Grace Notes Weekly Update

GRACE NOTES

January 19 - 26, 2020

We honor the ongoing legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

While many respect Dr. King for his commitment and impact on our nation, it is not uncommon for people to be unfamiliar with his work (apart from a few speeches).

This year we will make available one of his most important works - the letter he wrote from the jail in Birmingham. King's words are as powerful today as they were in his own time, and serve as a righteous witness to the timeless cause of justice, which we all promise to serve in Baptism and Confirmation.

Click here to read the letter

Grace continues offering in-person worship opportunities, including two worship services in the Sanctuary, while online worship services continue.

We appreciate your patience as we continue to discern a faithful, safe approach to in-person worship!

We are glad to share opportunities for Holy Communion in the coming weeks.

For those who attend the in-person worship services, Communion will now be offered outside on the porch as everyone departs.

For those who are not yet attending worship in-person, Grace's pastors will be offering dedicated times to visit and provide the sacrament (outdoors only). Click on the following links to schedule some time for a pastor to visit you.

Click here for the weekly options, offered at 11am on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the coming months.

Click here for the 'flex' time slots, and a pastor will be in contact with you to schedule a time that works for everyone.

Second Sunday after Epiphany - Jan. 17, 2021

Click the video image for

the Second Sunday after Epiphany Worship Service Video from January 17.

Click here for the worship guide.

Click the video image for the Children's Sermon

Children's Sermon for the Second Sunday after Epiphany - Jan 17

We invite you to "like", comment on, and share these videos!

Each Sunday we continue to worship together online. These services are posted on the Grace Facebook page and on our website.

Sundays with Grace

Our Sunday morning worship and fellowship opportunities are going strong!

Facebook Premiere worship begins at 11am

Facebook Live Coffee Hour starts at noon

We look forward to being with you online this Sunday!

WORSHIP ASSISTANT VIDEOS CONTINUE

We have been blessed to see one another in worship through our online worship assistants!

If you are interested in providing a worship assistant video, please click here to sign up for Sunday, January 24. Pr. Gregg will contact you with the details you'll need.

Thanks to all who have helped lead us in worship so far and all those who will be leading us in the weeks to come!

THANK YOU FOR GIVING!

In 2020, many things did not go as planned, but you were faithful to the commitments you made to our ministry at Grace!

As we close the books on 2020, we have covered all missional spending plan expenses AND still an abundance remains.

At our Annual Congregation Meeting in November, we approved an exciting plan for this surplus, and next week we will share how we'll put this abundance to good use for God's glory!

Thank you again for your abundant generosity!

We'll also be sharing outcomes of our 2020 ministry goals,

so keep an eye out for those stories soon!

2020 GIVING STATEMENTS - Giving statements for 2020 are complete. Hard copies are being mailed to members who do not have an email address on file. Otherwise, members should have received an email with a link to their statement. However, if you have a Comporium email account, there is a strong possibility that the email is in your junk or spam file; please check. If you have not received such a link or have trouble accessing your report, please contact Financial Secretary, Bob Stonebraker at 803.980.1834 or stonebraker946@gmail.com.

This year, the Outreach Committee is launching our updated grant program, the Outreach Partnership Grant. Grace has long supported giving to the needs of the community, as well as connecting with our neighbors, because we believe we are called to serve our neighbors, following the example of Jesus.

Through this program, we intend to partner financially and experientially with local non-profit organizations which serve to assist those in need in greater Rock Hill and York County area.

WE NEED YOUR HELP TO MAKE THIS A SUCCESS!

The Outreach Committee invites you to submit the names of local non-profit aid organizations that might benefit from our partnership and funding, especially at this time. We will be collecting names through January.

To submit an organization's name, please click HERE.

For more information, please contact Pr. Rachel or any member of the Outreach Committee. Thank you for helping us begin this Partnership Program!

2020 ANNUAL REPORTS due by January 31. ALL COMMITTEE CHAIRS, please submit your report by January 31. Contact the church office with any questions or if you need a form.

Stewardship Commitments & Celebration

105 households have made their commitment for 2021,

with a total of $481,804 committed for ministry!

THANK YOU!

The generosity of our congregation is truly a blessing!

At-home Sunday school for children and youth is taking a pause during January. We plan to restart in February. Pr. Rachel and the Learning Committee will be in touch with families with details in a few weeks.

Taking Faith Home carries the previous Sunday's themes throughout the week.

These devotions include daily Scripture readings, prayers, hymn suggestions, milestones, conversation starters, service opportunities, and at-home rituals.

Click here for the week of January 17

Click here for the week of January 24

Men's Bible Study

Join us for a Men's Book Study on Sunday mornings at 9:30am via Zoom.

We are studying "Unafraid " by Adam Hamilton. Each week we are led by a different member of our group of 'Men-in-Training'. Those interested in participating should contact Pr. Gregg to get added to the Realm group where the meeting link is posted. There's always room for one more!

Our Daily Bread Devotionals

If you would like us to mail you a copy of the December, January, February devotional, please email the church office.

Offering Our Gifts to God

Part of our worship is offering our gifts to God. While we are apart, it is still faithful to offer our gifts. You can give in several ways:

Give online by clicking here (and you have the option to offset the cost of giving online)
Set up giving though your bank
Mail your offering to the church office.

Thank you for continued faithful giving!

Gifts & Talents Pictures

Our worship has been enhanced by your photos of projects, experiences, and joys - thank you for sharing!

We would love to see more of what you're doing - please send photos to our Video Editor, Craig Allen by clicking here.

Paul Malina a Graduate Music degree student at Winthrop is looking for a room / apartment to rent. Please click here for more information.

Congregation Connections

Click the image for

our current

Grace Prayer List

Click the image for

our current

Memorials & Honor Gifts

Click the image

for our

January Birthdays

COVID-19 Concerns

As the United States struggles to contain COVID-19, concerns are growing regarding its long term impact on mental health and those individuals in long-term/assisted living care facilities.

Click on the image to continue reading the article written by Julie Elder.

Can We Help?

This pandemic has affected each of us, but may have affected us in different ways. If you are in need of help (of any kind), please reach out to the pastors.

We can find connections to resources and/or support together.

We want to walk with you.

Please call or email us.

December Giving and Expenses

December Received $60,025

December Expenses $54,706

Budgeted to Spend $50,852

YTD Received $676,062

YTD Expenses $555,010

YTD Budgeted to Spend $610,224