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The Messenger of Grace – December 2017 page 1
The Messenger of Grace
December 2017 Vol 18 Issue 12
Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room
“If I could work my will," said Scrooge indignantly, "every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas'
on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart. He
should.”
Dickens’ chief characters were underdogs of various kinds, those to whom life or fate had not been kind.
By the end, this usually gets righted somehow, but what is almost universal in his writing is the truth
that life is hard. Scrooge is one who has all sense of cheer ground out of him. He can no longer imagine
the value of ‘making merry’ let alone of ‘keeping Christmas.’
Sometimes I wonder if Scrooge wasn’t on to something. For him, ‘Merry Christmas’ was empty of
meaning, or worse, full of nonsense. For us, I often wonder what ‘Merry Christmas’ has come to mean.
Scrooge’s nephew presents a wonderful defense of Christmas to his sour uncle.
"Nephew!" returned the uncle, sternly, "keep Christmas in your own way, and let me keep it in mine."
"Keep it!" repeated Scrooge's nephew. "But you don't keep it."
"Let me leave it alone, then," said Scrooge. "Much good may it do you! Much good it has ever done
you!"
"There are many things from which I might have derived good, by which I have not profited, I dare say,"
returned the nephew. "Christmas among the rest. But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time,
when it has come round -- apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything be-
longing to it can be apart from that -- as a good time: a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time: the on-
ly time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open
their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to
the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. And therefore, uncle, though it has
never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good;
and I say, God bless it!"
While Fred notes “the sacred name and origin” of Christmas that the devout know so well, he quickly
moves to more general characterizations of Christmas, ones that move from its focus on the incarnation
of the Son of God, to the humanization of society, what, in the end, Fred calls the “opening of the heart.”
The other day, someone passed a comment regarding our present political climate, “At least we got Mer-
ry Christmas back, haven't had that in several years. For that I am grateful.” It was intended as praising
an accomplishment of our president, though I’m not particularly sure what he might have to do with it.
Clearly the comment was a reflection of what is often called ‘the war on Christmas.’ This is a battle (if it
is one) lost long ago. For a generation or more the Nativity has taken a back seat to images of Santa,
Rudolph, Frosty, sleigh rides, and snow capped trees. What most people envision at hearing the word
Christmas has little to do with what we will celebrate here at Grace on December 25th
and 25th
.
Personally I find no reason to be aggrieved that someone might wish me “Happy Holidays” and I have
no problem using that greeting either, since between November 1 and January 15, seven of the world’s
major religions observe approximately 29 holidays. I don’t know what and when all of them are, nor do
I know who observes which. To those who greet me with ‘Merry Christmas,’ I will probably return the
same; but for others a simply holiday wish seems equally appropriate and an expression of the opening
up of the heart that Fred mentioned to his uncle Ebenezer.
The Messenger of Grace – December 2017 page 2
I have taken note that in Germany I’ve experienced both greetings of ‘Merry Christmas’ and ‘Happy
Holidays,’ but also another which is almost never heard here: “Blessed Advent.” I’ve seen it on bill-
boards and in television spots. Perhaps it is something that we Christians should take up here in these
early days of December. At least for ourselves—for those not of our faith it would probably need too
much explanation. Rather than any war on Christmas, clearly there has been a war on Advent, as
Christmas in both its sacred and secular dimensions has overwhelmed it. What there is of Advent is
usually about preparing for our Christmas merry making. But it should be more. It is about preparing
for Christ and as suggested by the Sunday of Christ the King, enthroning Christ in our hearts. This is the
focus and purpose of Advent.
I will put my candles in the windows, decorate the house, bake my fruitcake and cookies, put up my
tree, yet none of these truly prepare me for Christmas. That preparation takes place in my repentence for
the miserliness of my love for others and in a renewed opening of the heart and a commitment to being
kind, charitable, and pleasant—not only for keeping Christmas but as Scrooge learned for keeping it all
the year through. Advent is the celebration of the depth and breadth of the kingdom of God. Advent is
about God’s gift to us of neighbors and our spirits going forth among them. Advent is the season of
promise given, the promise fulfilled, and the promise lived. In Advent we prepare to meet Christ—not
the babe in the manger, but Christ the Lord, who comes to judge the living and the dead, the Alpha and
the Omega—Christ fully human, Christ fully God. If you’re not preparing for this, ‘Merry Christmas’
are likely to be empty words. Blessed Advent to you and yours. Come, Lord Jesus!
