Announcements
Grace’s 150th Anniversary
On April 22, long ago in 1874, members of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church downtown signed the charter for a new congregation up here on the north side of town. We are making plans to celebrate this significant anniversary in a number of ways in the upcoming month of April. For now, a quick overview – save these dates!
April 7 (Sunday after Easter) at 4 pm — “Bach Vespers at Grace Church” – the beautiful service of Evening Prayer with one of Bach’s great choral cantatas, No. 4, based on a classic Lutheran Easter Hymn, with orchestra and the Grace Choir.
April 21 at 4pm – Organ Concert by Dr. Daniel Aune of Christ Lutheran Church, Inner Harbor,
Baltimore. A varied concert of great organ music by a fabulous organist to celebrate our 150 legacy of music!
April 21 (Fourth Sunday of Easter) Festive Celebrations at our Sunday worship, giving thanks for 150 of |worship and serving. We will also kick off the next phase of our Capital Campaign to retire the renovation debt and enjoy a “Anniversary Homecoming” with delicious food and refreshments after.
Other events still being finalized:
· A fascinating program on the architecture of our historic Grace Church building, designed by
Lancaster’s famous C. Emlen Urban, given by Gregg Scott, our local caretaker of Urban’s life and impact on Lancaster City and surroundings.
· A book on the history of Grace Church, by Dr. Karl E. Moyer is in the editing process and will be published in this anniversary year.
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.
Books, Coffee, & Conversation
Grace’s Books, Coffee, & Conversation small group meets next Tuesday (3/12) at 7 p.m. on Zoom. Please read a book by an Irish author, an Irish American author, a book set in Ireland, or a book about Irish Americans. If you would like to join our group please contact Brenda Hayasaka at bkhayasaka@gmail.com or Angie Rabbe at gracechurch517@gmail.com.
In-Person Book Group
Grace’s in person book group will meet on March 25 at 1:30 pm in the Nolt Auditorium. They are
discussing Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult & Jennifer Finney Boylan. If you have questions about this group please contact Joyce Loiseau, Nan Yoder, Jean Young, or Arlene Volk.
Daylight Savings Time
We spring forward an hour this Sunday! Make sure you change your clocks and set your alarms before going to bed on Saturday!
Easter Flowers
Easter flowers orders must be in the in the office by 4 PM on March 21. You can download the form below or pick one up at church
Christian Formation
Communion Class for Younger Worshippers – March 9
On Saturday morning, March 9th, Sunday School Teacher Patti Hartman and Pastor Verkouw invite all younger
worshippers who have not yet had a chance to take a Communion class to join them from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. in the
St. Peter Chapel.
This is the first time we have offered this teaching time since
before the pandemic, so we hope to help a number of our families with kids
increase their understanding and appreciation for the sacrament of Holy Communion.
As you may know, Grace Church does not enforce an official “minimum age” to receive Holy Communion. In keeping with ancient Christian practice and a consensus of Lutheran teaching today, at Grace we say that, “all baptized Christians are welcome at the Lord’s Table.” Some of our families have children who have been receiving communion from a very young age, while other families choose to wait until confirmation time, and still others find their way to communion somewhere in between.
As I like to say, it is much easier to explain to a younger person what communion is all about in language that they CAN understand, than it is to explain to them why they CAN’T have communion until they are much older!
So we look forward to spending time with your child (and at least one parent, please) to learn some Holy Communion basics, including:
· Manners (what do we say and do?)
· Vocabulary (the church has special names for everything!)
· At least three Bible stories (Passover, Last Supper, and Early Church)
· The idea of a Sacrament (God’s Promise in “Body Language” and “Stuff”)
· Connection to other tables and meals (Home, Special Meals, Heavenly Banquet)
I know, it sounds like a seminary course, right?? Well, the word seminary comes from the words for planting seeds, which is what we hope to do with our kids – plant the seeds of faith at this special time of life, with fun and age-appropriate teaching and hands on practice!
This time together is prepared especially for kids currently in grades 2 thru 6. If your child is older and wants to attend that’s great, or younger, feel free to try it and see, as long as a parent can stay. To RSVP or with questions, please call or text Pastor Steve at 717-419-7829.
gracelutheranchurch.com 