OUR GOALS: TO ENGAGE TO ENRICH TO EDUCATE TO ENTERTAIN O u r People Up To Something: WINTER 2021 Grace Lutheran Church of La Grange, 200 North Catherine Avenue, La Grange, IL 60525, 708-352-0730-www.gracelg.org WELCOME TO As we enter the new year, we’re working to make sure that there are multiple ways for those in our OPUS community to receive information. To that end, we’re excited to introduce an updated communication plan: The OPUS Newsletter will move to a quarterly format. The Newsletter will continue to include a message from Pastor Heidi, Grace happenings, Ministry Part- ner reports/volunteer opportunities, as well as the ever-popular articles of interests and humor. As always, the newsletter is available on the website, via e-mail and/or USPS mailing. NEW! Time Together with OPUS & Friends, a twice monthly (?) e-news. This e-mail will include the most up-to-date information on prayer requests, announcements, as well as links to articles of interest. If you already receive the Newsletter via e-mail, you will automatically receive Time Together with OPUS & Friends e-news. Do you have a friend that would like to receive Time Together with OPUS & Friends? Email [email protected] and make a request to begin receiving. If you do not have e-mail available to you and would like to connect with someone that does who can keep you updated, call the Church Office (708-352-0730) and leave a message to be matched with a “News Buddy.” If you’d like to serve as a “News Buddy” to someone without an e-mail, please e-mail Alice Oscarson at [email protected]. For Pastor Heidi’s message See page 2 Dear OPUS Friends, I am inclined to begin this letter with a hearty “Happy New Year!” But our lives are much more nuanced than that right now, aren’t they? There was so much grief and loneliness in 2020. Our country is experiencing historic levels of turmoil as this new year begins. Covid vaccines are here, but the rollout is slow and n Sunday, January 31 at uncertain as cases and deaths continue to O 11am, Grace Council will climb. So many of us were eager to close the host an Annual Meeting Forum via 2020 chapter of our lives and move into something new, but when we Zoom. Please join us to address turned the calendar to January it feels like just more of the same. any questions regarding plans for 2021. (see link below) And yet… hen plan to join us on Sunday, T February 7 at 11:00 am, via I have a hunch that God loves this phrase, “and yet…” Things are hard. Zoom for the congregation's And yet, God is here. God is in the dozens and dozens of faithful Annual Meeting where members servants who contribute to the gift of online worship each week. God is will vote on approving: the slate of in the ministries of calling and card-writing and caring that so many of candidates for Council, Audit you are engaging in right now. God is in the faithful generosity that Committee, Nominating Commit- allows Grace to support people who are struggling to have their tee, Endowment Committee and material needs met during this time. God is in the gentle smile of a Synod assembly. In addition, there loved one from across the room or across the internet transmission. will be a review of the 2020 Financial picture and approval of God is in you. the 2021 Operating Budget. Whatever feelings or experiences you are carrying into this new year, Join via Zoom for both meetings: let us remember the “and yet…” of God’s goodness. I hold you close to Meeting ID: 708 352 0730 my heart in daily prayer. https://us02web.zoom.us/ j/7083520730 or Phone in at: Grace and peace, +13126266799 or 7083520730# Pastor Heidi Thank you to the hundreds of volunteers that helped Grace share messages of hope, joy peace and love during Advent and Thank you! Christmas seasons. Countless choir members, instrumental- ists, and soloists brought worship alive with music. Others recorded prayers, readings or shared in the telling of “Good News of Great Joy” worship. Worship Arts and Altar Care teams prepared the sanctuary for worship recording and constructed a Nativity Walk labyrinth. Hundreds of cards and calls connected our community during this time we have been physically separated. Thank you for bringing the spirit of God’s love alive this season Which letter is silent in the word "Scent," the S or the C? 2 13 Annual Lenten Retreat elivering Worship Saturday, February 20 D While