“Come Lord Jesus, be our guest, and let these gifts to us be blessed.” Most Lutherans in our circles know by heart what we have called The Common Table Prayer. It’s something that we grow up saying before almost every meal—especially if we have a potluck at church. But how often do we stop to think of the truths of this prayer beyond just the dinner table? Sitting down for a meal is not the only time when we pray, “Come Lord Jesus.” In fact, those words of the Common Table Prayer are quite timeless. They are the prayer of the believer no matter what the situation or circumstance. “Come Lord Jesus” is the prayer of the struggling believer who suffers through a broken-down car or a lost job. “Come Lord Jesus” is the prayer of the thankful believer who asks God’s blessing through the gift for which he gives thanks. “Come Lord Jesus” is the prayer of the concerned believer who offers up a friend or family member who is hurting and looking for

God’s help. “Come Lord Jesus,” whether we express it in those exact words or not, is always the prayer of the believer here on earth. As we enter into the final season of the church year yet again, the season of End Time, we gain a renewed appreciation for that simple,

brief prayer, “Come Lord Jesus.” As faithful believers, no matter what situation we find ourselves in during our journey through this life, we always pray, “Come Lord Jesus.” We pray this prayer with an eye toward heaven, where we will never again suffer through temptation, or struggle through sin, or hurt from loss or pain. As faithful believers, we look forward

to the day when we will no longer need to pray, “Come Lord Jesus,” because we will be with him forever. So once again, with an eye toward heaven, let us pray, together with all the saints, the longing for what is to come, and joyfully pray, “Come quickly, Lord Jesus! Amen!”

-Pastor Naumann

and Preschool

1515 S. 15th Street Prairie du Chien, WI 53821

Church Office: 608-326-4899 Pastor’s Cell: 608-306-1011

www.gracepdc.net

The Newsletter of Grace Lutheran Church and Preschool

At the Voters Meeting on Sunday, October 26, a budget was passed for the coming year. In addition, Dennis Riebe was re-elected and Harold Miller was elected to serve on the Board for the coming two years. Thank you to Jay White for his service on the Board during the past two years! If you missed the meeting and would like more information or have comments about any of the items presented, please speak to Dennis Riebe.

Grace Lutheran is the alternate church to send a lay delegate to the Synod Convention in 2015. If you or someone you know would be a good candidate to serve as a delegate, please speak to Pastor.

The Preschool Thanksgiving Meal will be held on Thursday, November 20, from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm. We need two turkeys donated, volunteers to help during the event, and/or just come and enjoy this special meal with the preschool children. The children will start the event with songs, fingerplays, and a prayer. Please contact Debi at bahlmann@centurytel.net if you can help in any way. Thank you!

The Prairie du Chien Christmas Parade will be held on Friday, December 5, at 5:30 pm. If you would like to walk with other members of Grace to hand out candy bags, please speak to Jay White. You can also donate candy via the box in back of church.

Christmas for Kids will be held on Saturday, December 13, from 9:00-11:30 am. Can you help? Please speak to Lareena Riebe. Registration is open online! Invite your friends and relatives soon!

As another church year comes to a close, we again have arrived at the season of End Time, when we take the opportunity to review how Scripture describes the events at the end of the world. To do this we have four Sundays, each reminding us of four important Scriptural truths as the end of the world approaches. The first Sunday is Reformation Sunday. This Sunday, as stated in last month’s Grace Notes, reminds us of Jesus’ promise in Matthew 24 that the “gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations.” The second Sunday of End Time is Last Judgment. This Sunday reminds us especially that Jesus’ judgment when he returns is never a scary thing for the believer, but something to look

forward to because we rest firmly on Jesus’ perfect life and sacrifice on the cross. The same

one who died for us will not judge the believer in him to hell! The third Sunday of End Time is Saints Triumphant. On this Sunday we remember the faithful believers who have gone to heaven before us and now rest in Christ. These are those who died in faith and now live forever in heaven. The final Sunday of the church year

is Christ the King Sunday. On this day we remember that God the Father gave all things to Jesus, the Son, to rule for the good of his people, the Church. What comfort to remember that at all times God has us firmly held in his hands. May God bless us as we prepare for Jesus’ second coming! -Pastor Naumann

A big “thank you “ to Christina Hopp for painting the new preschool sign and Ryan Koresh for putting up the sign! We enjoyed taking part in a scarecrow

contest for “Oktoberfest” that was held October 18 at St. Feriole Island! Check out the scarecrow picture on the blog!

Check out the apples on the Giving Tree! October themes: Fall, Pumpkins,

Scarecrows, and Fire Safety Favorite Bible words: “Beloved, we are

God's children now!” I John 3:2 Bible Time Learning: The Tower of Babel,

God's Promise to Abraham, Jacob's Troubles, and Joseph and His Brothers. Thank you Lord for your Word of Truth!

Our next meeting will be held at church on Saturday, November 8, at 9:00 am. In addition to our regular Bible study and fellowship, we will have our “Secret Sister Reveal” and pick new names for the coming year. If you’d like to send one last note of encouragement to your current Secret Sister, this first week of November is your chance! Thank you for your prayers and support for one another this past year.

A special Advent by Candlelight service will be held for the women of Grace on Sunday, November 30, at 6:30 pm. This unique devotional service is designed to help prepare our hearts and minds for the coming Savior amid the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Grace women are encouraged to invite their friends and relatives. Please sign up in the back of church if you plan to attend and speak to Debi Bahlmann if you can help. Thank you!

Each month we’ll feature an interview about one

of our Youth Group members as a way to get to

know the youth in our congregation and to keep

them in our prayers. This month we’re learning

more about…

Darci Eberhardt

Birthday: February 15, 1997

Hometown: Elkader, IA

School: Central Community, Grade 12

Career Aspiration: Undecided, but I love

working creatively/helping people feel good.

Sports/Hobbies: volleyball, track, softball,

crafting, reading, baking & eating

Favorite Bible Passage: Joshua 1:9 reminds

me that God is with me everywhere and is

always looking out for me.

1: Prov 14-15 2: Ezek 43-48

3: John 1-2 4: 2 Thes

5: Lev 25-27 6: 1 Chr 1-4 7: Ps 93-95 8: Prov 16 9: Dan 1-6

10: John 3-4

11: 1 Tim 1-3 12: Num 1-4 13: 1 Chr 5-9 14: Ps 96-98

15: Prov 17-18 16: Dan 7-12 17: John 5-6 18: 1 Tim 4-6 19: Num 5-8

20: 1 Chr 10-14

21: Ps 99-101 22: Prov 19

23: Hosea 1-7 24: John 7-9 25: 1 Tim 1-2 26: Num 9-12

27: 1 Chr 15-19 28: Ps 102-104 29: Prov 20-21 30: Hosea 8-14