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Knoxville, TN July 2020
Some put it better than I could. The articles for the next three months were written by Gerald Kieschnick, the former Presi-dent of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. In July the title is “Who’s to Blame?” and in August and September it will be rules for a good old age. I hope you will enjoy them as much as I did!
~ Pastor Rich
L ots of anxiety going on in our country today. It started in March with what turned out to be COVID-19. Most schools, churches, restaurants, hotels, department stores, barber shops, beauty salons, and other establishments were shut down. Many are just now reopening.
World Health Organization reports that more than six million people worldwide have become infected and 370,000 of them have died. In the United States 1.7 million confirmed cases have been reported and more than 100,000 people have died. Who’s to blame for this pandemic? Lab workers in Wuhan, China? The Chinese Com-munist regime for withholding warnings? The World Health Organization for not acting more quickly and definitively? The President’s task force? Pharmaceutical companies for not waving a magic wand and coming up with a vaccine? Yesterday? People who laughed at social distancing? Then, just as light began to appear at the end of that tunnel, another oncoming train ap-peared. On May 25, George Floyd, an African-American man, was suspected of passing a counterfeit $20 bill and lost his life in a neighborhood south of downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mr. Floyd was arrested, handcuffed, and pinned to the ground by police officers. One of them unrelentingly pressed his knee against Mr. Floyd’s neck for more than eight minutes. Mr. Floyd was unresponsive when paramedics arrived and later was pronounced dead. There’s little if any doubt that the officer in question is at fault. He has been charged with second degree murder. The other three officers on the scene have been charged with aiding and abetting that murder. Any or all of the four could spend many years in prison. Community response initially included peaceful protests demanding justice for Mr. Floyd’s death. Along with those pleas for justice, protesters also decried racism, undeniably a sin. Incredibly, those protests attracted or catalyzed rampant riots in Minneapolis and other cities across the nation. Some rioters appear to have been imported and paid to participate. Rioters shattered windows, looted stores, vandalized buildings, torched police vehicles, dismantled and emptied ATMs, defaced churches and national monuments with graffiti, and tried to attack the White House, exhibiting violent and vitri-olic behavior. At least 40 cities have imposed curfews. National Guard has been activated in 15 states and Washington, D.C. (Continued on page 2)
Page 2 July 2020
GraceNet is published monthly by
Grace Lutheran Church – LCMS
9076 Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville, TN 37923
Phone: (865) 691-2823 Fax: (865) 691-4895
E-mail: [email protected]
Reverend Richard M. Elseroad, Senior Pastor
Reverend Danny Anderson, Associate Pastor
Website: http://www.visitgrace.org
Articles for GraceNet are due by the 1st of each month for the
following month’s edition.
GraceNet Staff Debbie Booher, Editor
Linda Jaekel
Nancy May
Joan Scraggs
Email to Editor: [email protected]
If you have a spe-
cial event you
would like to
have publicized
in GraceNet,
please submit the
information to
Debbie Booher by the 1st of each
month for publication in the follow-
ing month’s newsletter.
Who’s to blame? Racially biased and discriminatory law enforcement officers? Policemen who arrested Mr. Floyd and whose actions led to his death? Rampant racism embedded in our country’s culture? Rioters who burned, robbed, damaged, destroyed, pilfered, and plundered small Mom and Pop establishments along with Big Box stores? Parents of the perpetra-tors of violence? Municipal, county, state, and national politicians? The U.S. President for insensitive or inflammatory re-marks? His critics and opponents who want him defeated? All the above? Who's to blame? I'd start with Satan: “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to de-vour” (1 Peter 5:8). What we’re seeing these day is absolutely demonic! And I’d quickly add mankind's sinful flesh. In the Old Testament, the Lord said: "… the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth" (Genesis 8:21). The devil and our sinful, evil flesh, working together, are at the root of both racism and rioting. In this case, the same cul-prits have resulted in the loss of a man’s life and have turned peaceful protest against racism into stealing, looting, torching, and destroying. What's the cure? Spiritual, parental, legal, moral, and behavioral reformation? Yes. But not easily accomplished. Many moving parts. Two highly respected Black leaders have modeled helpful thoughts about responding to the sin of racism in a peaceful, non-violent manner:
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was described this way: "Never burned one building. Never robbed one store. Never destroyed one town. Changed the world." And Dr. Ben Carson said: "We, the American people, are not each other's enemies. The enemies are those peo-ple behind the curtain jerking everybody's chains and trying to divide us up by age, by race, by income. Peace-ful protests of unfair practices are good and are part of what makes America a strong nation. But senseless destructive violence must be recognized and resisted."
