March 2019 NewsletterGrace, mercy, and peace are yours

  in Christ Jesus our Lord!

Dear Family of God at Grace,Once again, we begin our journey through the 40 days of Lent. This journey takes us through the valley of the shadow of death as we suffer with Jesus as He suffers for us on the cross. It is a bloody battle that the Lamb of God endures, to win for us forgiveness, life, and salvation over sin, death, and the devil! His death is our triumph!This Lententide, even though we are only about 15 feet above sea level at Grace, we will be climbing to the mountaintops of Holy Scripture during our Wednesday evening services. Before each Wednesday evening service there is a Soup Supper. Come have a bowl of homemade soup and then spend about 40 minutes hearing God's Word. This is a great Lenten Devotion as you prepare for Easter.Some of you may feel the need to "give something up" for Lent. That's not a bad thing. Some fast during Lent. Giving something up or fasting is good training for the body. Remember, these things are done to remind you what Jesus suffered. In a small way, denying yourself some pleasurable food, drink or whatever, or not eating on one day a week during Lent, is suffering with Jesus. Now when I say "small way" I mean very small, but it is still good if it points you to Jesus!Now if you are giving up deep-fried Twinkies to lose weight, well... that's probably not the reason to deny yourself during Lent. The purpose of your self-denial now is to point to Christ. Also remember that the Sundays don't count as part of Lent. They are little respites - little Easters along the way.Lent is also a time to remember your Baptism. Well, I guess everyday is a time to remember the gift you received from the Lord in the waters of

your Baptism, but especially during Lent. This is a penitential season of reflection. We are sinners in need of rescue and there is no greater rescue than your Baptism where you die with Christ and you rise with Him!I pray that your 40-day journey to Holy Week will be filled with the Spirit of Jesus. That you will find strength for your soul and that when the journey is complete you will once again rejoice greatly in the resurrection of our King!Just a reminder about the Elders Fish-Fry on Saturday the 16th at 5 PM. If you want to give something up for Lent, make sure its not fish, shrimp or beer! This is a great dinner and I'm sure I'll see all of you there.Kudos, to Bonnie Heidel, Sandy Kudart, Sharon Barton and all the Women of Grace for another wonderful Rummage Sale! Over $6000 was raised for mission work by our ladies. Thank you to all who donated and to all who came a purchased something that you couldn't live without. Wonderful job!    One final thought: It is 10 years this month that I have served as your Pastor. I know there is going to be a celebration and I want to say thanks in advance to Brian Heidel, the Planning Council, and to all of you, for the celebration. I also want you to know that it is my honor and privilege to serve you! You all make it easy to be your Pastor and I do Love you all! It is hard to believe that 10 years have gone by already. I have watched as young families brought their newborns to the font and was blessed to baptize them! I have watched the children grow through confirmation. I have seen them go on to high school and then some to college. I have had the joy of officiating weddings for some of you and celebrated anniversaries! I have watched as we all have turned 10 years older and some have been called heavenward, and like you, I miss them! 10 years ago, when I was installed here as your Pastor, I was excited to serve at Grace. Now I'm thankful, appreciative and still excited to be here in this place and serving God's family at Grace! We are blessed by God to be His family! Thank you all!

In His Service,

Pastor Lingsch        

UPCOMING

EVENTSAsh WednesdayWednesday, March 6th6:30 pmSanctuary

Elders' Fish FrySaturday, March 16th5:00 pm - 7:30 pmFellowship Hall

Creative Hearts & Hands WorkshopThursday, March 21st9:00 amFellowship Hall

LWML Spring RallySaturday, March 23rdSt. Michael Lutheran Church

Pastor Lingsch's Anniversary CelebrationSaturday, March 23rd4:00 pm - 6:00 pmFellowship Hall

