The News of Grace

Volume 36, no. 9 September 2013

Changes
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)

Yogi Berra, the long-time catcher for the New York Yankees, who later served as their manager and then served as manager for the New York Mets, is well known for his Yogisms. One of those is this: It is Dj Vu all over again. So too this first page as it is called here in the office is Dj Vu all over again. Two years ago I used the title and the Hebrews text for the September 2011 Newsletter first page. This article will not be the same but will look at what I wrote two years ago in light of where we are today as a congregation that is confronted by changes. I dont want you to think that the word confronted is all that bad, just as change, whether you like it or not, is not that bad either. Two years ago we had opportunity, and so we acted, to purchase another house on North Lookout that bordered both the house we owned there as well as the north border of our church property. That information along with some speculation about what we might do with that property was included in my first page portion of that 2011 Newsletter. Since that time the indebtedness that we incurred with that purchase has been retired from the general offerings given by the members of Grace. What a blessing that has been for us to not only pay off the purchase price of that property parcel but also to pay for the removal of the structures that we owned on North Lookout. General Fund surpluses and Building Fund dollars were instrumental in allowing us to do this. So today we have a cleared parcel of land that we can look forward to developing for future work here at Grace. On Monday evening the Voters Assembly gave permission to the Parking Lot Committee to continue its work of planning a

new parking lot and improving our existing parking and driveway area. This is what the Long Range Planning Committee found to be a priority among our members who gave input during that process. The Voters permission gives the committee authority to work with our neighbors, the City of Little Rock and the Hillcrest Neighborhood Association for their approval for such a project. As we work through this process a presentation of what is on the drawing board will be forthcoming to the congregation. At that time questions will be answered even as suggestions can be made for consideration of what has been planned to date. Only in the event that the congregation approves the final plan and then takes ownership in making available the necessary funds for construction will any changes to our physical campus occur. At the same time the Voters approved funds from our Building Fund to be used in making improvements in the downstairs of our original church building. We have some water leakage issues that need to be addressed. The carpeting has been down for almost twenty years and the water issues and general wear and tear have us needing to make some changes so that this space can be inviting and serve our needs well. Consider once again what we did here at Grace beginning with the demolition of three houses on Hillcrest and with groundbreaking in the Spring of 1999 followed by the dedication of our Family Life Center in January of 2000. While we would have been able to continue operating in the space we had previous to that time, it would not have been easy. The additional floor space and parking area have been a blessing for our life as a congregation and our ability to serve our members and the community with the Gospel through our Early Childhood Development Center. The ebb and flow of the life of a congregation is ultimately found in its members, those who are new and those who have been here their entire lives, those who are here on a regular basis and even those who are not. While we are continuing to receive new members we could very easily receive more, not just by Infant Baptism, Transfer or Profession of Faith, even though it is important for us to continue receiving people in those ways, but

also through Adult Instruction and Baptism. That implies that we need to be reminded or change our thinking that growth is not just by baptizing the children of our members and then confirming those who marry our members, but through a deliberate effort on our part to reach the lost who may be our co-workers, our neighbors and even members of our own families. So too we have those who are members move from here to other towns and transfer to other congregations, or who move on to the Church Triumphant. Congregants come and go and the people who remain change with the passage of time. This is confirmed as we look at old photographs and then look at ourselves in the mirror. Some grow into positions of service and leadership, others reach a point in their lives when they must step aside and let another generation assume the trust left behind by those who have come before. Since the September 2011 Newsletter we have transferred to the Church Triumphant Henry Grever, Vera Rieve, Gertrude Sharp, Dorothy Brands, Doris Parker, Mark Cate, Martha Pils, Doryse Martin, Frank Gutierrez, Betty Wyma and Lois Berner. That is indicative of change. Their absence in worship or at fellowship events serves to remind us that something has changed. Hopefully those engaged in the life of the congregation will continue to grow in their faith and the good works that flow from their faith. Unfortunately there are also some who leave through the back door. That means they become inactive for whatever the reason might be and either are removed from membership or remain on the church rolls in the hope that they might once again become an active disciple of Jesus Christ. Regardless the challenges that confront us are usually pretty similar, though the methods to meet those challenges may change from time to time. Gods children of all ages must continue to be taught and served with Word and Sacrament ministry. There will be births, baptisms, confirmations, weddings and funerals. Outreach with the Gospel is what Christ Jesus gave our spiritual ancestors to do some 2000 years ago. This is still the mission of the Body of Christ and the Means for doing so remain the same. Those are the Means of Grace.

