E-News

No Choir Camp This Saturday | A quick note that this Saturday’s Choir Camp is cancelled. We’re sorry for any inconvenience — and we’re already looking ahead with joy to singing together again in October and at our Wednesday evening rehearsals.

Church Cookout This Sunday | Join us this Sunday, September 28, for a cookout celebrating the Grace Farmers Market season! We’ll serve burgers and hot dogs, and you’re welcome to bring a side or dessert. Farmers Market volunteers, just bring your appetite—we’re grateful for your hard work! Please note: there will be no parking at the Grace House lot on Sunday, as that will be the grilling station for Sunday's celebration.

LWML Sunday is on October 5 | Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) Quilts will be displayed in the sanctuary and there will be an opportunity to enter a drawing for a special quilt (shown here). ​Most of the quilts we made this year will be sent to Lutheran World Relief for distribution around the world. To make a donation and enter the drawing (100% of donations go to LWML Mites), use the envelope that will be in the bulletin on October 5 and 12. Make checks payable to Grace Lutheran Church with "LWML Mites" in memo line. Cash also accepted (please also note it will go towards "LWML Mites"). Entry deadline: October 12. Drawing: October 15.

Mission Opportunity | We are exploring the possibility of sending a short-term team to Puerto Rico in 2026 to serve alongside the Maita family, missionaries Grace has supported for years. The trip would last about a week, giving you the chance to experience the Lutheran Mission in Puerto Rico, share the Gospel, and see firsthand how God is working globally. Dates are still to be determined, but first we’d like to know who is interested. If you’d like to be considered, please complete the paper form on Sunday (found in the pews and placed in the offering plate) or click here to fill out a short Google form.

Grace's Discipleship Pathway | In case you missed it, last Sunday was the launch of Grace’s Discipleship Pathway. If you or someone you know is curious to learn more about Jesus, share with them one of the “Faith Igniter” starter kits found at the Welcome Center. For more information, please visit gracedurham.org/faithresources.

Looking Back: Anna’s Commissioning and Installation | Two weeks ago, on Sunday, September 14, our congregation gathered to celebrate the commissioning and installation of Anna Voelker as Deaconess and Director of Christian Outreach.

📸 Click here to view the photos from Anna’s Commissioning and Installation. Thank you to Kristen Poppe, Walt Crosmer, John Kolba, and Barb Tippin for capturing the morning!

A Fresh Look for Fellowship | Take a look at our new round tables and wipeable chairs in Fellowship Hall! These updates were made as part of one of the goals of the Go & Make Campaign to refurbish the kitchen and makes the space more welcoming for meals, meetings, and community events. The old tables have been repurposed for other uses around the church. A big thank you to Walt and Dede for their hard work in making this happen.

Signs from God! | The sign company has received our deposits for the new signs for the corner and the parking lot. A turnaround time of approximately 4 weeks is expected. The City of Durham requires a landscaping plan for each sign (to follow after signs are installed.) This project was made possible by your generous donations to the Go & Make campaign and fulfills one of the goals of new outdoor signage.

Thank You from Erin Hodge | Grace organist, Erin Hodge, had the opportunity to attend the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians Conference of 2025. Click here to read about her experience.

Marie Hammond Kenya Update | In this week's update, Books for Africa has fully covered the shipping cost, which means thousands of new books will soon arrive to launch the school library project. Local preparations are underway and teaching continues in a short and busy school term. There are also updates on mail delivery challenges, rising lake levels, and this month marks one year of living in Kenya! Click here to read the full letter.

-Recurring News-

Zoom Book Club - Contact Donna Gesell for more information.

Next meeting: Wednesday, October 14 at 7pm.

Future books:

October: The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

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

Family Pals- Contact: Donna Walston

Next meeting Sunday, October 19 at 9am.

Home-Centered Pals - Contact: Barb Tippin

Next meeting Wednesday, October 15 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 Monday, October 6 at 6 PM.

Learn more about Stephen Ministry here.

-Events 9/25 - 10/1-

9/28 - See Sunday listing above

9/29 - 11:30 AM - Pastor's Brown Bag Bible Study

9/30 - 4 PM - Growing Through Grief - St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1200 W. Cornwallis

10/1 - 10 AM - LWML Quilters

12 PM - Noon Prayer Service

6:30 PM - Choir Rehearsal

Click here for the church calendar.

-Upcoming in October-

10/5 - LWML Quilting Sunday

11:30 AM -Taste of Grace gathering for those interested in learning more about our church

10/11 - 1PM - 4 PM - Grace Farmers Market (Click here to volunteer)

10/19 - 11:30 AM - Discover more about Grace Lutheran Church with a 4-week class series beginning October 19.

-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.

September Birthdays, Baptism Birthdays and Anniversaries

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