Knoxville, TN May 2018

T wo old men were lost driving together through Kentucky. When they finally saw a sign on the side of the inter-state for the approaching town, the old man driving said, “We're almost to “Lewis-ville.” The old man sitting beside him in the passenger seat said, “It’s “Louie-ville.”" They argued back and forth about the pronunciation

for a few minutes before the driver suggested, “let’s take the next exit, go into town and ask a local, then we will listen to them carefully as they tell us the name of the town, and we will have our answer.” The old man in the passenger seat agreed that would be a fair resolution to their dispute. So the driver pulled off the interstate, and into the parking lot of a local store, and the two old men went inside. The driver pleaded with the worker inside, “Sir, help my friend and me, please. Tell us very slowly and very clearly, where are we right this minute?" The worker leans forward over the counter and tells the two older gentleman, “Bur-Gur-King.” My grandfather use to tell that joke all the time. I don’t care how many times I heard him tell it, I laughed every time. Man, did I love him. Man, do I miss him. Ben Mullins, my maternal grandfather, was born on May 1st, 1934. He would have been 84 years old on Easter this year. I recall our talks in his living room, our time together on his farm, and traveling with him across the country. I re-member singing along beside him to "Amazing Grace" at the small country church he attended. I remember specifical-ly the words, "I once was lost but now I'm found." My grandfather was a business man. He was an amazing man. As a teenager, he left the small Southwest, Virginia coal mining town where he was born and raised, and headed north to learn a trade in Detroit, Michi-gan. He told me about arriving in Michigan and how he was called a “hillbilly.” He started a trade and a family in Detroit. Years later he decided to return south and start a business in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. He told me how he was called a “Yankee.” He worked hard to build a business, and the business is still going strong today. I remember where I was standing in my living room on the evening of May 7, 2009, when my mom called with an update on my grandfather, who had been somewhat surprisingly hospitalized a couple of days earli-er. “Adam, he’s gone.” I was immediately filled with shock, with disbelief, and what followed was anger. He can’t be gone. I’m not ready for him to go. My son, John Benjamin, who was named, in part, after my grandfather, was only an infant at the time (See their last picture together to the right.). The following few months, scratch that, the following few years, I was lost. Lost in the basement of my split foyer home, lost in depressing songs played on repeat on YouTube, lost in more than my fair pour of Jack Daniels, lost in sadness, just lost. I felt far from God, distant from His presence. I mistakenly believed my misery somehow honored the man I missed. But then, slowly...very slowly, something amazing happened...I was found. Found by my Father. in

This month’s article was written by Adam Moore on his blog. I hope you enjoy it and take it to heart. ~ Pastor Rich

Page 2 May 2018

GraceNet is published monthly by

Grace Lutheran Church – LCMS

9076 Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville, TN 37923

Phone: (865) 691-2823 Fax: (865) 691-4895

E-mail: glc@visitgrace.org

Reverend Richard M. Elseroad, Senior Pastor

Reverend Travis Ferguson, Associate Pastor

Website: http://www.visitgrace.org

Articles for GraceNet are due by the 1st of each month for the

following month’s edition.

GraceNet Staff Debbie Booher, Editor

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Found in need. Found in fragility. When I was lost and hiding, He found me. He gave me hope. He gave me peace, He gave me purpose and a future. He filled my heart with joy where solitary sadness once lived rent free. I once saw a social media post that pictured Bigfoot with writing across the photo, "World Hide and Seek Champion." After my grand-father's death, I gave Bigfoot a run for his money. For some people they find their "fire" for God as easy and as instantaneous as turning the knob on a gas stove, but for me it didn't work like that. I in-stead slowly warmed to a boil over time. The heat increases each and every day. Hiding from God and distancing yourself from Him isn't a new concept. Adam, the first man, tried to hide from God after his sin in the Garden of Eden. Let that sink in a mi-nute: Adam...tried...to...hide...from...God. You'd-sooner conceal a horse under a dinner napkin. God, of course, found him. God, of course, found me. He will find you too, but stop trying to hide. In Matthew and Luke, Jesus teaches using the "parable of the lost sheep." In Matthew specifi-cally, Jesus says, "What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off..." I know reading this you may be hurting, maybe you are challenged, maybe you are weak and weary, perhaps you feel lost, but don't be. God is waiting and wanting. He loves you more than you could possibly imagine. Nothing you've ever done or will ever do can change that. Take it from me, "I once was lost but now I’m found."

