Grace Lutheran Church

Announcements for the week of January 11, 2009

There is Church Council Meeting scheduled for this Tuesday, January 13 at 6:30 p.m. It is important that the head/president of all organizations attend. Our Circuit Counselor, Rev. Karl Haeussler will be in attendance to help start the Self Study-Calling process.

Attn Youth: We will meet at church this Saturday, January 17 from 6-9 p.m. to take down the Christmas trees and also have a quick meeting to plan events for the New Year. Bring $3 for pizza and a 2 liter of pop and your ideas for activities you would like to do. If you have a board game that you like, bring that along too.

The Niagara University Men’s Basketball Game scheduled for January 17 has been rescheduled to Sunday, February 8, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. This game will be against Fairfield. Meet at the church parking lot at 1:00 p.m. to carpool, or meet us at the game. Call Lisa Dixon at the church office (283-1843), Jane Schulz (283-3628) or sign up on the glass book nook in the Chapel. Tickets are $5.00 and we need a final count and money by Sunday, January 25.

The Blood Pressure clinic that would normally be held today is being postponed to next Sunday, because of today’s Pot Luck luncheon. Stop by next Sunday to see Amy Folmsbee, R.N. in the chapel to have your blood pressure checked for free.

Women’s Cottage Bible Study begins again this Thursday, January 15 at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Ruth Kumm. All women are invited. Call Ruth Kumm (283-8298) for info.

The 2009 Flower Chart posted in the narthex. If you would like to order flowers, simply write your name along side the date requested. Prices remain the same at $33.00 for a centerpiece and $45.00 for two vases which can be shared by two people.

Through you contributions to the mission fund at Grace, we reach out and support different missions locally, nationally, and international. Food for the Poor is special mission for the month of January.

What We Learned in Sunday School Today… The Baptism and temptation of Jesus serve as the lesson focus for Sunday School this week. Jesus is baptized into and takes on our sin, and faces our temptations so we, in Baptism, would receive His goodness, His holiness, and His purity. Parents could ask, “Why is it important that Jesus was baptized? Why is it important that we are baptized?”

Our congregational President, Neil Stenzel, is looking for a variety of people (young, older, male, female, new member, long time member) who are willing to serve on the Self-Study and/or Calling Committee as we move forward in calling a new full-time pastor. If you are interested, or can suggest someone, please speak to Neil today or phone him at 298-0909. Thank you!

Today the Elders & Ushers will distribute a “special hand-out,” survey page, provided by our Eastern District, as part of the preparation for our Congregational Self Study. Please complete it in the next day or two, mail it to the Church office (address is on the bulletin cover), or bring it with you next Sunday and hand it to an usher for use by the Self Study team. Thank you for your help! It is urgently needed!

Our Interim Pastor asks Confirmation class parents to assist their children with their assignments each week. Working together helps everyone grow in faith and life with Jesus our Lord!

Please check your family MAIL BOX each week as you come to worship… and if you have a friend who has a “full mail box” please take those items along and deliver them to your friend on the way home! It is a Christ-like, caring thing to do! Encourage them to worship regularly with you too!

Next Sunday, January 18th, Pastor Erwin Brese will lead our worship. Come! Bring a friend! Pastor B will be attending a LCEF Board meeting out of town.

ALL members and friends of Grace Lutheran Church are invited by our Interim Pastor to take part in the weekly Bible studies & discussions … Wednesdays at 9:30a.m. and Sundays at 9:15. Try it! You’ll like it!

Leaders of Boards, groups & organizations in the congregation are invited to write up, and send to the Church Office, news items for the February newsletter, Gleanings! Help us keep one another informed about what is happening & being planned. Please send it by Jan 20th. Thank you!

Joanne Munro would like to thank all those for their prayers and support after her recent surgery and recovery. It was so greatly appreciated.

PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN OPEN HOUSE:
St. John Lutheran School in North Tonawanda is scheduling two preschool ages 3 & 4 and Kindergarten open houses on January 20th from 6-7:30 pm and February 2 from 12:30-2 pm and 6-7:30 pm. Bring your child, meet the teachers, see the classrooms, review the curriculum, ask questions, and receive an information packet. Since Feb. 2 is Groundhog Day, we are inviting students in grades 1-8 to “shadow” for the morning. We look forward to seeing you.

SINGLE’S MINISTRY – St. Paul Lutheran Church, 453 Old Falls Blvd., in North Tonawanda, is beginning a new Single’s Ministry. We are inviting single adults to join us for fellowship and fun. Our “Kick-Off” Get Together is Sunday, January 25 at 6:30 p.m. with pizza! Bring a snack to share and a game to play with a small or large group! You are welcome to bring a friend. If you are single, of any age, and interested in a fellowship group with other single people, this is for you! For more information please call the church at 692-3255.
THIS WEEK AT GRACE

SUNDAY
9:00 a.m. Sunday School/Adult Bible Class
10:30 a.m. Worship Service
11:30 a.m. Pot Luck Luncheon

MONDAY
6:30 p.m. Community AA Meeting

TUESDAY
6:30 p.m. Church Council Meeting

WEDNESDAY
9:30 a.m. Bible Study
10:30 a.m. Craft Group
7:00 p.m. Confirmation Class
7:00 p.m. Choir Practice

THURSDAY
7:00 p.m. Cottage Bible Study @ Ruth Kumm’s

SATURDAY
6-9:00 p.m. Youth Activities, taking down Christmas Trees

NEXT SUNDAY
9:00 a.m. Sunday School/Adult Bible Class
10:30 a.m. Communion Worship Service
11:30 a.m. Blood Pressure Clinic