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A Note From Pastor Linck

The information in this packet is provided to you so that you may become more involved in fellowship, Bible Study and service.  We strive to involve all in growing in knowledge, worship and making friends with other Christians.  Being a pew-sitter is not permitted at Grace.  If you=re not involved, we assume that something may be wrong.  If you have questions about ministries call the church office. All the staff is cross trained and knowledgeable about the ministries we offer.  If you have concerns that are not being addressed, call ME!, Cell:  525-1328, Office:  476-5667.

Volunteers - a blessing to the Church!

Call the Church Office, 476-5667

Our office staff enlists the help of volunteers with various tasks.  Many of our volunteers assist by folding bulletins, changing the marquee sign, folding newsletters, doing bulk mailings, delivering items, stapling and collating, shopping, cooking and cleaning. These tasks can be scheduled monthly, annually or just occasionally as fits your schedule. 

 

Volunteer Activities

 

 

 

                                                                 

Ministries

 
Altar Guild
Debbie Hoffman, 476-7433
A group of dedicated communicant members who make sure the sacred linens, communion wear and chancel area are properly cared for and adorned for every church service and season. They have weekly duties and divide the work among themselves.  Light training is available and required

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Acolytes

 
Our 6th - 8th grade youth acolyte during Worship services.  This is training to prepare our young people to take their rightful place in service and leadership in the congregation.  It allows them to assist the pastor and the altar guild in the worship service and in distribution of sacraments.

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Book Club

Susan Hansen, 432-3588

This group meets on the 4th Monday of the month to discuss a Christian or inspirational book that they have all read for that month. Call and learn which book is the current topic and come join them at any time.

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Elders

Lester Poppe, 968-9492

Elders are elected to three year terms and must be men of exceptional reputation and meet the Biblical requirements. Elders are a Biblical office of the church. They lift the Pastor=s hands as Aaron and Hur did for Moses and serve as the primary care group for the congregation. Elders are expected to know you on sight and to visit you in person if desired or by phone. It helps greatly if you’re an active member and cooperate with their ministry. Elders are elected by the congregation and anyone may make nominations.
 

Education for Children

 

Cradle Roll

Sandy Hartranft, 934-3894

This program is designed for newborns thru age 3 when they are encouraged to begin Sunday School. The main purpose is to uplift and encourage parents to make Christ a part of their child’s life from the very beginning with mailings and prayer.

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Children's Church
Amy Onkka, 474-0182

Each Sunday during the second worship service, children's church is held during the sermon.   The children's church leader and a helper escort children ages three thru first grade to the church fellowship hall for a story and song time. Training and internship available.

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Preschool
Amy Onkka, 474-0182
Amazing Grace Preschool is for ages 2 through 5.  A 2 day, 3 day and 5 day program are offered during the hours of 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Extended early morning care is also available. We are a state licensed facility and NOT a day care. The state of Florida has given us certification as a Voluntary Pre Kindergarten (VPK). We are accredited by the Association of Professional Preschool Learning Environment (APPLE).  

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Sunday School
Amy Onkka, 474-0182
Sunday School Classes from Preschool to 12th grade are held every Sunday at 9:15 a.m. Topics are chosen and designed to meet the various grade level's interests so that daily applications can be made in their lives.  We always need Sunday School teachers - training available.

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F.A.I.T.H. Night, (Families Alive in the Home)
850-476-5667
FAITH Night is held Wednesday Evenings, August thru April.  Dinner is at 5:00 p.m. and then classes are from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.  At 5:30 p.m. we come together for a time of music and praise.  This is a great time for kids to come together for lots of fun, games, art and learning about Jesus. It's like a Vacation Bible School every Wednesday evening.

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Vacation Bible School
Amy Onkka, 474-0182

Grace's Vacation Bible School is held every June (on the first week after public school ends).  It takes MEGA-EFFORT and it is MEGA-GOOD!  Many volunteers are needed to teach, help, decorate, cook, set up, clean up, etc.   

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Confirmation
Pastor Linck, 476-5667

Junior Confirmation is for 6th - 8th graders.  Youth are taught an overview of the entire Bible and Luther's Small Catechism in a traditional setting.  Once confirmed, the youth are then communing members of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod

 
Various Special Events
Amy Onkka, 474-0182
Church Easter Festival with Easter egg hunt and butterfly release, Christmas Program, Rally Days, Fall Festival, and Spring Picnics are all planned throughout the year!

