July 22, 2010 Grace Lutheran Church 6931 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach, CA 92647 (714) 899-1700 contactus@GraceHB.org WORSHIP TIMES:Worship - Sunday 8:30 am, 10:30 am; Wednesday 11 am Children's Sunday School - 10:30 am (summer schedule) Middle School [6th-8th Grade] - Sunday 10:30 am High School [9th-12th Grade] - Tuesday 6:00 pm Adult Bible Study Classes - Sunday 10:15 am
 RUNNING ON EMPTY:Worship Begins When
We Stop What We're Doing
[Deuteronomy 5:12-15]
Last week, we reflected on the biblical fact that we are created by God to rest. As we build a world that is being defined more and more by how much we do, by how busy we are and by how long we can go without sleep or a day off, this simple truth becomes more critical for us to remember. Nature’s rhythms as well as the inclination of our own hearts and minds are oriented towards renewal. Whether by energy supplements or good old-fashioned stubbornness, we ignore such impulses towards rest at our own peril. Contrary to our perceptions, the call to rest is not the call to do nothing. Throughout the work of creation, God declares that, “ It is good!” Creation is finished—perfected if you will—with the setting apart of a day to celebrate, to reflect and to be renewed by God’s delight for the work of His hands. While we chase after the tyranny of the urgent, the Lord of all Creation beckons us to slow down and enjoy what is in front of us. If we persist that we do not have time or that we will rest when we are finished, we betray our lack of understanding of what the Sabbath is. The emergence of the Sabbath is God’s gift of sacred time—a taste of the eternal in the midst of our tendency towards “the daily grind.” All of goodness of creation is fused into a day of rest, an expression of peace and joy. Six days of “It is good!” becomes the 7th day of “Life is good!” God’s invitation is a gift but it is also a command. As we move this week to the pages of Deuteronomy, we are called to remember that the observance of the Sabbath is part of the Ten Commandments. Through Moses, God gave the Israelites the Ten Commandments as the building blocks of the Torah—the law, the way, the direction for living life as God intended. Apparently, keeping the Sabbath is an essential part of that foundation. • But what does it mean to keep the Sabbath? • Is there more to keeping the Sabbath than rest—than just focusing on oneself? • What does the call to worship have to do with the call to rest? • What if I work on Sunday—is keeping the Sabbath about the day or something more? • Didn’t Jesus abolish the requirements of the Law on the cross—so isn’t “keeping the Sabbath” irrelevant today? Join us for the answer to these and other questions as we probe deeper into God’s call to rest, relax and be recreated. One of the byproducts of our brokenness—of our disconnect from the LORD—is that we are forgetful people. Our distractions and preoccupations often make life harder and more complex than God intended. I invite you this Sunday to press on in remembering the mystery and mandate of the Sabbath! Resting in His Grace, Pastor Chris Click here to visit our entire sermon message archive.
GRACE STAFF UPDATES
The Church Council reports the following staff changes at Grace: * After several months of dedicated service, Lisa Burns is no longer serving as the Children and Family Ministries Director. In lieu of her former position, Lisa will now be serving as the Rec Club Director for Grace School. We appreciate Lisa's contributions to Children and Family ministries at Grace and remain thankful that she continues to be a part of our team. We look forward to the fruit that the Spirit will bring as a result of the focus of her gifts and talents in our Rec Club Program! * Beth Tweitmann will now be filling the role of the Children and Family Ministries Director. Previously, she served as the Sunday School Coordinator. That position has been eliminated. Beth will be overseeing Sunday morning programs for children, the coordination of childcare and other ministries related to children. We affirm Beth's calling to these increased responsibilities and are excited to see what God has in store for Grace through this change! * After many years of faithful service, Nicole McFadden will no longer be a member of the Grace Preschool team. Nicole and her family are relocating to Iowa this summer. This past year, Nicole has done a terrific job serving as our Site I Preschool Director during an important time of transition. We are grateful for Nicole's hard work, enthusiasm and care as a part of the Grace team. We will miss her and the entire McFadden family as they begin the next leg of this journey of their lives! * Dr. Janie Andrich will now be serving as the Executive Director of Grace School. For the last two years, Dr. Janie Andrich has served as the Executive Director of both the Grace Church and School. Janie took on this additional responsibility as we transitioned in our new senior pastor. Overseeing the operations, human resources and finances of the church as well as the school has been a demanding task. We are thankful for Janie's willingness to serve in this capacity and for the stability and improvements that she provided during the last two years. We are pleased to once again enable Janie to dedicate her full attention, expertise and vision to her original calling--the development, enrichment and excellence of Grace School! * Linus Buss will be coming on board the Grace team as an interim Church Business Administrator. We believe in the best interests of the future development of Grace that we need to plan and prepare for the future hire of a full-time CBA. However we are not ready at this time logistically or financially to make this transition. In a part time and volunteer capacity, Linus will be assisting the Council in moving in that direction. While Linus will be the on site presence, during this interim period he will be working closely with the three Council members responsible for operations, human resources and finance (Ken Beaulieu, Bob Eggink and Tom Livengood). Our Council President, Rachel Zippwald will also be working closely with this team. We welcome Linus on board as he assists Grace in preparing for the future!
The Grace Congregational Survey
 WHO WE AREWHAT WE BELIEVEWHERE WE STANDThe Grace Congregational Survey is coming this Fall.
