Want updates about COVID-19 and Grace re-opening?
CLICK HERE for the latest from Grace.
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; sign-up sheets go live Wednesdays by 7 p.m. Worshipers age three and up are required to wear masks or cloth face coverings to attend worship.
Divine Call Extended—Grace has called Pastor Jacob Behnken, currently serving Good Shepherd in Midland, MI, to serve as an additional associate pastor here at Grace. Please keep Pastor Behnken, his family, and Grace in your prayers as he deliberates both of his calls.
Long Range Planning Survey Ready for Input—Over the past few weeks, the Long Range Planning Committee has been advertising an upcoming 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. Details on how to best access the survey can be found at the end of this week’s GraceNotes.
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 post-modern 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 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
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!
Moms Group Fall Gathering Dates—Are the kids back in school? Are you working from home? Are you looking for fellowship with other moms at Grace? Good news—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 fall’s remaining dates are: October 2, 9, 16, 23; November 6 and 20; December 4 and 11. Questions, contact Diana Carter at Diana.Marzinske@blc.edu.
Gracemade Fall Updates—Gracemade isn’t meeting in-person this fall, focusing instead on projects crafters can work on at home! The current focus are two styles of blankets: fleece-tie (no-sew) and two-layer quilt-style. Once completed, drop off at the Gracemade bin in the Parish Center—when returning, please mark them as ‘Done.’ Need materials? Stop by church and pick them up, or request to have projects delivered to you. Questions? Contact Rachel LaMantia at gracemademke@gmail.com.
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 non-perishable 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 can also 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.
Christian Family Solutions: Now Hiring Christian Family Solutions (WLCFS) is actively seeking Christian therapists who are licensed in either Minnesota or Wisconsin and are members of the WELS, ELS, or confessional Lutheran church. Hours are flexible; candidates must have a master’s degree to apply. Questions, or to apply, contact Renae Hemken, Human Resources Generalist, at 262-202-0184 or via email at RHemken@wlcfs.org.
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.
The Point of Grace Gathering Series—When you feel your best, you perform at your best, and your physical, mental, and spiritual health all influence your success. Join The Point of Grace on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 7 p.m. at 2215 E. Kenwood Blvd., Milwaukee for “Lean Into Our Source of Strength,” part of its ongoing Gathering Series, for meaningful conversations as we address the many adjustments to college life during COVID-19. Limited in-person spots available; also available via Zoom.
WELS Bargain Center Clearance Event—For over a half century, the WELS Bargain Center has provided over 4 million dollars to various WELS ministries by operating thrift stores at two separate locations. The south store, located at 5005 W. Howard Ave. (414-327-2529), invites you to their “going out of business” clearance sale, which will last through the end of October. The south store is open, with hours of operation on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The north store, located at 8401 W. Lisbon Ave. (414-463-2595), plans to continue operations into the future, but still has critical need for new volunteers. The north store is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Please contact the north store for more information on how you can help and please consider a visit to the south store while you still can!
Long Range Planning Survey Now Live!
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: https://forms.gle/UBx8x9UPhR4zuBNZ6
(if using a printed worship folder, type the above link in your browser’s address bar)
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 Reformation Day (Saturday, October 31, 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
