oppressors for their unrighteous occupation of Israel. They took up palm fronds, shaking and waving leafy green banners to herald their new captain, king, and conqueror of Rome. Hoshana! Save us now! they shouted. Their deafening applause and cheers thundered down the streets of Jerusalem. We love you, Lord! You are our rock and salvation! Lead us! We are yours! Now and always! Always!

Well... at least for a few days.

The wild laud and honor they showered on Jesus as he rode into the city on Sunday was replaced with spit, rocks, and rage by Friday. What happened? Why did the people turn on Jesus so quickly? One moment they loved their God, the next, they hated him to death. Why?

They hated him because he was not the God they prayed for. They shouted out for violence, God spoke gently of love. They wanted war, he proffered peace. They said, take back! He told them, give all. They thirsted for Roman blood. He offered his own to save them. Jesus was not the kind of God they expected. So they turned on him. They turned away from his love and grace.

It's easy for us to judge their fickleness and faithless abandonment of the Savior. But, before we do, we all need to stop, and turn our scrutiny inward. Like the people of ancient Israel, we all have expectations of God. We want God to behave a certain way. We want God to protect and to save us, to heal and to love us, to work on our behalf. And we want God to do it our way. So, how do we respond when God's way doesn't make sense to us? When God doesn't come to us on our own terms? When God's will is inconvenient, frightening, or just plain contrary to the deep thoughts and desires of our hearts? Do we turn away?

WORD OF GRACE

Newsletter of

Grace Lutheran Church, Naugatuck

April 2019 Edition

Dear Friends in Christ,

They lifted him onto a colt and led him along in majestic procession. They covered the dusty ground with their coats; no grit should cling to his feet—those mighty feet that soon would trample their foreign

It's so much easier to dismiss God's word, than to try to truly live in it. It's easier to confine God within the walls of our expectations, rather than let the Holy Spirit run rampant and wild through our lives, pushing us to speak and act and believe way beyond our comfort zones. It's easier to ignore God's call, and let our faith lives take a back seat to everything else that fills our days and nights. It's easier, sure. Safer. Definitely more certain. But then again, the people of ancient Israel were certain too. They were certain that Jesus was a weak, powerless victim, soon to be nailed to a cross. Soon to be dead, ground under the heel of Rome, and buried forever under the immovable rock of darkness and death. The people were certain that Jesus was not their Savior. They were certain, that is, until our God—our unexpected, unfathomable, unconquerable God—rent the cold stone of Christ's tomb and raised Jesus up from the dead! What a lesson in faith God taught the world that day. A lesson we should keep close to our hearts, always. Because if we turn away from God, and place our faith in the darkness, we will miss the bright light of the sun breaking into our days. We won't see the dawn of new life and new hope that Christ's resurrection offers us. But, if we open ourselves to outrageous possibility, and let God lead us, amazing things will fill our lives. More and more, we will see the risen Christ at work, doing all those things we hope and pray for: protecting, healing, saving, and loving us. As these days of spring unfold, I encourage us all to keep the Easter story close in our hearts and minds, and let its surprising promise guide our walk in the light. Yours in Christ, Pr. Diane

SPECIAL WORSHIP SERVICES

Please join us for our last Wednesday In Lent - April 3rd 6:15pm: Soup Supper 7:00pm: Holden Evening Prayer

Sunday, April 14th, 9:30am – Palm Sunday Worship Service and Concert featuring the choirs and musicians of Grace Lutheran Church and Cross of Christ Lutheran Church.

April 18th, 6:30pm – Maundy Thursday Agape Meal and Worship. Combined worship and potluck dinner; please bring a dish to share.

April 19th, 7:00pm– Good Friday Tenebrae Service. The Passion of Christ told in word, song, silence, and darkness.

April 21st, 10:00am – Easter Sunday Celebration of the life of our savior.

ECUMENICAL WORSHIP SERVICE

On the Naugatuck Town Green

Hosted by the Lutheran, Episcopal,

Methodist, and Congregational

churches of Naugatuck.

EVERYONE WELCOME!

LENTILS FOR LENT!

(ALL BEANS WELCOME )

Throughout Lent, we’re taking a special collection

of beans for the Food Bank. Please bring donations

of beans to church on Sundays in Lent.

EASTER SUNDAY

April 21st, 2019

6:30 AM

What the Heaven is Our Mission?

THIS LENT, GRACE IS MAKING A STATEMENT:

OUR MISSION STATEMENT!

Join us for 2nd and 3rd special days of discernment.

Together we’ll eat, drink, talk, pray, learn, and discover

God’s special purpose for Grace Lutheran Church in our community.

Saturday, April 6th, 10 AM

WHY ARE WE HERE?

Saturday, April 13th, 10 AM

MAKING OUR STATEMENT

Everyone is asked to please read Paul’s letter to the Philippians before our

first meeting. If you don’t have a bible at home, please let the office know.

