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Save the Dates
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Lent Evening Prayer:
Wednesdays at 6:00,
March 13 and 20
Book Group:
Sundays at 6:00,
March 17 at the Brosses, and March 24,
place TBA
Palm Sunday Rehearsal:
Saturday morning,
March 23
Passion (Palm) Sunday:
March 24
Triduum Rehearsal:
Wednesday, March 27,
6:30 pm
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 10, at Grace | | |
Eucharist, coffee and conversation
We celebrate the Eucharist at 10:00. For the gospel, we hear Jesus offer the parable often called "the Prodigal Son." (Or is it the parable of the Ever Loving Father? Or the parable of Two Beloved Adolescents?) Whatever we call it, it's a rich story with many depths to plumb.
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 to welcome newcomers. |
| Evening Prayer in Lent | |
We gather for quiet prayer
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.
Here's what participants have said: "This is so peaceful." "I really feel God's presence here." "I love the silence." "I really need this in the middle of the week." "It's lovely to be in the church at night."
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. |
| 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, at 6:00 pm. 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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| Parish Stewardship | | We are learning
At last Sunday's vestry meeting, considerable time was devoted to considering our stewardship. Dan Charney, who leads stewardship efforts for the diocese, helped the vestry consider how the parish has thought about stewardship practices in recent years and how we can grow in our stewardship in the future.
Lisa F and Jeff R also attended the meeting; they have led parish efforts in the last two years. Each said they learned new things and had more questions about stewardship. Vestry members found Dan's presentation insightful and full of practical information, and Dan is willing and able to assist us as we move forward. |
| Grace Montessori School | |  Support our main fund-raiser
Our parish and our school value economic diversity. To that end, our school offers scholarship assistance to about one-third of its students. Some money comes from grants from local foundations, and a sizable amount comes from a single fund-raising event, the Annual Scholarship Benefit Auction. Please put Friday night, April 26, on your calendar and plan to attend and support early-childhood education for children in our neighborhood. The event will be held at the Allentown Brew Works. It features a silent auction, a live auction, hors d'oeuvres, and music. |
| People of Grace in the Arts | | Our parishioners enrich our culture
The Morning Call profiled parishioner Gary Jones last Sunday. He designed the costumes for Oz: The Great and Powerful, which opens in movie theaters today. Congratulations, Gary!
Some other folks at Grace are active in community theatre. Merce Fegley plays Ivy in August: Osage County, which 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. |
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