G
RACE M ONTHLY
G
L
C
, LCMS
RACE
UTHERAN
V OLUME 10, ISSUE 2
HURCH
M ARCH 2015
T HE P ROBLEM OF E VIL
person. In fact, sometimes un-believers ask this
question to see if Christians really do care. Of course
to Christianity is the problem of evil. Christians care – having been freed from sin and death,
Typically it’s phrased the following
we are free to serve the neighbor in mercy and
way: “If a good and loving God exists, compassion. But, how would you respond in truth and
why is there evil (i.e., the Holocaust
love?
and the terror attacks of September
Some of the answers Christians usually give are
11, 2011), why is there wide-spread
hardly adequate or caring (much less true and faithful
suffering in the world (i.e., AIDS in Africa, Avian flu in according to Scripture):
Asia) and why does God allow natural disasters (i.e.,
1) God is punishing you for your sin. Gerry
hurricanes, tsunamis and earthquakes) to happen?”
Falwell said this when New Orleans was hit by
Most people draw several conclusions from this
Katrina because they were such horrendous
dilemma, better known as theodicy:
sinners and again when Haiti was struck by the
1) Either God is not good because if He was, He
earthquake because they allegedly made a pact
would surely not allow evil to exist;
with the devil. What did Jesus say when the
2) He’s not powerful enough to stop evil and
tower of Siloam fell and killed eighteen people:
suffering, otherwise he would have done so by
“were these Galileans worse sinners than all the
now;
other Galileans, because they suffered in this
3) He’s actually the cause of evil and all religion
way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you
is the ongoing source of evil and suffering in this
will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:2-3).
world.
2) Perhaps you’ve been suffering because you
haven’t been praying enough; maybe you just
This often seems to be an Achilles heel when
need to have more faith.
Christians declare the Gospel in the public arena,
3) God has chosen some for election and some
especially when coming in contact with tough-minded
for damnation and our course in life – whether
skeptics. Atheists will challenge Christians with this
for good or ill. – has all been predestined. No
problem all while ignoring the overwhelming amount of
wonder this leads either to Pharisaism or (more
evil that has been done in the name of Atheism in the
frequently) despair and unbelief.
20th century alone. Either God is not good or not
powerful enough to stop evil therefore He doesn’t exist.
But there are also significant logical problems with
After all, who would want to worship a god who is petty, the argument made by unbelievers, namely, the
unjust, malevolent, vindictive and fickle, or a racist,
existence of evil disproves the existence of God. As
misogynistic, homophobic, genocidal maniac, to
I NSIDE THIS ISSUE :
paraphrase Richard Dawkins.
C ALENDARS
Insert + 8
In many discussions, I’ve found that something
horrific has happened in the person’s life– and through
EC R EPORTS
3
they challenge you in the form of an intellectual
M INISTRY
3
question – their pain and hurt are palpable. Diagnosing
M ISSIONS / LOCAL
4
the situation takes work on your part: building trust,
P RAYER L IST
Insert
friendship and demonstrating genuine care for the
One of the more frequent objections
G RACE M ONTHLY , M ARCH 2015
Lawyer and Christian apologist, Craig Parton writes:
P AGE 2
“Contrary to the attitude of benign resignation in
eastern religions towards evil (the concept of karma
and the essential unity of good and evil emasculate any
real ability to aggressively counter the cause and effects
of human evil and suffering), Christianity speaks of
human depravity being so real and dreadful that it
required the entrance into grainy human history by the
sinless Son of God in order to make atonement. Thus
not only is evil condemned, but God Himself takes on
the consequences of that evil in His very body.”
