November 2013 Grace Notes - Grace Lutheran Church Muscatine

Grace Notes
November
2013
A monthly publication of Grace Lutheran Church
Inside this issue:
Music Notes
2
Grace Women News
2
HOPES Christmas Party
3
November 10th
Celebration
3
Crop Walk 2013
4
GLC Ministry Of Literacy
4
Christmas Giving
5
Prayer Book For Armed
Services
6
Evangelical Lutheran
Church In America
6
Senior Resources
7
Christian Education
7
Birthdays &
Anniversaries
8
Worship Assistants
Calendar
9
November Calendar
10
Worship Schedule
Food Pantry
Sunday
November
3rd
Sunday
8:15 & 10:45 a.m.
face as Christ followers in
a crazy, mixed-up world.
The GLC Youth Group
In November we will take
meets each Sunday from a look at the question:
4:30-6:00 in the YOT. The “Aren’t All Religions the
youth group is open to
Same?” and “What About
youth in grades 5-12.
the End Times?” Come
This fall we have been
join us for fun, food and
taking a look at some
fellowship. —Bob Romza
“TUFF” issues that we
Youth News
PAGE 2
G R AC E N O TE S
NOVEMBER 2013
Music Notes for November 2013
Our Hymn of the Month is taking a sabbatical for November.
We will have a new hymn of the month for
Advent, which begins on Sunday, December 1st. Please prayerfully consider if you would like to participate in
one of our music ministries.
Bell Choir- the GLC Bell Choir meets and plays on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month. We meet from 9:30
to 10:15 a.m. and play a piece at the Amazing Grace (10:45) service. We are especially looking for persons with
some knowledge of music notation who would be willing to “come off the bench” from time to time to cover a
pair of bells.
Grace Singers- the Grace Singers meets each Wednesday evening from 6:30-7:30 p.m. We sing each Sunday
alternating between the Amazing Grace (10:45) service and the Abundant Life (8:15) service. The Senior Choir
is open to all from high school age to, shall we say, to more mature singers.
Youth Choir- the GLC Youth Choir meets each Sunday afternoon from 4:00-4:30 p.m. and is open to youth in
grades 5 through 8. We sing at one of the services at least every other month and sing a variety of music from
classical rounds to contemporary pieces.
Instrumentalists- if you play an instrument (wind, string, piano) there are always opportunities to offer
special music selections throughout the year. Don’t worry about the music being too hard; I will pick and
arrange a piece that will be just right. Hey you former band members, this would be a great chance to dust off
your instrument that has been in the closet all those years.
GLC Wind Ensemble- the GLC Wind Ensemble meets regularly during the year and is always featured as part
of our Christmas and Easter celebrations as well as other times throughout the church year. This ensemble is
open to brass players from 6th grade through adult. We usually meet a couple times each month after the
10:45 service.
Contact Bob Roma for more details on any of the musical ministry opportunities.
—Bob Romza
Grace Women News
to the ELCA to be combined with offerings from other
ELCA women’s groups to support their ongoing minisKaren Hessel
tries. The mission for Women of the ELCA: Mobilizing
women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ. We
We have started our new Bible study “In Good
use
our time together to have fellowship and to supCompany: Stories of Biblical Women” which is our
port
each other as we learn God’s teachings. New
topic for this year. November is also a time we look at
members are always welcome.
our blessings and give our Thank offerings. For
Women of the ELCA, stewardship is about the bigger
Board Meeting November 11th at 9:30
picture. Through stewardship, we do more together
then we could ever do apart. To put it simply women
like you are the stewards of ELCA mission and minisAn Invitation
tries. Thank offerings are gifts from individuals in
All women of Grace are invited to join us on
gratitude for their blessings. Lutheran women have
November 12, 9:30 a.m.
been carrying out this tradition for more than 100
at
Grace Lutheran Church.
years. All money collected at this meeting will be sent
By Mary Hovick &
G R AC E N O TE S
NOVEMBER 2013
PAGE 3
HOPES Christmas Party
Does it seem early to have a Christmas tree up in
the church? Well we are getting ready for a very
special party. Grace is helping to host the annual
Christmas party for Lutheran Services in Iowa and
their HOPES program. We will be working with
Zion Lutheran to provide a meal and a toy to the
participants in the program. The party is on
December 3rd. You can help. Take a name tag from
the Christmas tree and buy an age appropriate,
developmental toy in the $10 -15 dollar range.
