MESSAGE FROM PASTOR CAROLYN LAWRENCE

Welcome to Grace on this Ninth Sunday of Pentecost! It is a great joy to be with you today as I officially begin ministry at Grace. My family has settled into the parsonage, and I am incredibly grateful for the work of Tyrone and Mauricio and his crew in renovating the space. I appreciate your financial gifts in supporting the work to make the parsonage updated and safe for my family, especially my sixth month old daughter.

In today's Gospel, we read some of Jesus' most beloved parables. What do these ordinary images - seeds, yeast, pearls, nets - reveal about God's reign? May the Spirit grant us wisdom to understand and act on Jesus' teachings as faithful disciples of the kingdom of heaven.

GRACE BIBLE STUDY MEETS ON-LINE WEDNESDAYS @ 7 PM

Please join us for Bible study Wednesday evenings. We are looking at the Book of Isaiah for this year. Contact Marylou Gjernes with any questions and

To get the on-line linkmgjernes @earthlink.netor 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 Pastor Carolyn Lawrence to our pulpit and to our family. It is wonderful to have her and her family. We look forward to an enriching and growing ministry. Please join us for a reception in the lounge following the service.  

As you know the cost of the renovation of the parsonage comes to approximately $25,000. Mauricio Escobar and his two-man crew have been working diligently and efficiently on the job and expect to have it completed early this week. In addition to the wonderful work and great amount of labor the three men have put into the renovation, we also purchased a number of items and supplies to do the work. The Parsonage now has an entirely rebuilt master bathroom, a partially renovated second bathroom and a refurbished kitchen with a new dishwasher and refrigerator. We really need your help to pay the bill.  If each of you could “adopt” the pay for one man for one day for $500, we could pay the entire bill.  I know this may be a lot for some of you, but anything you can do will help.  We, the members of Grace Church, are the caretakers of the building and that includes the parsonage.

Our next big task is the anniversary and plans are well underway for the event. Bishop Phil Hirsch will be here on August 23. We will have a special coffee hour (with cake and ice cream?).  An invitation has gone out to former choir members to join us for a special anthem and there will be a guest organist.  During the year we will be inviting former vicars and pastors to return to preach.  Please invite your friends and family members to join us for these special occasions.

COFFEE HOUR SERVICE

Please join us a coffee hour service after worship service to welcome Pastor Carolyne Lawrence and celebrate the 46th Marriage Anniversary of Tyrone Boyd and Laura Boyd.  

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.