Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church 33 S. 11th Street, Reading, PA 19602 God’s Responsive people Acting out our faith by Committing ourselves to reach out to Each and Everyone in God’s vast creation. *********** “EPISTLE OF GRACE” *********** September 2014 Return to Fall Schedule Sunday, September 7 God’s Work, Our Hands Worship at 10:30 a.m. Then join us at the Reading Lutheran Parish (RLP) picnic at 12:30 p.m. Come for good food, a hymn sing, and a simple service project. See details inside. Sundays, September 14, 2014 — June 2015 9:00 a.m. Sunday school for all ages 10:30 a.m. Worship Breakfast at 8:45 a.m. on the third Sunday of each month, beginning September 21.
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Grace Evangelical Lutheran
Church
33 S. 11th Street,
Reading, PA 19602
God’s
Responsive people
Acting out our faith by
Committing ourselves to reach out to
Each and Everyone in God’s vast creation.
***********
“EPISTLE OF GRACE”
***********
September 2014
Return to Fall Schedule
Sunday, September 7
God’s Work, Our Hands
Worship at 10:30 a.m.
Then join us at the Reading
Lutheran Parish (RLP) picnic at
12:30 p.m. Come for good food, a hymn
sing, and a simple service project.
See details inside.
Sundays, September 14, 2014 — June 2015
9:00 a.m. Sunday school for all ages
10:30 a.m. Worship
Breakfast at 8:45 a.m. on the third Sunday of
each month, beginning September 21.
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Pastoral Reflections September 2014
As I write this reflection, I've just come back from a week at the beach. In thinking back on my good memories of sitting in the sun and watching the waves, I realize that sometimes life is a lot like one of my favorite things - swimming in the ocean.
You have to be brave to dive in. You need gumption, guts, and courage to face the unpredictable waves and the shock of the cold water.
Often, to get to the good stuff - floating calmly on the water - you have to push through crashing waves and rough patches. There's water that splashes from every direction - salt in your mouth - you're not sure where you will catch a full breath. Sometimes life comes crashing at you with stress and uncer-tainty, sickness and trouble. Sometimes we aren't sure in what direction we're headed, and we can't quite seem to keep our heads above water.
And then, there are other days, when it's smooth sailing. Days when we can get through the rough part, and come out on the other side, where the waves are gentle and soothing, where we are safe and secure, relaxed and free. There are days when we float on the grace of God without a care in the world.
With life, we never know what each day will bring.
However, if I had been able to wake up early enough on my vacation...if I had made it out to the beach before it was lit-tered with umbrellas and sandcastles, I would have seen that those waves, as unpredictable as they are, are creating some-thing new each and every day. The beach is never the same twice. It is brand new with each new day. It is renewing with every crash of every wave.
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Just like that, we too, are given the gift of renewal with each new day - even with each new moment. Because we are baptized, we believe that God is constantly washing us clean, making us whole, and creating us anew. Martin Luther said it this way in the Small Catechism, "...daily a new person is to come forth and rise up to live before God..."
Whatever life brings us - choppy waves, or smooth sailing - because we are baptized, we know that God is with us, loving us, and giving us a fresh start, over and over again, forever.
As we approach fall with its increase in activity, with its new school year and renewed busyness, may we all remember that whatever life brings our way, God is with us, and we are always being made new.
Peace be with you, Pastor Marsha
Congratulations Pastor Marsha and Brian!
We rejoice in the addition to your family.
Andrew Emmet Ballantine “Drew”
Born at 2:10 p.m. on August 22, 2014 (Also Pastor Marsha’s birthday)
8 lbs. 15 oz. 22 inches long
Everyone is healthy and incredibly happy as they adjust to being a new family.
