Newsletters
December 2025 Newsletter
From the Pastor’s Desk
Pastor Ryan Henning
What I’ve been reading:
For fun: November had many thought-provoking books that I read. First, I finished off Every Thought Captive, and I immediately asked Donna to put it in our library, plus I ordered my own copy. I think there’s so much in there for us to learn about our thought patterns and how we can get our thinking on the right track following God’s guidance. In a similar vein, the most recent book I read was The Narrow Path, a book that explored some of Jesus’ core teachings from the Sermon on the Mount. This author dove into what it looks like to be a disciple of Jesus, to walk on his path and not conform to the patterns of the world. It can be challenging and often counter-intuitive to the way people around us operate, but this is the life we’ve been given by our Savior who loves us. Lord, keep us on the narrow way!
In between those books, I read Forming Faith about training up the next generation in our post-Christian culture. I was quite intrigued and a bit shocked at how young it said we really need to be reaching children – that their worldview can be pretty much set by nine or ten years old. And it’s not just about teaching them the facts, but modeling for them Christian living. What do we as the church do to support the families in this endeavor?
All three of these books I considered worthwhile reads - for the pastor, yes, but I think for any disciple of Jesus who wants to follow the Great Commission to go and make more disciples of all nations. That can start right within our own homes, as we take our thoughts captive and work to form faith in the next generation so we can stay on the narrow path.
A bit of Luther: At retired Pastor Koch’s request, our pastors’ circuit meeting (a local, monthly gathering of WELS pastors) began reading a paper by Martin Luther entitled “Whether Soldiers, Too, Can be Saved.” This treatise considers the fact that as Christians, we live in two kingdoms. As believers, we live in God’s spiritual kingdom, where God demonstrates his power through the Word for the salvation of souls. As citizens of town, state, and country, we belong to earthly kingdoms, where God entrusts his power to representatives who wield the sword to protect people and maintain peace. We only got a few pages into the paper and found much to discuss already. Would you be interested in studying something like this? I can provide a copy for anyone who would like.
Tidings of Comfort and Joy
I’ve come to learn more of the hurts and concerns in each of your lives. I also know that these winter months can become dreary. It’s hard to keep your head up; I feel that myself. I pray that we all find “tidings of comfort and joy,” not just from cheery tunes or a few extra cookies. Let’s come together to re-discover the good news of great joy that is for all the world – to us a Savior is born! I look forward to celebrating together again this Christmas.
News From Your Grace Lutheran Coordinating Council
Our November Voters’ Meeting brought to conclusion some discussions and decisions being weighed by council members and congregation members. Those discussions and decisions included the following:
Due to the fact that only one individual expressed an interest to run for the position of Congregation Chairman, no election was held at our Voters’ meeting. Instead, Mr. Jeremy Falck was appointed as Grace Lutheran’s next Chairman. His three-year term begins on January 1st, 2026. We pray that God will richly bless Jeremy’s service to the congregation!
With Jeremy’s appointment, the seat he previously held on council – Outreach Elder – is now vacant. If we have anyone interested in being appointed to fill this vacancy, please contact the church office for more information. An opportunity to serve awaits!
The voters approved a recommendation from the Coordinating Council to begin the process of Calling a full-time Staff Minister for Grace Lutheran. Our first Call meeting will be held in January on a date yet to be determined. As we look to Call such an individual, we pray that God would direct our efforts and that His will be done.
The voters were informed of the redefinition that has taken place in regard to the Member Ministry Coordinator position. A new position – Church Coordinator – has been created. The hiring process for Church Coordinator will begin in January. Please contact the church office if you might be interested in serving in this capacity.
The voters approved our congregation’s new mission statement, and the wording of such is included on the next page of this newsletter.
The revision of our congregation’s constitution and bylaws has been approved by the WELS constitutional review committee. This revision work has now been completed.
Our goals and objectives document has been approved by the council. This revision calls for the formation of a congregational stewardship committee. Much more information about the birth of this committee will be shared with the congregation in early 2026.
Our thanks to all the individuals who helped with essential document revisions during the past year. Much was set before our committees, and much was accomplished! Thank you!
Please watch for a 2025 year in review document coming out in January. This document will include year-end reports from our Pastor, Staff Minister, Chairman, Council Members, Staff and Preschool Director.
There is much to come for our council and voters in 2026. May they be blessed as they work as servants to our Lord and Savior! May all they do be done for Him!
MISSION STATEMENT
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.
Join us for the Sunday morning “Second Hour.”
- - Adult Bible Class
- - Teen / Young Adult Bible Class
- - Sunday School
Worship with us at 9:00 A.M.
“Second Hour” begins around 10:15 A.M. JOIN US!
Roots United Young Adult Group
The young adult group called “Roots United” (welcoming all from ages eighteen to thirty-five) is hosting a food, fellowship and Bible study event on December 13th, beginning at 6:00 P.M. The group will be discussing a chapter from the book “Taboo: Topics Christians Should Be Talking About, But Don’t.” Roots United plans to meet on the second Saturday of each month. For more information, follow them on Instagram: @manty_rootsunited.
You can volunteer to help bring Christmas Cookies to our Grace Lutheran homebound members. You are invited to bake cookies, deliver cookies or both! You can find sign-up sheets in the church fellowship hall. The cookies need to be brought to Grace Lutheran by December 15th so that they might be delivered between December 17th and Christmas. Please consider helping as we work to spread the joy of our Savior’s birth in this special way.
You can sign-up to donate a poinsettia plant which will be used to decorate our church altar area for Christmas.
Please find the sign-up sheets and all the information needed in our Fellowship Hall.
Deadline is December 15th.
Please join us as the children of our Jesus’ Lambs of Grace Preschool share the wonderful story of Christmas in a special service entitled “A Way in a Manger.”
The service will be held on Friday, December 12th at 10:30 A.M.
All are welcome!
Call Update
Mr. Ethan Hutchinson and Mr. Kyle Melso have both returned their calls to serve MLHS.
Mr. Mike Wieting has accepted the call to remain serving at MLHS, praise be to our Lord. Miss Abbie Bosin has received a call to serve at Wisconsin Lutheran High School in Milwaukee. Please keep her in your prayers as she deliberates.
MLHS Scrip
MLHS Scrip is perfect for Christmas gifts! There are a lot of locally owned businesses that participate in our program as well as many others. If we don’t have what you are looking for, we may be able to order it! Special orders need to be placed by Dec. 9th to guarantee they will be here by Christmas. Our regular hours are Monday-Friday 7:30am-3:30pm and Thursday evenings 4pm-6pm. We are CLOSED from December 19th to January 4th but we will have special hours for your last-minute shopping on December 19th, 22nd, 23rd and 29th from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM In case of inclement weather, please call the SCRIP Office (920.686.6711) to make sure we are open.
MLHS Christmas Concert at the Capital Civic Centre
Join us for a heartwarming evening of music and fellowship at the Capitol Civic Centre on Friday, December 19, 2025, with two concert times to choose from: 4:30 PM and 7:30 PM. This cherished annual tradition features performances by: Concert Choir, Cantate Choir, and Lancer Singers, Symphonic Band and Jazz Band, Individual music students from both current and past MLHS classes, A special mass choir piece including students from Lakeshore Lutheran Grade Schools.
Between concerts, guests are invited to gather for fellowship in The Mertens Lounge, a time to connect and reflect on the season. Many have shared that this concert is one of the best ways to prepare their hearts and minds for the celebration of Christ’s birth.
You won’t want to miss it! Free admission – all are welcome! Concerts will be streamed live on our YouTube channel.