The Rev. James G. Krauser, Pastor
GRACE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH Telephone/Fax: (516) 785-5029 Parsonage: (516) 804-8837
Preschool: (516) 409-5188 Webpage: www.gracelutheranbellmore.org
E-mail: [email protected]
Church Staff
Pastor The Rev. James G. Krauser Preschool Director Mrs. Karin Trabold
Church Secretary Ms. Kathy Pellechia PreSchool Teachers: Mrs. Doris Ansalone
Organist Mr. Den Collins Mrs. Jean Blom, Mrs. Jennifer Callery
Ms. Lisa Donleavy, Mrs. Shannon Holz
Mrs. Ellyn Mantello
Congregation Council Jon Genna ('18) Jim Batcher ('19) Laura Hackel (’20)
Scott Greifenberger (’18) Don Field (‘19) Kathy Pellechia (’20)
Dan McNamee ('18) Diane McDermott ('19) Jim Schwarz (‘20)
Paul Saueracker (’18), Craig Preattle (’19) Alison Tomasulo (’20)
Rev. James G. Krauser, Pastor
Officers President Scott Greifenberger Vice President Paul Saueracker
Secretary Diane McDermott Treasurer Mike Trabold
Recording Secretary Kathy Pellechia Financial Secretary Art Brunelle
The Messenger of Grace – December 2017 page 3
Spaghetti Supper
Sunday, December 3rd at 5:00 PM
Join Us For Spaghetti, Meatballs, Salad, Bread, Coffee, Tea, Wine, Soda And Dessert
There will be a visit from St. Nick!!!
Adults: $10.00 Youth: $5.00 Under 12 Free
Donations of meatballs and desserts are requested.
Toys For Tots 2017
On behalf of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Confirmation Class will be spending part of
a day shopping and delivering toys to the United States Marine Corp. in Garden City on Saturday,
December 2, 2017 at 9 AM.
If any Confirmation student would like to participate in shopping and deliver-
ing toys on December 2nd
,, please call Jean Blom at 785-2329 or email
[email protected] for the time and directions. Additional drivers will be
needed, please let me know if a parent is able to volunteer their time.
Thank you in advance for your thoughtfulness to others who have so much
less than we do.
Jean Blom
Women of the ELCA
Eastern Nassau Conference Women of the ELCA Bible Studies 2017-2018
DATE TOPIC, THEME VERSE HOST CHURCH Gather MAGAZINE ISSUE
Dec. 1. 2017 Apostles Creed, Holy Spirit St. David’s, Massapequa Park November 2017
We will meet on December 12th
at 11:45am to wrap the gifts for our adopted family. Our annual
Christmas luncheon will follow at the Villa D’Aqua restaurant on Bellmore Ave, Bellmore at 12:30pm.
Price of the lunch is $21.00. Please let me know if you can attend. Call 516 781 8960.
Our next meeting will be Tuesday January 9th
at 12:15 pm.
Hosting: Nancy Gutheil and Joan Keville. We will discuss plans for 2018.
CHRISTMASS BLESSINGS to ALL!
Peace and Love
Doris Maksimchak
The Messenger of Grace – December 2017 page 4
Advent Vespers
Step out of the hustle and bustle for a quiet half-hour of scripture, song and meditation
during Advent.
It is a season of preparation, but it need not be one of frenzied activity. Join us on
Thursday evenings at 7:30pm.
ELCA Good Gifts Program
Our WELCA Is Again Sponsoring Good Gifts as our Christmas project this holiday season. Honor your loved ones and friends with gifts that can make a positive difference in the
world and help a family escape poverty or hunger.
A tree is set up in the narthex decked with various ornament gifts in a range of
prices. Select an ornament from the holiday tree in the church narthex for an
item and dollar amount you wish to donate. Fill out the information on the
back of the ornament and return it to the church office along with your check payable to
either
“ELCA” or “Grace Lutheran Church”
Grace Lutheran Church - Youth Update
It’s Christmas Pageant time!
Rehearsals started November 12th
, and parts have been assigned.
Over 30 kids are participating this year, and we are so excited for
the performance. The kids will be learning a new song to sing this
year, and the handbells will also be making an appearance.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, December 16th
at 5pm. I
promise it will be one of your favorite Christmas experiences of
the sea
son. See you there!!
