The Real Thing

Babe Ruth is probably one of the most well known names in the history of sports. So just about anything with this great baseball player’s signature on it is worth lots of money.

I visited with a man some years ago who told me a story about a baseball he had that was signed by Babe Ruth. He had received it from his brother-in-law who was a minor league baseball player and coach, and he wanted to know what it was worth. So he sent it to a sports memorabilia business to get it authenticated. When he got the letter back they said that it wasn’t the real thing. The signature had been forged, most likely by his wife. To the untrained eye it looked like the real thing. But to those who had seen the real thing, it was a fake.

Are you the real thing? Are you a genuine believer in Jesus?

In the eyes of those around you it may appear that you are in fellowship with Jesus. You go to church. You try to live a good life. You pay your taxes and give to the church. But if you really don’t know Jesus what do you gain by fooling others?

Take to heart Paul’s words to the Corinthians. “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you – unless indeed you fail the test?” (II Corinthians 13:5)

Pastor Peter Franz

Summer Family Picnic

Wednesday, July 17, 6:00 p.m.
Sponsored by WMF

Meet on the back lawn of the church/school building.

Families with last name beginning with A-L please bring a large dish and families with last name beginning with M-Z please bring a dessert.

Dine to Donate

California Pizza Kitchen - Maple Grove

SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER ♦ DAY

On Sunday, June 23, (all day) dine in and at California Pizza Kitchen and they will donate a portion of sales back to Grace Free Lutheran Church for the HCA Scholarship Fund.

Tell everyone you know, because the more people you tell the more money Grace Free Lutheran Church will make for the HCA Scholarship Fund. Don’t forget to show your flyer when you come in!

Hope to see you there……

Time for Summer Retreats at the ARC!

Association Retreat Center in Wisconsin

The ARC 2372 30th Ave. Osceola, WI 54020

Family Camp

July 28-August 3
Enjoy Bible Studies, special speakers, recreation and fellowship around the Word of God.

Fire Up

Grades 4-7 - June 23-28 Cost: $200.00.

Kid's Camp

Grades 1-3 - June 28-30 Cost: $75.00. Lead by Jarrod and Elise Hylden. Enjoy swimming, water games, basketball, softball, crafts and learn more about Jesus.

Things to bring: Bible, personal items, linens - pillow, bedding & towels.

Linens (bedding, towels & pillows) are available for $7 per person.

For information: Email: arccamps@arc-aflc.org
Phone: 800-294-2877
Website: www.arc-aflc.org

Summer Events

• June 1-10 - HCA Mission Trip to Guatemala
• June 11-14 - AFLC 51st Annual Conference
• June 17-21 - Vacation Bible School
• June 24-30 - Fire Up and Kids Camp at the ARC
• July 1-6 - FLY Youth Conference - Estes Park, CO
• July 13 - City Tour sponsored by the Mission Committee
• July 17 - Summer Family Picnic sponsored by WMF
• July 20-August 2 - HCA Face-to-Face Language Camp
• July 21-August 8 - AFLC Student Missions-Uganda
• July 28-August 3 - Family Camp at the ARC.
• August 5-9 - AFLTS Summer Institute of Theology

Opportunities for All!

Grace Meal Ministry: Contact gracechurchmeals@yahoo.com. Provide meals for families who have need.

Love INC: Clearinghouse volunteers are needed to answer phones at the Clearinghouse.

Greeters: Greeters are needed on Sunday mornings before the worship service to welcome our members and visitors.

Serving Committees: Serving Committees serve coffee before the Worship Service and at special events throughout the school year. Individuals are welcome to help on a monthly Serving Committee.

Set-up Teams: Set up teams transform the gym into a Worship Area each week. Join one of our 5 set - up teams.

HCA Scholarship Fundraiser: California Pizza Kitchen - Maple Grove: Sunday, June 23 (all day) dine in and California Pizza Kitchen will donate a portion of sales back to Grace Free Lutheran Church for the HCA Scholarship Fund. Tell everyone you know, because the more people you tell the more money Grace Free Lutheran Church will make for the HCA Scholarship Fund. Don’t forget to show your flyer when you come in! Thanks for your support!

Men’s Study on the “Book of Acts” - Thurs., 6:00 a.m. Original Pancake House.

