July 21, 2024 Newsletter

The Lord is my shepherd;
                                           I shall not be in want.

                                                                             Psalm 23:1

Pastor Brenda is on the youth mission trip with the youth this week. They arrived safely in New Orleans on Sunday.

The Readings for Sunday July 21, 2024

Jeremiah 23:1-6

Psalm 23

Ephesians 2:11-22

Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

Meditation

 by Vicar Dave

Earlier this month, Cleveland Police Officer Jamison Ritter was killed while serving his community. When this sort of thing happens, it tends to affect people in law enforcement. Even though we’re not a part of his department, nor even in Cleveland, we feel as though we’ve lost a brother. Perhaps we feel that way because it could have just as easily been us. A shared tragedy often creates a deeper sense of community among people.

When we hear about a mass shooting, such as Sandy Hook or Las Vegas or Emanuel AME, there are very few among us that aren’t affected. News of hurricanes or tornadoes or wildfires devastating communities will have similar results. While I have some issues with the things that social media does, it can also get the word out across the miles and bring folks together. You’ll often see tweets or Facebook posts inviting all of us to assist the victims along with the various “thoughts and prayers” requests. Think of the reaction we had during and after the terrorist attacks of September 2001. The United States was even joined in their grief and lament by several other nations across the world. I was particularly moved by how people of many faiths joined hands, both in their lament and grief over the event as well as their condemnation of the subsequent threats to the Muslim members of our communities.

Publicly expressing grief after a tragedy is not only natural, but also healthy. It allows a community to find ways to heal. The Bible has several stories about lament, both communal and personal. Israel laments its sins and its exile as a people. David laments his troubles, first with Saul and later with his son. Even Jesus expressed His grief before and during His execution.

If it’s okay for God to lament tragedy, certainly it must be okay for us to do the same.

VBS 2024 Fun!!

Thank you, Bob, for all the great pictures!

Thank you to all who made possible Vacation Bible School 2024.

Sand, seashells and the sounds of Breaker Rock Beach were in the halls and rooms of Grace Lutheran Church on July 8 – July 12 for Vacation Bible School 2024. The week was spent learning that: truth comes from God, God’s plan is best, everyone needs Jesus, Jesus is the only way, and finally, to speak the truth in love.

This year’s program was opened to both adults and children meeting in the evening. Friday was outdoors with grilled hot dogs and soccer (for some) with time to chat and know each other.

Thank you to all who shared a part of the week’s effort to put the VBS program together: the crew who prepared a light meal for those attending, those who taught the Bible lessons, and the music, crafts, and missions rotation.

Thank you, also to those supporting the VBS program financially with your purchases of poinsettias and spring flowering plants to decorate the church.

Thanks to all who made happen –  The 5 Special Days of Summer 2024.

Christian Life Formation

Ministry Team

Please join us – Sunday Fellowship Time

In Fellowship Hall

July 21 – Brenda Holderman and Gail Livingood

Ragtime Rick at Grace!

On Sunday, August 4, Ragtime Rick and the Chefs of Dixieland will be providing the service music at our last special service of the summer. 

The service will begin at 10:30 a.m. and will be followed by a potluck in Fellowship Hall. Meat will be provided for the potluck so feel free to bring a side, salad, or  dessert to share. 

The Worship and Music Committee hopes to see you there!

Grace Member’s Stewardship Response

The Lord’s Challenge       $4,231 (Congregation’s approved Weekly Offerings Budget)

Our Response                    $3,883 (Average weekly offerings year to Date)

Through June, Grace’s weekly offerings are $348 less than what is needed to support Grace’s Ministry and Mission plan for 2024 as approved by you the members of Grace.  Compared to the first half of 2023 our income in terms of offerings has gone up 4 ½% which is good, yet our expenses have increased over 13%.   Earlier in the year Grace incurred some unplanned expenses that while critical to our ongoing operations were not anticipated in formulating our annual expense budget.  These unplanned expenses win require your financial support.  Please look into your heart and ask yourself, “Is what I am contributing to Grace all that God has asked of me?” If Grace is important to your life and faith, please provide regular meaningful   financial support.

David Charvat Treasurer  

The SNAP, CRACKLE …. (pop) of Sunday services should be going away soon. During the 9:30 AM service on July 14^th we unfortunately experienced a great deal of unwanted noise coming from our sound system. This was frustrating to many, and thanks to Chaplain Greg and Victor Dave for making the best of the situation.  

