Point of Grace Press March, 2016 - Amazon S3 · 2016. 6. 3. · March, 2016 From the Pastor I pray...
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Point of Grace Press Reaching the Community, Teaching the Word of God, and Proclaiming the Good News of Jesus! Point of Grace is a Christian congregation within the Southeastern District of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. (www.lcms.org) Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. Point of Grace Press March, 2016 From the Pastor I pray you are having a blessed Lent, as we travel towards Holy Week and Easter. Lent is about reminding us of the sacrifice Jesus has made for you and me, and for the world. He suffered and died. He rose again from the dead. He alone is able to call God Father, knowing the true act of bearing the world’s sins as Savior. And what a Savior! I hope you are contemplating the gift of Jesus’ sacrifice this Lent. And yes, Holy Week and Easter are just ahead. We will be offering services Monday through Friday nights (March 21-25, except Tuesday) at 7 pm during Holy Week. Of course Thursday will be a Maundy Thursday service and Friday will be a Stations of the Cross service, albeit different from pre- vious years. Our Easter service is already in the works with Alex and Dave again leading us, as they did for Christmas, with their keyboards. It should be a special and enlightening service! When I stop and reflect on PoG and where we are now, I am quite pleased. I see faithful and energetic folks. I see multiple opportunities for education and serving, and more on the way! I see a vision forming to guide PoG into the future according to God’s will. We may be a small church, but we do not have members with a small faith. We are big in faith and trust in God! And I believe that pleases Him greatly. May our Lord Jesus Christ, in the power of God’s Holy Spirit, bless, pro- tect, empower, and keep you in the love God has for you. Every Blessing! Fred From the President Grace and peace to you from God the Father and from our Lord and Sav- ior, Jesus Christ. As I am writing this article, we only recently entered into the season of Lent. There are about five weeks to go until Palm Sunday and six weeks until Easter. Also, the LCMS program known as “Consecrated Stewards” has just been introduced to us. Our pastor has encouraged us to attend the Wednesday evening Lenten services (which will be led by various pas- tors from our circuit # 15), the excellent Sunday morning adult Bible class and each of the Sunday morning worship services during this period when the Consecrated Stewards program is being conducted. The Board of Trustees believes that you will receive much from your attendance and that you will be richly blessed. In preparation for writing this article, I looked back to see what I had writ- ten about during the last two years, so I would not be repetitive. But you know what, I found some interesting words that were written in 2014, which are so timely as they relate to the Consecrated Stewards program. The article referred to the meditation from “Our Daily Bread” for March 21, 2014, and discussed the parable of the talents, as delineated in Matt. 25. That is but one of the four parts which will be emphasized during the Consecrated Stewards program. Therein, the presenters will be speaking about how we should consider the stewardship of our: time, talents, treas- ures, and thoughts (the four “T”s). Please turn to Page 2. Dates to Note March 3 My Momma’s Lap meeting March 8 & 20 Women’s Bible Study March 12 & 26 Men’s Bible Study March 13 Consecration Sunday and Celebration Catered Lunch March 20 Voters Meeting March 21—25 Holy Week services March 27 Easter Sunday Consecrated Stewards is a ministry of growth and commitment in which the people of God celebrate His gifts and grow in the joy of giving and serving. Our Sunday morning Bible class and 11 am wor- ship will continue to focus on this theme for the next two Sundays. Please plan to attend our catered Celebration Lunch after worship on Sunday, March 13th. Watch for the sign-up sheet at church! But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 Our new altar cloth depicts the Crown of Thorns Jesus wore during His passion. Easter is March 27th.
Transcript of Point of Grace Press March, 2016 - Amazon S3 · 2016. 6. 3. · March, 2016 From the Pastor I pray...
Point of Grace Press
Reaching the Community, Teaching the Word of God, and
Proclaiming the Good News of Jesus!
Point of Grace is a Christian congregation within the Southeastern District of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. (www.lcms.org) Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior.
Point of Grace Press
March, 2016
From the Pastor
I pray you are having a blessed Lent, as we travel towards Holy Week and Easter. Lent is about reminding us of the sacrifice Jesus has made for you and me, and for the world. He suffered and died. He rose again from the dead. He alone is able to call God Father, knowing the true act of bearing the world’s sins as Savior. And what a Savior! I hope you are contemplating the gift of Jesus’ sacrifice this Lent.
