1 GRACE’S † GOOD † NEWS http://www. gracelutherannc.org Check us out on FaceBook ! July 2 0 1 6 Volume 20 Issue 7 GRACE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH Reverend Benjamin J. Kifer, Pastor 1776 N. Market St. / P. O. Box 2505 Washington, NC 27889 Tel: 252-975-1988 July 3, 10, 17, 24 AND 31 10:30 a.m. ELW Worship Calendar Additions July 1st - July 9th - Pastor gone for vacation Saturday, July 16th - afternoon VBS decoration Monday, July 18th - Thursday, July 21st VBS! July Birthdays July Anniversaries 5 Doris Hofmann 25 Marisol and Nathaniel Wade III 14 Pastor Ben 27 Karen and Ron Hermany 24 Marisol Wade 27 Charlotte and Melvin Woolard In this issue: Birthdays/Anniversaries pg. 1 Lutheran Men in Mission pg. 10 Social Ministry pg. 8 Christian Education pg.11 Lutheran World Relief (LWR) pg. 8 Women of Grace pg. 7 Community Outreach pg. 9 Pastor’s Message pg. 4 Worship & Music pg. 7 Evangelism ------ Prayer Concerns pg. 11 Youtherans! pg. ETC. pg. 3 President’s Message pg. 5 Stewardship pg. - Financial Reports pg. 6 Ruth’s House pg. 5 Fellowship pg. 10
Transcript
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GRACE’S†GOOD†NEWShttp://www.gracelutherannc.org Check us out on FaceBook !
July 2 0 1 6 Volume 20 Issue 7
GRACE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
Reverend Benjamin J. Kifer, Pastor
1776 N. Market St. / P. O. Box 2505
Washington, NC 27889 Tel: 252-975-1988
July 3, 10, 17, 24 AND 31
10:30 a.m. ELW Worship
Calendar AdditionsJuly 1st - July 9th - Pastor gone for vacation Saturday, July 16th - afternoon VBS decoration Monday, July 18th - Thursday, July 21st VBS!
JulyBirthdaysJulyAnniversaries
5 Doris Hofmann 25 Marisol and Nathaniel Wade III 14 Pastor Ben 27 Karen and Ron Hermany 24 Marisol Wade 27 Charlotte and Melvin Woolard
In this issue: Birthdays/Anniversaries pg. 1 Lutheran Men in Mission pg. 10 Social Ministry pg. 8 Christian Education pg.11 Lutheran World Relief (LWR) pg. 8 Women of Grace pg. 7 Community Outreach pg. 9 Pastor’s Message pg. 4 Worship & Music pg. 7Evangelism ------ Prayer Concerns pg. 11 Youtherans! pg. ETC. pg. 3 President’s Message pg. 5 Stewardship pg. - Financial Reports pg. 6 Ruth’s House pg. 5 Fellowship pg. 10
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Special Announcements! 25th Anniversary celebration
Circle November 13th on your calendar! This will be a special day of celebration for our church family as Grace Lutheran turns 25! Bishop Tim Smith will be here to help us celebrate, and to lead Sunday school and preach. Former members and pastors will be invited to be here as well. If you have any pictures or news clippings to share, please do so with Lois, Tom, or Erwin!
Fall Sunday school
Lutheran Confessions - what do you think of when you hear that term? The Lutheran Confessions are the writings of the first Protestant Reformers working with Martin Luther to lead the Reformation. This fall, Pastor Ben will lead the adult Sunday school group through a study of the Confessions (like the writings in the Book of Concord) in a thoughtful and prayerful study of the foundation of the Protestant faith, on which the Bible rests. Join us beginning September 18th!
VBS
July 18th-21st will see the church transformed into the "Surf Shack," our theme for Vacation Bible School this year! The days will run from 9:30 - 12:30 Monday through Friday. Tell your friends, and don't be afraid to invite any children ages 3-12 to participate!
Germany trip
We had an awesome trip! Seeing Berlin, Buchenwald, the Wartburg Castle, the birth and death houses of Luther, Wittenberg, and so much more, was just amazing. Kathy Russman, Bob and Sue Dawson, and Ben and Stacey Kifer look forward to sharing their adventures with the congregation later in the year - most likely a mid-week "stay-cation" during Advent. Thank you for your prayers!
