Grace E-Notes
Our Vision: Living in the Grace of God’s love, we worship, learn and serve.
A weekly publication for Grace Lutheran Church & Friends
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Please excuse any spelling, punctuation, or grammatical errors. Deadline for article submission is 3:00 p.m. on Mondays!
Congregational Meeting—Sunday, November 16th—between the services
Business to include discussion and approval of 2015 Ministry Plan (budget)
comes to investing ourselves in God's mission of
helping and healing. But the good news of God's
grace in Christ digs us out of our fear, transforms
any regret or sadness we have about our lives, and
opens up a new possibility for living boldly and
freely today.
Christ Jesus is God's self-giving for us and the
world, a valuable gift, a priceless investment, so we
can invest our priceless selves in the mission of
loving the world as God loves.
Jesus said to the disciples: For it is as if a man,
going on a journey, summoned his slaves and
entrusted his property to them; to one he gave
five talents, to another two, to another one, to each
according to his ability. Then he went away. The
one who had received the five talents went off at
once and traded with them, and made five more
talents. In the same way, the one who had the two
talents made two more talents. But the one who
had received the one talent went off and dug a hole
in the ground and hid his master's money. After a
long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Read the full parable in:
Matthew 25:14–30
Prayer: Righteous God, our merciful master, you
own the earth and all its peoples, and you give us all
that we have. Inspire us to use out talents to serve
the world. Amen
Jesus' parable challenges us to think about, not
of our finances, but our investments - the
investments of ourselves. The Master gives each
of his three stewards “talents.” The word talent
means a very large sum of money, equivalent to
about 20 years of wages. It is no accident that we
also use the word talent to mean a particular
ability, skill, or gift. Having a particular talent
is worth a great deal, whether it is organizing,
listening, creating, building, or healing. The way
we use the priceless talents we have is how we
invest ourselves in God's world.
In the parable, two of those entrusted with talents
use their gifts wisely and daringly. The third is
afraid. He is afraid of judgment, rejection, or failure.
So he buries his talent. He buries himself and hides
and has nothing to give or offer or live for. The
story reveals the result of such a buried life: bitter
sadness, isolation, and regret. How sad it is when we
bury who we are and what we have to offer the
world.
How wonderful it is when God's grace helps us let
go of fear and anxiety so that we can joyfully and
freely give ourselves for the sake of God's world.
Jesus' parable may disturb us when we realize that
we too have been fearful and cautious in life when it
Pastor Scott Zimmerer
Readings & Psalm
November 16, 2014
25th Sunday after Pentecost
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Zaphaniah 1:7, 12-18
Psalm 90
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Matthew 25:14-30
Weekly Calendars
Tuesday
6:30 pm
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM
12:00 PM
7:00 PM
Thursday
12:00 PM
6:30 PM
6:30 PM
6:30 PM
Friday
Saturday
9:00 AM
9:00 AM
10:00 AM
Sunday
8:30 AM
9:45 AM
9:45 AM
11:00 AM
3:00 PM
11/11/2014
Bible Study
Council
Pack 405 Committee Meeting
11/12/2014
Book Club
Metrocrest Ministerium
Choir Practice
11/13/2014
Small Group
Bible Study
Pack 405
WELCA Board Meeting
11/14/2014 NTNL Jr. High Gathering
11/15/2014 NTNL Jr. High Gathering
Keep Carrollton Beautiful/Trash Pick Up
WELCA Bible Study
The Christmas Place Work Day
11/16/2014 NTNL Jr. High Gathering
Commitment Sunday
Worship
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
Sunday School Programs
Worship
GSA 4756
Monday
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
Tuesday
6:30 PM
6:30 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM
7:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM
6:30 PM
7:00 PM
Friday
6:30 PM
Saturday
Sunday
11/17/2014
BSA 723
Troop 753
Way of Grace—Meeting
11/18/2014
Bible Study
Disciple Life
Fellowship
Pack 114
Worship/Music
11/19/2014
Book Club
Choir Practice
11/20/2014
Quilting
Bible Study
Via de Cristo
11/21/0014
Pack 115 Den 5
11/22/2014
11/23/2014
Blood Pressure Clinic
8:30 AM Worship
9:45 AM Sunday School Programs
11:00 AM Worship
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Calendar
2
Readings & Psalms
1
Holiday Craft & Gift Fair - Thank You
3
Recipe
13
Metrocrest Services
5
Scout Project
3
Mrs. Claus Cookie Sale
6
Service of Installation—Miles Holder
4
Stewardship
5
3
The Christmas Place—Work Day
10
Poinsettias
5
WELCA
Prayer Concerns
11
Worship Assistants
4
Prayer Ventures
12
Yellow Page
14
Operation Christmas Child
Pastor’s Advent Small Group—
Experiencing Purpose & Meaning In Your Life
3, 7 & 8
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7, 9 & 10
Experiencing Purpose and Meaning In Your Life
Beginning this Advent on Sunday evenings at 5:30 Pastor Zimmerer will host a new small group
discussion. We will use a video-based series titled: Experiencing Purpose and Meaning In Life.
