August 2005 Cornerstone

PASTOR WAYNE SEZ

“August is Goodbye and Hello”

On August 7th, we will be saying goodbye to Gretchen, Ryan, Asa, and Dulcie Church. We want to thank the Church family for their service to Grace and Peace and wish them Grace and Peace in their new home in Normal, Illinois. Please join us for coffee hour that Sunday and wish Gretchen all the best.

On August 14th, we will welcome our new organist, Becky Mueller. We are looking forward to her service with us. Please be with us as we install and welcome Becky. As of yet, we do not have a choir director, so if you know people that might be interested, please let us know.

Hello, New Member Inquirers Class

Sundays, August 7 - September 11

Beginning August 7th, we will hold a new member inquirer’s class after worship service in the Sanctuary. Former Bishop Chilstrom will be our video professor as we explore what it means to be a Christian. Each week we will look at a different topic:

If you have recently joined or are thinking of becoming a member, you are invited. If you are a member and want to join in and share in the discussion, you are invited

September is Around the Corner

Rally Day is September 11th

Our Sunday School material will go back to the traditional classroom-style of teaching. Gather the kids and welcome Christ teaching in your life.

Confirmation Class will begin Thursday, September 8th, with a meeting of parents and students to receive confirmation material, discuss requirements, review the program and answer questions. Confirmation class is for all youth 6th–8th grades.

SERVING IN WORSHIP

Assisting Minister

Nancy Claude

Ushers 

Dick Joyce

Gene Norris

Dick Harnett

Brian Smith

Jeffrey Smith

Counters            

Roger and Linda Ericsson

GAPYA

(GRACE AND PEACE YOUNG ADULTS)

Saturday, August 27, 4:00 p.m.

GAPYA will have a barbecue and pool party at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 27th, at Kent Anderson's house. The party is BYOB and BYOM (bring your own meat to barbecue). Kent will supply hot dog buns and hamburger buns for those who want them. Please bring a snack to share for the potluck, as well. Please bring at least two towels (one to sit on and one to dry off with), and make sure you have plenty of sunscreen. You may also wish to bring extra lawn chairs, since Kent may not have enough for everyone.  Feel free to bring any pool toys or floats you want.

GARAGE GANG

Mark Your Calendar

Friday, August 12

It is Lutheran Night at the Peoria Chiefs ballgame. We will join several other Lutheran Churches for this event sponsored by Thrivent. See Barb and Dick Hanson if you have questions. Tickets are half price—$5—and a limited supply is available. Look for the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board.

ENDOWMENT FUND GRANT THANK YOU

I got off to an early start in 2005. In late January and February we mailed 300 (four pound) packages. Then with your churches help we sent 200 more packages in March and April 2005. Now I am working on 200 packages that will be paid for by Redeemer Lutheran Church.

I really appreciate the check you sent for hopefully that will allow us to send a record 700 packages, with Bibles, to people who have so little of this world’s goods. I humbly request a prayer for these people and may God bless your church always with the pure teachings of our Holy Bible to the salvation of many souls for whom our wonderful Savior shed His Blood.

Harry L. Wegner

WOMAN TO WOMAN

(An Alternative to Circle)

Are you new to Grace and Peace? Do you want to be a part of something but just cannot figure out where you fit in? Are you already in a Circle and want a second avenue for fellowship with the women of the Church? Are you young, old or in between?

If you said yes to any of the above, please join us at our next meeting August 17th, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at the Church. We are developing a new group where women can come together in devotion, study and fellowship. Come and let us know your ideas as to how we can become a place where the women of Grace and Peace can connect with one another.

HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE

I am looking for people who would be willing to help serve lunch or donate food items for the Anti-Racism Day Conference that will be held here on Saturday, August 20th. You would need to be at the church for only about an hour or so. If interested, please contact Linda Ericsson.

EVENING BIBLE STUDY

There has been some interest expressed for the formation of an evening bible study group. If this is of interest to you please contact Linda Ericsson.

WOMEN OF THE ELCA

What a summer! I know I have done my share of complaining about the hot weather, lack of rain, not enough free time, etc. But I won’t complain here! Instead I want to share with you some of the good things–no, great things–that have happened the month of July!

For the five of us who went to San Antonio for the Women of the ELCA Triennial Conference, it was a wonderful experience! There was meaningful worship, inspiring speakers, miniversities for opportunities to learn, workshops, servant events, and the friendship and sharing between the five of us and with the other thousands of women attending. It was five days I won’t forget. And here are some comments from my fellow travelers!

