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A S E A S O N A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F G R AC E LU T H E R A N C H U R C H
A d v e n t | C h r i s t m a s A S E A S O N A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F G R AC E LU T H E R A N C H U R C H
A s h We d n e s d a y t o E a s t e r
Gra
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otes
Gra
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Peace,
Rev. Matthew A. Smuts, Senior Pastor
COVER PHOTONew Fire: Easter Vigil by Elizabeth Hood
PASTORRev. Matthew Smuts
ASSOCIATE PASTORRev. Friederike Wekel
VISITATION PASTORRev. Cora Scheel
DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILY MINISTRY
Elizabeth Hood
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC MINISTRY
Tim Getz
PRESCHOOL DIRECTORPenny McDermott
ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGERGretchen Rauch
Next Issue: Easter Publication Deadline: March 26, 2020
ReturnReturn to the Lord, your God, for God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. JOEL 2:13
The word ‘return’ is such a plain word in many ways, and has rather simple day to day uses. Will you keep that Amazon package, or return it? However, when we stop and think it through a bit, it can be a powerful message. Lent is the season in which we return to God from all our wandering.
When we were traveling as a family in Germany prior to the epic Grace trip to Wittenberg, Germany, we had the opportunity to return to the home and family that hosted Mariel as an exchange student in high school. It was a powerful meeting. It was a powerful return.
Other returns that come to mind are returning to places you have never lived. Throughout my life, we have periodically returned to Zanesville, Indiana where my people are from. I have never lived there, but there is a powerful sense of return as we stop and see the graves of my forebears.
Returning to the Lord our God means many things. It is returning to a place we have never been. It is returning to a place that brings joy and peace. It is returning to a God that is slow to anger. It is returning to a love that will make us whole again.
Ash Wednesday
Sundays in Lent
Wednesdays in Lent
Palm Sunday
Maundy Thursday
Good Friday
Easter Vigil
Easter
February 26 Soup Supper | 6:15 PM Worship | 12:00 PM and 7:00 PM
April 5 Palm Sunday Festival | 9:45 AM Worship | 8:30 AM and 10:45 AM
March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Worship | 8:30 AM and 10:45 AM Sunday School for all ages | 9:30 AM
April 9 Worship | 7:00 PM
April 11 Worship | 7:42 PM (Sunset)followed by S’mores around the new fire!
March 4, 11, 18, 25, April 1 Confirmation | 4:30 PMYouth Choir | 5:30 PMSoup Supper | 6:15 PMWorship | 7:00 PM
The Greatest Story: Jesus | ~ 7:20 PMConfirmationYouth GroupAdult Choir
April 10 Worship | 12:00 PM and 7:00 PM
April 12 Worship | 8:30 AM and 10:45 AM Easter Breakfast | 9:00 - 10:30 AM Easter Egg Hunt | 10:00 AM
Evening Prayer in the Style of Taizé | 7:00 PM
Lent & Holy Week
Sunday Worship 8:30 & 10:45 am
«»«»«»«»«»Also broadcast on Cable 30Sundays 11 am | 8:30 pm
Mondays 12:30 pm«»«»«»«»«»
And available on the Grace YouTube channel: links at www.gracepa.org
G R A C E N O T E S 3
LENT:Ash Wednesday to EasterThe Lenten season is not just about sackcloth and ashes; rather it is filled with scripture readings that overflow with the contrasts and dichotomies that mark the baptismal life. Text and Images from Sundays and Seasons, Year A
Rowan Williams’ Being Christian
Lenten Sunday Morning Adult ForumsWe are excited to be reading/using Rowan Williams’ Being Christian, during our Sunday Adult Forums for Lent. These books are simple and beautiful. There will be limited supply in the narthex for sale ($10), or they can be purchased at https://www.amazon.com/Being-Christian-Baptism-Eucharist-Prayer/dp/0802871976
In this simple, beautifully written book Rowan Williams explores four essential components of the Christian life: baptism, Bible, Eucharist, and prayer. Despite huge differences in Christian thinking and practice both today and in past centuries, he says, these four basic elements have remained constant and indispensable for the majority of those who call themselves Christians.
In accessible, pastoral terms Williams discusses the meaning and practice of baptism, the Bible, the Eucharist, and prayer, inviting readers to really think through the Christian faith and how to live it out. Questions for reflection and discussion at the end of each chapter help readers to dig deeper and apply Williams’s insights to their own lives.