“Without an absolute moral standard (which the
analytical philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein established
is not possible without a transcendent source), one
cannot speak of ‘evil’ save in a totally relative or
culturally conditioned manner. In short, one must
presuppose an absolute standard to even employ the
word ‘evil’ in a comprehensible fashion. However, an
absolute standard of morality is impossible unless God
exists. If there is no God, both good and evil are
God knows and understands exactly what we suffer
strictly relative concepts and by-products of cultural
here on earth better than we know it ourselves. Jesus
conditions and sociological-political-psychological
factors. If God does not exist, there is no ‘problem of knew what it meant to suffer; He was unjustly treated,
He bore the evil consequences of sinful men,
evil.’ What is, is and no more can be said.”
innocently, unto death. Furthermore, Christ has
The fact that there is objectively moral evil in this
promised to return and upon that return there will be
world does not disprove Christianity’s truthfulness. In
no more weeping, no more tears, no more pain or
fact, Christianity has the best explanation for the origin
death. Yes, in the mean time we live between the cross
of evil, namely, in the acts of rebellious creatures, not
and the consummation of Christ’s return. We don’t
their Creator.
know how long the negative consequences of our sin
will be allowed to endure until Christ returns. But we
“Evil entered the human condition as a result of a
completely free moral choice by the creature to do his wait with confidence in Christ on the basis of what He
has done for us – His death and resurrection – and has
own will in direct contradiction to the edict of God
promised – His return. “For I consider that the
Almighty. The result was eternal separation from
sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing
God, as well as suffering and death in this life
with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans
[Genesis3]. Sin is irrational, however, and does not
obey nice, clean rules of cause and effect (i.e. you get 8:18).
Not only does Christianity understand the true
what you deserve).”
nature of evil, but more importantly, the true solution:
Such deadly consequences lead many to wonder,
Christ Crucified. The problem of evil is so serious that
“How long, O Lord? When will You return and put an
God sent His only Son into the world, not to die for
end to this suffering?” Consider the words of St. Peter:
perfectly, deserving, worthy people but for sinners. We
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some
have confidence precisely because God has made the
count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not
most amazing efforts to help our situation even though
willing that any should perish but that all should come
He was not in any way obligated to do so.
to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9) for God desires that all men
“For when we were still without strength, in
would be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth (1
due time Christ died for the ungodly. For
Timothy 2:4). God is long-suffering for the sake of
scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet
those who have yet to hear the Gospel.
perhaps for a good man someone would even
Thankfully, the Biblical account does not end with
dare to die. But God demonstrates His own
man’s separation from God on account of sin. God did
love toward us, in that while we were still
not sit back and hope that fallen humanity would make
sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:6-8).
the best of a world gone terribly wrong. In Jesus Christ,
death, the wages of sin and evil are conquered and
In Christ’s Peace,
destroyed forever. Seen through the Cross, the problem
of evil is not a problem for Christianity; Christianity has
the best (and only) solution to the problem of evil.
Pastor Schaaf
G RACE M ONTHLY , M ARCH 2015
E XECUTIVE C OUNCIL U PDATES :
E LDERS
Ushers for March:
March 1—Team 1
March 8—Team 2
March 15—Team 3 (Mite Box)
March 22—Team 4
March 29—Team 5 (Palm Sunday, plus)
Acolytes for March:
March 1—Victoria
March 8—Hannah
March 15—Paulina
March 22—Ben
March 29—Elijah
Altar Guild for March:
March 1—Tom & Sue M.
March 8—Arnette M. & Jan H.
March 15—Bob & Marilyn K.
March 22—Ron & Janet J.
March 29—Judy L. & Sue M.
M INISTRIES /M ISSIONS :
M EN ’ S M INISTRY
The next Men’s Ministry Meeting will be Saturday,
March 21 at 8:30 a.m. in the Social Hall.
L ADIES G UILD /LWML
All 13 of us had a lot of fun at our Valentine’s
Party on Tuesday the 17th of February. We played
Bingo, Guess How Many M.& M’s (are in the vase),
What Did You See (on the tray)?, and List Songs With
Love Or Heart in the Title. We also exchanged gifts
and had delicious cheesecake served by our hostesses
Gaye Rogers and Pat Lind, who also decorated the
tables with hearts & flowers. Jean Poff read some
wonderful Poems for our devotions.
We meet next on Tuesday, March 17th (Saint
Patty"s Day) at 10:30 a.m. in the Social Hall. Martina
P AGE 3
Schaaf will be our speaker. You don't want to miss
this!!! Devotions will be led by Virginia Schroeder and
our hostesses will be Virginia Schroeder & Carol
Wood. That's all for now.
