Grace Lutheran Church Non-Profit Org.
1024 West Eighth St. U.S. Postage Paid
Waterloo IA 50702 Permit 1368
319.235.6705 Waterloo IA
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
TO:
May 2025
Grace Evangelical Lutheran
May 2025 WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Sunday Worship – 9am
Communion - 2nd & 4th
Fellowship – 10:15am
Bible Class Hour– 10:30am
Men’s Breakfast/Bible Study – Saturday, May 3rd, 8 am
Special PPC & Board Meeting – Monday, May 5th, 7:00 pm
Women’s Bible Study – Thursday, May 1st & 15th, 9:30am
Sewing Circle – 8:30am-noon Most Wednesdays
Hannah Society – Monday, May 19th, 7:00 pm
This Month—
Choir concert-Valley and Hope Lutheran School Wednesday May 7th at 5:30 pm
Music Sunday May 11th at 9 am
Over 80’s Luncheon Thursday May 8th at 11:30 am
Welcome New Member Potluck Sunday May 18th at 11:30 am
Circuit Event Sunday May 18th from 3:30 to 5:00 pm
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May 2025 Office hours: Monday & Friday – 8am-noon, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday – 8a-noon, 1-4pm Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 9:30a Ladies Bible Study 2 3 8a Men’s Breakfast/Bible Stdy 4 9a Worship 10:15 Fellowship 10:30 Bible Class / Sunday School 5 6p Exercise 7p Special PPC with all Boards 6 7 8:30a Sewing 5p Catechesis 5:30p Valley Choir/ Minnesota Choir 8 11:30a Over 80’s Luncheon 6p Exercise 9 10 11a Valley Lutheran Graduation 11 Music Sunday 9a Worship w/comm. 10:15 Fellowship 10:30 Bible Class / Sunday School 12 6p Exercise 13 14 8:30a Sewing 15 9:30a Ladies Bible Study 6p Exercise 16 17 1p Youth @ Palmers Fun Center 18 Military Sunday 9a Worship 10:15 Fellowship 10:30 Bible Class / Sunday School 11:30a Potluck 3:30p Circuit Event 19 6p Exercise 7p Hannah’s 20 21 8:30a Sewing 5p Catechesis 22 6p Exercise 23 24 25 9a Worship w/comm. 10:15 Fellowship 10:30 Bible Class 26 Memorial Day OFFICE CLOSED 27 9a Greeting Stuffers 28 8:30a Sewing 29 6p Exercise 30 31
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May 2025
Pastor’s Page
THANK YOU ALL FOR COMPLETING THE SURVEY! Everyone has had the opportunity to express their thoughts and concerns. The results are included in this month’s Grace Greetings. Notes from our Parish Planning Council to discuss these results are included as well. This is just the first step. We have much to discuss as a congregation. Our decisions moving forward will impact ourselves and our community. This month I would like to address three subjects: Reality. Attitude, and Encouragement.
Our church is in the Preservation stage according to the survey results. Honestly, this is expected. Our demographic is upside-down. We are a predominantly older congregation. Most of you are retired. Our attendance has steadily declined over the last 30 + years. Our official membership, however, remains overly inflated. Lapsed Christians have been allowed to remain on our membership rolls for years. Some, unannounced, have switched to other congregations. Most of you are from the Silent Generation and Baby Boomers. You’ve witnessed many in your generations by and large fall away from the Christian faith taking their kids and grandkids (and great-grandkids) with them. There are a couple of us in the middle and a few in their 20s and under. Our society, officially secular, is increasingly non-Christian. There is an increasing reemergence of diverse pagan and occult views and practices in America. Government has largely displaced the work of local congregations in providing for the poor and needy, educating the youth, and caring for the sick. People are married to their iPhones or Samsungs. We are increasingly isolated as a society. Little good soil left on which to sow the seed, it appears. Imagine sowing seed in the first century (up to the 18th Century, for that matter). It’s easy to get depressed, disheartened, to subsist or throw in the towel.
