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Grace Lutheran
Church 104 S Colfax |
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Chi-Rho Kids Club
ChiRho Kids Club ChiRho Kids Club serves as an ecumenical Christian after-school program on Tuesdays during the school year. We started this year on October 16 and will carry through April 29. This after school program is sponsored by Grace Lutheran Church and by its individual volunteers. It is fully dependent on volunteers in order to run properly. Volunteers thus far for this school year include: Directors: Tori Hammond & Erin Lutz Music: Alyssa Schuetze & Peg Rood We would like to thank the following people for their assistance: Pastor Chris Meier, Sandy Boots, Jane McElroy, Mary Lou Kindschuh, Sherri Bettenhausen, and Mr. & Mrs. Keith Lutz. Also, we would like to thank the following students who have helped: Anna Vesely, 8th grade; Paige Adams, Alyssa Vice, Jazmine Duhsmann, and Alyssa Hoffman, 6th grade; and Mercedes Hammond, 5th grade. We have about 25 kids this year ranging from 1st to 4th grades. As we gather at 3:30 p.m. the children come in and have snack as we discuss our activities for the day. After everyone has cleaned up their area they are dismissed to craft time which we spend roughly a half hour on. Then, it’s on to Bible Study where we read verses out of our Devotion Books. Pastor Chris then comes in and says a prayer with us before heading up to music. This is a typical Tuesday for us in a perfect world. In real life it’s not quite as organized and we’re lucky if it goes in that order. We have been on a couple of outings this year such as a hayrack ride provided by Mr. and Mrs. Keith Lutz and Christmas Caroling at St. Joe’s. As weather permits we will have more activities. Thanks once again to all who have made it possible to continue this program. If anyone would like to volunteer PLEASE DO SO! Thank you. There was no activity in 2006 with this league for 6-7-8th graders MEN OF THE CHURCH THANKS TO ST JOSEPH HOME VAN DRIVERS in 2007: Bob Conrad, Duane Meyer, Bob Prazak, Dale Lubker, Daryl Boots, Ron Briggs, Mark Schroeder, Bucky Kindschuh & David Rhoades THANKS TO VIDEO TECHNICIANS in 2007: (Sunday Worship is shown on local cable TV # 14 Mondays at 1 p.m.) Wes Schulzkump, Keith Lutz, Willis Mahannah, Daryl Boots, Dave Wimmer, Mark Luebbert, Bob Conrad, Terry Petersen, Jon Cerny, Dan Steffen, David Rhoades, Pat Kudron & James McElroy. Consider volunteering to help drive the St Joseph Van on Sundays and/or to video tape Worship services---the more volunteers the less each one has to serve and it makes it easier on everyone.
Grace Lutheran Preschool Annual Report 2007 Grace Lutheran Church established the Preschool at Grace as a state-licensed school in 1988 with Jo Conrad as the first director. Jo was the director/teacher for seven years. Directors: Teachers: 1988-1995 Jo Conrad 1988-1995 Jo Conrad 1995-1997 Michelle Dam 1995-1997 Kathy Schulzkump 1996-present Lana Hagedorn 1997-1999 none 1999-present Jane McElroy Assistants: 1999-2002 Cathy Bardsley 2002-2004 Stacey Baumert 2007-present Kristi Cook (Tuesday/Thursday) Thank you to the current volunteers on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: Sarah Rolf, Laverne Schulzkump, Mary Lou Kindschuh, and Fern Thorman. In the summer of 2006, Pastor Kramer moved from West Point and interim Pastor Don Olsen took his position on the board until our new Pastor, Chris Meier arrived in October of 2007. We said a friendly goodbye to a long time board member Elaine Snyder in January of 2007. Sandy Westerman was voted in to take her place. The current board members are Pastor Chris Meier, Sandy Westerman, Linda Lofgren, and Deb Rhoades. The Preschool Board generally meets after each coffee hour that we serve. A special thank you to the board who are always helpful in assisting with Open House, Thanksgiving Feast, Christmas program, bake sale, spring program, graduation, and the monthly coffee hours. A great BIG thank-you to Thrivent, Endowment, those remembering us in your Memorials and for all of the anonymous donations. Because of such great generosity, in 2006 and 2007, Grace Lutheran Preschool was able to purchase a new computer with printer and monitor, 2 flat screen monitors, some new toys, a TV, a door to connect the Preschool room to the nursery, interconnected smoke alarms, and Certificates of Deposit to secure the future for the Preschool.
