Author: Jack Busche

November 2025

Dear Friends in Christ,
From Pastor Dave
It has been said that as we get older, we become “set in our ways.” I’ve tried to avoid fitting into that stereotype; nonetheless, I have come to recognize it in myself.
Years ago, a good friend (who happens to be British), gave me a coffee cup with a crown stamped on it, along with the war era slogan, “Keep Calm and Carry On.” I have owned that cup for nearly twenty years. The color has completely faded away and the words are no longer legible. We have at least 30 perfectly good coffee cups on our rack at home, but which cup do I choose to drink from every morning? That same old cup.
Why do I do that? I do like the cup fits in my hand, but I have many others shaped just like it. Why do I keep choosing the same one? It makes me comfortable. It’s a habit. A tradition. I’ve become set in my ways.
All of us develop habits—patterns—that make us feel comfortable. It’s a built-in future of human nature. Part of what it means to be created in the image of God.
But over time, those comfortable patterns can keep us from experiencing new things. They can even create obstacles for those around us.
To give just one of countless examples: the other day, I was joking with a few people about our preferred seats during worship. One person said she’d occupied the same place on the same bench for at least thirty years, having inherited those spots from others in her family. Actually, much the same thing could be said of almost everyone at Grace Lutheran Church! We sit in the same place, on the same side, week after week. We share the peace with the same people sitting nearby. Looking across the altar to the other side of the sanctuary, we see the same faces.
We’ve done this so often, we don’t even think about it anymore. It’s just…comfortable.

November

Newsletter

56

Grace Lutheran Church

November 2025

Is that a problem? Perhaps not. Yet, it may be good to examine why we do what we do and how those actions may affect others.
Does limiting where we sit during worship or coffee keep us from developing relationships with the people in our congregation we don’t know very well? When visitors are present, do our patterns keep us from crossing over to the other side to greet them? Are we too preoccupied talking with the friends we know that we don’t take steps to make friends with those we don’t?
How would it feel for a visitor who doesn’t know a single person at Grace to show up for worship? Would they be encouraged to come down for coffee following worship? Would they be encouraged to come back a second time?
November is a transitional time on the calendar. The leaves have fallen from the trees, giving us a different view of the forest beyond. Soon, the ground will bear its winter mantle of white. The weather will force us to change our patterns of behavior. Already, T-shirts have given way to long sleeves and sweaters. Fires glow in woodstoves. All too soon, we’ll be wearing boots and firing up snowblowers.
In the church year, November is also a transitional time. All Saints Day comes and goes, followed by Christ the King, and then, by the end of the month, Advent and with it, the beginning of a new Church year. You will notice the difference: the texts we hear and reflect upon will bring a very different focus.
Grace Lutheran Church itself is in. Pastor Jack, Sydney, and Kit have left us for Wisconsin. We continue to grieve their absence and that change is forcing us to change our patterns. Many of us have embraced new roles and assumed greater responsibilities. With the help of our transition team, we will reflect on our congregation’s past and consider our future in light of the mission to which Christ has called us. We’ll be challenged to break some patterns we’ve become comfortable with. No doubt, Christ himself will meet us along the way.
Changing patterns is easier said than done. But maybe I’ll start by choosing a new coffee cup tomorrow morning!
With love,
Pastor Dave

November

Newsletter

56

Grace Lutheran Church

News at Grace Lutheran

Preaching/Worship Leadership Schedule for November
November 2—Pr Chrys Levesque Hendrick
November 9—Pr Dave Van Kley
November 16—Pr Alex LaChappelle (Prince of Peace Lutheran Church)
November 23—Ms. Hayley Smith (Immanuel Lutheran Church) Pastor Chrys will preside at Holy Communion
November 30—Pr Chrys
Administrative Interim Pastor Dave Van Kley will be fulfilling a commitment to lead worship at Bethany, Escanaba on November 2 and participating in a “pulpit exchange” with Pastor Alex by leading worship at Prince of Peace in Harvey on November 16. Pastor Dave will be away for an extended family trip from November 21 through December 19. During that time, the following retired pastors will be on call for emergency situations. Pastor Steve Solberg (906-458-2145), Pastor Tom Skrenes (906-362-5212), and Pastor Jim Duehring (December 8-19 only @ 906-251-0247). 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 Council Vice President Sharon Groff. Pastor Dave will respond to email messages upon his return.