Much love, Adam Moore

I’ve Been Found (Continued)

T he weather was perfect, the neighborhood showed up with side dishes and smiles, while the Holy Smokers provided pulled pork and our sig-

nature beans. Linda and Richard Sturk were the hosts for their neighborhood block party on Saturday, April 21. These folks had never gotten together before like this. After a cold winter of hurrying into their homes to avoid wind and spritzing snow, they were ready to break out and enjoy some nice weather. When the Sturk’s invited them to gather in the cul-de-sac in front of their home, everybody started thinking about what dish they could provide. The Holy Smokers have wanted to do an outreach event like this since they formed three years ago. What a perfect way to draw people together and be “the Church” to the community. Conversations began and new neigh-bors met old neighbors. We started at 2 p.m. but neigh-bors were still talking at 5 p.m. Interspersed in their dis-cussions were comments like, “Isn’t it neat that Linda’s church came here to do a block party for us?” Or “You know their church is only a few blocks from here. They have a lot of community stuff.” The Sturk’s learned a lot and plan to extend invita-tions to Grace based on the knowledge they gained. We never know how the Holy Spirit might work in that neighborhood or any other, but the opportunities are enhanced when people feel like the church cares and comes to them. If you would like more information about outreach opportunities or would like to learn more about out-reach block parties, please call Bruce Collet at 865-354-1744.

Spring Block Party Thaws Hearts after a Cold Winter

Page 3 May 2018

Special Church Events in

The Christian Story—Wednesdays, May 2, 9, 16, and 23—6:30 p.m.

Spiritual Gifts Class—Wednesdays, May 2, 9, 16, and 23—6:30 p.m.

English as a Second Language Class—Thursdays—6:30— 8:30 p.m.

Friday Women’s Bible Study: “The Time Between the Testaments”—9:00—10:30 a.m.

Beth Moore Study, “The Beloved Disciple, the Life and Ministry of John”—Wednesdays, 9:30—11:30 a.m.

May 2—Parents Day Out May 2—Mandatory Meeting for National Youth Gathering—6:30 p.m. May 13—Sunday School Teacher Appreciation May 13—Mother’s Day May 20—Confirmation Sunday (Confirmation during the 9:30 service)

For more information and registration on any of these activities, please check your church bulle-tin or the church website at:

www.visitgrace.org

Summer Parents Day Out – Wednesdays in June and July Dates: June 6, 13, 20, & 27, July 11, 18, & 25. There is no Parents Day Out the week of July 4. Summer rates are $20.00 registration/supply fee and $175.00 for the entire summer. It is open to children ages 13 months – pre-k. Please contact the Childrens’ Ministries Office to sign up.

Summer Parents Day Out

Page 5 May 2018

DATE THEME VERSE

May 6 Listen to God. “The Holy Spirit will teach you.” (Adapted from John 14:26)

May 13 Tell everyone about Jesus. “The Holy Spirit will teach you.” (Adapted from John 14:26)

May 20 Help others love Jesus. “The Holy Spirit will teach you.” (Adapted from John 14:26)

May 27 God gives us the Holy Spirit. “The Holy Spirit will teach you.” (Adapted from John 14:26)

I n an attempt to connect the adults and children of Grace just a bit more, I will be letting people know the theme and verse of the week in our children’s Sunday school classes. I would love it if the adults would join in memorizing or at least talking about it to the children as they see each other in the halls. Listed

below are the themes and scripture for May.

~ Frieda Guthrie

May Children’s Curriculum Themes

Patrick Robert Angelino Elizabeth Christine Augustus Audrey Anne Clark Chloe Colleen Corner Jamie Lynn Duenckel

Jeffrey William Haynes Jack Ryan Ingeneri Megan Renee’ Kleckley Trent Alexander Pyles Elijah Christian Roth

2018 Confirmands

Please keep these young people in your prayers as they begin this new phase of their spiritual journey.

Page 5 May 2018

I n May, we honor mothers (Mother’s Day is May 13), so among the materials that are new to the library this month, will also be materials that honor mothers and

grandmothers.

New Fiction

Lethal Licorice by Amanda Flower (Fic Flo): Flower mixes Amish traditions with mystery in this second title in her Amish Candy Shop Mystery series. This title finds Bailey King, head chocolatier of Swissmen Sweets, in the midst of the annual Amish Confectionary Competition, the search for a missing pot-bellied pig, and a dead body suffering from a fatal sugar overload. And Bailey is the suspect. Also watch for book three in the series, Premediated Peppermint com-ing soon.

His Risk by Shelly Shepard Gray (Fic Gra): The Amish of Hart County series continues with book 4, this time featur-ing an undercover DEA agent, who is English with a ques-tionable past, and who is willing to do anything to protect Alice, the Amish girl he loves.

Beneath the Surface by Lynn H. Blackburn (Fic Bla): A North Carolina police dive team plunges into the depths of suspense and faith in this new series, Dive Team Investiga-tions. Leigh's brakes have been tampered with so she turns to underwater detective Ryan for help. The body of a wealthy businessman is found in a lake, and as the investi-gation progresses, a connection between him and the at-tempt on Leigh's life seems probable.

In Places Hidden by Tracie Peterson (Fic Pet): Peterson begins a new series, The Golden Gate Secrets. Camri's search for her brother Caleb leads her deep into the political corruption of 1900's San Francisco and into the ac-quaintence of Patrick Murdock who seems to know more about Caleb's disappearance than anyone else. Camri has to learn to trust Patrick to protect her until the mystery is un-raveled.

