The Grace Visitor January 2020 Edition

Children’s Christmas Program Christmas Hope By Julie Snyder

Under the direction of Joan Meyer

Jayne Wiese

Sandy

Alne Norma

Sharp

Judy

Duffield

Longest night service in Fireside Room December 18.

46 Angel Tree gifts delivered to UDMO for Fort Dodge area children to receive at Christmas.

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ATTENTION: All Teams, Boards, Committees, Groups, and Staff ANNUAL REPORTS DUE

All Annual Reports are due in the office by Thursday, January 9, 2020. Please email your reports, if possible, to gracefd@frontiernet.net

Thank you to those who turned in your 2020 Time & Talent sheets and Esti-mate of Giving

cards. Your cooperation and support is greatly appreciated.

Tammy will be out of the office Dec 23—Jan 7.

The office will be open limited & varied hours as volunteers

will be covering the office. Tentative Office Schedule

Dec 23—Jan 7:

*Mondays & Thursdays 9-11 and 1-3.

*Fridays 9-11

*Christmas Eve & New Year’s Eve will be limited hours.

*Christmas Day & New Year’s Day office will be closed.

In case of inclement weather the office may be closed.

Pastor Dan will be away December 25, 2019—January 4, 2020. If you have an emergency pastoral need during this time, please call Pastor Jennifer Osheim-Owen at Friendship Haven 515-573-6005 or reach her via cell phone at 314-740-7999, as she will be filling in while Pastor Dan is away.

***NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING*** Grace Lutheran Church Annual Meeting is scheduled for

Sunday, January 26, at 12:30 pm. Please meet in the Lower Level Fellowship Hall.

FARMLAND UPDATE We now have signed purchase agreements with the farmers currently farming the land. Both par-cels will be sold at the appraised value. We will close on the larger parcel on or before January 20, 2020 & on or before March 1, 2020 for the smaller parcel. All monies from the gracious gift will be turned over to our Grace Foundation to manage. This will not affect our current or 2020 budget. Jim Blocker, council president

Please notify the church at 576-4106 if you or a family member are in the hospital. After regular office hours or on the weekend, please call Pastor Dan's cell phone (515-227-1929) if it is urgent that he knows.

Please remember Grace Lutheran in your

end-of-year giving. For proper credit on your 2019 giving statement, all monetary gifts need to be received in the church office by 10 am Tuesday, December 31, 2019. Thank you.

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GUIDELINES FOR GRACE ACTIVITIES IN INCLEMENT WEATHER In case of threatening weather, especially if National Weather Service has issued a warning:

1. The Congregation Council President will consult with Pastor Dan and available Executive Team to determine with them whether to hold a scheduled worship service;

2. Watch TV (channels WHO 13 & KCCI 8) and listen to local radio stations (KWMT & WOI radio) for information about cancellations.

3. Attend worship or other activity only if you can do so safely. 4. If school is cancelled due to bad weather, Confirmation and Youth Group are

also cancelled that evening.

In the April 2015 issue of Psychology Today there is an article about Loneliness. It says: “Loneliness is now a major public health issue and represents a greater health risk than obesity and is as destructive to your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a

day. The study, published in the journal “Perspectives on Psychological Science”, was a meta-analysis that looked at 70 studies covering over 3 million people. The results: social isolation, lone-liness and living alone can increase mortality risk by 29%, 26%, and 32% respectively, after adjust-ing for age, gender, socio-economic status and pre-existing health conditions.”

We have romanticized the notion of the “Lone Wolf” (especially with boys and men) – the person who doesn’t need anyone and works alone. We have relegated the need for social connections to something we do only when there’s time. We don’t want to be vulnerable because we’re afraid it will show weakness. Often, even our social posts on Facebook are just photo shopped façades of having it all together. We need each other. We need authentic and caring community.

I have seen wonderful examples of authentic and caring community at Grace. I think it’s one of our greatest strengths. But I wonder if it’s time to take it to be more intentional about sharing this strength with those beyond the walls of our beautiful building. I heard a speaker once say, “Sometimes people need to see Jesus with skin on.” That’s us. We, as followers of Jesus are the way that Jesus is revealed to those who are lonely.

Epiphany is a season of revelation – where we experience Jesus as the true Son of God. The way that Jesus chooses to make himself known is through the likes of you and me. It’s through com-munity. In the Bible, when the word, “you” is used it’s usually plural. In other words, it’s usually saying “y’all” rather than the singular “you.” So the epiphany that happens isn’t just an individual lightbulb going off in someone’s head (or heart). It happens to and through a community.

And this is how we fight against the loneliness epidemic. We gather. We connect. Will we become annoyed and frustrated and will we get hurt? You bet. Yet this is the work that God calls us to do. So I challenge you to make an authentic connection with someone and remind them they are not alone and they are cared for.

