February 23, 2021
Dear Grace Family: This Sunday marks the second Sunday in Lent and a focus on the cross. The Prayer of the Day calls us to glory in the cross of Jesus; the Gospel calls us to take up our cross; and in our Hymn of the Day, Take Up Your Cross, the Savior Said (ELW 667), Jesus says to “forsake the past…and humbly follow after me.” Join us for the next steps on our journey with Jesus toward the cross.
 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 http://www.buzzsprout.com/1110440, on our website, or via your favorite platform.
 Adult Forum meets virtually on Sundays from 9:30 - 10:30 AM - February (session began in January) - 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
 Needed: socially distanced hosts and helpers for our Homeless Ministry - We are in great need of multiple volunteers to spend one socially distanced hour with our Out of the Cold guests (homeless ministry; everyone must be masked, including the volunteer hosts and all persons benefiting from the program). Grace Lutheran has strong protocols in place to ensure everyone is in a safe environment. Please consider volunteering to help. Sign up here to assist with meals, cleanup, registration, hospitality and moving. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d48aeaf2ea4f5c52-outofthe
Thank you for helping our neighbors in need during these difficult times.
 Book Drive for Mid-State Literacy Council - This year’s book drive to benefit Mid-State Literacy Council will run March 1-28. New and ‘gently used’ fiction and nonfiction books may be placed in the collection container in the church’s main entrance. Children’s books are especially needed. Thank you! Contact Maria Bills at mariajbills@gmail.com for more information.
 Painting for all - Channel your inner “Bob Ross” by painting your own work of art. Grace will provide many of the materials needed for you to join in the fun, including include paint, canvas, and paint brush. There will be a video guide as well and a Zoom reveal of our masterpieces on March 28! Contact Cindy and Peter to reserve your take-home kit and let them know how many people (in your group) will be painting. Pick up materials on Sunday, March 7 from Noon to 1:00 p.m. Instructions will be provided. If you have questions, contact us faithformation@glcpa.org.
 Lenten member devotional booklet available – Our 2021 Lenten devotional, “Bright Spots,” written by Grace members, is available for pickup in Grace’s main entrance. Pickup hours are Mon. – Thur. between 8 am and 2 pm, and Friday 8 am to noon. The devotional booklet is also available on our website at www.glcpa.org. Also, our Faith Formation website (www.glcfaithformation.org) and our Facebook page are each offering a devotion each day. Alternatively, Sally Keiser-Bankert will be happy to mail you a copy upon request. Please contact her via email at sallykb@verizon.net.
 Grace Lutheran Preschool & Kindergarten Registration Process for 2021-2022 - Grace Lutheran Preschool and Kindergarten is now accepting registrations for the 2021-2022 school year. For more information about our school and programs, please contact us at 238-8110 or glpk@glcpa.org.
 Word in Season devotional booklets available – You can pick up a copy of Word in Season in a basket on the waiting area bench inside the main entrance at Grace. Alternatively, email Sally Keiser-Bankert at sallykb@verizon.net if you would like to have her mail you a copy.
 More 2021 bulletin sponsorships available – Help Grace offer live radio worship (Sundays, 10:30 am, WRSC) by sponsoring a worship bulletin in honor of someone special (or in their memory) or to the Glory of God. Bulletins sponsorship are $25 per week. Maundy Thursday (April 1) and Good Friday (April 2) are available. May 30, Nov. 7, Nov. 21, Nov. 28, Dec. 5 and Dec. 25 are also available. Weekly radio sponsorships ($200 per week) have been underwritten through the end of 2021. For details, or to sponsor a bulletin, contact Sheri Rider, Office Manager, at srider@glcpa.org or call the office at 238-2478.
 Food Bank - Please join us in donating to the State College Food Bank via Grace. 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).
 Garden of Readin’ March 16 - The March meeting of Garden of Readin' (women's book club) will be Tuesday, March 16 at 10:30 am remotely via Zoom. The next book is The Address Book: What Street Addresses Reveal about Identity, Race, Wealth and Power by Deirdre Mask (2021 selection for Centre County Reads). The discussion will be facilitated by Laura Pauley. Contact Laura Pauley (llp1@psu.edu) or Lois Lynn (loissteve@comcast.net) for more info.
 February Bucket Collection recipient: Out of the Cold (OOTC) – OOTC is a local ministry caring for the homeless that provides nightly shelter (even throughout the pandemic), finds housing for some of the homeless particularly vulnerable to COVID, and keeps their day shelter open. 13 local churches shelter up to 20 people each evening. Grace will host in March. 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 OOTC on the memo line of your check.
 2021 Offering Envelopes - Offering envelopes are in the Narthex by the coat rack at the top of the stairs from the main entrance. They are in alpha order and are available for pickup weekdays from 8 am - 2 pm. Please verify the envelope number on ttop of the box matches the number in the little window on the front of the box. If they do not match, contact the church office immediately.
 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!
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