Author: Jack Busche

December 2025

Dear Friends in Christ,
From Pastor Dave
Birth Announcement
For several years, I’ve exercised twice a week at the cardiac rehab facility in Marquette. During that time, I’ve seen various therapists come and go. Recently, one of the long-time therapists was married and soon afterward, we learned that she and her husband are “expecting.” Her due date is December 1.
But in a sense, all of us in the cohort are expecting. Waiting to read the birth announcement posted to the wall of the facility. Trusting that Emily and baby will be healthy and curious to know whether the child will be a boy or girl, and what she or he will be named.
When Jesus was born, the birth announcement came in a different way. Angels appear in the sky: not just one, but a multitude! Yet those who receive the announcement do not know either Mary or Joseph! They are perfect strangers—lowly “shepherds” to boot—people with the social standing of say, cleaning maids at the Holiday Inn! Yet, an angel announces, “unto you is born this day in the city of David Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” Unto you, is born. “Unto certain poor shepherds in fields where they lay…” Jesus was given to the poor.
Still, the birth announcement is not only for these! The effect of this child’s birth will be universal in scope. “Do not be afraid—I am bringing you good news of a great joy for all the people.” Can you hear words from The Messiah? “Unto us a son is born, unto us a son is given!”

December

Newsletter

56

Grace Lutheran Church

December 2025

The angels make an audacious claim—but of course, they are angels! We are only humans yet make that same claim: this child’s birth signals good news of a great joy! This joy is intended for all people, for the whole world. Unto the world a son is born, to the world a child is given!
What does this mean? We wonder. At a time when many people in many places are torn apart by war or the threat of war or deep political division. At a time when many do not see Christians and their message as a gift to the world.
What will it mean, this Christmas, for you and for me to be filled with great joy? What will it mean for us to “go tell it on the mountain, over the hills, and everywhere?” What difference does the birth of this child—Jesus—make for all people and for all creation?
We are expecting. Like the shepherds, we will hear the announcement. Like Mary, we will ponder all these things in our hearts. Like the disciples, we will seek to live the good news.
Expectantly,
Pastor Dave

December

Newsletter

56

Grace Lutheran Church

News at Grace Lutheran

Preaching/Worship Leadership Schedule for December
December 7 – Pr Sharolyn Swenson, Assistant to the Bishop and Director of Evangelical Mission, Northern Great Lakes Synod
December 14—Pr Chrys Levesque Hendrick
December 21—Pr Dave Van Kley
December 24—Christmas Eve—Pr Dave Van Kley
December 28—Pr Dave Van Kley
On Call Information while Pastor Dave is away
Administrative Interim Pastor Dave will continue to be away through December 19. During that time, the following retired pastors will be on call for emergency situations: Pastor Steve Solber (906-458-2145), Pastor Tom Skrenes (906-362-5212), Pastor Jim Duehring (December 8-19 only—906-251-0247). Pastor Alex LaChappelle may also be available (414-218-1620). Church Secretary Ashley Hooper and Council President Bill Kangas also will have these phone numbers. If you have other matters concerning the life of the congregation to discuss with Grace leadership, please contact Bill or Sharon Groff, Council Vice President. Pastor Dave will respond to email messages upon his return.

News at Grace Lutheran

ATTENTION:
Please pick up your 2026 offering envelopes from your mail cubbies.
Thank you.
Office Hours Update:
There will be a change in office days and hours of operation starting in December 2025 and will continue through the 2026 year. The updated office hours will be Monday through Thursday from 10 AM until 3 PM. If you have any questions please contact Ashley in our church office.
Kids’ Café Christmas Music Program:
As part of the worship service on December 14, the children who attend Kids’ Café will participate in worship, singing various Christmas carols for and with us. They have been working diligently on this! We look forward to them joining with us. Following worship, all are invited to a potluck lunch in the lower-level fellowship hall.
Community Outreach:
The community outreach team is helping with the potluck following Worship and the Kid’s Café Christmas Program on Sunday December 14. If you would like to volunteer to bring a dish there will be a sign-up sheet in the narthex.
Christmas Eve Worship:
All are invited to join in a festive celebration of the nativity of our Lord on Christmas Eve, beginning at 6 PM. The service will feature many of our most treasured Christmas carols, along with the Christmas message, and Holy Communion. Please pass the word—invite friends and family!

