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February 9, 2021

Dear Grace Family:  Valentine’s Day comes to mind when the calendar shows February 14. However, this year it is also our annual Youth-led Sunday as well as Transfiguration Sunday, the last Sunday before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 17.  The common thread to all three days?  God’s love (Valentine’s Day was named after Saint Valentine).  Join us for worship; read on for details. 

  Sunday worship – Indoor worship remains suspended at Grace in response to safety concerns. Due to cold weather, we are taking a break from drive-in Sunday worship, but we continue to offer prerecorded video worship and a 10:30 am live radio broadcast on WRSC AM 1390 and FM 93.3 each Sunday. Our weekly Bible podcast, “Pocketful of Grace,” and www.glcfaithformation.org are resources for your ongoing faith journey. Access “Pocketful of Grace” at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1110440, on our website, or via your favorite platform.

   Adult Forum meets virtually on Sundays from 9:30 - 10:30 AM - January & February - How the Bible Actually Works, a book by Peter Enns.  We will select some chapters to read.  The author explains the Bible is not an instruction manual or rule book, but a powerful learning tool that nurtures our spiritual growth by refusing to provide us with easy answers and instead forcing us to acquire wisdom. Join us as you are able for learning and conversation. Contact Dotty Delafield for a link to the virtual meeting:  readoooodles@mac.com

  Join us for Youth-led Sunday on February 14 (Transfiguration) – Tune in to the Sunday 10:30 AM radio broadcast on WRSC or online at www.glcpa.org to hear our annual youth-led worship.  Teens from Grace will lead many parts of the service, including the sermon, prayers, singing of the Psalm, and special music. (Their music will be available on our church YouTube channel playlist next week.) We are grateful to our young members, who are a blessing to us!

  Ash Wednesday: February 17, 2021 - The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, which falls this year on Wednesday, February 17. Weather permitting, Grace will offer two drive-in services at our traditional Ash Wednesday service times, 12:15 pm and 6:30 pm. Arrive at the parking lot near the main entrance, where ushers will direct you to park. You will be able to hear the service via your FM car radio, and communion will be distributed. At the end of the service, all cars will be directed by the ushers to the circle at the main entrance, where the pastors will administer an ashen cross to your hands using a cotton swab. All are welcome. A video edition of Ash Wednesday worship will also be available on Grace’s YouTube channel.

  Lenten member devotionals available February 15 – Our 2021 Lenten devotional titled “Bright Spots,” written by Grace members, will be available for pickup in Grace’s main entrance beginning Monday, February 15. Pickup hours are Mon. – Thur. between 8 am and 2 pm, and Friday 8 am to noon.  The devotional booklet will also be available on our website at www.glcpa.org.

 
   Grace Lutheran Preschool & Kindergarten Registration Process for 2021-2022
  • GLPK will register all students for the 2021-2022 school year through a lottery system (see note below).
  • 2021-2022 Registration forms with an attached envelope were made available beginning Thursday, January 28th.
  • Priority and Open registration forms with a $50 non-refundable registration fee will start being accepted on Monday, 2/8/2021 at the main school entrance during drop-off each morning.
  • Priority registrations will be randomly drawn from each age group and numbered on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at noon.
  • Open registrations will be randomly drawn and numbered beginning Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at 9:30am.
  • Confirmations of enrollment for the 2021-2022 school year will be sent on March 24, 2021.
  • Note: Due to Covid-19 restrictions for gathering, we will register all 2021-2022 students through a lottery system. Each morning beginning on Monday, 2/8/2021 through Tuesday, 2/16/2021 (lottery drawing begins at noon), you will have the opportunity to place your sealed registration form with the registration fee ($50 payable to Grace Lutheran Church) in the provided envelope into the appropriate labeled bin. There will be a bin for 2.5 to 3.5-year-olds, 3-year-olds, 4-year-olds, Jr. Kindergarten, Kindergarten Prep and Open registrations. Please write your 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice on the registration form. When a class fills, you will be placed in your 2nd or if necessary your 3rd choice class. All current students and Grace Lutheran Church members have priority registration.
 
  Word in Season devotional booklets available – To receive Word in Season devotional booklets through March, you can pick up a copy in a basket on the waiting area bench inside the main entrance at Grace. Alternatively, Sally Keiser-Bankert will be happy to mail you a copy upon request. Please contact her via email at sallykb@verizon.net.

