August 2017 NewsletterGrace, mercy, and peace are yours in our Lord and

Savior Jesus Christ!  Amen!

Dear Family of God at Grace,

Do you have any complaints you'd like to bring before the Lord?  Is there anything that you are going through that you feel like maybe you are getting the wrong end of the stick and the Lord has somehow letting you down?  Do you ever feel like God's plan is completely different than what you need?  Or maybe things are great in your life and its nothing but roses and apple pie 24/7, and maybe you don't live in the real world! 

If you are like the rest of us who live in the world, there are difficulties, challenges, sicknesses, and crosses that we all must suffer.  Now, this letter is not a pity party.  It is not a - let's all feel sorry for ourselves and give up on God - letter.  No, this is just the opposite.

We are 90+ days away from the 500th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation October 31st.  Early on in his life, Luther was afraid of God.  He felt that he had to appease an angry God.  It wasn't until he read and studied Romans 1:17 that he began to understand that "(t)he righteous shall live by faith" and that God was not angry with him.  Jesus had taken all the punishment that Luther deserved.  Jesus has taken all your punishment and the punishment of the whole world!  The just live by faith.  This quote from St. Paul in Romans comes from the prophet Habakkuk 2:4. So back to the struggle and complaint in life.  Habakkuk was a prophet of complaint.  He could not understand how God could let the Babylonians under the rule of King Nebuchadnezzar do such terrible things to the children of God in Judah.  Why would God allow this suffering of His people?  Why would he allow their destruction?

The answer is that God uses suffering for our good and for His glory even when we cannot see it or understand it.  Yes, the children of Judah under king

Jehoiakim did some horrendous things and yes they were unfaithful but did they all deserve the torturous suffering under the hands of Babylon?  Not everyone in Judah had committed the sins of idolatry yet they all suffered the same judgment.  It doesn't seem fare.  Sometimes "deserve" has nothing to do with it.  Sometimes we think that we are being good enough or faithful enough and that we do not deserve the struggles that we are going through.  But we are sinners in a sinful world and struggle is always with us! 

Habakkuk complained to God about what was to come upon Judah.  What was God's answer?  Be patient in suffering and have hope in God's promises because He keeps them!  Habakkuk was a prophet of comfort.  His name means, "the one who embraces."  Habakkuk was a hugger.  God put his arms around Judah in His Word spoken by the prophet Habakkuk.  He puts His arms around you in your suffering and struggle.  Even when you cannot see, feel, or believe that He is there.

The just live by faith and faith is belief/hope in what we cannot see.  From the time of Habakkuk and before God was caring for His people even as He brought great suffering upon them for their good and His glory, drawing His people closer to Him in their weakness.  The God of Judah is the God Luther found in Romans.  The God who is not angry with you but has forgiven you for Jesus sake and suffering.  Though you cannot see it and even when our sinful flesh doesn't believe it, God is faithful, He keeps His promises.  He is with you in your suffering.  He knows what it is to have a beloved die.  He knows what it is to sit beside the bed of the sick and dying.  He knows what it is to struggle in this world of sin, sickness, and death.  He knows what it is to face the temptations of the devil.  The God-man Jesus Christ suffered for you, suffers with you so that you may have faith, hope and comfort in all trials.  Take a read through Habakkuk it's a short book of comfort.

No matter what you may be dealing with in this world, Jesus is with you.  Find comfort in that good news.  No matter what your complaint, God has broad shoulders and He can take it.  He hears your cries and He alone wipes away all tears.      I have been traveling almost the whole month of July.  At the beginning of the month Lori, Rachel and I went to California for a week to be with Lori's cousin Laura for her wedding which I officiated.  Lots of fun!  When we got back I went with the youth to Atlanta for a week for the FL/GA district's high school servant event.  Jonathan and I lead worship for the whole gathering all week long and then went with the kids to the different servant projects where we served God by caring for our neighbors in the streets of Atlanta.  Great week!  Then Tuesday - Friday I was in Chicago for the 2017 Institute for Liturgy, Preaching, and Church Music.  WOW, what a great week of learning! 

