Temporary Wall in the Fellowship Hall

As 2013 draws to a close, construction workers moved into the Grace fellowship hall to begin construction of a temporary wall, located between the two exit doors on the north side of the room.

 

This wall will allow them to remove the large arched window while still giving us use of the fellowship hall -- at least for the next few weeks.

Weather permitting, concrete work for the Community Center begins in the next few days as well, which means you will very soon begin to see the steel structure start to rise.

Star Shoppe

The Children's Rescue Center, one of the outreach ministries supported by Grace, is looking for a few volunteers to help with its Star Shoppe on Monday (Dec. 16), Tuesday (Dec. 17) and Wednesday (Dec. 18) from 3:00 - 5:30 p.m.

Star Shoppe is a way the children served by the CRC can get Christmas items for their families.  Volunteers assist the children in making appropriate selections.

If you would be interested in serving the Lord through this ministry, you can contact the CRC directly at (937) 324-2529 or send an email to Tom Brodbeck at tom.brodbeck@grace-nalc.org.

The CRC is located at 1035 West High Street, site of the former Holy Trinity Catholic School and St. Marys Catholic Church.

The Steel Arrives!

The steel for the new Community Center arrived today.  Kapp Construction workers labored in the single digit wind chill to get everything unloaded and stacked in the gravel lot on the east side of the building.

As of this posting, no work has been done inside the fellowship hall. Construction has focused on the interior of the youth wing during these very cold days.

Tours of the New Youth Wing

The Brick and Mortar team will be leading tours of the new youth wing on Sunday (December 8) following each worship service and during fellowship time.  Members of the team will be stationed throughout this new wing to acquaint you with how each space will be used.

As a way of blessing this new ministry space, you will be invited to write a Scripture or prayer on one of the boards.

To take the tour, meet in the narthex just outside the former nursery.  The heat isn't on in this wing yet, so wear your coat!!

Community Center Construction Begins!

Crews began moving dirt today as the first step in the phase of construction that will result in our new Community Center.

By late Monday afternoon a large section of the patio had been removed.  Vibrations from all the equipment could be felt throughout the building.

Remember ... these construction areas are "hard hat" areas.  For your safety, please enjoy the progress from inside the Grace building.  Several windows offer great views!

Operation Christmas Child

This is a reminder that your shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child are due back at Grace by this Sunday.  They will be shipped out of Springfield early next week, so don't miss this deadline!

Any shoebox works, of course, but if you prefer to use one of the boxes provided by Samaritan's Purse, you can pick one up at the Beacon of Hope Christian Bookstore on Bechtle Avenue.  We are out of those boxes here at Grace.

We are anticipating more than 130 filled boxes this year!  Praise be to God!

John Elsnau

We are very saddened to report the death of our dear friend John Elsnau. John slipped quietly into eternity at approximately 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 22.  A memorial service for John will be scheduled at a later date.  Watch this site for details.

Meanwhile, we encourage you to support Peggie and the family in your prayers.

Funeral Arrangements for Marilyn Ober

Marilyn Ober, mother of our dear friend John Ober, passed away in her home on Saturday evening.  Our deepest sympathies are expressed to John and his extended family. Marilyn's funeral services are as follows:

• Calling hours are on Wednesday, October 16 from 5-7 p.m. at Conroy Funeral Home
• Mass of Christian Burial will held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, October 17 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in New Carlisle.

The Walls Go Up!

The walls of the youth wing are going up!  Exciting!

Please remember that this is a construction site.  Hard hats are required!

Funeral Arrangements for Robert McDonald

Our sympathies are extended to Shawn and Audrey Dawson and their extended family on the passing forward of Shawn's maternal grandfather, Robert W. McDonald.  Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, at River of Life Community Church, Butler, OH. Burial with military honors presented by American Legion and VFW will be in Loudonville Cemetery. Friends may call 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2013, at Lindsey Funeral Home, Loudonville, OH.

Work Day at CRC is canceled

The Children’s Rescue Center called us to reschedule the Saturday work day from morning until 2:30 in the afternoon.  Their pantries are open in the morning, and they have decided that anything we tried to do in the morning would work well with all the other things that will be happening that day.  

