How good and how pleasant it is,
when kindred live together in unity!
~Psalm 133:1
In seminary, I learned that Martin Luther was not a fan of the Letter of James in the New Testament. Luther believed James placed too much emphasis on “doing.” I also learned that he was starting to change his understanding of this letter as he aged and that he had started to understand that James meant that our faith should be shown in both word and deed.
There is much to be learned from this letter, but two rather well-known verses have stuck with me: “But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror, for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like.”
These words came to mind as I reflected on Easter Sunday, now just two days ago. Be doers of the Word! Do not be people who simply come to worship, hear about God’s Good news, and never live out what you have heard in your daily life. Do not bask in God’s grace and forgiveness, but then go and be less than grace-full and forgiving to others. Do not come and be fed on the Word and the meal, but then go forth and not feed all those who hunger in so many ways in the world. Be doers of the word!
Do not come to worship on Easter to claim your identity as a redeemed and forgiven child of God and then go out and attack others for their sins. Do not come to share in the fellowship of a community of faith and then never ask anyone to join you to hear the Word. Be doers of the word!
We do deceive ourselves if we think hearing the Word is enough. Yes, the great stories of faith and love in the scripture do inspire us and instruct us. But they also call us to action, to be those who live and breathe the Word each and every day through everything we say and do. When the Word is that much a part of who we are, when the Gospel of our crucified and resurrected Lord is at the core of our being, we cannot help but be doers of that creative and sustaining Word.
This Easter season and always, hear the Word … savor its goodness … bask in the promises of forgiveness, grace, and salvation. But then do not forget what you have heard when the listening is over. Do not forget what has been said and what has been offered, despite our sin and our frequent apathy and lack of gratitude. Be doers of that Word, showing it forth to all so that all may know that Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
In Christ,
Pastor Brenda
The Readings for Sunday April 7, 2024
Acts 4:32-35
Psalm 133
1 John 1:1–2:2
John 20:19-31
- Did you see that Channel 11 Jeff Smith was reporting from Brenner Hall on Election Day!
- It is official that the voting machines are gone and the storage area in Brenner is officially open for Rummage Sale Treasures. Please stack things instead of spreading them all over. We also need open access to the freezer, refrigerators and tables.
- Watch for more information but we are planning a Silver Sneaker Exercise Program 2 x month on Saturday mornings. You do not have to have Silver Hair to attend!
- Personal Needs is an ongoing outreach that continues to need Personal Care items as well as toilet paper and tissues. Please don’t forget them when shopping.
- A recent report from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that 13 million kids in homes across the country are not getting enough food. During the week many of these kids get meals through programs like the National School Lunch Program but on the weekends and school breaks they need help. Our Burrito Blessing 419 helps some on Saturday. Please think about this when shopping. We collect non-perishable food on Monday mornings, but items can be brought in anytime and put in containers in the Graceful Giving Room across form room 3. We share this food with Aldersgate, and it is also used in the Blessing Box and at other times as needed.
- THE BUNN”S – no, not people buns but our coffee pots. We are in the process of getting the leaky one in Fellowship repaired so we may be switching out from Brenner to Fellowship. So, they may look different but take the same filters and the same amount of coffee.
- If you are helping with Fellowship Hour or an event that you need paper plates, plastic cutlery, foam cups and there is none in the cupboards check the master storage area in Brenner. (where the chairs and tables are kept). There are labeled bins for cutlery and plates. If it looks like the bin is getting low of a particular item look on shelf above bins as there may be more up there. If you don’t see any of the items you need, and the bins are low please let the office know ASAP – email or phone call.
- Be prepared we will have a Spring Severe Weather Drill for both services soon!
- Remember: Grace is not the building but the people of Grace carrying out God’s Mission!
You and your MD! (Or Nurse Practitioner – NP or Physician’s Assistant -PA)
Do you go prepared?
What should you take?
- Insurance cards and identification (Driver’s License) – yes, we know you did this the last time you were there, but they are going to ask and make sure everything is the same or if there are changes. Reason: so, your insurance company is appropriately billed.
- Wear your glasses and hearing aids! If you have a hearing or vision problem, let the doctor and staff know otherwise you may miss or not understand important information.
- Take a pad or paper so you can write down information. Better yet take another set of ears with you. This person can write information down, remind you what questions to ask and clarify issues. Make sure this person will not share your medical information unless you are OK with it and that you may ask them to leave the room if you want to talk alone with the doctor.
- A current list of your medications. Include vitamins and any herbal supplements. If you use CBD or other types of cannabis/hemp products it needs to be included. Reason: if your doctor changes your medications they need to be aware of what you are taking to help avoid the chance of an interaction. It also helps if you are not feeling well and there may be an interaction with the medications you are currently taking.
- Do you have a list of allergies and reactions?
- Have a list of your surgeries, times and place it was done at.
- Be honest about smoking, using any illicit drugs and drinking. These may also influence what the doctor may prescribe.
- Have the name of your pharmacy.
- A list of concerns. At each visit your doctor will likely ask you about your concerns or questions. It is a good idea to think about these before your visit and write them down. Write down in order of most important to least important. Reason: writing them down helps to remember and often the time you spend with the doctor is limited so get your concerns /questions written down to get the answers you need. Make a copy so you can give him/her one and you have one to write answers down.
- Write down any changes from your last appointment before your new appointment. Include not only physical things but also changes in mental health – do you feel down, having trouble sleeping. living arrangements – have you moved or downsized, are you no longer driving. Are you now a caregiver for a family member, even caring for grandkids full time. All of these are important as they can affect how you feel and can affect your treatment and the doctors’ orders.
