News and Events

Greetings to all youth in grades 6-12 and their families.

The Theme for our youth ministry program this year is Building Blocks of Faith". With Christ as our foundation, how can we share HIS message and support others in need?

ELCA National Youth Gathering July 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana.The theme is Jesus, Justice, Jazz. It is a once in a lifetime event, DON'T MISS IT! Mark your calendars for the next monthly events:

December- 7^th Location TBA. Will include Caring at Christmas activity for Habitat for Humanity

Rent a Kid Fundraiser—Need some work done around your house? Raking leaves, babysitting, painting, garage or attic cleaning, putting up Christmas decorations, we do it all! This is a fundraiser to help send the Senior High youth to the ELCA National Gathering in the Summer of 2009. Be sure to rent your kid today, all Youth need to be rented 10 times before July. Remember we work best in pairs! Checks made out to Grace Lutheran Youth. Don’t forget to sign their contract cards.

Senior High Retreat Join us for a one night sleep over at the ABODE in the Poconos on November 1 and 2. As last year, we will work on a service activity first, then go "up the Lake" for some spiritual renewal and playtime. Details to follow. Cost $25 to cover food and materials. You must sign up if you intend to go with us.

The Senior High will be selling Stained Glass ornaments to raise money for our summer trip to New Orleans. We will need youth and adult help on 11/8, from 7:30-10:30 and 10:30-1:30, at Christ Church on High St., in Pottstown. Please sign up in the narthex if you can help. Or contact Joy Fraunfelter at jkf10@psuedu

Fall Scheduling Reminder

Fall is just around the corner, so please make sure to let the church office know your group’s plans for use of the church facilities. If your group plans on starting up meetings for the fall & winter or continuing to meet anywhere on campus, let us know your plans and confirm your space.

If your Sunday school class, church group or ministry needs to use the Sanctuary for any reason throughout the week and especially on Sunday mornings, please make sure to schedule your time with the Church Office (610-948-3684). We already have the Praise Team practicing in there every Sunday, during the Sunday school hour and at Noon and the Confirmation Class and First Holy Communion Class that occasionally use the Sanctuary space, during Sunday school and/or between services. We have had some conflicting needs in the past, so please make sure you are on the schedule, before you assume you can use any space. Remember space is reserved on a first come, first served basis. Thank you.

Sponsorship Openings

Sponsorships are a great, inexpensive way of remembering a loved one who has passed or of honoring a special date in your life birthday, anniversary, baptism date, etc.). Sponsorships appear in the Luther’s Ledger each week. They renew automatically each year, on the closest Sunday to your original date, unless you inform the office otherwise. Reminder notices are sent out a few weeks prior to your sponsorship. To sponsor the flowers or bulletins is $20 per sponsorship & the window or lamp illumination is $10 per sponsorship. Please call the Church Office (610-948-3684), if you would like a sponsorship on any of the dates below, or anytime throughout the year. The following sponsorships need to be filled for the second half of 2008:

Children’s Bulletins for October

Flowers 11/30

Bulletins

Window 11/2, 11/9, 11/23

Lamp 11/23

Pastor’s Points by Pastor Krais

Last week, I received a gift in the mail. It was a complete surprise. (And came without a note to indicate the sender). It was costly and extravagant. (I never would have spent the money on myself for this!) It was totally unexpected. (I had done nothing to warrant receiving this wonderful present.) And I admit, I was thoroughly delighted by its arrival!

It didn’t take long for me to know that the mysterious gift had been sent by my brother and I quickly called to thank him. He was thrilled to hear how much I liked it, but a bit embarrassed, thinking that I wouldn’t figure out that it had come from him. He didn’t give it to receive thanks, but simply because he loves his little sister (in spite of the many childhood years of torture I subjected him to!)

It made me think of the gift of God’s grace. We don’t deserve it; it comes even when we don’t expect it; God provides it for our benefit- not His own and God gains so much delight in giving it to us. I’m not sure that I always respond back with the same enthusiasm to God’s gift however. My focus, as we move into the season of Thanksgiving, is to spend more time reflecting on God’s goodness in my life, so that I may grow in appreciation for this amazing gift of grace. My hope is that all of us can learn to recognize and more deeply appreciate the extravagance and love that God lavishes upon us, and give that away to others.

