I wait for you, O Lord; my soul waits;
  in your word is my hope.

                          Psalm 130:5

Bless the world: Be God’s Grace!

Friday April 7^th – Easter Sunday – Prayer Vigil. 

We ask you to join Pastor Brenda and the Grace Prayer Team for an Easter Prayer Vigil from Friday April 7^th at 8:00pm through Saturday April 8^th at 12:00 pm ending at 12:30 am EASTER MORNING April 9^th.

A sign-up sheet will be available.

A person can sign up for one 30-minute time or one hour time.

A person may sign up to pray more than one or two times.

A person may sign up to pray at Grace or at home. 

For security purposes, special arrangements are being made for those wishing to pray at Grace.

We hope to offer live prayer via FB at certain times throughout the Vigil.

Special resources will be available for prayer whether a person is praying at Grace or at home.

Worship Opportunities for the Wednesday, March 29

During Lent, mid-week services are offered on Wednesdays at noon and 7 p.m. On March 29, Pastor Brenda will preside at both the noon service and the 7 p.m.   services.  At the noon services during Lent Pastor Brenda has retold favorite Bible stories and provided insight into them.  At the 7 p.m. services pastors from Memorial, Glenwood, and St Paul’s Lutheran Churches have recounted their favorite Bible stories. 

Both services have opportunities for fellowship prior to the service. Please join others at 11:15 a.m. for a soup luncheon and/or a potluck at 6 p.m. Members are invited to attend both if they wish. 

If you would like to bring soup to the 11:15 lunch, please contact Mary Schneider. 

Sunday Fellowship Time

March 26 – Gretchen Hiatt and Nancy Lockard

We are taking orders for Lily plants, Daffodils and Tulips now through April 2. The sale is sponsored by the Christian Education Committee. Each plant costs $12. There are order forms at the back of the Sanctuary and on the table in the hallway at the back of the  chapel. Orders must be in by April 2.

Lenten Prayer Project   ~ March 5^th through March 31^st.

The Prayer Ministry Team of Grace is asking our Grace Family to capture pictures of how YOU see God’s GRACE, LOVE and BEAUTY through YOUR eyes. What in God’s world brings you JOY!

There are no wrong pictures!  Just as we are all unique and beautifully made by God, we all see God’s GRACE, LOVE and BEAUTY differently. You may submit multiple pictures!

The easiest way to take pictures is with your phone.

We ask that you email all pictures to the Prayer Ministry email address:

www.graceprayer3@gmail.com

Pictures will be printed off from the email and hung in the hallway between the Sanctuary and Room 3 for Easter Sunday!

Pastor’s Thoughts:

Have you ever noticed that there are intentional moments of silence in our worship? Think of the pause in the Confession, or the moments before the Post Communion prayer. These moments are intentional, and are intended to give us a space to breathe, to reflect, to ponder … whatever it is the Spirit moves us to in those moments.

I know silence can be uncomfortable. We are not used to it, really. We are constantly surrounded by sound; by conversation, by music, by the shows we watch, by traffic, by the pinging and beeping of our devices. But there is power in taking that pause in worship so that we can enter fully into what comes next. Whether we need to consider where we have fallen short of the glory of God by things done and left undone or whether we need a moment to let the mystery and grace of Holy Communion sink in, these pauses can offer us something profound. The Spirit can speak in those moments, if we allow ourselves to enter into the silence.

Embrace the silent pauses the next time you  worship. Let the silence sink in, and  listen intently for what God may be saying … or just breathe, and cherish the knowledge that you are a beloved child of God. The noise of the world and of our minds can wait.

In Christ,

Pastor Brenda

Pastor’s Extra Thoughts:

In addition to our worship services at noon and 7:00 p.m. on Good Friday, I want to make you aware of another opportunity on that day.

Pastor Chris Hanley from Glenwood Lutheran Church and I would like to invite you to join us at the Toledo Museum of Art at 3:00 p.m. for an experience of visio divina. This practice allows one to enter more fully into a work of art by noticing color, shapes, figures, etc. and pondering what they may be saying to us. The practice leads us to ask: What is the story? Who is pictured in the art? How do the colors, etc. enhance the art? Where might I see myself in it? What might it calling me to consider or do?

We have chosen five works of art for us to consider together. Three have the crucifixion of Jesus as their theme. One portrays Jesus’ agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, and one piece is a bit of break away from a Lenten theme, but that we  feel will still be meaningful. We anticipate the experience will take about an hour to an hour and a half.

You can meet us in the lobby by the café at the museum if you like. If there are people who want to carpool from Grace, please let me know by 2 April so we can make arrangements. We would need to leave by 2:30.

Meditation on John 11:1-45

By Vicar Dave

Recently, my dad was ill. Not as ill as Lazarus was in today’s Gospel, but he was still not feeling very well. He had fallen and hurt himself and had been hospitalized. I wanted to go see him right away, to be with him and reassure him that we love him, but he had also been diagnosed with COVID and was in isolation as a result. We didn’t get to see him for more than a week. He’s recovering now and feeling much better, but it’s difficult when someone you love is sick and you can’t be there for them.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus, after learning of Lazarus being ill, waits for two days before going to see him. Lazarus was someone that Jesus was particularly close to. You may recall that He ate at the house Lazarus shared with his two sisters, Martha and Mary. Jesus loved Lazarus, so why wouldn’t He go to him right away? I think part of the answer to that comes later in the story, when Jesus thanks the Father for listening to Him. He did that for our benefit, not for His own. It was to help us to realize that He came from the Father. I think that’s the reason that He waited to go to Lazarus as well. He wanted to show us that even when things are beyond any hope in our minds, God is able to perform miracles and do things that are beyond our imaginings. This made more explicit in verse 45 where we’re told that “many of the Jews…had seen what Jesus did, [and] believed in Him”.

