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WELCOME TO THE GRACEVINE - May Edition

A Monthly Newsletter for Members and Friends of Grace Lutheran Church

Invited to Narnia Again

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:10-12 NIV)

We are going to have another opportunity to travel to Narnia, when the new movie, Prince Caspian, comes to theaters this month on May 16. Prince Caspian is a story about a prince of Narnia who must regain his throne from an evil uncle. The land of Narnia needs to be rescued once again-just as it did in the first of the Chronicles of Narnia.

In the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe there was a spiritual oppression brought on by the white witch. This evil sorceress, Jadis, had cast a spell over the land to keep it in perpetual winter. With the help of four children from our world Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy, and by the power of Aslan the Lion, Narnia was liberated from her magic. Spring returned to the land and the reign of Aslan was restored to its full effect.

In Prince Caspian the four children return to Narnia and find it oppressed in a different way. This time it is not a witch or magician, but a corrupt king named Miraz, who has brought evil to the land. He has usurped the throne that belonged to his brother. He now threatens to end the life of his nephew Caspian, who is the rightful heir. His evil takes the form of cruelty towards the people and animals of his dominion.

There are many ways in which evil forces impact us. Sometimes they are spiritual or demonic, coming at us with spells and curses. At other times evil comes at the hand of people in positions of power, who are simply ruthless and inhumane.

It doesn't matter what form evil takes, the same power of Satan is still behind it. Satan uses any number of tactics to hurt, threaten and intimidate us. He tries to attack our faith from the outside by persecutions and from with us by our own doubts.

But the insidious problem of evil seems always to be there, like a constant battle that we face day and night. C.S. Lewis used his Narnia fantasies to illustrate the spiritual battle that we face as Christians almost constantly. There is always a way through to victory, but only with God's help. Jesus Christ is the one who reigns over Satan and evil. He has promised to help us win every battle we face. But we must be equipped with the "full armor of God." Let us also stand together as the Body of Christ, finding allies in all who trust in Jesus Christ, so that we can take our stand against the devil's schemes. God bless you all! - - Pastor John.

Pull Tabs

When you drink a soda and pull off the tab to donated to it to your church, you are doing more than you know. For each pull-tab is helping Ronald McDonald house with its operating expense. This last year we donated over 10 lbs of pull-tabs. Doesn't sound like much, but try saving One Pound and see how many tabs it takes to make a pound. I challenge you to try it, you may be surprised. Again, I say THANK YOU.

Financial Secretary Notes

Based on a recommendation from one of our members and discussion by the council, I have set up an account or system called "Simply Giving" that will allow members to make automatic payments for giving your offering and meeting your pledge. You have the option of weekly, bi-weekly or monthly giving which would transfer from your checking or savings account automatically. At first I was interested in how difficult it would be to set it up and or to make changes to it - well, on Friday I took a short training with a company representative, and as the financial secretary, I have internet access to the account. I would actually sign up interested members and make any adjustments to amounts or frequency of payments so it all stays within our direct control.

The account or process actually goes through a company that Thrivent funds to do so, and we get a regular report from them so that I can ensure that your giving record is maintained for tax purposes. I can also access reports from that account of all transactions so I will have two ways to ensure accountability of your giving

In addition to our operating fund, we also set up a building maintenance fund so that we can compile funding for needed repairs and work on our facilities, such as replace the steps and landing for the west door of the church. Giving to this fund would be expected to be above and beyond our normal giving to meet budgeted needs.

Forms are available at the church office or I can e-mail them to you. If you have questions, feel free to ask or I have some pamphlets you can read. - - Financial Secretary, Barry Burkhardt

Personal Care Kits

It is so much fun finding small bags and boxes with my name on them with items such as soaps, shampoos, etc. Thank you all for these little acts of love and caring.

As of today, there are no kits made up. However, if you know someone that would like to make up some care kits (all supplies available) this would work as a great small group project. It would take about fifteen minutes or so to complete.

