So teach us to number our days
                         that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.

                                                                                           ~Psalm 90:12

If you would like to give

to the ELCA Disaster Response for Hurricane relief, the website is

ELCA.org/hurricanes

Pastor’s Thoughts:

        One afternoon last week, I was at Olander Park. We live close to the park, and it is an easy trek to get there to enjoy the beauty.

        It was a gloomy day, with overcast skies and a strong breeze. The water lacked its usual glimmer, and there weren’t many people kayaking or fishing—which is unusual for Olander Park. Even the ducks and geese seemed subdued!

        As I went around the lake, I noticed one lone tree displaying its Autumn color. It would have been a beautiful sight on any day, but that burst of color against the gloom of the day made it stand out even more. It gave my spirits a little boost and put some energy in my step.

        It occurred to me that life can be like that sometimes. News about war and threats of war, violence in our community, economic concerns, partisan wrangling, the tragedy of severe weather … combine these with the daily concerns about family and friends, and it can begin to feel quite gloomy. It may even make us want to retreat into ourselves and avoid the darkness and gloom.

        But often, the Holy Spirit shows up with a burst of color and light. It may be just the chance to walk in God’s beautiful Creation. It may be the kindness someone shows us or the opportunity to be kind to another. It may be the words or tune of a song or hymn or the words of a beloved piece of scripture. It may be in a quiet moment of prayer when we feel the presence of God surrounding us.

        Where do you see God in the world around you? What small moments of beauty remind you how much God loves you and our world? Where might the Holy Spirit be calling you to reflect that beauty on another?

In Christ,

Pastor Brenda

The Readings for Sunday October 13, 2024

Amos 5:6-7, 10-15

Psalm 90:12-17

Hebrews 4:12-16

Mark 10:17-31

Please join us – Sunday Fellowship Time

In Fellowship Hall

October 13 – Sue Wagner and Sue Melchert

Fall Food Fellowship Hour – October 20th 

If anyone is interested in bringing in an apple, pumpkin, or Halloween treat for our Fall Food Fellowship, please e-mail Sue Wagner at suegrade@aol.com or 419 206-7010 cell. The treat should serve a dozen people. It can be homemade or store bought. Thanks in advance!  

Meditation

by Vicar Dave

If you’ve ever had to teach one of your children to drive, you know what a scary  process it can be. These new roundabouts that ODOT seems to like to install don’t make it any less frightening. I remember one of my sons pulling into a roundabout when they were still very new, and most adults hadn’t figured them out yet. He just pulled right in and didn’t even look in the directions that traffic would be coming from. Fortunately, there wasn’t anybody there but I almost fainted.

We never know where the next bit of danger might come from, be it while driving   or just walking out of our door. So, it’s important that we always watch out for things coming at us, being aware of our surroundings. If a driver is constantly looking in their rearview mirror while driving, they could miss the pedestrian that just walked into the road, or the large pothole that they might fall into and damage their car.

Our spiritual life is like that too. Knowing what’s going on around us helps us to be better prepared when things happen that can challenge our faith. Being aware of our vulnerabilities can help us to avoid temptations. For example, some people are prone to complain about their situation when they should be grateful for what they have. I’m thinking specifically about the ancient Israelites as they wandered through the desert complaining that they didn’t have the kinds of food they wanted. They had forgotten about how God had rescued them from slavery in the most powerful nation in existence at the time, parted the sea to facilitate their escape, and guided them safely on their way so far. Keeping in mind the blessings that God has given us thus far in our life can help us to avoid the sins of greed and envy.

Whether your glass is half-empty or half-full, be thankful there’s something in it.

Grace Member’s Stewardship Response

The Lord’s Challenge       $4,231 (Congregation’s approved Weekly Offerings Budget)

Our Response                   $3,758 (Average weekly offerings year to Date)

Through September, Grace’s weekly offerings in total are $18,405 under what is needed to support Grace’s Ministry and Mission.

