Blue Christmas – A Service of Healing
A Service of Healing – Sunday December 23rd at 3 pm
For some of us, the holidays aren’t always the joyous times you would expect.
You are not alone.
Come celebrate with us, to help find the joy in the season.
Please join Pastor Tim on Sunday, Dec. 23rd at 3:00pm for a special Blue Christmas service filled with carols and scriptures to help those feeling a little blue.
This service invites those grieving any kind of loss, who are depressed or feeling alone to come and experience the good news of Jesus.
All are welcome, tell your friends, share this post.
Elementary School Family Fellowship – Dec 2
Elementary School Family Fellowship – December 2nd
Our next monthly elementary school family gathering will take place on Sunday, December 2nd, immediately following the 11:00 AM worship service.
We enjoy a light lunch and then play together on the playground. All families with Elementary School age children are invited. Siblings are welcome too!
For questions or to RSVP
Contact Caity Stratemeyer.
Can’t make it? We hope to see you next time. We meet the first Sunday of the month. Check the Grace calendar and watch our Letter of Grace newsletter for updates.
Come Celebrate Advent – Prepare the Way
Advent is a time of preparation. The word advent comes from Latin – ‘ad’ which mean ‘to’ and ‘venere’ which mean ‘come’. We are waiting and preparing for the coming of our Lord, for the birth of Jesus on Christmas.
Food, Fellowship and Worship – Wednesday evenings
Beginning Wednesday December 5th, join us for food, fellowship and worship. The meal is served from 6 to 6:45 pm, followed by a 30 minute worship service at 7pm.
There is a different menu each week, including plenty of homemade desserts.
Advent dinners and services will be held on Wednesday December 5, 12 and 19th.
Advent Resources
Stop by the Grace Narthex to pick up Advent resources for your family – advent activities for all ages.
WELCA News and Events – November 2018
Backpack Project Update – Lutheran World Relief
Grace WELCA members prepared 120 backpacks for Lutheran World Relief this year. All the fabric materials were donated. The school supplies were either donated or purchased. WELCA members thank all of you who so generously packed our bin with supplies.
Thanks to a Trivent grant and your donations we are well on our way. We need approximately $ 800 in additional donations to complete the project and ship the backpacks to their final destination.
CAN YOU HELP?
Several people have asked if they can purchase a backpack, the answer is yes!. You can purchase a filled backpack for a donation of only $20. Contact Lin Gunnet or Helen Hauser to make a donation.
November Meeting – Tuesday November 13 – 7 pm
We have a meeting scheduled for Tuesday, November 13 at 7pm in the church conference room. Hope to see you all there. Barb Rodberg is scheduled to present the Bible Study from our October, 2018, Gather magazine. We will do November’s study at our holiday party in December. We are seeking a volunteer to lead the December bible study.
Christmas Celebration – Dinner and Fruit Basket Preparation – December 14
WELCA will hold their annual Christmas Dinner and fruit basket preparations on Friday, December 14 at 5:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall. All women of Grace are invited to attend. Make your reservations by signing up on the WELCA bulletin board outside the church office or contacting Lin Gunnet. The cost for dinner is $10 per person.
Upcoming Schedule
There will not be a scheduled backpack sewing day or The Ladies Monday Lunch Bunch in November and December. These activities will resume in January 2019.
LIn Gunnet
WELCA President
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen.
And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him. – Mark 1:14-20
Bringing Hidden Talents into View
There was an animated show several year ago called “The Iron Giant,” In one scene the Giant robot and his human friend are running through the town trying to flee from those who are chasing them and they fall over a cliff, as they are heading to the ground below, the robot turns on jets and begins to fly. The shocked little boy says with wonder and amazement “You can fly? YOU CAN FLY!!!” Apparently, even though they had spent a lot of time together, he did not know that his robot friend had this ability.
Strengths and Gifts
We also spend a lot of time with one another and are not aware of some of the strengths and gifts that we each have. Did you know that Grace has a Walking Club, a supper club, 3 adult Bible study options, a quilting group, a weekly youth ministry meeting? Did you know that Grace supports the Crop walk, prayer shawl ministry, Joy of Discovery? There is so much potential here at Grace, and in some cases our strengths and gifts are our best kept secrets.
Jesus called the twelve from their nets and boats and said “I will make you fish for people.” As evangelist Christine Kane asked “Are we fishers of men, or are we keepers of the Aquarium?” Come out on REFORMATION SUNDAY, October 28, and learn about all of the mission and ministry opportunities that we have here at Grace. Find something that excites you, and you just might learn that we can fly.
