Grace News June 1, 2021

Announcements

Important Information For This Weekend

Official Notice of the Congregational Meeting Sunday June 6, 2021

Based on the large number of vaccinated members, the reduced presence of the virus in the community, and the feedback of many of you attending in person this past Sunday, President Tom Andersen and Pastor Verkouw have agreed that the best way to encourage your attendance will be to offer the meeting in person.

Because of the difficulties of managing a “hybrid” meeting, there will be no ZOOM link—the meeting will now be an in-person meeting, beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the Nave, between services.

Hope to see you there.

Sunday June 6, 2021 Worship

8:00 a.m. ~ In-person worship

9:00 a.m. ~ In-person Congregational Meeting

10:30 a.m. ~ In-person worship
There is no adult Sunday School this weekend

LPL Fundraiser

Dear fellow Downtowners and Avid Readers, I want to personally invite you to a fundraiser sponsored by the Friends of the Lancaster Library on Thursday, June 3, all day at the downtown location of Isaac’s at 25 North Queen Street. It’s a great way to have a delicious meal and thereby support our local library.

Isaac’s will donate 15% on take out, dine in, gift card purchases, and catering during the event. When you order by phone or in person, just mention “Fundraiser for Lancaster Library.” If you order online, use the code Fund on the payment screen.
Enjoy a great meal and support a cause, what a win-win!
Brenda Hayasaka, Grace Book Group

AGO Recital

The Lancaster Chapter of the American Guild of Organists presents

The LANCASTER SUMMER ORGAN RECITAL

Thursday, June 10 | 7 PM

The Lancaster chapter, American Guild of Organists, has chosen Grace Church for the site of their annual members’ summer recital, to take place on Thursday 10 June at 7 p.m. The choice reflects in part the excellence of the organ, obtained in 1967 via a significant bequest from sisters M. Eva and Naomi E. Warfel and dedicated as the Warfel Memorial Organ.

In an unusual moment for Lancastrians, Dr Robert Horton of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church will present an improvisation on a musical theme presented to him “on the spot.” His organ study has included classical organ improvisation, an art practiced in America mostly by jazz musicians.

Other organists on the program: Eileen Laurence, Mark Herr, John Huber, Matthew Weaver, Doug Wimer, Jonathan Humbert, and chapter organ scholarship student Peter Hasse.

Grace Church’s three AGO-member organists will also participate: Murray Foreman, opening the program with the famous Fantasie in E-Flat by Saint-Saëns; Dr. David McConnell, playing a work by British composer George Oldroyd – new to most Lancaster audiences; and Dr. Karl E. Moyer, playing the premier performance of his organ transcription of the E. E. Bagley march “National Emblem” as the “closer.”

Admission is free. An offering will be received to support the chapter scholarship fund to encourage organ study by future church organists. Murray Foreman is the scholarship committee chairman.

Christian Formation

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 5:14-18

Second Sunday after Pentecost, June 6, 2021

And looking at those who sat around him, [Jesus] said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.’ – Mark 3:34-35
When God gives us opportunities to forge new relationships, whether within and outside of our church and family circles, take the time to cultivate and tend them. We can take the cue from Jesus, who was always expanding his circle of friends and family.

Grace Going Green

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!

This Week’s Green Tip

Skip the overnight shipping.

With eight out of 10 Americans shopping online, companies and consumers can both make better choices to reduce the impact on the earth. You don’t have to stop shopping online.

In fact, shopping online generally has a smaller carbon footprint than driving to the store. But before you select the fastest delivery option, consider whether you need that laundry detergent or new sweater in two days. Also, avoid the temptation to try on clothes and return them online. These small changes stack up, resulting in fewer trucks on the road and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Read more here

Our Grace Family

May 25, 2021

Dear Grace Friends,

This won’t be a full newsletter, but we wanted to let you know that we arrived safely! Thank you all for your prayers. The flights were relatively uneventful, and all our bags arrived and got through customs without any problems.

We’re slowly settling in. We’ve been able to do some of the basics, like getting out money, buying food (our favorite rice and sauce place is still open, and the kids still love it!), and getting our phones working. We’ve been able to greet several friends, which has helped make it feel like home.

A few things we’d love prayer for:

· Pray for wisdom and discernment in building rhythms, renewing friendships, and jumping back in to projects.

· Pray that we’d adjust to the heat (102 yesterday, though the rain brought it down to 94).

· For Lucie and William, it’s been a little disconcerting to be greeted by so many people they don’t remember. They’ve been adjusting really well overall, but pray that they’d get to know the people, greetings, and language here.

· Pray for good health. Will’s already been sick, thankfully just for one morning, but it reminded us of how often we were sick in our first term.

Thanks again for all your prayers! We really appreciate them.

Joseph, Erin, Lucie, and William Longenecker

Support

Joseph and Erin: www.simusa.org/give (direct link) or search for missionary ID 043533

Famine relief fund: www.simusa.org/give (direct link) or search for project ID 093255

By check: Payable to SIM USA with the relevant ID number in the memo line.

Mail to SIM USA at the address in the footer.

Stay in touch

Permanent address: 924 Lemiwai Street,

Wahiawa, HI 96786

Email: joseph.longenecker@sim.org