Interim Grace Notes for March 31, 2023

Picture Directory is Ready for Viewing Online!

After many months of preparation, work and waiting, we are ready to roll out our new congregation picture directory. Again, many thanks to Dave Casperson for photographing over 100 Grace families and individuals for our directory.

To create, organize and publish our directory, we are using a web-based service called Instant Church Directory. All the photos taken by Dave and those you have shared, along with data on file at the church office which includes names, addresses, and phone numbers, has been uploaded to this service. The directory will be rolled out in three stages:

1. On the web, using your computer with a web browser, or on your phone with the Instant Church Directory app (available for Android or iPhone)

2. In a password protected PDF that can be downloaded and viewed on your computer or phone. This will look exactly like the printed directory.

3. In a full-color printed version of the directory in 8.5/11 format with photos, along with addresses and contact information.

Stage 1 (on the web) is ready!

To view the directory, you will need to create an account, which you can do HERE. Enter your email address (the one that I use to send to the link to this blog post) into the form and create/confirm a password. The form will then redirect you to the sign-in page. When the page opens, you'll see the menu options on the left. The "Additional Pages" were sometimes called "Activity Pages" in previous picture directories.

Once you are signed in, you will see in the upper right corner some menu options including “Edit my Page.” Use this option to change or add any information on your page. Note that there is a separate page for each person in your family; adult or child, where you can list individual phone numbers or email addresses, and whether or not you want to keep that information private, which means it won’t be seen by other members online or be printed in the pdf version of the directory.

Once you have created your account, note that there is also a free mobile app available for download at the Apple® App store in iTunes®, Google Play™ store and the Amazon Fire App Store. Simply search for “Instant Church Directory” to get and install the download.

The mobile app is cool in that you can tap a phone number, and your phone or device will automatically dial or enter a number for calling or texting, or open your email client to tap on an email address and your device will open your email program.

Stage 2: A Password Protected PDF

Once we have as many of the collected phone numbers and emails as possible, we will publish a PDF version of the Directory, and we will email you a link for you to view and/or download the directory to your computer or device. This PDF will be password protected. To receive the password, you will need to reply to the email and request the password. This is to keep your information as safe as possible. We plan to have several monochrome (black and white) draft copies of the pdf available on Easter Sunday for you to review and, if necessary, make additions or corrections. Several copies will be available in the sanctuary and in the Dining Room during Easter Breakfast.

Stage 3: A Full-Color Printed Version of the Directory

We know that this is the option that many of you will use, but we want to be sure that it is as up-to-date as possible with correct information before printing. Once we receive additions and corrections from Stages 1 and 2, we will enter those into the directory. We will then be ready to send the final PDF version of the directory to the printer.

We do not know yet which print we will be using, but my best guess is that it will cost about $10 - $12 each to print these directories. Since we are not working with a Picture Directory Company that in the past has provided free copies of the directory, the congregation will have to cover this cost. We will take orders so we have an idea of how many to print, and we will provide an option for members to contribute to the cost of printing.

Advertising Set for Holy Week at Grace

We will have our Holy Week info aired on Eagle 99 - for nine 30 second commercials aired between April 5 and April 9 for a cost of $132. Linda indicated that we have done this in the past and most recently this past Christmas. With a 30-second time limit, Linda put this together and submitted it to the advertiser:

Grace Lutheran Church invites you to experience Holy Week as we follow Christ’s path and anticipate the hope and victory revealed on Easter Sunday.

Join us for Maundy Thursday worship at 6:30pm including Holy Communion and Stripping of the Altar. Good Friday worship will begin at 6:30pm as we hear John’s account of the Passion. Celebrate our risen Lord with hymns of praise and Holy Communion at Easter worship on Saturday at 4:00 pm and Sunday at 7:45 am and 10:00am. Join us at Grace Lutheran Church, 705 West State Street, Fremont, as we proclaim with joy the good news of God’s endless love.

Fisk Jubilee Singers at Grace Sunday Afternoon

It isn't every year we get to celebrate Presidnet Rutherford B. Hayes' 200th birthday, and it isn't every day that one gets to listen to a world-renowned choir. But this is the year and Sunday will be the day to experience the Fisk Jubilee Singers. You can read more about this historic choir HERE, and you can see and hear them at Grace this Sunday at 3:00 pm. Tickets are $10 for ages 18 and older, $5 for ages 13-17 and free for kids 12 and younger, and can be purchased at the door.

