The Rev. Bruce Rudolf, who is representing the ministry of Food for the Poor in our Church today, has been a pastor of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod for over 50 years, having been ordained in 1966. He served congregations in Rockville Conn., Newton  NJ, and for 20 years was Pastor of Emanuel Lutheran Church and School in Patchogue NY, from which he retired in 2004. He is presently the pastor at SonRise Lutheran Church in the Adirondacks.

He’s been married to Dorothy for 54 years and our Lord has blessed their marriage with six children, four born to them, a fifth, an African-American adopted daughter, and a sixth, a Vietnamese foster son. Now God has given them eight terrific grandchildren.

Food for the Poor is among the largest international relief and development ministries in the U.S. and seeks to support missionaries and ministries serving in the Caribbean and Latin America. It is distinguished by providing more than 96% of every dollar donated directly to the needy and has received the highest evaluation from the Better Business Bureau and three other charitable “watch dog” organizations. Pastor Rudolf has participated in field trips to Haiti four times (most recently this past June), as well as Nicaragua, Jamaica and Honduras, visiting a number of ministries assisted by FFP and other sites they are considering helping. He has represented their ministry to about 250 LCMS congregations in 32 different states around the country.

Newsletter Party: Please join us Wednesday, April 25^th at Noon to assemble The Gleanings! Many hands make light work! No technical ability needed, we will be folding and applying the address labels so that The Gleanings can be mailed on time.

Food for the Poor and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod have much in common. In a number of countries in the Caribbean and Latin America where both the LCMS and Food for the Poor are engaged Food for the Poor has assisted the work of our church. 9 Lutheran schools in Guatemala were aided by FFP under the guidance of the Lutheran Church of Guatemala Pastor Bruce Rudolf, a LCMS pastor, will be with us on April 29^th to speak about this ministry.

APRIL SPECIAL MISSION ENVELOPES have been designated to establish a Benevolence Fund at Grace.  This fund will be an ongoing resource for Pastor Bahr’s use in his ministry for emergency situations he may encounter, such as an immediate need for food, gasoline, payment of a utility bill, overnight housing, etc.  Often when this type of need arises, it is of an urgent nature.  Having a Benevolence Fund available will ensure that those in need of assistance can receive the help they require.  If you would like to assist in establishing this fund, please place your special mission envelope in the offering plate during April.  Benevolence Fund envelopes located in the chapel and narthex may also be used to donate to this fund.

The Historical Society of North German Settlements will meet Thursday, April 19, at  7 P.M. at the Wheatfield Community Center, St. Johnsburg.  The video about our North German communities, that was filmed here and shown on German television, has been translated to English.  We will be viewing it on large screen, so come and enjoy!

GRACE LADIES would like to invite the congregation to a Soup Supper on April 24^th @ 6pm, with Guest Speaker Chet Ferry, The Bread Man, who will be sharing his “Bread-time Stories”. Each guest will also receive a homemade loaf of bread. Please sign up on the Glass-Case by April 15^th to ensure there is enough bread and soup for everyone!

GRACE GAME NIGHT: April 27^th @ 5:30-8 PM. Bring a friend and your favorite game, and let’s play together!  Games, toys and activities for young children will be available.  Food provided.

Ascension Day BBQ – There is a sign-up sheet on the Glass case. We need side dishes and desserts.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL:

Registration is now available!  You can register online at gracenf.org/vbs/, or pick up a paper copy and return it to Lacey Bahr’s church box (or send it to the church office).

Items are needed for decorating and story telling! At each entrance, please use the blue boards to see what we need.  If you are going to purchase or lend us an item, please TAKE THE STICKER off the board and bring it home as your reminder.  Items can be brought as soon as you have them; we will store them until VBS.

Although their name is FOOD FOR THE POOR, this Christian Ministry is also about education, housing, job training, medical assistance, orphanages and many other ways of assisting some of the poorest people in the world who happen to live nearby. This ministry supports missionaries and ministries of all Christian denominations in 17 third world countries at our doorstep. Pastor Bruce Rudolf, an LCMS pastor, will be with us on Sunday, April 29^th to share with us about this work.

