Grace Lutheran Church · 2041 Madison Street · Clarksville, TN · 37043 · 931·647·6750
YOUR CHRISTMAS SCHEDULES. . .
Wednesdays in Advent we will have Vespers at 5 pm, Soup at 6 pm, and Evening Prayer at 7
pm. Mark your calendars for Nov. 30, Dec. 7 & 14!
Sunday School Christmas Program is on Sunday, Dec. 11, at 4 pm. Join the children as they
tell the story of Christmas and lead us in Christmas carols.
Preschool Christmas Program is Dec. 13 & 14 at 10:45 am in the Sanctuary.
Christmas Eve we have services at 5:30 & 8 pm and on Christmas Day ONLY one service at 10:45 am. Even though
this is a Sunday, there is no early service or Sunday school on Christmas Day.
New Years’ Eve we have a service at 7 pm and New Years’ Day, Sunday, Jan. 1, we have 8:15 & 10:45 am services
with adult Bible study and Sunday School at 9:30 am.
A CELTIC CHRISTMAS CONCERT on Sunday, Dec. 4, at 4 pm. . .
The Red River Breeze will present a Music at Grace concert featuring the sounds of a Celtic Christmas
(hammered dulcimer, strings, whistle recorders, etc.). Join us for a different sound for Christmas on Dec.
4. Red River Breeze is an instrumental acoustic quintet that plays traditional Celtic, Renaissance,
Old-Time and World music. The group has been in existence for over sixteen years and plays traditional
instruments including hammered dulcimer, fiddle, penny whistle, Renaissance recorders, bouzouki, guitar, bodhran and
djembe (drum). Current members include Stephanie Taylor, Melanie Beck, Vanessa Green, Esther Sooter, and David
Magers. Spread the word! Tell your friends and family! Join us on Sunday, Dec. 4, for a great Music at Grace Concert.
SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM. . . Sunday, Dec. 11, 4 pm
Please join the children of the Sunday School in celebrating
the story of Jesus’ birth with Scripture and song. We will
have our annual Christmas program on Sunday, Dec. 11, at
4 pm, with a reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall!
Your Christmas will not be complete without hearing the
story from the voices of children. See you there!
Sharing God’s Work Here!
DECEMBER 2016 EDITION
YOU are Invited. . . . . . p. 1-2
WE are Supporting. . . . . . p. 3
What’s NEW. . . . . . . . . p. 5
SUB SALE COMING IN JANUARY. . . Support the Youth!
Starting in January you can sign up for delicious sub
sandwich made just the way you like it, fresh on Super
Bowl Sunday, Feb. 5! The Senior Youth make these subs as
one of the major fundraisers and you can enjoy a great
sandwich, support the youth, and munch down while
enjoying the Super Bowl all at the same time. Check the
pew pads for sign up sheets. Cost is $6 for two meats and
cheese or $7 for the works! All the traditional condiments and a big dill pickle are
available.
From the STAFF. . . . . . . p. 6
From Your LEADERS. . . . . p. 7
Can YOU Serve? . . . . . . . p. 8
HAVE You Heard . . . . . . .p. 9
It’s PERSONAL. . . . . . . .p. 10
CONTACT us. . . . . . . . .p. 10
MENS CLUB. . . Men’s Club plans meeting. . .
On Dec. 19th the Men’s Club will head to Chuck Hamilton’s house to watch some Monday night football. The time
changes – the Men’s Club meets at 7 pm on this night only. Come and join the men of the congregation for an evening
of prime time football. Contact Charlie Scafe for more info at email to [email protected] or phone 931-647-8010 and
leave a message.
LUTHERAN WOMENS’ MISSIONARY LEAGUE
Our next gathering will be December 12 for the annual Christmas luncheon. We meet at 11
am to prepare and then invite the staff at 11:30 am to share our Christmas pot luck. Don't
forget to bring your mites for Missions.
Dates to mark on calendars:
Monday, December 12 - Christmas lunch at 11 am
Monday, December 19 - Crafty Ladies 2 at 9:30 - noon. Please bring your own project and come to
find out what new projects are on the calendar for 2017!
BOOK CLUB FOR DECEMBER. . . Reading Water ship Down
The Book Club meets at the home of Cindy Buckner, 2205 N Meadow Dr, on December 2nd. We will
discuss the book "Watership Down" by Richard Adams. It has been a worldwide bestseller for more than
forty years. This is a tale of adventure, courage, and survival as it follows a band of very special creatures.
