June 2006 Cornerstone

PASTOR WAYNE SEZ

We've lost much of the meaning behind the English word, "Lord," for even in England the House of Lords is being modified. Only in films does anyone say, "Yes, m'Lord!" And the word "LORD" is even more obscure, for it is the King James Version's way of rendering the Hebrew "JHWH," God's covenant name, revealed to Moses at the burning bush. Our Jewish friends speak an alternate word (in the margin of the Torah), "Adonai" ("my Lord"), to avoid speaking God's Name in vain. Help is on the way: June's readings recapture some of the majesty of our Lord as LORD.

Get ready to review biblical terms on June 4th! It is Pentecost; the events of the day 50 days after our Lord's resurrection are in Acts 2:1-21. In his sermon Peter announces a great opportunity: This is the promised day in which "everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved." It is also the day on which the Counselor came, as Jesus prophesied in John 15:26-27;16:4b-15. The Spirit gives life, and that's what Israel needed while in exile in Babylon, for they felt as dead as dry bones; read Ezekiel 37:1-14. Jesus is LORD of life and death; how refreshing! Assured of that, how can you lead a livelier existence?

Being near the LORD isn't comfortable, as we are reminded on June 11th! In his vision of Isaiah 6:1-8 the prophet laments, "Woe to me! ... my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty." The angels there sing, "Holy, holy, holy," for the one LORD as three Persons, which we celebrate this day as The Holy Trinity. Romans 8:12-17 teaches that the Spirit testifies we are children who call out with Jesus, the only-begotten Son, "Abba, Father." And John 3:1-17 includes not only the familiar "God so loved the world that he gave his Son," but also mentions our being born of the Spirit.

You might say we are surrounded by the LORD! What confidence that gives! How can you live more confidently through the circumstances of this week?

The disciples could have used some confidence in the storm of Mark 4:35-41, the Gospel for June 18th! Instead, they wondered about Jesus' identity. They might have recalled Job 38:1-11, where the LORD spoke to him out of the storm. Jesus was fearless; he is One with the Creator. And we are therefore able to fearlessly open ourselves to one another. Joyfully Paul recalls the openness of the Church in Corinth (in 2 Corinthians 6:1-13). Such openness demonstrates trust in our Lord. He is LORD. Let him rule! (You might as well!)

"Adam, where are you?" God asked in Genesis 3:9-15, to be read on June 25th . Adam was hiding behind a bush, but he was still under God's protection, for v.15 (called the First Gospel) promises defeat for Satan. When his biological family thought Jesus "out of his mind" in Mark 3:20-35, he identified those who are in his family: those who do his will. But that can put one in danger, as Paul apparently was as he wrote 2 Corinthians 4:13-18. His faith in the resurrection, though, sustained him. Where are you? Hiding? Beside yourself? In danger? By the grace of God, in his family now, destined for an eternal Eden. So rejoice!

SERVING IN WORSHIP

Assisting Minister

Richard Joyce

Ushers

Jan Jarrett

Vicki Bittner

Counters

Carol Gard and Pam Kovach

25th ANNIVERSARY OF ORDINATION

for

Pastor O. Wayne Shelksohn

Sunday, July 2nd 2006

3:00 pm Service

Bishop Warren Freiheit presiding

Followed by our traditional turkey dinner

Please bring a large dish to pass (we will be serving several guests)

Turkeys, Drinks, and Tableservice will be provided

R.S.V.P. by June 25th with name and number attending.

Please place in the offering plate or the basket on the table in the great room.

Thank You!

SYNOD ASSEMBLY

Pastor Shelksohn and Roger & Linda Ericsson will represent Grace and Peace at the Synod Assembly in Springfield, June 8-10th. Also attending will be Dick Joyce as a Licensed Lay Minister and Ann Joyce. Cindy Shelksohn is also attending. We invite you to keep our members in your prayers during this time.

SUMMER WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Traditional Service: 8:30 a.m.

There will be no Sunday School classes  in the summer months, June through August.

SUMMER'S "SIMPLE" COFFEE HOURS

Conversation, coffee, and a simple snack. Coffee hours do not have to be elaborate to be enjoyed. Summer is the time to take it easy – so why not volunteer to serve a simple coffee hour! The sign-up sheet is at the back of the sanctuary or contact Laura Tomblin.

