Gals of Grace - April 2012

A Spring...in Your Step

"He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?" (Romans 8:1-32).

Ah.. the sounds and the smells of spring and the changes it brings. I enjoy spring projects... cleaning the windows, planting flowers and vegetable gardens, setting out the patio furniture, etc. Sometimes it seems a long time in coming as we endure the March snow and the April rain showers and days when the winds continue to blow. But we set our trust in the Lord that the winter will pass and spring will soon be here?

"Let us press on to know the LORD; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth." Hos. 6:3

Then spring finally arrives and God's beautiful earth brings new refreshing changes. Spring flowers bloom, trees bud and sprout and again through God's provision we see the brown earth change to lush green grass, trees fill with buds and leaves. God is faithful in providing vegetation by the growth we see in our plants and trees and all that He has created. He generously provides for us in our physical needs.

But it doesn't stop there...God's has a bigger, broader plan in mind as he provides for our spiritual needs.. "For God so loved the Word that He gave His only son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life" John 3:16. God provided the way for all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth of Christ. Jesus Christ has provided the only way for sinful man to be reconciled to his Creator God.

"By sending his own Son, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit." Romans 8:4

As we see the transformation of spring..may our hearts and lives be renewed and strengthened by the Love of Christ. May Christ's love flood our hearts so we can grow and blossom into the people God has called us to be. May our lives be filled with the freshness of the spirit of God so others can see the joy we have as children of God.

Renew your relationship with Christ today and walk with a spring in your step as you become the person God has called you to be.

Lord Jesus, you are my living Savior, the one I love, the one I trust, and the one I worship, for who you are and all you have done for me. I praise you, LORD God, Creator God and Almighty King!

Submitted by: Mary Jo Dyrud

Hymn for the Month

Showers of Blessings

By: James McGranahan

There shall be showers of blessings
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Savior above.

Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need:
Mercy-drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.

There shall be showers of blessing,
Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys,
Sound of abundance of rain.

There shall be showers of blessing;
Send them upon us, O Lord;
Grant to us now a refreshing,
Come, and now honor Thy Word.

There shall be showers of blessing:
Oh, that today they might fall,
Now as to God we're confessing,
Now as on Jesus we call!

There shall be showers of blessing,
If we but trust and obey;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
If we let God have His way.

James McGranahan was born July 4, 1840, near Adamsville, Pennsylvania. His father, George McGranahan, was a farmer, and James grew up on the farm.

From 1861 - 1862 studied at the Normal Music School - Geneseo, New York, there he met Miss Addie Vickery, who became his wife. Addie was a accomplisted accompanist, and worked along side James in his institute, conventions and evangelistic work.

§  In 1862 he joined J. G. Towner, together they held conventions and made concert tours in Pennsylvania and New York.

§  In 1875 he accepted the position as one of the managers of Dr. Root's Normal Musical Institute, as director and teacher for three years.

§  He was a cultured musician, with a rare tenor voice characterized by strength and vigor. He becames one of the sweetest gospel singers of his time.

James and Addie worked together for eleven years with Major D. W. Whittle in evangelistic work in various parts of the United States, Great Britain, and Ireland.

Hymns that he had written include: "My Redeemer," "I Shall be Satisfied," "The Crowning Day," "Showers of Blessing," "O, How Love I Thy Law," "Sometime We'll Understand."

In 1887, Mr. James McGranahan's health caused him to give up the work in Evangelism. He retired in Kinsman, Ohio, and devoted himself, to the composing music for evangelistic work and continued to write a large number of hymns.

Mr. James McGranahan died July 9, 1907. He went home to meet the Saviour whom he loved so well, and served so faithfully.

Book Review...

Evidence Not Seen

The story of Darlene Diebler Rose as depicted in her book, Evidence Not Seen, was beautifully portrayed in a chalk drawing by our very own Christie Friestad to a group of ladies recently. As she drew the beautiful backdrop of mountains and glacial lakes, Christie told of Russell and Darlene Diebler who were called by God to go as missionaries to a primitive, rugged part of the world in New Guinea. Upon arriving August 18, 1938, the couple was filled with added excitement and anticipation as this was also their first wedding anniversary.