“ E t c. “ In addition to special announcements, submissions of Lutheran/Christian anecdotes, jokes, uplifting/inspirational thoughts and stories are also welcomed. Simply email them to: [email protected]
Satan Goes to Church
ne bright, beautiful Sunday morning, everyone in tiny Jonestown wakes up early and goes to their local church. Before the service starts, the townspeople sit in their pews and talk about their lives and their families.
Suddenly, at the altar, Satan appears!! Everyone starts screaming and running for the front entrance, trampling each other in their determined efforts to get away from Evil Incarnate. Soon, everyone is evacuated from the church except for one man, who sit calmly in his pew, seemingly oblivious to the fact that God's ultimate enemy is in his presence. This confuses Satan a bit. Satan walks up to the man and says, "Hey, don't you know who I am?" The man says, "Yep, sure do." Satan says, "Well, aren't you afraid of me?" The man says, "Nope, sure ain't." Satan, perturbed, says, "And why aren't you afraid of me?" The man says, "Well, I've been married to your sister for 25 years."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “ Another said, ‘I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.’ Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’” – Luke 9:61-62.
One of the enlightening stories that I heard on our trip to Germany was this: When Martin Luther was caught in the thunderstorm, and cried out to Saint Anne, and pledged his life to become a monk (a story you may or may not know well), his family was furious. Luther’s father, in particular, was upset at young Martin for being so wasteful. Our tour guide through Erfurt – where Luther had lived for many years as a monk – was led by a man dressed as Luther himself. He was a great Lutheran historian, and he had us think about it this way: In those days (the early 1500’s,) a pig was a very valuable thing. A pig would sell at market for a hefty sum of money – in fact, expensive things were measured by how many pigs they were worth in daily conversations. Martin Luther had been enrolled in law school for 4 years already when he had his thunderstorm experience and decided to become a monk.
Each semester of law school cost Luther’s father, Hans, 2 pigs at the market – and so, in total, he had spent the equivalent of 8 pigs at the market on Martin’s ‘higher education’ when the young man decided to change courses and enroll at seminary instead. This was a lot of money, and Luther’s father was so upset that they did not speak for almost 20 years! Hans was so angry because from his perspective, Martin had abandoned his family and his financial investment. However, when Martin got married to Katharina, his beloved, Hans finally broke the silence and attended the wedding.
I never knew that this decision by Martin Luther caused such a rift in his family. 20 years of silence can cost a family so much, but it is the kind of thing that happens so often: family members do not see eye-to-eye, and an argument can turn into something so much more hurtful and substantial. In Luther’s case, the rift cost 20 years.
However, the text from Luke above can help us to understand Luther’s commitment to dedicating his life to the ministry when we know the rest of his story. His promise to Saint Anne to become a monk in the thunderstorm was not just a whim that was soon forgotten – it was a sincere turning over of his life to the will and purpose of God, which we know had amazing consequences. Just as Jesus suggests, Luther put his hands to the plow, and never looked back, even at the cost of angering his family and not speaking to them.
The message from Jesus, heard by Luther, and available to us, is clear. Nothing is to stand in our way of following Jesus with our whole life. We cannot allow distractions or detours to keep us from walking with Jesus and building the kingdom of heaven each and every day. Discipleship with Jesus will not always (not even often) be easy, but we are called to it all the same. The analogy is a perfect one – have you ever seen the rows of a planted field from above? The lines are perfectly straight! Could that be achieved by looking backward? Certainly not. Nothing should keep us from fulfilling our call to follow Jesus.
Pastor Ben's office hours are: [Monday will be his Sabbath / day off.] Tuesday (from home), Wednesday & Thursday 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Feel free to call his cell phone anytime 252-235-8901 to schedule an appointment.
Ahhhh…the ‘dog days’ of summer…this is when the heat gets serious in Eastern North Carolina. Many of you will be fleeing the heat and taking your summer vacations or special trips, presumably to someplace cooler. We will keep all of our travelers in our prayers, as stated in our weekly printed Prayer Concerns. Items of particular note for July:
! Vacation Bible School is gearing up for their four days of Bible Stories, crafts, recreation, science, music and songs which begins on July 18 at 9:30 a.m. It’s not too late to see how you can help out with needed items that Grace Lutherans can loan or donate. Check the list in the Fellowship Hall. Snacks and lunch are provided for the children, so some food items will be on that list too. Thank you in advance for your help!
