GRACE NOTES THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF

HISTORIC GRACE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

REV. THOMAS B. CHRISTELL, JR. OFFICE: 522-3965 FAX: 522-5841 FOOD PANTRY: 522-9707

www.GraceLutheran-Springfield.com

April 2017 In this Issue… PAGE 2…PASTOR’S FOCUS

PAGE 3...FROM THE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC

PAGE 4-5...LENTEN/EASTER SCHEDULE

PAGE 6...MAUNDY THURSDAY/GOOD FRIDAY & CLASSICAL GUITAR

PAGE 7…SPRING GARDEN

PAGE 8...CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

PAGE 9...YOUTH

PAGE 10...175TH ANNIVERSARY

PAGE 11…STEWARDSHIP

PAGE 12...FELLOWSHIP

PAGE 13-14A…COUNCL HIGHLIGHTS

PAGE 14…PRAYERS

PAGE 15...FOOD PANTRY REPORT

PAGES 16-17…WELCA

PAGE 18...EASTER BASKETS

PAGE 19-20...YOUR HEALTH NEWS/PROJECT 501/PANCAKES

PAGE 21…THANK YOU’S

PAGE 22…BIRTHDAYS

PAGE 23-26…IN OTHER NEWS

INSERT…CALENDAR & SERVING THE ASSEMBLY

HISTORIC GRACE LUTHERAN’S MISSION STATEMENT

As disciples in Christ, we support our faith community, encourage spiritual growth in everyone, and serve all creation with Christ-like love.

We accomplish this by:

spreading God's Word

building relationships

serving the community

reaching out to those in need

Behold, I am making all things new!

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PASTOR'S FOCUS...Pastor Christell

As I begin writing this article we had moved from early spring to the middle of winter. At that point in time all the plants that had bloomed, the tulips that had

started getting taller, the budding trees and bushes, the beautiful green grass were all covered with 3-4 inches of clean, white, snow.

In just a few days everything had made a 160 degree turn. It was a bit unsettling to see those changes, which gave the sense that the dark and cold days of winter had returned too soon.

We had expected something different. We had hoped for more light and color in our world. The warmth of the sun would have been a wonderful feeling. That, however, did not come to pass.

It reminded me of what the early disciples must have felt, even more so, when the events of the first Holy Week unfolded. What had seemed to be something new, real, grace-filled and loving, soon turned into something dark and ugly and full of pain.

What started with a triumphant parade entering Jerusalem ended with a final meal with friends, an arrest, trials, beatings and a parade to a hill, where on a cross all the promises that Jesus had made seemed to die an early death.

It is important to remember that death did not have the final word. We proclaim that as Jesus died on the cross he took all our sins with him and as he rose from the dead a few days later he opened the way for all of us to enter eternal life.

We absolutely cannot witness, in the same way, those events with the same intensity that those who originally followed Jesus did. However, we might began to imagine what it was like for them as we walk the path through Holy Week beginning on Palm Sunday. Then follow Jesus to the upper room and the Garden of Gethsemane on Maundy Thursday ending with the arrest. On Good Friday we can, in two very different ways, walk with Jesus the finals steps to the cross and be witnesses as he is laid in the tomb and the stone is rolled in place.

Following our Lord in this final week will make Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday all the more joyous and special as we greet the Risen Christ at the empty tomb.

Peace, Pastor Tom

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From the Desk of Director of Music JB George…

The Three Days We often talk about Lent as a “journey.” We are reminded of God caring for our forbearers such as the children of Israel in the wilderness. Though they wandered for 40 years because of sin, God still led them through the desert to the promised land. What is the object of our journey? Ultimately, of course, to seek the Kingdom of God and do God’s work in our world for as long as we have breath to do it. We see Jesus doing just that, as he follows the will of the Father to Gethsemane and Calvary. Holy Week and the Three Days of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil are there to help us walk with Jesus and remember, once a year, how we fit in God’s big plan.

[We] sometimes forget that God is at work, putting to death our old selves and raising us up daily to new life in the Risen One. We forget that God’s action in Christ’s death and resurrection marks the center, the root, the anchor, the heart of our life and faith. We forget to touch the font, sign the cross on our foreheads. Instead, we are distracted—by too little sleep, or an energetic toddler, or a recent success, or a medical diagnosis, or a community scandal. We are all over the place and no place at all, uncertain of Jesus’ place. In the face of distraction and dislocation, the Three Days are a yearly gift: They refocus us, re-member us, and re-turn our eyes and ears, our hands and feet, our mouths and minds, toward the mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection. The Three Days reorient us, and the whole church, to our Christian “magnetic north”—the cross and the empty tomb—from which we can set a course.

--from Sundays and Seasons, © 2017 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS003933.

