JOIN US EACH WEDNESDAY IN LENT
FOR LIQUID, A LENTEN EXPERIENCE
God's Word flowing through Your Life Each Wednesday beginning - February 13th
Jesus is the master storyteller. He helped people understand, made them contemplate, made them consider. He used stories in different ways so people would investigate, think, learn, and discover the truth about themselves and about who Jesus was.
Each Wednesday we will look at one of these brief stories through a powerful new DVD series that illustrates God's word in the language of today's culture. We will then take a few moments to reflect and respond to these Biblical stories that mirror the same problems and struggles we face today. You're invited to join us for Soup Supper, good Fellowship, followed by a Hymn sing; then we will pop in the DVD and let God's Word flow through our life. Wednesday Evenings - 6:30 p.m.
OWLS
THE NEXT MEETING OF THE OWLS IS FEBRUARY 21, AT 11:30 A.M. IN CAFÉ GRACE. A presentation by "Ten Thousand Villages" will take place on Fair Trade.
We'll see some wonderful crafts from around the world. So be sure to bring a friend or family. We'll have a wonderful lunch with the main dish provided and all you need to do is bring a side dish or desert. Don't miss this special event! RSVP to Jeff McClurg at 847/367-7050.
New member class
Interested in becoming a member of Grace? Contact the church office at 847/367-7050, or let Pastor Gordon or Cheryl know. New Member Class is held on a Sunday after worship. We meet in Fellowship Hall, have an informal meal, and then learn more about Grace Lutheran. Reception of New Members will take place the following week at the 10 a.m. worship service.
LENTEN WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
The Lenten season begins with an Ash Wednesday service on Wednesday, February 6th, at 7:30 p.m. We gather for worship with the Impositions of Ashes, for those who wish to participate, followed by Holy Communion. Each Wednesday for the next five weeks there will be an opportunity to reflect on Christ's journey to the cross. The less formal, more intimate gatherings held year were well received, and will be repeated this year.
You are invited to a soup supper beginning at 6:30 p.m. in Café Grace. Following dinner, we will sing some of your favorite hymns - by request! The spiritual focus of the evening will include devotion, a short powerful video presentation, and a time for reflection and discussion.
Join us on Wednesday evenings to experience the presence of God touching both heart and mind and also learn some practical suggestions for deepening your spiritual life in a chaotic world.
Current Concepts for
Fellowship Hall Renovation
The following is a brief description of the current concepts for renovation of Fellowship Hall. These concepts have evolved from discussion with the "Preschool Board" and other church members.
Some of the renovation will address Village of Libertyville requirements that must be satisfied before preschool classes can be held in Fellowship Hall. These include application of a fire-retardant material to the ceiling and installation of doors with a better fire rating at the entrances/exits to Fellowship Hall. We will also make some cosmetic changes to the lady's washroom on the lower level. In addition, the existing carpet in the downstairs hallway and Fellowship Hall will be replaced with new tile, and the walls in these areas will be repainted. Existing tile in the kitchen and bathrooms will remain, as will the carpet in the Senior High meeting room.
As currently planned, the Tremendous Threes will occupy about one-half of one side of Fellowship Hall this fall, and, beginning in the fall of 2009, the Fantastic Fours will occupy similar space on the opposite side. The existing folding partitions will be used to separate the spaces used for the preschool programs. The remaining half of Fellowship Hall, including the space closest to the entrance doors and kitchen and the space nearest the rear emergency exit, will remain open. If funds permit, we plan to provide built-in cabinets and counter-top work areas for both preschool spaces. We will provide additional built-in cabinets in the open area near the entrance doors for storage of Promiseland materials, and additional cabinetry and counter space will be installed in the area outside the kitchen to provide preparation and serving space for use when larger church functions are being held in Fellowship Hall.
We look forward to having the above items completed by June and to a fresher, more functional Fellowship Hall that can better accommodate church activities.
SOME THOUGHTS FROM THE SMALL GROUP COORDINATOR . . .
I awoke this morning knowing I needed to write my Small Group article. When I got to work I opened my email. This was the first thing I saw.
