Dear Grace Family
At our Team Meeting a couple of weeks ago, Doug, Candi, and I
decided that rather than each continuing to write a separate article
for the Newsletter each month; we would take turns instead.
So you will now be hearing from us on a rotating basis.
This is the reason why you are just hearing from my end.
For this month, T would like to comment on a joint ministry function
that we shared through VBS and also encourage your participation
in several events that we will be sharing m July and August.
I would like to sincerely thank all those who assisted in any way with the
successful VBS that we held together the week of June 13-17. We almost had
equal participation of kids from both churches which enabled us to do our VBS
on a little larger scale than either church could have done alone. -I thoroughly
enjoyed participating myself by leading the opening Sing and Play Bay where we
learned a number of new songs (some of which will be sung at Grace by the kids
on Sunday, July 4th.) and also the wrap-up called Lava Lava Luau (going along
with our theme: Lava Lava Island Where Jesus' Love Flows) during which time
we re-emphasized our Bible and Scripture Point for the day as well as sang some
more songs. It was great fun seeing how the kids responded and enjoyed coming
to learn and participate. It was good for the kids from both churches to mingle
and get to know each other in this setting.
A GREAT BIG THANK YOU TO THE VBS STAFF!
Also, I would like to encourage your attendance at three events which we will be
doing jointly in July/August. The first is the Church Worship & Picnic at
Farmer's Park on July 18. During our Worship, we will be singing a number of
more contemporary worship choruses and have a challenge from Scripture. It
will be a very informal service and one in which I think we can enjoy worship in
a little bit different environment. The picnic portion will be potluck with some
group games to follow. The second and third events come back to back. The
Twin Cities Festival with Luis Palau on Saturday, August 7 is going to be an
exceptional event with thousands of attendees from all around the area. I'm
particularly looking forward to this because Linda and I have the opportunity to
host lunch for those attending from our churches at our Woodbury residence. The
third event is the Jazz Sunday Worship Service on the next day which will be a
great time of worship as well and include First Congregational Church as in the
past. Please consider coming to all of these if possible!
The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 15:5,6: "May the God who gives endurance
and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow
Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." I think these are good verses to remember as we
seek to do more joint ministry together and that these times might increase our
spiritual endurance as well as being spiritually encouraging one to another.
God's Blessings,    Pastor Al
 

CONGRATULATIONS TO...
Nola Morawiecki has opened her own Flower Shop on Main
street. Congratulations and good luck, Nola.

Kathy Weiner is recuperating after successful surgery.

"Mo''Stark is at home Recovering from successful heart surgery.

Josie Bergler, great great niece of Karen Haedtke, is recovering
from eye surgery performed in Detroit. Thankfully she keeps improving.

Zachery Stark, son of Merritt and Michelle Stark and grandson
of 'Mo" and Norma, graduated from Winona Senior High this June.

Jon Lica was a member of the Winona Senior High School
boys distance medley relay team that won their heat at the Adidas
National Outdoor Track Invitational. In doing so, they set a
state record for the event as they bettered the old record by 8
seconds. They set a Winona High record earlier this year and
just missed breaking the state record. Congratulations
 

VBS. kids hope to sing a couple their songs during a Sunday Worship
services this summer. Be watching for them in early July !!!  Also,
please read the comments from VBS. kids about their week  (found in this newsletter)

A big thanks to Pastor Al and the people from First Baptist who
taught, all the helpers and teacher from Grace Presbyterian, and to
Central Methodist Church for letting us use all their wonderful
Lava-Lava Island scenery and props. It helped to make this VBS extra special!

Operation Christmas Child
Mission Project

The kids at VBS bought toys for the shoe boxes to be filled for
operation Christmas Child. this is an annual mission project for VBS.
Next the congregation will be asked to help on Sunday, August 22 by
donating money to buy the other contents for the boxes (t-shirts,
toothbrushes, combs, soap, pencils,
crayons, etc.) Boxes will be sent in November to children in over 60
impoverished countries around the world and given to them at Christmas.

Upcoming Events
July 19-25 - Jessica Arndt and  Daniel  Mrkvicka will  be  attending
the Youth Triennium at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Sunday, August 22 - Donation for Operation Christmas Child

Sunday, September 12- KickOff Sunday!! Sunday School
begins for ages 0 - Adult followed by a kick-off event at Lake Park.
(Details to follow next month! )
Sunday, September 19 - Youth Fund Raiser - Car Wash from 1 -4
p.m. ( A pizza lunch will be served to the youth before the car wash )

The Nominating Committee will present the following candidates for
Elder, Deacon, and Nominating Committee Member at Large at the
congregational Meeting on July 4,2004 after church: Elder, Jennifer Dietrich
& Ellie Griesel, Youth Elder, David Rosendahl, Deacon, Gayle Arndt,
Janet Domfeld, & Betty Hensel,& Member at Large, Kollin Foss, Gary
Hayes, Emily Rosendahl, and Leona Thiele. Nominations will be accepted
from the floor as long as the nominee is asked ahead of time.
Mary Rennells
 

Lava-Lava Island
Where Jesus 'Love Flows
First Baptist joined with Grace Presbyterian in a most exciting
VBS week June 13-17!'. Nineteen children ages 3- fifth grade
attended along with fifteen youth and adult helpers/teachers. Each
day the Bible point was learned through singing, hearing a Bible
Adventure Story, eating a related Tropical Snack, watching the
Chadder Chipmunk video ,playing games and making crafts that all"-
related to the Bible .at the end of the week each child took
home his/her bag filled with the bible Memory Buddies to help
remember the verses from the week:    .                  •-
Day I -"Blaze"... Jesus gives
us hope.... Psalm 42::5
Day 2 - "Maggie". . . Jesus
follows Gods word... Psalm 119:11
Day 3 - "Anna" . . . Jesus gives
us courage... Philippiaas 4:13
Day 4 - "Sip" . . . Jesus Saves
us.... John 3:16
Day 5 - "Homer" ...Jesus Gives
Us a Reason to Celebrate ...John

