GRACE NOTES February, 2017 Grace United Church of Christ

307 N. Plymouth St., Culver, In 46511

Ph. 574-842-2331e-mail graceculverucc@gmail.co

Office hrs. 9-12 T, W, F

NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE OR WHERE YOU ARE ON LIFE’S JOURNEY,

YOU ARE WELCOME HERE!

The grace of the Holy Spirit and the peace of Christ be with you.

Happy February, Grace Friends!

It’s really cold outside, but Grace Church is emanating warmth and care from within our walls. We continue to provide ministry in so many ways, and for that we should be thankful. Our ministry to the community continues to be strong with the Mid Month Meal, our support of the Blessings in a Backpack program, and in other countless ways in which we touch the people of Culver. We have much for which we should be proud and thankful!

So, what are our next steps? We are so excited to have called Sam Boys as our Worship

Leader. Sam will be leading us in worship for the foreseeable future, sharing his gifts of ministry and scripture based teaching. We are so grateful to have him in our midst! Sam’s wife, Tammy, has also been with us regularly, and we are thankful to have her in our midst!

As we are entering into unchartered territory with our ministry model, the UCC IKC

conference has assured us that this new model is acceptable, actually embraced, by them. The care that we lack, however, is pastoral care and visitation for shut-ins. Our own Lynn Young, a divinity student in our care, has graciously offered her support in this area. Lynn has also offered to lead a bible study or book group for adults. The Grace Church Council has accepted this offer and would like to move forward on the ministry model of Sam leading us in worship and Lynn visiting our folks who need support outside of the church walls and doing adult education. Since the Council is suggesting that we call Lynn in the capacity of Pastoral Care and Education Leader, we believe that a vote of the congregation is necessary. This vote will take place at a congregational meeting on Sunday, February 5

th.

The future is bright for our church. We are moving forward spiritually, philanthropically,

and financially. I, for one, treasure the times that we share together, and I hope that you do, too. I look forward to seeing many of you this Sunday.

Peace, Cory

Food Pantry—on-going collection of items always needed—

especially paper products, shampoo, laundry and dish soap.

Blessings in a Backpack continues to be a success. For

February we will collect Ritz crackers. In December we collected

200 oatmeal packets and January 133 cans of soup. Good Job!

Card Ministry is doing a fantastic job of keeping all of our

Gracies encouraged, welcomed, congratulated and other joyful wishes.

.

Grace UCC Council

January 18, 2017

Sam Boys will be our worship leader by unanimous vote of the congregation.

We will vote on 2/5 for Lynn Young to be Pastoral Care and Education Leader.

Mic will continue to clean some portions of the church, but we need someone

to help clean the sanctuary, Zion Hall, and the bathrooms.

We need a back up secretary.

We also need a youth Sunday School teacher—at least once a month.

Plan to remove carpet from youth room on Sunday, 2/19 at 1:00.

Next meeting is February 14, 2017.

The UCC provides an inspiring daily

devotional for free.

Go to UCC.org/dailydevotional.

Grace UCC BCE

January 18 , 2017

Tentatively planned the events for 2017.

Lenten project is the food pantry.

How we will celebrate Mothers Day, Fathers

Day and Graduation.

Need new members.

Fall Fest will be on October 22nd.

We need ideas for LakeFest parade entry and

the scarecrow. Not too early to start thinking.

Balance for Noisy Offering is $847.57

Next meeting will be February 14, 2017

Next Euchre date is

February 5th, at 5:30.

Other games available

and we have a great

pool table !!

Come join in the fun !!

It is always good to have folks join the

residents at Miller’s for worship — our

next time is Feb. 28th at 2:00.

Bingo at Miller’s is another opportunity to

bring a bit of sunshine into the lives of the

residents. If you have a 4th Wednesday

afternoon at 2:30 free, come help.

GRACE WOMEN’S

VOICE

We did not meet in

January.

All the women are

invited to Join us for

our February meeting

on 2/1/17. Please Join us for a short

business meeting, a fun valenine

program with Mic Butler and a yummy

dessert.

We’ll see you next on Wednesday, February 15th.

Help is needed to set- up and clean up!

M M M Good!!

*****************************************************************************

Keep these folks and their families in your prayers.

Jim Shore, John Elliott, Leroy Bean, Bob Puckett, Sandy Middleton, Pat Birk and Mae

Micksell (Miller’s), Janet Baker, Annette Dietrich, Art Guidice, Stephanie Evans (Lisa

Elliott’s niece), Dave Bendy and Mike Fitterling.

Living away from Culver: Barb Howlett, Kate Hatten and Sara Rising,

The more I think about it,

the more I realize there is

nothing more artistic than

to love others.

Vincent Van Gogh

February 1 (Weds) 7:00 Women’s Voice

February 5 (Sun) following worship—congregational meeting and vote

February 9 (Thurs) 6:00 Dinner and Discussion at First

February 12 (Sun) Noisy Offering

2:00 Worship at Miller’s

5:30 Euchre

February 14 (Tues) - 5:30 BCE (Board of Christian Education)

6:00 Council Meeting

February 15 (Weds) 6:00- Mid-Month Meal

February 19 (Sun) following worship—make up picture day for church directory

1:00—Work day - pull carpet from kids room & other fun stuff

February 22 (Weds) at 2:30—Miller’s Bingo

Sunday

Worship

9am

Tuesdays

10 — 12

Food Pantry

Wednesdays

TOPS meeting

3 — 4:30

Going on at other churches

Pretty Lake Trinity Church is having their annual Souper Bowl Sunday on 2/5/17 from 11:30 till

2:00. They will be serving five different, delicious soups, sandwiches and desserts.

Pretty Lake Trinity Church is also having a Women’s Retreat on Saturday, 3/4/17 from 8:30 am

till 3:00 pm.—breakfast and lunch included. Beautiful feet is the theme—slippersto rest in the

Lord, Tennis shoes to serve Him quickly. Donate nice used shoes to give to women’s shelter .

It’s an inspiring, fun day of fellowship. Call Kathy to sign up.

February Goings-On at Grace

Coloring for fun and meditation

Worship Leader

Sam Boys

Church Secretary

Kathy Berindei

Office ph. # 574-842-2331

Office hours 9-12— Mon, Tue, Fri

Church e-mail: graceculverucc@gmail,com

Board of Christian Education (BCE)

President: Jan Fitterling

Secretary:

Treasurer: Helen Fishburn

Member: Mic Butler

Grace United Church of Christ

Leadership List for 2017

Council

President: Cory Barnes (Elder)

Financial Sec.: Wanda VonEhr (Elder)

Treasurer: Dan Adams (Elder)

Vice-President: Susan Thews (Deacon)

Recording Secretary: Cory Barnes

BCE Liaison: Kathy Berindei (Elder)

Deacons:

Dave Bendy

Mike Fitterling

Women’s Voice

President: Wanda VonEhr

Vice President:: Mic Butler

Secretary: Kathy Berindei

Treasurer: Helen Fishburn

Grace United Church of Christ

307 N Plymouth St

Culver IN 46511

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