The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not be in want.
~Psalm 23:1
Pastor’s Thoughts:
As I write this, it is early Sunday morning. I am the only one here in the church building, as we are still a little while away from the Adult Class and worship. The building is quiet, except for the wind causing the wooden roof in the nave to creak and the occasional mechanical noises of the heating system. I poured water into the font just a few moments ago, and the splash of it hitting the bowl was the noisiest sound in the building. A small sound, but one that called powerfully to mind for me the presence of God: in the water, in the Meal, in our prayers, in our music, in our service in Jesus’ name.
I treasure these times when I am alone here. Not to avoid people and activity, but rather to have a few moments alone with God in our sacred space and to pray for all of you in our family of faith as you begin your preparations for whatever your Sunday will look like. Some of you will gather here soon to learn together, to worship, to engage in fellowship, to have conversations, and to catch up on each other’s lives. Others will find rest in other ways on this day.
The door just opened, and people have started to arrive. Soon, we will gather as the Body of Christ in this place. I am grateful for that blessing and for the many ways we live, love, and serve together. I pray that you find hope, grace, mercy, peace, and love when you are here and that all the moments of your life are marked by a deep sense of how much God loves us, treasures us, and desires for us to be in mission together to make the risen Christ known.
And if I don’t see you today, I pray that the Spirit leads you here the next time we gather, so we can pray, sing, eat, and confess the love of God together in this holy place.
In Christ,
Pastor Brenda
The Readings for Sunday April 21, 2024
Acts 4:5-12
Psalm 23
1 John 3:16-24
John 10:11-18
Please join us – Sunday Fellowship Time
In Fellowship Hall
April 21st – Wendy McCall and Debbie Fallon
Meditation
by Vicar Dave
I’m told that Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said that if you board the wrong train, it’s no use running along the corridor in the other direction. I remember going for a walk with Joyce in Wildwood one time. We were in the west portion of the park, a part we weren’t terribly familiar with at that time. All of the twists and turns in the trail got us turned around so bad that we didn’t know where we were. On top of that, the skies became cloudy while we were lost, so I couldn’t use the position of the sun to help me find our way back to a familiar trail. Being someone who prides himself on not getting lost, I felt rather sheepish when we finally came across someone to ask for directions back to the Manor House, where we had parked.
Being the sheep of Christ’s flock can be like that sometimes too. We might think we know what direction we need to go in. We might even start off down the right path. But if we rely on our own resources, we can get very lost and may not be able to find our way back without help. But that’s what Jesus does for us when we get ourselves lost, or in a fix. He’ll lead us away from the wolves of sin and guide us back to the paths we need to be on.
Thanks be to God!
Adult Class—Death and Dying:
For our next Adult Class topic, we will discuss death and dying. Our society teaches us not to avoid discussing this in-depth, but it is something that we should all confront and ponder in conjunction with our faith. Our faith gives us a powerful perspective through which to view and discuss the reality of death.
We will begin our discussions and learning with an introductory session on Wednesday, 3 April (6:00 p.m.) and Sunday, 7 April (8:15 a.m.). Both class options will use the same materials each week. The class is anticipated to run through 15/19 May.
We will discuss the concept of death (both from a physical perspective and a Christian perspective), the grieving process, how to plan our funerals (both at the church and the funeral home), and the importance of Advance Directives (Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare and Living Wills).
Council Highlights by Cindy Wood, Secretary
A Gardening Group has been formed. Please see Nancy Lockard or contact office if you are interested in joining this group.
We are offering Kroger gift cards to Whitmer High School as an outreach program. Cards will be $10 with a restriction on them from purchasing alcohol or tobacco products. There is a great need, and closer schools in Grace’s neighborhood could not use our help at this time. More info to follow.
Nancy is making laminated cards for the pews listing ways to give at Grace.
As part of outreach, Council has approved the purchase of a new camera system and a new sound board, pending approval of the congregation at our May 19 meeting. This will include training and will greatly improve with viewing and hearing online services”.
Council received Sherry Hammond as a member of Grace. She will be welcomed “officially” during a worship service soon.
Our first women’s breakfast potluck was a huge success. Plans discussed for future gatherings.
Moving With Angela
(aka-Boom Muscle)
Where:
Grace Lutheran Church Gym (Entrance back of parking lot)
4441 Monroe St. (near Secor)
Cost: FREE
When:
1st and 3rd Saturday each month
Class Includes:
Aerobics, hand weights, core, balance and stretching
Anyone 18 or older is welcome
This class is not associated with Silver Sneakers
This is a general exercise class and is neither a HITT or Chair Class
Some hand weights and small plastic balls are available
but you may wish to bring your own
Any questions, call Deb at 419.346.8995
Join us Tuesday mornings at 10:30 a.m.
For coffee and conversation.
Just a time to get together and enjoy each other’s company.
10:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall
Coffee provided
If you are interested in reading at either the 9:30 or 11:30 service or you are interested in presenting the children’s sermon at the 9:30 service, please let Pastor Brenda or Mary Schneider know. We are always looking for additional people to help with these ministries.
The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.
(Audrey Hepburn)
If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like
sunbeams and you will always look lovely
(Rolad Dahl)
We are also collecting treasures on Tuesday, April 23rd from 530p until 730p.
Behind the scenes at Grace ….by Gretchen
- WOW ! The empty spaces are filling up fast for the Youth Rummage Sale BUT we will always find room for more “Treasurers”!
- Have you seen the beautiful daffodils around the office and Brenner Hall – it is a sure sign of Spring!
