The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it,
the world and those who dwell therein.
~Psalm 24:1
Pastor’s Thoughts:
As we are all very aware, the 2024 election is next week. Tensions are high, and people are anxious. Someone recently asked me when I would be “telling the congregation how to vote in November.”
The answer, simply put, is “Never.” It is neither the call nor the right of the ordained leader to use the office of pastoral ministry to dictate (or even encourage or suggest) how members of a congregation should vote. I have opinions about candidates and issues, to be sure, but they are exactly that—my opinions, based on my personal convictions, my values, my experiences, and my understanding of my faith and its connection to the world in which we live.
All that being said, I do encourage everyone to exercise the right to vote. And before you do, read as much as you can about candidates. Talk about issues with people you trust and with whom you can engage in open, honest dialogue. Resist the urge to base your decisions on social media posts or on what someone else says you should believe and/or what you should resist believing.
Martin Luther believed it was the call of the Christian to participate fully in society; to be an active citizen committed to a safe and just way of life for all people. Luther also knew this is best accomplished when a person always looks to God for wisdom, strength, and hope. And remember: God does not favor one political party over another. Rather, God always—always—chooses to be on the side of the downtrodden, the oppressed, the hungry, and the sick. The Gospel calls us to be people who work toward these things, as well.
Blessings and strength to you as you seek to be discerning, wise, and compassionate in these turbulent times. May we remember always that we are all created in the image of God … and that we are commanded by Jesus to love our neighbors as we wish to be loved.
In Christ,
Pastor Brenda
The Readings for Sunday November 3, 2024
Isaiah 25:6-9
Psalm 24
Revelation 21:1-6a
Matthew 5:1-11
Please join us – Sunday Fellowship Time
In Fellowship Hall
November 3 – Deb Damschroder and Linda Currie
Looking for volunteers to assist in the 9:30 a.m. services
Grace’s 9:30 a.m. services allows members to assist in the service in various roles. These opportunities include worship assistant (the role taken on by Bob Haaf and David O’Brien at this time), ushers, reader of scripture and prayers, and presenter of the Children’s Moment. If you would wish to take on any of these opportunities on a rotating basis, please contact Pastor Brenda or Mary Schneider.
November 6 Prayer Services at
12 noon and 7 p.m. in the Chapel
Grace Lutheran Church will be holding prayer services on November 6, the day after election day when our country’s leadership and course for the next four years will be determined. People are anxious about the outcome of the election and how it will affect them, their loved ones, and the country that they love. The prayer service will provide the opportunity for prayers to provide comfort, peace, and hope to those attending. It doesn’t matter if your favored political candidate wins or loses, everyone is invited to attend to pray to The One who can ease our worries and give us hope.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD ITEM FOR OCTOBER CONTRIBUTION
We are asking for small notebooks, coloring books, pads of paper and small books to be contributed in October for the boxes we will be packing for Operation Christmas Child. Please place your donations in the collection box in the Grace Giving Room. Thanks to all of you for giving to the ministry serving children all over the world.
We look forward to your joining us for the Packing Party here at Grace Lutheran on Sunday, November 24.
Operation Christmas Child Ministry Team
Grace Prayer List
We are taking a break from publishing the Grace Prayer List.
This is a decision made by the Prayer Team and supported by Pastor Brenda.
Prayer requests may still be submitted in all ways as previously done.
The Grace Prayer Team will continue to pray over all requests during our prayer time.
And, as always, the Prayer Team encourages you to also be in prayer for the person or situation you are requesting prayer for.
If you have ANY questions please reach out to a member of the Prayer Team.
If you have a Prayer Request, you can do any of the following:
1) Fill out a Prayer Request Form and place it in the offering plate or put it in the Prayer Request box by the chapel.
2) Email your request to Graceprayer3@gmail.com
3) Contact a member of the Grace Prayer Team: Nancy Lockard, Ron Hiatt, Ann Fleck, Connie Thomas or Steve Rife. And, you may always speak with Pastor Brenda. All prayer requests are always held in confidence.
Thank you for your understanding.
Peace,
Nancy Lockard
Grace Prayer Team
Behind the scenes at Grace…..by Gretchen
- Watch your step walking on the sidewalk next to the office! The squirrels are not living up to their working contract of taking all the acorns! Mike has been great at sweeping them off but with the occasional wind we are getting showered, and they can be a fall or trip hazard. Our squirrels have been spoiled with peanuts and who wouldn’t want a peanut over an acorn!
- Burrito Blessing 419 was this last Saturday and approximately 200 burritos were made and given out between Grace ,downtown and the Harvest Festival at Memorial. Thanks to all the help. We also gave out blankets and canned goods.
- Don’t forget to greet our visitors and help them maneuver the bulletins, bathrooms and down to Fellowship Hall for treats.
- Remember: Grace is not the building or the acorns but the people carrying out God’s mission!
