GraceNotes A Monthly Publication of the Congregational Activities of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Newton, NC

Volume 221, Number 12 __ ___ _ _ _______DECEMBER 2018

Christmas Program, Meal,

and Baby Jesus Birthday Party

Sunday, December 16 at 4:00 PM

Caroling Grace Luther League and Adults

Sunday, December 23 at 3:00 PM

Christmas Eve Worship

Candlelight & Communion Worship

Monday, December 24 at 4:00 PM

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From the Pastor’s Pen….. .

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ at Grace Church, As I mentioned last week in the message on Christ the King Sunday, it does not seem possible that we are already entering the Advent season, much less the month of December. And where did 2018 go? It’s as if we lost time somewhere along the way. In visiting with seniors, they will always tell me that the older you get, the faster time flies. I can say that I am now a believer! Likewise, the Christmas message is often lost in the secular world of consumerism, commercialism and materialism. I am amazed how early the merchants begin to pull out all of the Christmas items and decorations. When I was growing up, the world made sure we got past Thanksgiving before any of the Christmas decorations went up. Advent, one of the most important seasons of the church year, is getting lost in our rushed observance of Christmas. We must remember that the real meaning of Christmas is simple, yet profound. The Gospel story in Luke tells us about the Christmas message. First, the Christmas message is a message of ‘fear not.’ This message came to Mary when she was told, ‘Fear not, for you have found favor with God.’ It was the same message to Joseph in a dream in Matthew 1:20, ‘Fear not to take Mary as thy wife.’ Secondly, the message of Christmas is a message of great joy to all people. That night in Bethlehem when Jesus was born, the angel announced good news of great joy to all people. It was a message of the Savior’s birth — a Savior available to all, one through whom all people, no matter who you are, can be saved if you receive and believe in him. Thirdly, the message of Christmas is a message of peace and good will. Finally, the message of Christmas is a message that we must share. After the shepherds saw the babe lying in a manager, they ‘made known abroad the saying which was told to them concerning this child.’ All who have Jesus as Savior must share this message with everyone they meet. When you do that, the church cannot help but grow. There are people in this community – maybe a next door neighbor, and friend, a co-worker, a relative - who is seeking something, but they don’t know what it is. It is Jesus. Give them that gift this year and tell them the story. Invite them to worship on Christmas Eve. Make it a great Christmas for them and for you! Christmas Blessings! Pastor Gil Gilbert

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WORSHIP ASSISTANTS FOR DECEMBER Communion Assistants - Todd Childers, Shannon Rodgers Ushers - James Hall, Michael Hall, Tim Leatherman, Johnny Moss Greeter - Steve Suther Lector - Tim Eckard Altar Preparation - Pastor Gil & Karen Gilbert Children's Church and Nursery - Helen Leatherman, Kim Parker Offering Tabulators - Mike Pisko, Herb Travis

Please be mindful of your commitment to serve. If you are unable to fulfill that commitment, be reminded that it is your responsibility to find someone to serve in your place. FLOWER CHART FOR DECEMBER

12/02 - Belinda Wilfong 12/09 - Violet Hatchett 12/16 - Marjorie McDaniel 12/23 - Joy Heavner 12/30 - Nicole Jarrett

If you wish to give the flowers for a given Sunday, please list your name on the chart in the narthex. You are responsible for ordering the flowers from a florist of your choice; we do not have a standing order with any florist. The liturgical

color of the day is listed to assist you in selecting flowers appropriate for that Sunday. You should contact the Church Office so that the correct information is placed in the bulleting for that Sunday. Please notify the Church Office the Thursday prior to your selected Sunday. You can call the Church Office between 9 AM and Noon each weekday, leave a note on the desk, or send an email to let us know the occasion or memoriam for this wonderful gift of beatification of the worship.