Mary Albrecht, President
Music Ministry
Sunday School musicians will take part in
the Palm Sunday service, March 29, singing the
refrain to “All Glory, Laud, and Honor,” with
instrumentation similar to Christmas Eve.
On Good Shepherd Sunday, April 26, the
children will sing a short setting of Psalm 23.
They are learning some of the words in Hebrew. We are
working on a unit called, “David and I Sing to God.” David
was a musician from his boyhood, and we will see how God
inspired his music and poetry.
Jean Poff, Choir Director
Sound system news:
Did you know? Audio recordings of the sermons are
posted to the website each week. Check the Home
page at gracelutherangv.org for the most current
sermon, or the “Resources” tab for past sermons. We
could use another operator to help with sound on
Sundays. Young or not, all are welcome to apply.
Contact Eric G. if you are interested.
B IBLE S TUDY U PDATES :

Sundays, 10:30 a.m. at GLC/Social Hall—World
Religions

Tuesdays, 7:00 p.m. at Lou’s Lodge—Scripture as It
Relates to Participants

Tuesdays, 7:00 p.m. at GLC/Hangout—Romans

Wednesdays, 9:00 a.m. at GLC/Hangout—
Matthew

Fridays (1st Fri/month), 10:00 a.m. at GLC/
Library—Prayer

Fridays (2nd & 4th/month), 11:30 a.m. in Penn
Valley (bring lunch)—Ways to Study the Bible
G RACE M ONTHLY , M ARCH 2015
P AGE 4
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
March 2015
Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
History
It is the duty of this writer to periodically inform all members of this congregation the names of all
personnel that are certified to perform Basic First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
and whom have received training in the use of the Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
Thirteen years plus one month ago, we had five members that were qualified, however, all personnel
were employed and at times were unable to attend church services to render emergency first aid. A
program was launched in February 2002 in the training of Basic First Aid and CPR at Grace
Lutheran Church (GLC). By the 9th of March, a total of thirty-nine (39) members of this
congregation had successfully completed the course and were certified to perform CPR. There have
been many personnel changes over the years. The number of personnel now certified to administer
CPR and that are trained in the use of the AED are twenty-nine (29) members.
CPR plus AED certified at locations other that at GLC
The following four (4) members of our congregation have been certified by a training organization at various locations since
they are employed and CPR certifications is a requirement of their position: Jim Bierwagen, who is a certified emergency
medical technician and Chief of the Chicago Park fire department. Laura DuPee, a critical care nurse at the Grass Valley
Surgery Center. Jutie Rodriguez, a registered therapist at the Gridley Hospital, and Jim Wick, employed by a Sacramento
building contractor.
CPR plus AED certified by American Heart Association (AHA) at GLC
The following members of Grace Lutheran Church that successfully completed the Heartsaver CPR plus AED course during
May of 2014 are listed below in the order of their seating preference in the sanctuary. Also, congregational members who
successfully completed the CPR plus AED course during June of 2013 are shown below with an asterisk before their name.
The right side of the sanctuary: Michael Biolchini, Darrell Freude, Richard Gagelin, Ron Jameson, Paul Laufman, Sue
Micone, Tom Micone, Teresa Naleway, Carolyn Roth, *Dianne Tiffany, *Diane Totman, Leslie Wick, and Yolanda
Williges. The choir platform: Eric Gibbons, Maria Grieve, Mike Hague, *Janice Hundemer, Neil Kosbab, Gabrielle
Lawson, and *George Sovey. The left side of the sanctuary: Barry Hundemer, *Gaye Rogers, *Kathy Siering, Bob Slyker,
and Peggy Slyker. Of the twenty-nine (29) personnel shown above, fourteen (14) shown in bold letters are presently serving
as ushers at Grace Lutheran.
The AHA Hearthsaver CPR plus AED course schedule
All personnel that are certified to perform CPR are required to be re-certified every two years. Accordingly, the following
personnel are scheduled for a class that has been confirmed by our AHA certified instructor for the eve of June 28th from 6
until 8:30. The personnel are: Janice Hundemer, Gaye Rogers, Kathy Siering, George Sovey, Diane Tiffany and Diane
Totman. Our AHA certified instructor is Rob Riley. Rob has been employed by the Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital for
thirty years and serves as the Manager of the Ambulance Services. All members of our CPR plus AED program are very
grateful that we have Rob as our instructor and most appreciative that Rob is willing to conduct classes at GLC instead of at
the AHA Training center, Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital, Grass Valley.