If you have never before experienced the entire sweep of Holy Week by attending each service, please consider it this year. There is a progression there which you only see if you are there for them all. I look forward to walking this path with all of you, as we sing and pray together, and open our hearts to telling once again in word and song, this greatest of all stories, which has changed everything. JB

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LENTEN WORSHIP AT HISTORIC GRACE Continuing through Wednesday, April 5th we will have our Lenten Mid-Week Dinner and Devotions beginning at 6:00 pm and held in the Fellowship Hall. This year’s will be set to Martin Luther’s writings on the catechism and focusing on some of the hymns that he wrote. If you have questions contact JB George or Pastor Christell.

LENT, HOLY WEEK, EASTER SCHEDULE

April 1, 2017 10:00 am FIRST COMMUNION CLASS - Parents Invited

April 2, 2017 2:00 pm Easter Food Basket Packing

April 4, 2017 Deliver/Pick Up Easter Food Baskets

April 5, 2017 MID-WEEK LENTEN SERVICE

6:00 pm Dinner 7:00 pm Devotions

HOLY WEEK

April 8, 2017 PALM SATURDAY:

THE PASSION OF OUR LORD 9:00 am Decorate Sanctuary for Palm Weekend

10:00 am FIRST COMMUNION CLASS/REHEARSAL - Parents Invited

5:00 pm Procession with Palms with Holy Communion and First Communion

April 9, 2017 PALM SUNDAY:

THE PASSION OF OUR LORD 8:00 am Procession with Palms with Holy Communion

and First Communion 9:15 am Sunday Church School Intergenerational Seder Meal

10:30 am Procession with Palms with Holy Communion and First Communion

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April 13, 2017 MAUNDY THURSDAY

12:10 pm Holy Communion and Anointing with Oil 7:00 pm Holy Communion and Anointing with Oil

Stripping of the Altar

April 14, 2017 GOOD FRIDAY

12:10 pm Good Friday Liturgy 7:00 pm Tenebrae - Service of Darkness

Easter Celebrations April 15, 2017

HOLY SATURDAY: THE VIGIL OF EASTER 9:00 am Decorate Sanctuary for Easter Services

Hosted by the Worship & Music Committee 9:00 am Jr. and Sr. Youth Set-up for Easter Breakfast

5:00 pm EASTER VIGIL with Holy Communion and Holy Baptism

April 16, 2017 EASTER SUNDAY: THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD 7:00 am EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE of Holy Communion

Resurrection Choir

8:30-10:00 am Easter Breakfast Come to the early service and eat after worship or come

and eat before the 10:30 service. Hosted by Youth (Proceeds will feed others on Easter)

10:30 am FESTIVE EASTER SERVICE of Holy Communion Chancel Choir

Alleluia!

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Maundy Thursday 12:10 pm Maundy Thursday 7:00 pm

Asst Minister: Chris Venaas Asst Minister: Dustin Janssen

Altar Guild: Holly Hansen Altar Guild: Debbie Rigg

Communion Asst: Kim Gietl, Chris Venaas

Communion Asst: John Rigg, Sara Oehlert

Reader: Chris Schofield Reader: Pat Casper

Greeter/Usher: Ed & Judy Wollet Greeter/Usher: Verne & Carolyn Nelson

Saturday, April 8: Eva Beneke The Springfield Classical Guitar Society presents Eva Beneke on April 8. Eva has won prizes at international guitar festivals in the Netherlands, Italy, and the Unit-ed States. She received her Doctorate with honors

from UCLA, where she studied with Scott Tennant, Pepe Romero, and Bruce Forman. Eva is on the faculty at McNally Smith College of Music in St. Paul, Minnesota. The concert begins at 8:00pm at Grace Lutheran Church. Admission $15 adults, $10 students and seniors; tickets available at the door. Eva will also present a masterclass on Sunday April 9 from 1:00-3:00pm for classical guitar students; please email SCGSguitar@gmail.com or call 217-816-8832 for more information.

Good Friday 12:10 pm Good Friday 7:00 pm

Asst Minister: Chris Venaas Asst Minister: Dustin Janssen

Greeter/Usher: Janet Hutmacher Greeter/Usher: Chuck Weyhenmeyer

Worship Participants Maundy Thursday & Good Friday *Palm Sunday and Easter are included in the insert

RESSURECTION CHOIR FOR SUNRISE SERVICE… if you would like to be a part of the choir for early service Easter morning we will have two practices: Tues April 11 1:45pm (after bells) Thursday April 13 1:15pm (after service)

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SPRING GARDEN OF FLOWERS

Those wishing to make donations to the annual Easter Spring Garden of Flowers are asked to do so by filling out the form below. The completed form and payment may be placed in the offering plate or brought to the church office. Donations may be given in memory or honor of loved ones. A list of donors and those being remembered by the gifts will be included in the Easter bulletins. Gifts of all sizes are welcomed. Those who wish a suggested dollar amount might consider the $10.00-$15.00 range. Thank you I/we would like to help defray the cost of decorating for the Easter Spring Garden. Name:___________________________________________ In Memory/Honor (please be brief) of:_________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ Envelope #:__________ Amount Enclosed:________

Flowers will decorate the sanctuary April 15-16

Please turn in no later than Palm Sunday, April 9 CAN YOU HELP…deliver Easter flowers to our homebound members

on April 23rd? Please volunteer by calling the church.