Missions Prayer Meeting - 1st Monday of each month, 7:00 p.m. at Studor’s home.

Grace Prayer Chain: An email is sent regularly of updated prayer concerns and needs of our congregation for prayer support.

WMF Bible Study - “Pearls for a Princess” Tuesday, August 20, 7 p.m. Lesson 9. Books available in the church office.

Rubies: A montly gathering of our young girls of the congregaion.

Sweet Hour of Prayer – 2nd Friday of each month 1:00 p.m. - church office.

Summer Camps: Fire Up - Grades 4-7 June 23-28 Cost: $200.00. Kid's Camp - Grades 1-3 - June 28-30 Cost: $75.00. Lead by Jarrod and Elise Hylden. Enjoy swimming, water games, basketball, softball, crafts and learn more about Jesus.

Family Camp: July 28-August 3. Enjoy Bible Studies, special speakers, recreation and fellowship around the Word of God.

Summer Institute of Theology: August 5-9 AFLC Schools campus in Plymouth.

TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN:

Where Jesus Christ Is Lord

(Concordia Publishing House)

VBS 2013
Grace Free Lutheran Church
June 17-21, 9:00 a.m. – 12 noon

Theme Focus: It’s time to gather your gear and set out on an expedition to learn about the one true God. Venture to mountaintops in the Bible where you will hear the Good News of Jesus and proclaim it to the world.

Lesson Themes:
• On Mount Sinai: God Is with His People
• On Mount Carmel: God Shows He Is the One True God!
• On the Mount of Transfiguration: Jesus Is God’s Son!
• On Golgotha: Jesus Saves Us All
• On a Mountain: Jesus Says, “Go to All!”

Come to Vacation Bible School the week of June 17-21, 2013…as we learn about Jesus, make new friends, and enjoy fun activities.

USBORNE BOOKS

“Reading is a Gift” Book Fair
Is coming to Grace Free & Heritage Christian Academy!

Grace Free will be sponsoring an USBORNE BOOKS & MORE book fair Sunday, June 16 through Friday June 21. A table will be set up after church on Sunday and drop off and pick up during VBS. During this time you will have an opportunity to see and order these fun, educational books. There will be a consultant to help you shop and answer questions. (Pick up times tends to be the busiest so if you can, plan to shop at drop off!)

Usborne and Kane Miller’s award winning children’s books are highly recommended by parents, educators and most importantly KIDS! With over 1500 titles covering a myriad of subjects, these books are educational, exciting and colorful...they even carry a guarantee!

Your child’s favorite Usborne and Kane Miller books can be purchased with check or credit card. You can also order any book from the catalog/website at that time. Heritage Christian Academy Library wish list will be available for you to purchase a pre-selected book for the school library, if you wish. Plaques will be provided to write your child’s name inside the gifted book(s).

We will receive up to 50% of the profits from the book sale in free books for Heritage! If you’d like to shop the entire catalog on-line, go to www.v3229.myubam.com/21431. Purchases off of this site will equally benefit our school library and will be directly shipped to you within 3-4 business days.

It’s a great time to stock up on activities and reading for summer vacation and to avoid the summer slump, all while supporting Heritage Christian Academy! The books ordered at the book fair will be available for pickup during the first week in July.

Reading truly is a gift and we thank you in advance for your support of this event.

GFLC City Vision Tour: South Minneapolis

Saturday, July 13, 2013
Cost: $15
8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (Depart/Return to GFLC)
Lunch purchased separately - International Mall on Lake Street

Our City is a Mission Field

We all know the Twin Cities, is a major US “Gateway City” for refugees and immigrants. Over 575,000 new immigrants have flooded into the over the last few years - 90% of them unreached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Over 200 languages are spoken throughout the Twin Cities area. The Twin Cities is now home to the largest Hmong, Somali, and Oromo Ethiopian concentrations in the U.S. as well as the second largest populations for Liberians and Tibetans – that’s in addition to the over 125,000 Hispanics. Now see for yourself how our city is changing and get a "hands-on" feel for what really is going on. Focused prayer is a part of every tour as well. Tours are an excellent way to both educate and stimulate people to pray and serve as new "Glocal" (Global + Local = Glocal) missionaries. Past Tours have resulted in new churches planted, more focused prayer for different people groups, unreached people groups reached, partnerships formed between different churches and ministries, and new ministries begun.

