Growing in Grace S EPTEMBER 2017 A M ESSAGE
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brothers and sisters in the body of Christ. We bless the world when we take the kingdom of God to those outside the church.
In my position, I often hear people describe what needs to be done to make Grace a more robust, attractive, growing, dynamic church. We all have our ideas of what that means. For some it means big change. For others, it means no change at all. All the advice can get confusing sometimes. We need shorter sermons that yet say more; new songs that we all know; friendly greeters who give you plenty of “space”; more assertive leadership that does what people want…you get the idea. As I read the Bible, I’m impressed how much flexibility God gives us in our coming together as His people. He’ll let us pick the language, the building structure, the songs. But there are a few things God wants to see in a church that glorifies Him and carries His name. The core elements of God’s vision can be summed up in this way: Believe, Belong, Bless. We believe when we seek to know, worship, and trust God in a loving “vertical” relationship. We also belong to one another as
I try to apply each of these dimensions to my personal life. I study and pray— not just for sermons—so that I can have an ever-clearer and more confident understanding of Christ within me--believing. I maintain friendships with you and pray for our unity in love together—belonging. And I seek ways to have an impact on those who are outside our church for the kingdom through my time and gifts—blessing. These are what we as a church must focus on to have a vibrant church— believing, belonging, blessing. When we do this, all the small stuff stays small and Christ looms large amongst us!
G RACE L UTHERAN C HURCH 51737 S Columbia River Hwy Scappoose, OR 97056 503-543-6555 503-543-6555 Pastor Phil Mann www.GraceScappoose.org Pastor Phil E-mail:
[email protected] Church E-mail:
[email protected] COMMITTED TO SHARE AND GROW IN THE LOVE OF JESUS CHRIST!
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G RACE C HRISTIAN C HILDREN ’ S C ENTER What’s Happening at Grace Christian Children’s Center!!!
The Summer months have been busy, busy, busy! We have had so much going on at GCCC. The children have enjoyed activities and games associated with fun summer themes including, “Pirate Week”, “Tropical Week”, “Circus Week”, “Small Fry Olympics”, “Outer Space”, and “Ocean Week”. Our Before/After school children (ages 2nd grade to 5th grade) took many walking field trips throughout the summer. They went to Scappoose Cinema and enjoyed an afternoon movie, they went to “Brown Butter Bakery” and got a delicious cookie, walked to “Fultano’s” for a pizza lunch and enjoyed playing board games with the residents at “Rose Valley Assisted Living”. We just wrapped up a week of Vacation Bible School for the children who are already enrolled at GCCC. We had an attendance of 60+ children per day. The entire staff worked so hard to transform the classrooms and sanctuary into the “Maker Fun Factory” setting! Children were reminded that” God loves them and they are NEVER alone”. We hosted “open house” nights for our upcoming preschool classes. The three year old class was August 15th and four year olds on August 16th. We also had a “Back To School” picnic on Friday, August 18th from 6p-7:30p where we served a picnic dinner of hot dogs, potato salad, chips, watermelon, cookies and bottled water to our GCCC families! Summer Blessings to ALL! Cindy Overstreet – Director Our Mission Statement: “Where caring people enrich the lives of children and families through Christ-centered learning”.
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M ISSION S ERVANTS Personal Care Kits, Sewing Kits, and School Kits These mission projects have been going on during the summer months. We will begin packing the Ysleta school kits to be sent by August 31, 2017. The Cheerful Comforters continue making the quilts on Wednesdays from 10:00 until noon. Our collection of the other materials will continue until mid October. We will be packing them and the quilts to be taken to the ingathering place at the end of October. Thank you all for your generosity!!
Oregon District LWML Fall Retreat Need some quiet time after a busy summer? Join other Lutheran ladies of faith at the Oregon District Fall Retreat on Sept. 29 thru Oct. 1st at the Macleay Christian Retreat Center in Salem. Still time to register!!! Look for information on the Mission Servant bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall or email Deb Weaver at
[email protected] or call 503-543-2229. Fall’s First Meeting Tuesday, September 5th at 4:30 in the Fellowship Hall the Mission Servants LWML will be having their first meeting of the Fall. Please join us and share ideas to enhance service, fellowship and fun for our ladies at Grace! Coming soon Watch for information for the West Hills Zone Rally coming this fall!
Carole Covlin Missions Servants LWML President
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F EATURED T EACHER GCCC — B RITTANY R HEAULT Brittany has been teaching at the daycare for nine years. She loves watching and interacting with all the children. Her favorite Bible story is of baby Moses. She lives in St. Helens with her husband, Michael, and daughter Paisley. Their family also includes their dog, Malibu. Brittany likes camping, traveling and just any time she spends with her family. Her dream vacation would be anywhere on the gulf coast of Florida. She has always enjoyed the Fourth of July, but really enjoys sharing it now with Paisley. Her birthday is in October and her favorite food is pizza. Brittany describes herself as innovative, sensitive and entertaining. She has organized and led the Vacation Bible School at the daycare, where she gets to put those qualities to good use! Brittany is definitely an asset to our program and loved by the staff and children!
L INES
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Whoa!—did you know the 500 anniversary of the Reformation, the beginning of the Lutheran church takes place in October this year? Sounds like a good time to revive our “Lines from Luther segment! Here are a few snippets of Luther’s thought:
“The dog is the most faithful of animals and would be much esteemed were it not so common. Our Lord God has made His greatest gifts the commonest.”
“Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.”
“For where God built a church, there the Devil would also build a chapel.”
