WELCOME TO THE GRACEVINE - September Edition

A Monthly Newsletter for Members and Friends of Grace Lutheran Church

Soar on Wings

"But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31

It was about 60 years ago that the largest air supply operation in history ended. For about a year in 1948 and 1949 the Berlin Airlift brought food, coal and other necessities to West Berlin in the early years of the cold war. Over 2 million tons of food and supplies were delivered to meet the needs of the almost 3 million residents. There has never been as much shipped in any single airlift operation before or since.

Airlifts have been used to get people out or get supplies in during wars or disasters. The idea of the airlift has been used even before World War II, when planes brought people out of Afghanistan to safety during a time of political unrest. In World War II there was an operation to "fly the hump" over the Himalayan Mountains in order to supply the Chinese military as they faced the Japanese. Many airlifts have occurred in recent memory.

With speed and power, airplanes have become increasingly important in both war and peace. We rely on air travel because in can cover territory quickly, especially where no roads exist.

Flying is a good picture for what prayer can do for us in our spiritual life. Prayer takes us places. It can elevate us above the cares and problems of life. It puts us in touch with God and it brings people together who are miles apart.

The Bible says that waiting on God in prayer can renew our strength and cause us to "soar on wings as eagles." Prayer is a means of experiencing the God's power to elevate us above our problems.

Sometimes we face obstacles in life that are so great that we feel trapped and cut off from all help. Just as Berlin was blocked by Stalin's military from contact by land from the western world, there are times when there seems to be no way to get through a difficult time. It is in times like this when prayer is the only way to open up a channel of supply and help. God sends his help when we pray. This is what the Americans and British did for Berlin when there was a great need.

I got used to flying places growing up in India. At first I took airplanes for granted. Then after many trips to and from America as a child, I finally took notice of the airplanes that we traveled in.

I became very intrigued with flying. Seeing airplanes take off and land and flying in them, I became amazed by the power and grace of airline travel.

Strangely, as I grow older, the wonder and awe of flying has only increased for me. What an awesome ability we have to be carried through the air to destinations far and wide. I am struck with amazement at the way large aircraft can become airborne soar into the skies.

But I am sure that I have every reason to be just as much in awe of prayer as I am in awe of airplanes. It is just that I can see jets flying and they give me a visible reminder of what is happening. Prayer is invisible and the answers are often perceived only by the eye of faith. Sometimes the concrete answers to prayer are slower than we would like. Yet we know that powerful things happen every day because of our prayers. I hope we will all grow in our understanding and experience of the power of prayer

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." Ephesians 6:18

God bless you all. Pastor John

Grace Lutheran Church Council Meeting July 6, 2009

Attendance: Melinda Williams, Louise Anderson, John walker Pastor John Mayer, Barry Burkhardt, and Pam Eves.

The meeting was called to order by Melinda at 7:15 p.m. and Pastor John gave the opening prayer

Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the last meeting had been reviewed so Barry made a motion to accept them as submitted. Pam seconded the motion and the motion passed.

Treasurer Report: : Review of monthly budget; an article will be put in the September Gracevine concerning giving.

Education: Sunday School meeting August 13th, with any members of congregation who have previously been involved with teaching, VBS, children's sermon. To be discussed - how to handle Sunday School education with small group of various ages of children.

Building/Grounds: Fall clean-up to be scheduled for Saturday October 3rd. Raccoons have left the fireplace in pastor's office; chimney will be capped before winter/spring.

Evangelism: Nothing to report

Pastor Report: : Two outreach events: September 5th-"Burning Heart" big tent revival to be held at Sugarhouse Park ... 5-8 p.m. sponsored by "Heart of the Matter" TV program. September 12th- Adams Road Band at Bountiful City Park. All Christian communities are being asked to promote. Pastor brought up the idea of recording our services and adding them to our website, with other resources in which public can interact. There is continued thought of an added Sunday/Wednesday night service for those who can not attend Sunday a.m. service.

Music and Worship: Meeting August 18th

New Business: : Re: Financial Secretary: Corey has been shadowing Barry with the responsibilities of financial secretary for the past couple of weeks. Pastor will contact Corey concerning membership, as the position needs to be filled by an active member of the church. The council will make final decision in September.

Church insurance: Council decided to increase deductible to save on yearly premium. No increases are to be accepted unless mandatory.

Stewardship: "You've Got The Time" 40 day audio bible study of the NT. Pam will work up a proposal and present to the council in September. Next pledge drive will include addressed envelopes to be mailed back to members as reminder of what pledge commitment they had made.

Old Business: Short discussion of "retreat" and specific suggestions as what goal/goals to work on next time.

Council meeting closed with a prayer from Pam.

