Grace Book Group
Our next Grace Book Group meeting is March 9 at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom. We are trying a new format for March…read any Agatha Christie book! We will discuss our book of choice at the meeting!
Additionally, we are continuing our Books, Coffee, Conversation format- bring a book (and a short summary) that you recently read, and share why or why not you would recommend it. Click here for our recent recommendations.
If you would like to join our group please contact Barb Andersen at twandersen@comcast.net
February 28, 2021 (Second Sunday in Lent, Year B) “For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.” – Mark 8:35
Jesus is pretty clear that we are not to spend our time on earth amassing stuff and seeking to extend our lives and capital, but rather to give ourselves away in grateful response to the Gospel. Saving ones life is about loving and giving instead of fortifying one’s own status and economic condition.
An Interview with Nikki Waldron, director of Grace CAP
Community Action Partnership Thrive to Five
Providing quality childcare during the pandemic.
Kath: Hello busy friend. I thought it would be nice to ask you a few questions to update the congregation a bit on the childcare program.
Nikki: I could talk about my center for hours, so ask away!
K: How many children are you currently serving at the Grace center?
N: 25 children in house and 34 remotely.
K: How do remote services work? Are they parent guided?
N: Our preschool classrooms are children ages 3-5. Many families have at least one parent at home with them at this time. Teachers do daily Zoom meetings that are fun with music, reading and concept development. They also send out weekly “homework” for families to do. We have provided all of our remote families with a home learning kit that has basic art supplies. In addition, items like dry erase boards and jump ropes so they can participate in the Zooms and other activities at home.
K: Great, and you continue to offer in-house programming as well, correct?
N: We currently have one infant room with 7 babies. There is one opening available. Our toddler room is full with 8 toddlers. We have a preschool room for working families (we call it a “wrap room” which means that room is open the entire day and not just a chunk of the day like our other preschool rooms). They currently have 10 children but have the capacity to serve 15. We are actually having trouble filling these spots because of COVID. Our preschool rooms for working families were always in high demand pre-pandemic, but now it seems more families are staying home or finding alternate care.
K: Any interesting developments over the past few months?
N: In December the decision was made to offer remote learning to 34 students to mitigate risk from the predicted serge of COVID. Those efforts were highly effective. We have only had a handful of positive cases to date and they were all secluded, so our health and safety procedures are working. We plan to bring those 34 children back to live services next month in alignment with our scale up plan.
K: Are there any materials or needs our church could help with?
N: Our family service workers are creating a list to share with folks who are interested in helping. CAP has many resources but there are areas where needs are not being met.
K: Thank you for updating our congregation on your efforts to continue to provide quality care at the Grace Center. I look forward to our next conversation. We are thankful for all that you do for our neighborhood children!
Christian Formation
Wednesday Vespers
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. 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.
Join us at 7:00 p.m. on our YouTube channel
Walking Prayer
Join us at F&M Williamson field to walk and talk!
We are discussing the questions from the devotional “Where Your Heart Is”. This past Sunday 9 adults and 4 children (one in a stroller) enjoyed outside time, people time, sharing time and faith time – what could be better? We meet in the area between the track and the gym building on Sundays at 1 pm. No homework necessary, just good old fashioned discussion and exercise. Come join us! Kath Verkouw
Listening for God
Join Pastor Steve and members of Grace for Sunday School at 9:00 a.m. for Listening for God 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 1:35-51
Click here for more information on lectio divina
Updates- Zoom for Kids and Youth
Join us at 9:30 am for our zoom for kids 1-6th grades.
MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN.
Well we saw the writing on the wall…at least we learned where that expression came from, Daniel 5. Do you know what the above words written on the wall meant for King Belshazzar? It wasn’t good. Next we made our own images appear by making rubbings of cool things around our homes and played a word game. We are trying to find our Lenten devotionals and lead our families through it but the mail system is not cooperating. We will get there. A blessed Lent to you all.
Look for the Weekend Updates and links for Worship and Sunday School email from Pastor!
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.
Our Grace Family
Dear Members of Grace,
We give thanks for the life and witness of Edward Kelley, who died Wednesday February 17, 2021. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to Donna and Julia Geist, Matthew Lisse, and their family and friends. The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday February 25th at Grace Church. Please keep Eddie’s family in your prayers.
gracelutheranchurch.com 