The congregation set a goal of collecting total offerings of $220,000 for the 2024 year. To date we have collected $146,600.  That means during the last 3 months of the year we have to collect $73,400 in total offerings just to sustain our current level of programs and outreach. While Grace does receive other revenues in the form of building rent and Income from the Grace Foundation, the most important factor in the life of Grace is the generosity of each member the congregation in how we individually thank God and follow his teachings in giving to help others.

Individually our generosity to Grace in providing financial support reflects the level of    gratitude we have towards God in what he has provided us.   

  David Charvat Treasurer   

Blessing of the pets was held here at Grace on Saturday, October 5.

This is the day the Lord has made.

Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

~Psalm 118:24

O Lord our Lord,
                               how majestic is your name in all the earth! 

                                                                             ~Psalm 8:9

Pastor’s Thoughts:

I have always been something of a news junkie. Ever since I was a little girl; I have been interested in what is happening in my community, country, and world. We are all more connected than we sometimes think, and it has been important to me to be informed about the things that affect us as humans, as citizens, and as the children of God.

But I find the news challenging these days. It is distressing to read about violence in our local community, in our country, and around the world. It is difficult (and aggravating) to read or listen to the vitriol that politicians fling at each other and various groups of people. Polarization among those who follow one politician or another seems to lead to an inability to listen to one another—and thus, to more vitriol and anger.  Economic news is up and down and can be stressful. Reading about   poverty, hunger, and homelessness hurts my heart. All of it can feel overwhelming and can cause me to wonder, “What can be done? How can I help? How can things ever change? What is our role as people of faith in addressing so much need and pain? Where is the Good News among the world’s news?”

Indeed, our prayers for guidance, help, and inspiration are important. We need to turn to the scripture and to our understanding of it as a place to begin our discernment. We need to worship together to lift our voices to God as we seek guidance and support.

But it is also vital that we, as the people of God, are willing enough and brave enough to talk together about the things that matter. If we don’t, only the loudest and most strident voices will be heard, and those voices are quite often not the ones that point us to mercy, compassion, justice, and love—even if they speak from a religious perspective.

I am grateful for the people who have been gathering on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings in the Adult Class to talk about how we can engage in difficult conversations as the people of God. I hope that these conversations can plant seeds for other discussions where we can be brave and share what we believe about God and where we see connections between our beliefs and the news of the world in which we live. If we are indeed, as Jesus tells us, the salt of the earth, these conversations can be important ways to show our faith and our willingness to engage in our world in meaningful and significant ways.

The Good News of God in Jesus has much to say about the world in which we live. And it offers us hope and joy as we proclaim Jesus in a world that so needs to hear this Good News.

In Christ,

Pastor Brenda

The Readings for Sunday October 6, 2024

Genesis 2:18-24

Psalm 8

Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12

Mark 10:2-16

Please join us – Sunday Fellowship Time

In Fellowship Hall

October 6 – Choir

October 13 – Sue Wagner and Sue Melchert

Meditation

by Vicar Dave

Social media has become a part of everyday life for most of us. Emails, text messages, Facebook and TikTok can all be good ways to keep up with goings on in our  community and the world, but they can also be a problem. Go for a walk in the park and you’re sure to see lots of folks staring at their phones instead of enjoying the beauty of their surroundings. Being addicted to technology is a very real thing. The light generated by our screens can keep us awake, cause insomnia, and even    damage our eyes. The anonymity of the internet also allows some people to say some thing online that they wouldn’t say to someone’s face. Online bullying can be vicious and can lead to victims developing anxiety and depression.

People can also fall prey some pretty bad actors online as well. There are many   people waiting to find ways to get your personal information and steal your identity.  At work, we’re constantly being warned about criminals trying to hack our computers so they can hold our systems hostage and extort money from us. From online predators to con-artists, the internet can be a very dangerous place.

But social media can also be very useful and uplifting. Our church uses it to communicate with the congregation and to send God’s message out to people that we might not reach otherwise. When someone’s out of town or sick and unable to come to church on Sunday, they can stream our services, either while it’s going on or later, if they so choose. Some organizations put out a daily devotional for other to read online. Luther Seminary, for example, has one they call “God Pause”. It’s a  helpful way to take a few minutes out of our day to reflect on all God has done for us.