  Garden of Readin’ February 16 - The February meeting of Garden of Readin' (women's book club) will be Tuesday February 16 at 10:30 am remotely via Zoom.  The next book is Lake of Sorrows by Erin Hart. The discussion will be facilitated by Carla Rossi.  Contact Laura Pauley (llp1@psu.edu) or Lois Lynn (loissteve@comcast.net) for more info.


   Tithe.ly collection for Centre Safe, Jan. 17 – Feb. 5 -  Please consider donating to Centre Safe to help them empower survivors of sexual violence, relationship violence, and stalking as they work toward the elimination of such violence.  This year we’re only collecting monetary donations which you may make via Tithe.ly. You may also write a check to Grace Lutheran Church; put “Centre Safe” in the memo line. Thank you.
 
  2021 bulletin sponsors needed – Help Grace offer live radio worship (Sundays at 10:30 am on WRSC) by sponsoring a worship bulletin in honor of someone special (or in their memory) or to the Glory of God.  Bulletins can be sponsored for $25 per week. April 25, May 30, Oct. 17, Nov. 7 and 28, Dec. 5 and Dec. 24 are currently available. Weekly radio sponsorships ($200 per week) have been underwritten through the end of 2021. For details, or to sign up to sponsor a bulletin, contact Sheri Rider, our Office Manager, at srider@glcpa.org or call the church office at 238-2478.


  Food Bank cash-only collection - Grace's monthly collection for the State College Food Bank will continue to be monetary donations only until further notice. Contributions may be made electronically (via Tithe.ly on the GIVE page of our website, www.glcpa.org) or via postal mail to our church office (with SC Food Bank on the memo line of your check). We donated $9,420 during 2020 – a great response! – but food insecurity continues.  Please help as you are able.

 
  February Bucket Collection recipient - Out of the Cold (ministry for the homeless) – Please send monetary contributions to our church with Out of the Cold in the memo line or visit www.glcpa.org and click on “GIVE” in the menu to contribute online.  All major credit cards are accepted.
 
  Grace hosts Out of the Cold (OOTC) from March 8 (PM) through March 22 (AM) -  OOTC now has staff for the overnight stays.  Grace has been asked to provide the following: people to unload and reload the truck; breakfasts - “Grab and Go” style; dinners; morning cleanup assistance; registration hosts; hospitality hosts; and supplies.  Sign up to volunteer here:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D48AEAF2EA4F5C52-outofthe   Sign up to donate needed items here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D48AEAF2EA4F5C52-donate
Please drop off supplies at Grace’s main entrance (look for the labelled cart and bin) before March 8, from Monday-Thursday between 8 AM-2 PM or Fridays between 8 AM and Noon.

  2021 Offering Envelopes are still available for pickup at Grace - The 2021 offering envelopes are located in the Narthex in the coat rack area at the top of the stairs from the main entrance. They are available for pick up weekdays from 8 am till 2 pm. The envelopes are in alphabetical order. Please check that the envelope number on the top of the box matches the number located in the little window on the front of the box. If they do not match please contact the church office immediately.
 
   Volunteer drivers and driver coordinators needed to assist legal asylum seekers -  When the pandemic is under control, the families we are assisting (as they continue to seek legal asylum) may need to report for in-person ICE checks in Pittsburgh. One or two people are needed to help coordinate drivers, and drivers are always needed, too. To learn more or to volunteer, please contact Janet Lybarger:   (H):  814-308-8629    (C): 703-881-8925    email: jlpayne19@comcast.net

  Support Grace’s ministry – Thank you for supporting Grace, especially as the pandemic continues and in-person worship is suspended. We rejoice that our building campaign has successfully concluded. Please prayerfully consider redirecting your regular building contributions to support Grace’s operating budget. Offerings can be mailed to Grace, or with a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, Discover, or Diners Club card credit card using Tithe.ly. Visit www.glcpa.org and click on the GIVE button at the top of the page. (Fees are 2.6 cents (rounded) on every dollar (roughly $2.60 for a $100 gift; you can choose whether to cover them.) A Direct Debit giving form (via your bank) is also on our website at https://tinyurl.com/yx8andkj; mail it to Grace Lutheran Church at 205 South Garner Street, State College, 16801.  Thank you!
 
 
 
 

Laurel B. Sanders

Business Manager / Music and Arts Ministry Coordinator

www.glcpa.org

814-238-2478

 

 
Copyright © 2021 Grace Lutheran Church, All rights reserved.


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