Grace Lutheran Church 1 W. Montgomery Street ~ Johnstown, NY 12095-2409 The Rev. David Almleaf, Pastor ~ Dear Members and Friends, We are now well into Lent, Lent is the Cluurch’s season of spiritual growth and renewal. The services and traditions of Lent have developed as a way to enable this to happen. A very old tradition is that of giving up something for Lent. Some give up things we should give up any way such as smoking, over cating, drinking too much and immoral behavior. Self denial is a way of saying that God comes first. A few give up something that will have spiritual growth as a goal. This approach goes a step beyond things that lead us away from God. Itleads us into a deeper relationship with God. For someone who hasn't done much of this I recommend prayer. In this case we give up time since a commitment to prayer takes the regular use of time, How much time is up to each person. ‘There is no end of things to pray for these days. We need (o pray for ourselves, our family and friends, our church community, state and nation. Jesus also suggested that we pray for our enemies. ‘The world is in bad shape right now and can use all of the prayers it can get. ‘The huge benefit we receive spiritually is that we and God grow closer Uarough daily communication. Worship services, church activities, and the events of Holy week in particular enable us to share our walk with others who are also on their Lenten journey. with regular attendance at In whatever way you choose to observe Lent this year, resolve to obser worship. It will greatly enhance our celebration of Easter at the end of the journey. Growing in Grace, Fst Dae Rall Pastor David Almleafg ‘Alar lowers Altar Flowers Mareh/Ap 03/04 - Bob & Sandi Jackson 03/11 - George & Marlene Slingerland 03/18 - The Clo Family and George & Marlene Slingerland 03/25 - Joan Longttitz. 04/01 - Bonnie Olendorf (04/08 - William Fensken 04/15 - David Gaugler and Darleen Gaugler 04/22 - Naney Blanchard 04/28 - OPEN Please note: The cost of altar flowers is $38.00 unless you share a Sunday then they would be $19.00 each vase. If you wish to place a “special arrangement” in the Sanctuary the cost would be whatever you would like to spend. Nancy Blanchard (762-4234) and Linda Bumpus (725-1927) are the Altar Flower coordinators, OFFERING For Mareh/April COUNTERS 03/04 - Nancy Blanchard, Greta Davis, Bonnie 03/11 - Nancy Blanchard, Greta Davis, Bonnie 03/18 - Darleen Gaugler, Bonnie Olendorf 03/25 - Darleen Gaugler, Bonnie Olendorf 04/08 - Nancy Demarest, Mary Lou Zambella, Bor 04/15 - Nancy Demarest, Mary Lou Zambella, Bonnie 04/22- Nancy Blanchard, Greta Davis, Bonnie 04/29 - Nancy Blanchard, Greta Davis, Bonnie Com mn Bread Bakers, March/April Mar 04 - First Communion Class Mar 25 - Maryland Warner Mar 29 - Pegay Niforos (Maundy Thursday) April 01 - Peggy Niforos (Easter 2 services) April 29 - Maryland Warner Please find someone to replace you if you cannot bake bread the Sunday you are scheduled and whenever possible, tell the church secretary so the bulletin can reflect the change. ‘Thank you, Peggy Niforos Altar Guild (I) -Intinction Sunday (R) - Rail Sunday Mar 04 (R) - Bonnie Olendorf Mar 11 (1) -Darleen Gaugler Mar 18(1)- Nancy Demarest Mar 25 (R) - Bonnie Olendorf (Palm Sunday) Mar 29 (R) - Kathy VanValkenburgh (Maundy Thursday) April 01 (R) - Joan Longtiitz (6:30a.m.) ~ Peggy Niforos (10:15am) April 08 (1) - Nancy Demarest April 15). - Kathy VanValkenburgh April 22). - Darleen Gaugler April 29 (R) - Bonnie Olendorf Please find someone to replace you if you cannot make the Sunday you are scheduled and whenever possible, tell Bonnie so