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SEPTEMBER

2015

ACOLYTES

Sat., Sept. 5………………..…Alexa Bader

Sun., Sept. 6……….…..Ethan Christensen

Sat., Sept. 12……………....Dylan Fahrney

Sun., Sept. 13……..………..….Eric Kielty

Sat., Sept. 19……………Grace Mathiason

Sun., Sept. 20……………...Kerstin Miller

Sat., Sept. 26……………...Ashleigh Olson

Sun., Sept. 27……………...Grace Schrenk

ALTAR GUILD

Flower Committee

LITURGISTS

Sat., Sept. 5…………….…Alyssa Sinkule

Sun., Sept. 6……………..Ellen Mathiason

Sat., Sept. 12………………...….Ed Kallas

Sun., Sept. 13……..….…Cindy McKeown

Sat., Sept. 19…………………..Dee Signer

Sun., Sept. 20…………….Dennis Everson

Sat., Sept. 26………………...Laurie Kruse

Sun., Sept. 27……………....Louis Scherer

Serving in September

Birthdays in September

MISSIONARY SPONSORS

Sept. 5 & 6……………….Women of Grace

Sept. 12 & 13…....Bob & Gaida Vickerman

Sept. 19 & 20…………………Lois Gordee

Sept. 26 & 27………………………...Open

ORGANISTS

Saturdays in September…….…......Pending

Sundays in September....…..…...Ann Uresk

USHERS

Sat. in September……………...…..Pending

Sun. in September: ……….The Sathoff and

The Mathiason Families

Thank you for Serving!

Alexandra Kubly 9/1

Nina Leistiko

Caroline Marx

Greta Rath 9/2

Kendrick Rath

Marian Kerr 9/4

Alyssa Sinkule

Beverly Segner 9/5

Bill Holland 9/6

Dominick Rath

Leona Arn 9/7

Kaitlin Carpenter

Millie Stauffer 9/8

Jackson Trupke

Jennifer Zeitler

Bob Alston 9/9

Amanda Graham

Brian Carmody 9/10

Steven Figi

Andrew Neuenschwander

Steve Hoesly 9/11

Kati Davidson 9/12

Lukas Gerber

Lisa Huber

Ben Tredinnick

Janice Peterson 9/13

Verna Smith

Kiara Miller 9/14

Milee Heilman 9/15

Rita Vetterli

Lane Heins 9/16

Gunnison Hartley 9/17

Ethan Schuttler

Brandon Wilson 9/17

Russ Johnson 9/18

Carol Figi 9/19

Jerry Albrecht 9/20

Sabrina Jorgenson

Donna Ruch

Brett Nafzger 9/21

Jan Ableman 9/22

Dave Beightol

Shannon Borhart

Lance Sathoff

Shelly Trupke

Bob Ableman 9/23

Richard Alston

Mark Anderson 9/24

Jennifer Herbst

Linda Anderson 9/25

Eric Hardel

Eric Kielty

Patrick Parr

Bill Flisram 9/26

Marilyn Hauser

Ryan Ackerman 9/27

Jamie Balsiger

Max Dvorak

Beverly Hanson

Dave Iverson

Sydney Mathiason

Larry Segner

Alex Patterson 9/28

Dan Hoesly 9/29

Arlene Huffman

Brian Kolden

T. J. Rielly

Jessica Beightol 9/30

Jim Smith

USHER MEETING SCHEDULED

There will be a meeting of persons who presently usher, as well as an invitation to any-

one interested in ushering in the future. One or two ushers are needed for Saturday

evening service and four ushers for Sunday morning service. Presently, ushers are

needed on a monthly, fill-in, and/or on-call basis. Families, groups, and individuals are

all needed to sign-up.

This meeting will be held at church on Monday, September 28 at 6:00 PM in the sanc-

tuary.

If you are interested but are unable to attend the meeting, please call the church during

the week or Terry Haines, Usher Coordinator, at (608) 201-1997. Thank you!

— Terry Haines, Usher Coordinator

P.S. USHERS NEEDED on Saturdays in September and Sundays in October. If you

can usher, please contact Terry Haines at 608-201-1997 or call the office. Thank you

for serving!

ALTAR GUILD MEETING is scheduled for Thursday,

September 17, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. This is for all Altar Guild

members. Please try to attend. There will be a program follow-

ing the meeting.

RIDES TO CHURCH BEING SOUGHT for three of our members. We are look-

ing for volunteers to help get these members to church on Sundays. If

you would be available and willing to help us out, please call the

church office at 325-9172 to volunteer. Once and a while, or more fre-

quently, any help would be appreciated. Thank you!

GENEROSITY MADE EASY The Simply Giving® Program is an

automated stewardship program that helps members live generously.

