Official Notice: Budget Meeting—December 12 at 9:00 a.m.
Announcements
Thanksgiving Bells
The fifteen-bell chime in the tower of Grace Church will ring out the gratitude of a grateful nation at noon time on Thanksgiving Day, played by Dr. Karl E. Moyer, one of our regular chimers.
The first musical offering will be a “rondo-form” grouping of four Thanksgiving hymns, with one stanza of “Now Thank We All Our God” between each of the other hymns: “For the Beauty Of the Earth,” “We Plough the Fields and Scatter,” and “Oh Beautiful for Spacious Skies.”
Then will follow an elaborate hymn, known to many in Lancaster County as “606” from its hymn number in the prior Mennonite hymnal: “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow.” Almost like a choir anthem, it becomes a physical tour-de-force to push two leavers down at the same time and which causes the hammers to strike two bells simultaneously and thus create harmonies as well as the melody.
The music will last about ten minutes. If you are “out and about late that morning, stop by near Grace Church, park your car, and take in the day’s special music.
Thanksgiving Eve Service
The Community Thanksgiving Service for 2021 at 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.
Clean Up Day
Annual Fall Clean Up Day was Saturday November 13 at 8:00 a.m. Special thanks to those who came out to help! Denny M., Dale D., Bruce L., Jim P., John B., Molly R., Joe L., Glenn W., Brenda H., Pastor & Kath, Dave E., and our youngest participant Vera!
Advent At Grace
Advent Fair
The Grace Advent Fair is Back! Sunday, December 5th in Nolt Auditorium following the 10:30 service! Lunch will be served first, at noon in Fellowship Hall. Sandwiches and beverages will be provided. If your last name starts with A-N, please bring a salad. If your last name begins with O-Z, please bring a dessert. Sign-up sheets are in the Narthex. Invite a friend or neighbor to this special time of preparation for Christmas, including crafts for kids and adults, cookie decorating, and a meal. All are Welcome! Don’t Miss It!
“Painting With a Twist” This two-hour project will be the main activity for older kids and adults. Join Grace member Melissa Carroll for an afternoon of painting fun! The cost is just $20.00 per person; includes instruction, a canvas, and all the supplies needed to create your own Christmas painting. Great gift idea!
Advent Devotionals
This year for Advent we are inviting our adult parishioners to use the ELCA World Hunger Advent devotional. This devotional has four units with writings based on lectionary readings and World Hunger initiatives. We also have Advent calendars from World Hunger that pair nicely with the World Hunger Advent devotional. For our kiddos, we have a build your own Advent wreath. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram for daily Advent ponderings. You can pick your materials up in the Narthex beginning this Sunday. If you have any questions please reach out to Angie Rabbe (graceelcaapd@gmail.com).
It’s Advent Wreath-Making Time
If you can provide cuttings (10 to 12 inches or longer) of evergreens, hollies, etc. for our large nave Advent wreath, please sit them by the “chapel door” entrance by Friday, Nov. 26.
We will make the wreath on Saturday, Nov. 27, at 9:00 am., working in the nave. Enter via the new entrance.
Please let Murray Foreman know you can help (717-847-7556). New wreath-makers – especially younger – are welcome. Anyone can do a part of this easy, fun process.
Outreach
Winter Outerwear For Community Meal
As many of you know Grace has partnered with the community meal and the Parish Resource Center in the past to collect winter outerwear and socks for our neighbors. We are doing that again this year. We are collecting hats, gloves, scarves, and socks. Items can be dropped off between now and Sunday, November 21. Please drop your items off at our new donation dropoff center located near the elevator in the Nolt Auditorium. If you are knitting or crocheting your items please make sure that they are warm. If you need patterns or yarn please reach out to me (graceelcaapd@gmail.com). Thank you to everyone who has dropped items off. Peace, Angie Rabbe
LWR Kit Shipping Fund
Thank you so much for your generous gifts of $1,545 for the Lutheran World Relief Shipping Fund used to transport kits and quilts overseas. We sent 123 Personal Care kits and 33 School kits. LWR spends around $3.3 million to operate this program, distributing about $13 million worth of quilts and kits each year to refugees and victims of war. With your help this is made possible. Thank you again to all who donated. At the Quilt Plaza we have many bricks engraved with members’ names who were involved with this ministry over the years. Each brick represents $500 to the shipping fund. This year we will add three bricks designated “Members of Grace.”. The Plaza is located at LWR headquarters in Baltimore, near the Inner Harbor. If you are ever in Baltimore, stop by and visit. – Barbara Slotter
LIRS Hope For The Holidays
This is the sixth year for Hope For the Holidays and this year Grace has joined the welcome party! Our Sunday School kids are sending messages of love, welcome, and holiday cheer to families in migrant detention centers across the United States and shelters along the border. If you would like to participate cards must be dropped off in the church office before lunch on Wednesday (11/17.) Thanks to everyone who participated in the wonderful outpouring of love. Angie Rabbe
Creation Care
Cap Collection
We are still collecting caps! Thank you for helping to protect our planet!
This Week’s Green Tip
Whether it’s dehydrated greens or canned applesauce and pickles, there are lots of options for enjoying the current season’s bounty in the depths of winter. Getting a little burst of summer in the form of a dried plum, homemade jam, or frozen berries is a favorite way of coping with frigid winters. Late summer-early fall is a great time to get preserving. Read more here
Our Grace Family
Dear Members of Grace,
I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Pastor Verkouw and all the members of Grace for their love and support during Dave’s illness and passing.
Your cards, calls and most importantly your prayers were greatly appreciated.
In the Love of Christ, Margie Schober
On Sunday November 21, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. The Rev. Mark Kopp will be installed as pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Millersville. Grace members are invited to join in this joyous celebration.
gracelutheranchurch.com 