 10:30-12:00. We will be asking for donations again to help us make a successful event. We will need plastic eggs, pre-wrapped candy and small prizes. Thank you so much for your support! We would love to have some volunteers help also. Please let me know if you are able to help. Mary Kay Hays, Preschool Director Birthdays for March 2017 03/03 Shelby Eaker 03/06 Sophia Moyers 03/08 Chris McPherson 03/09 Lorri Kucharski 03/11 Christy Ziller 03/14 Beth McPherson 03/20 Bobby O Brien 03/21 Roy Hill 03/23 Edie Hess 03/24 Rita Welegala 03/25 Allison Moyers 03/27 Red Folkestad 03/30 Brenda Lange Anniversaries ~ March 2017 03/04 Beth & Chris McPherson 03/10 Brenda & Mark Lange Missionary for a Day ~ March 2017 03/01 Clarence Schilling In Memory of John Schilling 03/03 Christy Ziller In Honor of Shelby Renee Eaker s Birthday 03/05 Dianne & Darrell Carr In Memory of Elmer Carr 03/06 Kenneth Wolske In Memory of Esther Zimmerman 03/08 Terry & Dave Phillips For William Germano s Birthday 03/17 Gary Gruhn For St. Patrick s Day 03/20 Susan Trimby In Memory of Vivian Trimby s Birthday 03/23 Karen Nielsen In Celebration of Mom s & Kevin s Birthdays 03/27 Sharon & Red Folkestad In Honor of Red s Birthday
Pastor s Report: February Known to Have Been Hospitalized or Undergone Medical Care: Larry Welegala, Norma Siebring, Darrell Carr The Newly Baptized: Easton Gehrig Evans (son of Jessica and Shawn Evans) on February 19 th. We welcome Easton into our community of faith as a beloved child of God! The Bereaved: Teri Dicken and her extended family upon the death of her father, John. Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord. have mercy. The family, friends, and loved ones of Timothy Parker Stickel (step grandson of Ruth Chew). Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. PLEASE NOTE THE SCHEDULE CHANGE! In an effort to better serve those in our church, as well as those whom we seek to invite into our church, we will be temporarily (April 23 rd -May28 th ) shifting our Sunday Worship to 9 30AM. Fellowship and Godly Play Sunday School will continue to take place as normal - directly following worship. This decision to do a trial run came in response to our findings in the Congregational Mission Planning Survey as well as through ongoing conversation among church leadership and individuals within the larger community. Throughout the summer months (June-August) we will return to our usual 9 AM worship once more. During these summer months we will take time to reflect on the experience of trying a new worship time and allow space for intentional conversation regarding this experience. Your patience and flexibility is greatly appreciated as we seek new ways to grow our ministry by making our Sunday schedule more accessible to families, young and old alike. Godly Play Sunday School Schedule: March March 5 th - Godly Play: Faces of Easter I March 12 th - Godly Play: Faces of Easter II March 19 th - Godly Play: Faces of Easter III March 26 th - Godly Play: Faces of Easter IV April 2 nd - Godly Play: Faces of Easter V During the season of Lent we take time to hear the story of Jesus life of ministry, death, and resurrection weekly. The Faces of Easter prepare us for the journey to the cross, and subsequently, to the empty tomb. Please join us for this special set of stories! Godly Play is open to all children ages 3-9, and takes place every Sunday 10-10 30. Godly Play is an interactive story-telling based curriculum that teaches biblical and liturgical literacy through play.
Grace at a Glance: March Edition Confirmation Corner During the season of Lent the Confirmation Class shifts gears from instruction to service. Wednesday nights throughout Lent the Confirmation Class will host Simple Soup and Sandwich Suppers prior to midweek worship. The Confirmation Class participated in a Lenten Crash Course as they learned about the details of this season of the church year, prepared the ashes for Ash Wednesday, and made communion bread to be used throughout the season of Lent. Grace Sr. High Group to Host Shrove ( Fat ) Tuesday Pancake Dinner Fundraiser on February 28 th @ 6 PM. As we prepare ourselves to enter into the season of Lent on Ash Wednesday (March 1 st ) we will have one last celebration! The Sr. High Group will be hosting a traditional Shrove Tuesday pancake dinner from 6-7 30, as a fundraiser to help support their efforts of attending the National Youth Gathering in Houston, Texas in 2018. All are welcome to join the festivities as we gather for an evening of fellowship and fun. The menu will include a pancake bar, breakfast sausage, paczki, and more! The suggested donation for the evening is $6/person. Bring a neighbor, bring a friend! Ash Wednesday is March 1 st. This day marks the beginning of the penitential season of Lent, as we take time for self-reflection in preparation for the Easter Event. A communion service with the Imposition of the Ashes will be held at 7 PM as we are reminded of our humanity hearing the words from Genesis once more: you are dust, and to dust you shall return. For those who are unable to attend the service, ashes may be received throughout the day by individual appointment with Pr. Zak. Mark Your Calendar For Wednesdays Throughout Lent......The Grace Confirmation Class will be hosting weekly Simple Soup and Sandwich Suppers @ 6:15 (note the time change from 6). No need to cook, simply come as you are for these wonderful fellowship events. A free-will offering will be collected in support of Grace s Youth Ministries. We are still looking for volunteers to provide soups, please see the signup sheet in the Fellowship Hall for specific dates....midweek Lenten worship services will be held weekly at 7 PM. This year we will be celebrating the 500 Anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation by focusing our attention on Luther s Small Catechism. Come and join us as we take some time away from our busy schedules to enter more fully into the disciplines of Lent. Free Indeed Lenten Devotionals Now Available. This year Grace has purchased special 40-day Lenten devotionals based upon Luther s Small Catechism. These devotionals will help to supplement our midweek services on the same texts. Please feel free to grab a devotional in the fellowship hall, but due to limited supply, we ask that you only take 1 per household. (CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)
Generosity Sunday Ministry of the Month: The Nursing Project Tanzania The 1 st Sunday of every month is designated as a Generosity Sunday wherein we will collect a special offering to send forth in service to a unique ministry (locally or globally) each month. Last month an astounding $401 was collected and sent forth in support of the ELCA Hunger Appeal. Thank you for the overwhelming generosity! March s Generosity Sunday (3/5/17) will gather a collection in support of The Nursing Project Tanzania. Here is some more information regarding this special project from the Northern Illinois Synod Website: The Nursing Project - Tanzania supports the Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre Nursing School in Arusha, Tanzania. The school opened in 2014 and in September of 2016 graduated its first classes providing much needed nurses to the area. The school is in danger of being closed unless a permanent location is built. The task force is raising funds to help build a new school. The Northern Illinois Synod has set a goal of $200,000 in support of this project. This means that if all 20,000 people that gather for worship in our Synod weekly were to pledge $10.00, we would achieve this goal together in a single week! Isn t that just amazing?!? Please take time to consider helping to support this ministry as we send forth our gifts in mission to, and on behalf of, all of God s children. Weekly Bible Study Continues. During Lent we will take a break from our Wednesday Night Bible Study, however our weekly Monday Morning Bible Study will continue to gather @ 11 AM to contemplate the following Sunday s scriptures. Women of the ELCA News The month of March will see the ladies doing service on March 22nd. They have volunteered to help prepare for and work along side of our youth at the Simple Supper, serving from 6:15 p.m. until 7 p.m. This will be in lieu of their monthly meeting. Please feel free to join in and help. For the month of April, they will meet on the 19th at Grace at 1 p.m. for dessert and coffee and fellowship.