Announcements
ANNUAL BUDGET MEETING
SUNDAY DECEMBER 10 AT 9 AM
IN THE NOLT AUDITORIUM
2024 Budget–Please download the PDF
Budget Notes
The income side of the budget is more like a request – IF we are going to spend this much money, this is what we will have to raise, one way or another, and the rest will come from savings. Since we have no way of knowing just how much we will take in from your pledges and offerings, or earn from our
investments, or receive from bequests, we make an educated guess. Our income numbers are based on our experience over the past few years, which shows a rising level of generosity at Grace. In 2022, our total income from all sources was $965K. In 2023 to date, we have received $805K.
Our Vision—Holy Worship, Wholly Serving
This generosity is a great blessing, allowing us to fund the ministry we envision as a worshipping congregation, caring for a beautiful building, and allowing many of us to learn and grow in an extensive program of Christian music, teaching and learning. It allows us to serve our community and many individuals in important, often vital ways. It allows us to support partnering agencies whose work we value, extending our love of neighbors far and wide around Lancaster, the USA, and the world.
Much of our expense budget remains the same. Here are the most important changes to understand:
- Board of Trustees – The costs of running our facility have risen with inflation. Insurance, gas, electric, repairs, supplies and office costs have all risen and we have adjusted our budget upward by a total of nearly $20K
- Board of Ministries – as our costs have risen, so have those of other organizations around the larger church and our community. We have made small increases in our gifts to the synod and other church-related organizations totalling $3,500.
- Board of Worship – the costs of piano and organ tuning have risen and we have increased of the items that pay for extra instrumentalists at worship – an increase of $2,250
- Staff – the Council recommended a cost-of-living increase of 4% this year to help our staff to keep up with rising costs. The budget for staff health and retirement benefits actually went down this year, related to last year, but only because we over-budgeted in 2022. Total budgeted staff costs are therefore down $12K.
- Special item – Emergency roof replacement of the flat roof over the sacristy is necessary as soon as possible. We are in the process of getting bids and we hope that a bid will come in for less than the $15,000 we have budgeted. We can try to cover this with our general fund offerings or we could transfer funds from our reserves if needed.
Poinsettia Orders
All orders are Due Sunday December 17, 2023
Please only one name per plant
$10 per plant
If you need extra order forms they will be available in the Narthex, you can let Angie know and she will get them to you, or download the form below.
December Worship Assistant Schedule + Birthdays/Anniversaries
Advent Wreath Making Dec. 2
Wreath-makers will meet on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 9:00 am in the nave to make the large hanging Advent wreath. (Note: We have usually done this on Thanksgiving weekend, but Advent begins later this year.) We should complete this by noon or early afternoon.
ANYONE is welcome to join us; no great skill is required. It does involve some bending, stooping, and dexterity. Bring a pair of hand-pruners, if you have them. Seven to eight workers are adequate. Please let me know in advance if you’d like to participate. You may respond via e-mail or call me: 717-203-9061.
We welcome contributions of evergreen cuttings. They should be longer than one foot, and may be left by the outside chapel entrance BY 9 am, Dec. 2. The greater the variety the better.
—Murray Foreman
Advent Fair
Join us for the Advent Fair on Sunday December 3 at 9 a.m. in the Nolt Auditorium!
This year a breakfast of pastries, yogurt, granola, fruit, juice, coffee, and tea will be provided!
Crafts for all ages! Please see the display in the Solarium.
Sign up on the sign up sheet in the solarium, Nolt Auditorium, the narthex, email Angie or call the church office.
Outreach
Good Gifts 2023
Dear members and friends of Grace,
One of our beloved Advent hymns says, “As the moon reflects the sun until the night’s decrease, may we your healing light release…” as Christians, we are bound together in hope of a brighter tomorrow and as hopeful people, we have a sacred call to spread our hope to the world.
As we enter the season of hope, I would like to take a moment of your time to talk about a way in which we at Grace can share
tangible hope with the world. Many congregations in the ELCA, including Grace, make donations around this time of year to ELCA Good Gifts.
For those of you unfamiliar with Good Gifts, it is one of the ELCA’s many global outreach and empowerment programs. Donations to Good Gifts provide those in need with livestock and crops for family farms, various health care services including trauma counseling, latrines, education, and Christian education materials such as children’s Bibles and Sunday School curriculum.
This year the Board of Ministries is encouraging our congregation to purchase as many chicks as possible! How much does a chick cost? Chicks are a bargain at 10 chicks for $10! As we have done in the past, our Sunday School children will be receiving Good Gifts banks to fill with spare change during the Advent Fair. You can also write a check payable to Grace Lutheran Church with Good Gifts in the memo line.
All donations must be received by Sunday, December 31. If you make a donation for chicks and would like a themed card to give to someone please let me know and I will get either a hard copy or an electronic card to you.
If you have any questions about Good Gifts, please contact me at gracechurch517@gmail.com.
Yours in Advent hope,
Angie Rabbe, Assistant Program Director
Grocery Cards
Grocery cards are available at both services on Sunday mornings. You may order cards by calling Duane and Kitty Weiss. Remember all purchases of cards realizes 5% in cash back to Grace. These funds are used to support our many ministries.
Special orders for shopping cards to be used for gifts need to be placed on or before
Sunday, December 3.
Our Grace Family
Our Sympathy
We give thanks for the life of Sharon Marsh, the beloved sister of Grace member Karin Randazzo. Sharon died this weekend in Ohio. Please keep Karin and her family in your prayers.
We give thanks for the life of Delores Byers, long time member of Grace Church. Delores died early Saturday morning after a long decline with Parkinson’s disease at Luther Acres in Lititz. Funeral plans are still pending, but we hold her husband John, her children Michelle, Connie and Michael, granddaughter Nicole and their families in our prayers.
We give thanks for the life Kenneth “Kenny” Hull, the long-time companion of Jeanne Hammer, Kenny died on Friday November 24. He is also the younger brother of Bob Hull who died earlier this year. We hold Jeanne and the whole extended family of Hulls in our prayers.
We give thanks for the life of Col. Ray Garcia. Ray was the father of Grace member Lou Garcia. Ray died last Sunday at the age of 99. Please keep Lou, Cindy, Grant, and the entire Garcia family in your prayers.
We give thanks for the life of Mitch Olson who tragically died in a farming accident on November 15. Mitch was the cousin of Pastor Carl Rabbe. Please keep the Rabbe/Olson/Adamson family in your prayers.
Thank You
Dear Grace Members,
Thank you so much for the beautiful flowers after my recent eye surgery. They are lovely and will make a nice addition to my Thanksgiving Table.
Thanks again, Joanne Kochan
gracelutheranchurch.com 
