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!
We are still collecting caps for the Earth Savers Club at Central York High School. If you would like to help—drop off your clean/label free caps to the church office!
Thank you for helping to protect our planet!
LENT 2021
Wednesday Vespers
Mountains are special places. On top of one you can see the world from a new, wider perspective. As believers, we might rejoice in the more encompassing view of the world God has made, and wonder at its beauty! At the same time, way up there, one is removed from the busyness and pressure of day-to-day life, and so, perhaps, more open to a different kind of encounter with God.
As part of Wednesday Evening Prayer during Lent this year, Pastor Verkouw will lead us on a journey through the mountains – the biblical mountains. Some of them you’ve probably heard of, while some may be new to you. “Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion,” proclaimed Isaiah. That may be hard to do, literally, this spring. But you can join pastor and our musicians for Vespers in Lent, and for some mountain climbing through the holy mountains of scripture, and the powerful stories they tell.
Where Your Heart Is
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.”
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.
Walking Prayer
This group will meet at 1:00 pm Sundays at F&M track beginning on Feb. 21. We will have a group devotional and then go forth with partners on the track whilst discussing the questions of that week from the devotional “Where Your Heart Is”.
Please remember to wear a mask. We will meet rain or shine. Contact Kathryn Verkouw at verkouw@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Daily Reading Path
Our Lenten path this year is based on the readings from “Where Your Heart Is.” The path starts on Ash Wednesday and ends on Good Friday. Use your rock from previous years to mark your progress. If you don’t have a rock from a previous year, any kind of rock/marker will work! Use the link below to download the path at home or contact Vicki (717-397-2748, vicki@gracelutheranchurch.com) to have a copy mailed or available for pickup in the office.
Christian Formation
Listening For God
Join Pastor Steve and members of Grace for Sunday School at 9:00 a.m. a. m. for the final installment of Listening for God Volume 2. Class will continue with stories from Volume 1 beginning Sunday, February 28th. Check your weekly email for the Zoom link. If you need the readings or need to be added to the weekly email list please contact Vicki (717-397-2748, vicki@gracelutheranchurch.com
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 1:29-34
If you would like more information on lectio divina please see the purple box on our website or email Angie at graceelcaapd@gmail.com. If you would like more information on lectio divina please see the purple box on our website or email Angie at graceelcaapd@gmail.com.
Sunrise Discussion Group
Each Friday morning from 7 to 8 a.m. our Sunrise Discussion Group meets in the parlor – masked and socially distanced – to study and discuss a chapter or so of the bible or a related book by a noted religious author. With coffee and conversation we grow in our faith, trust and relationship with God. If you are available at that hour and are seeking an opportunity to share your faith, doubts or concerns with a small group – or just to listen and grow – please join us. We are currently studying the book of Romans with a study guide by N. T. Wright. For more information contact: Rich Allison, Robert Durand, Bruce Linton, John Saeger
Zoom For Kids
Join us at 9:30 am for our zoom Sunday School – best for kids 1-6th grades.
In Daniel chapter 4 King Nebuchadnezzar had another terrible dream. Daniel, what does it mean? Dear King, the beautiful tree which represents your kingdom will be chopped down. You will live 7 years in the wilderness like a wild animal. You will be restored once you have recognized that God is the only God. In the other picture you see the tree has been cut down and the angel is telling the King he is banished.
Reminder to all families: Find and begin “Where your Heart Is” devotional.
Hoping to see your first pages adorned on Sunday!
Look for the Weekend Updates and links for Worship and Sunday School email from Pastor!
Zoom for Youth
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. Be on the lookout for more Youth Group events this spring! If you’d like to be added to the Youth Group email list please email Meghan.
February 21, 2021 (First Sunday in Lent, Year B) “All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.” – Psalm 25:10
God’s commandments and Jesus’ teachings are not optional for Christians: they are given for the purpose of our growth in Christ. In turn we share Christ’s love with our neighbors and steward carefully all of God’s good gifts.
Our Grace Family
Dear Members of Grace,
We give thanks for the life and witness of Richard Nagley, who died Sunday February 14, 2021. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to his wife Maryann, his sister-in-law Judy Resch, their family and friends. Funeral plans are pending.
Please keep Maryann’s family in your prayers.
Dear Pastor Verkouw, Grace members, and friends,
I would like to thank you for your cards and comforting words following the death of my dear sister Mildred. They were greatly appreciated.
In peace and love, Betty Texter
gracelutheranchurch.com 