When Jesus decides to go to Lazarus, His disciples remind Him of the dangers that await Him in Judea, and how the Jews there had tried to stone Him. I’m not even sure from this text if they were aware of Jesus intention to go to help Lazarus. As usual, Jesus must explain it to them. “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to awaken him.” When He explains that He is using “fallen asleep” as a euphemism for the fact that Lazarus has died, he also lets them know that He’s going there to help them to believe. It’s funny how we use euphemisms for things that are uncomfortable to address in a more direct manner, particularly death.

When Jesus finally arrives at Bethany, Lazarus had been in the tomb four days already. Martha comes out to meet Him and during the following discussion, He reveals His divine nature to her. “I am the resurrection and the life,” He told her. Mary takes Jesus to the tomb and, in what was a very human moment for Jesus, He wept. I don’t think that Jesus was weeping for Lazarus. He knew Lazarus was going to be just fine. I think He was affected by the pain He saw Mary going through as she wept. Then He orders the Tomb opened, over Martha’s objection due to the potential scent of a decaying body, and Jesus tells Lazarus to come out. He was bound in the funeral wrappings that the people had placed him in, but he was very much alive!

There are times in our lives when things get so out of control that we don’t see any way they can be repaired. When we feel we’re headed to the bottom of a pit and the daylight is fading and we don’t know how we’ll ever recover. I’m thinking right now of a person with a substance addiction, such as alcohol or opioids. It’s often said that persons suffering with addictions must hit bottom before they can recover. It’s like that for a lot of things. Crying is a perfectly natural reaction to something that causes us pain. Things like suffering through the death of a loved one, or through  a grave illness. I have a friend whose daughter, Vivian, who is less than two years old, was born with heart problems. I’m not sure about how it happened, but during her multiple surgeries, she had to have her left leg amputated. I can’t imagine the pain that Vivian and her parents go through on a daily basis. Perhaps, for other people it’s a divorce, or even financial difficulties. I’m certain that when Jesus sees us suffering and crying that he feels that pain with us. After all, He loved Mary and cried with her during her moment of pain and doubt, and He has promised that He loves us as well. I’m certain that He feels our pain also.

When I am in pain, either physical or emotional or spiritual, I find reassurance in the fact that God loves us. God loves us despite our sinfulness. He is there with us, holding our hands, reassuring us and feeling for us while we are in pain. God loves us so much that He will never abandon us. Not when life throws us a curve ball that we have no hope of hitting. Not even as we continue to hurt ourselves with our sinful ways. God calls us from sin’s shadows and leads us into Jesus’ light. Then, God abides with us in the light. There, God surrounds us with love as we face whatever’s intimidating and unfamiliar. During our Lenten journeys, let’s look for God’s love as it meets us in our wherever we are, in the depths of our sorrow or the heights of our joy.

Behind the scenes at Grace…..by Gretchen

1. WOW! What an awesome crowd at the Youth Pasta Dinner! Not only was it wonderful having someone serve us but also the wonderful scrumptious food! An Italian food lovers delight! The music was great and just seeing a whole bunch of people together again enjoying themselves was great!
2. Spring has sprung this week and although the spring part of the sprung is a little chilly the lilies next to Brenner and the daffodils in the garden next to the church office are starting to spring a little more.
3. We still have plenty of room for rummage sale treasurers! They can be placed in the back corner of the storage room in Brenner – it is the room where the tables and chairs are stored. Hold the dates for the sale! The Preview Sale is Thursday April 27 and then the sale is Saturday April 29th. Come and check out the treasures!
4. Remember: Grace is the people of Grace carrying out God’s mission in a friendly, kind and supportive way!

Healthy People! Healthy Parish!

Poison!

Yep, this guy sure is pretty and he could be poisonous but unless you are a snake guru – play it safe and observe from a loooonnnnng distance.

What we do know it is spring and a whole different bunch of things can cause poisoning.

It is a whole different ball game than winter.

Did you know that over 83% of poisonings involve swallowing something (49% are medications and other drugs)  and 17% are from exposure through the skin, eyes and lungs!

Spring Offenders for poisoning!

Mushrooms

A type called “death caps’’ grow in yards and parks.

Many are pretty colors or beautiful shapes and kids will pick.

If they smell good dogs may enjoy a snack

Only an expert can tell the poisonous from safe

Spring cleaning

The chemicals that are used to power wash your house deck or sidewalk can be very strong.

Keep chemicals in the container they came in – don’t put in a food container.

Store the chemicals away from food products to avoid confusion .

Never mix chemicals as some can react and give off a poisonous gas.

Read and follow directions for use – don’t wing it or assume the instructions

on the container are the same as the old one.

Never sniff containers to see what is inside.

Turn on fans ,open windows or the garage door.

If spraying – spray away from people ,pets and food.

Even in small amounts windshield washer fluid is poisonous – it can lead to blindness and death.

Strong chemicals can burn the skin – rust removers.

Hydrocarbon liquids (those made with petroleum) are poisonous. This includes charcoal lighter, paint thinner, lamp oil and furniture polish.

Get rid of old and outdated products. The First Aid advice might be old. Make sure that you check for proper disposal of the product. Many cannot just be thrown in the garbage can.

Bugs and Garden Pests and Pesticides

These can be absorbed form the skin or inhaled. Even leather shoes and gloves do not offer full protection.