Bring a small wrapped Christmas Gift for a game we will be playing. The meeting is from 10-11:30 am.
Everyone is welcome.
GRACEful Agers - heading to Monell’s for Lunch. . .
The GRACEful Agers will be traveling to Nashville on Friday morning, December
16, for a Country Christmas Breakfast at Monell's At The Manor, 1400 Murfreesboro
Pike. If you have not eaten at Monell's before, you are in for a treat. They serve a family style country breakfast – all you
can eat. The menu features all the southern favorites, including fried chicken. The cost is $14.95 per person, plus tax
and 18% gratuity. There will be a sign-up sheet on the Mission Station desk starting Dec. 4. Although Monell's does
not take reservations, we need to know how many will be going to help organize carpooling., so please sign up as soon
as possible. We will meet in the church parking lot at 8:15 am for the drive to Nashville.
THE OUT TO LUNCH BUNCH
The Out To Lunch Bunch will be taking the month of December off due to the Christmas holiday. We will
resume our schedule in January. Be sure to check the January newsletter for our next dining location. We
wish you all a very Joyous and Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Sharon Parrish
THE WIDOWS OF GRACE. . .
The WIDOWS OF GRACE will have a Christmas pot luck lunch at Rita Mullins' house on
Monday, December 5th at 11:30 am (we're doing Monday as some of you may go to Patti's on
Tuesday the 6th, our usual meeting day). We will usher in the season of our Lord's birth, so
bring your Christmas spirit and your favorite lunch dish to share. Please sign up on the sheet at
the Mission Desk or call Rita at 648-2982.
OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL MISSION OFFERINGS
The total offering to date for Lutheran World Relief was $280 with $131 so far for WheatRidge Lutheran Ministries. In
January we collect for Lutherans for Life fighting for the cause of life at all stages. Give generously so that the work of
these missions may continue and bring the Gospel through word and deed.
AMERICAN HERITAGE TROOP TN1412
TRAIL LIFE TROOP TN0101
With the holidays fast approaching, the AHG and Trail Life troops will set aside
time to spend with our families. Two events are scheduled. Both troops will be in
the Clarksville Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 3, at 5 pm. Be sure to come out and support us in
the parade. In addition, the groups are looking at doing some caroling later this month.
We look forward to a fun-filled and exciting New Year and we extend to all our friends at Grace our
best wishes for a blessed Christmas and a wonderful New Year. May God bless you all!
1
Charles Plotz, Charter Representative
AHG Troop TN1412/Trail Life Troop TN0101
TRAVELERS . . . THE ANNUAL PATTI’S TRIP
Tuesday, December 6th, the travelers set out for our annual Christmas lunch at Patti's. In order to
attend this event, you need to be on one of the two reservation lists which closed in early November.
We look forward to all 24 participants to meet in the church parking lot ready to leave at 9:30 am.
The large group of 16 has an 11:00 am seating while the smaller group of 8 has an 11:15 am
reservation.
LWR CARE VAN. . .
Lutheran World Relief Care-van collected 115 personal care kits that were donated by our
congregation and junior youth who also assembled and packed them. The Crafty Ladies provided 29
hand made quilts and 30 material kits for this year's pick up. The Grace Lutheran Women's
Missionary League (LWML) auctioned off three quilts which enabled them to send a check for $600 to
help defray shipping costs. To all, well done!
Special thanks to Mike VonKoeppen for taking the 23 cartons to Hermitage, TN, for pick up by the
LWR Care Van.
EMPTY BOWLS will again have lunch at Grace. . .
The 9th Annual Empty Bowls Clarksville will take place on Tuesday, February 28 at Grace
Lutheran Church, serving lunch of soup (you guessed it) and bread, from 11 am - 1 pm. Dawn
Thomack is looking to sign up people to make soup, to serve and clean up, and to hand out the
bowls. If you can help out, please contact Dawn and let her know.
Tickets will also be available from Dawn. The cost is $15, you receive a hand painted soup bowl,
a wonderful lunch, and the satisfaction of having helped feed the hunger in Clarksville. Money
raised will support Loaves & Fishes and the Food Pantry of Urban Ministries. Tickets go on sale
after Nov. 30 and can also be purchased online at www.eventbrite.com. Information is available
by email at [email protected] or on Facebook at ClarksvilleEmptyBowls.