Right now is a good time to buy as all of the stores
have a good selection. Return the present with the
name tag attached to the Church by November
27th. We will have to have the presents to Zion by
Monday December 2nd. A cash donation can also be
made. Put the money in the envelope provided and
put it the basket on Sunday or in the church office
during business hours. We appreciate all the help
you can give us in this most rewarding outreach.
Any questions contact Karen Hessel or Sheila
Busch.
—Karen Hessel
Celebrate our Blessings Sunday
November 10th Worship and Soup Lunch
Dear Grace Members,
At the 10:45 am service we will also enjoy the
Sunday School children singing, and after this
A couple of weeks ago we started talking about
service we will have our Grace Family Thanksgivwhat it means to be found faithful in giving to
ing Dinner. Okay its soup not turkey, but it will
God in our temple talks. November 10th will be
be a great time for fellowship. Congregational
the end of this stewardship emphasis with the
Life Board will provide several kinds of delicious
offering of our pledges to God as part of both
soup. Tableware, coffee, and milk will be also
services. We have included the pledge sheets in
provided. If you would like, bring a salad, desthe Grace Notes so that you may have time to
sert, bread, relishes or even a bottle of pop,
prayerfully consider the covenant you want to
something to share. And remember just like the
make for next year. You can bring this copy with
miracle of the 5 loaves of bread there is always
you or there will be copies available at the sermore than enough for all! So even if you don’t
vice. Families may fill out one sheet if you like;
bring anything please plan to join us and help
just put your initials in any box only one person
celebrate our blessings as God’s people and
wants to mark. Also if you want to do something
members of Grace!
a certain month or only once a year, etc. just add
that info on too.
Sincerely,
Cindy Edgmond
PAGE 4
G R AC E N O TE S
NOVEMBER 2013
Crop Walk 2013 Raised Over $16,860.11
GLC Ministry Of Literacy
November 21st will see the completion of our pilot reading program for Grace. We have been so
excited with the response by our students, parents, school staff and Grace Members. The Literacy committee feels very blessed to have been able to hire Judy Lokenvitz who is an inspiration
to all involved in the program. We have great volunteers who are helping with reading, crafts,
spelling words, treats and really investing in our children. We have 11 children currently participating and each session we learn more about them and have the chance to interact on a personal basis. Our 7 first graders had read 94 books and our 4 second graders had read 75 books
by the middle of October. They are then able to test on those books at school. Pastor was able to
spend some time reading to them and then took them on a tour of the church answering their
questions as they went along. They seem very proud of their accomplishments and we are very
grateful to have the opportunity to assist them. Look for our bulletin board with their pictures.
God has certainly blessed us with so many giving and talented people as well as the opportunity
to serve. — Karen Hessel
NOVEMBER 2013
G R AC E N O TE S
PAGE 5
Christmas Giving
As we are approaching Advent, the Worship & Music board, again this year, would
like to encourage our church members to donate to the ECLA Good Gifts program
in place of poinsettias. We will have ornaments which you can write your dedication message on then place on the windows facing the sanctuary.
The cost of each ornament will be $10 and of course you can purchase as many
as you would like.
Please put your money ($10 per ornament) in the available envelopes and put in
the offering plate. Extra donations are also accepted.
Checks should be made out to “Grace Lutheran Church”.
Ornaments will be available starting December 1 until Christmas.
