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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.
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“EPISTLE OF GRACE”
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March / April 2016
Continue to Journey with Us Through Lent
Details on pages 4 and 5
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Pastoral Reflection March 2016
Recently, I read a quote that really struck me:
"Be patient with yourself. Nothing in nature blooms all year." (source unknown)
Today, as I write this article, snow is coming down, and there is a white blanket covering the world. It is VERY cold, and no one is go-ing outside who doesn't have to.
And while there can be some stress and worry that comes with win-ter weather, there is also a freedom. Days like today are wonderful for staying home, being cozy, and taking some much-needed down time. This is a day made for a good book or catching up on a favor-ite TV show. This is a day for rest and maybe even solitude. It's a day for catching up on things like newsletter articles.
We need days like today to hibernate, every now and then.
In our culture, so many of us are expected to produce and perform all the time. We are expected to be busy. We like to be "on the go." But there's something natural, beautiful, and yes, even Godly, about the times when we pause. Be-cause the pauses themselves are not wasted time. They re-charge us, refills us, and teach us things we need to know for whatever life will bring our way.
So this time of year, when the weather is cold and not much is blooming, let us all take some time, whenever we can, to step
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back and remember the Sabbath as our God commands. Let us rest and recharge for another season that will come, when we will bloom again. And let us thank God for the gift of every season of life and every season of the year. Peace be with you, Pr. Marsha
New Time for Breakfast 9:15 a.m.
Join us on March 20, Palm Sunday, for breakfast in the fellowship hall. Our third-Sunday-of-the-month breakfast gives us time to pause and enjoy food
and fellowship together before moving upstairs for worship. It provides us time to listen to our members and friends, to cele-brate joys, and to offer support in times of sorrow and strug-gles. It is an opportunity for all ages to give thanks for each other and the many blessings that God showers on us.
Join us. And invite a friend to come along with you!
Thank you to our Church Council for providing breakfast on March 20.
Save the Date!
Mother-Child Dinner
Baked ham and fixins!
Join us on Sunday, May 1, immediately following worship.
More information coming soon.
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— LENT & HOLY WEEK 2016 —
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
and
St. John’s German Lutheran Church
Theme: “Open Our Life, Lord”
Wednesdays in Lent:
6:00 p.m. Soup and Bread
6:30 p.m. Worship
This year, we join together with St.
John’s for our Lenten Season. On
the first and last Wednesday nights,
we each worship “at home.” On
the middle three weeks (February
24, March 2, and March 9), St. John’s will join us at Grace.
Worship will be downstairs, as usual.
Topics will include:
Open Our Heart, Lord
Open Our Eyes, Lord
Open Our Ears, Lord
Open Our Hands, Lord
Open Our Life, Lord
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Palm/Passion Sunday
March 20
9:00 a.m. Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Worship with Holy Communion
Maundy Thursday
March 24
6:00 p.m. Soup and Bread
7:00 p.m. Worship with Holy Communion
This year, we will have larger portions during
Holy Communion.
Good Friday
March 25
No soup
7:00 p.m. Worship
This year, we will hear reflections
from Pastor Marsha and
several members of the congregation.
Easter
March 27
9:00 a.m. Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Worship with Holy Communion
Journey with us to new life in Christ.
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February 2016 Highlights
JANUARY: INCOME: $12,568.90 EXPENSES: $13,204.89
GENERAL FUND: 1/31/16 balance was $ 7,625.13
BUILDING FUND: 1/31/16 balance was $14,434.43
MEMORIAL FUND: 1/31.16 balance was $ 4,094.90
PROPERTY: Dan has contacted a business concerning the leak-ing windows in the newer church building. They will determine if the windows can be repaired or if they will need to be replaced. Also, he is looking into getting quotes to repair or replace the elevator.
NEW BUSINESS: Council is reviewing a draft lease with T-Mobile. They would like to erect antennas on the roof for which they would pay us a monthly rental fee.
Next council meeting will be held on Thursday, March 10, 7:00 p.m.
March Meetings
Grow in Grace Tutoring: Every Tuesday at 2:45 p.m.
Choir Rehearsal: Wednesdays, March 2, 9, and 16, after Lenten worship; Wednesday, March 23 , 7:00 p.m.
Grace Care Team Meeting: Sunday, March 6, 11:30 p.m.
Christian Education: Monday, March 7, 6:00 p.m.
WBMD Lenten Prayer Breakfast at the Inn at Reading: Wednesday, March 9, 8:00 a.m.
Church Council: Thursday, March 10, 7:00 p.m.
Lay Eucharistic Visitor Training at Good Shepherd Church: Saturday, March 12, 9:00 a.m.—4:30 p.m.
Apple Dumpling Gang: Sunday, March 13, 11:30 a.m.
