August 2013 Evangelical Lutheran Church

Westerville, Ohio

The Voice of Grace

See page 8

The VOICE of Grace August 2013 - Page 2

The Pastor’s ColumnDear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,“Our mission is to reach out with the love of Jesus

to grow disciples and serve our community.”You just read Grace’s mission statement. If

you’ve been hanging around Grace for any length of time, you know you can’t help but “bump into” our mission statement in a variety of ways, e.g., we put it on just about everything, we lift it up in the prayers every Sunday, ministry teams talk about it regularly.

A mission statement’s function is to define and give expression to an organization’s purpose and primary objectives. It’s clear from our mission statement that we are not just any organization. We are a community of Jesus’ disciples whose Christ-centered mission is marked by three action verbs:

reach out; grow; serve.There are lots of ways to de-

termine whether or not a mission statement is having an impact. One is to see if anyone even

knows it! I’ve been pleased to see how when asked the majority folks at Grace have no problem reciting it. Another way of evaluating a mission statement is to determine how the congregation’s various minis-tries reflect it. Here, too, I can say our mission state-ment is alive and well and having a positive effect on the more than 60 ministries that happen in and through our congregation.

There are also ways our mission statement has an impact that we will never know. And it’s OK. God knows and that’s all that matters. However, I recent-ly received the following email from a new gradu-ate of Otterbein University. I have her permission to share it with you. I offer it as an example of the importance of being faithful to the Christ-centered mission entrusted into our hands.

Hello! I should have done this a few months ago, right after graduation and my last few at-tendances at church services, but with moving out of town, things got a little crazy. I wanted to make sure and send you, the church, the pastors and the congregation a huge THANK YOU!! Grace Lutheran was my church away from home for the four years that I attended Otterbein University. I was, at first, quite nervous to attend worship on my own, but the people and pastors there took no time at all to

make me feel welcome. I wish I could have had more time in Westerville and have been able to help more with church func-tions (have helped reading at more than one church serv-ice perhaps!). I went through some tough life changes while

at school and having a great church foundation and faith to draw from and lean on helped me not only in life but in my spiritual life as well. Again, I want to thank you for all the kindness that was shown to me while I attended worship there! Grace Lutheran will forever hold a place in my heart!

Brooke AlbrightOtterbein University, Class of 2013

With you on our Christ-centered mission to reach out, grow and serve, Pastor WillNote: Brooke was a four-year scholar-athlete majoring in

business administration with an accounting minor. She grad-uated magna cum laude and works in Cleveland for Medical Mutual in their internal audit department.

Old-Fashioned Hymn Singfeaturing

the Huschke-Walston pump organand old-fashioned “hymn sing”

Music will be provided byRon Kenreich and our own Linda Hochat the keyboard of the old pump organrecently acquired by Pastor Walston.

Come and let your voice blend with the sound of this

antique musical instrumentand sing some favorite hymns

from a bygone era.

WHEN: Wednesday,August 21 7:00 p.m. WHERE:

Grace Worship Space

An Ice Cream SocialWill Follow the Sing

The VOICE of Grace August 2013 - Page 3

Welcome to Grace! We will again welcome new members on

Sunday, September 29th, 2013. Participation in two classes

is expected of all who desire to become members.

Session One: Sunday, September 15provides an overview of a Lutheran

expression of the Christian faith.

Session Two: Sunday, September 22introduces Grace and its ministries as ways to serve God’s people and

our Lord through your new church family.

A fellowship supper is provided and nursery care is available on request.

Please call or email Grace’s secretary,Marjie Penn 614-882-3026; office@grace43081.org

to register for the classesand to let us know if you need nursery care.

Stay up-to-dateon the ministries of Grace.