So too as the writer of the letter to the Hebrews reminds us, that among the manifold changes of this life is that one constant that does not change, our Lord Jesus Christ. Certainly for us the need that we have for His grace and mercy as well as our need to give Him our thanks and praise do not change. Pray that the Lord of the Church continues to bless us individually and collectively as Grace Lutheran Congregation. Pastor Walter

Thank you! Robert Nichols

I want to take this opportunity to thank Bob Nichols for his untiring service to Grace. He has, over the last months, almost single-handedly installed the security measures for our Family Life Center to provide a safe and secure environment for our Early Childhood Development Center. While not as yet completely operational, the entrances to the lower level of our FLC have been in operation for a few months now. Bob (with Caroles help) has run countless feet of wiring both downstairs and upstairs, drilled and mounted keypads and push-button door release mechanisms and mounted magnetic door latches on our entry points while at the same time installing the necessary hardware and software that makes this system work. He has spent untold hours of his spare time doing this (and this is not even his line of work). What a blessing he has been for Grace, not only in the design and implementation of this project, but in all of our office technology and its installation, both on the church side and the school side. He makes himself available to help us whenever we have any issues with our systems. He is a great example of one who gives of his time and his talent for the work of the church. If you see Bob on Sunday morning or any other time, tell him thanks for your work. Or you could go up and shake his hand and say congratulations. Thats what he sometimes does to others whether they need to be congratulated or not. It at least gets you talking.

Director of Parish Music

Greetings in the name of our Risen Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ! This month the music program at Grace once again will kick into high gear. We will have a Music Department kickoff on Wednesday, September 11 from 6-7 pm in Parker Hall. If you are at all interested in music at Grace, please come and join us! This month I want to share a hymn that speaks of just what we do in the music program her at Grace. It is Voices Raised to You We Offer (LSB 795). Stanza One: Voices raised to You we offer; Tune them, God, for songs of praise. Hearts and hands we bring in tribute For Your gifts through all our days. Alleluia! Alleluia! Triune God, to You we sing! This hymn begins with a prayer to the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, that He would take the praises we have, imperfect though they are, and make them into perfect songs of praise, worthy of the God of the universe. We sing because of what God has done for us, which will be discussed in more detail in the following stanzas. Stanza Two: All creation joins to praise You; Earth and sky Your works display. Art and music, gifts You lend us, We return to You today. Alleluia! Alleluia! God, Creator, source of life! This stanza is addressed to the Father, the Creator. The entire creation proclaims the glory of God, and we, His creatures, glorify Him with the gifts He has given to us. As the stanza says, art and music are loaned to us by the Father, and we use those very gifts to return praise to God, the source of all things. Stanza Three: Christ, the song of Love incarnate, Touching earth with heavens grace, For Your living, suffring, dying, For Your rising, hear our praise! Alleluia! Alleluia! Christ, Redeemer, Lord of life! In the central stanza of this hymn we have the central message of the Christian faith: Christ death and resurrection for us.

