October 2019 Newsletter

Grace, mercy, and peace to all of you in Jesus!

Dear Family of God at Grace,

October is Reformation month. I'd like to spend a few paragraphs talking about the 95 Theses. Luther posted these statements for debate on the door of the castle church in Wittenberg. The first thesis states: "When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, `Repent' (Mt 4:17), he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance." This is the key to the other 94. The life of repentance for the Christian is life recognizing that we are sinners and cannot save ourselves, and that we need Jesus to rescue us from the Law, ourselves, our sin, the devil, hell, and everything.

That recognition is not simply I one-time thing. It's a lifetime of recognition. Until we die, we are humbled before God as poor miserable sinners in need of His grace, mercy, and peace for Jesus' sake! That's thesis # 4: "The penalty of sin remains as long as the hatred of self (that is, true inner repentance), namely till our entrance into the kingdom of heaven."

The rest of the 91 Thesis then deal with the Pope and how the sale of Indulgences is wrong on so many levels. My favorite is when Luther asked the question in Thesis 89: ``Since the pope seeks the salvation of souls rather than money by his indulgences, why does he suspend the indulgences and pardons previously granted when they have equal efficacy?'' In other words, "why is the Pope selling the forgiveness of souls when souls are more important than raising money? Shouldn't he

just forgive sins?"

If you want to read the 95 Thesis just google it and several copies will come up that are translated into English. Please understand that Luther is still becoming, well, Lutheran. When he writes these theses, he is not completely against indulgence. He's reading the Scripture and teaching and translating the Bible, and he is growing in his understanding.

The first thesis is the key. Luther continues to grow in his understanding from that thesis. What I love about Luther is the more we recognize that we are sinners in need of Jesus, the sweeter Jesus becomes for us. Sick people need a doctor not healthy people. When Sick people receive healing, they rejoice all the more.

This Reformation remember that first Thesis: "When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, `Repent' (Mt 4:17), he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance." Live every day remembering that you are a sinner. A baptized sinner who needs Jesus and you have Him, you are forgiven. A blessed Reformation to you all!

Three quick reminders: Sunday, October 20th 4-7 PM is our Oktoberfest/Church Picnic - See you there; Friday, October 25th is Trunk or Treat and the Potluck dinner with our Preschool - EVERYONE IS INVITED; Sunday, October 27th is Reformation Sunday at both services, then we have Speaker Mrs. Pam Stenzel at 12 PM with lunch in the Fellowship Hall.

In His Service,

Pastor Lingsch

UPCOMING EVENTS

Board of Christian Education MeetingOctober 13th12:00 pmFellowship Hall

OktoberfestOctober 20th 4:00 pm Parsonage Back Yard

Endowment Applications DueOctober 21st

Trunk or TreatOctober 25th5:45 pm Parking Lot and Fellowship Hall

Mrs. Pam Stenzel, SpeakerOctober 27th12:00 pm Fellowship Hall

Thrivent - Your Legacy: Family, Church and Charity WorkshopNovember 3rd11:30 am - 12:30 pmFellowship Hall

Budget 2020 - Deadline for submissionNovember 8th

LWML Southwest Zone Fall RallyNovember 9thTrinity Lutheran ChurchCape Coral

WEEKLY EVENTS

Youth NewsKami Jo Mogelvang

October 13th: Education Board meeting in Fellowship Hall, 12pm

October 25th: Trunk or Treat, arrive at 5:45pm to set up your trunk

October 27th: Pam Stenzel presentation with lunch, 12pm in Fellowship Hall

Women's Bible StudyWill Resume in September Wednesday Afternoon/EveningPrograms 3:45 pm Cherubs Choir4:00 pm Kids Club4:15 pm Choristers5:15 pm Dinner6:00 pm Confirmation Class6:30 pm Evening Worship7:00 pm Grace Chorale

Handbell Choir6:00 pm Thursdays

ENDOWMENT GRANTS2019

 It's that time of year again for the Endowment Committee to solicit from the congregation members grant proposals for funds to be distributed from the general endowment fund.  Depending on the returns in the next few months, around $40,000 should be available for grants.  The past couple of years a number of missions, church projects and scholarships have been supported through use of these funds, and we look forward to having some excellent proposals again this year. Grant application forms are available in the church office and should be returned to the endowment committee box in the church office by October 21, 2019. The criteria the committee will use in evaluating the proposal follows: 

 Grant proposal must be submitted by a member of Grace Lutheran  Church.

