August 11, 2024 Newsletter

I will bless the Lord at all times;
  the praise of God shall ever be in my mouth. 

                                                                      ~Psalm 34:1

Pastor’s Thoughts:

As many of you know, I love to ride my bike. I ride as much as I can in the summer, and it is a wonderful time of refreshment for me. When Gail and I can ride together, it is an even better experience.  (And yes, the hotter, the better!).

I have noticed, however, an interesting tendency on my part. Even though the route that we typically ride is lovely, I often am too preoccupied or “in the zone” to notice. I usually either have my brain as disengaged as possible, or I am looking down at how fast I am traveling and comparing it to the speed of the day before. I tend either to think hardly at all or to think about the mechanics of what I am doing and how I might improve them. 

I am aware of this tendency, and I have tried to look up and around more often, so that I do not “miss the forest for the trees.” I have been rewarded by seeing beautiful wildflowers and trees, the occasional animal scurrying by the road, and many different kinds of birds.

It occurs to me that a lot of life is like this. I can think of many situations where we become so focused on one particular piece that we run the risk of losing the bigger picture. Do any of these strike a chord with you?

• In our relationships with family, friends, or neighbors: Often, we only focus on the “quirks” of others or the things that those around us do that we find annoying. When we do this, our view can be very narrow and clouded. Perhaps we should remember that we are all flawed and that we all have quirks. And perhaps we should consider the many ways we are blessed by the relationships we have—despite the moments of irritation! This is an especially good reminder, I think in the current cultural and political climate. While we may have strongly held beliefs, others do, too. How can we remember we are all God’s beloved children, even as we find ways to discuss tough topics with respect and love?
• In our congregational life: When we worship, do we focus on that hymn that we do not like or the fact that worship was 70 minutes instead of the allotted 60? Or do we raise our eyes and see the big picture, finding ourselves grateful for a place to worship, people to share the Word and Meal with, resources to use, and the privilege of being God’s children and messengers of the Good News?
• In our relationship with God: Do we only focus on our perception of the quickness or slowness of God’s action in our lives? Do we look for splashy, elaborate signs of God’s presence and fail to see the daily small ways God is at work among us—in the kind words of someone, in the beauty of nature, in a moment of prayer?

Yes, we do live in a world where details matter, we often have to focus on small, intricate items, and irritations and annoyances can occasionally fill our field of vision and obscure the whole picture. But I encourage you to lift up your eyes every now and then. See how all the pieces come together to form the diverse, blessing filled world in which we live … and which is entirely encompassed by the grace of God.

In Christ,

Pastor Brenda

Meditation

by Vicar Dave

One of the great things about summer is being able to sit out at night and watch the stars. They’re really quite amazing when you think about it. Long ago, people thought that the Earth was the center of the universe and that our Sun revolved around us. Later we learned that the Earth revolves around the Sun, but we thought that our Solar System was the entire universe. We even thought that our Sun was unique in the universe. Now of course, we know that our Sun is just an average star, one amongst several, and that there are several types of stars in varying sizes. Most of them have planets orbiting them. But when you look up at the stars, you probably only see several white dots. 

When I think about all of the stars out there, and all of the planets surrounding them, I’m reminded about how fortunate we are to live on the only planet that we know of that can support us. The clockwork precision with which everything works is a miracle. We have the seasons which are necessary for us to grow the food we need to live. Our climate is just right so that we can thrive. Some even think that the Moon is just the right size and distance away to stabilize the Earth’s rotation so that our days and nights are just what we need for our health.

I’ve heard some people say that science and our understanding of how things work is incompatible with the notion of God. But I think that science is one of the gifts that God gave us that that we can learn more about His creation. When we look at the stars and marvel at how well things work, how precisely the universe is put together, no matter how much we know about how it functions, we can still thank God for making it just so.

Church Council Highlights; Council Meeting Tuesday July 16, 2024

1. Brenda and Bill Facey accepted as members. Please welcome them.
2. Committee reports reviewed. Highlighted Pride Parade participation in August and Youth Ministry Teas and Treats 8/4 to recap Youth Gathering Events.
3. Review of current funds and expenses – David Charvat submitted article to newsletter.
4. Work in progress on the formation of Tech Committee to oversee monitors, cameras, Facebook, etc.
5. Investigation continuing on use of QR code for offerings and donations.
6. Work in progress on outside signage to identify office, Brenner Hall, etc.

Minutes of Council Meetings are kept in Library.

Next Council Meeting August 13, 2024 at 6:30 pm. Council meetings are open meetings. If you wish to add to agenda / or speak at Council Meeting please contact Rick Sharp, President of Church Council.

The Readings for Sunday August 11, 2024

1 Kings 19:4-8

Psalm 34:1-8

Ephesians 4:25—5:2

John 6:35, 41-51

Schedule of Sunday Services August 11 – September 1

August 11 – September 1 – Traditional Service only at 9:30 a.m.

No Contemporary services at 11:30 until September 8

Please join us – Sunday Fellowship Time

In Fellowship Hall

August 11th Sue Wagner  and Linda Currie

Lutherans in North America—A Modicum of History

(Sent in by Bob)

      The first Lutherans in North America may have been on one of two Danish ships that sailed into the Hudson Bay in September 1619—seeking the Northwest Passage. The ships landed at what is now Churchill, Manitoba, However, a permanent settlement was not established by this expedition.

The first Lutheran congregation was established by Swedish settlers in 1638 at Fort Christina [now Wilmington, Delaware]. And the first Lutheran church building in North America was dedicated in 1646 on Tinicum Island, an island in the Delaware River.

