April 2006 Cornerstone

PASTOR WAYNE SEZ

EASTER IS NEW LIFE

Holy Week Schedule

Sunday of the Passion (April 9th, 8:30 a.m.)

Maundy Thursday (April 13th, 7:00 p.m.)

Good Friday (April 14th)

Easter Festival Cantata (April 16th)

Special Congregational Meeting April 23rd After Worship

The council has called a special congregational meeting to vote on the summer worship schedule. This will be the only item of business at this meeting.

SERVING IN WORSHIP

Assisting Ministers

4/2-4/9  Deb Meyer

4/16-4/30  Paul Mueller

Ushers

Brian Smith

Jeff Smith

Dick Joyce

Dick Hartnett

Counters

David & Roberta Dietrich

LENT

The last soup supper of the Lenten season is April 5th at 6:30 p.m.  The soup is chilli and is a composite of everyone bringing enough for themselves to add to the big roaster in the kitchen.  The combination becomes a gourmet chilli!  Following the soup supper will be our mid week Lent service at 7:00 p.m.  The teaching will be “The Valley of Dry Bones”.

The last Wednesday morning breakfast Lenten Study held at Salem Lutheran Church is April 5th at 6:30 a.m.  The study is taken from Max Lucado’s book “No Wonder They Call Him Savior”.

HOLY WEEK

April 13th, Maundy Thursday

7:00 p.m.  Communion Service

April 14th, Good Friday    

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.   Sanctuary open for prayer

7:00 p.m.   Evening Tenebrae

April 16th, Easter Sunday                       

6:30 a.m.  Sunrise Service

7:30 a.m.  Easter Breakfast

9:30 a.m.  Festive Worship Service and Cantata

Easter Breakfast

Breakfast will be served immediately after the Sunrise Service.  100% of the proceeds will go toward our new building.  If you would like to help see Carol Luecht. Please sign up on chart in Great Room if you plan to attend.  Thanks.

EASTER EGG HUNT

Where: Grace & Peace Lutheran Church

When: Saturday, April 8th, 10:30 a.m.

Who: Grace and Peace Children, Age 0-10 years old

What: Lots of Eggs to Find...Lots of Prizes to Win...Lots of Candy to Eat!!!

Why: Family, Fun & Fellowship

Please sign-up on the bulletin board in the Great Room. Bring your own basket or sack to collect all your eggs.

EASTER MEMORIAL GARDEN

On Easter morning we would like to fill the chancel area with beautiful fresh spring flowers and Easter lilies. 

Easter Lilies: $6.25

Mums: $10.25

Tulips: $6.25

Hyacinths: $6.25

Daffodils: $6.25

CONGREGATION MEETING, APRIL 23

FOLLOWING WORSHIP SERVICE

The Council is calling a special congregational meeting on April 23 immediately following the worship service.  The purpose of the meeting is to propose a summer schedule.  Starting the first Sunday in June, the Council proposes that we move the worship time to 9:30 a.m.  This schedule would be in effect until the September schedule starts.

AN INVITATION TO ALL MINISTRY MEMBERS

AND CHURCH MEMBERS

The Church Council invites all Ministry Members and Church Members to the Council Retreat March 31, 2006, at 6:00 p.m.  We highly encourage Ministry members to attend as we will be discussing the possible reorganization of the Ministries.  The more input we have from members the easier it will be to place activities in their rightful home.  The meeting will adjourn at 9:00 p.m.

The Council Retreat will convene again on Saturday, April 1, 2006 at 8:00am.  Attendance is not required but you are welcome to come if you wish.   The Saturday meeting will adjourn at 12:00 noon.

May the grace and peace of our Lord be with you always.

Your Council President,

Linda Ericsson

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE

With which gifts have you been truly blessed?  During this Lenten season and as part of your Lenten discipline, your Stewardship Committee asks you to pray, study, and self-examine how your ‘gifts’ may be put to use in the church.

A new Time and Talent sheet will be distributed on Palm Sunday, April 10.  You will be able to indicate how you can put your gifts to use at Grace and Peace to further our mission.  Then on Easter Sunday or thereafter, return your Time and Talent sheet to the Easter Basket in the narthex.  The season of Easter is a time of new beginnings and rebirth.  It is the right time to offer our spiritual and relational gifts to Grace and Peace!