PLEASE NOTE: Adult Forums will be engaging whether you have read the text or not.
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Adult Forums 2/16 Commandments:
Luther’s Small Catechism
2/23 Grace Columbarium (see article, p. 10 )
LENTEN SERIES ON ROWAN WILLIAMS’ ‘BEING CHRISTIAN’
3/1 Lent | Being Christian: Baptism
3/8 Lent | Being Christian: Bible
3/15 Lent | Being Christian: Eucharist
3/22 Lent | Being Christian: Prayer
3/29 Lent | Holy Week Primer
4/5 Palm Sunday Festival (No Forum)
4/12 Easter Sunday & Breakfast (No Forum)
PALM SUNDAY :: APRIL 5 WORSHIP 8:30 & 10:45 AM
Today, we encounter the incarnation that defies the world: Jesus Christ, glorified, drives a spoke into the wheels of this world’s power. Feeling Christ’s pull, we wave palms in celebration today as Christ comes into our midst, and we follow with courage as his path takes occupation of the center of power in Jerusalem. We are invited into this defiance through Christ’s broken body in a life-giving meal of bread and wine. We begin this week that stands at the center of the church year, anticipating the completion of God’s astounding work. ▶
ASH WEDNESDAY :: FEBRUARY 26 WORSHIP 12:00 PM & 7:00 PM
On Ash Wednesday we begin our forty-day journey toward Easter with a day of fasting and repentance. Marking our foreheads with dust, we acknowledge that we die and return to the earth. At the same time, the dust traces the life-giving cross indelibly marked on our foreheads at baptism. While we journey through Lent to return to God, we have already been reconciled to God through Christ. We humbly pray for God to make our hearts clean while we rejoice that “now is the day of salvation.” Returning to our baptismal call, we more intention-ally bear the fruits of mercy and justice in the world.
Wondrous Love: Devotion for Lent
The tradition of Lent is to add a discipline. This year, consider using this devotional along with your faith community as we move through this season together. If you have not received one, you may stop by Grace, or order one here: https://www.augsburgfortress.org/store/product/9781506461496/Wondrous-L o v e - D e v o t i o n s - f o r- L e n t-2020
This beautiful, Lenten devotional highlights readings from the gospel of Matthew with 46 entries, one for each day from Ash Wednesday to Easter. Each reading is accompa-nied by a photo, a quote to ponder, a reflection, and a prayer. This acces-sible and colorful format makes it easy to incorporate a simple Christian observance into your Lenten journey.
Wondrous Love explores Jesus’ journey from baptism to the cross and the empty tomb, as depicted in Matthew (the gospel focus for 2020, year A in the Revised Common Lectionary). Jesus predicts that he will be betrayed, arrested, abandoned, and put to death, yet he continues on to Jerusalem and the cross. The wondrous love show by Jesus on this journey guides us on our baptismal journeys and inspires us to sing, serve, and share God’s love with others. ▣
MAUNDY THURSDAY :: APRIL 9 WORSHIP 7:00 PM
This evening our Lenten observance comes to an end, and we gather with Christians around the world to celebrate the Three Days of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Tonight we remem-ber Christ’s last meal with his disciples, but the central focus is his commandment that we live out the promise embodied in this meal. As Jesus washed his disciples’ feet, so we are called to give and receive love in humble service to one another. Formed into a new body in Christ through this holy meal, we are transformed by the mercy we have received and carry it into the world. Departing worship in solemn silence, we anticipate the coming days.
GOOD FRIDAY :: APRIL 10 WORSHIP 12:00 PM & 7:00 PM
Life and death stand side by side as we enter into Good Friday. In John’s passion account, Jesus reveals the power and glory of God, even as he is put on trial and sentenced to death. Standing with the disciples at the foot of the cross, we pray for the whole world in the ancient bidding prayer, as Christ’s death offers life to all. We gather in solemn devo-tion, but always with the promise that the tree around which we assemble is indeed a tree of life. We depart silently, and we antici-pate the culmination of the Three Days in the Easter Vigil.
