Church Calendar of events
Volunteer Schedule
church officers

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Saturday Night at the Movies
     Our third annual Saturday Night at the Movies will take place on Saturday, January 27 at 6:30 p.m.  We will have two movies showing at the same time in different locations in the church. Snacks will be provided and everyone can bring a beverage of their choice. Children, youth and adults may attend.

Bowling for Fun!
     On Sunday, February 25 there will be an intergenerational bowling activity.  First a light lunch will be served at church for those who would like to attend.  This will be right after the fellowship time. At 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. we will go bowling.  Each person should bring $1 to help with expenses.  Christian Education will cover the remaining cost.  Even if you haven't bowled for awhile, don't worry!!  One lane we use may have bumper guards!!

Teachers for Spring Quarter
     It is already time to be thinking about spring and teaching!!  Please consider teaching a group of our children or youth about the important foundations of our faith in Jesus Christ.  Remember how we all promised to do that when they were baptized? Spring quarter is from March 4 - May 20.  Please let Kathy Rosendahl (687-4601) know that you are interested.  She will be happy to get you the right class and great curriculum to use in teaching.

What is Baptism?
     Some of the children in Sunday School have been learning about baptism and they have seen two babies of our church baptized in January.  What does baptism really mean?  Check the bulletin board in the fellowship hall to see some of their drawings and learn about the symbols of baptism and their meaning.

Spring Adult Class
     What does it mean to be Presbyterian?  Where does our faith come from?  What are the basics of our denomination and Christian faith?  What is a Book of Order?  Do you remember what you learned in confirmation?  Would you like to ask some questions?
      This will be a good quarter in Adult class to answer the above questions!  Pastor Jim and CLP Doug will be presenting the class to help you gain new insight and depth to your understanding of what it means to be a Presbyterian.  Please join us on Sunday mornings at 9:05 for opening in the sancuary followed by 9:15 - 10:15 classes.  Invite a neighbor to come!

PRESCRIPTION BOTTLES
Those little empty bottles keep appearing in the basket in the narthex of the church. Thank you.
The only request we have - please, be sure all labels are off and the bottles are not sticky. If you
cannot clean up the bottles, toss them.
Nancy and Wayne Dunbar are the people in Winona who see that the bottles get to the center
that sends them overseas. The last time they delivered bottles for shipping there were 3000 from
Winona. As far as I know, our church. Central Lutheran and Central United Methodist are the
collection sites in Winona.  What a service: less items sent to the land fill and needs are being
met in a hospital in Liberia.
Further information: we were told that it costs approximately $10 to ship enough bottles to fill
two brown grocery bags (just the other day I delivered 3 bags to Dunbars to add to their
collection). So far the church and an individual have donated $70 to the cause. If anyone is
interested in contributing to the shipping cost, please contact Dorothy Gilbertson or Janice
Jacobson.
Thank you for your continuing support.
Dorothy Gilbertson

PER CAPITA
It's those words again - Per Capita.
Why do we keep bringing this topic up? Our church is assigned a certain amount each year - this
year based on our membership in 2005 -to pay to John Knox Presbytery and they forward specified amounts
to General Assembly and the Synod of Lakes and Prairies.
Paying our share of per capita keeps us connected with the Presbyterian Church (USA) at all levels and
also gives them the necessary financial support they need to meet the needs of the church world wide.
This year - $23.90 - is what we ask each communicant member to pay. What individuals do
not pay will have to be taken from the regular budget.
Just think of it this way - paying per capita is like paying our utility bills so we will remain connected to
the utility systems and benefit from the services they provide. We pay per capita so the Presbyterian
system can function on behalf of all of us.
Please pay your share - $23.90 - and help us meet our commitment.
Thank you

Newsletter Article
Clerk's Ramblings

It is January 1, 2007 and I feel like I have one foot in each year,
2006 and 2007. On December 28"" the session had its last
meeting and it appears that we ended up the year in the black. I
don't think the finances should be the most important concern
of Session, but when the year is coming to an end and it is
touch and go financially, it is nice to be in the black. The
congregation increased its pledging for 2007. Again, finances
aren't the most important thing we do, but it is one way of
measuring our commitment to the work of the church and it is
exciting to see growth.
The other way is to look at the growth of the church and much
more importantly at the mission efforts. The youth have been
amazingly active this year. They have volunteered at the
Catholic Charity homes, Habitat for Humanity and are getting
ready for a weekend retreat in the Cities in another two weeks.
Not to be outdone by the youth, the entire church gave with
grace and enthusiasm to many projects this year. Among them
were the largest increase in donations, by any organization, to
the Crop Walk, an amazingly rewarding gift to Heifer
International and we supported Walt's trip to help Katrina
victims.
We can't talk about the closing year, without mentioning the
excitement stirred up by the addition of the Scaife family. Jim
has been a positive force that has awakened the dormant spirit
of Grace. He clearly couldn't have been as effective without
the support ofTara and the children. Anybody who raises
sheep needs support.
As I took over the clerk of session job in September, I began
working closely with the other members of the Team; Candi
and Doug. We are so lucky as a church to have their services.
That is all that needs to be said about that.
As we look forward to 2007, there are so many opportunities
and challenges. Finances have been a struggle for this church
for the 29 years I have been a member and the picture doesn't
look any better for 2007. We shall balance. It may require
another dinner program or some other innovative project, but
these projects seem to pull us together more, so that is probably
good. The youth are planning several more mission projects.
We have an amazing list of special offerings and projects
planned. Giving to others is what we do. There are a number of
social get-togethers planned.  In other words, we have an
exciting and challenging year ahead of us with every
expectation that it will be spiritually and emotionally
rewarding. Lets move ahead.
Gary Hayes,
Clerk of Session

