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Grace Lutheran Church
Mission Statement
To ANSWER the CALL of our Savior.
To CONNECT with people in their everyday lives.
To ADVANCE the Gospel through God’s Word and fellowship.
To LEND ourselves in service, so that we may become instruments.
that LEAD others to salvation..
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OBITUARY
Nancy Lou Belden
February 25, 1939 — October 26, 2024
Nancy Lou (Jantzen) Belden, passed away on October 26, 2024 at the age of 85 in New Albany, Indiana. She was born on February 25, 1939, in Brandenburg, Kentucky.
Nancy will be remembered for her passion for reading and her love of playing Bingo, which brought her great happiness and formed lasting friendships. She was a faithful member of Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany. She was also actively involved in various organizations and clubs that allowed her to connect with those around her, including the Blackiston Mill Seniors Bowling League, the Forty & Eight club, the American Legion Post #28, and VFW Post #3281. Her commitment to these groups and the bonds she formed with fellow members reflect the warmth and generosity of her character.
Nancy is survived by her devoted husband of 50 years, Elmer “Dee” Belden. Together, they were surrounded by a loving family that includes her sons, Michael (Brenda) Stepp and Anthony “Tony” Stepp Sr. as well as her step-children, Steve (Marilyn) Belden, Joan (Douglas) Longest, and David (Laura) Belden. She was a proud grandmother to 10 grandchildren and treasured the presence of 20 great-grandchildren, who filled her life with immense joy and pride. Her brother, Melvin (Jolene) Jantzen, also survives her, continuing the legacy of love that Nancy so diligently fostered.
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar Smith Jantzen and Effie R. Jantzen, her step-son, Ronald Belden; her daughter-in-law, Rhonda Stepp, and her siblings, David Jantzen, Elizabeth “Kay” Johnson, Debbie Austin, Beverly Embrey, Smith Jantzen, and Mary Jane Mitchell, who all held a special place in her heart.
Nancy Belden will be remembered not only for her commitment to her family but also for her vibrant spirit, which left an indelible mark on all who knew her. Her legacy of love, kindness, and community involvement will continue to resonate within the hearts of her family and friends.
Visitation will be from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions (3309 Ballard Lane, New Albany). Her Funeral Service will be at 11:00 am on Wednesday, at Grace Lutheran Church (1787 Klerner Lane, New Albany) with additional visitation starting at 10:00 am until the time of service. Burial will follow at Kraft-Graceland Memorial Park in New Albany.
LINKS TO THE FUNERAL SERVICE
YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC3Vn4JFP_IQP8JQ3f8QwADQ
Faceboook: https://www.facebook.com/GraceLutheranChurchNA
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WEEKLY DEVOTION OCT 29
Tuesday, OCT 29, 2024
Pastor Bruce Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN
“Hurry Up and Wait”
READING: II Peter 3:3-4, 8-10 – First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”…But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.
If you have had some experience with chronic or serious illness, then you know ALL ABOUT waiting, right? Your doctor’s appointment is at 11:00. They want you there at 10:45. You arrive when you are supposed to, then you sit in the waiting room until 11:30. Finally they invite you back to an examination room, take your vitals, then they lie to you, right? They say, “The doctor will be right with you.” Ah-huh! 40 minutes later the door opens to reveal your doctor. His first words may be, “Sorry for your wait.” Ah-huh! Sure.
If you have a procedure at the hospital, it’s even worse. I had a heart catheterization a couple of weeks ago. It was scheduled to take place at 9:00 A.M. They asked me to be there at 7:00 A.M., N.P.O. since midnight. I sat in registration for a bit, then got registered, tagged, and given a sheet full of stickers with my name and all my vital information in a barcode. Next I went to Cardiac and Pulmonary, and I waited. Then they took me back to a room, got me to get naked and robed in a most handsome surgical gown, and I waited. Then they started an I.V., got me shaved up, and I waited. At five minutes to nine they rolled my bed out of the room and into the surgical theater, made me crab-crawl onto the surgical table, and I waited. Finally they covered me with warm blankets, put a sterile sheet over all, gave me some “happy juice”, and I waited. Finally the doctor entered the room, and the rest is sort of hazy. When it was done, they took me back to the room I’d been in and made me lie flat of two hours, allowed be to sit up for 2 ½ more hours, and most of those four and a half hours were spent…you guessed it, WAITING!
We hate to wait, right? At least I hate to wait. I don’t like waiting in line. I don’t like waiting for stoplights to turn green. I don’t like waiting for vacations, parties, celebrations, deer hunting, ice fishing, grandchildren’s birthdays, or most other stuff. Come on already! Let’s get to it!
