Author: Jack Busche

September 2025

From Pastor Dave
Dear Friends in Christ,
On the last Wednesday of the month, we bid a grateful, though sometimes tearful, goodbye to Pr. Jack, Sydney, and Kit. As I write this, it seems odd that they are no longer here—a sign that it will take a while for us to process our grief. To get used to a new reality.
There is grief when a pastor moves. Though we do not grieve the loss of life, we grieve the loss of a person’s immediate presence in our daily life. Pr. Jack played a major role in our lives, preaching, teaching, organizing, comforting, encouraging. On Sundays, we also greeted Syd and caught up on her life. We held Kit in our arms. They became part and parcel of our weekly lives. We will miss them. We will need to learn to live without them.
Even so, Pastor Jack has left us at Grace in a different place than we were when he came. More than anything, he helped us recognize that the risen Christ is with us and working through us. There is so much going on here—classes, events, activities, opportunities to serve—thanks to the vision and energy he brought with him!
Losses are a part of life. With every loss, something new is birthed. This month, we begin a new chapter in our life together—a transitional chapter. Without a resident pastor for some time, we won’t be able to maintain everything that has begun. It will be OK to step back a bit—to rest and reflect on what has taken place and where we are going as a congregation
Yet, our mission of service in Jesus’ name to and beyond the community remains. And much of what we do now can continue if we discover and use the gifts God has provided each of us. God calls all of us to participate in worship, witness, service, learning, and support. Please know that your gifts and talents are needed and valued! Now, as much as ever before.
In the absence of a full-time, called pastor, we at Grace will be accompanied by several pastors who will be our partners in transition.

September

Newsletter

56

Grace Lutheran Church

September 2025

There’s me. I have agreed to serve as the administrative interim pastor during the transition. It is a very limited role. I agreed to serve because I have come to love this community of faith. I regard serving as a privilege.
What will I do? I will arrange a schedule of preachers/worship leaders, so that every Sunday we can continue to meet for worship. I will preach some of those Sundays and will engage others to preach on other days. Sometimes, our preacher will be another ordained person, but on occasion it will be a layperson from our synod who is learning to serve in that role. In a changing church, we welcome the gifts that laypeople bring to preaching.
I will respond to pastoral emergencies of every kind, providing ministry to those who are near death and afterward, to families at and beyond the funeral. I will be responsible for arranging pastoral acts, like baptisms and weddings—and ensuring that these are properly recorded in the parish register.
I will work with a group of Eucharistic Ministers to ensure that homebound/shut in members of Grace receive visits with communion on a monthly basis.
I will support Ashley in the office, help with newsletter and bulletin production, and generally be available for consultation to you on any number of things.
Still, I am a retired person, a member of the congregation—not your called pastor. The expectation is that my work will be limited to about 25 hours per month, excluding the time I spend on preparing and delivering sermons and the activities I already volunteer for. Please understand that my “job description” is a limited one. I don’t want to “unretire.” Also, because Arlene and I have children and grandchildren who live far away, we have planned absences (nearly ten weeks) during the next year, which we will honor. During those times, I will work ahead on schedules and make arrangements for someone else to cover pastoral emergencies.