APRIL SPECIAL MISSION ENVELOPES have been designated to establish a Benevolence Fund at Grace.  This fund will be an ongoing resource for Pastor Bahr’s use in his ministry for emergency situations he may encounter, such as an immediate need for food, gasoline, payment of a utility bill, overnight housing, etc.  Often when this type of need arises, it is of an urgent nature.  Having a Benevolence Fund available will ensure that those in need of assistance can receive the help they require.  If you would like to assist in establishing this fund, please place your special mission envelope in the offering plate during April.  Benevolence Fund envelopes located in the chapel and narthex may also be used to donate to this fund.

THANK YOU for your generous support of this year’s Sunday School Penny War, “Soles for Souls”.  Donations totaled $1503.  Each dollar donated will supply a pair of shoes for someone in Puerto Rico who is still recovering from last September’s hurricanes, which means that this year’s mission project will supply 1503 pairs of shoes for those in need.

GRACE GAME NIGHT: April 27th, 5:30-8 PM. Bring a friend and your favorite game, and let’s play together!  Games, toys and activities for young children will be available.  Food provided.

GRACE LADIES would like to invite the congregation to a Soup Supper on April 24^th @ 6pm, with Guest Speaker Chet Ferry, The Bread Man, who will be sharing his “Bread-time Stories”. Each guest will also receive a homemade loaf of bread. Please sign up on the Glass-Case by April 15^th to ensure there is enough bread and soup for everyone!

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL UPDATE:

Registration is now available!
Register online at gracenf.org/vbs/ or pick up a paper copy and return it to Lacey Bahr’s church box (or send it to the church office).

Items are needed for decorating and story telling! At each entrance, please use the blue boards to see what we need.  If you are going to purchase or lend us an item, please TAKE THE STICKER off the board and bring it home as your reminder.  Items can be brought as soon as you have them; we will store them until VBS.

Food for the Poor is among the largest international charities in the US. This ministry, focused on the Caribbean and Latin America, the third world at our doorstep, has been well supported by LCMS congregations. FFP is presently building more than 10,000 homes this year for the poorest of the poor in 17 countries in this region. Pastor Bruce Rudolf, an LCMS pastor, will be with us on Sunday, April 29^th to speak about this ministry.

THANK YOU for your generous support of this year’s Sunday School Penny War, “Soles for Souls”.  Each dollar donated will supply a pair of shoes for someone in Puerto Rico who is still recovering from last September’s hurricanes.  Total donations will be announced this morning.

THANK YOU to the 27 members of Grace who attended the March 22 fundraising dinner for Young Life.  A total of $85,000 was raised at the dinner, surpassing their goal of raising $60,000.  All funds will go to support the work being done locally in Western New York with our youth as they come to know the love of Christ.  To God be the glory!

APRIL SPECIAL MISSION ENVELOPES have been designated to establish a Benevolence Fund at Grace.  This fund will be an ongoing resource for Pastor Bahr’s use in his ministry for emergency situations he may encounter, such as an immediate need for food, gasoline, payment of a utility bill, overnight housing, etc.  Often when this type of need arises, it is of an urgent nature.  Having a Benevolence Fund available will ensure that those in need of assistance can receive the help they require.  If you would like to assist in establishing this fund, please place your special mission envelope in the offering plate during April.

BENEVOLENCE FUND DONATION ENVELOPES are being included in today’s bulletin for your convenience.  If you wish to support this fund (as described in today’s “April Special Mission” paragraph), you may use this envelope and/or your April Special Mission envelope and place them in the offering plate during April.  Thank you for helping to meet the emergency needs that Pastor Bahr may encounter in his ministry.

Grace Ladies would like to invite the congregation to a Soup Supper on April 24^th @ 6pm, with Guest Speaker Chet Ferry, The Bread Man, who will be sharing his “Bread-time Stories”. Each guest will also receive a homemade loaf of bread. Please sign up on the Glass-Case by April 15^th to ensure there is enough bread and soup for everyone!

