M a r c h 2 0 1 7 G r a c e N o t e s

2017 Church Leaders

and Staff

Pastor

Bryan Dziadik-Willingham

Congregation Council

Jeff Utzinger, President

Ronnie Stephens, Vice

President

Elaine Michna, Secretary

Dianne Dietz, Treasurer

Sandi Castillo, Member

Ruby Owen, Member

Preschool Director

Eileen Larkin

Preschool Board

Rachel Grubbs, President

Don Smith, Vice Pres.

Gretchen Vera, Secretary

Rosie Kirkwood, Treasurer

Gail Livengood, Member

Roberta Smith, Member

Tina Ramsey, Member

Ruby Owen, Council Liaison

Christian Education

Tara Bittner, Supt.

Teachers: Tara Bittner,

Christa Utzinger,

Bryan Dziadik-Willingham

Youth Leaders

Greg Hanna, Roberta Smith,

Coordinators

Women of the ELCA Officers

Judy Cathey, Coordinator

Carol Böer, Secretary Nell Berry, Treasurer

Altar Guild Officers

Nell Berry, Coordinator

Clara Smith, Co-coordinator

Carol Böer, Secretary

Worship

Clara Smith, Readers

Tommy Perkins, Ushers

Linda Ottmers, Greeters

Carol Barnhart, Organist

Diane Osborne, Pianist

Summer Camps 2017: Grateful to God and People of Grace Lutheran for

Support & Prayers for Our Kids!

10He [Jesus Christ] was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. John 1:10-13

We thank the good Lord for what promises to be another great week of Vacation Bible

School (VBS)/Day Camp coming up on July 17-21 at Grace Lutheran! There’s still time

to register your kids or grandkids. A total of 30 slots for children, who’ve finished K - 5th

grade, will be filled. We also need junior high and high schoolers to volunteer their time

to help with the younger kids. We’ll again partner with young adults from the Cross Trails

ministry staff who will be the leaders for VBS/Day Camp. It promises to be an amazing

week of singing praises to God, thought-provoking Bible studies, arts and crafts, playing

silly games and bunches of fun!

Thanks to Jeff Utzinger for being our congregation’s volunteer leader for VBS/Day

Camp! He will need several adults to cook and serve lunches and snacks to all in

attendance, plus help with sign-in and sign-out duties. If you can help, please text

or call Jeff at 512-461-5974 or email him at jcutzinger@yahoo.com. As Day Camp

week goes along, you can check Grace Lutheran’s Facebook page to see photos.

As I am writing (the week of June 25 – 30), we have 6 kids attending Camp

Chrysalis in Kerrville. We also have 5 kids at Ebert Ranch Camp in Harper. From the

pictures I’ve seen on line, both groups are having a great week, with many smiling faces!

These young people worship and study the Bible every day. They spend most of their

time outdoors, including high ropes courses and horseback riding at Ebert Ranch and a

creek for swimming and canoeing at Chrysalis. They do so as they put aside all their

electronic devices – Wow!

Early in July, I am going to Confirmation Camp with some of our youth at Chrysalis.

I am blessed to connect with our young people in this uplifting and beautiful setting.

Later in July, three high school youth will attend Beach Camp at Port Aransas.

During that week, they’ll spend time sharing their faith in Christ with tourists and

local people. Plus, of course, they’ll soak up some rays at the beach. Finally, we

have another group of 5 junior highers who will attend Ebert Ranch Camp.

Please keep all of our kids, plus the staff of the Cross Trails Ministry, in your

prayers as they have fun and more importantly worship the Son of God!

In Christ’s care, Pastor Bryan Dziadik-Willingham

V o l . 3 2 ∙ I s s u e 7 JULY 2 0 1 7

Grace Notes Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church ∙ Lockhart, Texas

108 N. Medina St. ∙ (512) 398-6490 ∙ Pastor’s cell: (512)-995-1661 ∙ Preschool (512) 398-6488

gracelutheranlockhart@gmail.com ∙ www.gracelutheranlockhart.org

July 2 0 1 7 G r a c e N o t e s

Christian Education Opportunities at Grace July 2017

SUNDAY SCHOOL is held Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. in the sanctuary for adults

Adult Sunday School -Teacher: Pastor Bryan – Hymns

6th Grade – 12th Grade – Teacher: Christa Utzinger – on Summer Break

Ages 4 thru 5th Grade- Teacher: Tara Bittner-on Summer Break

WELCA BIBLE STUDY

Tuesday, July 11 @ 9:30 am The women of the church will gather for a monthly Bible Study. Topic: “All Anew" Ready or Not: Session Two, STAND

WITH THE LEAST OF THESE. For more information contact Clara Smith at 512-558-1668.

