With coronavirus concerns, we are altering our regular worship patterns. We are concerned that you keep yourself well and safe during this time of heightened health concerns. In these days of Lent, it may be that the most spiritual thing we can do not only for our own sake, but also for the sake of those around us, is to take a break from our regular pattern of worship and study. By all means if you are in a heightened risk status, please take care to take the precautions that are recommended for you.
We will begin worship at 9:30, our regular time.
There will not be a greeter in the entry.
An usher will have a worship folder for you, but we will shorten the service and will not do all the pieces listed.
Individual sign-in sheets will be in each bulletin for worship attendance.
The health authorities recommend that you sit six feet away from others in your pew. Families may elect to sit closer of course.
We will modify the passing of the peace, so that there will be no touching or shaking of hands.
The offering will be received at the door rather than passing plates which everyone handles.
A short video message from the Reverend Elizabeth Eaton, our churchwide presiding bishop will be shown.
Communion will be processional, so that we won’t be in close proximity around the altar railing.
Since both the body and blood are received in one kind in Lutheran theology, we will only distribute the bread at communion.
There will be neither coffee nor other goodies, after worship, hence no fellowship time.
Our “mini” Christian Education time will follow immediately after the service. The Adult Bible Study will meet, plus we’re planning a special all-ages event. “Wash Your Hands. Do God’s Work.” will help us connect and care for each other and our community during this time. We’ll make cards for shut-ins, distribute blue Bottle Drop bags to help bolster our “Ida Fund” that lets us help our community, make some more sneeze kits for the sanctuary, and a few other surprises. Everyone is welcome!
This Weeks Schedule
Sun, Mar. 15 @ 9:30 am — Worship Service
Mon, Mar. 16 @ 6:45 pm –Church Council
Tue, Mar. 17 — St. Patrick’s Day
Tue, Mar. 17 @ 1 pm –Bible Study
Tue, Mar. 17 @ 7 pm — Christian Eduction
Wed, Mar. 18 @ 11:15 am — Yoga
Wed, Mar. 18 @ 12 pm — Library Work Party
Thurs. Mar. 19 @ 12 pm — Wisdom Seekers
Thurs. Mar. 19 @ 3 pm — Conversation in Spanish
Thurs. Mar. 19 @ 6:30 pm — Music Ministry Rehearsal
Fri, Mar. 20 — Deadline for Grace Gatherings
The Art Auction and Jazz concert has been rescheduled. Please watch for more information. Bidding will be suspended following this Sunday’s worship service and will resume at a later date.
The Chili cookoff will be rescheduled for a later date. Please watch for more information
Blue Bottle Drop Bags are available in the church office. Funds from the return of these bags goes towards our Ida Fund which helps individuals with emergency assistance.
Lent Soup Suppers have been canceled.
Grace Church has its Annual Spring Clean Up on Saturday, April 4, 2020, from 8:30 AM to 1 PM. The Property Committee sincerely appreciated your participation in the annual cleaning of the church last year. We invite you to help us again this year. There are many tasks such as cleaning the pews in the sanctuary to pruning and weeding the shrubs and flower beds outside. Enjoy the fellowship time with other Grace members on Saturday during the “work party” and BBQ at 11:30 am .
The Partners in Faith potluck scheduled for Today, Friday March 13 has been cancedled.
Printed copies of March 2020’s issue of Grace Gatherings are now available in the church entry.
The deadline for articles for the April issue of Grace Gatherings is Friday, March 20.
Please note: On Easter Sunday, April 12th we will have two worship services at 8:30 and 11 am.
How might you serve at Grace this fall? We are always looking for additional lay ministry volunteers to serve as usher, greeter, lector, communion assistant, and numerous other roles. Joining the ranks does not obligate you too much — just an occasional call to assist in one of the liturgical cogs of Grace Lutheran.
What’s going on at Grace Lutheran? Check out ourcalendar, located on www.grace97330.org, the weekly Sunday announcements, and our facebook page for current information. You are always welcome to call the church office with questions!