 Given that, the people I have talked to so far are not able to work in the afternoon.   

So, there will NOT be an organized effort from Grace that day.  Individual people may still choose to go if they wish, but we are recommending they call the CRC at 324-2529 before doing so just to make sure plans haven’t changed there again.

We will be organizing something at a later date, but this weekend isn’t working out as planned.  Questions?  Call Tom Brodbeck at 399-6257 or email him at tom.brodbeck@grace-nalc.org.  We regret any inconvenience this might cause. 

Funeral arrangements for Louise Barch-Might

Our sympathies are extended to the family of Louise Barch-Might, who passed forward on Saturday morning (September 7).  Viewing will be held from 10:00 - 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 14 with the funeral to follow at 10:30 a.m.  Both events will be hosted by First Lutheran Church (30 S. Wittenberg Avenue).

Sympathies to the Mahan family

Our sympathies are extended to Linda Mahan and Suzanne and Mark Klopfenstein and their extended family on the passing forward of Linda's husband, Paul. Visitation will be from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 11 at Littleton and Rue funeral home with the memorial service to follow at 7:00 p.m.

Water Damage

One of our area outreach ministries has a carpeted area -- about the size of a conference room -- that has experienced water damage.  We are looking for someone who might be able to take a look at the situation and help them make an assessment about what needs to happen.  If you can do this -- or know of someone who could -- please respond to Tom Brodbeck at tom.brodbeck@grace-nalc.org.

It may be that the carpeting only needs professionally cleaned, or it may be that the carpeting is damaged to the point of needing to be removed and replaced.  At this point, they are not sure.

They're Here!

The Grace parking lot is now revealing the first signs of our Ministry Expansion Project!  Kapp's tool trailer and a couple of pieces of equipment arrived on Monday morning.  Here's a photo of the gravel lot -- the one closest to the Children's Wing.

Memorial Service for Betty Allen

We will hold a memorial service for Betty Allen on Saturday, August 10 at 10:00 a.m. in the Grace sanctuary.  There will be a brief time of visitation from 9:30 - 10:00 prior to the service.

Betty, as you will note from an earlier Grace blog posting, passed away July 9.  She is the wife of Tom Allen.

Freezer needed

Operation Rebirth, a Champaign County Christian boarding school committed to providing a Christ-centered academic program for young boys, is in need of a freezer to replace one that stop working.  The need is urgent because the current freezer is packed with meat!

If you have a used one you would like to donate, please email Tom Brodbeck right away at tom.brodbeck@grace-nalc.org.

Death of Betty Allen

We are saddened to report that Betty Allen, wife of Tom Allen, passed into eternity at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 9.  Betty had been in rapidly failing health due to dementia. 

There are no immediate funeral arrangements to report.  A memorial service to celebrate her life will be scheduled at a later date.  Meanwhile, please lift the family in your prayers, asking God for His comfort and peace.

Funeral arrangements for Emily Kresheck

It is with deep sadness we share the following funeral arrangements for Emily Kresheck, who passed forward in her sleep early on Tuesday morning (July 2).  Calling hours will be from 10:00 a.m. to noon on Saturday, July 6 with the funeral service following at noon.  Both will occur at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church (1801 Saint Paris Pike).  Please remember Neal and the entire Kresheck family in your prayers.

Funeral arrangements for Nick Ainsworth

We extend our deepest sympathies to Bev Ainsworth and her family in the passing forward of her husband Nick on Sunday afternoon.  Funeral arrangements are as follows:  Calling hours are from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3 with the funeral to follow at 7:00 p.m.  Both will be held at the Conroy Funeral Home (1660 East High Street).

Brick Pavers - Our Frst Step!!

On Saturday (June 29) a team of volunteers will be moving the brick pavers currently along the west side of the Grace building -- the first construction related step in our Ministry Expansion project.  The work begins at 9 a.m.

What does this mean?  Individual bricks, currently forming the patio outside the children's wing, need to be dug up, carried and stacked in a location out of the way.  These bricks will be saved for use in the new expansion.