Kristin Schwarz
A Christmas Outing
One of my favorite activities to prepare me for Christmas has been to attend the Candlelight Carol Festi-
val at The Riverside Church in New York City. I’ve attended off and on since a freshman in college.
Recently several members of my former congregation asked about going once again. The program fea-
tures anthems and performances from the many different kinds of performing groups in that congrega-
tion and is essentially a Christmas concert. This year’s Festival is on Sunday, December 17th
at
3:30pm. It is a ticketed event and it is best to get them in advance. General Admission is $35 with
Students/Seniors priced at $23 (including fees). Additional expenses would include the LIRR and
NYC subway (2 flights of stairs to street level). Parking in the area can be difficult and expensive. We
would need to take the 1:28pm train from Bellmore Station. If you are interested please let me know
by December 10th
so I can purchase the tickets (I have known it to sell out).
The Messenger of Grace – December 2017 page 5
20 + C M B + 18
Grace’s Holiday Service Schedule
December 24 4th Sunday of Advent 10:00 am
No Sunday School ~ One Service On-
ly
December 24 Christmas Eve Services 5:00 & 10:00 pm
December 25 Christmas Day Service 10:00 am
December 31 Sunday after Christmas 10:00 am No Sunday School – One Service Only
Twelfth Night Open House at the Parsonage
Join pastor for some holiday goodies in the parsonage [2307 Fowler St.] on Friday, January 5 from
3:00-9:00pm.
House Blessings
Epiphany is a traditional time for the blessing of
homes. The blessing includes the inscription of the
letters C M B and the year on the front door. The
letters stand for Christe, mansionem benedicat or
Christ, bless this house, but they also happen to represent the three traditional names of the Magi, Cas-
par, Melchoir and Balthazaar. If you would like a blessing for your home on Epiphany, January 6,
please contact pastor for an appointment, or place your name, phone number on the clip board in the nar-
thex. {Alternate dates are possible.} Donations of foods, gift cards or cash for the “Magi” to give to the
LSS food pantry are encouraged.
The Messenger of Grace – December 2017 page 6
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Dec. 1st Jon McAlinden, Ashley Zebelein, Alison & William Tomasulo
Dec. 2nd
Chelsea Pistone, Florence Pratt
Dec. 7th
Karin & Mike Trabold
Dec. 9th
Linda Roemer
Dec. 11th
Alan Hulsaver, Peter Lorch
Dec. 12th
Thomas Spahn
Dec. 14th
Harold Gundel
Dec. 15th
Riva Bazarewski
Dec. 17th
Carol Horacek
Dec. 18th
Ryan Novotny
Dec. 19th
Doris & Andy Maksimchak
Dec. 20th
Alison Rankin, James Rankin
Dec. 21st Trudi Batcher, Amanda Harris, Sara Rose Forchelli, Eloise Hannula
Dec. 22nd
Crystal Tatum, Jean Tatum
Dec. 24th
Matthew Condenzio, Don Field, Donna Mattson, Melissa Reeves
Dec. 25th
Judy Bogle, Peter Gunder, Rafael Pacheco
Dec. 26th
Debbie Henry, Dan McNamee
Dec. 27th
Justin Villecco
Dec. 29th
Delilah McAlinden
Dec. 31st Lucias McAlinden, Bill Tomasulo
The Messenger of Grace – December 2017 page 7
Christmas 2017
Altar Plants & Greens
Advent and Christmas will soon be here. The Altar Guild will again decorate the Sanctuary and the
front entrance with the traditional evergreen wreaths while the chancel will be brightened with 20 red/10
white poinsettias. We would appreciate your support.
Contributions toward plants and/or wreaths may be designated as memorials or in honor of living loved
ones. Checks should be payable to G.E.L.C. Altar Guild, enclosed with the response form below in the
Memorial envelopes found in the pew racks and placed in the offering plate or left with the Parish secre-
tary, no later than Sunday, December 17th
.
Because of the large demand for Christmas poinsettias, they must be purchased well in advance. To as-
sure your order, we ask that you return the form as early as possible.
ORDERS WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL ALL 30 POINSETTIAS ARE PURCHASED.
Requests for poinsettias (20 red and 10 white) will be filled on a first come basis. Additional memorial
money will be put toward wreaths/greens.