SUNDAY

WORSHIP

SERVICE

TIME CHANGE

Starting on

Easter Sunday, April 21st, 2019,

we will be worshipping at 10:00am.

Vision & Mission: The team is hosting a special series in Lent called ‘What the Heaven is Our Mission?’ The congregation is encouraged to take part in the discernment of our mission statement. There will be meetings on Sat., Apr. 6th, 10AM (‘Why Are We Here?’) and Sat., Apr. 13th, 10AM (Making Our Statement). Worship & Music: Our midweek Soup Supper & Holden Evening Prayer series continues on Wednesdays in Lent. There will be a special worship service/concert for Palm Sunday, featuring the choirs and musician from Grace and Cross of Christ Lutheran Churches. It will be at Grace at 9:30am. At the recommendation of the Worship Team, council voted to move our weekly Sunday worship time to 10AM, beginning Easter Sunday. SCCCC: The daycare is doing exceptionally well, with many new students enrolling. We are applying for a new grant that would bring in even more students, and state funding to accommodate them. Unfortunately, there continue to be significant issues with our lease with The River Church. Property: The tree in our parking lot has been trimmed. The tree experts told us our black oak is among the oldest trees in the area—approximately 375 years old. They removed all dead limbs and it’s looking good. The property team is looking into possibilities for making our buildings accessible for individuals with mobility issues. The buildings are being re-keyed for security. New signage for the church is being looked into. Fellowship: A wonderful evening out in March was organized. A group went to see ‘Menopause, the Musical’ at the Palace Theatre in Waterbury. A joint event with Calvary Church is being considered this spring: a block party open to our Coen St. neighbors.

COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS – APRIL 2019

PLACE: IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 25 Great Hill Rd., Oxford, CT

DATE: SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2019

TIME: 9:00AM – 2:00PM

(We will begin with morning coffee, refreshments, & fellowship in Borchert Hall)

COST: $15.00 per person (includes luncheon)

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: DeAnne Gauya – “Create Less Stress and More Joy in Your Life”

PREACHER: Deacon Natalie Bloomquist PRESIDING: Rev. Niki Harvell MUSICIAN: Lynne Kearney

Please Bring:

IN KIND/LOVE OFFERING

Women are invited to bring Love Offerings of non-perishable meat and protein (tuna, beef stew, chicken, peanut

butter, ham, fish, canned beans, etc.) and personal care products for The Spooner House, operated by Area

Congregations Together, Inc. with the mission of providing food, shelter and support services to people in need. All of

their energies are devoted to helping their clients establish a self-sufficient living situation. We will be assembling

personal care kits for clients. Suggested items include Shampoo, Toothbrush/Paste, Deodorant, Comb, Bar Soap, Wash

cloth & Hand towel, Disposable shavers/shaving cream, square boxes of tissues, white crew socks, small packages Band-

Aids, wrapped candy, breath mints, etc.

MONETARY OFFERING

The monetary offerings will be equally divided between New England Women of the ELCA and “Seymour Pink,” a

Community’s Fight Against Breast Cancer.

PLEASE NOTE: Volunteers are needed to serve as our Conference Co-Convener, Recording Secretary, & Financial

Secretary (2 yr. terms).

DIRECTIONS TO IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH (25 Great Hill Road, Oxford, CT 06478):

From I84W: Take exit 15 toward Southbury (CT-67/US-6). Keep Left at fork on ramp. Turn Right onto CT-67. Go 8.5 miles and

turn Right onto Great Hill Road. (Webster Bank is on the left.)

From Rte. 8S: Take exit 22 (CT-67 toward Seymour/Oxford). Go 1.5 miles. Take a Left onto Great Hill Road. (Webster Bank is on

the Right.)

The church’s phone # is (203) 888-4713.

Please use a separate form for each person. Make your check payable to NEW ENGLAND WOMEN OF THE ELCA.

Invite a friend to join you! Mail your completed form and check to:

Paula Rosenbeck, Shepherd, 356 Torringford West St. #313, Torrington, CT 06790

(860) 567-9505 or teetee108@yahoo.com

Detach Form Below & Return by May 10th.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NAME: __________________________________________________

PHONE: ( ______)____________________ E-MAIL:

MAILING ADDRESS: _______________________________________

STREET CITY/STATE/ZIP

CONGREGATION: CITY:

NAUGATUCK VALLEY CONFERENCE WOMEN OF THE ELCA

SPRING GATHERING 2019

“A PATH TO PEACE & WHOLENESS”

April 11 – Maria Frennesson April 17 – Mark Rees April 13 – Marlene Fetcho April 20 – Alan Commendatore April 15 – Mike Hines April 29 – Carolyn Raming April 16 – Mark McMahon April 3 – Diane and Allan Wood

If you don’t see your birthday or anniversary,

please let the church office know, so we can add you to the list.