Voters' MeetingSunday, March 24thBetween ServicesFellowship Hall

Preschool Postcard ProjectMonday, April 1st10:00 am - 12:30 pmFellowship Hall

WOG Bi-Annual MeetingTuesday, April 2nd10:30 amFellowship Hall

Julie Crews' ProgramTuesday, April 2nd1:30 pm Fellowship Hall

Palm SundaySunday, April 14thBoth Services

Sanctuary

Maundy Thursday ServiceThursday, April 18th6:30 pmSanctuary

Good Friday ServiceFriday, April 19th6:30 pmSanctuary

Easter Vigil ServiceSaturday, April 20th 6:30 pmSanctuary

Easter Sunday ServiceSunday, April 21stBoth ServicesSanctuary

WEEKLY EVENTS

Women's Bible StudyThursday's 10:00 amOffice Workroom Wednesday Afternoon/EveningPrograms 3:45 pm Cherubs Choir4:00 pm Kids Club4:15 pm Choristers5:15 pm Dinner6:00 pm Confirmation Class6:30 pm Evening Worship7:00 pm Grace Chorale

Handbell Choir6:00 pm Thursday

Lenten Sermon Series 

Weekly Lenten Services begin March 6th, Ash Wednesday.  Regular Lenten Service will be March 13th, 20th, 27th, April 3rd and 10th.  All services begin at 6:30 pm and are proceeded by a soup supper at 5:30 pm.  The Ash Wednesday Service will include Holy Communion and the imposition of ashes.  

March 6th - Mt. Ararat - Genesis 9:8-17March 13th - Mt. Sinai - Exodus 24:12-18, 34:1-9March 20th - Mt. Moriah - Genesis 22:1-14March 27th - Mt. of Temptation - Matthew 4:1-11April 3rd - Mt. Hermon - Luke 9:28-36April 10th - Mt. Calvary - John 19:17-30

Youth NewsKami Jo Mogelvang

March 16th: Youth help serve at the Fish FryMarch 17th: Youth Night cancelledMarch 22nd-23rd: High School Lock-In with Circuit youth groups. We will be traveling to Fort Myers and staying at St. Michael Lutheran Church and School for a high school lock in with other local church groups. Sign up with Kami Jo by March 18th if you want to go! We will leave Naples at 7:00 pm Friday night and return early Saturday morning. More details to come soon.

  Cheers to you Grace Lutheran Church! 

We are absolutely overwhelmed by your support and love at the Northwoods Dinner. We were blessed to serve 125 people dinner and dessert that evening and we enjoyed watching the battle of the bids through the wine and dessert auction. The desserts were beautiful and made or purchased by each family going on the trip this summer. The wine was very generously donated by a few people from our congregation, who will remain anonymous, but you know who you are, and I cannot say thank you enough! Your generosity made the evening a huge success and helped us soar towards our fundraising goal. We raised a total of $6,680 on Sunday evening! So again, on behalf of all the Grace Youth, thank you!

~DCE Kami Jo Mogelvang

 

CALLING ALL WOMEN OF GRACE!      

Please join us for our bi-annual meeting on Tuesday, April 2, 2019. We will meet for the business portion of our meeting from 10:30 - 12:00. Then join us for lunch hosted by Judy Elliot and Aunt Bert. It promises to be a wonderful time of fellowship and sharing. We will also need to plan for the 2020 Spring Rally of the Southwest Zone of LWML which we will be hosting next March. We'll need lots of hands to make the work load light! Please plan on putting the gifts and talents our Lord has bestowed on you to make this a great event. See you then!

Date:  Monday, April 1

Time: 10:00 am - 12:30 pm  (including lunch, which we will provide for WOG ladies)

Purpose: Creation of fingerprint note paper, a fridge magnet and an Easter message for each child's parent or guardian This will be a fun way to get to know these little ones, to talk about Jesus and Easter, and to further connect the Grace Congregation with the Preschoolers and their families. We will assemble the card packages for the little ones to take home close to Easter. You will have a most enjoyable morning, and you will be a blessing to these children and their families.

Please sign-up on WOG bulletin board, in the Fellowship Hall, so we know how many to plan for.    Love to you in our Risen Lord, Nancy Beights  

Attention: All Who Worship At Grace Thursday March 21st, 9:00 am-12:30 pm, W.O.G. is having a "Creative Hearts & Hands" workshop in the Fellowship Hall. We need help to cut and assemble simple craft projects to support our missionaries and programs. No skill is required. Bring your sack lunch and join us for fellowship and fun, as we help those who spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  

April 2nd, 1:30 pm, in the Fellowship Hall, Julie Crews, Director of Grace Preschool, will be presenting a   program for all members and friends of Grace. WOG invite each of you to join us as we learn about this important component of our church.  

