Westerville, Ohio

April 1 Palm Sunday - Procession with Palms - 8:15 and 11:00 a.m.April 3 Mid-Week Eucharist and Luncheon - 11 a.m.April 5 Maundy Thursday - 7 p.m. (Eucharist and Handwashing)April 6 Good Friday Tenebrae - 7 p.m.April 7 Holy Saturday - Easter Egg Hunt

(watch the bulletin for correct time)

April 8 EASTER SUNDAY

April 2012

Westerville, Ohio

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

Celebrating the Resurrection8:15 and 11:00 a.m. Worship Services

Easter Breakfast between Services

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,In his autobiography A Song of Ascents (Nashville:

Abingdon Press, 1968), Methodist missionary in Africa Earl Stanley Jones tells of a man who changed his mid-dle name to “After” immediately following his conver-sion to the Christian faith. The man believed that since his life had new meaning after Jesus Christ, his name ought to reflect the new reality he was now living.

After the cross of Good Friday and Easter’s empty tomb, can anything ever be the same for us? The Easter shout, “Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!” is the shout of every believer who bears the name of Christ. St. Paul describes the “after life” of the baptized believer this way, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in new-ness of life” (Rom 6:3-4).

Walking in this “new life” doesn’t mean the chal-lenges, disappointments, and hardships of life magical-ly pass over us as God’s “After” people. It does, how-ever, mean that by the grace and power of God, “After” people see all of life through different eyes. Looking

through eyes of faith we no longer trust in our own powers of positive thinking, but look to the promises of God in Jesus Christ.

President Calvin Coolidge was a very quiet and serious person. When he was informed of President Coolidge’s death in 1933, author and social critic H. L. Mencken responded, “How can they tell?”

How do others see we are God’s “After” people? Being lively “After” people doesn’t mean we must be the “life of the party” or someone who is always visibly “excited” about Jesus. But being an “After” Christian is also far more than church membership or wearing a particular denominational label.

God’s “After” people are disciples of Jesus who, touched by the fullness of God’s grace, celebrate all of life as an opportunity to worship God, to grow in faith, to give generously, and serve others to the glory of God.

Easter Sunday is April 8th this year. We will worship our Risen Lord Jesus on that morning and throughout the season of Easter that leads us to Pentecost.

It truly is a miracle. Nothing can ever be the same for us “After” people of God.

With you ever “After”, Pastor Will

The VOICE of Grace March 2012 - Page 2

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church100 E. Schrock Road, Westerville, OH 43081

PH: (614) 882-3026 Web: www.grace43081.orge-mail: [email protected]

Rev. William A. Hartfelder, Senior Pastor VM 11 [email protected] Rev. Richard O. Walston, Visitation Pastor Cell (614)832-9159 [email protected]

Dr. Karen Eckenroth, Music Ministries VM 10 [email protected] Hoch, Organist

Kathy Snead, Office Administrator VM 18 [email protected] Marjie Penn, Receptionist/Secretary

Paul Hotchkiss, CustodianJack Pfeifer, Property Manager [email protected]

Jocelyn Shuman, Preschool Director; VM 14 [email protected]

VM = voice mail

2012 Church CouncilPresident ....................................................... Bill Kulju

Ph: (614) 898-8314 ........................ [email protected] President ......................................... Julie Abrams Ph: (614) 865-0503 .................... [email protected] .....................................................Paul Grant

Ph: (614) 882-4982 ........... [email protected] ...................................................Charlie Roll

Ph: (614) 212-2281 .......... [email protected]

Members at Large:Glen Alexander Ph: (740) 549-3745 [email protected] George Ph: (614) 882-9829 ................. [email protected] Hughes Ph: (614) 882-2932 ....... [email protected] Monroe Ph: (614) 890-8902 ........ [email protected] Stewart Ph. (614) 889-1525 ........................ [email protected]

Stay up-to-dateon the ministries of Grace.

Log on to www.grace43081.org

“We’re so glad you asked…..”...a response to questions and concerns on a variety

of topics. If you have a question, please put it in writ-ing and deliver it to the Church Office or email it to: [email protected]. Questions must be signed.