! By now you should have received your SAVE THE DATE invitation for our upcoming 25th Anniversary celebration, scheduled for Sunday, November 13th, an event you won't want to miss.
! Pastor Kifer, Tom and Bette Volk attended the 2016 NC Synod and their report will be forthcoming. ! Council and related committees continue to work on areas prioritized at their April retreat: parking lot
improvements, a possible new multi-functional building, website improvements, outreach and evangelism opportunities in our community, and worshiping growth in the areas of youth and families. As decisions are made, we will keep you up-to-date and informed, as always.
In closing, I would be remiss if I did not mention to you how much your prayers, cards and emails meant to me as I recovered from my most recent back episode. When you know folks are keeping you lifted in prayer, it is an amazing feeling. I am sure many of you can attest to that as well. We are truly family to each other, just another of God’s many blessings. Thank you each and every one of you. Peace to you all, and thanks be to God! Bonnie Smith, Congregation Council President As you continue your spring cleaning (!), save your usable, unwanted items that are beach-themed items for Vacation Bible School in mid-July ! Bonnie Smith, for the Congregation Council of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Report on Ruth’s House ~ submitted by Jean Richardson HAVE YOU VISITED RUTH’S HOUSE ANTIQUES & MORE LOCATON: 228 W Main Street, Washington NC?
All funds raised will be used to help the victims of domestic violence.
♥ The current / on-going needs for Ruth’s House are posted on the bulletin board in the narthex. Please place your donated items in the bin marked “Ruth’s House” in the Fellowship Hall. Thanks so much for supporting Ruth’s House!!!
FOR DONATIONS TO RUTH’S HOUSE “ANTIQUES & MORE” SHOP: ANTIQUES – FURNITURE -- GLASS -- COLLECTIBLES.
We deeply appreciate your support! This is an ever evolving list to meet the needs of Ruth’s House.
Interested in volunteering for Ruth’s House? Call (252)940-0007
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REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES & GROUPS
Treasurer Report as of May 31, 2016. General Fund Budget Accounts
YTD income ($46750) is 53% of annual budget ($ 88,947). YTD expense ($37351) is 41% of annual budget ($ 90,885). YTD income less YTD expense = $ 9399
Financial Secretary Report as of May 29, 2016
2016 General Fund
2016 Building & Asset Replacement Fund
2016 Church Offering Pledges $79,420.00 $ 11,505.00
Pledges to Date $36,349.00 $ 4,520.00 % Pledges 45.8% 39.3%
Pledge Period Completed 42.3% 42.3% Non-pledged Offering $ 9,362.18 $ 1,940.00Church Offering Total $ 45,711.18 $ 6,460.00
, Offering required to meet the Budget $ 95,068.00 $ 10,000.00
Church Offering Total % 48.1% 64.6% 2016 YTD Offering Surplus (Deficit) $ 5490.10 2,229.23
THE NEEDLERS,agroupofladieswhoknit,crochet,seworquilt.ThewomenmeeteachThursdayfrom1P.M.until3P.M.fromSeptemberthroughMay.Anyoneinterestedincraftsofanysortiswelcometoattend
NITE OWLS Dinner Group (monthly dinners out) meet the 1st Thursday evening of the month.Nite Owls host assignments will change each month, per mutual agreement. The host(s) will select the restaurant, make a reservation, communicate that information to everyone, take names of those wishing to attend, and confirm the number attending with the restaurant. Meals are to be paid for by separate check. Carpools can be arranged, if needed.
WORSHIP & MUSIC ~ Lois Hoot, Chair FavoriteHymnssungduringJune
GodWhoseAlmightyWordJesusSaviorPilotMeLoveDivineAllLovesExcellingSaviorAgaintoYourDearNameWhenMorningGildstheSkiesSonofGodHowSweettheNameofJesusSoundsPraiseandThanksandAdorationLeadOnOKingOMasterLetMeWalkWithTheeOSaviorPreciousSaviorWorshipandMusicmeetingisJuly10afterrefreshments.Flowers-Don't forget to sign-up on the flower chart for your special Sunday to provide flowers to the Glory of God. Please let Lois Hoot know if you want anything special put in the bulletin. Rally Day is September 11. More details coming later. Grace Lutheran WELCA: WELCA met at Grace Lutheran Church on Saturday, June 4th with five members present for our monthly meeting and study. Our devotional was titled "Treasure in Clay Pots" and led to a good discussion. We had a short business meeting reviewing a letter from our national group thanking us for our support. Our group supports our state organization with a quarterly donation. We also have a list of some special learning needs of disadvantaged preschoolers. Those present chose one child to shop for and Sandra made an announcement on Sunday for other helpers. We now have someone to shop for each child's needs with a deadline of August 1. We remembered our members who have special needs and asked God's healing presence with them. Thanks to everyone for your support and we welcome all women to join us on July 2nd.
