MESSAGE FROM PASTOR SUSANNE

Welcome to Grace on this Fourth Sunday of Advent! Today Isaiah prophesies that a young woman will bear a son and name him Emmanuel. The gospel is Matthew’s account of the annunciation and birth of the one named Emmanuel, God-with-us. During these final days of Advent, we pray, “O come, O come, Emmanuel,” a beloved hymn based on the O Antiphons, ancient prayers appointed for the seven days preceding Christmas. On this final Sunday of Advent, we prepare to celebrate the birth of the one born to save us from the power of sin and death.

CHRISTMAS EVE

Please join us for our Christmas Eve service on December 24 at 5:00 PM.

GRACE BIBLE STUDY MATTHEW STUDY AND ADVENT SERIES

Please join us for Bible study Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM online. We are currently studying the gospel of Matthew. This gospel will be our main source of gospel texts for the coming year. Contact Pastor Susanne if you are interested (see contact information below).

For December 17 we will do a three-part Advent series called A Stable Lamp is Lighted. This study, from ELCA World Hunger, explores the work the organization does and looks at issues like What is Interpersonal Justice and The Root Causes of Poverty. The video and downloadable materials are all available online. Let Pastor Susanne know you would like to participate and she will get you the materials and a link for each session (email her at SCBlume@gmail.com or call her at 202 422 4348).  

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

I hope you all enjoyed the little snow we had last week. Although we did not have services, the Council did meet online. There are many things in the works and as soon as dust settles, we will report.

Thank you to everyone who donated poinsettias in honor of or in memory of loved ones at this Christmas season. Christmas is a time for family and that includes our Grace Church family.

Please join us for a cookie exchange coffee hour after worship this morning. We want to include your favorite cookies for our fellowship. 

Remember the Christmas Eve worship at 5:00 p.m. on December 24, that is Wednesday.

Merry Christmas

Marylou

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.