Click to go to the Preschool page
Beth Cerny, Amanda Snyder, Ashley Petersen, Kammie
Luebbert, Jon Cerny, Vicar Tom Gaulke, and Pam Petersen went to San Antonio, TX
for the National ELCA Youth Gathering. During the week, the students volunteered
at a youth community center reading to children and also attended workshops.
Other Senior Luther League activities for the year included serving Easter
breakfast, on Lent Supper, and coffee hours once a month. Luther League members
went to pasta praise to get to know the other youth that were going to be on the
bus to Texas. SOS (Society of Service) was organized Nov 1, 1982 sponsored by the Women of the ELCA at Grace Lutheran Church. All women members of Grace are assigned to one of the 12 teams with the Men of the Church helping when it is possible. The purpose of SOS is to take turns in serving Grace Church when needed, for funerals, cleaning church and other special church functions. Our 12 teams have completed 24 years of service in 2006. We served 19 functions in 2006 plus each team served one coffee hour during the summer and cleaned the kitchen one month during the year. Several of our teams are quite small so for several events we doubled up and used two teams for one event when needed. The functions included 18 Funerals, Sunday School Christmas Program Sandwich & Cookie supper Dec 17, 2006. A special THANK YOU to all Team Leaders, Team Members and Men of the Church for their faithful and efficient service. Thanks to Donna Benne for replenishing supplies for the kitchens. GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNUAL REPORT 2007 Our Sunday School staff for the 2007-2008 school year includes: Teachers: Preschool and Kindergarten- Shelly Welding, Sue Schroeder and helper Karl Maack 1st and 2nd Grade – Pam Petersen 3rd and 4th Grade – Ruth Maresh 5th and 6th Grade – Jolene Svoboda 7th and 8th Grade – Ron Hurt Music – Mindi Linder Clerk – Melissa Nielsen Treasurer – Jo Conrad Secretary – Pam Petersen Superintendent – Mindi Linder We have had 48 active students in 2007. We had a bowling party in the spring of 2007. We continue to sing on the 4th Sunday of each month during worship service. Our Christmas program in 2007 was entitled “Christmas Letters.” Plans for 2008 include a spring activity and a fall hayrack ride party. THANKS to our teachers for giving their time and talents in 2007! Mindi Linder Sunday School Superintendent. Make a Splash with Jesus! (Water Park Theme) Tuesday, July 24th -Thursday, July 26th 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Number of children in attendance: Preschool – Kindergarten: 39 1st – 2nd Grades: 32 3rd – 6th Grades: + 25 Total: 96 (62 pre-registered)
Children rotated through 3 sites (a different site each day) with the following site leaders: Plunge into Courage: Jolene Svoboda and Sandy Westerman Plunge into Faith: Linda Hughes and Sue Kriekemeier Plunge into Obedience: Lana Hagedorn and Tori Hammond Music: Alyssa Schuetze Kitchen and Snacks: Jane McElroy and Melissa Nielsen Playground: Peg Rood VBS Director: Alyssa Schuetze Helpers: Krista Petersen, Nicholas Petersen, Ashley Petersen, Mindi Linder, Carrissa Batenhorst, Michaela Throener, Matt Hladky, Jacie Kubik, Mercedes Hammond, Jonah Hughes, Angie Osmond, Kelli Luebbert, Jolene Cerny, Brooke Nielsen, and Austin Nielsen
Money taken in from free will offering throughout the week: $658.00 *an envelope went home with an estimated “per child cost” of $10 for VBS – just over half seemed to return with $10 or more included *no donations to charities or any organizations were given out this year Expenses paid out for the program, crafts, and activities: $441.98
*Parents and friends were invited to attend the closing on the last day from 3:00-3:30 to see the songs performed and listen to a short overview of the week’s activities, but no formal program was planned. (around 40 people showed up)
As a community of women, created in the image of God, called to discipleship in Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we (as Women of the ELCA) commit ourselves to grow in faith, affirm our gifts, support one another in our callings, engage in ministry and action and promote healing and wholeness in the church, society and the world.