- Do you always tell the truth when you see the doctor?? Many people tell the doctor what they think he wants to hear or are embarrassed to tell them. Or are you afraid of “The Look “ they give you? What is important is your health and the doctor may not be able to provide the correct treatment if you do not “tell the whole and only truth”.
- What if the doctor has prescribed something that you have found you are unable to do? Maybe it is the brace and you found out it makes you more painful and you can’t get it on. Maybe it is a new medicine that you just can’t swallow. Make sure you let them know you are having difficulty because they think you are doing what they ordered but are wondering why you are still having symptoms or not doing better.
- If you don’t understand – PLEASE ask questions! This is all about you! And you need to understand!!!
More to follow next week!
Do you know what a File of Life is?
High Five!
The first High Five was given during the last regular season Dodger’s game when Dusty Baker hit the home run that made the team the first in history to have four players with at least 30 regular season home runs. As Baker rounded third and headed home, Glenn Burke was waiting at home plate and raised is hand and they slapped hands in victorious high five! (Hopefully all you gurus of baseball know who these guys were?)
So, what is great about High Five and April 18!!!!
You are actually giving a high five to not one but 3 people that day by giving blood!
The Spring Blood Drive is fast approaching on April 18 from 1-6 and we do have open appointment times. You may schedule online with the Red Cross or call Gretchen Hiatt 419.944.5166 to schedule.
Let’s all give High Fives that day to others in need!
You are unable to give blood …. However, you have a family member, grandchild or good friend who can, and your birthday is fast approaching. You have 10 gift cards to Bob Evens and 5 to Applebee’s so you really can’t use any more right now. So, ask this person to donate blood to help you and 3 other people celebrate life!!!!
We have a Birthday Card that you give to the person you are asking to donate blood for you! Located on the table across from the office. When the person donates ask them to bring the card with them and we will let you know that we received a donation to celebrate your birthday!!
By Vicar Dave
I know a lot of people that are excited about the eclipse coming next week. It’s a once in a lifetime astronomical event andgor I’m hoping that skies will be clear enough that I will be able to see it. I’ve been looking at some pictures from previous eclipses and I noticed something. As the moon passes in front of the sun, it reminds me first of the stone being rolled in front of Jesus’ tomb, then covering it, and then being rolled away. I also noticed that even when the moon is covering the sun completely, some of the light escapes from around the edges. I thought this was an interesting metaphor for how even in our darkest hours, the love of God is still present in the world.
It’s odd how we can sometimes forget that. Sometimes, when bad things happen, like a divorce or the death of a loved one, we can feel trapped in our own misery, and it can be hard for us to see a way out of it. We might feel that it is up to us to figure thing out and to fix it by ourselves. I remember a time, when I felt as though I had to “fix” myself before I could come to God and ask for forgiveness. Of course, I was mistaken. Eventually, I saw that God loved me just as I was, despite my sins and my faults. I began to notice the light of Jesus in my life, and things began to improve. My mood got better, and I was able to make changes that had seemed impossible before.
Particularly in this country, we have this “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” kind of mentality. We want to be self-reliant, but that doesn’t always work and it’s never necessary. We always have God’s love with us, to encourage us and the Holy Spirit will always be there to guide us. If we look for it, we will always see the light of God’s love. Nothing can block it out.
Please join us – Sunday Fellowship Time
In Fellowship Hall
April 7 – Sue Wagner and Sue Melchert
April14th- Linda Currie and Deb Damschroder
5/4 of a Century of Grace; A century (and a quarter) of Grace; Grace@125?
In September of 2025 our congregation will celebrate its 125th birthday! While that may seem to be a long time away, planning and preparation for a historic celebration takes time.
A group of members are in the initial planning process discussing ways in which the people called Grace may recognize our ministry together for all these years.
One thing that needs plenty of lead time is coming up with a slogan and/or logo we can use for promotional materials. We are looking for something that can be used on clothing such as t-shirts/hats/golf-shirts. These will be things members of Grace could buy and wear to help build a sense of togetherness. The idea is to have something we also can use on signs and window decals to advertise Grace in the community.
Do you have anything you would like to suggest? A drawing, slogan etc. If so please contact me.
David Charvat
Lady: Surely you must be joking.
Man: I’m not joking and please don’t call me Shirley.
If a red house is made of red bricks and a blue house is made of blue bricks, what is a green house made of?
Glass!
What happened to the little chick who kept misbehaving at school?
She was eggspelled.
What does a broom do at night?
It goes to sweep.
If you say my name, I’m already gone. What am I?
Silence.
What does ice cream wear to church?
Its sundae best!
from Funny, Funnier and Funniest Joke Book for Kids
Where flowers bloom, so does hope.
~Lady Bird Johnson
Spring will come and so will happiness. Hold on.
Life will get warmer.
~Anita Krizzan
A flower blossoms for its own joy.
Oscar Wilde
The earth laughs in flowers.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Spring is the time of plans and projects.
~Leo Tolstoy
If you think my winter is too cold, you don’t deserve my spring.
~Erin Hanson
The deep roots never doubt, spring will come.
~Marty Rubin
If we had no winter, spring would not be so pleasant.
~Ann Bradstreet
Talent Show:
We regret that the Talent Show scheduled for 12 April has been canceled due to not having enough talented acts.
Many thanks to all those who made our Easter worship services Special! Our choir and musicians, the worship leaders, those who prepared and served food for the Easter breakfast, those who prepared the nave and the chapel, and the staff who had extra prep work! Thanks for all you do.
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).
This is the day the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
~Psalm 118:24
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