ATTENDANCE AND GIVING TO OUR LORD’S WORK FOR OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

10/28/18 11/04/18 11/11/18 11/18/18 11/25/18

Learning Hour 30 31 34 32 25

Worship 72 79 71 74 67

General Fund Offerings 1,959.00 5,652.00 1,716.00 1,199.64 2,013.00

General Fund Offerings, October 2018 = $ 15,864.08 General Fund Expenses, October 2018 = $ 14,936.86

Difference = + 927.22 $ (offerings exceeded expenses)

Needed Each Week = $3,340.73

THE FRED T. FOARD SENIORS will meet at Noon on Wednesday, December 5, at Sardis Lutheran Church. Everyone is invited to these gatherings. (LH)

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THE MEN OF GRACE will meet on Saturday, December 8, at 9:00 AM at Four Peas in a Pod Restaurant on Hwy. 70 in Conover (in the shopping strip beside Walgreen’s and Cook Out). Bring a friend! (PG) THE SECOND SUNDAY LUNCH will be served on December 9, following worship. The meal will be prepared by Grace Luther League. The lunch will be Tacos, nachos, burritos. The Youth will deliver meals to the homebound. THE GRACE SENIOR LUNCH will be held on Wednesday, December 19, in Fellowship Hall. We will begin with a lunch of subs, chips, drinks and Christmas cookies at 12:00 PM. Bring a wrapped $5.00 gift for silly Santa game. We will also spend time singing Christmas carols. Everyone is welcome to come join us for fellowship, food, and fun! CHRISTMAS IS AROUND THE CORNER and Toys for Tots have placed Collection Boxes at Grace again this year. One is in the Narthex and one is downstairs. The deadline for this collection will be Sunday, December 9. Please be so kind to fill these boxes with NEW and UNWRAPPED gifts for children of all ages in Catawba County. Over 4500 families received gifts in 2017 thanks to many of you. The children will thank you and so will the USMC. If you wish to make a financial contribution you can donate online at www.toysfortots.org. Over 97% of your donations goes to their mission of providing toys, books, and other gifts to less fortunate children. Less than 3% is spent on fundraising and overhead. YOUR HELP IS NEEDED IN FILLING TREAT BAGS to be given out to Nursing Home residents as we go caroling on December 23. Items needed are small packs of tissues, small hand sanitizer (unscented), combs, small unscented hand lotion, tooth paste & tooth brush, note pads, etc. No candy, nuts, or food items. Please have your items at the Church by Sunday, December 16. Our goal is to hand out 200 bags. Grace Church is providing a pair of white socks to go in each bag. IMPORTANT NUMBER FOR PHONE TREE MESSAGES: Please put this number in a safe place - 877-698-3261. If you ever get a phone tree message and miss part of it or want to hear it again, simply call the above number from the same phone your message came in on. One Call Now will recognize the number as one from Grace and will ask if you want to hear the latest message sent from Grace. By following the prompts you will be able to hear the message. This is a great solution to missed or partial messages received.

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BLESSINGS ABOUND! Your willingness to share and spread the Gospel produced 102 Shoeboxes filled with surprises and love for many children across the world. THANK YOU! Operation Christmas Child, Samaritan's Purse, and Franklin Graham appreciate your generosity. THE 2019 OFFERING ENVELOPES will be available Sunday, December 9. Please pick up your envelopes from the back pew and if you can help to deliver any others that would be very helpful. If there are no envelopes with your name on, and you desire a set, please contact the Church Office. Please note that some numbers have changed from last year. We also have special children's envelopes to help you begin to teach your unconfirmed child/grandchild good stewardship in the church. If you desire a set of these, please contact the Church Office. YEAR END REPORTS will be due January 20, 2019. If you were in charge of a Ministry Team, event, Board Officer, or other functions of Grace Church, please submit a report of the 2018 activities to the Church Office so they can be included in the Annual Report. That report will be distributed early in February. THANK YOU to Jimmy and Geraldine Jarrett for new candles for the Advent wreath. This gift to Grace is in memory of Mom and Poppy Jarrett and Bertha Setzer. CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY, love and prayers are extended by the People of God at Grace to Juanita Haas whose brother, Ned Wood, entered the Church Triumphant on Thursday, November 1. May God comfort all who mourn.