F U E L – Up to 40 Children. . .
Advent and Christmas are already here!! FUEL is feeding 40 children. We want you to know what a
blessing you are. The donations of food and money that you provide are feeding these children. If you
purchase food, we have been instructed not to include anything that requires heating water. i.e. mac &
cheese and ramen noodles. It is a safety hazard for the children. As we celebrate the birth of Christ,
we want to wish you a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Carol Kreuckeberg & Becki Welch
ONE HARVEST - Christmas is coming. . . Good Price!
Each month you can go to www.oneharvest.com to order prepacked, frozen food for yourself or
someone in need. December's menu offers a variety of boxes including the Family, More Than
Enough, Protein, Kid's, Gourmet Express Meals, Grilling Special and much more. Boxes range
from about $20-$60/box depending on what you order. You can also order at Grace Lutheran on
Sunday, Dec. 4 at the information desk or on Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 6 & 7 from 9am 2pm in the church office. Cash only. See Margaret Eastman or Jo-Ann Thomack for more
information or just pick up a menu at the information desk.
**THANK YOU to those who ordered a Thanksgiving box last month for a family in need. Your gift was greatly appreciated!!
Jo-Ann Thomack, DCE
POINSETTIA ORDERS & Eternal Light. . .
Altar Flowers will not be on the altar until Dec. 24; sign up at the bulletin board in the entry
hall. However, we are taking orders for Poinsettias for the Christmas Altar. Order them with
the slip attached. For altar flowers, please fill out an envelope with money and place it in the
offering plate. Order a poinsettia for Christmas with the attached order slip. Both altar flowers
and the eternal light use the sign up at the bulletin board by the Mission Station; use the small
envelope provided. Cost is $20 per Sunday for flowers; they can also be given in memory/honor of a loved one/special
event! The Eternal Light burns each week in memory/honor of a loved one/special occasion. Cost is $10/wk.
CARDS OF THANKS. . .
C
The Sr. Youth would like to thank everyone for their support of the Country Kitchen at our
Craft Fair. Because of your generous donations of pies, cakes, breads, cookies, and relishes the
Sr. Youth raised over $700 to help support different missions and the proclamation of the
Gospel. Thank you to everyone who baked and who purchased these delicious goodies.
C
Lorna Tonkin would like to thank everyone who helped her celebrate her 80th birthday! God
bless you all – Lorna
MISSION STATION MISSIONS . . . Stop by and drop these off at the Mission Station!
Recycle cell phones &
ink cartridges to support
the LWML...
Drop off your spent
printer cartridges at the
Mission Station today!
Campbell’s labels
support Bethesda
Lutheran Home. Cut the
UPC codes from the
labels & drop at the
Mission Station.
OLD EYEGLASSES give
new sight. We collect
used eye glasses for the
work of the Lions Club.
Bring them to the
Mission Station!
Bring old
Portals of
Prayer to
share with
prisoners. Bring them to
the Mission Station.
They can be used to help
others even after you are
finished with them.
Bring
used
religious
Christmas
cards to the LWML at
Holy Trinity Lutheran
Church in Rogers,
Arkansas.
LOOKING AT THE MUSIC FOR DECEMBER. . .
Dec. 4 - Prelude - Advent Meditation - Bell Choir
Anthem - Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Gates - Hammerschmidt
Dec. 11 - Prelude - O Lord How Shall I Meet You - Drischner
Anthem - Go and Tell John - Pfautsch
Dec. 18 - Prelude - Lo! He Comes With Clouds Descending - Webber
Anthem - Mary Said Yes - Widmar
Dec. 24 - Prelude - Manger Lullaby - Bells Anthem - Chill of the Night Fall - Scott / Before the Marvel of this Night - Schalk
Dec. 25 - Prelude - Angels From the Realms of Glory - Chime Choir
Anthem - Gloria - Vivaldi
A LONGER LOOK AT A HYMN
On Christmas Day we sing "Where Shepherds Lately Knelt" by Jaroslav Vajda who
wrote this Christmas hymn for the 1987 Augsburg Christmas Annual. The author
placed himself in spirit at the poor manger bed, recalling the implications of that visit
on his life and future and on all humankind. Stanza 3 pictures the opposite side of the
event from Isaiah and his prophecy (Is. 9:6-7). Vajda was born on April 28, 1919, in Ohio, the son of a Missouri Synod
Lutheran pastor, and died May 10, 2008, having written and translated over 200 hymns. He was a pastor in Indiana
and Pennsylvania, a book editor at CPH, and was called the “dean of American hymn writers.”
