Leap of Faith January 2017

Welcome to 2017!

The first gospel reading of the New Year on January 1, 2017 was about Joseph and how he courageously followed what the Angel of the Lord told him; moving his young family multiple times and protecting the baby Jesus from the terror of King Herod.  Many times, Joseph listened to the Angel of the Lord and took action -- he took that next Leap of Faith. 

To connect with Joseph and give oomph to our own faith in this New Year – enter a video clip from American Ninja Warrior!  What was great about using this clip is how folks began to root for the contestant – his strength, speed, agility, and leap after leap after leap to make it through the course in time to slam the buzzer to stop the clock!

Spirit of Grace – we have been taking leap after leap after leap of faith in many ways including the sale of the South Campus property.  We are poised now for the next Leap of Faith into 2017 that was an integral part of the congregation’s discussion, vote & sale of the South Campus:  a capital appeal.  More than identifying the need for a capital appeal for furnishing the new facility and renovating the North Campus, including the roof – it’s about identifying that God is calling Spirit of Grace forward to be a grace place for people to grow closer to God & one another; to be a grace place in the community.

Together with the council, a plan for the capital appeal is coming together.  Keep reading the newsletter for info and opportunities to take that next Leap of Faith at SoG in 2017.

Happy New Year! See you in Worship,

Pr. Rita Gardner Tweed, Lead Pastor

Installation of Pastor Rita Gardner Tweed

Dear Spirit of Grace Church Family,

What a delightful moment it was to be on the phone with you (thank you, Call Chair Sharon Burke) when the results of your ‘Vote to Call’ me as your pastor was read out loud!  107 yes, 5 no and 1 abstain is a healthy vote plus a sure and certain vote of affirmation and confidence in our relationship together as pastor and people of Spirit of Grace.  Returning the next weekend to worship with you was also a great joy – I’m grateful for our mutual enthusiasm – a joyful congregation is a wonderful thing & a blessing from God!  The climate here has a fresh spirit blowing through it to be wind under our wings for incredible ministry that’s ahead.

The transition time has positioned us well to be used by God in new ways:  we have been faithful & diligent, addressed challenges, been financially transparent & good stewards, been open in sharing what’s working and what’s not; the resulting blessings & momentum are evident. 

The planning process is now underway for my installation that officially brings us together as pastor & people at Spirit of Grace - - please jot down in your calendars to attend on Reformation Sunday, October 30 at 4:00pm, North Campus.  Installation to be followed by a festive church family potluck!

See You in Worship,

Transition Lead Pastor,

Pr. Rita Gardner Tweed

Catch the Excitement at Spirit of Grace!

Congratulations to Pastor Rita Gardner Tweed and Spirit of Grace!
October 18th, Spirit of Grace voted overwhelmingly to call Pastor Rita as our Senior Lead Pastor, and she accepted!

Pastor Rita will be celebrating her 30th year in ministry in 2017. She is married to Pastor David Gardner Tweed who is Lead Pastor at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection and has three children. Marissa Tweed Harrison who just this year, graduated seminary, got married to Trey Harrison and became an ordained Pastor now serving 2 Lutheran churches in Indiana. Westley Tweed who lives in Nashville and is pursuing a music career. And Marina Tweed who is in college.

Pastor Rita is excited about where Spirit of Grace is heading and we will try to keep up with all of her energy! Come and visit Spirit of Grace and Catch the excitement!

Catch the Excitement at Spirit of Grace!

Congratulations to Pastor Rita Gardner Tweed and Spirit of Grace!
October 18th, Spirit of Grace voted overwhelmingly to call Pastor Rita as our Senior Lead Pastor, and she accepted!

Pastor Rita will be celebrating her 30th year in ministry in 2017. She is married to Pastor David Gardner Tweed who is Lead Pastor at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection and has three children. Marissa Tweed Harrison who just this year, graduated seminary, got married to Trey Harrison and became an ordained Pastor now serving 2 Lutheran churches in Indiana. Westley Tweed who lives in Nashville and is pursuing a music career. And Marina Tweed who is in college.

Pastor Rita is excited about where Spirit of Grace is heading and we will try to keep up with all of her energy! Come and visit Spirit of Grace and Catch the excitement!

Welcome Plato Academy and Welcome Back Esther’s School!

The beginning of the school year marks a new chapter in the lives of our families with children, youth and young adults in school or pursuing academic degrees and at Spirit of Grace, it marks entering into both new and ongoing partnerships with two schools.  The buildings are full, being used and bustling with children and learning. 

Plato Academy is re-furbishing the South Campus to be ready for the opening day of school with younger students (VPK to 2^nd grade, I believe).  The principal, Ms. Jen Perez is on site and already been a tremendous help as we enter into this shared space with them for the 2016-17 school year. 

Esther’s School is welcoming back teachers this first week of August and having their Parent-Teacher welcome back Aug 2.  We welcome back Mr. Chad Maesee, principal and their staff. They will be using the classroom wing and nursery for grades k-high school. 

Pray for our families with students returning to school, as well as teachers, administrators, and Esther’s School & Plato Academy, as a good year ahead gets underway at both campuses this month!