Help is on its way. Our new soundboard is on order with installation planned for late July or early August. This is the 1^st phase of the project to enhance how we experience worship with our eyes and ears both in-house and online.   As a reminder we welcome and are seeking special contributions to support this project.   

Behind the scenes at Grace ……by Gretchen

1. Last Friday we enjoyed a great cookout with hotdogs and everyone’s favorite Rice Krispie treats!! This was to celebrate a great week of VBS! We also were lucky to have Tony Lockard play some great “campfire/cookout” music on his guitar! Thanks to all who helped and all who attended 2024 VBS!
2. Please remember after Coffee Hour to make sure that snacks are labeled or taken home. We have found some “science experiments” recently!
3. Our food collection and personnel needs collections continue through the summer. With kids off the need is even bigger for food! Mary Schneider is at church on Monday mornings to collect food and there are bins in the Graceful Giving Room (across from Classroom 3) for Personnel Needs and Food Collection.
4. Pray for the Youth and Pastor as they attend the Youth Gathering in New Orleans!
5. Remember: Grace is not the building but the people of Grace carrying out God’s Mission!

Healthy People! Healthy Parish!

Mosquitos and Ticks are out and about!

Skiters

Not only do they give aggravating itchy welts they can also carry serious diseases like West Nile virus.

What can you do to limit mosquito populations?

Get rid of breeding areas -stagnant or slow-moving water is their breeding ground.

Common breeding sites:

• Pools and ponds. If pools are kept clean and properly chlorinated this will help. If on vacation, make sure that someone is checking that the pool is still well chlorinated. Water accumulating on pool covers can also be a breeding spot. Empty kids wading pools when not in use. Ponds need to have fish to munch on mosquito eggs and larvae or need to be aerated.
• Rain gutters. Clogged or ones that do not drain properly are a nursery for eggs and larvae.
• Birdbaths and lawn ornaments. Wash weekly and empty saucers under ornaments or plants of standing water.
• Pet water dishes are also great nurseries and need to be emptied and cleaned on a regular basis.
• Garbage and recycling bins. Check lids to make sure they are tight and there are no dents that hold water on top. Empty ASAP if water gets in.  

Keep lawn cut and trim bushes. This eliminates resting places for adult mosquitos. When outside use a DEET – based insect repellent. Make sure you read and apply the repellent  according to instructions. Wear long sleeved shirts and pants if in an area with a high mosquito population. Citronella candles and mosquito coils are great when there is no wind as they produce an odor that makes it hard for mosquitos to find you.

Interesting fact; There is some research that states that people who are O+ blood type are preferred by mosquitos!

Ticks

Ticks can transmit West Nile Virus which lead to Lyme Disease. Lyme disease can have temporary symptoms or can lead to long term symptoms.

The best defense is to prevent tick bites!

 If you are in an area with tall grass and weeds or even hiking in the woods, take precautions. Wear long sleeved shirts and pants. Tuck pants into boots. Then wrap tape around  ankles and wrists – wrap the tape so the sticky side is out so when you are checking they are easy to see. Us insect repellents that contain DEET and apply per instructions. Ticks like to latch onto long hair so tuck it up into a hat. When done hiking or being out in the woods throw all the clothing in a dryer and “blast it” -heat will kill the ticks – high heat is best but low heat will work for 90 minutes.

Take a shower when done and do a tick check!

Not only humans need tick checks but also dogs -daily brushing and checking if they are outside.

What if you are bitten by a tick??

1. Remove it – gently and firmly remove the tick with tweezers as close to the skin as possible – try to avoid squeezing the body of the tick as it could enable the bacteria to get into your blood stream ..
2. Save the tick and talk with your family MD about getting it tested for Lyme disease.

It is often thought that a symptom of a tick bite is a “bull’s eye rash reaction at the site of the bite but not everyone has this. If you do have one, report to your MD ASAP. Other symptoms are -fever, joint  pain or swelling, muscle pain and weakness, irritability, headache.

These symptoms could be many things, so it makes it even more important that you take precautions and if you (or your pet) are bitten that you follow up with your MD (or the vet ) ASAP .

This is the day the Lord has made.

Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

~Psalm 118:24