Lookingforwardtoseeingeachofyou.SandraMahler
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LWR (Lutheran World Relief) Coffee, Cocoa, Tea, Candy & Fruit Snacks Check out the rack for coffee, and chocolate bars! (Checks payable to “Grace-WELCA”)
Thank you for supporting LWR!
~ Lois Hoot
WELCA Equal Exchange Coffee $8.00 Whole Bean Coffee $8.00 Large Candy Bar $3.50 Small Candy Bar $1.00 ► please continue to SAVE the following for Lois Hoot, and put them in the kitchen.
Clear plastic or glass gallon jars……..any used ink cartridges………..Box Top labels for Education
SOCIAL MINISTRY COMMITTEE Eagle’s Wings (on-going) Questions? Please call Joanne Dramstad at 252-833-0223. Eagle’s Wings has requested: toiletry supplies, such as toilet paper, soap, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, deodorant, shampoo, etc. There is a special need for baby items such as disposable diapers and baby wipes. The times are tough for everyone right now, but our help is needed. We will collect items on the first Sunday of each month. You may place your donated items in the container marked EAGLE’S WINGS located in the Fellowship Hall. Transportation services offered (on-going) A number of Grace's members have offered to drive others who may not be able to drive themselves, either to doctor appointments or other errands, or to evening church events. If you are available to drive someone in this way, please put your name and telephone number on the sign-up sheet on the narthex bulletin board, and indicate whether you would be willing to drive at night.
Also, if you are in need of a ride, you can make a note of that on the right-hand list, or contact the Social Ministry Committee through Eileen Gustafson, 946-1497.
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Women of Grace OUR V I S I O N:
By Grace, through faith, we are God’s children, growing in faith and discipleship
LutheranMeninMission:New officers are President Richard Mahler, Vice President Nelson Engebretsen, Secretary Tom Volk, Treasurer Stuart Everett
Fellowship committee report Change continues to be in the air for Sunday Fellowship with Refreshments! The months of May and June were busy times for Fellowship at Grace Lutheran. The 1st Sunday of May found us celebrating Kaylee’s baptism with family and friends during our Fellowship time with cake and vege and fruit trays! We continued the month, enjoying both fellowship and refreshments after Sunday service. Members have ‘teamed up’ to provide refreshments, some have brought in ‘leftovers’ from family celebrations to share on Sunday. We continue to find different ways to provide refreshments during our Fellowship time! Our second “5th Sunday” Fellowship Potluck was held on May 29th! Once again there was delicious food and great fellowship! Fellowship will be ‘on vacation’ during the month of July. Fellowship will return with our third “5th Sunday Fellowship Potluck” on July 31st! Fellowship committee members: Agnes Beacham, Joanne Dramstad, Judy Jennette, Deb Johnston, Jean A. Richardson, Bonnie Smith
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE Next meeting: Wednesday, October 19th at 11:00 a.m.
► It’s Finally Here! 2016 Vacation Bible School at Grace Lutheran ! “SURF SHACK: Catch the Wave of God’s Amazing Love” 9:30 am – 12:30 pm Monday – Thursday July 18-21! Please check the Fellowship Hall and/or Narthex bulletin board for a list of donated items needed and how you can help—many thanks! Also, be sure to view all the scenery that has been generously created by Karen Hermany. It is currently on display in our Fellowship Hall! THANK YOU KAREN!
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► NEW ! Young Adult Bible Study! Hosted by Pastor Ben and Stacey Kifer, this will begin in August! More details forthcoming. ► ADULT EVENING BIBLE STUDY resumes July 10th! Sunday Evenings at 5:00 p.m. Everyone is invited and welcome to attend at any time! Led by Pastor Ben Kifer, participants are currently studying Zechariah.
► SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR ALL AGES
Adult Sunday School Hour will resume on September 18th from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. each Sunday. Leading off in September, for 8 weeks, will be a study of The Book of Concord, led by Pastor Ben Kifer. NC Bishop Timothy will join us on November 13th with a Q&A session. An Advent study follows in late November and early December, ending with our famous Advent Jeopardy on December 18th. Please make plans to join in for as many of these as you can! Children & Youth Sunday school – curriculum TBD at this time.
► CONFIRMATION CLASSES to begin in August! Please see Pastor Kifer if you know of any youth who may be interested in this instruction toward Confirmation.
► LENDING LIBRARY ! Donations are always appreciated!
Are you looking for some SUMMER reading? Remember to check out Grace’s Lending Library bookshelf in the Fellowship hallway by the telephone. Check it out! Many interesting choices are there for you! ~ Christian Education Committee: Lois Hoot, Pastor Ben Kifer, Becky Morse (Council Liaison), Jean Richardson, Kathy Russman (Chair), Bonnie Smith & Tom Volk.
PRAYER CONCERNS
TRAVEL MERCIES for all our traveling Grace Lutherans Agnes Beacham Agnes’s son, Tom Dittrich, passed away on June 1st Betty Beacham health problems; cousin of Lawrence BeachamAria Faith Blackburn suffering from multiple procedures to treat a very rare form of eye cancer;
Not- quite-3-year old grand-daughter of co-worker of Judy Jennette William Brooks member; currently deployed to Afghanistan; husband of Hillary & father of
Imogen. Kathy Burns problems; friend of Agnes Beacham Christine Clark diagnosed with breast cancer; 29-year-old daughter of Skip Keim’s cousin Barb Cocchi health concerns; sister of Sue Dawson Mary Cook health problems; cousin of Becky Morse Pastor Davis health problems
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Family of Tom Dittrich Tom passed away on June 1 in New York; son of Agnes Beacham Liliana Claire Donovan newborn grand-daughter of visitors, Dee & Jean Donovan Nelson Engebretsen member; recovering from pneumonia Roberta Engebretsen member; health concerns Dwain Edwards Ursula Glisson member; recovering from recent auto accident Grace Lutheran Church f or spiritual and physical growth, and for discernment on our path forward Stephanie Holder young mother with cancer Family of Judith Husebo Judith passed away on March 18; please keep husband Jim Husebo in prayer Treva Inzerillo Jerry Jennette recovering from recent surgery; husband of Judy Jennette; Son-in-law of
Erwin & Flo Meier Amy Keim awaiting surgery; cousin of Skip Keim, and mother of Christine Clark
Pastor Lee Kinney serious health concerns; pastor of First Presbyterian Church– Washington Everette Martin health concerns; friend of Annette Sipe Virginia McCall health issues; sister of Bette Volk Flo Meier member; on-going health concerns Billy Mills suffering with cancer; brother of Lynda Pelusio, recent visitor to Grace Pat Mills health issues; friend of the Beachams Pastor Jimmy Moore Pastor of 1st Baptist Church ; battling cancer Family of Mark Oaks Mark passed away on May 19th; uncle of Pastor Ben Kifer Family of Raymond Peace Raymond passed away in early May. The Poag Family Sheena Powell re-hospitalized; prayers for recovery; sister of Becky Morse Camille Rae Russman infant daughter of Robin & Kurt Russman born on April 14; Grand-daughter of Kathy Russman. Bill Schnaekel, recovering from recent hip displacement Jakob Schnaekel and Family Virginia Lee Smith health concerns; 92-year old aunt of Steve Smith Woodrow and Carol Smith dealing with dementia and other health concerns Steve Spang recently diagnosed with lung cancer; nephew of Ursula Glisson Sharon Steinbacher suffering from cancer; friend of the Schnaekels Jimmy & Judy Taylor health concerns; family of Lawrence Beacham Carol & George Trueman on-going health concerns Stephanie Tucker now living in New York City Family of Beverly Turner Beverly passed away on March 16; sister of Roberta Engebretsen Joshua Werner prayers for his recovery following successful major back surgery on April 5th;
fifteen-year-old grand-son of Sue & Bob Dawson Larry Wheeling has MS and is improving after suffering a stroke; uncle of Annette Sipe Robert Williams currently incarcerated; per Pastor Ben Charlotte Woolard & Family member; health and other concerns