Stay away from areas that have been sprayed until dry or for at least 1 hour.

Wear protective clothing when using bug spray – wear long sleeved shirt and pants, socks, shoes and gloves. Remove and wash clothing after using chemicals. This is for stronger stuff than “Off” which is formulated to put on your skin.

If you splash pesticides on your skin wash off immediately.

Wear protective eyewear when using pesticides and other sprays.

Oh my! Someone just ate that gorgeous mushroom in your garden or your child sniffed that pretty blue bottle of fertilizer!

What do you do!

Remain calm and:

CALL THE POISON CONTROL HOTLINE IMMEDIATLEY 1-800-222-1222!!!

Nurses ,doctors ,pharmacists and other trained experts answer the phone 24 hours a day 365 days a year.

The call is free, and they can get help for 161 different languages. Hearing impaired services are also available.

Why not post this number in your garage or other place outside as well as in your house so it is easy to find . We have them posted in strategic places in the church!

Every 56 Days !!!

Hmm it is not how often we weigh ourselves although after Easter it might be. It is not how often we fill our gas tanks (unless you only drive to church on Sunday). It is not how often we buy groceries unless we are on that post Easter diet.

It is how often you can donate a unit of Blood!!!

So if you donated in January you can definitely do so on April 19^th!!

Please consider donating – even if it is your first time it is a great feeling of giving back and the snacks don’t hurt!

Can’t donate? Think about using the Easter Cards, Birthday Cards and Thinking of You cards to have someone donate in your honor!

The Dodoma Delegation                                                                                   by Ron Hiatt

At the March meeting, Grace Council unanimously approved helping to send Pastor Brenda and Ron to Dodoma Tanzania to reconnect with Grace’s Parish Companion, Iringa Road.  The help came by way of reimbursing the air fare cost through the Kaeming Fund.  We thank Council for the financial help, and we appreciate the affirmation they expressed to strengthening the companionship with Iringa Road.  While we will also be part of the NWOS Delegation to support the Synod to Diocese Companionship by attending the installation of Rev Christian Ndossa as new Bishop of the Dodoma Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT), our primary focus will be growing our relationship with members of the Iringa Road Lutheran Church Parish.

Pastor Brenda is also part of the planning group of Dodoma Diocese women pastors and leaders with NWOS women pastors and leaders who are organizing a 2 day Women’s Retreat/Bible Study.  The retreat will focus on the unique gifts women of the church can offer, as well as the challenges women leaders face working for the Kingdom.  The Bible Study will center around women in the Bible, with the stories of Elizabeth and Mary being led by NWOS women and the Stories of Esther and Dorcus being led by the Dodoma women.

Ron and Megan O’Brien from Lutheran Home of Mercy will be meeting with former Bishop Kinyunyu as he follows the Lord’s calling to establish a ministry for those who are blind, deaf, or mentally or physically disabled in some way.  These are people who are underserved and marginalized and he wants to share the love and hope of Jesus with them as he develops ways to lift these people out of poverty and overcome the stigma and prejudices held by society. 

Members of the Global Mission Board and the Synod staff will also be meeting with the Bishop Ndossa and his staff to discuss future plans and ways we can learn from each other and continue to grow and strengthen the Synod to Diocese Companionship.  We will try to develop a list of priorities and time lines to accomplish.

Pastor Brenda, Ron and members of the delegation will also make a visit to the Iringa Road Sub-Parish of Mzogole. This is the remote site where water filters were sent to filter and purify the ground water for drinking and cooking, where with financial help from people of Grace, a concrete floor in the church building was laid, where in 2016 again with help from Grace, a water well was drilled and fitted with a hand pump for the village was established, and where the 2018 Tumaini III Medical Mission was conducted.  Pastor Brenda has offered to provide the homily for a worship service there.  The village is growing and has many children.  It would not be surprising to have more than a few baptisms for Pastor Brenda. We also hope we are able to visit one or two of the other sub-parishes being supported by Iringa Road while we are there.  Lutherans are the largest and still the fastest growing Christian denomination in Tanzania.  It will be exciting to learn how they continue to grow so fast and hear their stories of success and challenges. 

This is the day the Lord has made.

Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

~Psalm 118:24

The Lord is my shepherd;
  I shall not be in want.

~Psalm 23:1

Doris has been a lifelong Toledo resident and Lutheran. Formerly, a member of St. Lucas Church where she married Glenn Stone. They moved to Sylvania and that is when they joined Grace over 60 years ago. She was a member of Ruth Circle and the Bell Choir. She also helped at many events/banquets serving in the kitchen area. Lifelong friends, growing in her faith and raising her children as dedicated Christians were all part of her Grace experience. Her three children, Rick, Don and Nancy were married at Grace and her Toledo area grandchildren were baptized and confirmed at Grace Lutheran. She continues to enjoy being around people, her family, playing bingo, bridge, bunco, music and a glass of wine daily.

We are taking orders for Lily plants, Daffodils and Tulips now through April 2. The sale is sponsored by the  Christian Education Committee. Each plant costs $12. There are order forms at the back of the Sanctuary and on the table in the hallway at the back of the chapel. Orders must be in by April 2.

Sunday March 19^th – Healing Service

This will be at both the 9:30 am service and 11:30 am service.

Don’t forget to pick up your “Christ in Our Home” devotional booklet for April, May and June. It is a great way to start each day with a devotion, prayer and Bible reading.

