News and Events

Grace Has a New Pastor

It is with warm hearts that we announce the appointment of Rev. David P. Aslesen as Pastor to Grace United Methodist Church effective July 1, 2012.

Pastor David has served Grace UMC in Rockford for the past seven years, where he has guided the development of the church to a point of strength in worship, missions, Christian

Education and stewardship. Grace UMC in Rockford relocated to its present location in 1996. At the time they built a Sanctuary and offices on their new property. Under David Aslesen’s leadership they have added a Christian Education wing.

Pastor David brings to Grace Church a commitment to outreach through global missions, intergenerational Christian education, and to a partnership of clergy and laity in ministry. He also brings a conviction that a church is at its most faithful when it is committed to the well being of all people as children of God.

In addition to these gifts, Pastor David has a passion for teaching and for integrating visual arts and technology into the church community that will continue, and further enrich, the excellent tradition of worship at Grace.

Pastor David will move into the church owned parsonage at 448 W. Hawthorne Court prior to July 1^st. He is looking forward to getting settled in the community and perhaps purchasing a puppy! The telephone number of the parsonage will remain the same: 847-615-2564.

His first Sunday will be July 1^st. This is traditionally the Sunday of the year that we worship with the Union Church of Lake Bluff in Sunrise Park. However, a complicated summer for the Pastors of the Union Church does not make that possible this year. Therefore, our worship will be in the sanctuary. Please plan to be in worship on July 1^st to welcome our new Pastor.

New Director of Christian Education

We have been richly blessed this past year to have two talented students from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary on our Staff. Julie Flerinor has been serving as our Director of Christian Education and John Baker-Streevy as our Youth Pastor. Julie will graduate in May and will be appointed Pastor to a local congregation in Northern Illinois Conference. John needs to take Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) next year which precludes his availability to Grace Church.

The Staff Parish Relations Committee is pleased to announce the hiring of Christine Hides as our new Director of Christian Education. Christine will work 25 hours a week and serve the needs of both Christian Education and Youth Ministry.

Christine, her husband and their two daughters moved to Lake Bluff three years ago. They live across the street from Tim and Cheryl Soderstrom. It is because of this connection that Christine participated in our Disciple Bible study program last year while they remained committed to their church in Grayslake. Disciple Bible study introduced her to Grace Church and she liked what she saw.

Christine has her B.S. and M.S. in Education from Northwestern University. She worked as a Kindergarten Teacher in a Full Day Program in Switzerland and in a Half Day program in District 67. Since the birth of her children she has devoted her time to volunteer work. Her volunteer work is extensive and includes:

Administrative Council Chair

Facebook Administrator for her local church

High School Sunday School teacher and Youth Mission Trip

Chaperone

PADS scheduler

Adult Education teacher

Organizer for Family Camp at Wesley Woods

Girl Scout Leader

VBS Planning Committee and teacher

Sunday School Teacher

Christine will begin May 1^st. She will lead our Youth Mission Trip in June. Please give a warm Grace Church welcome to her.

Welcome Home Joseph

The Staff Parish Relations Committee is pleased to announce the hiring of Joseph Agnew as the new Music Director of Grace Church, effective May 20th, 2012.

Our wonderful Music Director, Idona Griffith, let us know more than a year ago she will be joining her husband, Harry, in retirement. We are extraordinarily grateful to Idona for all she has brought to the worship ministry of Grace Church. There will be an opportunity to express your appreciation to Idona during her last Sunday, May 13th.

Some of you remember Joseph. He was the Music Director at Grace Church from 1995-2005. He resigned seven years ago to take a position at Northminster Presbyterian Church in Evanston. Joseph longs to worship with his family again. Therefore, when he learned of Idona’s retirement, he applied for the position.

Joseph has a BM from Roosevelt University and an MM from Northwestern. He brings a vast amount of teaching experience with him. He has taught at North Eastern Illinois University; University of Illinois at Chicago; Trinity University and Illinois District 128.

Joseph’s primary instrument is the tuba. He has performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra; the Elgin Symphony; the Elmhurst Symphony; Evanston Symphony and the Lake Forest Symphony, to name but a few.

