Bless the Lord, O my soul.
Hallelujah!
~Psalm 104:35b
Pastor’s Thoughts:
Life sometimes feels like perpetual motion, doesn’t it? We move from this task to that task, from this chore to that chore, from this place to that place. Often, we don’t really take stock of what is happening in our bodies … until we sit down and feel the toll that this motion can take. Sometimes, one body part feels fatigued. Other times, we feel a general physical tiredness.
Our bodies need physical rest, a necessity that aligns with our spiritual well-being. We know this, but we also sometimes push through the fatigue to do what needs to be done. But when we finally take a moment, our body tells us what it needs, and then we (ideally) rest.
Physical rest can be passive or active. Passive physical rest is usually out of our control. This is when our body demands the rest it needs, which comes in the form of sleeping or napping. Sleep is required for the health of our bodies and minds. Without it, we drag; our bodies do not respond as quickly or as well, and our minds can feel fuzzy. Sleep can be elusive on account of many things: emotions, our thoughts, and physical conditions. If sleep is tough for you, speak with your medical provider so that this crucial piece of your health can be addressed.
Active physical rest is also vital and can help us with getting good physical rest. Active physical rest can be activities such as a walk or some other form of light exercise (more intensive workouts are a different piece of our health), stretching, deep breathing, a massage, or even a soaking bath or hot shower. These things can release tension in our muscles and make us feel calmer.
Ask yourself: Where do I carry tension in my body? Do my eyes hurt from screen use? Is my neck tense? Is my jaw clenched? Do my shoulders ache? These might be good areas to focus on in terms of this kind of rest. Don’t ignore your body! It may be asking you for some specific kind of rest beyond a good night’s sleep.
We have been beautiful and wonderfully made! Part of taking care of the bodies that God has given us is making sure that we rest physically as much as necessary. I know that this can be easier said than done, but doing so is one way we are stewards of God’s good gifts.
In Christ,
Pastor Brenda
Please join us – Potluck in Brenner Hall
May19th – after the congregational meeting.
Grace’s graduates will be remembered at the 9:30 a.m. service on Sunday, June 9. Names of those graduating from high school or college can be emailed to the office at Grace (office@gracelutherantoledo.org) or to Mary Schneider (msschneider353@gmail.com) or written out and handed into the church office or placed in the offering plate. Please include the graduate’s future plans.
June Contribution for Operation Christmas Child
For the month of June, we are asking for donations of individual size (pocket size) packs of tissues to be included in shoe boxes sent to children all over the world to show the love of God to all. Thank you for your support.
Operation Christmas Child Ministry at Grace
Meditation
By David O’Brien
Earlier this week, my wife and I spent some time on the west side of Michigan. If you’ve never seen Lake Michigan, you should go sometime. Like Lake Erie, it’s big. Really big. It’s also beautiful. We climbed some stairs (about 1,000) to the top of a sand dune to look at the lake It reminded me of how powerful the lake is as well. That big dune was formed by the interaction of the wind and the waves on the lake. With the prevailing winds coming from the west, they blow the sand right onto the shore. It was really peaceful that day. But the lake can also be destructive. At another part of the shore, the waves had eroded the shoreline to the point that I was standing on a cliff looking straight down, around 50 feet, at the beach. Our own Lake Erie shares some of these traits, except it doesn’t make dunes because of the wind’s direction.
The dichotomy in the beauty and peacefulness of the lakes as opposed to its powerful and dangerous nature is quite striking. It’s sort of analogous to God. God’s love for us and His creation is so beautiful, and it can be so relaxing and peaceful to rest in that love. But God is also powerful beyond measure. Being in His presence can be both intimidating and peaceful at the same time. It’s like a song that I know, “I can only imagine” by Mercy Me. “Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel? Will I dance for you Jesus, or in awe of you be still?” If you’re not familiar with this song, give it a listen sometime. I think you’ll like it.
Standing by any of the Great lakes, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by their sheer enormity. My father-in-law likes to tell a story about how, when he had two Japanese friends come over to visit, they took them to the lake. The Japanese women expected something smaller, where you could see across it. When they saw Lake Erie, they thought they was next to an ocean. Having grown up next to the lakes, I think there’s a lot of us that take them for granted, just like we can take God’s love for granted. Next time you’re out by one of the lakes, I hope that as you look at its vastness, and be reminded of the boundless love that God has for each of us.
The Readings for Sunday May 19, 2024
Acts 2:1-21
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
Romans 8:22-27
John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15
Our Christmas tree has been decorated with some new decorations. With Memorial Day and Labor Day coming up please take a look at the Christmas tree before or after you come to church. We would love to have you help decorate the tree with a flag of someone currently serving or who has served in our armed forces. There is a lovely description of our new decorations right next to the tree.