Last year the members of Grace donated a Family Farm.
If you still wish to purchase a poinsettia you may do so by contacting Hy-Vee directly. The price of each Poinsettia is $10.68 and the number to the floral department is 264-2005. Orders need to be placed by Monday, December 16. We
ask everyone who orders poinsettias to take them home soon after the Christmas
services. Independently of this mission, WELCA has in the past delivered poinsettias to shut-ins the beginning of December and will continue to do so. — Pam
Houseman
Questions: Contact a W&M board member – Scott Schultz, Dennis Lange, All
Bengtson, Carlin Lawhead, Pam Houseman
PAGE 6
G R AC E N O TE S
NOVEMBER 2013
New from Augsburg Publishing – Prayer Book for the Armed Services. Includes Daily
Prayer for Individual use, Prayers for various circumstances, Services for the dying (including
Jewish, Roman Catholic & Islamic) , Healing-Wounded, Psalms and topical index of readings:
After a critical incident, despair & loneliness, conflicts, guidance, morally challenging
missions, temptation, separation from families, travel, etc.
ISBN #978-1-4514-7000-0 Can be ordered on line and costs about $12.50. 319 pages and all
Department of Defense battle/Utility uniform cargo pockets. Great stocking stuffer for loved
ones in the military.
On November 1st Elizabeth Eaton was installed as the newly elected presiding Bishop of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) . She was elected during the national ELCA
Assembly this late summer. Formerly the Ohio Synod Bishop. In her proclamation at the installation she remarked at the 1,500 attendees from all points of the compass: “WE are all here
today because somebody, somewhere sowed a bunch of seeds (of faith). They didn’t all grow, not
all survived, but some did…Look at eth congregations and places they come from and the ministries…what a wonderful and wild community garden that has grown up from those random
seeds. We are called to be sowers, scatters of seeds. You may think that your are pretty much
surrounded by rocky soil. You may have the experience of sowing and sowing and always have it
end up on rocks..what matter sis that we sow…It is the sharing the good news of Jesus Christ,
in words and actions…it is telling a friend or a stranger about God’s love. It is listening to each
other’s pain. It is honoring each other as a beloved child of God-whether they know it or not…
it’s taking risks for the sdake of the gospel. It’s believing in the promise of the harvest…So, GO,
sow! SOW! GO!.
Grace Lutheran Church
2107 Cedar Street
Muscatine, IA 52761
(563) 263-5680
[email protected]
www.gracemuscatine.com
NOVEMBER 2013
G R AC E N O TE S
PAGE 7
Senior Resources
Don’t Miss the Chance to Save on Your Medicare
Costs in 2014. Every year Medicare Part D drug plans
and Medicare Advantage plans can change their benefits and costs. These changes are announced October 1
and go into effect January 1. That’s why it is so important that everyone on Medicare takes advantage of
the open enrollment period, October 15-December 7.
Doing a plan review could save you money in 2014.
Everyone on Medicare should compare plans each
year. Both Part D and Medicare Advantage plans can
change premiums, deductibles, co-payments, and
drugs covered annually. You could be surprised on
January 1 if you stay with your current plan and find it
doesn’t provide the coverage you want or need.
In Muscatine county, SHIIP counselors at Senior
Resources are ready to help you compare plans.
Call 563-263-7292 to set up a time to meet with a
counselor. SHIIP’s services are free, confidential and
unbiased. Spread the word to everyone you know on
Medicare and don’t miss the December 7 deadline!
Diane McCleary
Meals on Wheels & SHIIP Coordinator
Senior Resources
Christian Education
The Board of Christian Education is looking for someone that is willing to open their home an
evening during the week to have adult bible study. This came out of our survey from earlier this
year. If you could open you home please call the church office or John Simmons (263-7624) with
your information and the evenings that are best for you. More details will be available when we
have a home that can be used (at least to start the program). We would like to get this started
by January 2014 if not sooner.