For a number of years, I have made it my habit to reset clocks on Saturday morning for the time change.  This year, on Saturday, I watched a movie (not television) and worked to prepare a Sunday School lesson. To reset clocks was on my to-do list ( that I didn’t look at) for Saturday . This Sunday morning,  following a good night’s sleep, at 9:45 day light savings time, I realized that I was late and not present for church and Sunday School at Grace. My apologies, no excuses, the true story.              Miss Connie

The church office will be closed Friday March 17

Grace Outreach Ministry “Sending Out”

  By Ron Hiatt

Matthew 28:19-20. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you..”

2 Corinthians 5:20.   “So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us…”

Acts 1:8.   “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The Grace Outreach Ministry has two main focuses.  A local mission and a global mission.  Since the onset of Covid, Outreach has focused its efforts on the “local” part of its mission.  It has started a “Food for Toledo” drop off site where food collected has been shared with the food pantry at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, shared with the Feed Your Neighbor Ministry of Lutheran Social Services, and most recently partnered with Aldersgate to help support their food pantry. Outreach is also a collection and distribution site for the Personal Needs Ministry on a weekly basis. Outreach has also supported and participated in several Habitat for Humanity projects over the past 7 to 10 years. Outreach has also worked with Worship and Music on various projects and has been a long time partner with Christian Education with Vacation Bible School. 

God doesn’t command us to stay put and share the “Good News”.  He tells us to “GO”.   And to that end, in 2018 the congregation and the Outreach Ministry did send a member of Grace to our partner parish at Iringa Road Lutheran Church in Dodoma Tanzania to help with the Tumaini III Medical Mission at their Sub-parish Mzogole.  Here Ron Hiatt was able to work with Pastor Ken Politz to help fit and provide vision impaired residents of the area with prescription eye glasses, sun glasses, and reading glasses, to make their lives a little better….. and many times, a lot better. 

It has been 5 years since Grace has had personal contact with members of Iringa Road.  In May, Pastor Brenda and Ron will be traveling to Dodoma to re-connect with Iringa Road on the occasion of the installation of Rev Christian Ndossa as Bishop of the Dodoma Diocese. Many people from all over the country will come to Dodoma for this significant event.  Dodoma is the capital of Tanzania, so there will be several representatives from the country speaking at the event.  Virtually every Bishop from each of the other 25 Lutheran Diocese’s will also be present. 

Pastor Brenda and I will be hosted by Grace Companion, Iringa Road Lutheran Church, and hopefully we will be able to visit the sub-parish of Mzogole to see how the water well that was drilled and the pump that has been installed, (with the help of funds from Grace, and other churches in NW Ohio) is changing lives providing clean water for drinking, irrigation, and watering cattle.  During our visit to Mzogole, Pastor Brenda will offer a homily during a worship service.  Iringa Road just received a new pastor on March 1, so we are looking forward to meeting Rev Eli Mbwambo. Pastor Eli has held several positions within the Diocese office and served at several churches within the Dodoma Diocese.  I have come to know him as we have connected during my visits to Iringa Road.  Pastor Brenda and I look forward to creating an even stronger bond between Iringa Road and Grace Church through the leadership of Pastor Eli.

Pastor Brenda and Ron will be representing Grace with Iringa Road.  This companionship will be 30 years old this year!  Even as money is tight, and Grace budgets for outreach ministries aren’t enough to cover expenses associated with travel to Dodoma, Pastor Brenda and Ron will be asking for help from Council and from members of Grace Church to help support their outreach to Iringa Road.  We don’t yet know what that might look like.  More on that, and what Pastor Brenda and I want to learn and the ideas we want to bring back to Grace in next week’s article.  Stay tuned.

Forgiveness?   

Old Jack and old John had been board members at Prince of Peace Lutheran for as long as anyone could remember. They were constantly at odds with each other and at each other’s throats, especially in church board meetings. When one would vote “yes”, the other would have to vote “no”.           

One day old Jack died and arrived at Heaven’s gates. He noticed how everyone was asked a question before they entered in. When it was his turn, St. Peter said, “Hi, Jack,  to see if you qualify to come in, I have to ask you to spell

“Jesus.”  “That’s easy,” said Jack, and so he spelled “J-E-S-U-S.”  Peter welcomed Jack and then asked if he would do him a small favor, “Just take over here for a few minutes.” Several people were waiting at the gate, and Jack asked each one the same question, “Will you please spell Jesus?” Then Jack could hardly believe his eyes; old John was in line. “What are you doing here?”  John asked. “I’m just filling in for St. Peter.  I’m asking everyone to spell a word before they can go through the gates.”  “Oh yeah?”  John exclaimed, “What’s the  word?” After thinking a moment, Jack said, “Spell Albuquerque.”                             

Controversy                                 

A serious ten year old year old Sunday School student surprised her Sunday School teacher with this question; “Which virgin was the mother of Jesus, the virgin Mary or the King James Virgin?”                                                               

Home Sweet Home                 

The Sunday School teacher gathered her students around her and asked all those who wanted to go to heaven to raise their hands.  Everyone raised their hand, except one boy. ” Don’t you want to go to heaven, David?” asked the teacher. “I can’t”, answered David, ” My mom wants me to come straight home.”

Mid-week Worship Opportunities for Wednesday, March 22

During Lent, mid-week services are offered on Wednesdays at noon and 7 p.m.  On March 22, Pastor Brenda will preside at the noon service and at the 7 p.m.  service Grace will welcome Pastor Rebecca West-Estell of Memorial Lutheran Church as the presiding minister. 

Both services have opportunities for fellowship prior to the service. Please join others at 11:15 a.m. for a soup luncheon and/or a potluck at 6 p.m. Members are invited to attend both if they wish. 

