Volume XII, Issue 9
SEPTEMBER 2013
Hellos and Good-byes
During this past summer we were called upon to bid farewell to
some members and hello to others.
Grace Lutheran Church is a
“Reconciling in Christ”
congregation, welcoming gay and
lesbian believers to become
members and to share in the
sacramental and general life of this
congregation. We affirm that we
welcome all persons regardless of
race, gender, sexual orientation,
age or national origin.
Our VISION is “to be a
Christ-centered community who
welcomes all, grows in faith, and
reaches out in love.”
Our MISSION is “to follow Christ
into our community and world manifesting with caring hearts and helping hands the good news of the
Kingdom of Christ.”
Moving to new communities were:
Anton and Lyndall Johnson – Their last Sunday with us was July 14th. They are now residing
in Bend, Oregon where they are close to the permanent residence of one daughter and her family
and the vacation residence of another daughter and her family. Though they were members at
Grace for just a year and a half, both Anton and Lyndall enjoyed singing in our Chancel Choir
and participating in the Tuesday Bible Study. As a retired ELCA pastor, we also called upon
Anton to “fill in” for the pastors a couple of times when they were away. As we appreciated
their participation here at Grace, we know that a congregation in Bend will be blessed by their
presence.
Patrick, Anne, Archer and Will Schroeder – The Schroeders last Sunday with us was August
11th when we had an opportunity to bid them Farewell and Godspeed. Anne and Patrick became
members of Grace on July 13, 2009 but were part of the worshiping community a couple of years
before that. During their time with us their two sons, Archer and Will, were born and baptized
here at Grace. Patrick’s ability to telecommute gave them the opportunity to move back east to
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where Anne’s parents reside. While at Grace, Archer had the privilege
of serving in the role of baby Jesus for our 2009 Nativity Worship when he was only four months
old. We appreciate the many gifts that the whole Schroeder family shared with us during their
time here. Because of the telecommuting nature of his work, Patrick reminded us he will have to
return to Corvallis for work occasionally, so we hope to welcome them back at various times in
the future when they are here for a visit.
On Sunday, July 21st we welcomed as an Associate Member,
Aaron McKim – Aaron is a Graduate Teaching Assistant in Agricultural Education at OSU. He
was born, baptized and confirmed in Corydon, Indiana where his family were members of St.
Peter’s Lutheran Church, a small ELCA congregation in southern Indiana. Aaron, his two brothers and sister, grew up on a small hobby farm where his family raised beef cattle, goats, chickens, rabbits, geese and turkeys. After receiving his Bachelor’s Degree from Purdue University,
he taught agriculture at the middle and high school levels. He moved to Corvallis with his wife,
Lauren, to pursue a Master’s and Doctorate in Education with an emphasis in agriculture teacher
preparation and leadership development. While we welcome Lauren as a worshiping member,
she has chosen to keep her membership in the Roman Catholic Church. Aaron and Lauren plan
to live in Corvallis until Aaron finishes his program of study in 2016. We were very grateful to
have Aaron serve on our volunteer staff for Day Camp this past summer. With his teaching
background, he was a wonderful asset to the leadership team.
Page 2
Grace Gatherings
Grace News
Illness:
This prayer list is
a compilation of
the prayer
requests we have
received at Grace
from JULY 20th to
AUGUST 19th. For
a more timely
update to the
prayers, send
your email
address to
prayers@grace
97330.org, and
ask to be part of
the prayer list.
Vicki Meyer
Cara Sue Raze, Frank & Bev Raze’s granddaughter
Bev Raze’s brother-in-law Willie Nelson
Frank Raze’s friend and former co-worker, LeRoy Foster
Kimberly Samard
Brenden & Quentin, twin grand-nephews of Frank & Sue Davis
Adeline and John Hult
Evelyn Koenig
Evelyn’s daughter-in-law, Julie Koenig
Sandie Williams
Adele Neukomm
Lee Hendershott, Pastor Wendell's father
Death:
Kendra Wollert’s Uncle Ray
Elsa Moeller
Gerald “Jerry” Weber (Todd Weber’s father)
Phone & address changes:
Larry & Donna Blus:
12005 SW Ninth St., Apt. 237, Beaverton, OR 97005, c/o Beaverton Lodge,
new phone is: 503/469-2958, new e-mail address is: [email protected].
Pat & Johnny Corkill: 541-230-1959
Ron & Barbara Manbeck:
4456 Fantail Pl SW, Port Orchard, WA 98367. Phone: 360-602-0301
Thanks:
Wedding of Betty McCauley’s granddaughter, Emily Thomas and her fiancée, Amy Lynn
Marilyn Bervin's injuries from car accident healing nicely
Birth of Norah Wells, granddaughter of Darlene & Jim Leklem
Bev Raze’s brother-in-law, Willie Nelson, for successful surgery
Todd & Julie Weber’s 25th wedding anniversary
Chaplain William and Naomi Adix, 60th wedding anniversary (Marilyn Bervin’s brother &
sister-in-law)
New ELCA Churchwide Leaders:
Presiding Bishop Elect Elizabeth Eaton and ELCA Secretary Elect Wm. Chris Boerger and
the service of outgoing leaders Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson and ELCA Secretary David
Swartling
Labor Day Weekend Sunday
Join us in worship at Central Park, September 1, with our ecumenical partners at 10:00
o’clock am. At this writing we still need folks to help with setting up chairs (9:00 am) &
ushering. (9:30 am) Sign up in the entryway to help with the service. Thanks to those who
have already signed up to help.