God loves you and so do I, Pastor Dan

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After Christmas program practice the kids made pine cone bird feeders to put on our Christmas tree to feed the birds out-side the church. The tree is outside the south door if you want to do bird watching!!

Below: Sunday School children displaying the nativity scenes they made.

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Grace Lutheran Men in Mission meets at 8:00 am on the second Saturday of each month at Grace Lutheran Church in the Fireside Room. All men are welcome to attend breakfast and Bible study. Questions, contact Rollin Swanson.

Grace Foundation 2020-21 College Scholarship Applications for 2020 graduating High School Seniors

The time is approaching for high school seniors to start planning for the Grace Lutheran Founda-tion Scholarship application process. An application form & completion guidelines have been mailed to high school senior members of our congregation. If you have not yet received one, please stop by the office and pick one up. The application deadline is February 15, 2020. Please return the completed application with the needed reference letters & required documents to the church office before February 15, 2020. Grace Lutheran Church Foundation Board: Sandy Alne, Randy Birchall, Kim Motl, Billy Offerman, Tim Olson, Natalie Passow & Judy Stilwell.

Books of the Bible Class will resume in the new year. We will continue to meet at Friendship Haven but the date, time and location are yet to be determined for 2020. Please watch for this information to be published as it becomes available. Dick Michael

ARiSE—Always Rejoicing in the Savior's Embrace

Jessica Jordison, Landon Moeller, and Claire Fleming frosted cookies and put containers together to deliver to shut-ins when they went Christmas Caroling with ARiSE, the Choir, and other Grace members.

MEN'S BIBLE STUDY, led by Jim McColley, meets Wednesday mornings at 6:45 am at Iowa Central Community College Triton Café. Breakfast cost is around $5. Open to all men. Join us as we enjoy good food & God’s Word.

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I want to say thank you to Pastor Dan and my Grace family for all their prayers and concern throughout the long extended illness and recent passing of my stepdaughter, Sue Kelly. And also for the support and compassion I continue to receive. Thank you. Lola Dillon

Grace Lutheran Willing Workers We thank you for the great response of workers. We were able to get all of the quilts tied and placed on the pews in time to receive blessings before they were distributed. There were a total of 98 quilts which were given to local recipients to help keep them warm during this winter season ahead. These quilts were touched by many hands with love and care as they were made. Thank you for your support as we continue to make quilts, enjoy fellowship and serve God through this very important ministry. Quilts delivered to A.F.E.S., Community & Family Resources, D/SAOC, Lotus, UDMO, and Webster County Public Health.

Thank You Ministry Saying “Thank You” is so simple and means a lot to the person(s) on the receiving end of a thank you note. Blank thank you notes & postage stamps are available from church office. Notes do not need to be long & are merely intended to convey gratitude for a job well done no matter how large or small. Notes may be mailed or

delivered in person. If you’re unable to write notes during your month, please trade with someone. Thanks to the following volunteers who have agreed to be a part of this ministry. January – Sheila Parks February – Linda Birchall March –Ellyn Lemke April – Dick Michael May – Crystal Michael June – Leslie Reetz July – Marilyn Kiliper August – Jeanette Holstein September – Martha Kersbergen October – Dick Michael November – Crystal Michael December – Connie Gustafson

MOBILEPACK FOLLOW UP AND THANK YOU

Feed My Starving Children MobilePack at Community Christian School. Thanks to all our wonderful volunteers. The 2 hour shift we worked filled 151 boxes, preparing 32,616 meals that will feed 89 children for one year! We donated $1,140 to help the cause as well. Paulette Heddinger, Service & Mission/Outreach Ministry Team

A special thank you from the residents at Friendship Haven to the Christmas Carolers who came out to sing carols to us December 11. Also thank you for the Christmas treats. Much appreciated! Dick Anderson

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Women of the ELCA Purpose Statement: As a community of

women created in the image of God, called to disci-pleship in Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Ho-ly Spirit, we commit ourselves to grow in faith, af-firm our gifts, support one another in our callings, engage in ministry and action, and promote healing and wholeness in the church, the society and the world.

Thank you to all who worked to make St. Lucia

fellowship & the Friendship Senior Dinner won-derful times with great food and fellowship. These two events are truly a joy for members of Grace. Especially during the Advent & Christmas seasons.

Grace Women Gather magazine Bible study is a series entitled “We are Called” by Kathryn A. Klein-hans. In this study we will look at call stories of Old Testament prophets, and New Testament, be-ing called by Jesus. Please consider attending one of the following Circles. Visitors always welcome.

Circles usually meet on the following schedule: Mary Circle: Third Tuesday at 9:30 am in the Fire-side Room. Judy Reed, Chair Ruth Circle: Fourth Tuesday at 7:00 pm in Fire-side Room. Trudy Koppen, Chair.

