Februar y, 2016 Reaching the Community, Teaching the Word of God, and Proclaiming the Good News of Jesus! Point of Grace is a Christian congregation within the Southeastern District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. (www.lcms.org) Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. From the Pastor Dear Point of Grace, Grace and Peace! It might be hard to imagine that Lent is at hand. It feels to me like Christmas is barely over. But alas, Ash Wednesday is quickly nearing on February 10th! I'm sure you have heard and seen all about the pancake supper on the 9th. Please pray that all goes well with a wonderful turn-out for this outreach event. Outreach and giving to our community is part of our stewardship that we will be talking about for much of February and March. Come help out on the 9th, and certainly come eat some pancakes! Dotsi and I continually give God gracious thanks for His many blessings to us. PoG is certainly a primary blessing in our lives! You all are faithful and patient, having endured our trials becoming an LCMS pastor-team. You all are dedicated to PoG and care for its future. You want to see PoG thrive. That's why I can confidently ask you to make attendance at our education hour and worship service a top priority in your life. I truly believe God can speak to each of us through our being together in worship and education. We need that time to be with one another, not just for fellowship, but in learning together and worshiping together. We are strengthened together to meet life's challenges through church. I boldly ask you, especially this Lent season, to make attendance at education and worship a very top priority for you. Please put Wednesday night at 7 pm starting February 10th, on your calendar and plan to attend our Lent Wednesday night services. Guest preachers from our Circuit will teach on the Places of the Passion of Jesus. Should be interesting!!! February 17-Ron Wiese (Messiah-Charlotte), February 24-Jeff Marquardt (Lake Norman-Denver), March 2-Fred Hoffman, March 9-Loyd Ginn (Centergrove-Kannapolis), March 16-Donald Anthony (Grace-Concord) Fred From the President Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. At Point of Grace, we have in front of us, several very busy months. February and March are especially packed with important activities. First is the outreach-centered service event of a free pancake supper on Tuesday, February 9, when we will be giving of ourselves and our resources to others in the congregation and the community. This event will be followed by Ash Wednesday (on the very next day). I hope you will consider helping at the pancake supper and then worshiping with us on Ash Wednesday. Also in February and March, as a congregation, we will participate in Bible studies and sermons centered around the topic of stewardship (Consecrated Steward Program, an LCMS-prepared study which has been used in many congregations in the U.S.). Dr. Ron Wiese, a retired pastor, now living in our circuit, will be our mentor and advisor, as the program is tailored for use at Point of Grace. Who is a good steward? What does the Bible have to say about stewardship? We will learn a lot more about the answers to those questions in the next several weeks. Please turn to Page 2. Consecrated Stewards is a ministry of growth and commitment in which the people of God celebrate His gifts and grow in the joy of giving and serving. Consecrated Stewards is based on the Biblical principles of percentage-based, grace-motivated, sacrificial giving. It urges people to take a step forward in their stewardship life without pressure or legalism. It does not use gimmicks or fund-raising techniques. It emphasizes equal sacrifice, not equal amounts. See page 3 for more about the Consecrated Stewards events to be held at Point of Grace. Dates to Note February 5 Concert February 9 Pancake Supper February 10 Lenten Services begin Pancake Supper February 9th We will be holding an outreach Pancake Supper on Tuesday, February 9th from 5:00 6:30 pm. See the flyer on page 6. Mark your calendar! Flyers are available to invite folks. It s free. (Donations welcome for reading ministry.) Bluegrass Concert February 5th Progressive bluegrass duo, My girl, My Whiskey and Me, will perform a free concert (A love offering will be accepted.) at Point of Grace on Friday, February 5 at 8 pm. You will be amazed at this husband and wife duo, and will not hear a better Mandolin player within 500 miles! Please attend and invite some friends. This is a musical and fun outreach. Their Facebook page is mygirlmywhiskeyandme.
