ADULT MINISTRY
Sunday Morning Bible Study
is offered to all interested in searching the Holy Scriptures and discovering
meaning for life. The group meets from 9:00AM-10:00AM. on Sunday morning.
Each study topic is approximately 6-8 weeks in length. The study is held in an
informal, relaxed atmosphere. Good fellowship and coffee are a definite part of
this group!
Mary Martha Bible Study Circle -
In October of 1977 a group of young single and married ladies started a new group.
They meets on the first Monday of each month at 6:00PM with a Bible study and a refreshment social time.
The Bible Study follows the offering in the Lutheran Woman Today.
Over the years they have done a great deal to support activities at the church, having social events, dinners, rummage sales, fund raisers, helping in almost every area of the church.
Mary Martha is open to all women of the congregation.
Acts 1:8 Men's Club -
This is a group of Grace men that once again grew out of the Brotherhood of Lutheran men idea.
They reformed in November of 2002 meeting in the evening once a month. The men meet and work on
projects that need attention around the church. They have helped to build the play ground, attend to church
repairs, rebuilt the choir room storage, help with dinners and are a supporting group of the running of the
church. They also raise money to give to the scholarship fund that supports our youth that go to college. The Men's Group is open to all men of the congregation.
The Bear Making Ladies meet on the last Wednesday of each month at 9:30AM.
We give the bears that we make to all babies that are baptized at Grace,
to any members of the congregation in need of special prayers.
We also have requests for bears to go to non-members and we have sent those out with prayers and a special letter.
Everyone is welcome to help. If you can sew, bring your
sewing machine. If you don't sew, we still need help with cutting out
bears, stuffing bears, and some hand work to complete the bears. If
any one wants to give a bear to someone in need of prayers, please
contact a member of the Bear Making Ladies and we will pick one out
for you and write a special letter to go with it. Monetary donations
are welcome to help offset the cost of future bears.
CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRY
Acolyte
training is provided for fifth-eighth graders at least once during the school year.
Sunday School
is offered every Sunday morning, excluding summer break, after the childrens service. All classes will be using the Life Together
curriculum which is focused on the Scripture lessons for the day. All are included in a
time of devotions and music before the individual class sessions.
Christmas Program
is held in early December and features presentations by preschool and elementary
children as well as other special musical offerings.
Confirmation-Affirmation of Baptism
is a program designed to begin in Third Grade and continue through Eleventh Grade. The program offers
study in both the Old and New Testaments, as well as the history and doctrine of the Lutheran Church.
Each grade level does one unit a year, each unit varying in length from 4 weeks in 3-4-5 grades,
6 weeks in 6-7 grades, and 12 weeks in grades 8-10. The eleventh grade year is a mentoring year with special
projects and ministry.
Early Communion
preparation is normally a part of the Affirmation of Baptism program-fifth grade level.
However, parents wishing to have their children commune at an earlier age, may visit with the
Pastor and arrangements for the study of Holy Communion may be arranged.
LYO-Lutheran Youth Organization,
Senior High School youth group, meets two times each month and offers opportunities for small group support,
retreats, youth gatherings, and service projects. The mission of the group
is to provide a safe place where youth can participate in fun Christian fellowship.
FAMILY MINISTRY
Vacation Bible School
is a one week program for ages 3 years through adults.
Date and Time for 2012 to be announced.
The Grace Library
is located directly off the Fellowship Hall. There are many selections
offering a wide range including Christian Living, Devotions, Reference
materials, Youth and Children's books. Videos, including the MOSAIC series
are available.
The Prayer Chain
is a confidential ministry through which concerns of the church family and
surrounding community are lifted before the Lord in prayer by members of the
congregation. Requests are passed through a telephone tree and can be made
to Pastor David Birnbaum, or the church office.
The Grace Mission Endowment Fund
was established to enhance the outreach of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church apart from the general operation of the
congregation. The name Mission Endowment Fund emphasizes the purpose of
the Fund as well as the method for distribution. Income from the mission
Endowment Fund will be used to extend the mission of the congregation beyond
expenditures supported through our regular contributions to community programs,
institutional ministries and other works of the church. New programs for
Grace can be established and concern for the mission of the church beyond the
local congregation can be funded.
The Grace mission Endowment Fund Committee seeks
to manage long-term financial support for the outreach ministry of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church.
MUSIC MINISTRY
The Chancel Choir
is an adult choir which rehearses every Wednesday evening, during the school year, from 6:00-7:00p.m. The
choir sings regularly at the Sunday morning worship services and provides music
for special worship services. New members are always welcome.
The Chancel Hand-Bell Choir also rehearses every Tuesday evening, during the school year, from
6:00-7:00p.m. Although the number of bell ringers needed is limited, there is always a need for new members to learn the art of ringing.
Youth ministry music
is in the developing stages with many projects underway. Children can participate by singing, acting, and
helping with narration and other behind-the- scenes activities. There is also a
desire to establish an instrumental ensemble. Anyone wishing to participate in such a group, please contact the church office.
So as anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; everything old has passed away; see,
everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to
himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that
is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their
trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to
us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal
through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For
our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become
the righteousness of God. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
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