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Education for Adults

 

Starting Point

 Pastor Linck, 476-5667 

Starting Point is our Adult Confirmation and Information class.  The classes are held periodically throughout the year for adults who are seeking to find answers.  It's a great class and gets better and better each and every time! This is 10 to 14 weeks long and offers an encouraging atmosphere for learning about Lutheran doctrine and us as God’s children!

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Cross-Ways/Cover to Cover Bible Study 

Pastor Linck, 476-5667 

This 2 year Bible Study Program is for ages 16 - Adult.  The program takes you through an in depth study of all 66 books of the Bible. A lot of historical data is presented which allows a great understanding of the events behind the text.  This is a nationally recognized program.  Crossways is taught by Pastor Linck and trained assistants. Cover to Cover is a video presentation monitored by leaders.

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Wednesday Morning Bible Study

Norma Fijol, 478-1760

This Bible Study is open to all who would like to attend.  This adult group meets every Wednesday, 9 a.m. September - May , for a topical Bible Study or book Bible Study.  Often, the Bible Study is followed by a social event. 

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Sunday Adult Bible Classes

Karin Moore, Coordinator, 476-5667

Every Sunday, at 9:15 a.m., several adult classes with various topics are offered to adults of all ages. Do you have a passion for a topic? Teach it. We encourage all to learn and share.

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Nursery

Amy Onkka 476-5667

We have a nursery for all babies to three year olds. Our nursery is available for our Saturday and Sunday worship services, Sunday morning Bible study, and other special services. It is staffed by a paid professional. 

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Grace Loving Care Group

Karin Moore, 476-5667

A GLC is a small group of 6 to 20 people, comfortable with each other, that meet monthly (or more) in homes to share the WORD, share each others joys, sorrows and crosses and to enjoy recreation, food and fun. The purpose of the GLC is to provide to YOU a network of people that will always be there for you.  Annually, a GLC Retreat is planned. This is an event where all our individual groups gather for Bible study, educational programs and fellowship in a relaxed atmosphere.  If there is a special group you would like to start based on a hobby, interest or friendship, let us know!  We can provide materials and support and get you going.

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LWML

Carol Peterson, 474-1648

LWML is our Lutheran Woman’s Missionary League.  LWML is a group of dedicated women who serve the Lord through mission projects and ministry service. Meetings  are held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from September to May.  They usually consist of an education program or Bible Study. Dinners, bi-annual craft auction etc. are all great fellowship events. This group usually meets in the church fellowship hall on the second Tuesday of each month from September to May.

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 Choirs

Brooke Saquibal / Chris Ford 850-476-5667

We have a medium sized adult choir and a beginning youth choir. All are welcome. No previous experience or talent is needed, just a love to sing praises to God! Check with the church office for dates and times.

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Praise Band

Brooke Saquibal, 850-476-5667

We are very proud that our entire praise band consists of volunteer members. We encourage and support all who play instruments to do so during our worship services. We actively look for members who play any instrument or enjoy singing for use in both worship services. Obviously we need to schedule and rehearse so you need to contact our Music Director. The Praise Band meets Saturdays at 8 AM.

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Camp Dixie

Our congregation supports Camp Dixie, which is a 10 acre facility located in Lillian, Alabama, just 45 minutes away. It is the smallest Lutheran Camp in the U.S.A. and is located right on Perdido Bay. We have youth and adult retreats there as well as summer camp programs.  We often have special work days out at the camp to help keep things in shape.  On a regular basis, there are the famous chicken dinners served on Sundays which act as great fund raisers for the camp.  It is some of the best, if not THE best chicken in the area. Follow the link on the home page to "What's Happening At Grace" to learn more about Camp Dixie.

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Christian Yoga

Julie Howell, 474-6255

Christian Yoga!  This is a wonderful, prayerful, quiet stretching and exercise time.  Meditation is on God's love in Christ Jesus not eastern mysticism.  The yoga group meets Mondays and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m at Grace.