Many miles of extremely difficult walking over the rugged terrain brought Russell and Darlene to the people known as the Kapaukus. As they approached the top of the final mountain ridge, they looked down upon a valley of men, women, and children coming out of their gardens and huts, yodeling "Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!" as they ran toward them. Their excitement was infectious. These dark-skinned, scantily-clad Pygmy people were precious souls for whom Christ died. To Russell and Darlene, their new home of bamboo walls and floors and roof of tree bark felt like home.

As Christie told the story, we learned that the young newly-wed couple had only been with their people for a few months when they received the shocking news that Europe was entrenched in war. The place where they were living was also in danger and they were given the commission to leave for a safer location on the islands. Even though they had been with these precious people for a short time, some had already come to faith and were able to say by faith, "Jetot" (Jesus) died for me!" As they went back over the mountain range, they heard the words, "egaa Kedaa" (Return quickly).

Soon these little-known islands came to the attention of the whole world as one by one, they were attacked and all foreigners were evacuated. Feeling led to stay, Russell and Darlene were soon taken as prisoners of war. As the men and women were separated, Russell's last words to his young bride were, "Remember one thing, dear; God said that that He would never leave us nor forsake us." Darlene never saw her husband again.

During a particularly frightening experience, Darlene found comfort and courage in her darkened prison cell as she reviewed Scripture verses she had memorized. But as the soft light of the early morning hours appeared, her story reveals that suddenly and unexpectedly she felt enveloped in a spiritual vacuum. She searched her heart for a reason - perhaps unconfessed sin? After some time she prayed, "Lord, I believe all that the Bible says. I do walk by faith and not by sight (II Cor. 5:7). I do not need to feel you near, because your Word says you will never leave me nor forsake me." It was at this point that Hebrews 11:1 filled her mind, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Evidence not seen - that was what Darlene put her trust in - not in feelings or moments of ecstasy but in the unchanging Person of Jesus Christ.

My faith was strengthened as I heard Christie tell the story. Later, I read the story again of this couple, and especially how Darlene's life bore witness to God's watchful care over His own, even amidst the horrors of war. Her testimony and the triumph of faith through extreme hardships of loneliness and separation, cruelty and beatings, starvation and disease, imprisonment and deep sorrow gave evidence of the strength her Savior and Lord gave her to persevere.

As I watched Christie finish her beautiful chalk drawing, she turned off the lights and then began to project different light settings on her finished picture. Suddenly the form of the cross appeared in the middle of the picture enveloping and diminishing everything else, reminding us of the sufficiency of the cross and that "Nothing will separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:39). I highly recommend this book to you. It is a confirmation of the faithfulness of God to His own.

Submitted by: Ellen Monseth

God's Grace Covers Me

I am...
G - God's
R - Redeemed
A - Accepted
C - Chosen
E - Expression
of love.
"God chose you from the beginning" (II Thessalonians 2:13).

Fruits and Vegetables in Season

Spring
The fruit and vegetables that are in season between April and June include: apricots, Asian pears, basil, green beans, chard, cherries, collards, corn, cucumber, eggplants, figs, nectarines, okra, peaches, plums, potatoes, raspberries, spinach, summer squash, tomatoes, turnips, Valencia oranges.

Fruit & Vegetable Perennials

Perennials are plants, bushes, flowers or vegetables that live for several years. The plants may go dormant during the colder winter months but start to grow again when spring arrives. Usually perennials bloom once during the season and then set fruit, rather than blooming and producing all season long like annuals do.

Berries
Raspberries and blackberries grow on long canes that have sharp thorns, although a few thornless varieties have been bred. Both berries are fragile and easily damaged, so they are rather costly at the grocery when compared to strawberries and blueberries. Strawberries grow on plants that are only 12 inches high.

Rhubarb
Rhubarb is one of the few vegetables that grow in dense shade. Slice and cook with sugar and water for stewed rhubarb or bake in a pie. *Eat only the red stalks of this perennial and not any other part of the plant, since the leaves are toxic.