Grace Ladies will be having a Bake sale table April 7^th from 9a-1p at the Indoor Yard Sale @ the American Legion on Ward Rd. Please visit them if you can! They also need people to Bake Goods for the Sale. You may drop off baked goods between 6-7pm here on Friday the 6^th, or just bring to the Legion on Saturday. Please see Ursula, Erika or Dorothy if you can help out!

SAVE THE DATE: Grace Family Game Night: April 27th, 5:30-9 PM – come and go as you need.  Bring a friend and your favorite game, and let’s play together!  Games, toys and activities for young children will be available.  Food provided.

Announcements

MAYFEST is coming up May 30. There will be short meeting after worship today. If you would like to volunteer to help and cannot attend the meeting today, please see Ursula Zimmerman or the sign up sheet on the glass case.

SPECIAL OFFERING – A special offering will taken for the next two Sunday to help those suffering from the devastating earthquake in Nepal.

MAY SPECIAL MISSION ENVELOPES are designated to support Summit Life Outreach’s annual fundraising campaign.  This group, located on Pine Avenue in Niagara Falls, provides support, counseling, and education to teens and young women in crisis pregnancy situations.  If you wish to participate in the opportunity, please place your special mission envelope in the offering plate any Sunday during May.

Donations of BOTTLES AND CANS are appreciated by the youth group so that they can return them as an ongoing fundraiser for their treasury.  They can be taken to the junior/senior high classroom downstairs, or given to any youth group member.  We are no longer storing them in the food pantry since Pastor Bahr is using that room as a reception area.

SPRING SOCIAL MINISTRIES OPPORTUNITIES:  There is a table available in the chapel for those who wish to support Summit Life Resources with donations of diapers and diaper creams and Heart, Love, and Soul with donations of toilet tissue.  Both of these agencies work with those in need in our own city.  Summit is also running their annual Baby Bottle Bank Fundraiser.  Feel free to take a baby bottle from the table and use it to donate your spare change to help support Summit.

THIS WEEK AT GRACE

TODAY
9:00 am SS/Bible Study
9:00 am Young Adult SS
10:30 am Comm. Worship Service
11:30 am Mayfest Meeting

MONDAY
6:30 pm Community AA Meeting

TUESDAY
7:00 pm Diabetes Meeting

WEDNESDAY
9:30 am Bible Study
7:00 pm Choir Practice

NEXT SUNDAY
9:00 am SS/Bible Study
10:30 am Worship Service

VBS MEETING TODAY:  If you are interested in volunteering for International Spy Academy VBS this year, please stay for a short meeting after church today.  If you wish to volunteer and cannot attend today’s meeting, please let Amy Folmsbee know.

ANTIQUE NIGHT – hosted by Grace Ladies is this Tuesday, April 28 from 6-8:00 pm. Bring antiques, heirlooms or “old stuff” for informational appraisals. Cost is $5.00 for up to 2 appraisals, dessert and tea or coffee. This is a fundraiser for the organ repair fund. Come and bring a friend!

SPECIAL MISSION ENVELOPES for April have been designated to support Papyrus Camp at Camp Pioneer, a special program for children and teens in foster care or other out of home placement.  Papyrus Camp includes all the usual fun camp activities, as well as opportunities for learning coping skills and improving self-esteem.  For many, it may be the only opportunity they have to learn of the love Jesus has for them.   If you wish to support this project, please place your mission envelope in the offering plate during April.

MAYFEST 2015 is scheduled for May 30 at the American Legion on Buffalo Avenue. There is a sign up chart on the glass case for the many volunteer positions needed to make this event successful.

SPRING SOCIAL MINISTRIES OPPORTUNITIES:  There is a table available in the chapel for those who wish to support Summit Life Resources with donations of diapers and diaper creams and Heart, Love, and Soul with donations of toilet tissue.  Both of these agencies work with those in need in our own city.  Summit is also running their annual Baby Bottle Bank Fundraiser.  Feel free to take a baby bottle from the table and use it to donate your spare change to help support Summit.

Holy Ghost Lutheran School is holding an Open House-Tuesday April 28th from 6:30pm-8pm for grades Pre-K -8 They are located at 6630 Luther Street, Niagara Falls, NY. Call 731-3030 for more information.