At this time coffee hours on the following Sundays are still available:

July 9, 30 August 6, 27 September 24

October 1, 22, 29 November 19, 26 December 10, 17, 24, 31

ANNUAL BOOK SALE

The month of June is our traditional 10 cent book and magazine sale. If you have any books or magazines you would like to contribute to the sale, please leave them in the library. We will have the sale items on display in the hallway. The sale will continue through the month of June. Leave your money in the box provided at the back of the table. The money will be used to buy new library books.

- the Bookworms

Barb Hanson & Ruth Lied

GOD IS LOVE V.B.S.

1 John 4:8b
Grace and Peace Lutheran Vacation Bible School

July 30 - August 3

6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

 
V.B.S. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Gourmet meals during VBS... $$$

Craft Supplies during VBS…. $$$

The opportunity to share the Love of God with a child during VBS...

PRICELESS

There are opportunities for EVERYONE:

Praying, Teaching, Storytelling, Gardening, Sewing, Woodworking, Breadmaking, Singing, Games, Providing Meals, Prep Work, etc.

Please see the information posted at Church and/or contact Sue Hughes.
 

ADULT V.B.S.

Katrina … How can we help?

The waters have receded but the needs are still there.

Join us at Adult Vacation Bible School. Enjoy interesting discussions, learn from in depth Bible studies, play a few games, make some great crafts, and get to know others in the church.

“Where is God in Katrina?”

Throughout history God has taken difficult situations – some huge, some small – to further His plan. What good could possibly come from such disaster? What can I do to help? Will God be there for me if something awful happens?

Come and discuss these questions and more.

DISCUSSION • BIBLE STUDIES • GAMES • CRAFTS

Adult VBS – Always a memorable week!

Attend every night or as often as you can!

July 30 - August 3: 6:00 p.m. Meal, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Class

NOTES FROM THE DRAFTING TABLE

In the last “Notes from the Drafting Table,” it was noted that the educational areas would be the next topic. I would like to change the order of topics and direct this article to one of the recommendations that came out of the feasibility study done by Kairos. Kairos recommended that we look at our Vision and Mission statements to make sure that they “clearly define and communicate Ministry Vision and Mission.” In addition, the Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA also recommends the first step in a building project should be to review the mission of your congregation. The success of the building project will come easier if the congregation is can agree and understand what our mission is and what direction we are going.

The Church Council and other ministry members met for a leadership retreat on March 31 and April 1. The Vision and Mission statements were discussed, and from the discussions one idea was presented for changing the Vision statement and three different ideas were presented for changing the Mission statement.

Following are the suggested alternatives:

Vision Statement:

Mission Statement:

At the last council meeting the Church Council directed the Long Range Planning Ministry to look at the suggestions and develop recommendations to change our Vision and Mission Statements. The Long Range Planning Ministry will meet on June 14, 2006 at 6:30PM at the Church to address this issue. All members of the congregation interested in helping are encouraged to attend. If you have an idea, please write it down and submit it to a member of the Long Range Planning Ministry. If you are unable to attend, please pray for those attending to receive God’s guidance so that the mission of Grace and Peace Lutheran Church can be clearly defined.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers,

Don Howerter

Long Range Planning Ministry Liaison

YOUTH GROUP NEWS

Kids In Christ (up to 5th Grade)

June 17th: Father/Child Picnic at Church, Noon-2:00p.m.

June 30th: O’Brien Field—Baseball and Free Concert, Avalon, 5:30 p.m.

July 8th: It’s Your Birthday Party, 2:00-4:00 p.m. To celebrate all the birthdays of our Youth. Parents and Mentors encouraged to attend.

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

June 30th: O’Brien Field—Baseball and Free Concert, Avalon, 5:30 p.m.

July 8th: It’s Your Birthday Party, 2:00-4:00 p.m. To celebrate all the birthdays of our Youth. Parents and Mentors encouraged to attend.

August 2006: Pittsburgh Project

LYO (High School Age)

June 12th-17th: Leadership Lab

June 30th: O’Brien Field—Baseball and Free Concert, Avalon, 5:30 p.m.

July 8th: It’s Your Birthday Party, 2:00-4:00 p.m. To celebrate all the birthdays of our Youth. Parents and Mentors encouraged to attend.

Free Outdoor Concert

Big Daddy Weave

St Paul Lutheran Church

Friday, June 2, 2006

7:00 p.m.

