Upcoming Sunday School
Faith and Politics with Dr. Lee Barrett
For three weeks, beginning January 13th, we will welcome Lee Barrett who will be teaching a class on Faith and Politics. Lee is the Mary B. and Henry P. Stager Professor of Theology at Lancaster Theological Seminary where he has taught since September 1993. Prior to this, Lee taught theology at the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, Virginia. He holds B.A., M.A., M.Div., and Ph.D. degrees from Yale University. Lee’s interests include the relationship between the doctrinal traditions of the Christian churches and contemporary culture. He is the author of essays concerning the present-day implications of the theology of the Reformed tradition, as well as the thoughts of Søren Kierkegaard. Lee is particularly interested in the theological significance of literature and the visual arts. We hope you will join us at 9:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall.
America’s Original Sin
Beginning February 17th America’s Original Sin; Racism, White Privilege, and the Bridge to a New America
America’s problem with race has deep roots, with the country’s foundation tied to the near extermination of one race of people and the enslavement of another. Racism is truly our nation’s original sin. “It’s time we right this unacceptable wrong,” says bestselling author and leading Christian activist Jim Wallis. Fifty years ago, Wallis was driven away from his faith by a white church that considered dealing with racism to be taboo. His participation in the civil rights movement brought him back when he discovered a faith that commands racial justice. Yet as recent tragedies confirm, we continue to suffer from the legacy of racism. The old patterns of white privilege are colliding with the changing demographics of a diverse nation. The church has been slow to respond, and Sunday morning is still the most segregated hour of the week. In America’s Original Sin, Wallis offers a prophetic and deeply personal call to action in overcoming the racism so ingrained in American society. He speaks candidly to Christians–particularly white Christians–urging them to cross a new bridge toward racial justice and healing. Whenever divided cultures and gridlocked power structures fail to end systemic sin, faith communities can help lead the way to grassroots change. Probing yet positive, biblically rooted yet highly practical, this book shows people of faith how they can work together to overcome the embedded racism in America, galvanizing a movement to cross the bridge to a multiracial church and a new America. Copies of the book are available by calling the church office or emailing Angie at graceelcaapd@gmail.com The cost is $13.00
Many thanks to the children of Grace for sharing the Good News with us on Christmas Eve, they worked very hard to make this year’s play a very special part of our celebration!
Save the Date! January 13, 2019
Dear Members of Grace,
In these recent years, actions of overtly racist Americans have continued to foster race-based fears and resentments in our nation. It is all the more important then, for Christians of every race and origin, to stand in united witness to what should seem so obvious: the equality of all, under the rule of law that protects liberty and provides justice for all Americans.
It is all too easy for white Americans to dismiss the effects of racism as “not our problem,” as if racism was simply a matter of how each of us feels in our heart. Racism is an evil that has been planted in the soil of American life and still grows among us as a weed in a garden. Its roots are deep and its effects are still felt by people of color in many ways.
Please consider joining me at the “Mother Church” of Lutherans in Lancaster County – the Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity downtown – for the annual remembrance of Dr. King’s life and early death, and to hear this year’s especially powerful speaker, Dr. Amos Brown.
I look forward to greeting you there!
Pastor Verkouw
Deborah Elizabeth Circle
The Deborah/Elizabeth Circle will meet on Tuesday, January 15th at 10:30 AM in the Round in the Muhlenberg Building on the Luther Acres campus in Lititz to begin a four session Bible study by the Rev. Julie A. Kanarr based on John’s Gospel. It is entitled “Meeting with Jesus”. The author looks at the uniqueness of the Gospel of John and raises the question of what John is saying as he tells the story in a different way than the other three Gospels. Please join us for a time of reflection and conversation. At about 11:30 we will conclude with lunch together. For further information please contact Joyce Saeger or Carol Main.
Lutheran World Relief
We received $788 this fall for LWR’s shipping fund to help send quilts, blankets, soap, and kits overseas. Gifts to the Quilt & Kit Shipping Fund of $500 or more may be commemorated with an engraved brick on the Good Samaritan Quilt Plaza at LWR Headquarters in Baltimore. The engraved and colorful bricks make a pattern called “Many Trips Around the World” and represent the distribution of millions of quilts and kits to our neighbors around the world. LWR spends around $1.3 million to operate this program, distributing about $13 million worth of quilts and kits each year. This year we will have a brick engraved with the name of TINA HORN, who has helped many years with quilts and now blankets. We appreciate her continuing work and your gifts to the shipping fund. We received a Thrivent Financial debit card for $250 to buy fleece for Lutheran World Relief. In turn, we are obligated to have a group workday to work on the blankets. This is set for February 18 and 21 (two dates to hopefully get more participants) from 9:30am to 12 noon in Fellowship Hall. Please check your calenders (this is a one-time only commitment). There are about 6 regulars working on blankets (LWR & Project Linus) through the year. They work at home and sometimes at the church. I will be working at the church Thursdays, January 17 and 24, at 9:30am to noon. Please join me. We have fleece also available for Project Linus, thanks to one of Grace’s members. Barbara Slotter, 342-2654, or (cell) 300-0710
God’s Global Barnyard!
Congratulations to the Sunday School Children! They raised $300.00 to purchase animals for deserving families! With your generous donations the children were able to purchase the following: 2 goats, 2 pigs, 7 chicks, 2 roosters, and two colonies of honey bees!
Save the Date!
Lenten Retreat – “Preparing to be Dust”
Saturday, April 6, 2019 at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 750 Greenfield Rd, Lancaster, PA 17601
For information, please call Angie in the church office or email her at graceelcaapd@gmail.com
Stewardship Snippets
Jan. 13, 2019(Baptism of Our Lord Sunday, Year C)
Luke 3:21 –A voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” Jesus hears God’s words of comfort and love, and his life was never the same. At our baptism we also receive God’s promises as God declares us sons and daughters. Baptism is the defining moment for our lives.
Our Grace Family
Thank you to our Grace family for the prayers, cards, and good wishes during my recent surgery and Earl’s ongoing health issues. A blessed Christmas and New Year to you all! Earl & Donna Dinger
gracelutheranchurch.com 