News at Grace Lutheran

All Saints Sunday—November 2
During the worship service on Sunday, November 2, we will celebrate All Saints Sunday. All Saints Day actually falls on Saturday, November 1, this year. This festival has been part of the Church’s liturgical calendar since at least the 8 th century CE. A long, long time. Originally, it was set aside to recognize and give thanks for all Christians canonized by the Church as saints. Over time, the night before became known as All Hallow’s Eve—or Halloween. The night was believed to be a time when the lines between death and life were blurred, a night haunted by ghosts of the dead. The morning of All Saints Day, the Church proclaimed the promise of the resurrection and continuing life of those who’d died in Christ. Martin Luther regarded all Christians as saints, not just the relatively few remarkable people recognized by the Church. For Luther, it was not the actions of the faithful that made them saints, but rather the grace and forgiveness of God, which extends not to a few, but to all people. Therefore, even though “all sin and fall short of the glory of God;” in Christ, all are also at one and the same time regarded as saints by God. On All Saints Sunday we remember all who’ve gone before us, giving thanks for their lives and commending them anew to the mercy of God, who brings life out of death. We especially remember those dearest to us—the saints—who’ve died recently. We read their names aloud in the prayers and light candles together. All Saints Day is also a time for us to give thanks for the living, for one another. For we are the sinner/saints that God has called into service at this time and in this place. On All Saints Sunday, we will read the names of those who’ve died in the last year for whom Grace has had responsibility for funeral services. But we also will remember others by name. If you would like a loved one remembered by name on All Saints Sunday, please let Pastor Dave or Ashley in the Church office know before Wednesday, October 29.

News at Grace Lutheran

Community Outreach November Missions conclude with the Samaritan's Purse is the final mission that we participate in for the year. This year we will put out the Christmas boxes for Grace members to take and fill with items for children. Your choice of age and gender. The total for shipping is still $10.00. Any of the boxes need to be back to Grace by November 15th. We will deliver to Marquette for shipping in that week. The last of our Missions was with LWR (Lutheran World Relief) has concluded. Thanks to David Marjonen delivering the boxes to Messiah Lutheran Church, we gave 31 School Kits, 8 Health Kits, and the quilters added 14 quilts that will aid in the homes of the needy. This is going to be a difficult time for many of our neighbors in Gwinn area. I have been called with concerns of needs of a family that will be losing their Snap (Food Stamps) Benefits. The family is on our Meal Kit delivery now, but as a Senior who cares for a special needs adult child, she is worried about what she will do without the Snap Benefit. This is only the beginning. I pray that this concern for families end soon, but we will be focused on there needs where we can. If you have these concerns, at this time the Salvation Army and St. Vincent De Paul are the main sources for food. The need is going to be more now and the Can- A-thon is going to be a vital source of food supply for their Pantry. Our Meal Kits will continue and we welcome and donations as well. God Bless you in any thoughts of giving to all the Services to needy families. Thank you for all the support given to the Outreach Ministry.

News at Grace Lutheran

Note: When Bishop Katherine visited Grace on Sunday, October 12, she referred to the distressing situation affecting Pastor Rita Chirala and her son. Rita has been the pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Sault Ste Marie for several years. Her bi-monthly letter in the Northern Great Lakes Synod Northern Light newsletter provides a meaningful update, along with her message.
Bishop Katherine Finegan letter
Dear People of the Northern Great Lakes Synod,
As I make final preparations to leave on sabbatical, I feel it keenly that even if my desk will be clear, there is much in the world that remains messy. As people of faith, we are being challenged in new ways that we may feel ill-equipped to handle.
I see, and feel with increasing pressure, the world trying to divide us and tear us apart. I encourage you to make your community of faith, that is, the body of Christ which you help to animate, your priority. Political divisions are real, but the demonization of those who disagree with you has been brought to a new level. Do not lump people together and join the bandwagon that would declare them to be “of the devil.” As we look at our world through the lens of the open tomb, we cannot look at another and not see someone for whom Jesus died. This includes MAGA, the immigrant, the liberal, the refugee, the transgender individual, those on the other side of the political aisle, your neighbor, and those who get their news from only one source. In times of disaster or civil unrest, you will need your neighbor and your community of faith to meet the challenges.
Remember the flooding in the Copper Country not so long ago? And how the larger community rallied to provide water and supplies to those impacted? Or the ice storm that knocked out power to so many for too long? With winter around the corner, you may well need the help of the neighbor you disagree with to plow your driveway. With troubles always around the corner, you may well need the pastor whose sermon and leadership you criticized to proclaim a word of hope and hold your hand in comfort. Now is not the time to be burning bridges, even as we, each of us, are called to work and advocate for justice.

