Grace News December 2, 2025

Announcements

OFFICIAL NOTICE

Congregational Meeting 12/7 at 9 am in the Nolt Auditorium

Budget Notes

Dear Grace Folks,

This Wednesday our Congregation Council approved some small corrections and voted to recommend the budget for our spending plan for ministry in 2026 that they received from the Stewardship/Finance Team. Thanks to these groups of leaders and to our staff for their work on the budget, and our thanks to all the committees and teams and volunteers who do the work of ministry that this budget reflects!

Two summarized versions of the budget are included in this newsletter, and we will vote to adopt a budget at our Congregational Budget Meeting this coming Sunday at 9:00 a.m. in the Nolt Auditorium. There will be plenty of time for your questions and to dig deeper – it’s always a fun discussion because it reflects the privilege of our individual stewardship and generosity coming together to support our work and growth together at Grace as followers of Jesus!

Our son Clay tells me that in the US Marines, they often use the acronym BLUF. So here is Budget BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front):

• There is a 6% total increase in spending (@ $37K)
• $20K of that is accounted for by increases in the staff budget, reflecting a 3% COLA , a new staff member (assistant sexton), and some benefits increases, primarily health insurance costs
• $10K of that is our increased budget for outreach both here at Grace, and through Grace to partner organizations
• $7K of that is our increased Property and Admin costs and the rest is small spot increases
• We did not fiddle too much with the income of the budget – income is always a guess. If we simply base our guess on this year’s experience, we might expect total offerings not to change that much. But our leaders are confident that, as the congregation understands the needs and ministries that these budget increases support, they will be motivated to be generous once again.

Let me say that I am again and again amazed at the congregation’s commitment to supporting our ministry budget and our capital campaign over the past 8 years! Thank you for taking up your part in that generosity as you are able, as leaders and members and friends of Grace Church!

God’s peace to you all, and hope to see you on Sunday!

Pastor V

CLICK HERE FOR THE CHURCH CALENDAR

December 2025 Schedule–Worship Volunteers,Birthdays, & Anniversaries

POINSETTIA ORDER FORMS

Forms are also available at the visitor’s desk in the Narthex.

Cost this year is $12 per plant

Hershey Handbell Ensemble Concert

The Hershey Handbell Ensemble will present a holiday concert on Sunday, December 14, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Lancaster, 517 North Queen Street, Lancaster, PA.

Formed in 2004, the fifteen member ensemble is based in south-central Pennsylvania and performs under the direction of Dr. Shawn Gingerich.  It was established to fulfill the need for an auditioned community ensemble comprised of persons able to play advanced literature and interested in advancing the art of handbell ringing through education and performance, while uniting people through the musical arts. Ringers representing seven south-central PA counties, perform on seven and a half octaves of Malmark Handbells, four octaves of Petit and Fritsen Handbells, Silver Melody Bells, and Handchimes, and other assorted instruments. In 2015, the ensemble performed at the White House.

The Ensemble will have their selection of popular CD recordings available for purchase at the concerts. For more information, please visit http://www.hersheyhandbellensemble.org or call
717-298-7071.
 

Flowers and Candles

Thank You Advent Wreath Makers

Christmas Eve at Grace

4:00 p.m. – Prayerful Eucharist
Our increasingly popular early service. All the Christmas basics –  Scripture, Carols & Pastor’s Christmas Sermon – with some musical gems as well.

7:00 p.m. – Holy Communion Family Service
Music and drama with the children bringing the Christmas message.

10:00 p.m. – Holy Communion Festival Worship
(Prelude begins at 9:30 pm)
One of Lancaster’s finest volunteer choirs leads our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving for the incarnation of our Lord.  A musical feast in the great tradition of Christmas praise from ancient to modern works by the Grace Choir, Gloria Bell Choir, Chamber Orchestra, and Brass Quintet. 

Outreach

WE NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS!

Would you like to give a present to one of the children who lives in our L-Hands homes?  There is a tree in our solarium with mittens and needed information for a gift. Take a mitten, replace the mitten with a provided ornament, shop for the child, wrap the gift in a gift bag or wrapping paper and place the gift under the tree.

If you have any questions, call Barb at 717-831-0733 or Joyce at 717-575-7013.
 

Grocery Cards

Over $30,000.00 has been earned since 2010 by your purchase of shopping/gift cards. These funds, as planned, have supplemented the budgeted benevolences of Grace Lutheran. Grace’s unbudgeted outreach endeavors, Lutheran related organizations and Lancaster nonprofit groups have received funds to support and expand their work. The time has come for us to retire from this project. We have found the work satisfying and thank all for your verbal and financial support. December 14 will be the last day cards will be available. Certain denominations of cards may not be available as the inventory is depleted in the last three weeks. If anyone is interested in adopting this project we would be happy to talk with you.

Christian Formation

Adult Christian Formation —Fall 2025

December 14:  Contemplative Prayer  Led by Tom Santasusso
December 21:  Please support the children by attending their Christmas Play “Wow!”
December 28:  TBD

December 14

12/14: Lectio Divina—Scripture based contemplation
           The Examen—Find God in daily life

All are invited. You need only to bring yourself and an interest in becoming closer to God through these ancient ways of praying.

Advent Materials Are Available

Christmas Play Practice

Our Grace Family