E-News

Bethlehem Breakfast This Saturday | Families with young children are invited to a joyful gathering at Grace this Saturday at 9:30am for 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.

Blue Christmas Service This Saturday | December can be a hard month for many. 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.

"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.

Thank You for a Successful Blood Drive | Thank you to all who volunteered and donated to the Red Cross Holiday Blood Drive on December 15th. We had 19 total units collected, passing our goal of 18! Your donation is truly appreciated by the blood recipients, their loved ones and all of us here at Grace. We hope that we will see you again at our next blood drive!

Christmas Market Wrap-up | Thank you to everyone who came out to help, shop, sing, and support the Grace Christmas Farmers Market last Saturday! Click here for photos from the Market, and we look forward to seeing you in April for the kick-off of our 2026 season!

Step 3 Coming Soon | Step 3 of our Discipleship Pathway is Growing in Christ. This step reflects the lifelong work of the Holy Spirit as we grow to be more like Jesus in our thoughts, actions, and hearts. Growing in Christ means deepening our daily relationship with Him, honoring and worshiping Him in both work and play, and inviting others to connect with us in the life of faith. Resources for Growing in Christ will be available beginning January 11.

Join us for our next Wednesday at One on January 21 | Wednesday at One's primary goal is bringing people together by creating an inviting space where relationships can grow and community can be shared. These gatherings are designed to foster meaningful connection, particularly for those who are new to the congregation or looking for a welcoming place to build friendships.

In January, we’ll gather for a hands-on chocolate-making workshop, perfectly timed for Valentine’s Day. Our own Laura Michael will lead us in crafting sweet treats to enjoy and take home. Please click here to RSVP so we can plan accordingly and have enough supplies for everyone.

Puerto Rico Mission & Baseball Equipment Update | At the end of October, we shared that 60 baseballs, 24 aluminum bats, 8 gloves, 18 softballs, batters gloves, and more were on their way to Gustavo and Ruth Maita for their mission work in Puerto Rico. We are happy to share that they have arrived and went right to use by the baseball club near the church! We have also received their December 2025 newsletter- click here to read more.

-Recurring News-

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

This Sunday, December 21 at 9am.

Home-Centered PALS - Contact: Barb Tippin

Wednesday, January 21 at 12:45pm

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

-Events 12/18 - 12/24 -

12/18 - 10am - Advent Women's Prayer Group

6:30pm - 'Women of the Bible' Discussion Group. Contact contact Barbara or Amy for the Zoom link

12/20 - 9:30am - Bethlehem Breakfast

12/21 - See Sunday listing above

12/22- 11:30am - Pastor's Brown Bag Bible Study

12/23 - 4pm - Growing Through Grief - St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1200 W. Cornwallis

7pm - Young Adult PALS Group

12/24 - Christmas Eve

10am - LWML Quilters

12pm - Christmas Eve Noon Service

5:30pm - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Click here for the church calendar.

- Important Upcoming Dates -

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

1/1 - Church Office Closed for New Years Day

1/11 - Discipleship Pathway Step 3 Launch: Growing in Christ

1/21 - 12:30pm - Wednesdays at One: Chocolate-Making

-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.

December Birthdays, Baptism Birthdays and Anniversaries

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