As part of the Conference, “In Kind Gifts” were presented. Roberta Dietrich assembled a quilt top, which we presented to the gathering. Thank you, Roberta, for your assistance! I read on the Women of the ELCA web site that “the containers weren't big enough to hold the generosity of women participating in the triennial gathering.”  Look at this list—isn’t this amazing!

The next conference will be held in 2008 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Wouldn’t it be great to have a large contingent from Grace and Peace in attendance!

Gently Used Sale

Our Gently Used Sale date has been set for October 8, 2005! Without everyone’s help in donating items and time, it won’t be a success! As you are working about your home this summer/fall, set aside items that you can donate. More importantly, are you experienced at organizing such an event? If so, we very much need your services and expertise! Please contact one of the board members if you are willing to chair or co-chair the Gently Used Sale in October.

Your Executive Board:

Roxanne Hochsprung, Coordinator; Nancy Howerter, Secretary; Linda Ericsson, Treasurer; Ann Joyce, Helen Hamilton, Sandra Rodlund, and Ruth Grenzow, circle representatives

 
Women’s Circles

Ruth/Rachel Circle

August 2 - 11:30 a.m.

Lunch at Dynasty North

Priscilla Circle

August 8 - 7:00 p.m.

Julie Smith’s Home

Miriam Circle

August 9 - 6:30 p.m.

Picnic at Carol Luecht’s

aGAPe and LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF

In the latest issue of TOTO (To Others, Through Others), the publication of Lutheran World Relief to parish groups and individuals, there are many stories and paragraphs of information about the far-reaching work of this organization made possible by Lutheran churches and many other groups. I am going to quote some of articles for the next three months so you, too, can grow in your understanding about the significance of our grass roots efforts.

“Supporters of LWR come from many places and for many reasons. Some learn about us and our work, through their churches and support us as part of their personal commitment to helping people in need. Others respond, through us, to calamities such as earthquakes, famine and tsunamis. Regardless of how your relationship with LWR started, you’ve joined forces with a highly rated organization known worldwide for a variety of life-changing work.

The quilts, clothing and layettes LWR ships around the world are priceless -quite literally. In West Africa, in the Malian village of N’Togosso, for example, your gifts provide a wealth of benefits, far beyond the warmth a quilt provides on cold nights, or the utility of a layette kit. These “material resources” have far-reaching benefits that add tremendous value to our work.

When the elderly, disabled, and sick members of a community receive warm quilts and clothing, it takes some of the burden off of the rest of the community to provide for them. The long-standing custom in these countries is that people care for their fellow village members. But that demands a lot of time and energy that could be invested elsewhere to improve the overall village. Without the sometimes burdensome responsibility of providing for the village’s neediest, people can devote more of their energy, resources and attention to larger, longer-term projects that benefit everyone.

Can quilts save trees? You bet they can. In some areas, where destruction of forests despoils the land and increases vulnerability to natural disasters, LWR quilts and clothing provide wintertime warmth, reducing the need for firewood and preserving the priceless forests that might have been lost otherwise.”

All of us who work on the quilts are driven by the need for them. It is a small something that we can do to make life better for those who have so little. So far this year, we have 113 completed quilts and are working steadily to finish as many as we possibly can. Work days in August are Wednesdays, Aug. 10 and Aug. 31. Depending on schedules, we may work Aug. 24 as well. Come at 11:30 with your lunch, and we try to begin work about noon.

There is another bonus for those who work on the comforts – we have great fellowship and are in touch with Edna Hudson, Sharon Bontz, and Jane Finch who help us in our projects but can’t always come to church.

The word is out about our quilt ministry, and we find donations of fabric and sheets in interesting places. We thank Carol Luecht for her full sacks of sheets gleaned from estate sales, etc. this past month.

Other Special Supplies for LWR

Each year the school sales seem to start earlier so you might take note of the following lists regarding the school and health kits, and the layettes.

There is a box in the kitchen for your donations. In addition to these supplies for LWR, our church has given several school bags and some supplies to Lutheran Social Services of Illinois to help fill the need for 500 of their clients.

COMMON PLACE

Where Love Works

This not-for-profit family literacy organization will hold its 19th Annual Walk/Fun Run on Saturday, September 10, 2005. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m., and the event starts at 8:30 a.m.

Walkers can opt to participate in the “Route of the Readers,” a literacy challenge along the route. Participants will answer simple literature questions to compete for some great prizes. We hope to raise and exceed our goal of $50,000. All money raised goes directly to support our after-school youth programs and our adult literacy programs.

