May the fields of the wilderness be rich for grazing,
and the hills be clothed with joy.

~Psalm 65:12

 

Bless the World: be God’s Grace!

 

 

Ragtime Rick!!

Ragtime Rick will be at Grace on Sunday, July 30, providing music for our 10:30 a.m. service.

The service will be followed by a potluck.  Meat will be provided so attendees are asked to bring a side dish, salad, or dessert.

This will be our last special service for the summer.

The Worship and Music Committee hopes to see you there!

 

Behind the scenes at Grace …. By Gretchen

  1. Phew! And now Cool As A Cucumber! The A/C has been fixed!!!! What a great opportunity to appreciate air conditioning when it is not working well. We even had the opportunity to experience the windblown effect on hair and papers with fans!
  2. It has been so warm we have experienced the squirrels “splooting”! So be ready to learn your one new thing today – Splooting is a behavior that animals use to cool themselves. So, the squirrels are splooting when they are laying spread eagle on the ground or up in the trees!
  3. It is way past Easter, but the Easter Lilies are blooming naturally in the garden by the office. They smell wonderful!
  4. We think Connie gave a stern talk to our chipmunks as we have yet to see one messing around in the flowerpots! However, they have been in the garden next to the office door.
  5. The Church is prepping for a wild week of VBS – it will be humming!
  6. Remember: Grace is not the building or the A/C but the people of Grace carrying out God’s Mission.

 

When I learn something new – and it happens every day – I feel a little more at home in the universe and a little more comfortable in the nest!

(Bill Moyers)

 

 

 

Sunday Fellowship Time 

July 16th – Sue Wagner and Sue Melchert

 

What is stewardship?

Time

Talent

Treasure

Stewardship is important!

But sometimes it feels like we only hear about the “treasure” part – we need money. Give more money. And yes, we do need money to keep our building going. To keep the lights on. To keep the heat on in the winter and the air (when working) on in the summer. To pay the pastor. To minister to our community. For so many things. Without it, we wouldn’t be able to keep going – to minister in stewardship of another kind

“Working” in the office every day I see a lot of stewardship of another kind. A LOT of it! People volunteering their time for so, so many things. And many of them very quietly – you don’t even know they are doing so much – they do it not for recognition but for the glory of God – thanking Him for all he has done for us.

People are constantly in and out.

Do you ever wonder….

  • who decorates the church with flowers and nice displays?
  • who plants the flowers, and weeds the gardens, and waters them?
  • who changes the light bulbs?
  • who polishes the pews in the chapel?
  • who shows up at odd times of the day or night to let a group who has a meeting in?
  • about how much time and energy it takes to prepare lessons for the children?
  • who schedules the meetings in all the rooms so they don’t clash?
  • how long it takes to practice the music for others to enjoy?
  • who sets up communion and has it ready Sunday after Sunday?
  • who cleans up after the service? It isn’t magic!
  • who fills the giving box with food and water?
  • who collects food week after week for the hungry?
  • who organizes and passes out personal need items week after week?
  • who organizes and sets up fellowship hour week after week?
  • who plans activities for the family of Grace?
  • who teaches our young children and youth?
  • who reaches out in love and prayer for individuals in need?
  • who shovels the snow off the sidewalks in the winter?
  • who keeps our church building cleaned up?
  • who keeps the eternal candle going?
  • who replaces the candles when they are low?
  • who keeps the bulletin boards up to date?

This is just a small example of stewardship of time and talent – so much more goes on day after day. So much more.

Thank you to all who give their time and talent. Thank you, God, for these people!

 

Healthy People! Healthy Parish!

 

Did YOU Hear THAT?

Hearing is an extremely important part of our 5 Senses. Some of us hear great ,some “think “ we hear everything, and some need some assistance .

If you are one of those folks who has an assistive device (Hearing Aide) did you know that there is something called a “T Coil” inside that little device that can make a world of difference in being able to hear during church  service.  Per one of our resident gurus please check with your audiologist/ hearing aide person  to see if your “T Coil” is turned on .

We also have the headphones that help ! Headphones are “cool” again and they really will not mess up a hairdo. These can be adjusted to hear the sermon and any speaking parts of the service. They are kept in the back of the church and the ushers can assist you in setting them up.

We don’t want you to miss the service on Sunday!

 

Farmers Markets, Grocery Shopping and Reusable Shopping Bags!

 

 

We should all use these to help the planet!

However, they must be kept clean. A study done by the University of Arizona found that bags have some harmful bacteria like salmonella and E.coli – yuck!

But the real “yucky” thing is that 97% of people interviewed NEVER washed their bags – ugh!

Label your bags – i.e., one for meat, one for veg and fruit, etc.

Wash frequently – cotton ones can be tossed in the washer while the papery type must be handwashed and line dried.

Farmer’s Markets are in full swing and most often the dirt has been removed from produce, but bags are still more likely to get dirtier faster so make sure they get washed.

 

 

SUNDAY JULY 16th is a Very Special Holiday !

NATIONAL ICE CREAM DAY!!!

Enjoy and of course in moderation and anything with dark chocolate is better for you and of course you can stretch it that there is Calcium in ice cream . Oh well – just enjoy !

 

Summer Services

Sunday 9:30 a.m.

Wednesday 7:00 p.m.

 

 

This is the day the Lord has made.

Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

~Psalm 118:24