It's a convenient, safe and simple way for individuals to make automatic payments to

Grace Lutheran Church through electronic funds transfer (EFT) directly from checking

or savings a accounts. Please contact the church office to enroll.

THANKS FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE FLOWERS AND LANDSCAPING

Many hands have been hard at work making the outside

landscaping beautiful here at church. Thank you to eve-

ryone who has taken time to keep things looking so nice

outside for us! Special thanks to Bruce Stiner for his

hard work and care of the church grounds. Everyone’s

efforts are very appreciated!

LAST CHANCE TO GET YOUR PHOTO IN OUR DIRECTORY

If you were unable to have a photograph taken here at church, and

would like to submit a photo for our upcoming church directory,

you need to do so soon!

If you do submit a photo, the photographer who took the picture

needs to sign a release form before it can be re-printed. Mail this to

the church office, or drop it off. Photos can be also be emailed to us

at gracelc@tds.net Thanks much!

LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF FALL DRIVE will be coming up October 5-9, 2015.

The kits most needed this year are school kits. Right now is a great time to purchase many

of these items, as they are on sale with back-to-school savings. Items

needed for the school kit are: (Please do not send any other items than

those listed below. They cannot be used.)

45 more —blunt scissors (especially needed)

214 more —70 sheet notebooks, wide or college ruled, no loose-leaf

paper (especially needed)

25 more —boxes of 16 or 24 crayons

47 more — 30 centimeter ruler with centimeters on one side and

inches on the other.

LOAVES & FISHES FREE COMMUNITY MEAL is shared the 4th Sunday of eve-

ry month at Grace Lutheran Church from 4:00—6:00 PM. Everyone is invited to attend.

There is no cost for this meal; it is an opportunity to share fellowship and break bread to-

gether. Please come and join the Loaves & Fishes community!

SEPTEMBER WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

Roger & Chris Alston

Archie & Wanda Myers

Keith & Kim Rielly

Ken & Marcia Blumer

Jay & Sarah Goebel

Mike & Kari Gray

Jim & Karen Redies

Larry & Darlene Lancaster

We are sorry if we missed your September anniversary. Please call the office to let us

know of your anniversary date so that we may include your name next year!

SEPTEMBER BAPTISMS

Rose Anderson Tessa Brown Katie Brugger

Jim Huffman Barry Milz Sharon Potts

Sherry Powers Konnie Thompson Bev Witt

Glenda Yaun Jessica Zeitler Curt Bahler

Madalin Zentner Rob Camron Bob Smith

Jean Sinkule Clareda Neuenschwander Keith Wunschel

Cody Faith Darleen Broge Kerstin Miller

Ruth DeNure Shirley Holland Eileen Kubly

Dale Peterson John Schroeder Laura Becherer

Roderick Rath Jerry Albrecht Wes Robertson

Haylie Olson Mike Gray Mike Weber

Kyle Olson Makena Quick Brady Whipple

Jared Gilbertson Jordan Gilbertson Drew Wyss

Kayla Rodebaugh

We are sorry if we missed your September baptism. Please contact the church office to let us

know of your baptismal date so that we can include it next year. Thank you!

PARISH ACTIONS IN AUGUST 2015

NEW MEMBER Peggy Ferrell, received by Affirmation of Faith

August 12, 2015

SYMPATHY Prayers and sympathy are extended to Jenny Roddick and family in

the death of her dad, Gerald Seffrood

Prayers and sympathy are extended to Bobbie & Ariel Thomas

and

family in the death of Bobbie’s brother

————————————————————————————–——–—————————

CHURCH COUNCIL meets a week late this month, on Monday, August 31st. There-

fore, we do not have approved Council Minutes to share in this newsletter. They will be

available in the church office and also displayed in the narthex following the meeting on

August 31. Sorry for any inconvenience.

————————————————————————————————————-

FOR THE KIDS

NEW! DIAKONIA PROGRAM

“Let the one who would be great among you be your servant (Diakonos).”

In a nutshell…this two-year program will help you to become the

best follower of Jesus you can be! You will learn more about what

it means to share the love of Jesus with others and practical ways to

use your gifts to do that within your congregation, your neighbor-

hood and the world.

Starting September 12 - Yes, there is Still Time to Register!

Past participant says:

“Diakonia is something beyond words. I am a different person now than I was be-

fore having been through this program. Not only do I have a core of brothers and

sisters from my own site, faithful individuals who I was able to pour my heart out to,

but within the larger community I am just as connected. It has been my honor to

serve this past year and I am looking forward to many more to come.” Sean Alan

Heinritz

The diakonia program is a two-year process of spiritual formation and theological education

for baptized members of the ELCA or anyone wishing in good faith to study these teach-

ings. The goal of the program is to provide students with the opportunity to discover their

God-given gifts and strengthen their faith and their abilities. Each student’s understanding

of theology and their relationship to God is allowed to blossom and bear fruit as a light of

Christ in society. Students that participate in this program typically return to their congre-

gations better prepared to lead studies, teach confirmation and in general, to feel more alert

to the stirrings of the Holy Spirit.

