Ministries and Education
Education
Sunday School
Sunday School meets every Sunday between Labor Day and Memorial Day from 10:15-11:15 AM and is open to all children from preschool through 8th grade.
Each Sunday we focus on one Bible lesson and reinforce the message with crafts, activities, and games. While we love to see the children’s faces every week, we certainly understand that may not work for everyone so please feel free to pop in whenever you can and bring a friend, too! We hope to see you there!
Sunday School is led by Denise Haese and Erin Kolar.
Young Adult Bible Study
Offered on Sundays after worship, Young Adult Bible Study is open to ages 13-30. They discuss topics relevant to today's society and to the lived experiences of the participants. Currently, they are reading through the book Taboo by Mike Novotny, which covers topics like anxiety, suicide, sexual intimacy, alcohol, and more.
YA Bible Study is led by Cait Henning, Member Ministry Coordinator.
Adult Bible Study
Adult Bible Study is offered Sundays after worship, Tuesdays at 6:30 PM, and Wednesdays at 1:15 PM. Even though it's called "Adult," it is open to all ages.
Sessions last about one hour. Our studies vary from specific books of the Bible to specific topics and teachings, digging deeper into God’s Word and seeing how it applies to every situation in our lives. The environment is easy-going; you’re free to participate as little or as much as you’d like. Plus, you can typically expect a warm beverage and some delicious snacks to go along with the Word of God!
Adult Bible Study is led by Pastor Ryan Henning and Staff Minister Bob Fink.
Men's Breakfast Bible Study
On the first Saturday of every month, men of Manitowoc are invited to Grace to gather around food, fellowship, and the Word. We begin around 8:00 AM with coffee, Kringle, bagels, cookies, and other pastries. At 8:15, we dive into God’s Word until 9:00. In the past, we’ve worked our way through Luther’s Small Catechism, and recently began looking at the book of Psalms. Come join your fellow brothers in seeing what God says to you!
Men's Breakfast Bible Study is led by Staff Minister Bob Fink.
Ministries
Jesus Cares Ministry
Jesus Cares Ministries at Grace presents a Bible story with singing, crafts, and snacks. These lessons follow a format appropriate for people with a cognitive disability or dementia. Young children can also benefit from the lessons and activities.
Jesus Cares Ministries welcomes everyone from the Lakeshore community who has special needs. Worship at the Cross services are held on the 2nd Saturday of each month at 9:00 AM at Bethany Lutheran Church. The Jesus Cares Bible Studies are held the 3rd Saturday of each month at 9:00 AM at Grace. We are always looking for volunteers to help with this ministry. If you have a special needs child, or are a caregiver for someone with special needs, this program is for you and your child.
Jesus Cares is led by Coordinator Denise Haese.
Grace Circle
Since the early years of Grace’s history, our congregation has operated a women’s group called Grace Circle. These women get together for social time and to support mission work within the congregation and beyond. Grace Circle regularly donates to different mission causes. They also coordinate a bake sale for our annual Fall Fest and a cookie delivery around Christmas. Grace Circle currently meets at 2:00 PM on the 2nd Thursday of each month. Their meetings start with a devotion and a hymn, often followed by a presentation regarding a special aspect of ministry, then their business meeting, and ending with coffee and a homemade treat.
Grace Circle is facilitated by Chairwoman Lylene Scholz.
Vacation Bible School
Grace uses GROUP Vacation Bible School programs to share Jesus in an engaging and creative way with our preschool and elementary-aged youth. Kids attend a week-long program that immerses them in Bible stories through exciting themes, crafts, games, songs, performances, and more. Our VBS program engages kids in exciting activities that allow them to grow strong relationships with their peers, while most importantly, growing their relationship with Jesus.
VBS is coordinated by Olivia Kolar.
Area Lutheran Schools
Grace values ongoing Christian education for the children of our families. Many of the youth in congregation attend a neighboring Lutheran Elementary School--Bethany; First German; Immanuel; St. John’s (Two Rivers); St. John’s (Newtonburg)--as well as continuing on to our area Manitowoc Lutheran High School. Because our church places such high value on Christian education, we gladly offer tuition assistance for our members attending these schools.
