Knoxville, TN

November 2013

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h, wait a minute it is not just another day! The NFL plays on Sunday. My team plays the early game so I have to get ready. No, wait a minute, Sunday is the day I get to sleep in. We always go out on Saturday night. It is a great night to have fun and to party. We are usually out late, sometimes really late. But that is not a problem because the next day is Sunday. It is my day to relax and recover. No, it is not just another day. It is my day to shop and to go to a movie. It is the day to read the paper and watch some great television shows. It is my day to call home and visit relatives and friends. It is my day to do absolutely nothing. Now hold on…what if it is not your day at all! Let me explain. Let’s start in the Old Testament. Isaiah declares: If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord’s holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find your joy in the Lord, and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob. This of course echoes one of the Ten Commandments: Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy. The fidelity or lack of it to God is demonstrated by the way the Jews treated the Sabbath day. With the coming of Jesus the Sabbath day moved from a Saturday to a Sunday because Jesus was resurrected on a Sunday. This was also a proof of the resurrection of Jesus. How do you get Jews who for 2000 years worshipped on Saturday to start suddenly worshipping on Sunday? It would take as big an event as the resurrection of Jesus to cause this change. Already in the Corinthian church we see that Christians were celebrating and worshipping God on Sunday. It is called the Lord’s Day in Revelation chapter one. That is a fitting title for the New Testament Sabbath. It is not our day but it is the Lord’s Day. When I was growing up there were blue laws. They forbid certain activities on Sunday. Mainly it meant that all stores were closed on Sunday. Generally speaking Christians refrained from working on Sunday unless it was absolutely necessary. What truly pleases the Lord are not laws, civil or otherwise, that mandate we make His day special. What pleases the Lord is when we out of our own volition and love for Him make this day special. Gone are all the specific laws in the Old Testament. But what is not gone is the intent of the Sabbath day – a day where we joyfully worship our God and hear from Him. It is a day of rest, both physically and spiritually (when sins are forgiven we can truly be at peace). Maybe it is time for us modern day Christians to reevaluate His Sundays. The easiest thing He asks of us is to assemble together, to hear His Word, to worship, and receive His gifts for us. Beyond that how should we treat His day? Whatever we do it should somehow recognize that it is His day and not ours. Rest? Yes, that is His gift to us. Whatever else we do or don’t do it should be because we don’t see it as just another day. Please don’t be casual about this desire of our God. It wouldn’t be one of the Ten Commandments and mentioned often in the New Testament if it weren’t extremely important. So beginning today, let us each resolve to gather every Sunday to worship your Lord and Savior. Make it a day of joy and rest and honor the One who loves you and has given you eternal life.

Just Another Day

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November 2013

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Just Another Day (Continued from page 1)

The Third Commandment (Luther’s Small Catechism) Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. What does this mean? We should fear and love God that we may not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it.

~ Pastor Rich

Daylight Savings Time Ends Sunday, November 3

Honor Our Veterans

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eterans Day, which is November 11 each year, is a holiday to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism and willingness to serve and sacrifice for our nation’s common good. Christians follow the Prince of Peace, so war is a dilemma that often challenges people of faith. Some Christians are pacifists, while others believe in a “just war.” Many believe that the goals of freedom, justice, equality, and democracy are worth the cost required. Whatever individual Christians decide about any given conflict, most Christians believe that men and women who strive to make this world free of tyrants are to be respected. As Winston Churchill said, “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.” Thank you to all the men and women to served or are now serving our country.

November 11

GraceNet is published monthly by Grace Lutheran Church – LCMS 9076 Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville, TN 37923 Phone: (865) 691-2823 Fax: (865) 691-4895 E-mail: [email protected] Reverend Richard M. Elseroad, Senior Pastor Reverend Justin A. Bell, Associate Pastor Reverend Mark Bushuiakovish, Associate Pastor Website: http://www.visitgrace.org Articles for GraceNet are due by the 1st of each month for the following month’s edition.

