Announcements
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October 2025 Schedule
Parish Nurse Tidings
Patty will be offering blood pressure screenings beginning Sun. Nov 2.
Time: after Sunday School and before the 2nd service.
Location: In the hallway outside of St. Peter’s Chapel
Please wear loose clothing, blood pressure taken over clothes is not accurate.
In-person Book Group
Monday October 27 at 1:30 p.m. in the Nolt Auditorium. Please join us for our discussion of The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhorn
A compelling, historical fiction about the life of an eighteenth century
midwife named Martha Ballard. The story opens with intrigue as a man was found dead in the Kennebec River in Maine. Since there were very few doctors in the area, midwife Ballard was called to examine the dead man. She concluded that the man had been murdered. Midwife Ballard continued to keep a daily record of each day of her married life. Her ability to read and write was fostered by her husband, who taught her to read and write.
The Frozen River adeptly pulls the reader to follow the trial of a prominent town leader, who was accused of raping and impregnating a local woman. Normally, in those days, a woman had no rights to speak in court, but because Midwife Ballard had served as a medical examiner of the murdered man, she was able to bravely testify the truth in the court. Author Ariel
Lawhon utilizes the subjects of childbirth, midwifery, the joys of a supportive husband, and the challenges of very few available medicines in the eighteenth century. All these events make for a powerful, fast-paced read!
If you have any questions please contact Arlene Volk, Nan Yoder, or Joyce Loiseau.
Communion Assistants
We need your help—we need a few more communion assistants for the 10:30 service . We would love to have at least three more folks sign up on a regular basis. If you have any questions please contact Angie Rabbe or Keith Miller.
Flowers and Candles
A reminder: If you would like to honor/remember your loved one(s) on significant dates, such as birthdays,
anniversaries, or date of passing, please contact: Donna Weidman @ dweidman52@gmail.com or
717-201-6180
A nominal fee of $20 for flowers and/or $5 for candles helps defray the cost of the altar flowers & candles in our budget.
If you receive the paper Grace News please read below…
Thank you to everyone who has responded so far. If you have not yet responded please do so as soon as possible. Any changes with the mailing of the newsletter will happen after the annual meeting.
As we prepare next year’s budget we are looking at an astronomical cost of $4,560 to mail the paper Grace News on a weekly basis. If postage increases which is likely to happen we will easily be over $5,000 in postage alone. We know many of you rely on the paper Grace News, we are not eliminating it, but we would like to run a cost analysis between our current bulk mail rate and what the budget could look like if we only sent the Grace News first class. We would like to keep the news letter to a weekly publication, while being good stewards of what God has given us. Please help us as we make a decision on the future of the paper Grace News. If you absolutely must receive the paper Grace News please call the office at 717-39-2748 and leave a message for Angie. If you are currently receiving the paper Grace News, but would like to switch to receiving it electronically please call of the office or email Angie (gracechurch517@gmail.com). A final decision will be made before the Annual Meeting on 12/7. If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to Angie.
To reiterate, we are not eliminating the paper Grace News, just ascertaining the best way to get the paper Grace News to the folks who need it.
Outreach
Mission Trip
As some of you know I have been participating in Lutheran Disaster Response trips to help with hurricane relief. I have been to Puerto Rico, Florida, and now I’m heading to North Carolina on November 9th along with 41 other volunteers.
We are working in the Asheville area helping folks recover from hurricane Helene which caused major flooding and devastating damage to important infrastructure in many of the residential neighborhoods.
If you would like to support our group, you may do so by purchasing gift cards from Lowe’s and Home Depot to help offset the cost of materials. Gifts cards will also be accepted to help pay for gasoline as volunteers are driving to North Carolina and also to the various job sites during our week long stay.
Donations may be dropped off at the Church office or by the display in the Narthex.
Your support and your prayers for a safe and productive trip are greatly appreciated.
Please don’t hesitate to ask me about the trip when I return.
God’s Work Our Hands!
Your in Christ,
Vicki Mumma
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
Thanks to your purchases of shopping cards $500.00 donations have been made to the following organizations on behalf of Grace: Lutheran Camping Corporation (upkeep/renovation), Hand Up Partners, and Tenfold (TLC King Street renovation).
Christian Formation
Adult Christian Formation —Fall 2025
October 26: Prayer (Last Session) Reformation Sunday
November 2: Compelled by the love of Christ, The Deaconess Community of the ELCA: Sister Dr.
Dottie Almoney, Directing Deaconess of the Deaconess Community of the ELCA
November 9: Finding Your Anchor – an exercise in Resilience Led by Jane Horan, EdD
November 16: Adults: Contemplative Prayer Led by Tom Santosusso
Highschool Youth’s turn to experience “Finding Your Anchor” Led by Jane Horan, EdD
November 23: Advent Fair!!!!!! Fun and crafts for all ages
November 30: Traveling with the Deaconess Community: Sister Dr. Dottie Almoney, Directing
Deaconess of the Deaconess Community of the ELCA
December 7: Congregational Meeting!!!
December 14: Contemplative Prayer Led by Tom Santasusso
December 21: Please support the children by attending their Christmas Play “Wow!”
December 28: TBD
Adult Sunday School—November 9
The Art of Resilience: Finding Your Anchor; join us for a fun reflective session that blends art and guided conversation to explore what keeps you grounded in times of change. Using creative
expression and thoughtful reflection you will uncover your personal resilience anchors and leave with renewed clarity and calm. No artistic experience needed just bring an open mind, an open heart and a dash of curiosity.
gracelutheranchurch.com 