September

Newsletter

56

Grace Lutheran Church

September 2025

Thankfully, other partners also will step into leadership positions. Pastor Alex LaChappelle of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church has agreed to serve as the primary pastoral leader for Kids’ Club on Monday nights. He will typically arrive at Grace around 2 PM and remain through the end of classes, around 6 PM. Alex is familiar with Grace’s children and youth through the cooperative confirmation and youth programs in which we participate. You will also see Pastor Alex leading worship at Grace now and then—while I will do the same at Prince of Peace.
Pastor Sharolyn Swenson, the Assistant to the Bishop and Director of Evangelical Mission of the Northern Great Lakes Synod of the ELCA, will be a partner as we engage in a congregational study, focused on our history as a community of faith, our strengths and needs, and our vision for future mission. A Transition Team will be chosen to lead us in this important work.
Later, we will form a Call Committee to identify candidates for call as Grace’s next resident pastor. This will take time! There is a shortage of pastors available for call in the Northern Great Lakes Synod, especially for smaller congregations like our own. But it is also true that, if we take our time and prepare ourselves properly, we will be ready to enter into this process from a position of understanding and confidence. We will be more likely to identify the best candidates for call at Grace. I have been through this with other congregations—it can be a wonderful journey of discovery! Stay tuned for more information about the transition process—you will be hearing a lot about it!
Finally, we are blessed at Grace to have other retired clergy who are members or associate members of the congregation. Pastor Chrys Levesque Hendrick will preach on many occasions and will lead the Monday Bible Study on the weekly texts. She also has volunteered to teach the Sunday morning Community Bible Study in September. There are others, too, who may be available in time. Pastor Rell Spickerman, who is well-known and loved by many of us and a past pastor of Grace, is currently preaching each week in Florence, WI. Pastor Allan Johnson has been dealing with health concerns of late but is a gifted teacher and friend. There are certainly a lot of moving parts during this transitional period. But let us embrace this time, too, as God’s time! Christ is alive. And through him, so are we.
There are certainly a lot of moving parts during this transitional period. But let us embrace this time, too, as God’s time! Christ is alive. And through him, so are we.
--Pastor Dave Van Kley

September

Newsletter

56

Grace Lutheran Church

News at Grace Lutheran

Pastor Dave’s contact information:
Email: wilsonmqtmich@gmail.com
Phone: 906-250-1720
Worship Leaders for Upcoming Sundays
September 7—Pastor Dave Van Kley
September 14—Pastor Chrys Levesque Hendrick
September 21—Gisele Duehring (we will still celebrate Holy Communion, with Pr. Chrys presiding)
September 28—Pastor Chrys Levesque Hendrick
October 5—Pastor Dave Van Kley
October 12—Bishop Katherine Finegan
Pastoral Emergencies
Pastor Dave is on call for emergency situations during September, except the week of Sept 14-21, when he and Arlene will be on vacation. During that time, Pr. Alex LaChappelle is on call. Pr. Dave’s cell # is 906-250-1720. Pr. Alex can be reached at 414-218-1620.
Hospitalizations
Clergy no longer have access to hospital patient lists. If you or a member of/visitor to Grace is or will be hospitalized, please share those details with Pr. Dave, so that he can provide pastoral support.
Sabbath Days
Pastor Dave normally takes Fridays away from any work/church related assignments for rest and renewal. Unless you have an emergency, he will respond to any concerns on Saturday or the days following. Please use email as the means of communication for routine matters: wilsonmqtmich@gmail.com.

News at Grace Lutheran

National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools
On September 30, native and non-native people across the United States and Canada pause to remember that from the years 1819-1969, countless indigenous children were taken from their homes and placed in boarding schools, operated either by the US government or as mission schools partially funded by the government, by various Christian denominations. One of the government funded mission schools was operated by the Norwegian Lutheran Church—a predecessor body to the ELCA—Bethany Indian Mission at Wittenberg, Wisconsin.
Indian children often were placed in schools far from their families and their tribes in an effort to assimilate them to the dominant culture. They were forced to have western haircuts, made to wear clothing unfamiliar to them, and forbidden to speak in their native language. They were made to learn the cultural and religious values of white settlers and were not allowed to engage in any of the ceremonial or religious practices of their elders. Unable to learn practices germane to their tribal way of life, like ricing, maple sugaring, hunting and fishing, they were instead taught how to sew, cook, clean, and work on farms, trained to be a kind of servant class in white America.
The boarding school motto was “Kill the Indian and Save the Man (sic).”
Often, boarding schools were also places of strict discipline. Racism was endemic. Physical and sexual abuse were common. Many native children tried to run away. Others died while at boarding schools. The burial sites of a large number of children still have not yet been identified.
In recent years, we’ve come to recognize that we, in the Christian church, either condoned or actively participated in operating these boarding schools, which have led to so much suffering.
But in fact, the damage inflicted on our indigenous neighbors because of the boarding schools is incalculable. Generations have struggled to regain their sense of worth and identity as native people. As they go about their healing, it is our calling as people of God to support them.