If you would like to bring soup to the 11:15 lunch, please sign-up on the sheet on the bulletin board by the sanctuary or contact Cindy Wood. 

Pastor’s Thoughts:

Bless the World: Be God’s Grace!

I hope that the above statement is familiar to many of you. It is the mission statement of our congregation, which attempts to state simply who we are and what we are about as God’s people who together are Grace Lutheran Church.

Our mission is to be God’s people together. We do that through the continual proclamation of Jesus Christ: with each other, with those who worship with us, and in the world. We do that through growing in our faith, which often involves introspection and even change.

The mission begins with embracing the truths revealed to us in Word and Sacrament. Each time we gather for worship, learning, or fellowship, we hear anew that we are the fallen yet redeemed and beloved children of God, who are called to tell others about what God in Christ has done. When we listen intentionally to what God has done for us in Jesus Christ, we hear a call to be about the mission of the Church … to proclaim Christ and him crucified for all; to feed the hungry; to teach and to learn; to comfort those who hurt; to offer forgiveness; to build one another up instead of tearing one another down; to move toward the future with expectation and purpose.

This is the mission of Grace Lutheran Church. Focusing on the mission is what leads us into the future with hope and determination to be who God has called us to be. May we together always  “Bless the world and be God’s grace!” … and may we remember who it is we serve.

In Christ,

Pastor Brenda

Lenten Prayer Project   ~ March 5^th through March 31^st.

The Prayer Ministry Team of Grace is asking our Grace Family to capture pictures of how YOU see God’s GRACE, LOVE and BEAUTY through YOUR eyes. What in God’s world brings you JOY!

There are no wrong pictures!  Just as we are all unique and beautifully made by God, we all see God’s GRACE, LOVE and BEAUTY differently. You may submit multiple pictures!

The easiest way to take pictures is with your phone.

 We ask that you email all pictures to the Prayer Ministry email address:

www.graceprayer3@gmail.com

Pictures will be printed off from the email and hung in the hallway between the   Sanctuary and Room 3 for Easter Sunday! 

Meditation on John 9:1-41

By Vicar Dave

When I was a child, I would often ask my parents questions. Sometimes, when I didn’t get the answer I wanted, nor the answer that I expected, I would ask again. Sometimes I would ask the question in a slightly different fashion and see if that got me what I wanted to hear. Or if I had asked Mom and didn’t like her answer, I’d go ask Dad. I wonder if that’s what’s going on with the Pharisees in today’s Gospel reading. I count at least four times that the Pharisees ask this man or his family about how he came to be able to see.  But that’s not the question that they really want answered. They want to know about Jesus and how He’s able to do things like this.

I’ve never quite understood the Pharisees. They are supposedly men of God, learned in all the teachings of the Torah, and when Jesus comes around, they don’t want to even think about the possibility that He’s the long-awaited Messiah. Instead, they want to find ways to discredit Him and His followers. It’s as if they don’t even want God’s promise of a deliverer to come to pass. May that’s exactly it. After all, they have a lot of power in the status quo. They’re in charge of the Temple. They’re living a life of comparative luxury. They’ve got a lot of power in the current set up. Living under Roman rule may not be ideal for them, but it ain’t half bad for them. Like most of the Jewish population, they were expecting a military leader for the Messiah, one who would throw off their Roman rulers. Maybe they didn’t want that. That might put their power in jeopardy. Then again, perhaps they genuinely didn’t think that it could be possible that Jesus was the Messiah, and that He was leading people away from their faith. Jesus was preaching a Gospel that was definitely not one that they expected. Turn the other cheek? Love your enemy? These were foreign concepts for the Pharisees. The idea of repenting of one’s sins can be pretty difficult if you think of yourself as the paragon of virtue. Expecting them to give up what they had and give it to the poor in their community was also quite outlandish to them.

But what if Jesus was here today, preaching a Gospel of repentance and love? What might we think of Him? Here in the US, we’ve got it pretty good, for the most part. We’re one of the wealthiest nations on the planet, yet we’ve still got the poor among us. Our nation is probably the most powerful one around and we feel fairly safe living here, at least when compared to other parts of the world. If Jesus were here, telling us that we must give up that power and security and share it with the rest of the world, would we go along with Him willingly or would we question Him and try to discredit what He was saying? Or how about if we could end poverty and world hunger by simply sharing what we have with the world instead of always selling it to them?

Admittedly, most of us don’t have the ability to dictate what we do as a nation, whether we give up on power or wealth, but I’d like to think if Jesus were here, we’d recognize Him for who He is and follow Him as best we could. We can start today by loving our neighbors as ourselves. By that I mean that we can give to the poor and organizations that make it their mission to help them. We can elect   leaders that won’t just look inward towards what’s good for America, but who have the good of everyone in their hearts. We can also look for the good in people and remember that we will never look into the eyes of someone that God doesn’t love.

Behind the scenes at Grace ….by Gretchen

1. What happened to Spring? We have used the shovels and spread mor salt in the last 2 weeks than all winter! Yet we can still see the green tops of the daffodils !
2. The stacks are growing in the back storage room and the Theater room. Yes, there are a lot of books but all sorts of other treasures! We sprang forward this last weekend and with the yuck weather what better time to do Spring cleaning and bring items for the Youth Rummage Sale!
3. Please don’t forget that our lovely green dumpster cannot handle cardboard boxes! It is a trash bag only. Please take and recycle the boxes either at Kroger next door or at home.
4. What is your chip IQ and we are not talking gambling chips. Check out the Edu – Board in Fellowship next week and see what you know (or maybe don’t know about your favorite snack?)
5. Watch for further updates but there is word out that there may be a Deviled Egg eating challenge!!! The task of the loser has to be determined although it will probably have something to do with picking up thousands of eggshells.
6. Remember : Grace is not the building but the people of Grace carrying out God’s mission.

