Leah Kay Maple Baptized into Christ

 Leah Kay Maple was baptized into our Lord Jesus Christ's death and resurrection on December 19, 2020 at Grace Lutheran Church.  She is the daughter of Eric and Cady Maple.  We praise God that he has made Leah his child through the baptismal washing of regeneration and rebirth by the Holy Spirit.

Christmas Services at Grace

 Grace will hold a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service on December 24th beginning at 9:00 p.m.  We will have a Christmas Day Divine Service on December 25th beginning at 9:00 a.m.  All are welcome!

Grace and Trinity have successful food drive

 Throughout the month of November, Grace Lutheran along with Trinity Lutheran in Elgin held a food drive to collect non-perishable food items for the Antelope County Food Pantry.  If the congregations were able to collect 500 items, Thrivent Financial - Nebraska Region would make a $500 donation to the food pantry as well.  The congregations collected 604 items!  Thank you to everyone who participated and thank you to Thrivent!

Grace to hold VBS

Grace Lutheran Church in Neligh will be holding Vacation Bible School on August 2^nd-6^th from 6:00-8:30 p.m.  Grace’s VBS is open to children entering Pre-K through 6^th grade.  This year’s theme will be “Tree of Life.”  The daily topics will be “The Promised Seed,” “The Buried Seed,” “The Seed Sprouts,” “The Vine and the Branches,” and “The Fruit of Our Lips.”  The daily activities will consist of opening devotion, skit, lesson, craft, music, and snack/games.  The week will conclude with a closing program on Thursday evening.

This year’s VBS offering will go to St. Mark Lutheran Church of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana in Accra, Ghana.  The funds will be used to buy a tent and chairs that will be used for a classroom for the children.  St. Mark has fifty children in their congregation but currently does not have facilities to hold Sunday school classes.  A tent and chairs would make that possible.

Due to COVID-19 guidelines, all children must be pre-registered by July 26.  Pre-registration is essential so that plans can be made to work in accordance with COVID guidelines.  To pre-register, call the Grace Lutheran Church office at (402) 887-4791.  For anyone who prefers that their children not attend VBS in person, a packet will be made available that can be picked up at the church and used in the home.

Brett Witmer to be Ordained and Installed at Bethel Lutheran, Sutherland, IA

Grace's former vicar, Brett Witmer, will be ordained into the Office of the Holy Ministry and installed as pastor at Bethel Lutheran Church in Sutherland, IA at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 19, 2020.  We pray God's richest blessings upon Pastor Witmer as he shepherds Christ's people at Bethel Lutheran.

July 5, 2020 Worship Service

Click here to view the July 5, 2020 worship service at Grace Lutheran.

Broadcast of Worship Services in Fellowship Hall for Social Distancing

As we have a fair number of our church family who are taking greater precautions against COVID-19 because of health concerns, the Board of Elders and Pastor have decided that all Sunday services will be broadcast in the fellowship hall using the church’s camera and sound system.  Those sitting in the fellowship hall will be required to practice social distancing and wear a mask.  This requirement will be in effect from ten minutes before the beginning of the service until five minutes following the end of the service.  Bulletins, an offering plate, and hand sanitizer will be on the table just inside the doors of the fellowship hall.  The outside door of the kitchen will be unlocked so that those desiring to sit in the fellowship hall may enter into it via the kitchen.  The Lord’s Supper will be distributed in the fellowship hall using a ‘continuous-flow’ so that social distancing can be maintained

We hope that this will make it possible for more people to return to church and have fellowship amongst the body of Christ while still taking adequate precautions against COVID-19.  Anyone who desires to wear a mask and sit in the sanctuary is still welcome to do so.

June 28, 2020 Worship Service

Click here to view the June 28, 2020 worship service at Grace.

June 14, 2020 Worship Service

Click here to view the June 14, 2020 worship service at Grace.

May 30, 2020 Worship Service

Click here to view Grace's worship service from May 30, 2020.

Click here to view Grace's May 30, 2020 Order of Service and May 30/31, 2020 bulletin.

May 24, 2020 Worship Service

Click here to view Grace's worship service on May 24, 2020.

Click here to view Grace's May 24, 2020 Order of Service and bulletin.

May 17, 2020 Worship Service

Click here to view Grace's May 17, 2020 worship service.