MEET THE COUNCIL MEMBERS

Don Howerter

I was born in Canton Illinois and lived there for 52 years before moving to Peoria. I graduated from Canton Senior High School in 1969 where I enjoyed playing baseball and football. I attended Spoon River College and then entered into the apprenticeship program at Steamfitters Local 353 in Peoria. I became a journeyman Steamfitter in 1976 and have had a wonderful career as a commercial refrigeration service technician. I have installed, serviced, designed and engineered refrigeration systems for several supermarkets and food processing plants in the Central Illinois area. I have also serviced all types of heating and air conditioning equipment. I moved out of the field about 6 years ago and became the service manager at Entec Services. I have since moved out of the “hot seat” and into a sales and project management position at Entec. I have been teaching at the Steamfitters Local 353 Apprentice School for 8 years where I teach refrigeration, electricity, controls, HVAC and customer relations. I also have started training contractors through TRICON for the EPA’s Home Performance with Energy Star pilot program in Central Illinois.

My wife, Nancy, is from Rockford. We met while she was attending ISU and I was visiting a friend at ISU. We were married in 1971 at Wiley Lutheran Church. Nancy took time out from her higher education to be a wonderful mother to our daughters. She went back to school after the girls went to school. She has her Master’s degree in Reading from Western Illinois University.

We have two daughters Marcy (Will) and Michele (Andy). They are both married and live in Peoria at this time. Marcy graduated from Luther College and works for IBM. Michele graduated from Bradley and works for Alliance Benefit Group. Jordan is our 9 year old grandson from Andy’s first marriage. Jordan and Grandma Nancy, whom he affectionately calls Shorty, see each other everyday because he goes to Eastview School in Canton where Nancy teaches.

I have been a life long Lutheran. I was baptized and confirmed at Wiley Lutheran Church in rural Ellisville, Illinois. Wiley is located about 20 miles east of Canton. It is a rural church that was staffed by my Mother’s family while I was growing up. My Mom had seven sisters and they were all involved somehow with the church at one time or another. Wiley has had a constant flow of supply pastor’s over the years. It is still going with two of my aunts and their families very active.

I transferred to Trinity Lutheran Church in Canton in 1968 where I was a member until transferring to Grace and Peace. We transferred to Grace and Peace in 2004.

My hobbies include working with wood (functional furniture), fishing (when I get a chance), eating (as you can tell), movies and spending time with my family. I am a die-hard Cub fan. Yes, I even admit it at this time. I enjoy singing in the choir at church and helping out where I can.

I would like to thank everyone in the congregation for making Nancy and I feel at home here. It is very comforting to be among all the loving people here at Grace and Peace.

Kelly Smet

Family: My husband, Steve, and I have been married for nine years. I have a step-son, Bobby, and Steve and I have two children, Collin and Addisyn.

Background: I was born and raised in Aledo, Illinois, and graduated from Monmouth College with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Political Science. I worked as a department manager at Wal-Mart in Davenport, Iowa, after graduating college. I met my husband and moved to Peoria in 1993 and began working at PIP Printing late that year. I started in sales for PIP in 2000. Last year I ranked sixth out of 550 in total sales for the PIP Franchise.

I joined Grace & Peace in the summer of 2004. I joined because I felt at home here very quickly. I came from a small church growing up and wanted a “small church feel.” I think Grace and Peace does a very good job reaching out to new members. I attended a Lutheran church here in Peoria off and on for five years and not once did I ever get a call from the Pastor or an invitation to join or even participate in any other activities. That for me is what sets Grace and Peace apart from other congregations.

I am involved in the Youth Ministry through the Church Council. My desire is to continue to build a positive youth ministry here. My children are young and I want them to have a good Christian youth experience and I hope to help this area of the church grow. We have a lot of work to do though!

I would love to see more participation on the part of the youth and also on the part of volunteers. Many of our events don’t (and can’t) succeed because of the lack of participation and support from the youth, parents, and the congregation in general. I know in this “over-programmed, over-evented, over-worked” world that we live in that many of us are tired and sometimes do not know whether we are coming or going. There are events and activities that we sometimes have to say “no” to. And we should. But let’s be careful that we are not always saying “no” to church and its activities and missing out on potentially rewarding Christian experiences, for our children and for ourselves! The youth are the future of any congregation and it is the job of the congregation to support, teach, and help them grow in Christ.

If anyone is interested in joining the youth ministry please let me know. We would love for you to be a part of our group!