And yes, Holy Week and Easter are just ahead. We will be offering services Monday through Friday nights (March 21-25, except Tuesday) at 7 pm during Holy Week. Of course Thursday will be a Maundy Thursday service and Friday will be a Stations of the Cross service, albeit different from pre-vious years. Our Easter service is already in the works with Alex and Dave again leading us, as they did for Christmas, with their keyboards. It should be a special and enlightening service!
When I stop and reflect on PoG and where we are now, I am quite pleased. I see faithful and energetic folks. I see multiple opportunities for education and serving, and more on the way! I see a vision forming to guide PoG into the future according to God’s will. We may be a small church, but we do not have members with a small faith. We are big in faith and trust in God! And I believe that pleases Him greatly.
May our Lord Jesus Christ, in the power of God’s Holy Spirit, bless, pro-tect, empower, and keep you in the love God has for you. Every Blessing!
Fred
From the President
Grace and peace to you from God the Father and from our Lord and Sav-ior, Jesus Christ.
As I am writing this article, we only recently entered into the season of Lent. There are about five weeks to go until Palm Sunday and six weeks until Easter. Also, the LCMS program known as “Consecrated Stewards” has just been introduced to us. Our pastor has encouraged us to attend the Wednesday evening Lenten services (which will be led by various pas-tors from our circuit # 15), the excellent Sunday morning adult Bible class and each of the Sunday morning worship services during this period when the Consecrated Stewards program is being conducted. The Board of Trustees believes that you will receive much from your attendance and that you will be richly blessed.
In preparation for writing this article, I looked back to see what I had writ-ten about during the last two years, so I would not be repetitive. But you know what, I found some interesting words that were written in 2014, which are so timely as they relate to the Consecrated Stewards program. The article referred to the meditation from “Our Daily Bread” for March 21, 2014, and discussed the parable of the talents, as delineated in Matt. 25. That is but one of the four parts which will be emphasized during the Consecrated Stewards program. Therein, the presenters will be speaking about how we should consider the stewardship of our: time, talents, treas-ures, and thoughts (the four “T”s). Please turn to Page 2.
Dates to Note
March 3 My Momma’s Lap meeting March 8 & 20 Women’s Bible Study March 12 & 26 Men’s Bible Study March 13 Consecration Sunday and Celebration Catered Lunch March 20 Voters Meeting March 21—25 Holy Week services March 27 Easter Sunday
Consecrated Stewards is a ministry of growth and commitment in which the people of God celebrate His gifts and grow in the joy of giving and serving.
Our Sunday morning Bible class and 11 am wor-ship will continue to focus on this theme for the next two Sundays. Please plan to attend our catered Celebration Lunch after worship on Sunday, March 13th. Watch for the sign-up sheet at church!
But God shows His love
for us in that while we
were still sinners,
Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
Our new altar
cloth depicts
the Crown of
Thorns Jesus
wore during His
passion. Easter
is March 27th.
Point of Grace Press
Page 2
Point of Grace Press March, 2016
Prayer Reminder
Please pray for your church! Those in need of prayer are listed on the bulletin insert each Sunday. Also, you could use your picture directory each week and pray for our members. Pray for protection, and health, and blessing for your fellow Point of Grace members. Also remember to pray for our country with the upcoming elections, for refugees, and for persecuted Christians. Opening a newspaper or hearing the daily news provides
many topics to lift up to God and ask for His mercy and intervention.
Letter from the President, continued
Each of us will want to have a conversation with God about how we are allocating our time. Are we devoting enough of it to the service of people in our family; to the work in our church; to helping other people, especially those in need (such as the widows, orphans, the poor, the elderly, and those who may have some handicap, etc.).
We may want to speak with God about whether we are putting to good use our talents that God has so graciously given to us, and using them in a way with which He would be pleased. For example, if we have musical talents, are they being shared with the church; are our financial or other business talents and/or our artistic talents being used to assist the church and/or our family, our friends and our neighbors? Could it be that we are withholding giving back to God, some of those talents - - - due to being upset with someone or about something?
