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GRACE’S † GOOD † NEWS http://www.lutheransonline.com/gracelutheranwashingtonnc Check us out on FaceBook !
June 2 0 1 5 Volume 18 Issue 6
GRACE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
Reverend Benjamin J. Kifer, Pastor 1776 N. Market St. / P. O. Box 2505
Washington, NC 27889 Tel: 252-975-1988
June 7,14,21 and 28
10:30 a.m. ELW Worship
5:00 p.m. Adult Bible Study: Isaiah
Other important dates:-
Calendar Additions: Monday, June 1st - Choir end-of-the-year party, 6:00
Saturday, June 6th - LMIM sponsored Highway cleanup, 9:00 am Sunday, June 7th - Setting 10 in Worship, and a Luther Lodge committee meeting after fellowship Friday and Saturday, June 12, 13 - Washington Summer Festival! Saturday, June 13 - LMIM meeting 9:30 Mecca Grill Sunday, June 14 - Thrivent rep. presentation during fellowship Tuesday, June 23 - Marion L. Shepherd Cancer Center presentation in the Fellowship Hall, 5:30. Friday, June 26 Pastor begins vacation - through July 4th.
In this issue:
Birthdays/Anniversaries pg. 5 Lutheran Men in Mission pg. 11 Social Ministry pg. 8
Christian Education pg.10 Lutheran World Relief (LWR) pg. 11 Women of Grace pg. 11
Community Outreach pg. 9 Pastor’s Message pg. 6 Worship & Music pg. 8
Evangelism ------ Prayer Concerns pg.13 Youtherans! pg.
ETC. pg. 4 President’s Message pg. Zion Soup Kitchen pg. 12
Financial Reports pg. 6 Ruth’s House pg. 12 Fellowship pg. 9
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Special Announcements! New Members!
We are so excited to have received new membership to our faithful family here at Grace! We warmly welcome Ginger Mainwaring, William + Hillary Brooks into the fold! If you haven't already, introduce yourself to these fine folks. Thanks be to God for continuing growth in our church family. Summer Festival! Friday and Saturday, June 12 and 13 marks Washington's Annual Summer Festival. This year, Grace Lutheran is going to have a lively presence there with a canopy, koozies and other goodies to give away, and hopefully, your smiling face greeting festival-goers and telling them about our church. This will be an important weekend for evangelism as we share our faith by spreading the word about Grace to our community! More details about how to help will be forthcoming. See you there! Thrivent Presentation
On Sunday, June 14th, David Burke, our regional Thrivent representative, will be attending Grace and giving a presentation during our fellowship time about new Thrivent Member Action teams. If you are interested, please plan to attend. Worship setting for the summer months... During the summer months, we change in our ELW (red hymnal) from Setting 1 to Setting 10. This will take effect on June 7th and continue until Rally Day in September. Just a heads up! Cell phones
Just a quick reminder that in the sanctuary during Worship, our cell phones should be turned off or silenced. Of course, if you are on call for work or in the care of a loved one cell phones can be kept 'on,' but please set them to 'vibrate.' Pictures for Grace Directory: Antje Schnaekel will be taking photographs of each Grace member on Sunday mornings throughout June in the Fellowship Hall! We are preparing to put together a new Grace member Directory, so please make yourself available one Sunday morning in June to have your photograph taken. Picture directories will be made available when they are completed.
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OUR MISSION:
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
WORSHIPS the Triune God of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and by God’s grace,
BUILDS disciples of Jesus Christ for service and
SHARES our faith and talents with the world.
On- Our Hands
Jar (Grace Lutherans through Women of Grace)
Zion Soup Kitchen meal preparers ( )
Eagles Wings donations (Social Ministry Committee)
donations
Covenant Groups at Grace – All are Welcome !
SILVER THREADS will resume meeting in September 2015. (Silver Threads meet for
monthly luncheons out on the 4th
Tuesday of each month).
THE NEEDLERS (all kinds of needle-workers welcome) will resume
their weekly meetings on Thursdays from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. the last Tuesday in
September.
NITE OWLS Dinner Group (monthly dinners
out) meet the 1st Thursday evening of the month. The hosts
will communicate the restaurant location & time (usually 6:00 or 6:30 p.m).