The course that is scheduled for the 28th of June has two (2) vacancies to fulfill an ideal size class. The following
information is provided for possible new students. Topics covered: CPR and AED for Adults; Choking in
an Adult; CPR and AED for Children; How to help a Choking Child; CPR for infants and how to help a
Choking Infant. The total cost per attendee is a very affordable $40.00 payable to the AHA certified
instructor on the eve of the course. The members that are scheduled for re-certification do have a valid CPR
plus AED Student Workbook/Manual and all new students will be provided one by GLC at no cost. Please
contact Warren Flolo @ 273.0850 should you be interested in taking this most important course.
Warren Flolo, CPR plus AED Program Manager
G RACE M ONTHLY , M ARCH 2015
P AGE 5
Deaconess Pamela Boehle-Silva will be teaching our Sunday
Bible Study on March 1st at 10:30am: Mission Work in Africa
Pastor Schaaf is pleased to announce that we have secured our spot as a location
for a national seminary extension class!
We will be hosting pastors, deaconesses and others from all over the region at
Grace from August 10-14th. They will be taking a class with Dr. Jim Bushur and we will
need help in hosting our guests.
Details will be coming soon but keep this on your calendars.
A MAZON S MILE
Do you shop on Amazon???
You have an opportunity to increase our AmazonSmile donations by shopping at :
http://smile.amazon.com/ch/94-1704711.
Remember, only purchases made at smile.amazon.com will result in donations.
G RACE M ONTHLY , M ARCH 2015
G IVING IS G REAT . G IVING S MART
IS B ETTER
Once homeless and hungry, writer Deb Martinson
tells us how to donate goods that won’t got to waste.
FROM XOJANE.COM
P AGE 6
gluten-free food, mark it GLUTEN-FREE in large
print. Do he same for allergen-free items. Clear
labeling will help get the right food to the right
clients.
6) MAKE IT EASY TO OPEN
Aseptic—or sterile—packaging and pouches are
better than pull-top cans, which are better than
traditional cans. It sucks even more than usual to
be hungry if you’ve got a perfectly good can of food
and no way to get the thing open. And avoid glass
jars—-they break too easily.
Traditionally, those of us who
give to food banks will clean
out our cabinets and drop off
the rejects. As a formerly
homeless person, I’d like to ask
7) ASK WHAT’S NEEDED
you to try something different
The food bank may want non-food items, like soap,
this year: Give like a hungry
toilet paper, tampons and pads, diapers, and pet
person If all your meals for the next week were coming
food, because these can’t be purchased with food
from a donation box, what would you put in there?
stamps. I never would have guessed the food bank
Here are a few suggestions:
near my house needs plastic bags.
1) DON’T GIVE OUTLANDISH THINGS
8) CHECK YOUR GROCERY STORE
I once received a tub of candied fruitcake fruit fro a
Many stores work with local food pantries to
food bank. When I ran out of everything else and
assemble bags of food you can buy and donate for
ate some, I thought, I am so poor, I’ve been
five or ten bucks. It’s an easy way to give.
reduced to eating other people’s rejects. Some food
is just too horrible to wish on anyone else; throw it 9) BE NICE
I still remember how finding cookies in my bag
out instead.
could make me happy all day. When you’re poor,
2) DO GIVE NO-COOK FOODS
small things take on more significance. Try to
When I was homeless, I didn’t carry my microwave
include at least one item you’d choose as a treat for
around. Ohers have a hard time cooking if their
your kids. Someone else’s kids will love you.
landlord won’t fix the broken stove or if the power
10) CONSIDER DONATING CASH
company shut off the electricity. So give granola
Large organizations can get much better deals on
bars, crackers, Spam, tuna, peanut butter, dry
food than you can. With $10, Feeding America
milk—anything you’d take on a long hike.
(feedingamerica.org) can provide 90 meals to
3) LEAVE FOOD IN THE ORIGINAL
hungry people.
PACKAGING
Of course, the important thing is to do what you can.