Rocky Craft, Director of Music/Cantor
HANDEL’S MESSIAH AT MUSIC AT GRACE on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017. . .
"Messiah" has been greatly loved by countless generations sinces composed by George
Frideric Handel. Handel was born in Germany but became a British citizen and court
composer. Though he wrote for all sorts of occasions, “Messiah” was not for the stage.
The Scriptural text was compiled by Charles Jennens from the King James Bible, and
from the version of the Psalms included with the Book of Common Prayer. It was first
performed in Dublin on April 13, 1742 and its London premiere was a year later.
After modest public reception, the oratorio gained in popularity, eventually becoming
one of the best-known and most frequently performed choral works in Western music.
Jennen's text focuses on Jesus as the Messiah called Christ. Part I begins with prophecies by Isaiah and others and moves
to the annunciation and the shepherds, the only "scene" taken from the Gospels. (Parts II & III concentrate on the
Passion and resurrection of Christ and will not be sung at this concert.) Handel completed his music in 24 days. The
original manuscript is in the British Library's music collection. At the end of his manuscript Handel wrote the letters
"SDG" - Soli Deo Gloria, "To God alone be glory".
FOOD PANTRY NEEDS SHOPPERS. . .
While at the grocery store, please pick up a bag to help out and put it in the shopping cart.
C Canned Vegetables
• Soups
• Corn Flakes Cereal
C Canned Spaghetti Sauce
• Canned Treat/Spam
• Canned Fruit
C Peanut Butter & Jelly
• Dry Spaghetti
• Elbow Macaroni
Add these to your shopping list and help restock our Pantry! So far this year we have provided assistance to 91 families.
We could also use some Wal-Mart or Kroger style plastic bags to assist in the distribution. Place them also in the
shopping cart by the entry!
FROM THE SENIOR PASTOR. . . What can I bring?
Every time we are invited to someone’s home for a meal, we ask “What can I bring?” The usual
answer we expect is “nothing.” What would happen if the person asked us to bring the dinner?
Would you do it?
Christmas reminds us that God has sent His Son once in flesh to the Virgin Mary at Bethlehem.
But every Sunday He sends us His Son in Word and Sacrament where we receive the fruits of His first coming. And the
tone of Advent reminds us that Christ will return in His glory to claim His new creation for all eternity. This eternal
coming is described as a rich banquet feast, the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom without end. What can I
bring? What does God want from me?
It is not as difficult a question as it seems. There is no hidden answer. He has done it all. He came not because of our
request but out of our great need. He offered Himself fully for the sake of our redemption. He did all this without
asking for anything in return. Does that mean we are off the hook? We don’t have to bring anything?
We bring what belongs to Him. We bring ourselves – the bodies He has redeemed at the cost of His own suffering and
death... The spirits He has cleansed by His blood... The time He has rescued from death... The talents and skills He
has given purpose and direction... The resources He has daily and richly supplied to us solely out of His love and mercy.
We do not bring to Him what is not already His. We are His own, bought with a price. We are not doing God a favor
by our faithful attendance at worship, by our voices raised in song, by our time for His work, or by our money given for
His purpose. All these are already His. We already belong to Him – lock, stock and barrel, as they used to say.
What can I bring? Bring yourself to the manger and the Church, give your voice raised in song and in witness to Him,
give your time to do His work, and give the tithes and offerings that name the Lord as more important than everything
else. Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ the new-born King. If we would be happy to bring a side
dish to a host’s home, why would we withhold ourselves, our lives, and all things that already belong to Jesus? Come
and worship, come and worship, worship Christ the new-born King.
Pastor Peters +
FROM THE ASSOCIATE PASTOR. . . What’s YOUR tradition?
Every family has Christmas traditions. Maybe one of your's is how you decorate your
home. Homes all over the city are covered with lights, Santa and reindeer figures, and
even large inflatable snow globes. Maybe your tradition is where you celebrate Christmas:
at your own home; at Grandma's house; or maybe you make the rounds and visit all of
your relatives. Maybe your tradition is what you eat. Every Christmas my family ate a
breakfast pizza after opening presents. This was the only time of the year Dad would make it and I looked forward to it
every year.