Joseph is also a tenor vocalist and sang with the Chicago Symphony Chorus from 1999 until 2006. The Staff Parish Relations Committee has expanded the job description for Music Director. In addition to leading the Chancel Choir and the Bell Choir, Joseph will direct a new Children’s Choir at Grace. We invite all parents to encourage your child’s participation in this new and

exciting Choir. Please extend a warm Grace Church welcome to Joseph!

Lenten Sermon Series

Love Rejoices!

I Corinthians 13: 4-7

February 26: “Wipe Out”

Mark 1: 9-15

March 4: “Love Does Not Delight in Evil, or Can We Talk?”

“Love does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right."

Matthew 5: 21-26

March 11: “Love Does Not Envy”

“Love is not jealous or boastful”

Exodus 20: 17

March 18: “Love Is Not Rude”

“Love is not arrogant or rude”

Philippians 4: 4-7

March 25: “Love Is Not Resentful”

“Love is not irritable or resentful”

Luke 15: 25-32

April 1: “The Love of God”

Mark 11: 1-11

April 8: “Love Rejoices!”

Mark 16: 1-8

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The Future of Grace Church

Grace Church will celebrate its 125th year on Saturday, April 14th, at 6:00 p.m. with an emphasis on how to ensure the next 125 years. Members will be informed of ways to contribute to our endowment funds so Grace can thrive far into the future.

Mark your calendars for “Celebrating our Past, Charting our Future,” an evening featuring testimony from long-time members. There will be a delicious catered dinner in Fellowship Hall where you can check out and enjoy our new kitchen! We’ll also have exciting organized games for the children during the program for the adults. Endowments can fund such initiatives as:

V Scholarships for theological students

V An annual program for ChildServ

V Educational seminars and speakers

V Scholarships for mission volunteers

V Keeping audio-visual equipment current

V Memorials

There are many ways to acknowledge what Grace has meant to us. We hope you will attend!

Winchester House — Continuing a Tradition of Quality Care in Lake County

Grace United Methodist Church has a long-term commitment to the success of Winchester House, and Winchester House needs the ongoing support of our community of faith.

For over 156 years Winchester House has been known for excellent care that is compassionate and loving. Residents feel comfortable calling it home. Winchester House has adapted to meet the changing needs of the community’s elderly who are from all walks of life. It provides 24-hour skilled nursing care as well as intermediate care. It provides rehabilitation with physical, occupational and speech therapy, and offers a floor dedicated to the care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease and related illnesses.

Recognizing the future needs of the fastest-growing segment of our community, the Lake County Board voted to build a new state-of-the-art facility on land adjacent to the current building. The new facility will include new practices in senior health care and housing, such as creation of an environment designed more as home that institution. Construction is to begin in 2012. In planning for the future, new ideas and practices in senior health care are being considered, always with an eye to continued excellent care for the residents.

Grace Church continues the work of advocacy for the residents of Winchester House through Lake County United. You can learn more about Winchester House at: www.winchesterhouse.com.

PADS SIGN-UP

Grace Church has again moved into action for PADS. The sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board. We are asking for donations of such items as canned ham (5 lb. size), bologna, tossed salad, milk, cheese, butter, orange juice, oranges and bananas. The delivery of food is made on the first Thursday of every month — from now until April.

PADS stands for “Providing Advocacy, Dignity and Shelter”; but they do so much more to care for the homeless and hungry in Lake County. It feels good to be able to do our part, and our contributions are much appreciated. This is an ALL-CHURCH project.

Your contributions should be brought to the church before 4:00 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month. The food may be brought to the church earlier in the week, if it’s more convenient, and placed in the church refrigerator. Any contribution is welcomed! (Please donate as little or as much as you want or can.)

If you have questions, call 847-234-4837. Thank you in advance for your contributions.

Help Feed the Hungry

The need is as great as ever. Please continue to fill the food baskets generously. A list of n Canned ham not needing refrigeration

Canned chicken (16 oz.)

Corned beef hash (16 oz.)

Spam (luncheon meat)

Tuna

Baked beans (16 oz.)

Spaghetti sauce (26 oz.)

Peanut butter (18 oz.) and jelly (12 oz.)

Canned fruit and vegetables (16 oz.)

