GRACE NOTES
September 7 - 14, 2021
Sunday School classes for Grade 7 - Adult start this Sunday at 10:00am
7th-12th Grade Sunday School - SALT

Pr. Gregg will lead "SALT" Sunday School for our 7th-12th graders this fall! Click HERE for more information about the class.
Women’s Sunday School Class for Fall 2021
The Women’s Sunday School Class (Women of the Word) will resume on Sunday morning, Sept. 12 at 10 am. 
We will continue to use the Gather magazine which is published by Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. 
The Bible Study in this magazine (and the articles) are written by a variety of ordained pastors and women with auxiliary positions in the church. The Fall 2021 study is called, The gift of the Holy Spirit: A divine wild goose chase, by Rev. Sara Olson-Smith. I am excited to continue leading this class and welcome all who would like to join. 

We will follow the church guidelines regarding masks and hope to be able to meet outside some later in the fall when the temperature cools off. I am looking forward to this opportunity to study God’s word with other Christian women. -Ruth Wasserman

Contact Ruth with any questions here or 803-372-8820.
FALL ADULT BIBLE STUDY
This fall the Adult’s Bible Study will focus on the Book of Galatians. This was one of Martin Luther’s favorite books of the Bible. The bible study comes from a company called Kerygma. To find more information about this study click HERE.
Contact Bob Wasserman at 803.415.4449 or bobwass7@gmail.com about your decision to join this class. There will not be a charge for the book unless you desire to purchase your own copy and write notes in the book. We will discuss this in our first class. - Regards, Bob Wasserman
Men's Bible Study

The Men's Bible Study group will continue to meet in Room 101 for fall Sunday School.

The current study focuses on Titus Kennedy's "Unearthing the Bible: 101 Archeological Discoveries that Bring the Bible to Life"

WELCM Benefit Concert
Join us on Friday, September 17 at 7pm for a WELCM Benefit Concert featuring Dr. Olga-Maria Cruz, Dr. Jeremy Mims, and Rev. Jesse Canniff-Kuhn with WELCM students.

Click HERE for more information.

Donate in person or online at www.welcm.org.
Council Comments - Sharing Good News!

This week, Patti Sauders shares about God's Grace

“Amazing Grace” is a popular hymn that many people sing in churches worldwide. It was my Mother’s favorite hymn. It begins with the famous opening line “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.” Grace is a free gift given to Christians at salvation. Despite our sinful nature God’s grace and favor is available. Receiving God’s grace provides us hope that there is a forgiveness and redemption for our sin and that each day is another opportunity to extend that same grace to others.

Grace Lutheran does just that as well, she extends her arms to all those who need her and want her. Grace provides through our benevolence, Sunday worship, Sunday school, vacation bible school, Family Promise, Outreach opportunities, youth ministries, Habitat for Humanity, and on and on. I’ve been a member at Grace for 60 years and she has only gotten better each and every year I’ve been a member.

God’s grace is an essential component for everyday life and foundational to the Christian faith. We need God’s grace to sustain us every day.

Grace is not given to a select few, but to all who accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. Whatever season or situation you may currently be facing, remember God’s grace is available to you.

“We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are” (Acts 15-11).
Worship Assistants Needed!

We are currently trying to re-establish a rotation of worship assistants for both services. Unfortunately, our lists of volunteers are a bit outdated, so we're starting fresh!

Click on the signups below to add your name to some of the rotations. Once we have volunteers for each category, we'll produce a schedule that rotates.
8:30 Service
11:00 Service
Schedule Conflicts:

Just like before, if you get scheduled for a Sunday when you'll be unavailable, we just need you to make a quick phone call to swap with another volunteer. Then, let somebody at the Church Office know about the change (so we can update the schedule). It's as easy as that!

A word about Training:

Please don't be put off because you have not received instruction for one or more of these roles. Each role is relatively simple with a little practice and we will be sure to provide instruction before you are called upon to serve.

Click the image for the
worship service for The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost,
Sunday, September 5.

Click HERE for the worship guide.
Click the video image for the Children's sermon from
Sunday, September 5.
WELCM Gathering Dinners - Many Needed!
On Tuesday evenings during the school year, our campus ministry, WELCM, offers free, home-cooked dinners for students at the White House behind Grace Lutheran.
Please join us in creating community for and with Winthrop students and demonstrating the warm hospitality of Grace by providing dinner! Sign up in the Fellowship Hall. Contact Olga-Maria with any questions. 
Blood Drive - September 13

We are partnering with Oakland Avenue Presbyterian (our neighbors across the street) to host a Blood Drive on September 13.

If you'd like to give blood, please register by clicking HERE, searching for the zip code 29730, and scrolling down to September 13.

