Upcoming Sunday School
America’s Original Sin; Racism, White Privilege, and the Bridge to a New America
Beginning February 17th at 9:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall
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. 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!
Bishop Dunlop’s visit – February 3, 2019
Our Bishop, James Dunlop, will be visiting Grace Church the first Sunday in February. He will be with us at the early and late Sunday worship services and during the Sunday School. Please make a special effort to be here to welcome our Bishop, to thank him for his service to our Synod, and to learn and grow through the teaching and conversation time together. Welcome Bishop Dunlop! Following late service, we will join the Bishop and other Grace members in Fellowship Hall to enjoy a bowl of soup, bread, a light dessert, and friendly conversation.
Souper Bowl Sunday – February 3rd!
Grace Youth will be collecting non-perishables on Sunday, February 3rd. All donations will be given to the Lancaster County Council of Churches.
Renovation Update & Official Notice of Congregational Meeting
At its meeting Jan. 9, the council voted unanimously to recommend the proposal of our Renovations Team which had been replaced and then tabled at the last congregational meeting this past November.
To this end the council has called a Special Congregational Meeting to share updated information about the renovation and financing plan, followed by a vote on the resolution, for Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. Please make every effort to be there for this important discussion. Please pray for the wisdom and the discernment we need to make a decision that is good for us now and for the future of our ministry!
First Holy Communion Class – February 9 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
The First Communion Class is for children who have not yet communed or have without instruction.
Children of all ages are invited along with their parents to learn about and prepare for their first Holy Communion.
If your family is interested in participating, please contact Kath at verkouw@gmail.com or in the church office at 717-397-2748.
Save the Date! Saturday, April 6, 2019
Lenten Retreat – “Preparing to be Dust” 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 750 Greenfield Rd, Lancaster, PA 17601
Please join members of Grace Lutheran Church and The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd on April 6th, 2019 for our Lenten Retreat where we will explore how we can have both a good life and a good death. Participants are encouraged to read Being Mortal by Atul Gawande, prior to the retreat. Copies of the book can be purchased through Grace Lutheran for $11 (please let us know by March 1st), available in e-book form, and available at the Lancaster County Library. We will be taking time to fill out Five Wishes Forms and funeral templates for our respective congregations. A representative from Charles F. Snyder Funeral Homes & Crematory will join us in the morning to speak about the services they offer. In the afternoon we will have presentation from Hospice & Community Care titled “Making Your Wishes Known: A Living Will is Not Enough.”
A light breakfast and lunch will be provided. Cost per participant is $10.
Stewardship Snippets
Jan. 27, 2019(3rdSunday after the Epiphany, Year C)
Psalm 19:9b, 10–The ordinances of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey. Stewardship is all about priorities and values. What do we prize above all else? Faithful steward/disciples value the teachings of God that guide us to fulfilled lives.
From the Program Director
A Whole Lot of Learnin’ Going On!
Recent weather might have put a few barriers in our way but there has been much learning and discussion going on at Grace, with more to come!
Dr. Lee Barrett (from the Lancaster Theology Seminary) has been teaching the adults about the roots of the “Christian Right”, the “Christian Left.” This coming week he will help us understand: “What happened to the Christian Middle?” After this series on religion and politics in our country’s history, Adults will have a chance to learn and reflect about the persistent “orginal sin” of racism (see next page for more details).
Dinner Church met last Friday evening, for fellowship, simple communion and discussion, including the hard question, “When did God feel far away in your life?”
The children of Sunday School and in Fishbowl time have been following the Gospel lessons in the Lectionary and really know their stuff and where to find it in the bible! Ask them about Zecharias, Elizabeth, Mary, John the Baptist, Jesus and Jesus’ first miracle, or sign, of turning water into wine.
During the fall the kids’ curriculum focused on the Psalms and for Lent we will be exploring Proverbs. Our children are so open to the Spirit and God’s love. They enjoy faith discussions and learning. What if we all tried to be better at that? It is hard to take time and make time for Bible study or having faith discussions together but it is an important habit to return to and to practice. God continually says “I love you. Be with me.” Grace Church tries to give you conduits to do just that. – spend time with God and your neighbor!
One of the best ways to be encouraged in your faith is participating in a small group of people who meet weekly for a set period of time. I hope that you will all pray about whether God is calling you to host one of these groups during Lent. It could be anytime that is convenient for you during the week. It doesn’t have to last the whole six weeks of Lent, it could be for four or five weeks as well. It could be in your home, at church, in a coffee shop, or a pub. It is also a perfect time to invite friends and neighbors outside our faith family to participate. You could invite Pastor or someone else to lead the discussion…pray and see what evolves in your heart. Pastor, Angie and I will help you invite and get ready. This year, Lent begins Ash Wed., Mar. 6th through Holy Week, which begins April 14th.
There will also be a wonderful opportunity for a Lenten Retreat this year on Saturday April 6th on “Preparing to be Dust” (see “Save the Date” in this newsletter to learn more). The Spirit, through our kids, challenge us all to make more time for God. During Lent let us respond in some way to that call. May we all be God’s people of peace and prayer!
Kathryn Verkouw
gracelutheranchurch.com 