 Grant should not cover yearly congregation budget items.  Grant should fit with congregation vision and mission statements;   with

primary emphasis on the spreading of the Gospel.  Priority will be given to the (1) congregation (2) circuit (3) district   and

(4) synod, in that order.  Scholarships should go to students going into full-time church work.

 

Do you need someone to talk to? To walk with you through a difficult time? Deaconess Linda Nobili will be available for Spiritual counseling again beginning Oct 15th. Please feel free to contact her anytime at (248) 892-7405 or by email at dcslinda1492@gmail.com.

Did You Know We Have a Facebook Page?Please 'Like' us on Facebook!  Grace of Naples Lutheran Church and Preschool.  

 

ELDERS' REPORTPaul Koch

 As Elders who spend summer months away from Naples start to return, the number of Elders serving during service will start to return to two per service in October and November and three per service in December. We want to thank all the members for helping to facilitate communion distribution with one Elder per service during the summer months, and a special thanks goes to those Elders who are here full time for exhibiting yeoman's duty to support services in the summer. In addition, and as approved in the June Voters' Meeting, the Board has welcomed two new members: Craig Johnson and Dale Steffens. One Board vacancy remains, and nominations are certainly welcome to complete a full Board. Please contact Pastor or any Elder with your suggestions. The Elders have met in September and will return to monthly meetings in October. During the summer, the Elders, in coordination with the Properties Board, have secured two new defibrillators-one for the office and one for the Fellowship Hall--and have purchased a new battery for the unit in the Narthex. Fortunately, these have not been needed to be used but are a very important element in assuring quick response to any emergencies. In this regard, the Elders will again be sponsoring a CPR Certification and Training session in March of 2020 on the use of these units and other important CPR-related issues. ALL members-and certainly all Elders and those serving as Ushers-are encouraged to attend. There is no personal cost to a member for such training and certification. Pastor Kudart will be returning in late October, and many thanks to him for serving in the summer when Pastor Lingsch was away. We will also be holding a Veteran's Day service on November 11 and will be working with Planning Council to assist in the coordination of a 20 Year Anniversary celebration for Jonathan's service to Grace. The Elders, along with the Church President, Financial Secretary, Pastor Lingsch and Pastor Eisold, have been working on the development of a long-range plan for the Pelican and Grace's support. And finally, the Elders request that ALL members consider serving as Ushers to help facilitate services at Grace. As more members return, we will again be holding training programs to coordinate these efforts. Serving as an Usher is very straightforward but is very important to the conduct of all services. Please feel free to contact any Elder or Pastor if you can assist in this important aspect of our life at Grace. WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!!  

Amazon SmileDo you make purchases from Amazon?  Here is an easy way to earn money for our church and preschool without spending any extra money.  Instead of going to Amazon, search for Amazon Smiles.  this page will allow you to put in an organization that will then get a small portion of the money of the things you purchase. Under organizations, search for Grace Lutheran Church, Naples, FL.  Each time you purchase using Amazon Smiles, a small percentage will be donated to Grace.  Amazon Smiles will also remember that you want Grace as a beneficiary.  It won't cost you anything extra but our church benefits with a check from Amazon.  Any questions, call the church office.   

The Pelican Lutheran ChurchRev. Mark EisoldOctober 2019

CHRIST'S MISSION AT .....THE PELICAN of Naples. 

All of God's riches blessings to each of you in Christ Jesus, our Risen Savior!!!

There is a lot of GOOD to report at The Pelican, but it isn't without challenge and adversity. Our present challenge is keeping up with everyone, growing the people spiritually to be Christ-centered leaders in the church, and starting new ministries to meet the changing needs of our seasoned members. (That is "seasoned" as in current, long-term members; not seasonal.) The Lord Jesus has blessed with a good name and reputation. We are becoming more well-known in the community and the Lord is bringing to us people seeking the Lord's glory through spiritual care and spiritual education. Through weekly worship and 2-3 devotions every week, ALL are growing in service to God and to one another!! Average weekly worship: 75 people.   Baptized Membership:   157 Before Summer, we had two adult baptisms and one child Baptized. Since July here is what the Lord is doing:

August 25:   2 baptisms (Gavin Michael & Mia Victoria JaenvegaSeptember 15: received Sebastian, Maria Laura, & Valéria through First CommunionSeptember 29:   1 Baptism (Cristopher Sacramento)October 18: 1 Baptism (Sofia Romero)October 2: We begin a new series of First Communion Classes for childrenOctober 6: We begin a new series of Adult Information Classes at 9:30 a.m.Friday November 1: We begin a 'Family Fun Night' for the community.Wed. November 6: We begin mid-Week Services, 45 minutes.Sun. November 10: We begin 9:30 a.m. Sunday English Services