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Parental Leave Pastor Marsha is away on parental leave from August 16 to October 12. We thank Karen Althouse for serving as the supply preacher on August 17 and 24. Karen is a local Synodically Authorized Lay Minister who previously served Incarnation Lutheran Church. We look forward to having Pastor Ingrid Skilbred as our Sunday worship leader from August 31 through October 12. Pastor Ingrid lives in Lansdale and worked with Pastor Marsha when they both lived in Minnesota.
Pastoral care will be handled by a different local pastor each week of Pastor Marsha’s leave. If you are in need of pastoral care (i.e. hospital visit, personal crisis, a death in the family, etc.), please call our Church Administrator, Kathy Yenser, at 610-
375-3961 during office hours (9:00-12:00 weekdays), and she will have a pastor call you. If you have a pastoral emergency after hours, please call Jane Battaglieri at 610-370-0965, and she will have a pastor call you. Please do not call Pastor Marsha’s cell phone during her parental leave. Thank you!
September Meetings
Choir Rehearsal each Wednesday, beginning September 3, at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary .
Christian Education: Monday, September 8 at 6:30 p.m.
Staff: Wednesday, September 10 at 5:30 p.m.
Council: Thursday, September 11 at 7:00 p.m.
Altar Guild: Sunday, September 14 after worship
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Return to Sunday Fall Schedule September 7: God’s Work, Our Hands 10:30 a.m. Worship
Reading Lutheran Parish (RLP) picnic at Stone Cliff Recreation Area, 1200 Monroe Street, Reading. Food will be served at 12:30 p.m. Hot dogs and hamburgers are provided. The remainder of the meal is pot luck, so please bring a side dish, dessert, or drinks to share. Also bring lawn chairs. After the meal, there will be a hymn sing and a simple service project: assembling personal care kits for Lutheran World Relief (LWR). LWR will distribute the kits to people in need around the world, including refugees, those living in extreme poverty, and victims of natural disasters such as flood and earthquakes. Children and youth will participate in a Bible study with the ChAOS group.
Diane Ohlinger will provide van transportation to the picnic. Please contact her at 610-207-6057 if you need a ride.
September 14 , 2014 - June 2015 9:00 a.m. Sunday school for all ages
10:30 a.m. Worship
8:45 a.m. Breakfast on the third Sunday of the month, beginning September 21. A free-will donation will be accepted to cover the cost.
Council Highlights Council does not hold a regular meeting during the summer months of July and August. However, there was a special council meeting held after church on August 3 to discuss healthcare options for Pastor Marsha and the baby. Council voted to approve the healthcare for the baby and Pastor Marsha.
Council will resume monthly meetings on September 11, 2014.
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September Birthdays
1 – Ann White, Charles Acosta
2 – Emily Ortiz
4 – Alexis Kerscher
8 – David Newmoyer, Anne Flowers, Gwen Hatza, John Hoffert
10-Ted Velazquez
13 – Lori Neider
15 – Grace DeAngelis,
17 – Joshua Ortiz, Mike McCoy, Jodi Acosta
19 –Rita Wilk
22 – Richard Sherry
24 – Matthew Francisco
26 – Rita Feather
27 – Jason Denunzio
28 – Keith Allison, Dennis Spolski, Isabella Appling
29 –Sean McCullough, Marion Latshaw
30 – Julie Mengel
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Worship Sponsorships Needed
We are grateful to the many members and friends of Grace Lutheran Church who sponsor the altar flowers, sanctuary lamp, and bulletins each Sunday for worship. It is a wonderful way to remember or acknowledge a family member or friend.
We are in need of a number of sponsorships for Sundays in September:
Flowers: September 7, 14, 21, and 28
Sanctuary Lamp: September 14 and 28
Bulletins: September 14, 21, and 28
Please consider sponsoring one of these items In Honor of or In Memory of a Loved One. Cost for each is $15.
2014 SPONSOR SHEET FOR ALTAR FLOWERS, SANCTUARY LAMP, AND BULLETINS
Name of Person Filling Out Form: ________________________
Phone #: __________________
Date of Sponsorship: Sunday, ________________
In Memory / In Honor of: (Please circle Memory or Honor)
Each month, Pastor Marsha is using the duties outlined in her “Letter of Call” to describe some of the ways she spends her time while serving as pastor of Grace.