News at Grace Lutheran

Upcoming Events at Grace
January 11—Special worship with Breakfast in the lower level! The Transition Team is planning a special worship service, to be held in connection with a congregational breakfast, in the fellowship hall on Sunday, January 11, at the usual time of 10 AM. Watch for details as they emerge and plan to be present!
Annual Meeting Date and Plans
February 1—The Annual Congregational Meeting this year will be held on Sunday, February 1. Instead of the usual pattern of having the meeting in the sanctuary right after the service, the congregation will gather downstairs in the fellowship hall for a meal, served by the Stewardship Team, as an expression of thanks to and for all who give of their time and talent to the work of the Church. People will be invited to bring desserts. Thanks especially to Ruth Forgette, Jean Armatti, and Theresa Hruska for their part in preparing the meal!
The annual meeting will follow immediately after we eat, in the fellowship hall. Although the primary purpose of the meeting will be to conduct necessary business, we also hope to engage each other in dreaming together about possibilities for our ministry and mission at Grace.

Stewardship Highlight

An Attitude of Gratitude
There are many verses in the Bible on gratitude. One that I especially like is Colossians 3:15. “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. To which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. “ This I feel is so appropriate for our church.
As small as our church is we can be so grateful for the many things that happen here. We have many volunteers for so many different functions.
We have the kitchen crew that is always ready to do anything necessary to pull off anything to do with food. They plan, bake, set tables and clean up, all while smiling and happily serving us. Then there is social outreach which does so much for others. Planning and preparing meal kits, delivering them and making people smile when they show up at their door.
Feeding America which always gets a lot of volunteers, even in the cold and snowy winter weather.
And the Kid’s Café. How awesome for the kids to have a day a week to learn about Jesus and have a nice meal. Religious learning should start at an early age and we are giving these kids an experience they may not otherwise have.
Then there is the work crew. They take care of the church no matter what needs to be done. We have a cleaning crew and maintenance volunteers whenever a problem arises. Even people that make preventative checks to keep major issues to a minimum.
We have circles that do a variety of things such as reaching out to shut ins, delivering gifts at Christmas, donations for the Women’s Center and other organizations that may need help. If I forgot to mention anything, please forgive me. There is so much being done by Grace’s congregation that it’s difficult remember everything!
Finally, on behalf of the Stewardship Team, I would like to thank you for filling out forms—the time and talent and estimate of giving forms—that help all of us plan ministry for the coming year!
Next time you enter our church, look around. You will see the volunteers and one is probably you. Let’s be grateful for every parishioner and give thanks to God for our church and all that honors him within our doors.
--Jean Armatti

News at Grace Lutheran

Stewardship Annual Response Report
The Stewardship Team wishes to thank each person who has responded to the annual invitation to make a commitment to share in God’s mission through Grace Lutheran Church during 2026! We have received 21 Time and Talent forms to date; these forms are being collated, and every respondent will receive a phone call. We are grateful for the many ways members of Grace offer themselves in service to the community and beyond! We also have received 25 estimate of Giving forms to date, totaling $82,020 in financial support for 2026. Your financial gifts make ministry possible—and during this interim period, as we seek to call another pastor, this support is as vital as ever.
Once again, thank you, everyone!