YOUTH NEWS

Kids In Christ-(up to 5th Grade)

April 1st: Meet at the church. Bring a snack to share.  Drinks provided.

April 8th: Skating at Peoria Palace, 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

April 22: Meet at church, 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Pizza provided.  Craft Night–we’re making something for Mother’s Day.

May 6th: Horseback riding ages 8 and above . Rides for younger ones will be on a “lead only”.

JLYO (6th, 7th, 8th Grade)

April 8th - Skating at Peoria Palace 5:30pm to 10:00pm

May 6th - Horseback riding

Pittsburgh Project August 2006

LYO (High School Age)

April 8th - Skating at Peoria Palace 5:30pm to 10:00pm

May 6th - Horse back riding

Leadership Lab - June 12-17

OUR TIE TO BETHEL LUTHERAN OF BILOXI

This week Roberta Dietrich called the church in Biloxi to double check on the details of sending them a check to assist with the expenses they continue to have as they minister to Hurricane Katrina victims.

She spoke with Betty Wilson, the secretary, who said, “Thank you” right away for all the prayers and assistance they have already received.  Betty gave a report that the first one of the church’s families has just moved back into their home after a complete restoration project.  They were quite excited to be there.

The minister’s wife, Judy Bultman, is working at the church in the morning each day but is under doctor’s orders to go home in the afternoon and rest.  She has had a mild heart attack brought on by the stress of working so fast and for such long hours.  Jan, Carol, and Sue had reported about her intense dedication to helping everyone.

With gifts from the Bette Traenkenschuh bequest and members of our congregation, the check Roberta sent off this week is for $1760.  Please continue to pray for Bethel and their example of servanthood and outreach.

aGAPe

The first sewing month of our aGAPe has been very rewarding.  We already have 21 beautiful quilts ready for Edna Hudson to tie.  We had great workdays on March 8 and 22.  Both days we had 4 sewing machines going–making the quilts and flannel receiving blankets for the layettes.

We welcomed Sandie Crowe back, and Linda Ericsson has joined the ranks.

The workdays in April are Wednesday, April 5, and Wednesday, April 19.  Bring your lunch about 11:30 a.m. and we try to start work at noon.

We have inherited another stash of double knit that will help us make a new design for some of our quilts.  Joan Winter continues to create great crazy patch squares with the scraps we have from cutting the squares from clothing.

AMEREN CILCO

You are probably all having large bills for this winter’s heating and electricity.  The church is on a level pay plan that has been raised twice during the last 8 months. Even with the last amount of $1149 for our March payment, we are $1729.24 behind. Hopefully our use will level off, and we can catch up.

Please be a good steward of the lights in all parts of the building.  We will probably be lowering the comfort level of the heat in the some of the rooms during the week and on Sunday, so wear an extra layer of clothing. Just remember how lucky we are to have a beautiful building in which to meet, learn, work, and worship.

WOGAP: WOMEN OF GRACE AND PEACE

So are you, or were you, suffering from the same ‘fevers’ as I am?   I have Spring Fever!  I am so anxious to be outside and feel the warm sunshine!  I also had Bradley Fever just like lots of other individuals.  It was great fun watching those young Bradley athletes work together as team and make things happen!  And just think, we at Grace and Peace have the opportunity to work together as a team to see our congregation make great strides, especially as we look to the future with a possible building project.  Each one of us is a valuable member of our team!  So in thinking more about “teamwork” I typed in the word “team” in BibleGateway.com and came up with this passage from 1 Corinthians 3:8: 

“The one who plants and the one who waters work as a team with the same purpose.  Yet they will be rewarded individually, according to their own hard work.”

So taking it a step further I looked up the passage in the Life Application Study Bible.  It talks about how God’s work involves many different individuals with a variety of gifts and abilities with no superstars in the task, only team members who perform their own special roles. 

Remember last month we were looking for the First English cookbook?  Well it has been found!  Ann Joyce has graciously volunteered to decoratively affix the thank you card to the cookbook.  The book will be placed on a cookbook stand in the kitchen!  Feel free to use and copy recipes from it!  In fact, why not volunteer to serve a coffee hour and make something special using one of its recipes!

The Women of the ELCA Northern Conference will be holding a New Life Celebration at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Bartonville on April 22. The program is titled “Is It Well With You?” and will include revolving mini discussion groups on topics such as physical, mental, and spiritual wellness, as well as the Parish Nurses program and blood checks.  Information is posted on the bulletin board in the great room.