Additionally, a heretofore unknown man named Rodney Floyd, George Floyd's own brother, said:
"I'm asking for peace the same way my brother would ask if he could see the situation, if he was here. Peace. Peaceful protests. It is the best option we have to bring justice."
I obviously concur with Holy Scripture and couldn't agree more strongly with these three men. Lord, have mercy and help us live in peace in this troubled world, regardless of who’s to blame. Dr. Gerald Kieschnick Former President of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod
Who’s to Blame? (Continued from page 1)
Page 3 July 2020
Announcements and Upcoming Events
Anderson Meal Schedule
A meal schedule for Pastor Danny and Sarah has been set up. If you would like to sign up to provide a meal for them, please go to https://takethemameal.com/ZLAX3168.
Wednesday Night Worship and Dinners to Resume
Wednesday worship preceded by dinner will begin again on July 8. Please check your emails for an RSVP request for the dinner.
Nursery to Reopen
The Nursery will reopen on Wednesday, July 8, for those who plan to come to dinner and the worship service. It will reo-pen for Sunday services on Sunday, July 12. We do need additional staffing so we can reopen. If you are interested in vol-unteering or looking for a job opportunity, or if you know of someone who may be interested, please contact Freida Guth-rie at [email protected]. You must be 18 years of age to work in the Nursery.
Youth Parking Lot Party—July 8
The Youth Group will meet on the basketball court in the church parking lot at 6:30 p.m., on July 8 to kick off re-gathering together!! There will be individually packaged snacks and socially distanced fun! This is for youth who have finished the 6th grade through those who have graduated from high school Please note—students who just completed 5th grade will be eligible to attend middle-school youth starting in August.
Let’s Thank our Police Officers
Michelle Wade has started an initiative to collect drinks and snack foods to be taken to our local police officers to let them know we thank and appreciate them. Items we would like to collect include: bottled water, Gatorade, energy drinks, indi-vidually packed granola protein bars, jerky, nuts, chips, pretzels, cookies, candy/candy bars, travel tissues, hand sanitizers, handwipes and car air fresheners. We would also like to include notes and cards of appreciation. There will be pages for children to use in participating if they desire. Please put donations in the bin in the coffee area and cards/notes in the mailbox of David and Michelle Wade. We will collect through the month of July.
Confirmation
Confirmation will be Sunday, August 2 at the 9:30 a.m. worship service.
Confirmation Classes Begin in August
If your son/daughter is going into the 7th or 8th grades, then it is time for Confirmation classes, which is a fun and chal-lenging time of growth and of experiencing the love and grace of Jesus by learning the basic Christian doctrines. If you would like your son/daughter to be part of these classes, please contact Pastor Danny at [email protected]. Our first meeting will be for parents on Wednesday, August 5 at 6:30 p.m. The first class will be Wednesday, August 19, at 6:00 p.m.
2020 Grace Family Retreat
Unfortunately, Fontana Dam Resort has been closed. Consequently, there will be no Grace Family Retreat this year. We will plan to look at it again in 2021.
Page 4 July 2020
7/1 Dina Augustus 7/1 Elizabeth Baker 7/1 Harvey Booher 7/1 Jesse Smithey 7/2 Carrie Cleland 7/2 Genevieve Elseroad 7/2 Craig Emerson 7/3 Emily Bretscher 7/3 Taylor Brown 7/3 Eric Horlbeck 7/3 Sandi Larson 7/4 Tom Cruise 7/4 James Ray 7/4 Ivonne Robertson 7/5 Rene Mackley 7/5 John Stegner 7/6 Ralph Ferraro 7/6 Benjamin Muench 7/6 Amy Teague 7/6 Bernard Wrasman 7/7 Megan Kleckley 7/7 Kristen Reinke 7/7 Ella Ross 7/8 Daniel Augustus 7/8 Daniel Schmidt 7/9 Jamie Duenckel 7/9 Rick Jones 7/9 Bryan Payne 7/9 Amy Williams 7/10 Jani Farr 7/11 Chip Hannah 7/11 Lew Stoner 7/12 Wendy Butzine 7/12 Wendy Manley 7/12 Al Streufert 7/13 John French 7/13 Henry Hannah 7/14 Brennan Cleland 7/14 Alex DeTrana
7/16 Eleanor DeTrana 7/16 Michael Ivens 7/16 Todd Roisler 7/16 Paul Wittke 7/17 Donna Bueckman 7/17 Eric Schmidt 7/17 Cai Shafer 7/17 Rachel Stock 7/18 Tommy Colwell 7/18 Jamie Newell 7/19 Tom Theilmann 7/20 Larry Granquist 7/20 Ralph Harness 7/20 Joyce Holcombe 7/20 Pam Rogers 7/20 Antonio Smith 7/21 Freia Micha 7/23 Jim Blank 7/24 Douglas Butzine 7/24 Linda Roberson 7/26 Elizabeth DeTrana 7/27 Everett Bloom 7/27 Joseph Harper 7/27 Jackson List 7/27 Lexie Roettger 7/28 Reagan Haase 7/28 Jeff Jaekel 7/28 Christine McCay 7/28 Holly Mings 7/28 Byron Strickland 7/29 Holly Blankenship 7/29 Breanna Frizzell 7/29 LaTina Haynes 7/29 Paul Price 7/30 Cheryl Pipe 7/30 Darlene Reinke 7/30 Laura Smithey 7/30 Amy Spradlin 7/31 Matthew Dreke