LIFT Links

• LIFT Notes
• Sign up for LIFT Notes email - scroll down to find, complete and submit form
• LIFT Facebook Page

In Case You Missed It (or lost in your email inbox)

Just Three Things

Interim Grace Notes for March 24, 2023

First Communion Learning Ready to Go

Heather will be leading our First Communion learning mini-retreat on Saturday morning from 9:00 - 11:30 am. I'll be present to assist and lead some of the activities. We are expecting nine children, mostly 2nd graders for this year's program. First Communion will be on Palm Sunday, April 2 at the 10:00 service. If you want to learn more about the program, you can see the schedule HERE.

Directory Coming Together

I spent some hours this week on the new picture directory, using the online software that we have subscribed to. We have uploaded names, contact info, and photographs to the website instantchurchdirectory.com, and the software puts it all together. In addition to the photographs, there will be staff and activity pages, and pages at the end with names and phone numbers. The directory will initially be posted online in a password protected pdf, and once we know to the best of our abilities that all the information is correct, we will have hard copies printed from the pdf. An initial check with a website that offers booklet publishing, it will cost $10-11 dollars for each copy of the book that we print. We could save a few dollars per book if we have it printed locally at, say, the UPS store, and then bind it ourselves with a plastic or wire binding system.

Eastern Conference Pastors Met

The Eastern Conference Pastors met for our monthly meeting on Thursday, this time at Faith in Fremont. It was interesting to see the improvements that Faith has made in their building, notably a complete remodel of the fellowship hall, which now looks very nice. Pastor Katie from Grace Castalia explained some of the building woes at Grace, including a leaky roof that needs to be replaced, along with asbestos abatement. Very expensive. Pastor Matt also reminded us of the roof repairs happening at St. John's, with costs covered by a recent capital campaign.

Constitution Meeting

John Avers, Linda Baumer, and I had our first meeting on Wednesday of a task force to review the Grace Constitution and suggest both required and discretionary changes to the constitution. This is a big job, so it will take some time. We will be using the following documents in our work:

• ELCA Model Constitution for Congregations, 2022 edition
• 2022 Amendments to the Model Constitution for Congregations
• 2018 version of the Grace Constitution

Midweek Lent Series "Amazing Grace" Concludes Wednesday

Join us for our Amazing Grace Lenten series based on the beloved song that celebrates its 250th anniversary this year. In the final service in this Lenten midweek series, "we marvel at the story of amazing grace in the life of Paul, who turned from persecutor of Christ to proclaimer of our Lord through the mighty power of the Holy Spirit. In the same way, cross of Christ changes us all from enemy to friend." Supper is served beginning at 5:30 pm, and worship begins at 6:30 pm.

Gearing Up for Holy Week

Staff is getting ready for what is often the busiest week of the year with extra bulletins, music and sermons to prepare for. Here is a quick summary of our services that Linda printed in the newsletter:

• Palm Sunday
  We will reenact the first Palm Sunday as we wave palms and enter the sanctuary in celebration as Christ comes into our midst, and we follow as his path leads to death on the cross.
• Maundy Thursday - 6:30 pm
  In this service we remember Christ’s last meal with his disciples, but the central focus is his commandment that we live out the promise embodied in this meal. Departing worship in solemn silence, we anticipate the coming days.
• Good Friday - 6:30 pm
  We will hear John’s passion account as Jesus is put on trial and sentenced to death. Standing with the disciples at the foot of the cross, we pray for the whole world in the bidding prayer, and repeat the solemn reproaches as we are reminded of our own guilt in the death of Christ. We depart silently, and we anticipate the hope and victory that will be revealed on Easter Sunday.
• Easter Sunday
  Christ is risen, and through him all creation is made new! We sing hymns of praise, gather around sacred words, and proclaim God’s faithfulness, power, and love in the feast of holy communion. We depart with joy to proclaim the good news of God’s endless love.

Good Friday Fish Fry is Back

The Good Friday Fish Fry will once again be serving up yummy Lake Erie perch on Good Friday beginning at 5:00 pm with both dine in and carry out options available. The cost of $20 for adults, and child meals will also be available. All profit from the dinner will benefit the Grace Soup Kitchen, which needs some financial help right now.

Some have noted the high price, and wondered why. I found this info on the web from last year, but I'm guessing the reason hasn't changed:

There’s a surprising reason behind the price hike that has more to do with natural life cycles in Lake Erie and less to do with supply chain issues during the pandemic or high gas prices after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

A local fishery says the main factor in the rising wholesale prices of fish is because the population of perch has been down – for 2-3 years actually.