Volume XII, Issue 9
Page 3
Grace News
SongBirds
All are grateful to the many members dedicated to bringing the gift of music to our Sunday worship services and other programs. Honor their gifts with a Thank You when you
see them.
Ali Briskey, Director of Worship & Music, lends her expertise and creativity to provide us
with joyful music.
Chancel Choir: Sue Davis, Netsie Griffith, Ardis Koester, Brandy Milleman, Norma
Moody, Sue Speulda, Sandie Williams, Carol Erickson, Lyndall Johnson, Anne Orwick,
Marjorie Power, Joan Sandeno, Donna Wernz, Todd Greeley, Wendell Hendershott, Jerry
Koester, Max Power, Glenn Chaffin, Anton Johnson, Jim Wernz.
Grace Alive!:Bill Briskey, Paul Briskey, Teri Briskey, Tom Kiersky, Dave Lundahl, Ali
Briskey, Angie Kingsley
Also—from Worship & Music Committee
1) A call to all singers! Choir rehearsals will begin the first week of September, join us
for the year, a season, or just a week at a time. All singers of any age and experi
ence are welcome and encouraged.
September Rehearsals
Wednesday September 4th at 6pm – an early rehearsal to get in the swing of things. Join
us for fellowship and singing, as we do a bit of housekeeping and rehearse for “Kick off”
Sunday worship. Again—all singers are welcome!!
Wednesday September 11, 18 & 25 will be held at our regular rehearsal time of 6:45pm
2) Looking ahead- Not interested in committing to the entire year, but love to sing during
the holidays? Join us on October 2nd at 6pm to read through this year’s cantata.
The more the merrier, as we prepare to bring the true message of Christmas to our
community, through word and song.
3) Please join the Worship and Music committee in prayer as we search for a new church
organist and/or choir accompanist. We are accepting applicants who may be inter
ested in one or both aspects of the position. Do you know someone? Would you
like to take on a new role in worship? To learn more, apply, or simply refer some
one who may be interested, simply leave a message with Cindy in the church off
ice or feel free to contact our Director of Music and Worship Ali Briskey or Pr.
Wendell Hendershott directly.
4) For future planning here is a consolidated version of the dates of choir practice (as
known)
Sept 4- 6pm
Sept 11, 18, 25- 6:45pm
October 2- 6pm
October 9, 16 & 30 - 6:45pm
October 23 (No rehearsal)
Thank you, -- Ali Briskey
12 SEPTEMBER
2nd Thursday’sWomen’s
Luncheon will be
at Trillium Children’s Farm Home
Café. Meet at
Grace at 11:15 am
to car-pool.
Please RSVP by
Mon, Sept 9.
24 SEPTEMBER
4th Tuesday’s
Women’s
Luncheon at New
Morning Bakery
at 11:45a
Page 4
Grace Gatherings
Pastor’s Page
The Church at Its Best:
Beyond “Good” to “New”
Pastor Netsie Griffith
Contact Information
Cell: 541.223.3455
Email:
[email protected]
Pastor Netsie’s
Days Off
Thursday & Friday
Pastor Wendell
Hendershott
Contact Information
Cell: 541.223.3503
Email:
wendell@grace
97330.org
Pastor Wendell’s
Days Off
Tuesday & Friday
Though I was not in attendance at the 2013 Churchwide Assembly which
met in Pittsburgh, PA from August 12-17, responses from Facebook friends
and our Oregon Synod delegation filled me with awe, as the Ecclesiastical
Ballot to elect our Churchwide Presiding Bishop progressed and resulted in
the election of the Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, current Bishop of the Northeast Ohio Synod, as our new Presiding Bishop. In the days prior to the Assembly knowing that two-term Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson was willing to be elected to a third six year term made me and many others think that surely he
would be re-elected. Bishop Hanson has served our church faithfully and well for the past twelve
years. He has been a good (and many would say excellent) bishop and servant of God in this role.
For those of you unfamiliar with how ecclesiastical balloting works, it begins with a first ballot upon which any ordained pastor of the ELCA was eligible to be nominated. After the first ballot,
nominees are able to remove their names from the ballot before the assembly proceeds to the second
ballot. From that point on top vote recipients move on to the next ballot with a certain percentage of
votes required for election. Prior to each ballot, the assembly is led in prayer. After the second ballot,
there were seven candidates which were placed on the third ballot. Of those seven, four of them participated in a question and answer session before the Assembly. After the third ballot, three of these
seven candidates moved to a fourth ballot, the Rev. Jessica Crist (Bishop of the Montana Synod), Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson, and the Rev. Elizabeth Eaton. The fourth ballot did not result in an election, because none of the candidates received the required percentage of votes, thus Mark Hanson and
Elizabeth Eaton advanced to a fifth ballot.
Having participated in the past in the election of the E. Washington-Idaho Synod Bishop via
ecclesiastical balloting, I gained an understanding of the Holy Spirit’s movement through this process.
