February 2020 Newsletter

Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Dear Family of God at Grace,

I have some sad news to share. John Kudart, Pastor and Sandy's son, received sad news about his battle with cancer. The cancer has advanced and the prognosis, sadly is not good. Pastor Kudart and Sandy will be leaving the first week of February to spend whatever time God grants them together. It is the prayer of God's Family at Grace that Jesus, who is our light and life may be with John, Pastor Kudart, Sandy, and the whole family in these difficult days. May the comfort that neither life, nor death, nor anything in all creation can separate us from Jesus be with them all (Romans 8:38-39). The family of God is united to Jesus here and in heaven. May that peace and grace be with them all until we see them again. Dear beloved of God, this past week I spent in Springfield, Illinois, taking a continuing education class from the program called Doxology. It was wonderful! I sat at the feet of wonderful pastors and doctors in the care and cure of souls. Some highlights are: Rev. David Fleming talking about the epidemic of loneliness; Dr. Beverly Yahnke on the Anxious Soul - dealing with anxiety, and Caring for the person with a personality disorder; Rev. Dr. John W. Kleinig, who walked us through "A Sure and Certain Conscience: The Gift of Spiritual Certainty, Assurance, and Boldness;" Rev. Dr. Greg Schulz took us into the world of philosophy and examined the danger of a post-modern world with a study called "Pastoral Care in an After-Word World"; and finally Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller, our Chaplain, and Mr. Philp Magness, Cantor, led us in rejuvenating worship! I want to thank you for giving me the time to attend these classes and I pray that they will be a blessing to you as I share what I have learned and gleaned from Doxology.

 Our fundraiser for "Habitat for Humanity" is up to $9000 and counting! Thank you for being so generous. We are almost halfway to our goal of $25,000. We have a donor who will make our $25,000 and that will give us the $50,000 to start our own house for someone in need in our community. As I have said, all we need is 25 people to each donate $1000 and we're there. Some have done just that! If $1000 is out of your budget, fear not, any amount is a blessing and we are thankful! As James says in Chapter 2:14-17 "What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?  So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." As Christians we are to serve and love our brothers and sisters who are less fortunate than we. Faith and works go together. Do what you can to help. Blessed Epiphany to you all! In His Service,Pastor Lingsch            

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

La Sera D'Oro Dinner and an Evening of GoldFebruary 7th 6:00 pmFellowship Hall

Youth Valentine Bake SaleFebruary 9thBetween ServiceCourtyard

Erin Abu ConcertFebruary 9th 3:00 pm Sanctuary

Tea with Pastor and PreschoolersFebruary 14th10:00 am Fellowship Hall

Board of Christian EducationFebruary 16th12:00 pmFellowship Hall

Ash Wednesday February 26th 6:30 pm Sanctuary

Chicago Concordia ChoirMarch 7thSanctuary

Elder Fish FryMarch 14th Fellowship Hall

LWML SundayMarch 15th

Sanctuary

Habitat for Humanity BuildMarch 21st

LWML Zone RallyMarch 21st 8:30 amFellowship Hall

Palm SundayApril 5th

Easter SundayApril 12th

WEEKLY EVENTS

Women's Bible StudyThursday's at 10:00 amOffice workroom Wednesday Afternoon/EveningPrograms 3:45 pm Cherubs Choir4:00 pm Kids Club4:15 pm Choristers5:15 pm Dinner6:00 pm Confirmation Class6:30 pm Evening Worship7:00 pm Grace Chorale

Handbell Choir6:00 pm Thursdays

Dear members and friends of Grace Church,

We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your Christian love, support, and prayers during this difficult time in our family.  We truly appreciate your kindness and friendship.  Also Pastor Lingsch will be teaching my Wednesday morning Bible Class until I return.  

God bless each of you,           The Kudarts

Youth NewsKami Jo Mogelvang

February 9th: Youth Valentine Bake Sale! The youth will be selling some sweet treats for your sweetie after the 1st and 2nd Worship Service. Make sure to stop by and pick something up!

February 16th: 12 pm Education Board meeting in Fellowship Hall February 16th: Youth night from 5-7pm 

ELDERS' REPORT Paul Koch 

 The Elders met in January after the holiday season and welcomed several of the Board members who returned to Naples from seasonal absence. To facilitate active participation from all members, the Director provided a comprehensive

Handbook to each Elder including copies of the pertinent contact lists, updated Constitution and By Laws, Usher and Elder Guides, applicable Grace policies, and other related materials. The Board also discussed and reviewed the Pelican Strategic Plan and encouraged Pastor Eisold and Pastor Lingsch to continue the outstanding efforts demonstrated by the growth of the Pelican. Patrick Perri and Ben Borcheldt were recognized for their yeoman efforts in helping to plan and coordinate Jonathan's Celebration, along with Lori Lingsch and the Fellowship Board. On January 19, the Elders conducted training for three new Ushers-Jerry Roseman and Dick and Rhea Teteak, and we continue to encourage others to consider supporting Grace in this important effort. As in the past, the Elders also agreed to sponsor certified CPR/AED training for Ushers, Elders and any other Grace members who wish to attend. These efforts will be scheduled for a Tuesday or Thursday evening in March, and the exact date will be published when finally established. There is no cost to members. As many are aware, church security is becoming an increasingly important issue. In this regard, the Elders encouraged and supported the establishment of a Grace Security Committee that had been discussed at Church Council, and Ben Borcheldt volunteered to serve on such a Committee to represent the Elders. It was also agreed that an onsite presence of an off-duty police officer should be considered by the Planning Council, as such is employed at many other churches and synagogues in the area. The Elders also recommended that the Church Directory be updated with 'current' photos of the our members to facilitate knowing our membership, especially by new members and those attending different services. The Elders also suggested that a 'hearing loop' system be evaluated in any sound system improvements and suggested that a 'pet blessing' day be conducted, as had been done in the past. This event will take place on Saturday, April 17, at 10:00 AM. Finally, it was requested that Grace provide cards for members to complete with their name and contact information, including Grace information, to give to prospective attendees.

