Author: Gerri Samson

GRACE NOTES
Newsletter of Grace Lutheran Church

GRACE LUTHERAN’S MISSION STATEMENT
As disciples in Christ, we support our faith community, encourage spiritual growth in everyone, and serve all creation with Christ-like love.
We accomplish this by:
spreading God's Word
building relationships
serving the community
reaching out to those in need.

July 2024

In this Issue…
Page 2…pastors page
Page 3...grace building update
Page 4…From the cantor
Page 5...Stephen ministry
Page 6...YOUR HEALTH NEWS
Page 7…meals on wheels/nola
Page 8…participants/worship
Page 9… Food pantry report
Page 10-11...Calendar
Page 12...food pantry request
Page 13…thank you’s/prayer
Pages 14-15 stewardship story
Page 15…birthdays
Page 16...Council Highlights
Page 17…WELCA
Pages 18-19...little lambs update
Page 19...Council

From the Pastor...
The 2024 ELCA National Youth Gathering will be at New Orleans, LA July 16-20. Our group will be traveling by charter bus with other congregations from the Central/Southern Illinois Synod (CSIS), leaving July 15 and returning July 21.
Lindsey Clemons and Leslie Rosa have done the prep work necessary to chaperone seven youth going with Grace: Julian Janssen, Elliot Janssen, Amelie Janssen, Nathaniel Rosa, Emma Von Holten, Annabelle Clemons and Danielle Clemons. At the same time that we pray to God for fun and meaningful faith formation for all of them, we also give thanks to the people of Grace for generously giving them the chance! Because of you, this summer our children have already shared in a week of Crossways Confirmation Camp and a week of Leadership Lab. Your support is changing lives, just as you were created to be doing.
Having been elected at our West Central Conference (WCC) Assembly this Spring, my term as Dean of the WCC of the CSIS began with the June 8 close of the CSIS Assembly. The WCC is comprised of 26 congregations reaching Springfield and Jacksonville to the north, Altamont and Loogootee to the southeast, Batchtown to the west, and Columbia, Belleville and Mascoutah to the south. What does this mean for Grace? In part, it means sharing your pastor for the ministry of the WCC and the CSIS. The Deans of the six CSIS Conferences meet by Zoom weekly for one hour to dwell in the Word, and pray for the concerns and people of our synod. The Deans also have a seat on the CSIS Council which meets several times throughout the year. Finally, it is my responsibility to coordinate meetings of the rostered leaders of our WCC, and work with the other WCC officers for the good of the cause.
Deacon Jason Fisher, CSIS Director for Evangelical Mission, joined eight of our members in a Faithful Innovation dwelling in the word on June 17, hearing and reflecting and sharing a selection from Acts 6. We practiced the same listening (hearing and reflecting and sharing) for moments in our lives when we felt spiritually energized/engaged/alive. We will meet again at 1:30pm on Thursday, July 11 at Grace and via Zoom, and you are invited. The invitation does come with strings attached: talk to someone! Jason challenged us to talk to someone in our random comings and goings, exchange names and listen to their story, whatever they may share. It is in listening to other people’s stories that relationship is developed, and the body of Christ is grown. Maybe your friendly conversation will be in the checkout line, at the gas station, the food pantry, a city park, a restaurant, even people you don’t know at Grace! …if it is at the movie theater, perhaps don’t try it during the movie, and if it is at the library, speak softly. Have fun, for the sake of Christ, for the sake of Grace, for the sake of your neighbor new to you.

Grace building and beyond

PARKING LOT UPDATE...With Grace council approval, the church took over management of the 7th Street parking lot from Downtown Parking Inc. on February 1, 2024. The purpose for the management change was to increase Grace's parking lot revenue and better control the use of the parking lot for church/food pantry use. Replacement signage was installed indicating hours and days of operation and towing information.
Violators are given one towing warning notice before towing would apply.
Please be sure to obtain a Grace Lutheran sticker from Kim to be placed in the windshield of any vehicles you may park in the lot. Net revenues through May have been $2,927. Revenue is substantially higher than our revenue with DPI.

