August 14, 2022 Newsletter

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,

                        and with all your soul, and with all your mind.

                                                                      ~Matthew 22:37

Pastor’s Thoughts:

As many of you know, I grew up in Toledo. Living back here again after seminary in Chicago and a decade and a half in Iowa has truly been a time of nostalgia and memories.

It is wonderful that the Metro Parks are still so well loved. My family spent a lot of time at Secor and Sidecut Parks when I was growing up, and the memories are lovely.

 I am so glad that Lickity Split Ice Cream is still down the street from Holy Trinity Lutheran—my home congregation. I enjoyed many treats there after church events and with my friends.

It warms my heart that I can visit the Toledo Museum of Art and stand in front of The Architect’s Dream, a painting my father showed me for the first time when I was very young. And then I can go  stand in the Cloister, a place which has fascinated me since I was a little girl.

It delights me that I can go to the Toledo Zoo and have my picture taken on the same concrete elephant that I had my picture taken on many times as a child, and then ride the train I rode with my parents, grandparents, and cousins.

Yesterday, we worshipped outside with Ragtime Rick and his band. I remember just where his place used to be in the South End; in fact, I celebrated my 21^st  birthday there. More memories …

Janet Moore offered our children’s sermon yesterday. As it happened, she used a song that I remember so well from my Sunday School days. We sang “The B-I-B-L-E” to the tune of “Bingo,” and it took me down memory lane again, as did our singing of “Do Lord,” which we sang each week in Sunday School at Holy  Trinity. Those songs took me immediately back to those days, with memories of Sunday School, confirmation, choir, youth events … and all the faithful adults who helped nourish my faith through song and scripture.

Who has nourished your faith? What music or scripture reminds you of those times? What memories do you have of times spent in a congregation that helped shape your faith and who you are? I would love to hear about those memories!

In Christ,

Pastor Brenda

Starting Sunday August 14, one Sunday service only until September 11.

It will be at 9:30 am in the sanctuary.

We will continue to have Wednesday evening services

at 7:00 pm in the chapel

Opportunities to Serve during Worship at Grace

A short informational session will be held in the sanctuary after the 9:30 a.m.  service on Sunday, August 21 on the various ways a person can serve at Grace during the 9:30 a.m. service. These opportunities include serving as an usher,  acolyte, reader of the Word, and assisting minister.  Sign-up sheets will be available after the session and on the Community Board near the sanctuary thereafter.  Please consider attending and finding out more about these opportunities. 

Awareness! 

Please look at the posters outside the big church and the chapel! Are you aware of all the doors and places to exit the church?

The Worship and Music Committee thanks everyone who helped in anyway with the Ragtime Rick Worship Service and the breakfast that followed on August 7.  It takes many people to put on this service and it could not occur without the help of volunteers. Thank you again!

Behind the scenes at Grace……

1. WOW! Did we have a sizzling Ragtime Rick Service! The music was wonderful! The sermon was wonderful! Seeing people, we have not seen in a while – it was great to see Bill Hoffman! Mary Schneider and her crew  sizzled in the kitchen and made a wonderful breakfast! Thanks also to the wonderful crew who sizzled to get all the music equipment in and out, the chairs in and out! So, we had a wonderful sizzling day!! (I really think we could have had a wonderful sizzled (fried) egg on the parking lot, too).     
2. Our beautiful red tail hawk has been seen this last week flying around the parking lot and landing in the trees and on the light post on the expressway. All ground critters are gone in seconds when it is around.
3. Thursday night we had our Active Shooter presentation which was new information to some and a review for others. We will follow – up in the very near future with a drill. The drill will have a policeman be the active shooter. If you attended the Thursday meeting or if your were unable to it is strongly encouraged that you attend the drill as this will be putting what we learned and will learn into practice. Gretchen extends a big thanks to all who participated and an apology for it going over the anticipated time. Watch for announcement of drill and please add to your calendar.
4. Thanks to John Orozco for changing all the burned-out light bulbs!
5. Thanks to Grace Peterson for taking all of our papers to recycling.
6. Remember Grace is not the building but the people of Grace.

Favorite Food of Vampires???

It is not pizza, hard cooked eggs, spinach or even hamburgers. This food not only provides a tasty morsel for vampires but also helps large groups of people. In fact, a pint of this tasty vampire type food can help 3 people. It does not have a long shelf life and the “best use by “date is short so there is always a need. It is rich in minerals, a “building block of the body”,  and can even give a touch of color to pale individuals without being in the sun.

Ok if you thought it was a mosquito as bats do love those items you missed the pint.

BLOOD is the correct answer.

Our next Blood Drive at Grace is Wednesday October 5 from 1:00 – 6:00 pm!

Schedule times are already posted on the Red Cross Web Site. If you have any questions or need help getting registered call Gretchen 419-944-5166

Healthy People! Healthy Parish!

BIG YELLOW BUS!

It is that time again when we get to enjoy traveling/sharing the road with the Big Yellow Buses.

Do you – when you see a Big Yellow Bus?

1. When backing out of your driveway watch for kids walking or riding their bikes? They could be little folks or even be in your blind spot.
2. Drive slowly and follow school zone speed limits? What is the school speed limit in Toledo and surrounding communities?
3. Watch groups of kids that may not pay attention as they congregate by a bus stop.
4. Be prepared if a kid is late, they may suddenly dart out or come flying out between cars.
5. A yellow flashing light means the bus is getting ready to stop and so should you! Don’t try to pass the bus.
6. A red flashing light means the bus is stopping and so should you! You must wait till the red light has stopped flashing and the extending red stop sign has returned to the side of the bus before driving.
7. Use windshield wipers and have your lights on if it is raining or snowing – it is a law that if you are using your wipers your lights should be on!

Please take the time and a watchful eye on our kids big and small!

Give thanks in all circumstances,

For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

~1 Thessalonians 5:18

This is the day the Lord has made.

Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

~Psalm 118:24