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SUNDAY CHURCH SCHOOL Regularly scheduled classes are each week at 9:15 am.

We will not meet on Easter Sunday, April 16th Please join us for the Intergenerational Seder Meal

April 9th. Sign up at the white board so we know how much to prepare for.

ALL ARE WELCOME and encouraged!!!

ADULT FORUM

We begin at 9:30 am and end at 10:15 am.

CONFIRMATION CLASSES

Sunday School Confirmation classes continue each week on Sunday at 9:10 am. These classes will focus on the Old Testament. Three of our youth will be confirmed Sunday, June 4 at 9:15am.

BROWN BAG BIBLE STUDY BROWN BAG BIBLE STUDY is held on Thursdays at 12:10 pm. There will not be Bible Study on April 13 & 20. Grab your lunch and a friend and join us. Questions, contact Pastor Tom Christell.

FIRST COMMUNION CLASSES

First Communion classes for young people who do not yet receive the sacrament will be offered the 3 Saturdays before Palm Sunday. Classes will be offered, on Saturday, April 1 & 8, 2017. These classes will be held on those dates from 10:00 – 11:30 am at Historic Grace. Parents are welcome at each class and especially the April 1 session, no fooling. Your child(ren) may be at the age you would want to consider this next step in their faith life. If you wish to discuss this possibility please be in contact with Pastor Christell.

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Grace Nursery

We have a paid staff for the nursery from approximately 7:45am—12:00 noon during services and Sunday school. Any questions

please call the church office.

Youth News 2016

Easter Breakfast is coming up quickly !!! The youth of Historic Grace will host their annual Easter Breakfast for the congregation. Serving will begin at 8:30 am and conclude at 10:00 am, so come to the early service and eat after worship or come and eat before the 10:30 service. The menu has yet to be finalized but you know it is always good. Donations will be received: $6.00 for adults(15 years old and up) $4.00 youth(7-15 years), $2.00 (3-6 years) and under 3 are free. There is a sign-up sheet on the white board in the Fellowship Hall. Please help us get an idea of who will be coming so we can make sure we prepare enough. April 15 at 9:00 am and April 16– Youth prep, cook, serve and clean-up for the Easter Breakfast. Proceeds support the Easter Holiday Baskets.

SUMMER VBS Our Sister congregation will be offering daytime VBS this year- St. John's Lutheran Church. Registration is now open. "Maker Fun Factory: Created by God, Built for a Purpose" will be July 17-20th from 9:00-11:30 am with an evening picnic on Friday, July 21st at Southwind park.

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175th ANNIVERSARY More 175th Celebration and Activities…

175 items for APRIL… to help with the WELCA health care kits, let’s collect 175 toothbrushes and nail clippers.

In celebration of our 175th Anniversary of Historic Grace Lutheran Church, Sharon Miner is very excit-ed to share stories some of us may or may not know. These are great stories!! In March and April, the Lunch Bunch will be treated to a presentation of "Francis and Abraham”, a Friendship of 2 Great Men (Rev. Francis Springer and Abraham Lincoln). This will also include information on Mrs. Lincoln and Mrs. Springer by Sharon Miner (a Grace member). Sharon volunteered for 6 years at the Lincoln Home, Old State Capitol and Vachel Lindsay house. In March she will show the story of how the Springer’s and the Lin-coln’s lives intertwined as neighbors and friends from the beginning in 1847 until both families left Springfield. In April she will describe the personal and professional tragedies from 1847 to the dedication of the now Historic Grace Lutheran Church building including both these important men’s’ deaths. Having been at the Lindsay house when Sharon was "Mrs. Lindsay" (Vachel's mother) I know you are in for a real treat. If you can, please try to attend both lunches but if you can't, don't miss coming to hear her at one of them.

May 14, 2017 (Mother’s Day) – 4:00 pm Bach Cantata that will in-clude our choir, and guest chamber orchestra. Conducted by Matthew Sheppard

September 9, 2017 - 5:00pm Dedication of the Grand Piano

Music by Anne Krentz Organ

www.GraceLutheran-Springfield.com

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Stewardship: Giving our Time, Talent & Treasure

We are charged to be stewards of the Earth by God. As we celebrate Earth Day on April 22, 2017, let us continue to recycle, compost, and use our energy wisely. We should educate ourselves about climate change and how we can protect and defend the environment. We need to protect our seas from overfishing and pollution and protect our endangered animals and plant species from going extinct. We need to care for the earth, so that our children, grandchildren and future generations can enjoy the miracles of nature. Whether it is walking through a forest, walking on a beach, or sitting in your own backyard, nature is all around us. Let us pray for the strength to protect our Earth from harm, so we can marvel at it for years to come. In the Gather Magazine’s April issue there is a great article called “This Earth Day” for more ideas. Google Earth Day for activities that are going on in your communities or toolkits to help do your own project. “Earth Day in the Parks” promotes stewardship of our natural resources for students and teachers through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Randy and I plan to participate in the March for Science on Earth Day. Science teaches us how to protect our air, water and to pre-serve the planet. We would be happy for you to join us on Earth Day to March for Science. The speakers will start at 1:00 pm at the Lincoln Statue at the State Capital and the march will end at the Old State Capital. We hope that everyone will be stewards and advocates for God’s creation in your own way! Happy Earth Day! Randy Heidorn & Jean Scherer