Attitude plays a major role, though. We are saved through faith alone, but faith is never alone. God uses us to spread his Gospel. He creates faith when and where it pleases him. God is in control. That’s the first point. The second point is this: we reap what we sow. Every Sunday the Sower (Jesus) sows his seed among us gathered to hear his Gospel. His word falls on good soil, we receive it, we learn, we grow some hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty. We take his word with us into our daily lives. We are living witnesses, whether we are newborns or 90-year-olds. (Sadly, our society has greatly depreciated the critical role of the elderly). Being primarily elderly, you may be tempted to think there is little you can do. Nonsense! I still remember Faith Heiser, bless her memory, teaching VBS class in her 90’s. Our society is filled with young people who are lost, aimless, seeking advice, seeking wisdom, seeking direction in their lives. Be willing to stand alongside them, give them advice, teach them wisdom, and guide them in the true path to eternity. You reap what you sow.
Finally, I encourage you not to throw in the towel. View this survey as a challenge, not a threat. Hard to do at times, I know. Defy the statistics. Defy your reason. The Lord works in mysterious, hidden ways most often through sufferings and the cross. He still sows the seed.
Choir Concert
Come enjoy Valley Lutheran School’s high school choir at the Spring High School Choir Concert, joined by Hope Lutheran School touring from Winona, Minnesota. The performance will be at Grace Lutheran Church on May 7th at 5:30 pm, and will feature a variety of Christian music for you to enjoy!
We are looking for some dessert to serve the choirs if you are interested in baking let the office know by May 4th. At least one of the members has a gluten allergy, if you are willing or able to provide a gluten free dessert let Denise know.
BABY BOTTLE DRIVE
The baby bottle drive is wrapping up. If you have not turned in your bottle please do as soon as possible. The money will be sent to Alternatives by May 11th. Thank you for your help with this.
CONGREGATIONAL POTLUCK
There will be a potluck to greet the new members- Nick and Tara Zander & their daughter on Sunday May 18 starting at 11:30 am. Bring a dish to share - plates, silverware and drinks will be provided.
Come for the food, fun and fellowship as we learn more about our new members. This is being sponsored by the Fellowship Board.
MEN’S BREAKFAST/BIBLE STUDY on Saturday,
May 3rd at 8:00 a.m.
Join us in the kitchen on the 3rd for Breakfast and Bible Study. I know that a lot of fellowship takes place and that everyone leaves in a good mood. Please join us for good food, fellowship and learning. The menu will be pancakes, sausage and maybe some sweet rolls along with some drinks.
Prayer Chain…
Our Grace Prayer Chain is alive and well. If you have a request for the group – please call Denise in the church office (235.6705) or Dianna Seedorff (290.6513) to get the group on their knees.
ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED
Transportation is needed, a former member is back in the area and would like to start coming to church here. She lives off of University by Alabar Hills area. Contact the office for more information.
I would like to thank everyone for your prayers and cards during the loss of my grandson, Emerson Patrick Kafer. And also the loss of my life long friend Becky Kellen of LeMars. The end of February was a dark place but thanks to you and the Lord, I was not alone and given strength and love to make it to the light.
Lu Kafer
Thank you to the Board of Properties for the spring refresh both inside and outside this last month. Your work is always appreciated but not often acknowledged.
Thank you to the Van Nice family for the serving of the Easter goodies. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the feast we had on Easter, it was greatly enjoyed by all. Thank you to those that stopped to fellowship with us and ate the goodies that we had.
FROM THE PIE LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
We have stocked the freezer with some of your favorite pies for Easter. The 9” pies are now $9 and the 5” pies are $5.
We have Apple, Cherry, Rhubarb, Peach and Blueberry.
Don’t forget that Mother’s Day and Graduation are also coming up and the pies make a wonderful gift.
