E-News

-Consecration Sunday Is Coming-

On Sunday, August 30, Grace will celebrate Consecration Sunday—a special day for us to gather in worship, reflect on God's generosity, and prayerfully consider our response to all He has entrusted to us. We hope you will make plans to join us for Sunday morning worship, followed immediately by a Celebration Luncheon for our entire Grace family.

We are pleased to welcome Rev. Dr. Travis Guse as our guest speaker for the day. Click here to read his bio.

A Prayerful Response to God's Generosity

Consecration Sunday encourages each of us to consider proportionate and systematic giving by prayerfully asking:

“What percentage of my income is God calling me to give?”

During worship, members will have an opportunity to respond by completing an Estimate of Giving Card for the coming year.

This isn't a decision we expect anyone to make hurriedly on Sunday morning. Stewardship is a matter of faith, prayer, and discernment. To give you time to consider your response, we are providing a preview of the Estimate of Giving Card here. Click here for more information on how to Grow One Step Further.

We encourage you to spend some time with the card, pray about God's blessings in your life, and consider how He may be leading you in your giving.

Let's Celebrate Together!

Following worship, we will gather for a Celebration Luncheon—a time to enjoy fellowship, give thanks for God's blessings, and celebrate the ministry we share at Grace. Because the meal is catered, reservations are needed for everyone attending. Reserve your place here.

We hope you will join us for this special day of worship, prayerful commitment, fellowship, and thanksgiving as together we celebrate God's abundant grace and look forward to the ministry He has placed before us.

Over the past Several weeks members of Grace have shared with you their personal stories of stewardship. Here is one more.

-Spotlight on Serving-

Greetings From Kenya | We have received a new issue of Marie's newsletter on August 27. Click here to read Marie's latest news and see pictures of Kenya!

Leonard's Excellent Adventure: The Final Chapter | Leonard and Sandra arrived in Pretoria, where their travels have taken them to several places that offer a sobering glimpse into South Africa's complex and often painful history. They visited the Voortrekker Monument, which honors the Dutch-descended pioneers, or Afrikaner, who left the Cape Colony during the Great Trek between 1835-1854. The monument reflects an important part of Afrikaner history, while also reminding visitors of the complicated legacy of colonialism and the conflicts that followed.

They also visited the Union Buildings, South Africa's official government offices and the seat of the Presidents. The Union Buildings also commemorate the historic 1965 Women's March, when approximately 20,000 women marched to protest apartheid's discriminatory pass laws. The grounds are home to the imposing statue of Nelson Mandela, a powerful symbol of the country's journey from apartheid to democracy. His presidential inauguration took place here in 1994.

Mission Fair | Join the Southeastern District this Saturday, August 29th, as they host a Mission Fair at Holy Cross Lutheran Church from 10am-2:45pm. Click here for more information and discover how God is changing lives around the world!

ESL | Another session of ESL is kicking off in just a couple weeks! Classes will take place from September 15 - October 27 on Tuesday evenings from 7-8pm. This opportunity to serve our neighbors is a way to build connections and welcome guests at Grace. We would love for you to participate in these classes as a conversation partner! You do not need to know any Spanish and will not be asked to lead. You will simply join in conversation and help create a welcoming environment to all who attend. You can come once, twice, or every week - whatever your schedule allows. Please contact Deac. Anna if interested. 

Craft Workshop | Grace is hosting a tote bag decorating workshop on Thursday, September 10th at 7pm! Everyone will have access to paint and fabric to decorate a bag that you'll get to take home! Please RSVP by September 3rd to secure your spot! As always, we would love for you to invite a friend to come along!

Intentional Invite: Karaoke | Join Grace for Karaoke Night on Friday, September 18th at 7pm! Come out for a fun night of fellowship and invite a friend to join! Intentional Invites are organized for you to welcome a guest in a low pressure way. Challenge yourself this month to step out of your comfort zone and share a Karaoke invitation with a few friends, family members, neighbors, or even strangers! We can't wait for this night of music, laughter, and fun!

