Newsletters
November 2025 Newsletter
What I’ve been reading:
- Forward in Christ (November) – I appreciated the theme of this month’s Forward in Christ. You never know how a simple invitation can be life changing. The sidebar on page eight shows a great insight to the simple service our congregations provide at events like a Vacation Bible School or our Fall Fest. Haven’t we seen the fruits of that in recent months, with more people coming to worship, Sunday School, and a family who joined the preschool this year after a tour at last year’s Fall Fest? I also liked the encouragement to encourage people for future ministry. Like I said in a recent sermon, we need more fishers. Don’t doubt the power that you might have as a parent, grandparent, or fellow church member (or even me, the pastor) in seeing someone’s gifts and potential where they might not. God use us all, as encouragers and as the public workers, to share his life changing message.
- For fun: After finishing my long book in September, I was able to quickly read through three books, and nearly a fourth in October. I started with a recommendation from Debbi Heiderich (our preschool director): The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, as I continue to grow in my leadership skills. I pray that God gives me insights to help our teams at Grace work more efficiently with a unified purpose of spreading the good news. Then, I read a book shared with me by our librarian, Donna Langman. How to Talk Taboo is a follow-up book to Mike Novotny’s book Taboo that our Young Adult Bible study covered over the past year. I LOVED this book and think that everyone should read it. Pastor Novotny tackles how to confess challenging sins and how to lovingly confront sins in others. Finally, I read Where Have All the Church Members Gone? This book identified five “traps” that are common in Christian churches today, leading to the decline in membership. Right now, I am over halfway through a book called Every Thought Captive, based on 2 Corinthians 10:5. It has been personally helpful as I work on correcting negative thought patterns and committing every thought to God’s ways. I definitely will want to read this book again and intentionally implement some of the ideas. Keep inviting!
- Did you know the best way to grow the church? It’s not an enthusiastic, young pastor who attracts all the people. It’s not an effective outreach strategy with the best events and the flashiest promotional materials. It’s word of mouth recommendation from satisfied “customers.” When you tell your friends and family how good it is to come to church – to hear the truth of what Jesus does for you AND for them – that brings people in. When you glow about your God, that leads other people to “come and see” (John 1:46).
Let’s be a “come and see” church that invites others to Christ’s banquet with us.
We thank you, Lord, for our military veterans. Through those who have “kept the watch” on our behalf, you have prevented war from advancing to our shores, frustrated the plans of wicked people, and protected us from harm.
Move us to offer our patient, listening hearts to those veterans who suffer, including those who suffer in silence. Help us to point them to the perfect peace that is now theirs in Christ.
Move all who fight the good fight of faith, especially those who serve our nation on our behalf, to put on faith and love as a breastplate and the hope of salvation as a helmet.
Give to all who have served and all who are actively serving, the identity and purpose that comes only from you, that through baptism, they are forgiven, loved children of their heavenly Father, bought and purchased with the blood of his Son, called and kept in the true faith by the Holy Spirit. Amen.
We’d love to have you be part of our November Open Forum meetings and Voters’ meeting! Those dates are:
Open Forum – Sunday, November 16th after worship.
Open Forum – Monday, November 17th after worship.
Voters’ Meeting (including CC elections) – Tuesday, November 18th at 6:30 P.M.
Plan now to attend and to be a part of these important meetings!
Three important topics will be up for discussion. Those topics are:
The Calling of a full-time staff minister.
Our new congregation mission statement.
A redefined Member Ministry Coordinator position.
All three of these topics are covered on the next three pages of this newsletter.
An election for Chairman of the Congregation will be held at the November 18th voters’ meeting. If you would like your name to be considered for election as Chairman, please contact Mr. Steve Janke.
Dear Members of Grace Lutheran Church,
It is good and it is important to always remember the blessings that our Lord has given to our congregation, and to always remember to thank him for those blessings. In saying that, may we bring to mind the blessing our Lord gave to us during the summer of 2024 – a little over fifteen months ago – when our long congregational vacancy was finally ended and we welcomed Pastor Henning and his wife Cait into our congregation. May we continue to thank our loving Lord for the wonderful things He did and is doing for our congregation in sending us the Hennings.
Beginning in the spring of 2025, your Coordinating Council here at Grace began discussions concerning our Called Pastor’s workload and how we might create a shared ministry for our Pastor by Calling a Full-Time Staff Minister to serve as a spiritual partner with Pastor Henning. Through those discussions, your Coordinating Council would like to share the following observations:
- The ministry of our part-time, semi-retired Staff Minister – Bob Fink – has been and continues to be a blessing for our congregation. However, the shared ministry Staff Minister Fink’s position offers our Pastor is limited. A full-time spiritual partner would be a blessing that would offer a complete partnership between Pastor and Staff Minister.