Traditions are wonderful for many reasons. They unite families together. They give us something to look forward to .
They give us a sense of security in an insecure world. Traditions also teach us about what is important.
As Christians we have the weekly tradition, the common regular practice of coming together on Sunday mornings.
Weekly we come to our Lord's house to confess our sins and receive God's absolution. We gather to hear God speak to
us through His Word. We kneel at our Father's table where He feeds us the body and blood of Christ our Savior for the
forgiveness of our sins. Being able to practice this weekly tradition is a wonderful gift. It teaches us, our children, and
also others outside the faith that it's important, it's vital to come to our Lord's house to receive His gifts.
Sadly, many people neglect this tradition, even on Christmas Day, the day we celebrate the greatest gift ever given, the
birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. Other traditions take precedent, like opening presents, traveling to see relatives, or
eating breakfast pizza. These traditions aren't bad in and of themselves; but when they're given importance over coming
to God's house, they teach that it's not important to be where God gives us His gifts. As God's children we should be
where our Father is, where He promises to give us the gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation. We naturally do this with
our earthly fathers, going to receive presents from him, so why not our heavenly Father?
This year Christmas falls on a Sunday. The natural weekly tradition of gathering on the Lord's Day is combined with
the yearly tradition of gathering at God's house to celebrate His Son's birth. If your family doesn't already have the
tradition of worshiping on Christmas, this is the perfect opportunity to start it. There's no better way to celebrate the
gift that is the birth of our Savior than to be in the place where God richly and mercifully bestows on us the forgiveness
that Christ won for us on the cross. As God's children we want to be at the place where we receive His gifts of life and
salvation through His Word and Sacrament.
Pastor Ulrich
FROM THE PRESCHOOL
December is a short school month, so we are busy, busy, busy! The Christmas Program will be
presented on December 13th and 14th and the classroom parties will follow. Come watch our
rendition of "Celebrate the Gift of Jesus" at 10:45 am on both days.
Just a reminder: Ms. Stefania, the aide in the M-F 4s, will go on maternity leave in February.
Additionally, three teachers have already told me this will probably be their last year at the
Pre-School. I would like to fill Stefania's position for the remainder of the school year with
someone who would be interested in filling one of the teacher/aide openings we will have for the
2017-2018 school year.
If you know anyone who you think might be interested in working at the Pre-School please send them our way. The
Pre-School follows the CMCSS school calendar's schedule. (We are closed when they are closed.) We work from
8:30-12:10 and extra hours are available for employees who want to work on Extended Days (until 2:15 pm).
Registration for the 2017/2018 school year begins on Monday, February 13th. Additional information will be given as
the time approaches.
Linda Cribbs, Preschool Director
LENTEN DEVOTIONAL ALREADY? A special devo booklet for a special 500th Anniversary year!
This Lenten season we will publish another Grace Lutheran Devotional booklet where you are the
authors as well as the readers. In 2017 we will celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation
and in the spirit of this celebration our congregation's Lenten booklet will be based on the Small
Catechism. When Luther wrote the Small Catechism he meant for it to be a book that was used
and mediated on each day by faithful Christians. As we read our Lenten devotional, we will be
doing this!
From Jan. 1-15, you can sign up for a specific date which includes a specific part of the Small Catechism and the
scripture that it comes from. Each devotion should be between 200-350 words including your answer to the question,
"what does this mean?" using scripture and life application, and a short prayer. The devotions must be completed and
emailed to Jo-Ann Thomack no later than Sunday, January 29, 2017, so the finished booklets can be placed in the
mailboxes by Ash Wednesday, March 1st. Jo-Ann's email is [email protected]. There is a display of samples from
previous devotional books on the table across from the Mission Station in the Narthex. Devotions will be accepted on
paper (preferably typed), but we prefer email or disk (doc, rtf, or pdf formats all accepted). If you have black and white
clip art to include with your devotion, go ahead and do so. Thank you for sharing your faith with our whole church!
COUNCIL CORNER. . . A letter is coming. . .
The Church Council has decided to send out a letter outlining the financial situation our Church is facing. Our offerings
were very low for 4 months. Our summer expenses (think electricity bill) were much higher than expected. We have
reduced expenditures as much as we can; the next step would be to lay off one of our employees. We must address this
before it becomes even larger. October was a very good month in terms of giving – but not good enough to make up
for the 4 months we were way behind! The Council letter will include DEBT REPAYMENT envelopes for you to use
OVER and above your regular offerings so that we can pay back what we have loaned the General Fund from the
Building Fund AND begin to pay some of the mission commitments we have held back.