"The first Christians inherited their model of church from their Jewish roots and, therefore, from their understanding of the role of the local synagogue. Not only were synagogues the place of singing, sermons, prayers and Bible readings, they also served as the entertainment center, the school and lifelong learning center, the welfare center, the medical center, the social center and the town hall. In short, the synagogue was the community hub, providing well being (or as the ancient Jews would have put it, 'shalom'--the presence of God's wholeness or completeness), meeting the physical, emotional, educational, social, and spiritual needs of the entire community." (Zondervan Daily Inspiration)
I was struck by how much this sounds like a small group. A small group allows you to learn, care and share with others in your group. But a small group is not defined just by these terms. It is defined by the members of that group and what their goals are. Groups are free to choose their own materials though we do have many videos and books to chose from, you can use your own ideas. If you choose to help at church or in the community, the ways are left up to you but you will be offered opportunities to serve as Grace is reaching out to others.
Please pray about joining a small group. We have many to choose from and if you don't see the one you want please talk to Sue Dolan, Verna Odom, or myself.
Shalom, Carole Rasmussen, Small Group Coordinator
PINOCHLE GROUP TO MEET FEB. 29
Suzanne Dolan is hosting the PINOCHLE group in her home on Friday evening, February 29 at 7:00 o'clock. New players are invited to be a part of this group at any time. Just contact Bernice Eskridge at 847-680-6995 to learn more about the group.
SELECTIONS FROM BOOKMARKS
With the holidays behind us and cold weather and quiet nights ahead, Book Marks Book Group has issued their selections for the month's ahead. Check them out on the bulletin board by the church office. Here's a few selections for your reading pleasure. Book Marks meets the second Wednesday of each moth in Café Grace at 7:00 pm. Come and join us for lively discussion, coffee and a little dessert.
2/13: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith; discussion leader Roberta Ringham
3/12: My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult; discussion leader Carman Rogers
4/9: The Tender Bar by J.R. Moehringer; discussion leader Carole Rasmussen
5/14: Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson; discussion leader Joyce Trevor
Habitat for Humanity dates set
Mark your calendars with these dates: 5/24, 7/5, 9/27 and 10/25. Contact Art Struss at 847/367-9251 to volunteer.
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VBS dates set
CAN YOU FEEL THE EXCITEMENT? VBS WILL SOON BE ROLLING INTO GRACE! VBS will run in the afternoons during the week of June 16-20 th . If you are interested in helping with this great program before or during VBS week, please contact Karen at 367-6908 or at lksemler@etzero.net We will begin setting up committees by the end of the month.
Join us for spring break fun
FUN AWAITS FOR THOSE NOT TRAVELING DURING SPRING BREAK Please come and join us at Grace for some fun. We will again be hosting a day filled with games, activities, and lunch. Please contact Karen Semler at 367-6908 if you are interested in helping to coordinate the activities for preschool to Middle School age kids.
Terffic Two's Registration Happy New Year! Our two weeks of Christmas break sure went by fast, but we are excited to begin the second half of the school year with our precious Terrific Two's. The children returned with smiling faces and excited to be back at "school". Along with our January theme of winter and snow, we will have our "grocery store" set up for the children to play with. Lots of fun!
January also means we are looking forward to the 2008-2009 school year. Terrific Two's registration for children who will be two by September 1, 2008, will begin January 21st for Grace members and siblings of current and former Terrific Two's students. Open registration for everyone else will begin February 4th. Registration forms will be available in the church office or by contacting me directly. For additional information about our program, please feel free to call me at 847/816-3810.
Thank you to those who supported our Pampered Chef fundraiser. We earned enough to purchase a Sand & Water Table AND a Step Rocking Boat for the big play room. We are so excited! Special thanks to Kelly Held for hosting the event at her house.
Beth Zupkus, Director Tremendous Three's Registration
New and exciting things are taking place at Grace Lutheran. We are starting a new, early childhood ministry - Tremendous Threes, a non-denominational preschool which will provide a nurturing, simulating, and safe learning environment for children. The children will grow intellectually, socially, physically, spiritually, emotionally and creatively.
Our teaching philosophy focuses on child-centered social play with a Christian orientation. We focus on developing the whole child through a variety of hands-on individual and group activities. We teach pre-kindergarten readiness skills following the Illinois Early Learning Standards. Our goal is to develop social skills, self-esteem, independence, responsibility and respect.
Tremendous Three's will expose children to a wide variety of activities including creative play, art, music, pre-reading, writing and math skills, active physical play, science, cooking, sensory play, Christian values and field trips.
