Equipper - Grace Lutheran School

Equipper
Equipping God’s people as we celebrate, teach, and share God’s Grace.
Volume 57 Issue 10
Grace Lutheran Church
School, & ECC
Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Two of the most highly watched sporting events on television are not
when teams or athletes are competing against each other; rather they
involve the drafting of players for the National Football League (NFL) and
National Basketball Association (NBA) teams. For many hours, fans of
professional sports will watch intently to see whom their favorite teams
will draft.
Most of us won’t be drafted by professional football or basketball teams,
but, as Christians, we receive a greater calling. We, in essence, are
God’s draft choices. “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit” (John 15:16). God has made us a part of His
team. We are not chosen by God because we are successful in our careers, great athletes, or wealthy. God chooses ordinary people to do extra-ordinary things. “But God chose the foolish things of the world to
shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the
strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—
and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are” (1 Corinthians
1:27-28).
Through faith, we understand that we are among the foolish and weak
through whom God carries on his life-saving work. “But we have this
treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God
and not from us” (2 Corinthians 4:7). God entrusts us—clay jars—with
this treasure—the Gospel. Even though we are frail and unworthy of
our tasks, God has chosen us to carry His message of love to the world.
As humble people of faith, we are empowered by the indwelling of the
Holy Spirit. He transforms and molds us. “Therefore, if anyone is in
Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). It is God Who does the drafting and the changing.
Through faith, we will stay on God’s team, and we will bear the fruit that
He calls us to bear.
The professional athletes who are drafted are expected to perform. They
are paid large sums of money to do very athletic things. As God’s chosen people, we may not receive large compensation, but our benefits are
out of this world! Therefore, we are eager to use our lives and resources
in God’s service for His glory. Paul wrote, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). What a privilege it is to be part of
and serving on God’s winning team!
Pastor
Rev. Dean A. Dummer
Principal
Mr. Steve Gettelman
Early Childhood Center
Rev. Dean A. Dummer
www.graceoakcreek.org
Table of Contents
Devotion
60th Anniversary
1
2-10
Church News
11
Ladies Guild
12
Summer School Programs 12
Military Biblestick Mission 13
Hunger Task Force
14
Calendars
15
Click on link for
May Calendar
Articles may be submitted to:
pastor@graceoakcreek.org
Deadline for
June/July Equipper: May 17th
http://graceoakcreek.org.viewevents.com
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Sunday May 31st, 2015
60th Anniversary Worship Service at Church
10:00am
Guest Preacher: President John C. Wille
South Wisconsin District-LCMS
Rev. John C. Wille has served congregations in Ohio, Illinois and Wisconsin during
parish ministry. Immediately prior to being elected President of the South Wisconsin
District, he served as the church planter and founding pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Tomah, Wisconsin, where he served for 16 years. He has served the
church as a parish pastor, circuit counselor, District Vice-President, trained synod
reconciler, as a certified church planter, and as part of the Critical Incident Stress
Management team from South Wisconsin that was sent to Alabama and Mississippi
immediately after Hurricane Katrina.
his
Rev. Wille has served as President of the South Wisconsin District LCMS since August of 2006. In that capacity he
sits on the Council of Presidents of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod along with the other LCMS district presidents, the LCMS president and vice-presidents. As part of the Council of Presidents he also serves on the “Clergy
Call and Roster Committee”, which drafts and reviews the policies and guidelines under the Council of Presidents
function in relation to called workers and congregations. He also served as the chairman of Floor Committee 6, Administration and Finance, for the 2013 LCMS Convention.
As the president of the South Wisconsin District he is responsible for ecclesiastical oversight of 214 congregations,
multiple schools, high schools, as well as Recognized Service Organizations; along with the ordained and commissioned church workers that reside in South Wisconsin. As SWD district president Rev. Wille is also part of a unique
partnership that is working to establish a new Lutheran church body in the Dominican Republic, and in that capacity
has made multiple trips to the Dominican Republic. He also is a member of the Board of Regents for Concordia University Wisconsin.
In regards to continuing education, President Wille has completed four years in the Pastoral Leadership Institute plus
two additional years of governance training, and he has attended DOXOLOGY. He has also been trained in various
methods of conflict resolution; those include LCMS training for reconcilers, Peter Steinke’s ‘Bridge Builders’, as
well as Ambassadors of Reconciliation.