Healthy People! Healthy Parish!

The Beans!

Last week we learned  some things about the beans .

Almost all systems in the body work together to keep us healthy and that includes the beans.

So, what happens to the beans when you have:

Blood Pressure – uncontrolled blood pressure can lead to kidney damage. High blood pressure can cause the blood vessels of the kidneys to become thick and rigid. This reduces the blood supply to the kidneys so they do not function. The kidneys cannot remove waste products from the body. The body holds onto salt which affects the heart. The decrease in blood supply results in damage to the tissues of the kidney which results in the kidneys   being less able to function. Eventually it can lead to total failure of the kidneys.

Diabetes – the small blood vessels in the kidneys are damaged. So ,again the kidneys are unable to filter out waste leading to fluid overload which can lead to high blood pressure.

What happens when you take:

Alcohol – -damages the kidneys and can lead to not only kidney failure but also liver failure.

Medications -certain medications can cause kidney if not taken as directed by your doctor. Some over the counter medications like aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Ibuprofen can cause kidney damage taken on a regular or daily basis. Talk with your doctor about taking.

6 Warning Signs of Kidney Disease!  if you experience any of these call your Medical Doctor to get checked out!

Burning or difficulty urinating – this is often a sign of a bladder infection.

Bloody or tea colored urine

Increased frequency or change in pattern of urination – particularly at night .

Flank or back pain below the ribs that does not change when you move – it stays the same.

Puffiness around the eyes, swelling of hands and feet.

High blood pressure.

Red and You!

Red is an important color for many reasons – it signals not only you need to stop in general but you need to stop at Grace on April 19^th from 1-6 to donate blood!!

Have you thought about using the “reverse cards” for your birthday or Easter? I you are unable to donate, and you would like a family member, friend or neighbor  to donate in your honor give them a card. The cards are located across from the office on the table and has all the information on for making an appointment. Any questions please see or call   Gretchen Hiatt 419-944-5166.

Safety and Health at Grace

A Temple Talk was given at both services this last Sunday on the plan for installation of  Security Cameras at Grace.

A map of the church and general location of the cameras has been placed across for the office.

Please look it over.

Please if you have any questions see or call the Task Team. Members of the team are Gretchen Hiatt. Rick Sharp and David Charvat.

With the help of Special Gifts we would like to proceed with installation of the camera     system the end of April or beginning of May.

Keeping the people of Grace (members, office staff and visitors) safe is important. Please    consider a Special Gift for this project. Gifts should indicate that they are for the Security Cameras.

Friday April 7^th – Easter Sunday – Prayer Vigil. 

We ask you to join Pastor Brenda and the Grace Prayer Team for an Easter Prayer Vigil from Friday April 7^th at 8:00pm through Saturday April 8^th at 12:00 pm ending at 12:30 am EASTER MORNING April 9^th.

A sign-up sheet will be available.

A person can sign up for one 30-minute time or one hour time.

A person may sign up to pray more than one or two times.

A person may sign up to pray at Grace or at home. 

For security purposes, special arrangements are being made for those wishing to pray at Grace.

We hope to offer live prayer via FB at certain times throughout the Vigil.

Special resources will be available for prayer whether a person is praying at Grace or at home.

Thursday May 4^th – National Day of Prayer

This is the day the Lord has made.

Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

~Psalm 118:24

Come, let us sing to the Lord;
let us shout for joy to the rock of our salvation.

~Psalm 95:1

We are taking orders for Lily plants, Daffodils and Tulips now through April 2. The sale is sponsored by the  Christian Education Committee. Each plant costs $12. There are order forms at the back of the Sanctuary and on the table in the hallway at the back of the  chapel.  Orders must be in by April 2.

Mid-week Worship Opportunities for Wednesday, March 15

During Lent, mid-week services are offered on Wednesdays at noon and 7 p.m.  On March 15, Pastor Brenda will preside at the noon service and at the 7 p.m.  service Grace will welcome Pastor Chris Hanley of Glenwood Lutheran Church as the presiding minister. 

Both services have opportunities for fellowship prior to the service. Please join  others at 11:15 a.m. for a soup luncheon and/or a potluck at 6 p.m. Members are invited to attend both if they wish. 

If you would like to bring soup to the 11:15 lunch, please sign-up on the sheet on the bulletin board by the sanctuary or contact Cindy Wood. 

Pastor’s Thoughts:

“…’Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’”— Matthew 25:40

Every year as Lent approaches, I have the same conversation with myself as I contemplate how best to use this reflective season of the church year as an opportunity for my own spiritual growth. This begins with the questions: “What book of the Bible shall I intentionally read through? Which book will I pull at random?” Each year, I choose a book to study and also pull the name of another to study out of an envelope. This year, I chose Acts and drew 1 Samuel as my other book to read.

I also have asked myself: “What might I ‘give up’ in order to allow time to do this reading and reflecting?”

I look forward to choosing a book of the Bible to read and pulling the name of  another randomly from an envelope full of little slips of paper. This always proves to be a great source of inspiration for me, as I use this Lenten time to learn more about the scripture.