First class will be held at St. Mark’s, 605 Spruce Street, Madison, WI.

Please register by September 10 by contacting Barb Zimmerman at 608-535-0264.

An application and registration form is now available on the synod website:

Click here to find the application and registration form:

http://www.scsw-elca.org/diakonia-2.aspx

Click here for a brochure:

https://scsw-elca.org/For_Leaders/Diakonia/Diakonia%20brochure.pdf

For more information email: scswdiakonia@gmail.com or call team member, Barb

Zimmerman at 608-535-0264.

BE PART OF THE MUSIC AT GRACE LUTHERAN

It is time once again to resume the fall music schedule with multi-

ple opportunities for you to join in with your musical gifts and tal-

ents. It also can be a time for you to grow and explore your talents

in a meaningful and fulfilling way with your Christian friends and

neighbors.

I enjoy the rich musical aspects of the Lutheran Liturgical Service

and the importance of music in worship. Become a part of it and

join in ringing, singing or playing your musical instrument to add

to worship at Grace.

MARK YOUR MUSIC CALENDAR FOR SEPTEMBER 2ND! On Wednesday September 2nd plan on resuming our regular music practices. (High

school students/confirmed students are full members of the church and are most welcome

to join in our adult music groups!)

5:30 pm - Praise Band

6:30 pm - Handchimes

7:30 pm - Adult Choir

Please feel invite your friends and neighbors to join us and contact me if you have any

questions.

- Ann

———————————————————————————————————

FROM THE MUELLER’S The Alzheimer’s & Dementia Alliance of

Wisconsin has asked our family to be the 2015 Honorary Family Chair for

the Alzheimer’s Walk in Green County. This is an honor for us, as well as a

challenge! We have donation envelopes and brochures available at the

church. We would love to have more people on our team to raise money and

walk with us on Saturday, September 12th! If you are interested in helping,

please contact Kari at 608-444-9890 or send an email: graygirl@tds.net.

125TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

1890-2015

“For the Lord is good and his love endures forever:

His faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100:5

125th Anniversary Celebration Events

September 26-27

Pastor Gail Heidtke will be joining us for worship.

Join us in celebrating her years of service from 1994-2001.

(If you have any photos or memorabilia from these years that you would like

to share, please bring them to the church office as soon possible. They will be

returned after the November celebration.)

Saturday, November 14th

125th Anniversary Celebration Banquet

6:00 p.m.

Grace Lutheran Church

December 13-14

Bishop Mary Froiland will be joining us for worship on Saturday evening

and on Sunday morning. Please come!

A WORD FROM OUR PASTOR

We have experienced high temperatures, changing from the mid-90s to just the low

70’s in a handful of days. It is not surprising; we expect swings in temperature and

weather, but it is still stunning. It is another sign that summer is coming to a close.

The turning of the calendar, the school bus sightings, and store shelves filled with

Halloween candy also indicate the passage of another season.

We hosted Vacation Bible School in August. Members attended the National Youth

Gathering in Detroit and confirmation camp at Lutherdale. For the anniversary cele-

bration, we welcomed back Pastor Al Schoonover, Pastor Larry Pinnow, and Pastor

Mark Behrendt, and filled a Saturday with a pig roast and picnic. Thanks to all who

led, worked, supported and enjoyed all of these very special aspects of life at Grace.

In next few weeks, many regular programs and ministries will resume with educa-

tional programs and musical groups topping the list. We will also be packing our

gifts for Lutheran World Relief, presenting Bibles to third grade students and their

families, and we will welcome Rev. Gail Heidtke at the end of the month. During

all of the upcoming events you will be encouraged to invite a friend to experience

life at Grace.

In the midst of changes that surround us, whether they are related to weather, work,

living arrangements or health, we are grounded in that which is eternal. We all

move through various stages and cycles of life, but we are assured of God’s caring

presence with us. Paul stated in Romans 8 “that nothing can separate us from the

love of God”. These are words of life to remember, in the midst of our activities and

responsibilities.

May God continue to bless and strengthen you,

Pastor John

DID YOU KNOW THAT…

The 1930's were to be difficult for Grace Lutheran Church. Pledges were not being

fulfilled and at times the Pastor did not receive his full monthly pay. Rev. Gunderman

was Pastor and many pleas to fulfill the pledges went out to the members.

But, they did manage to purchase an organ for $4,300. It was a miniature replica of the

world's greatest organ. That organ was in the Chicago Stadium at a price of

$250,000. It was a Maxcy-Barton.

