Announcements
May Schedule
The May schedule contains the May worship Assistant Schedule and the May birthday/anniversary list.
ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING SUNDAY MAY 19 AT 9 AM
Please join us in the Nolt Auditorium for the annual congregational meeting. Your materials for the annual report must be sent to Angie by the end of the day TOMORROW!!!
Anniversary banner!
Pastor Verkouw, President of ABP
Glenn Weidman, Executive Director of ABP
In-Person Book Group
Join our in-person book group on May 20th at 1:30 p.m. in the Nolt Auditorium for a discussion of The Storied Life of A.J. Fickry by Gabriel Zevin.
A. J. Fikry’s life is not at all what he expected it to be. He lives alone, his bookstore is experiencing the worst sales in its history, and now his prized possession, a rare collection of Poe poems, has been stolen. But when a mysterious package appears at the bookstore, its unexpected arrival gives Fikry the chance to make his life over—and see
everything anew.
All are welcome to join the group to think about this interesting character.
Please contact Arlene Volk if you have any questions.
Swing by the Solarium
As you all know there are many entrances into Grace. One on hand it’s very handy to have that many entrances. On the other hand it’s
challenging for our staff and volunteers–where do we put things so that everyone can access them?
In many ways the solarium has been the answer to that question. You can fill out your name tag, pick up seasonal devotional material, and learn about upcoming events. This is great for everyone who comes in through the solarium…but it’s left our staff asking, what about the folks who come in through a different door?
If you aren’t entering through the solarium doors, please make an effort to stop in the solarium
either before worship or Sunday School start or before you leave. You can take the stairs or the elevator!
P.S If you haven’t filled out a name tag yet…this weekend would be a great time for you to do that!
Outreach
Help Us Set A Welcome Table
The vision of The Table by Artist Freiman Stoltzfus reflects the mission of Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa) and that of our partners at ELCA World Hunger to strive for a just world where all are welcome and fed.
This beautiful framed and signed original (acrylic on canvas) is offered for auction to benefit LAMPa on the occasion of our 45th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of World Hunger. We are grateful to Freiman for his incredible generosity of heart and spirit and for the opportunity to share his talent and vision with the world.
“I did this painting for the 2015 Mennonite World Conference in Harrisburg, PA. I especially thought of my father Gideon, who practiced lifelong, radical hospitality in ways that still surprise and humble me. At our table and inn, guests of all colors and creeds could be found from around the world: the rich and poor, the educated and the self-taught, people of faith and people of doubt. Creating this work reminded me of the best parts of my heritage, and that the practice of hospitality is a lifelong opening of heart, mind, and home.”
This vision echoes our own hope for building tables of hospitality, inclusion, and justice as we serve as church together, for the sake of the world God loves.
The online auction of the framed original (24×36″) artwork will conclude at our Anniversary Gala and Celebration of Advocates on May 9. A limited number of signed fine art prints are also available for purchase.
You can join the auction and order prints here
Recycling Lids Update
Overall we are doing much better with our lid etiquette. Here are a few remaining problems:
- No stickers are allowed on any lid.
- No metal of any kind
- No lids with inner seals made of paper or styrofoam – the styrofoam are usually easy to take out, the paper ones need to be soaked before easy removal
Dirty lids, lids with stickers that aren’t easily removed, and lids with inner seals that are delivered to the church are thrown in the trash. Keep those lids coming in! Thanks so much to Grace member Roberta Myers for picking up the caps and making sure they reach their destination!
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.
Easter Fountain Flowers
Opportunities to share plants and flowers for the fountain are available the following Sundays May 5, 19, and 26, and June 2. Families may buy plants and flowers to decorate the Fountain on the Sunday they choose, delivering them to church on Saturday and following Sunday services, take their plants home. Please contact Angie with questions or to sign up.
Worship Volunteers Needed
We are in need of communion assistants for both Sunday services. Please contact Phil Supcek if you are interested pmsupeck@gmail.com
We are in need of readers for Sunday at 8 am. Please contact Angie Rabbe if you are interested gracechurch517@gmail.com
We are in need of communion care for both Sunday services. Please contact Vicki Mumma if you are interested vickimumma57@gmail.com
Christian Formation
VBS 2024
Make Waves!
What you do today can change the world around you! Begins on Wednesday evening, June 5th!
Every Wednesday for 5 Wednesdays, 5:30-8pm (we skip July 3rd). Family style dinner at 5:30– parents are encouraged to participate with their children.
Let’s make ripples in our faith and in the world, together! Everyone can do their part!
How can you help right now?
· Think of children (ages 3-12) around you and in your life who could participate in our VBS
adventure. Invite them and possibly accompany them! Promotional flyers and registration forms are available in the Solarium, Narthex Welcome Desk, and Nolt Auditorium.
· Parents, it’s time to look at your schedules and commit, please! May this adventure of making waves in our faith and the world be full of joy and community.
· FIT (Families in Transition) is an SDoL program which supports the education of those district students experiencing homelessness. Here is a list of needed materials we will be gathering during June and July to benefit this program:
~Book bags for Middle/High School ages
~Notebooks
~Folders
~Pencils
~Mechanical Pencils
~Markers
~Colored Pencils
~Pens
You may leave any donations on the gathering bureau of the donation station or in the designated tub in the Solarium.
We are so thankful for our congregational support and will be posting more VBS information in the coming weeks. If you have any questions please contact Kathryn Verkouw.
gracelutheranchurch.com 