The decision to give something up or not and what that something might be is always more difficult. I have tried denying myself many things in Lent: coffee (but why should everyone else suffer?), music (no music in the car, etc.), reading  purely for pleasure, movies. Frankly, I have always found the experience a bit   hollow. Oh, I understand the principle—give something up and use the time to add something of a spiritual nature—but I have never found the practice to be of any real benefit to me in my Lenten journey and reflection. But still I have the same conversation with myself every year.

This year, instead of taking something trivial away, I will just add something … to my observance of Lent and to my grocery cart. As many of you are aware, the food pantry we contribute to at Aldersgate United Methodist Church is always in need of supplies to have available for the community. As I think about that, I realize how easy it would be for most of us to add one or two things to our grocery carts each time we shop, items that we could bring to worship with us—perhaps even above and beyond what we already give to support this effort. 

The items do not need to be expensive (a can or two of soup, a box of macaroni and cheese, a jar of peanut butter), but they may make a tremendous difference to an individual or family in need..

Why not take advantage of the reflective and sacrificial season of Lent and begin a new practice … a practice which is in keeping with our Lord’s command to feed others in his name? It seems like so little to give in response to what has been   given to us.

In Christ,

Pastor Brenda

Meditation on John 4:5-42

By Vicar Dave

Jesus was tired out by his journey. That is remarkable to me because it further shows how Jesus was fully human! He could be tired! That is one of the unique aspects of our faith, that our savior was fully human AND fully God. Both, at the same time! Jesus faced the same struggles as both you and me. He dealt with moral temptations and with physical limitations. He became hungry, thirsty, and, in this case, tired. Yet, He had all the resources and abilities of the Father at His disposal whenever He wanted. So, He was perfectly capable of satisfying His thirst without any human intervention. Yet, He asks the Samaritan woman for a drink. I think He was using this encounter as an opportunity to teach her about  salvation. That is another thing that I find remarkable.

Samaritans and Jews were not exactly on speaking terms with each other. This was despite them sharing a substantial part of their heritage, as evidenced by her ancestor, Jacob. The same Jacob whom the Jews recognize as Israel. When the northern kingdom had been conquered by the Assyrians and most of the local Jewish population was exiled, some people stayed and intermarried with the conquering Assyrians. These people later became the Samaritans. The Jews who returned considered them traitors and half breeds. Half Jewish and half Gentile. The Jews considered the religious practices of the Samaritans to be some strange mixture of Judaism and Paganism. Yet, here’s Jesus, a Jewish teacher, talking with this woman about living waters and salvation.

Jesus also seems to know a great deal about this woman, whom He has never met before. This knowledge comes from the fact that He is fully God, and therefore knows all about His creation, another remarkable portion of the reading. God, who knows when each sparrow falls from the sky and knows this woman just as He knows each of us, no matter what human group we belong to. Jesus also makes the point of telling her that salvation will come from the Jews. Jesus seems to be telling her that while He is Jewish, the salvation that He brings is for all. I think this is emphasized when He talks about true worshipers, who will worship the Father neither in Jerusalem, as the Jews do, nor on the mountain that the Samaritans do, but rather will worship God in spirit and truth. Salvation may have come to humankind through the Jews, but it is for everyone, everywhere, regardless of where they will worship.

Another remarkable thing in this reading comes when Jesus affirmatively declares that He is the Messiah to this woman. This is the only person to whom He makes such a declaration, and she’s a Samaritan, a Gentile. It’s also interesting to me that the other inhabitants of her city came to believe in Jesus as the “Savior of the world”. First because of what she told them and then from listening to Jesus Himself speak.

The woman at the well was an outsider. She was a Gentile. She had a history, having had several husbands. From the point of view of the patriarchal society in which she lived, being a woman was enough to make her an outsider. And yet the result of her testimony was the first Gentile community of believers. What if we, who are generally not considered outsiders here, went and told others about  Jesus as the Savior of the world? Might people more readily accept our testimony? How many people could we bring to Jesus if we but took advantage of the   opportunities that God put before us every day? It doesn’t have to be anything  fancy. Jesus was just talking with the woman while He was at the well, looking for a drink. I hope we can all look for the chance to be like the woman at the well and tell others about the remarkable thing Jesus has done.

Grace’s Lenten Service Project

As a reminder, Grace is collecting food items for Food for Toledo and personal needs items for Grace’s personal needs ministry during Lent. These items can be placed in the shopping carts at the back of the sanctuary on Sundays or in the  Giving Room during the week. Food items needed are peanut butter, jelly, cereal, pasta, pasta sauce, canned fruit and vegetables, soup, canned meat or other items.  Personal need items include toilet paper, Kleenex, paper towels, children’s tooth brushes, toothpaste, feminine products, hand soap, shampoo, deodorant (men’s and women’s), laundry detergent, dish soap, and body lotions. 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRAYER

TOGETHER WITH PRAYER MINISTRY

Lenten Prayer Project   ~ March 5^th through March 31^st.

The Prayer Ministry Team of Grace is asking our Grace Family to capture pictures of how YOU see God’s GRACE, LOVE and BEAUTY through YOUR eyes. What in God’s world brings you JOY!

There are no wrong pictures!  Just as we are all unique and beautifully made by God, we all see God’s GRACE, LOVE and BEAUTY differently. You may submit multiple pictures!

The easiest way to take pictures is with your phone.

We ask that you email all pictures to the Prayer Ministry email address:

www.graceprayer3@gmail.com

Pictures will be printed off from the email and hung in the hallway between the Sanctuary and Room 3 for Easter Sunday!

Sunday March 19^th – Healing Service

This will be at both the 9:30 am service and 11:30 am service.

