Grace Notes

Grace Notes

THE NEWSLETTER OF GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH

February 2014 Dear Members and Friends, The January newsletter was already being prepared at Christmas time so I was unable to thank everyone in that issue for your generous Christmas gift. As I said on Christmas Eve, your gifts are greatly appreciated. Nancy and I will be doing something to improve our home with it. At our annual meeting we approved an ELCA Lenten project to provide relief to those recovering from storms in the Philippines. Each week in Lent a different item will be collected to be put in baskets for relief. If you want to plan ahead we will be collecting bars of soap, towels, combs, nail clippers and toothbrushes. The details will be provided in other areas of the newsletter and in bulletin inserts. Look for the heading Baskets of Promise. We will also need some volunteers to assemble the materials as they come in and prepare the items for shipping. If you can help us please call the church office. Thank you for your support, Pastor David Almleaf

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Altar Flowers February & March

Feb. 2 - Carol Hennessey Feb. 9 - Nikki Hathaway Feb. 16 - OPEN Feb. 23 - Marlene & George Slingerland Mar. 2 - OPEN Mar. 9 - Marlene & George Slingerland Mar. 16 - Marlene & George Slingerland Mar. 23 - OPEN Mar. 30 - Linda Bumpus Altar flowers are $33.00 unless you share a Sunday then they would be $16.50 each vase. If you wish to place a special arrangement in the Sanctuary the cost would be whatever you would like to spend. Nancy Blanchard (762-4234) and Linda Bumpus (725-1927) are the Altar Flower coordinators.

Bread Bakers February & March

February 2 - Peggy Niforos February 23 - Cindy Walsh March 2 - Helen Schreivogl March 5 - Peggy Niforos (Ash Wednesday) March 30 - Peggy Niforos Please find someone to replace you if you cannot bake bread the Sunday you are scheduled and whenever possible, tell the church secretary so the bulletin can reflect the change. Thank you, Peggy Niforos

Counters for February & March

02/02 - Darleen Gaugler, Charlotte Petersen, Bonnie 02/09 - Darleen Gaugler, Charlotte Petersen, Bonnie 02/16 - Nancy Demarest, Ron & Jackie Hollenbeck 02/23 - Nancy Demarest, Ron & Jackie Hollenbeck 03/02 - Nancy Blanchard, Greta Davis, Bonnie 03/09 - Nancy Blanchard, Greta Davis, Bonnie 03/16 - Nancy Demarest, Ron & Jackie Hollenbeck 03/23 - Darleen Gaugler, Charlotte Petersen, Bonnie 03/30 - Nancy Demarest, Ron & Jackie Hollenbeck (I) - Intinction Sunday (R) - Rail Sunday February 2 (R) - Kathy VanValkenburgh February 9 (I) - Bonnie Olendorf February 16 (I) - Darleen Gaugler February 23 (R) - Joan Longfritz March 2 (R) - Nancy Demarest March 5 (R) - Peg Niforos (Ash Wednesday) March 9 (I) - Don Phelps March 16 (I) - Darleen Gaugler March 23 (I) - Karen Ryder March 30 (R) - Joan Longfritz Please find someone to replace you if you cannot make the Sunday you are scheduled and whenever possible, tell Bonnie so that the bulletin can reflect the change. Peg Niforos, Altar Guild Coordinator

Prayers of the Church

Please notify the church office when your prayers have been answered so your prayer concern can be removed from the list that Pastor raises up to God on Sunday morning. Thank you.

Prayer Chain Ministry

In the case of a bad snow storm please tune your radios into WENT 1340 am for church closings.
If you know of anyone in need of daily prayers for the healing of body, mind or soul, please call Bobbi Nigro (725-6781) or Nancy Demarest (725-8704). If requesting in person, please submit the name(s) in writing and add your name at the bottom. To further assist, please reconnect with that member of the Prayer Chain within 2 weeks to verify the condition of the person(s) receiving prayer. All requests are held in confidence unless otherwise designated. Thank you.