Join us for a Valentine Tea with Pastor and PreschoolersWhen:  Friday, February 14th, at 10:00 amWhere:  Grace Lutheran Fellowship Hall

Hats optional.  Sign up sheet in Narthex, or call the office.

Do you need someone to talk to? To walk with you through a difficult time? Deaconess Linda Nobili will be available for spiritual counseling again beginning Oct 15th. Please feel free to contact her anytime at (248) 892-7405 or by email at dcslinda1492@gmail.com.

Did You Know We Have a Facebook Page?Please 'Like' us on Facebook!  Grace of Naples Lutheran Church and Preschool.  

 

New Church Directory Coming Soon!If you are unsure if the office has your new address (northern or in Naples), email or telephone, please call or email the office.  

Did you know that you don't have to be a member to be included in our directory?  If you worship with us during the winter, and want other worshipers to be able to contact you, we are happy to add you to our directory.  Just let the office know.    

Amazon SmileDo you make purchases from Amazon?  Here is an easy way to earn money for our church and preschool without spending any extra money.  Instead of going to Amazon, search for Amazon Smiles.  This page will allow you to put in an organization that will then get a small portion of the money of the things you purchase. Under organizations, search for Grace Lutheran Church, Naples, FL.  Each time you purchase using Amazon Smiles, a small percentage will be donated to Grace.  Amazon Smiles will also remember that you want Grace as a beneficiary.  It won't cost you anything extra but our church benefits with a check from Amazon.  Any questions, call the church office.   

The Pelican Lutheran Church UpdatePastor Mark Eisold

"...on this rock (Peter's confession of Jesus as the promised Christ) I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it." Jesus     [Matthew 16:18] What an amazing ministry the Lord Jesus is advancing before us in Golden Gate!! The Lord brought two new Cuban families to The Pelican in early-January, each with a little child. Thus, our first two baptisms of the year were on January 26, 2020. We have another baptism scheduled for Saturday, February 8th, at 2:00 p.m. and two more baptisms scheduled for Sunday, February 9th!

When we first began, it seemed like 'nobody cared' that "another church" was opening. In truth, nobody DID CARE. The Lord tells that THAT IS THE WAY OF THE WORLD. But through the faithfulness, ingenuity, and persistence of the Lord Jesus, MANY LIVES have been touched profoundly by His Word and His personal care through everyone associated with The Pelican.

Sure, it started off as unnoticeably S L O W. Then, a little movement and activity began with a steady growth of activity and worship attendance. Now, we have new people coming to know us through worship every week!   In addition, utilizing lessons from previous mission work, we have Congregational Partners in IL & TN who send us support and mission teams - like the one featured below in the photos. They help us accomplish more TOGETHER than we could do by ourselves. They also learn from us how to reach their community and serve.

I am very thankful for the opportunity to SHARE with the members of Grace, Naples, the purpose and Five Year Strategic Plan of The Pelican Lutheran Church at the Special Voters' Meeting on Sunday, January 12, 2020. With Grace's continued support, TOGETHER we will transform this entire area for Christ!!! MANY THANKS to Brian Heidel, Paul Koch, and Pastor Lingsch for their time to meet, pray and prepare for the future!

It is certainly great to see this mission (The Pelican) FLY! We still have a long way to go, which makes ever thankful that JESUS is in charge and is faithfully equipping His Servant, the Pastor and the new Lutheran leaders at The Pelican. The challenge now, is to activate solid leaders and useful structure, which will foster continued growth (spiritually & numerically) without hindering it. By His grace and faithfulness, JESUS WILL DO IT!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS, for embracing our new Lutheran Brothers & Sisters in Christ, for sharing my cards, for talking-up our Hispanic and Haitian

ministries, and for YOUR SUPPORT!!! Key Dates & Events

December 27-January 3 Mission Team from Redeemer, Peoria led English Camp, evangelized the Golden Gate community, participated in an in-studio interview with UNIVISION to promote the Lord's work at The Pelican, organized the church kitchen, waxed the Community Center floors, removed a fallen tree, & grew in Jesus' work.

January 12 Pastor Eisold presents the Strategic Plan for the next 5 years at a Special Voters' Meeting at Grace.

January 14 Pastor Eisold goes to Orlando to appeal for the final year of Mission Grant funds.              ESL Classes & Spanish Classes resume their schedule.

January 20 Free Computer Classes are offered in Spanish through a visiting university professor from Perú.

January 15 English Worship service is canceled due to lack of response, and in order that pastoral preparation may continue

January 19 Pre-seminary Pastoral classes resume at 9:30 a.m. every Sunday.

January 24 ESL Program Director announces her plans to move to North Carolina. Prayers begin for a new ESL Program Director/Volunteer Coordinator.  

  

January Crime Prevention Seminar

WOG Meeting with the Blessing of the Quilts

Blessing of afghans

Grace Lutheran Church, 860 Banyan Blvd, Naples, FL 34102