Log on to www.grace43081.org

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church100 E. Schrock Road, Westerville, OH 43081

PH: (614) 882-3026 Web: www.grace43081.orge-mail: office@grace43081.org

Rev. William A. Hartfelder, Senior Pastor VM 11 w.hartfelder@grace43081.org Rev. Richard O. Walston, Visitation Pastor Cell (614)832-9159 rjwalston@msn.com Linda Hoch, Organist

Kathy Snead, Office Administrator VM 18 k.snead@grace43081.org Marjie Penn, Receptionist/Secretary

Paul Hotchkiss, CustodianJack Pfeifer, Property Manager wrtjack@yahoo.com

Jocelyn Shuman, Preschool Director; VM 14 littleblessingspreschool@grace43081.org

QR Code for WebsiteThis is the QR (Quick Response)

code for Grace. Scan this code with your iphone and it will take you di-rectly to the Grace Lutheran Website.

Lindsay Evrard

and Keith Harrington

Married on June 21, 2013

Michael Forrest Bale Born

October 11, 2012Baptism at Grace

July 18, 2013

Roberta Bertelsen Died in Christ June 26, 2013

Funeral at Grace June 29, 2013

Rev. John Zimmerman Died in Christ

July 6, 2013 Funeral at Grace

July 13, 2013

Men of GraceGone Fishing

M.O.G. is off to Lake Erie on their annual fishing expedition. Sat-urday, August 17. Seating is limited to 20, so clear your Calendar and Contact Dan George to get on the list. (degeorge@aep.com). Include your email and phone number. Our Charter Group is Shore-Nuf Fish-ing Charters at 247 Lakeshore Dr. in Port Clinton. The boat is the Rio Rita. It leaves the dock at 7:00 a.m. The cost is $60.00 including bait. Fish cleaning services are availa-ble. For more information call Dan at 614-374-1168.

The VOICE of Grace August 2013 - Page 4

Stewardship CornerTen Principles forGraceful Giving*

This is the eighth in a series on ten principles for the Christian disciple’s graceful giving. Each principle is reflected in St. Paul’s words (2nd Corinthians, chapters 8 and 9) to the new Christians in the prosperous, hustling and bus-tling first century city of Corinth. Scripture references are from the New Revised Standard Version.

Principle Eight: - Christian giving is abundant giving

St. Paul writes: The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. 9As it is written, “He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures

forever.” 10He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the har-vest of your righteousness. 11You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us (2 Cor 9:6-11).

We say it about lots of things in life, “You reap what you sow.” The student who studies gets better grades than the one who doesn’t. The person who treats people poorly is usually treated poorly in return. The person who lives a healthy lifestyle more of-ten than not has better health and vitality than those who don’t. You get the picture. Paul says the same thing about our giving.

Sowing is an obvious picture of giving. We ought not, however, be overly literal with this image and abuse it as have some TV evangelists. Paul is not preaching the false “prosperity gospel” that is currently very popular in the United States,. The community of Christians is not an “invest-ment club” promising the more we give the more money we’ll

get. No. Paul calls each be-liever to give what she or he has decided (“as you have made up your mind”) without reluctance or under compulsion and without calculating what she or he will receive in return (see Luke 6:34-35). Paul calls Christians to give ungrudgingly for a simple reason. God loves a cheerful giver. And here is the heart of what we reap.

What we reap is not a matter of material reward. Giving abun-dantly, each according to our gifts, is healthy, joy-filled giving. As we move from giving grudgingly to giving generously, how we see ourselves and the world changes. We see ourselves as belonging to God and our belongings as bless-ings from God to be shared. And we see the world as that place where God calls us to be faithful in the mission and ministry God has entrusted into our hands.

Next: Principle Nine: Christian giving is

a reflection of our theology*Based on John Stott’s “Ten Prin-

ciples of Christian Giving” Copyright © 2002 John Stott

Reaching out with the love of Jesus to grow disciples and serve

our community.

Voices of GraceIt’s that time again for the Voic-es of Grace to begin rehearsing. Won’t you come and join us. We are excited about a new director coming on board and a new sea-son. We would love to have some new faces as well as the old ones.

Rehearsals: Wednesdays beginningAugust 28 at 7:30 pm

Considering joining us, have ques-tions, please contact Interim Choir Director, Carolyn Martin, 614-206-8678 or email martin1529@sbcglobal.net

BLESSINGOF THEBACKPACKS

Sunday August 12th

Our harvests, if you’re vegetable gardening, should be plentiful. Please continue to remember that W.A.R.M.’s clients appreciate fresh vegetables also. If you have an abundance and would wish to share it with W.A.R.M.’s food pantry, please take it directly to W.A.R.M. Directions were in July’s Voice. It’s located at 175 A East Broadway in Westerville.