A FOLK AND SOCIAL DANCING
Will take place on Sunday, May 18th, from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. in the Hillmer Center at Grace Lutheran Church in Waterloo, IA. All are welcome to attend and enjoy an afternoon of music, movement, and fellowship. No dance experience or partner is needed—just bring comfortable shoes and a willingness to participate. This event is open to all ages and skill levels and offers a wonderful opportunity for fun and community connection. If you have any questions, please contact Jamie Knox at Knoxjamie1@gmail.com.
HOMESCHOOL CONFERENCE:
The homeschool families of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Carlisle, Iowa are hosting our fourth annual homeschool conference on Saturday, May 10, 2025, 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. The theme for this conference is Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty: Bringing Beauty into Your Home & Homeschool. There is no charge to attend this event. Lunch will be offered at a minimal cost, and limited childcare is available. The registration deadline is May 3, 2025. Find additional information and complete your registration on our website: holycrosscarlisle.org
CHOIR NOTES
Make songs of joy to Christ, our Head; Alleluia!
He lives again who once was dead! Alleluia! LSB 484:1
Our choir 'year' is quickly coming to a close. Our prayer is that you have listened and lifted your heart in praise to our risen Lord Jesus Christ! We will soon be on our summer hiatus, but we hope you may consider joining us in September to lift your voice with ours in praise to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is risen indeed, Alleluia!
GRACE LUTHERAN FOOD PANTRY
The Food Pantry is still open by appointment! The purpose is to supplement a person’s existing food resources as an emergency stop gap measure for those in our congregation or friends of the congregation. It is NOT a competition for the Northeast Iowa Food Bank. The Pantry is located in the church office. Thank you to everyone who has donated items. Top Needs are
Pancake mix, syrup, dry cereal, stick butter, spaghetti noodles, crackers, rice, canned fruit, peanut butter and 32 oz. juice, ramen noodles, hamburger helper, spaghetti sauce, Hair conditioner, body wash, deodorant (men & women).
If you or someone you know is in need, please contact the office (235.6705).
IDE TODAY
The IDE Today magazine will be offered online very soon. If you wish to receive a digital copy you can sign up at https://lcmside.org/ide-today-signup/. Because of the cost of printing they will not send out as many copies, but the digital copy will be able to have more pictures for you to see. You will also be able to read it before everyone else
13TH ANNUAL LOVE INC GOLF TOURNAMENT
Get Ready for an Epic Golf Event, FOUR Neighbors in Need!
June 30th - Irv Warren Memorial Golf Course $120 per person 4 person Best Shot
Gather your squad and shine in front of over 5,000 people. Enjoy an afternoon of barbecue, golf, and amazing prizes. With 30 teams and three flights, there's a level for everyone. No team? No problem! Register solo and we'll pair you up. Registration at 11 am, lunch at 11:30am tee off at 12:30 pm
All proceeds support our Cedar Valley neighbors in need. Questions? Call 319-266-1264 or email info@loveinccv.org.
ONLINE GIVING
We now have the option of online giving available on our website:
www.gracewaterloo.org You will enter a secure site and can setup weekly or one time gifts to your regular giving or to special funds like the building repair fund. Giving can be setup with either a credit card or your bank account. You can create an account that will remember your information for future use. This is a very secure site so you can setup giving with confidence that your information will be safe.
You can also setup giving using an app on a cell phone. Just search for Vanco in your App Store. Using this you will need to create an account with your information to allow the app to communicate with Vanco.
The Lutheran Hour
Sundays – 7:30 a.m.
WHO/1040 AM
Sundays – 6:30 a.m.
WMT/600 AM
Sundays – 8 a.m.