Thank you to everyone who held the place together in my absence.  It's nice to know that I'm needed but not needed enough so if I'm gone everything keeps on going! 

This Summer went by quickly.  August means school is starting and we are a

month away from a new season.  May God bless us and the work that we do this coming season as we serve God by loving and serving our neighbors!       

In His Service,Pastor Lingsch                     

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sunday at the BeachSunday, August 6th4:00 pm Lowdermilk Park

Undy SundaySunday, August 6th and 13thCollection boxes in Narthex

First Day of Preschool (2017-2018)Wednesday, August 16th

Sunday School Rally DaySunday, August 27th

OctoberfestSunday, October 15th

WEEKLY EVENTS

Wanted:  Someone or a couple to deliver an Altar bouquet on a Sunday afternoon to someone who is in the hospital (whenever the need arises). You would be notified after the second church service on any given Sunday.  Call the church office or Ruth Dishop (239-262-7137) to volunteer.   

August Events - From DCE Kami Jo MogelvangAugust 20th: Youth and Parent meeting with Kami Jo during Sunday school. Please meet in the youth room to discuss the upcoming year of youth ministry. We will discuss events and details for the youth program 2017-20018. August 27th: Rally Day! Kick off to Sunday school is TODAY from 9:30-10:15 in the courtyard. Meet your teacher and have some fun with your Sunday school

Women's Bible StudyResumes this Fall

Wednesday Afternoon/EveningPrograms Resume September 6th 

Practice English Come Help!

The Pelican Community Center5800 Golden Gate PkwyWednesday's 6:30 pm - 8:00 pmThursday's 10:00 am - 11:30 am

class, there will be games and prizes as we kick-off our Sunday school year together. 

At the Atlanta Servant Event, Together  With Youth From Other

Churches

A big thank you to Kami Jo Mogelvang who organized and planned the Florida Georgia District Summer 2017 Youth Mission Summer Trip.    This was not an easy task to plan and organize service projects, activities, events, food and shelter for youth from across the whole FL/GA District, let alone from 11 hours away.   Thank you for using your gifts and talents to serve the District youth and sharing with them the joy of serving your neighbor.  Kami did all this and at the same still chaperoned the 10 Grace Youth who attended the Mission trip, wow! Thank you also to Pastor Lingsch and Jonathan Birner for providing bible studies, worship and music for the Youth Summer Mission Trip.  Thank you for sharing your gifts and talents with the FL/GA District and for all your help in chaperoning and transporting the Grace Youth to and from the activities and events. Grace is truly blessed to have such a great team of Servants-Leaders.

Altar Guild could use assistance during the upcoming season.  This is a wonderful opportunity for either individuals or couples that would like to serve the Lord.  It takes a minimal amount of time and effort.  You can be scheduled to serve for both services or paired with someone that serves at the opposite service that you enjoy attending.  Also, you would be paired with someone that is already serving to assist in learning. Hands on training is provided.  Please contact SueAnn Zornes at 370-6396 or send her an email at zornes5731@embarqmail.com.  The schedule for the upcoming season will be prepared by mid-September so, please contact SueAnn as soon as possible.  Thank you in advance for your interest in serving the Lord in this very important way!

 

Deaconess Pat NufferSouth Sudan, Africa

  

As Pat Nuffer prepares for her 19th "pilgrimage" to South Sudan this month, she recalls   going there the first time while in deaconess training as an "add-on".  So caught up with God's pathetic handicapped children and adults there, she felt the Lord calling her to help some of the most downcast in one of the world's most downtrodden countries now enveloped in civil war.   It would take a book to explain the trials of getting into the country, convincing Lutherans here of the drastic needs, the battles there with those in charge in South Sudan, getting the materials needed to build basic structures, transportation of all kinds, training the untrained, and going through cancer treatment herself, thinking she'd never be able to go back to South Sudan. Through years of set-backs but with persistence and prayers of many, including her       husband who is a professor at our seminary in Ft. Wayne, the handicapped in South Sudan are becoming "givers" rather than "takers" and most important of all, they have been taught and believe that Jesus loves them so much that he gave His life for them.  Through gifts from many congregations, including Grace and Women of Grace, and through LWML members who have donated an abundance of needed items, the handicapped have learned to sew, give manicures, plant and grow gardens,  and have been brought from   neglected humans to children of God who have joy in life! Please pray for Deaconess Pat Nuffer, her journey to South Sudan this month, and accomplishing the goals the Lord sets before her.  