Like everything else in this world, social media, when used properly, is a very good thing. I hope and pray that we can all find ways to use it, like all the gifts that God has given us, to benefit our neighbors and for our continued well being.

As we move into the month of October, we ask for contributions of small notebooks, coloring books, pads of paper, and small books to add to the boxes we will be packing for Operation Christmas Child. Please place your donations in the collection box in the Grace Giving Room. Thank you.

Our gift-packed boxes are then sent to children all over the world to share the love and knowledge of Christ with them as we are charged by scripture to do.

National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes is November 18 – November 25 this year and will include our Packing Party here at Grace and then time to move those boxes to children throughout the world.

Thank you to all who support this ministry to children providing items for packing and /or being part of the packing team.

Grace Operation Christmas Child Ministry Team

Photo by Bob

Sunday, September 29 we welcomed three new members through Holy Baptism.

Behind the scenes at Grace ….by Gretchen

1. This last Saturday was Burrito Blessing 419! Wow the construction crew made 196 Burritos!! We had people lined up in front of the church early. Not only did we have Burritos there was fresh veggies and even pumpkins! The weather held off so was a great day! Next Burrito Day is Saturday October 26 – come and be part of the build!
2. Thanks to all who have been dropping off blankets! We will be putting them out for Burrito Blessing, and a bunch will be taken to Tent City downtown. This year Tent City will be held October 18-20. We also keep some at Grace if there is a need. So as the weather cools and you are going through your blankets and quilts and find some you really don’t need or like consider bringing to Grace.
3. We have had a few “science projects” in the refrigerators. Please take leftovers with you, or discard. If you would like to leave for another group please mark as such and let the person know. Those green and brown mounds also give off a lovely odor and attract critters if left out. At this printing our critter population is a zero!
4. The fall bug (not 6- or 8-legged kind) but the cold and flu season is just around the corner. There is hand sanitizer located in various locations as well as masks when you enter the church .Please use if needed.
5. Remember: Grace is not the building but the people carrying out God’s Mission!!!

Community Garden

Something wonderful is beginning to “grow” in the yard on the South side of Brenner Hall!

Girl Scout Troop 11667 out of Gesu is building a “Community Garden”.  This was started as a service project for the troop.  They have researched, planned, and have begun constructing the garden boxes.  In a couple of weeks, you will see two 4 x 4 garden boxes filled with compost and soil.  They will be utilizing the rain barrel that has been in the courtyard. There is a possibility of adding additional boxes for growing, and the Girl Scouts will manage the gardens.

The produce grown will be shared with Burrito Blessings and Personal Needs. 

Thank you to Girl Scout Troop 11667 for this blessing!

Healthy People! Healthy Parish!

Disasters!

They are awful and can affect small and large groups of people. During and after a disaster many things are needed – food, clothes, housing ,electricity, gas for cars and maybe even a car. Many of us help by supporting the ELCA Disaster Relief and the Red Cross. But did you know there is another way to support people in disasters that involves maybe an hour and half of your time and no money???  If you guessed donate blood you are on track. There have been injuries with Hurricane Helene and often injuries require surgery or even with out surgery require blood. It is not known how many blood donor sites or actual Red Cross buildings are damaged or gone.

We know that when we have people donate blood at Grace that the blood has gone numerous places other than Toledo where there is a need. Just check out the “Blood On The Move” board by the big church.

Our Fall Blood Drive is scheduled for Tuesday November 12 from 12-6. We have open appointments. Come and give – you can help as many as 3 people!

You can sign up on the Red Cross website or give Gretchen Hiatt a call and she will help get you scheduled. Email gretchensue1205@gmail.com

Yep, it is popcorn! The start of fall, warm fires, inside movies, Halloween and what is better than a big bowl of popcorn!

Popcorn really is a good food snack – it is high in fiber, is considered a whole grain so has some antioxidant properties and “naked” is low calorie (93 calories for 3 cups of air popped corn)!!!