7/1 Larry & Sylvia Belt 7/1 Rick & Jane Jones 7/1 Chuck & Lois Robinson 7/3 Mike & Kelly Masters 7/4 Michael & Morgan McCay 7/4 Bernard & Becky Wrasman 7/6 Everett & Pat Bloom 7/8 Ralph & Margaret Ferraro 7/8 David & Kemper Smith 7/10 Peter & Mary Belle Early 7/12 Pastor Paul & Andrea Muench 7/13 Kevin & Erin Kragenbrink 7/15 Philip & Traci Roth 7/16 Mitch & Carrie Fisher 7/20 Jim & Ev Brown 7/20 Mike & Kathy Murphy 7/20 Scott & Brittany Pafford 7/22 Jeff & Amy Spradlin 7/24 Tom & Susan Lewis 7/24 Darlene & Ken Reinke 7/30 Jon & Cathy Callies 7/31 Pastor Roger & Esther Reckling
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trou-ble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
John 16:33, NIV
July Scripture of the Month
Page 5 July 2020
DATE THEME VERSE
July 5 God’s Word changes our
lives.
All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the Man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
July 12 Stand strong for God. Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. (1 Corinthians 16:13)
July 19 God protects us.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in eve-rything, by prayer and petition, with thanks-giving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all under-standing, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
July 26 We seek God no matter what
happens.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
(Jeremiah 29:11)
I n an attempt to connect the adults and children of Grace just a bit more, I will be letting people know the theme and verse of the week in our children’s Sunday school classes. I would love it if the adults would join in memorizing or at least talking about it to the children as they see each other in the halls. Listed
below are the themes and scripture for July.
~ Frieda Guthrie
July Children’s Curriculum Themes
2020 Operation Christmas Child
O ur congregation has always been very supportive of “Operation Christmas Child” but this year, we would like to increase that support in a big way. So, the 4th Sunday of every month has been designated as “Operation Christ-
mas Child Shoebox Sunday.” We would like to ask each family to consider filling one shoebox each month during 2020 to support this ministry. Just think what we could accomplish if every family in our church gave just one box per month!! If you would like to participate, boxes are provided and can be found in the hall-way of the Fellowship Hall or on a cart in the coffee area. Completed boxes can be re-turned to the same two areas. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Frieda Guthrie at [email protected] or Paul Guthrie at [email protected] Watch for updates on how we’re progressing throughout the year!!
Page 6 July 2020
HealthLine
P lease note that everything written in this column will be backed by research, various studies, and facts. There will be no personal opinions.
~ Sheila Wittke
Big Breakfast Burns Twice as Many Calories
A study, which was published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, has shown that eating a big break-fast instead of a big dinner may prevent obesity and high blood sugar. Men who ate a high-calorie breakfast coupled with a low-calorie dinner burned 2.5 times more calories than when they switched to a low-calorie breakfast and a high-calorie dinner. Researcher Juliane Richter said the results show that a meal eaten for breakfast, regardless of the calories it contains, creates twice as high diet-induced thermogenesis (fat-burning processing the body) as the same meal con-sumed for dinner. The study also found that a low-calorie breakfast increased appetite, especially for sweets.
S isters in Christ, We have an opportunity to enjoy the LWML Mid-South District Convention online at Grace on Saturday, July 18. This event will be viewed on the BIG screens in our Family Life Center, with plenty of room for social distancing. We will hear inspirational speakers, get information about the offering recipients, and
learn ways to help these AR/TN missions. The program will run from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., so plan to bring a sack lunch or snacks. Popcorn anyone? Please mark your calendar now and plan to join us at Grace or to watch it online at your house. Contact Sandie Harjala (865-201-2244) for more info. The East TN Zone of the LWML invites y'all to the annual Retreat September 25-27 at Eagle Rock Camp in Tallassee, TN. This beautiful location WILL be able to host us safely and provide 2 nights lodging and 5 delicious meals, not to mention the lovely sunrises! So, mark your calendars and look for a Registration Form at the LWML Bulletin Board near the mailboxes. Please contact Kathy Bohlken at (360) 771-2685 or [email protected] for more info and to arrange a ride by September 11, the registration deadline. Praise God!
