205 S. Garner St., State College, PA 16801

phone: 814-238-2478

email: churchoffice@glcpa.org

web address: www.glcpa.org

9:00 and 10:30 a.m. worship service

Today’s Hymns #ELW 654 #ELW 597 #ELW 551

Distribution #ELW 812 #ELW 574 #ELW 802

SUNDAY, AUGUST 27, 2017

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

Our Mission Statement: “Grace Lutheran Church is energized by the Holy

Spirit and nurtured through God’s Word and Sacrament to gather, feed, and

send people in the name of Jesus Christ.”

“On this rock I will build my

church, and the gates of Hades

will not prevail against it.”

Matthew 16:18

Welcome to

GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH

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ABOUT TODAY’S THEME…In Isaiah the people are bid to look to their spiritual ancestors as the rock from which they were hewn. Jesus declares that the church will be built on the rock of Peter’s bold confession of faith. God’s word of reconciliation and mercy are keys to the church’s mission. Paul urges us to not be conformed to this world, but to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, using our individual gifts to build up the body of Christ. From the table we go forth to offer our spiritual worship through word and deed. ABOUT THE LESSONS….The First Lesson: Just as God had called Abraham and Sarah and given them many descendants, so now God offers comfort to Zion. God’s deliverance will come soon and will never end. The Second Lesson: In response to God’s merciful activity, we are to worship by living holistic, God-pleasing lives. Our values and viewpoints are not molded by this age, but are transformed by the Spirit’s renewing work. God’s grace empowers different forms of service among Christians, but all forms of ministry function to build up the body of Christ. The Gospel Lesson: At a climactic point in Jesus’ ministry, God reveals to Peter that Jesus is “the Messiah, the Son of the living God,” and Jesus re-sponds with the promise of a church that will overcome the very gates of Hades.

↑= Please stand as you are able

↓=Please be seated

Grace Lutheran is

now on Twitter!

Follow us @GraceLCPA.

All are welcome to our weekly “coffee hour” in Harkins Hall following the

9 AM service!

The GRACE GARDEN GIVEAWAY is up and running again. Visit the table in the Garner Street area of the nar-thex on Sundays if you have vegetables, fruits or flowers you cannot use. Also, feel free to take any produce that has been donated. This is not an exchange. You don't have to give anything to take something. The produce is free to all. Thanks to those of you who are sharing your harvest and thanks to Barbara Vogler for her help with this ministry.

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Welcome to Grace Lutheran Church - State College, Pennsylvania

PRELUDE This Is My Father’s World………………….…………….M. Burkhardt

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Pastor: In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Congregation: Amen. P: God of all mercy and consolation, come to the aid of your people, turning us

from our sin to live for you alone. Give us the power of your Holy Spirit that we may confess our sin, receive your forgiveness, and grow into the fullness of Je-sus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

C: Amen. P: Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another. Kneel/Sit P: Most merciful God, C: We confess that we have turned from you and given ourselves into the

power of sin. We are truly sorry and humbly repent. In your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things we have done and things we have failed to do. Turn us again to you, and uphold us by your Spirit, so that we may live and serve you in newness of life through Jesus Christ, your only Son our Lord. Amen.

P: In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his

sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire for-giveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen.

GATHER

The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.

PROCESSIONAL HYMN The Church’s One Foundation...........................ELW #654

P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the

Holy Spirit be with you all.

C: And also with you.

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HYMN OF PRAISE (ELW p. 149)

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PRAYER OF THE DAY

P: Let us pray.

C: O God, with all your faithful followers of every age, we praise you, the rock

of our life. Be our strong foundation and form us into the body of your Son,

that we may gladly minister to all the world, through Jesus Christ, our Savior

and Lord. Amen.

FEED God speaks to us in scripture reading,

and feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ.