Through it we will look at very powerful true stories of how others have overcame adversity to make
a difference in the world. In reflecting upon their unique stories we will explore ways that God might
be leading us to new meaning and purpose in our lives.
Some of the stories that we will discuss are:
An armless man who found a career as a professional guitarist
A refugee from Rwanda who was determined to make a difference
A six-figure salary man who lost his job only to discover meaning in work he
never would have considered
Join us in the parlor for casual conversation, light refreshments, Scripture and prayer as we seek to
find deeper meaning and God-given purpose in our lives. Our first group will begin the first Sunday
of Advent, November 30th at 5:30pm. No sign up needed… just show up… and bring a friend.
Matthew Kittridge
Eagle Scout Project
November 15-16th
Operation Christmas Child
Shoeboxes
Remember, your shoebox(s) is due by Nov. 23rd
Please bring them to the church by noon on the
23rd and place them in the Sanctuary.
We will check the shoeboxes and assemble any
additional boxes after the late service on Nov.
23rd. We need a volunteer to take our shoeboxes
to our drop off location (Prestonwood Baptist
Church) by the 24th.
If you would like to help check/assemble
shoeboxes, join me in the Fellowship Hall after
the late service, and if you’d like to deliver our
shoeboxes, please contact Bev Wells at
[email protected]
Thank You !
Matthew will be conducting an Eagle Scout
Project on November 15-16th. The first day
will be dedicated to cleaning up around the
two sheds by Grace Lutheran Church and
taking down the old fence—clearing away as
much of the trash as possible. The next day
plans are to build a brand new fence.
Matthew could use some help. What is
needed: shovels, rakes, wheel barrels, and
anyone who would like to help.
Congregational Meeting—Sunday, November 16th—between the services
Business to include discussion and approval of 2015 Ministry Plan (budget)
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SERVICE OF INSTALLATION
Assisting With Worship
11/16/2014
for
SAWL Miles Holder
November 16, 2014
♦♦♦
By the Will of the Holy Spirit
Miles Holder
has been authorized as a SAWL
(Synodically Authorized Worship Leader)
for
Grace Lutheran Church
He will be installed on
Sunday, November 16 at 8:30 and 11:00 a.m.
at Grace Lutheran Church in Carrollton, TX.
All are welcome.
Rostered Leaders are invited to vest and process.
The color for the installation service is green.
Congregations are invited to pray for
Grace and SAWL Miles Holder during worship on
Sunday, November 16.