Don't be shy. Just call or see me at church. I can bring the stuff to your house or church, if that is convenient. - Go in peace and Serve the Lord. - Darlene Walker

Thank God for church ladies with typewriters. These sentences actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services (Summer 2007 Release).

  • The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.
  • The sermon this morning: 'Jesus Walks on Water.' The sermon tonight: 'Searching for Jesus.'
  • Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
  • The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict.
  • Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.
  • The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
  • Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.
  • The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new tithing campaign slogan Last Sunday: 'I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours

    • Angels

    Angels Explained By Children -

  • I only know the names of two angels, Hark and Harold.
  • Daniel, 9 - When an angel gets mad, he takes a deep breath and counts to ten. And when he lets out his breath, somewhere there's a tornado.
  • Mitchell, 7 - My guardian angel helps me with math, but he's not much good for science.
  • Sara, 6 - Angels live in cloud houses made by God and his son, who's a very good carpenter.
  • Vicki, 8 - What I don't get about angels is why, when someone is in love, they shoot arrows at them.

    • Council Message

    Worship Time Change & BVC Update Just a reminder to mark your calendars that worship service will change to 9:00 a.m. beginning Sunday, June 1st. That is also the date that Bountiful Vineyard Church will hold their first worship service in our facility. Members of council met with several members of Bountiful Vineyard to get to know one another better and discuss some of the work to be accomplished between now and then. The members of BVC are very excited about the opportunity to worship in our church and are looking forward to laboring together with us towards building the body of Christ in our area. Please stay tuned for more details on how you may be able to help in this endeavor!

    Lawn Care Volunteers As we mentioned during the Annual Congregational Meeting, we have discontinued our lawn care service as a cost saving measure. Consequently, we are in need of volunteers to help maintain our grounds. A lawn mower and edger are provided and stored at the church; we just need able-bodied members to help operate them! A sign up sheet is posted in the Narthex and in the fellowship hall. Please prayerfully consider volunteering and even teeming up with another family to lighten the workload. A special 'thank you' to Jim Coyner for his skill and expertise in forming a lawn care proposal and maintenance plan for our landscape. Thank you Jim!

    How Can I Serve? We have several areas in our church in need of members to serve and contribute their time and talents. Please prayerfully consider if you can help:

  • Youth: Attend monthly meetings with The WAY and help organize our youth program. (See Pastor John)
  • Sunday School Teachers: It is never too early to consider being a Sunday School teacher for next fall. It would be ideal if we had two teachers per class. (See Nancy Mayer)
  • Prayer Team: We are in need of someone to organize and coordinate an intercessory prayer team to ensure our members, families and friends are being prayed for. (See Debbie Knutsen)
  • Ushers/Lectors: Reading and greeting is all it takes! (See Barbara Schultz)

    • A friend recently reminded me of how fortunate we are to "have a church like Grace". It may be small, but the heart of the church is big because it is focused on the Lord Jesus Christ. May He always be our focus. - Debbie

    Council Meeting April 13th, 2008

    Attendance: Pastor, Kelli, Pam, John, Barry, and Becky

    Prayer Devotional: Pastor John

    Approval of Minutes: Pam motioned to accept the minutes, Barry 2nd the motion

    Building and Grounds:

  • John volunteered to place a sign-up sheet, to get volunteers to take care of the church grounds. According to John the ants of our congregation have been declining.
  • Jim Coyner has been spraying around the church to get rid of the unwanted weeds.
  • Jim has also proposed that the maple tree needs to be cut down.
  • the lawn need to be aerated. Irrigation water will be turned on, on April 15th.

    • Education: nothing to report.

    Treasurer Report:

  • See handout sheet from meeting.
  • Pam is revamping the budget and will be breaking it down quarterly.
  • John suggested that the board looks at last years pattern of budget and compare it, so we know what to expect to budget for the leaner months.
  • John suggested that last years budget should be broke down quarterly.
  • Barry had cards made, for electronic giving
  • Pam has received an application for non-charitable postage stamps.