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FUN FELLOWSHIP FACTS April 2017

Sally White lablover383@ameritech.net Debbie Smith smithohana@hotmail.com Judy Wheaton jcwheaton@yahoo.com Pat Janssen patjan1@comcast.net Denise Behl dbehl622@aol.com Sharon Knop sknop@gcctv.com Mary Schofield maryschofield560@comcast.net Kendal Hoselton kshrn2@aol.com

We started the Lenten season Ash Wednesday, March 1, 2017 with lasagna, garlic bread and salad, provided by the Fellowship Committee. We have had a very difficult time finding volunteers to provide soup and sandwiches the last couple of years, so the Fellowship Committee provides two of the six meals, but we really need volunteers for the four remaining dinners. A sign-up sheet is available in the Fellowship Hall, so if you can help us out, we sure would appreciate the assist. The last Wednesday evening dinner will be held April 5, 2017 with the committee providing pulled pork sandwiches, chips, salad and dessert. Thank you to Debbie and Mary for your help during the dinners, and a special thank you to all of the folks who provided soup or sandwiches, or in Rosie’s case – soup and sandwiches. The committee will meet soon to plan additional events for the remainder of 2017. As always, if you have suggestions for fellowship activities, specifically May through August, please contact any of the committee members listed above. Some of the activities discussed include visiting Danenberger or Sheedy Shores wineries (maybe both), show at Muni Opera, dinner out, New Salem’s Theatre in the Park, and Denise Behl has volunteered to chair a Chili Cook-Off to be held sometime in October 2017. I also want to take this opportunity to thank Allison Klint for her work with this committee for at least the past ten years, maybe even longer. We all thank you for your many years of serving our congregation through the Fellowship Committee.

UPCOMING EVENTS April: Lenten Suppers – Ash Wednesday March 1 through Wednesday April 5, 2017 September: Labor Day Picnic, Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017 – Immediately following service at

Schnirring Farm – 12:00 noon October: Chili Cook-Off – Date to be Determined December: Advent Suppers – Wednesday Dec. 6 through Dec. 20,

2017 Caroling – Date to be determined

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COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

Church council met Tuesday March 21, 2017 at 7:00pm. Pastor gave his statistical report and included an interview with Franklin Middle School whom we help with food baskets and who donate a great deal of food to the Food Pantry each year. Updated the council on those needing prayers including Matthew Blade, David Bowles, Mary Plymire and Emma Harshman. First communion classes will be held March 25, April 1, April 8. Mutual Ministry will meet April 6th. A motion was made by Pastor Christell to nominate Susan LeMasters as a voting member for one year to fill a vacancy. Approved unanimously. A new drain and plastic sheeting in the steeple, to help with the leakage over the sanctuary entrance, that was originally given as a bid of over $14,000.00 was reduced to $8554.00 by Henson Robinson and the motion to approve the work to be done to the steeple as well to use bequest funds from Alberta Skinner and Evelyn Parker to finance the project was approved unanimously. Susan LeMasters gave the treasurers report with some changes/motions brought by Admin & Finance. The first is to move monies out of the PRIMERICA account that we have because of steady losses in the past couple years. Motion approved unanimously. Second to use monies in the dedicated Puppet fund in the amount of $4830.22 for the windows in the basement. An amendment was made that $100.00 be left in the account and the understanding that if the ministry was started again the monies could be returned. Motion approved unanimously Various committees met and written reports were given. Evangelism committee is beginning a Grief support group led by Karen Fifer and Sara Oehlert and will look into the year and begin planning for a Stephen Ministry. Long Range planning continues to work on yearly goals for committees and the basement windows should arrive by April 26th. We adjourned with the Lord’s Prayer.

FINANCIAL/ATTENDANCE REPORT

Month February 2017 Month February 2016

Budget Income $34,085 Budget Income $35,337

Budget Expense $34,085 Budget Expense $35,042

Actual Income *$33,235 Actual Income $33,473

Actual Expense $29,770 Actual Expense $27,319

Continues on Page 14

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Continued from Page 13

YTD Income $56,003 YTD Expense $57,548 (Deficit $1,545)

* Includes offerings plus parking lot income, distributions from Trusts, etc.

Attendance records (based on weekend attendance) Attendance for February 2017 Attendance for February 2016 551 (4 weeks) 535 (4 weeks)

2017 AVG. YTD: 137 2016 AVG. YTD: 134

Average attendance, year to date: this is the total number of worshippers divided by the number of weekends in the year to date.