(10:30) CHILDREN’S MESSAGE…………………………..…………………...Anne Whitney We welcome everyone to worship and encourage children of all ages to participate fully in our service. Qualified nursery care is available as needed. The nursery is located in room 202. FIRST LESSON…………………….……..…...............Isaiah 51:1-6 (pew Bible p. 594) 1Listen to me, you that pursue righteousness, you that seek the Lord. Look to the

rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug. 2Look

to Abraham your father and to Sarah who bore you; for he was but one when I called

him, but I blessed him and made him many. 3For the Lord will comfort Zion; he will

comfort all her waste places, and will make her wilderness like Eden, her desert like

the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the

voice of song. 4Listen to me, my people, and give heed to me, my nation; for a

teaching will go out from me, and my justice for a light to the peoples. 5I will bring

near my deliverance swiftly, my salvation has gone out and my arms will rule the

peoples; the coastlands wait for me, and for my arm they hope. 6Lift up your eyes to

the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens will vanish like smoke,

the earth will wear out like a garment, and those who live on it will die like gnats; but

my salvation will be forever, and my deliverance will never be ended.

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PSALM 138—Please sing responsively from the selected verses.

L: I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with | my whole heart;

before the gods I will | sing your praise.

C: When I called, you | answered me;

you increased my | strength within me.

L: All the rulers of the earth will praise | you, O Lord,

when they have heard the words | of your mouth.

C: They will sing of the ways | of the Lord,

that great is the glory | of the Lord.

L: The Lord is high, yet cares | for the lowly,

perceiving the haughty | from afar.

C: You will make good your pur- | pose for me;

O Lord, your steadfast love en | dures forever.

SECOND LESSON…………….……...…................Romans 12:1-8 (pew Bible p. 922) 1I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present

your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual

worship. 2Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of

your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and ac-

ceptable and perfect. 3For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you

not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober

judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4For as in

one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same func-

tion, 5so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members

one of another. 6We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophe-

cy, in proportion to faith; 7ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; 8the ex-

horter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compas-

sionate, in cheerfulness.

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HOLY GOSPEL…….…………...……………...…Matthew 16:13-20 (pew Bible p. 798)

P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew the 16th chapter.

C: Glory to you, O Lord. (spoken)

13Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disci-

ples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14And they said, “Some say John

the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15He

said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16Simon Peter answered, “You are the

Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you,

Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father

in heaven. 18And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and

the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (ELW p. 151a)

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of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever

you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20Then he sternly ordered the disciples

not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

P: The Gospel of the Lord.

C: Praise to you, O Christ. (spoken)

SERMON…………...…………………………………………………………..Pastor Schul HYMN OF THE DAY My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less………………….ELW #597 APOSTLES’ CREED C: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived

by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius

Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the

dead.

On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at

the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living

and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of

saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting.

Amen.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

Response after each petition:

L: Lord, in your mercy

C: Hear our prayer.

WE SHARE THE LORD’S PEACE

P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.

C: And also with you.

OFFERTORY Be Thou My Vision…………..traditional Irish tune; arr. Daniel Kelley Sarah Rodgers, clarinet; Laurel Sanders, flute; Susan Buda, cello

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OFFERTORY SONG……………………………………...…………………...(ELW #184)

C: Let the vineyards be fruitful, Lord, and fill to the brim our cup of blessing,

Gather a harvest from the seeds that were sown, that we may be fed with

the bread of life. Gather the hopes and dreams of all; unite them with the

prayers we offer. Grace our table with your presence, and give us a fore-

taste of the feast to come.

P: Holy God, gracious and merciful, you bring forth food from the earth and nourish

your whole creation. Turn our hearts toward those who hunger in any way, that

all may know your care; and prepare us now to feast on the bread of life, Jesus

Christ, your only Son our Lord.

C: Amen.

GREAT THANKSGIVING (ELW p. 107)

P:

P:

P:

C:

C:

C:

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P: It is indeed right, our duty and our joy that we should at all times and in all places

give thanks and praise .... we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

C: (ELW p. 153)

P: Everlasting God, the whole universe sings a new song of praise: the rivers clap

their hands, the hills ring out for joy. As you have raised us to new life in Christ,

give us voices ready to cry out for justice and proclaim resurrection joy wherever

your Spirit leads us.

