Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,

give thanks in all circumstances;

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

 

Operation Christmas Child

Once again OCC was a success at Grace Lutheran Church. With everyone’s help, we were able to send 125 boxes on to Emmanuel Baptist Church where they were packed up to continue their journey. Thank you to everyone who helped make this possible. A special thank you to our youth group for helping each year as we pack the boxes. Their assistance has been greatly appreciated.

Please keep Operation Christmas Child in your prayers. Pray for each step in the journey of a shoebox. Pray for children and their families to experience and grow in God’s love as they respond to the Gospel presented at shoebox events around the world. Every gift-filled shoebox sent through this project is a powerful tool for evangelism and discipleship.

Again, thank you for your continued support for this opportunity to spread joy and open hearts to the Gospel.

Linda Mason for the Christian Education Committee.

 

Pastor’s Thoughts:

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. –Colossians 2:6-7

My Top Ten Reasons to Be Thankful:

  1. My gifts and abilities
  2. I am a beloved child of God—who has been abundantly blessed
  3. My sense of call and vocation
  4. I am beloved child of God—who has been abundantly blessed
  5. Our congregational family
  6. I am a beloved child of God—who has been abundantly blessed
  7. My home
  8. I am a beloved child of God—who has been abundantly blessed
  9. My family and friends
  10. I am a beloved child of God—who has been abundantly blessed

My Top Ten Reasons to Be a Steward Who Gives Generously:

  1. I have been taught, both in my biological family and Church family, to be a steward
  2. I am a beloved child of God—who has been abundantly blessed
  3. Scripture commands it
  4. I am a beloved child of God—who has been abundantly blessed
  5. I give because it brings joy to my heart
  6. I am a beloved child of God—who has been abundantly blessed
  7. Giving reflects my trust in God
  8. I am a beloved child of God—who has been abundantly blessed
  9. Giving reflects my love for God and God’s world
  10. I am a beloved child of God—who has been abundantly blessed

Thanksgiving and stewardship are intrinsically related. My thankfulness for all the various ways that God has blessed me finds its expression in the ways that I give in God’s name; not just of my money, but also of my time and talents.

In order for thanksgiving and stewardship to be a significant part of our lives, however, giving thanks and sharing our blessings must be a part of each and every day. After all, doesn’t God bless us every time we share the Supper, every time we hear the Word, every time we share in fellowship in Christ’s name, every time we are sustained by God’s love?

What is on your lists? How does God bless you? How might you find new and creative ways to give thanks and give of yourself each day?

In Christ,

Pastor Brenda

 

Advent Study

Please join other Grace members on Monday, November 28, at 11 a.m. in Fellowship Hall for an Advent Study. A story will be read and a short discussion follows.  Snacks will be served. We hope to see you there!  The Advent Study will continue on Mondays during Advent.

 

Our building is busy so plan ahead!

Grace’s building is busy almost every day and that means that all Grace groups and committees need to plan ahead for your meetings.  It is important that you plan your dates/times/room at least two weeks in advance and make sure your meetings are placed on the church calendar.  That allows us to make sure there are no conflicts.

The Lord has provided Grace with our marvelous building that we should share with the community. We are the location for meetings that include multiple AA groups, Safe Haven, Block Watch, Save Lake Erie, The Model A club and every Grace group and committee (just to name a few).  In addition, last Spring, The Children’s Rights Collaborative began using our classrooms, youth rooms, and Brenner Hall, when available, for their meetings up to five nights a week. We also rent rooms for non-profit meetings and parties.

To make sure you have reserved your group’s room, forms are available in the office. Or call Rick Sharp at the Facilities Use Ministry at (419) 283-3530.

And remember to thank God for the gifts we have been provided.

 

Lois Helm Webb

Lois is a life-long member of Grace Lutheran Church. She met her husband Richard at church. She remembers Grace Church being a second home for her family. She was the Sunday School piano teacher for 10 years when her children were young as well as a Brownie and Girl Scout leader. Some of her activities at Grace have been delivering sermon tapes and assisting with Personal Needs. Lois is a member of Ruth Circle.

Lois’ favorite hymns are Beautiful Savior and What a Friend We Have in Jesus.

Lois has three children – Karen, Karl & Kent; 5 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren. She enjoys  reading, knitting and crocheting. Lois currently lives at Luther Haus in Temperance MI where she participates in many activities that are offered.

Lois will celebrate her 100th birthday on December 23.

 

 

Started filling

the blessing

box today…

more to come…

 

During Advent, Grace will be collecting items for Aldersgate United Methodist Church’s Food Pantry and for Grace’s Personal Needs Program. On Sunday, November 27 we are asking for donations of a box of pasta and/or a box of kleenex. Grocery carts will be located at the back of the Sanctuary for the donations. Let’s see how full we can fill the carts!

 

 

Remember on Saturday, December 3, at 11 a.m. the Chrismon tree will be decorated in the Sanctuary. Please join others in this joyous occasion!

 

Healthy People! Healthy Parish!

 

It is definitely dark in the morning and earlier in the evening. If you are coming or leaving any buildings like the mall or grocery store and even church in the dark, it is always a good practice to observe your surroundings. If it does not feel right stay in the building or in your car. Ask for someone to accompany you in or out of a building or church. Make it a practice to have your car key handy as most have a panic alarm that can be heard for quite a distance and alerts others. Having your cell phone handy so you can call 911 if needed is also a good idea. Try to consolidate bags so that you have a hand free to use the alarm and to open a door .

