Interim Grace Notes for June 10, 2022

Four Youth Affirm Their Faith

Four Grace youth affirmed their baptismal faith in the Rite of Confirmation last Sunday at the 10:00 service. Our confirmands were Madi, KK, Brandon, and Jaidyn. Your view a photo of the group HERE. A planning meeting for the 2022-2023 program year has been scheduled for Wednesday, June 29. The program will be a bit smaller come fall, as there will be no youth from St. Mark participating. Since this is a LIFT ministry, Pastor Paul will continue as a leader/presenter, and the class session locations will be split between Grace and St. John.

Just Three Things

ICYMI, you can read the latest issue of Just Three Things HERE.

Vacation Times

I have scheduled to take a week of vacation from Monday, June 13, through Sunday, June 19. I will be back in the office on Tuesday, June 21. Maureen will be on vacation from June 20 through June 26.

LIFT Notes

You can read the latest issue of LIFT Notes HERE.

Summer Park Tour Resumes

Heather has resumed the Summer Park Tour program which was launched last year. Time is from 10:00 - 11:30 am, with the exception of this Thursday, June 16, at Birchard Park, which wil coincide with the Party in the Park. You can find the full schedule HERE.

Choir Recognition on Sunday

This Sunday, June 12, will be a special day for our music ministries under the direction of our director, Tom. All the choirs will perform and be recognized for their service, including Senior Choir, Voices of Praise, and Bell Choir. Thanks, Tom, for your excellent leadership of our music programs!

New 75" LCD Screen Installed in Lounge

A new 75" LCD TV Screen has been installed in the Lounge. It has been mounted on the North side of the end of the room, and will replace the large cabinet that housed a small TV and DVD player. The TV, which was donated, is a smart TV, so that internet content is easily accessible and viewable.

Choose to Watch The Chosen!

A new adult Sunday School class will begin this Sunday which will focus on watching episodes of The Chosen. For those unfamiliar with The Chosen as a TV Series, here is an explanation from Wikipedia:

The Chosen is a television drama based on the life of Jesus of Nazareth, created, directed and co-written by American filmmaker Dallas Jenkins. It is the first multi-season series about the life of Jesus, and season one was the top crowd-funded TV series or film project of all time. The series' creators stated that they had hoped to distinguish the new series from previous portrayals of Jesus by crafting a multi-season, episode-based story. The series portrays Jesus "through the eyes of those who met him".

The sessions will meet in the lounge beginning at 9:00 am. Participants will watch a session, and then discuss, and dismiss in time for 10:00 worship.

New Member Class Begins June 26

I will be leading a five-session course this summer called "Roots of Our Faith." This course is for anyone who wants to learn more about the basics of our faith as Lutheran Christians, and is recommended for anyone who would like to become a member of Grace, or who wants to review the basics. The class will begin on June 26, and conclude on July 24, and will meet from 9:00 - 9:45 am. Below is a summary of the course and the content that will be addressed at each session.

• June 26
  • Our Stories
    • We'll introduce ourselves to each other and share our stories
• July 3
  • God's story
    • This will be a broad overview of God's story as told in the Old and New Testaments
• July 10
  • How we as Lutherans understand God's story
    • What is "God's Word"?
    • How can we interpret and make sense of Scripture?
• July 17
  • How we as Lutherans apply God's story to our lives (Part 1)
    • Difference between "up" and "down" religion
    • What is sin?
    • Law and Gospel. What does that mean?
    • What did the death of Jesus accomplish?
    • What is the church?
• July 24
  • How we as Lutherans apply God's story to our lives (Part 2)
    • What are the sacraments?
    • How do we pray and worship?
    • How does God wants us to live?
    • Two kingdoms: what does that mean?
    • Christ will come again. Should we be worried?

Party in the Park

The Christian Outreach/Missions team has planned fun and games that will be happening on Thursday, June 16, from 3-5pm at Birchard Park! We will be at the "Pines" Picnic Shelter.

Osterholm Update

Dr. Osterholm and the Update staff took a week off, but are now back with a new podcast. In "COVID Meteorology," Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall assess the state of the pandemic in the US and around the world, discuss the data on the Novavax vaccine, and provide updates on monkeypox and influenza. Dr. Osterholm also answers a COVID query on the original strain of SARS-CoV-2 and shares a Celebration of Life from one of our listeners. You can listen to or download this episode HERE. For another take on the Novavax vaccine, you can go HERE.

Tom at Sacred Music Intensive

Tom has been attending the Sacred Music Intensive at Indiana University in Bloomington this week. You can read more about this event HERE.

LOMO News

Now that Mowana has been sold, LOMO (Lutheran Outdoor Ministries in Ohio) has decided to change the name of the association's camps. LMC (Lutheran Memorial Camp - near Cardington, OH) is now Hopewood Pines. Camp Luther (on Lake Erie near Conneaut, OH) is now Hopewood Shores. Daycamps, or Outreach, is now Hopewood Connect. You can read more about the branding change and usage HERE. You can read the latest newsletter from LOMO HERE.