In regards to family Rev. Wille has been married to his wife, Lynette, for 36 years. They have three daughters; two
of whom are married, one lives in Honduras and works as an international public health official. They are blessed
with six grandchildren. Rev. Wille’s hobbies include: reading Lutheran theology, golf, canoeing in the BWCA, yard
work, and fishing.
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Sunday May 31st, 2015
60th Anniversary Luncheon at school
11:30am
Please join us for fellowship and celebrating!
Menu:
Sliced Beef and Gravy
Turkey and Gravy
Salads
Cake
(Free will offering to help defer costs)
We will need everyone to sign up for attending this
celebration so that we have an accurate headcount
for the food.
Visit our table at the Ministry Fair or
sign up on the website under “60th anniversary tab.
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Envelopes can be found on the table in the narthex as we gather a special offering to make improvements
on our Lord’s House. This will be above and beyond our regular weekly giving to the Lord.
Join us as we give thanks to God for His blessings.
Anniversary
Offering
Celebrating
$60,000
60 years of Grace
1955—2015
$55,000
$50,000
$45,000
$40,000
$35,000
$30,000
$25,000
$20,000
$15,000
$13,810
$10,836
$ 9,477
$ 7,557
$ 6,897
May 1st
Apr 1st
Mar1st
Feb 1st
Jan 1st
$10,000
$ 5,000
OUR GOAL
$60,000
Toward
Improvements on
God’s House
Voter's top
Recommendations
For use of these funds:
Renovation of:
1. Parking Lot
2. Balcony
3. Lower Leven Bathroom
4. Upper Level Parking
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering, and come into his courts!
Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.
Psalm 96: 8,9
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1956 VBS Teacher—Joan Esser
Grace Lutheran Church circa 1960
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Grace Lutheran 1979
1st confirmation class in the new church Pictured with Pastor Jordan are:
Richard L. Rudolf, Sharon L. Roach, and LeRoy J. Handle.
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Dedication of Building for Grace Lutheran Christian Education 1966
(Current ECC)
Dedication of Grace Christian Education November 6, 1966
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Easer Celebration 1972
Easter Celebration 1987
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Christmas Celebration
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Grace Day School Construction 1995
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SUMMER WORSHIP SCHEDULE
BEGINS MAY 26TH
Sunday Worship
9:00 am @ Church
Thursday Worship
6:30 pm @ School
Summer worship schedule begins with the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend and concludes with the Sunday of Labor Day weekend.
Our Thursday service will again be held at school, allowing us to enjoy our airconditioned “chapel”. We will gather everyone together on Sunday for one service
at 9am. This is a great time for our “early service” and “late service” members to
get to know one another.
Make plans now to worship with us regularly throughout the summer!
Pastor Scheduled for Surgery
Two years ago I had major foot reconstruction on my right foot. The doctor said I
would not walk on it for 3 months. Do to a healing problem, 3 months turned into
five. I will be having my left foot reconstruction on May 20th. My prayer is that
healing will be much better this time around and I’ll be walking by the end of the
summer. After the first few weeks of keeping my foot elevated I’ll be back in action once again using my knee scooter. The children should enjoy it!!! I’m waiting with surgery until after confirmation, but will be taking care of it prior to our
anniversary celebration. I apologize to all for missing the festivities, but it’s important I have it done as soon as possible. We have 2 weddings coming up in August and so I need to be up and “running” by then.
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We were blessed to have Chris Meyer join us to look at how hymns are rich
treasuries of sharing the saving love of Christ. Chris came laden with personal
stories, hymnals/songbooks from her ancestors and research into the 5 Poetical Books of the Bible where the majority of hymns are based.
It was a joyous evening of fellowship!
Thank you to Nancy and Gloria who were hostesses for the evening.
Next Guild Meeting…
May 12th- 7pm at school
Election and Installation of New Officers
Distribution of Monies
Summer Programs and Summer Tutoring
Ms. Van Dyke will be offering several summer programs for students this summer including Legomania, Math Wizard, Arts and Crafts, and more! If you are looking to keep your
child busy this summer, why not take a look at signing them up for some fun at Grace!