many take internet, access for granted, 10:00 am – 11:00 am research shows over ten percent egin your Lenten Journey with of Americans do not have access. B Prayer and Meditation - Delivery of Sunday Worship DVDs renewing and refreshing your spirit to those unable to participate with us via Zoom. online is a Grace Outreach Ministry Lent is a wonderful time to try new that developed in 2020. ways of walking with your Lord. This online retreat will provide the tools you need to explore spiritual practices in If you have been unable to the safety and comfort of your own home. A wonderful “Lenten Retreat tool participate in Online Worship due kit” will be provided to each registrant. Join us via Zoom to connect with old to lack of internet service or know friends, meet new friends and refresh your spirit. Register at: www.gracelg.org/ of someone within our local events or contact Parish Nurse Ann Gornik at [email protected] for more community that would find Sunday information. Worship a blessing during these times, we would like to include you astor Leland explores the: in this program. (A portable DVD P Seven Last Words of Jesus players is also available for those from the Cross that need.) Thursdays at 7:30 Please contact Karen Janik February 18—April 1 at [email protected] or Via Zoom Carol Denlinger Register at at [email protected] or call www.gracelg.org/events the church at 708-352-0730 and God’s Global Barnyard leave a message. Lenten Offering An animal can make a world of difference for a family in need. Animals provide food to eat, fertilizer to grow crops and offspring to sell. This Lent the entire congregation will join Grace Place Kids families will reach out to help end the cycle of hunger and poverty. Watch for more information on how you can join in making a difference through the ELCA World Hunger program “God’s Global Barnyard.” New Member Class Exploring Grace February 22 • 7:00 pm via Zoom All are welcome to join our Register at www.gracelg.org/events community of faith as we grow Or contact Karen Janik at together. [email protected] 3 Don’t count the candles; Enjoy the glow Janifer Broz 1 Carole Willer 9 Mary Lynn Van Dyken 15 Steven Bauer 25 Dale Starkes 1 Beverly Bergum 11 Harry Sheridan 16 Philip Lund 27 Amy Townsend 1 Leonard Horacek 11 Jeanne Farmer 17 Gary Victorine 27 Linda Danielson 3 Marian Lynch 11 Ellen Glista 19 Robert Cikanek 29 Ronald Straff 3 Karen Litwin 12 Kerry Orrock 19 Susan Feely 29 Diana Thal 7 Margo Rife 13 Susan Walton 24 Judy Giannelli 30 Mary Vann 1 Mary Anne Lisowski 4 Janis Smith 8 Karl Olson 18 Barbara Barry 2 Bob Jones 6 Helen Kwiatkowski 11 Susan Stahr 20 Gary Hill 3 John Westberg 7 Carol Heerwagen 14 Dorothy Mayer 23 Paul Wallin 3 Garth Bowen 8 Betty Vickers 15 Marvin Johnson 24 Joyce Lemke 28 Meryl Dahlgren 2 Aldo Mungai 6 Kenneth Hall 14 Debbie Granger 24 Vicki Jensen 4 Rhonda Kral 7 Barry Schultz 16 Karen Padgen 29 Linda Hadley 6 Dale Machacek 8 Lyn Rains 21 Lori Wenig 30 Birthday Smiles When I was ten my Mom told me to Apparently it wasn't the Apple What sort of birthday cake do ghosts take my brother to a movie so she watch she wanted. prefer? I Scream Cake. could set up for his surprise birthday A man gives his wife an expensive party. That's when I realized that he You know you’re getting old when… bottle of wine for her birthday. After was her favorite twin. Things you buy now won’t wear out. a few glasses the wife blurts out, “I You know you’re getting old when… It was my wife's birthday the other love you”. The husband responds: day I took her to an orchard and we “Is that you or the wine talking?” You sit in a rocking chair and can’t get it going. stood there for 20 minutes. ` Wife: “This is me, talking to the wine”. https://www.ba-bamail.com/ Why is the letter W in English called double U? Shouldn't it be called double V? 4 “This is the day the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad” (Psalm 118:24). I am writing this article with great gladness and thanksgiving. I have been your parish Be careful not to touch your eyes, nose, nurse thirteen years this month and God has blessed me abundantly with your kind- and mouth when removing and wash ness and graciousness. It is a privilege to serve our Lord and you as your parish nurse. hands immediately after removing. Thank you for the treasured blessing you, Grace Lutheran Church are in my life.