Good News of Grace Grace Lutheran Church Green Bay, Wisconsin August 8, 2012 We celebrate Christ, teach Christ, witness to Christ, and care for others as though they are Christ. The Gospel according to Bob Dylan? we can see that other folks lump all churches into one category. And when we run into What kind of a book is that? people with those kinds of points of view, we And there are more books like that: the can say, "Hey. That's not my church! We're Gospel according to U2, the Gospel according different! You should come and check us to Disney, the Gospel according to Star Wars, out!" the Gospel according to Tolkien, the Gospel Exploring other religious points of view can according to Dr. Suess… also be a valuable exercise in defining our And believe it or not: the Gospel according to own religious point of view. Bob Dylan and the Simpsons! Star Wars believe this about God, but I sure don't! That's good exercise, because when Yes, there are books with these titles. And our kids or grandkids come up to us with a there are books with these titles, because question about a video they've seen or a book even if movies and TV and music don't they're reading, we can help them evaluate always have traditional Christian points of these kinds of media for how they measure view, it doesn't mean they don't have up to Jesus. Is the Gospel according to interesting religious or spiritual points of Disney really the same as the Gospel of view. Points of view that may, in fact, reflect Jesus? Good question! If you're wondering the religious or spiritual points of view of about that, you can read a book about that. many people both in and outside the And guess where it is? church. It's important, I think, to understand other religious points of In your church library now! view. Sometimes we can learn what people are thinking about the church. Sometimes Pastor Larry Guide to the Good News: From the Pastor Front Cover Outreach Page 6 Education Page 2 Youth & Family Ministry Page 6 Personal Growth Page 2 Congregation Opportunities Page 6 Celebration Page 3 Worship Ministers Page 7 Super Happy Fun Congregational Picnic Page 4 Access to Grace Back Cover Opportunities to Serve Page 5 INSERT: Washington DC Mission Trip Newsletter DEADLINE FOR THE NEXT GOOD NEWS OF GRACE: The next “Good News of Grace” will be sent out the week of August 20. Please have articles in to the Church Office by 12:00 noon on Monday, August 20. NEW MEMBER CLASS SUNDAY SCHOOL A New Member class has been scheduled REGISTRATION FORMS are for Saturday, September 15, from 9:00 available on the courtesy desk a.m. – 12 noon. If you are interested in and outside the Sunday School learning more about membership at office. They may be turned in by mail, Grace, please contact Pastor Julie at (432 placed in the offering plate, dropped off at -0308) or [email protected] the Church Office, or deposited in the box outside the Sunday School office. The deadline for registration is Sunday, August 26. NEW PICTORIAL DIRECTORY Are you still practicing your smile? SUMMER BIBLE STUDY During this summer’s Sunday Our picture directory is coming this fall morning bible studies, we are and you’ll want to be ready! getting to know the Twelve Apostles. The summer Sunday If you have any questions, or if you are bible studies are held in the able to help, please contact Barb Dining Room between worship Gloeckler 498-4089, Board of Personal services. The schedule of topics is as Growth follows: August 12: Peter August 19: Philip “YOUNG AT HEART” August 26: James and John Our Young at Heart program September 2: Judas on August 10 will be a summer picnic. We will have brats & burgers, fruit salad, potato chips, lemonade, & ice cream for dessert. The program will be PARENTS OF 7TH GRADE STUDENTS: our Mission Trip participants showing us If you have a student who will be what they did in Washington, D.C. If you entering the 7th grade this fall and you are able, please bring a non-perishable have not received a letter regarding the food item for our food pantry. Hope to confirmation program, please contact see all of you on August 10. The sign up Pastor Julie (432 - 0 3 0 8 ) o r sheet is on the Courtesy Desk or call the [email protected]. Thank you! Church Office. 2 WE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE RECEIPT OF A GIFT TO: The Food Pantry given in memory of Rev. Todd Murken by his friends. The Garden of Grace given in loving memory of Doris Reimer by her friends. The Radio Fund given in loving memory of Clarence (Bud) Austad, husband, Walter and Helen Utnehmer, parents, Wallace PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP and Robert Utnehmer, brothers and Virginia Overly, sister, by Jean Austad. Thurs., Aug. 9 & Sun., Aug. 12 Eleventh Sunday of Pentecost Events: A FUNERAL SERVICE WAS HELD FOR: Adult Education - “The 12 Apostles” Lessons: Beverly Suchomel on August 3, 2012. 