News at Grace Lutheran

Write your congressional representative and extend grace to your disagreeable neighbor. Carry signs in protest and forgive those you consider misinformed. Be generous in your giving to those organizations that are on the ground, feeding the hungry, advocating for
the immigrant, welcoming the stranger. Try not to be quick to criticize, to judge, to respond in anger or indignation. These are emotionally provoking times which make people vulnerable to manipulation and impulsive actions. Keeping a level head allows for creative solutions and conversations that deepen understanding, even as common ground may still be elusive. As I write this, common ground regarding immigration policies continues to elude all of us. By the time you read this, our own Pastor Rita Chirala and her son will have left her congregation, and the country, despite our best efforts. Even as immigrants seek to follow good law and order, the system is designed to fail them. And more than a few U.S. citizens have been swept up unlawfully. Even if our own Pastor Rita were to be able to fulfill all righteousness per a system that is stacked against her, I have no confidence, given a Supreme Court’s decision that allows for racial profiling, that she and her son would be safe, even if citizenship were secured.
I call out this gross injustice. It is indefensible that people of color should be afraid every day of being arrested on suspicion of being an illegal immigrant, that they should have to carry a copy of their passport to prove citizenship should the arresting agent even take the time to check. Or that immigrants who are striving to “follow the rules” and show up for their scheduled court date are summarily deported, and not necessarily to their country of origin.
I am grateful to our Canadian partners that a call has been secured for Pastor Rita so that she has a livelihood, and I continue to pray that the Canadian immigration lawyer will be able to secure the necessary visa in time. The work of providing comfort and support to Faith, Sault and to Pastor Rita’s colleagues and friends continues as they have suffered this abrupt separation even as it was necessary to keep Pastor Rita and her son safe.
I do not believe extending grace to people with whom we disagree means acquiescing to systems that are unjust. I pray for affection that transcends political division, for unified mission and purpose that binds us together in the face of all that tries to divide us, and for local community interdependence that is more reliable, generous, and available than government support.
I

News at Grace Lutheran

leave you, for now, with this blessing: The God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus. Amen
The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen
The God of all grace + bless you now and forever. Amen.
+Bishop Katherine Finegan
Thanksgiving Worship with Gwinn United Methodist Church!
This year's ecumenical Thanksgiving service will be held at Gwinn Methodist Church at 6 PM on Tuesday, November 25. All are invited for worship and a pie social afterward.
If you are willing to share in the service by offering one of the readings at worship or bringing a pie for fellowship, please let us in the church office know by November 16.
Youth Ministry
The teen youth group is growing in faith and numbers! In October, we joined with our Synod’s teen groups and enjoyed an afternoon at Hayes Corn Maze. A great time was had by all!
We are looking forward to Quake, a faith based weekend in Wisconsin Dells for 6th-12th graders in February. We currently have 7 youth looking to attend this year! The youth will stay a weekend at a waterpark, enjoy a live worship and praise band several times a day, dig deeper into their faith, and create friendships with other teens. Our youth have a few personal and church-based fundraisers planned, to ensure we can send all interested youth.
Please pray for our youth to continue their walk with Christ, and if you feel called to do so, support their fundraising efforts.
Your sister in Christ, Rebecca Herriman

News at Grace Lutheran

Kid’s Café:
This year for our annual Kid’s Café Christmas Shop we are asking for volunteers to donate crafts or items for the Kids Café kids to “shop” for their parents/guardians. On December 15th, volunteers from the Kids Café will set up a classroom with various items on tables for the kids to pick Christmas gifts for their parents/guardians. Any donations would be greatly appreciated.
NOTICE: Drivers needed! Our Kid’s Café Program also has a need for additional van drivers for pick-ups and drop-offs on Mondays. If you would be interested in volunteering to drive please contact Ashley at our church office (906-346-3156).

