The Grace Place News

Receiving, Sharing, Living God’s free and

unconditional grace through Jesus Christ.

April 2024

First Lutheran Church

133 Apollo Dr. (PO Box 177)
Burnet TX 78611
512-756-2967
FLC email - info@flcburnet.org
www.flcburnet.org
Pastor Tim Johnson
 The Passing Scene
“Death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Cor. 15:54b)

In our unpredictable human existence, we
need certainty. There is a resurrection that is
certain, writes Paul, though life is cradled in
uncertainty…indeed, our life is a mystery.
The curtain will come down on our personal
human dramas. Through the centuries human
beings have tried to see beyond the curtain of
death. This makes cemeteries and burial
grounds fascinating subjects for study, but we
have never found a single clue to the life be-
yond in these burial places.
The empty tomb of Jesus is the only burial
place that shows anything about life beyond
the curtain.
In loving memory of an evangelical
preacher—Arndt Halvorson
I was visiting with a neighbor recently who had a
severe heart attack at 62 years. The widow mak-
er. Back in the day, it meant certain death. How-
ever, the surgeon inserted a stint, and with prop-
er diet and medication, this man may keep on liv-
ing however long his family genetics reveal.
Death we know is a certainty, and a mystery. The
tension of both are the lifelong journey.
Yet for us there is hope beyond the curtain. Like
Paul says, we shall all be changed, in the twin-
kling of an eye, at the last trumpet. We shall be
like Jesus and we shall be with Him.
This dramatic change will be more glorious, by
far, than anything we have seen in this life.
Easter Blessings! —Pastor Tim

2024 First Lutheran Council Next meeting is Tuesday, April 16th

Mike Childers-President
Gary Cooper-Vice-President
Debbie Franklin Smith-Secretary
David Brown-Treasurer,
Jayne Ham, Bart Burton, and Ruby Mitchell
The congregation is welcome to join us.
Council meeting minutes are attached to the bulle-
tin boards in the hallway by the fellowship hall for
our congregation to view!

Prayer List
Belinda Bailey—friend of Starla Benton Emily Castillo—granddaughter of Mike and Sha-
Sadie Cooper—granddaughter of Gary & Dianne ron Childers
Cooper George Shuemaker
Emma Parker – Carolyn Frank’s granddaughter
Norman Moreau – Denise Cockrell’s brother (If you would like to add or remove someone, please
Bremer let us know. And we will!)
Danny Guess—husband of Ro Guess
Stephanie Riley—daughter of Mike & Debbie
Ann Riddell
Barney Kneese
Sandy Faulkner—Debbie A. Smith’s Aunt
Jo Ann Sipes—sister of Jayne Ham
Liam Childers—grandson of Mike & Sharon Chil-
ders.
Joe & Susan Carroll—sister of Denise Cockrell
Bob Filleman
Helen Hahn
Guy Barrow
Chris Schulze Family
 April 2024
Birthdays of the Month
Clay Goehring 04/07
Alayne Cockrell 04/13
Monica Brandt 04/14
Shiloh Schulze 04/14
Allison Cockrell-Zugell 04/17
Brandye Patterson 04/23
Crystal Wilson 04/27

Anniversaries
 Thank you to the following
people who donated
Easter Lilies to decorate our
Sanctuary on Easter :
Given In Memory of:
Charlotte Lovelace Garland Lovelace
Lee & Barb Olson Parents, Brother & Sister
Cathy Jacobson Jon & Eula Mae Cornish
Dennis Stauffer David Williford
Anita & Natalie Kneese Loved Ones Passed
Mickey Holland Tom & Olean Brown
Wayne Holland
Debbie F. Smith Oliver & Marjorie Franklin
David Wayland Also, a big thank you to
David & Susan Brown Our Parents—Tom & Olean everyone who prepared
Dale & Aline
food for the breakfast,
Given In Honor of:
decorated the Sanctuary,
Mike & Debbie Smith Stephanie Smith Riley
Yvonne Shuemaker Loved Ones donated and filled Easter
Lee & Barb Olson Children & Grandchildren eggs and all of the other
Anita & Natalie Kneese Loved Ones Present
things that helped us cele-
Given to the Glory of God: brate our Risen Lord!
Burton Family
EASTER WORSHIP
 APPRECIATION
SUNDAY, May 5

Men’s group has been

working on security for the
church. Cameras will be
installed by Thursday, April 4th.

Luther’s Rose will be smokin’

For Appreciation Sunday
May 5th. All welcome!

The FLC Women will be starting a new book at

our next meeting, on March 20th at noon. It is
'The Art of Neighboring' by Jay Pathak & Dave
Runyon. It is available on Amazon for $9 plus
tax. It is not a long book or a hard read, and it
does have some questions in the back to get the
conversation flowing. If we do 3 chapters at a
time, we can do it in four months. I hope you all
can come join us!
 Sunday School
Get back into the habit of Bible Study at
Adult Sunday School this new year, 9 am
each Sunday in the Fellowship Hall.
Looking for someone to lead class, con-
tact Pastor or Mike Childers.
_______________

Calling all coffee drinkers….