All our praises are possible only because of what Christ has done for us, and so we give thanks to Him for granting us eternal life, the greatest of all gifts. Stanza Four: Spirit, flaming through creation, Kindle faith within each heart. Lift our voices high in chorus; Through our hands Your love impart. Alleluia! Alleluia! Spirit, Helper, breath of life! The Holy Spirit creates faith in each of us, using us in our vocations to serve our neighbor. We love our neighbor through the Spirit because Christ first loved us and died on the cross for our sins. Stanza Five: How can any praise we offer Measure all the thanks we owe? Take our hearts and hand and voices Gifts of love we can bestow. Alleluia! Alleluia! Triune God, to You we sing! Our thanks and praise will never be adequate to thank God for His great mercy towards us. Yet we continue to thank our great God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for all the blessings we receive. This is the purpose of music in the church, to tell what God has done for us and then, to use the gifts weve been given to return thanks to our God. So, whether you are in a music group or in the congregation, you can give thanks to God for all the gifts youve been given. As I mentioned at the beginning, we will kick off a new year of music on Wednesday, September 11 from 6-7 pm in Parker Hall. We currently have the Adult Choir, Handbell Choir, Childrens Choir, Mens Choir, Cantors, and Brass Ensemble. If you are interested in any of those groups, or playing or singing in another way, Id love to meet you then. Heres to another year of making music to praise our great God!

Peace in Christ, Nathan Beethe, Director of Parish Music

News from Kevin and Allie Ray

08/28/13 Dear Brothers and Sister at Grace, It is so wonderful to be writing you all again! The summer is rapidly coming to a close, and I thought I would take a moment to update you on how we are doing. But first, once more thank you so much for your help and prayer, it means so much to us! The past month and half has been fairly uneventful, other than Monica's second birthday. She had an amazing time. Our families came down and we really enjoyed spending time with them. Monica loved seeing everybody and getting presents. But most of all, she loved her party. She ran around the room the whole time shouting, Party! Yeaa! with her hands held up. Of course, her little sister Tallulah crawled along behind her, wanting to stay close to the action. Monica loved eating cake too. It was a six layer cake and every layer was a different color. Also, it was entirely covered in sprinkles, so it was a little girl's dream come true. Finally, she enjoyed getting to rip the paper off of her presents. She got a toy shopping cart which she immediately began pushing around the room like she was shopping. So overall, it was a great time. Beyond that I have been working part-time on campus and Allie has been staying home with the girls. I do custodial work and deliver the mail. Both of which get me out doing something with my hands, which is nice. Tallulah is getting more of her teeth in, and is really trying hard to walk. She's pulling up on everything she possibly can, and Allie saw her standing on her own for a second the other day. I've also given two sermons at my field-work church, both of which have gone well. It really is pretty quiet around here, so I don't have much else to say. We hope to see you all soon, and say hi. We will hopefully be back over Thanksgiving at the latest. Thank you all for what you do. Grace Lutheran has been a huge blessing to us as we walk on this journey and we are very grateful. The Lord's blessings! Yours in Christ, Kevin, Allie, Monica and Tallulah

STEWARDSHIP BUDGET RE-CAP

2013 budget $514,660 which is an average weekly General Fund contribution requirement of $9,897 Average weekly contribution through week 34 Budgeted needs through week 34 Contributions to General Fund from all sources $9,741 $336,498 $331,192

GRACE FAMILY NEWS AND NOTES

HOLY BAPTISM On August 11th Annaleigha Faye Davis, daughter of Wesley and Melanie Stillman Davis, was received into Gods Kingdom of Grace through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. Her sponsor is her uncle, Bradley Stillman, and her grandparents are Larry and Faye Stillman. CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY Our Christian Sympathy to the family of Mrs. Lois Berner, who passed away on July 25th in Russellville, Arkansas. Her Committal Service was July 27th at Pinecrest Memorial Park with Pastor Jilg officiating and the Memorial Service was August 11th here at Grace with Pastor Walter officiating. Please keep Lois family in your thought and prayers. Our Christian Sympathy to the family of Mrs. Mary Douglas, mother of Stephen Douglas, who passed away on July 22nd and her Graveside Service was at Pinecrest Memorial Park on July 29th. Please keep the Douglas family in your prayers. Our Christian Sympathy to the family of Mr. Chester Berner, brother of Elsie Westerfield, who passed away on July 22nd in Rogers, Arkansas. His Funeral Service was on July 25th in Rogers. Please keep Elsie and her family in your prayers.

