'Tis the season — it is upon us! I have a couple of quick reminders and a special announcement of a challenge for our congregation as we move toward Christmas.  

First, don’t miss Vicar Spence’s podcast series beginning on Sunday (more information below). This is his internship project, and I am really looking forward to hearing from so many different people during this season. Plus, adding a short, ten-minute devotion to your schedule is a great way to observe Advent and prepare for Christmas!  

Second, make plans to attend our Cantata on Sunday, December 4th. We have invitations in the Narthex to grab and share with family, friends and neighbors. Also, in order to include our online worshippers in this amazing worship opportunity, we will be recording the Cantata, and it will be the online worship service on December 11th.  

Finally, a few weeks ago, I highlighted that we have been slipping a little behind in our regular giving to support the ministries of Grace. A member of the congregation (who was so inspired by all that we have been doing) has generously offered to match any Special Offerings to the General Fund until the end of the year — up to $10,000! This is an amazing gift and challenge for us all. So, if you have the ability, please consider a special additional Christmas Gift to Grace.  

How can you participate? You can bring a Special Offering on a Sunday or mail it to the church office, indicating “Special Offering” in the memo line of a check. Or, you can use our online giving option on our DONATE webpage, using the “Special Offering” designation. Please see below for a direct link.

We hope that lots of folks will be able to participate at any level they feel comfortable. The Council and I believe that these special Christmas gifts to Grace will go a long way to catching us up as we move toward the end of the year.  

Thank you for all that you do in ministry at Grace and beyond.  

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

~Pastor Steve  

An Advent Observed is shaping up! November 27 through December 24, you are invited to tune in to An Advent Observed podcast series, during which Grace members and friends share daily devotional reflections on the themes of Advent. To hear a preview, click the image to the left.

Wish to receive a daily notification, letting you know when a podcast episode has posted? Sign up below! An Advent Observed can also be found on the following platforms: Apple, Spotify, Anchor, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and Google podcast. Subscribe and follow!

As you tune in or sign up, invite family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, anyone and everyone, as we hear from 28 individuals sharing 28 devotional reflections. What does Hope (week 1), Love (week 2), Joy (week 3), and Peace (week 4) mean to you this Advent season? Join us, as we explore this very question with An Advent Observed.

Special note regarding Christmas Eve Worship Assistants:

There are separate sign-ups for the 4:00pm and the 7:00pm Christmas Eve services! For each service we will be looking for one Crucifer, one Acolyte, two Torch Bearers, one Bible Bearer, one Banner Bearer, one Assisting Minister, one Lector and two Communion Assistants. Please reach out to Jan or Sabena if you are interested in serving or inquire directly below. Thank you!

The Chancel Choir, accompanied by a thirteen-member chamber orchestra, will offer “Let There Be Christmas” by Joseph M. Martin on December 4th at 10:00am. The cantata tells the Christmas Story in music and word, and celebrates faith, hope, peace, love, joy, wonder, and grace. 

From the composer: 

The glorious miracle of Christmas causes us to proclaim:

Let there be SONG…as a young mother’s lullaby becomes a symphony of praise that wakes the nations.

Let there be FAITH…as ancient scrolls unfurl to reveal the living Word of God.

Let there be HOPE….as the promise of a Redeemer opens like a sacred rose in the soul of the believer.

Let there be PEACE…as the Spirit descends like a Dove with healing in its wings.

Let there be LOVE…as the world feels the embrace of God’s perfect light.

Let there be JOY…as our cup of worship overflows with thanksgiving.

Lethe there be WONDER…as each seeker’s eyes reflect a glory that melts away doubt and reveals the treasure of belief.

Let there be GRACE…and discover the heart of God.

Let there be CHRISTMAS…and let the music of life begin and never end!

Please note that we now have a 2023 Flower Chart displayed in the Narthex for future Chancel Flower sign-ups. And please continue to contact Gail with flower questions. Thank you!

During the season of Advent, many families have included the practice of lighting Advent wreaths in their homes. If you have an advent wreath (or even if you don't but have four candles around), we invite the whole congregation to share in this practice. 

Using resources from a few different places, I pulled together a daily devotional Rite to go alongside the lighting of the Advent Wreaths in our homes. Some copies are available in the Narthex or just click on the button below and print your own.

~Pastor Steve

On October 30th, Pastor Steve started a 7-week, Sunday morning study on the newly published book The First Advent in Palestine: Reversals, Resistance, and the Ongoing Complexity of Hope by Kelley Nikondeha.  

“When we picture the first Advent, we see Mary and Joseph huddled by a manger…But there is much more to this powerful story when it is set against its geographic, socioeconomic, and political backdrop.”  

Please join Pastor Steve for these great discussions.  

For more information about Children, Youth and Family activities,

use the link below to read the latest newsletter!