Clark Stinson at Port Clinton Fish Company says the population of perch is down because the population of walleye is up. That’s bad news for perch because walleye like to eat perch for dinner – but so do many Northeast Ohioans, especially on Fridays during lent.

The company says the Ohio Division of Wildlife cut their quota for the amount of perch they are allowed to catch based on below average hatches. Pair that with the lack of perch actually swimming around in the lake, and they can’t even keep up with that lower quota.

Thankfully, the company says this cycle won’t last and Lake Erie perch will once again be abundant in years to come.

The Osterholm Update - Covid-19

March 23, 2023 - Episode 127 - "A Tough Two Weeks"
In "A Tough Two Weeks," Dr. Osterholm shares why the past two weeks have been among the most challenging of the pandemic for him. He also provides an update on global and national COVID trends, examines the latest data on the possible source of the pandemic, and answers a COVID query on booster shots following COVID infection. ou can stream or download the episode HERE.

Also, Here’s why the science Is clear that masks work.

Interim Grace Notes for March 17, 2023

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I've never done the 23 and me genetic testing to know if I have any Irish blood, although it is more likely that Irish people have Norwegian DNA than the other way around. I found this snippet on the web:

Due to the Viking invasion that began in the 8th century, Norwegian ancestry can be seen prominently in Irish DNA. Professor Gianpiero Cavalleri, who spearheaded a recent study on Irish genetics, explained the Viking’s influence on Irish genes.

“We see relatively high percentages of the Irish genome have Norwegian ancestry and specifically from Norwegian coastal areas. We already knew the history of this, but this is now objective scientific fact that there is Viking DNA in Ireland.”

DNA, green beer, and parades with bagpipers and Irish dancers aside, this day commemorates the patron Saint of Ireland, St. Patrick. Here is the entry for this day in our LIFT Lenten Devotional:

Patrick, bishop, missionary to Ireland, died 461
At sixteen, Patrick was kidnapped by Irish pirates and sold into slavery in Ireland. He himself admitted that up to this point he cared little for God. He escaped after six years, returned to his family in southwest Britain, and began to prepare for ordained ministry. He later returned to Ireland, this time to serve as a bishop and missionary. He made his base in the north of Ireland and from there made many missionary journeys with much success. In his autobiography he denounced the slave trade, perhaps from his own experience of being enslaved. Patrick’s famous baptismal hymn to the Trinity, “I bind unto myself today” (ELW 450), can be used as a meditation on Lent’s call to return to our baptism.

A Smartphone Friendly Version of our LIFT Lenten Devotional

Our LIFT Lenten Devotional, "Singing With All the Saints in Glory" has been appearing in print at the entrances the the sanctuary, and online in various places, including in pdf format. The problem with the pdf format is that it is difficult to read on a small screen. Using the Mailchimp editor, I created a smartphone friendly version of the devotional with a Table of Contents, which links to each day's devotion. You can find the link to this version of the devotional HERE.

Barbara Schmitz Funeral

We extend our sympathy to the family of Barbara Schmitz, who died on March 11. Maureen will officiate the funeral on Saturday, March 18, 10:00 A.M. at Grace. There will be an hour of visitation prior to the service beginning at 9:00 am. You can read the obituary for Barbara HERE.

Bishop Daniel's Email for March 15, 2023

In his weekly email, Bp. Daniel talks about the tension between faith and works, highlighted by Jesus at the end of his Sermon on the Mount. You can read the passage from Matthew 7 and the reflection as well as Bp. Daniel's report on the recent ELCA Conference of Bishops meeting HERE.

Seeds Monthly

https://community.elca.org/emailviewonwebpage.aspx?erid=b2b48f65-32e2-44e6-ae27-04f52faa636b&trid=b2b48f65-32e2-44e6-ae27-04f52faa636b

Picture Directory Update

With Linda's help, we now have names, addresses, phone numbers and some email addresses for whom we have photos exported from Shepherd's Staff, our CMS (Church Management System) software. Next step will be to import this data into our online directory provider, Instant Church Directory. Next step after that will be up upload the photos that we have received from Dave or members themselves to correspond with the names and addresses. Additional steps will be to create a cover, staff page, and two or more activity pages.

A reminder that those who did not sit for photography with Dave, or provided your own photo to the church office, the inclusion of your names and contact information in the member list section of the directory will be on an opt-in basis. In other words, if you didn’t sit for photography or provide a photo, if you want your name(s) and contact information to be included in the directory, you will need to contact the church office by phone or email, and request to be included, along with providing the contact information you are comfortable sharing with other congregation members. The deadline for providing this information will be Monday, April 17, 2023.