Thursday, July 27 @ 6:30 pm We will be doing a book study-Before Amen, the Power of a Simple Prayer by Max Lucado.

Confirmands for 2017: Seth Smith, Tayton Bukowsky , Mason Dobie

GRACE FAMILY EVENTS

As an opportunity to come together as a family of faith,

a program geared to all families of the congregation – young and old.

June — no event July 16th: Day Camp Kickoff at Lockhart State Park Swimming Pool 3-7pm watch for bulletin and e-mail details

August- 5th Zilker Hillside Theater—Wizard of Oz 8:15 p.m. –get there early for swimming and a great blanket spot!

September 16th -Fall Festival- Our Chili Team will defend their 1st place titles! But we’d love competition!! We hope you will join us for the 29th Annual Lutheran Fall Festival in downtown Fredericksburg. Mark your calendars now! There is a day planned for all ages so bring your friends, family, and neighbors – 5K Run/Walk, Chili Cook-Off, Craft Vendors, Silent Auction, and Live Music. This event has been going on for 29 years and it is a blast! It is our hope that we’ll get even more congregations out this year to see what all the fun is about. Don’t forget to involve all ages because this is an inter-generational day. It’s not just about kids so bring the whole family!!

if you are willing to host an event, please contact Tara Bittner

July 2 0 1 7 G r a c e N o t e s

Summer Camps 2017 July 2-7 @ Chrysalis- Confirmation: Tayton B, Mason D, Seth S, Pastor

Dziadik-Willingham

July 17-21 @ Grace –Day CAMP- sign up now!

July 23-28 @ Ebert-Vaqueros: Emma Leigh G, Daniella P, Megan R, Ili S,

Lilli U

July 23-28 @ Beach Camp: Nicole B, Henry G, Deacon S

Youth Activities

Watch for meeting date to start planning for Youth Gathering!

2018 ELCA Youth Gathering- “This Changes Everything” Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved

through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” Houston June 27 – July 1, 2018

Preschool News Director Eileen Larkin

Mrs. Salinas’ Class Ms. Almaguer’s Class

America the Beautiful Oceans

Going Fishing The Rain Forest

Letters: Review Letters: Review

Numbers: Review Numbers: Review

Color: Review Color: Review

Shape: Review Shape: Review

Independence Day: We will be closed on July 4.

Water Day: We will be having Water Day on July 6, 21, and 27. Please send your child in a bathing suit and

water shoes. They will need a towel and a complete change of clothes as well. If needed, please apply sunscreen

before they arrive.

God’s Work, Our Hands

Meals On Wheels Service Project

Our next opportunity to prepare meals for Meals on Wheels recipients is Tuesday, July 4, 2017.

I encourage each of you to join in this service project. Your assistance is needed in providing the food to prepare

the meals, assistance with packing the meals, and delivery of meals, serving over 40 individuals.

We will gather at 10:30 am at the Fellowship Hall. If you would like to participate in this service project, please

contact Judy Cathey at 512-738-2255 or jecathey50@gmail.com.

July Birthdays

Lillianna Tovar 8

Blakely Scott 15

McKeana Frey 23

Beckett Hart 30

July 2 0 1 7 G r a c e N o t e s

Project Promise-Lutheran World Relief

Over the last several months, our congregation has been participating in the Lutheran World Relief’s “Project

Promise” as a means of answering Christ’s call to serve our neighbors who are in need. We will continue to collect

items that will be providing for our neighbors through gifts of school kits, baby care kits, personal care kits, and

quilts and blankets. These small but necessary items will provide for those in need and the best part of this project

is the message of Christ’s goodness and love. These physical gifts will meet the earthly needs of our neighbors,

but more importantly it also meets the spiritual needs of our neighbors. What better way to show our thanks to

God for his many blessings.