8:30 AM
11:00 AM
Kaitlin Tjosvold
Acolyte
Ross Gall
Acolyte
Buster & Sybil
Roop
Greeters
June Kiske
& John Storey
Greeters
Susan Tjosvold
Lay Reader
Kerri Tamberelli
Lay Reader
Tom Bolger
& Dan Hutchinson
Ushers
Bruce & Betty
Moilan
Ushers
Bryan Swenson
Worship Assistant
Rob Lorentzen
Worship Assistant
Musicians
Gregg Schockman,
Director of Music Ministries—Piano
Sarah McClenaghan —Cantor
Grace Lutheran Choir
Grace Lutheran Youth Ensemble
♦♦♦
Grace Lutheran Church
1200 E. Hebron Parkway
Carrollton, TX 75010
Altar Guild
Linda Sha & Susan Tjosvold
Communion Set Up, Clean Up & Pour
Dorothy Goodrum—Bread
Phone: (972)492-4474
Office Hours:
Mondays – Thursdays 9:00–3:00
Website: http://GraceLutheranTX.org
Sunday Morning Schedule
Worship 8:00 AM & 11:00 AM
Sunday School Programs 9:45 AM
Nursery Available at 11:00 AM Service
Joan Swenson & Judy Horst
Counting
TBA
Welcome Center
Pastor: Rev. Scott Zimmerer
[email protected]
Eddie & Miriam
McDaniel
Welcome Center
Miles Holder, Vicar
Grace Lutheran Nursery Care
Aaron Colwick
Director of Youth Ministries
[email protected]
Do you enjoy spending time with the youngest
members of our Grace family? Please consider
volunteering in the nursery during late service.
This is a great way to get to know our young
families at Grace and give them a short break to
enjoy worship service. Thanks for your prayerful
consideration. To sign up, go to:
www.SignUpGenius.com/
go/20F0D4CA5A628A2FB6-nursery/11456520
Gregg Schockman
Director of Music Ministries
[email protected]
Paula Parker
Administrative Assistant
[email protected]
[email protected]
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Demonstrate your
thankfulness this season
Each holiday season, Grace Lutheran
anticipates and relies on a seasonal increase
in contributions. It is through the offerings
and gifts of every individual and family in the
congregation that we are able to carry on our
ministries now and throughout the year.
If you need a convenient way to make
recurring contributions or plan to make an
additional gift before the end of the year, we
encourage you to check out our electronic
giving options. As the pace of life speeds up
around the holidays, you may find electronic
giving a most welcome way to make contributions.
Christmas Poinsettias
to adorn the Sanctuary
during the
Christmas Season
To set up a recurring giving schedule, visit
us online at www.GraceLutheranTX.org and
locate the Online Giving button. Or if it's
easier, complete a paper authorization form
available at the Welcome Center and return
it to the church office.
$9.00 each
Sign up in the
Welcome Center
Thank you for your generosity and support!
Orders taken thru
December 14, 2014
Your Stewardship Committee
Please use payment envelopes provided
and make your checks payable to
Grace Lutheran Church.
Questions—contact the office
972.492.4474
Metrocrest Services
November Donation Request
Grace Lutheran will continue to support the Metrocrest Services in their endeavor to serve the
communities in Denton county. Currently, they
have a great need for the following:
Cleaning Supplies – Laundry Detergent,
Dawn, Comet
Baked Goods – Corn Bread Mix, Muffin Mix,
Flour, Sugar
Hygiene Items – Toothpaste, Feminine
Products,
Please bring your donations, throughout the
month of Nov., and place them in the shopping
cart in the Narthex. We will deliver our donations on Sunday, Nov. 30th. to the Metrocrest.
Any questions, please contact Bev Wells at
[email protected] or Brigitte Holder
at [email protected]
Poinsettias may be taken home
after late service on Christmas Eve.
Holiday Craft and Gift Fair
Many thanks to all the volunteers
and congregation members who
were vendors and attendees for
making our first Holiday Craft and
Gift Fair a fun and profitable day.
We raised $300 for the Christmas
Place Event.
~ Allison Mihavics
Thank you !
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Mrs. Claus Cookie Sale
Saturday, Dec 13th
9:00am – 12 noon
Need help with your Holiday baking? Help is on the way! WELCA is sponsoring an innovative
cookie sale on Saturday, Dec. 13th in the Fellowship Hall from 9:00am – Noon. Upon arrival, you
will receive a bakery box (or 2) and a plastic glove. Then you will fill your box with whichever
kind of cookies, bars, fudge, brownies, candy, etc. you desire. You then go to the checkout
table, weigh your box of goodies, and pay $4 per pound. This fund raiser is to help with the
new kitchen, the soundproofing in the Fellowship Hall, WELCA expenses and other church needs.
