Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church 33 S. 11th Street, Reading, PA 19602 God s Responsive people Acting out our faith by Committing ourselves to reach out to Each and Everyone in God s vast creation. *********** EPISTLE OF GRACE *********** December 2016 Join Us Each Sunday in Advent As We Prepare for the Coming of Our Lord 9:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship On December 18, we will have breakfast at 8:45 a.m. in place of Sunday school Christmas Eve Worship Saturday, December 24 7:00 p.m. Candlelight Worship with Holy Communion Christmas Day Worship Sunday, December 25 1 10:30 a.m. Worship
Pastoral Reflection December 2016 How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given. So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven. No ear may hear his coming; but in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in. -O Little Town of Bethlehem, verse 3 The Dear Christ Enters In is the title of the little devotional book that everyone was encouraged to take home from our recent Advent Workshop. (If you didn t get one, see me!) As we experience the holiness of this Advent season, these words have been running through my head and making space in my heart. This is a season of hospitality one of the spiritual gifts of this congregation. A season of baked goods making houses smell inviting a season of gifts chosen and wrapped beautifully for those we love a season of meals shared with those who make a difference in our lives. As we prepare to welcome others over the holidays, may we also prepare to welcome Christ. May we welcome him into our hearts and minds, into our daily lives, into our deepest thoughts and prayers and concerns. May we make a little space for Jesus in the midst of this busy season. We can be sure that whenever we open the door for our Lord, he is there, with arms full of beautiful gifts for us. Not just a bottle of wine or fresh-baked goodies, but the gifts that last, the ones that matter: forgiveness, love, hope that does not die. And this season, if you are feeling left out of all the hospitality, know that Jesus always welcomes us. Jesus always makes room for us, especially when we are struggling or lonely. If the spirit of Christmas seems to have missed you this year, know that the Spirit of Christ is with you, whether you can feel it or not. 2
We are all welcome at Christ s table. May we welcome the experience of communion with God this holy time of year. Peace be with you, Pastor Marsha Decorating for Advent and Christmas Saturday, December 3, 8:30 a.m. Join us for an enjoyable morning of decorating the sanctuary for the holiday season. We put on Christmas music, spruce up the church, and have a great time. Many hands make light work. Hope to see you there! Church Talk Saturday, December 10 10:00am - 12:00 noon Coffee and Donuts New topic: Judaism We continue our exploration of diversity in our Church Talk adult education series. After learning about Lutheranism, Islam, and LGBTQ issues, we will now take a look at Judaism. We have a lot in common with our Jewish neighbors, but there are also many interesting differences to explore. Come, discuss, learn, and laugh. It's always interesting! 3
Christmas Day and New Year's Day Worship St. John's and Grace worship together! Christmas Day Worship Location: GRACE December 25, 10:30 a.m. Service of Lessons & Carols We will have Christmas goodies and sparkling cider after worship. Please bring a few Christmas cookies or baked goods to share. New Year's Day Worship Location: ST. JOHN'S January 1, 11:00 a.m. Worship with the strong possibility of a Children's Christmas Play. We may share a pork and sauerkraut lunch with St. John's members and food bank patrons after worship. Stay tuned to upcoming announcements for details. It Is Time to Bring Your Angel Tree Gift to Church! Salvation Army Angel Tree gifts are due by Sunday, December 4. Please do NOT wrap your gift, but placing it in a gift bag would be most appreciated. The tag should be securely attached to the gift bag. 4
November 2016 Highlights OCTOBER: INCOME $13,795.85 EXPENSES $14,460.35 GENERAL FUND: Balance October 31, 2016 was $13,735.85 BUILDING FUND: Balance October 31, 2016 was $ 2,495.95 MEMORIAL FUND: Balance October 31, 2016 was $ 3,713.88 Property: Possibility of Leasing Space Action Chapel Pennsylvania is interested in leasing space in our building for worship and other church activities. Council discussed the feasibility, pros and cons, of sharing the building with another congregation. Worship: The congregation will participate in the Congregational Vitality Project. Surveys will be submitted to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Holiday Marketplace: Held October 29, 2016 and made a profit of $1,509. Apple Dumpling Gang: Soup Sales will be held in January 2017. Planning to sell Easter Candy starting in February 2017 with pickup date, Palm Sunday, April 9, 2017. Annual Meeting Date Change Typically, our Annual Meeting is scheduled for the last Sunday in January; however, in 2017, we will hold it on Sunday, January 15, after worship. We are trying to get the meeting in before Pastor Marsha's baby comes! This means that annual reports will be due earlier than usual. If you are a committee chair, or if you normally submit an annual report, please start working on those soon. We need them no later than January 2. Thank you. 5