GraceNet Staff Debbie Booher, Editor Linda Jaekel Nancy May Joan Scraggs Email to Editor: [email protected]

November 2013

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Sanctuary Renovations Are Completed The renovations are completed, but the joy will linger on for many years to come! Like a catchy tune, the hum keeps going after the song has ended. We trust your worship experience, as well as that of our visitors, has been enhanced by these physical changes. The contributions to cover these project costs have now reached nearly $110,000. Please check the Thermometer of Progress in the Narthex for the most current status towards reaching our goal of $130,000. We ask for your continuing prayerful considerations in making either an initial or a supplemental contribution. Please make your check payable to Grace Lutheran Church, designate it to the Sanctuary Renovation fund, and place it in the offering plate. Our target is to avoid further debt on these project expenditures, and reach our paid-in-full goal by the end of this year. Yours in Christ, Your Sanctuary Renovation Finance Committee: Gary Schneider Mary Grebe Dennis Laneman

Allen Schultz Terri Stoddard Paul Wittke

Our Sincere and Humble Thanks America’s citizens, especially Christians, can be very grateful that this nation has chosen a time for annually giving thanks. Of course, we know about the pilgrims’ first celebration with help from their NativeAmerican neighbors. But it was George Washington, the “father of our country,” who issued the first official presidential proclamation. In the fall of 1789, Washington assigned November 26 of that year “to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be.” He called upon the people to offer “our sincere and humble thanks” to God. He also asked the citizens to pray to “the great Lord and Ruler of Nations” that God might “pardon our national and other transgressions.”

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 8:9, NIV

November Scripture of the Month

November 2013

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Patty Archer B.J. Huffaker Leslie Poker Catherine Smithey Jim Atherton Luke Duenckel Marlene Landon Cole McCallum Laura Scraggs Luke Stapel Harper Vannier Lauren Glisson Abigail Callies Jill Murphy Abby Spradlin Susan Whittenburg Carson Clark

11/6 11/6 11/7 11/7 11/7 11/7 11/8 11/9 11/10 11/10 11/10 11/12 11/13 11/13 11/14 11/14 11/15

Nathaniel Ford Chase Switzer Will Haynes Sonya Nanstad Nathan Peterson Brayden White John McCay Holly Hudy Cheryl Carow Leah Cleland Troy Shafer Nancy Surprenant Mark Frizzell Joe McGhee Evan Deichert Donald Mings Theresa Angelino

? 11/1 11/1 11/2 11/4 11/6 11/7 11/13 11/15 11/18 11/18 11/21 11/22 11/22 11/24 11/24 11/24

Charles & Pauline Christiansen Leroy & Sherrie Prien Rick & Sherri Buchanan Joe & Sarah Dew Brad & Nadia Fanta James & Linda Roberson Richard & Peggy Cummings Dan & Becky Hoag Todd & LaWanda Duenckel Erik & Megan Kabela Jack & Debbie Harper Mike & Aileen Harper Steve & Marjorie Jergesen Dave & Shawn Arter Randy & Donna Bueckman Bob & Beverly Miller

11/15 11/16 11/16 11/16 11/16 11/17 11/18 11/18 11/19 11/19 11/20 11/21 11/24 11/24 11/24 11/26 11/26

Calen Wright Will Baker Jessica Crisp Mark Satterfield Logan Gardner Russell Hembree Kelli Berrio Paul Mees Phillip Roth Melanie Staten Matthew Bretscher Linda Jaekel Chantel Deichert Madison Grebe Amanda Theilen Drew Baker Carrie Fisher

11/26 11/26 11/27 11/27 11/27 11/28 11/28 11/28 11/28 11/29 11/29 11/29 11/30 11/30 11/30 11/30

Bible Quiz

Esther Kabela Ethan Spradlin James Blair Michael Perry Emily Smith Chloe Callies Nancy Dettmering Aleigh Fisher Hank Jones Christian Guthrie Jonathan Mees Douglas Orton Evan Copelan Matthew Hurtubise Hannah Jackson Mark Klemmer

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Paul urged Philemon to welcome back his runaway slave as a brother in the Lord. Name the slave. A. B. C. D.

Onesimus Timothy Aristarchus Barnabas

Answer: A (see Philemon 1:10)

11/1 11/1 11/1 11/1 11/2 11/2 11/2 11/2 11/2 11/2 11/2 11/3 11/4 11/5 11/5 11/5 11/6

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November 2013

Thanking “Some One” by Thanking “Someone” “Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:16-18