Our Christian Sympathy to the family of Mrs. Cheryl Wolbrecht, who passed away on July 31st in Lynnwood, Washington. Cheryl is the wife of the Rev. Dr. Tom Wolbrecht, former executive director of Lutheran High School, Little Rock. The address to send notes to the Wolbrecht family is: 118 202nd Place SW, Lynnwood, WA 98036. Please keep Dr. Tom and his family in your prayers. CONGRATULATIONS and GODS BLESSINGS Congratulations to Christopher and Summer Middaugh on the birth of their daughter Ruth Mae on August 13th in Tallahassee, Florida. Ruths grandparents are Randy and Riley Middaugh. CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations to Florence Marvin who has been appointed by Governor Mike Beebe to serve on the Home Health Care Service agency Advisory Board for the State of Arkansas. She will serve on this board until July 30, 2016. Congratulations, Florence!! THANK YOU Our thanks to everyone who donated items and helped with the ACTS Rummage Sale, August 1st through 3rd. The sale profited over $7,000.00. A special thank you to Bette Bogart and Paulette Goldsby, assisted by Janet Killough, for all they did to make our sale a success!!

GRACE BAKERS
The Grace Fall Craft Show is coming up on November 2nd and will once again have a Bake Sale Booth. If anyone is interested in baking some of the Oktoberfest recipes, or baking German Chocolate Cakes please let me know. Thank you, Sheila Wilimzig - 868-8899 or nursezig@swbell.net.

THOSE WHO SERVE in SEPTEMBER

ACOLYTE SCHEDULE 8:15 a.m. Worship Services Abby Litwa 10:45 a.m. Worship Services Jack Manchester COMMUNION ASSISTANTS September 1st 10:45 Service Ken Ross September 8th 8:15 Service Raymond Harrill September 15th 10:45 Service John Calvillo September 22nd 8:15 Service Dave Graf September 29th 5th Sunday No Communion USHERS SCHEDULE 8:15 a.m. Worship Services Gary Goldsbys team Terry Bradshaw, Jim Marvin, Mark Peterson 10:45 a.m. Worship Services David Roberts team Charlie Buchanan, Terry Clawitter, Bryan Gipson CANTORS SCHEDULE 8:15 a.m. Worship Services Joel Junkans 10:45 a.m. Worship Services Kurt Shrader GREETERS SCHEDULE 8:15 a.m. Worship Services Jack and Pat Funk
Sept. 1st, 8th, 15th - 10:45 a.m. Worship Services Jim and Nancy Wade Sept. 22nd and 29th - 10:45 a.m. Worship Services Ann Stoker

ALTAR GUILD SCHEDULE 8:15 a.m. Services Angie Proud 10:45 a.m. Services Dawn Cline and Lucia Jones
Wednesday Mid-Week Services Suzanne Raddle & Wilma Richter
If you are unable to serve please ask someone to fill in for you and then call the church office.

SUNDAY MORNING COFFEE COFFEE HOST SIGN UP

Volunteers Needed to Serve - Please take a minute and sign up for the Sunday on which you wish to serve. The sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board by the Parlor. The schedule for September, 2013 is: September 1st September 8th September 15th September 22nd September 29th Angie and Gary Proud _____________________________ Bob and Sheila Wilimzig The Beethe Family Kaye Gilbert

The schedule for October, 2013 is: October 6th October 13th October 20th October 27th _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ Reformation Sunday One Service

Thank you for serving!!!

MIDDAUGH BABIES SHOWER

September 7th 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. Youre invited to a Baby Girl Shower for Michael and Sandi Villarreal Middaugh and a Baby Boy Shower for Jonathan and Kristin Middaugh together on Saturday, September 7th, 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. in the Church Parlor. Michael and Sandi are registered at Target and Amazon.com and will be flying to Little Rock so gift cards or presents that are shipped to DC would be helpful for them. Jonathan and Kristin are registered at Babies R Us, Target and Amazon.com. The shower is hosted by Ann Stoker, Carole Nichols, Sammye Sue Harrill, Susan Mahnken, Nancy Finkbeiner and Pat Funk.

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES

Grace continues to support the foster care program in the East Office of DCFS. The East Office continues to take in children for whom they need items which include: Individually packaged snacks and juice, diapers and wipes. If you can help provide any of these items, please bring them to the church and place them in the box for DCFS on the bridge to Parker Hall.

NOON DEVOTIONS WITH PASTOR

Noon Devotions with Pastor is Thursday, September 12th, at 12:00 noon in Parker Hall. Bring a sandwich and join us for Bible study and fellowship. Drinks, chips, and dessert are provided. We eat first and then Pastor Walter shares a devotional Bible study with us. Bring a friend and join us this is a wonderful opportunity for fellowship!!

SIT AND SEW

Sit and Sew will meet on Tuesday, September 3rd at 12:00 noon. Bring your project and join them in the downstairs classroom in the church. For details call Carole Nichols or Sammye Sue Harrill.

FELLOWSHIP CLUB September 17th 12:00 noon

Fellowship Club will meet on Tuesday, September 17th at 12:00 noon in Parker Hall. Mark your calendar and plan to join us for a delicious lunch provided by our ACTS friends and a great time of fun and fellowship. Call the church office for more information.

You Are Cordially Invited to the

Music Department Kickoff Wednesday, September 11th 6:00 7:00 pm

Parker Hall
Contact Nathan at nathan@gracelutheranlr.org

The Wittenberg Caf

An Invitation to The Wittenberg Caf
To provide a forum for us to learn about what is happening in our nation and the world, the challenges facing us as Christians, and a Biblical perspective on these challenges, we invite you to The Wittenberg Caf, an informal gathering of Christians seeking to understand the Biblical perspective on issues confronting us and our nation. We will take a look at what is happening in our nation, as well as more personal issues confronting us today in our homes and families. The discussion will draw on teachings from the Bible and Lutheran Church Missouri Synod to shed light on how we might be most true to our Lord in this time in this place on how to move from merely being informed, toward cultivating discernment, Godly wisdom, and the joy of the Lord. Where: Grace Lutheran Church In the Church Parlor When: Thursday, September 12th, 2013 Time: From 6:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Bring: A Bible Who is invited: The Wittenberg Caf is open to all interested individuals

For more information, contact Mark Peterson, 666-6504 e-mail: mpeterson222@hotmail.com

Grace Fall Fish Fry October 5th Eat at 5:30 p.m. Parker Hall
Its that time again Mark your calendars now!!! Come one Come all! Parker Hall No bugs, rain, or cold Evening Event - Fish & Chicken supplied Potluck dishes provided by Best Cooks in our church You!! Mark your calendars & Watch the church bulletin for details to follow! We want to see you there! Sign-up sheets available Mid-September (Setup potluck dish transportation) Questions?? Contact Ron or Russlynn Krueger at 221-7383.

