Tidings of Grace Weekly Newsletter June 19, 2020

Verse of the Week Luke 14:19 – “And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’ ” The things of this world tempt us to cast aside the things of God. The things of this world demand our attention, time, finances, etc. But Jesus invites us to the feast. What could be more important than this gracious invitation? Today’s parable invites us to examine our own priorities and attempted excuses and to come home to the Lord, who invites us in humble repentance. Office Email Address & Phone Pastor – Phil Hohulin: pastor@gracelutheranwcoh.org Cell: 937-823-0403. Please contact Brenda to schedule an appointment with Pastor Phil. Administrative Assistant – Brenda Crawford: gracewcsecretary@yahoo.com. Office: 937-859-3941. Website Editor - Gary Petticrew: http://www.gracelutheranwc.org. Phone: 937-866-1285

Dear Grace Family, Revised 05/15/2020 At its most recent meeting, the music and worship team determined that we will resume worship services on May 31, 2020. As you are aware, we will also be offering a livestream option for those who do not feel comfortable worshiping in person. It is my desire that we do everything within reason to mitigate the threat of spreading infection to one another when we resume in person worship services. Therefore, we are implementing the following procedures. 1. Hand Sanitizer. We have purchased several containers of hand sanitizer. We will have two containers available in each row. 2. Seating: We will place signs in alternating rows of pews prohibiting people from sitting in them. Our congregation will be asked to sit with fellow family members only in their row. Congregants will be encouraged to sit in the balcony and on the side naves if needed. 3. Passing of the Peace: Non-contact signs of greeting those with whom one is not domiciled will be strongly encouraged during the passing of the peace. 4. Offering: The offering plates will be located in the sanctuary prior to the service where we used to pick up our communion cups (see number 5 below for revised communion procedures). The ushers will not pass the plate. Worshippers will place their offering envelop in the plate as they go forward to receive communion. Ushers will then take the plates to the office following the service. (Revised 05/15/2020) 5. Communion: The celebration of Holy Communion will require the greatest deviation from our current practice. During communion, I will consecrate the elements as per our usual practice. Two eucharistic assistants will join me. I will commune them and then they will each carry three trays from the altar to small tables (the ones which now hold our empty cups) located along the communion rail. Instead of receiving communion in tables and kneeling at the rail, we will do the following: a. The ushers will direct people forward one row at a time. b. I will stand at the center and distribute the wafers to each communicant. c. After receiving the wafer, communicants will move to a table located on the side of the sanctuary where they were sitting. The eucharistic assistants will have placed trays with pre-filled cups on those tables after I have communed them. The communicant will take a cup from the tray. (The communion cups will be spaced apart to prevent worshippers from

inadvertently touching someone else cup.) A communion assistant will stand six feet behind the table and say the words “The blood of Jesus shed for you.” d. After receiving the wine / juice, the communicant will turn from the table and deposit their empty cup in the basket as per our usual procedure. e. After one row has received the wine, the usher will direct the next row to come forward to receive the elements. f. We will continue our practice of making gluten free wafers and grape juice available. 6. Choir / Special Music: Due to the proximity needed for a choir to sing effectively and the difficulties presented when attempting to sing while wearing a mask, we are considering having soloists and instrumentalists provide special music. We will constantly re-evaluate this on a regular basis and hope to allow the choir to return to its vital role in our worship service as soon as possible. 7. Children’s Moment: I believe it is unwise to have the children come up front and sit in close proximity to children from other homes. Therefore, I will conduct the children’s moment but ask the children to remain seated in their seats. I will stand up front instead of sit down and speak to the children from the space I ordinarily sit. 8. Gospel processional: Because the processional will likely bring me within closer proximity to some of our members, we will dispense with it until there is a vaccine for the coronavirus. 9. Post-worship pastoral greeting: Ushers will dismiss each row following the worship service. Wearing a mask, I will stand in the narthex to greet worshippers at a safe social distance. I will not shake the hands of parishioners. 10. Livestreaming of worship services: Because many in our congregation are in an at-risk category, we will need to livestream our worship services for those who wish to remain at home. I recently obtained a $5,000 donation for this purpose from a member of one of my former churches who has been a longtime supporter of my ministry. This donation, along with some funds already allocated to the worship and music ministry will allow us to purchase the necessary equipment and licenses and also contract with the volunteer who is currently producing our YouTube broadcasts to livestream our services. As we move forward into this new normal, there will be many adjustments to make and many details to iron out. Change is never easy! But, together, moving forward in a spirit of grace and trust, I believe that we will be able to continue to worship together and emerge as an even stronger community of faith. Grace and Peace, Pastor Phil

Revised Summer Schedule for online prayer meeting: After conversation with participants of the afternoon prayer meeting, we have decided to

make two changes for the summer months.