Thanks to Ruth Circle for cleaning the kitchens. Mary Circle will clean the kitchens in January-February.

Willing Workers normally meet every Monday at 8:30 to put quilts together. Tie Day is the last Mon-day of the month. Questions ask Trudy Koppen, Grace WELCA Chair.

Knit & Purl will meet January 7 & 28 at 1 pm in the Fireside Room. Mission Haiti will meet January 14 & 21 at 1 pm in the upper level sewing room.

WELCA donations this year, $50 each, will be made to AFES, Beacon of Hope, S.O.S., and Wings of Refuge.

Knit & Purl meets on the first & fourth Tuesdays of each month at 1 pm in the fireside room. With the holiday schedule we only met once in December, but the needles can keep working in between. If you are looking for a new hobby or just want to brush up on your skills we would love to have you join us. We make prayer shawls (we gave out 2 more this past month) to help offer comfort and warmth - especially this time of year. Join us in the Fireside Room. Connie Gustafson

Mission Haiti meets on the second & third Tuesdays of each month at 1 pm in the upper level sewing room. Mission Haiti also was only able to meet once during the month of December due to the overloaded calendars! We have surpassed our goal for 2019 of completing 2,225 school bags! That's a lot of t-shirts! Thanks to the many hands that made that possible - we are so very blessed AND we have a blast in fellow-

ship time while we are doing it. We continue to pray for Mission Haiti and all the unrest in the country of Haiti. We really don't realize how good we have it here in the United States. Connie Gustafson

Altar Care Meeting There will be a meeting for all Altar Care volunteers at 9:30 am Saturday, January 11, in the Fireside Room. If you are currently an Altar Care volunteer, please try to attend this meeting. If you are not currently an Altar Care volunteer, but would like to know more about Altar Care, please join us for an informational meeting. We are always anxious to share our enthusiasm for Altar Care with anyone who might be interested in joining this important ministry at Grace Lutheran Church. While we are currently all wom-en, we welcome men to join this ministry as well. Perhaps this is something you and your spouse could do together to share your time and talents with our congregation. Please consider becoming an Altar Care volunteer. I hope to see you at 9:30 am on January 11. Crystal Michael, Altar Care Coordinator

Christ in Our Home devotionals for Jan., Feb., & Mar. are available. You will find them

on the side tables in the Fireside Room and the office.

New Beginnings Reentry Team has need for Men’s clothing and Winter attire. Work clothes such as winter coats, hoodies, work gloves - sizes XLG -3XLG. Anyone who may have items that they no longer need and wish to donate to the cause, we would very much appreciate it. Thanks. Connie Gustafson

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Bridge-A-Rama (party Bridge)

Sunday, January 12—Smeltzer Room at Friendship Haven—1:30 to 4:30 pm. Anyone welcome; questions call Roy & Ann Chase.

1 Angie Copper 1 Jackie Davis 2 Justin Baker 4 Wolfie Dillingham 4 Leslie Reetz

5 Dave Lemke 7 Jason Grove 8 Maddison Clarahan 10 Josh Seltz 12 Gene Loeffler 13 Matt Dencklau 13 Dianne Klasse 15 Judy Duffield 15 Norma Erickson 16 Alison Chambers 16 Ainsley Seltz

18 Pat Parks 20 Betty Hartquist 21 Katelyn Hanson 23 Olivia Archibald 24 Mike Trenary 26 Allen Link 26 Deb Shupe 27 Don Mallinger 27 Jill Nelson 28 Shari Johnson 28 Addison Lentsch

5 Allen & Janice Link 25 Mark & Shelli Groat

BOWLING PARTY Come one, Come all, and grab a bowling ball!!!

Get in on some fun on January 19th and "strike" out the winter blahs! Let's go bowling!

Sunday, January 19, 2020, at 2 pm. Ridgewood Lanes, 326 S 25th St.

Cost is $3.50 per game, adult or child, and shoes at no charge! Their Leagues begin at 4:00, so we will be able to get at least 2-3 games in.

If you don't bowl, come watch the rest of us struggle! Sign up poster on bulletin board.—Last chance to sign up is January 15.

This event is sponsored by the Fellowship Ministry Team.

Above: LeRoy & Rosemond Clark Celebrating 70 years of marriage. Left: Servers Trudy Koppen, Lynn Pamperin, & Marilyn Bishop

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Thanks Joan Meyer and Sheila Parks for delivering all of the items to The Lord’s Cupboard! Thanks to ARiSE for collecting and members for donating!