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.
OUR V I S I O N: By Grace, through faith, we are God’s children
growing in faith and discipleship
and sharing the Gospel in word & deed.
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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:
Children in Church
A little boy was in a relative's wedding.
As he was coming down the aisle, he would take two steps,
stop and turn to the crowd.
While facing the crowd, he would put his hands up like claws and roar. So it went, step, step, ROAR, step, step, ROAR, all the way down the aisle.
As you can imagine, the crowd was near tears from laughing so hard
by the time he reached the pulpit.
When asked what he was doing, the child sniffed and said,
"I was being the Ring Bear.”
Submitted by Agnes Beacham
From bulletin boards:
Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B.S. is done.
Submitted by Treva Inzerillo
An indigent bum was walking and tripped. He struck his head and became unconscious. He spent three days in a coma at a catholic hospital. When he woke up a nun asked him who would be paying for his treatment. He said I have no money or no friends. I only have a sister who is a spinster and she has no money. In fact she is a nun. The nun taking the information stated, " Sir nuns are not spinsters, they are married to god." Where upon the bum said, "Well then send the bill to my brother-in-law." A person went into the office kitchen one morning and found a new girl painting the walls. She was wearing a new fur coat and a nice denim jacket. Thinking this was a little strange, he asked her why she was wearing them rather than old clothes or an overall. She showed him the instructions on the tin, "For best results, put on two coats". Submitted by Tom Volk
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WITHIN OUR CONGREGATION
2015
Church Council
Liaison
To
Telephone
Number
Address
Rev. Benjamin Kifer, Pastor Evangelism 235-8901 [email protected]
Sue Dawson, Secretary 401-300-9738 [email protected]
Stuart Everett, Treasurer Finance 927-4821 [email protected]
Ron Hermany, President 214-1732 [email protected]
John Johnston Stewardship 262-497-7488 [email protected]
Skip Keim Property 946-5026 [email protected]
Becky Morse Christian Education;
Memorial Garden
702-2500 [email protected]
Jean Richardson Fellowship 974-6415 [email protected]
Bonnie Smith, Vice President 946-8618 [email protected]
Jerry Snapp ,
Financial Secretary
Worship & Music;
Finance
975-6427
June Birthdays June Wedding Anniversaries
4 John Trey Inzerillo 30 Randy and Annette Sipe 4 Shirley Stokes 11 James Meier 14 Bill Schnackel 14 Karen Hermany 22 Nathaniel Wade III 31 Ursula Glisson
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† † † Pastor Ben’s Message † † † -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The word “exile” means to be taken away from one’s native land by some authority. Exile is a major theme in Scripture because God’s people were forced into exile
more than once by foreign powers that sought to suppress the Israelite people. In a sense, the Israelites were in exile in Egypt, held there in slavery away from their promised land. A few hundred years later, the people were again exiled, this time by the Assyrian kings, and they were taken away from Israel by the thousands to work in the cities of their conquerors. Finally, the people were exiled by the Babylonians – and this is the exile that is spoken about so often in the Old Testament in 2nd Kings, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Zechariah, and other books. When the Babylonians took over Jerusalem, they took most of the inhabitants – especially the royalty and any skilled craftsmen – away into the cities of Babylon to increase the grandeur of the capital of the empire. It was a devastating blow for the Israelites, and they wrote and sang passionately, praying for God’s hand to rescue them and bring them back home. In our weekly 5:00 Bible study on Sundays, we have begun reading in the 2nd section of the prophet Isaiah, who finally brings some promise of return from exile to God’s people. Chapters 40-55 are beautiful poetry which recounts God’s mighty deeds in the past, and promises the same might to be given to His people in distress, away from their true home. Many musical scores, literature, and themes have carried over from these chapters to our lives today, such as Handle’s Messiah, which uses several passages from these chapters in Isaiah. It turns out, “exile” and the “return from exile” are themes that we connect with very deeply in our lives of faith in God. If you think about it, we can think of an even earlier exile than Egypt – the one from the Garden of Eden in Genesis. Adam and Eve were created to live harmoniously with God in the garden, but when the first sin took place, they were driven out of their true home, away from God’s favor, and into a foreign and difficult world. It was not until God’s Messiah, His Son Jesus the Christ was sent into the world that God’s people experienced a sense of rescue by God’s hand – and the true presence of His Grace saving His people from exile. See, we connect with the theme of exile because we, ourselves, experience a life in exile too. We live our lives in a world set apart from what God truly wants for us. We are cast into sin and futility, but by God’s grace we are promised reconciliation and a path home by our Savior Jesus. We are in the midst of a return from exile each and every day, washed clean by Jesus and made Holy in God’s eyes. Each and every day we are given the chance to be closer with God, an opportunity to walk more closely with Him, and His promises for us remain steadfast with the hope of our returning to our true home to see Him fully. “Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” – Isaiah 40:5 Peace – Pastor Ben
Pastor Ben's office hours are: [Monday will be his Sabbath / day off.]