“God created the world out of nothing; so as long as we are nothing, he can make something out of us.”
“You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say”
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God’s Plan Prayers In October 2000 I walked my first Portland Marathon. And I was hooked. After my first one, I set a personal goal to complete a total of 10 marathons. Fast forward to 2017. I have 2 more marathons to complete to meet this personal goal. So in March of this year I laced up my shoes, joined Portland Fit and started to train once again. Every Saturday morning, I was out the door at 5 am to meet up with my training group. I soon found out I walked too slow to keep up with the fast walkers, and I was too fast to walk with the slow walkers. I ended up walking by myself most of the time. Once in a while they provided us with directions for the course, but sometimes you had to hope you knew where you were heading. Before my mom passed away, I would spend the time walking alone for several hours thinking about how hopeless I felt living 2500 miles away from her. Wondering how I could help with her care and not having any answers. After my mom passed I realized I was walking alone for hours reflecting on the great relationship that she and I had. Recalling the times we spent laughing together, sharing a cup of coffee, and going to the mall. Some of my best times. I found this walking time a great way to help heal the hurt. So when I suffered a setback in June due to over training I was pretty disappointed. I went from walking 11 miles to 3 miles while I tried to regain my strength. I was not happy. I felt like a big disappointment to my family, friends, and most of all, myself. The word “loser” kept creeping into everything I was doing. I was also angry with God. How dare He interrupt my goal! I finally decided I was too far behind in mileage to pull off the marathon in October. I was walking, but it was only 3-6 miles. Way behind the normal 18-20 miles for the month of August. Sometimes we get stuck on “our plans” and what “I want”. We never think that God might have something else in mind for us. I am now walking with hubby Rich. Since June he has been there with me. Walking 1 mile, then up to 2 miles and now we are up to 6 or more. We go out early every Saturday morning and walk around Scappoose. We check out the neighborhoods, the colors of the houses, the manicured and un-manicured lawns, the flowers that are blooming, petting the dogs we encounter, saying good morning to everyone we pass. We wave to people driving by that we know, we go to the Farmers Market every time, stop for coffee and wonder what we will do the rest of the day. We talk about family, friends, money, church, and everything in-between. God had plans for me that I didn’t see coming. Instead of spending every Saturday morning up at the crack of dawn, driving to North Portland and walking for half the day, He has slowed me down. He has taken my once hurried, goal driven pace and turned it into a Saturday morning with my best friend. I’m doing what I truly like and with the person I love. Do you get caught up in “your plans”? Do you lose your focus of what’s truly important only to impress others or yourself? And when your plans fall apart, do you get angry at God? Next time your plans fall apart, take a breath. Look around and see if you can find what God has planned for you. Let Him give you the direction you need to go in. You will find it truly amazing. "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord." Jeremiah 29:11 Debbie Weaver, Spiritual Director
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THE DATE !
Oregon District LWML Fall Retreat September 29, 30, October 1, 2017 A retreat planned by the Oregon District LWML Christian Life Committee Macleay Christian Retreat Center, 2887 74th Ave., Salem OR 97317 Registration Forms located in the Fellowship Hall on the Mission Servants Bulletin Board Questions: Contact Debbie Weaver, 503-543-2229 Oregon District Christian Life Committee
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September means back to school! It’s a good reminder to be cautious as we see the increase in activity from school buses and walking students. We pray for all the Lord’s children as they begin a fresh school year that they be blessed with a love for learning and a joyful school experience. We pray for all the teachers and support staff that they be blessed with patience, wisdom and support as they guide their students through another year. Love & blessings to all!
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S ERVANT /V OLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Included in every newsletter is a list of Servants for the upcoming month. Is your name on it? Would you like it to be? A church is a congregation of servants and all service is valuable and greatly appreciated! Do you have interest in being an Usher? An Elder? A Greeter? A Sunday School Teacher? A Scripture Reader? An Acolyte (for our younger members)? Provide Communion Care? Bring Altar Flowers? Each of these is needed every Sunday! If you have questions and/or wish to be more involved in the service of our church, please speak with your Elder, or contact the Office Administrator, Dana Mattila, at 503-543-6555 or
[email protected]. Thank you!!!
S EPTEMBER B IRTHDAYS Sept 5—Vicki Ekstrom Sept 7—Bret Couch Sept 8—Yvonne Cieloha Sept 10—Benton Hayes Sept 10—Joyce Judah Sept 11—Dorothy Gilliam Sept 11—Jerry Boldenow Sept 19—Janet Johnson Sept 19—Mike Judah Sept 19—Deborah Weaver Sept 20—Carolyn Schoenborn Sept 21—Alice Engstrom Sept 24—Lindsay Brown Sept 28—Stuart Johnson
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A NNIVERSARIES Cade & Brenda Greenup September 16, 2000 Evan & Bethany Hull September 26, 2009 Douglas & Jeanne Hutton September 18, 1999 Mike & Joyce Judah September 6, 1975 Don & Karen Roppel September 12, 1964
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G RACE L UTHERAN C HURCH 51737 S Columbia River Hwy Scappoose, OR 97056 503-543-6555
C HECK U S O UT ON THE W EB W WW . G R AC ES C AP P O O SE . O RG
SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS~~ADVENTURE AWAITS YOU!!! WHERE: WHAT: WHEN: HOW:
Grace Lutheran Sunday School Come, sing, pray, and build your faith with activities and fun New Sunday School year begins on September 10 at 10:15 during regular church services Available--- free of charge--- just for you!!!
REMEMBER:
A great price was paid, so we can freely learn about our great Triune God!