Now, if you’d like to donate a batch of goodies for this sale that would be great, and very much
appreciated! Please sign up in the Welcome Center and start digging through your family recipes.
You will receive a copy of the Mrs. Claus Cookie Cookbook as a Thank You. This cookbook will
feature all of the items in the sale. Here’s what you need to do:

Sign up by Nov. 30th in the Welcome Center if you want to bake something to donate

Email your recipe to [email protected] by Dec. 5th

Bake your cookies/goodies and put them on a festive Christmas platter. Don’t forget to
put your name on the bottom of the platter

Bring your cookies to the church on Friday, Dec. 12th between 5:00pm-7:00pm
We will make a tent card identifying the baked item and who baked it. Any questions, please
contact Sue Tjosvold, Jeanne Witte, Bev Wells, Theresa Ward, or Cindy Nietubicz. Hope to see
you on Dec. 13th!
Thank you for your support.
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Here’s what to do:
Operation Christmas Child
Good News. Great Joy
Get a standard size shoe box (cover it with
Christmas paper if you like) or buy a plastic
shoe box with a lid.
Every shoebox gift you pack helps Samaritan’s Purse to reach children worldwide
with the good news of God’s love and the true
meaning of Christmas. The children are introduced to Jesus through the illustrated
Greatest of All booklets during the shoe box
distributions.
Please bring your shoe box to Grace by
Nov 23rd. We will check the shoeboxes and
assemble any additional boxes on Nov 23rd.
We need a volunteer to deliver our shoeboxes to our drop off location (Prestonwood
Baptist Church).
Our goal is for every shoebox to have the
hygiene items suggested, as well as some
school supplies. Then complete your box with
some toys, hard candy, or items of clothing
and include $7 to offset the cost of jet fuel
to distribute the shoeboxes around the
world. Please make your check payable to
Grace Lutheran WELCA and include it inside
your shoebox. A gift suggestion
list is featured at the end of this article as
well as in the Welcome Center. Each box can
bring joy and the Good News of Jesus Christ
to a child in need of hope. Any questions,
please email Bev Wells at [email protected]
1. Pray for the child who will receive your
special gift.
2. Now have fun filling the box with the
hygiene items, school supplies, small toys,
hard candy, gum, socks, sunglasses,
flashlights, extra batteries, etc.
(see suggestion shopping list)
3. Fill out the Boy or Girl label and tape it to
the top of your box.
4. Include your cash or check (payable to
Grace Lutheran WELCA) for $7.00 to
cover shipping costs and place it inside
your shoebox.
5. Place a rubber band around your
shoebox when complete.
6. Return your shoebox by Nov. 23rd
We are thankful for your participation in
Operation Christmas Child.
Yours in Christ,
Bev Wells
WELCA REMINDERS
Congregational Meeting
th
Sunday, November 16
between the services
Business to include discussion and approval of 2015 Ministry Plan (budget)
If you would like to receive a reminder
about WELCA events/activities, please stop
by the Welcome Center and sign up with
your name and email address to receive
these reminders. Thank you!
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Operation Christmas Child
Shoe Box Gift Suggestions
Keep in mind the size of the shoebox when purchasing your items
OTHER ITEMS
Ball Cap
Brush
TOYS
Cards: Go Fish, Old
Maid
Frisbee
Comb
Harmonica
Extra Batteries
Toothbrush
Jacks
Flashlight
Toothpaste
Jump Rope
Flip Flops
Wash Cloth
Kazoo
Gloves
Light Up Toy
Gum
Marbles
Hair Barrettes
Colored Pencils
Noise Maker Toy
Hard Candy
Coloring Books
Play-doh
Lifesavers
Crayons
Puzzle Book
Lollipops
Dictionary
Slinky
Mints
Erasers
Small Ball
Scarves
Ink Pad Sets
Small Doll
Socks
Markers
Small Etch-a-Sketch
Sunglasses
Pencil Sharpener
Small Toy Tea Set
Tootsie Roll Pops
Pencils
Stuffed Animal
T-Shirt
Pens
Toy Jewelry
Watches
Picture Books
Yo-Yo
HYGIENE
Bar of Mild Soap
(place in a plastic bag)
SCHOOL ITEMS
DO NOT INCLUDE
1) Aerosol Cans
Candy Canes
2) Breakable Items - such as
(Snow Globes, Glass, Ceramic, etc)
3) Chocolate or Food Items (except Hard Candy)
4) Liquids or Lotions – such as
(Nail Polish, Body Lotion, etc)
5) Medications or Vitamins
6) Out of Date Candy
7) Used or Damaged Items
8) War-Related Items – such as
(Toy Guns, Knives, Tanks,
Ruler
or Military Figures)
Solar Calculators
Writing Pad/ Paper
Book Club
Wednesdays at 9:30 AM
Church Parlor
We are reading . . . Defending Jacob By William Landay
Pick up a copy at your favorite book place and then join us for a lively discussion. (Refreshments provided)
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Amy Gulliksen – YAGM
Ministry in Jerusalem
Keep up with Amy's work by following her blog:
OnThisJourneyCalledLife.com
and by receiving her newsletter by emailing her at
[email protected].