If it needs to be portioned out, volunteers at the
Giving food to hungry people is awesome, and I love
food bank will take care of it.
you for it no matter what you donate (unless it’s
4) THINK SIMPLE
candied fruitcake fruit).
A boxed cake that says Just add water is better than
one that requires milk, eggs, vegetable oil, and
XOJANE.COM (DECEMBER 11, 2013), COPYRIGHT © SAY MEDIA,
whatever else. Instant coffee is great; ground coffee INC., XOJANE.COM
less so. Also good are multitaskers—Bisquick rocks.
5) LABEL SPECIAL DIETARY NEEDS
NOTE: This article was submitted by members of our
People with food allergies or celiac disease often
congregation for reprint here. It was printed in Reader’s
can’t find donated food they can eat. If you donate Digest (rd.com, 11/2014)
G RACE M ONTHLY , M ARCH 2015
P AGE 7
SENIOR HYMN!
(Submitted by a GLC congregant, reprinted from the
internet)
92-YEAR-OLD PREACHER …
While watching a little TV on Sunday instead
of going to church, I watched a church in Atlanta
honoring one of its senior pastors who had been
retired many years. He was 92 at that time and I
wondered why the church even bothered to ask
the old gentleman to preach at that age.
After a warm welcome, introduction of this
speaker, and as the applause quieted down, he
rose from his high back chair and walked slowly,
with great effort and a sliding gait to the podium.
Without a note or written paper of any kind he
placed both hands on the pulpit to steady himself
and then quietly and slowly he began to speak....
"When I was asked to
come here today and talk to
you, your pastor asked me to
tell you what was the
greatest lesson ever learned
in my 50-odd years of
preaching. I thought about it
for a few days and boiled it
down to just one thing that
made the most difference in my life and
sustained me through all my trials. The one thing
that I could always rely on when tears and
heartbreak and pain and fear and sorrow
paralyzed me... The only thing that would
comfort was this verse"...
"Jesus loves me this I know.
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong,
We are weak but He is strong …
Yes, Jesus loves me …
The Bible tells me so."
The old pastor stated, "I always noticed that it
was the adults who chose the children's hymn
'Jesus Loves Me' (for the children of course)
during a hymn sing, and it was the adults who
sang the loudest because I could see they knew
it the best."
"Here for you now is a Senior version of Jesus
Loves Me":
JESUS LOVES ME
Jesus loves me, this I know,
Though my hair is white as snow
Though my sight is growing dim,
Still He bids me trust in Him.
(CHORUS)
YES, JESUS LOVES ME...
YES, JESUS LOVES ME...
YES, JESUS LOVES ME, FOR
THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.
Though my steps are oh, so slow,
With my hand in His I'll go
On through life, let come what may,
He'll be there to lead the way.
(CHORUS)
When the nights are dark and long,
In my heart He puts a song...
Telling me in words so clear,
"Have no fear, for I am near."
(CHORUS)
When my work on earth is done,
And life's victories have been won.
He will take me home above,
Then I'll understand His love.
(CHORUS)
I love Jesus, does He know?
Have I ever told Him so?
Jesus loves to hear me say,
That I love Him every day.
(CHORUS)
If you think this is neat, please pass it on to your
friends. If you do not pass it on, nothing bad will
happen, but you will have missed an opportunity
to "reach out and touch" a friend or a loved one.
God Bless Us All!!
“Serving our community by sharing Christ’s love”
through
Gospel-powered, Christ-centered worship
Respectful, open dialogue
Active, generous community service
Compassionate, Christian fellowship
Engaging, faith-enlarging Bible study
REGULAR SUNDAY SCHEDULE:
9:00
with
Communion,
Sanctuary
9:00 a.m.
a.m.Divine
DivineService
Service
with
Communion,
Sanctuary
10:30
a.m.
Children’s
Sunday
School,
Classrooms
10:30 a.m. Children’s Sunday School, Classrooms
10:30
Studies,
Classrooms
10:30 a.m.
a.m.Youth
YouthGroup
Group
Studies,
Classrooms
10:30
a.m.
