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Save the Dates
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Parish Picnic at the Denton-Borhaug's: Sunday, Sept. 2
Bishop Robinson film: Thursday, Sept. 13
Spaghetti Dinner: Friday, Sept. 21 |
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Neighborhood Events
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Faculty and Staff Exhibit at the Baum School: August 15-Sept. 7
Allentown's Anniversary Parade and Festival: Saturday, Sept. 29
Free Admission at the Art Museum: Every Sunday
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Welcome to the weekly e-newsletter of Grace Episcopal Church. Read about what's happening at Grace, and use the quick links to the left to find other helps to our life with God. To share this news with a friend, click the "forward email" link at the bottom of the page. See you Sunday!
--Beth Reed, Priest-in-charge
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| Sunday, August 26, at Grace | | |
Eucharist, refreshments
We celebrate the Eucharist at 10:00. 
The second reading gives us the paradox of military imagery for the Christian life. "Put on the whole armor of God," Paul writes from prison. He speaks of the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and the shield of faith. Paul is sure that if believers have the "armor of God," we will have what we need to withstand the spiritual forces of evil.
For the full texts of the scripture readings, click the link called "Sunday Scripture texts" in the box on the left. Reading the Sunday texts before we gather for the Eucharist is a great way to let them sink into our hearts and minds. Questions or responses may bubble up in us, and then when we hear the texts proclaimed in our midst on Sundays, our experience of the "what the Spirit is saying to God's people" may be richer.
After the Eucharist, we will share refreshments in the gathering space.
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| Grace Community Foundation | |  The pantry is busy these days
Our pantry relies on food from several sources to keep its shelves stocked. Second Harvest Food Bank is one source. Pantry Director Patty McNamara places a weekly order with Second Harvest, and the food is delivered Thursday mornings. This week it was about 2,000 pounds of canned goods, cereal, and beverages. (The pantry distributes about 1,000 pounds of food each day it is open). We also received about 10 large boxes of bread, rolls, and desserts, as well as several crates of dented canned goods and pet food (donated by the Weis Market at Hamilton and Cedar Crest). The pantry serves about 12,000 people in our neighborhood each year, or about 300 households per month. The pantry is open every Friday from 9:00-11:00 AM and the third and fourth Saturdays of the month from 9:00-11:00 AM. |
| Pride in the Park Report | | Service and Festival 
About 40 people gathered for a service at St. John's Lutheran Church before the Gay Pride event on Sunday. We celebrated God's expansive, inclusive love for all people.
The festival at Cedar Beach on Sunday afternoon was a great opportunity for Episcopalians to talk with passers-by. We offered bag clips that said "God made you for a purpose," and we distributed 100 flyers about the Gene Robinson movie that will be shown at Grace on September 13. Clergy and parishioners from several churches helped staff the diocesan booth, including Lisa Figueroa, Addison and Mary Louise Bross, Hank Baird (pictured above), The Rev. Ray Harbort, and The Rev. Beth Reed from Grace. Other parishes represented included St. Andrew's, Allentown; Nativity, Bethlehem; Trinity, Easton; St. Margaret's, Emmaus; and Trinity, Bethlehem. |
| Parish Picnic and Pool Party | |  Sunday, September 2
Kelly and Gunnar Denton-Borhaug have generously offered to host a picnic at their home in Coopersburg on Sunday, September 2. All are welcome. (And bring your swimsuit, if you like; there is an in-ground pool!) There is no agenda other than enjoying each other's company.
The Denton-Borhaugs will prepare some grilled chicken and hot dogs; the rest of us can bring a salad, dessert, or beverage. There is a sign-up sheet for these items in the hall outside the gathering space, and also on the windowsill at the back of the church. |
| Bishop Gene Robinson Documentary | |  We'll show the movie at Grace
Love Free or Die is a documentary about Bishop Gene Robinson, the first openly gay person to become an Anglican bishop. The 2012 Sundance Film Festival awarded the film a "Special Jury Prize for an Agent of Change."
On Thursday night, September 13, we have the opportunity to see this amazing film at Grace Church.
Parishioners Hank Baird and The Rev. Ray Harbort are leading publicity and organizing the logistics of this showing. This is a great opportunity to welcome visitors from throughout the Lehigh Valley to our parish, and to demonstrate our commitment to the full inclusion of every person who seeks a deeper life with God and the church.
Read more about the movie and see clips at the website. |
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