If you would also like to financially support the
YAGM ministries, please call 800-638-3522 for
credit card payment, or send a check to:
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
PO Box 71764
Chicago, IL 60694-1764.
Please write: "Amy Gulliksen GCS 3092" on the
memo line.
A Christmas Place workday is scheduled at
Grace this Saturday, November 15th from
10am-4pm. Bring your tools and help us
build the “marketplace booths” and props.
For safety reasons no unaccompanied
children can be on the work site.
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PRAYER CONCERNS
NOTE: Due to privacy concerns all persons on prayer list MUST give their permission to be listed.
GRACE MEMBERS
Blake Cavagnaro & Family
Jan Ellis
Amy Gulliksen (YAGM—Ministry)
Scott McClenaghan
Louise Norris
Barbara Olson
Jo An Stanley
Bryan Swenson
Rev. Nolan Sucher
Richard Tjosvold
Charlotte Weirich
Ebola & Malaria Victims
& Medical Personnel
The Unemployed & their families
FAMILY & FRIENDS
Arik
Darrel Abston
Chris Adkins
Nan Andrews
Crystal Archer
Mavis Barrow
David Baxter
Janet Brown
Sandy Devine
Brian Ellis
Lynette Forbes
Ulane Franklund
Mary Beth Girowski
Ruby Gorman
Rachel Jevaseely
Beulah Jones
Joseph Jones
Tony Kenworthy
Scott Nietubicz’ friend’s dad
Brian Peterson
Janet P.
Megan Raley
Joseph Reinert
Vickie Roberts
Mary Singley
Dale Swenson
Kerri Tamberelli’s parents
Irene Thorson
Adam Tjosvold
Ethel Zimmerer
GRACE MEMBERS
in ASSISTED LIVING
Joe Dzikonski
Mary Frank
Dorothy Hicks
Mary Howard
Cherrylin Langley
Inez Moilan
Kay Sembrick
Peggy Smith
MEN & WOMEN
OF THE ARMED FORCES
Richard Cox
LT Chuck Cranston, US Navy
Scott Gulliksen, US Marine Corps
Jay Lundberg, Navy
Lord God, you alone are the source of all healing and so we give you thanks for all your gifts of
strength and life, and above all we thank you for the gift of your Son, through whom we have faith
and strength. Grant health to the ill, strength to the weak, comfort for the sad, patience to those with
chronic infirmities, hope to the distressed and anxious, healing to the addicted, and peace to the
dying; in your name we pray. Amen
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November 17
We give thanks for all who work for justice among
people and nations, especially Elizabeth of Hungary,
renewer of society, whom we commemorate today.
PRAYER VENTURES
—— November 2014 ——
November 18
Creator God, you trusted us to protect the earth, to
protect our future and the future of our children. We
give thanks for this church’s global partnerships that
work to offer a unique understanding of the impact
climate change is having on the food security and
livelihoods of vulnerable people and communities
around the world.
These petitions are offered as guides to prayer for the global,
social and outreach ministries of the church.
November 11
We raise up the faithful bishops of this church, especially Martin, Bishop of Tours, whom we commemorate today. And we give thanks for Søren Aabye Kierkegaard, teacher, whom we also commemorate on
this day, and all teachers who lead us to knowledge.
