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Knoxville, TN May 2012
Do You Want to See Your Children and
Grandchildren Be Worshipping Christians? by Pastor Rich Elseroad
(Continued on page 2)
H ere is a disturbing statistic: “nearly three out of every five young Christians (59%) disconnect either permanently or for an extended period of time from church life after age 15.” Unfortunately, in the Lutheran church these statistics may even be worse. The average age of an LCMS church goer is middle age and beyond. Why is this?
We have debated this in our church body for some time and have come to very different conclusions. What we have agreed on is that we do not want such a trend to continue. We want young people to love the Lord Jesus and to be active in their churches! At Grace we are committed to reaching young people, retaining young people and challenging young people to boldly serve their Lord. We want to reach them without compromising our core beliefs. There is much in our current culture that we cannot emulate. On the other hand, ways of communicating are vastly different and tolerating the hypocrisies of the past must not be continued. Our younger people are bringing us a world that is far less racist and judgmental. Churches can be locked in a time warp believing they are upholding the Bible and the truth. But the Bible doesn’t pre-scribe in any detail how we are to communicate or worship. Where does the Bible say that music must be accompanied by an organ? Can we not use texting, Facebook, twitter, YouTube, and screens in our sanctuaries and worship centers to glori-fy our God? I think the answer to these questions is obvious. Christians have always adapted to the changing times with-out losing the true message of the Gospel. There are two areas I wish to address to the young people of today. First, Christianity is not in any way, whatsoever, anti-science. It is in Western/Christian society where science has flourished. If we debate certain scientific theories it is not out of a lack of respect for science but quite the opposite. Christians have always believed that science unfolds the glo-ries of God’s creation. God put in us the desire to know and explore this world and our universe. Science is a noble and God-pleasing profession. But like any area of knowledge it can be corrupted by the pride of mankind. The second area I wish to address are the doubts young people may have or develop about the Christian Faith. When I teach the Adult Inquiry Class I always hope to have some first-class doubters in attendance. The truth is that everyone has doubts – sometimes major doubts. The church can han-dle this. The idea that our church members have perfect
Page 2 May 2012
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 Justin A. Bell, 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]
Worshipping Christians (Continued from page 1)
agreement on all teachings is simply ridiculous. There is plenty of room for people who doubt, and there is no rea-son for young people to feel marginalized as if only the older members have it all worked out (because they don’t). At Grace, we are going to make it a priority to reach young people. We are going to take up the topics that concern today’s young people. We are going to invite young people to take important leadership roles. We will continue to use technology and the screen to communicate as they typically relate to their friends. We want to reach young people who have never been in a church. We will not let little things become barriers to them, but we will respect their personal choices as long as they don’t conflict with the clear Word of God. Do you want to see your children and your grandchil-dren as believers and involved in the church? Then help us pastors with your prayers, support and money. We have certain strategies in place to help us connect with young people. We are making progress, but we intend to do so much more! ~ Pastor Rich
2012 Confirmands at Grace Lutheran
Michael Alexander Brown
Rachel Lynn Czupka
Riley John Honken
Paige Lee Howe
Frederick Walther Jones
Jonathan Edward Mees
Spencer Blake Smiley
Anna Elizabeth Stoddard
Amanda Kathlene Theilen
Robert Brady Williams
“If you have a mom, there is nowhere you are likely to go where a prayer has not al-ready been.”
