What's Up?
Sunday, December 14
Third Sunday of Advent
Preaching: Pastor David Brooks/ Organist: Erin Hodge
Scheduled to Serve
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8:30 AM
Study of Isaiah (Fellowship Hall)
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9:00 AM
Sunday Discussion Group on Luther's Large Catechism (Bethlehem Resource Center)
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9:30 AM
10:10 AM - Divine Worship
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Holiday Blood Drive on Monday | We are hosting a Red Cross Holiday Blood Drive on Monday, December 15, from 11am - 4pm. It's not too late to sign up! Your donation can help save lives during a time of year when the need is especially great. All donors will receive a $15 Amazon gift card by email as a thank-you for participating. Click here to sign up, or contact the church office if you need assistance registering.
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Join Us for Saturday's Christmas Market | We are excited to hold our 2nd Annual Christmas Farmers Market this Saturday from 1-4pm and we would love to have you be part of it! There are several meaningful ways to take part: greeting, assisting guests, offering a ride on the golf cart, setting up, cleaning up, and of course, stopping by to pick up some great fresh produce and hand crafted holiday gifts from local farmers and vendors. Click here if you are interested in helping out that day, and we'll see you on Saturday.
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Parking Lot Repaving Tuesday & Wednesday, Dec. 16 & 17 | During these two dates, there will be no parking in the lot as the new pavement goes on. Church parking for the Wednesday evening service will be available in the Grace House lot, on the street, and Beth El has graciously extended to us use that evening of their parking lot (1004 Watts Street). | |
Quilts for Our Angel Tree Families | This Sunday morning, you will see a variety of quilts in our sanctuary. These Christmas quilts were made my our LWML Quilters for our Angel Tree families. Pastor Brooks blessed them during the Advent service and they will be given along with the other Angel Tree gifts.
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"A Christmas Carol": An Evening of Music with Brendan White | Join us on Saturday, December 27, at 7pm for a special concert featuring Grammy-award-winning pianist Brendan White. His program will showcase masterworks by Liszt, Mendelssohn-Hensel, and Tchaikovsky, offering a beautiful and reflective conclusion to the season. This event is free to attend, and all donations will support the Durham Community Food Pantry, extending Christ’s love to our neighbors in need.
We are also looking to build a hospitality team to welcome visitors Saturday evening and help oversee donations. If you are interested, please contact office@gracedurham.org.
| | Bethlehem Breakfast | Families with young children are invited to a joyful gathering at Grace on Saturday, December 20, at 9:30am. Enjoy breakfast, games, crafts, singing, and a time to hear the story of Jesus’ birth. Activities are planned for ages three to eight, but all families are welcome. Please feel free to share the invitation with others. Click here to RSVP. | Puerto Rico Mission Trip | The Office of International Mission and missionaries in Puerto Rico have both approved the dates of May 9-16, 2026 for Grace to go on a short term mission trip! Before we move forward with the next steps, we need a few more people who are able to commit to attending the trip. If you are interested, please reach out to Deaconess Anna at dco.anna.voelker@gracedurham.org. | |
Blue Christmas Service Saturday, December 20 | December can be a hard month. For many, the holidays can bring feelings of loneliness, sadness, and grief. If you need refuge or solace this season, St. Philip's Blue Christmas service provides a space of quiet holiness, a time of prayer and meditation, and a reminder that we’re not alone. Come as you are on Saturday, December 20 at 5:30pm. More info at stphilipsdurham.org.
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Join us for our next Wednesday at One on January 21 | Next month, we’ll enjoy a fun, hands-on chocolate-making session—just in time for Valentine’s Day. The session will be led by our own member, Laura Michael, who will guide us through creating delicious treats to take home. Come learn, create, and enjoy sweet fellowship together! Click here to RSVP so we are sure to have enough supplies for everybody.
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Small Groups at Grace | Your community for:
- Prayer
- Activity
- Learning
- Service
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Zoom Book Club - Contact Donna Gesell for more information.
Next meeting: Monday, January 5 at 6:45pm.
Upcoming Books:
January: Maisey Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
February: The President’s Daughter by Bill Clinton and James Patterson
March: Gone Before Goodbye by Reese Witherspoon and Harlan Coben.
Family PALS- Contact: Donna Walston
Next meeting: Sunday, December 21 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: January 5 at 6:30pm.
Learn more about Stephen Ministry here.
Young Adult PALS - Contact Emma Pollard or Hunter Garrison
Meets Tuesdays at 7pm
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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:
December 16 at 4 PM - Getting in Touch with Feeling through Music: Cello Concert
Presenter - Debbie Davis, cellist
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. Click here for the schedule.
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12/11 - 10am - Advent Women's Prayer Group (also meets Dec. 18)
6:30pm - 'Women of the Bible' Discussion Group. Contact contact Barbara or Amy for the Zoom link. (also meets Dec. 18)
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12/13 - 9am - Hanging of the Greens
1pm - 4pm - Christmas Farmers Market
12/14 - See Sunday listing above
12/15 - 11am - 4pm - Red Cross Holiday Blood Drive
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11:30am - Pastor's Brown Bag Bible Study
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12/16 - Parking Lot Repaving
4pm - Growing Through Grief - St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1200 W. Cornwallis
6:30pm - Resource Board Meeting
7pm - Young Adult PALS Group
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12/17 - Parking Lot Repaving (Parking available at Grace House lot or at Beth El, 1004 Watts St.)
10am - LWML Quilters
12pm - Noon Prayer Service
3pm - Walltown Ministry Meeting
6:15pm - Simple Supper
7pm - Advent Service "The Story is the Gift"
| | Click here for the church calendar. | | - Important Upcoming Dates - | |
12/20 - 9:30am - Bethlehem Breakfast for Families
12/21 - 11:30am - Grace Advisory Board Meeting
12/24 - 12pm - Christmas Eve Noon Service
5:30pm - Christmas Eve Evening Service
12/25 - Church Office Closed for Christmas Day
12/27 - 7pm - "A Christmas Carol" Concert with Brendan White
12/28 - 10:10am - A Service of Lessons and Carols
| | 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. | | |
824 N. Buchanan Blvd
Durham, NC. 27701
919-682-6030
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