November 19
We give thanks for the men and women who work or
who have worked to protect our nation and world.
We especially pray for our veterans and the chaplains and volunteers of this church who bring them
comfort.
November 12
We lift up the ELCA’s Renewal/Prayer/Revival team
in partnership with the ELCA Metropolitan Chicago
Synod, and their commitment to ending global,
community and domestic violence.
November 20
Gracious God, we are a church that believes you are
calling us into the world together. We give thanks for
ELCA World Hunger and its work and mission of
reaching communities in need with innovative solutions that get at the root causes of hunger.
November 13
As we seek to learn more about the influx of unaccompanied and migrant children entering the United States, we give thanks for this church’s continued
response efforts. Pray especially for children who
have crossed over borders by themselves to become
our new neighbors and for their well-being and safety.
November 21
We give thanks for Lutheran Campus Ministries and
the 26 colleges and universities of the ELCA, rooted
in the liberal arts and sciences and a Lutheran expression of the Christian faith and committed to
global education.
November 14
We give thanks for Monthly Partners and the generous gifts from those who provide consistent, ongoing
support for ELCA churchwide ministries that impact
the mission and ministry of this church.
November 22
We give thanks for Lutheran World Relief, an ELCA
partner, dedicated to ending poverty, injustice and
human suffering around the world.
November 15
We celebrate our church’s five-year, comprehensive
campaign, Always Being Made New: The Campaign for the ELCA, which seeks to raise funds to
sustain and grow the ministries of the ELCA. We
give thanks for the strong response in the areas of
ELCA Malaria Campaign, New Congregations, ELCA
Fund for Leaders, and Global Church-International
Leaders: Women.
November 23
We raise up the faithful bishops of this church, especially Clement, Bishop of Rome, whom we commemorate today. Inspire us with the memory of Miguel
Agustín Pro, martyr, whom we also commemorate
on this day, and all men and women who have given
their lives in witness to your love and truth.
November 24
We raise up the pastors of our church, the men and
women of the ELCA who shepherd your people, and
we give thanks for Justus Falckner, Jehu Jones, and
William Passavant, early pastors in North America,
whom we commemorate today.
November 16
Merciful Lord, we remember all the lives lost to gun
violence, weapons of war that have flooded our communities. Bless us with the wisdom and strength to
put down our swords and be peacemakers.
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Sweet Potato—Crusted Quiche
Submitted by Lorraine Markwardt
Servings 6 (1 wedge each)
Prep 30 Minutes
Bake 45 Minutes
1 large sweet potato, peeled and thinly sliced (10 oz)
4 slices lower-sodium less fat bacon, cooked and crumbled
½ cup chopped green sweet pepper
3 Tbsp minced red onion
½ cup shredded reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese
2 oz Gouda cheese, shredded
1 ¾ cup refrigerated or frozen egg product, thawed
½ cup fat free milk
¼ tsp hot pepper sauce
1. Coat a 9-inch pie plate with nonstick cooking spray. Preheat oven to 325°.
2. Place sweet potato slices in a 2-quart square microwave-safe baking dish.
Add 2 Tbsp water to the baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap. Microwave at
100% power for 3 to 5 minutes or just until sweet potatoes are tender. Drain,
cool slightly.
3. Arrange sweet potato slices across the bottom and up the sides of the prepared
pie plate overlapping as necessary to cover.
4. Sprinkle crumbled bacon over sweet potato in pie plate; sprinkle with sweet
pepper and onion. Top with cheddar cheese and Gouda cheese.
5. In a large bowl whisk together eggs, milk and hot sauce. Pour egg mixture over
vegetables and cheese in pie plate. Bake 45 minutes or until a knife inserted near
the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before serving.
Garnish with fresh parsley.
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GRACE YELLOW PAGES
Below are services and businesses that our members provide. We simply present them for your information. We are not
able to officially endorse any of them for liability reasons. Please consider them when you are planning repairs, lessons, etc.
If you would like to list your business or service please bring a business card by the office or send an electronic copy to:
[email protected]
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