Benefit Concert | On September 20th, we will be joined by Joshua Messick, a musician trained in the dulcimer hammer. He will be here for both our morning worship service as well as an afternoon concert at 3pm. The concert is free to attend but we will be collecting a good will offering to help those in Western NC repair after Hurricane Helene. Don't forget to RSVP to secure your seat for this musical event!

Gather @ Grace: Summer Fun | Thank you to everyone who helped out this past weekend & for your wonderful donations for our school supply drive. Many families were blessed to start the school year off well! In case you missed it, click here to see highlights of this weekend.

-Small Groups-

Choir: Contact: Erin Hodge

Contact Erin for rehearsal dates and times.

Family Pals

Contact: Donna Walston

Next Meeting: September 20th at 9am

Farmers Market

Contact: Dan Heuser

Next Market: September 12th from 1pm-4pm

Home-Centered Ministry

Contact: Barb Tippin

Learn more about the H-C PALS Group here.

LWML Quilting

Contact: Kathy Pittman

Meets Wednesdays at 10am

Stephen Ministry

Contact: Barb Tippin or Joe Wethman

Learn more about Stephen Ministry here.

Young Adults

Contact Emma Pollard or Hunter Garrison

Sundays at 3pm

Zoom Book Club

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

Next Meeting: Aug 31 at 6:30

Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

Upcoming

October: Girl From the South by Joanna Trollope

-Upcoming Events-

8/29 - Youth Escape Room

10am - Mission Fair

9/10 - 7pm - Craft Workshop

9/12 - 1pm - Farmers Market

9/18 - 7pm - Intentional Invite: Karaoke

9/20 - 3pm - Benefit Concert ft. Joshua Messick

9/23 - 12:30pm - Wednesdays @ 1

10/24 - 9am - Heart of Wisdom Discussion

Click here for the church calendar.

Click on the image above for more information.

-Student of the Month-

Meet Tyler Ruddy!

Hometown: Albuquerque, NM (Family in Wake Forest now)

Education: Appalachian State University (B.A. Political Science, Concentration in American Politics); Duke Divinity Class of 2028: M.Div. 

Fun Fact: I’m related to the drummer of the Gin Blossoms!

Why I’m a Duke Lutheran: I’m a Duke Lutheran because of our overarching belief that everyone is loved and celebrated for who they are, not who they might become. Being in the Duke Lutherans has reminded me of the great gifts, blessings, and perspectives so many Young Adults + College students have to offer up to Christ’s Church as we continue to dream and imagine where and how God might be calling each of us in building God’s kingdom here on Earth as it is in Heaven.

-Help Feed the Duke Lutherans-

Do you love to cook and help to care for kind and grateful students?!

Then we have good news for you because the Duke Lutherans Sunday Night Dinners are back!

The directions are simple:

You provide the food; we provide everything else (beverages, plates, utensils) and the hungry appetites! We usually have around 15-20 students. Please also provide one main vegetarian dish. The students like fresh fruit and veggies too and LOVE dessert.

Please arrive at the Duke Lutherans Center by 5:15 so that we can help carry in and unpack the food. Evening Prayer begins at 5:30 (which means we'd love for you to join us for worship first) followed by dinner at 6:30. (Pro tip: crockpot meals are a great choice because they'll help to keep the food warm while we worship.)

Sign-up here. If you have any questions, please contact Campus Pastor Amanda Highben: 612-418-4192, amanda.highben@duke.edu

Thank you so much for sharing in this ministry of love and grace!

-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.

If you have current / recent pictures of church events please submit them here to be added to the website, slides and Facebook posts! Thank you!

Please be aware of phishing scams as they continue to impersonate Pastor Brooks. If you are unsure if what you have received is legitimate, please call or email the church office before engaging with these emails or text messages.

August Baptisms, Birthdays, and Anniversaries

Staff Directory