E-News

Thursday, February 19, 2026

-Sunday, February 22-

First Sunday in Lent

Preaching: Pastor David Brooks/ Organist: Erin Hodge

Scheduled to Serve

8:30 AM

Lutheranism 101 Class (Duke Lutheran Center)

9:30 AM

Fellowship Time (Fellowship Hall)

10:10 AM - Divine Worship

Click here to download the worship folder

11:30AM

Grace Advisory Board Meeting

3:00 PM

Young Adult PALS Group

5:30 PM

Duke Lutheran Partner Church Prayer Service and Dinner (Duke Lutheran Center)

-The Latest News-

Lent At Grace

The One Who Believes: A Lenten Journey through the Small Catechism

Wednesdays (6:15pm Meal, 7pm Worship)

This year, our Lenten emphasis will be on the six parts of Luther’s Small Catechism.

February 25: “God Acts—The Creed”

Witness Workshop

Thursdays at 7pm February 19 - March 26

DCO Anna will be leading a discussion group on sharing your faith using Joining Jesus on His Mission: How to Be an Everyday Missionary by Greg Finke via Zoom. Contact Anna (dco.anna.voelker@gracedurham.org) for info.

Click here to download the 2026 Lenten Devotional.

Wednesdays at One: February 25 | Come enjoy an afternoon of creativity and fellowship at our next Wednesdays at One on February 25! The LWML Quilters will lead us in making Mug Rugs- a fun, simple, and customizable sewing project that you’ll be able to take home and enjoy. Lunch will be served at 12:30pm, followed by the project at 1pm. Click here to RSVP by Sunday, February 22, so we are sure to have enough food and materials for everyone.

Intentional Invite: Game Night February 27 | Starting this Sunday, we are beginning an initiative called Intentional Invite, encouraging each of us to invite one person we know—a neighbor, friend, coworker, or family member—to join us in fellowship. Our first invite opportunity is a Game Night on Friday, February 27 at 7pm. Look for an invitation in your bulletin this Sunday and consider who the Lord may be placing on your heart to invite.

Ministry Mingle - March 1 |

We thought we'd write this jingle, about attending the Ministry Mingle.
There will be time to chat and greet, and much on a special treat.

We'll offer some food for thought, about why Grace you've been brought.

We hope you will learn something new, and consider serving in an area or two.

But whatever you say or think or do - remember God has created uniquely YOU!
May the life you'd been saved for be fruitful and fulfilling,

and if you hear the Spirit's call to serve, answer, "Lord, I'm willing!"

We look forward to seeing you at our Ministry Mingle after worship on Sunday, March 1!

English Second Language Classes Start March 3 | We are restarting our English Second Language classes on Tuesday, March 3, from 6:30–8pm, with weekly classes continuing through April 21. Please contact Deac. Anna for invitations (in Spanish and English) for anyone who may be interested. We are also looking for volunteers to help welcome participants, practice conversation, and support the teacher as needed.

A Note from Deaconess Anna | This past week, Grace provided me the opportunity to attend the Best Practices of Ministry Conference in Phoenix, AZ. This conference was refreshing and encouraging all while sending me back to Durham with practical resources and new ideas. While there I attended numerous sessions on outreach. I also had the opportunity to connect with many other LCMS church workers and leaders from around the States. Through these conversations, I learned about what kinds of outreach have and have not been fruitful at other churches, leaving me with newfound insight as we seek to further connect with the community here at Grace.

-Recurring News-

Small Groups at Grace | Your community for:

Prayer
Activity
Learning
Service

Zoom Book Club

Contact Donna Gesell for more information and for the Zoom link.

Next meeting: Monday, Feb 23 at 6:30pm

The President’s Daughter by Bill Clinton and James Patterson

Upcoming Books:

March: Gone Before Goodbye by Reese Witherspoon and Harlan Coben

Family PALS

Contact: Donna Walston

Sunday, March 15 at 9am

Farmers Market

Contact: Dan Heuser

Home-Centered PALS

Contact: Barb Tippin

Wednesday, March 18 at 12:45pm

Learn more about the H-C PALS Group here.

Racial Reconciliation

Contact: Geoff Heintzelman

Stephen Ministry

Contact: Barb Tippin or Joe Wethman

Next meeting: TBD

Learn more about Stephen Ministry here.

Young Adult PALS

Contact Emma Pollard or Hunter Garrison

Sundays at 3pm

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: February 24 at 4PM

Topic - When Grief Disrupts Faith: Spiritual Repair Practices

Presenter - Alyson Tiwari, Chaplain Services, Duke University Hospital

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.

-Upcoming Events-

2/22 - See Sunday listing above

2/23 - 11:30am Pastor's Brown Bag Bible Study

6:30pm - Zoom Book Club

2/24 - 4pm - Growing Through Grief - St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1200 W. Cornwallis

2/25 - 10am - LWML Quilting

12pm - Lenten Noon Prayer Service

12:30pm - Wednesdays at One (12:30pm Lunch, 1pm Mug Rug Making Session)

6:15pm - Simple Supper

7pm - Lenten Midweek Service

2/26 - 7pm - Witness Workshop (Zoom)

2/27 - 7pm - Game Night

3/1 - 11:30am - Ministry Mingle

Click here for the church calendar.

-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.