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Spirit of Grace Lutheran Church 9525 Hudson Ave Hudson, FL 34667

Purpose Statement: “The Grace Place to

connect, grow, and serve”

Guiding Principles: Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior

Be a Grace Place with open hearts. Share the Good News in meaningful ways

Fully engaged ministry for all ages Celebrate LIFE: Living In Faith Everyday

“Like” us on Facebook Spirit of Grace - ELCA - West Pasco “Follow” us on Twitter @SoGLutheran

Check out our website to stay informed!www.soglutheran.org “Follow” us on Instagram SoGLutheran

Newsletter for disciples and friends of Spirit of Grace Volume 11 Mid-January to February 2019 Issue 1

The ELCA had a special donor provide a dollar-for-dollar match for ELCA Good Gifts donations made before end of the year. Spirit of Grace provided $350.00 for God’s Global Barnyard that doubled through the dollar-for-dollar match making a $700.00 global impact! ‘Making a Difference through Spirit of Grace’

Congregational Annual Meeting & Potluck

Sunday, Jan 27, 4:00pm @ North Campus

Agenda: give thanks to God for the 2018 Ministry Year (Annual Report), elect new council members, approve the narrative spending plan for the 2019 ministry vision and share in congregational fellowship. Bring your favorite potluck dish to share — yummy!

See page 2 for council updates & nominees. Wear your name tag &

make a new friend at Spirit of Grace!

(No Confirmation or Youth Group Jan 20; Youth Group to help with Potluck Meal and Movie afterwards! Donations will send Youth to 2019 Summer Camp

SCHEDULE

Be sure to pick up and read the 2018 An-nual Report and the Narrative Spending

Plan for 2019 in preparation for the Annu-al Congregational Meeting

2019 Mission Spending Plan review Sunday, Jan 20:

945-10:30am North Campus 11:15-Noon: South PDK Location

Polar Express

Float 2018

Mr. Chad gives Spirit of Grace gifts to Esther’s School Students!

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About Spirit of Grace

Who To Contact

A caring & welcoming congregation whose purpose is being: “The Grace Place to connect, grow and serve.”

ONE congregation with TWO worshiping campuses

NORTH Campus: 9525 Hudson Ave Hudson, FL 34667 Worship Saturday 5:00 pm (Contemporary) Sunday 8:30 am (Contemporary) 11:00 am (Traditional) Sunday School Sunday 9:40 am

SOUTH Campus: Under Construction 8812 Old County Rd 54 New Port Richey, FL 34653 Traditional Worship: 11:30am at Dobies Chapel directly across the street

Mailing Address :9525 Hudson Ave Hudson, FL 34667

Website

www.soglutheran.org

Pastoral Staff The Rev. Dr. Rita Gardner Tweed, Lead Pastor Ph: 813-230-4907 Email: lpr@soglutheran.org

The Rev. Dave Kruger, ret. Sr. Ministry, Spiritual Care & Funeral Ministry Ph: 727-247-2982 Email: pastordave@soglutheran.org Pastor Dave works Tue, Thurs, & Sun Afternoon

Reach the Church Office: Monday: Sharon Burke 727-494-4574 Tuesday: Elaine Waldrup 727-457-3128 Wed, Sat, Sun: Pr. Rita 813-230-4907 Thur, Fri: Sharon Crawley 561-251-1779 Temp Location: 9851 State Rd 54, NPR, FL 34655

Debbie Bryant, South Musician 11:30 am service 727-967-5201 debenl@aim.com

Elaine Lorentzen, North Musician 11:00 am service (618) 830-8978 elorz4@charter.net

Contemporary Worship Leader: James Rogers 813-465-2848 j.r.ent@hotmail.com

Sharon Burke, Volunteer Project Coordinators 727-494-4574 vpc@soglutheran.org

Church Council Members

Let Us Know Please let the church office know if someone is ill, hospitalized or in need of spiritual care. Hospitals do not call churches. At times we do not find out someone is hospitalized until they are home. Telephone Sharon Burke 727-494-4574

The deadline for the March issue of The Grace Place is Feb 15, 2019

Home Communion Spirit of Grace has a team of trained Home Communion Visitors. If you or a family member are not currently being visited and would like to receive a visit, please contact Sharon Burke 727-494-4574