Question: What’s involved in having a wedding at Grace?

It’s an understatement to say a couple’s wedding day is one of the biggest days in their lives. It’s no less an un-derstatement that a couple’s wedding day is often among their or their families’ biggest financial expenditures. Weddings have become “big business” in our culture.

The first thing a couple needs to do to be married at Grace is to contact one of Grace’s pastors by calling the Church Office (882-3026). Grace’s pastors and other staff involved with weddings have written a pamphlet titled “Your Wedding at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church”. This pamphlet addresses such details as: how to secure a date, the rehearsal, appropriate music, whether or not Holy Communion will be celebrated, wedding coordinator, flowers and decorations, wed-ding bulletins, as well as matters directly related to the

wedding day itself. A separate flyer outlines the costs/fees associated with a wedding at Grace.

Other than under certain extenuating circumstances, it is Pastor Hartfelder’s and Pastor Walston’s practice to officiate at weddings of members only. They also require a series of premarital sessions in preparation for the wedding.

Grace’s pastors are trained in the Life Innovations© premarital counseling program Prepare-Enrich© and require it of all couples. The program is based on a set of inventories that examine major relationship issues a couple may experience. The inventories include 3-5 feedback sessions in which the pastor facilitates dis-cussion between the couple based on their inventory results. Premarital meetings also include conversa-tions about the wedding service itself.

Marriage is one of life’s most important passages. The Christian Wedding Ceremony is a moment of spe-cial spiritual meaning and celebration. As personal as a wedding is, however, it is a worship service of the Church. Accordingly, Grace’s pastors have primary responsibility for assuring that the wedding ceremony reflects the faith, teachings and traditions of the church as well as providing a ceremony that celebrates the love of the bridal couple.

Growing People of FaithPrayer Vigil

Grace Lutheran ChurchNoon, Friday, May 11 throughNoon, Saturday, May 12, 2012

“Rejoice always, pray continually,give thanks in all circumstancesfor this is God’s will for you in

Christ Jesus.”1 Thessalonians 5: 16 – 18 (NIV)

Growing People of Faith is the mission of Grace’s next capital fund campaign. Walking through prayer-ful conversation with God brings guidance for fulfill-ing our call to stewardship.

Growing People of Faith is also the vision for living and sharing together as God carries Grace into its sec-ond century of service. Prayer deepens relationships with God and with one another for reaching out, grow-ing and serving with lives faithful to God’s call.

All are invited and encouraged to participate in the May Prayer Vigil. Hourly blocks of time will be avail-able throughout the entire 24-hour Vigil for individual and family silent meditation, spiritual reflection and peaceful listening amid the tranquility of God’s Water, Word, Table and Cross adorning the Grace Worship Space.

Grace Ministry Teams will gather throughout the Church and the Community during the same hours connecting in fellowship and lifting prayers for each other, for the Grace Community and for discerning God’s guidance for their Leadership within the People called Grace.

Further information will be shared throughout April concerning sign-up opportunities and participation through prayer requests.

Please join in lifting all the ministries and people of Grace in daily prayer.

We ask Gracious Heavenly Father,That you continue to guide us in growing spir-

itually;That you open our hearts to joyful and gener-

ous stewardship;That you lead us to act at all times with love, upholding and uplifting one another;That you teach us to seek serving rather than to

be served; andThat you continue Growing People of Faith

who walk ever closer with You. Amen


Grace members receiving communion at the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem in April of 2006.

Registration forLittle Blessings’ Preschool

Little Blessings Preschool is now en-rolling for the 2012-2013 preschool year!Please share this with family, friends and neighbors looking for a preschool for their 3, 4 or 5 year old child.Call 614-882-7592 for information

Little Blessing Preschool isdedicated to encouraging

educational, social, emotional and spiritual growth of children

in a loving, secure environment.