Asparagus
The stems of asparagus are edible. Once established, a bed will produce year after year, as long as it is not over-harvested the first few years. Harvest asparagus by cutting the stems at ground level when they are no more than 12 inches high. Steam and serve with lemon butter.

Rubies

Sunday, April 15, 4:00-5:30 p.m.

Grace girls (ages 8-12)

Jessica's house in Plymouth.

Join us for a monthly cup of tea while we learn about what it means to be girls after God's own heart.

In March our Rubies learned about using their hands to serve others and please the Lord. What did Jesus do with His hands? How can we bless others with our hands, like He did? After tea and Bible study, we ended the afternoon by pampering our hands with a scrub and lotion. It was lots of fun! Please let Jessica know if you can come, either by phone at (715) 309-8257 or email, Jessicapillman@gmail.com.

Recipes of the Month

Recipe for King Ranch Chicken

(a Mexican-style dish)

Ingredients:
1 lb chicken
1 jar salsa
1/4 C butter
1 green pepper
1 onion
2 cans Rotelle tomatoes
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
12 small corn tortillas
2 cups shredded cheddar

*Place chicken and salsa in a crock pot overnight to cook, or start early in the morning.

When ready to prepare meal:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Saute butter, green pepper and onion in a medium pan.
*Add Rotelle, cream of mushroom and cream of chicken soups to pan.

*Shred or cube chicken. Add to soup mixture.

*In a 9x13 pan, layer in 3 layers: (chicken, tortillas, cheese/ chicken, tortillas, cheese/ chicken, tortillas, cheese)

Each layer should have:

* 1/3 chicken mixture
* 4 corn tortillas, torn in pieces
* 1/3 shredded cheddar

Bake for 40 mintutes.

Submitted by: Laura Holmquist

Broccoli and Cranberry Salad

Ingredients:

SALAD:
5 cups broccoli florets, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup cooked and crumbled bacon pieces
1 cup sunflower kernels
3/4 cup dried cranberries

DRESSING:
1 cup salad dressing or mayonnaise
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Directions:

Combine all salad ingredients in a large mixing bowl; mix well. Combine dressing ingredients in a small mixing bowl. Mix until thoroughly combined using a fork or wire whisk. Add dressing to salad and mix well. Refrigerate 1 hour.
Submitted by: Jessica Henrikson

Spring Into Action....

Bright colors are popular this spring

§  Look at a spring color palette. Take along this palette when shopping for new spring clothes.

§  Consider your skin tone. Lighter skin tones are going to look better in different colored spring clothes than darker tones.

§  Experiment with spring makeup. Once you find the colors of makeup that you like, you can use these colors to pick out your spring wardrobe.

§  Choose the spring colors that look best on you. Try on different shades and colors when shopping until you find the colors that are complimentary.

§  Once flowers and trees are in bloom, use their colors to help you pick out your wardrobe.

Opportunities for Women at Grace

To grow through...PRAYER

§  Prayer Chain ~via email and home

§  Prayer Partners

§  HCA Mom's in Prayer
Thursdays, 1:45p.m. -

§  Friends of the Academy Prayer Group

§  Prayer Warriors for Rubies

§  Sweet Hour of Prayer: 2nd Friday of the month - church office.

To study the...WORD

§  Women of Grace Monthly Bible Study - WMF; "Joseph" by Candice Johnson: Study April 17, 7:00 p.m. at Karen Floan's home Lesson 9.

To develop...FRIENDSHIPS

§  Book Club: Meeting the 4th Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. @ Katrin Winkelmann's katrinwinkelmann@hotmail.com.

To experience...ENCOURAGEMENT

§  MOPS: Tuesdays, a 9:30 a.m. Solid Rock Free Lutheran.

§  MOPS monthly evening Bible study the third Tuesday night of each month at 7:00 p.m. at Starbucks in Maple Grove.

To receive...ENRICHMENT

§  Rubies: for Grace girls ages 8-12, Sunday, April 15, 4:00 p.m. at Jessica's.

§  Teen Girls gathering - Sunday, April 22, 6:00 p.m. at Jennie Eurman's.