In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave

thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body,

given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.

Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, say-

ing: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for

the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.

With this bread and cup we remember our Lord’s Passover from death to life, as we

proclaim the mystery of faith.

C: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

P: God of salvation and resurrection, pour out your Holy Spirit on us and on these

gifts of bread and wine. Send us forth, burning with justice, peace, and grace.

And to you, O God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be praise and honor, now and

forever.

C: Amen.

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C: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

P: The gifts of God for the people of God. Come, the meal is ready. C: Thanks be to God.

COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION All are invited to join the congregation in receiving the Savior’s Body and Blood. Children not yet receiving Communion are invited forward for a blessing. Rice wafers and grape juice are available for those who have sensitivities to wheat or alcohol. An acolyte has a special tray with these alter-native communion elements.

C: (ELW p.154)

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COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION Deep River………….……Spiritual; arr. Daniel Kelley Sarah Rodgers, clarinet; Laurel Sanders, flute; Susan Buda, cello

COMMUNION HYMNS:

ELW #812 -- Faith of Our Fathers

ELW #574 -- Here I Am, Lord

ELW #802 -- Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus

P: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in

his grace.

C: Amen.

P: O God, we give you thanks that you have set before us this feast, the body and

blood of your Son. As you send us into the world, guard us from the power of

evil, keep us in unity with all your people, and by your Spirit move us to testify to

your grace in our words and actions; through Christ our Lord.

C: Amen.

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C:

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SEND

God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.

P: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be

gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.

C: Amen.

HYMN The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve.............................................ELW #551

A: Go in peace; serve the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve…………………………J. Leavitt

The Rev. P. Stevens Lynn, Senior Pastor ...................... pastorlynn@glcpa.org

The Rev. Scott E. Schul, Pastor………………………...pastorschul@glcpa.org

Vicar Ariel Williams……………………………………...…..awilliams@glcpa.org

Laurel Sanders ....................................................... Director of Music Ministries

Pat Lloyd and June Miller .................................................................. Organists

Anna Carol Buffington ............................................ The Bells of Grace Director

From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2017 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #20807. New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Announcements for August 27, 2017

A FRIENDLY GREETING TO ALL...who have joined us today to worship and praise our Lord & Savior. May this time of worship bless us to be a blessing to others. If you are a guest this morning, please complete the beige slip in the pew pocket where you are seated and place it in the offering plate. CHURCH OFFICE...will be closed on Mon-day, September 4th for the Labor Day holi-day. The office will reopen on Tuesday, September 5th at 8 AM. FREE FAMILY MINISTRY RESOURCE…

Are you making use of Grace’s “Tak in g F a i t h Home” family min-

istry resource? On one double-sided piece of paper you’ll find an entire week’s worth of scripture, prayer, and faith activities de-signed to help your family grown in faith. The resource is updated weekly and is linked to the Sunday lectionary readings. Pick up your FREE copy at the Welcome Center! LECTORS...The September sign-up sheet is in the narthex. Thanks to those who have served as lectors in the past. Veterans and new readers of all ages are also encour-aged to sign up!

The September meeting of the GARDEN OF READIN' (women's book club) is Tues-day, September 19 at 10:30 am and 6:00 pm in Fireside. The book selection is Ginny Moon by Benjamin Ludwig. Alice Griffin will be facilitating the discussions. YEAR OF PRAYER...The Allegheny Syn-od’s year of prayer sheet for the month of September is available at the Welcome Center. Please feel free to pick up a sheet. MEN’S BOOK CLUB...will meet on Tues-day, August 29th at 7 PM in the library. The first three chapters of the Gospel of John will be discussed. All are welcome! CROP WALK SILENT AUCTION FOR 2017...Jim and Ellen Campbell are in the process of moving to a smaller house this fall, and due to that upheaval, they are una-ble to organize the CROP Walk Silent Auc-tion for 2017. That event has been can-celled. You can support Grace’s CROP Walk efforts by donating to any walk-er. Thank you all for you support in the past of this fundraiser.