—John Simmons
PAGE 8
11/1
Zacharie Eagle
Gabriel McDonald
NOVEMBER 2013
G R AC E N O TE S
Richard & Cynthia Alexander
11/1
Kurt & Debra Sanger
11/1
Matthew & Lisa Rene McClure
11/4
Wade & Varinia Bruns
11/20
Randyl & Derek Meyer-LaMaack
11/27
Donald & Lynn Kelly III
11/28
Randy & Cindy Hermann
11/30
Gage Thompson
11/10
Chris Busch
Tiffany Stein
11/20 Angela Gabriel
11/2
Matthew Schaapveld
Erin Lange-Vandello
11/4
Angela Staley
Amanda Schaapveld
11/5
Ann Clemens
Paris White
Patricia Logel
Mark Krieger
Jerry Schmelzer
Christine Deignan
11/11
Daniel Stein
11/21
Scott Hage
Grace Zorich
Susan McConnaha
11/6
John Ager
Taia Whillhoite
Diane Luft
11/7
Stephanie Cromer
Diane Allen
Margaret Stych
11/2
Joanna Green
Dixie Brookhart
David Hughes
Sally Naber
Clayton Goddard
Emmery Drake
David Metcalf
Sandrine Gabriel
Lisa Price
Roger Lande
11/13
Dennis Lange
Cindy Manriquez
11/8
11/14
Casey Bell
11/24 Anna Gaunt
11/25 Bryce Johnson
Kelly McConnaha
Jodi Maxson
Charlotte Smith
Spencer Olson
Judy Schaapveld
Justin Stevenson
Amanda Barkema
11/15
Mallory Pence
11/27 Eric Olswold
Christie Bean
Kelli Schmit
Lorrie Fry
Jakob Sulzberger
11/29 Ashley Hogenson
Christina Carter
11/30 Julia Buster
Bill Penix
11/16
Robbie Plett
11/9
11/22 Melissa Elder
Carol Steinmentz
Andrew McGlothlen
Darci Sanger
11/17
Jennifer Figg
Ronald Stych
11/18
Stephanie Munday
Emily Wilts
Please save this page to use for your prayer list. Pray for each person on their birthday. By the end of the year, you would have
prayed for everyone in the congregation. If we have missed a birthday or anniversary, please call the church office at 263-5680.
THANK YOU GRACE NOTES HELPERS
Beth Lemkau
Ardy Stein
Virginia Lippelgoes
Thank You to all our bulletin folders
and pencil sharpeners too.
NOVEMBER 2013
PAGE 9
G R AC E N O TE S
DATE
NOV 3
NOV 3
NOV 10
NOV 10
SERVICE
8:15
10:45
8:15
10:45
USHERS
Rod Drake,
Roger Erber
Beth Lemkau,
Margaret Stych
Rich & Cindy
Alexander,
Al & Sue Bengtson
Ken & JoAnne Fisher,
Denny & Lynn Schuur
Roger & Sue
McConnaha,
Michelle Hampton,
Jeannette Billingsley
LECTOR
Margaret Stych
Al Bengtson
Cliff Scherrer
COMMUNION
ASSISTANTS
Jane Theobald, Erin &
Evan Kelly
Katie & Kylie Green,
Threesa Busch
HOSPITALITY
Tammy Stein
Paul & Joanna Wilts,
Jordyn & Jasmine
Bengston
Cindy
Edgmond
Roger
McConnaha
Connie Fuller,
Katie Green, Aaron
Moravec
Tjode Nus
Barb Hansen,
Tracy Schroeder
Don & Janet Duncan
GREETERS
COFFEE
HOUR
PENCIL
SHARPENING
BULLETIN
FOLDING
ALTAR
GUILD
Jim Stein, Rod Drake
Daniece Hage
Virginia
Lippelgoes,
Lynn Schuur
Cindy
Edgmond
Alice & Brad Simmons
Caitlin & Tina Skipton
Sue, Peg