The next church council meeting will be on Tuesday, Febru-ary 12, 7:00 pm at Roe Insurance Offices

Trinity New Start @ Phi Delta Kappa Hall Sunday 10:15 am Contemporary Worship 11301 Phi Delt Way. Odessa

Kristie Beaudry 727-243-3243 Jim Clifford Vice Pres 813-528-1021 Sharon Crawley 561-251-1779 Ken Key 813-416-8208 Charlene Lee 727-844-0412 Erik Reisner, Sec 727-534-7825 Lou Vuozzo President 727-389-2167 Elaine Waldrup 727-457-3128

Are you new to Spirit of Grace? Text “Welcome” to 727-317-6166 to connect and learn more about you while you can learn

more about Spirit of Grace! Serving on Council There are 4 positions for this particu-lar leadership role at Spirit of Grace. Council focusses on the big picture of mission & ministry & how that plays itself out specifically through each location & in the community. Special thanks Lou Vuozz & Jim Clifford who have served two 3 year terms & as officers. Thank you to Ken Key who has fulfilled a first 3 yr term and to Sharon Crawley who has fulfilled an open appointed position. Ken Key, Sharon Crawley, Terry Neal and Paul Boivin have agreed to be nominated to serve on SoG’s council.

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If you do not see your birthday or anniversary listed, we do not have it. Please send in your

disciple information sheet or call one of the of-fice volunteer phone numbers.

Birthdays in Jan �Feb

Sharing Reminder: When you, a loved one, or friend at Spirit of Grace is in the hospital or in need of care and support, please remember to contact the church office volunteer or email: churchoffice@soglutheran.org or pastordave@sogluthern.org or lpr@soglutheran.org. Posting prayer & care needs on your personal facebook is just that -- a personal post to your family and friends. If you want to initiate a visit or prayers from your church family, the personal facebook post doesn’t substitute for notifying the church of-fice, which leads to pastoral/lay visitation follow up &/or prayer chain.

Database Updates Do you have a new email? Are you getting emails from Spirit of Grace? Do you have a new Cell Phone? Have you moved? Please be sure to send any new contact information to churchoffice@soglutheran.org ASAP! Sending as much communication out as possible by email keeps postage costs lower. Let’s keep in touch & stay connect-ed. Thank you!

CALLING all Thrivent Memebers: If you have not yet directed your Thrivent Choice Dollars for 2018, please consider doing so asap & please direct them to Spirit of Grace. Our Thrivent Rep, Sev Galati, provided an update that SoG Thrivent Members still have Choice Dollars to direct! If you need assistance call Sev @ 727-8105154 or Sharon Burke 727-494-4574

Spirit of Grace has awesome office volunteers who are taking on new roles creating an Administrative Team. Many thanks to: Sharon Burke, Sharon Crawley, Lori Miller, Helen Roark, Elaine Waldrup, & Dcn. Darlene Weikel

for your Christmas gift giving: REMEMBER to Designate Spirit of Grace

In the Amazon Smile Program for ALL of your Amazon Online Shopping!

Simply go to www.smile.amazon.com and designate Spirit of Grace, Hudson, FL and YOU can help SoG receive

money by simply shopping!

Anniversaries Jan-Feb

Milt & Marilyn Moll 1/1/1989 Les & Charlene Lee 1/27/1994 Michael & Sally Ashley 2/4/1962 Bob & Ann Abbey 2/11/1995 Pete & Theone Emslie 2/14/1989 Craig & Connie Brooks 2/17/2001

2/2 Audrey Moore Marjorie Neal Elsie Werdin 2/4 Elaine Lorentzen 2/6 Marian Stromquist 2/7 Carolyn Dove 2/9 Doris Wedegis 2/10 Barbara Brink 2/13 Robert Marz 2/16 Allen Hunt 2/21 Sonja Zapka 2/22 Savanah DelGuidice Catherine Smith 2/24 Gabe Soto 2/28 John Perantie