News at Grace Lutheran

To that end, we encourage each congregation of the Northern Great Lakes Synod to observe Remembrance Day on a Sunday near September 28, by including prayers for the survivors and those who have gone missing in the worship liturgy.
Orange is the color of Remembrance Day. We are invited to wear orange in solidarity with our indigenous neighbors of September 28 for worship and on the day itself, September 30. Any orange top or shirt is just fine, or you can purchase t-shirts here: https://nabshc.myshopify.com/collections/day-of-remembrance-orange-t-shirts. They are specifically designed for this national recognition and support the ongoing work of the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABS). "The first and only national organization whose purpose is to advocate on behalf of Native peoples impacted by U.S. Indian boarding school policies. We seek truth through education and research, justice through activism and policy advocacy, and healing through programs and traditional gatherings."
Indian Boarding School Remembrance Day Online Discussion
You are also invited to join participants in the ELCA’s Truth and Healing Initiative on Sunday, September 28, from 7-8:15 PM Eastern Time to discuss together the Sugarcane documentary film, which details the traumatic effect of the Boarding School experience on two families from Williams Lake, British Columbia, Canada. First, watch the film online—you can rent it inexpensively on several platforms. Follow this link: Sugarcane documentary. You can also this Guide for reflection. If interested in participating in the discussion please let Pastor Dave know at wilsonmqtmich@gmail.com and he will send you a Zoom link prior to September 28.

News at Grace Lutheran

Bible Studies during October
At this point, the Monday morning Bible Study will be held as usual at 11 AM in the Fellowship Hall, led by Pr. Chrys Levesque Hendrick. This Bible study reviews the texts for the coming weeks.
The Sunday morning Community Bible Study typically has met before worship at 8:45 AM in the Gathering Room upstairs, led by Pr Jack. No one can replace Pr. Jack! However the group will continue to meet through the month of September, also led by Pr. Chrys. We will be exploring options for future months as well.
Eucharistic Ministers
During the interim period, Grace will continue to reach out to the homebound within our community by making pastoral calls with Holy Communion. Pastor Dave will make calls to homebound persons on a rotating basis. With Pastor Jack’s encouragement. several laypersons have made themselves available to assist Pastor Dave in this task. Commissioned as Eucharistic Ministers on August 24 were Lynn Marjonen, Sheryl Steinke, Dee D’Ambrosio, and Sharon Goff. They will take the elements consecrated at the communion table during worship at Grace to the homes of those who are shut-in, using a liturgy especially designed for use in the home by lay assistants. In this way, the circle of love and praise that is worship at Grace Lutheran Church is extended beyond brick and mortar to the homes of those who cannot attend.
Lifelong Faith Formation Class
During the fall, the Northern Great Lakes Synod offers a plethora of online continuing education classes for members of our congregations. In October, Pastor Dave will be teaching a class called “Recognizing, Responding, and Re-Visioning Christian Discipleship in age of Christian Nationalism. The class meets on Tuesdays from 7-8 PM for four weeks, beginning October 7. To learn more or to register for the class, visit the synod website (nglsynod.org), click on the menu, and go to Ministries We Share/Lifelong Faith Formation.

News at Grace Lutheran

Learning About and Responding to Christian Nationalism
Christian Nationalism has become a driving force in the United States in recent years. However, Religious Nationalism is not new and it is not unique to the United States. It fuses fierce pride in one’s country with religion, so that the two become one. We see religious nationalism today in various places around the world, including some of the Islamic republics. Nazi Germany was another example of religious nationalism. Christian Nationalism in America puts both our democratic ideals and the very nature and integrity of Jesus’ Church at risk. How can we recognize Christian Nationalism? What can we do to respond as faithful disciples of Jesus? Here are two ways you can learn more:
Senior Day at Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp – September 8
Pastor Dave will be the presenter from 11 AM EDT to 3 PM EDT on Saturday, the 8th at Fortune Lake. There will be time for fellowship with other elders from across the synod and lunch will be served. Of course, it’s also a time to enjoy the retreat setting at our church camp, meet Amanda Rasner, the Director, and maybe take a walk in the woods. There is a suggested donation of $15 to cover the cost of lunch. Those interested can RSVP to the camp office by calling (906)215-2267 or by emailing hospitality@fortunelake.org. We hope to see you there!

