Sunday Schedule

Dear Friends in Christ,

As most in our community know, last September we began a Sunday morning worship schedule that includes two services with our Happy Hour in between (featuring Christian education, fellowship, and occasional all-community events).  

The intention behind the Council decision for this move was to make room (in seating in the sanctuary and in our parking lot) for the growth our community has been experiencing. On one Sunday a few weeks ago, for example, we had 18 first-time worshipers or worshipers who had worshiped with us for a week or two.  Even this last Sunday, with the snow storm greatly limiting our attendance (17 & 26 at the two services), we had approximately 6 first-time worshipers. I thank God for the newcomers who are finding their way to our community.

What we have experienced thus far is not an increase in our overall Sunday attendance. We did experience an initial increase in the autumn months, but this winter the attendance has been such to bring us back to our average of around 100.

Some people in the community have shared their feedback. Some people don’t like the new schedule in general for a variety of reasons.  Others have said the new schedule suits their schedule well. Still others have said that having options on a Sunday morning has been helpful.  Some have noted that each service has fewer worshipers (even when the total attendance between the two has been large). This has left them with a sense that there aren’t as many in church. Others have said they miss people they routinely saw in worship who may now attend a different service from them.  All this feedback is helpful.

It is important to remember that this has been an experiment.  It was not necessarily designed to be a permanent change. The commitment of the Council is that we will continue this schedule through the end of May, when we will return to a single service for the summer.  

The Congregation Council and I will be formally seeking feedback from Grace folks as May approaches.  Based upon what we receive as feedback and ever mindful of the mission that God calls us to, we will engage the community in discernment about our future worship schedule.

Meantime, I am grateful for all who worship at Grace. Each Sunday, we are fed by Word and Sacrament, by the gracious and loving presence of God who calls and assembles us to be God’s people.  Thank you for your continued participation in all the ministries of Grace. Regardless of how many worship services we hold, I hope you can join the Council and me in giving thanks for the many ways God gives the growth in our community.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Michael

Imagine the Possibilities!

Grace Lutheran Church is a community of believers, not a building.  Yet, since we use a building for our mission, worship, and service, we have a responsibility to take care of that space and make it useful for our needs and mission. The Congregation Council has had on-going conversations with the Property Team and Aesthetics Team about our building and how it serves our congregation and wider community.  As an outgrowth of our Strategic Plan, we’ve contemplated the needs of our physical structure and considered ways to address them. The Property Team has created a prioritized list of items important to maintain and enhance our space. Primarily, this list addresses items relating to safety, wear and tear, access and comfort. We’ve seen important projects tackled such as energy-efficient lighting, HVAC updates, improved seating for disabled persons and the updated restrooms. While we continue to deal with everyday needs such as elevator and boiler repair, our conversations evolved to include more expansive discussions about what we might be able to do to make our building “better.” Sure, we need new carpeting in the fellowship hall, walls need to be painted, and the kitchen needs a makeover; but can we also consider how to make our church building more inviting, inspiring, joyful and beautiful?  We’ve considered many different alternatives. (We’ve even gone so far as to entertain the idea of selling this building and moving elsewhere. Say what?!?)

Since we are “In the Neighborhood for Good,” it looks like we are happily committed to staying right where we are.  So, can we consider the possibilities? The council wants our whole community to join in the conversation and imagine the possibilities!  We’ve met with a sacred space artisan who has shared some ideas about how we might transform our sanctuary to enhance the feeling of communion with God, to be more inviting and inspirational, more beautiful and holy – while also improving the traffic flow.  Yes, we can be practical as we dream.

There is much to consider! You are invited to join the conversation. We will have a “church hall” meeting (like a town hall meeting) during Happy Hour (9:30-10:30am) on Sunday, March 31st.  Let’s explore how we want to invest in the future of our church, imagine opportunities, look at what we see as challenges, and work together to make this a true house of worship to our Lord and Savior that serves us and our neighbors. 

As one team member shared, “We are a warm and welcoming people; our building should reflect that.”

Be open. Be Imaginative. Be thoughtful. Be practical.  Be inspired. Be involved. Join the exploration!!

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Westside CARES Annual Banquet

Westside CARES