Plants may be picked up after each service. Please check off your name (a list will be provided) when
you take your plants. Pastor and the Altar Guild members will deliver any left-over plants to shut-
ins/senior citizens.
A Happy and Blessed Holiday Season from the Altar Guild.
Adele Hofmann, Chair
Use tear-off below
CHRISTMAS ALTAR PLANTS AND GREENS
Please indicate the number of plants you want and return this sheet with cash or check made payable to G.E.L.C
Altar Guild. Return to the church office no later than Sunday, December 17th.
______ Red Poinsettias at $10.00 per plant (20 only)
______ White Poinsettias at $10.00 per plant (10 only)
______ Greens donation
______ Wreaths at $25.00 per wreath
Dedication: In memory of / In honor of (Please circle one)
_______________________________________________________________________
By (your name) _____________________________ Phone # ____________________
Please check one: Will pick up plant ___ Leave for shut-in ___
The Messenger of Grace – December 2017 page 8
AA times indicate when they have use of the building; for their meeting schedule go to http://www.nassauny-aa.org/MtgList/n.html#NorthBellmore
The Messenger of Grace – December 2017 page 9
Worship Servers’ Schedule
December 2017
Altar Guild Team 2
Eucharist is celebrated at all services except as noted.
Acolytes should arrive 15 minutes early for instruction.
Date Asst. Minister Reader Ushers Acolytes Counters Coffee Hour
Dec. 3 10:00am
Alan Hulsaver Tracy Niedfeld Harold Gundel, Tracy Niedfeld
Isabel Maraglio, Luke Ringnalda
Karin Trabold, Eric Mehlhaff
Ruth Maraglio
Dec. 10 10:00am
Maryellen Field Debbie Pekoff Scott Blom, Dan McNamee, Craig Preattle
Emma Henry, Lauren Genna
Laura Hackel, Carl Erickson
Adele Hofmann
Dec. 17 10:00am
Diane McDermott
George McDermott
Tom Berger, Eric Mehlhaff, Mike Trabold
Peter Horacek, Melanie Hladky
Terry Freyvogel, Ruth Maraglio
Debbie Davis
Dec. 24 10:00am
Paul Saueracker Debbie Davis Debbie Davis, Andy Maksimchak
Gavin Mehlhaff, Isabel Maraglio
Joan Keville, Warren Vandewater
No Coffee
Dec. 24 5:00pm
TBA TBA Scott Blom Don Field Andy Maksimchak
Courtney Blom Luke Ringnalda
Joan Keville, Warren Vandewater
No Coffee
Dec. 24 10:00pm
Adele Ray Hofmann Tracy Niedfeld Peter Horacek
Melanie Hladky, Peter Horacek, Jasmine Niedfeld
Joan Keville, Warren Vandewater
No Coffee
Dec, 25 10:00am
Maryellen Field Joan Keville Don Field Joan Keville, Warren Vandewater
No Coffee
Dec. 31 10:00am
Adele Hofmann Ray Hofmann Don Field, Jon Genna, Peter Horacek
Courtney Blom, Luke Ringnalda
Karin Trabold, Eric Mehlhaff
Alison Tomasulo
Jan. 7 10:00am
Alan Hulsaver Tracy Niedfeld Harold Gundel, Tracy Niedfeld
Emma Henry, Jasmine Niedfeld
Terry Freyvogel, Ruth Maraglio
Karin Trabold
ACOLYTES: Mark Biesecker, Emma Henry, Melanie Hladky, Peter Horacek, Isabel Maraglio,
Gavin Mehlhaff , Jasmine Niedfeld, Luke Ringnalda, Kayla Rudnitzky,
Courtney Blom, Lauren Genna, Melanie Mehlhaff, Derek Ringnalda
ALTAR GUILD TEAMS
Team # 1: Nancy Rupy, Ruth Maraglio, Diane McDermott
Team # 2: Alison Tomasulo, Ann Seybold, Diane LaLena
Team # 3: Adele Hofmann, Terry Freyvogel, Kathy Kugler
We welcome additional volunteers for all duties:
acolyte, altar guild, assisting minister, coffee host, counter, reader, or usher.
Call Kathy in the church office if you are willing to serve. 785-5029
The Messenger of Grace – December 2017 page 10
What’s Cookin’?