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efore the month of November is over our country will celebrate the National Day of Thanksgiving. It doesn’t take a rock scientist to realize that what passes for Thanksgiving these days leaves a lot to desired. There will be thousands, if not millions of people who will either be active or passive spectators as football passes are being thrown around like rolls and dressing at the dinner table. Will the television be on during the prayer? Will the remote control manager have it muted? Will God be thanked for His provision of another Thanksgiving? Will those who showed their labor of love by getting up early to prepare the turkey be appreciated? These questions swirled around in my head as I sought to share a couple of thoughts about how to celebrate more than this one National Holiday. I really wanted to ask my readers to consider how to actively pursue a process of thanksgiving that flows from the realization that all good things come from Him who is Good! It is He who gave us reasons for giving thanks in the first place. Creation was the idea of the Creator. The heavens and the earth proclaim His Hand at work. All you have to do is glance at the temperature apparatus at hand. If that doesn’t work in your locale, take a look outside. In most of our country, the colors of Fall display the glory of God. If those efforts fail, then by all means look at the calendar! Not only did God give us all that we need for our earthly benefit, He gave us His Son as well. Our “thanksgiving” takes on a much deeper dimension as we consciously consider what was necessary to save us from our sins. Christ lived a sinless life for 33 years on this earth. He took on our sin when He suffered and died. He rose again to display the victory He won over sin, death, and the Devil.

All who believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord have much to be thankful for in their lives. One such person was St. Paul. Not only did he write the words quoted from Scripture above, he lived them in his own life. Not too long ago I was reading a daily devotional called, “Today’s Light.” In the last chapter of his Letter to the Romans, St. Paul mentioned over thirty people specifically by name. He wasn’t being a name-dropper. He was thanking them for their support. Indeed they all had one thing in common. They put their trust and hope in Jesus Christ. As I put down the devotional I wondered if I could write down thirty names of people who had impacted my life in a positive way because of their relationship with Christ. Over the next week or so names began to flood into my mind. Perhaps one of those names is one of you whose eyes are fixed on this page! Beginning on November 1st, the Lord willing, I plan on taking out a sheet of paper each day and writing down thirty different names of people. I will pray for each person on the list, then write note, either handwritten or electronically, sharing with them one reason I am thankful for them this month of “Thanksgiving.” I hope you will prayerfully join me in this venture. Can you imagine how many people might become at least a little more joyful, as together we “ pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for “us” in Christ Jesus.” A Blessed Thanksgiving as you give thanks!

~ Jim Kirk

Cameron Carter Smithey Born October 21, 2013 Proud Parents: Jesse and Laura Smithey

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November 2013

November Library Additions Non-Fiction A Heart Like His: Intimate Reflections on the Life of David by Beth Moore (222.92 Moo): King David, who the Bible identifies as “a man after God’s own heart,” was also a shepherd, a refugee, the king of Israel, a man of the purest virtues and the most heinous sinfulness. As Moore explores the life of David, she emphasizes his relationship with God and the bond of mutual love and admiration that made David exemplary. You, like David, can experience this same relationship.

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The Way: Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus by Adam Hamilton (232.9 Ham): This final book in Hamilton’s Bible study trilogy on the life of Jesus looks at the three years of Jesus’s public ministry journeying through the Holy Lands using history, geography, and archeology to provide insights into His life on earth. The other two titles are: The Journey and 24 Hours That Changed the World. Extraordinary Grace by Gary Chapman and Chris Fabry (234.2 Cha): God richly bestows His forgiveness to His broken branches on His family tree. The authors use the biblical broken branches of Abraham, Rahab, David, Solomon, Tamar, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Joseph to assure us of God’s grace to us. All In For Christ by Mark Batterson (248.4 Bat): Acknowledging that nothing really belongs to you—not even yourself—Batterson challenges his readers to truly give themselves over to Christ their King and helps them take the next step in their faith. You’ll Get Through This: Hope and Help For Your Turbulent Times by Max Lucado (248.8 Luc): Sometimes we feel like we do not have what it takes to make it through the next obstacle placed in our path. Best-selling author Lucado assures us of God’s faithfulness to all His promises. Although God never promised getting through would be quick or painless, He did promise we will get through it with His help. Lucado uses Joseph’s life as the basis to teach us to trust God to trump evil.

Fiction Winter Palace by Davis Bunn (Fic Bun) The escapades of antique expert Jeffrey Sinclair continue as he fights KGB agents, former Communist party members, and black marketers attempting to reclaim a Russian nobleman’s winter palace (third in the series).