HOME DELIVERED MEALS
There is great need for people to volunteer to deliver meals. You can't drive?
Know someone who can and would be glad to share a route with you? Meals
are picked up about 10:30 am at the Steak Shop and usually delivered in an
hour. Regular volunteers deliver once a week. Substitutes are needed to fill in
as needed.
Are you willing to become a volunteer for Home Delivered Meals? Contact
Dorothy or Walt Gilbertson. Elayne Haedtke is a regular volunteer and Dave
Kennebeck is a substitute as are the Gilbertsons.
Grace Church is responsible to deliver a route in April so we will be looking
for volunteers to deliver once a week for the month.  This is a great time to
check out the program and find out what a terrific opportunity is available to
serve others. Prayerfully consider this possibility as a mission adventure

SOUPER BOWL
The youth of GPC will be collecting dollars and cans of soup
as you enter or leave the sanctuary on Super Bow] Sunday, February
4,2007. All proceeds go to Winona Volunteer Services.
Since 1990, when young people started the Souper Bowl of
Caring, more than $33 million has been raised for individual
charities. The biggest day of football is turning into the best
day of giving. Please be part of it.

Mark your calendars, the annual Salad Luncheon will be held on April 14th!

Lenten Season

Speaking of Soup, the Fellowship & Evangelism Committee invites you to
soup and bread supper on Ash Wednesday, February 21 at 5:30 pm.
Come and observe the beginning of Lent with your church family at the
Ash Wednesday evening worship service which will begin at 6:15 p.m.
 

Nursery News
Because we do not currently have a paid attendant for the nursery we are asking
congregation members and friends to take turns watching the nursery. We
have assigned people in pairs, because our insurance prefers it that way. We ask
that attendants for the week check the nursery before the service, and if there
are no children in the nursery, then they can join the worship service a few
minutes after it has started. We hope to hire an attendant later this year, at which
point it is likely that we will still ask for one volunteer each week. Parents of
nursery-age children, if you have any wishes, suggestions, or advice
concerning the nursery, please let Mary Lowery or Kathy Weiner know.

Special offering giving

Christmas Joy- $382.15
Christmas Eve- $444.70 This offering was sent to Heifer Project
International and will buy several sheep and some trees for people in need

Thank yon to all who helped with our two fundraisers in 2006. We
(with Session approval) are planning to transfer $ 1,500 to the Capital
Improvement Fund and $500 to Unrestricted Funds. Thanks to all!
 

Joys
two babies from our church family were baptized in January

0n th 7th AVON JON PRODZINSKI son of Darci and Brien, Grandson of Diane
and Glen Schumann and Steve Thiele and Great Grandson of Leona and Wally Thiele

on the 14th- Benjamin David Hanson, son of Emily and David and Grandson of Kathy and Doug Rosendahl

CONCERNS

Ornetta Gummert is at sauer home recuperating from a fall

Cheryl Graham,s father Recentley recieved a pacemaker.

Marty Jacobson recently had eye surgery

Circle I will meet at church on htursday February 15 at 7 PM.
the hostesses ar Mary Rennells and Gayj\le Arndt

Nite Before" Presbytery Meeting
The John Knox Presbytery meeting on February 17 will be at GPC, and and we will be hosting the "Nite Before"
on the 16th.
Everyone is invited to attend the "Nite Before" which is at 7:00 pm. For more information about the subject to be
discussed, and if you are interested in attending, call the office at 452-4608.
Saturday registration begins a[ 8 a.m. Donuts, coffee, and juice will be available. The meeting begins at 9 am.
We will need help, so if you haven't been contacted, please let someone from F&E know you are available.
It would be great to have a good representation from Grace, and see firsthand what Presbytery does without having
to travel out of town. It's interesting to see how this part of the Presbyterian Church works.
Lunch is $5.00 and will be served between 11:45 and 12:15

The Annual Chow Mein dinner will be Saturday, March 3,2007
from 4-7 pm. Tickets are $7.00 for adults, $3.50 for children (hot
dogs). We will be mailing out tickets for you to sell or purchase.
We also need your help to work and for donations of groceries or money
Sign-up sheets will be up soon, so please check the bulletin board.
We also need your help to work and for donations of groceries or money
Sign-up sheets will be up soon, so please check the bulletin board.
capital improvement fund or for other projects as they arise

Thank yon to all who helped with our two fundraisers in 2006. We
(with Session approval) are planning to transfer $ 1,500 to the Capital
Improvement Fund and $500 to Unrestricted Funds. Thanks to all!