  • Remember to put packages in trunk or out of sight when parked anywhere. Do this before you get to a crowded area if at all possible.
  • Put your computer bag in the trunk or out of sight.
  • Lock your car whether at church, shopping and even in your own driveway and garage.
  • Make sure loose change and keys are not visible in your car.
  • If you took the “Cane Fu” course last year, remember to have your cane handy!

 

Behind the scenes at Grace…by Gretchen

  1. BRRR… the cold weather is definitely here, and we can hear the squirrels running across the roof – sounds like they have army boots on!
  2. We have lights! Yes, the parking lot lights in the back have been fixed and it is now a lot brighter when you leave after dark!
  3. Remember: Grace is not the building but the people of Grace carrying out God’s mission!

 

 
 
Walking or Running in the Dark!

 

 

  1. Run or walk on sidewalks. If you have to use the road avoid busy roads and ones without shoulders and run or walk facing the traffic so you can see cars.
  2. Choose a well lighted route. Not only so you can see traffic but also hazards like uneven sidewalks or branches or slippery leaves. An encounter with a black striped 4-legged animal is unlikely but you will definitely not smell bad if you can avoid them in the dark.
  3. Be visible. Wear yellow, white or orange clothing. Reflective stripes on a jacket or shoes does not hurt either. A headlamp or flashlight can help to see and be seen . 
  4. Have an ID with you. Have your driver’s license or wear an ID tag on your shoe.
  5. Vary your routes and times. Potential attackers can study routines and hide in the dark or isolated area. The key is to change and be unpredictable.
  6. Run or walk with a buddy. If you walk alone let someone know your route and approximately how long you will be gone.
  7. Carry a cell phone.
  8. If you are walking watch for runners and bikers before you stop or turn around. If you are running watch for the bikers.
  9. Avoid wearing headphones when running or walking in the darkness. It cuts off your sense of hearing and you can’t hear cars, bicyclists, dogs and any other possible threats. If you have to have music turn it very low and only use one earbud.
  10. Follow your instincts. If you feel like you are in an unsafe situation walk or run to safe location. Call 911 if you notice anything suspicious.

 

What are you interested in?

Gretchen is working on programs, presentations, interesting  books/leaflets, etc.  for 2023. Please help her by completing an Interest Survey! We have had several surveys this last year and yes, they can be difficult to fill out but this one is important (per Gretchen!)

There are a number of programs like Active Shooter update, CPR and Fire Safety that will be offered as it is important that we are current on these.

Think about what  you are interested in learning about, need help with, or want a refresher on as you complete the survey. If there is something you feel is missing, please add.

This is for you!

The survey will be in the back of the church and the chapel on Sunday 12/4 and Sunday 12/11. They will also be in Fellowship Hall.  Please complete and put in the box on the desk outside the office by Monday 12/12.

Then be ready to see what is happening for 2023!

 

Some Reflections of Thanksgiving!

What we are talking about is a wonderful day set aside on the fourth Thursday of November when no one diets! I mean why else would they call it Thanksgiving? ( Emma Bombeck )

I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States and also those in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise your beneficent Father who dwelleth in heaven. (Abraham Lincoln 1803)  President Franklin D. Roosevelt decided to move the date up a week to extend the Christmas shopping season in 1939! After a public uproar Congress moved it back to the fourth Thursday in 1941.

 

Meditation on Matthew 24:36-44

By Vicar Dave

Not so long ago I had a particularly strenuous day. It’s not that I did anything out of the ordinary. Driving around, making contact with the guys on my case load & doing paperwork. I had just done a lot of it that particular day and it had worn me out. I went home and had dinner with Joyce and then thought I’d relax and watch a hockey game. Next thing I know, I’m waking up just after the winning goal is scored. That’s one of the things about hockey. You can go for long periods of time without any scoring and then boom!  I missed it because I wasn’t alert and ready when it happened.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus is telling us to be alert and ready for when He comes back to us. The early Christians, or followers of the Way as some of them were called, thought that Jesus would come back in their lifetimes. Obviously, it’s taking a bit more time than that. As Jesus Himself said, “no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” knows when we will see Jesus again. He seems to indicate that the time will come in an instant and that many will be caught off guard. Therefore, we must be alert and “ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour”.

So how can we be ready when Jesus comes? One thing we can do is to try to be aware of what is happening around us and our relationship to it. We need to be morally aware of our actions and the consequences for them. In my Old Testament class at Luther Seminary this week, we read a story about a king who gave in to his desires of the moment and didn’t think about the consequences of his  actions. When all was said and done, one of his loyal servants was dead, he caused a family to become broken and one of his children died. I’m talking of course about David and his rape of Bathsheba and subsequent murder of her husband, Uriah. At the moment of his lust for Bathsheba, David was not morally awake, and bad things happened as a result.

While our Gospel today is talking about Jesus’ second coming, we are starting the season of Advent, as we await the celebration of His first coming. Advent is a  season of waiting and watching. It’s about anticipating Jesus. We know when we will celebrate His birth. We don’t know when He’ll be back, however. But Advent can help to remind us that Jesus is indeed coming! Hallelujah!

Today, we lit our first candle in the Advent Wreath. This candle is purple, and it is often called the hope candle. Hope that comes from all that God has done for us in the past and for all God will do for us in the future. It is also called the prophecy candle, as it invites us to celebrate the words of Isaiah, which are words of hope.

As we travel through this Advent season, may we keep hope alive in our hearts as we joyfully await the coming of our savior, Jesus Christ. Hallelujah!

 

 

 

This is the day the Lord has made.

Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

~Psalm 118:24