Friday April 7^th – Easter Sunday – Prayer Vigil.

We ask you to join Pastor Brenda and the Grace Prayer Team for an Easter Prayer Vigil from Friday April 7^th at 8:00pm through Saturday April 8^th at 12:00 pm ending at 12:30 am EASTER MORNING April 9^th.

A sign-up sheet will be available.

A person can sign up for one 30-minute time or one hour time.

A person may sign up to pray more than one or two times.

A person may sign up to pray at Grace or at home.

For security purposes, special arrangements are being made for those wishing to pray at Grace.

We hope to offer live prayer via FB at certain times throughout the Vigil.

Special resources will be available for prayer whether a person is praying at Grace or at home.

Thursday May 4^th – National Day of Prayer

Behind the scenes at Grace……by Gretchen

1. Our huff and puff water leak has been fixed!!! A loose something was fixed! Hmm perhaps the squirrels using the roof as their tread mill might have loosened things?
2. There are green buds showing, it has been raining, the robins are back and there are boat loads of Easter Candy in the stores. That is a very strong sign that spring cleaning should be happening!! So load up those treasures and bring to church for the Youth Rummage Sale!
3. We collected 9 blankets during the month of February for our “Warm Heart” collection for Tent City. Thanks to all who donated! Even though the blanket trunk is not by the office we are still collecting! It would be wonderful to reach and exceed last year’s 50!
4. Dark and spooky vs Oh My Our Electric bill! Please remember when you leave the church to make sure the lights are turned off. That includes checking the bathrooms!
5. March 9^th is National Meatball Day!! But you need to save room for the Grace Youth Meatball Day on March 18!! Just think already prepared with luscious, scrumptious, mouthwatering sauce with the world famous meatballs –  and no dishes to wash!!  The proceeds help with the Youth Mission Trip this summer!
6. Remember: Grace is not the grass, flowers, windblown bags, cement or carpeting but the PEOPLE OF GRACE carrying out God’s mission!

Healthy People! Healthy Parish!

Are you Springing???

Yep, not only is official Spring coming up on the calendar but  we “Spring Forward” this weekend !

So we are losing an hour of sleep – which means we need to go to bed earlier to get the required 8 hours for our health and wellness.

There are 3 additional important jobs for you this weekend!!

Can you guess?

1. Check fire alarms to make sure they are working and replace batteries if needed.
2. Check carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are working and replace batteries.
3. If you have a File of Life check to make sure all the information is current .

Oh, you do not know what a “File of Life” is?  

Watch for more information in the next couple of weeks!

The Amazing Cleaning Machine ! 

I am famous and very much respected. You may read about me saving a life.

I have a twin. We work together and if I quit my twin takes over although we make a much better team working together. I take care of garbage (waste).

I watch so you have the right amount of sodium chloride and potassium both of which are important in running the machine.

I am also somewhat of a water watcher – too much and I get rid of it!

I am busy all the time although at night I slow down a little for sleep. 

My job is hard, and I must concentrate all the time to make sure everything is going well.

I would definitely not win a fashion contest – I am reddish brown, about the size of a fist, but only weigh about 5 ounces – definitely not a heavy weight in pounds but in the job I am.

I also have more than 70 miles of filters that look like worms.

Twice a day I don’t break for lunch but I have a huge workload.

Got a Clue??

I am your Kidneys!!

March is National Kidney Month!

Protect your Kidneys!

1. Keep your blood pressure under control.
2. If you have diabetes work to keep your blood sugar targets.
3. Watch your cholesterol and stay within normal limits.
4. Watch the salt stay in the shaker and not on your food. Leave the salty snacks on the grocery shelf!
5. Eat more fruits and vegetables.
6. Exercise – even walking around your house on a regular basis helps.
7. See your doctor on a regular basis and talk about your medications and if they can affect your kidneys.

More on the Bean next week !

Safety, Security and Grace !

Over the last year we have had programs on church safety including the Active Shooter Class and the actual drill with the Toledo Police this last fall. For those    people who went to the class and/or drill it was eye opening and even a little scary.  Protecting the people and the building of Grace is important.

Unfortunately, in the current climate we need to be more aware and prepare for situations whether it be a burglar or an active shooter. During walking rounds of the building and campus, and during the active shooter classes and drill, the Toledo police strongly recommended that we have security cameras. During the active shooter drill we would have been able to see a person with a gun hanging out in the front of the church or the person coming from the office area headed towards Fellowship Hall. There are many times when the Pastor, office staff or others are alone in the building.

The Security Camera task force has researched security cameras and has identified a company that will  provide the cameras and service we need. The camera video feeds will be accessible to the church office, the pastor’s office, parish nurse office, and others identified.

The system will provide recording of activity for a specific amount of time but will not connect with a security company or the police at this time. According to the Toledo Police, the cameras and signs designating we have security cameras is a deterrent to individuals.

The task force has received approval to proceed with the system from Church Council. We have secured a generous gift to get us started but would like to raise half of the  total cost of $6,000.00 from a  Special Offering. We would like to proceed with the installation of the system by the end of April .

To reach the goal we would like to start a Special Offering Campaign from the congregation.  Offerings  need to be designated for Security Camera and sent in or placed in the Sunday offering in March and April.

Any questions can be directed to members of the task force members – Gretchen  Hiatt, Rick Sharp, or David Charvat.

A diagram of the layout of the cameras will be available in Fellowship Hall starting Sunday March 12th.  A member of the committee will be present to answer questions.

Please help to keep the people and building of Grace safe with your special gift!

This is the day the Lord has made.

Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

~Psalm 118:24