Click here for Grace's May 17, 2020 Order of Service and bulletin

Hymn Study - Luther's Catechetical Hymns - 'O Lord, We Praise Thee'

Martin Luther was not only a great theologian, he also understood how putting the truths of Scripture to music can aid in remembering those truths.  Therefore, among his many hymns, he wrote hymns that correspond to each of the six chief parts of his catechism.  This link https://1drv.ms/w/s!AoUyqbGDm8qnlRyXlY_7DPF1nRKi will provide you with a Bible study and the text of O Lord, We Praise Thee, one of Luther's hymns pertaining to the Lord’s Supper.  The tune for this hymn can be found at https://hymnary.org/tune/gott_sei_gelobet_und_gebenedeiet.  Luther’s Small Catechism can be found at http://catechism.cph.org/en/sacrament-of-the-altar.html

May 10, 2020 Worship Service

Click here to view Grace's worship service from May 10, 2020

Click here to view May 10, 2020 Order of Service and bulletin

Worship Services Resume on May 10th!

We rejoice that we will be able to resume worship services at Grace this Sunday, May 10th.  However, in doing so, we will abide by the restrictions which are still in place according to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.  This will include observing the following:

     - Those who are sick must stay home.  Those who are at risk are advised to stay home. This includes:

• The elderly
• People with underlying medical conditions
• Family members who live with the elderly or those who are at risk
• People who have access to those who are at risk in nursing situations
• People who live with someone who is sick or exhibiting flu-like symptoms
• People who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.     

     -We will continue to live stream services on Facebook and post them to Youtube for those who need to remain isolated.

     - We need to maintain a 6 ft. distance between members of different households while in the Lord's house.  Please sit in the pews only where there are hymnals in the hymn racks.  The projector screen and audio will be on in the fellowship hall with hymnals appropriately spaced on the tables if needed.

     - We will not pass the offering plates.  Offering plates will be located at the entrances.

     - Children should remain with their parents or guardians and refrain from interacting with other children.

     - We are not resuming Saturday evening services at this time.

     - We are not resuming Sunday school at this because our Sunday school rooms do not allow for adequate social distancing.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in observing these guidelines.      

May 3, 2020 Worship Service

Click here to view video of May 3, 2020 worship service at Grace.

Click here for Oder of Service and Bulletin

Hymn Study - Luther's Catechetical Hymns - 'Jesus Christ, Our Blessed Savior'

Martin Luther was not only a great theologian, he also understood how putting the truths of Scripture to music can aid in remembering those truths.  Therefore, among his many hymns, he wrote hymns that correspond to each of the six chief parts of his catechism.  This link https://1drv.ms/w/s!AoUyqbGDm8qnlQOXlY_7DPF1nRKi will provide you with a Bible study and the text of Jesus Christ, Our Blessed Savior, one of Luther's hymns pertaining to the Lord’s Supper.  The tune for this hymn can be found at https://hymnary.org/tune/jesus_christus_unser_heiland_15312.  Luther’s Small Catechism can be found at http://catechism.cph.org/en/sacrament-of-the-altar.html

Call to Serve at Grace Received

Last night, during the Call Day service at Concordia Theological Seminary - Ft. Wayne, I received my call to serve as pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Neligh.  I am looking forward to many years of serving our Lord and His people at Grace.
Grace's previous vicar, Brett Witmer, received a call to serve as pastor at Bethel Lutheran Church in Sutherland, IA.

Call Day

Call Day at Concordia Theological Seminary - Ft. Wayne will take place on April 29, 2020 beginning at 6:00 p.m. CDT.  This year call day will be online and combined with vicarage placement and deaconess intern placement.  The service can be viewed at the seminary's website (https://callday.ctsfw.edu/) or on its Facebook page (Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne-CTSFW). Vicar Norlyn Bartens and former vicar, Brett Witmer, will be receiving calls.

April 26, 2020 Worship Service

Click here to view the April 26, 2020 worship service

Click here for April 26 Order of Service and bulletin

Hymn Study - Luther's Catechetical Hymns - 'From Depths of Woe I Cry to Thee'

Martin Luther was not only a great theologian, he also understood how putting the truths of Scripture to music can aid in remembering those truths.  Therefore, among his many hymns, he wrote hymns that correspond to each of the six chief parts of his catechism.  This link https://1drv.ms/w/s!AoUyqbGDm8qnlGmXlY_7DPF1nRKi will provide you with a Bible study and the text of From Depths of Woe I Cry to Thee, Luther's hymn pertaining to Confession.  The tune for this hymn can be found at https://hymnary.org/tune/aus_tiefer_not_luther.  Luther’s Small Catechism can be found at http://catechism.cph.org/en/confession.html

April 19, 2020 worship service

Click here to view April 19, 2020 worship service

Order of Service and bulletin for April 19, 2020

Click here for April 19, 2020 Order of Service and bulletin

Bible Study - Luther's Catechetical Hymns - 'To Jordan Came the Christ, Our Lord'