Readers of the Love Finds You in… series will want to check-out the following titles recently added to the collection: Love Finds You in Sunset Beach, Hawaii by Robin Jones Gunn (Fic Gun) Love Finds You in Daisy, Oklahoma by Janice Hanna (Fic Han) Love Finds You in Folly Beach, South Carolina by Loree Lough (Fic Lou) Love Finds You in Sunflower, Kansas by Pamela Tracy (Fic Tra) The Angel of Bastogne by Gilbert Morris (Fic Mor): Ben Raines is a journalist who has little time for talk about Christmas and angels. But Ben’s aging father has a wartime angel of his own who saved his life on the Bastogne battlefield in WWII. To honor his father, Ben set out to find the servicemen who witnessed the “angel”. The Outcast by Jolina Petersheim (Fic Pet): Refusing to repent and name her baby’s father, Rachel is shunned by her Old Mennonite community at the orders of her brother-inlaw, the bishop. But the bishop has his own secrets. When the life of Rachel’s baby is threatened, choices are made that expose the truth in Copper Creek. A modern-day retelling of Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter. Land of Shining Waters series by Tracie Peterson (Fic Pet): Series includes The Icecutter’s Daughter, The Quarryman’s Bride, and The Miner’s Lady. The heroines in these stories are involved in adventures in 1890’s Minnesota. Smoky Mountain Dreams series by Sandra Robbins (Fic Rob): Series includes Angel of the Cove, Mountain Homecoming, and Beyond These Hills. Join the (Continued on page 7)

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November 2013

Library (Continued from page 6)

New for our Youngest Readers

inhabitants of Cades Cove as they cling to God’s faithfulness as they struggle to survive. Then, in 1935, the U.S. government begins purchasing their property to establish the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Each must decide whether to fight or to sell. The Living Room by Robert Whitlow (Fic Whi): Amy is a budding romance novelist and legal secretary who gets the inspiration for her books from her dreams. But then her visions become disturbing and appear when she is awake. She soon realizes that her family’s safety is threatened by a case at work.

New for Young Adults The Lost Medallion: The Adventures of Billy Stone by Bill Muir and Alex Kendrick (YA Fic Mui): This tale of sacrifice and good versus evil has been made into a movie. Billy and his best friend Allie must look deep inside themselves for God, the source of their strength and power.

The Boy and the Ocean by Max Lucado (J Luc): Pastor and prolific author, Lucado, presents an exploration of the wonder of God’s creation. Taking a little boy and his parents on a journey from the vast reaches of the oceans to the towering heights of the mountains, he shows how creation expresses the unfathomable love of its Creator. Curious George and Friends: Favorite Stories by Margret Rey and H.A. Rey (J Rey): This compendium of stories is from the creators of the lovable, ever-curious little monkey, George. In addition to George, there is Cecily G, the giraffe; Pretzel, the dachshund; Katy, the kangaroo; Spotty and Billy, the bunnies; and Whiteblack, the penguin. Enjoy these classic stories that children have enjoyed for generations. Find these and all other materials new to the library on display throughout the month of November.

~ Mary Schultz

Family Prayers

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rayer is a vital part of our walk with God, and God wants to hear from us when times are good, as well as when times are bad. One of the focuses of our prayers is for various members of our congregation each week in our worship services. By the end of the year, our goal is to have prayed for each and every family at Grace during one of the services. The names of those who we will be praying for each month will be posted in advance in the bulletin and/or the newsletter. Please take a moment to read the names and incorporate them into your own daily prayers as well. Ask for God’s hand to be upon these people and ask Him to bless them. Prayer can have a powerful effect on people’s lives. Let’s commit to lifting each other up in prayer this year and see what amazing results will follow. The families and friends we want to pray for during the month of November are: Week of November 3 Bobby and Erin Colbert Mike and Mary Grebe Troy and Alexandra Howe, Taylor, Paige and Trent David and Nancy Lineberger Cindy Plummer Luke Stapel

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Week of November 10 Tim and Tonia Collins Judy Hudy and Michael Bob and Phoebe Linnabary Paul Price Melanie Staten

Week of November 17 John Cothrine Elna and Bob Harrison B.J. Huffaker Cole McCallum Deb Rice Loren Theilen Week of November 24 Don and Nicole Cox Cheryl Herbold Iantha Hults Sonya Nanstad Pastor Jim and Linda Roberson Stefan and Jennifer Zurakowski, Vivian and Nicholas

Grace Lutheran Church-LCMS 9076 Middlebrook Pike Knoxville, TN 37923-1557 (865) 691-2823 Fax: (865) 691-4895 E-mail address: [email protected] Sunday Worship: 8:00 a.m. (Traditional) and 9:30 a.m. (Blended)/11:00 a.m. (Contemporary) Wednesday Worship: 6:30 p.m. (Blended) Sunday School & Bible Classes @ 9:30 a.m./11:00 a.m.

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