Grace's Congregation Council met again this past Sunday, June 7, and continued the discussion surrounding when and how we might begin to resume some in-person activities. While there is not an official date set, we are working towards the goal of having in-person worship by the end of this month.
As we continue getting things ready, know that we are deeply grateful for the many ways that you, Grace members, have continued to be the church while we are apart. Our church has never been closed in this time, just deployed. The Holy Spirit continues to work in and among us, and we continue to share God's grace with the world.
Stay up-to-date with the latest information by visiting our COVID-19 page:
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We need your help! Before we can re-open, we need several strong teams of people who are willing to lend their help so all of us are as safe as possible. Click below to volunteer:
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While we are physically apart in the coming weeks, there are still many ways for us to be church together. We invite you to connect with one another by phone and make use of the resources in this publication, too!
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Grace is a generous congregation in many ways! One way we prioritize generosity is by including numerous charitable organizations in our annual Missional Spending Plan. In planning to give to these organizations, we say that we share their passion for serving God's people, and we commit to supporting their work, as well as those served.
Grace often receives thank-you notes from these organizations. This week, we are sharing some of these notes, so that you can see how your faithful giving towards the mission we share is making an impact in the world.
Thank you for your generosity!
To learn more about each organization, click on their logo.
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South Carolina Lutheran Retreat Centers
Dear Friends, Thank you for your generous gift...During the time of this Covid 19 crisis, we are particularly grateful for your support. Sadly, right now we have no guests and no income other than gifts such as yours. We are prayerful that soon people will once again return to Camp Kinard and Coastal Retreat. We ALL need retreats and time to be with people we love. Thank you for helping to insure that these holy spaces will be available when once again we can gather... We truly appreciate your support now more than ever!
Blessings, Deacon Dallas J. Shealy, Executive Director SCLRC
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Habitat for Humanity of York County
On behalf of Habitat for Humanity of York County...thank you for your recent donation of $5,000. Because of your contribution, we are able to build and preserve homes that families can afford to live in - creating stability into the future for children as well as seniors aging in place...During 2020, Habitat for Humanity of York County will serve 45 families through our new construction and home repair programs and we will continue our neighborhood revitalization partnerships to impact even more families...This is only possible because of contributions from thoughtful, caring people like you.
Sincerely, Tim Veeck, Executive Director/CEO
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Pilgrims' Inn
To the Congregation of Grace Lutheran Church,
I just wanted to take a moment to express my appreciation for your continued support, especially during this challenging pandemic. May God continue to bless you for your generosity and understanding of our mission...Every dollar raised provides critical services to children and families living in our community. Your generous support enables us to continue the critical work of helping hurting families stabilize and protecting children from the ravages of chronic poverty and homelessness...Without you, our vision would be impossible.
Respectfully, Juanita B. Lester, Executive Director
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Lutheran Homes of South Carolina
Dear Friends, Please know how grateful we are for your gift...Thank you for making a difference in the lives of those we serve at the ministries of Lutheran Homes of South Carolina, which include Franke at Seaside, the Heritage at Lowman, Rice Estate, RoseCrest, Trinity on Laurens, Lutheran Hospice and BeWell Home Services. Your partnership is vital to achieving our mission of enhancing the well-being of older adults.
Sincerely, Judith L. Whisman, Donor Relations Coordinator
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Children's Attention Home of Rock Hill
- food donation provided through Hunger Outreach purchases
To the pastors and Outreach Committee of Grace Lutheran Church:
I want to take this opportunity to thank you and the members of Grace Lutheran Church for the unbelievable donation of food to the Children's Attention Home of Rock Hill. Providing a safe and stable home, nutritious meals, loving attention, and an uplifting environment is critical to ensuring the needs of our children are met. During this time of financial uncertainty, all gifts are appreciated, but the enormous amount of food you gave us truly met a great need. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! - Richard Huitt, Facilities Manager
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Coffee Hour on Facebook Live
Many of you have joined in the Sunday morning Facebook Live Coffee Hours, sharing your thoughts on the worship service, sermon & Scripture, favorite food combinations, local restaurants and more. Thanks for taking part!
Our pastors will continue to host these online
Coffee Hours
on
Sunday mornings at 11am
. If you've never been, we invite you to join us on Facebook this week! If you've joined before, we hope you'll keep coming. Bring your coffee and your comments to take part in this community gathering!
We'll also continue to launch our
worship service
on
Facebook Premiere
at
10am
on Sundays, so that those who wish can worship at the same time and even say hello. We'll continue to post the worship service on YouTube and the website at
7:30am
for those who prefer to access it that way.
We invite you to share the links to our services and coffee hours; though we are apart, we can still share the Good News of God through worship and fellowship.
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Click on the video link for the latest message from ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, who shares with us prophetic reminders: This is the day! Now is the time!
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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.
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WORSHIP
Click the video image for the
Trinity Sunday
Worship Service Video
from June 7.
Click
here
for the worship guide.
Click
here
to read Bp. Eaton's sermon.
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Click the video image for
the Children's Sermon from
Trinity Sunday,
June 7th.
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We invite you to "like", comment on, and share these videos!
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Each Sunday we continue to worship together online.
We will also send an email to invite you to participate.
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Offering Our Gifts to God
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Bird sculpture courtesy of Coby Johnson
Gifts & Talents Pictures
Share your work and activities with us! During this time, many of us are busy with projects, using our gifts. Sharing your projects, large or small, is one way to present offerings to God at this time & we want to see what God is doing through you!
If you'd like to share what you're doing, please send pictures to
Pr. Gregg
so we can include them in our worship videos. We may also use these on social media & at church when we return.
NOTE: If you can, add a signature to your visual offering!
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Monetary Offering
When we worship together, 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
-You are also still welcome to mail your offering to the church office.
Thank you for giving!
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Children and Youth Programming at Grace
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Young Youth and Grace Youth Ministry (GYM)
Young Youth & GYM will meet via Zoom every-other week during the summer (June 14 & 28, July 12 & 26). We continue to enjoy each other's company & grow in our faith online. Please email Pr.
Rachel
with any questions. We give thanks that we can still meet in this way!
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FAITH FORMATION RESOURCES
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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 June 7
Click
here
for the week of June 14
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Click
here
for previously featured (and still available!) resources.
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Click the image for our
June Birthdays
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Click the image for our current Grace Prayer List
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Click the image for
Memorials and Gifts
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Click the image to read a thank you note from Dan Polito.
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Committee Meetings can be held on Zoom! If your Committee hasn't met recently and would like to, the pastors can help. If your Committee doesn't currently have business to discuss, this could still be an opportunity to check in with each other and share in fellowship. Please click
here
to email the pastors if you'd like to set up a Zoom.
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May Received $66,883
May Expenses $48,640
Budgeted to Spend $50,852
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YTD Received $277,989
YTD Expenses $234,882
YTD Budgeted to Spend $254,260
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Stay connected! Click on the links below!
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All in-person activities at
Grace Lutheran Church are suspended until further notice.
At this time, please do not come
to the church building.
We are praying for
the health and well-being
of our community and world.
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GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH
426 Oakland Avenue
Rock Hill, SC 29730
(740) 312-5774
(Pastor Gregg’s cell)
(864) 230-3816
(Pastor Rachel’s cell)
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
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