Grace and Peace Be With You All!

Just a quick note to get you up to date on what happened at our voter's meeting on Sunday.  January's meeting  always has election of church officers.  Voted into office are the following:  Elder- Ken Scott ... Perry Lund finished his term;  Treasurer- Karl DeMarce ... Dale Moore finished his term; Secretary- Mike DenHartog ... Mike was voted in to his second term (all two year positions are eligible for a second term);  Trustee- Troy Shilling ... Roger Gutch finished his term (Elders and Trustees are 3 year positions and can not be voted to a second term).

Items from the meeting:  2010 is our 65th anniversary for Grace Lutheran.  President Steve Schemm has asked Berta Venter,Ann Schultz, Eunice Holt and Sandy Dusenbery to meet with him to set the agenda for a formal celebration of God's grace, at Grace.  Anyone who would be interested in helping this group set the date, arrange for speakers, plan for invitations, meal, advertising, etc. is asked to talk with Steve.

A budget presentation will be made to the congregation on Sunday, February 7 following our worship service.

2009 was a year of many blessings at Grace.  Your love for the Lord and the work of the church was shown in your offerings.  The voters take great care in being wise stewards of God's blessing, with regard to our offerings.   Funds are currently available for the shingling of the parsonage roof, tentatively set for May.  This will require congregational help with the labor.  Repairs to the pipe organ have been put off for some time and it was voted to have that work done which would cost approximately 3,400.00.  A point that was noted, and well taken, is that God has blessed us with many musical talents in our congregation, primary of which is our gifted organists.  We desire to keep the organ, that is used for our weekly services, in good working service.  Pipe organs need to be serviced somewhat frequently.

So that we would not lose perspective on what our real mission as a congregation is, that is to preach the gospel and support the gospel ministry of our synod throughout the world, we voted to send 10% of what was spent on repairs and service to our synod for use, as they determine for the gospel ministry.  That amount would be about 670.00.

Finally, it was noted that Perry Lund is currently taking classes through Martin Luther College of New Ulm, MN, with the intent to get a WELS teaching certificate.  Continuing to emphasis our congregation's support for those who attend our synodical schools, we voted to grant a 500.00 scholarship to Perry, and wish him God's blessings on his studies.

The Ukrainian Lutheran Church offering I introduced the past two weeks will not be a part of our budget.  instead, we will have weekly offerings at our Bible classes (Sunday morning and Thursday morning) to be sent to support their ministry.  So as to not burden our treasurer with these weekly gifts, the voter's appointed Marvin VanHaaften to be our contact man and handle the collection and sending of these gifts.  If you wish to write out a check, write it out to Marvin, he cannot cash a check written out to Grace or to the Ukrainian Lutheran Church.  If you have any questions about this special offering please talk  with me.  We also invite private one-time gifts.  The work in the Ukraine involves about 2 dozen churches and 2,000 communicant members.

This got a little longer than I thought, I hope and pray it helps keep you informed on matters at grace.  Always feel free to address any questions you might have to our elders or myself.  God bless your day in all that you do.

"Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you, guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us."  2 Tim 1:14

In Christ,

Pastor