We celebrate the Eucharist at 10. In the gospel text, Jesus continues to point out the hypocrisy of his critics, "for they do not practice what they teach." He goes on to say "Call no one father on earth, for you have one Father, the one in heaven." 

A little girl of eight had already experienced something of what Jesus meant. After Communion one Sunday, she said: "Daddy, when we're at church, you're not my father; you're my brother."

For the full texts, click "Sunday Scripture texts" on the top left.

This Sunday, when the offering plate comes to us, we can place our pledge forms in it. This is what we call the "stewardship ingathering." Our annual pledges of time, talent, and money join our weekly offerings. 

After the service, we'll celebrate a successful campaign with a luncheon in the gathering space. Who doesn't like chicken pies from Dan's at the Farmers' Market (our usual fare)? Well, if you don't, don't worry, there will be plenty of other food, too.  

We won't have Congregational Forum this week, but the church office will still send the material from The Wired Word for personal reflection. The material considers Bible passages around justice and poverty in light of the Occupy Wall Street movement. 

 

I loved hearing Bob Webster recount some history of this place and its work last week. Mary Louise Bross's story of her first experience of grace here, on a Maundy Thursday during the foot washing, moved my heart as well. Their testimony helped me reflect on how much people love this place and how that love has been put into practice in habits of service. Bob has been faithful in the food pantry for decades, and Mary Louise has found that participating at the Sunday Table supports her life of service as a family therapist and a mentor and an active citizen.

People on our mailing list received a brochure with pledge forms this week, as well as information on various ways to be involved in the present and future life of Grace. Please study these documents and consider the ways you can support and contribute to the life and work of this place. Bring the completed brochure to church on Sunday and put it in the offering plate when it comes to you. If you did not receive these documents or you forgot yours, extras are on the windowsill at the back of the church. 

The list in the brochure is not exhaustive: if you have other ideas for helping our church and our ministries thrive and grow, please be in touch with a vestry member or me (the vestry members are listed in the back of the Sunday bulletin every week on the page called "Grace Information).

 

A workshop to help us answer those questions will be held this Saturday, October 29. It's sponsored by the Lehigh County Conference of Churches' Justice and Advocacy Committee. For more information, click here. I plan to go and would welcome companions. It should be a good way to learn more about income inequality and some steps we could take toward reducing it. It's not too late to register.

 

The main presenter is Steve Schnapp, an educator and community organizer with United for a Fair Economy (UFE).

Addison Bross reports that at a previous training provided by UFE that he attended, participants engaged very physically in their learning in this exercise: one person could stretch out across about eight chairs, and the rest of the people had one chair--they had to jostle and sit on top of each other to find a resting spot! 

Saturday, November 5, is Heritage Day for Grace Montessori School. This free event is held in Sayre Hall at the Cathedral in Bethlehem from 12:00 to 2:30. It's a chance for children and their families to make and view displays about their heritages, taste food from many places, and engage in hands-on learning together. You and your children and grandchildren are welcome to come and enjoy.  

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday, November 20, is the next vestry meeting. We'll gather in the conference room downstairs after refreshments. Because of this meeting, the Congregational Forum will not meet on November 20. 

 

Some friendly, hardy folks have pitched their tents at the intersection of 7th and Hamilton, right in our neighborhood. They are the people of Occupy Allentown, standing in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street movement. Daily they hold up signs so drivers can see their messages raising awareness about economic inequality, and they engage politely with anyone who will talk with them. 

Here's a link to their Facebook page.