Serving Equal Exchange Coffee (and
sometimes donuts!) every Sunday be-
fore Sunday School classes. Equal
Exchange Coffee, Tea and Chocolate
available for purchase. Please see
Susan Brown any Sunday for more
details.

We have two wonderful ministries in the Central Texas area

who are in need of assistance.
LACare in Burnet needs people for the following:
1st Fri- 10-12
3rd Wednesday- 12-2
4th Monday- 2-4
5th Friday- 10-12
This could be organizing, taking food to clients cars, helping
in the office, etc. And monetary donations are always wel-
come! List of needs for April: Oatmeal, cereal, hand soap.
Orphan Grain Train works out by Genesis Lutheran Church, Buchanan Dam.
They need someone with a pickup truck to pick up donations at various sites and
deliver them to GLC. The bags are heavy so this person needs to be able to lift
them. OGT also meets every Tuesday from 9-12 Noon to sort through the dona-
tions and box them up. Even an hour or two of your time would be helpful.
See Dianne Cooper for more details.

And of course your prayers are always requested for both ministries! Thanks!
 Total Eclipse Preparedness
The photo makes it look like the end of times sce-
nario—and I’m sure some churches will promote it.
But there are some things we can do. Luther re-
sponded to doomsday groups, “What would I do?”,
“I would plant a tree.”
So, what are we going to do on Sunday, April 7th
and the day of the eclipse? Steady as she goes...

Goodie Bags—at a recent Ministerial meeting, Burnet Tourism and Marketing Director Blair
Manning had asked churches in town to provide snacks for first responders. During the
eclipse they can snack on non-perishable items. Chips, Jerky, granola bars, you know, road
trip stuff.
Thank you to Debbie F. Smith for organizing and to those who put the bags together.

Worship at First Lutheran: We will keep the normal time at 10:15 on Sunday April 7th. The
pastor and technicians will be there to activate the service on the internet. It’ll be available on
Facebook and YouTube. Some may want to show up for worship, and that is fine. It’d be nice
to have a little audience.

THE PROCESS OF DISAFFILIATING WITH THE ELCA AT

FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH
• Leading up to the vote.
Research committee forms evaluating trends in the ELCA July/August, 2023.
Committee reports to church council, September.
Council recommends having a question and answer sessions for church members.
After first session, Sunday November 5th, a straw poll is taken to see if our church
should move with process toward disaffiliation. The poll shows a unanimous decision to
move forward. Church council sends letter to ELCA Bishops Briner and Eaton of intent to dis-
affiliate in November including the date to vote, December 17th. Letters received.

• Special Congregational Meeting held to vote on disaffiliation, Sunday December 17th.

A roster of 80 active members is prepared for the vote by council.
A quorum is established with 47 rostered members voting. Vote to leave, 43-4.

• Process leading up to 2nd vote on Sunday April 28, 2024.

The Disaffiliation Committee made available discussions with Lutheran church body
representatives from the NALC (North American Lutheran Church) on Sunday February 11th
after worship. Straw poll was taken on Sunday March 10th, 27-3 to disaffiliate and join NALC.
Letters sent on Tuesday March 19 to ELCA bishops by registered mail regarding the 2nd vote.
 SERVICE SCHEDULE FOR February
(Please sign up – Sign-up sheets in the Crosswalk)

SERVICE SCHEDULE
CLEAN-
DATE ALTAR GUILD LECTOR UP

April 7 Mickey Holland Clarence Schulze

April 14 Clarence Schulze Denise Cockrell

April 21 Debbie A. Smith Anita Kneese

April 28 Debbie F. Smith Barb Olson

DATE POTLUCK
April 7 No Potluck
May 5
 April 2024
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 4 5 6
Confirmation
Class 6:00 pm

7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Eclipse! LaCare 8:45
No Church office Confirmation
Potluck! closed Class 6:00 pm

14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sunday School Women’s Mildred Bau-
9:00 Church Council Study 12:00 man Memori-
Worship: 10:15 6:30pm Confirmation al Service,
Class 6:00 pm 11am @FLC
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
Sunday School
9:00 Youth Group
Worship: 10:15 6pm

28 29 30
Worship: 10:15
Special Con-
gregation mtg.
Men’s Group

Meets on
Thursdays
for projects,
9am

Special Congregational meeting on April 28 Total Eclipse Weekend. We

Is the second vote to disaffiliate/terminate from the ELCA. will have worship available on
We also vote to affiliate with the North American Lutheran both YouTube & Facebook.
Church (NALC). (see pg. 7) See pg. 8