Starting the week of Monday May 25, we will have prayer meeting only on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We also will shift the time back a half hour to 4:00 p.m.

Online Bible Study: We will continue to have our Wednesday evening Bible Study at 7:00 p.m.

Zoom Meeting Address For Prayer Meeting And Bible Study:

Join Zoom Meeting-Tuesday/Thursday PRAYER MEETING:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/642038709?pwd=OVI1cjg3dE9KSytodHFaclduZmFSQT09 Meeting ID: 642 038 709; Password: 003895.

Join Zoom Meeting-Wednesday Night Bible Study

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/595370970?pwd=MGQzK0VVZXkwUFF4VzJ6aXJjMGhTQT09

Weekday prayer meeting—Meeting ID: 595 370 970; Password: 023793.

**Online Worship Services

Visit our website for all recorded services http://www.gracelutheranwc.org/

**Live Broadcast: Tune into the service via our website!

**Denotes updated information

After months of shelter at home, social distancing and virtual worship services people seem pleased to see many things beginning to return to normal. In addition to being able to worship together, opening the nursery at Grace on July 12 is being planned. For that to happen volunteer childcare workers are needed. Every precaution for the children's and your safety and well-being is being considered by a nursery guidelines team. Please prayerfully consider providing that important ministry for our youngest. If you are led to spend a Sunday morning with the children in the nursery please text N'Anne Knight 937 271-4512.

Assisting Minister Schedule. The Assisting Minister schedule has been set for June and July. However, there have been several vocalists who participated in the YouTube presentations the past 2 months who did an outstanding job. If they, or anyone else, is interested in becoming an Assisting Minister please speak to Joe Costantino about being put on the schedule in July for a Sunday or two in August or September. The Assistants work on a rotating basis according to their availability.

*Thank you to Linda Hooghe and Crissy Montgomery for refinishing the table in the fellowship hall. Look at that shine! Great job ladies!

*Nursery Needs: We are in need of some large bottles of hand sanitizer, Clorox wipes, and disposable diaper changing table pads so we can re-open the nursery. Please be on the lookout for these as you go shopping and purchase them for the church. Your costs will reimbursed.

Do you know these people?

An old church directory made its way to the office and we need

help identifying some of the pictures. Do you by chance

recognize this lovely couple and their children?

***West Carrollton Food Pantry Permanently Closed The food pantry in West Carrollton has closed permanently. Unfortunately the director of the pantry suffered a stroke and there is no one to take over running the pantry. Thank you for your past support of this great ministry. Needs for Jeremiah’s Letter One of our benevolence organizations, Jeremiah’s Letter, is in need of the following items: manual can openers, pots/pans, and silverware. Diane Jergens will have a labeled bin placed near the kitchen for your items. Thank you for helping support the many ministries of God in the Dayton area!

Matthew 25 Ministries Matthew 25 Ministries has ongoing needs for daily care items, shampoo, soap, nonperishable food, clothing, shoes, towels, kitchen supplies, cleaning supplies, sheets, and blankets. (No glass containers please)

Matthew 25 uses these items for worldwide disaster relief and improving the lives of impoverished people. Please bring your donations to the church. Item needed: Cleaning supplies: including rags. Please place the

clean rags in a plastic bag and mark. Personal care items: Clothes (must be washable) also underwear and socks (new or gently used; Shoes (casual and work); Small kitchen utensils – nothing electric; Medical equipment: canes, crutches, bath chairs, portable toilets, wheelchairs, hospital beds (must have cranks if electric); Plastic pill containers; Paint (must be latex – any color and any amount) Please read Matthew 25. Questions call Lea (937) 271-2052

Miami Valley Women’s Center News: Greetings all who support the Walk for Life each May! Several of our members participated in the Walk this year although, due to social distancing, they did it on their own time and at their choice of location. The church was closed at this time, however, it is not too late to make a donation for this effort. Simply write a separate check to the church with Miami Valley Women's Center (MVWC) Walk for Life in the memo line. Rest assured that the Center will get a check from Grace that reflects your support. As always, thanks so much for your support!