As of this writing (June 16) there are two major building projects, one of which is in the final stages of completion.
1. The Gym Ceiling Project. The gym has been closed off since February pending repair/replacement of the gymnasium ceiling. The ceiling drywall had separated from the roof rafters and several pieces had fallen to the gym floor rendering it unsafe for use. Bids were obtained from three companies. Cloyd Builders, LLC was recommended to the congregation and hired at a congregational meeting for a contract price of $50,920. The scope of work included demolition and replacement of the ceiling drywall, taping drywall seams, and applying primer coat and finish coat of paint. This project will be completed the week of June 17 and the gym will be usable at that time. The congregation has adopted a “pay as we go” policy. As of may31, donations totaling $8,500 (verify that number) have been contributed to gym ceiling repair. Pay as we go does not mean deplete all our reserves. Please playfully consider a donation to the gym ceiling repair.
2. The Sanctuary Air Conditioning Project. There are two separate air conditioning systems at Grace. One unit installed in 2019 conditions the Education/Fellowship Hall. A separate 20-year-old unit conditions the sanctuary and has failed. This unit's failure and need for replacement was anticipated in the 2022 Berner-Schober Building Assessment due to age and accumulation of corrosive materials over the years. Currently, four companies have been contacted and have reviewed the unit for either replacement or, if possible, replacement of affected parts. One bid has been received with three more bids anticipated. Replacement of existing parts is complicated by the changing grades of freon over the years. Due to material shortages, it is estimated that it will take six months to deliver a new unit, well outside our current cooling season. Parts replacement could be within our current summer season. The cost of either a new unit or, if possible, replacement parts will require a congregational meeting and vote. Updates will follow.

Notes from Cantor J.B. George…
“…and other duties as assigned” is often the joke of the catch-all phrase at the end of many job descriptions. My work among you at Grace is no different. Usually I enjoy the little diversions of something different. Here is one of those: “watering the piano.” Two of our pianos at Grace have humidity control to keep a steady level of humidity inside the piano case. This is optimal for tuning. The humidifier part of it works with an evaporative system, and must be kept full of water in a reservoir every few weeks, year round. Twice a year, the pads on the system need to be changed because of mineral build up. While it is not a terribly difficult job (once I learned how to do it), it does look funny when I have to crawl under the grand piano. Almost like I’m changing the oil on the piano!
Inside the piano in the fellowship hall JB under the Steinway!
(humidifier center right)
Thank you, God, for a change of pace in summer. Thank you for helping us grow in the quiet times. Help us come to you for an oil change when we have “build up” from the cares of the world. Amen.

Stephen Ministry
Why “Stephen” Ministry?
The Biblical Story of Stephen is found in Acts chapter 6. Stephen was selected as one of the seven to serve the day to day needs of the church, chosen because they were known “to be full of the Spirit and of wisdom.”
Stephen ministers bring the light of Christ to those they serve. They wash feet, kneeling in service and willing to face the messy stuff. Gently examining and washing, they create the environment for healing. In the example of Stephen, these ministers serve at table. At the table is where stories are told, nourishment is provided, and relationships find time and space to develop. And these Stephen types aren’t pushy about it, but find helpful ways to tell the stories of our God, and to point to Christ’s great love, compassion, and mercy. What you share is confidential; what Stephen Ministers share is hope, companionship, prayer, and gentle, deep listening.
Stephen Ministers are not “cure-givers,” that is, they do not fix or solve problems of others. Instead, they are “care-givers,” who listen, walk alongside, and point to the “cure-giver,” our faithful God.
We are thankful that Stephen Ministry is provided through our congregation. We are here to help. Contact us through the pastor, the church office.

Our Library... there is a large variety of books in our little library. We have some Christian teenage series, some mysteries, one shelf of Christian/Lutheran educational books, most of a shelf of biblical stories for young children, several year of devotional books, as well as hymnals that members may want to accompany our services.

Join us weekly for worship online:
FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE, OR BY EMAIL
You can go to either our website at www.gracelutheran-springfield.org
on Facebook to Historic Grace Lutheran Church or to our YouTube Channel: Grace Lutheran Church Springfield IL and you will be taken to a link that will allow you to view the video of the services.

YOUR HEALTH NEWS
Parish Nurse… Diana Weyhenmeyer
This article was taken from the Wall Street Journal with my added comments to it. It was on death and caretaking. When people are unconscious, I believe they can hear what is going on. I've always believed that in my nursing career and to this day still believe it. They may not be able to respond but can still hear. Hearing is the last item to go according to experts. The article talked about her father's last days and how she spent them with him. They listened to his favorite music, she read to him and talked about their father-daughter kayak trips. I remember when my father died, the morning he died, he winked at me. I asked him if he was winking at me and he smiled. I have that memory as a beautiful one between him and me.
Losing someone we love, even when it is expected, is one of life's most dreaded experiences. It can also be one of the most profound and meaningful say experts in end of life care.
Experts advise keeping final communication simple and loving. Take your time saying good-bye. Above all be emotionally present with them.
Several people hold their hands, share favorite memories or pictures and some massage their feet. These are some of the ways to show you care about them.
Another expert says to talk with your loved one ahead of time about their wishes. I've seen many people die, and people know when they are dying. Dad told me a week ahead of his death, he didn't have much time left. I knew the end was near and said I loved him and he had been a great dad!!
Another expert advised to make the room as peaceful as possible. Leaving cell phones out of the room or on vibrate so they don't disturb the person. You don't want drama in the room. You want to create a feeling of deep, deep relaxation and allow them to let go. I've seen people wait to hear their loved ones say they will be ok and then they die. I will never forget one wife was very anxious and their son was flying in from Denver. I had her tell her husband every hour what time it was and when the son would be there. That helped calm her down and gave her something to do. The son arrived at 11pm and the man died at midnight that night very peacefully. He was waiting for his son to arrive.
I like to look at death as a passing to be with Jesus. While we are here on earth, our job is to help others and serve them. That is what I have always tried to do as a nurse and person.
I like Grace's logo Love God and Serve Others.
In Christ's love, Diana

We will be delivering Meals on Wheels in July.
The Specialty Meals on Wheels Program delivers meals to the homes of individuals with special dietary needs in our community. Home delivered meals help to ensure that an individual’s needs are met, allowing them to remain as independent as possible within their own home. Grace has been asked to assist with the meal delivery in July.
Below, I have listed the routes that require a substitute driver. I am unable to give the specific addresses on each route, but Senior Services has provided the general area of the route and the estimated time needed to complete the delivery. It's important to note that the delivery routes are subject to change on a daily basis due to the individual schedules and health of the participants, new participants that may have been added, medical appointments, etc. A current route sheet for delivery is provided along with the meals each day. Please contact Robin Mahnken 217-638-1779 for questions or information.
July 3: Route 1 is Downtown Springfield and it takes approx. 45 minutes
Route 4 is a westside route and it takes approx. 45 minutes
July 10: Route 4 is a westside route and it takes approx. 45 minutes
Route 8 is also a westside route and it takes over an hour to complete this route
July 12: Route 5 is a downtown Highrise "Near North" and takes approx. 20 minutes
Route 9 is on the northside and this route takes approx. 40 minutes
July 17: Route 1 is Downtown Springfield and it takes approx. 45 minutes
July 17: Route 4 is a westside route and it takes approx. 45 minutes
July 19: Route 5 is a downtown Highrise "Near North" and takes approx. 20 minutes
July 26: Route 9 is on the northside and this route takes 40 minutes
Meal Pick Up: 11:15AM Memorial Loading Dock: 100 West Miller St
Bag Return: Senior Services Building: 701 West Mason St/ Door 2

We pray for those youth; Julian, Elliot and Amelie Janssen, Nathaniel Rosa, Danielle and Annabelle Clemons, and Emma Von Holten as well as adult leaders Leslie Rosa and Lindsey Clemons as they travel this month to New
Orleans on an exciting adventure with over 10,000 others as they learn how and grow in who they are created to be!