News at Grace Lutheran

Growth and Discipleship article by Lynnette Broxson
The time has come for Pastor Jack Bushe to be called on by the Holy Spirit to tend to a different flock.
Pastor Jack began his ministry at Grace Lutheran Church in 2021. During these years at Grace, Pastor Jack brought so many different ways for the congregation to develop in the areas of Growth And Discipleship. First, during the Lenten season, the last two years he held different classes on the Faith of Our Neighbors. This year he had movie nights where different movies of Jesus were watched. Also, he does joint service with our Methodist neighbors on Wednesday during Lent and everyone shares a meal. During Advent he holds Holden prayer services on Wednesday, also joint service with the Methodist church. He also works with the different churches in Gwinn and they hold Service in the Park!
Second, Pastor Jack has brought Grace Lutheran to life with different children programs. He has a vacation bible every summer. On Mondays during the school year there is Kids Café, which is in its 4th year at Grace and continues to grow! He also does confirmation studies as well! But the best part of his interaction with children is his Sunday morning children's message.
Pastor Jack does different Bible studies on Sunday and Monday. The Sunday morning Bible study is focused around books in the Bible. The Monday morning Bible study is focused on the upcoming text for the week.
Finally, Pastor Jack also oversees different social programs at Grace that enriches the lives of the community. One of these being Feeding America!
I personally have learned a great deal from Pastor Jack. Especially some words HEBREW! Grace Lutheran is sad to see Pastor Jack leave, but we know he will touch so many lives and bring Jesus to life as he does with our congregation! Thank you Pastor Jack for all of the Growth and Discipleship you have brought to us! We will miss you!

News at Grace Lutheran

Upcoming Feeding America Dates
October 2nd

Feeding America distributions will continue at Grace Lutheran Church! Arlene Van Kley has graciously accepted the role of being the contact/organizer for Grace’s involvement. The next distribution date is set for Thursday, October 2. Watch for details in the bulletin as we get closer to the date.

Kid’s Café
Our Kid’s Café program is returning for the 2025/2026 school year! We are looking forward to continuing our program on Monday’s after school starting on September 8th, 2025. Kid’s Café will still be held here at Grace from 4-6 PM. As usual, the kids will get to enjoy a meal together, grow their faith with bible stories and lessons, and have fun with faith based crafts and activities. If you would like more information or to find out how to sign-up your children, please contact our office at 906-346-3156 or contact Geri Moore to fill out sign up forms at 906-458-9198.

News at Grace Lutheran

COMMUNITY OUTREACH
This is Community Outreach’s busiest part of the year. Our mission work for Lutheran World Relief begins with the School Kits, which go all over the world. We had 29 nylon backpacks donated to this mission. A call was made to make sure that the nylon packs were appropriate. They met the criteria, so with the other backpack we have a total of 30 to fill. At this point the notebooks, pens, pencils, erasers have been purchased. Before the end of July, the rest of the kits will be purchased. The Health Kits will be the project for August. We are asking anyone who would like to help with this mission to purchase a light weight bath towel in darker colors. The approximate size of the towels is about 20" by 52". If there are questions about the towel material please call Lynn at (906)346-3727. Community Outreach will provide the soap, combs, toothbrushes, and nail clippers. We appreciate all the support the members have given to us. Meal Kits are the most demanding of our missions. Our family members have increased and as you know food prices have not decreased. Our intentions are to supply each family with food for one, complete meal. The focus is a balanced meal with protein, vegetable, starch (potato, rice, or noodles). Meat or protein is the costliest, then the fruit/dessert. I am explaining this to you mainly because it is good to be accountable for what we do. If you have questions of what or why we do this, please ask any one of us or call me at (906)346-3727. We gladly accept recommendations, easy recipes which is how a grocery list is made, where good buys are. This may be our mission, but it is also yours, because of your support and being a member of Grace. THANK YOU ALL!
Grace Lutheran Community Outreach at the Farmers Market at Peter Nordeen Park
USED + NUSED + NEW AND BAKERY TOO! SEPTEMBER 4, 2025 4:00 - 7:00 SEE YOU IN THE PARK
Funds will go to community needs!!

