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
A Message From Our Financial Secretary
Do you need to catch up on your pledge? Want to make an end-of-year donation? The Financial Secretary is asking that all end-of-year donations be in the office by Sunday, Dec. 26 in order to be credited for 2021. Donations received after Sunday, Dec. 26 will be credited in 2022. Thank you, Rosalyn Ward & Jean Young
Outreach
ELCA Good Gifts
- Good Gifts make great gifts for that person that’s hard to buy for.
- Good Gifts make great gifts for that person that says they don’t need anything this year.
- Good Gifts make great gifts for everyone.
Once you decide to purchase Good Gifts, please write a check payable to Grace Lutheran Church with Good Gifts in the memo line. You can find the prices for these great Good Gifts on the Good Gifts tree located in the narthex.
Tornado Relief
“By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:78-79).
Your gifts to “U.S. Tornadoes” will be used in full (100%) to help those impacted by the tornadoes until the response is complete. Donate here
The season of Advent is a time of hope as we prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth. Right now, we have an opportunity to share hope with our neighbors in their time of greatest need. Please join us in prayer and consider giving if you are able. You may give directly at the web address above or by sending a check to Grace—memo tornado relief.
Christmas Eve At Grace
Christmas Play
You are invited to our Christmas musical “The Jesse Tree” performed by our Grace youth and special guests. We have two performances: December 19th at 9:30 am during the Sunday school hour and Christmas Eve at the 7 pm worship. Everyone is invited – friends, family, neighbors. Hope you can come and support our efforts.
In joy, the Sunday School Team
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. 19, 2021 (4thSunday of Advent, Year C)
Micah 5:4–And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth; and he shall be the one of peace.
Peace is the theme for the fourth Sunday of Advent. We remember that Jesus is, as Micah says, “the one of peace,” the shepherd who cares for us, his flock. Steward/disciples draw near to Jesus and find peace in him.
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/label free caps to the church office! Thank you for helping to protect our planet!
This Week’s Green Tip
Potted plants also make great gifts, or give bulbs or starter plants of your favorite garden crops – one year we gave spare asparagus crowns for starting your own perennial bed! Read more here
gracelutheranchurch.com 