Worship Participants
July 7
Greeter: Gara Hurst
Ushers: Frank Beckman &
Paul Derlitzki
Reader: Rosie O’Fallon
Communion Asst.: Sara Oehlert
Altar Guild: Kim Gietl
July 14
Greeters: Ed & Judy Wollet
Ushers: Verne & Carolyn Nelson
Reader: Jan Conrady
Communion Asst.: Judy Wollet
Altar Guild: Kim Gietl
July 21
Greeters: Mark & Cindy Anderson
Ushers: Galloway family
Reader: Phil Galloway
Communion Asst.: Pat Ekle
Altar Guild: Pat Ekle
July 28
Greeter: Pat Casper
Ushers: Chris & Mary Schofield
Reader: John Rigg
Communion Asst.: Chuck Weyhenmeyer
Altar Guild: Deb Smith

WHAT ARE THE MANY WAYS YOU CAN BE LIKE CHRIST IN YOUR EVERYDAY LIVING?

Weekly Attendance Date Facebook YouTube

Pentecost 2	6/2/2024	28	18
Pentecost 2	6/2/2024	87 In-person
Pentecost 3	6/9/2024	20	22
Pentecost 3	6/9/2024	85 In-person
Pentecost 4	6/16/2024	21	19
Pentecost 4	6/16/2024	74 In-person
Pentecost 5	6/23/2024	11	10
Pentecost 5	6/23/2024	80 In-person

Join Grace’s Online Directory here:
It is easy to access from your
computer or smartphone.
Take this with your phone camera

Food Pantry Report
Doug McFarlan, Director
As Christ fed the multitudes, the mission of the Grace Lutheran Church Food Pantry is to feed the hungry.
Through May 31 the Food Pantry had served 4,114 households and 10,426 individuals in 2024, an increase of about 20 percent over the same period last year. However, the rate of growth is finally slowing; in May, we served essentially the same number of households as we did in May of last year -- 904 in 2024 and 899 in 2023.
Financially we are holding our own this year, ending May with an account balance of $64,694 and a year-to-date deficit of $20,873. These numbers are generally consistent with our experience in recent years, although the summer months are typically our most challenging for financial donations.
Our single biggest fundraiser for the food pantry is creeping up on us -- the Fourth Annual Drive Out Hunger golf outing on Sunday, Sept. 8 at Piper Glen Golf Club. We welcome support in any of several ways, including helping recruit sponsors, playing the outing as an individual or organizing a four-person team, or simply making a monetary donation to the event. Flyers and posters with details and registration information should be available at the church within a matter of days. Last year we raised about $21,000 from this event.
With school out for summer, we are pleased and appreciative to have several grandchildren and children of volunteers, as well as other young people, helping on a regular basis. We also appreciate that our volunteers are as committed as ever as the brutal heat of summer sets in. We want to make sure both our volunteers and clients are mindful of staying hydrated.
On June 17, WICS-News Channel 20 visited our pantry for a story they aired about the challenges of serving clients in extreme heat.
We lost two very special friends of the food pantry in May with the passing of Marguerite Dixon and John Kelley. Marguerite and her husband, Jack, were longtime volunteers and leaders in operating the pantry in its earlier years, and John and his wife, Elizabeth, were more recent volunteers who helped on a weekly shift for several years. We mourn their passing, celebrate their lives of service, and are grateful for the numerous gifts that have been made to the pantry in their memory.
Doug McFarlan, Director

DRIVE OUT HUNGER GOLF OUTING
At Piper Glen Golf Course, Springfield
Sunday, September 8, 2024
beginning at 12 noon to benefit Grace Food Pantry. Think about a foursome for golfing or if you are part of a business that may want to be a sponsor.