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Kingdom Builders

Dave Mayes, 434-3341

Kingdom Builders is our building program for a new worship center, classrooms and administrative center.  Our program emphasizes spiritual building not just building with bricks and mortar, but building the spiritual life of every member of this congregation. It also helps us answer Christ's challenge to go and make disciples of all nations.  Matthew 28:19  Offerings for Kingdom Builders can be made at any time.  Please note this on your check and/or offering envelope.

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OWLS

Carol Peterson 474-1648

OWLS is the name for our Older Wiser Lutherans group.  This group of age 50 plus meets the second Wednesday of each month at 11:30 AM.  They might share a potluck luncheon and listen to a guest speaker or musical group of interest to older adults.  Occasionally they take a field trip to places around Pensacola and surrounding cities or have lunch out at a local hot spot at various times throughout the year.  Great fellowship.

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Outreach

Sharing God's love in our community and to our friends, neighbors, co-workers and family members can be done in so many different ways. We're always looking for creative ways to spread God's love! Whether it is blitzing neighborhoods with flyers to advertise special events that we have going on or handing out free cokes at local stores or participating in local parades...we'll try anything! 

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Prayer Ministry

Karin Moore, 476-5667

Weekly prayer request forms are left by the guest book in our Narthex at every church service so that Pastor may be appraised of your prayer needs. You may also e-mail your prayer requests to: graceprayers@bellsouth.net which goes directly to Karin Moore, or you may call the church office and let us know of your request.  If you have an e-mail address, let us know if you desire to participate in the prayer chain and have the prayer requests e-mailed to you weekly.

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Property

John Cocking 324-1990

Congregational Work Days are held on the 3rd Saturday of the month from 8 AM to 4 PM. The property committee is charged with the managing and upkeep all of our property and maintaining it in top condition. This is a great place to start to get to know folks and really help out. All kinds of services are needed from grounds care to painting and cleaning to building (please let us know your construction skills). Those things that are done around your home also need to be done at church - times ten!  In addition, we have a list of jobs that can be done by volunteers at any time. All our garden care is done by volunteers. This saves the congregation money that is then used to fund other ministries. What a joy it is to marvel at His Creation!

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Stephen Ministry 

Debbie Hoffman, Jane Krauss, Karin Moore, Phil Peterson 476-5667

Stephen Ministers are a group of lay men and women who have undergone an intensive training program to be personal givers of spiritual and emotional support in times of crisis.  Working under the direction of the pastor they may assist individuals as a kind of Achaplain extending the reach and work of the professional ministry. This is a great ministry and requires a minimum two year commitment and significant training.

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Stewardship

Ralph Fisk, 478-0464

At Grace we emphasize ATotal Life Stewardship. “Finance is only a part of the equation.” We believe that spiritually active and growing individuals will support the work of the Church. To that end, we concentrate on spiritual growth and the funds take care of themselves. God owns all things. He allows us to manage His resources. We emphasize percent age giving as a method of faithful dedication. Read Romans 12:1, 2 Corinthians 5:15 and Hosea 6:6 to see what the Scriptures say about stewardship!

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Thrivent

John Cockling, 850-324-1990

Thrivent is an extra congregational chapter of a benevolent Lutheran insurance company.  You may have heard of the Aid Association for Lutherans or Lutheran Brotherhood insurance companies...they have been combined into Thrivent. This chapter promotes community service projects and provides funds for many mission and service projects.

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Ushers

Church Office, 476-5667

Ushers provide assistance to the Elders during the worship services.  Tasks are simple but important, including the passing out of bulletins, collecting offerings, assisting in communion, answering questions, and helping the disabled and elderly.  This is a very important job that requires only a two hour commitment each month.
 

We Care/Social Ministry

Chris Fisher, 981-1923 

Chris calls on our shut in members, arranges for the distribution of the altar flowers to the sick and homebound.  She also coordinates with local social agencies, food banks, thrift stores, blood mobile and other community groups. 

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Worship Service Opportunities

Greeters, Ushers, Altar Guild, Readers, Choir, Band-Instrumentalists, Singers and Leaders,  Sound Board and Video Operators as well as Bulletin Folders and Sign Changers are all wonderful worship service opportunities that are available for your active involvement .

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