That same weekend, April 21-22, is our own Grace and Peace Women’s Retreat at Living Springs Camp.  This is a wonderful opportunity for ALL WOMEN of Grace and Peace to be together, refresh, and renew—a true retreat from your everyday activities.  There is a sign-up sheet in the great room and the cost for the retreat is $42.50.

Then looking ahead to the end of April and May, we will be recruiting teams for the Crop Walk and Race for the Cure.  The Crop Walk will be held the last weekend in April and the Race for the Cure will be held on May 13.  Sue Sylvester will be handling the on-line sign up for our Grace and Peace Team.  Please fill out your entry form and give it to her along with your race fee. (Please make out checks to Sue Sylvester–she will make one payment by credit card for our whole team.)  She will take care of the sign-up and packet pick-up.  We encourage you to participate as walkers and/or supporters–our own Grace and Peace Team!  There is a way for each of us to participate in these worthwhile events!  More information will be forthcoming.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month.  These are difficult topics to write about or talk about. However, both are so very important.  We are fortunate in this community that programs, counseling, and other services are available through Lutheran Social Services and the Center for Prevention of Abuse.  April’s Health Emphasis from Lutheran Woman Today is Fighting Back After Sexual Assault.  It is an article worth reading.

And speaking of reading, Peoria Reads is a project instituted and led by Common Place and the Peoria Public Library.  It is a citywide project to promote reading, spark discussion and bring the community together around a good book.  This year the book chosen is Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich.  Michael Miller, Faith & Values Editor of the Journal Star, writes on March 25 that the book is a poor choice for the program.  Last summer Nancy Howerter, Linda Ericsson, Pam Kovach, Cindy Shelksohn, and I had the opportunity to hear Ms. Ehrenreich speak at the Women of the ELCA Triennial Conference.  She gave a wonderful presentation and I for one was mesmerized as she talked.  I bought the book that afternoon but I have to admit I haven’t read it yet.  I did say my New Year’s Resolution was to read more and I think I will just go get started with it!  

Your Executive Board: Roxanne Hochsprung, Coordinator; Nancy Howerter, Secretary; Linda Ericsson, Treasurer; Ann Joyce, Helen Hamilton, and Ruth Grenzow, Circle Representatives

And FYI:  The Executive Board meets the 4th Monday of each month at 5:00 at Panera’s on Knoxville.  We would love to have any woman from Grace and Peace join us and be part of the team!  And we have a mailbox in the education wing hallway (bottom right hand corner).  If anyone has any communications, ideas, suggestions, comments or concerns, you can place them in that mailbox.  We welcome your participation!

Women's Circles

Ruth/Rachel Circle

April 4 - 10:00 a.m.

Sack Lunch - Meeting at Church

Miriam Circle

April 11 - 7:00 p.m.

Home of Cindy Shelksohn

Rebecca Circle

April 10 - 11:30 a.m

Sack Lunch - Meeting at Church

Woman to Woman

April 19 - 6:30 p.m.

Meeting at Church

NOTES FROM THE DRAFTING TABLE

Welcome to “Notes from the Drafting Table.” The purpose of this article and ones that will follow is to help our congregation move forward in our journey to expand the building to further promote our vision and mission.  As we review the proposed building design over the next several weeks, we will look at each area individually.  This will give the congregation a more detailed look at the changes and give some insight on how and why the decisions were made the way they were. The hope is that this information will lead to discussions and dialogue, which will lead to a better understanding of the whole expansion process from design to reality.

This September our congregation will decide on whether or not to conduct a capital fund raising campaign for the building expansion.  We will also need to decide on whether we want to use a professional consultant to conduct the fund raising campaign.  Up-front funds will be needed to cover the fund raising costs regardless of how we decide to run the campaign.  There has been some confusion as to where to designate contributions intended to be for the new building expansion.

Our church has two separate accounts that have similar sounding names related to the building.  Those accounts names are the Building Improvement Fund and the Sanctuary Fund.  The Building Improvement Fund is used for major maintenance items such as replacing the roof, replacing or repairing an air conditioner or resurfacing the parking lot.  The Sanctuary Fund is used for new construction projects such as the proposed building expansion and the capital fund raising campaign.   As a point of interest, the current balance of the Sanctuary Fund is $7,643.31.  The estimated cost of a professional capital fund raising campaign is $20,000.00.  The need to build up the Sanctuary Fund is apparent.  We need to look ahead and be ready for the next phase of our building expansion plan to avoid delays in the project.

