Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me, bless God’s holy name.
~Psalm 103:1
One Sunday service only until September 11.
It will be at 9:30 a.m. 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.
Choir
Nancy Stepleton has been appointed choir director!
Thank you, Nancy!!
If you’d like to join the choir, choir practice is every Tuesday from 8:00 – 9:00 pm.
Petosky Michigan!
This is the farthest north blood donated at Grace has gone. People have asked why their blood donations don’t stay in Toledo? The answer is that blood unlike Spam has a short life so if there is not a need in Toledo or surrounding areas it will go to whoever needs it so that it is not wasted. Check the “Blood on The Move” board next to the big church to see where it has gone. When you have donated the Red Cross will send you an email about 2 weeks later telling you where your blood went. Please let Gretchen know and she will add the location to the board.
Reminder: Next Blood Drive is Wednesday October 5th from 1-6 pm. The schedule is posted, and you can sign up or let Gretchen know and she will work with you to get scheduled.
Operation Christmas Child
August – Scissors and/or markers
Fellowship Time
Thank you to all who help
Sunday August 21 – Grace Peterson and Debbie Downs
Sunday August 28 – Jan Dustman and Karlene Jaquillard
Council Highlights for August 2022
The Active Shooter program was held August 4, and was attended by 30 people, and part two will be scheduled in September. Thank you to Gretchen for all the yummy food you provided, and for arranging for the program.
Fritz Gooch, Bob Haaf, and Pastor Brenda have formed a Stewardship Committee. There will be a short informational meeting August 21 following the service for those serving, or wishing to serve as ushers, readers, communion assistants, or Assistant Ministers.
Kathleen Hunter is researching an Interfaith Garden starting at another church to learn, and eventually having our own garden at Grace. Please let Kathleen or the church office know if you interested in this very important mission.
Exciting things being prepared for Reformation Sunday Oct. 30. More info to follow. It will prove to be a very interesting service with a special guest pastor.
Plans are being made for a handicap-accessible ramp to be installed in front of the church.
Cindy, Acting Secretary
Behind the scenes at Grace……by Gretchen
- Women at the Well provided a great lunch to the Habitat Building Crew this week! Thanks to all for providing the great meal.
- Do you know what Grace’s Mission Statement is?
- A sign of Fall – small acorns falling and the squirrels building hugeamongous nests in the oak tree next to the office.
- Soon our gutters or eves troughs (depending on who you talk to) will be cleaned and there will be a good chance that you won’t get dripped on when walking into Brenner Hall!
- The need for Personal Items continues so if you are able, please think about that when shopping.
- Remember: Grace is not the building but the people of Grace carrying out God’s Mission!
Pastor’s Thoughts:
As many of you know, I love to ride my bike. Gail and I ride as much as we can in the summer, and it is a wonderful time of refreshment for me (And yes, the hotter, the better!).
I have noticed, however, a rather interesting tendency on my part, especially since our usual route has been unavailable due to road construction. Even though the route that we typically ride on is quite lovely—moving from neighborhoods to open farmland to areas full of trees and back again—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 recently became aware of this tendency, and since then 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, scores of rabbits and chipmunks, the occasional fox or deer, and multiple 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 or area, 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!
- In our congregational life: When we worship, do we focus on that hymn that we do not like or the fact that worship was 65 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 multiple and 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 small 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
Healthy people! Healthy Parish!
Tent City 2022
Tent City is fast approaching. It is scheduled for Friday October 21- Sunday October 23. We have collected approximately 45 blankets so far. If you find that you have some blankets or comforters that you do not want, please think about donating them. They can be placed outside Gretchen’s office or let her know if they need to be picked up.
We want to break our record of 50 blankets!
Tent City served over a 1000 people this last year in 3 days!!
988????
What is 988? No, it is not the number of moles we have at Grace – thank goodness!
It is the new Mental Health Hotline.
If you or a family member are experiencing a mental health crisis – like thoughts of suicide – call or text the number. This lifeline will connect you to a trained counselor at a crisis center. The counselors are trained to help you.
Shoo the Flu!
Yes, it is time to think about getting the Flu Shot. The CDC recommends that you receive the Flu Shot by the end of October. Please check with your MD.
Remember that “good handwashing” is a key to preventing the transmission of illnesses. We need to hear everyone singing 3 choruses of Happy Birthday!
This is the day the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
~Psalm 118:24
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