Supper Club Heads to House of Japan in AprilThe House of Japan at 8701

Boulevard at Polaris is the meet-ing place for Grace Supper Club on April 19th. Meet at the Res-

taurant at 6:30 p.m. A sign up sheet is at the desk in the Welcome Center. Please sign-up so the restaurant can be prepared/

Last month (March 15) about 30 members enjoyed an evening of food and fellowship at Salvis Bistro in Dublin.

Looking ahead to summer, Rosemarie Litzinger and Bev Grubb have scheduled a visit to Ted’s Montana Grill in Dublin on May 17. Barrel 44 (at the Old Bexley Monk location) in Bexley will be the place on June 21.

Mark your calendars and plan to join the Supper Club at an upcoming event.

Looking back


There is no admission charge for our concerts. A free will offering will be taken

ConcertSeries

A reception in the Gathering Space follows each event.

Sunday, April 15 ~ 7:30 pmThe Capital University Big BandThe Capital University Big Band, under the di-

rection of Dr. Lou Fischer since 1994, is an eighteen piece, undergraduate, award-winning jazz ensemble that performs both standard/traditional and contempo-rary repertoire. The band appears in concert often, on and off campus, and at various regional, national and international festivals.

Sunday, May 6 ~ 7:30 pmThe Otterbein University String

OrchestraConductor, Jim Bates

Westerville South Athletic TrainerBill Kulju Named to OATA Hall of Fame

William Kulju, athletic trainer at Westerville South High School, was recently named to the Ohio Athletic Trainers’ As-sociation (OATA) Hall of Fame. His induction will take place at the OATA Symposium and Awards Banquet in Akron on May 11. Can-didates for this prestigious award are nominated by their peers, mak-ing this a most revered honor.

After receiving his Bachelor of Science degree from The Ohio State University (OSU) in 1979, Kulju started his athletic training and teaching career at Westerville South. He earned his Masters degree from OSU in 1984. He has been very active in the Ohio Athletic Trainers’ As-sociation, having served as District Representative, Treasurer, President-elect, President and Immediate Past President. He also served on many OATA com-mittees such as PEC, High School, Finance, PAC and Executive. He had received a number of awards in-cluding the OATA Athletic Trainer of the Year in 1996; the NATA Service Award in 2003; and the OATA Lin-da Weber Daniel Outstanding Mentorship Award in 2008. In addition, Kulju served on the NATA Annual Symposium Committee in 1987 and was Local Chair to the GLATA Winter Symposium in 2002.

Kulju is a driving force in the growth and develop-ment of the OATA. He has had great impact within the organization as well as with public and political groups. He continues to support and promote athletic training within the OATA as well as at the district and national level.

Many letters of support for his induction into the Hall of Fame were received by the OATA. Kulju’s colleagues wrote, “His commitment to the staff, stu-dent athletes and students he works with is just above and beyond. Working with Bill makes those around him want to be a better athletic trainer, a better friend, and a better person.” And, “Mr. Kulju is a leader in our school, regarded as a professional and a teacher’s teacher. He has the ability to work well with all col-leagues … He is a tremendous person, one who we all look to for intelligent remarks, sound judgment and effective leadership.”source: Westerville School District Newsletter.

NOTE: Bill Kulju is a long time member of Grace and presently serves our congregation as the President of the Church Council.

Wednesday Mornings@ Grace (10-11am)

Grace Women’s Bible StudyThe Wednesday Mornings @

Grace Women’s Bible study has be-gun a new topic: Making Sense of

Scripture: Big Questions About the Book of Faith. This course invites participants to engage in a conver-sation about seven major questions of the Bible: What is the Bible? Is the Bible True? How is the Bible the Word of God? Where Did the Bible Come From? How Can I Read the Bible with Understanding? Is There a “Center” to Scripture? What Kind of Authority Does the Bible Hold? You are invited to enjoy fellowship in a context of growing in faith and understanding.

Participant’s book ($12.00) available in class. Teacher: Pr. Hartfelder. Location: Fellowship Hall.

