Dear Brothers and
Sisters in Christ,
At a recent gathering, church members were asked: “What has Grace Lutheran Church done for you?” Their answers included the following statements: [Grace] helped me recommit myself to my faith; gave me wonderful friendships; brought people I love closer to God; gave me a family; nourished my faith; challenged me to look beyond myself to the larger world; taught me that Jesus the Messiah came to serve and not be served; changed me through its music ministry. Others said: [Grace] recharges me; allows me to receive more than I ever expect; gives me opportunities to be involved in Social Ministry; [is] a caring community; a comforting place of refuge; an outlet to give more of myself; and I feel safe at Grace.
How about you? What would you say to a neighbor or friend? Please share your experiences with them.
So many life-giving experiences are available at Grace Lutheran Church of La Grange! As we begin a new school year, let’s consider the numerous ways people all ages can participate in education and service. Worship and education, caring for others, food and friendships, as well as serving others in the name of Christ are necessary components of a healthy life. Grace is providing many healthy opportunities for you and your friends. One of the best gifts you can offer someone close to you is to invite them to join you as you participate in worship, education and service opportunities.
Education. Rally Day is Sunday, September 13. Classes and groups for all ages will begin that week. Please share the colorful education brochure with people you know who have no church home. Many educational opportunities will be available from which to choose. Invite friends to join you on Sunday or during the week.
Bible study. I am looking forwarding to teaching a new Bible study which will focus on “Jesus through Middle Eastern Eyes.” We will use a book by Kenneth Bailey by that title to help us understand the significance of Jesus’ treatment of women, the use of parables to communicate the gospel, the birth narrative of Jesus, the Lord’s Prayer, and a brief introduction to the Gospel of Luke and The Acts of the Apostles. It is not necessary to purchase the Bailey book. We will work together to understand Christ and the Gospel authors as they recorded and interpreted the traditions available to them. We will gain new perspectives from the Eastern tradition that have rarely been considered outside the Arabic-speaking Christian world. We will meet at 7 pm on Mondays and 10 am on Wednesdays. Please invite your friends. All are welcome.
Worship. Three worship services will continue to be available on Sunday mornings at 7:45, 8:45, and 11:00. Holy Communion will be celebrated at each service, either in the Sanctuary or in the Chapel. Logos will help train young people, ages 18 months to 18 years, to become leaders in worship. Logos is described in more detail elsewhere in this newsletter.
Service. Many opportunities to serve are available within the congregation and within the community. Please attend the Ministry Fair on Sunday, August 30, September 6 or September 13 to learn how you can make a difference. Two new ministries, “Young Families of Grace” and “Helping Hands and Hearts of Grace,” will provide opportunities to serve and care for others.
Young Families of Grace (YFG) is intended for parents who have young children. Educational and fellowship opportunities are being planned so parents can come together to get to know each other, hear speakers on relevant topics, and be strengthened for their service at home, at work and in the community. A strong group of committed people has already volunteered to serve on an advisory board to plan and implement a number of new and exciting activities. The internet will be used to communicate plans to other Young Families of Grace.
Helping Hands and Hearts of Grace will expand caring ministries by providing a friendly face or voice to people in need, on a one-time or short-term basis. Volunteers will offer their time and talents to: make a friendly phone call; pray with someone over the phone or in person; stop by with dinner; run an errand; bring a friend to worship; visit with a member at home or in the hospital; or say hello, listen or pray with someone in need.
May God’s peace dwell in you richly and fill your hearts with joy,
Pastor Saïd Ailabouni
s.ailabouni@gracelutheran-lg.org
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