News at Grace Lutheran

Pastoral Vacancy Transition Team Report
A transition team is a new concept here at Grace Lutheran Church so we thought it best to let the congregation know what is going on. Below is a list of questions which we hope will help congregation know what is going on.
1. Grace has been without a pastor a number of times before, so why is there a transition team this time? This is a new process begun by the larger church to work with congregations with pastoral vacancies. We as a team are just learning about this work and will keep the council and congregation updated as we work through the process.
2. What does the transition team do? Our role is to prayerfully work with the whole congregation to strengthen the ministry of Grace during this time of vacancy and through the call process.
3. Is this a call committee? No, it is not, nor do we have the authority to make any decision for Grace. We will be working on a ministry site profile which is one of the steps in the call process. Currently there are no candidates available for Grace to call and when a candidate becomes available the church council will decide on a call committee.
4. Is Grace doing this alone? No, there are 5 congregations that are currently without pastoral leadership in our Synod that are part of a cohort working through this transition team process together.
5. What is the congregation’s role in this process? First, and most importantly, please pray for the transition team and for Grace during this time of vacancy. Besides that, please bear with us as we try some new ways to look at Grace’s history, our current ministry and hopes for the future.
6. Why are these six people on the team? We don’t know! The church council chose us: ask them! Seriously, we were each asked to serve in this role and have agreed to do our best to serve Grace Lutheran Church in this capacity.
Please feel free to talk to the transition team members about your concerns, hopes, and dreams for Grace Lutheran Church. We will do our best to listen and make sure all concerns are heard and represented throughout this process.
Thanks,
Dave Marjonen, Holly Paris, Jerry Jensen, Dee Mattson, Art Ontto and Arlene Van Kley

News at Grace Lutheran

“GOSPEL OF LUKE CHALLENGE” by Lynnette Broxson
The Advent Season is almost here. The season begins this year on Sunday Nov 30, 2025. This is the fourth Sunday before Christmas, which is referred to as “Advent Sunday”.
What is Advent? Advent is a time of anticipation and a time of hope for Christians around the world for both the celebration of Jesus's birth on Christmas and preparing and waiting for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
How can Christians observe Advent at home alone or with families? One way we can do this daily during Advent is to read a chapter of the Gospel of Luke a day.
This is called the “GOSPEL OF LUKE CHALLENGE”
The challenge is simple! All you do is read a chapter of Luke a day! And by Christmas Eve, the Gospel of Luke is finished! This is a great way for families to observe Advent together. This is especially a great way to either begin reading or to continue reading the bible together as a family, or as an individual.
GOSPEL OF LUKE CHALLENGE INSTRUCTIONS:
What you need for the challenge is a Bible and an Advent Calendar.
The challenge:
Step 1: Read a chapter of Luke a day beginning December 1st!
Step 2: before, during or after the chapter is read, get a treat from your Advent Calendar.
Step 3: On Christmas Eve, you will have read the whole GOSPEL of Luke.
I hope everyone accepts and enjoys this challenge as we anticipate both the birth and the return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
After the chapter is read! Treat everyone and yourself to a surprise from an Advent Calendar. There are many varieties of Advent Calendars for children of all ages, including for our pets!
May this Advent Season be full of anticipation and hope for the world as we wait for the birth and the return of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen

News at Grace Lutheran

Naomi Circle
Naomi Circle meets the third Thursday of each month in the fellowship hall down stairs. We do a Bible study from the Gather Magazine and enjoy a coffee fellowship. All women are welcome to join.
Quilters
The Quilters meet every Tuesday except the second Tuesday in the fellowship hall. However since everyone is so busy in December we wont meet again until January. Merry Christmas everyone!
Prayer Concerns

Gerry Stille	Karen Octaluk	Sally Weingartner
Darlene Faucher	Marlys Pickett	Gloria LaFave
Alice Harbin	Paul Juidici	Pastor Alex Johnson
Roger Harbin	Judy Richard	Edna Roberts
Louise Spickerman	Harold Zaborowski	Allen Johnson
Sarah Johnson	Deb McNabb	Bill Hatch
Mike Stefanski	Mary Stefanski	Jackie Kangas
Arlene Keskimaki	Richard Erickson	Sandee Kangas
The family of Marilynn Kotel	The family of Pat Miljour	The family of Gary Seney
The family of Nancy Zaborowski	The Family of Ken Pringle

News at Grace Lutheran

December Sunday Worship Volunteers
Readers:
Communion Assistants:
Fellowship Servers:

December 7th - Sharon Groff
December 14th - Arlene Johnson
December 21st - Kaden Ruokala
December 28th- LuAnne Krueger

December 7th - Arlene Johnson
December 14th - Ray Richard
December 21st - LuAnne Krueger
December 28th- Marry Connors

December 7th - Shane Ruokala, Karen Nelson
December 14th - Sheryl Stiemke, Dee Mattson
December 21st - Arlene Van Kley, Terri Brintlinger
December 28th- Dee D’Ambrosia, Theresa Hruska

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

Lynn Marjonen	12/2
Kadie LaRock	12/3
Craig VanAlstyne	12/3
Judy Richard	12/4
Nicki Marjonen	12/5
Ashley Hooper	12/9
Richard Ontto	12/11
Mark McNabb	12/12

Andrew Herriman	12/12
Gloria LaFave	12/21
Holly Paris	12/24
Vicki Winters	12/26
Darlene Meden	12/28
Gerri Moore	12/29
Deanie LeMoine	12/30
Sharon Groff	12/31

News at Grace Lutheran

A Letter from Bishops of the ELCA to the Church
Beloved in Christ,
Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
As bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), we write to you in this moment of national and global tension with clarity and conviction. Our faith compels us to stand where Jesus stands—with and for those whom society often seeks to exclude, erase, or diminish. See Civic Life and Faith.
Our shared confession that every person is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) grounds us in the conviction that all people possess inherent dignity. The incarnation of Jesus Christ reveals God’s profound solidarity with humanity—especially with those who are marginalized or oppressed. The gospel we proclaim insists that our neighbor’s need is the occasion for our love and that our public life is shaped by justice, mercy, and a commitment to the common good.
Further, we have a shared tradition in our social teachings which grounds us. The ELCA’s Social Message on Immigration reminds us:
“We are to respond to newcomers as we would to Christ—welcoming them, meeting their immediate needs, and advocating for justice in our laws and policies.”
Likewise, our recently adopted Social Statement Faith and Civic Life affirms that Christians are called to be “a public witness, holding leaders accountable when they fail to protect the vulnerable.”
We are living through a time when vulnerable communities are being scapegoated and attacked. Immigrants and refugees are vilified, though Scripture commands us to welcome the stranger. People of color continue to bear the devastating weight of racism woven into the fabric of our society. Transgender people, beloved by God, are being targeted with laws and rhetoric that deny their dignity and even their right to exist. These assaults on our siblings are not political abstractions—they are deep wounds in the body of Christ.

News at Grace Lutheran

In this time of division and fear, we, as people grounded in our faith, insist on love. This commitment flows from our faith in Christ crucified and risen—the One whose love breaks down barriers, confronts hatred, and transforms hearts.
Love insists on the dignity of every human being. Love insists on justice for the marginalized and oppressed. Love insists that the church must reflect God’s diverse, life-giving community. Love insists that we listen, speak, and act with respect, even in disagreement. Love insists on hope, trusting that God’s kingdom of justice and peace will prevail.
This love also compels us to speak clearly against Christian Nationalism, which our Churchwide Assembly named as a distortion of the Christian faith and an unhealthy form of patriotism. Christian Nationalism confuses the Gospel with political power, turns God into a mascot for the state, and privileges some people over others based on race, religion, or birthplace. This is not the way of Jesus. The kingdom of God is not a nation, not a culture, not a political ideology—it is God’s reign of love, justice, and mercy for all people.
Therefore, as bishops of this church, we declare that the ELCA cannot be silent. Our call is clear:
To proclaim the God-given dignity of every human being.
To resist systems and ideologies, including Christian Nationalism, that oppress, dehumanize, or erase.
To stand shoulder to shoulder with those who are targeted or harmed.
To bear public witness that the love of Christ is stronger than fear, stronger than hatred, and stronger than death.
We call on all members of the ELCA to join us in prayer, advocacy, and action:
Pray for those who are vulnerable and for all who work for justice.

