Newsletters
From Pastor Henning's Desk
What I’ve been reading:
From the Bible – Through the New Testament: For the first time in my life, I’ve read through the Bible, every book, every word. I finished Revelation mid-month, and I’ve been working on what to do next for my regular Bible reading. My new plan is to read the People’s Bible Commentaries. There’s a whole shelf in the library, with individual commentaries dedicated to books of the Bible – some to one book, some to multiple grouped together. They take a chunk of verses at a time, then give insight into the history, the writing, and the meaning behind it all. I look forward to the devotional benefits of these books. You might be wondering, if I just finished reading the Bible, why do I need to get started with something new right away? Well, because I’m still hungry! Every day I need God’s Word! I’m grateful for the opportunity to keep revisiting old familiar texts and to see the new jewels that God reveals when I look again.
For fun: In August I only finished one book for personal edification. It’s called The Gospel Way Catechism: 50 Truths That Take On the World. Using an old tool (the Catechism) it approaches the way today’s world thinks while using the unchanging truths of Scripture. I found it refreshing and an invigorating read! It would be cool to have as a small group discussion, to go through slowly, week by week, one truth at a time over a year maybe. My next book is titled Did God Really Command Genocide? Coming to Terms with the Justice of God. This book tries to explain how a loving God could command Israelites to wipe out nations. How do we rightly view the conquest of the Promised Land? How can we understand the God of both justice and love?
Fall Fun
The Preschool Playdate was a great way to kick off the fun activities we’ve got coming on campus! Obviously, I’m excited to have kids back in the building for our new school year. I’m also thrilled about the upcoming classes we have – Catechism with five total current students, possibly one more; six families expressing interest in the Bible Beginners course; a pre-marital course with a couple preparing for their marriage; and getting to teach our monthly men’s breakfast Bible class for a few months. On top of that, another Church Picnic with special guest music, Fall Fest with all its fun and fanfare, choir resumes, football and volleyball and so much more!
A full schedule promises plenty of fun. God be praised for the enjoyment of all his good gifts!
News From Your Coordinating Council
The Council would like to say “well done” to all involved with our recent Vacation Bible School. The energy, excitement and fun was incredible to witness, the design and sets were outstanding and the chance to let over seventy children hear the truth about their Savior was a blessing. Thank you to all who were involved in putting this tremendous week together.
The Council thanks Cait Henning for the creation and launch of our new church and preschool website. This new online presence is a vast improvement over what we have been using. Our hope is that this tool will be a blessing to our membership and to those seeking information about our church. Thank you, Cait, for the outstanding work.
Our roof fund is growing – slowly – and our Council is beginning to investigate the cost for the replacement of our roof. All options are open right now with traditional and metal roof costs being considered. Your gifts to our roof fund are greatly appreciated.
The Council approved the removal of our unusable and non-repairable church organ. This instrument has been removed. The Council also approved the purchase of a Baby Grand piano for use in our worship services. This gives us our electronic keyboard and the piano as our instruments of choice – used to give glory to our Lord! May He bless our efforts.
Our campus security cameras continue to offer security to our property. A license plate reading camera has been updated to provide a better read of vehicle plates as they enter and leave our parking lot. Our thanks to Tom Meineke for his work in securing these cameras for our use.
A wonderful adventure called Fall Fest will once again be held in October here at Grace Lutheran. Planning has begun and help is needed. Contact Outreach Elder Jeremy Falck if you would like to be involved in the fun activity! Watch for more information in next month’s newsletter.
New concrete edging has been installed in front of our church. Our thanks to Mike Remiker for his work in having this nice-looking landscaping installed.
Discussions continue at the Council level concerning two important topics – the Calling of a full-time staff minister and the construction of an office and storage room on the west side of the fellowship hall. Watch for more information in September concerning these undertakings as we work to put motions on the floor during our November voters’ meeting.
Information about a change to our current congregational mission statement can be found elsewhere in this newsletter. Please read the information in that article carefully.
May God continue to bless the work of our Coordinating Council as they work to serve Him!
Sweet! Corn Success!
Through your generous donations, the corn fest held a few weeks ago here at Grace raised $386.00 for Manitowoc Lutheran High School! Thank you! We appreciate your giving, and hope you enjoyed the corn!
Speaking of Donations…
The “Bottle Collection” that we held at Grace Lutheran – a collection to support the pregnancy counseling center known as New Beginnings – saw $1844.72 donated! Thank you so very much for your generous giving! May God bless our gift to New Beginnings.