Katie Sattler
Congratulations!
George Reeb was recently recognized by the Ohio Funeral Directors Association for 50 years of service in the funeral profession.
Congratulations to George on this honor!
Behind the scenes at Grace ….by Gretchen
- Have you checked out the Community Bulletin Boards? There is a lot of great stuff happening!
- If you have a need for some help around the house or other, you can post a note on the Community Bulletin Boards. There may be a member who is willing to help!
- Please don’t forget to label food items in the refrigerators! We don’t want the refrigerators to smell, and we do not want people to get sick. There have been some interesting items in the fridges – like 2 dozen eggs with no name on them?? They are making their way to a compost pile as they have been in there for over a week.
- Don’t forget Burrito Blessing 419 is fast approaching! Saturday May 25 is the day for passing out Burritos and other items at the front of the church. Construction Crew members are welcome as well as people greeting and giving Burritos!
- Summer break from school is fast approaching and the need for food is not going down but up. Many kids can take advantage of breakfast and lunch programs at school but during the summer have to rely on what is at home. Please think about the kids when shopping. Mary Schneider is here on Monday mornings for food collection and there is a box is the Graceful Giving Room for food donations.
- Remember: Grace is not the building but the people of Grace carrying out God’s Mission!
Healthy People! Healthy Parish!
Are you allergic to?
This week is recognized as Food Allergy Awareness Week! Did you know that over 33 million people have serious and potentially life – threatening food allergies? Data has shown that food allergies result in trips to the Emergency Room or contact with Emergency Services every 10 seconds!
Currently there are 9 highly recognized food allergies! Can you guess what they are?
- Eggs – typically children will outgrow. Did you know that the greatest source of allergen is in egg whites but because it is difficult to separate eliminate the whole egg.
- Milk – cow’s milk is the main offender.
- Peanuts
- Soybeans
- Wheat – many kids will outgrow this allergy.
- Tree nuts – walnuts ,pecans ,almonds, etc.
- Shellfish – this category is divided into crustaceans (lobster ,shrimp) and mollusks (snails clams, and squid). This is typically a lifelong allergy.
- Finned fish – salmon, tuna and halibut are the prime offenders and is also a lifelong allergy. Just because you are allergic to finned fish does not necessarily mean that you are allergic to shell fish or vise versa.
- The newest allergen is Sesame and this was added to this list 1/23. There has been a great increase in the number of reactions so was added to the list.
There are other food allergies, but these are the “Top 9”
The only way to prevent a serious allergic reaction is to avoid the food allergen! So, it might not be you with the allergy but a family member. The best way to avoid is to read the food labels!
Many people who are managing food allergies use the “Rule of 3” for reading food ingredients – read the label at the store, read it again when unloading the groceries and read it again before serving the food.
How do food labels show the major food allergens?
Manufactures have 2 ways to indicate a major food allergy on product labels. The first is to list the allergen in parentheses after the ingredient – ex. Natural flavors (almond). The second option is to list the allergen at the end of the ingredient list. This often states “Contains” and is in bold print.
What about the products that have precautionary warnings? Most allergists recommend avoiding these products as some products contain amounts that cause a reaction.
What do we do at Grace about potential ingredients that can cause an allergic reaction or other side effects??
We have a “What’s in it” form in each kitchen. Please use these when providing food for potlucks, fellowship and other events where food is involved.
June 29 is National Hug Day!
Hugs are really important as they help keep us physically and mentally healthy!
Help give 3 people the opportunity to keep hugging!!!
How can I help??
Donate blood on Saturday June 29 from 8:00 am – 2:00 pm at the Interfaith Blood Drive!
Appointment times are open on the web site for the American Red Cross or call Gretchen Hiatt, and she will help get you scheduled – 419.944.5166.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
2024
JULY 8 – 12
5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
3 YRS – ADULT
Each fun night will begin with a light supper together.
The ADULTS will attend a fun Bible Study with Pastor Brenda.
The KIDS will dive into exploring BREAKER ROCK BEACH – and learn about God’s rock-solid truth in a world of shifting sands.
Everyone will meet up again later in the evening for crafts,
games, music, and worship!
Our final night of VBS will be an outdoor ‘bonfire” where we will roast hotdogs, have s’mores, play games, and “sing around the campfire”!
Make sure you mark your calendars!
Keep watching for more updates and ways to register!
All are welcome to join in the fun!
This is the day the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
~Psalm 118:24
Recent Comments