KWAY/1470 AM
KFUO Radio
LCMS news, music,
and Gospel! 24/7
To support the world wide radio ministry, send your gift to
LCMS Radio Ministry
P.O. Box 66913
St, Louis MO 63166-6913
Our own Synod’s radio station is on 24/7. It is particularly awesome. Listening to KFUO Radio is easy…it is online all day and all night, around the world. Hear the Gospel message of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, the teachings that show why we believe what we believe, and hear the Word proclaimed daily. Since 1924, KFUO Radio is a listener-supported broadcast ministry of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Lutheran Worship, Sacred Music, and Informative Talk programming and news are all part of why KFUO Radio has continued to spread the Gospel with the help of its dedicated worldwide listeners. Check it out!
HOSPITALIZED?
Will you be receiving care at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota? Trinity Lutheran Church of Rochester offers their TLCare ministry to out of town medical guests. We strive to serve people in many ways such as prayer support, a homemade meal, a visit from one of our caring members, free parking in our lot, a comfortable place to go between appointments, and more. An apartment (no cost) within walking distance of the Mayo Clinic is also available on a first-come basis for LCMS members. For further information, please contact Trisha at 507.218.1531 or Pastor Schwartz at 816.806.6797 at Trinity, or chaplain@RochesterHospital.
If you have a planned hospitalization, or are admitted in an emergency – please let the church office know as soon as possible. Because of privacy laws, the hospital can not tell us when you are admitted. Even when the hospital chaplain attempts to let us know, sometimes we are not notified.
We want to be able to minister to you in your time of need – please let us know. (235.6705)
Our Mission:
As we are LOVED by Christ, we are LED by Christ to LIVE for Christ.
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins...since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another...if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” I John 4:10-12
(In case of emergency outside of office hours, please
use Pastor’s cell # 828.446.2521)
Our email addresses:
revjustinkane@gracewaterloo.org
May ‘25 Volume 31.5
| IN THIS ISSUE | |
| 1) | HI SCHOOL |
| 2) | 4th-5th INFO |
| 3) | 6th, 7th & 8th INFO |
| 4) |
YOUTH INFORMATION
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By The Way!
LETS TRY PALMERS FUN CENTER ON SATURDAY MAY 17TH AT 1 PM AND EXPERIENCE ALL OF THE FUN THINGS THEY HAVE TO DO THERE.
THEY HAVE THE GIANT BOUNCING PILLOW, GO CARTS, GOOFY GOLF, BATTING CAGES, DRIVING RANGE, LAZER TAG AND ARCHERY TAG. THERE ARE SOME DIFFERENT PACKAGES FOR PRICING OFFERED SO YOU CAN DECIDE WHICH OPTIONS WORK THE BEST FOR YOU. DO YOU WANT TO TRY SEVERAL DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES OR ARE YOU A FAN OF A COUPLE OF THESE. THEY DO HAVE SOME DRINKS AND SNACKS AVAILABLE ALSO. LET ME KNOW BY MAY 14TH IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO COME OUT AND ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL WEATHER. INVITE A FRIEND OR TWO TO MAKE OUR EXPERIENCE EVEN MORE FUN.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON EITHER OF THESE ACTIVITIES PLEASE CALL 464-2375 AND LEAVE A MESSAGE OR EMAIL ME AT YOUTH@GRACEWATERLOO.ORG.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO NEXT MONTH? LET ME KNOW BY MAY 15TH.
HOCKEY SEASON IS OVER BUT THERE ARE OTHER ACTIVITIES COMING THIS SUMMER. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO AT MY WATERLOO DAYS? DO YOU EVER GO TO STURGIS FALLS IN JUNE? WHAT ARE YOU SUMMER VACATION TRIPS?
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN GOING TO CAMP THIS SUMMER? CHECK OUT THE BULLETIN BOARDS FOR MORE INFORMATION.
READ PSALMS 25 THIS MONTH. LET’S DISCUSS WHAT THIS CHAPTER IS SAYING TO US.
LETS TRY PALMERS FUN CENTER ON SATURDAY MAY 17TH AT 1 PM AND EXPERIENCE ALL OF THE FUN THINGS THEY HAVE TO DO THERE.