Thus, I was not totally surprised when I began to read multiple Facebook posts at what an astounding
process this was. From what I could discern, it was filled with prayer, attentiveness, respect, listening
and responding to the movement of the Spirit through the gathered Assembly. Our Oregon Synod
Bishop, Dave Brauer-Rieke posted this caption to a picture he submitted of the Assembly, “Standing
ovation for great leaders before our final vote for Presiding Bishop. The maturity and spirit of love and
support between our Presiding Bishop candidates has been amazing!”
One of my Facebook friends commented that any of the three, final candidates would have
been capable of serving faithfully and well in the role of Presiding Bishop. Thus, as I have perceived
it, the election was in no way a negative commentary on the past service and leadership of Presiding
Bishop Hanson. Rather it was a response of the Assembly to the Spirit’s work of moving us from
“good” to “new.” Appropriately, the theme of the Assembly was “Always Being Made New” based on
2 Corinthians 5:17.
At times when the church has been on a public stage, it has not always been at its best and often is called to repentance in its failure to witness to the love and power of our triune God. Yet, once
in awhile, the witness of the church shines bright, and we rejoice for such a break through. I believe
that the election process for our new Presiding Bishop was one of those times.
Thus, thanks be to God for the faithful service of Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson, for the willingness to serve of our Presiding Bishop Elect, Elizabeth
Eaton, and for the voting members of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly guided
by the movement of the Holy Spirit. I highly commend to you the news release of Bishop Mark Hanson’s final report to the Assembly accessible via the
link below.
In praise of God and God’s servants,
Pastor Netsie
Link to the press release of Bishop Mark Hanson’s Final Report to the ELCA Assembly
http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/CommunicationServices/News/Releases.aspx?a=5330
Volume XII, Issue 9
Pastor’s Page
Get a Bible for Your Phone, Tablet, Laptop, PC or Mac
Wendell Hendershott
Last month when the Churchwide Assembly met in Pittsburgh all the voting members received their reports on
electronic tablets instead of in four inch binders filled with paper. It was estimated that the assembly was able to
save over 500,000 sheets of paper with the tablets.
But you don’t have to be a Churchwide voting member to use your phone or tablet for church things. There are a
number of applications and web pages that can be used to access all sorts of Christian and religious materials.
This article is mainly concerned with Bibles, but there are lots of other apps, programs, study aids, and websites
for you to explore.
I started looking for an electronic version of the Bible years ago. At first many of them were scholarly versions
and therefore quite expensive. When less expensive versions became available, they were often older, less reliable
translations. It still costs quite a bit for a fully searchable, scholarly Bible program, but there are more
and more free Bible apps available for downloading on your favorite platform.
You will notice below that I have a particular bias for the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the
Bible. Our seminaries recommend this translation and Lutherans made important contributions to this
version. It is one of the most accurate and faithful translations you can use.
OREMUS: If you’re after a completely free NRSV version online you might try the oremus Bible
Browser, at http://bible.oremus.org/ . This is a web-based Bible and is only available on platforms that
have internet access, yet, the price is right. It’s the version we use to download our lessons for the screen
Sunday mornings. It is a very simple and easy to use website. In addition to the Bible, other resources
are also available on this browser. The downside to this one is that there is no handy phone app. One has
to open it up on a web browser, but many phones and tablets have that ability.
OLIVE TREE: This was the first electronic Bible I got for my Palm personal digital assistant. That was over ten
years ago. It was from Olive Tree Software which still makes Bible platforms. The basic Bible program was then
free, but it was one of those older translations. Yet, for about $10.00, I was able to purchase a NRSV. For $5.00
more, I was able to get the version with an apocrapha. Olive Tree now offers an updated Bible App for your
phone or Tablet. The free Bibles are improved, there are more of them and one is still able to download the NRSV
with apocrapha, now for only $9.99. Like the products below you can get historical Bibles for free such as the
Tyndale New Testament. Tyndale was the first to print the New Testament in English in 1525.
LOGOS: Logos Bible software phone apps are similar to Olive Tree, with several improvements. This one has a
multitude of applications and platforms and seems to be getting more all the time. The best thing about this is that
the app talks to other platforms you might use. In other words you should be able to go from your phone to your
Work PC to your tablet and then to your laptop and use your same Bible. Although when I tried this with my laptop, it took a couple tries to get it to work. The basic Bible engine is pretty respectable and free. There are other
translations and study aids, some free, others will cost different amounts. The NRSV upgrade, again with apocrapha, is $10.00. More sophisticated than Olive Tree, it has more Bible Study resources and can be used not
only by the beginner, but by the sophisticated Bible scholar. You can also access their free NRSV Version
through www.biblia.com . The scholarly portions can become fairly expensive. Historical Bible are free.
BIBLE WORKS: The Bible Works program is comparable or superior in scholarship to the Logos. I think it’s
better. Like Logos, you will pay a premium for the scholarly sophistication. This is the one you need if you are
into looking up the Greek and Hebrew. It even has photo reproductions available of the oldest Bible manuscripts.