Then, what about treasures? Are we returning to God, a significant percentage of what he has entrusted to our use? Remember, God owns everything; we are but trustees. Let’s agree that the church should not in any way, attempt to coerce or try to embarrass anyone for what they are returning to God. Just as with time and talents, we should pray and have a serious talk with God (and if you are mar-ried, with your spouse), about His expectations for us. In the final analysis, it is God who we certainly want to please. May I suggest that the question to consider is this one: Will He say to us on the day we meet Him face to face: “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matt 25:21)
Fourth, what about your thoughts? Are they pure thoughts? Are you spending a significant amount of the time God has given to you, in prayer and Bible study, both personal study and with others (perhaps in a small home group or at church)? If it is appropriate to give God at least a tithe of your time, talents and treasures, is it not also appropriate to give Him at least a tithe of your thoughts? You may want to consider the answer to that, after having a serious talk with God. Just having a conversation with Him is good; one doesn’t have to be pleading with Him to give something to you or to someone you know and love. Consider thanking Him for the many things He has done (and is daily doing) for you or just have a friendly conversation with Him. For example, I often speak with God when I am working on a project. I think it keeps me much more cool, calm, and col-lected (especially, if I might hit my finger with the hammer).
The next meeting of the Voters Assembly will be Sunday, March 20 (Palm Sunday), at 9:30 am. There will not be an adult Bible study on that day. Please note that the meeting has been moved one week later due to a conflict with Con-secrated Stewards “Pledge Sunday”. If you are a member of the Voters Assembly, I urge you to attend. If you are at least eighteen years of age and a Communicant Member of Point of Grace, you may want to consider becoming a Vot-ing Member.
Continued in next column.
Wednesday Eve Lenten Services
During Lent our theme will be the Places of the Passion of Jesus. We will have guest preachers on Wednesday nights at 7 pm and Pastor Hoffman
will be speaking at four other churches.
The dates and topics are:
March 2 The Betrayal: A place of Eternal Love
- Pastor Hoffman
March 9 The Courtyard: A place of Renewal
- Pastor Ginn
March 16 The Trial: A place of God's Will
-Pastor Anthony
March 23 Service during Holy Week, Pastor Hoffman
www.PoGChurch.net
This is the website for Point of Grace. Find news about upcoming events, links to sermons, the newsletter, and LCMS articles, as well as photos and our serving schedule. You can refer friends, family and neighbors to the website to get more information about
Point of Grace.
Our pancake supper on Fat Tuesday drew members and folks from the community. See more photos on page 3. Take-out containers explained
the background of Lent and information about our church.
Letter from the President, continued The next meeting of the Board of Trustees will be on Sunday, April 10, following the 11:00 am worship service. Among other matters, we will be discussing is the lease for our facilities, which expires on June 30. Please pray for wisdom for the Trustees as they discuss this and various other matters. I pray that the remainder of the Lenten Season will be a meaningful time for you as you reflect on your life, your relationship with our Lord and Savior, and His great gift to each person who believes in
Him - - of everlasting life with Him in heaven. The Lord be with you!!!
In Christ’s service,
Bill Boyd
Point of Grace Press
Sunday School News
Point of Grace Press March, 2016
Adult Sunday School Classes—9:30 am
We have begun a four-week series on the com-mitment of being good stewards of all of God's blessings. The Bible lessons invite you to reflect on receiving, managing, sharing, and committing God's blessings in your own life. God has truly blessed us in many ways—seen and unseen, known and unknown. He asks that we recognize this and pass on these blessings to His king-dom in the church. Please attend the education hour at 9:30 am and Sunday worship at 11 am. Coffee is available!
Page 3
Happy Birthday!
William Gittner March 11
Jonathan Ponivas March 17
Linda Stapula March 22
John Lang March 25
Alex Mauldin March 30
(If we missed your birthday, please let Pastor know.)
Prayer Teams Each Sunday following the 11 am Worship Service, a Prayer Team is waiting at the back of the worship area to pray with you about any concerns, afflictions, or any other needs you may have. As a caring community, this is one of the ways we serve as the body of Christ. Feel welcome to bring your prayer needs before God during that time. If you are aware of a visitor who needs prayer, invite him or her for prayer after the service.
Happy Anniversary!
(If your anniversary is this month and not included here, please let Pastor
know.)
Men’s Saturday Bible Study
Pastor Gittner is leading a men’s Bible Study on the second and fourth Saturday mornings from 8 to 9:30 am at Point of Grace Church. We are studying the book of Revelation. Coffee is provided. All men are welcome. For more information, contact Pastor Gittner at 704-365-
1418.
