Get Involved!

Many opportunities exist for members to get involved in the ministry of Grace Church.  Every member is a minister and every opportunity for involvement is a ministry. 

First, and most importantly, regular worship and participation in Holy Communion are essential.  We celebrate God’s presence in worship.  Regular participation reminds us all that we are a part of the fellowship of believers, that there are many others like us who have a faith in Christ Jesus at the core of our lives. 

But there are many, many other ways to become involved at Grace.  Most of them are listed below.  Scan the list and read about the ones that strike your interest.  They are listed alphabetically because no one opportunity for involvement is more or less important than any other—prioritizing was not a possibility. 

One more note:  it is impossible to keep this list absolutely current.  Things are happening all of the time.  Check the weekly bulletin, the monthly newsletter, and other places on our website to be sure you are not missing something.

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Assist with Communion to the Homebound - Volunteers take communion to the homebound, usually once a month.  They usually go the homebound on Sunday after church, but other plans came be made to accommodate your schedule.  See Pastor Quello if you are interested.

Assist with Confirmation Mentoring  -  Confirmation guides are adults who make a two-year commitment to assist four to six young people (grade 7, then 8) in the Confirmation program throughout the school year.  The guide joins with all guides and students for a large group presentation, then meets in the small group setting for 20 to 30 minutes to “bring the message home” through discussion, listening, and sharing.  The guides also help out with service projects and fun night projects.  If you are interested in being a confirmation guide, see Sarah Bultman, Youth Coordinator, during the summer for start-up of the program in the fall.

Attend WOW - At 6:30 every Wednesday during the summer (starting June 13th in 2007, skipping July 4th, and continuing through August 22nd) Worship on Wednesday is provided for those who may not be able to attend worship on the following Sunday.  The worship atmosphere is casual; communion is included each week.

Be a Mentor to a High School Youth  -  The mentoring program pairs a high school student one on one with an adult.  The ultimate purpose is to allow the teenager to have another adult outside the family with whom to build a relationship of trust.  All of the pairs meet once a month for dinner at church to discuss common concerns.  Additional activities for the pairs are optional based on shared interests and time available.  If you are interested, as either a teenager or an adult, contact Sarah Bultman, Youth Coordinator. 

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Chant  -  Can’t make Wednesday evening choir rehearsals but still want to sing?  Help out by serving as the cantor for the liturgy at communion services.  If you are interested, see Joy Paffenroth, Director of Music and Choir Director.

Discuss Books  -  The Small Group Ministry sponsors a book discussion group for women.  The group meets once a month, on the third Sunday of September, October, November, March, April, and May at six p.m. in the Grace library.  If you are interested, stop in at a meeting or contact Susanne Nickolai-Mays, leader.

Do some “crafty” stuff - Anyone interested in working on her particular craft is welcome to come to Grace the first and third Thursdays of each month at 6:00 p.m.  Share your hobby, share your talents, enjoy some camaraderie.

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Donate . . . in Honor or Memory of . . . for Sunday Worship Services  -  Each week for services there is need for flowers, and to cover the costs of the bulletins and the radio ministry.  Do this for a special occasion (an anniversary or birthday), to honor someone, to remember someone, or for no special reason.  Bulletins cost $18 per Sunday, the radio ministry costs $40 per Sunday, and flowers are up to you.  Sign up sheets are posted on the bulletin board across from the office in late October, and they fill up quickly, so check early and often.

Eat Brats  -  The men of Grace sponsor a brat (and hot dogs, too) fry / pot luck once a year in June.  The date and location vary, so watch the Sunday bulletin or the calendar for information each year.

Eat Breakfast  -  The men of Grace meet informally at eight a.m. on the second Saturday of each month in the upstairs room of The Flame Restaurant in Berlin.  The meeting lasts an hour and involves ordering breakfast from the menu, discussing a brief lesson, and having lots of friendly conversation.  If you are interested, stop in or contact Pastor Quello.

Eat Steak  -  The men of Grace enjoy a steak fry once a year during the summer.  The date and location vary, so watch the Sunday bulletin or the calendar for information each summer.

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Involve Your Child(ren) in the children’s playgroup -  The group meets each Tuesday at 9:30 during warm weather at Riverside Park or at 10:30 during the remainder of the year at Grace Church.  Any pre-school age child is invited, along with an adult care-provider.  Activities include story time, music, and play time.  If you are interested, just drop in or contact Kathy Schumacher.

Involve Your Child(ren) in.Vacation Bible School  -  Vacation Bible School is designed for pre-Kindergarten children through those students entering fifth grade. VBS runs from Sunday, July 8 through Thursday, July 12.   The theme for 2007 is AVALANCHE RANCH: A Wild Ride Through God’s Word.  VBS is led by members of Grace Church; see the monthly newsletter or the weekly bulletin for registration information.

Join a Women’s Circle/Study Group  -  The women’s opportunities are detailed in the Grace Lutheran Church Women description in a separate place on the web page.

Learn More About the Bible, Our Faith  -  For both men and women, there is the Monday lunch Bible study in the Grace Church lounge starting at noon. 

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Make Soup  -  Each Wednesday after Ash Wednesday during Lent the evening begins with a soup supper at Grace.  Donations are needed; recipes are provided.  If you are interested in helping, sign up on the bulletin board across from the office.