    • Evangelism: nothing to report

    Music and Worship: Pastor met with Jeff to make changes and adjustment for Andrea White to help out and be more involved.

    Pastor Report:

  • Pastor is getting 5th Graders together for first instruction of communal class.
  • Membership Sunday is coming up sometime in May there is not set date yet.
  • Synod assembly is coming up at the end of May.

    • Social Ministry: nothing to report

    Youth Group: There's a well-attended group that meets in homes, who are well supervised as well as organized. The youth group is planning a mission trip in the future. Currently there are 40-50 youth each week in Attendance.

    New Business:

  • Pam says that we are covered as a church for identity theft.
  • Pam said that support for Rocky Mountain Synod needed a signature, and Pastor John signed it in the meeting.

    • Old Business:

  • Michael Shultz is fencing so he had nothing to report.
  • Report of the BBC is in the Grace Vine, council will meet with their council next Sunday after church.
  • Pam suggested that we begin to announce the new time schedule for the change of worship service.
  • John suggested that we maintain a calendar of groups using the facilities, so there are no conflicts.
  • Barry motioned to adjourn and John 2nd the motion.

    • Closing Prayer: Kelli gave the closing prayer.

    Grace Matters
    - The radio ministry of the ELCA. - Sunday at 10 p.m. on KSL radio 1160 AM - www.gracematters.org/program.html

    May 4, 2008 - Bruce Campbell - Letter-Writing from the Heart - 2 Corinthians 3:3. Otolaryngology is an important word, but a mouthful to pronounce. It happens to be shorthand for that branch of medicine that deals with ear, nose, and throat. Dr. Bruce Campbell, a head and neck surgeon at the Medical College of Wisconsin, "sees it all" at the cancer ward where he works and in the classrooms where he teaches. Campbell practices a particular kind of medicine that includes a thoughtful inclusion of his own personal faith. His patients are the direct beneficiaries.

    May 11, 2008 - Jules and Gedeon Naudet - Terror and Faith - 1 John 4:18 Jules and Gedeon are a pair of French-born brothers who enjoy working together. They also happen to be award-winning filmmakers. Not only did they produce the acclaimed documentary "9/11," containing the only known footage of the first plane striking the first tower of the World Trade Center, they followed that up with a documentary on faith, entitled: "In God's Name." This edition of Grace Matters explores the place of terror in American public and private life, and the role of the Christian faith as a response.

    May 18, 2008 - Wayne Muller - The Rhythm of the Christian Life - Deuteronomy 5:12. According to Holy Scripture, God built rhythm into the universe. Work and rest were meant to be fair players with one another. Something happened to this rhythm along the way, however. Rest got bumped to the periphery and work assumed center stage. Author and minister Wayne Muller reflects on how effectively we keep - and do not keep - the Sabbath commandment. Host Peter Marty looks at the distinctive rhythm of the Christian life

    May 25, 2008 - Stephen Prothero - Religious Illiteracy John 13:17 Stephen Prothero has conducted an interesting study of religious literacy in America. What he has found is that while many people have a deep faith and a gut sense of spirituality, their Biblical and religious knowledge is very scant. In other words, their faith is formed more on feeling and sentiment than accurate knowledge of valued sources. Prothero is chair of the religion department at Boston University and author of the book Religious Literacy.

    May WORSHIP

    Sunday, May 4, 2008, Seventh Sunday of Easter Texts: Acts 1:6-14; Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 (4); 1Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11; John 17:1-11

    Sunday, May 11, Day of Pentecost Texts: Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:24-34, 35b (30); 1Corinthians 12:3b-13; John 20:19-23 or John 7:37-39

    Sunday, May 18, The Holy Trinity Texts: Genesis 1:1-2:4a; Psalm 8 (1); 2Corinthians 13:11-13; Matthew 28:16-20

    Sunday, May 25, Second Sunday After Pentecost Texts: Isaiah 49:8-16a; Psalm 131 (2); 1Corinthians 4:1-5; Matthew 6:24-34