Pastor's Ponderings!

     From Pr. Ken

Rally Sunday September 12^th!

     As we begin together in ministry again "Rallying all the troops," my first year has been so good!  So many kind, warm and good people to live and work with in the ministry of Jesus Christ.

     Together, we journey on the road toward the prize in Christ Jesus.  As we journey, we are the church in Worship, education, fellowship as our spirituality grows living our life in community.

     During my first year I learned many things about our church community.

DID YOU KNOW THAT-     

¨       Grace Lutheran has three Choirs - Senior, Bell and Grade choir? 

¨       The Executive Board and Church Council plus Committees take the ministry of Grace Lutheran seriously?

¨       The Grace Lutheran Church Women have four community suppers each year?  YUM!  

¨       Wanda is a "Jack of many trades" including office and landscape work?

¨       There are 15 youth being confirmed on Reformation Sunday, October 31?

¨       That the Junior League (Gr. 7 & 8) meets the first Wednesday of the month and Senior League (Gr. 9-12) meets the third Wednesday of the month?

¨       There is a Men's Bible Study from 7:00 - 8:00 am each Tuesday morning?

¨       There is a New Bible Study for women, "Coffee with Pr. Ken", from 10:00 - 11:00 am every Tuesday morning beginning September 14^th?

¨       The Quilters make on average 160 large quilts each year that they donate to people in need?

¨       On Rally Sunday the 3^rd and 7^th graders receive their Bibles.  Also Teacher Installation?

¨       That Brenda's laugh is contagious?

¨       Pr. Ken has Communion for up to 40 residents each month at Bridges Care Community?

¨       First Lutheran Church and Petri Lutheran Church merged in 1964 to form Grace Lutheran?

¨       JAM "Jesus and Me" is a new program for 5-6^th graders with the Senior League Youth as mentors?

¨       The New Parsonage of Grace Lutheran will be dedicated on September 19^th with an open house in the PM?

¨       Every Sunday Holy Worship is at 9:00 am?

DID YOU KNOW THAT -

¨       If you or you know someone who would like a home visit/Communion you just need to call the church office or Pr. Ken?

¨       The Grace Lutheran Women invite ALL women for a Bible Study the 3^rd Wednesday of each month?

¨       We have 56 youth in grades 9-12; 21 youth in grades 7-8; and 83 from preschool - 6 grades? Still growing! WOW!

¨       An Open Door Policy for many local meetings and gatherings during the year like Cub Scouts, Garden Club, Weddings, Baby Showers, Nursing Home In-service, Caregiver Support Group and Red River Counseling?

¨       Our H2H Confirmation Program has Adult Mentors and 7-8 graders and is awesome!

¨       There are Grace Volunteers - all over the church and community; Sunday Worship volunteers, Choirs, Sunday school Teachers, Board Directors, Hospitality Serving Groups, Quilters, plus many other quiet ministries?  We are blessed!

¨       When you send in your YES to the Befriender Ministry letter and "Be a Special Friend" - you will be blessed?

¨       Every Sunday we have Worship Song Leaders?

     I could go on and on!  The Ministry of Jesus Christ reaches into all the community and the witness into the lives of untold folks.  I thank-you for a wonderful year of sharing in this ministry.

Pr. Ken