that the bulletin can reflect the change. Peg Niforos, Altar Guild co-ordinator The Quilt Group needs your help They are in need of large boxes to ship ’ the quilts in and clean full and queen f flat sheets, king size fitted will work. ‘They can be any color or pattern, If ‘you are able to help, please see Sandy Miller or Carolyn Peck QUILTING GROUPDO YOU HAVE RETURNABLE BOTTLES AND CANS that are clogging up space in your home? Do you hate Botile tne thought of taking them to the Drive store to return? If so, just bring them to church and leave them in the box located in the comer of the parking lot. Someone from the Youth Group will return them to help defray the cost of their trip to ‘Texas. in June 2018! Thanks for supporting them! DON'T FORGET! If you are on Facebook, please like the Grace Lutheran Facebook page and check out what we post each week. San Thank you so very much for supporting the youth by purchasing subs. Because of you they were able to deposit $260. Into their account to go towards their trip to Houston this summer. ‘SHROVE TUESDAY The annual Shrove Tuesday pancake supper hosted and served by our Youth Group was held in the fellowship hall on February 13", Including the youth, approximately 30 attended and enjoyed a delicious pancake and sausage supper. $150.00 was donated to their trip. Barb Frederick did a great job putting a recap of the past 12 years that they have attended these youth gatherings. Not only did we see where they went and what they did, but she had captured their church family at various fund raisers from year 2006 to 2017!! Thank you Barb, it really was a great presentation! +4442 First Communion class**##* taught by Pastor Almleaf, will be held on Saturday March 3° from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m, Those children in attendance will receive their first ‘communion the following day on Sunday March 4th The reviews are in! The movie was a good one! Thank you to our Inreach Committee for holding "Movie Sunday" once again and to Donna Coonradt for bringing the movie “The Resurrection of Gavin Stone” Everyone who attended thought the movie was great! We Need You! Saturday April 21" at noon | the Inreach Committee will be A iO holding a CFHEBEITION oC tebration of the Months” We are looking for Hosts/Hostess - check out our poster and sign up sheets in the narthex and be sure and mark the date on your calendar. We look forward to celebrating with you the gilts God has given us in our 12 months of the year! Committee will be held following worship on Sunday June 3°. SUNDTY Sundaes on Sunday event hosted by the Inreach USHERS ind see Peggy Niforos as she is the coordinator for the usher teams.Grace. Lutheran Church Council Meeting _ Highlights for February 8. 2018 Minutes and Committee reports from January 2018 were read and approved Council Actions and Announcements: © Antivirus Software - A Motion was made to allow Alison martin to purchase 1 year of Norton Antivirus software protection for our church computers at a cost of approximately $35 because ours will expire shortly. © One male Synod Assemble delegate needed - We still need 1 male delegate toattend our Synod Assembly June 3-5 at Hyatt Regency in Rochester. Please see Pastor or Bonnie if interested, © “ICA Leadership Appeal” - We will ‘announce and explain this appeal going on through April and anyone wishing to donate to one of eleven causes may do so. © Property Committee - They are obtaining estimates to replace our 2 ceiling fans in ‘the sanctuary. © March 4 - First Communion © April 21 - “Celebration of the Months” Our Inreach Committee will be hosting a “Celebration of the Months" event on Saturday April 21 at noon. Twelve tables will be set up, 1 for each month, Hosts/Hostesses are still needed for each table. ¢ June 3 “Sundaes on Sunday” - Our Inreach Committee will host a "Sundaes on Sunday" event of June 3 after our service. © June 10 - Last day of Sunday School Respectfully Submitted, Linda Ferenz, Council Secretary nea Holy Week Sunday March 25" is Palm Sunday, please join us in the procession of the palms and the reading of the passion, ‘The children and senior choirs will be ug the prelude together. Palm Sunday Fe. ‘Monday March 26" - Wednesday March 28 at 8:30 a.m. moming prayer services will be held. These services last about a half hour: Maundy Thursday, March 29" viele payed eons a al 8:30 am. MARINDY scp ane ps asY followed by Worship with Holy Communion, stripping of the altar and chanting of the 22™ psalm at 7:00 pan. ZG Pi, 30 p.m, ‘March 80" A Tenebrae Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Saturday March 31* the yearly Ecumenical Easter Egg Hunt will be held in the park by the Johnstown Band Shell. Easter Morning April 1, 2018 6:30 am, - Worship with Holy Communion 7:30 a.m. - Breakfast served by the Youth Group 9:00 a.m, - Sunday School & Confirmation |. Worship with Holy Communion EASTER, 10:15 auDeadii junday March 18, 2018 Approximate Cost $20.00 each ye Lily Order Form Me Name: Phone: Amount of Donation: Envelope No. In memory of: Tn honor of:. I will deliver a plant to a shut-in, (Shut-in’s name) Due to limited space in the sanctuary to place the lilies, we have ordered 22 lilies so it will be on a first come first serve basis. You may bring your own, or if you wish to just donate in memory or honor of your loved one and have it published in the Easter bulletin, you may do so and your donation will go into the garden fund. Please make your check out to Grace Lutheran Church and return it with this order form. Thank you. If you plan to take your plant, you may do so after the 10:15 am. service Easter morning or during the week following Easter.Prayer Concerns March 2018 3 Remember our Shut-ins AtHome Eleanor Achzet Eileen Spawn Shirley Frederick Nursing Homes Fulton Co. Health Ron Bell Ernie Mrazz David Strait Helene Keach Nathan Littauer Nursing Home Ruth Brownell Sarah Jane Sanford Home Charlotte Petersen ing Helpers Joanne Riccitiello Prayer Concerns: Alex Grandstaff Morgan Sandmier ‘ Ayer" Tina Aldonis Angie Longfritz Robert Sweet Dick Bumpus Marcia McCoy Jordan Goebel Jessica Shrout Laurie Larrabee Ryan Bumpus Ron Hinkle Charlie Janet Austin Ron Bell John Haldeman All those who have served and for all those who are now serving in the armed forces. Especially: Brandon Caldwell Tony Clemente Members erving Our Country a Brad Coody John Ferrara Kevin Funk Jordan Keeling Denise & Jacob Lockwood Victor Ralbovsky LCPL Bryant Hernandez (Serving in Afghanistan) PFC Dylan Lanza and for our enemies Please pray for NOAH, Friday’s ‘Table and the food pantries of Johnstown and Gloversville and for those in need of them. Please pray for the homeless and the homeless animals who are forced to be out in the winter weather.sevewea foun SoMOT AEC yBinquoyenuen s1-08 ‘SON AS60d ‘aney-su01 | Boe: TowEE pO” | ooun souN-s1:01 wanquone wen uven vosiy- oc | EATS so10qn 8809-51-01 | young fouEN 08:9 feay wong oWoH-S1:01, assy | eiseg ~yB007 ueor = 08:9 x0 PEON S108 weg 9 aiysiom | tnd 7oNze Aras ‘Slewois Jone oonsmuHos ovr Traa39 Assn #800N310 aiNNoa aNUVM NYAS 05 "qn WeSTsSy eveg Pearg Noor tna ojunuuwon ONT aINNOA Nwwactwe aim | avai aiva eaTonvo NazTIVG | JuOGNaTO INNO savio us 1ANHOS 2400NST0 aINNOS Savio AMOS