JULY 2024

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
	1 / 11:00-1:00 Food Pantry / 6:00 pm NOLA Youth / Pizza/Planning	2 / 11:00 AM Worship & Music / 11:00-1:00 Food Pantry / 6:00 pm Twisted stitchers	3 / 12:30 pm Faith/Grace Circle / 3:30 pm Choir / Meals on Wheels	4 / FOOD / PANTRY / AND / OFFICE / CLOSED	5	6
7 / 9:15 am Worship / Summer Brunch / to follow	8 / 11:00-1:00 Food Pantry	9 / 10:30 am Property / 11:00-1:00 Food Pantry	10 / Meals on Wheels	11 / 11:00-1:00 Food Pantry / 1:30 pm Faithful / Innovation	12 / Meals on Wheels	13
14 / 9:15 am Worship / Summer Brunch / to follow	15 / 11:00-1:00 Food Pantry / National / Youth Gathering / New Orleans, LA	16 / 11:00-1:00 Food Pantry / 12:00 noon Admin / & Finance / 6:00 pm Ruth Circle	17 / 3:30 pm Choir / Meals on Wheels	18 / 11:00-1:00 Food Pantry	19 / Meals on Wheels	20
21 Blood Pressure checks / 9:15 am Worship / Summer Brunch / to follow	22 / 11:00-1:00 Food Pantry / Daily Meals delivery	23 / 11:00-1:00 Food Pantry / 6:30 pm Council	24	25 / 11:00-1:00 Food Pantry	26 / Meals on Wheels	27
28 / 9:15 am Worship / Summer Brunch / to follow	29 / 11:00-1:00 Food Pantry / Meals on Wheels	30 / 11:00-1:00 Food Pantry	31 / 3:30 pm Choir	Pastor Krieger out July 8-11, July 30—August 7 / Diana W. out June 23—July 2, 17-25 / JB G. out July 3-14, 22-25 / Kim G. out July 14-15, Aug 4-8

STAFF
VACATIONS

FOOD PANTRY REQUEST
In addition to the family bags distributed to local families in need,
mini-bags are distributed to individuals experiencing homelessness.
The content of the mini-bags is quite different from those that are distributed to family households. The items we need for these bags are often not are not available at discounted prices from the Central Illinois food bank, and the pantry is trying to minimize purchasing the items from grocery stores. Some of the specific barriers that increase costs include:
the items must be portable, single servings, as nutritious as possible, require little preparation, easily opened (i.e. ring top lids) we are reaching out to ask supporters of the food pantry to consider donating food items that would meet the needs of this fragile population. If you are interested in assisting with the mini-bags, guidance and suggestions follow. Many among this population have significant dental problems and chewing is difficult. Please bear that in mind when selecting food items for donation. It might be best to stay away from hard to chew items such as nuts, hard granola bars, etc. Specific suggestions for donations are:
*Small canned chicken or tuna (water packed) and ring top cans/plastic envelopes
*Tuna or chicken salad kits (packaged with mayo crackers, relish in a cup to mix and serve)
*Canned meats (ring tops) & crackers
* Beef Ravioli; Spaghetti O's with meat balls; Pork and Beans or seasoned beans, all with ring top cans
*Packets of cheese crackers sandwiching peanut butter or cheese spread.
*Small individually packaged containers of peanut butter
*Individually packed fruit cups
*Cereal bars/ soft, such as the Nutri grain Fruit bars or Nature Valley Soft baked Oatmeal Squares
*Snack items such as chips/cookies

Members Homebound or limited mobility

Dixie Alvies
Sandy benanti
Glenda bowles
Georgiann Bredehoft
Betty & rc curry
Gloria Gagnon
Larry Garrison
Marcella McGowan
Tom & Kathy Myers
Ilse Nunn
Eleanor sakris
Ann Schlicht
Don Thannen

THANK YOU’s
Great BIG THANK YOU to those Food Pantry volunteers who have worked so far this summer in the extreme heat.
Grace Family: Thank you for the altar flowers brought to me today. They are lovely. I appreciate your thoughts and prayers as I struggle through this difficult time in my life. Thank you so much.
-Ralph Turner
I would like the members Grace for the beautiful altar flowers given to me on June 2. That was so thoughtful. -Laurie Farrell
The women of Grace enjoyed a lovely indoor “picnic "on June 18, 2024 due to inclement weather. Thanks to all who planned and attended to enjoy delicious food, fellowship, and discussion about projects for the upcoming year, such as Lutheran World Relief school kits and Butterbraids this fall!