Respectfully submitted-Louise Anderson

Fall clean up is scheduled for October 3rd from 8:00 AM to noon. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend. Lots to do, and please bring whatever hand tools, etc that you feel will be helpful. There will be trimming of trees, clearing of over grown brush, cleaning flowerbeds and whatever else needs doing. - John Walker

Here is Treasurer's report for Gracevine:

Many Thanks for all your faithful financial support this summer. Budgeted expenses for July were $6172.29. The good news is we were under budget in spending by $70. The bad news is congregation offerings, Bountiful Vineyard support and community partner support - paper recycling and Albertsons grocery cards - totaled $5045. Our finances cannot continue to support a loss and we have some large expenses coming up this fall, which includes the insurance for the buildings. Please consider, our abundance is a gift from God the creator of all things. Have we shown him how much we appreciate his gifts? Are we cheerful givers? Have we considered tithing as a spiritual discipline to grow in God's grace? Merciful Father, we offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us - ourselves, our time and our possessions, signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the sake of him who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

SMILING FACES NEEDED

We are in need of smiling faces to be ushers and lectors. Both only require a little of your time one Sunday a month.

Church Annual Yard Sale - Saturday, September 19, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon

Clean that house of the clutter --- this is the sale for you. Unwanted presents--this is the sale for you. We need your stuff (that you do not want anymore). We need everyone's help. From marking things to working the day of the sale; setting up tables and taking them down, to packing what is left (and there is always something left)?

Young and old can do something. Let's have fun and have a nice yard sale. - Darlene

GREEN FIBER RECYCLING

Please don't forget to recycle over the holiday vacation! An estimated 2.6 billion holiday cards are sold each year in the US, enough to fill a football field 10 stories high. It is also estimated that between Thanksgiving and Christmas an extra million 'tons' of waste is generated each week during the holidays. Recycle wrapping paper, boxes, catalogues and greeting cards. It all adds up to tons of renewable paper fiber.

Angela's Bible Verse Cookie Recipe

Send your kids back to school with a sweet treat in their lunch sack. This is a cookie recipe but to find the ingredients, you have to read the associated Bible verse. All of the ingredients are common cookie ingredients; you're not looking for something exotic. - Enjoy! - Barbara S.

Beat Together:

Add:

Mix well. Drop by spoonfuls on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes

Personal Care Kits

"Thanks" for the traveler in our little church. Without you we could not make up so many kits for Ronald McDonald House. This last month there were 20 kits made up, twenty people that we serve in just one month. I am sorry you have to go travel for business, just remember us and how you can help someone else with your small donations.

THANKS TO ALL. MAY GOD KEEP YOU SAFE. Darlene Walker

Ties that Bind Quilting Group

Here it is another month, and still too many quilts to do. As of the start of this month, we have 5 quilts ready for delivery to Primary Children's' Hospital. I love every one; they are special to me and someone else (the one that gets that quilt). Everyone is made with love, sweat, and some tears/and a lot of laughter. We get an opportunity to meet twice a month and share what is going on in our lives, our hopes and fears. Do I sound a little kookie, maybe I am. I love kids, not that it shows. Enough you say. OKAY.

Our next meeting times are Tuesdays, Sept 1st and the 15th from 1-3 in the afternoon, downstairs in the church's fellowship hall. EVERYONE IS INVITED, young and old. Come and meet the group and have fun doing the Lord's work.

God bless each and every one of you. - Darlene

RMSWO Fall Gathering Set for September 19 in Cheyenne, Wyoming

Join women from Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and El Paso, Texas at the 2009 Gathering of the Rocky Mountain Synodical Women's Organization at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Cheyenne, Wyoming. You will be welcomed with western hospitality and ushered into an experience that will inspire, uplift, inform, and encourage you individually and collectively. As we explore the gathering theme of "God's Way ? Hope", the interlocking subjects of current event issues, our children, mental health, media influence, prayer in a needy world, and life stages will be viewed through the prism of God's Hope.

Keynote is "Faith Lift" by renowned inspirational speaker Linda Evans Shepherd (www.refreshingspeaker.com).

Programming will include music, worship, Bible study by Pastor Sarah Moening, movement, crafts, special projects, some entertainment, and fun. The gathering will be a one-day event all day Saturday, September 19. For those who wish to arrive Friday night, September 18, there will be special Cheyenne tours, vespers service, some social time and early registration. We will negotiate fees in a nearby local Historic Plains Hotel, for those who wish to stay overnight Friday and/or Saturday.

Watch for more information on the website, from the Women's Group at your church, at cluster gatherings, in this issue, and future issues of the "Views" newsletter.

Please mark your calendars now, and start saving for your trip to Wyoming. Scholarships will be available for young women and one woman of any age.

We HOPE to see you in Wyoming!

Bishop's reflection - Pray for and be proud of your church

Publishing schedules demand that I write this to you months before the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis. But as you are reading this, I and other voting members from the Rocky Mountain Synod are likely together with a thousand others from across this church.

Having attended several of these important gatherings, I know inspiring worship and thoughtful Bible study will center and equip us. I know we will grapple with important decisions about the trajectory of this church and its ministry. I also know the Spirit will be present in our deliberation, according to the promises of Scripture.