The downside to this one is that while it has a powerful search engine and hundreds of Bible translations (most of
them come with the program) it only works on a computer platform. Though it works with both Mac and PC environments you do need either a computer or Tablet for this one. Though for those who are really computer savvy,
there is a way to access the program from your iPhone or Android. Again those historical Bibles are free once you
have the basic program.
NET BIBLE: The NET Bible is a fairly new online translation that is pretty good. There is a free application for
it at Bible.org. I have not explored this app very much and because of the conservative organizations that support
it, I would be cautious of them and would not use their Bible study materials. The historical Bibles with this one
are in the parallel translation feature.
I find that I use every one of the above Bibles but for different reasons. There are others out there as well, but
these will get you started. As more and more of these resources become available, we will try to keep you abreast
of the trends and possibilities. One caution: There are lots of free Bible apps out there. All of them come with a
theological point of view. We will agree with some but not all. One final note of caution, the most widely
downloaded free Bible apps tend to be old translations that have not kept up with today’s Bible scholarship. Those
named above are exceptions and deserve your consideration for your favorite electronic platform.
Page 5
Page 6
Grace Gatherings
Council Meeting Minutes
Minutes of August
2013
Attendance:
Michael Beachley,
Hal Brauner, Mary
Ann Brenan, Pr.
Netsie Griffith, Pr.
Wendell Hendershott, Ardis
Koester, Ardelle
Merritt, Rick
Osborn, Iona
Trapp, Ron Walsh,
Carol Warloe
Absent: Peter Gelser, Shelly Lundahl
Call to order by President, Rick Osborn at 6:50
Devotions were presented by Mary Ann Brenan on Hebrews 11:29-12:2 on faith when faced with challenges.
Minutes of the July 8, 2013 meeting were accepted. Motioned, seconded, passed (MSP)
Treasurer’s Report: July report was good with the notations that July had 5 Sundays and summer contributions tend to be lower but pick up in the fall.
Old Business:
75th Diamond Anniversary: A notebook and box are being set up to collect ideas and items related to the anniversary. It is in the copy room with Church Council notebooks. Video interviews are slowly continuing.
It was noted the decals for a Reconciling Congregation are installed by the doors. The statement of being a
Reconciling Congregation is on the website and a plaque in the fireside room.
Forums and conversations on the Leadership II report are to be scheduled starting this fall.
New Business:
The Council will begin a discussion of the book, Christianity After Religion by Diana Butler Bass starting in
October. This book was used at this year’s synod assembly where the author was a speaker. A set amount of
the council time will be allotted for discussion.
Reports:
Pastoral reports: Pastor Wendell highlighted the successful Day Camp, the due date for budget narratives,
and upcoming dates. Pastor Netsie also gave thanks for the leadership and volunteers for Day Camp. She also
spoke of the Churchwide Assembly noted in Pr. Wendell’s report.
Grace Foundation: Reviewing policies and procedures.
Stewardship Committee: A new emphasis and theme was announced. It will be GRACE= Growing, Reaching, And Caring for Everyone. There was a reminder to turn in budget narratives emphasizing ministry.
Personnel Committee: The work of the committee was acknowledged. Council members were instructed to
replace the Safety Policy for Children and Elders revised May 13, 2013 in their Council Handbooks.
Communications Committee: No written report
Property Committee: No written report. Major floor cleaning is being conducted this week.
President: Rick Osborn
Vice President: Mary Ann Brenan
Secretary: Ardis Koester
Interim Treasurer: Hal Brauner
Financial Secretary: Mary Stephens
Council Members:
Ron Walsh
Ardelle Merritt
Jude Geist
Peter Gelser
Shelly Lundahl
Michael Beachley
Carol Warloe
Iona Trapp
Pr. Netsie Griffith
Pr. Wendell Hendershott
Finance Committee: The timing of the budget development and presentation will be similar to
last year. The emphasis will be on ministry and mission. The narrative statements are due September 15, 2013 to Hal Brauner, Finance Committee Chairman and Rick Osborn, Council President. A discussion was held related to the one property on the block not owned by Grace Lutheran Church.
Discipling Ministry Committee: The successful Day Camp was discussed. It was noted yearlong, on-going activities such as the book cart, ARC designations and summer Sunday night
dinners at Clodfelter’s have been successful and allowed more scholarships to be given out this
year.
Worship and Music Committee: Ali Briskey will begin organ lessons under the same arrangements as were made for Lena Mealy. The Altar Guild Handbook has been newly revised.
Outreach Committee and Caring Ministry Committee: No written report
Closing prayers were offered by Pr. Netsie Griffith
Meeting adjourned at 9:10
Respectfully submitted,
Ardis Koester, Secretary
Volume XII, Issue 9
Page 7
Grace News
(Continued form page 3)
We Begin on Tuesday, September 10th!
This fall we start a new unit looking at examples of Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament. We will look at how the Bible explores the nature of wisdom, its importance
and limits and its relationship to God.
Specifically, we will study two collections of what is categorized as wisdom literature, the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. The use of the word, “wisdom,” links
this genre of literature in the Bible. This word appears 42 times in Proverbs and 28
times in Ecclesiastes not including the synonyms for “wisdom” which also appear frequently.