Using volunteers for this project is one of the ways the people of Grace can both keep the construction costs lower and also put in a little "sweat equity" for this project.  It is not too late to volunteer!  Just bring your willing heart and help us clear the way for the professional construction crews who will be arriving in a few weeks.  (You might also want a pair of gloves.)

Remember, too, that a formal groundbreaking service will be held at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday, June 30.  Everyone -- from the youngest to the oldest in the church -- should bring a hammer.  Some of us will gather in the area off the children's wing where the new youth wing will be added.  Others will gather outside the fellowship hall where that part of the expansion will occur.  Pastor Powell, armed with a bullhorn, will lead us  from in between.  It is sure to be a joyous occasion!  Don't be late, though!  We need to be done in time for the 10:45 worship service.

Citilookout - Help Requested

Citilookout Counseling Center, one of the outreach ministries supported by Grace Church, has asked for our help for two different activities.

First, one of the center's clients needs help moving into a different apartment next week.  This woman is a victim of domestic abuse, so it would be wonderful for her to see the love of Christ in action.  She will be moving from a small basement apartment to a second floor apartment at a different location.  There will be steps involved, but this woman does not have much to move.  There is a bed, a sofa and a chair, but not a lot of additional furniture. 

Second, one of the big fundraisers for the center is its annual "Penny Party." This year's event is on Saturday, June 15 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.  Pennies, like some people, are easily overlooked.  This event serves both as a fundraiser and as a reminder that every person and every penny is important.  The center is looking for 2-3 people who would be willing to spend those four hour playing with the children who would be attending.  These children might be clients, children of clients or children from the neighborhood. 

If you can serve in either of these areas, click this link to send an email to Tom Brodbeck.  He will put you in touch with Citilookout.

Prayer vigil - May 18

We want to make sure you are aware of the upcoming May 18 prayer vigil, and offer you an easy way to sign up for the event.

This prayer vigil is unique, unlike any in recent memory.  You will have two completely different choices for how you want to participate.

In the morning (9 a.m. to noon), participants will come for a one hour block of time.  Arrive at 9 a.m., 10 a.m. or 11 a.m.  Those attending during that block will be divided into four groups and be led to one of four rooms in the facility.  During the hour, you will pray in each of these four rooms:

• Fellowship Hall, where you will pray for the outreach ministries of Grace and for all of the outside groups that use our facility, and for a vision to reach even more people with the good news of Jesus Christ.
• Library, where you will pray for the children and youth ministries of the church, their teachers, and the need for additional teaching space.
• East Elementary Room, where you will pray for all of the current ministries at Grace (such as the council, the guilds, Bible studies, scouts), and the need for additional meeting rooms for those ministries.
• Sanctuary, where you will pray for all who worship at Grace and for all those in our community who worship nowhere that we could be reaching.

Prayer leaders will be present in each room to guide the prayers that are offered.

In the afternoon (noon to 9 p.m.), participants are invited to spend a 30 minute (or more) block of time praying in the church sanctuary.  This is the more traditional prayer vigil format.  Soft music will be playing during this time of prayer.

Sign up sheets are available in the narthex, but you can also sign up by clicking here:  SIGN ME UP!  This will allow you to send an email to Tom Brodbeck, who will add your name to the list.  Just tell Tom what time you would like to pray.

St. Luke's Mission Hygiene Pantry

On the first three Sundays of March, Grace will be collecting personal hygiene and household cleaning products on behalf of St. Luke's Mission Hygiene Pantry.  This pantry serves as a resource for area caregivers who work with home-bound elderly or disabled clients.

All contributions are welcome, but certain items are especially requested.  These include:  toilet tissue, laundry and dish detergents, household cleaners, bath soap, toothpaste and deodorant.

A collection box is located in the Grace narthex.  Please place your items there.  If you have any questions, please talk with Tom Brodbeck or Susan Truchses.

SOUP-er Sunday

Don't forget to bring your cans of soup on Sunday as Grace celebrates "SOUP-er Bowl Sunday."  Each worshipper is encouraged to bring two canned soups (of any kind).  Place your contributions beneath the goal post in the Grace narthex.