1/1 Johnny Wolfe 1/2 Sherri Hubach 1/5 Andrew French 1/8 Tommy Beaudry Lorri Vuozzo 1/11 Elaine Waldrup 1/15 Carol Brennan 1/17 Marcia Bartel Darlene Weikel Michael Pilnacek 1/20 Karin Sheldon 1/21 Marie Ban 1/22 Johnathon Boivin 1/23 Merrick Conaway 1/30 Della Whitten 1/31 Salvatore Salvato

Giving Through Your Smart Phone is as Easy as 1-2-3! You can now make a contribution to your church through a mobile app! To get started, download GivePlus Church for free from the App Store or Google Play. Simply search for

“GivePlus Church” to quickly find and download the app today. Then, you can easily make donations direct-ly from your smartphone using your debit/credit card or checking/savings account. You can also choose to donate as a guest or set up an account that allows you to securely and conveniently schedule recurring donations and manage and review your giving history. We hope you enjoy this new way to contribute to

Spirit of Grace, and thank you for your faith-filled support.

An External Bookkeeping firm has been hired by Spirit of Grace.

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REHEARSAL TIMES Praise Team Chancel Choir

Combined—Sundays, 7:30 am North South—Contact Debbie Bryant Through Oct 21. North—Contact Elaine Lorentzen

The Chancel Choirs sing at the Traditional Services. We would like to invite anyone who loves to sing praises to God and singing in a choir to join! The South Choir is directed by Debbie Bryant 727-967-5201, the North Choir is directed by Elaine Lorentzen (618) 830-8978 Give them a call.

James Rogers, Contemporary Music Leader, schedules with praise team weekly — watch your emails.

CLASS

Congregational Assistance Program (CAP) BayCare Behavioral Health understands the importance of compassionate care. Our network providers are sensitive to the values and beliefs of those they serve. Spirit of Grace disciples are offered 3 FREE counseling sessions a year and FREE Hotline calls. Confidential Hotline: (800) 878-5470

Services Individual & Family Counseling Couples Counseling; Child Therapy

Help can be provided for issues including: Stress Anxiety Grief & Loss Depression Family Discord Divorce Bullying Adjusting to Blended Families Substance Abuse Issues Parenting Challenges

Your generosity provides for monthly support of CAP: Congregation-al Assistance Program! 10-12 Spirit of Grace families or individuals have connected to the counseling services that have improved their daily lives. Thanks be to God & to your faithful generous support!

The Women’s Monthly Bible Study meets 1st Saturday of each month at 10 am, North Campus. Bring your Bible & the Gather Magazine, if you have one. Copies of the study

will be provided if you do not have the magazine. All women are welcome to attend - bring a friend!.

Women’s Monthly Bible Study

Prayers & Squares: meets every 2nd & 4th Mondays at North Campus @ 6:30pm. All are welcome. Contact Mae Haines for more info 727.863.4329

The purpose of Prayers and Squares: to promote prayer through the use of quilts. Our motto is: "It's not about the quilt, it's all about the prayers". Absolutely no sewing experi-ence needed. There is always a way to participate!

How to Give a Gift of Prayer in the Form of Quilt? It is NOT appropriate to surprise someone with a prayer quilt. You must first ask the person you are considering giving this gift of prayer to if they would accept it. You then respect their answer. To request a quilt please fill out a form that is located in the narthex of each Campus.

Sew & Sews

The Sew & Sews quilting ministry is taking a break for summer and will resume in the fall. This quilting group

makes quilts that are distribut-ed all over the world through Lutheran World Relief. For

more information see www.lwr.org or call Mae Haines 727.863.4329

Jan 20 cancelled Jan 27: Youth assist w/ Congregational Potluck & stay for youth group movie night afterward! Feb 3 & 17: 4pm Confirmation 5pm Youth Group

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Temporary Office Location & Contacts Spirit of Grace office is in a temporary location in the Roe Insurance building, 9851 State Road 54, NPR, FL 34655. The office occupies two office bays, and has shared board room, kitchen and restroom facilities for a very reasonable $400 per month! You can schedule a church meeting here — call the posted numbers to get on the office shared calendar.