Midweek Lent Series "Amazing Grace" Continues Wednesday

Join us for our Amazing Grace Lenten series based on the beloved song that celebrates its 250th anniversary this year. In this week’s service, we listen to Jesus teach a woman at the well of his amazing grace poured out for us abundantly, which satisfies our thirsting souls for all eternity. Supper is served beginning at 5:30 pm, and worship begins at 6:30 pm.

Constitution Review Task Force Set to Meet

You may remember that some amendments to the Grace constitution were considered at the annual meeting in January, however we agreed to consider other changes that might need to be made, so that all changes can be voted on at the same time. Linda, John Avers and I will meet this Wednesday for an initial meeting to begin this task. According to our current constitution, amendments are voted on at the annual or specially called meeting of the congregation, and then ratified at the following annual meeting. You can view a copy of the current Grace constitution HERE, and the most recent (2022) ELCA Model Constitution for Congregations HERE.

The Osterholm Update - Covid-19

Episode 126: Truth in the Midst of Political Theater
March 9, 2023
In this episode, Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall discuss the state of the pandemic in the US and around the world, the role of booster doses and masks in the months ahead, and the debate on the origin of the pandemic. You can listen to or download this episode HERE.

Bishop Daniel's March 15, 2023 email

 

Dear Friends in Christ, “Everyone, then, who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall because it had been founded on rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!” (Matthew 7:24-27).

In this morning’s passage from the Daily Bible Reading Guide, Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount by teaching his listeners about Two Kinds of Builders. One builder wisely built his house on rock. This wise builder is like those who hear the words of Jesus and put them into practice. The other builder foolishly built his house on sand. This foolish builder is like those who hear the words of Jesus and fail to put them into practice. Consider for a moment the two houses. How are they similar? How are they different? Consider the two builders. How are they similar? How are they different? Now consider some ways that you have actively practiced hearing God’s Word? And some ways that you have actively practiced doing God’s Word? We have been taught that no one is saved by doing works, we are saved by the grace of God, through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus doesn’t sound like a very good Lutheran here. How do you reconcile the fact that Jesus calls us to be both hearers and doers? And how do we keep this hearing from simply becoming an exercise in missional gridlock? And how do we keep this doing from becoming an exercise in endless toil? I’d love to hear how you have found a way to balance today’s words of Jesus?

During the first week of March, the Conference of Bishops gathered in Chicago for our annual Spring meeting. We were led by Bishop Tracie Bartholomew, who serves as the Chair of the Conference of Bishops. The top seven highlights of our time together include: Morning and Evening Worship led by the Bishops from Region Two Bishops Brenda Bos, David Nagler, and Deborah Hutterer led our Opening Eucharist Service Bishop Jim Gonia led us in an interactive Visio Divina prayer practice Prayer: a number of us gathered early each morning to practice Centering Prayer.  We bid farewell to two retiring bishops and prayed for four bishops who are making themselves available to serve an additional term as synodical bishops.  There will be six synodical bishop elections in 2023, including an election in the Southeast Michigan Synod Voted to commend to the ELCA Church Council a "Proposal for Exchangeability of the Diaconate," endorsed by the Lutheran Episcopal Coordinating Committee. Through the proposal, the ELCA and The Episcopal Church (TEC) recognize each other's deacons as authentic and provides for the possibility of interchangeability for occasional ministry or extended service. The ELCA Church Council will consider the proposal at its spring meeting. Received an update on the nominations process for the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church, called for in the memorial "Restructure the Governance of the ELCA" that was adopted by the 2022 Churchwide Assembly. Engaged in much conversation around Holy Communion practices as called for in the memorial "Holy Communion Practices in Unusual Circumstances and Pandemic Times," approved by the 2022 Churchwide Assembly. Welcomed Imran Siddiqui, the new ELCA vice president elected by the 2022 Churchwide Assembly. In his remarks to the conference, Siddiqui praised lay leadership in the ELCA. The next in person meeting of the Conference of Bishops will be held September 26-30 in Chicago.