PENNY WAR AGAINST HUNGER: Our Sunday School’s mission project to raise money for Orphan Grain Train resulted in raising $1433.98, which will assist Orphan Grain Train in providing 47,799 meals to the hungry throughout the world. Thank you for your generous support!  To God be the glory, great things He has done!

The LADD thrift shop, a ministry for those with disabilities which is supported by our congregation, regrettably has lost its lease at its current location and may be forced to close. Volunteers are needed on April 25 from 10 AM to 3 PM to assist with the takedown of shelves & racks.  If you are able to help, please contact the church office.

SPECIAL MISSION ENVELOPES for April have been designated to support Papyrus Camp at Camp Pioneer, a special program for children and teens in foster care or other out of home placement.  Papyrus Camp includes all the usual fun camp activities, as well as opportunities for learning coping skills and improving self-esteem.  For many, it may be the only opportunity they have to learn of the love Jesus has for them.   If you wish to support this project, please place your mission envelope in the offering plate during April.
SPRING SOCIAL MINISTRIES OPPORTUNITIES:  There is a table available in the chapel for those who wish to support two Niagara Falls agencies that work daily to assist those in need in our city.  Heart, Love, and Soul is in need of toilet tissue, an item that is used daily but not available for purchase with food stamps.  This is one of our most appreciated projects.  Summit Life Resources needs donations of diapers and diaper creams as they work with young women and teens in crisis pregnancy situations.  Summit is also running their annual Baby Bottle Bank fundraiser.  Feel free to take a baby bottle from the table and use it to donate your spare change to help Summit.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL MEETING: There will be a short organizational meeting after church on Sunday, April 26, for this year’s International Spy Academy VBS.  If you are interested in volunteering, please plan to attend the meeting or speak with Amy Folmsbee.  Registrations forms for 3 year old through 6th grade students are located on the book nook in the chapel.

BP CLINIC:  You can stop by the chapel after the service today and have your blood pressure checked for free.  Let’s stay healthy!

YOU’RE INVITED to Young Life’s annual fundraising dinner to be held on March 26 at 6 PM at Classics V.  Several members of Grace will be attending.  If you would like to join them, please speak to Dick Crawford, Katy Olka, or Justin Smith for reservations.

OUR PENNY WAR AGAINST HUNGER continues through Palm Sunday.  If you want to support the Sunday School’s fundraising efforts for Orphan Grain Train, you can give your donation to any Sunday School student for their bank, leave your donation in the jar on the book nook, or place your Special Mission Envelope (or an envelope marked “Penny War”) in the offering plate any Sunday in March.  If we raise as much money as we did last year, we will be able to help Orphan Grain Train supply over 50,000 meals for those who are hungry all over the world, including in our own country.

SUNDAY SCHOOL PARENTS:  Our Sunday School students will be participating in the Palm Sunday processional and they will be singing in church on both Palm Sunday and the 10:30 AM Easter service.  Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for these special celebrations.

MAYFEST 2015 – is scheduled for May 30. There will be a short planning meeting after the worship service today. If you would like to volunteer but are unable to attend the meeting, please contact Les or Ursula Zimmerman.

THIS WEEK AT GRACE

TODAY
9:00 am SS/Bible Study
9:00 am Young Adult SS
10:30 am Comm. Worship Service
11:30 am Youth for Truth Meeting
11:30 am Mayfest Meeting

MONDAY
6:30 pm Community AA Meeting

TUESDAY
6:00 pm Confirmation
6:30 pm Church Council Meeting

WEDNESDAY
9:30 am Bible Study
5:45 pm Simple Supper
6:30 pm Lenten Worship
7:15 pm Choir Practice

NEXT SUNDAY
9:00 am SS/Bible Study
10:30 am Worship Service
11:30 am Coffee Fellowship

PENNY WAR AGAINST HUNGER:  This year our Sunday School is raising money to support Orphan Grain Train, a Christian volunteer agency that supplies food and other items to those in need.  Over 97% of your donations go directly to providing food and other help for the poor.  We are hoping to raise enough money to help them supply at least 50,000 meals for those who are hungry.  If you wish to support our efforts, you can donate in your March special mission envelopes, the Penny War jar on the book nook, or by giving your spare change to any Sunday School student for their class bank.  Thank you for your generosity.