Martin Luther was not only a great theologian, he also understood how putting the truths of Scripture to music can aid in remembering those truths.  Therefore, among his many hymns, he wrote hymns that correspond to each of the six chief parts of his catechism.  This link https://1drv.ms/w/s!AoUyqbGDm8qnlBCXlY_7DPF1nRKi will provide you with a Bible study and the text of To Jordan Came the Christ, Our Lord, Luther's hymn pertaining to Holy Baptism.  You can find a video on our Facebook page where I discuss this Bible study.  The tune for this hymn can be found at https://hymnary.org/tune/christ_unser_herr_zum_jordan_kam (the alternate tune, ‘Elvet Banks,’ which appears on the sheet of the hymn text does not have a recording available) .  Luther’s Small Catechism can be found at http://catechism.cph.org/en/sacrament-of-holy-baptism.html

Easter service

The following link is for the Easter service at Grace on April 12, 2020:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF62bh15faE

Bible Study - Luther's Catechetical Hymns - 'Our Father, Who from Heaven Above'

Martin Luther was not only a great theologian, he also understood how putting the truths of Scripture to music can aid in remembering those truths.  Therefore, among his many hymns, he wrote hymns that correspond to each of the six chief parts of his catechism.  This link https://1drv.ms/w/s!AoUyqbGDm8qnkzOXlY_7DPF1nRKi will provide you with a Bible study and the text of Our Father, Who from Heaven Above, Luther's hymn pertaining to the Lord’s Prayer.  You can find a video on our Facebook page where I discuss this Bible study.  The tune for this hymn can be found at https://hymnary.org/tune/vater_unser_55345 .  Luther’s Small Catechism can be found at http://catechism.cph.org/en/lords-prayer.html

Bible Study - Luther's Catechetical Hymns - We All Believe in One True God

Martin Luther was not only a great theologian, he also understood how putting the truths of Scripture to music can aid in remembering those truths.  Therefore, among his many hymns, he wrote hymns that correspond to each of the six chief parts of his catechism.  This link https://1drv.ms/w/s!AoUyqbGDm8qnkxWXlY_7DPF1nRKi will provide you with a Bible study and the text of We All Believe in One True God, Luther's hymn pertaining to the Apostles' Creed.  You can find a video on our Facebook page where I discuss this Bible study.  The tune for this hymn can be found at https://hymnary.org/tune/wir_glauben_all_an_einen_gott_33543

April 1, 2020 Lenten service is available for viewing at the following link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egpPhYVUfrw

Bible Study - Luther's Catechetical Hymns - These Are the Holy Ten Commands (LSB 581)

Martin Luther was not only a great theologian, he also understood how putting the truths of Scripture to music can aid in remembering those truths.  Therefore, among his many hymns, he wrote hymns that correspond to each of the six chief parts of his catechism.  This link (https://1drv.ms/w/s!AoUyqbGDm8qnkw2XlY_7DPF1nRKi) will provide you with a Bible study and the text of These Are the Holy Ten Commands, Luther's hymn pertaining to the Ten Commandments.  You can find a video on our Facebook page where I discuss this Bible study.

March 25, 2020 Lenten Service can be viewed at the following link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1GypmdhS30

March 22, 2020 church service can also be viewed on youtube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Nk2ieuGXgo

March 22 worship service at Grace Lutheran Church

https://www.facebook.com/315530168493692/videos/914279282362719/?comment_id=914336882356959&notif_id=1584894392749832&notif_t=video_comment

The Board of Elders, Pastor, and Vicar met last night to discuss the current situation with Covid-19 and how Grace Lutheran will respond.  In working to abide by current government guidelines, there will be no activities and in-person services at Grace for the next two weeks (until March 31). We plan to live-stream a service via Facebook at 10:30 on Sunday morning. We also hope to have a link on this web page that will allow you to view the service at a later time if you don't have Facebook. In two weeks, we will meet to re-assess the situation. 

Daily devotional resources can be found at https://thewordendures.org/ and https://higherthings.org/reflections/  and https://www.lhm.org/dailydevotions/.  Other possibilities for worship services online include
www.mainstreetliving.com and https://worshipanew.org/.  Main Street Living also airs on KCAU out of Sioux City and KLKN out of Lincoln at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings. The Lutheran Hour radio program broadcasts on KBRX out of O'Neill on FM 102.9 and AM 1350 at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoons.

Please contact Pastor Rosenthal or Vicar Bartens if you are in need of pastoral care.  The church office will continue to be open during normal hours.