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.
First Sunday of Christmas
First Sunday of Christmas December 26, 2021
In-person worship at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Please remember to wear your mask.
Please note* There will be no Sunday School on December 26th or January 2nd.
The office will be closed on Monday December 27th.
Announcements
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
Berks Sinfonietta
Berks Sinfonietta in Concert January 9 at 4:00 pm at Grace Lutheran Church Tickets: $15/Adult and $5/Student
Berks Sinfonietta, founded with friends in 2014 by our Director of Music David McConnell, is dedicated to exploring the vast repertoire of all periods.
Berks Sinfonietta, founded with friends in 2014 by our Director of Music David McConnell, is dedicated to exploring the vast repertoire of all periods. One of its distinguishing characteristics is the intergenerational approach, where young professionals, advanced students and gifted amateurs come together to learn from one another and to create performances of unqualified excellence. (Our own Naomi Main often performs with the group!) This performance will be the first time the orchestra has played in Lancaster, and features by Haydn, Mozart, Andree and Wranitzky.
Community Outreach
ELCA Good Gifts
Special thanks to everyone who participated in our God’s Global Barnyard appeal. Your gifts truly have the power to transform lives!
Winter Outerwear
Our annual appeal for hats, gloves, scarves, and socks was a success! We have been able to offer these gifts to several folks who have stopped by the office. The recipients are always incredibly grateful for your generosity. We will also be sharing these gifts with our Community Meal friends in the coming weeks.
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.
Dec. 26, 2021 (1st Sunday after Christmas, Year C)
Colossians 3:12, 14 –As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
We all know that stewardship is about how we live so that we love God thoroughly and our neighbor as ourselves. This remarkable passage gives us a vivid image to help us get there. Wake each day and clothe ourselves in Christian character and love.
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
The best way to keep your Christmas experience green as can be is by completing the life cycle of the tree and disposing of it in the most environmentally friendly way possible. Read more here
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