God’s Work, Our Hands Updates
Neighborhood BBQ Meal October 24th
We are looking forward to welcoming our neighbors for outdoor fun, sharing about Grace’s ministries, and a delicious takeout meal prepared by the Bertrands’ Smokestack BBQ. If you would like to be involved with this outreach to Grace’s neighborhood, there are several ways to help:
Prior to the Event:
- Volunteers are needed to distribute door hanger invitations in the blocks closest to Grace during the week of October 17th. These invitations and street assignments will be available Sunday, October 17th after the 10:30 worship service or by contacting Barbara Andersen (717-898-4805).
- Please let Barbara Andersen know If you would like to help fill backpacks featuring Grace’s logo with small gifts for our neighborhood guests. We will gather in Fellowship Hall on Saturday, October 23rd at 10:00 AM for this project.
- Monetary gifts to help defray the costs for the day will be gratefully received. Thank you again to everyone who has already made contributions to help make this outreach to our neighborhood possible!
October 24th
- People are needed at a welcome table to greet our guests and to hand out information about our congregation.
- Others are needed to help with the distribution of the takeout meals.
(Both stations will be outside, and Covid protocols will be observed.)
You Are Invited to Enjoy a BBQ Meal October 24th!
If you would like to enjoy a delicious Smokestack BBQ takeout meal on the 24th, please make a reservation by calling the church office (717-397-2748), or by emailing Vicki Mumma at vicki.gracelutheranchurch@gmail.com , or by signing up on one of the reservation sheets in the narthex. The meal will include pork BBQ, mac n’ cheese, baked beans, and coleslaw, and the cost is $10 per person. The committee asks, if you are not volunteering that day, that you please pick up your meal by noon. This will help the flow of guests and social distancing. Thank you!
“God’s Work, Our Hands” Appeal Nears $8000!
As of October 7th, contributions to Lutheran Disaster Response during Grace’s special appeal totaled $7755! There is still time for your donation to be counted in our congregational total and put it over the $8000 mark.
If you have not yet had the opportunity to make your gift, please do so now. All contributions received by October 15th will be included in this special drive. Please write Lutheran Disaster Response on the memo line of your check or on your envelope. 100% of all contributions to LDR go directly to those in need. Through LDR Our Hands will be there with our sisters and brothers doing God’s Work both here in the US and around the globe.
While this special appeal will soon end, please remember that you can always give to Lutheran Disaster Response, either by so designating LDR in a gift directed to Grace or by giving directly to LDR as is explained on their website.
Christian Formation
Thanksgiving Eve Service 2021
The Community Thanksgiving Service for 2021
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church 31 South Duke Street ~ Lancaster, Pa. The service will be held on Wednesday, November 24th at 7 p.m. The Rev. Devin Jeffers will be the preacher. Pastor Jeffers is the Pastor at First Reformed United Church of Christ in Lancaster City.
LIRS Prayer Vigil
“At LIRS, we know that so many of us are facing an incredibly difficult time. We are devastated by the fall of Afghanistan’s elected government and our hearts break for our Afghan allies, their families, and all those in grave danger of Taliban retaliation. Chaotic scenes from at the airport in Kabul, stories of fear and danger, and reports of deaths and increasing violence are being broadcast on nearly every news channel. Our hearts are breaking, and we want to take action. With that in mind, we invite you to join us in Sacred Silence.”
Prayer is an important part of life as Christians and as Lutherans. Luther said, “As is the business of tailors to make clothes and cobblers to make shoes, so it is the business of Christians to pray.”*
Grace is partnering with Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service to host a prayer vigil for Afghanistan and Afghan refugees on October 20th. We will have a twelve-hour silent vigil in the nave (7 AM-7 PM) followed by a brief (approximately 30 min) community vigil where we will break the silence, pray aloud, read scripture, and hear a brief reflection from LIRS. Face masks will be required for this event.
Eternal God, hear our prayer for the peoples of Afghanistan. There is a profound humanitarian crisis. Countless people, mostly women and children, are now fleeing and vulnerable. The lives of many are now endangered.
The Most Rev. Michael Bruce Curry Presiding Bishop and Primate The Episcopal Church
The hopes of many are forgone. Send your Spirit, Lord, to rally the resolve of the nations of the earth to find pathways to save human lives, protect human rights, and to resolve the hardships of those seeking refuge, asylum, and safety. Hear our prayer for the peoples of Afghanistan. This we pray as followers of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen.
Please call Vicki in the church office (717-397-2748) to sign up for a time slot during the silent vigil or to let us know that you plan to attend the 7:00 p.m. service. If you have any questions or would like to read at the community vigil please email Angie Rabbe (graceelcaapd@gmail.com)
Community Outreach
Winter Outerware For Community Meal
I know this might seem like a strange time to talk about winter outerwear given the weather that we’ve been having lately, but as we look ahead to colder temperatures (some of us more than others) we need to think about the most vulnerable in our community.
As many of you know Grace has partnered with the community meal in the past to collect winter outerwear and socks for our neighbors. We are doing that again this year! I know we have some folks that like to knit and crochet their items for this gathering – We would love it if you would make some items for our neighbors!
We are looking for hats, scarves, and gloves/mittens. Drop off of items will begin in early November. If you have any questions or need patterns and/or supplies please send me an email at graceelcaapd@gmail.com.
Peace, Angie Rabbe
Oct. 17, 2021 (21st Sunday after Pentecost, Year B) Mark 10:42-44
Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all.
Jesus gives us a reality that’s topsy-turvy from what we know! We achieve greatness by serving others? Why is this so hard? What kind of heart-transformation does it require?
Creation Care
Cap Collection
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 and label free caps to the church office! Thank you for helping to protect our planet!
This Week’s Green Tip
If you have too many leaves to incorporate into the compost bin, you can simply compost the pile of leaves by itself. The leaf pile should be at least four feet in diameter and three feet in height. Include a layer of dirt between each foot of leaves. Read more here
Our Grace Family
Dear Members of Grace,
We give thanks for the life and witness of Marian Weicksel, who died October 1st. Marian is the mother of member Susan Mull. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to her daughter, her family and friends. Please keep Susan in your prayers.
gracelutheranchurch.com 