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Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church

33 S. 11th Street,

Reading, PA 19602

God’s

Responsive people

Acting out our faith by

Committing ourselves to reach out to

Each and Everyone in God’s vast creation.

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“EPISTLE OF GRACE”

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March / April 2016

Continue to Journey with Us Through Lent

Details on pages 4 and 5

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Pastoral Reflection March 2016

Recently, I read a quote that really struck me:

"Be patient with yourself. Nothing in nature blooms all year." (source unknown)

Today, as I write this article, snow is coming down, and there is a white blanket covering the world. It is VERY cold, and no one is go-ing outside who doesn't have to.

And while there can be some stress and worry that comes with win-ter weather, there is also a freedom. Days like today are wonderful for staying home, being cozy, and taking some much-needed down time. This is a day made for a good book or catching up on a favor-ite TV show. This is a day for rest and maybe even solitude. It's a day for catching up on things like newsletter articles.

We need days like today to hibernate, every now and then.

In our culture, so many of us are expected to produce and perform all the time. We are expected to be busy. We like to be "on the go." But there's something natural, beautiful, and yes, even Godly, about the times when we pause. Be-cause the pauses themselves are not wasted time. They re-charge us, refills us, and teach us things we need to know for whatever life will bring our way.

So this time of year, when the weather is cold and not much is blooming, let us all take some time, whenever we can, to step

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back and remember the Sabbath as our God commands. Let us rest and recharge for another season that will come, when we will bloom again. And let us thank God for the gift of every season of life and every season of the year. Peace be with you, Pr. Marsha

New Time for Breakfast 9:15 a.m.

Join us on March 20, Palm Sunday, for breakfast in the fellowship hall. Our third-Sunday-of-the-month breakfast gives us time to pause and enjoy food

and fellowship together before moving upstairs for worship. It provides us time to listen to our members and friends, to cele-brate joys, and to offer support in times of sorrow and strug-gles. It is an opportunity for all ages to give thanks for each other and the many blessings that God showers on us.

Join us. And invite a friend to come along with you!

Thank you to our Church Council for providing breakfast on March 20.

Save the Date!

Mother-Child Dinner

Baked ham and fixins!

Join us on Sunday, May 1, immediately following worship.

More information coming soon.

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— LENT & HOLY WEEK 2016 —

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church

and

St. John’s German Lutheran Church

Theme: “Open Our Life, Lord”

Wednesdays in Lent:

6:00 p.m. Soup and Bread

6:30 p.m. Worship

This year, we join together with St.

John’s for our Lenten Season. On

the first and last Wednesday nights,

we each worship “at home.” On

the middle three weeks (February

24, March 2, and March 9), St. John’s will join us at Grace.

Worship will be downstairs, as usual.

Topics will include:

Open Our Heart, Lord

Open Our Eyes, Lord

Open Our Ears, Lord

Open Our Hands, Lord

Open Our Life, Lord

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Palm/Passion Sunday

March 20

9:00 a.m. Sunday School

10:30 a.m. Worship with Holy Communion

Maundy Thursday

March 24

6:00 p.m. Soup and Bread

7:00 p.m. Worship with Holy Communion

This year, we will have larger portions during

Holy Communion.

Good Friday

March 25

No soup

7:00 p.m. Worship

This year, we will hear reflections

from Pastor Marsha and

several members of the congregation.

Easter

March 27

9:00 a.m. Sunday School

10:30 a.m. Worship with Holy Communion

Journey with us to new life in Christ.

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February 2016 Highlights

JANUARY: INCOME: $12,568.90 EXPENSES: $13,204.89

GENERAL FUND: 1/31/16 balance was $ 7,625.13

BUILDING FUND: 1/31/16 balance was $14,434.43

MEMORIAL FUND: 1/31.16 balance was $ 4,094.90

PROPERTY: Dan has contacted a business concerning the leak-ing windows in the newer church building. They will determine if the windows can be repaired or if they will need to be replaced. Also, he is looking into getting quotes to repair or replace the elevator.

NEW BUSINESS: Council is reviewing a draft lease with T-Mobile. They would like to erect antennas on the roof for which they would pay us a monthly rental fee.

Next council meeting will be held on Thursday, March 10, 7:00 p.m.

March Meetings

Grow in Grace Tutoring: Every Tuesday at 2:45 p.m.

Choir Rehearsal: Wednesdays, March 2, 9, and 16, after Lenten worship; Wednesday, March 23 , 7:00 p.m.

Grace Care Team Meeting: Sunday, March 6, 11:30 p.m.

Christian Education: Monday, March 7, 6:00 p.m.

WBMD Lenten Prayer Breakfast at the Inn at Reading: Wednesday, March 9, 8:00 a.m.

Church Council: Thursday, March 10, 7:00 p.m.

Lay Eucharistic Visitor Training at Good Shepherd Church: Saturday, March 12, 9:00 a.m.—4:30 p.m.

Apple Dumpling Gang: Sunday, March 13, 11:30 a.m.

Youth Bake Altar Bread: Thursday, March 24, 4:00 p.m.

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Grace Care Team

Did you know that our congregation has 14 homebound members? These are folks who cannot make it to church on a regular basis, but who still feel a connection to our

community. Many of them miss being able to come to church, and they enjoy any way we can touch base with them, whether it is through phone calls, cards, or visits. While Pastor Marsha thoroughly enjoys visiting our homebound members, there are not enough hours in the week to visit them all regularly and still take care of her other responsibilities. In addition, many of our homebound members appreciate it when anyone from our church community takes the time to visit them.