We meet in the Fireside Room from 1:00-2:30 pm every Tuesday beginning
September 10th. New members are always welcome. If it is not possible for you to attend on a weekly basis, you are welcome when and as you are able to attend.
Second Sunday Pastor’s Class
Beyond the Sacraments
Pastor Wendell Henershott will be offering a discussion group on the second Sunday of October, November and December. (10/13, 11/10, 12/8) It will be entitled “Beyond
the Sacraments. We’ll look at the things that grow out of the Sacraments of Baptism and
the Lord’s Supper. We’ll explore the interests of those gathered and talk about the topics
the participants are most interested in.
We’ll begin by looking at the role of Scripture in the sacraments and a Christian’s
life, then we’ll move onto important spiritual milestones such as Confirmation, Funerals,
Marriage Ceremonies, House Blessings, Private v Public Confession of sins, and such. If
the class is interested we could also look into ordination, consecration of deaconesses,
commissioning of lay staff, Bible camping, Sunday school, small group studies, healing
ministries, prayer and other spiritual practices.
The classes will be designed so that people may attend all of them or just the ones
that sound most interesting. Each session will be mostly independent of the others. As a
result of this gathering, it is hoped the topics will help us explore the passions of our spiritual life. The hope is not only for deeper understanding, but also richer experience as we
practice our faith.
Grace on the Move
Thanks to our wonderful, dedicated Grace on the Move Drivers, who provide rides to
worship for those in need of transportation:
Ron & Kay Larson, Marna Renshaw, Wayne & Carolyn Kradjan, Darlene & Jim Leklem
Kathy Vohland, Anne & Tom Orwick, Sue & Ken Kingsley, Art & Marilyn Bervin, Mark
& Joyce Gourley, Bob & Chris Saathoff, Tom & Denise Cardinali, Rick Osborn.
Partners in Faith
Friday, September 20, 2013, at 6 p.m. in the Fireside Room.
"Crazy Hats" - create one or more and bring them along with a story. - Potluck, bring your
own table service. Info: Sue Musil 541-745-5511 or Marna Renshaw 541-286-4537.
Save this Date!
September 22, after our Second Service Grace Salmon Bake in the Thompson Shelter at Avery Park.
Tickets will be available on Sundays and in the church office some time in September.
Sponsored by the Men of Grace Lutheran. Contact Dave Lundahl to help or to get your tickets. 541-602-3419
[email protected]
Page 8
Grace Gatherings
Grace Personnel & SEPTEMBER Birthday’s
Grace Personnel
Pastor Netsie Griffith &
Pastor Wendell Hendershott
Health Ministries - Marna Renshaw
Director of Discipling Ministries - Donna King
High School Ministry Director - Todd Weber
Director of Worship & Music - Ali Briskey
Organist - position currently vacant
Custodian - Mary Roth
Nursery - Katie Giles
Administrative Assistant - Cindy Lee
Office Assistant - Jody Parker
Interim Bookkeeper - Peter Gelser
Prayer Chain - Cathy Mueller & Bruce Stephens
Grace Gatherings Editors - Kathy Scroggins &
Linda Samuels
If you would like a visitation or to schedule an appointment with
a member of the ministerial staff, please call the office at
541.757.1600. Hours are 8-4 weekdays. You are welcome to
leave a message on the answering machine after hours at
541.757.1600. Visit our Grace web page at:
www.grace97330.org
Teams & Committees
Property Committee - Ron Larson , 541.752.0754
Communications Committee
Randy Joss, 541.929.9360
Sunday Hospitality
Marilyn Lesmeister, 541.981.2229
Gordon
Matzke
01-Sep
Maureen
Hallgrimson
01-Sep
Suzanne
Davis
01-Sep
James
Zeller
01-Sep
Marilyn
Ashley
Loftsgard
Smith
02-Sep
02-Sep
Doug
Boysen
03-Sep
Marion
Zerull
04-Sep
Mark
Stephens
05-Sep
Darlene
Leklem
06-Sep
Franklin
Raze
07-Sep
Christina
Holmes
07-Sep
Patrick
Schroeder
09-Sep
Erika
Donner
13-Sep
Kris
Saathoff
14-Sep
Oliver
Joss
14-Sep
Juan
Guzman
15-Sep
Karen
Stephenson
15-Sep
Marjorie
Kinch
16-Sep
Marcie
Anderson
18-Sep
Reception Hospitality- Kathy Scroggins, 541.752.7276
Eli
Geist
18-Sep
Events Hospitality - Molly Hallgrimson, 541.753.8581
Mary Ann
Brenan
19-Sep
Richard
Osborn
19-Sep
Anita
Upenieks
20-Sep
Martha
Anderson
20-Sep
Scott
Beachley
20-Sep
Leslie
Weeber
21-Sep
Dan
Hallgrimson
22-Sep
Nathan
Beilby
22-Sep
Hal
Koenig
23-Sep
Angela
Erickson
23-Sep
Seamus
Harrington
23-Sep
Rachel
Harrington
24-Sep
Avi
Hadlock
25-Sep
Annikka
Howe
25-Sep
Cyndi
Stadsvold
28-Sep
Bob
Schoning
29-Sep
Evelyne
Hendrix
29-Sep
Gail
Bartee
29-Sep
Gloria
Chaves
30-Sep
Christian Education Team
Deaconess Donna King, 541.757.6636
Altar Guild-Linda Samuels, 541.929.4222
Worship & Music Committee
Michael Beachley, 541.754.5501
Finance Committee - Hal Brauner, 541.753.0023
Personnel Committee - Iona Trapp, 541.207.3886
Hospital Visitation Team - Jim Wernz, 541.929.6794
Healing Prayer Team - Sue Davis, 541.924.2922
Missions Group - Bob Saathoff, 541.929.3045
Stewardship Committee - Dave Lundahl, 541.757.1358
Pastoral Counseling Center
Anthony Terndrup, Director, 541.753.9217
Campus Ministry at Luther House
Jim Norlie, Pastor, 541.753.5213
Volunteer Interfaith Caregivers
Norma Moody, 541.754.2555
Volume XII, Issue 9
Page 9
Grace News
(Continued form page 7)
Are You on our Email List?