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY, love and prayers are extended by the People of God at Grace to the family and loved ones of Floyd Leatherman who entered the Church Triumphant on Thursday, November 22. May God comfort all who mourn. THE CONGREGATION MEETING held Sunday, November 4, resulted in the approval of the 2019 Spending Plan totaling $174,879 and election of Todd Childers, Michael Hall, and Shannon Rodgers to the Leadership Ministry Board. THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY POSITION has been filled. Todd Childers has offered to take on this ministry position. Thank you, Mike, for serving these past few years and thank you, Todd, for stepping forward. Thanks be to God.

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ORDERS FOR MEMORIAL GARDEN BRICKS are being taken. The bricks are 12"x12". Forms are in the Narthex and on the table in the Choir Robe room. If you wish to order a brick, please complete one form for each brick desired. Attach a check for $100.00 per brick to the order form(s) and place them in the offering plate. The check should be made payable to "Grace Lutheran Church" and "Memorial Garden Brick" should be placed on the memo line of the check. The order will be placed after we have at least 5 bricks so that we can obtain free shipping on the order. THANK YOU to those that contributed to the NALC Disaster Response needs. Kathy took 9 Health Kits and 2 cases of water to the warehouse in Statesville. Several gift cards were forwarded to Mary Bates in Ohio. The need for supplies is still there so you may continue to bring any of the completed kits at any time. FROM PR. ERNIE SHELDON, NALC DISASTER RESPONSE TASK FORCE CHAIR: During Hurricane season, the disaster response warehouse at St. John’s Statesville was emptied three times sending relief supplies to New Bern, NC, Wilmington NC, and Panama City, Fl. We are now in the process of preparing for the next catastrophe. The goal is to have 250 layettes, 500 school kits, 1000 quilts, 1000 flood buckets with Bibles and 1000 health kits at both the St. John’s Statesville warehouse and the Advent King’s Mountain warehouse The King’s Mountain location is now ready to receive supplies. This is a massive effort that receives help from NALC churches from around the country. St. John’s currently have about an eighth of our goal on hand. We know there will be more storms next fall and flooding in the spring. Our goal is to be prepared when called upon.

ARE YOU INVITING OTHERS TO GRACE? DO YOU REGULARLY WITNESS?

If you're excited about a story, you are desperate to share it.

If you've experienced that story personally, you can't help yourself but share it.

Might this be our problem in evangelism and growing His Church?

Either we don't know the story of Jesus well enough to get excited about it? In which case we need to attend Bible study and Learning Hour classes.

Or we haven't experienced Jesus deeply enough to be an uncontained explosion of good news?

(Contributed by Rev. Dr. Leonard Sweet, Church Consultant and former Dean of the Drew University School of Theology)

How did Mary and Joseph know that Jesus weighed 9.4 pounds?

Because they had a weigh in the manger.

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STEPHEN MINISTRY NEEDS YOU! A special campaign to recruit Stephen Ministers to this very successful ministry at Grace is underway. We are announcing the start of another training class for all who desire to become a Stephen Minister. The class will teach how to listen effectively, dealing with persons in crisis, as well as ministering to the sick and hospitalized – plus much more. A Stephen Minister is a valuable part of the ministry here at Grace. It is also a blessing to have Stephen Ministers who are called and trained to be involved in this one-to-one caring lay ministry. The Stephen Ministers at Grace include Shelia Drum, Michael Pisko, and Herb and Libby Travis. They are trained in listening and communication skills, confidentiality, and one-to-one caring ministry. You will hear more about the Stephen Ministry from them during the season of Advent as they will present Temple Talks about their life as a Stephen Minister. NEW HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH in Irmo, SC has called Pr. James Houck to serve them. His service of installation will be on the First Sunday of Advent, December 2, at 4:30 p.m., with a meal to follow. THE SERVICE OF INSTALLATION for Pr. Alan Daugherty at Reformation Lutheran Church in New Bern, NC, will be on Sunday, December 16, at 6:30 PM preceded by a meal at 5:00. THERE IS OPPORTUNITY FOR SUMMER MISSION WORK, coordinated by Mary Bates, in Wilmington and during the month of July. If you and/or your youth are interested in pursuing this effort please let the Church Office know so we can let the coordinator know how many would be interested.