Each School Kit includes the following items:

FOUR 70-sheet notebooks of wide- or college-ruled paper, approximately 8” x 10 ½”; no loose leaf paper

ONE 30-centimeter ruler, or a ruler with centimeters on one side and inches on the other

ONE pencil sharpener

ONE pair of blunt scissors (safety scissors with embedded steel blades work well)

FIVE unsharpened #2 pencils with erasers; secure together with a rubber band

FIVE black or blue ballpoint pens (no gel ink); secure together with a rubber band

ONE box of 16 or 24 crayons

ONE 2 ½” eraser

Each Baby Care Kit includes the following items:

TWO lightweight cotton t-shirts (no Onesies ®)

TWO long- or short-sleeved gowns or sleepers (without feet)

TWO receiving blankets, medium-weight cotton or flannel, or crocheted or knitted with lightweight yarn, up to

52” square

FOUR cloth diapers, flat fold preferred

ONE jacket, sweater or sweatshirt with a hood, or include a baby cap

TWO pairs of socks

ONE hand towel, dark color recommended

TWO or three bath-size bars of gentle soap equaling 8 to 9 oz., any brand, in original wrapping; no mini or hotel

size bars

TWO diaper pins or large safety pins

Each Personal Care Kit includes the following items:

ONE light-weight bath-size towel (between 20” x 40” and 52” x 27”), dark color recommended

TWO or three bath-size bars of soap equaling 8 to 9 oz., any brand, in original wrapping

ONE adult-size toothbrush in its original packaging*

ONE sturdy comb, remove packaging

ONE metal nail clippers (attached file optional), remove packaging

*Toothbrush multi-packs may be used by sealing an individual toothbrush in a business-size envelope; no plastic

bags or wrap

We are also looking to provide fleece blankets. During the summer months, fabric stores will generally reduce

the price of fleece material, which is a wonderful opportunity to purchase this material. If you happen to come

across a sale, please consider purchasing fleece material or contact Judy Cathey or Gloria Hanna. For each side

of the blanket, 2 ¼ yards of material is needed.

Donations are a church-wide project for all members of Grace and WELCA will assemble the personal care kits.

If you should have questions regarding Project Promise, please contact Judy Cathey at 512-738-2255 or

jecathey50@gmail.com.

July 2 0 1 7 G r a c e N o t e s

Stewards of God’s Love “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but

may have eternal life” John 3:16

Over the next few months, we will be hearing about stewardship as a call to God’s love. The Stewardship Committee

has been working with an ELCA Resource – Stewards of God’s Love, to help emphasis our call to be stewards of the

blessings that God has given us. This program will emphasize four major parts – DOWN, IN, OUT, and Financial

Response.

On Sunday, June 25th, Pastor Bryan introduced us to the practice of stewardship through the making of the sign of

the cross. God makes the first vertical line DOWN; we follow by moving IN to the center and then OUT to our

neighbors on either side both near and far.

We begin with God coming DOWN to us. He created man to be the steward of creation – as noted in Genesis 1:28,

“Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the

birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth”

God continues to come DOWN to us, showing his love through his son, Jesus Christ. In our baptism, God claims us

as his children. We receive God’s love and grace through the waters of baptism. We bear witness through the

covenant of baptism our commitment to sharing God’s grace with the world. We do this in the sharing of the gospel

- we are stewards of God’s good news.

In what ways has God come down to you in love? How are you stewarding the grace, the story, and the creation that

God has entrusted to you?

On Sunday, July 16th, our focus will be on “moving IN to the center” – what God has entrusted to our care. God has

given each of us talents and time. These are our resources to use to answer God’s call to love and serve one another.

1 Peter 4:10 states “Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of

you has received”

How might God be calling you as an individual and us as a congregation to use our talents and our time to love God

and our neighbors?

We ask that you prayerfully consider these questions and take time to assess your call from God to be a steward of

God’s love and to act upon His call to you.

Stewards of God’s Love: A Guide to Stewardship can be found on the ELCA website, www.elca.org/Stewardship

God’s blessings to each of you as we take time to focus on both our individual and our congregation’s call to be

stewards of God’s love.

Yours in Christ,

Stewardship Committee

Nicole Bittner, Chairperson

Elaine Michna, Council Liasion

Judy Cathey, Darrell Marsland, Carol Olson, Doug Spillmann, Pastor Bryan Dziadik-Willingham

July 2 0 1 7 G r a c e N o t e s

Women of the ELCA Update

WELCA PURPOSE STATEMENT As a community of women created in the image of God, called to discipleship in Jesus Christ, and

empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves to grow in faith, affirm 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.