(i.e. Total attendance 800 divided by 6 weekends=133 members in average attendance).

PRAYERS OF GRACE MINISTRY

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”

Ephesians 6:18 (NLT)

There are a couple of ways to request prayers from the Prayer Chain or if you would like to join the Prayer Chain list.

1. Call the church office (522-3965)

2. Email Chris Venaas (cvksos4363@gmail.com), Sara Oehlert (soehlert@aol.com), or Pastor Christell (prchristell@aol.com)

PRAYERS NEEDED…

for Erica Trinh, the young mother fighting brain cancer. Please keep her, her husband Ben, and daughter Sarah, as well as Mike and Elaine Giovanna and family and friends in your prayers.

For Matthew Blade, 15 year old son of Doug and Trish Blade, grandson of Gene and Marilyn Blade and Don and Donna Thannen. Matthew has Osteosarcoma in his shoulder and will be getting chemo therapy and eventually surgery. We keep all families in our prayers.

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FOOD PANTRY REPORT

Helen Appleton

As Christ fed the multitudes, the mission of the Historical Grace Lutheran Church Food Pantry is to feed the hungry.

In February of 2017, we served 386 families composed of 729 individuals compared to 340 families composed of 720 individuals in 2016. Our starting balance was $29,877. There were $9,534 in deposits and $5,366 in expenditures for an ending balance of $34,045. We are continually looking for ways to cut costs and have added Ruler Foods to Aldi’s and Shop N Save as another primary shopping partner for items that we cannot get at the Food Bank. Peace Lutheran and St. John’s Lutheran have both been exceptionally generous this year. We have received over $3,800 from Peace and over $3,900 from St. John’s. We also received a grant of $500 from the ELCA during February. We will be having another fundraiser with Chili’s Restaurant in May. Watch for further information and coupons next month.

The annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon will be Wednesday, April 26, at 1:00 p.m. in the church basement. We work hard to keep our mailing list up to date. If you are a volunteer and do not get an invitation by mid-April, please call the church office. A meeting of the Food Board will follow the luncheon and all volunteers are invited to stay for the meeting

as well.

Servant Opportunities

Serve on altar guild at the 8:00 am service

Provide transportation for senior members

Provide Soup/Sandwiches for Lenten Suppers

Sell cookbooks

Promote Butter Braid fundraiser

Help Decorate for Palm Sunday or Easter

Deliver Easter plants to homebound members

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ALL WOMEN of Grace are welcome at the Women’s Circle meetings and other WELCA events.

Please note the following schedule for what is happening in April Faith/Grace Circle – April 5th 12:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Contact person is Charlotte Blumle 546-5573. Sew’n Sowers – April 8th from 9:00 am to noon in the basement – Contact person is Charlotte Blumle 546-5573. Ruth Circle – Ruth Circle will meet on April 25th at 7:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Contact person is Sara Oehlert 801-5789. WELCA is collecting the following items for Personal Care Kits to be distributed through Project Promise to needy people around the globe: Bath Towels, between 20"x 40" and 52" x 27", dark color

recommended Two or three bath-size bars of soap equaling 8 to 9 oz, any brand, in

original wrapping One adult size toothbrush in it's original packaging One sturdy comb, remove packaging One metal nail clippers (attached file optional), remove packaging Note: Toothbrush multi-packs are acceptable, and will be repackaged

by WELCA You may leave your donations in the designated basket at the rear of the Sanctuary, or in the designated basket in the cabinet above the coat rack in the Fellowship Hall. Thank you to everyone for your support.

TWISTED STITCHERS

Not just for knitters, bring your hand work and come join us. April 4,2017

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Cookbook Update 7-UP CAKE...whenever we needed desserts for some function at Grace we always asked Jean Merano to bake her famous 7Up Cake. Jean died last year and we got her cake recipe from her son and daughter-in-law, John and Mary Ann. Clip it out and put it in the envelope in the back of our new cookbook.

Combine and put into a 9x13 pan: 1 pkg. White Cake Mix 3/4 C. Oil 3 eggs 10 oz. 7-UP 1 small pkg. instant lemon pudding Bake at 350 for 35 min, and make icing while the cake bakes.

Icing: 1/2 box powdered sugar 2 oz. 7-Up A Few drops of lemon juice Punch holes in top of cake and pour icing over cake while it is still hot. Cool to serve.

A Butter Braid…order form is posted in the Fellowship Hall. Orders will be available for pickup the weekend of April 8-9. Please tell family and friends about this WELCA fundraiser, which supports local social service agencies. If you can help call former customers to learn if they want to order again, it would be helpful. We also need help with some of the paperwork which is involved with this fundraiser. Refer questions to Charlotte, 546-5573.

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HELP MAKE SOME FAMILIES

EASTER SPECIAL!