Please continue to pray for our youth, our volunteers, and that our ministry, along with all the others will continue to grow.

God Bless You All!

MISCELLANEOUS

SHARE Food

June 4 & 11 - Share Sign-up

June 24 - Share Pick-up

July Cornerstone Deadline

June 25, 2005

June Key Person

Barbara Bollman

A big thank you to all the participants in the Lutheran Home “Bake Sale.” It resulted in the sales of 689.20 and with matching funds from Thrivent; a nice sum of $917.20 for the Benevolent Fund at The Lutheran Home. Thank you again.

WOMEN OF GRACE AND PEACE

My Life Application Study Bible lists the Days of Creation:  Second Day…Sky and water (waters separated); Third Day…Land and seas (water gathered); Fourth Day…Sun, moon, and stars; Seventh Day…God rested and declared all he had made to be very good. I am writing this at 5:20 a.m. and in a few hours will board a plane and will observe the sky and water; land and sea; sun and moon. Wally and I are flying to Japan to see our son who is in the Air Force and stationed in Misawa, Japan. We have traveled throughout the United States but have never been abroad so with nervous excitement we will board that plane. We look forward to seeing the busy city of Tokyo, Hiroshima, Mt. Fuji, the small Japanese villages, and visiting the military base. We hope to visit a Japanese Evangelical Lutheran Church and observe Christianity in Japan. We hope to attend worship at the non-denominational church on the base at Misawa. And speaking of Misawa, some of you might have heard how our son, Travis, is now stationed at the very same base Paul and Kay Bartholomew were stationed in the ‘60’s. The last time Travis was home we all enjoyed an evening of Paul’s old slides and pictures of the base and the area. Paul and Travis laughed and compared notes!  Paul and Kay are anxious to see our pictures and how things have changed!  Time has certainly changed things and cultures are different. God’s love for me and for all of creation has not changed!  It is constant!

The story of creation is immense but it really is a small world!

WELCA initiative – Raising Up Healthy Women and Girls

Women and girls of Grace and Peace, plan on attending our Women’s Banquet on Tuesday, June 6. Suzanne Tietjen, author of 40 Days to Your Best Life–A Spiritual Journey to Contentment for Nurses, will be our guest and speak to us about spiritual health. I, along with many other members of Grace and Peace, know Suzanne personally and look forward to hearing her talk about her faith and her nursing and writing careers and how they are intertwined. A pot luck dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m. Bring the following:  a dish to pass; women friends; daughters; mother; other female relatives. Table settings and beverages will be provided.

Summer opportunities for the Women of Grace and Peace abound. Each of our Circles continue to meet during the summer. There is a group meeting different days and different times of the month. They are listed following this writing and each group welcomes your participation. We are WOGAP – Women of Grace and Peace; we are Raising Up Healthy Women and Girls; we are bold in our Journey to Wellness - our physical health, spiritual health, and emotional health.

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

Ruth/Rachel Circle

June 6 - 10:00 a.m.

Meeting at Church

Sack Lunch

Miriam Circle

June 13 - 7:00 p.m.

Coral Quitschau Hostess at church

Rebecca Circle

June 12 - 11:30 a.m.

Meeting at Church

Sack Lunch

Woman to Woman

June 21 - 6:30 p.m.

Meeting at Church

GRACE AND PEACE LUTHERAN CONGREGATION COUNCIL

May 16, 2006

President Linda Ericsson called the meeting to order.

AREAS OF MINISTRY AND BUSINESS

long range planning –A congregational meeting has been scheduled for August 20, 2006 at which time the plan for fund raising should be presented.   Factors to be addressed (1) determine our church’s borrowing capability (2) determine how much building costs have increased since the time our project estimate was done (3) by July 1 identify how the building projects will enhance and improve each ministry. To address the recommendation from Kairos to clearly define and communicate our ministry and vision a meeting is schedule on June 14 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss our Mission Statement. Dave Moder volunteered to help at this meeting.

nurture –The invitations to Pastor’s 25th ordination celebration have been mailed.

property – Because of rain on clean-up day there still remains some projects to be finished. Only two mowing teams; still need one more team.

stewardship – Only thirty time and talent sheets were returned. Stewardship will encourage people to check off at least one thing that they have never done before as a way to grow. The initial results of the time and talent surveys will be distributed to council liaisons and committee chairpersons. A Stewardship program called “Ten Brave Christians” will be researched.