The WELCA Tenth Triennial Convention is July 13-16, 2017. WELCA has provided In-Kind gifts – Five $20 gift

cards from Walmart. In addition to these gifts, an additional $180 was given through gift cards from Walmart,

Target, TJ Maxx, and Lowe’s. Thank you to those that contributed. Please keep the gathering in your prayers.

Christmas in July – This event will provide an opportunity for a special offering each Sunday in July to support

the work of the Caldwell County Christian Ministries Food Pantry. A special envelope will be provided for these

gifts.

See the newsletter article on Project Promise for updated information. We look to continue this project of love

and service.

The WELCA Bible Study group meets on the second Tuesday morning of the month. This group, led by Clara

Smith, will meet on Tuesday, July 11, 2017.

Grace Book Study Group – Before Amen – The Power of a Simple Prayer by Max Lucado will meet on Thursday,

July 27, 2017 at 6:30 pm in Fellowship Hall. We will be discussing Chapter 8 & 9.

I encourage you to consider participating in either study group as an opportunity to grow in faith.

There is an opportunity for fellowship through Cross Trail Retreats at Camp Chrysalis. The Women’s Big “R” is

on August 9-12, 2017. If you would like more information or to register for this opportunity, go to the Cross

Trials Ministry website, www.crosstrail.org.

The WELCA quarterly meeting is scheduled for Sunday, July 16, 2017, following the 10:15 worship service.

Please continue to turn in your Sirloin Stockade Receipts. Receipts from 2016 generated a donation to WELCA in

the amount of $61.88.

May God continue to guide and bless the WELCA ministry at GRACE.

God’s Blessings

Judy Cathey

Women of the ELCA Coordinator

Save the Date 500th Anniversary of the Reformation Celebration

Saturday, Oct 21, Ebenezer Lutheran Church, Maxwell TX

Enjoy an afternoon of fun, games, food and music! More info to come in upcoming bulletins and newsletters.

July 2 0 1 7 G r a c e N o t e s

Worship Attendance

June 4 .................................. 86

June 11 ................................ 61

June 18 ................................ 62

June 25 ................................ 76

Cross Trails Fall Festival Sat, September 16, 9:00 a.m-9:00 p.m.

Fredericksburg Marketplatz

There’s something for everyone!

Enjoy running, walking, or cheering on the Fall

Festival 5K!

Enter or sample the Chili Cook-off pots!

Contribute or admire the quilts for our Quilt

Auction!

Enjoy Live Music and the Food Booths and

Trucks!

Visit the Artisan Crafts Booths!

Stick around for our Evening Dance with beer

and wine available!

Watch the kids or grandkids have fun in the

Children’s Activity Area!

Come and have a great time!

Thank you…. I truly want to say thank you for the graduation

gift. The church has been there for me ever since

I was just a little kid. Thank you all so much.

Whitaker Touchstone

______________________________________

Grace Lutheran Church,

Thanks for the prayer box and for helping to fund

my college education! I really appreciate it.

Madison Rogers

________________________________________

Dear Grace Family,

I can’t begin to thank each and every one of you

for all your prayers, cards, visits, food, and

concerns for my recovery. This just shows what a

loving and caring family we have at Grace.

Rehab is going well and hopefully I’ll be back

playing soon.

My love to each and every one of you.

Thanks to all of you,

Carol Barnhart

July 2 0 1 7 G r a c e N o t e s

Upcoming Events at Grace

God’s Work, Our Hands Tuesday, July 4, 10:30 a.m., Fellowship Hall

Supper Club Saturday, July 8, 6:00 p.m.

Whizzerville Hall, McMahan

The Spillmann’s host the July Supper Club.

Chisolm Trail Worship Mondays, July 10 & 24, 10:30 a.m., Chisolm Trail

Nursing & Rehab

Pastor Bryan welcomes anyone who would be

interested in joining him for worship at CTL.

Worship & Music Meeting Monday, July 10, 3:00 p.m.

Women’s Bible Study Tuesday, July 11, 9:30 a.m.

Stewardship Committee Meeting Tuesday, July 11, 6:00 p.m.

WELCA Quarterly Meeting Sunday, July 16, 11:30 a.m.

Day Camp Kick-Off Sunday, July 16, 3:00 p.m.

VBS Day Camp will hold a swimming party at

Lockhart State Park.

VBS Day Camp Monday-Friday, July 17-21, 8:00 a.m-3:00 p.m.

Volunteers are needed to help with VBS Day Camp. Contact Jeff Utzinger if you can lend a hand!