News at Grace Lutheran

Naomi Circle
Naomi Circle meets the third Thursday of each month in the fellowship hall at 2 PM. We do a Bible study from the Gather Magazine and enjoy a coffee fellowship. On September 28th we will host the Superior Conference Cluster 8 meeting here at Grace. Registration will start at 2:30 PM and the program starts at 3 PM. The cost is $5. Sue DeGroot will give a presentation on “Resources for the Aging” followed by a short meeting and dinner at 5 PM. There will be a sign up sheet soon.
Quilters
The Quilters meet every Tuesday except the second Tuesday of each month at 1 PM in the fellowship hall New quilters are welcome. We send our quilts to Lutheran World Relief each October along with the school kits and health kits that Community Outreach packs.
Prayer Concerns
Darlene Faucher Karen Octaluk Bill Hatch
Gerry Stille Marlys Pickett Gloria LaFave
Alice Harbin Paul Juidici Sally Weingartner
Roger Harbin Judy Richard Pastor Alex Johnson
Louise Spickerman Harold Zaborowski Deb McNabb
Sarah Johnson Richard Erickson
Mike Stefanski Mary Stefanski
Arlene Keskimaki Dee Pynnonen
Scott Pynnonen

News at Grace Lutheran

August and September Sunday Worship Volunteers
Readers
Communion Assistants
Fellowship Servers
Fellowship Servers

September 7th - Lynnette Broxson
September 14th - Mikael Leppaluoto
September 21st - Arlene Johnson
September 28th - Chrys Hendrick

October 5th - Kaden Ruokala
October 12th - LuAnne Krueger
October 19th - Arlene Van Kley
October 26th - Sharon Groff

September 7th - Ray Richard
September 14th - Arlene Van Kley
September 21st - Jean Armatti
September 28th - Mary Connors

October 5th - Ruth Forgette
October 12th - Chrys Hendrick
October 19th - Ray Richard
October 26th - LuAnne Krueger

September 7th - Dee Mattson, Terri Brintlinger
September 14th - Shane Ruokala, Arlene Van Kley
September 21st - Theresa Hruska, Lynn Marjonen
September 28th - Jeanne Soyring, Dee D’Ambrosia

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS

Dee Mattson	9/1
Shane Ruokala	9/2
Linda Nicholls	9/4
April Moore	9/3
Rell Spickerman	9/10
Mark Ingalls	9/11

Lynnette Broxson	9/11
Kim Mooday	9/17
Sue DeGroot	9/19
Dan Carilli	9/29
Dana Pelkola	9/29
Peter Ruokola	9/30

Stewardship Highlight

Time and Talent
The person who diligently prepares for Christ's return by investing his or her time and talents to serve God will be rewarded.
Offering your time and talent at Grace Lutheran Church can be so fulfilling to the heart and soul. Within our church community you can share in many areas such as Mondays Kid’s Café during the school year. We provide a meal, fun activitied, and a Bible lesson. During Kid’s Café may of the kids offer up their own time and talents by assisting volunteers with serving the meal and clean up.
Feeding America is also a great opportunity to help serve our community by providing much needed food to 200 plus families, 4 to 6 times a year. As God says “Feed my people”. Vacation Bible School is a wonderful experience for the children in our community who want to learn about our Lord. They will learn to know, love and serve him in this world and enjoy eternal happiness in heaven.
Social hour after church provides time after services with snacks and home made baked goods by many men and women in our church community. It is a time to visit and share God’s goodness amongst each other. Stewardship Committee looks at ways looks at ways we can use our talents of treasury to keep Grace Lutheran Church supported so we can fulfill God’s work.
These are the areas I offer my time and talents to my Lord and church. My heart is filled with joy and such pleasure to see the happiness provided to those we serve and help in both our community and church. What a blessing!
God is good all the time, all the timee God is good
Submitted by Theresa Hruska

