MESSAGE FROM PASTOR Neal Davidson

Welcome to Grace on this Fifth Sunday after Epiphany! Light shines in the darkness for the upright, the psalmist sings. Isaiah declares that when we loose the bonds of injustice and share our bread with the hungry, the light breaks forth like the dawn. In another passage from the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus, the light of the world, calls his followers to let the light of their good works shine before others. Through baptism we are sent into the world to shine with the light of Christ.

GRACE BIBLE STUDY MEETS ON-LINE WEDNESDAYS @ 7 PM

Please join us for Bible study Wednesday evenings. We are looking at the gospel of Matthew, which is the source of most of our gospel readings for this year. Contact Marylou Gjernes with any questions and

To get the on-line link mgjernes @earthlink.net or 301-822-4711

GRACE BIBLE STUDY MEETS ON-LINE WEDNESDAYS @ 7 PM

Please join us for Bible study Wednesday evenings. We are looking at the gospel of Matthew, which is the source of most of our gospel readings for this year. Contact Marylou Gjernes with any questions and

To get the on-line link mgjernes @earthlink.net or 301-822-4711

WATCH OUT FOR SCAMS

Several members received scam emails purportedly from Pastor Susanne.  Here is some advice and things to be on the lookout for from AARP:  If a communication is unexpected, yields an emotional reaction and urges immediate action, be on the alert that it may be a scam. Scams have a common goal - to steal your money, personal information or both. Reporting fraud is essential to help prevent future scams.  If you suspect a scam, disengage immediately.  Here is a link to the AARP.org fraud webpage: aarp.org/fraud

CONSIDER BEING A COFFEE HOUR HOST

Please think about volunteering to host a coffee hour. They are held once a month and you can pick the date (maybe to celebrate an event). We generally have one for Easter and for the 4th Sunday of Advent. and then a few other things as they come up. There is no host for that yet. You will be supplying finger food and drinks and do not need to make coffee. Please contact the office to reserve a date.  

Gifts of Hope Concludes After More Than 30 Years of Impactful Ministry

After more than 30 years of transformative ministry, the Gifts of Hope program will conclude at the end of its 2024 campaign. Since 1992, this alternative gift-giving initiative has raised nearly $4 million to support vital ministries, church camps, companion synods, and local service agencies—impacting countless lives in need. Due to a continuing pattern of decline in funds, the Synod Council has decided to retire the program while seeking new ways to support its beneficiaries.

We give thanks for the faithful leadership of Sue Clark, Carolyn Sowinski, and Natalie Cain, the dedication of all who have served, and the extraordinary generosity of donors over the years. A celebration of the program’s legacy will take place at the 2025 Synod Assembly.

GRACE ANNIVERSARY

We will be celebrating the 150th anniversary of Grace from August 2026 to August 2027. Planning for this major event in the life of the church needs to start soon. We invite anyone who might be interested in being part of the planning to let Marylou know that you would like to help.

WEBSITE

Be sure to check the Grace website at www.graceelcadc.org. You will see the weekly announcements and links to Grace’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. The council approved using Tithe.ly, the online giving service for those who would like to give electronically. Simply select Giving on the website and a form will appear to walk you through the process.

MESSAGE FROM OUR COUNCIL PRESIDENT

Welcome back!! It seems like we have been gone for a long time.  We owe many people a lot of thanks for getting our property cleared up so that we can worship together once again. In addition to our staff, Mesfin and Zekarias, we also had assistance from Abonesh (Mesfin’s wife), Jameson Caster and the staff and parents of Amazing Life Games. Even with all that help, we still needed to hire a contractor with some heavy equipment to move the ice. As I write this, the contractor’s crew is still working. I’ll let you know the final cost when I get the invoice.

Because of not being here for two weeks, we are a little behind in our vendor payments so please catch up with your offering. We also did not receive our usual response to the Souper Bowl subs that we would have had this week. Therefore, we will reschedule the event for March 1, the second Sunday in Lent. Gathering together and sharing a meal is part of our Lenten discipline and tradition. We will also have as our Supply Pastor that day, Pastor Amy Feira. So once again get your request for sandwiches and chili to Laura Boyd and Sarah Guzeh as quickly as you can.

We do have a council meeting today and we are a bit behind in many areas.

CALL COMMITTEE

The search for a Pastor continues to move forward with the assistance of the Metro DC Synod. 

SUPER BOWL SUBS

"Grace Church Youth Group will be selling SUPER BOWL SUBS on SUPER BOWL SUNDAY, March 1, 2026. All proceeds of the Super Bowl Subs will be going toward our 150th Anniversary events. On this day, Super Bowl Subs will be available during coffee hour for a donation of $10.00, chili for $5.00.

To place your order please contact by text Sarah Guzeh 202-491-9447, Laura Boyd 202-321-0393 or call Mesfin at the Church.

 LOAVES AND FISHES

One of the Missions of Grace Lutheran Church supports is Loaves and

Fishes, every other month on the first Saturday we serve lunch at

Loaves and Fishes. The need for a free meal is more acute on

weekends, when most free meal programs in Washington are closed.

Since the Pandemic box lunches are handed out to the guests. We

invite you to volunteer when you are available to pack the lunches,

between 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM.

The yard sale supports this mission.

CALL COMMITTEE

The search for a Pastor continues to move forward with the assistance of the Metro DC Synod.