End-of-year financial gifts As we approach the new year, we ask that you submit any financial gifts that you would like to be recorded in 2016 by Dec. 31. This will allow our treasurer and financial secretary to complete their 2016 reports in time for our Annual Meeting. And, as always, thank you for your generosity! Worship Leadership We are gearing up for Pastor Marsha's parental leave in early 2017. The dates will be January 30 April 16 (unless the baby comes early). During that time, we are handling worship leadership in a variety of ways. While several of the Sundays will be covered by supply pastors, the Church Council has decided to have lay people (that's you!) lead worship for many of the Sundays. We need people who are willing to lead the liturgy (prayers, creed, etc.) as well as people who are willing to either preach or find something to fill that sermon time (songs, a discussion, a thoughtful game). If you are willing to do either or both, please let Pastor Marsha know as soon as possible. She will provide any guidance you need. Thank you in advance for your ministry! Prayer List In January, the names will be cleared from our prayer list found in the weekly worship announcements. If you or someone you know would like to remain on the prayer list in 2017, please contact the church office. 6
December Worship Assistants Greeters Lector Communion Assistants December 4 Second Sunday of Advent Daphne Cleary Claire Ruth Barb Seidel Elaine Bachman December 11 Third Sunday of Advent Mae Quire Lynn Reed Dennis Spolski Bonnie Brennan December 18 Fourth Sunday of Advent Vivian Casper Lois Miller Betty Shaw Elaine Bachman Dennis Spolski December 24 Christmas Eve Ann Feeney Nancy Barto Bonnie Brennan Elaine Bachman Sponsorships Needed for December Grace is in need of many people to sponsor the altar flowers, sanctuary lamp, and bulletins during December for $15 each. Sponsorship is a wonderful way to remember or acknowledge a family member or friend while offsetting costs for Grace. Sponsorship forms are available in the back of the worship space or by contacting the church office. Apple Dumpling Wrap-Up Thanks to everyone who bought and sold apple dumplings this year. This effort raised $373.00 for the building fund. And, they were delicious! 7
CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS Please use this form to order poinsettias to decorate the church. The poinsettias will be displayed in the sanctuary on Christmas Eve and can be taken home following our candlelight worship at 7:00 p.m. Cost is $8.75 per plant. Deadline for ordering is Sunday, December 11. Payment must accompany order. NAME: ADDRESS: PHONE: # of Poinsettias X $8.75 each = $ IN LOVING MEMORY OF: GIVEN BY: IN LOVING MEMORY OF: GIVEN BY: IN LOVING MEMORY OF: GIVEN BY: IN LOVING HONOR OF: GIVEN BY: IN LOVING HONOR OF: GIVEN BY: IN LOVING HONOR OF: GIVEN BY: 8
Soup Sale Grace s Apple Dumpling Gang needs your help. The committee is planning a homemade soup sale for the following Sundays in 2017: January 8, 15, 22, 29, and February 5. We need people to volunteer to make soup for these dates. All proceeds from the soup sale will go towards the building fund. If you would be willing to help Grace Church by making soup(s), please complete this form and return it by Sunday, December 11, by placing it in the offering plate. Name: Phone Number: List type of soup you will make: January 8 January 15 January 22 January 29 February 5 The soup sales were very popular last year. Suggested quantity of soup to make is 4-6 quarts in order to have enough to fill orders. You can deliver the soup to the church Friday morning (9 am to noon) before the Sunday specified above, or contact Diane Ohlinger 610-207-6057 to arrange a Saturday delivery. Deadline for returning form is Sunday, December 11. By the end of December, we will include a soup menu in the weekly bulletin so people can reserve the soup(s) they want to purchase. Price will be $3.00 for a 12 oz. cup. 9
December Birthdays 3 Marsha Dornes 8 Ann Feeney 17 Lori Miller 25 Sarah Ina Dornes 28 James McCullough 31 Mark Burkholder January Birthdays 3 Patrick White 4 Della Heck 5 Douglas White 11 Mariano Ortiz 15 Nancy Barto, Kelly Brennan 16 Naithan Szerszen 17 Hannah Boone 21 L. Scott Reeser, Robert Westley 22 David Fox 26 Justice Ortiz-Nicholson 27 Charles E. Renninger 28 Jane Battaglieri, Ruth Gibbs 29 Bobbi Weidner If you would like to add your birthday to our birthday list, which is published in the newsletter each month, please contact the church office at 610-375-3961 or office@readinggrace.org. 10
Christmas Caroling At The Hawthorne Home Sunday, December 11, at 5:45 p.m. Once again this year in keeping with our commitment to be good neighbors, we cordially invite you to join with the choir and swell our numbers on Sunday, December 11, at 5:45 p.m., to carol and sing Christmas music with the residents of The Hawthorne Home at Mineral Spring Road and Clymer Street. No reservations needed ---just smiling faces and willing (not even good) voices. We would also appreciate some of your Christmas cookies to serve after the caroling. Join us in brightening an hour or two in the lives of the Hawthorne residents with music, homemade cookies and punch. If you haven t experienced the inner glow that comes from being a part of Christmas joy to shut-ins, you owe it to yourself. You are sure to find that it is more blessed to give than receive. There are plenty of private parking spaces outside and plenty of room inside for Christmas joy and fellowship. COME.GIVE.and RECEIVE Annual Report and Newsletter Deadlines Annual reports: due by Monday, January 2. The next newsletter will be available mid-january. Deadline for submitting articles is Wednesday, January 4. Feeling Ill? Going to the Hospital? Please call the church office at 610-375-3961. This is the only way to be sure that the pastor will know. Transportation is Available for Sunday Worship! If you are in need of a ride to church on Sunday mornings, make a reservation by calling the church office at 610-375-3961 between 9:00 a.m. and noon, Monday - Friday. 11
Church Staff Marsha Anderson, Pastor Kathy Yenser, Church Administrator Jane Battaglieri, Organist/Choir Director Diane Ohlinger, Christian Education Woody Turner, Sexton Office Hours: Mon-Fri. 9:00 AM Noon Telephone number: 610-375-3961 Fax Number: 610-375-1982 Web Site: www.readinggrace.org E-mail: glcrdg@comcast.net Or Office@readinggrace.org For Pastoral Emergencies call 484-332-3303 Like us on Facebook! A Member of The Reading Lutheran Parish IN THE CITY FOR GOOD! 12