As we seek to improve communication via email, we do not wish anyone to miss out on
receiving important information. Currently, we send out weekly announcements (“This
Week at Grace”), the electronic link to this newsletter, Grace Gatherings, and death notices or other information of special importance. If you have an email address, are not receiving this information but would like to receive it, please contact the church office at
[email protected] or call the office, 541-757-1600.
The Prayer Chain at Grace
If you wish to be notified of prayer requests on a regular basis, please send your email address to [email protected] to be added to our email prayer chain list. Do you not
have an email address but still wish to be on the prayer chain? Speak with one of the pastors for how to make this happen. If you would like to request prayers for yourself, someone else, or something else of concern, you may send these requests to
[email protected]. Important Note – Prior to requesting prayers for another person, please check with them to make sure they wish to be placed on the prayer chain. Not
everyone wishes their prayer concerns to be made public.
A special thanks:
Thanks to the Grace members for their wonderful cards and good wishes at our special 50th
Wedding Anniversary celebration after church
8/18/13.
We especially thank Carol Erickson for her
beautiful bouquets of flowers used to decorate
the tables in the fellowship hall, the Hospitality
committee for serving the cake, punch and coffee and a thank you to Stan Miles for our flower
corsages.
We feel very blessed to have such a wonderful
church family!
Kay & Ron Larson, Dorothy & Stan Miles, Jean & Carl Grosz, Marilyn & Ron Walsh
From Health Ministries:
Thank you to all of our Grace members for your show of support by donating blood at the
last blood drive on July 25. The need for blood is constant and your donation helps ensure a safe and stable blood supply for people in need. The drive goal was 16 units and the
actual units collected was 18.
I just want to express my sincere thanks along with the American Red Cross to all of you
that took the time to donate.
The next blood drive will be Oct. 30th from 10 - 3 pm again in the Fireside room of Grace
Lutheran Church.
Marna Renshaw (541-286-4537) [email protected]
Newsletter Calendar
Can be found on our website: www.grace97330.org; click on calendar.
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Grace Gatherings
Community of Grace
A unique partnership will enable
community/church members to
gain new information about
"earthkeeping". OSU Extension
Service Benton County and Grace
Lutheran Church, Corvallis, are
cooperating to provide innovative
proven class activities.
The first learning opportunity
will occur on eight Mondays, beginning October 7, 6:30 to 9:00
p.m. (plus two half-day field trips),
will prepare Neighborhood Sustainability Stewards to live more
environmentally responsibly,
share knowledge with others, save
money and resources, help to
reduce Benton County's carbon
footprint, and contribute time to
community projects. Sessions will
occur at Grace Lutheran Church’s
Ronnenkamp Hall at Kings and
Harrison Streets.
The second learning opportunity
is scheduled this fall on the third Sunday of each month from 9:45-10:45 a.m. between services at Grace Lutheran Church:
September 15 Climate Change
October 20 Food Safety
November 17 Values, Ethics, Behavior/lifestyle Changes
A volunteer presenter from OSU Extension Benton County's "Neighborhood Sustainability Steward Program"
will engage participants in a climate change conversation, give tools to lower pollution, and offer skills to live
responsibly in a changing world. The public, Corvallis communities, including college and high school students are invited to each or all of the "Earthkeeping: Taking Care of Our Good Earth" Sunday morning
classes. No fee for these classes. Both the Monday evening and Sunday morning learning opportunities will
occur at Grace Lutheran Church, Corner of King's and Harrison at Ronnenkamp Hall.
Volume XII, Issue 9
Community of Grace
Luther House:
Ready. Set. Welcome.
New students will be arriving this month as they prepare to begin classes September 29.
Don't be surprised if they come to Sunday morning worship and 'check us out' to see if this
is a place they can nurture their spirits. Help them feel comfortable by extending a heartfelt welcome, explaining how to navigate worship, pointing them to the bathrooms and
information table, inviting them to refreshments in the Fireside Room, and remembering
their name the next time they come to worship. Information that tells about Luther House
is on the info table in the entryway. Share it liberally!
Fall Football Parking
If you're attending home Beaver football games this fall, consider parking at
Grace to support Luther House. And please tell your football buddies to do
the same. The lot will be available every home game, three hours before kickoff. Suggested donation is $10. Park four times and the fifth time is free!