- Our Pastor’s current workload is above and beyond what it should be in this congregation. Our congregation would benefit greatly having a Pastor and a full-time Gospel partner to share ministry responsibilities.
- Shared ministry between Pastor and a Full-Time Staff Minister might include leading Sunday services and sermon preaching, depending on whom the Lord would send to Grace Lutheran. Shared ministry would include shut-in visitation; member visitation; seeking out our straying members; reaching out to prospective members; teaching classes such as Catechism, Bible Classes, BIC Classes; counseling those in need; interacting with Jesus’ Lambs of Grace staff, students and families; working with Jesus’ Lambs as a mission outreach; developing a Harvest Strategy for our school and congregation; being a presence at congregational activities and with congregational groups; being a presence in the community; and more. The two Called workers would work together to develop their ministry plan and establish the division of responsibilities.
- Shared ministry would also give our Called workers more time for personal Bible study, growth in the ministry, and preparation for sharing the Word. This partnership would also create ample free time for family, for relaxation, and for much needed vacation time.
It is the Coordinating Council’s recommendation that we Call a Full-Time Staff Minister beginning in January of 2026. Before we do so, we would look for congregational input on this matter, especially since such a decision would have a long-term financial impact on our congregation. We will seek such input at our upcoming November Open Forum meetings, followed by approval by the Voters’ Assembly during our November Voters’ meeting.
May our Lord bless our upcoming discussions and decision. Please feel free to contact any of the members of our Coordinating Council with your comments and questions.
In Service to the Savior,
The Coordinating Council of Grace Lutheran
New Mission Statement
Our Coordinating Council has approved a new Mission Statement for our congregation. Before doing so, the council reviewed and discussed comments shared by some of the members of our congregation.
The new mission statement approved by the council is as follows:
Rooted in Christ’s love, we share the life-changing Gospel with grace, compassion and unwavering hope – welcoming all, serving others, growing in grace and pointing every heart to Jesus.
If you have any thoughts or comments concerning the decision, please feel free to share them during our November Open Forum meetings.
The Voters will be asked to finalize the decision of the council during their November meeting which will make the above mission statement the official mission statement of our congregation.
May God continue to bless our mission and ministry at Grace Lutheran Church!
Dear Members of Grace Lutheran Church,
Some years ago, Grace Lutheran Church established a new staff position—Member Ministry Coordinator—a role created with the full support of the Coordinating Council, Voters, and the congregation. Mrs. Heidi Malley was the first to serve in this capacity, and her dedication to our church and to our Lord was exemplary.
Following Mrs. Malley’s departure in April of this year, Mrs. Cait Henning graciously stepped into the role. She has continued the tradition of excellence, serving faithfully and effectively in support of her Savior and her church family.
Now, another transition is on the horizon. Due to new employment opportunities, Mrs. Henning has expressed her intention to step down from the position of Member Ministry Coordinator. Her upcoming resignation means that Grace will need to hire a new staff member to ensure the continuation of this vital ministry.
With thoughtful input and guidance from Mrs. Henning, the Coordinating Council has decided to redefine the role. Moving forward, the position will be titled Church Coordinator, and we will seek to hire a qualified individual—male or female—to carry on this important work.
There will be a position description for the Church Coordinator role available for you in the church narthex. Once the application window opens, we will begin the formal hiring process.
Please note that this is a thirty-hour-per-week position. The 2025–2026 budget includes a dedicated line item to fully fund this new staff member.
If you have any questions about this redefined position, or if you are interested in serving in such a position, please contact any of our Coordinating Council representatives.
Serving Our Savior,
Grace Lutheran Coordinating Council
Family Game Night – November 8th, 2025
5:30 – 8:00 P.M.
All ages are welcome! Bring a game or learn a new one.
There will be pizza, popcorn and drinks provided.
Please see the sign-up sheet located in the fellowship hall.
Our young adult group, “Roots United” will be joining the fun and will be leading a Bible Class at 7:30 P.M.
Screening of the Movie “One by One” – A True Story of Faith and Transformation
Join us for a FREE special screening of the feature-length movie One by One – the powerful true story of WELS Pastor David Rosenau, a man whose life journey took him from undercover narcotics detective to shepherding souls in the church. This unforgettable film will inspire you with themes of redemption, courage, and the relentless power of hope. Experience a story that proves no one is beyond the reach of grace – one life at a time.
When: Saturday, November 15. Doors open at 1:30pm; movie starts at 2:00 pm
Where: First German Ev. Lutheran Church in Manitowoc
Steven Zambo, Executive Director of Salty Earth Pictures (and the film’s Director), will provide a “talk-back” session after the screening of the film.