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We would like to thank the congregation for the Christmas bonuses we received. We are happy to be serving the Lord and the congregation here at Grace. Darlene Pollak - Music Director Howie Paxton - Sexton Bonnie Olendorf - Secretary I would like to than all of you who helped with my surprise 80th birthday party, especially my wife Helen and our family. Thank you also for the cards, gifts and well wishes. It meant a lot to me ,more than I can express, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Jack Bulldog Schreivogl

I would like to thank everyone for their prayers, cards, gifts, and concerns during my surgery and many stays in the hospital. I am so grateful for my family here at Grace, your love sustains me through the hard times. God bless all of you. DO YOU HAVE RETURNABLE BOTTLES AND CANS Anna Butez that are clogging up space in your home? Do you hate the thought of taking them to the store to Dear Council, Thank you for return? If so, just bring them to church and leave the card presented to us them in the box next to the side entrance. Somewith $620.00 in it on behalf one from the Youth Group will return them to of the congregation. It is help defray the cost of their trip to Detroit in July very helpful right now. It is 2015. Thanks for supporting them!

Thank you to everyone who sponsored the Youth Group in their recent 30 hour fast on January 17th and 18th . The group went grocery shopping and spent $600. Purchasing food for the Johnstown Council of Churches Food pantry, Foothills United Methodist Church food pantry, the Salvation Army food pantry and the United Congregational Church of Christ food pantry. To get some idea of what $600. will buy, see the list on the bulletin board in the hallway. They also donated $150 each to the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen the NOAH Project and Fridays Table. The kids fasted for 29 hours and 59 minutes and only complained about being hungry two or three times! Every time we do the fast, it is an eye-opening experience for the adults as well as the kids. So on behalf of the youth group, thanks for be so caring and supportive of everything we do. We are indeed blessed. Thank you, Barb Frederick

a pleasure to serve such a warm, kind and generous congregation as Grace. Sincerely, Pastor David

As a further note, the Youth Group is continuing to collect old and used cell phones. There is a

box in the narthex where you can leave them.

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January Council Highlights

Election of Officers President - Kathy VanValkenburgh Vice President - Darleen Gaugler Secretary - Alison Martin Treasurer - Joan Longfritz Financial Secretary - Bonnie Olendorf

One of our parishioners, Irmgard Getzlaff, is in need of a ride as she can no longer drive. She is willing to pay for your time & gas. Irmgard lives in Johnstown a few blocks from the church. If you are willing to help her get where she needs to go and bring her to and from church, please let Pastor know, or call the church office. There are DVDs of the Sunday School Christmas program, if you would like to have a copy, please see Barb Frederick before the end of February as she will be deleting it from her computer.
On Sunday, February 23, 2014 following the worship service, the Youth Group will be hosting a roast beef dinner to help defray the cost to attend the ELCA Youth Gathering in Detroit in 2015. The cost will be $8.50 for adults and $6.00 for children 6 - 12. The menu will include roast beef (yum), mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetable and dessert and will be cooked by Barbs very own personal meatmeister, Jim McGrattan. Take-outs will be available. There will be a sign up sheet in the narthex and fellowship hall. Please join us for some good food and fellowship.

The agenda for the Annual Congregational meeting on 1/26/14 was reviewed. Council members will provide a light lunch of soup and sandwiches for this meeting. Committee Nights for March and November were changed due to Shrove Tuesday and Election Day to March 11, 2014 and November 11, 2014. Approval to insulate the attic over the fellowship hall and offices with R-19 insulation to increase the efficiency of our heating and cooling units. The total cost of this project will be $4850.00. Discussion occurred regarding the need to get a new computer for pastors office. Pledges for 2014 total is $61,748. and Time & Talent Sheets have been combined and distributed to committee chairs. Youth Group to participate in 30 hour fast. $500. from the youth fund was approved to be used to purchase food items for the local food pantries. The Youth will lead the service on January 19th using One Body Alive. The Harvest Dinner will be held on October 25, 2014. The hats, mittens and socks were all delivered to Kingsborough Elementary School, Salvation Army Christmas gifts were delivered, and the tags for Mary Bailey provided enough money to cover her sponsorship for the entire year.
Next Committee Night: February 4, 2014 Next Council Meeting: February 13, 2014 Respectfully Submitted, Alison Martin Council Secretary