Classes will meet as follows:
Tuesday/Thursday 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. Monday/Wednesday/Friday 9:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Children must be 3 years old by September 1, 2008. Class size is limited to 15 children with two teachers. We follow Libertyville School District 70's calendar. Registration for children who will be three by September 1, 2008, will begin January 21st for Grace members and alumni of Terrific Two's. Open registration for everyone else will begin February 4th. Registration forms will be available in the church office or by contacting Sarah directly. Program information will be available mid-January. For additional information, please contact Sarah McAuliffe at 847/367-7050, the church office or check our web site.
Sarah McAuliffe, Director of Tremendous Three's
From the Council President
Praise to God for the gracious gifts given by everyone in support of Grace Lutheran Church during 2007 and continuing with our "Growing with Grace" Ministry. This financial support given by all of you will continue to build up all the Ministry areas at Grace and allow us to do so much more for those in need. It appears that 2008 will be a challenge to many, however, if we continue to stand together and support each other, we will have success in reaching our goals.
The goal has been reached for the renovation project in the Fellowship Hall and will start during this month, with final completion to be done in early June. Just a reminder to all, the Fellowship Hall will have cosmetic changes done to it, so the functionality will remain the same for other Church activities. Please review the article submitted by Gary Ringham which will provide more details.
Bless to all for all that you do.
Barry Brunner, Council President
Sympathies
Our condolences and prayers are extended to the family of Doris Loden, who passed away over the Christmas holiday; to Ruth Leboza, on the death of her brother, Lee; and to the family of Barb Schroeder on the death of her mother, Lois Mae Foster. Please remember these families in your prayers at this time of loss.
AFTERNOON BIBLE DISCUSSION
TO STUDY 1 THESSALONIANS
On Tuesday, February 12, we will begin the video-based curriculum, A Spiritual Road Map in a Mixed Up World. It's designed with thought-provoking questions to lead the group in deeper study, application and prayer. This newly-formed group is presently made up of 15 loyal and dedicated members and meets every second and fourth Tuesday afternoon. Cal Callison and Mike Matthies are the discussion leaders. Verna Odom hosts the meetings. We are looking for new members, especially as we begin this new study. Please contact Cal, Mike or Verna for more information. Come and check us out! Verna Odom at 847/367-6059.
REACH OUT AND HELP OTHERS THROUGH LENTEN SHARING
During this Lenten Season, we will be reaching out and touching others by supporting the programs of ELCA/World Hunger and Disaster Relief.
Working through Lutheran World Relief (LWR) and Lutheran World Federation (LWF) an integrated and comprehensive program of RELIEF (food, medicine, shelter) - DEVELOPMENT (education, clean water, housing) - EDUCATION (resources to learn, care and give to ELCA/World Hunger) and ADVOCACY (justice in government policies, programs) will be funded.
A special offering will be received on two Sundays, March 9 and 16. Watch for devotional material and bulletin inserts to help us better understand how important our dollars are toward these efforts.
We Share and We Care . . .
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO CAME OUT FOR THE PATRICK ABRAHAM FUNDRAISER AT THE CUBBY BEAR ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 19. We had a great turnout! There were many great items for the silent auction Thank you to all you from Grace who donated, attended or helped with the baskets, what a wonderful thing to help our family members the Abrahams, together. We also thank the Band, Mid Life Crisis and Lynn Rawson for setting up this fundraiser. With the donation from the band, of $1200 and $775 from donations and auction items, the evening was a great success. Thank you all who attended and donated. Watch for future fundraising events in this newsletter or the bulletin.
THE SOCIAL MININSTRY TEAM ON BEHALF OF THE CONGREGATION HAS MADE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS IN 2007:
A Child's Right (to clean water), Lamb's Farm, COOL Pantry and COOL Transitional Housing, PADS, Interfaith chaplaincy, Sagrado Corazon, Teen Moms, Habitat, Patrick Abraham Medical Fund, Military Ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ, Salvation Army and The Haven.
If you would like to know more about these contributions or have suggestions of organizations that have touched your lives and would like them to be considered, please contact any one of us -- Kim Nunez, Nancy Bruick, Jan Fischer, Carole Karlenzig, Barb Schroeder or Marilyn Winter. We welcome new members to our team.
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