“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)

Bill Kulju

NEXT FIRST FRUITS is APRIL 1.and then MAY 6

The VOICE of Grace March 2012- Page 5

qITALIAN DINNER BUNDLE: spaghetti sauce, spaghetti pasta

qBATH BUNDLE: shampoo, crème rinseqIMMEDIATE NEEDS: canned meats

(chicken and fish), fruits (canned peach-es, fruit cocktail, applesauce, mandarin oranges, pineapple); cereal, snacks, juices, toilet paper and diapers (sizes 5 and 6)

Please check all canned items for expiration dates.

Hotel and motel travel hy-giene items continue to be received and have been greatly

appreciated.Monetary donations are also welcome and

may be placed in the wooden boxes on the grocery carts or in the offering plate. Checks should be made payable to Grace Lutheran Church with “For W.A.R.M.” on the memo line.

Cut out and take this W.A.R.M. shopping list with you for April 2012:

If you think you’re too small to be effective, you have never spent a night in a pup tent with a

mosquito.”

Totals to date in 2012Food/Hygiene = 977 pounds

Monetary = $1,347

vMarch 4 totalsv Food/Hygiene = 264.4 pounds

Monetary = $472

Easter is upon us. Thanks to everyone who donated items for the Dinner Bags and Spring Cleaning Bags that WARM organized and distributed before Easter. Thanks also to all who have made a commitment to continuously support Grace’s outreach ministry to W.A.R.M. (the Westerville Area Resource Ministry).

For April we’ll return to the Bundle concept for pur-chasing grocery and hygiene items. Please consider purchasing all or parts of the bundles listed below and bring your contributions to the church at any time, with the first Sunday of the Month being the date of our designated Sunday for giving to W.A.R.M. as we share what we have with others.

Any questions or interest in helpingon a First Fruits Sunday may be directed to

Jill Morrison at 614-882-5445.

April’s First Fruits Shopping List“Honor the Lord with your substance and the first fruits of all your produce.” (Proverbs 3:9)

Seating is limited to 20, so it’s first come first serve. Clear your Calendar and Contact Dan George to get on the list. ([email protected]). This annual Men of Grace trip is great fun and fellowship. Cost is $60.00 each. Please pay Kathy Snead.

Our new Charter Group is Shore-Nuf Fishing Charters247 Lakeshore DrivePort Clinton, Ohio 43452

We will be on the boat Rio Rita. Fish cleaning services are 60 cents per pound.

Saturday June 23, 2012 from 7:00 am to 2 pm. Be at the dock by 6:30 am.

M.O.G. Fishing Trip Scheduled for June M.O.G. Hosts Redeem the Day Founder Saturday, March 17 seventeen men attended the

8:00 a.m. pancake and sausage breakfast and heard an inspiring talk by nationally accredited speaker Kary Oberbrunner, founder of Redeem the Day - a move-ment connecting people to a process that ignites their souls.

Mission Trip to AfricaCOMING UP APRIL 21 - Mark Day, a retired West-

erville South Math Teacher will be presenting a pro-gram to the Men of Grace about a recent mission trip to Banqui, the capital of the Central African Republic. This is Mark’s second trip to Banqui. He has also been on 3 trips to New Orleans for clean-up. Breakfast at 8:00 a.m. on the 21st. All men of Grace are welcome and encouraged to attend.


4/4 Mark & Shannon Schroeder Mike and Beth Seitz4/8 Dave and Mary Fritzsche Charles and Paula Washburn Bob and Linda Andrews Paul and Heidi Gorgias4/9 Don and Jo Ann Slemmer4/14 Tom and Barb Moser

4/2 Bruce Ross Taylor Sharfman4/3 Jacob Goodfleisch4/4 Nathan Girard Maggie Fraser

4/6 Tom Yanichko Matt Warren Seth Rowe Macey Gest4/7 Connie Himes Gretchen Sharfman4/9 John Seamon4/10 Lon Landis Kevin Thuman4/11 Rodu Kolberg Sima Finy Matthew Kile Alexa Manly4/12 Dave Shugert Isabella Reyes4/13 Mark Schroeder4/14 Jack Blakley Ken Krumm John Zimmerman Craig Prim Beth Seitz Heather Podracky4/15 Mary Bivins Dewey Barr Brian Bobb4/16 Nancy Gurgiolo Caleb Hahn-Minor4/17 Warren Bale Martha Busse Newton Christine Troutman4/18 Michael Bertelsen