Meditation
by Vicar Dave
It’s often been said that variety is the spice of life. There’s a lot of truth to that. We have several different types of music. Some people like jazz and others like country and still others like rock. All the different types of food are another example. God built variety into the world. Just look at the various types of life around us, in both plants and animals. And it seems that this biodiversity is necessary for the health of the world. Scientists are trying to warn us about the loss of some species and how it could affect our food chain. Without the bees and other pollinators, we may experience problems growing crops to feed ourselves, they say.
God loves diversity. That’s why He built it into His creation. He even gave us diversity in the human species. We have ethnic diversity, cultural diversity and racial diversity. And God loves all of us. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all just agree on everything? Actually, life isn’t really like that. We need diversity in our thoughts to help us learn. The various scientific fields rely on people being able to approach a topic or problem from differing points of view.
Differing points of view should be valued and respected when it is possible. When we shut another person down because they disagree with us, we end up excluding them from the conversation. This can lead to people hardening their point of view, on both sides of the divide, and making it harder to see each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. God loves all of us. He loves us whether we wear red or blue. He loves us, not because we are red or blue or because of any other point of view we may hold. God loves us because of who God is. Regardless of how this election turns out, lets try to remember that and to remember that God wants us to love each other as He loves us.
Attention all Bakers!
Ruth Circle will again be hosting a Bake Sale and Craft Fair on Election Day, November 5, 2024 during Election times. We are in need of baked goods for that day and expect a very large turnout. All proceeds go toward purchasing “Christ in Our Home” magazines, donations to Leading Families Home and Lutheran Social Service as well as contributing to various needs around the church and Youth programs. Baked goods can be brought into church on Sunday November 3 and Monday November 4 and dropped off in Brenner Hall kitchen marked for “Bake Sale”. We will also accept items brought the day of the sale. As always, we cannot say “Thank you” enough for all of your help in the past.
Blessings to all,
Ruch Circle
Christmas Gifts for Lucas County Children’s Services:
We will once again be collecting gifts for the children served by Lucas County Children’s Services this Christmas. Please see the list of suggested items in this newsletter. (There will also be copies in the back of the nave.)
We will collect items through Sunday, 24 November, so that they can be picked up and distributed the week of 1 December. Items can be placed in the back of the nave.
Thank you!
Healthy People! Healthy Parish!
Yep, It Is Just Around the Corner!
Thanksgiving, National Peanut Butter Month and National Sweet Potato Month (Sorry Pastor Brenda Sweet Potatoes are really good for you!)
All of the above are coming soon, but what is even more important to us all is the Grace Fall Blood Drive! Tuesday November 12 form 12-6.
The drive is even more important than turkey! With the recent weather events in the Carolinas and Florida many of the donation sites are damaged or gone so this makes for even a greater need. There is a significant need for blood normally and add a disaster and the need becomes more critical.
The blood drive at Grace is not limited to members -please ask and encourage family members, friends, neighbors and co-workers to come and donate. It is an easy way to “give back” to the communities and does not involve a great deal of time and no money.
If you are having a birthday coming up and have more Red Lobster gift cards then you know what to do with – grab one of the “Birthday Cards” by the office and have someone give blood in honor of your birthday. Or if someone would just like to recognize you or thank you – grab on of the “In Honor of” cards by the office and have them give blood to you.
Making appointments can be done by going to the Red Cross website or call /email Gretchen Hiatt and she will help make the appointment – 419-944-5166 or gretchensue1205@gmail.com
Shu, Swat , Stamp , Squish , Smash!
Have you done the above to the flu! There is still time to get the flu vaccine. According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) it takes about 2 weeks after receiving the vaccine for it to be effective.
Have you had you Covid Booster? Another vaccine that is important if you have not had.
Blood Sugar !
November is recognized as National Diabetes Month !
So, what is diabetes? It is a condition that affects how the body turns food into energy. Our bodies breakdown most of the food we eat into sugar (glucose) and releases it into the blood stream. When our blood sugar goes up it signals the pancreas to release insulin. Insulin is like a key that lets the blood sugar into the cells of the body for use as energy.
With diabetes, the body doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use it as well as it should. When there is not enough insulin or cells stop responding to insulin, too much blood sugar stays in the blood stream. Over time this can cause serious problems that can lead to heart disease, stroke, can affect the eyes and cause kidney disease.
According to the NIH (National Institute of Diabetes ,Digestive and Kidney Disease – this is one of the gurus) 38 million Americans have diabetes including adults and youth.
There are officially 3 main types of Diabetes
- Type 1
- Type 2
- Gestational
And although it is not recognized as a specific type of diabetes there is a related health condition called prediabetes.
Watch for more on Diabetes next week !
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS ends this weekend!!
Don’t forget to change your clocks!
Most important!!! Check that your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are working and replace the batteries!!!!!
This is the day the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
~Psalm 118:24
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