SPECIAL THANKS TO BETTY WILFONG! Thank you, Betty, for your cooking talents for our Grace Senior's Luncheon on November 28! Betty also cooked breakfast for our Hanging of the Greens on December 1 and it was delicious! It enabled all of the workers to decorate the sanctuary with full stomachs and lots of energy. And Betty did all this while fighting kidney stones and facing upcoming surgery in January. Betty, you are in our prayers and thank you so much for cooking and offering these great meals for us! THE CHRISTMAS PROGRAM will be held Sunday, December 16, at 4:00 PM. The play is titled, "Let's Keep God's Love in Christmas". The event will also include a meal of soup and sandwiches and the Baby Jesus Birthday party. We look forward to seeing all of you there.

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GRACE LUTHER LEAGUE TO GO CAROLING The Grace Luther League (not to be confused with the larger Catawba Valley Luther League) will go caroling on Sunday, December 23, at 3:00 pm. We will meet at the church and take the bus to Trinity Ridge and Lutheran Homes to fill the halls with Christmas Carols and hand out brand new white socks to all the residents. It will be a joyful time of singing and gifting to our seniors. Some of these residents never get a visit from family or friends, so this is our opportunity to be God's hands and voices at Trinity Ridge and Lutheran Home. The Luther League also encourages all adults who would like to go along with us to sing and spread His Christmas Love. Come and Share the Spirit!

NOTE THE CHANGE IN CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP

Please note the change in the worship on Christmas Eve to 4:00 pm. This is done for several reasons, the most important being for our older disciples who do not drive at night. They have voiced their desire to come to worship on Christmas Eve but due to the past years would not make the drive. Some who live close to the church, it is no problem. But for this year, the Board has made the change for an earlier time. If it proves that the worship attendance is good this year, we will consider adding another later worship service in 2019. We give thanks to Barbara Hamrick who will be our guest organist for this Christmas Eve Worship. Several soloists will also be with us to enhance our worship.

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM IN WYTHEVILLE, VIRGINIA WAS A HIT! 26 seniors went to the Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theater in Wytheville, Virginia to attend the special Christmas Program and have a delicious luncheon. It was truly a magnificent program and the fellowship and food were spectacular! The meal began with a tomato bisque and wonderful salad, followed by the main course of turkey with dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, and a dessert of strawberry cheesecake, with coffee, tea, and water. The program consisted of a cast of 14 who sang Christmas classics based on the movies over the past years. The finale was a 45 minute production of religious Christmas carols and hymns complete with a setting of the manger scene, shepherds, the three kings, Mary and Joseph and the Babe in the manger all in costume. And to top it all off, there was a light snow falling as we left the theater!! Many attendees say this is truly the way to really begin the Christmas season!! If you have never been to the Dinner Theater in Wytheville, you need to make plans to go. There are productions all year round. Pastor Gil and others from Grace plan to go to several of the productions through 2019.

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CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP SURVEY Christmas Eve is less than a month away. Most churches have some type of Christmas Eve worship, but we are seeing clear trends in how churches approach them. In that context, here is an update on nine clear trends we are seeing: 1. It is growing in importance. Non-Christians are more likely to come to worship services on Christmas Eve than any other day of the year, including Easter. Your best church leaders get it. They are putting more prayer, preparation, and strategic thinking into the services. 2. There are popular times for the service. Whether a church has one or multiple Christmas Eve services, these times are more popular than others: late afternoon (typically for families with young children and for older adults); and late evening, formally called Midnight Mass (for empty nesters and families with teenage or grown children). 3. The services are traditional. They include traditional hymns and carols. They may include some time for the lighting of the final advent candle. 4. The services are brief. The typical length is 45 to 55 minutes. 5. The pastor’s message is brief. The typical length is 10 to 15 minutes. 6. Most churches include candlelight services. They are now expected by Christians and non-Christians alike. 7. More unchurched are attending these services. As noted in the first item, one of the reasons for the growing importance of Christmas Eve services is the increasing number of non-Christians who attend. Anecdotally, they seem to be more receptive each year. 8. Churches are building in processes for follow-up. That means they have processes in place to get contact information, and processes to provide some type of non-aggressive follow-up such as a text message, an email or, most effectively, a handwritten letter. 9. All ministry staff are expected to attend. Because this day is the single most important day to reach unbelievers, more churches require an “all-hands-on-deck” presence. Some of these trends have been around a while. Some are growing in importance.