Again this year we will be providing Easter Baskets to families from McClernand Elementary, Black Hawk Elementary and Franklin Middle schools. Each basket costs $45-50 to fill and includes: ham, soup, vegetables, fruit, cereal, macaroni and cheese, canned meat, cake mix and frosting, cereal, milk, juice, bread, eggs, pasta and spaghetti sauce, dressing, treats for the children, and other things that become available to us. If you would like to sponsor a basket or half a basket to honor someone or remember someone who is no longer on their earthly journey, please fill out the form below, tear or cut it out and bring or mail it to Historic Grace. We will print your name and the name(s) of those you honor in the May Grace Notes. Thank you for helping with this special ministry. Your gift will also be recorded on your giving statement.

Easter Basket Honorary or Memorial Your Name ___________________________ Phone _____________ Person(s) Name(s) to honor or remember _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ Amount of gift __________________________________

Easter Food Baskets To include more members and families of Grace in the packing and preparing Holiday Easter Baskets that will go to families who have students at McClernand Elementary, Black Hawk Elementary and Franklin Middle schools, we will gather to prepare and pack the baskets on Sunday, April 2, 2017 at 2:00 pm at Grace. They will be delivered or picked up at Grace on Tuesday, April 4, 2017. Come join the ministry that feeds the hungry of our larger community.

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YOUR HEALTH NEWS

Parish Nurse...Diana Weyhenmeyer

Honor Flight

I looked back on the article I wrote in 2013 on the Honor Flight and decided to “add to it and update it.” So here goes: Four years ago I was blessed with the honor of accompanying my 97 year old father to Washington, D.C. on the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight. 80 World War II veterans and Korean Veterans along with their guardians went on the flight. I had never been to Washington before and my Dad set next to a World War II veteran who had never been on a plane before! My dad is a man of few words and I never heard him speak so much as he did that day. I had been trying to get him to go for 2 years when he decided to finally go. A coffee table buddy convinced him to go. It was a fantastic day! We saw the World War II Memorial, Washington Memorial, Korean and Lincoln Memorial, Iwo Jima Memorial, Changing of the Guard at Arlington and lowering of the flag and drove through Arlington Cemetery. The cemetery is very large and they currently bury 30 veterans a day. People had said it is emotional coming home, but you don’t realize what that means until you personally experience it. I thought when we arrived home at 10pm, there would be a few people at the airport, had no idea the entire airport would be filled with people from one end to the other! They were clapping and saying Thank You to my dad. He said that experience touched him the most of the entire day. I’m crying and pushing his wheel chair while he is smiling and taking it all in. He said when he came home from the war, no one met him at the bus; he got off the bus and walked home. He said he scared his mother because she wasn’t expecting him. He gave five of the “best years of his life” as he says to serve our country. Freedom isn’t free and has many costs associated with it. After learning about the veterans and listening to their stories, I was amazed at what they had been through. I met a lady WAVE that was from Peoria and was legally blind from macular degeneration. She cuts her lawn and serves meals to the homeless weekly. Her advice to me was, “Don’t let people tell you you can’t do something because you can do anything you put your mind to doing.” Continued on page 20

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PEACE LUTHERAN...our sister congregation is having a Flapjack Fundraiser to raise money for scholarships for St. John’s Preschool. April 8, 2017 at Applebee’s on 3335 Veteran’s Parkway, Springfield from 8:00-10:00am. Tick-ets are only $5.00 and you get pancakes, bacon and a beverage. You can give cash or checks can be made out to Peace Lutheran. It’s a great time to support them!

Honor Flight continued...

She was 82 and a charter woman of the Women’s Memorial in Arlington we drove by. The next day my father and I read every card, and letter in his mail bag. We enjoyed every one of them. He said, “I’ll pull these out when I am feeling low to look over and remember.” The point of my article is take the opportunity to get involved with our Veterans on the Honor Flight if you can. If you don’t want to be a guardian, come out for the homecoming. It is well worth your time to attend the event. This was one of the absolute highlights in my life and still is four years later. My father’s funeral was last week and we had donations going to the Honor Flight. We are able to sponsor two veterans with the donations in his honor. I think he would have been surprised and pleased. Memories help ease the pain and this is one I will never forget.

In Christ’s Love, Diana

REMEMBER TO HAVE YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKED

THE THIRD WEEKEND OF EACH MONTH!

PROJECT 501: CATHOLIC LUTHERAN DIALOGUE Thank you to many of you who joined us last week at Historic Grace Lutheran Church for an excellent evening of good conversation and planning. The "Prayers for the Way" prayer service and meeting is now confirmed to be at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 245 N Amos Ave, Springfield, IL 62702, on Palm/Passion Sunday (April 9), from 2:00-3:30 pm. Please plan on coming and help spread the word via forwarding, Facebook, and word-of-mouth! JB George, for the Project 501 Steering Committee

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Thank You’s

I want to thank Mike and Susan Shaw for the beautiful bouquet that you had placed on the altar in memory of family and friends. Also a BIG thank you to Josie Anderson and grand daughter Annabelle

Clemons for delivering them. I love flowers and can hardly wait to get out in my tiny flower garden. I even like getting my hands soiled with "real dirt". Betty Fowler