Understand the economics that affect our city
Understand the different spiritual influences (both good and bad) that affect our city
*Understand the ethnic/immigrant perspective in our city

City Vision has a plan to see 500 new churches planted in the Twin Cities area over the next 10 years http://www.cityvisiontc.org/shtml/tours.shtml. Info@cityvisiontc.org 12-396-3091.

SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS URBAN TOUR
* The most diverse neighborhood in the U.S. with 100+ languages
* Explore "Eat Street" with over 75 ethnic restaurants in a six block area
* Largest concentration of Somalis in the U.S.
* Poorest neighborhood in Minnesota
"White fright, White flight" and "Return flight"
* Somali malls, Asian malls, and Hispanic malls
* Midtown Global Market
* Hindu temples
* Muslim mosques
* Witch covens
* Mormons
* Homosexual churches
* Cult and New Age groups
* Para-church ministries
* Ethnic/multi-ethnic churches

For more Information: Christina Petschl (763) 315-4376 or George Studor (763) 208-9283.

A Mission Field Right Outside Your Door

A man left his house for church one Sunday just as his neighbor was loading his golf clubs into his car. “Henry,” the neighbor called, “come play golf with me today.” Henry answered firmly, “I always go to church on the Lord’s Day.”

After a pause the golfer said, “You know, Henry, I’ve often wondered about your church and I really admire your faithfulness. But I’ve invited you to play golf with me seven or eight times, and you’ve never once invited me to go to church with you.”

When we think of the work of missions we often think of some far off place like Africa or South America or China. But you and I have a mission field right where we are. You can probably look out the windows in your house in any direction and see people that need Jesus. Are you making a difference in their lives? Are you pointing them to Jesus?

If you are looking for a place to start, why not ask them to come to church with you? You never know – they just might say YES!

Pastor Peter Franz

Summer Worship Service Time - 9:30 a.m. begins May 26.

Grace Free Lutheran Church invites you to…
SUNDAY SCHOOL CELEBRATION SUNDAY

May 19, 9:30 a.m. – Celebration Sunday Program

Let’s celebrate the end of another wonderful year of Sunday School learning. The Sunday School classes will share in scripture & song!

Dine to Donate

California Pizza Kitchen - Maple Grove

SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER ♦ DAY

On Sunday, June 23, (all day) dine in and at California Pizza Kitchen and they will donate a portion of sales back to Grace Free Lutheran Church for the HCA Scholarship Fund.

Tell everyone you know, because the more people you tell the more money Grace Free Lutheran Church will make for the HCA Scholarship Fund. Don’t forget to show your flyer when you come in!

Hope to see you there……

2013 Graduations

• HCA Senior Baccalaureate Service and Picnic - May 19
• AFLBS/TS Graduation - May 18
• HCA Graduation - May 24

Graduation Open House Invitation
Saturday, June 1, 1-4:30 p.m.
For: Morgan Faith Mairs
37417 1443rd Street
Waseca, MN

Time for Summer Retreats at the ARC!

Association Retreat Center in Wisconsin

The ARC 2372 30th Ave. Osceola, WI 54020

Family Camp

July 28-August 3
Enjoy Bible Studies, special speakers, recreation and fellowship around the Word of God.

Fire Up

Grades 4-7 - June 23-28 Cost: $200.00.

Kid's Camp

Grades 1-3 - June 28-30 Cost: $75.00. Lead by Jarrod and Elise Hylden. Enjoy swimming, water games, basketball, softball, crafts and learn more about Jesus.

Things to bring: Bible, personal items, linens - pillow, bedding & towels.

Linens (bedding, towels & pillows) are available for $7 per person.