Office Hours: Mon-Wed 9:00—1:00pm Who to call: Mon: Sharon Burke 727-494-4574 Tues: Elaine Waldrup 727-457-3128 Wed, Sat/Sun: Pr. Rita 813-230-4907 Thur/Fri: Sharon Crawley 561-251-1779

Need to order ministry supplies — call the office volunteer listed above on Monday or

Tuesday. Ordering is on Tuesdays!

Update: Commitment Cards 2019 74 Commitment Cards responding to God’s grace have been received for 2019 totaling approximately $173,894. This is about 55% of the spending plan for the mission & ministry of Christ through Spirit of Grace. You can place your commitment card in the offering plate as an act of worship to God, or mail it to the church office today.

Dear Spirit of Grace, Hope your new year is off to a great start! Here at Spirit of Grace its stacking up to be quite

an exciting year. Keep your calendar handy for saving dates for significant celebrations—while it was not de-signed that both worshipping facilities would be under construction or renovation at the same time — that is how it has turned out; which means there will be both a dedication and re-dedication ceremonies and celebra-tions ahead in 2019! In the Old Testament, when God’s people had a profound experience of God, they wanted to mark that place to remember God and to return to that place to give thanks and praise to God. The people of God have been doing that for centuries and we are part of that continuum of time that participates in making places for the people of God to come, worship, pray, sing, learn, share, serve, be fed by God and reminded of who God is and how God’s abundant grace is poured out for us, es-pecially through Jesus. As each vital center for worship is completed this year, may it draw us closer to God, to one another and to serving in the community now and for genera-tions to come. See you in Worship with grateful hearts, Pr. Rita Gardner Tweed, Lead Pastor, Spirit of Grace PS. Save March 9 & 10 for the Women’s Retreat — see announcement article in this newsletter, page 4

Thanks be to God for the 4 years of joint food & cloth-ing ministry provided by the efforts of Spirit of Grace togeth-er with King of Kings! Spirit of Grace is taking a new role in community food & clothing ministries in 2019 with Met-ropolitan Ministry & Holy Grounds. Spirit of Grace fulfilled its 2018 financial commitment to the joint pantry. If you have any questions please talk with Marcia Baker, Co-chair, Barb Calnan, Bev Railey, Sharon McTeer—volunteers; Paul Boivin on the original launch team or anyone on council.

Good News Update on building of new shared use church building: construction re-start targeted the top of the new year. Once con-structions re-starts, its likely a 4 month build timeline. After considerable attempts for updates, new information was finally provided to Spirit of Grace about the ‘Trinity Chapel’ project. The new CEO of Superior Schools emailed on 12/13 that probate and permitting are the sources of the delays; plus she finally provided a new contact person who is now the project manager for fur-ther updates and timely communications. She wrote, “I apologize for the delays but be assured that the project manager is doing everything in his power to move this project forward asap.” Paul Boivin had a phone conver-sation with the new project manager, Joe, on 12-16. Their productive conversation generated the following: The untimely and tragic death of Mr. Steve Christopoulos in June 2018, set in motion many items to be addressed: The process of probate is underway and that has contrib-uted to delays; Superior Schools has had to re-qualify for the bank loans for this project as he was the loan signer. This meant re-submission of tax records and financials. Similar processes are underway related to re-permitting. Past Notice of Commencement were terminated due to Mr. C being the signer; new NOC’s are underway as well as obtaining lien wavers, contracting again with the Gen-eral Contractor, and re-permitting. Joe wrote: “We antic-ipate having the above items resolved in January 2019 so that we can recommence with building the Chapel shortly thereafter. On behalf of Superior Schools, I apol-ogize for the delays and hardships the church has en-dured. I can only assure you that going forward, you will have a resource for clear communication for the duration of the project. I firmly believe that Superior Schools now has the right people and process to deliver the product in a timely manner.”

