Grace's Congregation Council met this past Sunday, May 17th, and continued the discussion surrounding when and how we might begin to resume some in-person activities.
Council is moving from bi-weekly to
weekly
check-in meetings to continue discussing the situation more frequently as information continues to become available. In this discernment, Council continues to consider input from the CDC, SC DHEC, SC Synod, ELCA, Grace's Health & Wellness Committee, and other experts. As of today, we do
not
have an in-person return date. However, we continue to move closer to that point.
A multi-stage plan is close to being finalized, and the details will be shared with the congregation once it is ready to be enacted. There will be many practices that differ from our 'normal' in-person activities, and we intend to give you as much notice as possible about those changes so everyone can be prepared for the 'new normal' we'll experience together.
We are putting together a
Re-opening Task Force
to head up the many moving parts of this plan, and the Task Force will need help. If you are interested in assisting this task force, let Pr. Gregg know, and please keep an eye out for several opportunities to sign up in next week's e-news.
We are grateful for the many ways that you, Grace members, have continued to be the church while we are apart. The Holy Spirit continues to work in and among us, and we continue to share God's grace with the world.
We will share more updates as they are available. In the meantime, please continue praying for all those affected by the pandemic. If you have any questions, please contact the pastors.
|
|
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!
|
|
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, ice cream flavors, and favorite picnic locations. 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.
|
|
Click on the video link for the latest message from ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, who shares the importance of our mental health and reaching out when we are struggling. God wants us to be whole and well!
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
WORSHIP
Click the video image for the
Sixth Sunday of Easter
Worship Service Video
from May 17th.
Click
here
for the worship guide.
|
|
Click the video image for
the Children's Sermon from
the Sixth Sunday of Easter,
May 17th.
|
|
|
We invite you to "like", comment on, and share these videos!
|
|
Each Sunday we continue to worship together online.
We will also send an email to invite you to participate.
|
|
Zeus the newborn lamb
photo courtesy of Emma Lowrance
|
|
What are you doing while we are apart? How are you using your gifts? Are you drawing? Painting? Gardening? Woodworking? Farming? Building puzzles? Share your work and activities with us! During this time, many of us are busy with projects. 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. 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!
|
|
|
NOTE: If you can, add a signature to your visual offering!
|
|
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 online by clicking
here
(
and you have the option to offset the cost of giving online), or you are welcome to mail your offering to the church office.
Thank you for giving!
|
|
|
In "
Caught You Caring
", The Stewardship Committee highlights some of the great stewardship of gifts they've noticed recently and says THANKS!
Click
here
for May's "Caught You Caring" thank-you's!
|
|
If you missed the thank-you notes to the Grace Congregation last week, click
here
to read them!
|
|
|
FAITH FORMATION RESOURCES
|
|
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 May 17
Click
here
for the week of May 24
|
|
Click
here
for previously featured (and still available!) resources.
|
|
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.
|
|
Click the image for our
May Birthdays
|
|
Click the image for our current Grace Prayer List
|
|
Click the image for
Memorials and Gifts
|
|
Are You
Passionate about RECYCLING?
Click
here
for a message from Dan Polito about the future of recycling in Rock Hill and how you can influence this city's care of creation.
|
|
April Giving and Expenses
April Received $52,731
April Expenses $52,864
Budgeted to Spend $50,852
YTD Received $214,001
YTD Expenses $186,242
YTD Budgeted to Spend $203,408
|
|
|
An Update From
Our NovusWay Camps
-------------------
NovusWay is dedicated to providing a safe and healthy environment for everyone at their camps. Click
here
to read more about the adjustments that are being made this summer.
|
|
Register for Summer Camp
Summer Camp is still happening! While NovusWay is adjusting some scheduling to ensure a safe camp experience, there are still many weeks of camp available. You can learn about Risk-Free Registration and sign up
here
.
Grace has scholarships available for NovusWay camps and we
HAVE EXTENDED THE
APPLICATION DEADLINE -
|
|
|
Stay connected.
Click on the links below.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