Sony, Georgia, Chris, Jan and Jerry want the family of Grace Lutheran to know how much the beautiful flowers are appreciated and also the personal visit from Pastor Tom. God bless yours, the Hutmacher family

Grace Lutheran Church, Just wanted to thank you for allowing our 55 students and leaders to stay at your church on March 3rd & 4th! What a blessing it is for us to be able to stay so close to the conference center! Your hospitality is much appreciated! Thanks for everything and we pray you have an amazing week! Calvary Youth

Thank you for your gift to the American Red Cross. Every day in the face of life’s crises, your generosity provides compassionate assis-tance for people where it is needed most. W. Bryan Soady, Exec. Director

Dear Grace Family, thank you so much for all you did to help us make Richard’s Window blood drive and silent auction such a suc-cess. In large part, thanks to you, we raised over $2000.00 for the Children’s Oncology Group. We were hoping to raise a couple hun-dred. We never dreamed of raising a couple thousand! Whether you gave of your time, talent or treasure, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. All blessings, John and Deej Dambrauskas

To Janet Hutmacher for laundering the choir robes.

CARL & DOROTHY BAHRE

ETHEL BUTCHEK

BETTY FOWLER GLORIA GAGNON HELEN MELNYK

HELEN MOORE ELEANOR SAKRIS

MEMBERS HOMEBOUND

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April Birthdays

HAPPY BIRTHDAY and MAY GOD SHOWER HIS

BLESSINGS ON YOU!

April 2 Carl Bahre

Alaina Ervin

Ian McCormick

Sarah Trinh

April 3 Katy Gietl

Kate Schlouch

Chris Venaas

April 4 Lindsey Clemons

April 5 Kristin Fyans

April 6 Peg Courtwright

Amy Monahan

April 7 Nathan Shomidie

Ben Trinh

April 8 Holly Hansen

April 10 Marilyn Blade

April 12 Lani McClaughlin

Lynn Wilson

April 14 Erin VonHolten

April 15 Donna Thannen

April 18 John Langfelder

April 20 Kaleb Thompson

April 21 Bill Hansen

April 22 Verne Nelson

April 23 Jon Jackson

Julian Janssen

April 24 Carolyn Benanti

Colby Letz

April 25 Shane Shomidie

April 26 Tom Myers

Liz Rehwald

Karen Williams

April 27 Marley Loyd

April 28 Kevin Harrison

April 29 Katie Stults

April 30 Cathy McGuire

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I N OT H E R N E WS …

CHURCH DIRECTORY MAKE-UP DAY… if you missed our dates in February please come on April 24, from 1:00-8:00pm. We are producing a NEW pictorial directory for our church and want you to be a part of it. There is no cost to

you or the church to have your photographs taken, and you will receive a complimentary 8x10 color portrait and directory for participating. You will be able to view your images electronically immediately after you are photographed. At that time, you will have the opportunity to purchase additional portraits to share with family and friends. Sign up now by calling Kim in the church office or online at https://booknow-lifetouch.appointment-plus.com/9ek42cqx/

DO YOU HAVE PHOTOS??...from various Grace activities. If digital, send them to k.gietl15@yahoo.com. If not bring them to church and give to the office or Denise Behl. Thank you for your help in making our directory great!

God's accuracy may be observed in the hatching of eggs. . . .

-those of the canary in 14 days;

-those of the barnyard hen in 21 days;

-eggs of ducks and geese in 28 days;

-those of the mallard in 35 days;

-The eggs of the parrot and the ostrich hatch in 42 days. (Notice, they are all divisible by seven, the number of days in a week!)

SEW’N SOWERS STUFFED ANIMAL PROJECT... We make stuffed animals and donate them to various places in town. We meet the second Saturday of every month from 9:00 am–12 noon. Fabric which the Sew’n sowers use to make stuffed animals may be placed in the cabinets over the coat rack in the Fellowship Hall. Questions may be referred to Charlotte, 546-5573. Donated money is used to purchase supplies and all excess donations are given to the Grace Food Pantry.

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Lunch Bunch for April Cost is $4.00 children 6-12 are $3.00 and children under 6 are free.

We will meet Sunday, April 23rd, immediately following the 10:30 worship service. Cost is $4.00. Your friends and relatives are always welcome to join us. Please sign up on the reservation sheet in the Fellowship Hall by Sunday, April 16th. In April, the Lunch Bunch will be treated to a presentation of "Francis and Abraham, a Friendship of 2 Great Men” (Rev. Francis Springer and Abraham Lincoln). This will also include information on Mrs. Lincoln and Mrs. Springer by Sharon Miner (a Grace member). Sharon volunteered for 6 years at the Lincoln Home, Old State Capitol and Vachel Lindsay house.