Adult
Bible
Study,
Social
Hall
10:30 a.m. Adult Bible Study, Social Hall
MONTHY COMMUNION SERVICE:
11:00 a.m. on the last Wednesday each month
WEEKDAY BIBLE STUDIES:
WEEKDAY
BIBLE
STUDIES:
Tuesdays, 7:00
p.m. at
Lou’s Lodge (Family)
Tuesdays, 7:00 p.m. at Lou’s Lodge (Family)
Tuesdays, 7:00 p.m. at GLC/Hangout (Adult)
Tuesdays, 7:00 p.m. at GLC/Hangout (Adult)
Wednesdays,
9:00a.m.
a.m.
GLC/Hangout
(Adult)
Wednesdays, 9:00
at at
GLC/Hangout
(Adult)
Fridays
(1st/mo.),
10:00
a.m.
GLC/Library
(Ladies)
Fridays (1st/mo.), 10:00 a.m. GLC/Library (Ladies)
Fridays
(2nd&&4th/mo.),
4th/mo.),
11:30
a.m.
in Penn
Valley
Fridays (2nd
11:30
a.m.
in Penn
Valley
(Adult—at
Buttermaker’s
Cottage/Western
Gateway
(Adult—at
Buttermaker’s
Cottage/Western
Gateway
Park) Park)
HIGH SCHOOL HANGOUT: M–F 2:30—6 p.m.
(Closed on School Holidays and Minimum Days)
HIGH
SCHOOL
HANGOUT:
M–F 2:30—6 p.m.
March 30-April
5: Spring
Break
(Closed on School Holidays and Minimum Days)
2015
MASTER
CALENDAR
(subject
to Break
change):
December
21-January
2: Winter
Holiday
March 1: Deaconess Pamela Boehle-Silva/Bible Study
March 1: Martina Schaaf Organ Recital+Children’s Choir
March 4: Lenten Services, 12 & 6 p.m. Services
March
8: DAYLIGHT
BEGINS
2015 Master
CalendarSAVING
(subjectTIME
to change):
March 11: Lenten Services, 12 & 6 p.m. Services
January 9—Remove Christmas decorations
March
15: New Member Dinner, Social Hall, 4:30 p.m.
January 10—Parish Planning Meeting (9:00 a.m.) Possible events:
March 17: LWML Mtg, Soc. Hall, 10:30 a.m./St. Pat’s Day
Jan-Feb-Mar:
March 18:
Lenten Services, 12 & 6 p.m. Services
Souper Bowl Sundays
March 25: Lenten Services, 12 & 6 p.m. Services
Apr-May-Jun:
March 28:
Folding of the Palm Crosses, 10 a.m.
Clean Up Day
March 29: PalmSpring
Sunday
April 2: Jul-Aug-Sep:
Maundy Thursday Service, 7 p.m.
Rummage
Sale 7 p.m.
April 3: Good Friday
Service,
VBS
April 4: Holy Saturday
Service, 7 p.m.
Church Picnic
April 5: EASTER
SUNDAY
Oktoberfest
April 15:Oct-Nov-Dec:
LWML Meeting, 10:30 a.m.
May 2: Colla Voce
LoveConcert
Loaves & Flowers
May 10: Mother’s
Day
Thanksgiving
Service
Operation
Christmas
May 14: Ascension
Day Service,
7 Child
p.m. (Samaritan’s Purse)
Change
for
Life
(Living
Well)
May 16: Spring Clean-up Day, 8 a.m.
Advent Services/Soup Suppers
May 20: LWMLAnnual
Luncheon,
Tofanelli’s,
11:30 a.m.
Congregational
Meeting
May 22: HS Hangout
LastService
Day
Candlelight
Christmas
Service
May 23: Cemetery
Clean-up
Day, 9 a.m.
Dates
TBD:Pentecost
May 24:
31: Trinity
MaySunday
School Open House
31: Sunday
School
MayProgressive
Dinner
Party Open House

Dinners for Eight (quarterly)
G RACE L UTHERAN
C HURCH , LCMS
1979 Ridge Road
Grass Valley, CA 95945
Phone: (530) 273-7043
Fax: (530) 273-4206
Office email: [email protected]
Pastor email: [email protected]
Newsletter email: [email protected]
Web: www.gracelutherangv.org