Have you made any new recipes that you and your family really enjoyed? To share a recipe, email it to
Kathy Pellechia in the church office. If you don’t have computer access, you can provide Kathy with a
typed recipe to be included in a future issue of The Messenger of Grace.
At our Harvest Fair, several people told me they enjoyed the turkey chili and would like the recipe,
so here goes!
Turkey and Black Bean Chili
1 tbsp. olive oil
2 cups chopped red pepper
1 cup chopped onion
½ cup finely chopped carrot
2 large garlic cloves, minced
4 tsp. chili powder*
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 lb. 93% lean ground turkey
2 15 oz. cans black beans, rinsed & drained
3 cups low-salt chicken broth
1 tbsp. tomato paste
Heat oil in a heavy, large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add pepper, onion, carrot and garlic; sauté
until tender, about 12 minutes. Add chili powder and cumin; stir to blend. Increase heat to medium-
high and add turkey; break up with a spoon and sauté until turkey is no longer pink, about 3 minutes.
Add beans, broth and tomato paste and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer chili until liquid thick-
ens, stirring occasionally, about one hour. Season with salt and pepper.
* Or more, to suit taste
For those with small families, this recipe freezes well. Enjoy!
Joan Keville
The Messenger of Grace – December 2017 page 11
Grace Lutheran Church - Halloween Party
The 6th
Annual Family Halloween Party was held on Saturday,
October 28, 2017. With over 150 people in attendance, the event
was a huge success. Kids (and adults) dressed up in costumes and
enjoyed the DJ dance party, games with prizes, crafts, a photo
booth, dinner, dessert and the grand finale candy toss. Partygoers
included Sunday School families, Preschool families, members
and friends.
A party of this size and scope takes a village, and thanks go to ALL who helped out with setting up,
running games and crafts, serving food, organizing kids, and cleaning up. Confirmation students both
past and present (and their friends), parents, and members both past and present volunteered and were
tremendously helpful! Thank you to each family for bringing candy for the candy toss, and to those
families who also contributed food: Macaluso, Spallina, Hofmann, Jenks, Schwenk, Horacek, Schwarz
(and anyone else I forgot to list). North Shore Farms gave us a great deal on the food, and even threw in
some extras for free – thank you, North Shore Farms!! Special thanks to Jim & Trudi Batcher, Scott &
Mary Greifenberger, Don & Maryellen Field, Craig Preattle & Kathy Pellechia, and Pastor Krauser for
all their help!!
Kristin Schwarz
Do You Have Books You No Longer Need?
Bring in gently used books for any age to be donated to the
Book Fairies! A donation box will be located in Parish Hall
under the bulletin board.
For my Girl Scout Gold Award Project, I am tackling the issue of literacy rates in the U.S. and all over
the world. Did you know that 1 in 4 American children will grow up without learning to read? Through
my project I hope to help less fortunate people learn the invaluable skill of
reading. I also hope to encourage my peers to love reading again so they
can continue to develop their skills into adulthood. By donating books to
those in need, it can help people without the appropriate resources become
literate. Thank you. -Allison Trabold
The Messenger of Grace – December 2017 page 12
Grace Book Club Review
The Book Club met at the home of Mary Ellen Field on Oc-
tober 25, 2017 to discuss our pick for that month -- “The
Bean Trees” -- by Barbara Kingsolver. We had read anoth-
er book by that author some years back entitled “The Poi-
sonwood Bible.” It was agreed by our members that this
month’s choice was very good.
The protagonist in this story is Taylor Greer, raised by her
mom and abandoned by her father at a young age, and now in early twenties feels trapped in a small
town in Kentucky where everyone knows each other’s business and most girls are pregnant before they
graduate from high school. She decides that that will not be her lot in life and buys an old Volkswagen
Bug and begins a drive to nowhere in particular deciding that whenever the old car breaks down for
good she will put down roots in wherever that place may be. She also decides that wherever the car runs
out of gas she will change her name from her given name “Marietta” to “Taylor” as Taylorville is where
the car runs out of gas!
The hitch in the story is that even though she left town because she didn’t want to end up pregnant and
encumbered by a child, when she pulls up at a rest stop in the middle of the Cherokee Nation in Okla-
homa, she unimaginably ends up driving off with a toddler. The child is suddenly forced into her car by
a woman that she doesn’t know who asks her to take the child and keep it safe. She later comes to find
that the toddler had been abused.