To be blessed through...SERVICE

§  Double Bridal Shower Sunday, April 15, following the Worship Service - For Holly Foy fiancee of Kyle Westlake and Lydia Franz fiancee of Dave Handsaker. Both couples are registered at Target and Bed, Bath and Beyond.

§  Love INC donations - Personal Care and Hygiene items needed and phone center volunteers.

§  Mission Focus of the Month - AFLC Distance Education - Kevin and Pam Olson

§  Serving Committees - Sept. - May

§  Grace Meal Ministry - gracechurchmeals@yahoo.com.

Lies Young Girls Believe Study

By Nancy Leigh Demoss and Dannah Gresh

For Junior and Senior High Girls

Have you been lied to, have you been deceived? Through a nationwide survey and in-depth discussion groups, Nancy and Danna have listened carefully to the heart of your generation. And here are some things they've heard:

§  "I know God should be the only thing that satisifies, but if it could choose between Him and my friends..., then I could be happy."

§  "It seems like I have been struggling with depression forever. I alway feel like I am not good enough."

§  "I tell myself that I don't really listen to the song lyrics, but once I hear a song a few titles and start thinking about what they're saying I realize that it's too late. It's already stuck in my head."

This book has been written by friends who will help you find the Truth. Maybe it is in the attitute of your heart where you get off course. In this book, Nancy and Dannah expose 25 of the lies most commonly believed by your generation. Real-life stories are shared from some of the young women they have interviewed, along with honest stories about how they've over come and the lies they believed themselves. They get down in the trenches of the battle with you. Best of all, they'll show you how to be set free and know the Truth.

Teenage girls are welcome to come to this study
"Lies Young Girls Believe." April 22, 6:00 p.m. at Jennie Eurman's home.

Pearls for a Princess

2012 WMF Bible Study

by Faylin Myhre

This years study is a topical study that as you can see deals with "P" words that are associated with a princess.

CHAPTER TITLES

1.        What is a Princess?

2.        Picked and Purchased

3.        Precious and Protected

4.        Provided For

5.        A Purpose and Power

6.        Princess Power

7.        Great and Precious Promises

8.        The Pearl of Prayer

9.        The Presence of God

10.     Peace, Passin' Through and A Place

11.     Praise

The cost of the studies will be $10.00 each. This new study is available for small group and home Bible studies. The WMF group will begin this study in September.

A group of ladies meet in the evening once a month for the Women of Grace Monthly Bible Study (WMF). We are currently studying "Joseph" by Candice Johnson. - Next Study: April 17, 7:00 p.m. Lesson 9 at Karen Floan's home. You are welcome to join us.

Mission Moment

"Expect great things from God! Attempt great things for God!"

William Carey

Born in England, William Carey (1761-1834) was a Baptist missionary to India. A pastor before going to the mission field, he spent an active forty-one years serving the Lord in India, including translating the Scriptures into seven different languages, Mr. Carey wrote grammar and elementary books of all the languages he had acquired.

William Carey did many things to improve the social condition of the natives of India. The first reform he helped to effect was the prohibition of the sacrifice of children at the great annual festival at Gunga Sangor. Another reform to which Carey gave his determined attention was the abolition of burning widows on the pile of their dead husbands. He established 45 schools for the children, a leper hospital, a newspaper publication and he began a missionary training institute.

His great desire was "to be useful in laying the foundation of the Church of Christ in India" which he surely accomplished, and he wished for "no greater reward," "no higher honor." He died June 9, 1834.

2012 WMF Spring Rally

Saturday, April 21, 2012

King of Glory Lutheran in Shakopee

"A Future and a Hope"

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11).

AFLC Missionaries Todd and Barb Schierkolk will be the main speakers.

Welcome

Levi Tyler Erickson

Parents: Todd and Joyce Erickson
Born: Thursday, March 15, 11:58 p.m.
8.7 oz 21" long

Joseph Michael Presteng

Parents: Sarah and Daniel Presteng
Born: Monday, March 19, 2012
8.1 oz 20" long

Can we pray for you? Do you have a prayer concern we can bring before the Lord? What are you Praising God for this week?

If you would like to submit a tip, a word of encouragement or a prayer or praise request.simply reply to this email. We would love to hear from you.

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