For information: Email: arccamps@arc-aflc.org
Phone: 800-294-2877
Website: www.arc-aflc.org

Spring/Summer Events

• May 8, 12:30 p.m. - Women's Discussion Group in Church office.
• May 11, 10:00 a.m. - Rubies Spring Event
• May 12, Mother's Day
• May 17, 8:00 p.m. AFLBS Spring Concert
• May 18, 1:00 p.m. - AFLBS/TS Graduation
• May 19, 9:30 a.m. - Celebration Sunday Program
• May 19, 10:30 a.m. - HCA Baccalaluareate Service
• May 21, 7:00 p.m. - WMF at Judy Franz's home
• May 24, 7:00 p.m. - HCA Graduation
• May 26, 9:30 a.m. - Summer Worship begins
• June 1-10 - HCA Mission Trip to Guatemala
• June 11-14 - AFLC 51st Annual Conference
• June 17-21 - Vacation Bible School
• June 24-30 - Fire Up and Kids Camp at the ARC
• July 1-6 - FLY Youth Conference - Estes Park, CO
• July 13 - City Tour sponsored by the Mission Committee
• July 17 - Summer Family Picnic sponsored by WMF
• July 20-August 2 - HCA Face-to-Face Language Camp
• July 21-August 8 - AFLC Student Missions-Uganda
• July 28-August 3 - Family Camp at the ARC.
• August 5-9 - AFLTS Summer Institute of Theology

Opportunities for All!

Grace Meal Ministry: Contact gracechurchmeals@yahoo.com. Provide meals for families who have need.

Love INC: Clearinghouse volunteers are needed to answer phones at the Clearinghouse.

Greeters: Greeters are needed on Sunday mornings before the worship service to welcome our members and visitors.

Serving Committees: Serving Committees serve coffee before the Worship Service and at special events throughout the school year. Individuals are welcome to help on a monthly Serving Committee.

Set-up Teams: Set up teams transform the gym into a Worship Area each week. Join one of our 5 set - up teams.

HCA Scholarship Fundraiser: California Pizza Kitchen - Maple Grove: Sunday, June 23 (all day) dine in and California Pizza Kitchen will donate a portion of sales back to Grace Free Lutheran Church for the HCA Scholarship Fund. Tell everyone you know, because the more people you tell the more money Grace Free Lutheran Church will make for the HCA Scholarship Fund. Don’t forget to show your flyer when you come in! Thanks for your support!

Men’s Study on the “Book of Acts” - Thurs., 6:00 a.m. Original Pancake House.

Missions Prayer Meeting - 1st Monday of each month, 7:00 p.m. at Studor’s home.

Grace Prayer Chain: An email is sent regularly of updated prayer concerns and needs of our congregation for prayer support.

WMF Bible Study - “Pearls for a Princess” Tuesday, May 21, 7 p.m. at Judy Franz's home. With Mary Jo leading the study - Lesson 8. Books available in the church office.

James Study: Thursdays (Twice a month) @ 9:00 a.m. at Sharon Borg’s home. For more information contact: Sharon @ 763-496-1593.

Rubies: A montly gathering of our young girls of the congregaion.

Sweet Hour of Prayer – 2nd Friday of each month 1:00 p.m. - church office.

Summer Camps: Fire Up - Grades 4-7 June 23-28 Cost: $200.00. Kid's Camp - Grades 1-3 - June 28-30 Cost: $75.00. Lead by Jarrod and Elise Hylden. Enjoy swimming, water games, basketball, softball, crafts and learn more about Jesus.

Family Camp: July 28-August 3. Enjoy Bible Studies, special speakers, recreation and fellowship around the Word of God.

Summer Institute of Theology: August 5-9 AFLC Schools campus in Plymouth.

TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN:

Where Jesus Christ Is Lord

(Concordia Publishing House)

Save the Date for VBS 2013
Grace Free Lutheran Church
June 17-21, 9:00 a.m. – 12 noon

Theme Focus: It’s time to gather your gear and set out on an expedition to learn about the one true God. Venture to mountaintops in the Bible where you will hear the Good News of Jesus and proclaim it to the world.

Lesson Themes:
• On Mount Sinai: God Is with His People
• On Mount Carmel: God Shows He Is the One True God!
• On the Mount of Transfiguration: Jesus Is God’s Son!
• On Golgotha: Jesus Saves Us All
• On a Mountain: Jesus Says, “Go to All!”

Come to Vacation Bible School the week of June 17-21, 2013…as we learn about Jesus, make new friends, and enjoy fun activities.

Welcome New Members

Grace Free Lutheran Church welcomes into the fellowship:
Arene Doty
Ted, Diane and Jenna Fritz
Micah and Jill Johnson
Cheryl Tungseth

"May the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace" (Numbers 6:25-26).