(As reported by the Thom Rainer Church Consultants Group, 2018)

THE MEMBERS OF THE GRACE LEADERSHIP MINISTRY BOARD will be installed during the Sunday worship on December 30. The newly elected Board members are Todd Childers, Michael Hall and Shannon Rodgers. They will be joined by Alan Shull, Rick Bivens, Johnny Moss, Herb Travis, Joe Momier, Gary Leatherman and Pastor Gilbert. Exiting the Board are James Hall, Martha Johnson, and Steve Suther. We give thanks to God for their service and commitment to the Leadership Board in 2018. Your support for this new Board will be your witness to God's love and what He continues to do at Grace in the coming year.

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VOLUNTEER WORK CREWS AND SPIRITUAL CARE TEAMS are being formed to assist in the Recovery Phase of the aftermath of Hurricane Florence. Mary Bates will be assigning the teams to necessary areas but we need to be mindful to not send too many people too soon, so as to create a burden for local personnel. The Spiritual Care Teams, including both clergy and laity, are needed to minister to families as they return to their damaged homes: to pray with them and remind them that the Body of Christ is there for and with them in this difficult time. Please prayerfully consider how you and/or this congregation might help with this overall effort and coordinate with Mary Bates at 704-509-1132 or disasterresponse@thenalc.org. Both of these teams will be needed for a long period of time - months and even years. WITNESS FROM WATER MISSION: As the Christmas season approaches, I find myself thinking about the incredible joy that was ushered into the world with the birth of Jesus. This precious joy was given first to Mary, His young mother, and continues to be spread throughout the world as others experience God's triumphant restoration through Christ. In Mkinga, Tanzania, there is another young mother whose smile reflects this radiant joy. Since friends like you brought safe water to her community, her family is healthy and thriving - no longer burdened by waterborne diseases or the high cost of purchasing unsafe water. The safe water treatment system in Mkinga serves more than 4,500 people. Instead of their 11-year-old daughter walking for hours every day, it takes her just three minutes to get to the closest tap stand for safe water. With the free time, the daughter can spend much more time on studies. She loves school and is one of the best in her class. God is using the work of Water Mission to bring spiritual transformation along with physical restoration. They help the people know Jesus and how to follow him. Thank you for your support. Because of the prayers and generous support of so many, people have access to both safe water and the Living water offered by Jesus. You can send contributions to PO Box 63320, Charlotte, NC 28263 to further this ministry. IF YOU HAVE ANY EMPTY MEDICINE BOTTLES which came from your pharmacy, please do not throw them away. These will be shipped to the Lutheran Church in Ethiopia which will distribute them to the hospitals and pharmacies in that country. Due to the enormous shortage of medical supplies, we don’t often think of medicine bottles as being medical supplies, but they are in dire need so that doctors and pharmacists can dispense needed medicines. There will be a box located downstairs on the coffee table and in the main narthex for you to place your medicine bottles. Thank you for your gifts which will bring healing and life!

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A CONTAINER FOR RE-CYCLING (blue with the re-cycle symbol in it) is downstairs under the Mailboxes. Please DO NOT put trash in this container, only paper, cardboard, & RINSED bottles and cans. Let us all try to be good stewards and re-cycle when possible. Thank you.