A Few Comings and Goings

On Saturday and Sunday, I was blessed to worship with Synod Authorized Minister Chris Staup and the people of God at First, Stryker On Monday evening, March 13, I participated in the Lutheran Ministries of Mercy (LMM) Annual Meeting. LMM is composed of the Filling Memorial Home; Luther Home of Mercy; and Lutheran Social Services of Northwestern Ohio. To learn more about these 4 agencies please click here. On Tuesday, March 14, synod staff members met with seminary students Vicar Shawn Schneider (First, Galion) and Vicar Deborah Monnin (First English, Wapakoneta), to learn about their recent seminary trip to Tanzania. Vicar Shawn and Deborah are students in the M.Div.X Program through Luther Seminary. To learn more about this program please click here. On Sunday, March 19, Pastor Sarah Schaaf and I will be gathering at St. Mark’s, Bowling Green, for a Fellowship Event with our Diakonia Students. To learn more about Diakonia in Northwestern Ohio please click here.

2023: The Year of Story Memory Verse “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

The Story of Jesus Bible Study

2023 Daily Bible Reading Guide

NWOS Highlights

Grace Between the Lines

My Current Learning Book: Breathing Underwater: Spirituality and the Twelve Steps by Richard Rohr Audio Book:  Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power by Jon Meacham Podcasts: The Bible Project A Bit of Optimism: A Podcast with Simon Sinek Apps: Pray as You Go Centering Prayer

Bless you, Bishop Daniel G. Beaudoin Third Sunday in Lent

Interim Grace Notes for March 10, 2023

Executive and Council Meet Monday

Our monthly Second Monday regular meetings will be Monday at 6:30 and 7:30 pm. Be sure to check your email from Linda to download or otherwise review the reports.

Prayers for Bishop Lohrmann

On Tuesday, we received this message from Bp. Daniel:

Dear Friends in Christ,

On Monday, March 6, Pastor Marcus Lohrmann, who served as the Bishop of the Northwestern Ohio Synod from 1998-2016, underwent heart bypass surgery at Toledo Hospital. Surgery was successful and recovery is going well. Thanks be to God! Please keep Marcus, Heidi and their family in your daily prayers.

Bless you,
Bishop Daniel G. Beaudoin

Lunch with Trinity Seminary Director

On Thursday, I was as a lunch guest of Rev. Mary Ann Harris Siefke, Director of Congregational Engagement and Advancement at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus. We were joined by Rev. Gerald Bauer, a pastoral colleague during my years at St. Peter in Norwalk. Mary Ann was my organist/accompanist at St. Peter Blackberry and St. Luke's Curtice, my 2013 interim. She had completed a Master's of Music at Trinity, and was teaching music at the Catholic school in Oak Harbor. I encouraged her to go back to seminary for her M.Div., which she did. She was ordained at St. Peter in July of 2017, and accepted a call to a congregation in PA. About a year a half ago, she accepted the call to Trinity. This lunch outing was extra fun, because at the next two tables were members of my 2012 interim, Trinity Lutheran in Vermilion. It was fun to reconnect with all these people!

LIFT Leaders Meeting

LIFT Leaders met on Wednesday for our monthly meeting. We reviewed our Holy Week and Easter schedules, and Mary Carmen updated us on the plans for the migrant welcome baskets (see next paragraph for more info). Pr. Tim reported on physical updates and changes for the worship area at Faith that will be voted on soon.

LIFT Notes

You can read the current issue HERE. One item that is more time sensitive than others is the campaign to provide welcome baskets for migrants arriving for spring planting. You can view a Bridge of Hope Facebook page post that lists the items that are needed HERE. Bridge of Hope director Anne Garcia says that we hope to have these baskets ready by the end of March. For more information about Bridge of Hope, contact coordinator Anne at (419) 371-0463. If you would like to be part of a team that encourages this ministry and builds relationships by accompanying Bridge of Hope staff on visits to the migrant camps, contact Pastor Paul. (bailiepaul@gmail.com or 440-477-3641).

Picture Directory Update

We have settled on a format and provider for our new picture congregation directory. We will be using an online service provider called Instant Church Directory. You can read about all the features of this service HERE. We will export names and addresses of our congregation data base, and upload them to this service, along with the portraits that Dave took during our potography sessions last fall, and the photos that members have provided. The service will organize all of the data and photos into a directory that can be viewed online (with password protection) or downloaded as a pdf and printed and bound into an 8.5x11 booklet. Mobile apps are available through which you can view and change your own info and pic, and view others' info (like you would do in a printed directory). For members who didn't sit for photography or send in a photo to include, their names and contact info can be included in the directory on an opt-in basis by providing that information. This will take a few weeks to complete, and I'm hoping that we can have printed directories ready by Easter.