We are in need of some help with worship on Sundays. We are looking for acolytes, greeters, lectors, ushers, worship assistants and fellowship folks. If you are interested in joining one of these wonderful teams please call or email the office. Thank you.

WORSHIP HELPERS WANTED!!

We greatly appreciate the times when folks find their own replacements. Please let the

office know so we put the correct names in the bulletin insert.

If for some reason you cannot find a replacement, please email or call the office.

Thank you.

April 7 April 14 April 21

April 28

GREETERS Terri & Peter

Meleschnig Charlotte Freer

Terri & Peter

Meleschnig Charlotte Freer

READERS Jen Amodeo

Sharon Kosko

Pete Diamante

Diane Wood

Mary Schmelcke

Allan Wood

Jean Frennesson

Erik Krueger

USHERS Ted Kosko

Arnie Wallas

Ted Kosko

Karen Reisinger

Patrick

McMahon

Gerhard Roland

David Frennesson

Robert

Frennesson

WORSHIP

ASSISTANT

Charmaine

Lawton

Carolyn Raming

Karen Reisinger Allan Wood

ACOLYTE

Ben

Meleschnig

Robert

Frennesson

Annaliese

Baillargeon

Gabriel

Diamante

ALTAR

GUILD Sharon

O’Donnell Terri Meleschnig Terri Meleschnig Diane Wood

APRIL WORSHIP HELPERS

FELLOWSHIP FOR APRIL

April 7 – Deb & Pete Diamante

April 14 – Sharon & Ted Kosko and Council

April 21 – Easter (no coffee hour)

April 28 – Margaret Bender & Karen Reisinger

Remembering Friends & Family Addresses are listed below for our members who are currently unable to attend services.

A card or note is always welcome.

Betsy Robb 500 Woodside Ave Middlebury, 06762

Michael Roland The Village at East Farms 180 Scott Rd, Room #154 Waterbury, 06705

Allan Johnson 40 Lorann Dr Naugatuck, 06770

Lindy Parson 366 Millville Ave Naugatuck, 06770

Thank You For Caring!

Mildred Evenson 75 Trowbridge Place, Naugatuck, 06770

Dorothy Fritz Southbury Lutheran Home 990 Main St. N, Southbury, 06488

Anita Peterson Apple Rehab 35 Bunker Hill Rd Watertown, 06795

Ruth Glick 357 May St Naugatuck, CT 06770

PRAYER Please hold in prayer your brothers and sisters in Christ, especially:

If you would like to add someone to the prayer list, please contact the church office.

Also, there is a prayer request sheet in the church entryway.

If you want us to continue praying for someone beyond the month, just let us know.

Reminder: April newsletter articles and announcements must be in no later than April 15th. Thank you!

Jacqueline Mezick, John Karlak, Rhonda, Mike, Christina Hitchcock, the Bowman family, Michelle

Flaherty, Chris Besan, Mike Hines, Marilyn Bartle, Jennifer Wallberg, Robert Sharon and Michael.

APRIL 2019

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3 4 5 6

Calvary in Sanctuary 6:30-

8pm

OA 12pm

6:15pm Soup Supper

7:00pm Holden Evening Prayer Choir Practice

to Follow

AA 8pm

OA 11am

What the Heaven is

Our Mission? Why Are We

Here? 10am

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

8:45am Choir Practice

9:30am Worship

Sunday School 10:45

Calvary in

Sanctuary 6:30-8pm

OA 12pm

Choir Practice

7pm

AA 8pm

OA 11am

What the Heaven is

Our Mission? Making Our Statement

10am

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

8:45am Choir Practice

Palm Sunday Worship Service and Concert featuring choirs and

musicians from Grace and Cross of Christ

9:30am Worship

Sunday School 10:45

Calvary in

Sanctuary 6:30-8pm

OA 12pm

Choir Practice

7pm

Maundy

Thursday Agape

Meal and Worship 6:30pm

AA 8pm

Good Friday

Tenebrae Service

7pm

OA 11am

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

Sunrise Service on Naugatuck Town

Green 6:30am

9:15am Choir Practice

10am Easter Worship

Calvary in

Sanctuary 6:30-8pm

OA 12pm

Choir Practice

7pm

AA 8pm

OA 11am

28 29 30

9:15am Choir Practice

10am Worship

Sunday School 11:15

Calvary in

Sanctuary 6:30-8pm

Grace Lutheran Church 170 Coen Street Naugatuck, CT 06770

Staff:

Rev. Diane E. Rainson, Pastor Dina Buonocore, Administrative Assistant Andrew M. Dixon, Music Minister

Phone: 203-723-3402 Email: gracenaugatuck@yahoo.com