MESSAGE FROM PASTOR CAROLYN LAWRENCE

Welcome to Grace on this 15th Sunday after Pentecost!
I often call our Gospel today "Jesus' Conflict Resolution Advice." Conflict is a part of relationships and life in community, including the church. Paul reminds us that love is the fulfilling of the law, and Jesus gives us practical advice on how to lovingly handle conflict in the church. We gather in the name of Christ, assured that he is present among us with gifts of peace and reconciliation.

I will be away September 7th to September 18th in South Korea to visit family and complete Julian's Korean legal documentation. Due to the time zone difference, I will not be available for phone calls, but please feel free to email me if you need anything. Pastor Renata at Christ Lutheran Church will be on-call for pastoral care emergencies. See you all on the 20th!

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

We have received a number of notes from former members and vicars referring to our anniversary. I’ll try to post them on the bulletin board in the narthex for a few weeks. I noted that we had 62 members and friends in attendance on the 23d and 135 computers signed in.

Thank you to Gladys and Towana Spriggs for making the anniversary cups available. See Mesfin if you didn’t get one. I think there are few left. You can see them in the bookcase outside the lounge. Any donation you make will go to the accessibility fund.

Now that summer is over (I think someone forgot to tell Mother Nature) we are beginning to work on the 2027 budget and plans for our Stewardship campaign. Our finances have been pretty good this year considering the apartment renovation and the AC issues.  I am grateful to everyone who contributed the extra funds that were needed. However, next year we will have a pastor on board for the whole year and hopefully a music director. We will need the support of the entire village of Grace.

Have a safe and fun Labor Day!

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.