Synod Interim Pastors Meet

NWOS Transitional Leaders meet monthly via Zoom on the second Thursday of the month at 3:30 pm. It's always to good to connect with other leaders who share both the joys and challenges of leading congregations who are experiencing change and transtion.

Midweek Lent Series "Amazing Grace" Continues Wednesday

Join us for our Amazing Grace Lenten series based on the beloved song that celebrates its 250th anniversary this year.In this service, we witness Jesus bringing sight to a man born blind, giving the man the added spiritual vision to see the amazing grace of God found in Jesus, who heals us all. We were blind but now we see. Supper is served beginning at 5:30 pm, and worship begins at 6:30 pm.

Interim Grace Notes for March 3, 2023

Kristen Will Provide Call Committee Update Sunday at 10am

Grace Call Committee Chair Kristen Lindsay will provide a brief update on the call process at the beginning of the 10:00 service.

Grace Choir is Growing and Rehearsing for a Cantata

You may have noticed that the Grace choir has a few new members, which, of course, is always good news. So far, new choir members are from outside the congregation, and there may be some movement on one or more to become members. The choir is currently rehearsing for a Lenten Cantata at all three weekend services for the 4th Sunday in Lent (Laetere Sunday or Rose Sunday), March 18-19.

First Wednesday Committees Meet

Our First Wednesday committee meetings (Stewardship, 11:00 am; Worship, 1:00 pm) came fast this month, with the first Wednesday on March 1. In Stewardship, we reviewed our need for new interviews for Grace Stories. I did an interview on Wednesday evening after worship, and it will appear in the April newsletter. In our Worship Committee, we spent a fair amount of our meeting discussing liturgical settings for Easter and the Summer months of Pentecost. We will use ELW Setting 4 (LBW 2) beginning Easter Sunday and continuing through the Easter Season, and then move the With One Voice Setting 5 beginning on Pentecost, with about three Sundays prior to hear and learn the several musical settings. We also discussed Palm Sunday and Holy Week.

Interim Pastors Zoom Meeting

On Thursday I joined a monthly Zoom meeting of interim pastors from across the US. It is always good to touch base with others who are involved in interim ministry. At this meeting was a pastor who was called to one of my interim congregations, and after about six years in that call went back to grad school and is also doing part time interim ministry in a congregation. The main topic of our meeting was "Shared Ministry," as so many of our congregations are looking to this model of ministry to be able to afford a full-time pastor.

Meeting with LSS Mission Advancement Coordinator

Following a suggestion by Grace member George Dupey, who is a case manager for Lutheran Social Services (LSS), the LSS Mission Advancement Coordinator for Lutheran Social Services of Northwest Ohio, Jeremy Schneider, has reached out for a meeting with pastoral staff at Grace to update us on what LSS has been doing in Fremont and NW Ohio currently. We have arranged a meeting at Grace on Tuesday, March 28, at 11:00 am. If any of you have questions about LSS, you can let us know, or even join the meeting. Grace has been contributing $4,500 per year from the Endowment Fund in recent years to Lutheran Social Services. It will be good to get some first hand information about how our Endowment gifts are being used for ministry outreach.

LIFT Lenten Devotional

Pastor Paul has put together a Lenten Devotional resource with the theme "Sing With All the Saints in Glory." Here is a description from the LIFT website:

Like our Advent booklet, it will again be a printed resource and content shared on social media. The theme, Sing with All the Saints in Glory, is taken from a midweek Lenten series from Sundays and Seasons. St. Mark Lutheran Church in Fremont will be using this theme for Wednesday night services. The series, and this devotional based on it, uses the lives of the saints commemorated on the church calendar during these weeks of Lent. We have included several first-hand accounts of faithful saints, written by members of LIFT congregations. These will mostly appear on Mondays. We are also including prayer themes, scripture texts, and other resources from the Lenten series.

You can view and read the devotional resource HERE.

Some Links for You

• Just Three Things - ICYMI, arrived in your email inbox this morning.
• ELCA Global Links - The latest ministry happening among our global partner churches.
• ELCA Seeds Monthly - A montly publication for ELCA Congregation leaders. February issue. Not sure why this always arrives at the end of the month of publication.

Midweek Lent Series "Amazing Grace" Continues Wednesday

Join us for our Amazing Grace Lenten series based on the beloved song that celebrates its 250th anniversary this year. In this week’s service, we will see God’s amazing grace at work in the life of the Prodigal Son. Supper is served beginning at 5:30 pm, and worship begins at 6:30 pm.