Newsletter - Gift of Grace Lutheran Church

The cross of Jesus at the crossroads of Fernley.

Grace Notes

October/November 2011

Marcie Vallejo, Newsletter Editor

From Jim Stewart's Pen
God’s Perfect Timing
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God said, “Build my church in Fernley, Nevada, and call it St. Robert Bellarmine,” and there was a church and it out grew its walls. And then God said, “It is time for my wandering Lutheran family to find a home.” And so it was. God’s house: Our new home.
Some of the previous quotes aren’t exactly God’s words, but for this newsletter credit has to be given where credit is due. God’s perfect timing. There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. Ecc 3:1 The Gift of Grace Lutheran Fellowship has been truly blessed with a new home and the opportunity to spread God’s love and message throughout this community and surrounding areas. The building on the corner of West St. and Cedar St. in Fernley, has taken on a whole new beauty and peace. Many members of Gift of Grace have embraced the responsibility and taken a heartfelt ownership in caring for this church and property. Even though we’ve only been in our new home two months, the energy and excitement continues to move us closer to God’s will for His church and where the Gift of Grace Lutheran Church fits into His perfect timing. Let’s give thanks and praise in Jesus’ name for this “surprise gift.” Amen.


Potluck/Church Warming Gathering
There will be a Potluck/Church Warming gathering on 10-23-11 following the service. There is a sign-up sheet to write down what you are bringing for the Potluck. Also there will be a list of items that the Church still needs (see attached paper with items needed). We will also decide at this time if we want to change the name of the church and the time of the service. Hope to see you there.

Church/Lutheran Center Cleaning the first Saturday of every month
at 8 am.

Church Council
The following people are elected officers of the church council:
President- Jim Stewart (575-4035)
Vice President – Martha Judson (575-9248)
Secretary- Marcie Vallejo (575-6332)
Treasure- Linda Van Pelt (575-4903)
Financial Secretary- Alice Person (835-0943)
Member at Large-Steve Carr (575-0655)
Member at Large-Jim Dakin (575-7477)

Visiting Pastors for the months of October and November
October                       November
23^rd-John Handrich     6^th-John Handrich
30^th-Jack Ericson         13^th-Jack Ericson
                                    20^th-Ruth Hanusa
                                    27^th-John Handrich

Relay For Life
We would like to have a Relay for Life Team in the Relay for life event in July 2012. If you are interested in joining or would like more information please contact Helen Wells-Groome at 575-7935.
Coat/Jacket Drive
Wanted: old/new cleaned coats and jackets that you do not need. We are going to partner up with Living Faith who has a distributor that hands old/new clean coats and jackets to those in need (children, youth, young people, and adults). Please bring your old/new clean coats and jackets to the church. We are also looking for hats, mittens, and gloves to be donated. These items will go to local schools for children that need winter accessories.

Nominating Committee
We are looking for at least 3 people to come together to prepare a slate of officers for the upcoming year. Please speak to Jim Stewart if you would be interested in serving on its committee. This will be a short term committee.
Council Letter
There are a few of the Council Members who will not be running for Council this up coming year. They are going to be working on different aspect of the church. Martha Judson (Vice President), Alice Person (Financial Secretary), Linda Van Pelt (Treasure), and Marcie Vallejo (Secretary). Please see the job descriptions below and consider taking on one of the open positions that need your talent.
Council Job Description
Members of Council shall serve a two year term.

President will run the council meetings following Roberts Rules. At this time they also schedule pastors for Sunday services. The president also checks that everything is prepared for all services.

Vice President helps the president get things prepared for all activities and services. Serve as president if the president is unable to perform his/her duties.

Secretary shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings of the congregation and the Congregation Council and shall preserve them in the congregation’s archives. At this time they also prepare the Sunday bulletins and quarterly newsletter.

Treasurer shall keep the books of account of the congregation and shall disperse all funds for which he/she is responsible on proper orders of the Congregational Council. The treasurer makes written reports to the Congregational Council monthly. At this time this person also orders supplies as needed.

Financial Secretary shall receive all funds, deposit funds into the appropriate accounts, maintain records of each member’s contributions and provide quarterly statements to each contributor. They also make a written report to the Congregational Council monthly.

Property Committee
We named our 1^st committee in our September Council Meeting. Bruce Person is chairman with help from Richard Fish, Russ Groome, Jim Dakin and Jim Stewart. In the short period of time, Bruce and committee have been doing repairs, closing up and installing swamp cooler covers and 3 machines and making sure the furnaces are in working order for fall/winter months. They were checked by a licensed contractor in heating, air conditioning, and swamp coolers.