PT
Rise Against Hunger – Sunday September 9th
God’s Work – Our Hands – Sunday September 9th
Volunteers are needed to pack 10,000 meals for Rise Against Hunger on Sunday September 9th after our worship service.
We need 65 + volunteers to pack those meals!
Lunch will be provided – beginning at 11:30 am
Meal packing – from 12 to 2 pm
Everyone can help – if you want to help we will find a task for you. Youth are invited to volunteer too!
We also need at least six strong folks able to unload 30-50 lb bags of rice and tubs of other grains. Arrive by 8:45-9:00 am if you can help with the unloading!
WELCA News and Events – Summer 2018
Food Bank Tour & Lunch
Monday, July 16, 11am to 2:30pm
Stop Summer Hunger 2018, is a goal of the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. In an effort to further fulfill our WELCA mission statement, members wanted to learn more about this valuable resource in our own Raleigh backyard. Grace member Barbara Oates, a 2012 Hunt-Morgridge Award recipient for her service to the NC Food Bank, has arranged for all Grace members to tour the new state of the art food bank facility in Raleigh.
The two-hour tour will begin at 11am. Following the tour we’ll enjoy lunch at RSVP for the tour, lunch and let us know if you need a ride.
All are welcome! Learn more about resources in our community that are providing for a better quality of life for our neighbors. You never know what light bulbs God will cause to shine next. He used Barbara Oates all those years ago when she saw a need in our community to feed all our neighbors who were hungry and didn’t have the resources to provide for themselves and their families.
Come join us, bring a friend, colleague, or neighbor!
Food Bank: 1924 Capital Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27604
18 Seaboard Restaurant: 18 Seaboard Ave, Raleigh, NC 27604
New Hope Valley Railway Ride and Museum Tour
Wednesday, July 11, 2018, at 10:30 am
Location: 3917 Bonsal Road, New Hill, NC 27562
For all Grace Members, Friends, Children, Guests-Come Join us for hours of fun and an opportunity to learn about the New Hope Valley Railway heritage railroad operated by the North Carolina Railway Museum, Inc., an all-volunteer, nonprofit, and tax exempt educational and historical organization.
Bring your children and grandchildren; invite your neighbors and friends.
You will need to purchase your own tickets at their website or by calling 919.396.5833.
Tickets are $12/adult, $8/child, (ages 2 and under free, no seat), and $11/Senior.
Hurry, do not delay, tickets will sellout fast for this date.
Questions contact WELCA.
Upcoming Events – Note Changes and Save The Dates
NO Ladies Lunch Bunch in June 2018
WELCA Summer Retreat – August 4, 2018, 10am-2pm, Location TBD
Come ready to learn about Prayer from our three summer lessons in our Gather Magazine and work on our service project, Backpacks for Lutheran World Relief. Help determine the future of Grace Lutheran WELCA and how we serve Grace, our community and the world.
WELCA Sunday, August 26, 2018, 10am, Grace Lutheran Church
Backpack Sewing, Wednesday, June 27, 2018, 9:30am-12N
Please note there will be no backpack sewing in July. We will continue sewing in the Fall. We will assemble the completed backpacks at our August retreat for shipment in November.
Seeing With New Eyes – Triangle Conference
WELCA Newsletter – April 2018
Triangle Conference Spring Gathering – 2018
Women of the ELCA
Triangle Conference Spring Gathering – 2018
Registration and Breakfast – 9:30 to 10 am
Conference – 10 am to 2 pm
On Saturday, April 21, from 9:30am – 2pm, Grace Lutheran will host the annual Triangle Conference Spring Gathering for the Women of the ELCA (WELCA). The event will include many opportunities for Christian fellowship and fun! Enjoy terrific home cooked food with a light breakfast served during registration just before the gathering begins, and also at lunch.
Called to Be Global Sisters, Seeing Each Other With New Eyes
The focus of our conference will be an in-depth study centered on the topic of Called to Be Global Sisters, Seeing Each Other With New Eyes. We hope this program will improve our understanding of women from other cultures. Our study will be lead by Pastor Marissa Krey, of Lutheran Services of the Carolinas.
Registration forms can be found on the poster in the Narthex at Grace or can be downloaded using this link.
The cost to attend is only $8 per person and includes all materials. Registration begins at 9:30 am. Remember that we’ll be serving a light breakfast from 9:30 – 10 am and that lunch is also provided. We hope you’ll plan to join us; you are welcome to attend any portion of the retreat that works in your schedule.
Contact us with any questions.
Please note that the next WELCA meeting in May will be on May 1st (first Tuesday of the month)!