SUMMER OFFICE HOURS (now through 9/5/2017)

MONDAY-THURSDAY 8-1 PM FRIDAY 8-12 NOON

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Worship at the Mountain: Family Event

Kick-off, September 10th

Our outdoor worship service at Tussey Mountain will be

held on Sunday, September 10 at 11 a.m. in the same

location as last year – the patio behind the ski lodge.

Not only does this new setting provide a beautiful

place for worship, but it also is a great time to connect

with Grace families.

Following worship, there will be a congregational picnic. We provide the main course;

everyone is asked to provide a side dish to share. Our set-up and clean-up teams are

looking for volunteers. Contact Jason Laine (jason.laine@gmail.com) if you can help.

Beginning at 1 p.m., there will be a wide variety of activities for children, youth, and

adults of all ages. For no cost there will be fishing (bring your own poles and bait),

horseshoes, paddle boats, and sand volleyball. At a cost, not to exceed $30 per fami-

ly or $10 per person, you can enjoy the par-3 golf course, batting cages, a skate park,

and the driving range. As always, if cost is an issue, please see Cindy Fritz, Vicar Ariel,

or any of the Pastoral staff.

See you for fun and fellowship on the mountain!

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Worship Assistants for Sunday, August 27, 2017

8:00 A.M. 9:00 A.M. 10:30 A.M.

Lectors Kerry Richards Lisa Wiedemer Brian Christian

Greeters Gary & Dotty Delafield

Dave & Shar Huebner Sue & Tom Myers

Brenda Palmgren Bobbie Maelhorn Sandy Cassady

Acolytes Abby Fozard Carter Fozard

Emilio Schul

Deacons Cindy Nicosia Jayne & Dennis Glocke Lois & Bob Voigt

Worship Assistant Leonard Ellenberger

Cantor Lester Griel Lester Griel

Ushers Dan Bright Del Bright

Erin Kauffman Shawn Kauffman Ken Tamminga

Nancy Tamminga

Harold Cassady Kurt Gibble

Dave Heatwole Troy Heatwole

Radio Ministry; Sound

Wayne Pauley

Coffee Hour Hosts 10:00-10:30 a.m.

Grant & Tammy Davis

Welcoming Center Hosts

Sue Forster

Sue Forster

The altar flowers are given by Ann & Dave Guss in honor of Bob Kreidler’s birthday

This morning’s bulletin is sponsored by Don & Deana Coine in memory of Deana’s parents, Herman & Erma Shultz

Today’s radio broadcast on WRSC - 1390 AM is sponsored by Herb Jordan to the Glory of God

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PRAYER CONCERNS for August 27, 2017