Non-perishable items may be placed in the grocery carts at any time. Perishable items must be taken direct-ly to W.A.R.M. Monetary donations may be placed in an envelope marked for W.A.R.M. and placed in the offering plate or the boxes with the grocery carts. Checks should be made out to Grace Lutheran Church with a notation to W.A.R.M.

The VOICE of Grace August 2013- Page 5

HUNGER HAS NO TIMETABLE“Honor the Lord with your substance and the first fruits of all your produce.” (Proverbs 3:9)

August’s Grocery List Includes:Canned items-- kidney beans, chicken broth, pineappleBoxed & Packaged Items-- potato side dishes, muffin mix (not corn), rice side dishes (brown or white)Hygiene items- DIAPERS (sizes 4, 5 and 6), bath soap and hotel/motel toiletries (from your travels)

The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members, a heart of grace,

and a soul generated by love. -Coretta Scott King

Blood Drive Nets 29 Units

The Red Cross collected 29 useable units of blood during the July 16th collection. Thirty-two participants took part in this valuable ministry. They enjoyed sandwiches and other food provided by the Grace Kitchen Krew. Janice Will handled the check-in table. The effort by the Grace So-cial Concerns team is appreciated by the Red Cross and those who benefit from this life-saving ministry.

The next blood drive at Grace will take place on October 8. Make plans to donate!

Next FIRST FRUITS is AUGUST 4 and then SEPTEMBER 1

Students of all ages

are invited to bring

their back-packs to worship onSunday,August 12th, for a

blessing as a way of celebrating the begin-ning of a new school

year.

Food/Hygiene = 1279.8 poundsMonetary = $2,593

July 7 totals Food/Hygiene = 207.2 pounds

Monetary = $192

Totals to date in 2013

ThankYou!

If you would like to help on one First Fruits Sun-day at the service of your choice, please contact Jill Morrison at 614-882-5445.

God’s blessings to all of you as we continue to reach out with the love of Jesus, to grow disciples to serve our community.

The VOICE of Grace August 2013 - Page 6

8/01 Daniel George8/03 Jack Staley8/04 Jonathan Dove8/05 Rosemarie Litzinger Faye Miles Dana Sellke Sharon Miller Michayla Brenning8/06 Amy Heckler Alexis Riedel8/08 Lisa McMahon8/09 Ginnie Rhodebeck Brandi Tanler8/10 Mark Spangler Jaime Russell8/11 Juanita Martin Andrew Beal8/12 Andrew Whitacre8/13 Robert Goodfleisch Jeffrey Moore Bruce Heimrich Madison Banks

8/14 Scott Warbritton8/15 Bonnie Dyke Tami Adcock Taylor Hinder8/16 Connie Reynolds Jennifer Bale8/17 Helen Barb Kay Ellinger Christopher Hoch Madison Althoff8/18 Susan Ross Laurie Thuman Katie Giumenti8/19 Carol Prim David Yourkvitch Kimberly Haynes Kirsten Hicks8/20 Blake Byrns8/21 Melinda Bame-Comstock Colleen Miller8/22 Gregory Brown Jessica Stakely8/23 Carol Isbell

8/23 Scott Cooper Robert Plemel8/24 Paul Hotchkiss Michael Braatz8/25 Cheryl Bush Jeffery Myers Zachary Haynes8/26 Carol Scholl Stephen Himes Cynthia Britton Kurt Hartfelder8/27 Rachel Goodman Patricia Adcock Doug Hotchkiss8/29 Ingrid Springer Ron Hoch Cindy Tinkham Tom Rothmann8/30 Virginia Cowgill Frances Quast John Workman8/31 Charles Washburn Joanne Jenny