News at Grace Lutheran

Naomi Circle
Naomi Circle meets the third Thursday of each month in the fellowship hall down stairs at 2 PM. 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 of each month in the fellowship hall. On October 19 we brought 15 quilts to Marquette along with many school and health kits to be sent to Lutheran World Relief . New quilters are welcome. No experience necessary. Come join us for a cup of coffee and see what we do.
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

November Sunday Worship Volunteers
Readers
Communion Assistants
Fellowship Servers

November 2nd - Arlene Johnson
November 9th - Kaden Ruokala
November 16th - Arlene Van Kley
November 23rd - Lynnette Broxson
November 30th - LuAnne Krueger

November 2nd - Jean Armatti
November 9th - Arlene Van Kley
November 16th - Ruth Forgette
November 23rd - Mary Connors
November 30th - Ray Richard

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS

Genevieve Montbrun	11/04
Tina D’Ambrosia	11/04
Jerry Jensen	11/05
Penny Nieme	11/05
Kaden Ruokala	11/14
Nancy Snay	11/15

Pat Miljour	11/19
Joe D’Ambrosio	11/22
Robin Howard	11/23
Dan VanAlstyne	11/23
Dave Van Kley	11/25
Faith Downs	11/29

November 2025

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

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

News at Grace Lutheran

FROM THE BACK PEW
by Mikael Leppaluoto
Last month I felt the sun wash my face with warmth and let the last remnants of a summer breeze caress my cheek. It was like two old friends coming to bid me farewell. They had given me quiet comfort for the summer season and for that I was thankful.
Last week birch and maple danced in the wind leaving a trail of leaves to skip and prance along the graveled road. It was as if the play was orchestrated by some unseen hand although I knew it was unscripted. It was beautiful, nonetheless. I gave thanks for being a part of the audience in just one moment in time.
Friday before last, the rain beat a steady rhythm outside in the dark. Gentle and soothing, it calmed my beating heart and allowed me to relax surrounded by its “pitter-pat” syncopation. I was grateful to have been a part of a simple pleasure all the while putting cares aside.
Each and every Sunday, the words “the Body of Christ given for you” and “the Blood of Christ shed for you” cause me to rejoice. I am elated and renewed for all that is to come. For me, that is the beginning of my week, and it leaves me refreshed. Thankful is an understatement.
Last night as I slipped into bed and said my last “Amen,” I marveled at all that I am blessed with each and every day. The lucky stars we accumulate in our lives are vast when we choose to think about it. It accomplishes nothing to dwell on the unpleasant in our days.
This morning, I linked my fingers into the hand of the one I loved, smiled, and wondered, for just a second, if God created karma. What better gift from God than to wake up gazing into the eyes of the one you were meant to be with. As I am every morning, I was thankful all over again!

News at Grace Lutheran

……..Here is the thing, Dear Readers. We celebrate in November a festival of Thanksgiving; a day where we can give thanks for all the good which has come into our lives throughout the year. It is a time where we can count our blessings. I have this vision in my head that if we were able that we could spread our arms wide, sweep them out in an expansive arc, and pull back all things “golden” that have occurred in our lives in the past year. (Can you picture that in your mind?) Thus, we could create our own Thanksgiving cornucopia, our very own “horn of plenty.”
My prayer for all of you is that you take a moment to just sit and reflect on the good in your lives. May they bring a smile to your face and a quickening race to your heart. May each remembered image, word, touch, place cause you to be filled with joy. From Henry Ward Beecher, “Remember God’s bounty in the year. String the pearls of His favor. Hide the dark parts, except so far as they are breaking out in light! Give this one day to thanks, to joy, to gratitude!”

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