Special services were held. Three-hundred friends of Rev. Gunderman attended the

celebration from Michigan.

The Sunday School attendance record was broken at 187. It was also the 10th Anniver-

sary of the church building and the 40th anniversary of the church itself. In the evening

500 people packed the nave to hear the organ recital. This was presided over by Prof.

Donald Larson of the U.W. School of Music. He played both sacred and classical favor-

ites.

Six ministers from the area assisted Pastor Beiswanger.

Prof. Larson was assisted by Mrs. John Ivey, who was a local piano teacher and the

church's organist (she was hired at $3 per Sunday).

Those who were members of G.L.C. before 1983, when the church was “turned

around”, will remember the oil painting “Come Unto Me”. This very large (8 X 13 feet)

oil on canvas was on the wall to the right of the Chancel area. This painting was done

by Mr. Guy Shewman of Freeport. He was an interior church decorator. No records

can be found as to the price of such or who gave it to G.L.C. This was done sometime

in 1930.

However, in January 1931 notations were made in the Council minutes—that “the

Church Council and the congregation are not responsible in any way for the cost of the

painting hung in the church by Mr. Shewman. The picture is to be removed at the earli-

est convenience of Mr. Shewman. If corrections are made, they must be satisfactory to

the Church Council before the picture is again hung in the church. There is to be no

added cost for the corrections and re-hanging.”

This oil painting, while taken down in 1983, was never re-hung as there was, and still is,

no area large enough for it. It was rolled up and put in storage where it still remains.

FROM OUR DIRECTOR OF FAMILY & PARISH EDUCATION

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your

God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

In August, we held a wonderful week of VBS “Camp Discovery”! We had a great group

of VBS leaders and a fantastic group of kids! Each evening we gathered for a meal, and an

opening worship with skits and songs. Each day, we had a new Bible verse to learn.

Joshua 1:9 was a favorite verse, as it reminds us that the Lord is with us on the journey

each and every day.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your

God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

The kids were divided into four groups that rotated to fun learning and activity areas. I

want to thank all our leaders, parents, and kids for making the week such a great time! A

special thanks to our VBS coordinators Greta Rath and Regina Weber for all their work in

making this ministry such a success!

“Rally Day” begins our Sunday School and Confirmation year! This year, “Rally Day” is

Sunday, September 13th to begin our season of education and learning. Sunday school will

run on Sunday mornings from 10:00 am – 11:15 am. Sunday school kids and leaders will

gather in the church sanctuary following worship for an opening song time.

We will begin Confirmation on Wednesday, September 16th with a Potluck Dinner/

Meeting at 6:00 pm for all 7th and 8th grade youth and parents. Please bring something to

share for our dinner.

Our 9th Grade Confirmation class will begin on Wednesday, September 30th at 7:30 pm.

Our 9th Grade class will be celebrate an “Affirmation of Baptism Service” on Sunday, Oc-

tober 25th at 9:00 am.

A special thanks to all our Sunday school teachers, musicians and Confirmation Guides.

Thank you for sharing your time and gifts as you faithfully follow the Holy Spirit’s call-

ing in this ministry!

Wishing you all a blessed September and a great beginning to school and our education

season at Grace Lutheran Church!

Peace and Joy in Christ!

Jim Ranney ><>

7-UP YOUTH GROUP

Melvin Adams: “Dreams… Believe in Them!”

Melvin Adams is a retired Harlem Globetrotter, communicator, and entertainer. He will be

speaking at the Monroe United Methodist Church (2227 4th Street) on Sunday, September

20th from 3:00-5:00 pm. 7-UP Youth and parents are encouraged to attend. We will plan to

meet and gather at Monroe United Methodist Church for this event.

Disc Golf @ Twining Park

Our next 7-UP Youth Group meeting at Grace will be Sunday, September 27th from 6:00-

7:30 pm. We will plan to meet at Twining Park in the parking lot near the softball fields, and

play a round of Disc Golf. Bring a Disc and one to share if you have extras. Water and treats

will be provided for the group. Friends are always welcome to attend!

Adult Education: This year J im Ranney will lead a fall and spr ing adult education time

for 6 weeks on Sunday mornings from 10:15-11:15 a.m. with Nooma Videos by Pastor Rob

Bell. Please note, we have moved our fall session dates. We will begin our 6 week Adult

Education sessions on Sunday, November 1st through Sunday, December 6th.

A Little Church Humor

Sunday school teacher: Why did Moses wander in the desert for 40

years?

Ginny: Because he was too stubborn to stop and ask for directions?

Why didn’t they play cards on Noah’s ark?

Because Noah sat on the deck.

When is the first tennis match mentioned in the Bible?

When Joseph served in Pharaoh’s court.