Grace Lutheran Fall Craft Fair and Used Book Sale Saturday, November 2nd 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Begin your Christmas shopping here! Over 25 quality vendors -Back by popular demand- the Grace Bakers -Huge used book sale -Rent a booth to sell your handmade items -Check the website for more information: www.gracelutheranlr.org We accept donations of books beginning mid-October. Please help us make this a big success by donating used books. For more information ontact Riley Middaugh at 954-9281 or email at ram0220@aol.com. Proceeds benefit Kevin Ray, who is a second year student at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Matching funds are from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

LWML EVENING GUILD

LWML Evening Guild........WHAT IS IT? Grace Evening Guild is part of a World Wide LWML (Lutheran Womens Missionary League). Here at Grace it is a wonderful close fellowship of women that want to do more for their Lord and fellow man. Some of the things we do annually are: White Elephant sale.....this years proceeds will go to our Youth for their trip. LWML Caf (part of Graces November Craft Show) Palm Sunday Bake Sale...this years proceeds will go to St. Louis Seminary Student Food Bank and half to Arkansas Food Bank We serve Coffee twice a year Serve a Advent Supper and a Lenten Supper Send Greeting Cards to Graces home-bound members Deliver Gifts to Graces home-bound members at Christmas Give a luncheon at least once a year for the Fellowship Club Encourage Bible Study Gather items for Lutheran World Relief Gather Mites for Missions We work hard, laugh a lot and enjoy each others friendship. We have a lot of talented wonderful ladies in Evening Guild, but we would love to have more women from Grace to join us. We need your friendship and talents. Evening Guild will not have any more meetings until next September. Please accept this as a personal invitation to come join us then. If you need more information you can ask any member and if you dont know who they are you can ask me or Pat in the office. My number is 223-2671 or e-mail me at wjrivers@att.net. Judy Rivers

BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND GOD'S BLESSINGS to Grace Family Members in the month of September: 1 - Sarah Gipson, Robert Johnson, Donna Middaugh 2 - Jim Gray, Jennifer Wunderlich 3 - Ethan Andrews 3 - Hannah Whitney, Mildred Wilkins 4 - Carrie Eubanks, Paulette Goldsby, Raymond Harrill, Thoma Lile 5 - Kyla Bryant, Kari Schulz, Megan Witte 6 - Grant Geuther 7 - Lisa Hicks 8 - Fred Martin 9 - Lyndsey Dilks, Eric Sanders 10 - Robert Nichols, Robin Paulson 12 - Nicholas Worden 13 - Dawn Cline, Gisela Spieker, Sydney Manchester 13 - Steven Michael Paulson 14 - Mary Kendall Jenkins 16 - Zachary Johnson, Heather Saco 17 - Jason Camacho 20 - Megan Calvillo, Cooper Eubanks 21 - Jeremy Brown 22 - Maxwell Baker, Leah Sanders 23 - Carol Ann Honeywell 24 - Tim Allaben, Mark Jones 25 - Shari Withers 26 - Madison Derden 27 - Terry Hill 28 - Sherry Bischof, Daniel Loyd 29 - Kaylee Hammond, Robert Middaugh HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to these couples in September: 1 - John and Emma Jane Ohnemus, Ruth & Lance Whitney 5 - Stephana & Tim Loyd, Bev & Richard Sanders 6 - Becky and Ken Ross 15 - Jennifer and Jeremy Hammond 16 - Judy and Jim Keppel 18 - Kristin and Matt St. Clair 21 - Cynthia and Scott McCrory 27 - Lyndsey and John Allen
We apologize if we have missed your birthday or anniversary; please let us know in the church office so we can update our records. Thank you!!

BIBLE STUDY OPPORTUNITIES AT GRACE

Our nursery, downstairs in the church, is also available to take care of the infants and toddlers during Sunday School/Bible Class time.