All Military & Nat’l Guard and

those serving in war-torn

Countries

Sam Alexander

Kathy Antes, friend of Beth Stover

Kevin Black family, friend of Vicar

Ariel

Helen Brenneman

Barb Brower

Lynn Canesso, Sharon Shurgalla’s

sister

The Wilson Catherman family

Bill Clouser, Kathryn Mackes’ cousin

Paul & Lois Confer & family,

friends of Phil Vollmer

Christopher Davis

Linda Detrow

Lynn Dietrich

Pastor Dowhower

Dr. Brad Foor, friend of the Weimers

Susy Glenn

Skylar Hill

Shawn Hintosh

Chris Holcomb

Beth Holden, Winnie & Marion

Deppen’s daughter

Joshua Hsieh

Judy Hymes, Liz Albert’s mother

Jason, Peter & Sue Forster’s nephew

Nancy Johnson

Joshua Jordan

Larry King

Pastor John Klatt

Curtis Krebs, brother of

Sandy Cassady

Pete Krewson, father of Erin Tusar

Nathan LaFevers

Janet Schrock-Leal, Kathy Weimer’s

sister

Nancy LeMay & family, friends

of Phil Vollmer

Pete Liese

Fred Loomis

Phil Lucas

Joan Mallet

Tom McBride

Aubrey McCleary

Bill Miller

Jerry Muck, friend of Vicki & Spence

Garvin

Al Musgrave

Amy Nevling

Maryann Newcomb

Bill Nuss

John Parmelee, Friend of Chris &

Dottie Roberts

Carolyn Pencek

Shannon Quick

David Schrock, Kathy Weimer’s

brother

Rick Showalter

Nathan Showalter

Leon Slear

Victoria Smith

William Snape, Sr., brother of

Phyllis Favorite

Marlowe Stiger

Megan Stoltzfus

Melissa Strand

Tammy Trinadad, daughter of Kevin

& Sandy Bender

Mary Utzman, Jane Utzman’s mother

Ryan Vaughan

Barbara Vogler’s mother, Janet Kott

Joy Wall

Doris Wolfe

Members in the hospital

Betty Shirk

Grace Sermons on the Web Due to a malfunction in Grace’s website, new

sermon content is posting but may not be visible

on all platforms. So, to read recent sermons, visit

our blog at:

sermonsofgrace.wordpress.com

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Weekly Prayer Letter of Encouragement

“Don’t pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord

and keep it. A person is powerful on their knees.” ~

Corrie ten Boom

We at Grace strive to be a people of prayer. And we should since prayer is how we talk with God. Each week in our bulletin we list Grace members or people connected to our Grace family who are in need of our prayers. A way of making those prayers and our inten-tion to prayer more tangible, we are beginning a prayer letter ministry. Each week, one or two names will be selected from our prayer list to receive a letter acknowledging our pray-ers and signed by Grace members. Each week the letter, with ample room for signatures, will be placed in the gathering area outside the upstairs restrooms-what we are now calling - “The Commons.” All who are willing to commit to pray for its recipient are invited to sign the letter. It is our hope that these letters and the prayers promised by the signatures of our members will serve as powerful encouragement and source of healing and wellness to those in need of prayer.

This week the Prayer Letter will be sent to Betty Shirk.

Please pray this week for all preschool, elemen-

tary, middle school, and high school students, as well

as teachers, staff, and administrators, as they head

back for another school year. Fill their days with the

excitement of learning, the joy of supportive relation-

ships, and abundant safety and security.

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GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH

POLO SHIRTS!

Check out the mannequin in the

Narthex for a display of the shirt

with the church logo.

Order forms are next to the

mannequin along with the color

swatches. Fill out the form and

drop it off in the church office.

Checks should be made paya-

ble to “Grace Lutheran Church”

Deadline for orders is

September 30th

Please mark your calendars:

The 2017 State College Area CROP Walk on

Sunday, October 15, 2017 1:30 p.m. - Registration at Grace Lu-

theran Church 2 p.m. - The 5K (3.1 miles) walk

will begin and end at the church

Graceful Dining for Fall 2017 Looking to meet others in the Grace congregation? Need to eat? Want to socialize? If you answer YES to any of these questions, please consider signing up for our Graceful Dining program! We would love to meet you! Graceful Dining consists of groups from 6 to 8 people (singles or couples). This session will run from September/October through Janu-ary. The dinners are typically held in the homes of those in the group. The person/couple hosting usually provides the main course. Others provide salad, appetizer, dessert, etc. We also have had groups that decide to get together for brunch after one of the church services at different restaurants. And we have dining groups for families with children. It’s a fun time to socialize, eat, and get to know others or renew our friendships in our large Grace congre-gation! If this sounds like something you would enjoy, fill out the form below and return it to the church office, drop it in the offering plate or call or email Sue Myers, program coordina-tor at 355-4444 or myerssk2@gmail.com . You can sign up through the middle of September for the fall session. We’d love to have you dining with us!

---------------------------———Graceful Dining Sign-Up Form-----—--———---------------- Name(s) ___________________________________________________________________

Address ___________________________________________________________________

Phone # ___________________________________________________________________

E-mail address ______________________________________________________________

_____ I/we would like to participate in a Graceful Dining group during the 2017 fall season.

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This Week

At Grace