Rosie, Dixie, Ardy
Keith Hultquist,
Jack Smith
Cindy Edgmond, Jeannette Billingsley
DATE
SERVICE
USHERS
NOV 17
8:15
Pam, Ben Houseman,
Don & Lynn Kelly
NOV 17
10:45
Tim & Lauren Smith,
Jay & LeaAnn Logel
NOV 24
8:15
Vinton & Nancy
Cromer,
Jane Theobald,
Beth Lemkau
NOV 24
10:45
Keith & Marilyn
Hultquist,
Marvin Krieger,
Connie Fuller
LECTOR
COMMUNION
ASSISTANTS
Don Kelly
Jim & Tammy Stein,
Issac & Ethan Heth
Lauren Smith
Phil Chalupa, Maggie
Lofgren, Kylie Green
Jane Theobald
Al & Judy Pameticky,
Connor Lawhead
Mike Allenbaugh
Traci, Molli , & Keegan
Lippelgoes
HOSPITALITY
Karen Hessel
Norma
Whitmore
Virginia
Lippelgoes
Lauren Smith
GREETERS
Shirlee Staley,
Katie Green
Ron & Jane Gear
Traci
Lippelgoes,
Tim Smith,
Griffin Jones
COFFEE
HOUR
Jodi Jones,
Lynn Kelly
LeaAnn Logel
PENCIL
SHARPENING
Norma
Whitmore
Al & Sue Bengtson
BULLETIN
FOLDING
Virginia,
Shirlee
Beth, Mary
ALTAR GUILD
Cindy Edgmond, Jeannette Billingsley
G R AC E N O TE S
PAGE 10
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
NOVEMBER 2013
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
1
Saturday
2
9:00 Men’s
Gathering
3
8:15 Worship
9:30 Coffee
Fellowship
9:30 Education
Hour
9:30 Text 4 Week
10:45 Worship
4:00 Youth Choir
4:30 Youth Group
Food Pantry
Sunday
10
4
5
6:00 Christian
Education Board
6:30 Property
Board
6:30 Worship &
Music Board
3:30 After School
Reading Program
5:15
Hospitality Board
11
12
8:15 Worship
9:30 Coffee
Fellowship
9:30 Education
Hour
9:30 Text 4 Week
10:45 Worship
4:00 Youth Choir
4:30 Youth Group
9:30 WELCA
4:15 Ministry of
Literacy Meeting
17
18
8:15 Worship
9:30 Coffee
Fellowship
9:30 Education
Hour
9:30 Text 4 Week
10:45 Worship
4:00 Youth Choir
4:30 Youth Group
24
8:15 Worship
9:30 Coffee
Fellowship
9:30 Education
Hour
9:30 Text 4 Week
10:45 Worship
4:00 Youth Choir
4:30 Youth Group
–Progressive
Dinner
Veterans’ Day
6:30 Property
Board
25
6
6:15 Affirmation
Youth Class
6:30 Grace
Singers Rehearsal
13
7
14
3:30 After School
Reading Program
19
20
21
3:30 After School
Reading Program
6:00 Mutual
Ministry
6:15 Youth
Affirmation Class
6:30 Grace
Singers Rehearsal
3:30 After School
Reading Program
27 Office
Closing at
Noon
9
15
16
9:00 Grace
Quilters
3:30 After School
Reading Program
6:30
Congregational
Life Board
6:15 Youth
9:30 Grace Women
Affirmation Class
3:30 After School
6:30 Grace
Reading Program
Singers Rehearsal
6:30 Gifts &
Memorial
Committee
26
8
9:00 Council
Retreat
22
23
29 Office
Closed
30
Grace Notes
Articles Due
9:00 Grace
Quilters
3:30 After School
Reading Program
6:30 Council
Meeting
28 Office
Closed
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