SOUDEN ADOBE ‘shawna vann Hovessou rvs aH usissy ‘Somor 7ONTe TROD worm | 901 -RIOGNTTO aINNOA warsves A1INa uaronvonaziva | 1SgavWaadxONWN | HLS NwnONOG | waLadow AuvHOWe souoan sooad | TA avawowainwa | NaLMYW'S¥OHL a Shanna WGNT ‘yuo uso oNaa AaTaHs ‘WEISS tvsquezrorfew | r40aNa10 aINNog | 1S35VN3G AONYN saTahg AW "eT vorunues | sy01 ounBoea 3A SiAva Vi ‘Slowo1gJonoa Soar ep tie, | cuYHONVTE KONYN Huis nwAoNOG suwaseno | snannavann | FATS worunut umonvonaztiva | 136300 AZuaNY ‘WaISvE ATING h DRWAIE owas AsTaHs e709 watonvo nazwa saretoy wer ‘iowoisJONog rao aa UEISY Jjadou ed | s4OQNTIO aINNOS ssvio feisoi) | onioaiadwaany | Yonaonu gave worunivon | abo) prevouea ue Siva viwwo | NOINNWUNOD 1Su HOUNENENTTVANYA mae (vHONVTE AONYN Teveg peste siya vis¥9 BY wacnunazuvy | FAS -BUOANETO SINNOR ’ seusn ‘suawunod suayeg peeg - pHND ZENW seqeeg -(sopeoy saponin - sakjooy seudesBoopiy ~ SuSIUIN Gunsissy | O}2Q 8102 Ye AINGSHOS ONIANASCHURCH ACTIVITIES 8.00 - Sunday Schoo! & Confirmation 10:15 - Worship with procession of palms 8:30 am. - Morning Prayere {5:00 - Cable Chan 1301, 8:30 am. - Morning Prayers 10:00 -2:00 - Quit Group 8:30 am, - Morning Prayers 7-00 - Choir Rehearsal 8:30 a m,- prayers and confession 590 pm. - soup and ‘sandwich supper 7.00 pm. - Worship with ‘communion and stripping ofthe akar 8:30 a.m, - Morning Prayer with adoration of the crucified 7.00pm. - Tenebrae Senvce MARCH 2018 SUNDAY. MONDAY. TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY. 1 2 3 6:00 -8:00- Horse Lovers Unlimited | 8:00 am. -3:00 pm, 44H Group Meeting Fst Communion retreat 4 6 6 7 8 ® 10 00 Sunday School & | 5:00-Cable Chan 1301 | 10:00 - Bible Study 6.00 - Bible Study 16:00 - Church Counei! Confirmation Meeting Noon - Communion 7.00 - Choir Rehearsal 10:15 - Worship Luncheon NOAH 5:90 -8:00- Committee Meetings 4 2 3 16 8 16 7 18100 - Sunday School & 10:00 - Bible Study Confirmation "| §:00-Cable Chan 1301 | 10:00-2:00-uit Group | 7:00.-CholrRehearsai_ | 6:00-800-Descon _| 6.00-800- 10:18- Worship Meeting Horse Lovers Uniimited 4-H Group Meeting 18 9 2 a 2 2 Py 9:00- Sunday Schoo! & | §:00-Cable Chan 1301 | 10:00- Bible Study 6:00- Bible Study Confirmation 7:00 - Choir Rehearsal i 10:15 - Worship 25 2 2 28 29 0 4 Palm Sunday Maundy Thursday Ecumenical Easter 09g hunt at the Johnstown bandshell 10:15 am. - WorshipMARCH BIRTHDAYS 1- Cynthia Baird 19- Nancy Gillmore 2- Mackensie Rohrs Brian DiPasquale Gabrielle Smith 20- First day of Spring - yay! 4- Charles Schwab Eric Elzenbeck 5- Terry S. Bills Joanne Bradt Richard Kowalezyk Zachary Ropeter Avery Rubilotta 21- Bill Haldeman 6- Scott Bumpus 23- Edward Robbins 7 David Slingerland Penny Cinelli Nevin Smith 24- Kelly Ruf 8- Melissa Bedell 25- Palm Sunday Jamie MeGrattan Melvin Hayes 10- Brian Miller Sr. 26- Sharon Smith 11- Daylight Savings Time Begins Melanie Seiler 12- Rachel Lee Snyder Brian Sparks 13- Cathy Wallace 27- Carol Humphrey Barb Frederick Robert Paxton Richard Morrison Erah Kilmer 14- Ron Sparks 29- Maundy Thursday 15- Barbara Petersen Donald Achzet Meghan Dwyer Megan Simonds Hornbeck Katherine Flint Megan Elizabeth Hallenbeck 16- Delbert Bradt Barbara Albrecht ‘Michael Von Valkenburgh Veronica Peck Zachary Hulbert 30- Good Friday 17- Lisa Hale Joshua Rhodes Doris Clo Pat VanSlyke Dorothy Hayes Richard Bumpus Jr. ‘Mia Elizabeth Martin Maryland Warner Todd Hollenbeck 31- Robert Wilson Karen Reid Chad Akey Patricia Wilder 18- Walter Carlson3- 4- 7- 8- i 12- 1B- 14- 15- 16 - 17- 19- Enster George Slingerland Jr. Crystal Mitchell Kneeland Robert VanSlyke Sara Stortecky James McGrattan Vickie Edick Kathleen Van Valkenburgh Lorraine