A Most Noble Heir by Susan Anne Mason (Fic Mas): When a lowly stable boy learns that he is really the son of the Earl for whom he works, his plans to marry the maid whom he loves are shattered as he will be forbidden to marry be-neath his station by his "new father". But he is unwilling to give her up, so he concocts a plan to elope. Will outside forces keep them apart?

New Non-Fiction

Unafraid: Living With Courage and Hope in Uncertain Times by Adam Hamilton (248.4 Ham): Fear, worry, and anxiety permeate our lives. They destroy relationships as well as communities. And as the news and headlines re-mind us daily, threats, calamities, and tragedies surround

us. Hamilton offers insight on how to deal with these rob-bers of peace using real-life examples and bibli-cal insights, embracing Jesus's counsel, "Fear not" and "Do not be afraid." Hidden Inheritance: Family Secrets, Memory and Faith by Heidi Neumark (284.1 Neu): Neumark unex-pectedly discovers that her grandfather was murdered and her grandmother was a death-camp survivor. But she, as a Lutheran writer and speaker, had no knowledge of her Jew-ish heritage. Heide traveled across the ocean in search of answers to her many questions, notably, how could she not have known. Reviewers' comments on her story state it, "is part detective story, part memoir, but most of all an exquisi-tive meditation on the fractured family of Christians and Jews as seen by one who now lives in both worlds.

New on DVD

A variety of new DVDs have been added to the library's col-lection. Two of them that were in theatres. The Star: A Tale of Faith and Friendship (BR/DVD J Sta): A small, brave donkey breaks away from his daily grind and teams up with a sheep, a dove, and three wise-cracking camels to follow a star which leads them on the journey of their dreams and makes them part of the greatest story ever told.

The Unmiracle (DVD Fic Unm) was inspired by true events spotlighting how a small town reacts to the accidental drug overdose of a popular high school coed. This drama reveals the blessings that can come out of life's tragedies. Same Kind of Different As Me (DVD 920 Hal) based on Ron Hall's story. Hall was a successful art dealer and was living the seemingly "perfect life" when his and his family's faith are tested, and an unlikely bond with a homeless drifter leads them on a journey that forges an everlasting friend-ship. Look for these and other materials new to the library on display throughout the month.

~ Mary Schultz

Blessings of Mother’s Day

Page 7 May 2018

What Comes After Pentecost?

T he story of Pentecost is rather straightforward, even if miraculous. God kept His promise and poured out His Holy Spirit. The apostles were given the ability to speak dialects they had not learned, and many were baptized. But, what does it mean for Christians now?

Consider this. “(That you might know) how very great is his power at work in us who believe. This power working in us is the same as the mighty strength which he used when he raised Christ from death and seated him at his right side in the heavenly world.” (Ephesians 1:19-20 Verses in this article are from Good News for Modern Man—Today's English Ver-sion, 1992 edition.) See also Ephesians 3:20--”To him who by means of his power working in us is able to do so much more than we can ever ask for, or even think of (be all glory).” A few verses earlier, the power at work in us is identified as the Holy Spirit--”I ask God from the wealth of his glory to give you power through his Spirit to be strong in your inner selves.” (Ephesians 3:16) It is overwhelming to realize the extent of God's power at work in us. We tend to want to see demonstrations of that power worked through us. But, God's Spirit works more quietly in us. God's purposes for us are to make us more Christlike. By our nature we are anything but Christlike. The contrast is seen in Galatians 5:19-25. “What human nature does is quite plain. It shows itself in immoral, filthy, and indecent actions; in worship of idols and witchcraft. People become enemies and they fight; they become jealous, angry, and ambitious. They separate into parties and groups; they are envious, get drunk, have orgies, and do other things like these. I warn you now as I have before: those who do these things will not possess the Kingdom of God. But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, pa-tience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control. There is no law against such things as these. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have put to death their human nature with all its passions and desires. The Spirit has given us life; he must also control our lives.”

~ Rev. Phil Bohlken

We still have registration open and it’s open to everyone, not just Grace members. The dates are July 21-27, and you can register at:

www.visitgrace.org/summer camp

The cost is $375.00. Scholarships are available. Email SummerCamp@visitgrace.org to inquire. Ages rising 3rd grade—rising 9th grade.

Register Now for Summer Camp

July 21-27

“Connect ~ Grow ~ Serve”

TO:

Grace Lutheran Church-LCMS 9076 Middlebrook Pike Knoxville, TN 37923-1557 (865) 691-2823 Fax: (865) 691-4895 E-mail address: glc@visitgrace.org Sunday Worship: 8:00 a.m. (Traditional) and 9:30 a.m. (Blended)/11:00 a.m. (Contemporary) Wednesday Worship: 6:30 p.m. (Blended) Sunday School & Bible Classes @ 9:30 a.m./11:00 a.m.

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