Page 2 February, 2016 Letter from the President, continued Christian financial expert, Howard Dayton (formerly with Crown Ministries), has stated that the Bible references money and possessions 2,350 times. That s a lot! It s more than Jesus talked about love and more that he talked about heaven and hell combined. It must be an important subject to Him. I suggest that is so because how we view money and possessions demonstrates the attitude of our heart. What do I mean by that? Let s start with what is stated in Psalm 24:1: The earth is the Lord s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters. Therefore, we don t own anything; God owns everything. We are but stewards of what God gives us to possess and care for while we are on this earth. To learn more about Christian stewardship, I suggest you read Matt. 25:14-30, and Luke 19:11-27. Being a good Christian steward is not only about money; it is also about our time, talents and thoughts. We need to consider how we are using all four resources for the benefit of the Lord and His people. In the Old Testament, all tribes of Israel, except Levi, were required to present three tithes; two yearly tithes of 10% each of agricultural produce and livestock, and a third tithe of 10% every three years of agricultural produce only. Therefore, the total tithing requirement was 23.3% yearly. It is clear in the Scriptures that tithing such as that isn t relevant today; however, if you want to follow the old practice, you are free to do so. Jesus, having been offered as a sacrificial Lamb to take away our sins by His death and resurrection, replaced the Aaronic priesthood, abolishing the need for intermediaries to sacrifice animals to remove our sins. It is grace giving which is the new standard. Jesus spoke about this, as recorded in Luke 11:42a: Woe to you Pharisees, because you give to God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and love of God. New Testament teaching is all about giving to God out of love and in consideration for what His son, Jesus Christ, has done for us when He gave His life for all who through faith, believe in Him and receive Him as Lord and Savior. So then, what is a guideline that a good Christian steward should give of his time, talent, treasures and thoughts? I submit that a person should pray to God about that and listen for His answer. We will someday have to make an accounting to Him. However, percentage giving is a good place to begin, aiming first toward a tithe (10%), with a view toward increasing that as the Lord provides and leads you. It is not God s intent that anyone should be coerced or shamed by man into giving any specific amount, for we are not accountable to man, but to God. On February 14, the Board of Trustees will have its next meeting, following the 11:00 am worship service. The Voters Assembly will meet on Sunday, March 13, at 9:30 am. If you are a Communicant Member of Point of Grace, at least eighteen years of age, and are interested in becoming a member of the Voters Assembly, I urge you to consider attending the March 13, meeting. In Christ s service, Bill Boyd Wednesday Eve Lenten Services During Lent our theme will be the Places of the Passion of Jesus. We will have guest preachers on Wednesday nights at 7 pm and Pastor Hoffman will be speaking at four other churches. The dates and topics are: February 10 February 17 February 24 March 2 March 9 March 16 Ash Wednesday Pastor Hoffman The Upper Room: A place of Service -Pastor Weise Gethsemane: A Place of Strength -Pastor Marquardt The Betrayal: A place of Eternal Love - Pastor Hoffman The Courtyard: A place of Renewal - Pastor Ginn The Trial: A place of God's Will -Pastor Anthony Prayer Reminder Please pray for your church! Those in need of prayer are listed on the bulletin insert each Sunday. Also, you could use your picture directory each week and pray for our members. Pray for protection, and health, and blessing for your fellow Point of Grace members. Also remember to pray for our country with the upcoming elections, for refugees, and for persecuted Christians. Opening a newspaper or hearing the daily news provides many topics to lift up to God and ask for His mercy and intervention. would like to thank the quilting ministry at Ascension Lutheran Church for their donation of fabric and other quilting supplies. While we are saddened that they have decided to disband their ministry, we are grateful for their generous donation. It will enable us to continue to help those in need by "Sharing the love of Jesus in the warmth of a quilt." On January 17th members prayed over quilts made by quilters. The quilts will be given to homeless people in Salisbury.
Page 3 February 2016 Sunday School News Adult Sunday School Classes 9:30 am Bill Everett is leading a class on the book of Acts. Look at the experience of the early church and how it affects our lives today. (photo below) On February 21, we will begin a four-week series on the commitment of being good stewards of all of God's blessings. Bill Everett will 'pause' his teaching on the book of Acts and lead us through a better understanding of being true stewards for these four Sundays. Pastor Hoffman will preach a series on receiving, managing, sharing and committing God's blessings in your own life. God has truly blessed us in many ways seen and unseen, known and unknown. He asks that we recognize this and pass on these blessings to His kingdom in the church. I ask that you make every effort to attend the education hour at 9:30 am and Sunday worship at 11 am. Coffee is available! Men s Saturday Bible Study Pastor Gittner is leading a men s Bible Study on the second and fourth Saturday mornings from 8 to 9:30 am at Point of Grace Church. We are studying the book of Revelation. Coffee is provided. All men are welcome. For more information, contact Pastor Gittner at 704-365- 1418. Women s Bible Study The Word became Flesh-The Gospel of John When: Tuesdays February 2 and 23 at 7 pm Note Date Change this month! Location: Church sanctuary Leader: Joan Everett Questions? Need a ride or carpool? Email Joan at: joanle@bellsouth.net All are welcome and bring a friend! PS: Along with your Bible you will need a notepad, enthusiasm and a love for the word. It's going to be a fun journey. Hope you can join us! Prayer Teams Each Sunday following the 11 am Worship Service, a Prayer Team is waiting at the back of the worship area to pray with you about any concerns, afflictions, or any other needs you may have. As a caring community, this is one of the ways we serve as the body of Christ. Feel welcome to bring your prayer needs before God during that time. If you are aware of a visitor who needs prayer, invite him or her for prayer after the service. Isaac Holmquist February 1 Val Tutt February 10 Happy Birthday! LynnEllen Lang February 18 (If we missed your birthday, please let Pastor know.) Happy Anniversary! (If your anniversary is this month and not included here, please let Pastor know.) Wednesday Evenings Each Wednesday at 7 pm we have an informal time of worship, Bible teaching by Pastor Hoffman, prayer, and celebration of the Lord s Supper. It is informal and you can ask questions. Please join us as we bring our prayer concerns before God and pray for our church family and those in need. Lenten services begin February 10th. Check out our "picture board" by the coffee area-coming soon, which will tell the story of many of our ministries. These pictures will help you get a greater sense of all that PoG folks are involved with. Consecrated Stewards Starts! Consecrated Stewards is a grace-based, biblical stewardship program designed to energize members in their on-going giving. It is a four-week program designed by stewardship leaders of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod that has been used in hundreds of Missouri Synod churches around the nation with amazing results. It uses Sunday morning Bible studies and worship services to inspire and equip congregational members to be better managers of the gifts God has given them. Thousands of fellow Lutheran Christians have enjoyed and benefited from this Gospel-focused process. Point of Grace members will have the opportunity beginning in February to become participants of this process in "Growing Christian Stewards." Watch for further details.