Play Cribbage – The men meet at 6:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month to play cribbage.  All you need to do to join them is walk in.

Play Golf  -  “The Greater Grace Open” occurs once a year, involves playing golf at your own ability level, and a supper at church afterwards, to which non-golfing family members are also invited.  The date varies, so watch the Sunday bulletin or the monthly newsletter calendar for details.

Pour Coffee  -  Each Sunday coffee and juice,  cookies and healthy treats are available in the fellowship hall after Sunday services.  Hosts and/or hostesses are needed each week.  If you are interested, contact Donna Kirk, Church Secretary.  No dishwashing required!

Pray for Someone  -  The Prayer Ministry team meets with Pastor Sielaff at 6:30 on the third Monday of each month to share requested prayers and concerns of others.  See Pastor Sielaff if you are interested.

Prepare for Communion  -  The altar committee needs 36 women a year to prepare for communion by setting up the altar on Saturday and washing dishes and preparing the altar again on Sunday.  If you are interested, contact Liz Butterbrodt, Altar Committee Chairperson.

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Rake a Lawn, Paint a Room, Wash a Window  -  The Buildings and Grounds Ministry Team schedules clean-up days at least twice a year.  Watch the weekly bulletin or check the calendar for details of when these are scheduled.  No experience necessary!!

Read a Book, Watch a Video  -  The Grace Library has a wide range of books, and some videos as well.  These are not just on religious topics, though there are some of those as well.  If you are interested in helping in the operation of the library, contact Cindy Wallace.

Read in Church  -  Readers are always needed for the lessons on Sunday mornings.  If you are interested, contact Pastor Quello or Donna Kirk, Church Secretary.

Ring in the Bell Choir  -  The handbell choir needs eleven members.  It practices some Wednesdays during the school year, usually at 6:15.  Members and substitutes are always needed.  If you are interested, stop in to a rehearsal or contact Amy Bartol, the handbell choir director.

Serve on a Ministry Team  -  The Congregation Council, the Mission Outreach Ministry Team, the Worship and Music Ministry Team, the Education Ministry Team, the Youth Ministry Team, the Small Group Ministry Team, the Buildings and Grounds Ministry Team – they all need members at one time or another.  If you are interested, see Pastor Quello for which team has immediate needs.

Serve Soul Food – The Youth Ministry team headed by Sarah Bultman serves “Soul Food”—lots of good food and a short lesson—to high school students twice each week.  Freshmen and sophomores come on Wednesdays; juniors and seniors come on Fridays, at 11:40.  Help in preparing, serving and cleaning up is always appreciated.

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Sew Quilts  -  The first Tuesday of each month (usually, check the weekly bulletin or the monthly calendar for details) a group of women meets in the fellowship hall for a morning of sewing.  The primary goal is sewing and tying quilts for Lutheran World Relief.  If you are interested in participating, contact Bev Chadwick or just drop in any time in the morning between nine a.m. and noon.

Sing in the Adult Choir  -  The adult choir is open to everyone from 8th grade and above.  It is open to anyone who enjoys singing; auditions are not required.  It practices each Wednesday during the school year, at 7:15.  The choir generally sings 3 out of 4 or 4 out of 5 Sundays each month, varying between the early and late services.  The choir also sings for some Wednesday evening services during Lent, for special occasions such as Christmas Eve, and performs a Christmas Cantata on a Sunday morning in December.  If you are interested, stop in to a rehearsal or see Joy Paffenroth, Choir Director.

Sing or Play Special Music  -   Individuals or small groups are needed to provide special music—vocal or instrumental—for summer services on Sundays and other special services throughout the year.  If you are interested, contact Cindy Wallace, summer special music coordinator;  Joy Paffenroth, Music Director; or Margaret Draeger, organist/pianist.

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Stamp / Scrapbook  -  The Small Group Ministry sponsors a group interested in stamping and/or scrapbooking.  They meet at church once a month, usually on the third Saturday of each month during the school year, at nine a.m. until the last one leaves.  If you are interested, stop in to a session (enter through the east door) or contact Anita Lind.

Start Something New  -  Do you have an interest not covered in this list?  Do you feel a need to discuss something with others with similar concerns?  See Pastor Quello about starting a new group.  We’re always open to new ideas.

Teach Sunday School  -  Sunday School meets most Sundays (except for holidays) during the school year.  It meets during the 9:15 service and has a fascinating program involving groups of students who are singing, acting, eating, watching a video, making things, and doing other activities on a rotating basis.  Teachers and substitute teachers are always needed.  If you are interested in helping, contact Elaine Leigh, Sunday School Superintendent.

Travel on a Mission Trip  -  Join youth and adults to serve others in the name of Christ.  Each summer a new location is visited: an Indian reservation, an inner-city area, Appalachia.  Projects include house painting, kids’ clubs, light construction, food pantry and soup kitchen help, and many others. 

Usher  -  Six or seven ushers are needed for each service.  Both men and women are encouraged to participate.  Help welcome guests and greet long-time members.  It is easy to make your smiling face a part of the welcoming atmosphere of Grace!  If you are interested in ushering, contact Donna Kirk, Church Secretary.

Write Letters  - College students enjoy contact from home.  Become a “We Care” writer and correspond with a college student.  “We Care” writers are asked to write a letter once a month to fill in the student about church and local news.  If you are interested in becoming a “We Care” writer, contact Margaret Draeger.

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