American men (note men) eat more than 70 quarts of popcorn a year! Americans overall eat 17 BILLION quarts a year!  The Pop Corn capital is Pulaski County in   Indiana!

Popcorn really is a great snack until we start adding all the butter and salt then it goes downhill. So, try it without butter and watch the salt! How about a light coating of cheese – would add some protein and calcium?? Try some other seasonings and maybe a little of the fake butter seasoning.

As we are getting close to Halloween, we start making it a super sweet treat which is not so great for calories and our teeth!  So, enjoy for the season but watch the amount and brush teeth more often.

The world’s largest popcorn ball weighed 2000 pounds !

Do you have musophobia????   Pastor Brenda does!   (see below for answer)

Darkness! No Moon! Yikes!

Our days are shorter, and the darkness is longer! Just a few things to think about!

• Are your outside lights working? A motion detector light works great for seeing to get in and out of the house and to see what 4-legged critter is in your garbage!
• Wet leaves can be like walking on ice so watch your steps
• Carry your charged up cell phone when going outside – not only if you need to call someone in an emergency but most have a light on them
• If you run, walk, or bike in the morning or evening wear reflective clothing.  Put something reflective on your 4-legged friend when walking.
• If you walk or run carry a light so that you can see the uneven pavement. If you bike check that all your lights are working before you venture out.
• Earbuds are great until you can’t hear the biker or scooter behind you.
• Carry identification with you just in case.
• Turn on your headlights – parking lights are for parking not driving!
• There is often more fog in the fall so be aware and use fog lights if you have. Turning on your bright lights just reflects off the fog making it harder to see. It also makes it harder to see deer and other animals.
• Make sure your defrosters are working. It is really early but do you have the ice scraper ready???

Stay safe in the Fall!!!

Musophobia  – fear of rodents!!!

This is the day the Lord has made.

Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

~Psalm 118:24

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight,
                                           O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. 

                                                                                    ~Psalm 19:14

Pastor’s Thoughts:

Did you watch any of the Summer Olympics? We watched many events, and I am still thinking about the grace of the swimmers, the flexibility of the gymnasts, the power of the rowers, the precision of the archers, and the speed of the track athletes and cyclists—to name but a few. I was impressed by the concentration and intensity on their faces as they competed and the joy that shone through—even if they didn’t win a medal. 

Are you a football fan? Have you been cheering on a local high school, college, or pro team as Fall begins? Isn’t it fun to catch a sense of joy and excitement?

Athletes have natural talents and abilities, to be sure. But in order to be all that they can be, they must learn the fundamentals of their sport, receive training and ongoing instruction, and listen to their coaches and advisors as they support, encourage, and challenge them. Swimmers must learn the fundamentals of the strokes; gymnasts must become familiar with the basics of the mat, the beam, the rings, and the bars; and rowers must learn how best to handle their oars. Athletes must continually practice and learn throughout their careers. Being an athlete is an ongoing process; it is a process that combines natural gifts and abilities with training and support. Those things, in combination, lead to stronger athletes who are dedicated to what they do and who take joy in doing it.

Have you seen the active faith of the children of God? Have you seen and heard the enthusiasm of teachers, the thoughtfulness and planning of the committees and councils, the melodies of the musicians, the care and conscientiousness of the ushers, the communion assistants, and the lectors? Have you seen the joy on their faces that comes from praising and serving God in ways both large and small? Have you seen and heard … and felt awe for their talents, gifts, and dedication?

Christians have natural gifts and abilities, to be sure. But to be all they can be and be as active in their faith as possible, they must learn the fundamentals of the faith, receive ongoing training and instruction, and listen to others as they support, encourage, and challenge them. All Christians need Bible study to learn the basics of the story of God and God’s people. Those fundamentals shape every kind of ministry. Ushers, communion assistants, and all those who serve in worship must be willing to learn how to best carry out those duties. Musicians practice and rehearse so that they might best use their talents to praise God. And all of the people of God need the support of each other—in worship, in study, in moments of fellowship—in combination with their God-given gifts and abilities so that the work of the kingdom might be done.

