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Save the Dates
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Vestry Meeting:
Sunday, March 3,
after church
Lent Evening Prayer:
Wednesdays at 6:00,
March 6, 13, and 20
Book Group:
Sundays at 6:00,
March 17 and 24,
place TBA
Passion (Palm) Sunday:
March 24
Paschal Triduum:
March 28-30
Grace Montessori
Scholarship Benefit:
Friday, April 26, 7:00 pm,
at Allentown Brew Works
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| Sunday, March 3, at Grace | | |
Eucharist, coffee, vestry meeting
We celebrate the Eucharist at 10:00. The scriptures are rich: Moses being commissioned to go to Pharoah on behalf of his people, Paul describing God's faithfulness, and Jesus offering his disciples the parable of the fig tree. You may find it helpful to reflect on the texts before hearing them on Sunday; click "Sunday Scripture texts" to the left.
In the season of Lent, we are refraining from the usual feast of sweets at coffee hour, though we are not fasting from our time of conversation. This time allows us to check in with each other and welcome newcomers (in other words, to nurture our bonds as a community). After the Eucharist and coffee, the vestry will meet downstairs. All parishioners are welcome to attend. Among other topics, we will discuss follow-up to the Annual Meeting and have a presentation by the diocesan stewardship missioner, Dan Charney (Mr. Charney will speak at 1:00 pm). |
| Evening Prayer in Lent | |
"I invite you to the observance of a holy Lent"
Lent is a season of penitence, and keeping Lent prepares us to enter deeply into the paschal mystery (Jesus' life, death, and resurrection and our participation in those) that we celebrate most intensely in the Paschal Triduum.
On the middle five Wednesdays of Lent, people of Grace are gathering for a simple service of evening prayer at 6:00. We try to be attentive to God's presence through chanting psalms, scripture reading, intercessory prayer, and silence. We gather in silence and pray and sing in candlelight.
Everybody is welcome at this service (and any of our services). In fact, coming to evening prayer could be a entry point for someone finding a way back to faith or spiritual practice. Some could find it easier than coming for Eucharist on a Sunday morning. If you know someone who works or lives downtown who could be interested in this, please forward this newsletter or let them know they are more than welcome here.
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| Paschal Triduum | |  Easter is early this year
"Paschal Triduum" is the term for the one Easter celebration that spans three nights (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday). The Great Vigil of Easter, held this year at 8:00 pm on March 30, is the principal liturgical celebration of the entire year.
Please put all three nights of the Triduum on your calendar (March 28-30) and plan to be present as we are immersed in the stories and actions that shape us as followers of Jesus. |
| Development in the Downtown | |
Check today's Morning Call 
We all know our neighborhood is changing. How have community voices been heard or not heard in the planning and the hoped-for outcomes of the downtown development? Read this article for a recent take on this topic. The priest and some members of Grace have participated in meetings of the Allentown Community Benefits Coalition. |
| Book Group | |  Let's bring our questions
Some parishioners enjoy reading and discussing a book together a few times a year. For Lent, the book is The Last Week: What the Gospels Really Teach about Jesus's Final Days in Jerusalem. Dr. Kelly Denton-Borhaug, religion department chair and professor at Moravian College, will lead the discussion.
The group will meet on two Sunday nights, March 17 and 24. The Brosses will host on the 17th; the second location will be announced.
Anyone who wants to join the conversation is welcome!
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| People of Grace in the Arts | |  Get thee to the theatre
Some folks at Grace are active in community theatre. Merce Fegley plays Ivy in August: Osage County, which opens tonight and runs through March 10 at Allentown's Civic Theatre. Her husband (Mike) writes: "This brutal play . . . is a devastating look at an American family. I recommend folks to NOT miss this one. It will be the play that everyone talks about all year long."
Julia R is a Tentacle in Civic's production of The Little Mermaid, Jr. The show is April 11-13. |
| Annual Meeting | | We tried a new format
In addition to receiving reports on parish finances and other business, parishioners met in small groups to discuss three questions: What brought you to Grace and what work do you do outside the church? What changes have you seen and not seen since our September 30 parish meeting? How else would you like to participate in and further parish life and work?
In the course of answering those questions, we had the chance to listen and talk with people we may not usually listen and talk with. We had a structured way to talk about our parish's life and work. Vestry members took notes on the conversations and will discuss those notes at Sunday's meeting and report back to to the parish at large. |
| Newcomer Dinner | | This group likes to socialize . . .
Twenty-two people gathered at the Reed house on Sunday night: seven newcomers (since the last dinner) and 16 vestry members and spouses and partners. The Reeds provided main dishes and the vestry brought appetizers, sides, beverages, and cheesecake.
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