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

 

 

Bless the world: Be God’s Grace!

 

Sunday, October 30 10:30 a.m.

Reformation Sunday this year is on October 30. Watch the weekly announcements regarding information on a special service at 10:30 a.m. that day. Grace will welcome a special guest, German desserts at Fellowship Hour, a game with prizes at Fellowship Hour, and photos!

 

Operation Christmas Child

September – Erasers and/or colored pencils

You can drop off donations in the Giving Grace room

or the church office.

 

Fellowship Time

Thank you to all who help

September18th – Beth, Barb. and David Charvat

September 25th- Brenda Holderman and Joyce O`Brien

 

Pastor’s Thoughts:

For the past two Sundays, we have been exploring different aspects of stewardship. The first week, we heard Ron and Ann offer their thoughts about the stewardship of time, and last week Gretchen, Gail, and Janet offered thoughts about the stewardship of our bodies and our health. This week, Cindy Wood and Mary Schneider will reflect on the stewardship of our gifts and talents.

God truly shows divine creativity in blessing us each with different and unique gifts! I am often amazed at the ways in which people are gifted, and by how these various gifts are used in work, in family life, in the community, and in our congregation. Some have the gift of hospitality … some the gift of music .. some the gift of organizing .. some the gift of teaching … some the gift of listening. Whatever gifts individuals may have, they all work together to form a full   picture of life and service. Our world and our congregation would feel incomplete without all the varied gifts among us.

It can be difficult for us to ponder what our gifts may be. We often want to downplay the ways we have been gifted, perhaps out of a sense of humility. But our gifts and talents are indeed blessings from God, intended to be used for the good of the world around us. They are to be celebrated, and they point to the goodness and generosity of God.

This week, we will have the opportunity to think deeply about our interests, gifts, and talents. On Sunday, everyone will receive a packet with material that invites us to think about these things, as well as how they connect to the ministries of Grace. How can our gifts enable us to “Bless the World: Be God’s Grace”? This is a chance to find out, and intentionally consider ways we might support the mission of Grace Lutheran Church. We ask that you take the packet home, pray and consider what is in it, and bring it back with you on 25 September.

Be sure to take the time for this opportunity. Not only will you be able to think about how to be a part of the mission of our congregation, you will also have the opportunity to thank God for so wonderfully and beautifully creating YOU!

In Christ,

Pastor Brenda

 

Hope is the sunlight of the soul

       ~Rosa Vertuer Johnson

 

Behind the scenes at Grace….by Gretchen

WOW! What a Sunday!

  • The Choir processed down the aisle, had robes on and sang beautifully    accompanied by Debby and directed by Nancy!
  • The Flower cross was graced by more beautiful flowers than goldenrod!
  • Pastor Brenda did the kids sermon!
  • Sunday school teachers and all who provide education were installed!
  • Callie Moore participated in the procession carrying the cross!
  • We sang the post communion canticle which was also awesome.
  • There was another great video on Stewardship related to health and well  being
  • People brought in crosses with very interesting histories of why they are    important to them
  • Pastor Brenda put together an awesome handout on many of the different crosses we see.
  • Turner Sattler had a Birdseye view of the service sitting on his Dad’s  shoulders!

Phew that was an awesome, wonderful way to start the fall!!

  1. Speaking of Fall and not in the season sense, please be careful walking outside the church as the squirrels have not been up to par in completely eating the acorns so they are decorating the sidewalks.
  2. There also seems to be an explosion of mole hills!
  3. Fellowship between services is such a great way to catch up on what’s new! Of course, good Lutherans always have to have food! it is always great to see all the treats and of course the good for us stuff like fruit! If you are willing to help, be a hostess for Sunday, or if you would just like to provide treats please let Sue Wagner know.
  4. Our food donation day on Monday continues as does the need! If you can, when shopping please bring some non-perishable food items. If you can’t come on Monday, they can be dropped off in the Graceful Giving Room across from Room 3.
  5. Personal Needs Ministry continues to provide personal items on Tuesday mornings. There is also a great need for these items. If you are able, please think about this ministry when shopping. They also have a bin in the Graceful Giving Room.
  6. Remember: Grace is not the building but the People Of Grace carrying out God’s mission!

 

Healthy People! Healthy Parish!

 

“My Age is Unlisted”  Is yours ? 

Getting proper nutrition can help prevent a lot of health issues that go hand in hand with growing older. In fact, good nutrition is a cornerstone of good health, and it is never too late to start eating right or at least eating better!

Think about how you eat now??

  • Could you make a few changes so it would be healthier? Change white bread to whole grain. Whole milk to lower fat milk – start gradual 2% to 1% and maybe all the way to skim or try a plant milk. Vinegar and oil dressing with seasoning instead of a loaded ranch dressing – you might be surprised on how great those veggies actually taste almost plain!
  • Make your calories count. Eat from all food groups – fruits and veggies, proteins, more fish, peas and beans. Whole grain bread and cereals not only taste good but have great fiber.
  • FYI – Chocolate is not a recognized food group!
  • Know your fats! Saturated fats and trans fats are not good and have been eliminated from most packaged foods. Choose monounsaturated fats like canola, peanut, and olive oil or polyunsaturated fats like vegetable oils. We must have some fats in our diet we just need to be picky on which ones!
  • Do you have even a rough idea of how many calories you should have per day? Check with your MD to get an idea of what yours should be. Although most of us can tell by our waistbands and those unfriendly numbers on the scale that we have overdone it and need to cut back.
  • Think about those portions. Remember way back in the early 90’s a dinner plate was about 8” in diameter and now they are pushing 10-11’’ and of course we usually fill it . MY PLATE, which is the new recommendations, says ½ of your plate should be fruits and vegetables, ¼ of your plate should be a protein like meat, chicken/turkey or seafood and a ¼ should be carbohydrates like rice, noodles, and potatoes. How is yours?
  • Fiber is so important in maintaining “good housecleaning” so look for wholegrain bread and cereal, beans, fresh fruits and veggies. Include them at each meal.
  • Vitamins and minerals are important too. Calcium and Vitamin D are important in preventing osteoporosis So look for orange juice that has calcium, and fortified cereals.
  • Drink water. Coffee is Ok but the caffeine is a diuretic so you can’t really count it as part of your water intake. Pop and tea are often loaded with caffeine and are not a good source of fluids.

How long has it been since you’ve seen the Dentist? Could you recognize him/her in a line up? Dental care is more important than just for keeping all your teeth! Inflammation of the gums has been linked to heart disease. A study done in 2015 showed that 70-year-olds with 20 or more of their own teeth had a lower death rate then those who had 19 or less! WOW! Take care of and hang on to those pearly whites!!

 

Renew our spirits.

Fill us with peace and joy!

 

Have you ever tasted a plant or nut milk?

Do you know what a portion of pasta is?

 

 

Do you know how much a 4 oz serving of chocolate is?

Or what a portion of cheese is?

Come taste plant and nut milk this Sunday in Fellowship Hall! 

Then try your hand at guessing some sizes of portions and see how close you come!

 

  1. Active Shooter Drill. Thursday September 29 th – exact time will be announced on 9/20 -plan on 2 hours (and yes it will be held to 2hours)
  2. Red Cross Blood Drive Wednesday October 5 from1:00 p.m. -6:00 p.m. in Brenner Hall

 

God, teach us to have an outlook and attitude of joyful contentment with our present circumstances. Thank you!

 

 

This is the day the Lord has made.

Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

~Psalm 118:24