Looking for a few good sheep, and angels, and shepherds.

Believe it or not, it's time to start getting our cast together for
our traditional Christmas pageant, which is part of the 7:30 PM worship
service on Christmas Eve, Tues., Dec. 24th.

Rehearsal schedules & dates will be given to all cast members upon
the completion of assigning the speaking and non-speaking parts.

Announcements will appear in the weekly ledger, as well as sent home
with pageant participants.

Sign ups for the cast will be done in Sunday School in October-
don't miss out!

Parent volunteers are also needed! If you would like to help
co-direct, organize cast pizza party or provide "Town of Bethlehem Crowd
control" please contact Jen Hertzog or Becky Leonard (co-directors) ASAP! Thank you!

Can You Help...?
House of Grace Coffeehouse Christian Coffeehouse

The House of Grace Coffeehouse is open for business every 2^nd and 4^th Saturday of the month from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. As we begin our 3^rd year, we could use any of your help at these times for set up, greeting and general Christian friendliness, and clean up.

Another year for the coffeehouse, with great bands, coffee, chats, laughter . . . the only difference is…YOU!

Where will you give of your time and talents to serve the Lord?

Simply call or email Joanne Palmer with your interest at Alliemom@aol.com.

House of Grace Jobs: Set-Up 5:30 pm; General Greeting & Hospitality 6:15 pm; Kitchen and Cashier Help 6:15 pm; Clean-Up 9:15 pm

Some general information about the jobs –
Pay: Nothing
Thanks: Very Much
Knowing that you are spreading Christ's love: Priceless

Prayer Chain Reminder

Please feel free to call the church office with your more long-term prayer concerns, for the Prayer Chain list. The weekly Ledger prayers will be kept to the new, more short term and immediate prayer needs of the church and the community.

Prayer Chain lists will be available on the windowsill, in the back of the Narthex. It is our goal to have a new list available for the first weekend of each month. We hope you will use the Prayer Chain list as a way to enhance your daily devotions and personal prayer life and as a way to stay connected to the needs of the other members of our church family. Please feel free to call the office at 610-948-3684, with your prayer requests.

This month, we welcome several new families into membership at Grace. Please be with us on November 23^rd at the 10:45 worship service to receive them and welcome these brothers and sisters in Christ. We give thanks to God for these new members: Cliff & Krista Keevan, Ellen LaPlace & children-Caroline and Eric McKenna, Rebecca Novia, Steven & Melissa Pressman and son-Jacob, and Sally Stauffer.

Email News!

Welcome to the second electronic Graceful Greetings newsletter! The newsletter is now being emailed to members of the congregation. Now you can read the newsletter anytime you need to, by just checking your email!

Since no new process occurs without a few kinks, please notify any member of the Technology Committee if, for some reason, you had issues with the email link or if you didn’t receive an email at all. This new format helps us to be good stewards of our precious resources; both for the church and our earth!

If you would like to receive the newsletter via email, but are not sure if the office has your current and correct email address, please email amylacey@gmail.com and I will add you to the list.

If you would prefer a paper copy, copies will be available in the narthex and church office for you to pick up anytime. If you still want the newsletter mailed to you through the post office, please call the church office and Phyllis will make sure you get the newsletter in the mail.

Thank you for your support and patience during this transition! Please let me know if you have any problems or questions. Amy Lacey

Advent Activities

Advent is a special time of preparing your heart for the coming of the Christ child. Join us on Saturday, December 6^th from 6:30- 8:30 pm for an evening of Advent activities. Carolers will bring the good news of the birth of Christ to our neighbors (what a fun way to evangelize!) Or, you can learn about and make a Chrismon for your Christmas tree (or make one for someone else). Or, you may choose to attend a time of Advent devotion and prayer. Each activity will be offered at 6:30 and again at 7:30- you get to choose which ones to do! Please register in advance and bring your family and friends! Contact the Church office if interested.

They will be on sale now through Dec. 31st and they make great holiday gifts. It contains savings of up to 50% off dining out, 70% off travel and lots of big savings on movies, shopping, services and other entertainment. As always, they are a bargain at only $25.00 each, so it quickly pays for itself. Stop by the church office to see a copy and all you can save on. To get your book today, see Elaine O’Cain or call her at 610-948-3097 or 610-324-4449 if interested.