“…to equip us for witness and service; and guide us in proclaiming God’s love through word and deed…”
This particular area of my responsibilities as your pastor is one that brings me a lot of joy, and it’s one that you all are already really good at. In fact, your mission statement is all about serving others and reaching out in God’s name. It says, we are “God’s responsive people acting out our faith by committing ourselves to reach out to each and every one in God’s vast creation.” What a statement of faith!
We know, as Lutherans, that we do not HAVE to do anything to receive God’s salvation and grace. And we also know that, now that we don’t have to do anything, we are free to choose how we are going to live out our beliefs. If we believe in God, but it doesn’t change our life, what good is that to us or to anyone? Instead, we are called to give witness to how God is present in our lives. We are called to serve others because Jesus asks us to. We are called to proclaim God’s love, not only with our words, but with our entire lives.
I see you all doing this when you catch up with each other over coffee, or in Sunday school, or before worship begins. I see you witnessing to where God is in your life – where you see God in your joys and in your struggles. And I see you serving each other and your community. I see you checking on each other when you are sick. I see you tutoring kids from our neighborhood. I see you cooking and cooking and cooking some more, for just about everyone! I see you proclaiming God’s love in the way you welcome visitors to our congregation. I see you proclaiming God’s love in the way you care about this place. You all are great at this.
My role is to remind us that this is what we are about – in my preaching and teaching, and hopefully in my own words and actions. My role is to remind us that this is the good part – the fun stuff – and it makes a big difference in our lives and in the lives of those around us.
Thanks for being you, and for all the ways you proclaim God’s love with your lives.
Peace, Pastor Marsha
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TAKE CARE: A YEAR OF STEWARDSHIP
Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above. James 1:17a
Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one
another with whatever gift each of you has received. 1 Peter 4:10
This month, you will see lots of bright orange mosquitos around the church building. If you would like to get rid of these eye-sores, you can pay $1 per mosquito to have them taken down. All of the money we collect will go to support the ELCA Malaria Campaign.
A child dies from malaria every 60 seconds. We are in a special moment to help turn this around. Since the start of the ELCA Malaria Campaign, ELCA members and our companions overseas have already seen a reduction in the number of deaths from this preventable, treatable disease. We are a church that believes God is calling us into the world — together. Working through Lutheran partners in Africa, the ELCA Malaria Campaign is uniquely positioned to help provide mosquito nets, education, testing, medication and more to help eliminate deaths from this disease — for good. For more info on the ELCA Malaria Campaign, visit www.elca.org/malaria.
Bring a group of family and friends to the Isaac’s in Wyomissing for dinner and they will contribute
25% of your meal cost to our CROP Hunger Walk!
The coupon on the next page is needed for dinner.
All walk materials for the October 12 walk will be available for pick-up that evening at Isaac’s. SEE YOU THERE!
Transportation is Available for Sunday Worship!
If you are in need of a ride to church on Sunday mornings, call the church office at 610-375-3961 between 9:00 and noon, Monday - Friday, to request a ride from our van. There is never a need to call a taxi or ride the bus to join us for Sunday worship. The van drivers are more than happy to pick you up and take you home each week. When you call the church, you may reserve a ride for one Sunday only or be on our every week pick up list.
Please Note All calls to the church must be made before Friday noon
in order to request the van for Sunday. Messages are not checked between Friday noon and Sunday worship.
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JOIN US FOR OUR “Reading-Berks CROP Walk” FUNDRAISER
On Thursday, September 4, 2014, Isaac’s Famous Grilled Sand-wiches (Village Square, Wyomissing) will host a fundraiser bene-fiting our CROP Hunger Walk. Isaac's will be supporting the CROP Walk by contributing 25% of your meal cost. Bring your family and friends out for a great dinner and support the Reading-Berks CROP Walk as we raise money to feed hungry people through Church World Service and the Greater Berks Food Bank!