This mission statement defines the whole purpose of Women of the ELCA and keeps us active in seeking ways to live out our Christian commitment. In 2007, Women of the ELCA at Grace continued to serve the church locally with cards, prayers for the sick, tray favors for the West Point Living Center, St. Joseph Retirement Community, Colonial Haven in Beemer, and Good Samaritan in Scribner, monthly remembrances to our shut-ins, annual World Day of Prayer Worship and the 75th annual Mother-Daughter Banquet. WELCA also sponsors Society of Service (SOS) at Grace, where we serve for funerals and other church sponsored events. We save Campbell soup labels for Grace Lutheran Preschool, save cancelled stamps for Bethphage Mission, save pop tabs for Sunday School who donate them to the Ronald McDonald Houses. We keep in contact with our missionary, Sister Ruth Ellen Rebelein who serves in Papua, New Guinea. We invite everyone to help make quilts for Lutheran World Relief the last Tuesday of each month. We maintain the Cradle Roll and remember our preschool children and invite each one to attend Sunday School when they are 3 years old. The church nationally and worldwide was served by sending quilts, health kits, and needed items to Lutheran World Relief. Our quilters also make quilts for our graduating seniors each spring and send one quilt to the quilt auction at Camp Carol Joy. Sandy Boots is serving the Women of the ELCA on the state level by serving as the Nebraska Promoter for the Women’s Triennial Gathering July 10-13, 2008 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Our October Salad Luncheon and Bake Sale is our main fundraiser for the year. The funds will be disbursed at the February 9th, 9:30 a.m. general meeting. We welcome all women to join us for the fun and fellowship of all our activities. Joy Circle meets the 2nd Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. and Friendship Circle meets the second Monday at 7 p.m. Officers are: Mary Vander Pol-President, Vicki Furchert-Treasurer, Dee Briggs-Secretary, Laverne Schulzkump-chairperson of Joy Circle, Sandy Boots-chairperson of Friendship Circle. This was the 32nd year of having Acolytes at Grace Lutheran Church. All students in confirmation classes serve as Acolytes, which in 2007 were the 7th and 8th graders. One student serves at every worship service, lighting candles, presenting the offering plates and sometimes helping with Communion if Pastor needs them. In the fall of 2005 Pastor started having the students read the first lesson on the Sunday that they were the acolyte and the congregation has really appreciated having them do that. Reminders are sent from the church office to the Acolytes for when they serve each week. Thanks to all students who serve their Lord in this way.
Thank you to our six teams of Altar Guild ladies who get the altar area and Communion ready when needed. They also arrange the Easter Lilies and Christmas Poinsettia Garden, when needed. Teams for 2008 are as follows, Team 1: July – Oct. Laura Wagner, Janice Lubker, Merna Recker Team 2: April –Aug. Audrey Maack, Laverne Schulzkump, Darlene Olsen Team 3: Sept.—March Betty Hurt, Dorothy Suhr, Marlys Schroeder Team 4: Nov.—Feb Ferne Moeller, Sharon Roberts, Mary Lou Kindschuh, Anita Batenhorst Team 5: Dec.-- May Jo Conrad, Donna Benne, Deb Slagle Team 6: June – Jan Betty Douglas, Ursula Clark, Judy Lutz Thanks to Marian Thompson for all of her years of loyal service, Marian retired from this committee in 2007. New Members are welcome anytime. Chairman Judy Lutz Julie & Lenny Erb mailed care packages and thinking of you cards to our college kids this year. The Endowment Committee provided funds for expenses.
“WORKING TOGETHER TO PRESERVE THE PAST FOR THE FUTURE” 2007 was the 28th year of displaying the history of Grace Lutheran Church through Historical Hall. The two glass display cases, located in the northwest entryway to the Parish Hall, show an array of items from THE PAST, including pictures and scrapbooks. The north wall is adorned with the large painting that formerly hung over the Altar in the Sanctuary, which dates back over one hundred years. Also in the hallway are pictures of the former and current Grace Lutheran Church buildings. The PASTORAL LEADERSHIP DISPLAY was completed in 1996 and reveals the 18 pastors whom have served the church for the past 133 years from 1874-2007. Track lighting enhances the display, and many visitors have commented on how the lighting adds to the display. The antique offering tray holder has been placed in Historical Hall and displays an antique brass offering plate and Memory Book. Many scrapbooks are also there to be viewed, including the 100th Anniversary scrapbook from 1974 and many other books with yearly happenings of the congregation. Another HISTORICAL feature of Grace Lutheran church is the CONFIRMATION STAND located in the Parish Hall. It features pictures and names of all the confirmands from 1890-2007. Several items of History have been received over the past several years from members and their families. Anyone who has Historical items - pictures, scrapbooks, newspaper articles, etc. - of happenings at Grace Lutheran Church are welcome to donate them to Historical Hall. Also, suggestions to improve Historical Hall are always welcomed. Mrs. Harry (Elaine) Breitbarth and Mrs. Doris Paulsen, Chairpersons |
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