News at Grace Lutheran

Grace Lutheran Church
Church Council
8/13/25
Present: Pastor Jack, Bill Kangas, Ruth Forgette, Bill Koski, Paul Makela, Jean Armatti, Dee D’Ambrosia, Sharon Groff, Karen Nelson, Guests: Ashley Hooper, Rebecca Herriman
Meeting called to order at 3:35 p.m. by Bill Kangas. Pastor Jack led the invocation.
Ashley invited to attend this meeting so she could be aware of information as Grace transitions to an interim pastor with Pastor Jack’s having accepted a call to another church and leaving in 2 weeks.
Rebecca Herriman was present to share information about an experience her family had regarding reception and feeling welcome at Grace. Discussed some changes that could be made, possibly starting with having greeters again. Thanked Ms. Herriman for the information and she was excused from the meeting.
Motion by Ruth, second by Dee, to approve the agenda as written. Motion carried.
Reviewed 7/25 Council minutes and minutes from 8/5 meeting with Pastor Sharolyn Swenson. Motion by Pastor Jack, second by Ruth, to approve both as written. Motion carried.
Paul reviewed the financial reports. He made a motion to approve them as written. Second by Jean, motion carried.
No correspondence to review.
Pastor’s report reviewed.
OLD BUSINESS
Youth Update: The last youth library day will be August 14. Starting date for Kids’ Café is September 8. There is a Kids’ Café Volunteer Meeting on August 24 at 4:00 p.m.

News at Grace Lutheran

Worship Update: Campfire Services will be Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. on August 13, 20, 27. 8/27 will be Pastor Jack’s sending potluck.
Property Updates: Bill Kangas reported our water bill was $300 over usual due to a urinal running. Making plans to have the garage door installed.
NEW BUSINESS
Directory Printer Proposals: Reviewed proposals from Lake Superior Press, Pride Printing, and Globe Printing. Motion by Karen, second by Sharon, to go with Lake Superior Printing for 100# gloss cover stock, with the inside pages on 80# for a quantity of 150 directories at $795.77 or $5.31 per book. Motion carried. Will request donations as previously discussed.
Overview of Transition: Pastor Dave Van Kley will be the interim pastor when Pastor Jack leaves at the end of the month. Youth Support will be provided by Pastor Alex LaChapelle on Mondays, with the exception of when something takes precedent at his church.
Lay Communion Visitors will be assigned to homebound members.
There will be a Worship Tech Team so several people will know how to operate the equipment for sound, streaming, etc.
Kids’ Café, Fortune Lake, and VBS will continue.
There will be a meeting with the Synod Staff on August 21 at 6:00 p.m.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: Stewardship met, planning celebration of volunteers dinner in October. Worship and Music meeting tomorrow.
Council Member Comments: Council will have casual dinner with Pastor Jack, Sydney, and Kit tomorrow night at the Cross Roads at 5:30. Pastor Jack’s farewell potluck will be August 27 at the last campfire worship at 5:00. Council thanked Pastor Jack for his 4 years of loving commitment and service to Grace.
Karen made a motion to adjourn at 5:01. Second by Ruth, motion carried.
All said the Lord’s Prayer.
Next meeting: Wednesday, September 17, 3:30
Submitted by Karen Nelson

September 2025

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
	1	2 / Quilters - 1 PM	3	4	5 / Hope Circle 10 AM	6
7 / 8:45 AM Bible Study / 10 AM Worship / Stewardship at 11 AM	8 / 11 AM Text Study / Kid’s Café 4-6 PM / Senior Day at Fortune Lake 11 AM - 3 PM	9 / Quilters -1 PM	10	11 / Worship and Music 3 PM	12	13
14 / 8:45 AM Bible / 10 AM Worship / Pastor Dave on vacation	15 / 11 AM Text Study / Kids Café 4-6 PM	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	25	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