BIRTHDAYS and ANNIVERSARIES

ANNIVERSARIES

BIRTHDAYS

8/01 Matt & Angela Hughes8/02 Tim & Bonnie Hannum8/03 Lyle & Meg Barkhymer Stephen & Suzanne Kile8/04 Jacob & Maren Traeger8/05 Tom & Sandy Yanichko8/09 Les & Rosie Mohler8/11 John & Nancy Kleberg8/12 Dan & Jill Morrison8/12 Stephen & Susan Miller8/13 Jerry & Lisa Bachus8/14 Jeff & Kathy Reedy

8/15 Mohammed & Pam Finy Matt & Laura Warren8/16 Jerry & Kathy Bobb Jeff & Connie Brenning8/19 Chuck & Maruja Paule Bill & Kathy Snead Kevin & Laurie Thuman Nate & Christine Heilmann8/20 David & Lisa Bale8/21 Rudy and Dorothy Kolberg8/22 Larry & Marge Cepek David & Carol Prim

8/22 Bruce & Ginny Heimrich8/25 Court & Robin Lease8/27 Danny & Christina Drakulich Frank & Kathleen Petitt8/28 Kurt & Megan Hartfelder Vaughn & Regina Place8/29 Rod & Barb Rice8/30 Will & Julie Hartfelder Matt & Shannon Beckwith8/31 Jeff & Cynthia Myers Brandon & Bethany Nickoli

The VOICE of Grace August 2013 - Page 7

Director of Music MinistriesChurch Council has appointed a committee to iden-

tify and recommend a Director of Music Ministries.Leadership and music ministries growth will be im-

portant to this position.Please contact John Troutman or any member of the

committee if you know of qualified candidates.• John Troutman, Chairman chrjhntrou@gmail.com• Dick Jones, personnel committee R.jones.uverse@att.net• Pastor Will Hartfelder w.hartfelder@grace43081.org• Kristi George kristigeorge93@yahoo.com• Linda Hoch lkgraf102078@earthlink.net• Sue Mahrt stevemahrt@yahoo.com

Sunday, September 22 - 7:30 p.m. Singing Buckeyes

The Singing Buckeyes return by popular demand to perform barbershop harmony.

Sunday, October 20 - 7:30 p.m.Bohemian Highway

Bohemian Highway is an exciting blend of singer/songwriter original and reimagined traditional folk-music. Intimate and universal, their music speaks to the heart. These are songs that stay with you long after you leave the concert.

Friday, November 1 - 7:00 p.m.Asante Children’s Choir

“Asante” is a Swahili word translated “Thank You” in English. The Asante Children’s Choir is made up of chil-dren from East Africa, a region recovering from years of civil war and genocide that have claimed millions of lives leaving thousands of children and women as orphans and widows. The Choir is dedicated to spreading love, hope and joy while raising awareness for the desperate plight of orphans and other vulnerable children. Their colorful clothing, pounding drums and sweet voices demonstrate their hope and dream for a brighter future. Their inspira-tional stories of resilience have instilled hope in the hearts of all those who have seen them perform.

A Joyful Noise! It is that time of the year again when we begin our

concert series. As you can see in the above listing, we have a full and varied array of musicians coming to Grace this season.

This is a huge undertaking for our Church and we are in need of volunteers to help direct the parking of cars, greet our visitors and take up the freewill offering. If a husband and wife team would like to volunteer as a team, a single person or a family please let Carolyn Martin know your desires. Contact Carolyn at (614) 206-8678 or email martin1529@sbcglobal.net. The concert series begins Sunday, September 22 with The Singing Buckeyes Barbershop Chorus.

Please consider helping as we continue thiswonderful service to our community . Thank you!

Concert

Series Resumes in SeptemberPut these dates on your calendars

Sunday, December 8 - 5:30 p.m.Scioto Valley Brass Band

What would Christmas be without a concert by the Scioto Valley Brass Band led by our own Chris Hoch.

Sunday, January 19 - 7:30 p.m.A Night of German Music & Dance

Alphorns, Germania Dancers, and the Mendelssohn Liedertafel choir perform a night of music and dance both in German and English.