June Servant Schedule

Assistant Minister Lector June 7 Sandy Rice N’Anne Knight June 14 Joe Constantino Roseann Constantino June 21 N’Anne Knight Deb Ross June 28 Joe Costantino N’Anne Knight

Sunday, June 21th Servants

Sermon: Pastor Phil Hohulin Choir Director: Cynthia Michael

Greeter/Usher: Bob and Jean Wheeler Organist: Aaron Mood

Communion: John and Cynthia Michael Pianist: Samee Griffith-Mood

Children’s Nursery: N/A Violinist: Bill Slusser

June 6 – Jen Rice

15 – Ron Rice 17 – Gretchen Walther

24 – Danny Brown 28 – Chris Jergens

June 2020

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

31 10:30 AM Traditional Worship Service

1 2 4:00 PM Prayer

Meeting Via Zoom

3 7:00 PM Bible Study

via Zoom

4 4:00 PM Prayer

Meeting Via Zoom

5 6

7 10:30 AM Traditional Worship Service

10:31 AM Livestream Available

Through Website

8 9 4:00 PM Prayer

Meeting Via Zoom

10 7:00 PM Bible Study

via Zoom

11 4:00 PM Prayer

Meeting Via Zoom

12 13

14 10:30 AM Traditional Worship Service

10:31 AM Livestream Available

Through Website

15 6:30 PM Council

Meeting

16 4:00 PM Prayer

Meeting Via Zoom

17 7:00 PM Bible Study

via Zoom

18 4:00 PM Prayer

Meeting Via Zoom

19 20

21 10:30 AM Traditional Worship Service

10:31 AM Livestream Available

Through Website

22 23 4:00 PM Prayer

Meeting Via Zoom

24 7:00 PM Bible Study

via Zoom

25 4:00 PM Prayer

Meeting Via Zoom

26 27

28 10:30 AM Traditional Worship Service

10:31 AM Livestream Available

Through Website

29 30 4:00 PM Prayer

Meeting Via Zoom

1 7:00 PM Bible Study

via Zoom

2 4:00 PM Prayer

Meeting Via Zoom

3 4

Our Member’s Prayer Concerns: *Denotes Grace Member Lynda Bragg–continued recovery (Pastor Phil) Jeff Brown–healing (Mick Mehlhorn) *Linda Hooghe–continued recovery (Becky Reinhart) Lj Aufuldish–(Nancy Smith) *Judy Yeager-healing (Shirley Pappas) MacKenzie Aitken-healing (Lea Ravlin) *Diane Jergens-healing (Pastor Phil) Missy Colen-back surgery (Lore Anders) Martha Williamson-mother of Susan Schmellenkamp (Roseann Costantino) Janet Zerger-healing (Cynthia Michael) Nancy Bruggeman-cancer (Cynthia Michael) *Georgene Bonsteel-healing (Becky Reinhart) Tyler Heskett-recovery and healing (Cynthia Michael) *John Moore-healing (Cynthia Michael) Pam & Allen Smith-healing for Allen after stroke (Julie Hohulin) David Mancini-sister with cancer(Cynthia Michael) Mike Stein-heart issues (Shirley Schryver) *Joyce Slusser-healing (Pastor Phil) Brian Smith-needing double lung transplant (Matt Pfeiffer) Ryan Shepherd-heart surgery (Shirley Pappas) *Lori Anders-upcoming surgery and cancer treatment (Lori Anders) Bill Gray- neighbor recovering from a stroke (Joyce Mears) *David Hesp-comfort and healing (Joe Constantino)

Family and Friends in our Hearts: Ryan Morgan (Mary Kay Reed), Paul Yeager (Jay & Judy Yeager), Dorothy Pace (Gretchen

Walther) Bishop Emeritus Paull Spring- (Joe Costantino)

Those with Continuing Health Concerns: Nancy Hess, Janet Dovayak (Shirley Pappas), Sally Fiste (N’Anne Knight), Irene Bartus (Deb Ross), Joe Costantino Sr. (Joe Costantino), Farralee Baldwin (Becky Reinhart), Mary Welker (Sandy Rice), Georgene Bonsteel (Becky Reinhart), Fran McDaniel (Roseann Costantino), Robin Connellee (N’Anne Knight), Cindy Puskar (Becky Reinhart), Gary Rothermel (Annemarie Stein), Yvonne Becker (Joyce Mears), Clayton Daniels (Cassie Pfeiffer), Lois Costantino (Roseann Costantino) Harry Wright and Family (Aaron Mood) Lydia Mills (Sandy Rice), Pam Mehlhorn, Barbra Baker (Pastor Phil), Tanya Short (Shirley Pappas), Camille Evans(Cynthia Michael)

Those Confined to Care: Ada Doty (aunt of Roseann Costantino)

Those Serving in the Military: Josh Weiland, Cian Morgan, Zach Ravlin (Lea Ravlin), Matthew Spence (Lea Ravlin)