For those members of the congregation who wish to contribute to the new building expansion at this time, please designate your monies for the Sanctuary Fund.  Enclosed is an envelope for your convenience.

If you have any questions or concerns or if you have an item that you would like to be included in future discussions please feel free to contact me anytime. 

Yours in Christ,

Don Howerter

Dear Lord,

Please be with each one of us as we live as Christ-like servants today for a better tomorrow.  Amen.

One of the main topics of discussion during the Building Design Committee meetings was the sanctuary.  When the existing building was built, the concept was that when the Church expanded, a new sanctuary would be added onto the front of the building bringing the structure closer to Knoxville Avenue.  The more the committee looked at the needs of the current congregation it became evident that we needed to change our direction.  The sanctuary accommodates the current congregation’s needs as far as space is concerned.  The cathedral ceilings were designed for a sanctuary.  The cost to heat and cool the space for anything other than a sanctuary was prohibitive.  The overall layout of the space is best suited for a sanctuary.  The decision was made to continue using the current sanctuary at this time.

There are some proposed changes to the sanctuary and they are as follows:

The committee felt that in order to make changes to the building in order to stimulate the growth of our congregation, the education and fellowship areas needed to be addressed.   The next Notes will be directed towards the education areas.

Please feel free to contact me with any additions, corrections, questions or comments. 

May God bless you and nurture you,

Don Howerter

LIBRARY TREASURES

April reminds us of new beginnings and the resurrection of our Lord. To everything there is a season.

Books for our Adult Readers:

One of our library patrons recommended Joshua by Joseph F. Girzone.  Who is Joshua and what is he up to?  He appears entirely at peace in his small cabin on the edge of town.  He is a carpenter and charges very little for his work.  He seems unfazed by the attention his workmanship has brought him.  Why is he so at peace?

Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough by Elmer L. Towns

This book gives you the biblical reasons for fasting, types of fasts and introduces you to 9 biblical fasts for specific physical and spiritual outcomes.

The Quilter’s Apprentice by Jennifer Chiaverini

When Sarah McClure helps Sylvia Compson prepare her family estate for sale she discovers Sylvia is a master quilter.  As part of Sarah’s compensation she offers to share her creative gifts.  Just as the darker sections of a quilt can enhance brighter ones, the mistakes of the pas can strengthen the way to new beginnings.

Books for our Young Readers:

A Tale for Easter by Tasha Tudor

Anything can happen on Easter.

Jesus is Risen

The story of the crucifixion and the resurrection in a simple to read child’s book.

Jeremy by Jan Karon

Jeremy is an honest bunny who learns he was made for someone in North Carolina.  Since he’s coming from England he is going to need lots of help.

How about “resurrecting” those books in your home that belong back on the library shelves.  Also missing are the CD’s for the book Red Tent.

- The Bookworms

MISCELLANEOUS

SHARE Food

April 2 & 9 - Share Sign-up

April 22 - Share Pick-up

Our site is in need of more participants. Please consider signing up for a food unit for yourself or you may donate a unit and it is given to families where needed.  A regular unit is $15.

May Cornerstone Deadline

April 23, 2006

April Key Person

Julie Smith

April 2, 2006

Daylight Savings Time

Lawn Mowing Chart

It’s time to signup for lawn care. We would like to have 4 teams of 3 or 4 people. Women are welcome on teams. See Jim Claude or Carol Luecht

Spring Cleaning Date Change

Saturday, April 29, 8:30 a.m. - Noon

We will be doing outside work, with some inside work.

Evening Bible Study

Pastor Hanson has graciously agreed to lead our Evening Bible study and would like to get things started this month.  We will meet on Thursdays from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. beginning Thursday, March 30.  Pastor will be leading a study of the book of Revelation, beginning with a closer look at this book in the light of Jesus’ resurrection.  Please join us!

GRACE AND PEACE LUTHERAN CONGREGATION COUNCIL

March 21, 2006

PRESENT:  Roberta Dietrich, Kent Anderson, Linda Ericsson, Barbara Hanson, Pastor Shelksohn, Don Howerter, Dick Joyce, Carol Luecht, David Moder, Sandy Peterson and Mike Murphy.