DISCIPLE Bible Study
iSanctuary Shopping
 THIS SATURDAY, July 24, 11 AM - 2 PM iSanctuary's local headquarters is now open on the last Saturday of every month. Stop by 17777 Main St. C-2, Irvine, CA 92416 to browse items and shop until your heart's content. All proceeds benefit survivors of human trafficking. Are you able to volunteer? Volunteers are needed to help sort, tag, and package items on the last Saturday of every month. Come by for an hour or more this Saturday to help. Questions? Contact Elizabeth SanFilippo [714-965-0774 or RussellSanFilipp@aol.com] Learn more about iSanctuary.
Second-Half Ministry Trip: Architectural Tour of LA
 Tuesday, August 17, 8:15am
Grace's Second-Half Ministries in conjunction with the HB Rogers Senior Center invites you on an architectural tour of Los Angeles with lunch at the San Antonio Winery. Bus leaves the Rogers Senior Center parking lot at 8:15am. Everyone is welcome. Sign-up on the patio this Sunday. Cost is $48 (lunch extra). Contact Pastor Dale Johnson [714-899-1722 or djohnson@gracehb.org]
Do You Owe More On Your Home Than Its Worth?
 Wednesday, July 28, 7 PM at Grace
If you owe more on your home than it is worth or know someone who does, you are highly encouraged to attend one of these informative meetings. THERE IS HOPE!There will be local Distressed Property Experts giving a short presentation, and a CPA and Real Estate Attorney present to answer all your questions. Watch a video featuring Grace member Tony Hunthausen explaining the event. Some of the things you will learn include the 9 ways to avoid foreclosure, foreclosure timelines, and current available government programs. The goal is to empower members of our community with knowledge and information that will help you make informed decisions in this extremely volatile area. Invite neighbors and friends.
S.H.I.P. (Self-Help Interfaith Program) is Coming!
July 31 - August 21 at Grace
 This well established ministry provides housing, meals and fellowship to homeless men and women in Orange County while they develop life skills and hunt for jobs. Sign-ups are on the Grace Patio for anyone called to provide family-style dinners, night/weekend supervision or administrative support. Individuals, families and especially Life Groups are strongly encouraged to find one way to support this worthwhile ministry that has been impacting lives for years. Contact Lori Brunner [714-841-2797 or loribrunner@verizon.net] Click here to learn more about SHIP.
Thrivent Financial Member Alert!
 If you are a member of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, they have launched a new matching gifts program called Choice Dollars. Thrivent members who own insurance policies will be receiving a letter from Thrivent between now and the end of July. The mailing will contain information on how you can direct Thrivent funds to your favorite local charities. These funds can be designated to Grace Lutheran Church and/or School, if you desire. Eligible Thrivent members will need to go online or call the Thrivent Financial service center to direct their Choice Dollars. We ask that you select Grace Lutheran Church and/or School for your Thrivent Choice investment! Your gifts make a lasting impact on our community. We thank you in advance for your generosity!
Women's Cursillo Weekend
 This Weekend, Thursday - SundayThe theme verse is Jeremiah 29:13, "And you will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart." Grace Pilgrims this weekend include: Michele Abbott Candy Timmons Grace Servants this weekend include: Vicki Braddock (Rector) Valerie Finch Cynthia Galli Debbie Graves Nicole Lawler Connie Randall Jan Stolzenburg June Welton Please cover the entire team and all 28 of God's chosen pilgrims attending the weekend in prayer. Grace will be hosting a Grand Ultreya gathering on Sunday afternoon, August 1. Contact Jan Stolzenburg for info on how you can help. Click here to learn more about Cursillo.
Grace School Summer Sports Camps
 Summer sports camps are designed to help athletes prepare for the upcoming competitive sports seasons. Fundamentals of each sport and game situations will be taught and reviewed. Camps open to all in grades 4-8, so invite your friends to join us this summer.
[Monday - Thursday, 10am-2pm]
BOYS FLAG FOOTBALL - August 23-26 - $50
Contact Grace Lutheran School [714-899-1600].
Summer Reading 2010
 If you'd like to understand the future vision for Grace as well as be a part of the ongoing conversation, please add these three books to your summer reading list. Each of these books addresses a crucial dimension of the challenge that lies before us.
" Who Stole My Church?" by Gordon MacDonald offers insight into what it means to be a multi-generational church in a changing world. If you're wrestling with some of the recent changes made at Grace--this is a MUST read!
" The Hole in Our Gospel" by Richard Stearns broadens and challenges our typical understanding of what it means to share the Gospel in word and deed both in our community and across the globe. Whether you're satisfied, dissatisfied or indifferent about efforts in missions and evangelism, this book is a blueprint of how things must and will change at Grace.
" UnChristian" by David Kinniman and Gabe Lyons puts a face and a story on the two generations that we most need to reach but that are also the most hostile and resistant not to Jesus or to faith but to the church. If every church is truly one generation away from extinction, we need to understand and respond to the perceptions and criticisms of those who will be coming after us. Is it possible that as the church we have taken our eyes off Jesus and that is why the upcoming generations cannot perceive Christ in the church? I challenge each of you to answer this question after reading this book!
Read these books. Listen to our recent discussions online. Talk to your family, friends and neighbors about them. Be informed. These books will be the basis of further small group conversations that we will be having at Grace. Visit our SUMMER READING 2010 page for more info and to hear MP3 audio from past book discussions.
| 