New Devotionals for July—September are available at the back
of the church. If you would like one mailed, in either regular
or large print, just let the office know.

Inner city mission
Is celebrating 40 years of service to our community. They will host a block party on Sunday August 25 between 12:00—3:00 pm so come by after church and get some fixin’s, eat and partake in all the festivities. Bring blankets and lawn chairs as they take over
Enos Park, 1000 North 7th St. Springfield.

Prayers of Grace Ministry
Pray in the spirit at all times and on every occasion.
Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” Ephesians 6:18 (NLT)
If you are in need of prayer or if you would like to join the Prayer Chain please call the church office (522-3965) or email Kim Gietl k.gietl15@yahoo.com or Sara Oehlert soehlert@aol.com

Stewardship Stories… A Life of service
Like a magnet to metal, Velma Lawson is drawn to serving others.
Velma’s Faith journey began almost at birth. Guided by her parents, attending church and being involved in Sunday School and other church related activities became a natural and fulfilling part of her life. Today, she has a feeling of being incomplete if she doesn’t attend church on Sunday. Even if she doesn’t personally know everyone at Grace, she enjoys being with them and chatting with the older members she has known for years. An item on her enjoyment is to know all the members of Grace.
While Velma worked at Sangamo Electric a friend, Lucille Schindler, invited her to visit Grace. That visit and later marriage to Jim led them to join the church in 1952. The welcoming spirit of the Grace community prompted early and active engagement in church life. She has interesting memories of working in the nursery with Aunt Mae Cruikshank and her sand table and the energy and curiosity of fourth graders.
In the years prior to starting a family, Velma belonged to a missionary group, CIHU, with the name and mission of “Can I Help You.” There were meetings, lessons, and other events such as caroling at the Sadie Beard Nursing Home which is now home to Incredibly Delicious. She learned a lot, and one fact in particular: more than one lock on the door was required to keep the patients from wandering off.
Velma recalls that during the Energy Crises it was too expensive to heat the whole church facility every day. Therefore, all committee and other meetings were held on Wednesday. Dinner was prepared and served and craft activities were offered for the children. A free will offering each Wednesday seemed to cover expenses. During this time Velma formed a close bond with Lola Marbold and Dee Wells when feeding many members of the Grace community.
It is easy to name Velma as a Committee All-Star for her service on many church committees including: Altar Guild member and Chair, Vacation Bible School Chair, Puppet Ministry, Council, Evangelism Committee, and the Food Pantry. When she retired from outside employment in 1995, she joined the Grace Food Pantry. For several years she and Lil Genskow were in charge of the Food Pantry. There was no Board then. At that time all paper work was done on paper by hand. It was difficult and time consuming to decipher the handwriting of some clients so she took it all home and typed it up. Leona Garrison came to the rescue and donated a computer. Senior Services came and taught the pantry volunteers to use the computer.

She also remembers that many clients didn’t know how to cook from scratch so the Illinois extension service came forward with food samples and recipes. Many can fondly remember the sign she placed in the pantry that said “Err on the side of kindness”.
I hope it made an impression on others. It did on me. Velma hopes that everyone is as proud as she is of the improvements and organization that are currently being used in the Food Pantry.
As a gifted and sharing person who can’t say “no”, Velma feels that everyone in our church family should pitch in and help wherever they can. The Pastor can’t do it alone.
Storyteller: Laurie Farrell

July Birthdays

July 2
Amy Harshman
July 3
Ashley Streck
July 4
John Rigg
July 6
Jennifer Derlitzki
Tucker Luckey
July 9
Nicole Brockmeyer
Georgia Luckey
July 11
Adam Hobbs
Hailey Schlicht
July 12
Stephen Christell
Kathy Kreutzer
Carter Streck
July 13
Gary Courtwright
Diana Weyhenmeyer
July 14
Salli Shields
July 15
Karen Clark
Kyle Gietl
July 16
Carolyn Nelson
July 17
Marilyn Dees
July 18
Rosie O’Fallon
Don Thannen
July 19
Sam Baker
Randy Krone
Jackie O’Fallon
July 22
Emma Harshman
July 23
Velma Lawson
James Lewis
July 24
Addison Christell
July 25
Raymond Cane
Margot Galloway
July 27
Corrine Kircher
Jean Scherer
Jennifer Weakly
July 28
John Weakly
July 29
Larry Garrison
July 30
Addison Downey
Benjamin Gonzalez
David Gonzalez
Mark Thannen

and God’s blessings!

COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
The June Council meeting was held on June 25.
Parking lot income is positive and more than DPI ran it.
MOTION—that Grace pay for CPR for the staff from Misc. Admin line in the amount of $420.00—APPROVED
Pastor Krieger has been voted Dean of West Central Conference—so this takes some time away in helping Bishop with conference churches.
Research is being done with the windows in the gym as it was discovered that some are loose and dangerous if left.
People are still coming more than the 30 day limit for the food pantry and communication between the days needs to be better.
Golf outing fundraiser underway September 8 at Piper Glen. Whereas, this is a great fundraiser for the Food Pantry, other ideas are being considered in addition especially with the 50th anniversary of Grace Food Pantry this year.
Evangelism will meet again with congregation and Jason Fischer for Faithful Innovation July 11 at 1:30 pm.
Fellowship is trying to plan outings and many ideas were considered in and around Springfield.
Sanctuary AC units (20 years old) have been only running on 1 compressor with the other two not functional. Ed W has been working with contractors for bids on replacing this unit. Things to keep in mind is that 27 weeks out for parts and then labor time—won’t be until next spring for earliest install.
MOTION to schedule a Congregational Meeting, both ZOOM and in person, August 11 with the purpose of approving bid and paying for new AC unit above the Sanctuary.—APPROVED
Stewardship emphasis—Grace as you go!
Discussion and research continues on the projector or screen in the worship space.
The council has appointed a subcommittee to develop a format for introducing the educational and awareness conversation program called Reconciled in Christ (RIC). RIC guides communities of faith in conversation about what it means to welcome people who identify as LGBTQ.
FINANCIAL REPORT
May 2024 May 2023
Income: $36,659 Income: $40,769
Expense: $40,464 Expense: $41,900
DEFICIT ($3,805) DEFICIT ($1,131)
YTD 2024 YTD 2023
Income: $197,525 Income: $170,696
Expense: $201,606 Expense: $187,948
DEFICIT ($4,081) DEFICIT ($17,252)

ALL WOMEN of Grace are welcome at the Women’s Circle meetings
and other WELCA events.
Faith/Grace Circle July 3 at 12:30 pm
Ruth Circle meets July 16 at 6:00 pm at Grace.
SAVE THE DATE... LADIES NIGHT OUT AUGUST 20, 2024 AT PAPA FRANKS 6:00 PM. A SIGN UP SHEET IS IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL.
WELCA'S project this year for Lutheran World Relief will be school kits. A list of the items we will be collecting is listed below.
This year we hope to complete 100 bags.
The collection will continue until the 1st of October 2024 and will be put together on Sunday Oct. 6th during the Fellowship Hour after church. Everyone is welcome to attend and assist the Sunday School children and Grace Forum is filling the bags for shipping.
ITEMS NEEDED:
30-centimeter ruler, or a ruler with centimeters on one side and inches on the other
Pencil sharpener
Blunt scissors (safety scissors with embedded steel blades work well)
Unsharpened #2 pencils with erasers
Black or blue ballpoint pens (no gel ink)
Box of 16 or 24 crayons (only these 2 sizes are accepted)
2 1/2" eraser
Money donations are always welcome. The notebooks for this project will be purchased in bulk as the bags are. We appreciated all the support the congregation has given for this project!

TWISTED STITCHERS… is a group of ladies that get together the first Tuesday evening of the month in someone’s home and have an evening of fellowship and stitching crafts (knitting, crochet, cross-stich, quilting or anything else).