So what is wrong? Quite simply, our giving this year has fallen behind last year. Last year we got ahead of things with
additional funds to prepare for a second pastor. This year those extra offerings did not continue but the expenses did.
This is not a problem of a lack of resources but a lack of intent. God has supplied us as people with all we need. It is
not a resource problem but a giving problem and, because it is a giving problem, it is a faith problem.
What can you do? If every one of our giving families gave an extra $240 between now and January 1, 2017, we would
be mostly caught up and back on track. So think about this and look at your giving in the past and pray how the Lord
may enable you to do more.
Stewardship Thoughts from the Council
At the Diet of Worms on April 17, 1521, Luther stood in
front of the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, the papal
representatives, and their soldiers, and he was asked a
question, "Do you recant?" The medieval church wanted Luther to take back everything he said concerning the Gospel:
that man is justified before God by faith and not by works. Luther's response..."Unless I can be instructed and
convinced with evidence from the Holy Scriptures or with open, clear, and distinct grounds and reasoning—and my
conscience is captive to the Word of God—then I cannot and will not recant, because it is neither safe nor wise to act
against conscience. Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen."
"Here I stand." That's daring to be…Lutheran! And that's the theme for the Higher Things 2017 Conferences! On the
500th anniversary of Dr. Luther's firing the Gospel shot heard around the Church, Higher Things is excited to continue
to stand and confess the Gospel with Dr. Luther at its 2017 Summer Conferences.
The Grace Youth Group Committee would like to take the Sr. Youth to this conference. All high
school youth are welcome to attend (incoming Freshman and out going Seniors). Higher Things holds
4 conferences every summer. This year the two closest conferences are at Mars Hill University in Mars
Hill, NC on July 4-7 and at Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, IN on July 25-28.
Cost per person depends on when you sign up. Early Bird sign-up is before Jan 31, 2017 = $355;
Regular sign-up is between Feb 1-April 31, 2017 = $385; Late sign-up is after May 1, 2017 = $410. The Youth
Group Committee will pay $155 of this registration fee. The rest of the fee is the responsibility of the student. This
registration fee includes 3 nights of on-campus housing, 9 meals (dinner Tuesday-lunch Friday), and all materials
(including a T-Shirt!). The only cost unaccounted for is transportation, and that will depend on how many youth go.
If you are interested in going, or have any questions, please contact me, Pastor Ulrich. Let me know which conference
dates work best for you (July 4-7 at Mars Hill or July 25-28 at Valparaiso). The Higher Things Conferences are great
opportunities for students to grow in their faith and knowledge of Christ, worship together with other youth who dare
to be Lutherans, and have fun in fellowship together.
JUNIOR YOUTH GROUP. . . Attention all 6-8th Graders. . .
Hello to all 6th-8th graders at Grace Lutheran. Junior High Youth Group will be
meeting only once during the month of December. Our meeting will take place on December 4th from 12:15pm until
2:00 pm. We will be delivering "blessings bags" to needy people around Clarksville. Those that participated in this
activity last year really enjoyed giving to others and spreading the Gospel. We will be leaving the church after lunch
and driving around Clarksville to make deliveries, dress accordingly. Also, please bring in your participation/release
forms if you have not already done so.
The church will be having a potluck and Christmas tree decorating on November 27th after church. It would be great
to see you all there.
SENIOR YOUTH NEWS. . .
This is the time of year that many of us start focusing on gifts. What are we going to
get our family members or what are they going to get us? While it's nice to think
about gifts, are we thinking about the gift that really matters, the gift given to us in
the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas is the time when we focus on the greatest gifts of
all, the gifts of hope, faith, grace and mercy given to in Christ. How do we focus more on Christ during Christmas then?
It really is quite simple. Read scripture, participate in Advent and Christmas worship services, and spreading the good
news of the birth of Christ. Let's put our hearts and minds in the right place this Christmas season, on Christ.
We'll once again help decorate the church for the Christmas season on Nov. 27. There'll be a potluck, so you don't have
to bring your lunch. We'll also only meet once in December on the 4th. See you there!
MUSIC AT GRACE. . . 2016-2017 Season. . .