PREFACE TO PASTOR GARY HADDOCK'S LEADERSHIP REPORT

The Board held a One-Day Retreat in November at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Claremont NC. After opening worship, the Board viewed a short video message about Leadership from Francis Chan, Pastor, Author and Evangelist. We give thanks and appreciation to Dr. Haddock who led a portion of the retreat to discuss the results of the conversations Grace members have had with him over the past 2 months concerning Leadership at Grace. It is the hope of the Board that you, the congregation of Grace, will begin to gain and understand what this report conveys to us as God's people at Grace. We, the Board, surely have a better understanding and realization of where we are and what must be done in the future because of this study. The illustrations (included in this newsletter), depict 2 of the styles of leadership which were discussed at length. These illustrations give clear reasons as to the different leadership models have been a challenge and why Grace seems to be operating on an even keel with little or no growth. There was definitely a vacuum presented over the past two decades with an interim pastor. While the past several pastors were loved and held in high esteem, however, it may have not been the best path for Grace to take when it could have been a period of significant growth. A full-time pastor may have been the better route during this period to insure growth and strong leadership, but that was not to be. Thanks were given for those several persons who did step up and lead in certain areas of the ministry during this period at Grace. If they had not done this, Grace would have been placed in a very precarious ill-fated position. Going back to the illustrations, we can see where Grace was, and has been a pastor–centered congregation, but remained and operated as a family–centered congregation. This stunted the possibilities for growth at Grace as a living organism, and Grace did not operate at its full potential. This is not to say that it was wrong, but only to say that when we understand the challenges that are present today at Grace and which we must pay attention to the congregational and pastoral challenges which could have been avoided by closer attention to the congregational needs and awareness by the Bishop and Synod 25 years ago. It is hoped that the awareness of the challenges we face as a congregation can now be met with open hearts and minds and His will, not ours, be done. The Leadership Ministry Board

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Report to Grace Lutheran Church Leadership Ministry Board Retreat Event on Leadership 11/17/18

By Rev. Dr. Gary S. Haddock, PhD On November 17th, I led the Board during a portion of their retreat to assess the role and function of leadership over the last 30 years. During our time we explored 4 areas: 1) the central role and function of leadership whose primary purpose is to enable a congregation to effectively use its’ size and resources to faithfully fulfill its’ mission; 2) what research has shown, given a congregation’s size and resources, how congregations are typically organized, and how leadership is structured to effectively help congregations to fulfill their mission (please see included publication); 3) the history and shift of leadership styles at Grace in the last 30 years from a matriarchal/patriarchal church to a pastor-centered church; and, 4) how some of Grace’s current challenges can, in some degree, be attributed to the adaptive challenges of making the shift from a family-patriarchal/matriarchal church to a pastor-centered church. It is clear from research (please read the included publication) that in the last 30 years, in terms of size, that Grace would be classified as a pastor-centered congregation. However, during the years between 1991- 2012 it is clear that Grace, in terms of its’ leadership, functioned as a family matriarchal/patriarch church. Given the full-time call of Dr. George Gilbert in 2013, the congregation has been faced with making the shift to a pastor-centered congregation in leadership. The working arrangement between Grace and Dr. Larry Yoder (full time professor at Lenoir-Rhyne University) as a part-time pastor during his tenure worked well. The congregation made the necessary accommodations in leadership. A number of persons assumed leadership roles and responsibilities, and made decisions in various areas of the congregation’s life and ministry. Their commitment and service enabled the congregation to faithfully function in life and ministry. With appreciation, the Board recognized the individuals who provided leadership during that time. All affirmed that Grace would not be where it is today without their involvement and leadership. However, as it is with any congregation, the few who took on leadership roles, may have prevented others from becoming involved in a more integral part of the ministry. In 2013, with the Call of Dr. George Gilbert, the congregation was challenged to accommodate itself to the presence and role of a full-time pastor. From the included publication, please note the differences in how family/patriarchal/matriarchal congregations and pastor-centered congregations are organized, along with their different roles and functions of leadership. How persons relate to each other is different, how the congregation is organized as a whole is different, and who and how decisions are made is

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different. Expectations, assumptions, arrangements, and roles between the two are radically different. It was noted how an adaptive shift may present challenges, especially when for 21 years the roles and functions of leaders have been firmly established. Therefore, when a full-time pastor was called to serve the congregation of the size and resources of Grace, challenges presented themselves in a way different from the past. Given this shift, families, patriarchs and matriarchs who were once relied on to oversee and make decisions in various areas of the congregation’s life and ministry decisions may feel displaced and/or challenged. For some, the change may be taken personally. “Push back” is expected and normal. Consequently, the Pastor and Board may feel that their leadership is not welcomed, trusted, or appreciated. For some leaders, this also may be taken personally. Congregational members need to learn not to be offended, nor take things personally, especially when decisions are made in the best interests of the whole of the congregation. What is to be done? I recommend the following to you.