~ Robert Brault
Page 3 May 2012
Family Prayers
P rayer is a vital part of our walk with God, and God wants to hear from us when times are good, as well as when times are bad. One of the focuses of our prayers is for various members of our congregation each week in our worship ser-vices. By the end of the year, our goal is to have prayed for each and every family at Grace during one of the ser-
vices. The names of those who we will be praying for each month will be posted in advance in the bulletin and/or the news-letter. Please take a moment to read the names and incorporate them into your own daily prayers as well. Ask for God’s hand to be upon these people and ask Him to bless them. Prayer can have a powerful effect on people’s lives. Let’s commit to lifting each other up in prayer this year and see what amazing results will follow. The families and friends we want to pray for during the month of May are:
Week of May 6 Larry and Cydne Albers Jason and Julia Caudill Brenda Gaddis Larry and Diana Holden, Thomas, Irene and Mary Mike and Kelly Masters, Harrison and Davis Brad and Nadia Rose Amy Teague and Kaylen Week of May 13 Amy Baserman, Isaiah and Abigail Chris and Kelly Dodson, Olivia and Nina Tom and Kellye Glisson, Lauren and Lexie Linda and Jeff Jaekel Walter Metz Bernt and Dee Ruediger Kevin and Beth Tharpe
Week of May 20 Jeremy and Elizabeth Bennett, Halle and Jake Mary Evon Nancy and Tom Gunn Doug and AdriAnne Kothe Don and Holly Mings and Clay Jon and Lynn Schneider, Hayley, Cameron and Kory David and Michelle Wade, Cameron and Jackson Week of May 27 Everett Bloom Todd and LaWanda Duenckel, Amber, Jamie, Alli and Luke Mike and Aileen Harper and Joseph Bob and Phoebe Linnabary Herman and Sherry Pauley Jesse and Laura Smithey and Catherine Michelle Weber and Montana
Happy Mother’s Day May 13
God Bless You All!!
Page 4 May 2012
May Scripture of the
Month
5/1 Heather Grebe 5/1 Madison Hicks 5/1 Jim Thompson 5/2 Katie Anderson 5/2 Kathie Dobbins 5/3 Jeff Grebe 5/3 Zachary Hay 5/3 Rosalie Jarvis 5/4 Christine Harness 5/4 Alaiah Miller 5/5 Haili Dew 5/5 Kaitlyn Fisher 5/5 Adam Streufert 5/6 Paul Angelino 5/6 Pressy Marjonen 5/7 Jon Callies 5/7 Nina Dodson 5/8 Tim Gardner 5/8 Skyler Hembree 5/9 Jan Wuornos 5/10 Lauren Hoag 5/10 Stacy Hoag 5/10 Alissa Kennedy 5/10 Austin Sweet 5/11 Scott Connor 5/11 Jeff Spradlin 5/12 Dylan Williams 5/13 Steven Elseroad 5/15 Jim Phillips
5/15 Dylan Smith 5/16 Dennis Nivens 5/17 Andrea Gardner 5/17 Tim Kipp 5/18 Sarah Dew 5/19 Luke Heidel 5/19 Mallory Moore 5/20 Samantha Henningfield 5/21 Jimmy Fanning 5/21 Stephen Hovan 5/22 Tim Collins 5/22 Mandy Jarvis 5/22 Lisa Kellerman 5/27 Paul Bretscher 5/27 Joey Buskey 5/27 Dana Fulkerson 5/27 Susan Lewis 5/27 Steven Peterson 5/28 Allie Dew 5/28 James Kirk 5/28 Gary Krueger 5/29 Marilyn Griggs 5/29 Dennis Laneman 5/31 Mark Anderson 5/31 Mary Louise Evon 5/31 Brenda Krohnfeldt 5/31 Rachel Theilen 5/31 Glen Wright
5/1 Chris & Beth Jaekel 5/1 Mark & Susan Klemmer 5/6 Ted & Jill Murphy 5/7 Drew & Laurie Martin 5/10 Harvey & Debbie Booher 5/10 Patrick & Hallie Martin 5/10 Joe & Heidi Matthews 5/11 James & Michele Blair 5/12 Keith & Carol Hipps 5/13 Mack & Jeanette Webster 5/15 Mark & Donna Anderson 5/16 Troy & Alexandria Howe 5/16 Lawrence & Barbara Osterman 5/16 Bill & Anne Smeltzer 5/17 Herman & Sherry Pauley 5/20 Will & Chantel Deichert 5/20 Pam & Jim Phillips 5/23 Edwina & James Jackson 5/24 Chris & Kelly Dodson 5/24 Jim & Anna Thompson 5/24 Adam & Katie Vanhooser 5/27 David & Janice Ishee 5/29 Robin & Cheryl Carow 5/30 Robert & Pressy Marjonen
Your Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
~ Psalm 119:11
Page 5 May 2012
Special Thank You!