President Linda Ericsson called the meeting to order.

Devotions were shared by Barbara Hanson and Pastor led prayer concerns.

AREAS OF MINISTRY AND BUSINESS

evangelism - No report.

finance - Mike reported that the Finance Ministry will be reviewing the Special Funds for possible ways to help fund the budget.  According to current projections, the Operating Fund will be depleted by the end of  June.  There is a deficit of  $3,807 year to date.  Next meeting date is April 4th at 7:00 p.m. 

long range planning - Articles titled “From the Drafting Table” are being published every two weeks in the weekly Cornerstone and in the monthly Cornerstone to help keep the congregation informed about the building expansion plans.  This month an envelope will be included in the monthly Cornerstone for donations to the Sanctuary Fund which is for new construction projects such as the proposed building expansion and the capital fund raising campaign.

nurture - Written report was reviewed.  Carol Luecht is organizing the Easter Breakfast.  Signup sheets for those who will work, donate food and are attending will be posted.  The food will all be a donation; all proceeds are to go the Sanctuary Fund.  Barb Hanson reported their committee discussed rides to church and other functions for members who do not have transportation.  Dick Joyce has also been working on rides to Worship services.  Dick Joyce asked that funds be available for the 25th anniversary celebration of Pastor’s ordination.

property - The clean-up date has been changed to April 29th because there is more outside work than inside work to be done and the weather may cooperate more towards the end of the month.  The mowing chart has been posted and volunteers are needed.  A donation for treating the lawn for weeds has been made.  The new energy efficient lights will be used in the kitchen as they are needed.  An emergency list of names to call for building problems was given to the office by the Property ministry.

stewardship - Cindy Shelksohn accepted election as chairperson of this committee.  The time and talent surveys will be revised and handed out on Palm Sunday to all members; members not attending will receive a survey in the mail.  Next Stewardship meeting will be April 10th at church at 7:00 p.m.

worship and music - Written report reviewed.  Dick Joyce made a motion to call a Congregational Meeting for the purpose of changing the Summer Service Time to 9:30 a.m. June through August.  Barb Hanson seconded  and the motion carried.  The date of April 23rd for the Congregational Meeting was decided upon and will be published in the Cornerstone and weekly bulletins..  Dave Moder reported that the families from the Concordia Band commented that this was one of the friendliest churches they have every visited.  Dave also brought compliments to Pastor from the band members families on his sermon and how he included the band students and kept their attention.  The Council agreed that it was a wonderful Sunday for everyone as the Concordia Lutheran Band played during the Worship Service.

youth  - A written report was reviewed from Youth Director, Gwen Womack.  Dick Joyce reported that Jeffrey Smith who served as a leader for the “Be Like Jesus” retreat for the junior youth had a great experience leading the kids.  Gwen reported that Jeffrey and Elise Houge who were both leaders that weekend did a great job and she was proud of them for giving up a whole weekend to work with the junior youth.  Many plans are being made for the different youth groups.

christian education  - A written report was reviewed.  Sandy reported that May 21st will be the last Sunday School session.  There will be no Sunday School on Easter Sunday.  Discussion has begun about VBS–budget, coordinator, dates, etc.

community action  - Dave reported on correspondence he had received on the City of Peoria’s beautification program.  Not able at this time to participate. 

endowment - All disbursements have been made.

OLD BUSINESS

Pastor  gave a short overview of the two-day retreat.  Dinner will be at 6:00 p.m. on Friday night and all Ministries are asked to attend the Friday night retreat.   A sign-up sheet will be made available.

minutes - Devotions and snacks for the March 21st meeting are Carol Luecht and David Moder.  The minutes from the February 21st council meeting were approved with this correction.

women of grace and peace -Written report was reviewed.

pastor’s report - Pastor gave a report on his trip to New Orleans with the Bradley Students.

executive council - Met and set agenda. 

Next Council Meeting will be April 18th at 6:30 p.m.  Executive Council will meet on April 11th at 5:30 p.m. A motion was made to adjourn.  The Council closed with the Lord’s Prayer.  Devotions and Snacks for next meeting are David Moder and Carol Luecht.

Respectfully submitted,

Theresa Montgomery

Page content last updated: April 9, 2006

This web site is best viewed with Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 using medium text size.

© 2004-2008 Grace and Peace Lutheran Church. All Rights Reserved.