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Worship at Grace—Worshipers are asked to continue signing up ahead of time for worship services. Head to the Grace website to access the online form HERE; sign-up sheets go live Wednesdays by 7 p.m. Worshipers age 3 and up are required to wear masks or cloth face coverings to attend worship.
Call Meeting Today—The next call meeting is set for today, Sunday, Sept. 13, at 11:45 a.m. in the Grace Center Great Hall. At this meeting, Grace will gather together to call an individual to serve as an additional associate pastor here at Grace. The meeting will also be accessible via Zoom. All are encouraged and welcome to attend!
College Students—Last year we started a program called Adopt-a-Student in which we connected Grace members with our Grace college students (maybe you were even on the receiving end of a card, letter, package, or encouraging note!). We'd like to continue and grow that program this year. Please help us out by updating your status for school this year and contact info by contacting the church office. If you graduated this past year, please let us know that as well. God bless and be with you as you move forward in this uncertain time. Know that your church family is praying for you!
Jesus on Christian Living: Sunday Bible Class for Fall 2020—In a postmodern world in which everyone has an opinion on how to live a good life and we’re expected to accept everyone’s choices and decisions as valid, where do we draw the line? How does God want us to act, behave, and live in this world? Where best to turn for answers than our Savior Jesus and his own words! Starting today, join us for Sunday Bible Hour at 9 or 10:15 a.m., with a seven-part series titled Jesus on Christian Living, a study of the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5-7. This series is offered in-person in the Great Hall of the Grace Center and also video recorded and made available on the Grace YouTube channel.
Jesus on Christian Living
A Study of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)
Sept 13 Discipleship status Mt 5:1-16
Sept 20 The big roadmap Mt 5:17-20
Sept 27 Perfect particulars Mt 5:21-48
Oct 4 Living for the Father Mt 6:1-18
Oct 11 Handling goods & goodies Mt 6:19-34
Oct 18 Dealing with fellow sinners Mt 7:1-14
Oct 25 Alert to truth & error Mt 7:15-29
Fall Bible Information Class—Looking for a course on the basic teachings of the Bible? For you or someone you love? Our next series of Bible Information Classes has begun! Classes are held Thursdays at 7 p.m., and started this past week. This is a great class to attend if you’d like a refresher, are looking for a way to invite a friend to learn with you, or if you're looking to join Grace Church. Contact Pastor Hackmann at bhackmann@gracedowntown.org with questions or to sign-up.
Virtual Sunday School—This fall, Grace will be utilizing videos, provided on YouTube by Northwestern Publishing House, for 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.
Most Certainly True Podcast: New Episodes! Gear up for some brand new podcasts with Most Certainly True, Grace’s official podcast! The first series, God’s Grace at Grace, explores and documents the history of our congregation, while the second series, Civil Government, starting Oct. 7, focuses on the book in the People’s Bible Teaching Series from Northwestern Publishing House. This book (along with God’s Providence, a future podcast focus for 2021) are both available for purchase now. Contact Pastor Hackmann at bhackmann@gracedowntown.org to secure yours today!
First Fridays Presents Lake Cottage Duo—First Fridays returns in October with Lake Cottage Duo! On Friday, Oct. 2, beginning at 5 p.m. in the sanctuary, Sheri Mattson, oboe and Juanita Becker, piano, will present a concert featuring Tres Lendas for solo oboe (Beltrami), Three Romances Op. 94 (Schumann), and Sonata Op. 32 (Raphael). Concert will be offered in-person (face coverings and social distancing required) as well as via live stream. Concert is free; donations are graciously welcomed.
Grace in Action Food Drive—Next month, Grace in Action will be collecting nonperishable food items to be donated to Northside Lutheran Ministries, a WELS outreach to the inner city of Milwaukee. Collection dates will be October 4-25; a bin for donations will be located in the Grace Center atrium, with a list of needed items (you will also be able to view the list in the September newsletter, or through the online GraceNotes found on the Grace website). Contact Kathy Schlecht at kathyschlecht3@gmail.com or 414-870-5221 with any questions.
October Teen Ministry Event—Grace teens, you’re invited to get out of the house (and away from your family and virtual learning) for some social distancing fun and fellowship! On Saturday, Oct. 10, from 1:30-4 p.m., the Teen Group will be hiking and exploring Schlitz Audubon Nature Center. Tickets are $5 for anyone under the age of 18, and $8 for those 18+. RSVP by Oct. 5, and while some adult chaperones will be needed, this event is intended for Grace teens only. If you are interested in chaperoning, please let Drew Carter know and he will get back to you based on need. You can RSVP your teens by contacting Drew Carter at dcarter@gracedowntown.org or call 512-925-9138.
Organ Concert at St. Marcus—St. Marcus’ Fine Art Series returns, with a free organ concert on Friday, Sept. 18, in the sanctuary (2215 N. Palmer Street, Milwaukee) and live streamed via YouTube. This concert will feature John Behnke, organist, as he shares music from his new CD, For All Seasons Vol 5, a collection of hymn-based songs. Concert is free; freewill offerings will be gratefully accepted. Social distancing and face coverings are required on-site. To learn more, visit stmarcus.org.
WLS Job Opening—Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary is looking to hire a supper cook, who will be responsible for preparation, service, and clean-up of the supper meal for approximately 50 students. Work schedule during the school session is Monday-Thursday, 1:30-7:30 p.m. Ideal candidates will have basic understandings of nutrition, health and safety requirements. Two years' experience in food preparation required. Strong communication, people skills, and ability to take direction are essential. Contact Brian Treichel, Business Manager at 262-242-8103 or brian.treichel@wisluthsem.org to apply.
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.
Kingdom Workers Seeks Construction Mentors—Do you have construction skills and a heart for mentoring youth? Consider becoming a project manager for Kingdom Workers’ Build Up program and change the future for young people by teaching them valuable trade skills while sharing the gospel. Head to kingdomworkers.com/volunteer to learn more, or contact Jeff Ulman, Director of Builders for Christ & Kingdom Workers Construction, at julman@kingdomworkers.com or call 920-841-2655.
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A Message from the Long Range Planning Committee
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.
We will be texting, emailing, and calling for congregational input in the coming weeks as we survey members. We want as much feedback as possible as we reflect on the past and set our sights on 2025/2030.
We know that many of us are concerned with daily health and well-being at the moment. While we pray continually for God's mercy and blessing during a pandemic, we also confidently lean on God to fulfill his promises of faithfulness and care, no matter the circumstances. As we do everything God-willing, we also strive to make use of all the time and resources he has allotted.
In Christ’s Service,
Grace Long Range Planning Committee
