Want updates about COVID-19 and how Grace is safely gathering and worshiping at this time?
CLICK HERE for the latest from Grace.
Last Call! Fill Out Long Range Planning Survey—Building off the SWOT analyses that were conducted in 2019 and earlier this year, this survey’s purpose is to help Grace members share what they see for the future of Grace Church in the next five to 10 years. The survey is now live, but will be closely shortly!
Click Here to Access the Survey
Divine Call Extended—On Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, Grace extended a divine call to Pastor Caleb Kurbis, currently serving Living Savior in Asheville, North Carolina, to fill the vacancy left by Pastor Daniel Bondow. Please keep Pastor Kurbis, his wife Sarah, and their family, as well as Grace, in your prayers.
Annual Open Forum Summary—On Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, Grace held its annual November open forum. Council and congregants in attendance discussed the long range planning survey, reviewed 2020 goals and attendance (both online and in-person), and financial data (paying down the Grace Center’s remaining debt is under $500,000 now). Additional discussion surrounding concerns regarding COVID and current gathering mandates were also raised, leading to questions about how Christmas worship services will be affected, and a resounding desire for small groups was reiterated. More, in-depth details will be shared in the upcoming monthly newsletter, which will be in inboxes and mailboxes around Thanksgiving.
God Answers the Big Questions of Life: Nov. and Dec. 2020 Sunday Morning Bible Class—Is the end the beginning? The Bible book of the prophet Malachi answers, “Yes!” The end of the Old Testament is the beginning of the New. What a perfect bridge from one to the other—from the end of one church year to the beginning of another, from End Times to Advent! Join Grace in-person or virtually via YouTube for God Answers the Big Questions of Life, Nov. 1 through Dec. 13, 2020.
Please note: there is no Bible study today due to the Open Forums.
Nov. 15 What is the meaning of worship?
Nov. 22 What does it mean to be faithful to God?
Nov. 29 What does it mean to have God as our Father?
Dec. 6 Why do the wicked prosper?
Dec. 13 What does it mean to return to God?
Virtual Sunday School—This fall, Grace is continuing virtual Sunday school. To find these lessons, head to Northwestern Publishing House’s YouTube channel, or visit the Virtual Sunday School page on the Grace website (under the Learn and Grow tab). Take home sheets for each lesson are also available—these can be picked up after church in the Parish Center, or delivered upon request. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Drew Carter at dcarter@gracedowntown.org.
Moms Group Fall Gathering Dates—Moms Group is back for the fall! Currently meeting remotely on Fridays at 9 a.m. via Zoom, this is a great opportunity to connect with other moms while also spending time in the Word and Bible readings for the upcoming Sunday. This remaining dates for 2020 are: Nov. 20; Dec. 4 and 11. Questions, contact Diana Carter at Diana.Marzinske@blc.edu.
Teen Movie Night—Teen Movie Night is still planned for Saturday, Nov. 14, 6-9 p.m. in the Grace Center Great Hall. Face coverings and social distancing will be required, and due to the recent gathering mandate, the cut off for RSVPs will be at 10 attendees (including chaperones). Pizza, snacks, and drinks will be provided (food will be distributed by gloved and sanitized chaperones). The movie will be picked out from a list by those who RSVP. There is no cost to this event; RSVP by tomorrow, Nov. 9 by emailing Drew Carter at dcarter@gracedowntown.org.
Angel Tree—One of Grace members’ favorite Christmas traditions, the Angel Tree, is back! Located in the Parish Center, the Angel Tree is decorated with tags that represent Christmas gift wish lists of children in foster care. These children may not receive any other gifts this year, so please consider choosing a child’s wish list (or two)!
To sign-up in-person:
- Choose a tag
- Add your name and contact details on the sign-up sheets (next to the tree) that correspond to the tag you have chosen
- Buy your gift and turn it in, unwrapped, before Monday, Nov. 30
To sign-up remotely:
- Call the office
- Talk with Carolyn, Veronica, or Rachel to choose a tag, and they will add your name and contact details to the sign-up sheets that correspond to the tag you have chosen
- Buy your gift and turn it in, unwrapped, before Monday, Nov. 30
Gifts can be dropped off at the church office during the week Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., or in the donation bin next to the Angel Tree Sunday mornings. Questions, contact Veronica Brewer at 414-271-3006 or vbrewer@gracedowntown.org.
Poinsettias Available to Order—It is time to order poinsettias to beautify the chancel for Christmas. Please use one of the envelopes provided on the Parish Center counter and deposit it in the box. The costs are $17 (single, 5-7 blooms) or $26 (double, 10-14 blooms); you may choose red or white. Orders for white poinsettias need to be in by Thanksgiving; orders for red poinsettias need to be in no later than Friday, Dec. 4. Poinsettias purchased can be taken home after morning worship on Christmas Day. Please make checks payable to Grace Lutheran Church.
First Fridays presents Duo Coriolan—First Fridays presents another virtual concert via Grace’s YouTube channel on Friday, Dec. 4, 2020, at 5 p.m.! Featuring Stefanie Jacob, piano, and her husband Scott Tisdel, cello, they will perform together as Duo Coriolan. Program details to follow. Concert is free, donations graciously accepted.
Advent by Candlelight: Cancelled Due to the recent gathering mandate issued by the City of Milwaukee, Grace leadership along with Advent by Candlelight coordinators have made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Advent by Candlelight event. If you have questions, contact Pastor James Huebner at jhuebner@gracedowntown.org or Advent by Candlelight coordinator Sarah Egelseer at sarahegelseer@live.com or call 920-285-8775.
WELS Military Services—Did you know WELS civilian chaplains only know if members are serving actively if they are registered with WELS/ELS Military Services? If you or a loved one serves in the military, National Guard, and/or army reserve, and would like to ensure and maintain a spiritual and encouraging connection to the church, head to wels.net/ref to register any and all names.
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Long Range Planning Survey: Form Closing Soon!
Dear Grace Members,
Every five to seven years, Grace gathers a committee of staff, councilmen, and members to start thinking ahead and facilitating long-range planning of congregational goals. We do not undertake this as a pursuit of unbridled ambition, but rather as an honest analysis of where we are, and as an aspirational look to where God's gifts might be applied in the future.
The long range planning survey for 2025/2030 is now live and ready for your input.
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS TO ACCESS THE SURVEY
(if using a printed worship folder, type the above link in your browser’s address bar)
We have now made it so responses are completely anonymous.
You should have received an email with a link to the form earlier this week. If you did not, please contact Amanda Schumacher, Communications Coordinator, at aschumacher@gracedowntown.org to ensure we have your most up-to-date email address on file. You can also find the survey on the Grace website, under the Connect tab (you must be logged into the Member Portal to access the survey this way). There are also a select number of printed versions of the survey in the Parish Center, for those of you without online access.
In addition, we will be texting, emailing, and calling for congregational input in the coming weeks as we survey the members. We want as much feedback as possible as we reflect on the past and set our sights on 2025/2030.
Please fill out—and submit—a survey before Thanksgiving (Nov. 26, 2020).
Questions, feel free to contact the long range planning committee via the button below as well.
Thank you in advance, and may God bless your week!
In Christ’s Service,
Grace Long Range Planning Committee