Tuesday. Wednesday & Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m
Feel free to call his cell phone anytime 252-235-8901 to schedule an appointment.
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REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES & GROUPS
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Treasurer Report as of April 26, 2015. .
General Fund Budget Accounts
YTD income ($33067) is 36% of annual budget ($ 92,146). YTD expense ($23060) is 30% of annual budget ($ 77,130).
YTD income less YTD expense = $ 10067
Financial Secretary Report as of April 26, 2015
2015 General Fund
2015 Building & Asset Replacement Fund
2015 Church Offering Pledges 90,587.00 $ 11,105.00
Pledges to Date 27596.00 $ 3215.00
% Pledges 30.5% 29.0%
Pledge Period Completed 32.7% 32.7%
Non-pledged Offering $ 5310.40 $ 2042.00
Church Offering Total $ 32906.40 5257.00
Offering required to meet the Budget $ 77,330.00 $ 10,560.00
Church Offering Total % 42.6% 49.8%
2015 YTD Offering Surplus (Deficit) $ 7625.44 $ 1804.69
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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.
WORSHIP & MUSIC next meeting: July 19, following fellowship
~ Lois Hoot, Chair
Favorite Hymns Sung during May
O Jesus, I Have Promised Beautiful Savior Blest Be the Tie That Binds
Jesus Loves Me Crown Him With Many Crowns Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling
Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness This is My Song (Finlandia) O Beautiful For Spacious Skies
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty!
Summer Worship Services
The summer worship services, using setting 10, will begin on June 7-September 13. Rally Sunday is
September 13-- more details coming later.
The Hymn Sing-a-Long will be August 30 from 5:00-6:00 followed by a hotdog and ice cream social.
Sounds like lots of fun, so see you for lots of singing.
♫ A favorite hymn list has been sent to all the members of the congregation. Please let Lois Hoot know if you would like your favorite included on that list.
☺ We need more volunteers (men and women) to help in the nursery. Please let
Bette Volk know if you are interested.
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◄ If anyone would like to donate flowers for the altar, please let Geneva Everett,
Judy Jennette, or Lois Hoot know by calling us or signing up on the 2015 Flower
Chart in the narthex. These can be flowers from your yard, flowers purchased at the
store, or from a florist. THANK YOU to all who have contributed to this important
ministry!