When the Corona virus took hold, Carol Haase, got busy and contacted her friends at Grace that did sewing. She had been asked by her neighbor, CEO for Cherokee Health, to see if cloth masks could be sewn by some ladies from Grace. Cherokee needed as many as possible to use and hand out at their clinics. So, Carol became the contact person, and we all did the cutting, sewing, turning, pressing, and pleating. The fabrics were mostly donated and we shared elastic that had to be ordered. Our little group of Carol, Susan Heitner, Cathy Schade, and Kathy Bohlken made 800-900 masks for Cherokee, and with some help from Julia Caudill and Kathy Crum, about 200 more masks were also made available for members of Grace. Carol even arranged for delivery of some to homes, and each Saturday in April and May, she delivered several hundred to her neighbor, as the love of Jesus was shared through friends who also love to sew!
Blessings, Kathy Bohlken (360-771-2685)
Page 7 July 2020
W e may be afraid to speak up about Jesus because someone might raise an objection or ask a question we can-not answer. But, most people ask about the same basic eight or so things. Why is there suffering? What about the hea-
then? Doesn't science disprove the Bible? Aren't all religions of equal value? Would God really send someone to hell? There are biblical answers to these objections. How to Give Away Your Faith by Paul Little (InterVarsity Press) has a chapter that answers each of these. Every objection people raise has the strong possibility of bogging your conversation down in the weeds and losing the main point, which is the forgiveness of sins offered to all who trust in Jesus. Once I was talking with a man who said he believed what I believe, but he had a little difficulty with miracles in the Bible. We could have become lost in the de-tails of a particular miracle of Jesus. But, I asked him if the Resurrection was one of those miracles that gave him trouble, and it was. Very quickly we were back to talking about the central aspects of Jesus' claims on this man's life. Once a man was asked about his occupation. He said he was a scientist. The person who had asked immediately launched into how the Bible and science do not contradict one another without waiting to see if the scientist actually had any conflicts in that area. Some years later I and another man were swimming in a hotel pool with no one else around. In our conversation I asked him where he went to church. That is my semi-awkward religious pick-up line. He said he was an atheist. Instead of fleeing in panic, I casually asked him how he became an atheist. He said he was not really, but liked to say that to see how people would react. We had a good conversation after that. Listening to others buys time to think and tells you more about what the actual situation is. There is also no harm in saying, "I do not know. I can try to find an answer for you." Dawson Trotman worked with Billy Graham. He said there is no objection people can raise that cannot be answered from the Bible. That does not mean we must know everything there is to know before we engage someone about Jesus' claims on his or her life. But, regular personal use of our Bible helps us to be more ready. I wish I could say my answers to people with objections immediately changed hearts and lives. People often need considerable time and thought before they are ready to allow Jesus Christ to be a part of his or her life. Your conversation might be only one small cog in a larger machine. One important goal is always to keep the door open for further discus-sion later. Be someone who listens and can be trusted.
~ Rev. Phil Bohlken
Objections People Raise
Grace Prayer Team
Welcomes Requests
T he Grace Prayer Team is up and running! If you have a prayer request that you would like prayed over by the Grace Prayer Team, we welcome your requests.
Please contact Kristin McGee at [email protected] (865-384-9834) or Ev Brown ([email protected] (865-870-5603). The request will then be passed on to the team. We continue to wel-come Prayer Team members as well. If you are interested in praying for the needs sub-mitted by our church family, please contact Kristin or Ev with your interest.
Bible Quiz
What seemingly small act did Jesus specifically say would be rewarded? A. Giving a child a toy B. Giving a lost traveler directions C. Giving someone a cup of cold water D. Giving a sad person a hug
Answer: C (Matthew 10:42)
“Connect ~ Grow ~ Serve”
TO:
Grace Lutheran Church-LCMS 9076 Middlebrook Pike Knoxville, TN 37923-1557 (865) 691-2823 Fax: (865) 691-4895 E-mail address: [email protected] Sunday Worship: 8:00 a.m. (Traditional) and 9:30 a.m. (Blended)/11:00 a.m. (Contemporary) Wednesday Worship: 6:30 p.m. (Blended) Sunday School & Bible Classes @ 9:30 a.m./11:00 a.m.
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