Seiler Tan Chamberlaine Melissa Baker Thomas Bradt Elizabeth Coppernoll Tiffany Smith Sandy Jackson Karriann Ruggiero Jeremy Bradt Sherry Warner Jamie Bradt Dylan Miller Stephen Craig Kimberly Hohler Milton Dorn Cody Brown Chris Rohrs Rhyleigh Bills Olivia Vige Nikki Hathaway Grady Shea Robert Warner Raymond Peck Haley Claes Donald Wicksell Patrick Paxton William Fensken Heather Ruf Ed Hill Theodore (TI) Bradt Erica Elzenbeck Karen Williams Kimberly Baird Betty Younglove. ai- 22- 23 - 24- 25- 27- 28 - 29- Joyce Robbins Mary Alice Gaudens Wendy Hollenbeck Ross Snell Kimmie Sutton Matt Flint Sandra Goderie Tyler Unislawski Tustin Unislawski Taye Evangelista Louis Blanchard Timothy Snell Jr. Casey Van Valkenburgh Christine Petersen ‘Jessica Robbins Barbara Rhodes Bob Gargiulo John Healy Rachel AllenGrace Lutheran Church is blessed with 3 active musical ensembles: Chancel ” (Senior) Choir, Children’s Choir, and Grace Handbell Choir. The members of these ensembles are all volunteers who willingly share their time and talent - with us at our worship services. Their goal is to support and enhance the worship and praise that we share here at Grace. These ensembles are open to anyone who has a desire to participate in the music ministry at Grace. Chancel Choir members meet on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 for rehearsal from September to June and range in age from “teens” to “seniors.” They are the backbone of our musical praise and help lead our worship each week. Children’s Choir rehearses Sunday mornings at 9:00. Our Sunday School children currently make up our Children’s Choir, but any youth, even those who are already confirmed and are no longer attending Sunday School are welcome to join. They usually sing once a month from September to June, On occasion the Children’s Choir and the Chancel Choir combine for special occasions. This Spring they will be singing a special anthem together for Palm Sunday, March 25. Youth, please consider joining the Children’s Choir for this special day! Your participation can be ‘seasonal’ . ‘The Grace Handbell Choir plays for 2 Sundays in the Spring and 2 in the Fall. They rehearse for about 2 months each season. This ensemble is open to anyone. It is not necessary to be able to read music to play the bells. We will be starting our Spring season on April 4". These ensembles exist solely through the willingness of volunteers. We are always looking and hoping for new members. We hope that you will keep our music ministry in your prayers. If you have any interest in participating in one of these ministries please let Pastor Almleaf, Bonnie, or Darlene Pollak know. we Full raise ‘eate the Lord, all ye Lands, Serve the Lard with gladness; Come before Ilia peevence with Singing. Poalen 10012Storm Alert..... ‘In the event of a severe snow or ice storm, or severe cold tempatures, please tune your radios to WENT 1340 am. for church closings, We Need Your Help! The following are the names we were given who are serving in the military. Our Inreach committee has been very faithful in sending letters and cards to them during the holidays but this year several of them came back due to wrong addresses, Please look over the list, if any of these service men or women are in your family, or you know them, and they have been discharged or are stationed somewhere else, please let me know so I can make the necessary changes. Thanks, Bonnie church office No.(518)762-7924 Brandon Caldwell Tony Clemente Brad Coody John Ferrara Kevin Funk Jordan Keeling Denise & Jacob Lockwood Victor Ralbovsky LCPL Bryant Hernandez (Serving in Afghanistan) PFC Dylan Lanza