The registration fee is $20 for individuals and $30 for families. Get lots of sponsors! There are prizes for the ones with the most sponsors. A silent auction and free brunch follow the Walk/Run. Common Place is located at 514 S. Shelley St. and the phone is 674-3315.

WORSHIP AND MUSIC SAYS,

“MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Gretchen’s last Sunday is August 7, when the service will feature additional music prepared by her for our enjoyment and the enrichment of the worship. Please plan to stay for the coffee hour/reception in honor of her and join all members in wishing ‘Godspeed’ to the Church family.”

A LETTER FROM OUR MISSIONARY,

LINDSAY MACK

Hello from Honduras! I trust you will all be watching the soccer game this evening Honduras vs. the USA. Honduras may be small, ill, and poverty-stricken, but it is also prideful and they've got a pretty good soccer team!

It's finally July. I'll share a story from June. I arrived, last month, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in San Pedro Sula, for the weekend with a car full of youth and two tired women. We were arriving from five lovely but exhausting and hot days visiting women's groups in the Northern Region of the country. Night was falling, and Julio had given me specific instructions on how to arrive at the church. We never passed the tollbooth he mentioned. We never saw the exit he explained, and, before I knew it, we were headed into the heart of San Pedro Sula. The muffler had cracked several hours earlier in the car ride and every time I stepped on the gas, the exhaust would fly like it was coming out of a 50 pound whoopee cushion. We were all sick (I was on my second antibiotic in two weeks), covered with a sweaty film of dirt (I think my hair could have stood straight up on its own) and, needless to say, I was incensed.

He and I argued on the cell phone about where we were. He was convinced we had not followed his instructions. I was positive he thought we had come in on another highway. He was entirely amused with the situation. I was wickedly angry that he would not send a helicopter or the National Guard to come and find us.

At long last we arrived, and I sprang from the car ready to attack. The next morning, we were to begin a two-day workshop working with Sunday School teachers, and I expected that evening, a room full of Senoras, ladies that had been teaching Sunday school for years. Imagine my surprise when, before I could let an unholy word fly from my mouth, I was greeted by a handful of laid-back youth, led inside by the hand, hugged, kissed, pointed to the bathroom, and led to the table where dinner was waiting. I sat and ate, surrounded by friends while they unloaded the truck and carried our bags upstairs.

Okay, it wasn't quite that poetic, but almost. Julio and I hissed evilly at each other for a few humorous minutes in the corner, but I was indeed welcomed so warmly and taken care of so quickly by familiar youth and friends, that I had no choice but to give thanks for God's gracious family, sit and eat. I don't know why I hadn't expected that the room would be filled with youth. Probably 90% of the participants were youth. Of course I see young people working in church leadership constantly: planning and leading worship, acting as church presidents, leading Sunday school, organizing events. It was such a welcome surprise to find my friends that evening, eager and ready to participate in the workshop. Their presence was made all the more poignant by a conversation I had recently had with a friend about the changing leadership dynamics within the church.

One of the greatest successes we've had in the last year is a general admission on the part of the adults that the youth, indeed, are valuable members of the congregation, and, all the more, that they are valuable leaders in the congregations. With this admission, the church leadership really is shifting more and more to the youth. (When I write youth in this context, I'm referring to young people between the ages of about 18 and 25). Throughout the workshop that weekend, I was entirely impressed with the maturity and leadership on the part of these young people. One of the young women from Olancho, Dunia, was recently invited to work part time in the national church offices. One afternoon, as I was chatting with her, I realized that, as a result of her preparation as a teacher and her participation in various workshops, she had several very important skills upon which we should capitalize. We invited her to help lead a part of the training that weekend with the Sunday school teachers, and we were completely and pleasantly surprised with her successful performance.

The youth in the ICLH, and their almost innate nature of service, never fail to surprise and humble me. Oneil, one of the young men from San Pedro Sula, made a comment something to the effect of: "as Christians, we are called to serve the poor. What do I do when one of the very poor children that I care about deeply is not permitted by his father to attend school? He is instead directed to sell bananas in the street. His father never received an education, and doesn't understand why his son now deserves this right. How do we react and respond as a compassionate church body in this situation?"

Many of the ICLH youth are educated, dynamic and energetic. They are also, with the help of various church workshops and other events, quite passionate young people that have articulate and candid opinions about poverty, globalization, and government. I have seen a handful of shy, poor young people be embraced by the vibrant, enthusiastic youth body and they are transformed into active leaders in their own community. Young people in the church are in a distinctive phase of life, and not just because they are coming of age and learning about themselves. The theology of a young person is unique, temporal and significantly impacting. I thank God for this transformative and healing new leadership within the ICLH. Please remember in your prayers:Ada and Keyra, two youth evangelists in Tegucigalpa and San Nicolas Mario, the youth director in San Pedro Sula Charles, and all the other youth that have domestically violent home lives.