COMMUNITY OUTREACH: We are thankful for all who contribute to our outreach ministry. Check out the articles in the newsletter under Zion/Blind Center monthly meal; Ruth’s House; and other programs. The Zion/Blind Center monthly meal is always looking for those who would like to plan a meal. There is a sign up for the planning of a monthly meal. If you would like to plan a meal let me know and I will help get a signup sheet for the meal. Be sure and look for a sign up for the June 17th meal. Please have the food at the church by 8:30 Wednesday morning on June 17. Please always keep filling the boxes that are in the Fellowship hall for Zion, Eagles Wings, Ruth’s House and bosom buddies. There is a sign up for the second round for Red Cross training to be volunteers for our Red Cross disaster shelter. Ron Hermany is overseeing this outreach and he will keep us informed on the schedule date. Further information will be forthcoming, so please watch for this information. Also the needlers do the prayer shawls and hats, scarves for Zion shelter Thanks, Jean Richardson I took a stab at it and I made a heart shape pad, seven inches across. It doesn’t need to be heart shape, it could be round, square, rectangle or oval. It doesn’t need to be seven inches; but I don’t think you would want it to be less than five inches and not more than nine inches. Everyone is different so having various sizes would be good. Just sew two sides together, turn and stuff with batting scrapes or if you have pillow stuffing, I am sure it would work. Be sure and keep the pads soft. If you have any questions, let me know. Also the needlers do the prayer shawls and hats, scarves for Zion shelter. Thanks, Jean Richardson
♥ The Salvation Army is in need of donations of any kind. If your item(s) is(are) large, they can be
picked up by calling 946-2523. Their Thrift Store and drop-off center is located at 112 East 7th
Street,
Washington, NC. ~ submitted by Becky Morse
Fellowship Committee report The month of May welcomed new members to our congregation at Grace Lutheran and a cake was provided for celebration during Fellowship after our Sunday morning service. The next big event for the Fellowship team is the 2nd annual ‘Hymn Sing and Cookout’ on Sunday, August 30th. The Fellowship team is in charge of the cookout portion of this great event! Fellowship Committee members: Agnes Beacham, Sue Dawson, Joanne Dramstad, Judy Jennette, Deb Johnston-Coordinator, Jean A. Richardson, Bonnie Smith, Carol Trueman
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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Next meeting: Wednesday, August 19, (time: TBD)
Please join us on Sunday, May 31st at 9:00 a.m. to hear the RE-CAP: The 2015 NC Synod
Assembly and the election of the new Bishop for the North Carolina Synod. Presented by Pastor
Ben & Tom Volk.
ADULT EVENING BIBLE STUDY continues! Everyone welcome! It’s not too late!
Participants resumed their weekly study on April 26th
. Led by Pastor Ben, they continue in the study
of 2nd
Isaiah (beg. at chapter 40).
“SUMMER VACATION” FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR ALL AGES will begin on June 7th
.
(Classes will resume September 20, 2015)
Vacation Bible School at Grace
Lutheran is scheduled for the week of July
13-16. If you know of children who would
like to attend, please contact Lois Hoot or
Bonnie Smith.
As always, a needs-list of supplies for craft
decorating, recreation, and covenant group
Lunch Preparers are needed and will be
communicated in the coming weeks. Thank
you to Grace members for assisting in this
outreach ministry with supplies and/or food donations!
The Christian Education committee is excited to present their Fall 2015 Adult Sunday School study
selections! 9:00 – 10:00 each Sunday; coffee and tea provided.
Sept 13: COMMITTEES’ RALLY DAY
Sept 20 – Nov 8: A study of The Book of Revelation (Pastor Ben)
Nov 8 & 15, Dec 6 & 13: Bonhoeffer’s “God is in the Manger” (Kathy)
Dec 20: Advent Jeopardy (Pastor Ben & Tom Volk)
SAVE THE DATE: Blessing of the Teachers, Sunday, September 20th
during worship
SUMMER READING! Get a head-start on Fall Adult
Sunday School by reading the Book of Revelation over the summer months! And remember the Lending Library
bookshelf in the Fellowship hallway by the telephone. There are many interesting choices there for you to borrow … at no charge!
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WOMEN OF THE ELCA/ WOMEN OF GRACE ~Sandra Mahler, President (252-944-1316) or [email protected] The ladies of Grace Lutheran Church will meet June 6th for Bible Study and coffee.
Look for the Grace Pennies Jar in the Fellowship Hall kitchen and drop off your change which helps with Grace’s support of Ruth’s House.
LWR (Lutheran World Relief) Coffee, Cocoa, Tea, Candy & Fruit Snacks ~ Lois Hoot
Check out the rack for coffee, and chocolate bars! (Checks payable to “Grace-WELCA”)
Thank you for supporting LWR!
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
LUTHERAN MEN IN MISSION- LMIM highway litter pickup scheduled for Saturday, June 6, at 9:00am LMIM meeting on June 13, Saturday at 9:30 am at the Mecca Restaurant on Market Street in Washington.
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Zion/Blind Center “Soup Group” Monthly Meal ~ Treva Inzerillo, Sandra Mahler and Shirley Stokes
Upcoming Zion Meals:
Wednesday, June 17th- Jean Richardson, host
See the sign-up sheets on the narthex bulletin board to see how you can help!
