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Save the Dates
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Bishop Jack's visit:
Sunday, Dec. 9
Advent Evening Prayer:
Wednesdays at 5:30,
Dec. 12, 19
Cookie-baking:
Thursday, Dec. 13,
4:30-6:30
Gathering Greens:
Saturday, Dec. 15, at the Cousarts
Vestry Meeting:
Sunday, Dec. 16,
after church
Greening:
Sunday, Dec. 23,
after church
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Neighborhood Events
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Roberto Clemente Choir Concert at St. John's:
Thursday, Dec. 13,
at 6:00
Holiday Gallery and Sale:
through Dec. 21,
at the Baum School
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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, December 9, at Grace | |  Eucharist and reception with Bishop Jack Croneberger
We celebrate the Eucharist at 10:00; it's the Second Sunday of Advent, and the gospel tells of the preaching of John the Baptizer.
We are honored to welcome Bishop Jack. He will preside and preach, and after the service, we will have the chance to visit with him at a reception. The vestry will meet with him after that. Visits like this are a key way parishes and their bishops stay connected. |
| Advent Evening Prayer | | 
Come on Wednesdays for some calm
Wednesday evenings in Advent we are gathering in church at 5:30 for a service of evening prayer. It is simple, quiet, contemplative, and our doors are open to the neighborhood. Last Wednesday about 15 people took the opportunity to pray and sing together in candlelight.
In the midst of dark December, we anticipate the rising of the Morning Star that never sets.
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| Connecting with Our Neighbors | |  We are trying something new
At our September 30 parish meeting, when we were imagining how our building could be used in the neighborhood, someone said "I see neighborhood children baking cookies downstairs." Hillie C and Bev R are making it happen. Bev teaches English as a Second Language at William Allen High School, and she has invited her students, who live in downtown Allentown and who are our neighbors, to come and bake holiday cookies.
Hillie and Bev are organizing this event for Thursday, December 13, from 4:30-6:30. They need help in the form of volunteers to prepare dough; loan rolling pins, cookie cutters, and cookie sheets; and work with the students when they are here. If you can assist, please call the church office at 610-435-0782.
St. John's Lutheran, our neighbor at 5th and Hamilton, is also connecting with students in our area. They are working on a partnership with the children and faculty of the Roberto Clemente Charter School. The school choir will use St. John's church for its concert on Thursday evening at 6:00, and all are welcome! |
| Preparing for Christmas Decorating | |  Come gather the greenery
Next Saturday (Dec. 15), Chuck M is coordinating a group to go to the Cousarts' house in Zionsville to gather some greens from downed trees on their property. We'll use them to adorn our wreath in church for the Christmas season. Please let Chuck know if you can help.
In past years, we've purchased a tree and cut off branches into little bits for the wreath. This year we are grateful for donated greens, and for the the expertise of a newcomer who is an interior designer with good ideas for turning them into a wreath! |
| People of Grace in the Arts | |  We have talented actors
Three young people of Grace are principals in the cast of A Christmas Carol: August (Badger Bucket), Oakes (Turkey Boy), and Julia (Belinda Cratchit). They have put in many hours and late nights; and with their youthful energy, they are contributing to the health and vitality of their community. They are a blessing!
The show runs through December 15 at Allentown's Civic Theatre. For more information, click here. |
| A Busy Start to Advent | | |
Parish activities spanned the weekend
People of Grace engaged in several church-related activities last weekend. Saturday starting at 10:00, about 15 folks showed up to wash the floor and prepare for Advent. They also took care of some other cleaning tasks.
Sunday we celebrated the Eucharist, of course, and followed that with wreath-making. About 22 people participated, including a first-time visitor! Sunday evening found the book group at Lori M's house in Allentown, where we had a lively conversation about the themes raised in The First Christmas by Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan. Here are a few photos.
 | | Steaming the new Advent chasuble |
 | | Hanging the wreath frame |
 | | Making adjustments |
 | | Family fun |
 | | Chatting and working |
 | | Even the dog liked the book group discussion! |
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