Habitat Collier's Volunteer Site

Do you need someone to talk to? To walk with you through a difficult time? Deaconess Linda Nobili will be available for Spiritual counseling again beginning Oct 15th. Please feel free to contact her anytime at (248) 892-7405 or by email at dcslinda1492@gmail.com.

Did You Know We Have a Facebook Page?Please 'Like' us on Facebook!  Grace of Naples Lutheran Church and Preschool.  

 

ELDERS REPORT Paul Koch

  The Elders continued to support the Pastor and the DCE on the implementation of Early/First Communion at Grace. Three young people and their parents are actively participating in instruction with the Pastor and the DCE, and the participants expect to be receiving their First Communion in the Easter season. The Elders also are working to support Grace in its lead role for the Synod Convention in Tampa this summer, as Grace is the host congregation. The Elders also finalized plans and assignments for the Annual St Patrick's Day Fish Fry on March 16. All proceeds from the event will be dedicated to Grace Youth to support the trip to the National Convention in Minneapolis. The Elders are also working with the Planning Council on the celebration of Pastor Lingsch's Ten-Year Anniversary on March 23rd. The Elders have also embarked on the development of a Sabbatical Policy for Grace called workers. None currently exists, and there has been mutual interest in considering such a practice at Grace. The Elders' recommendation will be provided to Planning Council for ultimate consideration and resolution.

The Pelican Lutheran ChurchRev. Mark Eisold

March 2019

"The Pelican Update"

February was an amazing month for great progress in our congregation and leadership.

The Lord blessed us to begin our second Spanish service - on Monday night. Attendance has been 15, 7, 6, 4, 10. Worship attendance is higher even on some Sunday mornings with our average at 64 worshipers every week.  The Haitian church also continues to grow, and has received near full funding for the present year!

We made a total transformation of our English ESL classes, which added value to it, and doubled interest and attendance. The improvements are visible in the attached photos: two teachers per class, additional volunteers, a solid leader for the program, and a new curriculum.

In addition, we baptized a woman from Cuba, named Fraulein. Fraulein came to us a year ago through a friend who knew through ESL classes ("English Night").   Through that, she came to know Jesus and began attending worship with us last spring. The Lord moves in amazing ways!!

Eight months had passed since our last Vision Clinic at The Pelican, and February 9th we were READY!   Set-up began at 7:00 a.m., the Lions Club arriving at 8:00 a.m. and doors opened at 9:00 a.m. by 2:00 p.m. 100 people had been tested and served! After clean-up, we went home by 3:00 p.m. The next day, we had 6 first-time guests from the Vision Clinic. What a great way to help the people of our community SEE Jesus!!Much more is prepared for March with the Rummage Sale at Grace, Ash Wednesday service at The Pelican, and subsequent Lenten services at Grace. I will also begin to gather men for equipping them as spiritual leaders of this and future churches, with a focus on starting new ministries.

We are looking for some assistance in the following areas:

 1.  Prepare snacks for English Night (ESL Classes)   5:30 - 6:00 p.m.

 Fill bowls with chips, crackers, popcorn; slice cheese and put on a plate; wash

grapes; make STRONG coffee; set up coffee line. (a couple, or two individuals)(Every Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m./5:45-6:15 (if you want more interaction with people) 2. Building Preparation for English Night.  

 Turn on the two AC thermostats to 76º F; unlock the side door to the community center; open blinds; prepare tables and chairs for classes; prepare room divider (accordion style); make sure that tables are clear for the students. (a couple, or two individuals)(Every Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.) 3.  Co-Teacher for a level 3 or 4 class. (3 people needed) Feel free to call me anytime if you have questions or would like to assist us in any way. Keep us and the leadership at GRACE always in your prayers. Mission work is a spiritual endeavor, and must have the care, support, and prayers of every member of the Mother Church and the mission.

God bless you in Jesus our Risen Savior and have a great week serving Him!  

       

Grace Lutheran Church, 860 Banyan Blvd, Naples, FL 34102

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