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Fun Community Connection On Sat Dec 8 my wife Jane and I decided to go to the New Port Rich-ey Christmas Pa-rade. This was our first time attending this event and according to what we had read one needed to get their early if they wanted a good spot. So we arrived early and set up our chairs. We had the opportunity to watch people as they gathered. There were a number of families sitting around us so when the parade started we began giving the beads we caught to the young people around us. When the Spirit of Grace float came by us we were excited and cheering. Both of us began taking pic-tures. As I headed back to my chair I caught a glimpse of the pictures of the conductors we had taken at church projected on the back. I said to Jane that I thought I saw my picture with the conductors. One of the young men (he looked to be a 5th or 6th Grade age) standing in front of us turned to me with a big smile and said, “It was you, I saw it! Ann Beilharz

Souper Bowl Sunday February 3

Bring a can(s) of soup with you to worship for Souper Bowl Sunday! All soup will be donated to

Metropolitan Ministry or Holy Gounds!

Souper Bowl of Caring works to mobilize those looking to fight hunger and poverty in their own communities around the time of the Super Bowl football game. In the weeks leading up to or on Super Bowl Sun-day, young people take up a collection (many use a soup pot), asking for one dollar or one item of food for people in need. They give 100% of their donation directly to the local hunger-relief charity of their choice. Started by a youth group in 1990, Souper Bowl of Caring has since grown all over the world, collecting more than $130 million donated back into their own com-

Feb 10 3:00 Love Gifts to God Join Terry Neal and the Gratitude Team at 3pm for snacks and conversation on the ways to give ‘Love Gifts to God’ that will make a difference in Making Christ Known beyond our lifetimes. Learn more about the Spirit of Grace Legacy Fund that is on the grow & how you can make provisions in your will for a lasting love gift to God!

Srs Christmas Party, Carroling and Candlelight Worship 2018

Women’s Retreat Spiritual Renewal & Wholeness St Leo Retreat Center, Dade City Retreat Leaders: Special Guest: Pr. Marissa Tweed Harrison & Pr. Rita Gardner Tweed Watch for Registration Info SOON!

Save the Date: March 9 & 10, Sat & Sun Noon

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Stephen Ministers - to listen & pray with you!

Pictured below are our Stephen Ministers. Thanks be to God for them and the caring & compassionate ministry they provide. Please talk to them at any worship service. They are here to pray with you!

Ilona O’Connor Attends Sunday 8:30am

SoG North Deacon Jay Kane

Attends Saturday 5pm SoG North

Karin Beeten-Stephen Leader Attends Sunday 10:15am

Phi Delta Kappa

Sharon Burke Attends Sunday 11:30am

Dobies

Kathy McGarrigle Attends Saturday 5pm or

Sunday 8:30 am SoG North

Sharon McTeer Attends Sunday 11:00am

SoG North

Carole Coleman Attends Sunday 10:15am

Phi Delta Kappa

What is Stephen Ministry?: Stephen Ministry began in 1975 when Rev. Kenneth C. Haugk, Ph.D, a pastor trained 9 members of his congregation to be Stephen Minis-ters. They assisted him in providing Christian care and support to people in the con-gregation and community who were experiencing life difficulties. The trained caregiv-

ers were so enthused about their ministry, they encouraged Dr. Haugk to offer Stephen Ministry to more congregations. The name Stephen comes from St. Stephen, the first layperson commissioned by the Apostles to provide caring ministry to those in need. In 1978 Stephen Ministries held the first Leader's Training Course and trained the first Stephen Lead-ers. The Stephen Leaders train members of their congregation to become Stephen Ministers who train in Christian caregiving. Topics include listening, feelings, confidentiality, and helping people with grief, di-vorce, terminal illness, childbirth, and transitions in one's life. It is a one-on-one meeting with a care receiv-er. There are so many people who need someone to listen to them and to receive Christian care and pray-er.

Start your New Year by becoming a Stephen Minister or talking/praying with a Stephen Minister, please contact Karin Beeten, 727-457-8310

AnnetteeCrickenberger Attends Saturday 5pm or

Sunday 8:30 am SoG North

BIBLE STUDY & PRAYER This Bible study Tuesdays, 6:00 pm @ SoG North. We will be making our way through the bible. If you

have any questions, please call Gene Kortier 727-819-2008

Rev. Dave Kruger, Ret. works with our Stephen’s Minis-ters, as well as Spiritual Care, Sen-ior Ministry and Funeral Ministry at Spirit of Grace. He is part-time and available on Tues-day, Thursday, & Sunday afternoons.

Save the Date: Ash Wednesday: March 6 , worship t imes TBA