THEY HAVE THE GIANT BOUNCING PILLOW, GO CARTS, GOOFY GOLF, BATTING CAGES, DRIVING RANGE, LAZER TAG AND ARCHERY TAG. THERE ARE SOME DIFFERENT PACKAGES FOR PRICING OFFERED SO YOU CAN DECIDE WHICH OPTIONS WORK THE BEST FOR YOU. DO YOU WANT TO TRY SEVERAL DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES OR ARE YOU A FAN OF A COUPLE OF THESE. THEY DO HAVE SOME DRINKS AND SNACKS AVAILABLE ALSO. LET ME KNOW BY MAY 14TH IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO COME OUT AND ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL WEATHER. INVITE A FRIEND OR TWO TO MAKE OUR EXPERIENCE EVEN MORE FUN.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON EITHER OF THESE ACTIVITIES PLEASE CALL 464-2375 AND LEAVE A MESSAGE OR EMAIL ME AT YOUTH@GRACEWATERLOO.ORG.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO NEXT MONTH? LET ME KNOW BY MAY 15TH.
HOCKEY SEASON IS OVER BUT THERE ARE OTHER ACTIVITIES COMING THIS SUMMER. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO AT MY WATERLOO DAYS? DO YOU EVER GO TO STURGIS FALLS IN JUNE? WHAT ARE YOU SUMMER VACATION TRIPS?
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN GOING TO CAMP THIS SUMMER? CHECK OUT THE BULLETIN BOARDS FOR MORE INFORMATION.
READ PSALMS 25 THIS MONTH. LET’S DISCUSS WHAT THIS CHAPTER IS SAYING TO US.
THE REGISTRATION HAS BEEN SENT IN BUT THERE IS TIME TO ADD SOMEONE IF THEY STILL WANT TO ATTEND.
THE NEXT GATHERING IS 2025 IN NEW ORLEANS. THOSE THAT HAVE COMPLETED 8TH GRADE BY MAY OF 2025 ARE ABLE TO ATTEND.
THE GATHERING IS JULY 19-23, 2025, IN NEW ORLEANS. THE THEME IS ENDURE AND THE TEXT IS HEBREWS 12:1-3.
SO, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR OUR CHURCHES? IT MEANS THAT EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERACTION. THE ‘YOUNG PEOPLE’ SHOULDN’T BE SEPARATE ALL THE TIME FROM THE ‘OLD PEOPLE’. WHILE SPECIALIZED LEARNING AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IS IMPORTANT FOR DEVELOPMENT AND COMRADERY, INTERGENERATIONAL EXPERIENCES GREATER A RICHER, MORE RELATIONALLY CONNECTED CHURCH.
UNDERSTANDING ACROSS GENERATIONS CAN BRING BETTER INSIGHT TO WHAT EACH PERSON BRINGS TO THEIR VOCATIONS AND ROLES GOD HAS CALLED THEM TO, ESPECIALLY IN THE CHURCH. ACROSS GENERATIONS, IT HELPS US IDENTIFY WHERE WE MIGHT MISUNDERSTAND OR MISCOMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER AND WORK TOWARDS NEW APPRECIATION FOR THE WAYS GOD HAS GIFTED HIS PEOPLE OF ALL AGES.
LASTLY, UNDERSTANDING THE NEEDS OF ALL THE GENERATIONS CAN HELP YOU BETTER SHARE THE GOSPEL WITH THE WORLD! IT CAN INCREASE THE WAY IN WHICH YOU COMMUNICATE GOD’S GRACE AND GIFTS IN A WAY UNDERSTANDABLE TO EACH GENERATION. EACH GENERATION IS SO LOVED BY JESUS THAT HE DIED FOR THEIR SALVATION. CONNECTING ACROSS GENERATIONS CAN BROADEN YOUR PURVIEW OF WHY JESUS HAS COME FOR ALL PEOPLE THROUGHOUT ALL TIME.
”YOUTHESOURCE BY AVA SLAYBAUGH ON October 26, 2024