Rita Finy4/19 Laura Casline Shauna Powell Jonathan Simpson Will Holland4/20 Joy Longfellow Paul Garver4/21 Dorothy Crain Jack Winkel Owen Heilmann4/23 Julie Abrams4/24 Tom Motika Cindy Campbell Matthew Longfellow Alexander Seitz4/25 Peggy Koch Linda Sabo Kathryn McGahhey Hannah Hawkinberry Dylan Gorgias4/26 Chris Banks Jason Hockstok Connor Dahler Peyton Podracky4/27 Bethany Nickoli4/28 Janet Garver Janice Will Katie Langenderfer Jennifer Clark Michelle Clark4/29 Ernestine Dietz Richard Nelson Julie Wells Brian Lease4/30 Lavinia Francies

Grace Supper Club at Salvi’s in Dublin in March.

ANNIVERSARIES

birthdays


Youth Ministry Activities(all Sunday Activities are 5:30 - 6:30pm)

April 7th - Family Easter Egg Hunt in the morningApril 15th - KIDS Group - Pizza and Dance Party Part 2April 15th - Christian Climbers -retelling of the Easter

storyApril 22nd - CROSS

Grace Youth and Family News

The Youth and Family Ministry and Learning Ministry want to emphasize that all children are welcome to participate at any time throughout the year. If your child is only able to participate once or sporadically through the year, we still welcome his/her involvement.

Youth Ministry Calendar -February through April, 2012

KIDSgroup - 1st - 5th Graders John/Christine Kotik - [email protected]

CROSS - 1st - 5th Graders; includes service/projects from within and beyond Grace Lisa Stoll - [email protected] and Laura Casline - [email protected]

Christian 3 years old - Kindergarten Climbers - Linda Fichtelman - [email protected]

Kids CROSS

Katharine Circle will meet in the lounge on Tuesday, April 3, at 7:15 p.m. We are studying the series Woman

of God

. Our

less

on “

Bea

utifu

l: Th

e Fab

ric of H

oliness” Come join us!

Katharine Circle will meet in the lounge onTuesday, April 3, at 7:15 pm. We are studying the

series Woman of God. Our lesson “Beautiful: The Fabric of Holiness” will be led

by Margie Cepek. Come join us!

CROSS PARTICIPANTS, PLEASE NOTE CALENDAR

CHANGES!!April 22nd will be our final meet-

ing of the programmatic year. Please disregard May and June dates on previous calendars and newsletters.

In the fall, CROSS will become the youth group for grades 6-12. KIDS Group will continue to be the youth group for grades 1-5.

We are proud of all of the ways our youth have be-come involved in various church ministries and en-courage you to continue to explore and develop your spiritual gifts and opportunities for service as the hands and feet of Christ! We hope to see all of you back at meetings again in the fall, whether you will be in KIDS Group or CROSS. And we hope to enjoy fel-lowship with many new participants as well!

Vacation Bible School/LOMO at GraceJuly 23-27, 2012

SAVE THE DATES!This year’s theme: “One in the Spirit.”

All children currently enrolled in grades K-6 are eligible and encouraged to attend

VBS/LOMO Day Camp. Anyone interested in working on the planning team for the LOMO part of this years VBS,

please contact Tami Banks at 337-9603or [email protected]


Sunday School

April 1Peter denies

JesusApril 8

NO SUNDAY SCHOOL

April 15Jesus reinstates Peter

April 22Paul’s 1st missionary

journey

April 29Paul andTimothy

The roof of our small church had an impressive transformation a few weeks ago. The children

were informed of many donations from members of the

congregation and were able to add 31 sticks to the roof!!!

We are now well underway in covering the second side of the

roof. The donations are greatly

appreciated!!!

At the end of each Sunday School gathering, the young learners say the prayer printed below. The prayer is read one line at a time using repetition between the leader and chil-dren. The children have gotten to the point where they can lead the prayer themselves.