Youth Bake Altar Bread: Thursday, March 24, 4:00 p.m.
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Grace Care Team
Did you know that our congregation has 14 homebound members? These are folks who cannot make it to church on a regular basis, but who still feel a connection to our
community. Many of them miss being able to come to church, and they enjoy any way we can touch base with them, whether it is through phone calls, cards, or visits. While Pastor Marsha thoroughly enjoys visiting our homebound members, there are not enough hours in the week to visit them all regularly and still take care of her other responsibilities. In addition, many of our homebound members appreciate it when anyone from our church community takes the time to visit them.
For all of these reasons, we are forming the Grace Care Team.
This team of people will volunteer to visit one or more home-bound members at least once a month. They will be trained and commissioned to distribute Holy Communion during their visits as well. If you are interested in joining the Grace Care Team, or if you have questions, let Pastor Marsha know.
Save the dates:
March 6 after worship - brief Grace Care Team Meeting
March 12, 9:00 - 4:30 - Lay Eucharistic Visitor Training* at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 4201 Stoudts Ferry Bridge Road, Reading.
* This training is required! If this date doesn't work for you,
talk to Pastor Marsha.
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Sponsors Needed
Will you sponsor the altar flowers, sanctuary lamp, and/or bulletins for a Sunday this month?
Sponsorship is a wonderful way to remember or acknowledge a family member or friend while offsetting costs for Grace.
Many sponsorships are available in March:
Flowers: 2 vases each week
Sanctuary Lamp: March 6, 13, and 20
Bulletins: each week
Cost for sponsoring flowers, lamp, or bulletin is $15
SPONSOR SHEET FOR ALTAR FLOWERS, SANCTUARY LAMP, AND BULLETINS
Name of Person Filling Out Form: ________________________
Phone #: __________________
Date of Sponsorship: Sunday, ________________
In Memory / In Honor of: (Please circle Memory or Honor)
___________________________________________________
And given by
__________________________________________________
Check One: ____ Bulletins ___ Flowers ___ Sanctuary Lamp
Return completed form to Louise McCloughan.
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Easter Lilies Please use this form to order Easter lilies for the church. The lilies will be displayed in the sanctuary on Easter morning and can be taken home follow-ing worship at 10:30. Cost is $8.50 per plant.
Deadline for ordering is Sunday, March 13. Payment must accompany order.
NAME:________________________________________________
ADDRESS: ____________________________________________
PHONE:____________________________________
# of Easter lily plants ______ X $8.50 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:___________________________________________
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WOW! A 100th Birthday Coming Soon! James Dalrymple, one of our homebound members, will cel-ebrate his 100th birthday on April 12. We thought it would be fun to shower him with birthday cards in celebration of this milestone. If you would like to send a greeting, please contact the church office.
March Birthdays 7 – Tim Smith
8 – Louise McCloughan
9 – Karen Raszkiewicz
14 – Aspen Livingood
16 – Stella Jane Belinski
18 – Dan Tranovich
19 – Kira Livingood
20 – Marie Mengel
21 – Grace Smith
27 – Matthew McCullough
28 – Melissa Belinski
29 –Charles R. Renninger
April 4 – Dottie Belinski
10 – Pat Tranovich
12 – James Dalrymple, Pam Washington
17 – Michael Reed, Tyler Washington
23 – Kathy Mengel, Donna Mull
25 – Sue Ortiz
29 – Brian Ballantine
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Nurse Needed for Medical Clinic at St Daniel’s Lutheran Church
Western Berks Free Medical Clinic in Robesonia is seeking a part-time RN averaging 10 hours per week. Minimum 2 years nursing experience. Bilingual preferred. Send resume to WBFMC, 480 Big Spring Road, Robesonia, PA 19551, or [email protected]
Newsletter This is the newsletter for March and April. The next newsletter will be distributed in time for May events. Deadline for submitting articles for the May newsletter is Friday, April 15.
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 Sun-day mornings, make a reservation by calling the church office at 610-375-3961 between 9:00 a.m. and noon, Monday - Friday. There is never a need to call a taxi or ride the bus to join us for Sunday worship. The van drivers are more than happy to pick you up and take you home each week.
Please Note: All calls to the church must be made before Friday noon in order to request the van for Sunday. Messages are not checked between Friday noon and Sunday worship.
Winter is almost over Just in case we still experience winter weather, Grace Church will announce cancellation of our worship ser-vice on Channel 69 WFMZ. This information will be available on your television and the website www.wfmz.com/weather/school-and-business-closings.
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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: [email protected] Or
For Pastoral Emergencies call 484-332-3303
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A Member of The Reading Lutheran Parish
“IN THE CITY FOR GOOD!”