I N OT H E R N E WS …

CPR CLASS RESCHEDULED… in an effort to help gain knowledge in emergency situations, Grace will hold 2 CPR/First Aid classes on Thursday evenings . We will have a three hour, one time certification class, on Thursday, April 27 or May 4 beginning promptly at 6:00pm. You can choose either of the classes that fit into your schedule. We MUST have 8 persons minimum per class. So sign up in the Fellowship Hall today. Anyone who works with children, the elderly, helps out on Sunday morning as an usher, greeter or participant in worship, teachers, volunteers and church staff are strongly encouraged to take this possibly life-saving class. Classes are normally $35.00 each but the church will be covering the cost for this important event. Take the time to get informed and certified.

Helping Hands Shelter is looking for volunteers to assist with day-to-day activities and other items as needed. For more information call Bill Moran at

217-899-9994 or at bugsym55@yahoo.com

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I N OT H E R N E WS …

The property committee will have a "Church Clean-Up Day" on May 6th 2017 (a Saturday). There are many tasks to do, but nothing strenuous or hard. Last year we had a great turnout and we hope this year will be no different. We would appreciate all the volunteers we can get as many hands make short work. The hours are from 8:00am to 12:00pm. Any time you can donate in this time period would be appreciated.

There will be a sign-up sheet posted in the fellowship hall this month. Please indicate the times you can be there.

Thank you for your help in this endeavor. Please call Art Carlson (546-1846) if you have any questions concerning this.

Library…. We have a multitude of books that could be used as study materials for your individual Lenten journey. Please help yourselves. As always—this library is for your honor system. Karen Duckworth

One day and elephant saw a hummingbird lying on its back with its tiny feet in the air. “What are you doing?” asked the elephant. The hummingbird replied, “I heard that the sky might fall today, and so I am ready to help

hold it up, should it fall.” The elephant laughed cruelly. “Do you really think,” he said, “that those tiny feet could help hold up the sky?” The hummingbird kept his feet up in the air, intent on his purpose, as he replied, “Not alone. But each must do

what he can. And this is what I can do.” --Chinese parable

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ADDRESS CHANGES...Please fill out the blue attendance card or the form below to change your address and return the forms to the church office.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS NOTIFICATION:

Name__________________________________________________________

Address________________________________________________________

City____________________________State________________Zip_________

Phone _________________E-Mail____________________________________

CERTIFICATES OF INSURANCE...The insurance company that covers Historic Grace has asked to request Certificates of Insur-ance from all staff and members who use their personal vehicles for church business. When using your vehicle for church business, your private insurance is the primary coverage for any, God for-bid, accidents. Those volunteers who should provide this certifi-cate would include: persons who pick up food for the food pantry, either from the Food Bank or from other stores, persons who might transport youth or adults for church activities, person deliv-ering flowers after worship, lay communion ministers, etc. $250...may be available for a project you are working on this year e.g. Animal Protective League, scouts, school supplies, Grace Food Pantry, etc. If Thrivent approves your application for funds, you will receive a credit card for $250 to purchase advertising, sup-plies, etc. For further information contact Charlotte Blumle, 546-5573 or Karen Fifer, 523-3302.

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COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THE COMMITTEES THEY REPRESENT

Administration/Finance Tom Appleton, Ben Schlouch, Susan LeMasters - treasurer

Christian Education Chris Venaas

Community Ministry Carolyn Nelson

Evangelism Claudia Cross, Jim Hobbs

Fellowship Mary Schofield

Long Range Planning Phil Galloway, Ed Wollet

Mutual Ministry Ed Wollet

Parish Life Mark Anderson

Property Joe Gietl

Stewardship Jim Turner

Worship & Music Wanda Williams, Chris Venaas

Youth Dustin Janssen

REMINDER: Committee chairs and/or secretaries please stop at the work room every week so that you can sign off on transactions vouchers.

Thank you for giving your time.

WORSHIP SCHEDULE

September-May

Saturday 5:00 pm / Sunday 8:00 am and 10:30 am

June-August

Saturday 5:00 pm / Sunday 9:15 am

Our church is ACCESSIBLE for wheelchairs

and a Listening Device system is available.

A nursery area is available at all worship services.

Please call the church office for any information.

Mon-Fri 9:00-5:00...522-3965 (voice mail available); Fax...522-5841

The Food Pantry operating schedule is:

Mon, Tues, Thu 11:00-2:30, Wed 11:00-1:00…522-9707

E-mail addresses

prchristell@aol.com-Pastor

cmjbgeorge@gmail.com–Director of Music

k.gietl15@yahoo.com-Church Secretary

rpgios@comcast.net-Custodian

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ORGANIZATION NON-PROFIT HISTORIC GRACE EVANGELICAL U.S. POSTAGE PAID LUTHERAN CHURCH SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS 714 EAST CAPITOL AVE. PERMIT NO. 668 SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS 62701

DATED MATERIAL – USELESS IF DELAYED

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

www.facebook.com/GraceLutheranChurchIL

_______________________________________________________________________

PASTOR The Rev. Thomas B. Christell, Jr. CHURCH SECRETARY Kim Gietl PARISH NURSE Diana Weyhenmeyer

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC J.B. George CHURCH CUSTODIAN John Dambrauskas

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

I Corinthians 12:27