Not knowing what to do with this child, she nonetheless decides to keep driving and takes the child with
her to her last stop before the car runs out of gas in a small town in Tucson, Arizona and ends up at a
place called “Jesus is Lord Used Tires” and there she makes a new friend. At this final stop, Taylor
learns many lessons about life. Even though she did not want to be tied down with a child at this point
in her life, she learns something about herself – that she has the instincts of a good mother and decides
that she must find a way to become the legal guardian of “Turtle” – the name that she gave to the little
girl who would come to call her “Ma”.
It is an endearing story about growing up, friendship, self-awareness, compassion and love. It’s a fast
read and well worth the time. Our next meeting is on December 6th
at Kathy Pellechia’s home and we’ll
be reading “Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI” (non-fiction) by
David Grann.
Diane McDermott
The Messenger of Grace – December 2017 page 13
Victorian Tea Party
I would like to thank everyone who helped make our 10th
annual Victorian Tea Party a success. We had
over 70 guests and collected $725 as well as several baskets of baby clothes, diapers and toys.
Our congregation members helped with setting up, decorating, baking, sandwich making, entertainment
and, of course, clean up.
Thanks to Marilyn Brunelle, Karin Trabold, Kathy Pellechia, Diane McDermott, Lynne Hulsaver, Nan-
cy Gutheil, Adele Hofmann, Alison Tomasulo, Ruth Maraglio, Scott & Mary Greifenberger, Don Field
and my daughters Jessica Tymecki and Betsy MacLeod. Our confirmands Melanie Mehlhaff, Isabel
Maraglio, and Jasmine Niedfeld did a great job of serving and cleaning up.
We will be donating our proceeds to Mommas House, along with the baby items, and to The New LIFE
Center-Long Island, a hunger prevention site of Lutheran Social Services of New York.
Thank you again to all who attended and all who helped make the day a fun and successful social minis-
try event.
Chris MacLeod
Grace Soup Sale A Great Success!
The soup sale on November 19
th brought in $429.00 that day with more to come from additional soup
purchases. Many, many thanks to our 17 soup makers who collectively made a wonderful variety of de-
licious soups to choose from.
All proceeds from the soup sale will be donated to Grace to be used toward the roof repair fund. Kudos
to all WELCA and Grace Fellowship Club members for their dedication efforts in making this event a
huge success and to our Grace Congregation in total for participating in this event with support and love
toward our Grace Family.
Peace,
Nancy Gutheil
The Messenger of Grace – December 2017 page 14
Financial Update Dec – 2017
As of 10/31/2017: As of 10/31/2016 Difference
Current/regular envelopes: $91,894 $92,519 ($625)
Total Offering (includes seasonal) $107,765 $106,635 ($1,130)
Total income: $139,723 $140,468 ($745)
Utilities – Church $7,307 $6,429 ($878)
Total Expenses: $155,902 $151,343 ($4,560)
Surplus (deficit): $16,179) ($10,875)
Summary:
Income is pretty much the same as last year.
Expenses are up from last year, but we are also above our total income, which leads to over a
$16k deficit in 2017.
As of the end of Oct we received over $14k in donations for the roof replacement project.
Outlook:
As we head into the Advent season hopefully everyone can maintain or increase their giving to
help us lower our deficit for the year.
The response to the roof replacement project has been great – as we have received more than
70% of the total ($14,000 of the $20,000 goal).
Please be as generous as you can both for the Church’s deficit reduction and the Roof Replace-
ment Project. [There are additional repairs that will have to be made to another section of roof
above the Nursersy school areas in Parish Hall.]
If you have any questions regarding church finances, please contact me, Pastor or any member of the
Finance Committee.
Thanks to everyone for your financial contributions to the church.
Sincerely,
Michael Trabold, Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee
Don’t forget to pick up your
2018 Offering Envelopes
in the Narthex
The Messenger of Grace – December 2017 page 15
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Reach two hundred plus families! Just submit your ad with a check payable to Grace Church in the
amount of ten dollars for an ad placement in one issue of the Messenger.
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Regular Two Service Schedule: Sundays at 9:00am and 10:00am
December 24th & 31st One Morning Service at 10:00am, No Sunday School
Christmas Eve 5:00pm & 10:00pm Christmas Day 10:00am
GRACE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH 1294 Bellmore Avenue North Bellmore NY 11710-5512 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Contains Dated Material