Sunday, February 23 7:30 p.m.Otterbein String Orchestra

Back by popular demand the orchestra will provide an evening of wonderful music you won’t want to miss.

Sunday, March 30 7:30 p.m.Capital Big Band

The Capital University Big Band, under the direction of Dr. Lou Fischer since 1994, is an eighteen piece, under-graduate, award-winning jazz ensemble that performs both standard/traditional and contemporary repertoire.

Sunday, May 4 - 7:30 p.m.Otterbein String Orchestra

A spring performance by the orchestra will conclude our series. Come see what surprises the orchestra as in-store for us.

The VOICE of Grace August 2013 - Page 8

Grace Lutheran & St. Paul Lutheran churches2013 VBS and LOMO Day Camp

No matter what week we pick to have VBS/LOMO it always seems to be the hottest week of the summer. This year was no exception. However, the heat and humidity did not stop the children from having a great week. The week was well spent - bringing our Faith Alive! We talked about the Bible, Wor-ship, Prayer, Service and Hospitality. The preschoolers heard the Bible studies from a puppet bible each day. We all loved making crafts, singing and playing.

Once again, we had the best group of volunteers anyone could ask for. Thank you all so much for your help to make this the best VBS year ever!

The VBS Helpers were: Kelly Baden, Christy Teter, Amy Quinn, Bill Sweet, Connie Brenning, Molly Oakleaf, Jessica Buscemi, Joan Hernke, Leah Latshaw, Lori Wilson, Nancy Gurgiolo, Kristi George, Michayla Brenning, Elton Knupp, Lori Keyser, Kara Bloomston,Winnie Maze, Kimberly Randall, Kirsten Long, Olivia Baden, Trevor Long, Maddie Hernke, Anna Dove, and Joy Dietz. Thanks so much! Erin Bopp

LOMO Helpers are as follows:Counselor Assistants:Marissa Banks, Lindsey Bright, Andrea Bush, Cheryl Bush, Heather BushKitchen Helpers: Janet Breen, Rachel Gangestad, Carolyn Gib-boney, Jill Morrison, Joyce StrungHost Families: Karen Bale, The

Bopp Family, The George Family, The Zepfel Family (neighbors of the George family)And a special thanks to Becky Hockstok and Kathy Snead for their help with the Counselor lunches!

A BIG THANK YOU to all of our helpers for LOMO Day camp and preschool VBS! You were GREAT!!! 92 children at-tended LOMO Camp this year. It was a hot week, but a great one! Thanks to all. Tami Banks

The VOICE of Grace August 2013 - Page 9

Gra S nd S ho N w

See you all on RALLY DAYSeptember 8

The Merits ofSunday School

Have you ever wondered if getting up early on a Sunday

and wrestling with the kids to get to Sunday school and church on time was really worth it? Do they really benefit much from the experience? Well, the answer is a resounding yes! It is most defi-nitely worth it, and research find-ings back up this claim. In his ar-ticle, The Life Benefits of Regular Church Attendance, Presbyterian minister Neil MacQueen summa-rizes many studies on the life-long effects of church involvement during childhood and adolescent years. He begins:

What if I told you there was a well-researched and statistically proven program that on average can:

• Increase the average life expectancy of your chil-dren by 8 years

• Significantly reduce your child’s use and risk from alcohol, tobacco, and drugs

• Improve their attitude at school and increase their school participation

• Reduce their risk for rebelliousness• Improve their odds for a “very happy” life• Provide them with a life-long moral compass• Get them to wear their seatbelts more often• And will also statistically improve the odds that

they will lead an active church life in their adult years.

The “well-researched and statistically proven pro-gram” to which he is referring is none other than church, Sunday school, and other forms of religious youth programs. A complete accounting of the posi-tive benefits of religious involvement is not possible in this space as MacQueen’s article is 12 pages long when printed, but suffice it to say, Sunday school and church are worth the effort.

However, while safe, cooperative, and happy chil-dren are definitely preferable to the alternative, there is another extremely compelling reason to foster chil-dren’s active participation in church events, i.e., the development of a personal relationship with God. In-

volvement in Sunday School and other youth events can be integral components in children’s spir-itual formation as it allows them to gain a deeper and broader un-derstanding of God. Not only will they learn about biblical events

and people, but they will also learn about the nature of God as it is revealed through these events and people. In addition, they will develop a greater awareness of their place and purpose in God’s continually unfolding story.