I. The Congregation and Board need to recognize: a) The enormous shift occurred in 2013 with the call of a full-time pastor; b) That given that shift in organization and leadership style, that some level of relational difficulty and friction in the life and ministry of Grace is normal and expected; and c) That the shift prompted adaptive change that was and is not personal; d) Work on new ways to restore better health to the congregation. II. The Leaders of Grace, past and present, called, elected and non-elected, need to choose and commit themselves: a) To work towards establishing a pastor-centered style of leadership with sensitivity, patience, and understanding recognizing that adaptive change is difficult; b) Must give up a sense of entitlement in roles and function inherited from the past in areas of ministry while flexibly making accommodations in expectations and roles for the sake of the current and future health, life, ministry and mission of Grace. c) To flexibly adapt to, accept and support the new structure and function of leadership within the life of the congregation; and, c) To depersonalize changes that have occurred since 2013. III. The Pastor and Board of Grace will need to: a) Be available to and to listen to those who may feel challenged or displaced;

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b) Intentionally, consistently, and transparently communicate the substance of decisions made on matters which will continue to make Grace a healthy congregation; c) Provide avenues for input on matters to be taken up for consideration and decisions, while understanding that decisions are not based on consensus; c) Choose to be responsive, rather than reactive when “push back” occurs in order to promote a healthy congregation; d) Firmly stay the course in moving the congregation to a pastor-centered style of leadership; and e) Keep the focus on the current and future health, life, ministry and mission of Grace.

We close with the words of the Apostle Paul from Colossians 3:12-15. “As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.” God’s Peace, Pastor Gary Haddock FAMILY CHURCH (1-50 average worship)

The Family church functions like a family with appropriate parental figures. It is the patriarchs and matriarchs who control the church's leadership needs. What Family Churches want from clergy is pastoral care, period. For clergy to assume that they are also the chief executive officer and the resident religious authority is to make a serious blunder. The key role of the patriarch or matriarch is to see to it that clergy do not take the congregation off on a new direction of ministry. Clergy are to serve as the chaplain of this small family. When clergy don't understand this, they are likely to head into a direct confrontation with the parental figure. It is generally suicide for clergy to get caught in a showdown with the patriarchs and matriarchs within the first five years of their ministry in that place.

Pastor is really outside the power of the congregation - functions like a chaplain.

The church wants the functions of ministry, but not real leadership from pastor, especially they do not want the Pastor to lead them into change.

Real joining these churches is by 'adoption' by strong individuals/families.

Growth is slow, generally only by family expansion.

Often a gatekeeper who opens doors or keeps them closed to newcomers.

This is the unit of the church most resistant to change.

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NEEDED: ADULT CONFIRMATION ASSISTANTS Confirmand: "Pastor, if Jesus already took my sins away 2000 years ago, why do I need to come to church?" Pastor: "Do you like getting presents on Christmas?" Confirmand: "Um...yeah..." Pastor: "When were those presents made and purchased for you?" Confirmand: "I don't know." Pastor: "They weren't manufactured and bought on Christmas day were they? Certainly it was long before December 25th." Confirmand: "Um...yeah..." Pastor: "But when did you receive the presents and open them." Confirmand: "Around Christmas time." Pastor: "So if you skipped Christmas, you wouldn't be there to receive and open your presents. Same is true for worship. The gifts of forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life Jesus purchased for you on the cross long ago are delivered to you on Sunday morning for you to enjoy!" (Contributed by Pastor John C. Drosendahl)

BOARD NOTES

The November meeting of the Leadership Board was held Sunday, November 11, 2018 at 4:00 PM. Herb Travis led the devotions followed by Prayer and Holy Communion by Pastor Gil. Absent and Excused: James Hall, Steve Suther. Todd Childers, Board Member elect attended. Minutes: The regular October minutes, The Called meeting from October 21, and The Congregation Meeting on November 4 were read and approved as written. Old Business: The Interim Ministry study on Leadership, Part 2 was held Saturday, November 10 with poor attendance. Hence the presentation was postponed. Pastor Haddock will make the presentation at the upcoming Fall Board Retreat.