Lectionaries for October and November
October
23^rd- 19^th Sunday after Pentecost
         Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18
        Psalm1
        Thessalonians 2:1-8
        Matthew 22:34-46
30^th- Reformation Sunday
         Jeremiah 31:31-34
         Psalm 46
         Romans 3:19-28
         John 8:31-36
November
6th- All Saints Sunday
       Revelations 7:9-17
       Psalm 34:1-10, 22
       1 John 3:1-3
       Matthew 5:1-12
13th- 22^nd Sunday after Pentecost
         Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18
         Psalm 90:1-12
         1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
         Matthew 25:14-30
20^th- Christ the King
        Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24
        Psalm 95:1-7a
        Ephesians 1:15-23
        Matthew 25:31-46

Faith Formation across Generations Conference

On October 8^th, I had a chance to go to this great conference and learn how we can incorporate the young and old together and what we can learn from each generation given the chance. The speaker was a wonderful and dynamic person who had everyone engaged with what she was talking about. If you would like to see some of her writings or visit her web site at: MarilynSharpeMinistries@comcast.net. I also have an outline from the conference if you would like to see what she talked about (located on the door of the church) or you can come and talk to me. Marcie Vallejo

Prayer Chain

The prayer chain is up and running. If you are interested on being part of the Prayer Chain contact Martha Judson at 575-9248.

Food Pantry of Fernley

Living Faith would like to say “Thank You” to our church for their outreach with the Fernley Food Pantry. Remember the first Sunday of the month you can help support the Fernley Pantry by bringing in canned goods and dry goods. The food will help support those in need of food. The food you bring will be dropped of at the food pantry. We the council, thank you for the buckets of food you provide on a monthly basis.

Bible Study Groups

*Monday Night Bible Study Group meet on Monday’s at 7 pm. Please contact Jim or Tina Dakin at 575-7477.

*Thursday Morning Ladies Bible Study meet the 2^nd and 4^th Wednesday’s at 9am. Please contact Martha Judson at 575-9248 or Alice Person at 835-0943.

*The Joyful Noise/ Family Bible Study Group meet the 1^st and 3^rd Thursday’s at 7pm. Please contact Marcie Vallejo at 575-6332.

*The Men’s Bible Study meet Monday mornings at 7:30am at the Silverado Casino. Please contact Jim Stewart at 575-4035.

Sunday School/Nursery Care

Sunday School has started. We invite all children to join us in learning more about God. We meet for about 20-25 minutes during service. If you are interested in helping out with Sunday School or if you have any questions please call Linda Carr at 575-0655 or Marcie Vallejo at 575-6332. Nursery Care is still available to those who have young children during service.

Game Night

Come one come all to a “Game Night” at the Lutheran Center on November 5th. Game Night will start at 4pm along with a potluck. There will be different activities for everyone to enjoy. So please bring your favorite board game or game and some food for all to share. See you there.

Yard/Bake Sale

We made $679.30 from the yard/bake sale. Thank you to all who donated items for the yard /bake sale and helped with setting up and running the day of yard/bake sale.

About you and Yours

-Congratulations to Todd Wright who was honored by LCSD District’s Board of School Trustees, as a “Rising Star” by having a hundred percent of his students meet growth targets. Thanks Todd for your great work with our children.

-Thank you to Richard Velarde and his grandson Chris Hansen who helped clean up at the 11^th Annual OCTA Swales/Central Pacific Railroad Bed on Saturday October 1^st. Richard brought his tractor from Stagecoach to volunteer his time to clean this historic area in Fernley. We are very appreciative of your dedication to this project.

In Our Thoughts and Prayers

-Wilson Stull: wishing you a speedy recovery from your recent surgery

-Dick Brooks: We miss you and get well real soon.

-Linda Carr: Our sympathy to you on the loss of your Mom.

**Don’t forget to turn your clocks back one hour on November 6^th.

Church/House Warming List

Silverware Cleaning Supplies:

Serving Spoons -Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Spatulas - Liquid Soap

Dishes -Dish Soap

Plates -Floor Cleaner

Glasses - Trash Bags (4 gal and

Serving Bowls larger)

Pie Server -Toilet Bowl Scrubber

Platters and holder

Cookie Sheets

Mugs Miscellaneous:

Dish Clothes -2 Snow Shovels

Dish Towels -3Step Ladders/Step Stool

Dish Detergent

Paper Towels American Flag for our

Toilet Paper Church

Pot Holders

Can Opener

Pots and Pans

Tea Kettle