I n one way, May is a “sad” month for me as I will be saying “good-bye” to Lisa Kellerman who will be returning to Ida-ho after receiving her Masters Degree from UT. Lisa has assisted in all aspects of library work from collection building and collecting weeding to data entry of the card catalog on computer to the daily tasks of checking in materials and
shelving them. Lisa has also written articles for the GraceNet. I will really miss her, not only as a librarian, but also as a friend and a wonderful Christian woman. Congratulations, Lisa! Thank you for ALL your help. God’s richest blessings on all your future endeavors. ~ Mary Schultz
New in the Library
Non-Fiction
Cast of Characters Lost and Found: Encounters With the Living God by Max Lucado (220.9 Luc): Many Bible characters were not always champions. They were ordi-nary people, but then they came face-to-face with the liv-ing god and everything changed. This book explores their stories.
I Am Second: Real Stories - Changing Lives by Doug Bender and Dave Sterret (248.4 Ben): Bender and Sterret do with modern-day characters what Max Lucado did for Biblical characters in his book, Cast of Characters. Their stories and testimonies remind us that no one is ever too far from God to find Him or to be found by Him.
Living on the Edge: Dare to Experience True Spirit-uality by Chip Ingram (248.4 Ing): Based on Romans 12:1-2, Ingram challenges readers to transform their “worldly” lives to lives confirmed to the will Gove God and His pur-poses for their lives.
The Vow by Kim and Krickitt Carpenter (921 Car): Just two months after their marriage, a serious car accident left Krickitt with a massive head injury and in a coma for weeks. When she awoke, she knew who she was, but had no recollection of Kim, the man she had loved and mar-ried. Their incredible journey back to their love, commit-ment, and marriage vows inspired the movie, The Vow.
Picture Books
God’s Wisdom for Little Boys: Character Building from Proverbs and God’s Wisdom for Little Girls: Virtues and Fun from Proverbs 31 by Jim and Eliza-beth George (j 248.4 Geo): In these two books, the authors create what a little boy belonging to God is and what a little girl belonging to God is. These books are beautifully illustrated by Judy Luenebrink.
The Song of Francis by Tomie dePasla (J deP): Saint Francis of Assissi comes to life in this simple story about his life and his celebration of God’s creation.
The Barber Who wanted to Pray by R. C. Sproul (J Spr): Based on a true story from the life of Martin Luther, Sproul tells of Master Peter, a well-known barber who musters up the courage to ask the outlawed monk, Dr. Martin Luther, how to pray. Luther responds by writing him a letter which is known today as the book, A Simple Way to Pray.
The Story Continues . . .
The following titles are continuations of stories begun in an earlier series.
Downfall by Terri Blackstock (Fic Bla): Book 3 in the Intervention series.
Stand-in Groom and A Case for Love by Kaye Dacus (Fic Dac): Books 1 and 3 in the Brides of Bonneterre series.
A Time to Surrender by Salley John and Gary Smalley (Fic Joh): Book 3 in the Safe Harbor series.
Firethorn by Ronie Kendig (Fic Ken): Book 4 in the Dis-carded Heroes series.
Loving by Karen Kingsbury (Fic Kin): Book 4 in the Bailey Flannigan series.
Honor Redeemed by Loree Lough (Fic Lou): Book 2 in the First Responders series.
The Tehran Initiative by Joel C. Rosenberg (Fic Ros): Book 2 in The Twelfth Imam series.
To locate the other titles in each of these series, you can use the computer card catalog. Type in the name of the series. A complete list of titles should appear; or search by the author’s last name.
~ Mary Schultz
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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