St. Peter knows how people are when it comes to waiting. He addresses this in our lesson for today. He says “…that is the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.” They are going to say, “Where is this Jesus? He said he was coming back SOON, so where is he? The Christians have been waiting and watching for over 2000 years now, and still he hasn’t come. What a crock of baloney!” They equate the length of the wait with the value of the promise. They figure that the longer the wait the less likely the promise is of fulfillment. To them, 2000 years of waiting means nearly zero chance of Jesus coming back to usher in the Kingdom.
St. Peter knew people and how they are when it comes to waiting: no patience, no sitz-fleisch (that’s “sitting-meat” – a German term for the ability to sit and wait for any particular length of time). He knew the doubters would come. And, after a while, the scoffers would show up. They would cast aspersions at Jesus for promising us he would come again, and then not showing up. “If he hasn’t come by now, he’s not coming!” they say.
But you and I are patient in our longing for Christ to come. Whenever I say the table prayer, “Come, Lord Jesus…”, I mean it! I want Jesus to come – today, this morning, right this minute! The sooner the better. That would mean no mor funerals, ever. That would mean no more sorrows, no more illnesses, no more losses. That would mean seeing Ma and Pa, my brother Kurt, my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and hundreds of people I’ve ministered to here at Grace who have already gone to be with the Lord. And NO MORE political ads, advertisements for “whole body deodorant” (Take a shower, for Pete’s sake!), men’s clinics, and “Get paid when YOU want to get paid!” commercials.
HE IS COMING! That’s the bottom line according to God’s word and St. Peter. HE IS COMING! And he is not slow in the way the world understands slowness. He made us a promise, and when the Lord makes promises, he keeps them. Always has. Always will. One of these days, when he is satisfied no more can be saved because of the hardness of human hearts, he will come. Until then, his grace continues to be poured out on those who repent and seek him. His Word continues to do its gracious work. And you and I, as his people, continue to serve him by serving others, always with one eye peeled, watching, waiting, and asking for his blessing. We hurry up to do his will, and we wait on him in hope and faith. Amen.
PRAYER:
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1) TURKEY SUPPER, TURKEY SUPPER, TURKEY SUPPER – this Saturday, 4-7 PM. Come eat, get take-out, send friends and family, too. If you are able, come help me and my team cut up and slice 1000 lbs. of roasted turkey on Friday, starting at 9:00 A.M.
2) DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME: Don’t forget to turn you clocks BACK one hour on Saturday night. No Saturday service this week because of the Supper. Into November!
Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/Awvmk9Q4gbw
PRINTABLE PDF: WDOct29.PDF
[email protected] — (502) 797-7407
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WEEKLY DEVOTION
OCTOBER 28
Monday, OCTOBER 28, 2024
Pastor Matthew Woods from Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany, Indiana
“A Time to Be Careful”
As I get started today I first want to announce that I am a grandpa again. My youngest son and his wife just had their first baby this week. Super happy. Everyone is healthy and we are very grateful. The day after he was born my wife quickly warned me not to pull the “pastor card” to go and see them at the hospital before she got a chance to see him. Nana gets dibs before G-Dubs.
I want to bounce off of a really good devotion from back on August 27, 2024 from Lutheran Church Charities which puts out devotions regularly. It was titled “A Time to Be Careful.” The subtitle was from the 1 Corinthians 10:12. “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” The author argues that the most dangerous period for remaining faithful is when your guard is down. This is the time to watch for overconfidence, dulled reactions, and faulty judgement. (Lutheran Church Charities)
I really like Tim Hetzner’s observation of King David in 2 Samuel 11:2-4. The article says, Remember King David’s story? ‘In the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle…David remained at Jerusalem. Then it happened…he saw a woman bathing…Then David sent messengers, and took her’ (2 Samuel 11:1-2, 4). Pay particular attention to the phrase, ‘Then it happened.’ David chose to stay home rather than go to battle. Who knows why? Maybe his impressive record of successes made him soft, or he got careless, or arrogant? It was only a brief affair, but it changed everything. His peace vanished, his character was ruined, and his family life was destroyed.
Don’t fall prey to the perils of past victories! Remember your H.A.L.T. sign. When you’re Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired, you’re in a vulnerable place and need to be extra careful. Resting on your laurels is synonymous with flirting with disaster.
It’s not just David. The Israelites in general couldn’t seem to handle blessings. In the wilderness, free from the Egyptians, they complained about everything, blamed Moses for all of their problems, and fell to idolatry. How often have we heard of Christian youth who go off to college only to let their guard down as well—buying into the bombardment of false teaching that surrounds them. How often have good marriages fallen to one impulsive decision not so unlike David’s. How many lottery winners go broke faster than average, struggling people. How quick are believers to believe that because they have a good job, a nice house, a steady income, a great family, and life is good may surprise themselves at how fast they stumble, seemingly sabotaging themselves.