- The stakes to mark off for snow removal are also gone which is a for sure sign Spring has Sprung!
- Remember: Grace is not the building but the people of Grace carrying out God’s mission.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
2024
JULY 8TH – 12TH
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!
More Pastor’s Thoughts:
I continue to be grateful for the way we came together at the end of 2023 to eliminate our deficit. That was a wonderful testimony to the love, trust, and sense of mission we have here at Grace!
We have so many Gospel-centered and exciting things happening—from Burrito Blessings to Personal Needs, from Sunday School to VBS, from pickleball to exercise classes, from worship to fellowship. We also open our building to many community organizations, which is another way we witness to the world. Our community would be different without us, and the love and witness we show make a difference in the lives of many, both members of Grace and others.
As we enter the second quarter of 2024, I ask that we all continue to be mindful and prayerful about how we financially support Grace’s mission so that we can avoid the need for an end-of-year financial appeal.
We can achieve this by continuing a commitment to be robust and consistent in our financial support of Grace, even when we must miss a Sunday of worship. While the people of Grace make the mission visible, the financial support lays a solid foundation for our witness. These things together make it possible for us to Bless the World: Be God’s Grace!
In Christ,
Pastor Brenda
Prayer Corner
By Grace Prayer Team
Grace Prayer List and Prayer Requests –
The Grace Prayer List is updated each Monday morning by 10:00 am. It is published in the Newsletter that gets mailed out, put in the electronic version of the Newsletter on Fridays, and then hard copies are printed for the Sunday services.
All specific prayer requests stay on the Prayer List for 3 weeks.
The Prayer Team prays over each specific request.
When making a prayer request, the Prayer team has always followed basic HIPPA (privacy) requirements. What does that mean? It means unless we (the Prayer Team) have permission from the person for whom the prayer request is being made, we are unable to publish last names. We will publish first names and sometimes first names with the initial of the last name.
So, how can a person make a Prayer Request? There are a couple of ways to make a Prayer Request:
There are Prayer Request forms in the pockets of the pews in the Chapel and Nave that can be filled out and put in the offering plate or the Prayer Request Box on the table outside the Prayer Chapel by Fellowship Hall.
There are Prayer Request forms and a Prayer Request Box on the table outside the Prayer Chapel by Fellowship Hall.
A person can reach out to a member of The Grace Prayer Team, Ann Fleck, Ron Hiatt, Connie Thomas, Steve Rife, and Nancy Lockard. Please note: Any personal Prayer Requests are held in strict confidence unless we have your permission to publish the request.
A person can email a request to the Grace Prayer email address – www.GRACEPRAYER3@gmail.com
Each Sunday, following the first service, a member of the Prayer Team, Ann Fleck, is in the Prayer Chapel for anyone desiring personal prayer.
The Prayer request box is emptied on Sunday and Monday mornings, Thursday, and Saturday.
We hope this gives a clearer overview of the Prayer List and making a Prayer Request and encourages you to reach out for prayer.
Do you laugh ?
Being miserable is a habit; being happy is a habit: and the choice is yours. (Tom Hopkins)
April is National Humor Month so up your Laughter!
So, really what can laughter do for us??
Physical Benefits –
- Boost immunity.
- Lowers stress hormones.
- Can decrease pain.
- Relaxes muscles.
- Can help prevent heart disease.
Mental Health Benefits –
- Add joy and zest to life
- Ease anxiety and tension
- Relieves stress
- Improves mood
- Strengthens resilience
Social Benefits
- Strengthens relationships
- Attracts others to us
- Better teamwork
- Helps resolve conflicts
- Promotes groups working well together
What do you do if your “Laughter Muscle” needs some work? Maybe it has become lazy and needs some work. Research has shown that it is important to get all 4 types of exercise: Endurance, balance, strength and flexibility.
Endurance – how long can you laugh? The longer the better.
Balance – can you laugh really hard and not spill the bowl of popcorn!
Strength – Can you out laugh someone?
Flexibility – Are you able to laugh at yourself and with others and not at others?
Laughter Exercise Program
- Smile. Smiling is the beginning of laughter and like laughter it can be contagious. Take the opportunity to not look down but to look up and smile. Watch the effect on others!
- Count your blessings. Make a list. Looking at the positive things in your life can make the negative thoughts not look as great.
- When you hear someone laughing check it out – make a point of seeing “what is so funny”. Many people want to share funny or crazy things.
- Spend time with fun, playful people. These are the people who laugh easily – both at themselves and the crazy stuff that happens every day. You want to catch their laughter and playful point of view.
- Bring humor into your conversations. Ask people what is the funniest thing that happened to them today, this week?
What other kinds of things can you do to get a good laugh?
- Watch a funny movie, TV show.
- Host a game night and go for funny games and snacks!
- Read the comics.
- Look for the funny people. Kids are great to watch! Goof off with kids – think bubbles!
- Check out the bookstore or the library humor section – there really is such a thing!
- Play with a pet.
- Go to a “laughter yoga class.”
- DO something silly – wear the wildest clothing!
- Make time to do something fun every day! Even a walk can be fun or just sitting outside and watching the crazy squirrels!
Admit that you are human! People who master Living 101 – take their work seriously but not themselves.
Start laughing more! A study of Americans say they laugh15 times a day so why not increase that to 20-25!!
Good humor helps with understanding, communication and cooperation. See how many smiles you can get in a day !
Remember laughter and longevity go hand in hand. Grumps don’t live longer – it just seems like it
This is the day the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
~Psalm 118:24
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