The oldest Lutheran church in continuous use in America (Augustus Lutheran Church—Old Trappe Church—in Trappe, Pennsylvania) was completed in 1743. It was named for August Hermann Francke, a major figure in the German Lutheran Pietism tradition. The congregation’s first pastor was Henry Melchior Muhlenberg who arrived from Germany in 1742.

Grace Indoor Prayer Chapel

Did you know Grace has a small indoor Prayer Chapel? It is located outside the Chapel, close to Fellowship Hall.

On Sunday mornings following the first service, you can usually find Ann Fleck, a member of the Grace Prayer Team, just inside the Prayer Chapel ready to pray with anyone requesting private prayer.

Many outside groups, who use Fellowship Hall, use the Indoor Prayer Chapel for prayer or quiet meditation.

Please stop by. Take a look. Share a prayer. Have a little quiet time.

The Indoor Prayer Chapel is always open.

The Grace Prayer Team is always available to pray with and for you, if you have a Prayer Request.

You may send your Prayer Requests to: Graceprayer3@gmail.com  or stop by the Indoor Prayer Chapel on Sundays following the first service.

Behind the scenes at Grace…..by Gretchen

1. Oh my – one of the maple trees in the parking lot has some leaves that are changing to orange.
2. The big church was rocking on Sunday with Ragtime Rick and the band playing! They were great as usual, and we had visitors and members we have not seen in a while. Oh, and then the potluck! It is very true that Lutherans know how to have a great potluck and there is never a shortage of food! Thanks to Mary Schneider for organizing and to everyone who brought scrumptious food! No one went away hungry!
3. The start of school is coming up soon but the need for food for breakfast and lunch is still great Drop off any nonperishable food items on Monday mornings or in the Graceful Giving Room is across from Classroom 3.
4. The recent rain has given a boost to flowers. Check out the Flower Chart outside the big church and see if you might take a Sunday to put a bouquet on the altar.
5. Check out the Community Bulletin Boards for activities. New stuff is being posted!
6. Our new sound board made its debut on Sunday! Yea! No more static or scratchy sounds from the mics!!!
7. Remember Grace is not the building but the people of Grace carrying out God’s Mission!

Healthy People! Healthy Parish!

August is Medic Alert Awareness Month!

In 1956 the first universal medical identification system was founded By Dr. Marion Collins. It all started as a simple idea that sharing critical medical information in an emergency could save and protect lives.

What was the inspiration for Medic Alert?  A 14-year-old girl cut her finger and was taken to the hospital for stitches. As part of the routine, she was given a tetanus shot. Immediately after getting the shot, she had an allergic reaction and became seriously ill. Fortunately, she survived. Her parents were out of the country and her father knew of the reaction as did she, but she was unable to talk.  Her father was Dr. Collins. He tried several things to make people aware including pinning notes in her clothing and having her wear a paper bracelet, but these did not last. As his daughter was leaving to go to college, he determined a much more durable solution was needed. So, he designed the first Medic Alert bracelet. On the front is the symbol of the Greek God of Medicine and the words “Medic Alert” in bright red to      attract attention. On the back was the allergy and his phone number. When his daughter was at college many of her friends wanted a bracelet to identify their medical conditions. So, this was the beginning!!!

Medic Alert is reportedly still recognized as one of the top medical identifications. It has continued to be non-profit, has 24/7 emergency support, and  information can now be obtained with a QR code via computer.

A national movement to promote Medic Alert started in 1978 with President Jimmy Carter and then in 1996 August was proclaimed to be Medic Alert Awareness month.

Some very famous faces have voiced support for Medic Alert including Cher, James Earl Jones, Ed Asner and the millionth Medic Alert bracelet ever produced went to Carol Burnett!

Do you have some type of Medical Alert System? This is so very important with not only allergy information but medical conditions.

Watch for more information on Medic Alert and File of Life for September!!!

Word of the week:

Lagniappe

— a type of apple?

–a what???

(see last page)

Mileage and Grace!

We are not talking cars – we are talking how many miles can you walk inside Grace??

Mileage markers will be going up in September so you can see how far you have walked.

When the weather gets hot or cold walking inside is wonderful! Still bring your water bottle and stay hydrated.

A milage chart will be posted on the Community Board across from the office to track your mileage!!  To the person walking the most miles recorded by December 31 there will be a prize!!!

The church is open Monday – Thursday  9-12 and Friday 9-11.

Help!  Help! I keep seeing green and purple spots. Have you seen a doctor?  No, just the green and purple spots. 

What do you call a man on the edge of a mountain? Cliff.

What do you call a fish with two knees? A two-knee fish!

Which of the fifty states is a doctor?  MD.

What is smarter than a talking bird?  A spelling bee.

How do you make a skeleton laugh?  Tickle its funny bone.

Why did the rooster cross the road? To prove he wasn’t a chicken.

What do you call a man with a lot of money?  Rich

What do you call a snowman in the spring?  Puddle

Knock,  knock. Who’s there? Radios. Radio who? Radios not, here I come!

From You Must Be Joking, Two!

Lagniappe ( Lan-yap ) – did you guess a gratuity or tip?

Yep, that is really what it is. It is from the Louisiana French that adapted a word from the Spanish Creoles.

So, you can clinomania and then scurryfunge and then go get a coffee and give the counter person a lagniappe – Phew! It really is good for our brains to learn something new every day!

This is the day the Lord has made.

Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

~Psalm 118:24