For all of these reasons, we are forming the Grace Care Team.

This team of people will volunteer to visit one or more home-bound members at least once a month. They will be trained and commissioned to distribute Holy Communion during their visits as well. If you are interested in joining the Grace Care Team, or if you have questions, let Pastor Marsha know.

Save the dates:

March 6 after worship - brief Grace Care Team Meeting

March 12, 9:00 - 4:30 - Lay Eucharistic Visitor Training* at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 4201 Stoudts Ferry Bridge Road, Reading.

* This training is required! If this date doesn't work for you,

talk to Pastor Marsha.

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Sponsors Needed

Will you sponsor the altar flowers, sanctuary lamp, and/or bulletins for a Sunday this month?

Sponsorship is a wonderful way to remember or acknowledge a family member or friend while offsetting costs for Grace.

Many sponsorships are available in March:

Flowers: 2 vases each week

Sanctuary Lamp: March 6, 13, and 20

Bulletins: each week

Cost for sponsoring flowers, lamp, or bulletin is $15

SPONSOR SHEET FOR ALTAR FLOWERS, SANCTUARY LAMP, AND BULLETINS

Name of Person Filling Out Form: ________________________

Phone #: __________________

Date of Sponsorship: Sunday, ________________

In Memory / In Honor of: (Please circle Memory or Honor)

___________________________________________________

And given by

__________________________________________________

Check One: ____ Bulletins ___ Flowers ___ Sanctuary Lamp

Return completed form to Louise McCloughan.

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Easter Lilies Please use this form to order Easter lilies for the church. The lilies will be displayed in the sanctuary on Easter morning and can be taken home follow-ing worship at 10:30. Cost is $8.50 per plant.

Deadline for ordering is Sunday, March 13. Payment must accompany order.

NAME:________________________________________________

ADDRESS: ____________________________________________

PHONE:____________________________________

# of Easter lily plants ______ X $8.50 each = $______

IN LOVING MEMORY OF:________________________________ GIVEN BY:___________________________________________ IN LOVING MEMORY OF:________________________________ GIVEN BY: __________________________________________ IN LOVING MEMORY OF:________________________________ GIVEN BY:___________________________________________

IN LOVING HONOR OF:__________________________________ GIVEN BY:___________________________________________ IN LOVING HONOR OF:__________________________________ GIVEN BY:___________________________________________ IN LOVING HONOR OF: _________________________________ GIVEN BY:___________________________________________

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WOW! A 100th Birthday Coming Soon! James Dalrymple, one of our homebound members, will cel-ebrate his 100th birthday on April 12. We thought it would be fun to shower him with birthday cards in celebration of this milestone. If you would like to send a greeting, please contact the church office.

March Birthdays 7 – Tim Smith

8 – Louise McCloughan

9 – Karen Raszkiewicz

14 – Aspen Livingood

16 – Stella Jane Belinski

18 – Dan Tranovich

19 – Kira Livingood

20 – Marie Mengel

21 – Grace Smith

27 – Matthew McCullough

28 – Melissa Belinski

29 –Charles R. Renninger

April 4 – Dottie Belinski

10 – Pat Tranovich

12 – James Dalrymple, Pam Washington

17 – Michael Reed, Tyler Washington

23 – Kathy Mengel, Donna Mull

25 – Sue Ortiz

29 – Brian Ballantine

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Nurse Needed for Medical Clinic at St Daniel’s Lutheran Church

Western Berks Free Medical Clinic in Robesonia is seeking a part-time RN averaging 10 hours per week. Minimum 2 years nursing experience. Bilingual preferred. Send resume to WBFMC, 480 Big Spring Road, Robesonia, PA 19551, or clinic@wbfmc.comcastbiz.net

Newsletter This is the newsletter for March and April. The next newsletter will be distributed in time for May events. Deadline for submitting articles for the May newsletter is Friday, April 15.

Feeling Ill? Going to the Hospital? Please call the church office at 610-375-3961. This is the only way to be sure that the pastor will know.

Transportation is Available for Sunday Worship! If you are in need of a ride to church on Sun-day mornings, make a reservation by calling the church office at 610-375-3961 between 9:00 a.m. and noon, Monday - Friday. There is never a need to call a taxi or ride the bus to join us for Sunday worship. The van drivers are more than happy to pick you up and take you home each week.

Please Note: All calls to the church must be made before Friday noon in order to request the van for Sunday. Messages are not checked between Friday noon and Sunday worship.

Winter is almost over Just in case we still experience winter weather, Grace Church will announce cancellation of our worship ser-vice on Channel 69 WFMZ. This information will be available on your television and the website www.wfmz.com/weather/school-and-business-closings.

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Church Staff

Marsha Anderson, Pastor Kathy Yenser, Church Administrator

Jane Battaglieri, Organist/Choir Director Diane Ohlinger, Christian Education

Woody Turner, Sexton

Office Hours: Mon-Fri. 9:00 AM—Noon Telephone number: 610-375-3961

Fax Number: 610-375-1982 Web Site: www.readinggrace.org

E-mail: glcrdg@comcast.net Or

Office@readinggrace.org

For Pastoral Emergencies call 484-332-3303

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A Member of The Reading Lutheran Parish

“IN THE CITY FOR GOOD!”