Budget Meeting This Sunday
Annual Budget Meeting Sunday December 12 at 9:00 in the Nolt Auditorium
Included in this “Grace News” is a copy of the budget for 2022, recommended by our Finance/Stewardship Committee and our Congregation Council. The main expense changes are found in the Property and Staff areas. Property increases are due to rising costs for electricity and natural gas. Our staff, who received a minimal cost of living increase for 2020 and none for 2021 has been offered a 4% increase this year, and the cost of health and pension benefits is tied to those increases through the cost sharing formulas of the larger church.
Thanks to all who have already pledged your support of our ministries for 2022! Bring your copy of the budget and your questions to the meeting; Pastor V, Don Main (Chair of Committee) and Treasurer Jane Sheckard will be there to answer them.
One other financial highlight for now: Our mortgage debt remaining is $1.065M – thank you for your generous contributions to the Capital Campaign over this past year!
Announcements
Winter Solstice Walk
Join Pastor Verkouw at Lancaster County Park (881 Rockford Rd) for a winter solstice walk on Sunday December 19, 1-2pm. We will take some time to explore nature using the time to reflect on our own spiritual journeys as the year draws to a close. Ryan Davis from the Alliance will also talk about winter tree identification.
We will meet at the Historic Rockford parking lot. Dress warmly and bring a warm beverage of choice. Register here
Advent Fair 2021
Christmas At Grace
Play Practice
Play Practice – Saturday December 18th
10:00 a.m. in Nolt Auditorium
Decorating the Church
Decorating the Church for Christmas! Fun for the entire family! Join us on Sunday, December 19 following the late
Service for a lite lunch and to decorate the Nave and Narthex. There will be trees to decorate, swags to hang, window sills to festoon! All are welcome!
Please call the church office to RSVP 717-397-2748
Poinsettia Orders
Poinsettia orders are due
Tuesday, Dec. 21st
Plants are $10.00 each.
Musicians Needed for Christmas Eve
We again invite young musicians to play in the prelude music for the 7:00 pm Christmas Eve service. Ask your “young musician” NOW about doing this so there is time to prepare a piece. We prefer pieces based on familiar carol tunes. This is a great way for children to “give back” and give glory to God. Please call David or Vicki in the office: 397-2748.
Christmas Eve Services
Friday, December 24 – 4:00 p.m. Prayerful Eucharist Our increasingly popular early service. All the Christmas basics – Scripture, Carols & Pastor’s Christmas Sermon – with some musical gems as well.
Friday, December 24 – 7:00 p.m. Holy Communion Family Service
Music and drama with the children bringing the Christmas message.
Friday, December 24 – 10:00 p.m. Holy Communion Festival Worship – Prelude begins at 9:30 pm
One of Lancaster’s finest volunteer choirs leads our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving for the Incarnation of our Lord. A musical feast in the great tradition of Christmas praise from ancient to modern works by the Grace Choir, Gloria Bell Choir, Chamber Orchestra, and Brass Quintet. The service concludes with choir and congregation singing Handel’s “Hallelujah” chorus.
Dec. 12, 2021 (3rd Sunday of Advent, Year C)
Philippians 4:4 –Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, Rejoice.
Joy is the theme for the third Sunday of Advent. Philippians reminds us to rejoice – to find the joy – in God. Always! Though we live in a world that has many troubles, we can always find joy, in God’s love. Joy is a way of life for steward/disciples.
Creation Care
This Week’s Green Tip
So many people, at least in our part of the world, have what they need in terms of material goods. But gifts from the kitchen are always appreciated. Homemade is heartfelt. Your time and energy, and culinary creativity, are just as valued as that store-bought gift which they may not really even need.
The gift of food is personal, easy on the environment, and not likely to go to waste. Read more here
Cap Collection Continues
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!
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