The Board Fall Retreat will be Saturday, November 17. Board will take the Church Bus and leave the Church at 8:30 AM and return by 5:00 PM. Letter will go out to all present and newly elected Board Members to remind them of this Retreat.

Yard sale proceeds are approximately $505.00 and Pastor Gil will take that and purchase Lowe's Gift Cards to be forwarded to NALC Disaster Response.

Moving of the pews out of the trailer will be scheduled as soon as we can recruit enough volunteers. A member has volunteered to cover the cost of refurbishing the pews and place them in the Union Church. Gary will check on some costs for refinishing and Herb will look into upholstering the pews. Some chairs would also

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be re-upholstered as planned and placed with the pews. There are various other items that need addressed at Union Church: windows, rotting doors, landscape, ramp.

Pastor Gil will contact Nancy Leonard about getting the kids together for caroling and handing out white socks (Todd Childers) to all the residents at Trinity Ridge and Lutheran Home. Adults are encouraged to go as well.

New Business

Herb will put an article together to request information on people in the community that may need help of some kind with the intent to move forward with community mission projects from the people at Grace.

Welcomed Todd Childers as a new Board member. Todd volunteered to take over the position of Financial Secretary.

Property/Facilities - Gary Leatherman

A motion was made and properly seconded to accept the bid from Absolute Tree Care for $5,950 for removal of 4 trees on the bid plus one more small tree. MOTION CARRIED. Gary will contact them and get the job completed.

The water test from Water Tech Labs came back clean. Praise and Worship - Steve Suther (absent)

The Christmas Eve Worship will be 12/24/18 at 4:00 PM.

Hanging of the Greens has been re-scheduled to Saturday, 12/1/18 at 9:00 AM, beginning with breakfast. Betty Wilfong will prepare the breakfast.

Outreach/Crisis Assistance: Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes are still coming in. Stephen Ministry: Everything going well. Looking for a Stephen Leader to go to the training in Florida. Fellowship/Hospitality: Christmas Program with the children on December 16. Practices will be 11/11, 11/18, 12/2, & 12/9.

A Bus Trip to Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theater in Wytheville, VA has been changed to Tuesday, November 27. Going with the Fred T. Foard Seniors and cost is now $49.00.

Treasurers’ Report

Written Financial Report was received as information.

Question was raised if an internal or an external audit should be done at the end of the year.

Adjournment

There being no further business a motion to adjourn was made and seconded.

Closing prayer by Pastor Gil.

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WHY GO TO CHURCH? In this era of celebrated individuality, many people believe that organized religion (church) is an outdated concept that does not work for today’s individual. However, participating in corporate worship is considerably valuable for a Christian’s spiritual growth. Jesus Christ established His church as a community of His followers who gather to celebrate God, encourage one another and spread the Good News of the Gospel. It is important to understand what the church is - in order to understand the benefits of being a part of it. The Church Is….. The Benefits… The Church is the Bride of Christ. ●We, the collective followers of Jesus Christ (His Bride) are the object of His affection. ●The world can know God’s love through the unity of believers and their commitment to Christ. The Body of Christ ●The church is God’s people gathered together to serve others with God- given gifts. ●When members serve, we embody the message of God’s love. ●God provides unity for His people to ensure that we are never alone, even in times of need. A Place for Growth ●The church is a community of people who are accepted and forgiven. ●As believers, we rely on each other to increase our commitment to Christ. ●We build each other up through love, service and the study of the Scriptures. ●Working together, we work toward the benefit of each other and the church.

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TRUNK 'N TREAT 2018

and the WINNER IS...

HELP! The Aliens

have Jackson!

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Grace Notes

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church NALC

4536 Hickory Lincolnton Highway

Newton, NC 28658