 
Peace, Lindsay

MISCELLANEOUS

SHARE Food

August 7 & 14 - Share Sign-up

August 27 - Share Pick-up

September Cornerstone Deadline

August 21, 2005

August Key Person

Julie Smith

August 21, 2005

Retirement Potluck Brunch

For Jack and Maxine Horner

Please bring a dish to pass.

Table service and drinks will be provided.

Walk the Rock Island Trail

Wear your walking shoes and bring a bottle of water–that’s all you need. Every Thursday night at 6:30 until late August!

Happy News

Dave and Roberta Dietrich announce the marriage of their daughter, Rebecca Genz, to Steve Osterman on July 23, 2005, in Arlington Heights, Illinois. The couple and her son, Steven, live in Wheeling. We ask God’s blessings for them.

A Very Special Thank You!!!!

Thank all of you who sent get well cards and or prayed for me during my recent hospitalization, all three of them. Your caring has made me realize just how extended my family really is. With your continued support and prayers and Gods grace I will make a full recovery.

May God Bless and Keep You, Dan Crowe

Ice Cream Social

August 28, 2005

Noon - 3:00 p.m.

Lutheran Hillside Village

Organist Position

Becky Mueller is our new organist, and her first Sunday will be August 14th.

SUNDAY SCHOOL REGISTRATION

To help Christian Education committee better plan for Sunday school this fall, please register your children. Call the Church office for more information.

GRACE AND PEACE LUTHERAN CONGREGATION COUNCIL

July 19, 2005

PRESENT: Paul Mueller, Pastor Shelksohn, Julie Smith, Sandy Peterson, Linda Ericsson, Mary Whitledge, MarkRodlund, Janelle Houge.

Areas of Ministry and Business

nurture – There will be no meeting in September. In October there will be a hayrack ride. In November there will be the Augsburg book sale. In December there will be caroling for shut-ins.

We will have a “brunch” potluck on August 21 immediately following the worship service. Watch the Cornerstone for details.

property – Carol Luecht continues to investigate the stoplight issue, but the council (and several church members) got letters from Representatives Leitch and Schock saying no stoplight at this time, but that we should write again in 2006. A letter from IDOT said the about the same thing, but also included language about the lack of budget.

The Cry Room project is waiting special glass to be installed.

stewardship – No report.

worship and music –Gretchen’s last Sunday will be August 7 and we will have special music during the service (Gretchen will select her favorites for all music that Sunday). Cards and donations for her farewell gift are welcome.

Pastor moved to accept Becky Mueller as our new church organist effective August 16.  Mark Rodlund seconded and the motion passed. We are still searching for a choir director.

Motion made by Pastor to move worship services on Sunday to 9 AM with Sunday school beginning at an appropriate time thereafter. Mark Rodlund seconded. Discussion. Motion tabled for further discussion. Mark Rodlund moved that we survey the congregation in September about their preferences about the time of Sunday worship and Julie Smith seconded. Motion passed.

youth - No report, but council thanked Mark Rodlund for his homily on the trip.

christian education – Written report submitted. Volunteers needed for VBS!

community action –New target for the Habitat For Humanity house is the end of August.

endowment – Grant forms are now found on the website. Please make sure to read and answer all the questions if you plan to submit a request for a grant.

evangelism – There have been many door hangers passed out but we have more to do. Volunteers are needed.

finance –No report.

long range planning – No report.

OLD BUSINESS

The Anti Racism Seminar is August 20, 8:30 to 5:00 at church and Pastor would like our group to be at 25 people. There is a sign up sheet in the great room or see Pastor. Volunteers are needed to help.

NEW BUSINESS

None

minutes – The Minutes of the June 21, 2005 meeting were accepted as written.

women of grace and peace –No report.

pastor’s report – No report

executive council – Met and set agenda.

CORREOSPNDENCE – The attorney for Bette Traenkenschuh wrote us telling us the church is named in her will. Finance Ministry will take the correspondence from here.

Next Council Meeting is August 16, 2005 at 6:30 p.m. Executive Meeting is August 8, 2005 at 5:30 p.m. A motion was made to and passed to adjourn. The Council closed with the Lord’s Prayer. Devotions and Snacks for next meeting are Linda Ericsson and Janelle Houge.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Whitledge

Recording Secretary ProTem

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