Cold or hot cereal

Macaroni and cheese

Hearty soup

Small size muffin mixes

Evaporated or powdered milk (1 qt. size)

Crystal Light

Jello

Saltine crackers

Snacks (granola bars, fruit cups, raisins)

Hot chocolate

Bars of bath soap

Travel-size shampoo and lotion

Toilet paper (individually wrapped)

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Lake County United

If you would like to get involved in community issues but don't know how, please consider Lake County United. The Lake County Board of Commissioners recently voted to hire a management company to run Winchester House, our county's highly-regarded nursing home in Libertyville.

Member of Lake County United, an organization of 35 churches including Grace, synagogues, a mosque, and other civic groups, have been working for five years to keep Winchester House open.

"Waukegan 2 College", a Lake County United initiative, mentors and counsels 50 students and their families intent on going to college. That number is up from 30 last year, so the need and opportunities for volunteers is growing. Five out of five seniors from last year are going to college!

Lake County United won an important victory in July when the Grayslake Village Board gave final approval to 70 units of new, affordable senior housing.

You can also support Lake County United with year-end donations. An anonymous donor has offered to mach contributions up to $15,000.

Contact the church office (or talk with Kathy Pierson) if you are interested in pursuing ways to make a difference for the common good in Lake County.

Want To Have a Life-Changing Experience?

Several of our current Grace UMC families have gone on a Walk to Emmaus; and we assure you, it’s not your ordinary “church retreat”. Maybe you’ve heard us talking about it. What IS this event that means so much to so many in our church family?

The Walk to Emmaus movement originated in Spain in 1949. Through the years it has been adapted to a Protestant non-denominational “experience”. It gets its name from the story in Luke 24: 13-35, which tells of the appearance of the Risen Christ to the two disciples who are met by Jesus on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. The disciples’ eyes are opened to his presence and the fire of God’s love is lit in their hearts. After sharing a meal with Jesus the disciples return to their friends. As they tell the stories about their encounter with the risen Lord, Jesus visits them again with a fresh awareness of his living presence. And, truly, this is what we richly experience. The Walk offers today’s disciples a parallel opportunity to rediscover God’s presence in their lives, to gain fresh understanding of God’s transforming grace, and to form friendships that foster faith and support spiritual maturity.

While the Walk is fun and rejuvenating, it is also concentrated and full. Unlike many religious retreats, it is not a leader-centered experience. The leaders are laity and clergy who agree to work as a team, and teams differ for each Emmaus weekend. The power of the experience comes from the truth of Christ conveyed through the personalities and faith stories of ordinary Christians. Emmaus’s structure focuses on the individual’s spiritual life, so separate weekends for men and women keep the focus on the person

In 2012, the Men’s walk is April 19-22; the Women’s walk is April 26-29;

both held at the beautiful Loyola Center in Woodstock

(formerly Resurrection Center).

If you are interested in pursuing this with any of us who have taken earlier walks, or if this particular time isn’t good for you, please contact any of the following people for further information: Sharon Dahl, Marge Lambrecht, Wally or Judy Phillip, Kathy Pierson, Corinne Von Huben, Mark Dewart, Ken Landis, Rand Weston, Phyllis Albrecht, Lynn Auman, Pam Gerhke, Linda Lasson, Laura Huffman, Jean Mina, and former pastors, Jay (and wife Jan) Walkington and Orrell Ruth.

You are invited to come with empty hands and open hearts. Leave your world behind for 72 hours and enjoy a time apart with God, moving forward in faith.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Do you like to knit or crochet? The Prayer Shawl Ministry may be just right for you. A group gathers the second Tuesday night of each month at Panera (Rt. 176 and Waukegan Rd.) to make beautiful Prayer Shawls.

These are given to members of our congregation who are sick or facing surgery. We have also given a lot to veterans and those who are serving in Afghanistan.

March

GREETERS

4 TERRI AGNEW & FAMILY 224-544-5585

11 BILL & DEB MOTZER 847-615-2408

18 FRANCES & JOHN BURKHARDT 847-235-2556

25 HENRIETTA PIGG 847-234-2822

MARCH

COFFEE HOUR HOSTS

4 JOE & TAYO SOSAN 847-283-0588

11 MARK & MEREDITH FOSTER 847-234-8104

18 KAREN DANNER 847-615-9463

25 LEANNA FIFHAUSE 847-372-0970