St. Francis Goes Swimming with the Salmon, October 3
Luther House is sponsoring a guest appearance by New Testament scholar
Barbara Rossing on Thursday, October 3, 7-8:30 pm, at the Native American
Longhouse on campus at OSU. Her presentation, "St. Francis Goes Swimming with the Salmon: Ancient Wisdom for a Planet in Peril," coincides with
the annual commemoration of St. Francis of Assisi (October 4). If you miss
her talk on campus, Rossing will continue her Oregon visit at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Salem as this year's Visiting Theologian, October 4-6
(Friday evening, Saturday morning, Sunday worship).
Oregon Synod Women of the ELCA
Conference Of Clusters
Theme: Fear, Discernment and Prayer
September 21, 2013
8:00 am - 3:30 Lunch is included in registration fee.
Our Savior's Lutheran Church
3111 S Main
Lebanon, OR 97355
Registration: $25.00 before Sept. 12
$30.00 after Sept. 12 (Registration is not refundable, but transferrable)
Coffee and Check in at 8 am
Conference Cluster Speaker: Mindy Holland, Diaconal Minister,
(3 sessions)
Workshop: Discussion on the children's novel Seedfolks by Paul Fleisdhman, 1997.
Led by Sonja Hoffman
If interested please contact Marna Renshaw 541 - 286 - 4537
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Grace Gatherings
Grace Global Book Group
Formerly the International Book Group, we are now the Global Book group. We meet on the fourth Thursday of most months (November is the third Thursday and December is not at all) at 7:00 PM in either Classroom 7 or the Fireside Room.
Come, whether you have read all of the book, part of the book or none of the book. Our leaders bring additional background to inform lively discussions. Participation will expand your understanding of our global
community. Kathy Vohland (541-738-0390) is the contact person.
Here is a preview this year’s books:
September 26: ALLAH: A CHRISTIAN RESPONSE by Miroslav Volf led by Pr. Wendel Hendershott
From Miroslav Volf, one of the world's foremost Christian theologians—and co-teacher, along
with Tony Blair, of a groundbreaking Yale University course on faith and globalization—comes Allah, a
timely and provocative argument for a new pluralism between Muslims and Christians. In a penetrating exploration of every side of the issue, from New York Times headlines on terrorism to passages in the Koran
and excerpts from the Gospels, Volf makes an unprecedented argument for effecting a unified understanding
between Islam and Christianity. In the tradition of Seyyed Hossein Nasr’s Islam in the Modern World,
Volf’s Allah is essential reading for students of the evolving political science of the twenty-first century.
October 24: CUBA 15 by Nancy Osa led by Mary Ann Matzke
Violet Paz has just turned 15, a pivotal birthday in the eyes of her Cuban grandmother. Fifteen is
the age when a girl enters womanhood, traditionally celebrating the occasion with a quinceañero. But while
Violet is half Cuban, she’s also half Polish, and more importantly, she feels 100% American. Except for her
zany family’s passion for playing dominoes, smoking cigars, and dancing to Latin music, Violet knows little
about Cuban culture, nada about quinces, and only tidbits about the history of Cuba. So when Violet begrudgingly accepts Abuela’s plans for a quinceañero–and as she begins to ask questions about her Cuban
roots–cultures and feelings collide. The mere mention of Cuba and Fidel Castro elicits her grandparents’sadness and her father’s anger. Only Violet’s aunt Luz remains open-minded. With so many divergent views,
it’s not easy to know what to believe. All Violet knows is that she’s got to form her own opinions, even if
this jolts her family into unwanted confrontations. After all, a quince girl is supposed to embrace responsibility–and to Violet that includes understanding the Cuban heritage that binds her to a homeland she’s never
seen.
November 21: THE CAUCASUS: AN INTRODUCTION by Thomas de Waal led by Ardis Koester
In this fascinating book, noted journalist Thomas de Waal--author of the highly acclaimed Black
Garden--makes the case that while the Caucasus is often treated as a sub-plot in the history of Russia, or as
a mere gateway to Asia, the five-day war in Georgia, which flared into a major international crisis in 2008,
proves that this is still a combustible region, whose inner dynamics and history deserve a much more complex appreciation from the wider world.
January 23: THE BOOK OF LIGHTS by Chaim Potok led by Art Bervin
The story of two rabbinical students who, as rabbis, become chaplains in the US Army. Each takes
a different path to viewing the world and dealing with the issue of suffering.
February 27: A QUIET REVOLUTION: THE VEIL’S RESURGENCE, FROM THE MIDDLE EAST TO
AMERICA by Leila Ahmed led by Kathy Vohland
“… the majority of Muslim women throughout the Islamic world again wear the veil. Why, Ahmed
asks, did this change take root so swiftly, and what does this shift mean for women, Islam, and the West?
March 27: THE SILENT CRY by Kenzaburo Oe led by Tom Orwick
Oe was awarded the Nobel prize in literature. …traces the uneasy relationship between two brothers who return to their ancestral home, a village in densely forested western Japan. While one brother tries
to sort out the after-effects of a friend's suicide and the birth of a retarded son, the other embarks on a quixotic mission to incite an uprising among the local youth. Oe's description of this brother's messianic struggle
to save a disintegrating local culture and economy from the depredations of a Korean wheeler-dealer called
"The Emperor of the Supermarkets" is as chillingly pertinent today as it was when first published in 1967.
