E-News

Choir Camp This Saturday | All are invited to join us this Saturday, October 25, at 10am to rehearse for our upcoming Christmas Oratorio on Sunday, January 4. No experience is necessary- just a love for lifting your voice to the Lord in song! Questions? Contact Erin at music@gracelutheranchurch.net.

Illuminate Your Faith This Sunday | The Discipleship team is excited to announce the launch of the second installment in the Discipleship Pathway: Knowing Christ. Our hope is that this experience sparks a deeper curiosity and desire to connect with the story of God’s love. Together, we’ll explore the major themes, events, and people of the Bible as they come to life in meaningful ways. Whether you’ve been Lutheran for five minutes, fifty years, or are just beginning to explore faith, you may be surprised by how God’s Word can transform minds, hearts, and lives. Please pick up your bag at the Welcome Center in the Narthex.

Building a Foundation of Generosity | As Pastor wraps up his three-week sermon series, we invite you to take the next step on this journey together. In the coming days, you should receive a letter inviting you to participate in 10 by 10: Building a Foundation of Generosity. This 10-week opportunity encourages us to grow in faith and practice generosity in intentional ways by prayerfully considering a 10% increase to Grace’s shared ministry as we continue to build a foundation rooted in God’s abundant grace. Click here for the letter.

October Wednesdays at One : Computers & Technology |

Join us for a Q&A session on Wednesday, October 29, with Grace’s own Dan & Becky Thomas. To make the most of our time together, please click here to RSVP and submit your questions ahead of time. This will give Dan and Becky time to prepare helpful demonstrations and resources tailored to what you’re most curious about. Lunch will be at 12:30pm with the Q&A session starting at 1pm.

Wishing Frank Oruwari Godspeed | Please join the Altar Guild on Sunday, November 2, following worship in the Fellowship Hall as we gather to wish Frank Oruwari Godspeed. This will be Frank’s last Sunday with us at Grace before he moves to Africa. Frank has been a faithful and joyful presence in our congregation, and we give thanks to God for his time among us.

Grace Advisory Board (GAB) Minutes Now Available Online | To keep our congregation informed and connected, the minutes from our GAB meetings will now be posted on our church website. These records provide updates on ministry initiatives, financial matters, and decisions that shape our shared mission. We invite you to visit gracedurham.org/member-links and click on "Grace Advisory Board" to stay up to date on the work being done on behalf of the congregation.

Chili Cookoff and Food Donation Collection | Grab your spoons and get ready for Grace’s first ever chili cookoff! We will gather at church at 5:30pm on November 15. Please sign up on the bulletin board above the water fountains or email Deaconess Anna if you plan to bring chili. All are welcome- and we will need taste testers too! We will also work together that evening to assemble bags of food for Early Head Start Families. Please bring your non-perishable donations to church on Sunday to the area right as you enter the front doors (look for the sign). Our goal is to collect enough food for 25 families.

Duke Lutherans: Partner Church Sunday Evening Prayer | As the Duke Lutherans love when our friends from Grace & St. Paul's worship with us, please join us for Sunday Evening Prayer and Fellowship Dinner on Sunday, November 9, in the Duke Lutherans Center from 5:30-7:30pm. We'll also collect non-perishable food items as a special offering in worship for Grace's food drive for Durham's Early Head Start program. Please RSVP to Pastor Amanda (amanda.highben@duke.edu) by Sunday, November 2, so that we have accurate numbers for dinner. 

Calling All Makers and Crafters! | Do you make handmade crafts or art? We'd love to have you share and sell your handmade gifts at the Christmas Grace Farmers Market on Saturday, December 13 from 1-4 pm! It's a great opportunity to showcase your talent and connect with Grace members, farmers, and neighbors. Contact Dan Heuser for more information (919-932-0524, danielheuser8@gmail.com).

Grace Farmers Market Inspires at SED Church Workers Conference | On October 6, Grace Farmers Market took the stage during a presentation on new mission starts at the Southeastern District Church Workers Conference. Pastor Brooks and Dan Heuser shared the market’s humble beginnings, its ongoing challenges, and the vision shaping its future. But the real story? How the Holy Spirit is moving through a small church parking lot in Durham—feeding the hungry, lifting up the oppressed, caring for the poor, and welcoming the stranger. It's more than a market, it’s a living mission loving our God and neighbors.

Equipped and Encouraged for Ministry | Earlier this month, Grace provided me with the opportunity to attend the Southeastern District Church Workers conference in Virginia Beach. This was a meaningful event at which I got to attend many informative sessions. The conference gave me the chance to see the support that we receive from the District. I also met some individuals who provided resources and insight on navigating outreach in churches today. There’s no doubt that these connections will be very helpful moving forward! – Deaconess Anna

Ministry of the Month: The Blessings of Stephen Ministry |

Stephen Ministry multiplies blessings throughout the church and community. Congregations carry out Christ’s commandment to “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12 RSV) in a powerful and practical way.

• Pastors have a team of gifted, trained, and committed lay caregivers ready to minister to hurting people.
• Laypeople nurture and use their gifts in meaningful ministry, growing spiritually as they serve others.
• People who are hurting have a caring Christian presence to provide emotional and spiritual support.

In short, Stephen Ministry helps carry out the mission of the church. If you’d like to know more or have any questions, contact our Stephen Leaders, Joe Wethman and Joyce Rea.

Thank You from The Maitas | "Dear Saints at Grace, It was wonderful to visit you this summer. Thank you for your loving support and prayers for the mission work in Puerto Rico. We encourage you also, for we know that the labor in the word of the Lord is not in vain." -Gustavo and Ruth Maitas. Click here to read their full letter of how God is working through their mission work in Puerto Rico.

-Recurring News-

Zoom Book Club - Contact Donna Gesell for more information.

Future books:

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

Family PALS- Contact: Donna Walston

Next meeting: Sunday, November 16 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 Monday, November 17 at 6 PM.

Learn more about Stephen Ministry here.

Young Adult PALS - Contact Emma Pollard or Hunter Garrison

Meets Tuesdays at 7pm

-Events 10-23 - 10/29-

10/25 - 10 AM - Choir Camp

10/26 - See Sunday listing above

10/27 - 11:30 AM - Pastor's Brown Bag Bible Study

10/28 - 4 PM - Growing Through Grief - St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1200 W. Cornwallis

7 PM - Young Adult PALS Group

10/29 - 10 AM - LWML Quilters

12 PM - Noon Prayer Service

12:30 PM - Wednesdays at One Computers & Technology Q&A Session

6:30 PM - Choir Rehearsal

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.

October Birthdays, Baptism Birthdays and Anniversaries

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