News at Grace Lutheran

Advocate in your communities, legislatures, and Congress for laws that protect migrants, advance racial justice, and safeguard LGBTQIA+ people.
Engage in the holy work of hospitality, creating spaces of safety, affirmation, and belonging for all God’s children.
Model respectful dialogue in a polarized world, seeking understanding rooted in love.
Hold fast to hope, trusting that the Spirit is still at work renewing creation and reconciling the world to God.
In baptism, we are marked with the cross of Christ forever. That cross is not only a sign of our hope—it is also a summons to follow Jesus into solidarity with those who suffer.
In the power of the Spirit, let us be bold. Let us be faithful.
Let us Insist on Love—in our words, our actions, our public witness, and our life together.
Together in Christ,
Bishop Kevin Strickland Southeastern Synod Bishop Susan J. Briner Southwestern Texas Synod Bishop Becca Middeke-Conlin Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod Bishop Vivian Davila Caribbean Synod
Bishop Donna Simon Central States Synod Bishop Bill Gohl Delaware-Maryland Synod Bishop Anne Edison-Albright East Central Synod of Wisconsin Bishop Pedro Suarez Florida-Bahamas Synod Bishop Deborah Hutterer Grand Canyon Synod Bishop Paul Erickson Greater Milwaukee Synod Bishop Felix Malpica La Crosse Area Synod Bishop Stephen R. Herr Lower Susquehanna Synod Bishop Wayne Miller Metropolitan Chicago Synod Bishop Katrina D. Foster Metropolitan New York Synod Bishop Philip C Hirsch Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod Bishop Jen Nagel Minneapolis Area Synod Bishop Scott Alan Johnson Nebraska Synod Bishop Nathan Pipho New England Synod Bishop Christa Compton New Jersey Synod Bishop Emily K. Hartner North Carolina Synod Bishop Julie Schneider-Thomas North/West Lower Michigan Synod Bishop Kevin Jones Northeastern Iowa Synod

News at Grace Lutheran

Bishop Amy Odgren Northeastern Minnesota Synod Bishop Laura Barbins Northeastern Ohio Synod Bishop Christopher deForest Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod Bishop Katherine Finegan Northern Great Lakes Synod Bishop Stacie Fidlar Northern Illinois Synod Bishop Erik Gronberg Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod Bishop Meggan Manlove Northwest Intermountain Synod Bishop Martin Halom Northwest Synod of Wisconsin Bishop Shelley Bryan Wee Northwest Washington Synod Bishop Daniel G. Beaudoin Northwestern Ohio Synod Bishop Kristen Papson Northwestern PA Synod Bishop Laurie Larson Caesar Oregon Synod Bishop David Nagler Pacifica Synod Bishop Meghan Johnston Aelabouni Rocky Mountain Synod Bishop Jeff R. Johnson Sierra Pacific Synod Bishop Ginny Aebischer South Carolina Synod Bishop Joy Mortensen-Wiebe South-Central Synod of Wisconsin Bishop Amy Current Southeastern Iowa Synod Bishop Bryan Penman Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod Bishop Brenda Bos Southwest California Synod Bishop Melissa L. Stoller Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod Bishop Keith Marshall Southwestern Washington Bishop Tracey Breashears Schultz Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod Bishop Craig Miller Upper Susquehanna Synod Bishop Lee M. Miller II Upstate New York Synod Bishop Phyllis Milton Virginia Synod Bishop Scott Dalen Western Iowa Synod

December 2025

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
	1 / 11 AM Text Study / Kid’s Café 4-6 PM	2 / Quilters 1 PM	3	4	5	6
7 / 8:45 AM Bible Study / 10 AM Worship	8 / 11 AM Text Study / Kid’s Café 4-6 PM	9 / Meal Kits 2 PM	10 / Worship and Music 3 PM	11	12	13
14 / 8:45 AM Bible Study / 10 AM Worship / Kid’s Café Christmas Program	15 / 11 AM Text Study / No Kid’s Café	16 / Quilters 1 PM	17 / Council 3:30 PM	18 / Naomi Circle 2 PM	19	20
21 / 8:45 AM Bible Study / 10 AM Worship	22 / 11 AM Text Study / Kid’s Café 4-6 PM	23 / Quilters - 1 PM	24 / Christmas Eve	25 / Christmas	26	27
28 / 8:45 AM Bible Study / 10 AM Worship	29 / 11 AM Text Study / Kid’s Café 4-6 PM	30 / Quilters - 1 PM	31