Being a Christian is an ongoing process; it is a process that combines the gift of faith with our talents and abilities and ongoing training and support in the basics. Those things lead to stronger disciples who are dedicated to what they do and who find joy in doing it.

How is your Fall “training schedule” looking? Our congregation tries to help with this process in many ways. Join us for worship. Come to Adult Class. Join a Bible Study. Encourage a child. Visit someone. Ask Pastor how to get started reading the Bible. Set aside time each day for conversation with God. Use your talents and gifts for the glory of God … and your joy will show on your face for all to see!

In Christ,

Pastor Brenda

Mediation

by Vicar Dave

I love Fall. The leaves changing color. The crops coming in, especially the apples. Going to the orchard and having some fresh cider is a wonderful treat. For some   parents, the kids going back to school is something to love about this time of year as well.

As the weather cools down and Autumn approaches, I’m always reminded of the cycle of life. Life around us seems to be going to sleep. The trees lose their leaves. Other plants and some animals go into hibernation and lots of the birds head south in anticipation of winter. Some people see the plant life, in particular the trees, becoming baren and find it depressing. Or maybe it’s the farmer’s fields, lacking anything green and growing, that sours their mood. But if you look at these things happening as God’s clearing of the slate to start anew in the Spring, it’s really quite exhilarating. Just as God promised Noah and the world new life after the flood, He promises us that life will return to the fields in due season.

God’s promise of new life extends to all of us in all circumstances. God has kept His promise in the defeat of death by Jesus.  When Jesus died and then rose from the dead, he opened the gated of God’s kingdom to all of us. When we die, we know that Jesus, by His sacrifice, has purchased for us an eternal life with Him and the Father and the Holy Spirit.

As we watch Summer transition into Fall, lets remember God’s promise of new life and rejoice in His faithfulness to all of His promises.

Saturday September 28!

This week at Grace

September 29 – October 5, 2024

Sunday – Sept 29

      8:15 a.m. – Adult Class

      9:30 a.m. Worship – traditional

      11:30 a.m. – Worship – contemporary

      2:00 p.m. – CRC

Monday – Sept 30

7:00 a.m. – Amazing Grace AA Open Discussion

9:30 a.m. – Office Staff Meeting

10:00 a.m. – Deadline for Newsletter printed material

4:00 p.m. – CRC

7:30 p.m. – Women’s W.E.S.T. AA

Tuesday – Oct 1

7:00 a.m. – Amazing Grace AA Open Discussion

10:00 a.m. – Personal Needs Ministry

6:00 p.m. – Property Ministry Team Meeting

7:00 p.m. – Choir Practice

7:00 p.m. – Safe Haven

Wednesday – Oct 2

7:00 a.m. – Amazing Grace AA Open Discussion

4:00 p.m. – CRC

6:00 p.m. – Adult Class

7:00 p.m. – Mid-week service

Thursday – Oct 3

7:00 a.m. – Amazing Grace AA Open discussion

9:00 a.m. – Pickleball advanced beginner to intermediate

9:30 a.m. – Theology Study

4:00 p.m. – CRC

9:00 p.m. – Raising the Bottom AA

9:30 p.m. – Raising the Bottom Steps Meeting

Friday – Oct 4

7:00 a.m. – Amazing Grace AA Open Discussion

11:00 a.m. – AA Women’s 12 Step

4:00 p.m. – CRC

Saturday – Oct 5

7:30 a.m. – AA 12 and 12 Study

7:30 a.m. – Amazing Grace AA Open discussion

8:30 a.m. – Amazing Grace Group

9:00 a.m. – Fall Cleanup at Grace – volunteers needed!

9:00 a.m. – Exercise Class

The Readings for Sunday September 29, 2024

Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29

Psalm 19:7-14

James 5:13-20

Mark 9:38-50

Please join us – Sunday Fellowship Time

In Fellowship Hall

September 29 – Mary Schneider and Carol Corbiere

This is the day the Lord has made.

Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

~Psalm 118:24