LOOSE CHANGE SUNDAY to support our Penny War Against Hunger is today!  If you wish to participate, we ask that you “lose” the change out of your pockets or purses onto the pew.  At the end of the service our Sunday School students will search for your donations and add it to their class banks.  Orphan Grain Train is able to supply 500 meals for the hungry for every $15 donated.  Your help with our project is appreciated.

SOCIAL MINISTRIES will meet after today’s service.  A light lunch will be served.  Please consider joining us.  New members are always welcome.

MISSION ENVELOPES FOR MARCH are designated to support Young Life.  Young Life is a local group supported by our church that provides opportunities for teens to get together, socialize in a Christian environment, participate in Bible studies, camps, and other fun activities as well as service projects.  It has had a positive influence on the lives of many teens in our area.  Dick Crawford has been involved with Young Life for many years and would be glad to answer any questions you may have.  If you wish to support Young Life, please place your mission envelope in the offering plate before the end of February.

THANK YOU – Beverly Mills would like to thank everyone for their cards and prayers during George’s illness.

ATTN YOUTH FOR TRUTH – There is a meeting scheduled for next Sunday after the worship service.

ALTAR FLOWERS – The following people/families placed bouquets on the altar this morning to the Glory of God, in memory of loved ones, and to help support the mission of Niagara Hospice: Coleman, Crawford, S. Dixon, Folmsbee, Gilmore, Hughes, R. Kumm, W. Luick, K. Majka, V. Markel, Matiasz, Mills, Moll, Peploe, Reed, H. Reisig, C. Schultz, Schulz, L. Smith, Stenzel, and Tuscher. (Flowers may be taken home after worship this morning).

THIS WEEK AT GRACE

TODAY
9:00 am SS/Bible Class
10:30 am Worship Service
11:30 am Social Ministries Meeting

MONDAY
6:30 pm Community AA Meeting

TUESDAY
6:00 pm Confirmation
7:00 pm Diabetes Meeting

WEDNESDAY
9:30 am Bible Study
5:45 pm Simple Supper
6:30 pm Lenten Worship
7:15 pm Choir Practice

NEXT SUNDAY
9:00 am SS/Bible Class
9:00 am Young Adult Sunday School
10:30 am Comm. Worship Service
11:30 am Youth Meeting

GLEANINGS DEADLINE -The January/February Gleanings deadline is tomorrow. If you have any info you would like included in the January/February issue, please email the church office at secretary (at) gracenf (dot) org or see Karen Kumm.

The 2015 Flower Chart is posted in the narthex. If you would like to purchase flowers, simply write your name in the corresponding week. You can order either a centerpiece or two vases.

SOCIAL MINISTRIES will have their first meeting for the new year next Sunday, January 11, after church.  A light lunch will be served.  Please join us as we plan our activities for the upcoming months.

MISSION ENVELOPES for January have been designated to help Heart, Love, and Soul on Ontario Avenue in Niagara Falls.  This agency provides hot meals to those in need, as well as a food pantry, toiletry items, social work services, and summer programs for children.  The number of families they are assisting has increased by almost 40% over the last two years.  Our neighbors need our assistance.  If you want to help us assist Heart, Love, and Soul, please place your mission envelope in the offering plate during January.

Prayer Bookmark – names on the prayer bookmark will be put on the prayer list for one month. Contact the church office at 283-1843 or secretary (at) gracenf (dot) org by the end of the one month period if there is a need for continuation of prayers. If we are not notified, the names will be taken off the prayer list.

THIS WEEK AT GRACE

TODAY
9:00 am SS/ Adult Bible Class
9:00 am Young Adult Sunday School
10:30 am Comm. Worship

MONDAY
6:30 pm Community AA Meeting

TUESDAY
6:00 pm Confirmation Class
7:00 pm Diabetes Meeting

WEDNESDAY
9:30 am Bible Study
7:00 pm Choir Practice

NEXT SUNDAY
9:00 am SS/ Adult Bible Class
10:30 am Worship Service
11:45 am Social Ministries Meeting