Pastor Eisold - August 2017

 What a great summer!   The Lord got us caught-up on rain, delivered us through the first part of Hurricane Season, and added to His blessings at our mission, The Pelican Lutheran Church (The Pelican)!

Over July we hosted Pastor James Rockey from Amazing Grace Lutheran Church, The Villages and his confirmation class for two evenings.  They provided help for some special outreach events and a new English Night. As the Lord led more people to our events, He also supplied new volunteers from the community to meet the need for mentors!

Like the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13:1-24, we are actively sowing EVERYWHERE and to EVERYONE.  Unleashing God's word is the most powerful thing we can do.  God's word always produces fruit - and sometimes a huge harvest!  I encourage everyone in the Naples area to know Jesus at one of our congregations; and share information about Grace as well as The Pelican.  Our area is full of people who do not have a Christian church-home.  Summer is the time to find those who are full-time residents here like us, and get them involved in our churches.  

In mid-May we were hosting ten students.  In June we had 30, and in July we consistently were hosting over 40 students every Wednesday Night.  We always take 3 minutes to tell our guests, "Why we do this for free".  During this time, we tell about what Jesus Christ has done for us as our God & Savior.  We invite them to know Jesus as we do by coming to church on Sunday at 11:00 a.m.

Through this simple proclamation the Lord has worked in many hearts over these past two months. Since June the Lord has added 7 new households to our family of faith.  It is great to see many new faces in worship & fellowship with our growing family of faith!  We now have another wedding to prepare for, and a new need to prepare a new group for confirmation.  Praise the Lord!!

In July we were blessed with 44 worshipers one week and 32 another Sunday.   This would not be possible without the prayers, funding, and encouragement from Grace!  Everyone here knows who our Mother Church is, and we thank God for everyone at GRACE every week. 

 We had a few challenges over the month as well with the septic tanks, which filled with rain water and the need for new toilets in the bathrooms in the community center.  But as long as the main thing in Christ's church is reaching, serving, and growing His people with His word, mercy, and life together, then who can complain?!?!

We did not renew Elizabeth's contract after her six month contract was fulfilled.  She served well, and did a great job in many ways.  With the start of the church in December I really needed someone to take over the Community Center and develop programs, electronic media, and structure.  I am very thankful for her service to the Lord at The Pelican. 

We are blessed to announce that Holly Peterson-Ramos has been volunteering 20 hours a week in our office and keeps at least three things on the front burner at all times.  She is putting into action many of the structural things, community connections, & social contacts for the good of this mission.  Holly is even getting us connected within the community in ways that we did not know of previously. Maximo , also, is doing tremendously well, and is reaching more people every week with his Spanish classes.  Some home-school families joined in late-June, and two other families joined his class just this week. 

We have found that summer in Naples is a great time to grow!  We believed this, pursued it, and the Lord Jesus has blessed it!  No matter how successful our churches ever become, we must always remember that there are a lot of people in Naples who lay low during "the season" - or may be buried in work - and the summer is the time to reach & connect the "other" full-time residents who are in that silent majority of those who are disconnected from Christ.  

God bless you in the love, power, and encouragement of Christ!!  Continue to pray for us, our new friends of the mission, and our funding for the future.  God bless you in Christ, and have a great August! Your Brother in Christ,Pastor Mark Eisoldpastormarknaples@gmail.com 

Wednesday Night opening part with volunteers.

A beginners group with volunteer Idalia leading.

Lynn teaching her Thursday morning class.