Women’s Bible Study
The Word became Flesh-The Gospel of John
When: Tuesdays, March 8 and 22 at 7 pm
Location: Church sanctuary
Leader: Dotsi Hoffman
All are welcome and bring a friend! Along with your Bible you will need a notepad, enthusiasm and a love for the word. It's going to
be a fun journey. Hope you can join us!
Far Right: Val’s grandson, Henry. Val is helping her daughter care
for him and sends her greetings.
Below: Members visiting at our Pancake Supper February 9th. We had 40 to-go suppers and 45 to 50 dine in. Thank you to all who
helped serve our community!
Point of Grace Press
Pastors, Elders, Deacons, and Staff
Pastor: Fred Hoffman (704) 305-0930 [email protected]
Pastor Emeritus: Bill Gittner (704) 365-1418 [email protected]
Pastoral Assistant: Bill Everett (845) 264-4363 [email protected]
Elder: Bill Everett (845) 264-4363 [email protected]
Elder: John Lang (704) 765-9200 [email protected]
Deacon: Dan Nelson (704) 746-9420 [email protected]
Deacon: Jon Ponivas (704) 723-6937 [email protected]
President: Bill Boyd (704) 784-9389 [email protected]
Vice President: Rick Stapula (704) 933-5194 [email protected]
Secretary: Gwen Faggart (704) 490-1834 [email protected]
Financial Secretary: Linda Stapula (704) 993-5194 [email protected]
Music Director: Alex Mauldin (704) 839-3903 [email protected]
Altar Guild: Dotsi Hoffman (704) 723-6688 [email protected]
Hospitality: Ann Satterfield (704) 792-9571 [email protected]
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31
March, 2016
Lenten
Service 7 pm
Lenten
Service 7 pm
Service 7 pm
Lenten
Service 7 pm
Sun.School 9:30 am
Worship 11 am
Sunday School 9:30 am
Worship 11 am Consecrated Stewards Celebra-tion Lunch
Easter-Sun.School
9:30 am
Worship 11 am
Women’s Bible
Study 7 pm
Women’s Bible
Study 7 pm
Men’s Bible
Study 8 am
Scraps of Love Quilters 9 am
Scraps of Love Quilters 9 am
Scraps of Love Quilters 9 am
Scraps of Love Quilters 9 am
Page 4
Voters Meeting
9:30 am
Worship 11 am
Men’s Bible
Study 8 am Lenten
Service 7 pm Good Friday Service
7 pm
Maundy
Thursday
Service 7 pm
My Momma’s Lap Reading Program
Coming this Summer
Planning is in the works for an exciting outreach called “There’s No App for my Momma’s Lap.” The purpose is to help school children improve their reading skills while hearing the Gospel message that Jesus loves them. Puppet shows and music will be part of the activities. Rick Stapula is working on transforming the Christmas float into Noah’s Ark so we can take it to locations where the children gath-
er in the summer.
Volunteers will be welcomed to help with this pro-ject. A meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 3rd at 7 pm at church. If you are interested but unable to attend, please contact Pastor Hoffman.
(Contact information at left.)
Momma’s Lap
Reading Meeting 7 pm
Point of Grace Press
Point of Grace Service Schedule
March , 2016
Point of Grace Lutheran Church
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1505, Huntersville, NC 28070
Physical Address: 20700 N Main, Suite 104, Cornelius, NC 28031
Email Address: [email protected]
Website: www.pogchurch.net
Website for The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod
www.lcms.org
Our Corporate Worship:
Sundays
9:30 am Bible Study
Children’s Sunday School
10:30 am Coffee and Fellowship
11:00 am Divine Worship Service Holy Communion
Lutheran Liturgical Blended
Wednesdays 7:00 pm - Holy Communion,
Bible teaching, singing, and praying.
Page 5
Date Offering Usher Prayer Team Hospitality Reader Altar
March 6 Bill Boyd Boyds Paula Bill Boyd Dotsi
March 13 Rick Stapula Hoffmans LynnEllen Rick Stapula Linda
March 20 John Lang Everetts Sue Matt H. Sue
March 27 Bill Everett Langs Linda Bill Everett Linda
April 3 Jon Ponivas Boyds Paula Bill Everett Sue
Right: Consecrated Stewards Bible
Study, Feb. 21st.
Below: Having fun with Panthers’ colors after Worship Ser-vice on Super Bowl
Sunday.
