Announcements
Saturday In-Person Worship This Saturday (5/25)
6 pm in the St. Peter Chapel
Class of 2024
If you know of any Grace Church graduates please get their information, including a picture to Angie by May 30th, 2024
Save the Date
Join us on Sunday June 9 for a celebration of our Capital Campaign Pledges. Refreshments will be served in the solarium following both services.
Join us on Sunday June 9 for the Rite of Confirmation at the 10:30 service. Our confirmands will be presenting their projects during the Sunday School hour in the Nolt Auditorium.
AGO Concert
Dr. Karl Moyer, former organist/director of music at Grace and an active choir member here, will be the “closer” for the annual June recital by members of the Lancaster chapter, American Guild of Organists on Thursday evening 13 June at Trinity Lutheran Church, 31 South Duke Street, Lancaster. Park either at the parking garage directly across Duke Street from the church or at the city parking garage in the 100 block of East King Street, just around the corner of King and Duke Streets.
Dr. Moyer will observe his 87th birthday by performing the Prelude and Fugue in G minor by Marcel Dupré, one of the most challenging organ pieces he’s ever played.
Grace Book Group–Books, Coffee, & Conversation
The Books, Coffee, and Conversation group met last week and discussed the first book in a series!
We read some wonderful books and definitely added to our TBR lists. See the image below for a list of what we read.
In June we are reading books by authors who share our initials. In July we are reading books that are set in places where we want to vacation (can also be some where you’ve already traveled and want to return to). Our group meets on Zoom the second Tuesday of the month. If you are interested in joining please contact Brenda Hayasaka. If you need help finding a book reach out to Brenda, Angie, your local library or you local book store.
Christian Formation
These four are attendance stars in the 3rd-5th grade class, with 24 or more weeks attendance!
Left to right: Andrew & Emily Ferguson, Lochlan & Lennox Mumma
Outreach
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.
Grocery cards will NOT be available on Sunday June 9
Our Grace Family
The Part-Time Seminarian
May 19, 2024
Pentecost Sunday
As many of you know, in January 2024, I received a positive entrance decision from the Lower Susquehanna Synod Candidacy Committee. This decision allowed me to begin fulfilling the requirements of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Theological Education for Emerging Ministries (TEEM) program.
The TEEM program places lay leaders in congregations that otherwise would not have dedicated leadership. TEEM participants complete coursework at an ELCA seminary while working with synod leaders and mentors to complete candidacy requirements, receiving ordination, not a degree. This program was originally designed to take three years to complete but has become more flexible by accommodating life experiences of those within the program.
Dr. Moses Paul Peter Penumaka, director of TEEM at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Berkely, California shared, “TEEM is doing theology in a fine balance of action and reflection, study, and ministry at the same time… TEEM is not only transforming the face of the ELCA but the heart and mind of the Lutheran church. When TEEM candidates go to seminary, the whole congregation goes to seminary. TEEM is a practical way of making congregations vital, vibrant, and viable.”
I have been assigned a relater from the Lower Susquehanna Synod to help guide me through the candidacy process. As part of this journey, I continue to meet with pastors within the ELCA and from other denominations to understand and expand my knowledge of ministry throughout the greater church.
I chose to complete seminary coursework at United Lutheran Seminary – Gettysburg Campus. My first week of classes will be held June 16 to 22, 2024. Preaching, New Testament Foundations, and Christian Education will be the topics of study. I remain a full-time employee of Sodexo, a contract hospitality management company serving clients in the healthcare, senior, education, and human resources segments. In recent weeks I have been working with synod leaders to finalize congregation placement with hopes of moving into full-time ministry by the end of the summer season.
As Grace Lutheran Church celebrates its 150 Year Legacy of Giving, I want to express my deepest appreciation to our congregation and Pastor Stephen Verkouw who continue to offer their support through encouraging conversations, thoughtful notes, prayer, and gifts to our Seminarian Fund. I am blessed to serve and worship with a congregation, who through the water of baptism and the power of the Holy Spirt are “All In” giving to the goodness of God!
Love, grace, mercy, and peace be with you!
Philip J. Supeck
Part-Time Seminarian
Our Sympathy
We give thanks for the life and witness of Dorothy Swank. Dorothy was the step-mother of Grace member Cindy Garcia. Please keep the Garcia and Swank families in your prayers.
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