Powerful and daring, The Silent Cry is a thoroughly compelling classic of world literature.
Volume XII, Issue 9
Faith in Practice
April 24: BONHOEFFER: PASTOR, MARTYR, PROPHET, SPY by Eric Metaxas led by Carol Erickson
As Adolf Hitler and the Nazis seduced a nation, bullied a continent, and attempted to exterminate
the Jews of Europe, a small number of dissidents and saboteurs worked to dismantle the Third Reich from
the inside. One of these was Dietrich Bonhoeffer—a pastor and author. In this New York Times best-selling
biography, Eric Metaxas takes both strands of Bonhoeffer’s life—the theologian and the spy—and draws
them together to tell a searing story of incredible moral courage in the face of monstrous evil. Metaxas presents the fullest accounting of Bonhoeffer’s heart-wrenching decision to leave the safe haven of America to
return to Hitler’s Germany, and sheds new light on Bonhoeffer’s involvement in the famous Valkyrie plot
and in “Operation 7,” the effort to smuggle Jews into neutral Switzerland.
May 22: INSTANT CITY by Steve Inskeep led by Ron Walsh
In recent decades, the world has seen an unprecedented shift of people from the countryside into
cities. As Steve Inskeep so aptly puts it, we are now living in the age of the “instant city,” when new megacities can emerge practically overnight, creating a host of unique pressures surrounding land use, energy,
housing, and the environment. In his first book, the co-host of Morning Edition explores how this epic migration has transformed one of the world’s most intriguing instant cities: Karachi, Pakistan.
Some of you may remember hearing about the Faith in
Practice medical mission trips that several members of
Grace have taken. October 12-19, 2013 will see Linda
Samuels, Ron Anderson, Sue Davis and Frank Davis traveling to Antigua, Guatemala to serve on the Faith in Practice Pharmacy Team. We will be working to prepare
the medications that will be used by the nine Faith in Practice Village Teams in 2014. On our working days,
we will rise early for breakfast at the hotel and go to worship with the youth who will be helping with the
Pharmacy Team work. These young people are from one of the rural Guatemala areas that FIP Village Teams
go to for the medical clinics and it is a reward for their help at those clinics to get to come to Antigua to work
with us. After worship, we go to the warehouse where supplies are stored. We will be counting tablets and
capsules, labeling the bags these medications go into, labeling tubes and bottles of other medications, and bagging all these to be packed into trunks. This next year there will be nine village teams and they each see over
2000 people who get at least one medication each so - can you picture the total amount of medications? We
will get breaks and lunch and time for some fun too. It is a major highlight of this trip to get to know these
amazing kids!
Acute medical care is provided on the village medical trips but the people are also screened for more extensive
treatment or surgery that is scheduled and arranged for by FIP staff. In addition to providing free medical care
to the poor, Faith In Practice also provides housing and food at the Casa de Fe, think "Ronald McDonald
house." Patients travel many hours to the hospital so they can have their surgery. Casa de Fe provides clean,
safe housing and meals for patients awaiting or recovering from surgery.
All volunteers pay their own travel and accommodation expenses. Faith In Practice relies on donations from
individuals to pay for medical supplies, equipment for patient care and transportation of patients. I hope you
will consider supporting our medical mission team with a gift to Faith In Practice. Most of your tax-deductible
donation will go directly toward providing this much-needed medical care to the poor. Faith in Practice, the
organization that is organizing this trip, has earned Charity Navigator's 4-star rating for the eighth consecutive
year. Please know that NO donation is too small -- all donations are greatly appreciated. If you are unable to
donate at this time, your prayers are ALWAYS appreciated. Consider this an opportunity to become a miracle
in the lives of those who suffer in poverty and in silence.
It's very easy to donate on-line (and see pictures and blogs of our trip) at www.faithinpractice.org
If you prefer to donate by check, please enclose your gift in an envelope to Faith In Practice, P.O. Box 4976,
Houston, TX 77210-4976. Please write Trip #376 and/or one of our names on the memo line.
Thanks in advance for your prayers of support for this very important medical mission work in Guatemala!
Submitted by Linda Samuels
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Grace Gatherings
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Grace Gatherings
NONPROFIT ORG
US POSTAGE PAID
CORVALLIS OREGON 97330
PERMIT NO. 159
Grace Lutheran Church
Corner of Kings & Harrison
435 NW 21st Street
Corvallis, Oregon 97330
Phone: 541.757.1600
Email: [email protected]
RETURN SERVICE
REQUESTED
www.grace97330.org
From Discipling Ministries:
Sunday School Starts Again
Sunday, September 8th at 9:45 am
Come join the fun!
Camp Lutherwood Oregon
,
Mark your Calendars for:
- Fall Workday and Celebration: September 21
- Father/Son Retreat: September 27-29
- Middle School Fall Retreat: October 11-13
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!! Camp Lutherwood Oregon is honored to announce it is the recipient of an
$118,000, three-year grant from the M.J. Murdock Charitable