worship and music – This committee will look into the possibility of reviving the tape ministry to shut-ins and the EME program. Roger Ericsson will investigate the possibility of using CD’s. Carin Caras will recruit greeters. Dick Joyce got two new hand mikes with receivers for about the same price as repairs. Becky Mueller submitted her resignation as organist effective September 1, 2006. Sue Mueller submitted her resignation as a member of Worship and Music. Sandy Peterson stated that “she was extremely disappointed that our organist had resigned. Music enhances the worship experience and is a very important component of the worship service. Grace and Peace has had a long history of very talented organists including Gretchen and Becky. We have been extremely fortunate to have the expertise of Becky during the past year and many will miss her talent and professionalism!  My hope is the committee can find someone of the same stature.”  Council members voiced concerns about the lack of our young adult group, our younger women’s circle and additional programs for our children and youth. Discussion followed.

youth  - June 17, 2006 there will be a Father/Child picnic held at the church hosted by Cindy and Pastor. Jeffrey Smith is raising money for the ELCA National Youth Gathering in San Antonio. Kelly reported that she is in the process of re-vamping the Youth Committee due to several people leaving the committee. Calls will be made in the next two weeks and hopefully the committee will be full (5 members) by July 1st. Leadership Lab will have two going, Elise Houge and Gwen Womack. July 8th will be a Birthday Party for all youth and their parents and mentors.

christian education  - Last Sunday School will be May 21st. Thank you to everyone who helped with Sunday School this year. Louise Cheatham will be the Sunday School Coordinator beginning in the fall. Ann Joyce volunteered to spearhead Rally Day on September 10th. Sue Hughes volunteered to coordinate the VBS program. “God is Love” will be the theme. Dates for VBS are July 30th through August 3rd. Aluminum cans will continue to be collected to help defray the costs of VBS. Pastor Wayne noted that he would like to get a Pioneer Club started at Grace and Peace involving age levels through 5th grade.

community action  - Dave reported that the Central Illinois Agency on Aging has sent a flyer inviting our congregation to be participants in “A Taste of Faith” on Saturday, August 12, 2006 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., a venue for area churches to highlight their favorite dishes and to join in an afternoon of good food, fellowship and entertainment. Dave also mentioned that Thrivent would be involved with Habitat for Humanity.

endowment - The schedule for presenting to the congregation the grant recipients is done. On July 16th Lindsay Mack, our missionary from Honduras, will be at Grace.

evangelism - Louise has made calls to expand this committee.

finance - Reviewed our insurance packages. Discussion was held about the expenses for Pastor’s 25th anniversary celebration. A motion was made by Sandy Peterson and seconded by Linda Ericsson that Pastor’s 25th anniversary celebration expenses be taken out of the Grace and Peace Fund. Motion carried. David Dietrich reported that immediate steps must be taken to address the issue of the projected depleted operating fund if we are to remain solvent. (1) Trust in prayer. Develop a prayer plan to raise the issue up in prayer.  (2) Additional giving. Start immediately to increase the level of congregational giving. (3) Fund raising. Develop and implement appropriate fund raising events and activities. (4) Redirect dedicated funds. Identify any dedicated funds that could be redirected to the Operating Fund. (5) Reduce budget. Request each ministry to review their current budget and identify appropriate reductions. A motion was made by Kent Anderson and seconded by Dick Joyce to transfer $123.94 from the Saturday Evening Loose Plate Fund to the General Operating Fund. Discussion held. Motion carried.

minutes - Not available.

women of grace and peace - The annual Women’s Banquet will be held on June 6 at 6:00 p.m. with a potluck dinner. The speaker will be Suzanne Tietjen who will speak to us how her faith sustains and enriches her as an advanced practice nurse and as a writer. The Women’s retreat at Living Springs had 20 people attending.

pastor’s report - Written report reviewed. Pastor reported that Lindsay Mack, our missionary from Honduras will be at Grace and Peace on July 16th.

executive council - Met and set agenda.

correspondence - A Letter of appreciation was received from the Concordia Band for use of the church. A letter of Thank You from Dave and Mary Jane Moder for hosting the Lutheran Honor Band Festival.

Next Council Meeting will be June 30 at 6:30 p.m. Executive Council will meet on June 13 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 Mike Murphy and Kelly Smet.

Respectfully submitted,

Sandy Peterson

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