Truth is, modern Christians are not so different from David. We justify too much distance from the Lord when things are good. This happens for a mountain for reasons each uniquely built around our individual lifestyles. Life got real complicated for David after he sinned. Much damage was done to his family and to the kingdom itself. This same David who wrote Psalm 22 and 23 somehow in a calm evening at home allowed himself to become dull in the Word. Maybe we too have become a victim of too much success. Look how big our TVs are getting. Look at how critical the colors on our walls and elaborate our vacations. Think of how much we do for pets. Some of the fattest dogs I’ve ever seen live with our shut-ins. How much entertainment do we really need? How many things do our kids have to be involved with? We are not as carefully planned or scheduled in Jesus stuff, the Word or Worship, as we should be.
Remember the Rich Farmer in Luke 12. He had a great crop. He was already well off but then when he received a good crop decided to hoard his wealth, build bigger barns, and then eat, drink, and take it easy for the rest of his days. Turns out the day he has this thought was his last day. But notice when he experienced an abundance of blessing he becomes very selfish with it. Not a single thought went towards generosity to others or to thanksgiving to the Lord. Success makes it so easy to be selfish. And I would agree this is a more dangerous place spiritually than when one may be hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. These four things can make one desperate and stupid but not as much as where David was or where we may be in the midst of so many blessing in this country.
What’s more, we see what’s playing out in our culture as well. Things have been good for a long time in the U.S. Complacency and entitlement thinking has entrenched itself. Today we fight over pronouns, bathrooms, we have lawsuits over cakes, we can’t define what a woman is, aborting a baby has become a “reproductive right,” 35 trillion in debt doesn’t seem to have anyone worried, and of all things the biggest concern spoken about most is the cost of groceries. Welcome to ancient Israel in the days of Jeremiah.
If we think we are standing firm be careful that you do not fall and take others with you when you do. Are you where you should be spiritually? If not why not? If you are, what makes you think so? A genuine love for Jesus combined with knowing the Word of God combined with living out that Word makes life good even when we are hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. This combination is where we truly stand firm even when the ground beneath us becomes unstable. A holy perspective like this is one we can use more of. Now is not a time to sit in the castle, eyeing the neighbor, but a time to be where we should be on the battlefield of faith.
Pastor Matt Woods
John 3:30
PRINTABLE PDF: WDOct28.PDF
Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/bUiLHWJie_8
[email protected] — (502) 523-9327
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WORSHIP SCHEDULE
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2 — TURKEY SUPPER NO SERVICE
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3 — *8:00 & 10:30 AM
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9 — *5:00 PM
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10 — 8:00 & *10:30 AM
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16 — *5:00 PM
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17 — *8:00 & 10:30 AM
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23 — 5:00 PM
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24 — 8:00 & *10:30 AM
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30 — 5:00 PM
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1 — *8:00 & 10:30 AM
* = Communion
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NEWS & TIDBITS at the top right box
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For more Devotions check out RECENT DEVOTIONS
at the top right box
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CHECK OUT BAPTISM – OBITS
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For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works so that no one can boast. — Ephesians 2:8-9
Welcome to the Grace Lutheran Church and School web site. There is a variety of information here regarding our congregation and our beliefs. Lutherans are Bible-believing, sacramental Christians who trace their roots back to Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation. There have been Lutherans since 1517, particularly in Germany and Scandanavia. Lutherans in America followed large immigrations from Europe in the 1840’s and 1850’s.
The congregation at Grace was founded in 1927 in a small room over a pool hall on State Street in New Albany. The congregation moved to Tenth and Oak, then to Charlestown Road, before building its current facilities on Klerner Lane in 1974. The congregation now numbers just over 1100 souls. We worship at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on Sundays and at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday evenings. The pastors are Rev. Bruce Kischnick and Rev. Matt Woods.
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50TH BUILDING CELEBRATION
Grace Lutheran Church
Mission Statement
To ANSWER the CALL of our Savior.
To CONNECT with people in their everyday lives.
To ADVANCE the Gospel through God’s Word and fellowship.
To LEND ourselves in service, so that we may become instruments.
that LEAD others to salvation.
Rev. Bruce Kischnick, Senior Pastor
[email protected] — (502) 797-7407
Rev. Matt Woods, Associate Pastor
[email protected] — (502) 523-9327
Rose Ebling, Part-time Interim Youth Director
[email protected] — (502) 442-1474
Mitzi Lyon, Family Life Director
Helen Bohannon, Music Director
Georgianne Weathers, School Administrator (812) 941-1912
E-Mail: [email protected]
[email protected]
www.gracelutheran.school
Karen.Meredith, Church Secretary