1 Kings 19:4-8, Psalm 34:1-8, Ephesians 4:25-5:2, John 6:35, 41-51 “I am the resurrection and the life,” says the Lord. Thurs., Aug. 16 & Sun., Aug. 19 Twelfth Sunday of Pentecost Events: CHOIRS INVITATION Contemporary Worship CHOIRS INVITATION Adult Education - “The 12 Apostles” God uses music to direct our Financial Forum hearts to Him. Let your hearts Lessons: be directed. You will be both Proverbs 9:1-6, Psalm 34:9-14, Ephesians welcome and needed. 5:15-20, John 6:51-58 Men’s Choir begins Thursday, Sept. 6 from 6:30-7 PM Thurs., Aug. 23 & Sun., Aug. 26 Chancel Choir begins Thursday, Sept. 6 Thirteenth Sunday of Pentecost from 7-8:30 PM Events: Adult Education - “The 12 Apostles” Bell Choir begins Thursday, Sept. 6 Grace Full Hands from 6:15-7 PM Lessons: Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18, Psalm 34:15-22, Ephesians 6:10-20, John 6:56-69 WORSHIP SERVICES TIMES Worship times will be Thursday at 5:30 p.m. and Sundays at 8:00 & 10:00 a.m. Our Worship is Broadcast on Radio 1400AM at 8:00 a.m. 3 4 OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE FAIR TRADE FAIRE VOLUNTEERS AUDIT COMMITTEE NEEDED NEEDED: The Board of Outreach is The Audit Committee is looking for two looking for 1 more person who might be members familiar with conducting audits interested in coordinating a fall “Fair Trade and/or accounting and bookkeeping Faire” at Grace. This faire would be an practices to audit church financial records opportunity for members of the for the last fiscal year (2011 – 2012). congregation to purchase as Christmas The committee will meet in August on days gifts, items made by fairly paid artisans in and times convenient for its members. The developing countries. Through the time commitment is approximately 6 – 8 purchase of these items we will hours. economically help individuals and Please contact Pastor Larry or Parish communities. For further information Administrator Sharon Haapala please speak to Pastor Julie or check out the SERRV website. MARKETING COMMITTEE NEEDED Marketing Committee – looking for two or BOARD OF OUTREACH: There is an three more members… opening on the Board of Outreach. This who are skilled and experienced in the field Board educates members of Grace and of 21 st century marketing and invites them to participate in a variety of communication technologies. The question ministries that bring health and healing to Council would like them to wrestle with is: people in our community. These How to leverage 21st century technology for ministries include: Grace’s Food Pantry, the mission of the church? Some of the EPH, Church of the Wilderness, Lutheran underlying questions that might be World Relief, Back to School store, Easter addressed as part of the committee’s work Dinner, etc. are: What are the ways we currently The Board of Outreach meets on the first communicate with the congregation? Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. The What are the ways congregation term on the board will be completed in members prefer to receive January 2013 but the person is eligible for communication from the church? re-election for a second, two-year term. What are the ways congregation members prefer to give to the church? How do we improve how we BOARD OF STEWARDSHIP NEEDS 2 communicate? MEMBERS What are the staff time implications of 2 members are needed for the Board of improving our communication? Stewardship. This Board conducts an an- Are there costs to improving how we nual Stewardship pledge drive and other communicate? stewardship education events. If you would like to serve on this committee, please let one of the pastors Date(s) & Time: The Board meets the 3rd know. We could like to convene the Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. 2 year committee as soon as possible and report term, 11 meetings, tasks related to projects recommendations back to the Council as soon as possible as well. 5 CONGREGATION OPPORTUNITIES OPEN FORUM for questions about the Special Funds will be held on Sunday, August 19 after the 8:00 a.m. worship service in the North Basement. Parish THE RESTORATIVE JUSTICE GROUP Administrator Sharon Haapala and invites members and friends of Grace members of Council will be in attendance. after worship on Thursdays, August 16 and 23 and at 9:00 a.m.