At 9:00, we'll gather to begin our study of the prophets (see below). All are welcome--no previous experience or education is necessary!

We celebrate the Eucharist at 10:00. 

After the service, we gather for coffee and conversation. 

The feast of Pentecost celebrates the gift of the Holy Spirit--the apostles found they could be understood in many languages and thus, they could preach the good news of Jesus and his Way all over. 

One way Grace has celebrated is with special foods after church. There is a sign-up sheet in the hallway to list what we all can bring. Consider a dish from your heritage, or one from a country you'd like to visit, or a culinary specialty of whatever sort you can come up with! We'll enjoy a taste of God's kingdom in the diversity of offerings. 

Starting Sunday, May 12, all are welcome to learn more about the prophets of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament, First Testament). Mary Louise B has procured a DVD and study guide featuring Walter Brueggemann, a premier scholar and teacher on the prophets, called Embracing the Prophets in Contemporary Culture: Confronting Today's Pharoahs. Click here for more information.

Each session will include a video presentation lasting 10-15 minutes followed by group conversation. We'll gather at 9:00 and be finished before our 10:00 Eucharist. 

 

The series will run through the rest of May and June; after that, we'll evaluate this approach and the time slot, and we'll see what we'd like to learn about next and how best to go about it.

This Sunday's topic: Setting the Context. If you'd like to prepare, familiarize yourself with the the story of the Exodus and the memory of Moses at Sinai, with the commands of Pharaoh, the liberation from slavery, the giving of the Ten Commandments, and the story of the Golden Calf. Read Exodus 1-7, 13-14, 16-17, 19-20, and 32.

Last month the pantry served 310 families. This includes 585 adults, 435 children, and 31 seniors. 

Think about it: 310 families in our immediate neighborhood needed and received this basic assistance. How long will this be the case? When will our neighbors have suitable jobs and make enough money to buy their own food? 

Providing food is a good thing. What would be better is a local economy that ensures everybody has the means to obtain the basics for a dignified and healthy life.  

Beginning Monday, June 3, our church building will be open between noon and 1:00 every weekday so anyone who wants to can come for some peace and quiet prayer. Downtown workers, artists, neighbors, local pastors and parishioners--all are welcome. 

There will be a simple service each day from 12:10 to 12:40. It will include readings from a variety of traditions and a substantial time for silence. It will be a time to rest in God and unplug from the many demands on our energy and attention.

Participants are welcome to bring a lunch and eat together after the service. 

 

Parishioners are working on several avenues to publicize this initiative. After six months or so, we'll evaluate the effort and see how it's been going and whether we want to continue it. 

A new effort is taking shape in downtown Allentown: a quarterly arts event called Art Squawk. Several galleries and other venues welcome residents and visitors to enjoy art in the downtown. At the last event (March 24), twelve groups participated, including the Allentown Art Museum, Palette and Pen, and the Antonio Salemme Foundation. 

Grace will join this group and welcome people to our worship space on Sunday, June 2, from 12:00 to 5:00. We'll host an art exhibit--Icons: A Brush with God. Iconographer Peter Pearson will display his work and give a talk about making icons. Read more about the artist and see some of his work here. 

Grace is already blessed with some of Pearson's work: he painted the cover of our tabernacle (or aumbry, the place where we reserve the Sacrament for administration to the sick and dying). He also made the Madonna and Child icon that we display at Christmas.

We'll fling wide the doors and invite our neighbors into our beautiful building. Weather permitting, we can have tables and chairs outside for resting and socializing.

The event is an opportunity for many hands to participate: to prepare our space (inside and out), work on a brochure, greet visitors, set up, and clean up. Contact Beth Reed for more information and to volunteer. There is a sign-up sheet in the hallway on the way to the gathering space.

To learn more, check the Allentown Art Squawk Facebook page. When you get there, check out the posting about Grace's participation, and feel free to add a welcoming comment!