The church has always grappled with change. Discerning direction, setting boundaries and opening new pathways is what the Acts of the Apostles is all about. So we seek to be responsive to the Spirit's leading. And we pray for courage to embrace whatever change Christ calls us to.

At our synod assembly I urged the gathered people of God to pray for and be proud of our church, and I say the same to you:

We can rejoice in these things because they are evidence of the Spirit's ongoing work in and through us. And we can rejoice that nothing in all of creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Give thanks. Live in hope. - Bishop Allan Bjornberg

Web Based Calendar -We now have a web-based calendar posted for activities and services for Grace Lutheran and Bountiful Vineyard churches. The link can be accessed from our website www.gracelutheranutah.org and the link is listed under Worship Services. If you would like to schedule an event/activity, please check the calendar to ensure your desired date/time is available and then send an email to Barb (grace_lutheran@juno.com) and she will update the calendar. If there is something already scheduled for the date you desire, keep in mind we have several "room options" available depending on the amount of space required (i.e. Sanctuary, fellowship hall, church office, church basement and Grace Room). Please take a few moments to view the calendar and check out our upcoming services and events!

As always, if you have questions, concerns or suggestions, please see a member of council. Thank you for your support this past year and may our Lord richly bless you - Debbie

Council Message

Summer has already come to a close but a few highlights and 'thanks' are in order...

Picnic - Our annual church picnic had a good showing at a beautiful park on the east benches of Bountiful. We enjoyed the beauty of God's creation, fellowship, football and delicious food! A special thank you to Carl and Barbara Schultz for organizing the event and providing the main entree.

Yard Care - A huge thank you to everyone who has helped with maintaining our grounds for the past few months...fertilizing, weeding, mowing, edging, aerating etc. Your service helps us maintain our grounds while saving money. Bountiful Vineyard assisted us this year and was responsible for mowing and edging during the months of July and August but we will be looking for volunteers again in September and possibly October. Please consider helping so that we can lighten the load for our Building and Grounds Chairman - John Walker. Thank you, John, for the innumerable tasks you take on to keep our building and grounds functioning smoothly!

Upcoming Events...

Via de Cristo - The Via de Cristo weekends have been scheduled. The men's weekend will be held Oct. 8-11 and the women's Oct. 15-18. If you would like to attend or just have questions about the retreat, please contact Becky New or check out Via de Cristo's website: www.utahviadecristo.org.

Fall Clean Up - Building and Grounds fall clean up is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 3. Please mark your calendars now and plan to help clean up around our church.

Adams Road - The contemporary Christian band, Adams Road, will be performing in our own 'backyard' on Saturday, September 12th at 6pm at the Bountiful City Park. For more information and to listen to a few of their songs, log on to: www.myspace.com/adamsroadband.

Yard Sale - Thank you Darlene Walker for volunteering to chair our annual yard sale. The sale is scheduled for Saturday, September 19th from 8-12. Please participate by donating, pricing, organizing and SHOPPING

A close friend recently shared their renewed insight with me and I wanted to share it with you in hopes it may be a helpful reminder for you as it was for me.

"I am now challenged to live into what the Lord has given me. I know that my use of time must be redirected so that the Word and the Lordship of Jesus are again central. I know that I must bring all the stuff I have into a Godly order. I am reminded that sharing Jesus is what I am here for." - God Bless, Debbie.

GLC Worship Team

The members of GLC's Worship Team meet each month to select songs for Sunday worship. As stated in the ELCA "Principles of Worship: "Music is a servant of the Gospel and a principal means of worshiping God in Lutheran churches.

Congregational song gathers the whole people to proclaim God's mercy, to worship God, and to pray, in response to the readings of the day and in preparation for the Lord's Supper." The Worship Team attempts to choose songs for Sunday worship based on these principals.

We would encourage everyone to let the team know if you have a song(s) that you would like included in worship service. We have several resources available; if we have the words, music and a copyright, we will include them in worship service. Please contact one of the members of the Worship.

Team for suggestions, requests or comments: Pastor John Mayer, Louise Anderson, Claire Conlin, Barbara Schultz and Jeff Zawalski.

SEPTEMBER WORSHIP- 9:00 a.m. Worship

September 6 - 14th Sunday After Pentecost - Texts: Isaiah 35:4-7a; Psalm 146; James 2:1-10[11-13] 14-17; Mark 7:24-37

September 13 - 15th Sunday After Pentecost - Texts: Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 116:1-9; James 3:1-12; Mark 8:27-38

September 20 - 16th Sunday After Pentecost- Texts: Jeremiah 11:18-20; Psalm 54; James 3:13-4:3; 4:7-8a; Mark 9:30-37

September 27 - 17th Sunday After Pentecost - Texts: Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29; Psalm 19:7-14; James 5:13-20; Mark 9:38-50