Saint Lucia Continuing with our Swe-dish Tradition, many Swedish treats were served during Fellowship Time on December 8, with a visit from St. Lucia. Thank you to Miley Billingsley for bringing the light of St. Lucia. Thank you to the Grace Women and those who helped setup, decorated, baked, served, and cleaned up, for without you, this event would not happen.

Friendship Senior Holiday Dinner—about 40 people enjoyed the Friendship Senior Meal. Food and Fellowship were wonderful. Swedish meatballs, potatoes & gravy, rice pudding, vegetables, salads, desserts... Thank you to the ladies who organized cooked, set up, and cleaned up! Thanks to so those who brought all of the extras to share.

Swedish meatball crew! The church sure smells wonderful on meatball making day. Back to front: Jean Dexter, Trudy Koppen, Dolores Gregerson, and Monna Saboe

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January Service Assistants

January 5—8:30 service

Ushers: Archie Peterson & Randy Will Acolyte: Jordan Kahl

Lay Reader: Ann Powers

Communion Assistant: Paulette Heddinger

Refreshments: Al & Janice Link

Altar Care: Judy Stilwell First Caller: Ann Chase

Council on Duty: Janet Carlon

January 5—10:45 service

Ushers: Marty Alne & Mark Gustafson

Greeter: Marj Eastwood Acolyte: Chloe Jessen

Lay Reader: Randy Birchsll

Communion Assistants: Pam Halvorson, Trudy Koppen, &

Crystal Michael

Refreshments: Al & Janice Link

Altar Care: Helen Patterson First Caller: Ann Chase

Council on Duty: Janet Carlon

Bus Driver: Greg Copper

January 12—8:30 service

Ushers: Jeanette Holstein & Sheila Parks Acolyte: Claire Copper

Lay Reader: Linda Birchall

Communion Assistant: Kim Motl

Refreshments: OPEN

Altar Care: Jeanette Holstein First Caller: Monna Saboe

Council on Duty: Cheryl Fleming

January 12—10:45 service

Ushers: Roger Harris & Cheryl Fleming

Greeters: Norma Erickson & Janice Johnson Acolyte: Logan Schwieger

Lay Reader: Dolores Goraczkowski

Communion Assistants: Vicki Harris, Cassie Jordison, &

Rod Poppinga

Refreshments: OPEN

Altar Care: Judy Duffield First Caller: Monna Saboe

Council on Duty: Cheryl Fleming

Bus Driver: Matt Fleming

January 19—8:30 service

Ushers: Kim Motl & Archie Peterson Acolyte: Bo Tracy

Lay Reader: Marlys Taylor

Communion Assistant: Helen Patterson

Refreshments: OPEN

Altar Care: Monna Saboe

First Caller: Dave Lemke Council on Duty: Randy Birchall

January 19—10:45 service

Ushers: ARiSE

Greeters: ARiSE Acolyte: Kiersten Myers

Lay Reader: ARiSE

Communion Assistants: ARiSE

Refreshments: OPEN

Altar Care: Trudy Koppen

First Caller: Dave Lemke Council on Duty: Randy Birchall

Bus Driver: Don Jordison

January 26—8:30 am service

Ushers: Jeanette Holstein & Archie Peterson Acolyte: Allison Jordison

Lay Reader: Martha Kersbergen

Communion Assistant: Judy Stilwell

Refreshments: OPEN

Altar Care: Kim Motl First Caller: Connie Gustafson

Council on Duty: Jim Blocker

January 26—10:45 am service

Ushers: Stacey Bochart & Terry Mogensen

Greeters: Dave & Ellyn Lemke Acolyte: Jake Wagner

Lay Reader: Janice Link

Communion Assistants: Chuck Reetz, Leslie Reetz &

Nancy Schmidt

Refreshments: OPEN

Altar Care: Judy Duffield First Caller: Connie Gustafson

Council on Duty: Jim Blocker

Bus Driver: John Johnson

BUS DRIVER SCHEDULE January 5 – Greg Copper 12 – Matt Fleming 19 – Don Jordison 26 – John Johnson

BUS DRIVER SCHEDULE February 2 – Don Jordison 9 – Rod Poppinga 16 – Matt Fleming 23 – John Johnson 26 – OPEN—Ash Wednesday

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Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID Permit #460

Fort Dodge IA

50501

Grace Lutheran Church

211 S 9th St Fort Dodge IA 50501

(515) 576-4106 Web Site: www.graceELCA.com

Return Service Requested

THE VISITOR

Know god’s graCe—share god’s love

SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE Traditional Worship

8:30 am Sunday School

9:30 am Adult Forum

9:45 am Contemporary Worship

10:45 am Coffee/Fellowship after each service-

Fireside Room

Christmas Eve, December 24 5:30 pm Family Worship

9:00 pm Carols & Candles

Sunday December 29 ONE Worship Service 9:30 am