A Simple PrayerHere I am, Lord!I thank you and praise you

for all your wonderful blessings!

I will delight in everything you have given me.I put my trust in you.You are always at my side,

and today I will have everything I need.

Forgive me for the times I have disappointed

you.Guide me and teach me.Fill me with your power, so that in everything I do -I will be a delight to you! Amen!

April 7Holy SaturdayEaster Egg

Hunt(watch thebulletin for

correct time)

SUNDAY ADULT LEARNING

Pastor Hartfelder meets with adult learners every Sunday between services for study and conversa-tion on the appointed Bible read-ings for that particular Sunday. The group meets in Rose Garden #2 and #3. This study provides insight to the church calendar as well as how and why these read-ing from the books of the old and new testaments, the Psalms, and Gospel are woven together into the liturgy. Bring your Bible for this class.

Pastor Daniel Havemann, pas-tor of Grace’s “Partnergemeinde” - partner church – in Jördenstorf, Germany, will present a fascinat-ing look at mission and ministry in Germany during the Sunday School Hour on April 15. He will also offer words about his congregation’s on-going efforts to restore their church roof. Pastor Havemann’s church dates back to the 13th century. Place: Worship Space When: April 15th during Sunday School hour 9:30 – 10:30 am

The “Raise the Roof” project de-scriibed above was begun last fall by the children of Grace bringing coins saved/collected during the week. The project has taken root and thus far, “Raise the Roof” has raised over $2,000.00. It is not too late to contribute to this effort. Simply make your contribution and indicate “Raise the Roof” in the memo line or on the envelope.

Jördenstorf’s PastorHavemann to Speak

During Sunday School Hour

Reaching out with the love of Jesus to grow disciples


RE-ENROLL IN THE

Enroll or Re-Enroll in theKroger Community Rewards

Program. . .. . .to help Grace Evangeli-cal Lutheran Church provide new playground equipment for Little Blessings Pre-schoolDear Members of Grace:

We need your help as we continue to earn Communi-ty Rewards for the church’s benefit.

Kroger generously gives up to $5,000,000 to nonprof-it organizations each year as part of its Community Rewards Program. Grace Lutheran Church is one of the registered organizations that has an opportunity to receive some of these desig-

nated funds. The simple steps to enroll your Kroger Plus Card with the Community Rewards program are shown in the box at the right.

If you already donate your Kroger Reward points to Grace, please re-enroll to continue to help us. This must be done in April every year in order for your pur-chases to continue to earn rewards.

If you are not currently donat-ing your Kroger Reward points, please consider enrolling to join this effort.

1. Create a Log-in (New sign-ups start here!) a. Go to www.krogercommunityrewards.com b. Select ‘OHIO’, click on ‘Enroll’, and then “SIGN UP TODAY’ (under new customer) c. Enter your zip code, click ‘FIND’, and

select your store (that you shop at most often)

d. Enter your email address and password, and CONFIRM

e. Now check your email, and click the link to confirm your sign-up.2. Choose ‘Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church’

as your charity (Re-enrollees start here!) a. Go to www.krogercommunityrewards.com b. On the confirming link page, sign in (email address and password that you created),

and click ‘EDIT KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS INFORMATION’ c. Enter your Kroger Plus Card Number, and click on ‘SAVE CHANGES’ d. Enter your address and click ‘SAVE CHANGES’ e. For NPO (Non-Profit Organization), enter/choose 80986 for Grace Ev. Lutheran Church, and click ‘SAVE

CHANGES’If you are correctly enrolled you will see at the

bottom of your Kroger receipt when you check out the following statement:

“Your Community Rewards are beingdonated to Grace Ev. Lutheran Church”

Follow the directions below to enroll - or re-enroll in the Kroger Community Rewards Program. If you are reenrolling, begin at step 2.

Remember, EVERYONE MUST RE-ENROLL IN APRIL to keep contributions coming to Grace AFTER May 1.

During the Third Quarter. (No-vember, December, January, Twenty-seven (27) families have signed up to do Kro-ger Awards for Grace. During that time Grace earned $373.42 toward the new playground equipment.