January 2025

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
				1 / New Year’s Day	2	3
4 / 8:45 AM Bible Study / 10 AM Worship / Stewardship at 11 AM	5 / 11 AM Text Study / Kid’s Café 4-6 PM	6 / Quilters -1 PM	7	8 / Worship and Music 3 PM	9	10
11 / 8:45 AM Bible / 10 AM Worship	12 / 11 AM Text Study / Kids Café 4-6 PM	13 / Meal Kits 2 PM	14	15	16	17
18 / 8:45 AM Bible Study / 10 AM Worship	19 / 11 AM Text Study / Kid’s Café 4-6 PM	20 / Quilters - 1 PM	21 / Council 3:30 PM	22 / Naomi Circle 2 PM	23	24
25 / 8:45 AM Bible Study / 10 AM Worship	26 / 11 AM Text Study / Kid’s Café 4-6 PM	27 / Quilters – 1 PM	28	29	30	31

News at Grace Lutheran

FROM THE BACK PEW
by Mikael & Shirlee Leppaluoto
Like many of you, I sat on the couch when I was young with a copy of “Horton Hatches the Egg” or “Cat in the Hat” open on my lap. I laughed at Thidwick the Moose and wished I could run the zoo with Gerald McGrew. Older, I enjoyed reading those same stories to my kids and they still brought a grin to my face and a sparkle to my son’s and daughter’s eyes. And there were messages hidden within the lines; things you could ponder on, things you could learn from …. “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” My favorite, “A person’s a person, no matter how small.”
So, for a moment, pardon me, Dr. Seuss! …. Please have a ball, read the following to the littlest of all.
The Weezoul and Skizill were searching for Hope.
Was it in a big package all wrapped up with rope?
They looked under rocks, climbed trees in the park,
sniffed in the flowers, walked cities at dark.
“I’m flummoxed, confused,” the Weezoul would shout,
then he’d sit in the grass fold his arms in a pout.
The Skizill would scratch and pull his blue hair
and scream to the heavens, “Does anyone care!”
“It’s Christmas,” they sang. “It all seems so wrong.
Where is this thing? We’ve looked for so long!”
Then all of a sudden They both gave a cry
A bright light appeared in the far Eastern sky.
They jumped like a rabbit, tripped over their feet
And poor little Weezoul fell right on his seat.
The scene came in focus It gave them a thrill
As they stared in the distance toward a church on a hill.
“That’s it,” they both hollered. “I’m sure that it’s true!”
Then Weezoul and Skizill they practically flew.

News at Grace Lutheran

They scrambled, they scurried. They leaped over stumps.
They bumped and they shoved, and ran shaking their rumps.
The Weezoul and Skizill slowed down to a walk
They lowered their voices afraid now to talk.
So quietly approaching, they took it all in
There was the baby who’d erase all their sin
A window had taken the sun from above
And sent out a sign to show them His love
Weezoul and Skizill knelt down then to pray
Knowing that “Hope” In the manger did lay.
Merry Christmas everyone. May you have a blessed season with God’s Hope in your heart. May you remember, first and foremost, that the gift of Jesus was just the beginning of what was to come.
“And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled ‘till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”

News at Grace Lutheran

Thank you for your prayers Patrick Lewandowski is in full recovery Judy and Ray Richard want to thank everyone for their prayers

Upcoming Feeding America Dates
October 2nd

December 1st - Deb Hurkman, Christine Mitchell
December 8th - Terri Britlinger, Shane Ruokola
December 15th - Louise Ingalls, Robin Howard
December 22nd - LuAnne Krueger, Theresa Hruska