WHERE: Isaac’s Famous Grilled Sandwiches Village Square, 94 Commerce Drive Wyomissing, PA 19610
Call 610-376-1717 to place your takeout order (Valid at this location only)
WHEN: Thursday, September 4, 2014, 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
HOW: Bring this flyer with you to Isaac’s, complete the information, and hand it to your server when paying.
This form can be used for Dine-In, Takeout & Online Orders at www.isaacsdeli.com!
Use coupon code FUND for online fundraiser orders. ____________________________________________________
Want to help our organization earn even MORE? Add an Isaac’s Gift Card to your check and 15% of the gift card sale will be added to the fundraiser! Gift card must be used.
Tutors Needed! Can you give just two hours of your time each week to help a child Grow in Grace?
Every Tuesday after school children from both Amanda Stout and 10
th & Penn Elementary
Schools come to Grace Lutheran Church eager to learn but even more eager for the comforting reassurance of a constant and caring person reaching out to help them.
Volunteers are needed to tutor these children each Tuesday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Grow in Grace Tutoring Program is a wonderful, positive force in the lives of many children. Volunteers work and play with early elementary school children while helping to brighten their journey into life and learning.
The 2014-2015 program will begin on Tuesday, October 14 and continue into May 2015. If interested in reaching out to a child, please contact Diane Ohlinger at 610-207-6057
If interested in donating fresh fruit or veggies, please contact Diane Ohlinger to coordinate the date you will bring them.
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Apple Dumpling Sale
Order your apple dumplings by Sunday, October 5 and pick them up by NOON on
Sunday, October 19 to enjoy a tasty treat. Pay for your apple dumplings at the time of ordering; cost is $3.00 each.
To order apple dumplings, contact any member of the apple dumpling gang:
Or contact the Church Office at 610-375-3961.
Book Sale at Grace Our annual sale of gently used books will take place during September and October. This is a great way to pass on books that you have enjoyed to members and friends of Grace.
We are accepting donations now. Please place donated books on the cart that is located outside the church office. If you are unable to transport your books to the church build-ing, call the church office at 610-375-3961 and we will make arrangements to pick them up.
Now is the time to clean off those book shelves that you have been planning to get to! Thank you.
Elaine Bachman Janet Bampton
Sandy Bocian Bea Kappenstein
Steve and Nancy Kemery Lori Miller
Louise McCloughan Diane Ohlinger
Claire Ruth Pat Tranovich
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Will You Help sell Friends Helping Friends shopping
passes to Boscov’s stores? Each shopping pass that you sell for $5 provides Grace Church with $5 to use for ministry. We need people to sell passes to their family, friends, and neighbors beyond the congregation. See Diane Ohlinger for more information on how you can help.
Here’s how people benefit from having a shopping pass.
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Notes Toward the end of July, the church office computer became inoperable after being damaged by a storm. It was two weeks before a new computer could be installed and our information recovered. This week, I discovered that the calendar which is included in the monthly newslet-ter was not restored from our old computer. Therefore I am not able to print a calendar page for the September newsletter. I am sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. Kathy Yenser
Deadline for submitting articles for the October newsletter is September 15, 2014.
FEELING ILL? GOING TO THE HOSPITAL? Please call the church office at 610-375-3961. This is only way to be sure that the pastor will know.
For Your 2014 Calendar
Family Fall Festival Saturday, October 25, 1:00 PM—3:00 PM Christmas Bazaar Saturday, November 1, 8:00 AM—2:00 PM
Youth Spaghetti Dinner Sunday, November 2, after worship
Advent Workshop and Lunch Sunday, November 30, after worship
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Church Staff
Marsha Anderson, Pastor Kathy Yenser, Church Administrator
Jane Battaglieri, Organist/Choir Director Diane Ohlinger, Christian Education