Update from Little Lambs Uganda
**TRIGGER WARNING—ALCOHOLISM/ABUSE DISCUSSED**
This is rather painful to read—but it is reality in our world.
Greetings from Uganda the pearl of Africa,
I can not believe that we are one month into our second term. We thank God for bringing us this far and we would like to say thank you for your continued support in keeping our doors open. We especially appreciate all the school goodies that come in our boxes every term. They brighten up our little classrooms! Thank you, friends, for caring enough to keep wanting to make a difference. We will be going on our school field trip to Jinja (the source of the Nile River) in 2 days ; due to lack of sufficient funds we are unable to take the entire school, just the older children to learn more about our beautiful country. Hopefully God will permit for the younger ones to go next time. Please keep praying for us for God to supply all our daily needs. He has been faithful we cannot deny. We do need more of our children sponsored as the sponsorship money helps pay for our teachers' salaries, food and even medical when the children fall sick. Thank you for the medicine you send, it does help with all the minor ailments that trouble our children from day to day.
We recently had an incident at school. Last week two of our little children lost their father and nearly lost their own lives in the process. We have had to deal with issues of domestic violence in some of our children's homes. Emily (10 years old) and her little brother Elisa (5years old) have been constant victims at the hands of their father. Last week in one of his drunken episodes he burned all their little possessions in the house. Dragged them to the main road at 2am screaming that he was going to end his and their lives. He took them in the middle of the road, there was a police officer on traffic duty who tried to come to their rescue but he was beat up by their father which gave them a chance to escape from his grasp. Concludes on Page 19

Getting ready for the Field Trip by phone light.

Emily (above) is one of the original children to the school.

Shortly after the fight with the police officer he went back in the road and got hit by a car he died instantly. His children experienced and witnessed all this. Myself and some of the teachers represented our school at the vigil and burial. We were also able to offer some financial aid to tide them over as we pray for more permanent placement for them. Please lift these 2 children up in your prayers. They are back with us at school, but we are praying for wisdom on what path to take in order to help them heal from the trauma. I have been praying for God to make a way so we can build a shelter no matter how simple, because theirs is just one story in many of the horrors our children face when they leave our learning center and go back home in the evenings. They do need some relief and a safe place. We are doing the best we can with what God has given us but moments like this make me feel that it is not enough. Please keep all our children in your prayers, especially Emily(10) and Elisa(5) during this harrowing time.
May God continue to bless you for your labor of love.
—Barbara

COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THE COMMITTEES THEY REPRESENT
President, Pastor Tom Krieger
Vice President, August Appleton
Treasurer, Brenda Poston
Secretary, Aaron Babel
Administration & Finance: Jim Schlouch
Christian Education: Kari Downey, Mary Plymire
Community Ministry: Brian Dees, Diana Weyhenmeyer
Evangelism: Aaron Babel
Fellowship: Rosie O’Fallon
Parish Life: Rosie O’Fallon
Property: Mike Darling, Craig Schattschneider
Stewardship: Aaron Babel, Mary Plymire
Strategic Planning: Ed Wollet
Worship & Music: August Appleton, Rosie O’Fallon
Youth: Jerry Janssen, Amelie Janssen
REMINDER: Committee chairs and/or secretaries please stop at the
work room every week so that you can sign off on transactions vouchers. Thank you for giving your time.

ORGANIZATION NON-PROFIT
GRACE EVANGELICAL U.S. POSTAGE PAID
LUTHERAN CHURCH SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS
714 EAST CAPITOL AVE. PERMIT NO. 668
SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS 62701
DATED MATERIAL – USELESS IF DELAYED
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Worship Sunday at 9:15am or online anytime—All are welcome!
gracelutheran-springfield.org
Grace Food Pantry operating schedule is:
Mon, Tues, Thu 11:00 am-1:00 pm
CHURCH PHONE: 217-522-3965
Our Staff

PASTOR
Rev. Tom Krieger
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Kim Gietl
PARISH NURSE
Diana Weyhenmeyer
CANTOR
J.B. George
CHURCH CUSTODIAN Aaron Von Holten
WEBSITE ADMIN
Aaron Babel

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