Cards for the Military

This spring our Military Support Team invites you to send cards of encouragement to members of the military.  They have provided names and addresses of individuals connected to the Grace family for your convenience.  Copies of these can be found on the harvest table in the Grace narthex.

Clothing Needed by the Pregnancy Resource Center

The Pregnancy Resource Center currently has a great need for girl and boy winter baby clothes, in sizes 12 months - 24 months (2T).  If you or someone you know has excess of these sizes, or has a pile waiting to take to Goodwill, consider sharing your abundance with those who come to the PRC.

Clothing items may be dropped off at the Center (address below) any time between 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, or on Tuesday and Thursday evenings between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.  You may also bring your items to Grace Church on Sunday.  We will see that they are delivered to the PRC as well.

Remember, too, that the PRC is always in need of caring individuals who will serve as client advocates.  These volunteers are trained to meet directly with PRC clients - a great way to make a difference in the life of a mom-to-be and her unborn baby.  Other volunteers needed include someone to launder and mend donated clothing, individuals who will sort and match donated clothing, and people to help keep the center clean.

Here is the contact information for the PRC if you wish to deliver items in person or would like more information about how to volunteer:

Pregnancy Resource Center of Clark County
2612 Elmore Drive (just south of the old Community Hospital Building)
Springfield, OH 45505
(937) 525-3780

SOUP-er Sunday

Nationally, Sunday February 3 is "Super Bowl Sunday," but at Grace it will be "SOUP-er Sunday."  We are encouraging everyone who attends Grace on that day to bring along two (or more) cans of soup.  We will be donating all proceeds to St. John's Food Pantry.  Our goal is to gather 1,000 cans of soup on that day.

You will be hearing more about this on Sunday, but we wanted to get the word out early because soup is on sale this week at area grocery stores.  Both Kroger and Meijer are advertising special prices on Campbells and Progresso soups. Any kind of soup will be appreciated!

Let's "bowl" the Food Pantry over by making Feb. 3 a "souper" day!

Funeral Arrangements for Jerry Keppler

Jerry "Kep" Keppler, husband of Grace member Sandy Keppler, passed forward on Friday, January 4 after a short battle with cancer.  His funeral arrangements are as follows:

• Visitation:  Tuesday, January 8, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., Littleton Rue Funeral Home
• Service:  Wednesday, January 9, 2:00 p.m., Littleton Rue Funeral Home

Thank you for remembering Sandy and the rest of her family in your prayers during this time of grief.

Outreach Break: Springfield Christian Youth Ministries

You are encouraged to attend the Outreach Break on Sunday, January 6 at 9:15 a.m.  Our featured ministry for the first quarter of 2013 is Springfield Christian Youth Ministries (also known as SCYM).

SCYM's mission is to engage kids in their schools and neighborhoods, building relationships, influencing them for Christ and supporting them in becoming mature, responsible Christian adults.  They accomplish this through several key ministries:

• GirlPower works with middle school girls to develop a lifestyle of healthy habits
• Wise Guys meets the needs of middle school boys to facilitate a program aimed at preventing early fatherhood.
• STARS After School Programs provide safe, loving environments for kids to receive help with their homework, try creative art projects and learn about the Scriptures
• Camp Boost is a week-long Vacation Bible School style reading camp

Grace has a long history with this outreach ministry, and was in fact instrumental in starting it back in the late 1990s.  Currently two Grace members, Paul Buckles and Leslie Crew, serve on the Board of Directors.  Bill Hester and Clem Meyer are past Board members.

Outreach Breaks (formerly known as Breakfast Breaks) are a way for our congregation to become familiar with areas of outreach that are beyond our current Grace budget.  Adult Sunday School offerings through the end of March will be given to SCYM.

Funeral Arrangements for Sherry Button

Our sympathies are expressed to the family of Sherry Button who passed away early on New Year's Day.  Sherry's visitation and funeral service will be at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church on Friday, January 4.  Visitation will be from 1:00-2:00 p.m. with the service to follow at 2:00 p.m.