ADULT BIBLE CLASS - Pastor Walters Bible Class meets each Sunday at 9:45 a.m. in Parker Hall. Pastor is leading a study of The Augsburg Confession and Its Apology The Lutheran Confessions Series. The class is on Session 8 - The Church: Congregation of Saints. Come and review what we believe, teach and confess as Lutheran Christians. SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES for children ages 3 years through 6th grade are held in the lower level of the Family Life Center. The parents are invited to join us for the opening service at 9:45 each Sunday. If you have questions contact Colleen Moorman or Nathan Beethe. LCEF K.I.D.S. Saving Stamps are available from Ame Andrews during Sunday School opening time. JUNIOR YOUTH class meets at 9:45 a.m. on Sunday in their classroom downstairs in the church. Joel Junkans leads the class each Sunday morning. SENIOR YOUTH class meets each Sunday at 9:45 a.m. in their classroom downstairs in the church. Dave Roberts leads the class each Sunday morning. MENS BIBLE STUDY class meets each Wednesday morning at 6:30 a.m. at St. Vincent Hospital in the 4th floor conference room (off the main elevator). Pastor Walter leads this Bible Study. All men of Grace are encouraged to attend. TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE CLASS Beginning September 10th the class will meet each Tuesday morning at 9:30 a.m. in the downstairs classroom in the church. Their study is Gods Word for Today on the book of ACTS. Contact Joan Ann Olsen for more information.

Painless Ways to Support Little Rock Lutheran Education!

Many of you already take advantage of company programs that provide financial incentives for Grace Lutheran ECDC and Christ Lutheran School that dont cost you any extra money for that we all say THANK YOU! These programs are really an untapped resource that benefits Lutheran education in Little Rock by providing funds for all type of budget needs! And all the programs are very userfriendly and simple - some only require scissors! Following are programs used by one or more of our Lutheran schools please consider this painless way to support Lutheran Education in L.R.!

Kroger Community Rewards Program

used by ECDC
Heres how it works: - Register your Kroger PLUS Card at krogercommunityrewards.com - Select Grace Lutheran ECDC (enter 80368) as your community rewards organization. - At check-out be sure to scan your Kroger PLUS Card or hand it to the checker thats it! - ECDC receives a percentage of every eligible purchase made, and receives a check at the end of each quarter. - More details are available on the Kroger website. - Contact Colleen if you need help registering your Kroger PLUS Card.

General Mills
Box Tops for Education
used by Christ Lutheran School

Campbells Labels
used by ECDC & Christ Lutheran School
Heres how these work: - Remove box top for education labels from General Mills containers (ie Cheerios, Betty Crocker), and/or ENTIRE LABEL WITH UPC CODE from Campbells products (ie soup, juices). - collection boxes may be found on the bookcase next to the bridgeway or the entry area of ECDC. - Box Tops for Education provide monetary support for the CLS Band, Campbells Labels are turned into credit toward purchasing supplies and equipment for both ECDC and Christ Lutheran School.

ECDC News & Notes

A new school year has begun! And excitement can be found throughout ECDC! Weve got old kids in new classes checking out all the new toys and learning opportunities and seeing just what their new teachers expect and have to offer! We have several new staff joining our awesome team of teachers all geared up to share their love of children. And, weve got a bunch of new ECDC family members whom we are really glad have joined us for lots of fun and learning! We finished last school year with a great graduation and program if you werent able to come you really missed something! A special thank you to the Board of Christian Education for once again hosting the reception following the program as always it was very yummy! The staff then spent two days getting ready for the new year. We spent the time cleaning and meeting and organizing and getting familiar with our all sorts of necessary resources. The staff especially enjoyed a session facilitated by Sharon LeBlanc. It was an awesome couple of days that were well used and most appreciated by the staff! September finds us at the beginning the alphabet, counting, shapes, learning all about me, my senses, family, and friends. AND of course in the beginning God created . . . We will learn about how our Heavenly Father has GIVEN us everything we need all our gifts are freely given out of Fatherly love; and, He promised us a Savior all at the very beginning! If that isnt enough well go on our annual all school trip to the Little Rock Zoo! Im tired already Just a friendly reminder to consider registering your KrogerPlus Card for ECDC to benefit each time you shop. So far 42 households are supporting ECDC we would love to see that double will YOU help? If you are interested or having trouble signing up give me a call and well get you set up! Come visit us sometime itll be fun for sure! See ya again next month, Until then Gods continued blessings to each of you

Colleen