Ms. Van Dyke also offers summer tutoring for all students. Tutoring is a great way to help
students stay on track during summer break. Information brochures may be picked up at
either church or school.
Contact Ms. Van Dyke with any questions
rvandyke@graceoakcreek.org
Rita Van Dyke
3rd and 4th Grade Teacher
Athletic Director
Grace Lutheran, Oak Creek
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Military BibleStick Mission
April 30th – May 31st
Grace is once again teaming up with Faith Comes By Hearing
(FCBC) in order to send Military BibleSticks to chaplains serving our troops in every branch of the military. BibleSticks are
used in pre-deployment briefings, counseling sessions, Bible
studies, weekly chapels, and upon direct request of service
members. These small portable, digital audio devices are extremely popular.
Join the effort to reach our troops. Give the gift of God's Word
to a military man or military woman for only $25. This includes a Military BibleStick and a response card for service
members to have New Testaments and KIDZ Bibles sent to
their families.
This year, it is our goal to collect enough money to
send 80 BibleSticks to our troops. We have a fantastic
opportunity to provide our service men and women access to
the pure Word of God as they fight to protect the freedom that
we enjoy!
Watch for more information in upcoming bulletins and special
envelopes to make these donations starting at the Ministry
Fair on April 30t h and May 3rd .
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Help Tackle Hunger in Milwaukee!
Congregational Food Drive
February 1st through March 29th
The Food Drive for the Hunger Task Force took place during February and March.
Your help is needed.
All across Milwaukee County, the poor, homeless, and unemployed struggle with hunger every day of the year. Families have to choose between paying rent and buying
food. The hunger in our community is greater than ever. Hunger has been sharply defined by the recession and hardworking people have lost jobs and stayed unemployed
for long periods of time. The Hunger Task Force provides food to all people that are
struggling during this difficult period. The food is provided free and locally to those in
need.
Our Goal for 2015
1200 pounds of food
125 jars of peanut butter!!
CONGRATULATIONS!
We donated
1,400 pounds of food
150 Jars of Peanut Butter
To the Hunger Task Force
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Grace Lutheran Church, School & ECC
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Radio Worship Services
“The Lutheran Hour” can be heard every Sunday Morning
at 6:00 AM on WGN 720 AM, Chicago or at 6:30 AM on WTMJ
620 AM or at 11:00 am WRRD 540 AM, Milwaukee.
“The Lutheran Hour,” which began in 1930, is the world’s
oldest continually broadcast Gospel radio program. This weekly
half-hour program, now heard on more than 1,200 radio stations, pro-claims the message
of Jesus Christ to a world-wide audience.
“Woman To Woman” is a nationally syndicated weekly half-hour radio talk show
that nurtures and provides encouragement for women throughout North America. It
can be heard on Saturday at 7:00 PM on WGLB 1560 AM, Milwaukee or on Sunday
at 11:30 AM at WRRD 540 AM, Milwaukee.
Prayer
Hot Line
In order to
request prayers by
members of Grace, please contact one of the following people. Your
request will be made known to all members of our Prayer Line. Prayer requests
for worship service should be directed to
the church office or Pastor Dummer.
Stimulating conversation between host Phyllis Wallace and her interesting guests
explores issues which impact women. “Woman To Woman” promotes the spiritual
growth of its listeners while providing practical lifestyle information. It equips
women to live and share the truth of God's Word in their many relationships: friends,
spouses, parents and children.
Lutheran TV — “On Main Street”
(WTMJ, Channel 4 Sunday 4:30 AM)
10 AM-3 PM
Carol Thurber —762-9615
3 PM-9 PM
Chet & Pauline Parker — 764-5574
Internet Prayerline
Pauline Parker
paulinemom@aol.com
INFORMATION LINKS
Click on any of these Hyperlinks.
You’ll be taken to the appropriate spot on our website!
2015 Altar Flower Sign-up
May Church /Birthday Calendar
Tip….
Just above the Month and Year you will find a Selection Box.
Click and choose “Church” for our monthly calendar or
“Birthday-church members” to see who is celebrating this month!
ECC Newsletter
School Newsletter
Go On-Line to Request a Prayer