Dove Learning Pod Update
Stacie, Andrea and I met with Principal Hopkins of Ross Elementary last Wednesday evening. We found out that the pod is still needed but for a totally different group of students.
All English learner students are going back to the school building where they can more readily have access to all the supports that help them thrive.
So we said goodbye last Friday to the majority of our beloved students with whom we have spent the better part of 5 months and are cleaning and organizing to be ready for other students who need our structure and support.
We are certainly getting to know the kids in our Grace/Ross neighborhood. Where will God lead us with all of these new relationships? Pray and stay tuned! -Kathryn
Christian Formation
Kids and Youth Zoom Meetings
This week we looked at 12 year old Jesus, lost to his parents for 3 days, and found in the temple talking with the teachers. The main question we had about this story was: “How did Jesus’ parents not realize he wasn’t with the group? ” Our parents definitely keep better track of us – well most of the time.
Do you know that Luke is the only book in the bible to tell a story of Jesus as a child? When we played our bible bingo this time the winner won extra strength of the Spirit delivered by all of us through the screen – it knocked Cameron right over!
We pray for Mark and Brooke’s Dad as he makes the hard recovery from a serious infection and Novia and Tempi’s family as they fight Covid.
Join us at 9:30 am for our zoom Sunday School – best for kids 1-6th grades. Look for the Weekend Updates and links for Worship and Sunday School email from Pastor!
Youth ZOOM on Sunday mornings!
For youth, grades 6-12, Meghan Kelly and Keith Miller will be leading a youth ZOOMS! Confirmation at 9:00 a.m. / High School at 9:45 a.m. If you would like to participate – please contact Meghan at mekelly10@gmail.com to receive the link.
Contemplating Logos
Contemplating Logos
“Listen, O my son, to the precepts of thy master, and incline the ear of thy heart, and cheerfully receive and faithfully execute the admonitions of thy loving Father, that by the toil of obedience thou mayest return to Him from whom by the sloth of disobedience thou hast gone away.”
(Prologue to The Rule of St. Benedict, Trans. Rev. Boniface Verheyen OSB, 1949)
This week’s reading is John 1:6-13.
If you would like more information on lectio divina click here
Lent 2021
One of our Lenten offerings for this year is “Where Your Heart Is” an intergenerational devotional from Illustrated Ministry. “Our theme’s inspiration comes from Jesus’ teaching about storing treasures in his Sermon on the Mount. This Lent, we invite you to explore the many treasures you have in your life. Some are physical treasures we can touch, hold, store, and give. Some treasures are invisible, yet still greatly matter and guide our lives.
By exploring Gospel passages about treasures and matters of the heart, we invite you to wonder more deeply about what kinds of treasure matter, why we store treasures, and the power these treasures have in our lives…So grab a pen, some crayons or colored pencils, and start working through the devotional (Where Your Heart Is).”
This resource includes a weekly reading, devotion, and space to get creative. If you would like to receive a weekly email for a print at home devotional please email Angie at graceelcaapd@gmail.com. If you would like the materials sent to your via the USPS or would like to pick them up in the office please contact Vicki at 717-397-2748 or vicki@gracelutheranchurch.com.
Lower Susquehanna Synod Lenten Offering
Lenten Online Journey into the Christian Spiritual Life Thursdays in Lent; February 18 – March 25, 7:00 p.m. – 8:15 p.m. via Zoom “When we begin to take spiritual practices seriously, the possibilities for personal and corporate transformation are truly beyond our imagining!” – Marjorie Thompson in Soul Feast
Join us this Lent for a very special online journey using Marjorie Thompson’s Soul Feast:
An Invitation to the Christian Spiritual Life. Gathering weekly on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. beginning February 18, we invite you to explore classic disciplines such as prayer, fasting, spiritual reading, and self-examination, while nurturing your understanding of our rich Christian spirituality.
Participants are invited to purchase their own copy of Soul Feast, which includes a study guide. This resource from Marjorie Thompson continues to be a favorite for individual reflection and group study.
Click here to register
January 31, 2021 (Fourth Sunday after Epiphany, Year B)
“But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the
weak.” 1 Corinthians 8:9
Christians enjoy great freedom, but we are also responsible to and for one another. Just as new runners start out gently, so new Christ followers may need our careful and loving guidance as we all train in faith.
Our Grace Family
Update on Ivine and Jeannette and a prayer request for her family in Cameroon
You might know that Ivine has been counting down the days until her first asylum hearing on March 3rd. She had much homework to do to prepare for this meeting which she completed and was so invested in the possibilities.
Well, she found out from her lawyer last week that her hearing and all hearings nationally have been canceled and they are changing the whole process. What does that mean? Even the lawyer has no idea. Needless to say Ivine is extremely disappointed and sad. Please pray for the process, for Ivine, for Ivine’s family who is living out “in the bush”, and for our whole immigration system. -Kathryn
Christian Sympathy
We offer sympathy to the Bertrand Family at the death of Mike’s brother-in-law, Eddie Lincoln two weeks ago. Eddie was the husband of Mike’s sister Sue, and their family visited Grace a number of times for theextended Bertrand family reunions which often included musical offerings of choirs or brass ensembles at our Sunday worship, and for other youth events like VBS and Day Camp when their kids were younger.
Our prayers are with the Lincolns, and the Bertrands and all the friends and family of Eddie at this time of grief. May he rest in peace, and rise in Christ’s light and glory!
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