Music at Grace kicked off with the Cumberland Winds and ends with the Music of
Fauré and we want you to be a part of it all. You are also a key means to spread the
good word about the Music at Grace series and invite those you know to enjoy the concerts.
More schedules and business cards with the Music at Grace schedule are available. Pick them
up in the Entry and share with friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc., so that we get the word out!
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Sunday, Dec. 4, 4 pm - the Red River Breeze will give us a Celtic Christmas concert. . .
Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017, at 4 pm - Handel’s Messiah performed by our choir and orchestra with soloists. . .
Sunday, Feb. 26, at 4 pm - Les Kerr and the Bayou Band will Mardi Gras our way into Lent. . .
Sunday, Mar. 26, at 4 pm, the Requiem & Music of Gabriel Fauré to set a Lenten theme (choir & orchestra). . .
WHAT DO YOU KNOW AND HOW DO YOU FIND IT OUT. . .
Facebook is reviewing the so-called “news” feeds that flood our social media. Turns out it is not
real news at all. That is the danger of so much we see and read – we do not know where it
comes from and whether it can be trusted. Our Church has produced an award winning
monthly magazine of information on the Christian faith, what is going on in our church, and
what is going on in the larger world around us. It can be in your living room or kitchen every
month for as little as $14 and it is chock full of great articles, graphics, and commentary on the
Christian life in an ever unfriendly world. Now is the time to subscribe if you do not already. A
subscription form will be placed in your mailboxes. Fill it out, add a check or $15 cash and let us know YOU want to
be INFORMED!
WEB RESOURCES
Lutheran sites with information and humor showcase who we are as Lutherans and what
we do. Check them out!
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November Life Together with Dr. Matthew Harrison, Pres. of the LCMS. . .
https://youtu.be/O7ChOsnigDM
Rural and Small Town Mission – how many of us came from small churches in small towns?
https://youtu.be/qJctE7EYqzM
There are a lot of things on the internet NOT worth your time and effort. These are definitely worth looking at.
LISTEN AGAIN. . . CDs of Choir, Services, and Sermons. . .
The Pastors’ sermons and more are at the blog: www.pastoralmeanderings.blogspot.com. You can
pick up Choir CDs of their most recent concerts, including the choir, soloists, and instruments. Stop
by the Narthex display and there is a CD so you can listen again to the wonderful music! CDs and
cassettes of the services are available at the Mission Station. DVDs of the ordination are now in
place!
GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH
2041 Madison St. Clarksville, TN
37043 +
Phone: (931) 647-6750
www.grace-lutheran-church.org
E-mail Addresses:
OFFICE @GLCTN.ORG - Karen Christy
OFFICE [email protected] - Donna Heath
SRPASTOR@GLC TN.ORG - Pastor Peters
[email protected] - Pastor Ulrich
[email protected] - Jo-Ann Thomack
[email protected] - Rocky Craft
[email protected] - Linda Cribbs, Director
[email protected] - Margaret Eastman
[email protected] - Dawn Thomack
[email protected] - Kay Haase
SCHEDULE:
Sundays: Divine Service: 8:15 & 10:45 am
Education Hour: 9:35 am
Thursdays: Divine Service at 11 am
nd
th
Individual Confession & Absolution: 2 & 4 Thursdays: 9:30-10:30 am and 5-6 pm
Thursdays: 11 am Divine Service & Wednesdays in Advent & Lent 5 pm Vespers & 7 pm Evening Prayer
OFFICE HOURS: Mondays through Fridays – 9 am to 4:30 pm and By Appointment
ON FACEBOOK: Did you know that Grace Lutheran Church is on Facebook? And we are lo o kin g
fo r frie n d s ! Grac e Lu th e ran Ch u rc h has 379 LIKES (let’s aim for 1000 by Christmas! So Share &
Like). Mu s ic at Grac e Co n c e rt Se rie s has 67 LIKES... we want more!
ON INSTAGRAM& TWITTER: Follow pictures from the Church and events at grace_lutheran_clarksville (catch
the pix!) Or Twitter @glc_clarksville. 204 Twitter followers and 361 followers on Instagram. You could be next!
MISSION STATEMENT:
The mission of Grace Lutheran Church is to m an ife s t th e lo v e o f Ch ris t th ro u g h His
Wo rd & Sac ram e n ts , in w o rs h ip , w itn e s s , & s e rv ic e – b o th w ith in th e Ch u rc h & to th e
Co m m u n ity .