Parish Ed Meeting Monday, July 24, 6:30 p.m.

Church Council Meeting Monday, July 24, 6:30 p.m.

WELCA Evening Bible Study Thursday, July 27, 6:30 p.m.

Join us at our monthly evening Bible Study.

We Remember in Prayer…

General Prayers: Ann Adams, Eleanor Adkins (Mollie Wranitzky’s

sister), David Anton, Carol Barnhart, Mary Bill, Roy

Billings, Joe Birdwell, Megan Bohannan,, Ernie

Brewer, Margaret Brown (Clara Smith’s sister),

Dorothy Buckner, Gary Burgess, Barbara Byrd, Kelly

Bukowsky, Sandi Castillo, Georgia Chambliss (Karen

Buckner’s mother), Joe Colley, Clara Bell Connor

(Carol Boer’s mother), Emmitt Currie, Ginger

Daigherty, Dave Degroot (Sandi Castillo’s stepfather),

Jeanette Denison, WL Dobie, Cyndi Dyer, BrayLynn

Grace Ewing, Gerald Friend, Barbara Gardener, Anna Gaska, Joshua Gonzalez, Oralia Gomez (Frances

Gomez’s mother-in-law), Nell Gravis, Jane Hazelton,

Margret Hesse, Chuck Holtgreven, Carol Hyatt,

Marshall Kelly, Dena Jones, Chuck Keppler (Tina

Ramsey’s father), Judy Kirby, Patsy Kirkwood, Marvin

Kitsler, Kathy Koenig, Charlie Kruegar, Mel

Lancaster, Mary Langely, Julie Lawless, Paul Layman, Jean Lehman (Lena’s sister), Sharon Lester, Debbie

Lockhart, Lydia Longoria (Judy Cathey’s co-worker),

Anne Mathys, Justin McCann, Mae McClure, Roy McClure (Mae McClure’s son), Donald MacGregor,

Kim Mitchell, Mike Mugavero, Coleta Murphy, Kristen

Olson, Meredith Olson (Erica Paul’s sister), Mark Patton,

Erica Paul, Jerry Payne, Payne/Dyer family, Romero &

Mike Palomo, Bill Plaisance, Fred Portele, Terri Post,

Delbert & Monroe Prellop, Dana Ragsdale, Vanessa

Ramirez (Sandi Castillo’s daughter), Michael Resendez,

Gloria Reyes, Sandra Rins, Pete Sanchez, Stanley

Schaefer, Evelyn Schmidt, Connie Schreiber, Kay

Schroeder, Kyle Schroeder, Walter Schuelke, Dorothy

Schulle, Nelson Sielheimer, Sabra Simmons, Clara

Smith, Tom Smith, the Sommerlatte’s pet, Milton

Sommerlatte (Clyde’s brother), Jane Spillmann, Robert

Stephens, Richard Stotler, Beth Sustala (Lena’s daughter-

in-law), Lena Sustala, Jerry Sustala, Barbara Trevino,

Tre Trevino, Mitch Touchstone, Billy Joe Townes, Ella

Townes, Lana Turner, Ann Vargas, Alesandra Vasquez,

Gretchen Vera, Madelyn Vera, Houston Walker, Dennis Walter, Evelyn Wells (Rachel Grubbs’ grandmother),

Becky West, Whitney family, Patti Williams, Eddie

Wilson, Mollie Wranitzky.

Families of Deceased: Especially Rueben Ortiz-Lopez, Yaya Herrera, Mike

Cowan, Peggy Thompson, Jim Fogle, Mr. Trolis Crider,

Anna Carter.

Public Servants and Military:

All firefighters, law enforcement officers, dispatchers

and first responders.

All military service personnel who serve abroad and those

who protect us at home, including all chaplains, and

especially: Thomas Lickert, Joe Tripp, Brittany

Holden, Lt. Col. Roy Lohse, Joshua Rodriguez, Robert

Treadway, and Ryan Newell (Lillian Starr’s grandson

who is in Special Ops).

Those Giving Thanks or Celebrating: All those with July birthdays: Thomas Utzinger

(4), Aaron Snider (6), Chad Grantham (6), Fox

Smith (6), Ronald Stephens (10), Gloria Hanna (11),

Chaz Hupp (11), Rachel Bittner (13), Shirley

Richardson (17), Chris Post (20), Nicole Bittner

(26), Fred Cathey (27), Bryan Dziadik-Willingham

(31).