E-News

Thursday, November 13, 2025

What's Up?

Sunday, November 16

23rd Sunday after Pentecost

Preaching: Pastor David Brooks/ Organist: Erin Hodge

Scheduled to Serve

8:30 AM

Study of Isaiah (Fellowship Hall)

9:00 AM

Sunday Discussion Group on Luther's Large Catechism (Bethlehem Resource Center)

9:00 AM

Family PALS Group (Downstairs Kids Room)

9:30 AM

Fellowship Time

10:10 AM - Divine Worship

Click here to download the worship folder

11:30 AM

Voters' Meeting

5:30 PM

Duke Lutherans Prayer and Fellowship Dinner (Duke Lutherans Center)

-The Latest News-

In Resurrection Hope: Service for Lloyd Redick | Please join us in praying for the family of Lloyd Redick, who entered the Church Triumphant on Wednesday, November 12. A service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church this Saturday, November 15, at 1:30pm, with a reception to follow. The family asks in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church of Durham (https://secure.myvanco.com) or the Forest at Duke benevolence fund.

This Saturday! Chili Cookoff and Food Donation Packing | Join us this Saturday at 5:30pm to get a taste of what Grace can cook up for our first ever chili cookoff. This will be both an opportunity to enjoy food together and help provide food for others as we will also be assembling bags of non-perishable food for local Early Head Start families. Thank you to everyone who provided donations- you went above and beyond the call!

Voters' Meeting This Sunday | Packets for the Voters' Assembly meeting for this Sunday are available in the Narthex or online here. The main agenda item is the adoption of the Ministry Spending Plan (budget) for 2026.

Reminder:

According to Grace's By-Laws, voting membership is to be renewed annually. Commitment cards are available to fill out online here and must be returned prior to voting at Sunday's meeting. Paper cards are also available in the Narthex.

Care of Baptized Children | It's time to celebrate our 4 year-olds! This Sunday, Carey Kolba, Stanley Robinson, and Caleb Stuhlmiller will receive a prayer book and a glow-in-the-dark cross. "I Can Pray to God" is their next step in the Care of Baptized Children program. Let's give thanks for these young believers. -Donna Walston, coordinator

Surviving the Holidays: Wednesdays at One November 19

Click here or on the image to RSVP.

Servant Appreciation and New Member Sunday | We rejoice that on Sunday, November 23, Grace Lutheran Church will welcome 14 new members into our congregation! As Paul reminds us in Romans 12:5, “So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” We will also be celebrating our wonderful church community that Sunday for your generosity in sharing your gifts, time, and talents.

December Blood Drive | Save the date! The Red Cross will once again be hosting a Blood Drive at Grace on Monday, December 15. Stay tuned for more information on how to sign up.

Grace Christmas Market | Do you have a favorite Christmas Carol? Let Erin Hodge, music@gracedurham.org or Kim, office@gracedurham.org, know, and join us to sing them at our 2nd Annual Grace Christmas Market on Saturday, December 13, from 1-4pm!

We’re also looking to borrow a grill for the Christmas Market. If you have one we could use, please let Deaconess Anna know, dco.anna.voelker@gracedurham.org.

Ministry of the Month: Home-Centered Care PALS | We believe that no one should feel forgotten—especially those who can’t always join us in person. That’s the heart behind the Home-Centered PALS group, which reaches out to members who are homebound or have limited mobility. We are excited about an upcoming Thanksgiving/Advent project focused on remembering our older members with the help of the Young Adult PALS! If you'd like to take part in this project, or have ideas for future projects, contact Barb Tippin at barbaratippin@yahoo.com.

-Recurring News-

Small Groups at Grace | Your community for:

Prayer
Activity
Learning
Service

Zoom Book Club - Contact Donna Gesell for more information.

Future books:

November: Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q Sutanto

Family PALS- Contact: Donna Walston

Next meeting: This Sunday, November 16 at 9am.

Home-Centered PALS - Contact: Barb Tippin

Learn more about the H-C PALS Group here.

Racial Reconciliation - Contact: Geoff Heintzelman

Stephen Ministry - Contact: Joyce Rea or Joe Wethman

Next meeting: Monday, November 17 at 6 PM.

Learn more about Stephen Ministry here.

Young Adult PALS - Contact Emma Pollard or Hunter Garrison

Meets Tuesdays at 7pm

Growing Thru Grief | Offers year-round support for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Meets at St. Paul's Lutheran Church (1200 W. Cornwallis, Durham). All are welcome.

Next Meeting:

November 18 at 4 PM - Grieving through the Holidays

Presenter - Margaret Albert, Duke Hospice and Bereavement Services

Growing thru Grief is sponsored by a coalition of religious and civic organizations; there is no charge to attend. Grace is a proud Coalition Member of Growing Thru Grief. Stay tuned for December's GtG schedule.

-Events 11/13 - 11/19 -

11/15 - 5:30 PM - Chili Cookoff and Food Packing Event

11/16 - (See Sunday listing above)

11/17 - 11:30 AM - Pastor's Brown Bag Bible Study

6 PM - Stephen Ministry Meeting

11/18 - 4 PM - Growing Through Grief - St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1200 W. Cornwallis

6:30 PM - Grace Advisory Board Meeting (Zoom)

7 PM - Young Adult PALS Group

11/19 - 10 AM - LWML Quilters

12 PM - Noon Prayer Service

12:30 PM - Wednesdays at One: Surviving the Holidays

3 PM- Walltown Ministries Meeting

6:30 PM - Choir Rehearsal

Click here for the church calendar.

- Important Dates November and Beyond -

11/23 - Servant Appreciation Sunday

11/27 & 28 - Thanksgiving Holiday, Church Office Closed

11/29 - 10 AM - Christmas Oratorio Rehearsal

12/3, 10, 17 - 6 PM - Simple Suppers and 7 PM - Advent Evening Prayer

12/13 - 9 AM - 12 PM - Hanging of the Greens

1 PM - 4 PM - Grace Christmas Market

12/24 - 5:30 PM - Christmas Eve Service

-From the Church Office-

All articles for the weekly e-news should be sent to the church office no later than the Wednesday prior to the Thursday mailing. This form may also be used to submit articles.