Grace’s institution registration number is 80986.If you have not signed up before, we would be happy

to have new families enroll at this time. SCRIP Gift Cards to be Discontinued

We will be ‘retiring’ the SCRIP Gift Card Program during the 2012 year. The cards we still have on-hand will be sold but we will not be ordering any more. The remaining available cards will be on sale at the Welcome Center.


Approval of Februarys meeting minutes:Upon consideration of the minutes from the Febru-

ary 2012 meeting, Glen Alexander moved to accept, seconded by Julie Abrams. Motion passed.

Guest Presentation: Patti Barb presenting on prayer vigil in conjunction with Growing People of Faith.

Patti Barb reviewed with council members May’s prayer vigil and how it connects with Grace’s new cap-ital fund campaign named “Growing People of Faith” The prayer vigil starts in Grace’s sanctuary on May 11th at 12 noon and continues for 24 hours ending May 12th at 12 noon.

Strategic Plan Update: All/discussion: Pastor Will discussed with council the past and cur-

rent events regarding the strategic plan program and how it will propel Grace and all ministries forward in the near future.

Ministry updates: Pastor Will advised council that he will be attend-

ing the Mutual Ministry Team meeting scheduled for Monday, March 13th at Grace.

Other Business before council • ELCA/NALC/CORE update: No updates at this time.• Update on “Growing People of Faith” capital

funds campaign: Pastor Will reviewed with council that the

capital funds campaign process is proceeding smoothly as planned.

• Two important dates to put on your calendar: October 28, 2012 - Celebration Stewardship Sunday

November 18, 2012 - Annual Congregational Business meeting.

Monthly Report: by Pastor WillStatistical Report: by Pastor WillPastor Will submitted the monthly report earlier in

the week. It is included as part of these minutes.

Treasurer’s Report: Charles Roll reviewed the February 2012 financial report.

Church Ministry fund balance at the end of Febru-ary 2012 is $(1,267). Total receipts for the month were $36,369 and total disbursements were $38,098 for a net decrease of $1,729.

Mission & Ministry support to the Southern Ohio Synod year-to-date was $1,350, along with support to Lutheran Social Services of $350. For 2012 we have pledged $10,000 to Southern Ohio Synod and $2,000 to Lutheran Social Services.

Bond Payments began in February 2012 in accord-ance with the Required Redemption Schedule. Our to-tal debt is $2,850,000. Principal payments due in 2012 total $40,000. Our total obligation for 2012, including principal and interest, is estimated to be $86,896.

Living in Grace campaign began in June 2009. To-tal pledges to date are $629,625. Receipts through Feb-ruary were $533,261. We have collected 84.7% of total pledges. Total expenses in February were $7,137, leav-ing a balance of $494,830

Cash Reserves through February 29, 2012 are $71,446. Three designated funds make up this balance, the 2011 Excess Church Ministry Fund $6,781, the Or-gan Fund $64,015 and the Facilities Emergency Reserve Fund $650. Net cash reserves (cash reserves less the Church Ministry deficit) total $70,179. Per the finance sub-committee recommendations, cash reserves of the church should not fall below 10% of the projected an-nual revenues as established during the annual operat-ing budget process and approved by the congregation. For 2012 that amount is set at $48,423 (10% of total budgeted income of $484,225).

Budget Comparison for 2012 reflects a negative amount of $6,200.19. This is calculated by using Feb-ruary Y.T.D. actual income and expenses compared to the actual budget.

Approval of required reportsDan George made a motion to accept the required

reports, seconded by Angela Hughes. Motion passed.

March 2012 Grace Council Meeting HighlightsPaul Grant, Council Secretary

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church has been serving the Westerville Community for more than 100 years, supporting local ministries such as the Westerville Area Resource Ministry, Westerville Partnership Habitat for Humanity and Westerville CROP Walk. Grace also supports Lutheran Social Services programs like Faith Mission and provides weekly meeting space for Boy Scout Troop 502 and two AA groups.


Documents

Westerville, Ohio