What is the Zion “Soup Group,” you may ask? It is a small tribe of committed Grace Lutherans who join together in fun and fellowship for a great cause! Working together, we provide a hot meal once/month for the Zion Soup Kitchen here in our community. If you are interested in leading our group in a meal, please sign up on the bulletin board in the narthex.
Would you like to be an Indian, but not a Chief-chef? Great! We’d love to have you…Simply join the Soup Group at 8:45 AM on the assigned day in the Fellowship Hall kitchen ready to peel, chop and sauté! You may also provide food for these meals...sign up on the bulletin board in the narthex. (If you sign up for cookies, they may be store-bought or homemade. )
Team leader responsibilities: · Create Menu [ If there are special needs for food items IN BULK, notify Shirley Stokes at 974-2969
To arrange a special discount at Food Lion. ]
· Calculate portions needed to feed 60 people · Post sign-up sheet stating food needs at least two weeks out · Assign kitchen jobs and have the meal ready by 10:15 A.M. that day
Please feel free to let Treva or Sandra know if you have a meal idea or would like to lead our Soup
Group one month!
The more, the merrier, too!!
Report on Ruth’s House ~ submitted by Jean Richardson
HAVE YOU VISITED RUTH’S HOUSE ANTIQUES & MORE AT IT’S NEW 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. CALL 975-6309 We deeply appreciate your support!
This is an ever evolving list to meet the needs of Ruth’s House. TELEPHONE (252) 940-0007
Interested in volunteering for Ruth’s House? Contact Kim Etheredge at 946-0709.
Ruth’s House Board Meetings future dates are posted on the narthex calendar.
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PRAYER CONCERNS
George Ballance battling cancer; neighbor of Karen & Ron Hermany Jenna Balunis serious health concerns; grand-daughter of Carol Trueman Betty Beacham Betty is a breast cancer survivor, now suffering from another cancer; cousin of Lawrence Beacham Family of Ray Blackwelder Ray died on January 9th; father of Janet Calloway Kathy Burns recovering from pancreatic surgery; friend of Agnes Beacham Edward Cavenaugh recent back surgery; friend of Agnes & Lawrence Beacham Family of Robin Clarke after recent passing Jeff Cox undergoing cancer treatments; friend of Rich Mahler Jim Curran suffering from a geoplastoma without much time to live; fellow Choral Society member of Pastor Ben & Skip Keim Pastor Davis health problems Yvonne Dawson loss of her husband and ongoing health concerns; niece of Bob Dawson First Christian Church the congregation and staff, following their devastating fire Grace Lutheran Church for the spiritual growth of each member of Grace, and the growth of our congregation Bill and Veronica Hearney who lost their unborn child, Elaine Treva Joe Hofmann member; recuperating at home with breathing issues Stephanie Holder young mother with cancer Susan Howard ongoing health concerns; daughter of Ginger Mainwaring Baby Jacob born prematurely, and having serious health problems; per request of Pastor Ben. Skip Keim member; recuperating from May 6 back surgery Ellie Lewis dealing with breathing issues; 3-year old niece of Stacey & Pastor Ben Lillian Lopez recuperating from knee replacement surgery; mother of Marisol Wade Sandra Mahler member; recovering from recent fall Ginger Mainwairing member; health troubles Virginia McCall health issues; sister of Bette Volk Brian McTuerey on life-support; per Pastor Ben Flo Meier member; on-going health concerns Gail Moye facing tongue cancer surgery; neighbor of Lawrence & Agnes Beacham Govinda Panta and family friends of Pastor Kifer's family living in Kathmandu, Nepal severely affected by the recent earthquake Emily Sanjuijo serious health concerns; niece/cousin of the Wade family Pastor Ken Schmidt changing family situation Darryl Shenk dealing with health problems; friend of Rich Mahler Virginia Lee Smith health concerns; 91-year old aunt of Steve Smith Woodrow and Carol Smith dealing with dementia and other health concerns Sharon Steinbacher suffering from cancer; friend of Antje and Bill Schnaekel Knut Thoresen for safe return from Eastern Ukraine; friend of Ralph Dramstad Carol & George Trueman member; health concerns Stephanie Tucker now living in New York City Robert Williams currently incarcerated; per Pastor Ben Charlotte Woolard&Family member; health and other concerns