Clerk's Corner
Mary Lowery Clerk of Session

Summertime is such fun! There are picnics, parades, hot summer days, a time to eat salads, and VBS.
Yep-VBS. That stands for Vacation Bible School in case anyone forgot. If you didn't get to see the awesome
way the church was decorated for this, why. it's a shame. I heard that there were 20+ children and many adults
They all had fun, fun, fun. Plus, they learned about God's work too! I heard pastor Al really got into the
SWING of things.
PARADES: We had a great Steamboat Day parade. It was fun sitting out on Broadway with alot of
fellow Presbyterians cheering on other Presbyterians in the parade (we saw Dan and Candi for sure). I wonder
if they were "walking with God"??? (Pastor Al's sermon June 20th)
PICNICS: We all love a picnic, so don't forget our upcoming dates for picnics; July 18th at Farmer's
Park with First Baptist Church from 9 am -3 pm, and August 8th will be our annual Jazz picnic with First
Baptist and Congregational Church.
SESSION NEWS: The June session meeting was June 24th. Since I have to have this article in before
we meet, I can tell you what we plan to discuss. Replacing roof shingles or putting on a steel roof will be our
hottest topic. We also will be approving a congregational meeting to elect new officers on July 4th. We will be
approving this new slate of officers with one position unfilled. Would anyone like to be an elder? If so, please
let Mary Rennells know.
Don't miss church on July 4th for election of officers AND the VBS children will sing songs they
learned at VBS at Grace Presbyterian.

M & S

The Pentecost Offering total was $222. 40% of
this total will go to the Women's' Resource Center
for their Children's' Garden Project. The garden
area at Redeemer Lutheran Church is used and each
child entered in the program has a site to plant,
maintain and harvest.
Can you believe it? No special offerings scheduled
  for the summer.
If you haven't contributed your $21.39 per
communicant member for Per Capita now is an
excellent time to do so. Our church pays Presbytery
that amount for each member whether individuals
pay it or not. Help us meet our goal by paying your
fair share.
Remember, too, that although many of us go on
vacation this time of year, God and His work
continue. Please keep your pledge payments current.
Thank you for all the financial support you give
to Grace Church.
 

What do you think and/or like about VBSI
Simon: I love it. l wish it could last all year.
Kaitlyn: I think it is really, really fun.
Allison: I think its great.
Claire: I think its awesome.
Emily: I think the Chadder video is cool.
Connor: I like it when you get your charac-
character and I like the crafts and the Chadder
movie.
Olivia: I like the singing with my friends
and the drama.
Adelle: I think its better than church.
Rena: I like the games and the friends.
Charlie: I like when we get to do crafts.
Imani: I like singing.
Kate: It's fun and you can learn more about

Administrator's Report
Remember Emily Marshall? She became an affiliate
member at Grace in 1998 when she was attending St. Mary's College.
She is now living in Southern Missouri and is a physical therapist who works
with youth in area schools. She sings in her church
choir and is currently participating in a community
musical. She is not married but has a boyfriend.
Emily's mother said she and Emily both appreciated
the love and support Emily received from this
congregation while she attended college here.
 

First Baptist Church Worship
and picnic at the Arches
 

We are invited to join the FBC congregation on
Sunday July 18, at 10:00 a.m. for worship at the
Arches. Games, fellowship and a pot-luck meal
will follow. Please bring a dish to pass your eating
dishes and utensils. FBC will provide beverages.
We not have worship at our Grace building that
Sunday. If you need a ride please call the church
office by Friday, July 16. We hope to see you all
there to enjoy God's outside beauty while we
worship.

Luis Palau Twin Cities Festival
Don't forget to sign-up for the Festival by July 15.
We will be traveling by coach bus and the only cost
for the day will be $15. This promises to be a great
family event with a contemporary twist. Remember
to invite your friends. For more information, go
online to: www.palau.org/twincities/about.php or
call Candi Kohner.
 

Doug Has New Hours
Since Doug has retired from his full-time
teaching position, he has new office hours.
Doug will be in the office on Wednesday
morning and most of Thursday. He also is
available for appointments.

Remember there will not be worship at the
Grace Presbyterian Church Building on
July 18. We will be at the Arches.

Corporation
The Corporation Committee is contemning to work
on the new landscaping on the south side of the
church. O.J. and Ray have been working on
obtaining bids for the new church roof.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The General Assembly of the Presbyterian
Church (USA) is meeting in Richmond, VA from
June 26 to July 3. They will discussing and voting
on some very important issues: family, abortion
and sexuality to name a few. They will also be
electing a new moderator and voting for a Stated
Clerk.
Many other subjects will be on the agenda
and they need our prayers as they seek God's
guidance in making their decisions.

Circles

Circle I     will not meet this summer

Circle II    will meet at Grace Presbyterian Church on 7/14 at 1:30 PM.
                 We will start a new study series:  Lesson 1 of "what she said"
                 Visitors are always welcome

Circle III   Meeting time and date 7/13/04 @ 7 PM at the church
                 Hostess: Emily Krumm
                 Lesson Jania Kennebeck
                 Devotions: Csrles Anderson