See You in Worship,

Pr. Rita Gardner Tweed

Transition Lead Pastor

The Adventures of Flat Jesus

The Adventures of Flat Jesus



The disciples of SoG were given a "Flat Jesus" to color and take with them on their vacations or just around town this summer.



This video is a compilation of all the photos sent in by our disciples. Jesus visited at least 18 states & 3 countries with us!



Enjoy!

Taking Your Faith with You Wherever You Go

What’s a breeze to pack, takes up little room, always comes in handy, tailored to fit you, and is easy to grow: Your Faith!

In this past weekend’s gospel, Luke 7:1-10, the centurion proclaims to Jesus -- just say the word and my servant will be healed.  He speaks with such great faith, with openness and possibility that it stands out to Jesus.  Scriptures tell us that Jesus was amazed at his faith, even saying he hadn’t found faith like this in all of Israel! 

Would Jesus say that about your faith? Or mine? Do we say and show faith each day? Are we regularly using our faith in our daily life? Is our faith evident and woven within our day?

A fun way to show an outward expression of faith that is catching on at Spirit of Grace for the summer and was introduced to us just a few weeks ago is FLAT JESUS.   Don and Charlotte Christensen, pictured above, had their colored & laminated Flat Jesus near their hearts at worship on Sunday!

What are “The Adventures of Flat Jesus?” FLAT JESUS was created at St. James Episcopal Church in Birmingham, Michigan as a way to deepen their parishioners connecting to each other.  It quickly blossomed into an international sensation with hundreds of FLAT JESUS being sent to disciples around the world.  People have loved taking FLAT JESUS out to dinner, to the beach, to hang out with family and meeting new friends all over town.  The original “flat” character was Flat Stanley, star of a book by Jeff Brown in which a boy has remarkable adventures after

waking up one day to discover he is flattened to half-an-inch thick.  Today, schoolchildren write letters accompanied by Flat Stanley to friends and family, who take photos of the paper fellow posing at various local sites.  It’s an amazing adventure. 

This summer take Flat Jesus with you as a fun tangible reminder of taking your faith with you in your daily life; take pictures wherever your travels take you and Flat Jesus and send them into the church office:  churchoffice@soglutheran.org.  Faith is an      adventure & Flat Jesus helps us share the story!  Take FLAT JESUS with you and see what     happens!  

Safe Travels, Happy Trails & See you in      Worship!

Pr. Rita Gardner Tweed

Transition Lead Pastor

A Poll for our Guests to our Social Media or Worship

A poll for our Guest to our Social Media or Worship:
Please answer in the comments as best you can or you may email us at soglutheran@gmail.com

1. Are you actively attending church?

2. If you are attending church, what drew you to that church?

3. Why do you think most people don't attend church?

4. If you were to look for a church to attend, what kind of things would you look for?

5. What advice can you give a congregation that really wants to be helpful to people?

If you would like to share more about how the church could be more relevant for you and would like a call from SoG, please leave your Name, Email & Phone number.

Catch the Spirit

  Catch the Spirit!

Dear Spirit of Grace Congregation,

In mid-May, the 50 days of the Easter Season crescendo into Pentecost Sunday with the coming of the Holy Spirit to remain with the people and to be the advocate for the people. 

Catch the Spirit!     

The Spirit is experienced as the rush of wind.  The Spirit is experienced as tongues of fire.  The Spirit descends like a dove.  And in all forms and experiences the Spirits’ presence is unmistakable, undeniable.  The Spirit is experienced when our lives are shared, one with another, and we are sharing about more than the weather; sharing daily life experiences, meaning, challenges, uncertainties, and hopes.   When we are doing something in faith that we never thought we would do.  When one hand touches another and we lean into the promise that where two or three are gathered together in the Holy One’s name, the presence of the Spirit promises to be there. 

Often in a turn-around ministry, you’ll hear prayers for a new Spirit to come with the rush of mighty air that stirs the people to a new day that refreshes, revitalizes, renews the people as well as lifts & launches new and fresh faith-life together.  Or you may hear prayers for a new Spirit to set our hearts on fire, spark the embers of faith into flames of passion compelling us to be bold, love and serve others, with gladness and generosity.  

Catch the Spirit!  

Whether wind or flame, the Spirit’s activity turning around ministry and people can be experienced here.  It’s in the energy of worship and the joy of being together; it’s in the song from worship that you sing in your head for days into the week; it’s in the opening of your hands in serving and the opening of your hearts in loving and giving.  There is a fresh spirit here and it’s uplifted & ignited Spirit of Grace.   Many signs of the Spirit’s activity are highlighted in this newsletter!  The Spirit is calling Spirit of Grace forward in many profound ways:  entering into a new long-term relationship with Superior Schools; moving into the Call process; looking into a temporary storefront location – WOW!  

Catch the Spirit!  

It’s Contagious – Pass it On!

See you in Worship & Celebrate the Spirit on Pentecost Sunday!

Pr. Rita Gardner Tweed

Transition Lead Pastor