Bible Information Class
Pastor Henning is in the midst of preparing for a class offering that will begin this Fall. This class, a basic, Bible information class, takes those attending through a beginner’s course on what we teach and believe at Grace Lutheran Church. However, this class is not just for beginners but for anyone who would like to learn again, or be refreshed in what we teach and believe.
Contact Pastor Henning for more information or to let him know that you would like to attend. Classes begin the week of September 8th.
To all (students, teachers, helpers) who have recently headed back to the classroom, or will do so soon, we pray for God’s richest blessings on your school year
New Mission Statement
Our Coordinating Council is ready to approve a new Mission Statement for our congregation during our September meeting. Before we do, we would like to offer the members of our congregation an opportunity to share their thoughts or comments about the proposed statement.
The new mission statement – if approved – will be as follows:
Rooted in Christ’s love, we share the life-changing Gospel with grace, compassion and unwavering hope – welcoming all, serving others, growing in grace and pointing every heart to Jesus.
If you have any thoughts or comments concerning the decision we hope to make in September, simply contact any of our Coordinating Council members. We’d love to hear from you.
By God’s grace, our Jesus’ Lambs of Grace preschool will open for another school year on Tuesday, September 2nd with an enrollment of thirty-eight children in the 2K, 3K and 4K programs.
Director Debbie Heiderich will work with an outstanding staff that will include:
Mrs. Kupsky, Mrs. Revak, Mrs. Perez, Mrs. Barthel, Mrs. Menges, Miss LaFond, Miss Plocher, Miss Malley, and
Mrs. Pappatgopoulus. Student interns from Manitowoc Lutheran High School include Miss Lily and Miss Charlee, and this year’s substitute teacher will be Mrs. Leist.
May God bless this new school year, our director, our staff and our Lambs of Grace. It is truly a privilege here at Grace Lutheran to be blessed with an outstanding preschool – a preschool that shares the love of Jesus Christ every single day. To HIM be the glory!
Member Spotlight
Claude and Tami Ford
Welcome to our newest members, Claude and Tami! They recently transferred from Immanuel and attend with Grace member Marlis Schrimpf, who is Tami’s aunt.
Tami grew up in Mishicot and is oldest of two siblings. She attended grade school at St. John’s in Two Rivers, then finished her schooling in the Mishicot Public School District. She also donated a kidney to her younger brother several years ago.
Claude grew up in Manitowoc and is the youngest of six siblings. He attended Manitowoc public schools, graduating from Lincoln High School. Tami and Claude met through friends and have been married for 30 years. They both attended Lakeshore Technical College and Silver Lake College. Tami studied accounting and Claude studied business. They have two grown children and a Yorkie named Mario.
Claude is a Project Manager at Point Beach Nuclear, where he has worked for 24 years. His work has taken him around the country, and the couple lived in Florida for five years until they moved back to the area in 2022. In their free time, Claude and Tami enjoy spending time together and with family. When Claude isn’t working, he can be found working on his car or in his yard. Tami keeps herself busy with a host of hobbies, including reading, gardening, walking, biking, kayaking, paddle boarding, traveling, attending concerts, and going to Disney. They have also recently become fans of the Brewers and have started attending games together.
Give Tami and Claude a warm welcome as you see them around Grace!
Want to help out here at Grace Lutheran? Two events to consider – events that need help – are the upcoming Church picnic in August and the Fall Fest in October. Feel free to call the church office for more information on how you might get involved! Thanks!
Could Social Media Applications Be Used for Congregational Outreach?
(Delayed from Last Month, But Still in the Works.)
The Chairman of our congregation, Steve Janke, would like to pursue that question, and he would like to do so by forming a team of volunteers to explore avenues of outreach using social media.
If you consider yourself somewhat “savvy” in the world of social media and would like to be a part of the Social Media Exploration for Outreach team, please contact our chairman and let him know. He’ll be setting up a meeting date very soon. Chairman Janke’s contact information can be found in the church directory or can be secured with a call to the church office.
Changes to our Congregational Newsletter…
Due to preferences from some of our members, concerns regarding privacy and safety as well as excessive repetition of information, we will no longer be placing the following information into our newsletter:
Birthday Lists
Mowing, Vacuuming and Usher / Greeter Schedules with Names and Phone Numbers
Coordinating Council Elected Officials Information with Names and Phone Numbers
You can find this information in a number of different locations, such as church bulletin boards, church emails, our website, church mailboxes and in our weekly news handouts. You may also feel free to call the church office for any needed information.
We appreciate your understanding regarding these inclusion decisions.
THANK YOU FOR READING!
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, ideas or suggestions regarding this newsletter, please contact the church office. We’d love to hear from you!