Page 4 February, 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Sun.School 9:30 am 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Sunday School 9:30 am Board of Trustees 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Consecrated Stewards begins 9:30 am 28 29 Sun.School 9:30 am Presidents Day Women s Bible Study 7 pm Note date change! Pancake Supper Set-up 4 pm 5 6:30 pm Women s Bible Study 7 pm Ash Wednesday Lenten Lenten Concert 8 pm Men s Bible Study 8 am Men s Bible Study 8 am Pastors, Elders, Deacons, and Staff Pastor: Fred Hoffman (704) 305-0930 fhoffman7@gmail.com Pastor Emeritus: Bill Gittner (704) 365-1418 wgittner@bellsouth.neet Pastoral Assistant: Bill Everett (845) 264-4363 wllmvrt6@gmail.com Elder: Bill Everett (845) 264-4363 wllmvrt6@gmail.com Elder: John Lang (704) 765-9200 JohnFLang1000@gmail.com Deacon: Dan Nelson (704) 746-9420 dannelson98@yahoo.com Deacon: Jon Ponivas (704) 723-6937 jbponivas@ctc.net President: Bill Boyd (704) 784-9389 wrboyd@ctc.net Vice President: Rick Stapula (704) 933-5194 ewstap@aol.com Secretary: Gwen Faggart (704) 490-1834 gwendave41@yahoo.com Financial Secretary: Linda Stapula (704) 993-5194 preciousnanny@aol.com Music Director: Alex Mauldin (704) 839-3903 consider88@gmail.com Altar Guild: Dotsi Hoffman (704) 723-6688 dotsimh@carolina.rr.com Hospitality: Ann Satterfield (704) 792-9571 ann.sam1225@gmail.com Quilting Ministries at Point of Grace meets on Saturday mornings at 9:00 am. We are still making kids quilts for the Cornelius Police Department, baby quilts for Cities4Life and large quilts for the homeless. If you know of someone who would feel the love and care of God by receiving a quilt, please ask Sue or Lois. For more information about, contact Sue Tarnovich at ronandsue66@att.net. If you would like to join in the quilt making effort, come on Saturday mornings. No previous experience is needed!
Page 5 Point of Grace Service Schedule February, 2016 Date Offering Usher Prayer Team Hospitality Reader Altar February 7 John Lang Boyds Sue Rick S. Sue February 14 Bill Everett Hoffmans Paula Matt H Linda February 21 Jon Ponivas Everetts Joan E. John Lang Sue February 28 Dan Nelson Langs LynnEllen Bill Everett Linda www.pogchurch.net This is the website for Point of Grace. Find news about upcoming events, links to sermons, the newsletter, and LCMS articles, as well as photos and our serving schedule. You can refer friends, family and neighbors to the website to get more information about Point of Grace. Are you a facebook user? Then like our page at www.facebook.com/pogcnc. Altar Guild Each Sunday the altar is prepared with the Bread and Wine for our 11 am Worship Service. If you are interested in helping with this part of our worship, please see Dotsi or email her at dotsimh@carolina.rr.com. No experience is necessary! She will show you how it is done. O Lord, throughout these forty days You prayed and kept the fast; Inspire repentance for our sin, And free us from our past. LSB 418 Emma and Adam Ponivas were confirmed on January 10th. Point of Grace Lutheran Church Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1505, Huntersville, NC 28070 Physical Address: 20700 N Main, Suite 104, Cornelius, NC 28031 Email Address: fhoffman7@gmail.com Website: www.pogchurch.net Website for The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod www.lcms.org Our Corporate Worship: Sundays 9:30 am Bible Study Children s Sunday School 10:30 am Coffee and Fellowship 11:00 am Divine Worship Service Holy Communion Lutheran Liturgical Blended Wednesdays 7:00 pm - Holy Communion, Bible teaching, singing, and praying.
Page 6 FREE Pancake Supper Dine in or Take out Fat Tuesday February 9, 2016 5:00 P.M 6:30 P.M Menu: Pancakes, Sausage Patties Beverages for dine in only Donations Accepted for My Momma s Lap Reading Center Point of Grace Church 20700 N. Main Street Cornelius, NC 28031 www.pogchurch.net