October 2025

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
			1	2 / Feeding America 4 PM	3	4
5 / 8:45 AM Bible Study / 10 AM Worship	6 / 11 AM Text Study / Kid’s Café 4-6 PM	7 / Quilters 1 PM / VBS planning meeting	8	9 / Worship and Music 3 PM	10	11
12 / 8:45 AM Bible Study / 10 AM Worship	13 / 11 AM Text Study / Kid’s Café 4-6 PM	14 / Meal Kits 2 PM	15	16	17	18 / Conference Confirmation event at Grace is 5-7 pm
19 / 8:45 AM Bible Study / 10 AM Worship	20 / 11 AM Text Study / Kid’s Café 4-6 PM	21 / Quilters - 1 PM	22	23 / Naomi Circle 2 PM	24	25
26 / 8:45 AM Bible Study / 10 AM Worship / Commitment Sunday	27 / 11 AM Text Study / Kid’s Café 4-6 PM	28 / Quilters - 1 PM	29 / Stewardship Gifts and Talents Thank You Dinner	30	31 / Halloween

News at Grace Lutheran

FROM THE BACK PEW
By Mikael Leppaluoto
God planted a seed. This seed was nurtured by many loving hands and flourished in the fertile soil. It grew into a sapling and its roots reached far into the ground. Up it sprang, branches reaching toward the Heavens like hands raised in praise. It was watched over. It was pruned. It was shaped. That one tiny seed, like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon, changed from sapling to mighty tree.
As the caretakers were enfolded into the arms of He who planted the seed, others took their place. They feed the tree with prayer. They watered the tree with song. All were invited to take part in the fruit of the tree. The tree became stronger; its roots clasped the earth like an anchor and it heavy limbs cast a protective shadow over its worshipers.
And this tree was named Grace! God’s hands at work. This tree had a mission; it was to drop seedlings from its branches so that they would float on the wind and reach out to other lives with His love. To do that it had to remain vibrant and pulsating with energy. It had to be fertilized with joy and love mixed with abundant prayer.
Years have passed since that first furrow was dug and a wee kernel was tamped down beneath the damp ground. Caretakers are still needed to see that the Grace Tree continues to prosper and stay healthy. That is where we, as Grace family, need to step to the fore with arms entwined. God has given us many gifts in our lifetimes, one, of which, is Grace. Those that worship in this living Tree have shown that we are good stewards of the gifts that God has bestowed upon us. It is important to remember that all that is given to us are truly gifts from God, for us to use to God’s glory. God has called us to care for others and spread His word. He has given us a myriad of Talents with which to achieve that goal. Now we must use our Time to make all come to

News at Grace Lutheran

FROM THE BACK PEW
By Mikael Leppaluoto
fruition. We do that through the leadership and programs that we employ. We also care for others in a more personal way, sharing our Talents and Time supporting programs that fulfill our mission.
Grace stays strong through our Time, Talents, and Treasures. As Christians, we return a part of what God has given to us. We do this out of love and gratitude. It is, once again, Planting Season (Stewardship Sowing) and Grace is praying for Caretakers to come forth in a great multitude; the Grace Tree needs tending.
For those who still have a hoe in their hands, continue tilling.
For those who belong and have stayed in the back forty, recommit.
For those looking from beyond the fence, go to the door and knock and it will be opened.
Jesus declared, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” In these difficult times in which we live, it is important to start the work week at the altar of God praising His name and giving thanks. We, as humans, find many excuses to stay away. We, as parents, forget the promise that was made at the baptismal font with a tiny infant in our hands; keeping that promise is the greatest gift you can give your child.
Come………be a Caretaker and worship in God’s Garden. Nourish, nurture, and cultivate the soul of Grace. “Trees are the earth’s endless effort to speak to the listening Heaven.” (Tagore)

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