ITS THAT TIME AGAIN! Thats right! Its time for the annual Pancake Supper and Talent Show! On Tuesday March 4, 2014, the Youth Group will hose a supper and talent show. Pancakes will be served at 6PM and the talent show begins at 7PM. So dust off your talent and join us for some good and fun! Anyone from 1 to 101 can perform. A sign-up sheet is in the narthex for both dinner and the show. If you cant perform, please join us to cheer on those who do. It really is an enjoyable time!

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Remember Our Shut-Ins

At Home:
Eleanor Achzet Eileen Spawn Florence Sandner Ruth Seiler Helene Keach

Nathan Littauer Nursing Home:

Donna Mae Batty Ruth Brownell Shirley Snyder

Wells House:
Geraldine Moldt

Willing Helpers:
Lorraine Muller Dona Frey

Pineview Commons:

Prayer Concerns
Marianne Jones Rick Hennessey Anna Butez Ron Butez Grandstaff Family The Marshal Family Phyllis Lane The Gleeman Family Sean Armstrong David Fisher Hunter Lindsay Ella Congdon Kyle Fonda Marion Pellegrino Robert Porter Esther Bienick Eleanor Fallis Ginny Cameron Morgan Sandmier Tanner Sammo Vicky James Ray Rulison Audrey Rulison Tony Jones Crystal Evans Pastor Rees Rohrbacher Bill Traester Samara Smith Bernie Landri Cliff Lewandusly Warren Grandstaff Bett Hauser Faith McCoy Ron Bell

All those who have served and for all those who are now serving in the armed forces, especially:
Scott Bumpus Brandon Caldwell Tony Clemente Brad Coody John Ferrara Kevin Funk Zachary Goot Jordan Keeling Denise & Jacob Lockwood Amanda Mittler Thomas Szumowski And for our enemies

Please pray for NOAH, the food pantries of Johnstown & Gloversville and for those in need of them. Please pray for those who are out of work and searching for jobs. Please pray for the homeless, especially in the colder weather.

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A Note From Susan
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Hello Dear Friends in Grace, January 24, 2014: I hope you are all keeping warm and healthy. Being in the wind stream, we have also been getting some colder than normal weather for this region. Not as prepared as northerners for such extreme lows, the schools have shut down most of January and we are expected to have blizzard like conditions during the week ahead. While we haven't had any snow to move, from what I've heard, many people living in the hills are having difficulties with long icy driveways and remote roads creating hazardous conditions for school buses to pick up kids. There have also been some frozen pipes in at least one school. We and our neighbors haven't had any problems driving to and from our homes. But, it has been a difficult season for many others. We are heating with wood that Steven has chain sawed off our property and with permission from Mr. Tarter's when he fixes his fencing. We are keeping nice and toasty and enjoying some quality time with the family home together often. Of course, there is no work for me as a substitute teacher when there is no school. We're just keeping our heads above water financially. But we keep busy at home as there is always plenty of home improvement projects to do. As for the children dealing with the symptoms of cystic fibrosis, more is being said by the doctors about Leah getting a liver transplant in the not too distant future. We are receiving more information in preparation for such an event. It can sometimes feel overwhelming to keep the kids motivated and I sometimes have to push harder than I'd like so they'll remain compliant to their breathing treatments, oral medications, insulin, nutrition, and stay as active as possible. One day at a time and I lay my burdens at the cross of Jesus. The children are glad not have to play catch up on work they may miss when they cannot attend school when it's in session. Now that all their peers are off, so is the pressure of getting schoolwork done in a timely fashion. They like being home decorating their rooms, having sleepovers (I much rather have friends stay here than them go elsewhere), texting and chatting on their techy boxes (the way of the world), Leah likes to cook and bake (my little homemaker), William likes to create sports games for his X -box (he's got a program that can do that). Out and about, we go to church regularly, sometimes shop or visit friends. Our sheep gave birth to lambs (3 so far), and we have 3 piglets. We woke up one morn to find a fourth lamb stillborn. We are not sure if this was due to the extreme cold, or a difficult birth, etc. We are up to 17 sheep altogether and will probably have a few more from two more pregnant ewes. Steven had to eliminate a ram as he was getting aggressive and dangerous. That means meat in the freezer. We have sheep for sale but people who raise sheep have enough of their own.