Bring your family, friends and neighbors – you won’t want to miss it!
Advent by Candlelight 2025
We will be doing a Ladies Advent by Candlelight program on Sunday, December 7th. Doors will open at 2:00pm. After 20 minutes of socializing and looking at the table decorations, there will be dessert and beverages served, followed by the program which should conclude by 4:00pm.
The program "A Mother Remembers” reflects on Mary's memories of her life with Jesus, from conception to the days following his death and resurrection. This time together is an opportunity for women of age 12 and older to set aside the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations and to focus our minds and hearts on what is really important - the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
We are looking for 8-10 ladies to host and decorate a table for 7 guests to join them. See the "Hostess Guidelines" below for more details on this. There will be 2 signup sheets located on the buffet tables in the fellowship hall. One is for ladies that would like to host a table, and one is for ladies that would just like to attend. Signup deadline is Monday, November 24th.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Ann Hornes at 920-684-1241, event/program coordinator or Lorna Matthias, hostess coordinator at
920-901-8777.
Hostess Guidelines:
You will be decorating an 8 x 2.5 ft. table in a way to celebrate the holiday season, using your choice of angels, a nativity scene, poinsettias, cardinals, holiday colors of gold, silver, red, green, and the like. Please refrain from using Santa or elves. Also, these white tables are not quite as wide as the old brown tables that we used to use, so you may want to keep your centerpieces a bit narrower. A 60x120" tablecloth is ideal. Tables should have 8 place settings - plate (dinner or dessert), fork, coffee cup, water glass and a napkin. You may use china, glass, paper or plastic dinnerware. Please include candles on your table including individual votive candles at each setting since the lights will be turned off.
Some hostesses choose to provide a small gift for each guest and some small snacks. You can provide a dessert for your guests, or we have ladies that are willing to do this for you. Coffee, hot apple cider and hot water will be provided. You can personally invite ladies to fill your table (you plus 7 guests), or we will assign people to your table. Questions can be directed to Lorna Matthias, 920-901-8777. Thank you for your interest in being a Hostess.
REFORMATION/GERMANY TOUR
You are invited to join a 12-day (April 20th -May 1st 2026) tour of Germany emphasizing sites of the Reformation. Places like Wittenberg, Worms, Wartburg, Eisleben and Erfurt are included. Non-religious sites include Berlin, Mainz, Rothenburg and a Rhine River cruise. There is an optional 3-day extension to Munich, Oberammergau and Neuschwanstein Castle. The tour will be hosted by retired WELS pastor Eugene Kock who has been to Germany many times. For more information contact: pastorkock@yahoo.com.
Job Opening
Trinity Lutheran Church of Brillion, WI has an opening for an Accounting Manager. Please see the link or QR code for the job description. Please send resumes to TLCadmin@trinitybrillion.org.
Jesus’ Lambs of Grace – October Highlights
Two words describe life at Jesus’ Lambs of Grace this month: Busy and Fun!
October has been filled with exciting activities that help our preschoolers learn, grow, and celebrate God’s blessings. Each Friday, we’ve shown our Packer Pride, predicting the winner of the weekend’s game. It’s been great to cheer for our home team—even when not everyone picked the Packers!
We also enjoyed Apple Week, which included painting, tasting, and crunching delicious apples. During Fire Safety Week, we learned important safety tips and practiced a fire drill. Music and movement have added joy to our days, helping our friends grow in so many ways.
October wouldn’t be complete without pumpkin painting and dressing up for our Storybook Party! Through all these fun activities, the most important part of every day remains the same: learning about our Savior Jesus and all He has done for us.
Please mark your calendars for Sunday, November 9th as our preschool will give glory to the Lord by singing during the worship service. We’d love for you to join us!
Thank you for your continued prayers and support for Jesus’ Lambs of Grace!
Join us for the Sunday morning “Second Hour.”
Adult Bible Class / Teen / Young Adult Bible Class
Sunday School for Preschool / Elementary Students
Worship 9:00 A.M.
“Second Hour” begins around 10:15 A.M. JOIN US!
Poinsettia Donations
We are once again offering poinsettia plants for purchase this Christmas season.
Cost: $6.00 per plant
A sign-up sheet will be available on the information table in the church fellowship hall. Please indicate if your donation is in memory of or in honor of a loved one.
Payment Options:
- Cash or checks (payable to Grace Circle)
- Place payment in the envelope provided, write your name on it, and drop it into the container.
Deadline: Monday, December 15th
Thank you for helping us make the church beautiful for Christmas!
Thank You For Reading! May God Bless Your Month!
Happy November! Happy Thanksgiving!
We’ll See Each Other in Church.