The 2013-14 programming year is just around the corner, which means Sunday school and other youth activities will be back in full force. Over 30 hours of age-appropriate lessons and activities will be available to every child over the age of 3 during the course of the year, the benefits of which may last a lifetime.

The life benefits of regular church attendance: Glean-ings from real research www.sundaysoftware.com/stats.htm

The 2013-14 programming year is just around the corner, which means Sunday school

and other youth activities will be back in full force.

PARENTS PLEASE NOTE: As an effort to ensure the safety of all the children participating in any form of programming, as well as follow best practices, we request that each youth/child have emergency health and contact information on file. Forms can be found on the website under “children” and turned into the child’s Sunday School teacher. Thank you for helping us maintain best practices.

The VOICE of Grace August 2013 - Page 10

Members present: Bill Kulju (President), Julie Abrams (Vice-President), John Hicks, Joanne Figge (Secretary), Ron Hoch, Jeff Brenning, Vanessa Stewart, and Randy Stoll.Members absent: Pastor Will Hartfelder

President Bill Kulju called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

Devotions: Randy Stoll led the devotions with a reading about the “dashes” in our life here on earth and what we do with the dash between birth and death.

Approval of June, 2013 meeting minutes Upon review of the minutes from the June, 2013 meeting, a slight change was made on dates reported. Jeff Bren-ning moved that they be accepted, with Julie Abrams seconding. Motion passed unanimously.

Topic 1Discussion took place regarding the search for Direc-tor of Music Ministries. A search committee has been formed.

Topic 2The Columbarium has been installed and the landscap-ing will be finished before August.

Grace Evangelical Lutheran ChurchCouncil Meeting: July 11, 2013

MinutesTopic 3Council reviewed two bids for repair and re-striping the church parking lots and, after review and discus-sion, agreed to hire McKee Paving to do the repair work. Bill Kulju moved that the McKee Paving bid be accepted, and John Hicks seconded. The motion was unanimous

Treasurer’s ReportJohn Hicks reviewed the first six month’s budget and discussed organizing next year’s budget. Questions were answered.

Growing People of Faith is on target for its pledges for the first half of 2013 with 51% of the $573,332 pledge received.The financial reports were accepted . Ron Hoch motioned first for their acceptance, and Jeff Bren-ning seconded.

Adjournment with prayerRandy offered the evening prayer. The meeting was adjourned at 7:58 p.m.

Next MeetingThe next church council meeting is August 8, 2013.

Respectfully submitted,Joanne Figge, Secretary

2013 Church CouncilPresident ..........................................................Bill Kulju Ph: (614) 898-8314 ............................ kuljub@att.netVice President ............................................Julie Abrams Ph: (614) 865-0503 ......... julieanne26.2@gmail.comTreasurer .......................................................John Hicks Ph: (614) 264-6317 ................. johnmh3@gmail.comSecretary ................................................... Joanne Figge Ph. (614) 207-1061 .....................jcfigge@gmail.comSenior Pastor .......................................... Will Hartfelder Ph. (614) 882-3026 .....w.hartfelder@grace43081.orgMembers at Large:Jeff Brenning ..........................................jbrenni@att.net Ph: (614) 218-7977Angela Hughes .....................angelajustine@gmail.com Ph: (614) 882-2932Vanessa Stewart .....................................vsrnc@aol.com Ph. (614) 889-1525Randy Stoll.............................rstoll3@columbus.rr.com Ph. (614) 882-2962

GraceEvangelical

Lutheran Churchhas been serving theWesterville Com-

munity for more than 100 years. Grace supports local ministries such as the West-

erville Area Resource Ministry, Westerville Partnership Habitat for Humanity and West-erville CROP Walk. Grace also supports Lu-theran Social Services programs like Faith

Mission and provides weekly meeting space for a Boy Scout Troop and

three AA groups.