All and all, life here in South Central Kentucky is going smoothly and we feel very blessed. We are thankful that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ guides us and lifts us up every day. May His love and grace extend to all and may all you do through your faithful service glorify Him. Best wishes from us Gleemans for a very Happy Valentines Day!
With God's love, Susan Gleeman and Family, 1825 Riffe Creek Road, Dunnville, KY 42528, 606-787-6045

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February Birthdays
1Jacob Cerasuolo Emily Blood Ethan Blood Anna Ronquillo Elle Wandel Todd Mraz Todd Unislawski Megan Elizabeth Frasier Louanne Van Nostrand Doris Sarr Susan Gleeman Thomas DOnofrio Christopher Darling Amy Cole Ruth Brownell Nancy Fraker Nicole Grandstaff Logan Calhoun Jacqueline Hollenbeck Victor Pellegrino Marilyn Warner Kate Cromer Katie Szumowski Collin Shea Diana Elmendorf Catherine Daniels Frieda Luibrand Elizah Cole Kaylee Fiorillo Charles Humphrey Nancy Demarest Mitchell Jackson Flanger Dorothy Blake Nathan Van Slyke Justin Hulbert Presidents Day Dave Seward Timothy Hohler Frederick Stortecky III Leland Achzet Karen Smith Christopher Lamonica Darleen Gaugler Nicole DiMaio Diane Wright Jimmy Dorsey Bonnie Hollenbeck Shannon Walsh Betty Antis Amanda Lee Mrazz Aaron Dorfman Katricia Morley Kelly Geraghy Paul Leach Jr. Hope Cerasuolo Alicia Sweet David Lamonica Emma Rose Di Pasquale Mrs. Edward Robbins Barbara Insognia Matthew Albrecht Shannon Warner Kohn Howard Paxton Deborah Hopkins

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March Birthdays
12Cynthia Baird Irina Spiry Mackensie Rohrs Gabrielle Smith Charles Schwab Ash Wednesday Terry S. Bills Richard Kowalczyk Avery Rubilotta Scott Bumpus David Slingerland Nevin Smith Melissa Bedell Jamie McGrattan Daylight Savings Time Begins Brian Miller Sr. Rachel Lee Snyder Cathy Wallace Barb Frederick Richard Morrison Ron Sparks Barbara Petersen Meghan Dwyer Katherine Flint Delbert Bradt Michael Van Valkenburgh Zachary Hulbert Lisa Hale Doris Clo Dorothy Hayes Mia Elizabeth Martin Todd Hollenbeck Karen Reid 18 19 Patricia Wilder Walter Carlson Nancy Gillmore Brian DiPasquale First day of Spring - yeah! Katherine Bradt Eric Elzenbeck Joanne Bradt Zachary Ropeter Bill Haldeman Edward Robbins Penny Cinelli Kelly Ruf Priscilla Mitchell Melvin Hayes Sharon Smith Lorraine Hale Melanie Seiler Brian Sparks Carol Humphrey Robert Paxton Erah Kilmer Donald Achzet Megan Simonds Hornbeck Megan Elizabeth Hallenbeck Barbara Albrecht Veronica Peck Joshua Rhodes Pat VanSlyke Richard Bumpus Jr. Maryland Warner Robert Wilson Chad Akey

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