Thank you to those who are helping with the Drive and to those who are giving blood!
LIFT - Ladies In Faith Together
All women of Grace are invited to the LIFT (Ladies in Faith Together). We are a Christian group of women who encourage one another in spiritual growth and fellowship. We will be holding meetings throughout 2021-2022 studying the Beatitudes (Matt 5:3-10). Meetings will be held at a member’s home, church, or field trip – date, time, and place for meeting will be decided at the end of the prior meeting. At our gatherings we share a meal or snack, friendship, support, laughter, and prayer.
For more information contact Carla Harrison or Karen Harris. 

Join us for our next meeting on:
Saturday, September 18 - 11:00am
(bring side dishes to share for lunch)
at the Stockley residence.
Contact Karen Harris at harrisak@comporium.net for more information.
PROPERTY COMMITTEE
meets Saturday, September 18

The Property Committee will meet for breakfast at Eggs Up Grill next to Harris Teeter on Celanese Rd prior to the meeting at church. Contact Walker Stockley with any questions or if you are interested in joining the Property Committee.
Children's Choir is starting fresh!

On Sunday, September 19th, parents of kindergarten through 5th graders are invited to meet with Irene Pointon to discuss this year's new Children's Choir program. Come learn about the goals we have, the music we'll be learning, and the opportunities for growth in faith and music skills!

This meeting will be at 10 am in the Fellowship Hall.

If you have questions before the meeting, please contact Irene Pointon (number below).
The Children's Choir is in need of a keyboard. If you have a keyboard to donate to the church, please text Irene Pointon at 704.517.5403.
Choir Rehearsals
Grace Alone meets on Monday evenings at 7:20pm; this group leads every week in the 8:30am service.

Parish Choir meets on Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm; this ensemble sings in the 11:00am service.

If you enjoy singing, I hope you will consider joining us! Contact Jeremy for more information.
Our partner, HOPE, has changing needs each week based on what is and isn't delivered to their food pantry. If you'd like to help with food donations, you can check this list each week to see what they need most!
Needs for this week:

+ Toilet paper
+ Paper towels
+ Cleaning supplies
+ Menstrual products
+ Shampoo - men & women
+ Conditioner - men & women
+ Deodorant - men & women
*bold is especial need
Please take your donations to HOPE. Click HERE for drop-off times.
Dear Grace Family,

It is with a full heart that I thank you all for the support I have received from you after Larry's passing in May. My grief moments have been lifted up by Our Heavenly Father and by the thoughts and prayers of my Grace family.
It is a marvelous feeling to be lifted up by prayers. Everyone who helped make Larry's day special is so appreciated by me and my family. Of course, the choir and music were so important to Larry, and he was so honored! It is with heartfelt gratitude that I thank each and everyone of you!
-Kathy Schwandt
Congregation Connections
Click the image for
our current
Grace Prayer List
Click the image for
our September Birthdays
Click the image for
our Memorials & Honor Gifts
The Sanctuary Candle for the month of September are given by Lynne and John Siegel in memory of Ruth Riggot Sliney.

The Altar Flowers for Sunday, September 12 are given by Pam and Rick Kirby to Glorify God and in celebration of our 37th wedding anniversary.

AND

Linda and Raymond Zieverink in honor of Selwyn Perkins (Linda's mom) on her 97th birthday and to the Glory of God.

If you would like to sponsor Altar Flowers please click HERE.
Good Samaritan Fund

Are you in need? How about someone you know? At the June meeting, Council voted to allocate the undesignated memorial funds from 2020 to the Good Samaritan Fund, with the intention that the funds might offer help to members of Grace who could use a little financial assistance. As one member of Council put it, "We need to help the helpers and not try to pour from an empty cup. Hopefully these resources can help with that."

To request assistance from this fund, please contact either of the pastors. All assistance is confidential.
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 Sept. 5
Click HERE for the week of Sept. 12
Offering Our Gifts to God

Part of our worship is offering our gifts to God. You can give in several ways:

  • Give via the offering plate in the Sanctuary

  • Give online by clicking HERE (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!
July Giving and Expenses
July Received $34,214
July Expenses $48,700
Budgeted to Spend $57,902
YTD Received $340,450
YTD Expenses $334,539
YTD Budgeted to Spend $405,314
Can We Help?

If you are in need of help (of any kind), or simply want to connect, please reach out to the pastors. We want to walk with you.
Please call or email us.
Stay connected! Click on the links below!
In-person activities at
Grace Lutheran Church are beginning again. All in-person activities need to be scheduled in advance at this time.

Please contact the church office if you need to schedule an activity.

We are praying for the health and well-being of our community and world.
GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH
426 Oakland Avenue
Rock Hill, SC 29730
803.324.5295 www.gracerockhill.com

(740) 312-5774 (Pastor Gregg’s cell)
(864) 230-3816 (Pastor Rachel’s cell)

Office Hours:
Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm