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
Thanksgiving Worship—Join Grace for Thanksgiving worship this upcoming week! One service at two different times: Wednesday, Nov. 25 at 6:30 p.m. and Thursday, Nov. 26, at 10 a.m. Want to join us virtually? The 6:30 p.m. service will be livestreamed on the Grace YouTube channel.
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 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 the first of December.
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.
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—Virtual Sunday school continues at Grace! 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 December Gathering Dates—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. The remaining dates for 2020 are Dec. 4 and 11. Questions, contact Diana Carter at Diana.Marzinske@blc.edu.
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. While the concert is being offered virtually, if you are unable to live stream the concert but wish to attend, you may be able to attend in-person. Contact Rachel Proeber at 414-271-3006 and request to be added to the list. Requests are on a first come, first serve basis, and will be limited to 10 in-person spots. Face coverings and social distancing will also be required. Concert is free, donations graciously accepted.
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.
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.
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 live and ready for your input. Access the survey here: https://forms.gle/UBx8x9UPhR4zuBNZ6
The survey is now anonymous and you no longer need your email address to complete it.
Last call to fill out the form! Form will be closing soon, so if you haven’t already done so, please fill the form out now!
In Christ’s Service,