VIGIL OF EASTER :: APRIL 11 WORSHIP 7:42 PM (SUNSET)
This is the night of salvation! At the Vigil of Easter, we gather around fire, word, water, bread, and wine, proclaiming through story and song that ours is a God who continu-ously brings life out of death. On this night we experience again the heart of God’s bap-tismal promise and the center of our faith: we are claimed and cleansed, renewed in the death and resurrection of Christ. We gather with all the saints of every time and place to celebrate the good news: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! ▶
Wednesdays in LentSoup | Worship | FaithDuring Lent (starting Ash Wednesday, March 26 ) our Life Together Wednesday
evening schedule will change just a little bit. If you are looking for opportunities
to deepen your Lenten experience, develop new relationships, experience this
season’s journey of death to life in community, prepare your heart for Holy Week,
then add this discipline to your Lent. It’s a single season . . . you can do it! ▣
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THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD :: APRIL 12 WORSHIP 8:30 & 10:45 AM
EVENING PRAYER IN THE STYLE OF TAIZÉ: 7:00 PM
This is the day the Lord has made! Christ is risen, and through him all creation is made new! Indeed, “God shows no partiality” (Acts 10:34): Christ’s resurrection truly brings life to everyone. We sing hymns of praise, gather around sacred words, and proclaim God’s faithfulness, power, and love in the feast of holy commu-nion. With the women at the tomb, we are astonished, elated, and grateful. We depart with joy to proclaim the good news of God’s endless love. ▣
ASH WEDNESDAY | FEBRUARY 26
6:15 PM Soup Supper | Brown Hall
7:00 PM Worship | Sanctuary
WEDNESDAYS | MARCH 4 - APRIL 1
4:30 PM Confirmation | Ed Wing
5:30 PM Youth Choir | Chapel
6:15 PM Soup Supper | Brown Hall
7:00 PM Worship | Brown Hall, followed by:
The Greatest Story: Jesus | Library
Confirmation | Ed Wing
Youth Group | Youth Room
Adult Choir | Sanctuary
NEW WEDNESDAY LENTEN SERIES!
Wednesdays | March 4, 11, 18, 25, & April 1
Following the Wednesday evening Lenten
worship service (~7:20 pm) in the library we will
engage in an excellent series on Jesus. All are
welcome, and no Biblical expertise is required.
We will move through the Gospels beginning with
the question ‘Who Is This Jesus?’ This series builds
on each session, but they are all stand alone in their
own way. So, if you can’t make them all, no worries!
Make this a part of your Lenten discipline. ▣
hungerAs we move through the liturgical year, we take time to focus on a few specific areas of Social Ministry. Grace will be involved during Lent in issues related to hunger, as we seek to work with God and make a meaningful difference in our community and in the world around us.
Sunday Food Drive for South Palo Alto Food Closet | During the Sundays of Lent, we will be collecting canned food for the South Palo Alto Food Closet. Look for the col-lection wagons in the narthex! This makes a difference in our own community right now!
Bread for the World Letter Writing | Keep your eyes open during Lent for this opportunity. We take time on a Sunday morning to write letters to our elected officials advocating for policies that are just towards the hungry in the United States and abroad.
C O N F I R M A T I O N | L E N T & E A S T E R S U N D A Y S C H O O L C L A S S F O R P A R E N T S
Text and photos by Pastor Friederike Wekel
Confirmation ClassWhat have the confirmands been doing during the last couple of weeks? We’ve been busy investigat-ing the biblical Christmas story. In groups, or on their own, the confirmands came up with creative and funny versions of Jesus’ birth: a tiny folded sheet of paper that told the story in a very reduced form, with playdough and the past, present, and future spirit of Christmas, or told with popsickle sticks. We also had a Bible Christmas quiz.
Then we started out with images: What image do I have of myself? How do others perceive me? The confirmands decorated paper masks and faces with words that describe their vision. And if you could choose your ideal mask or image, what would it look like? We talked about where we would “wear” our masks, and where we could show our face. And that sometimes showing yourself makes you vulnerable.
All these questions and conversations eventually will lead us to the question of how God sees us—and God’s baptismal promise to be with us, no matter what.
Peace, Pr. Friederike ▣
If you are interested in Confirmation Classes
or have any questions, thoughts, ideas, please, get in touch with me ([email protected]/650.494.1212)
Special Sunday School Class for Parents: NAVIGATING LENT & EASTER | March 22On March 22, Elizabeth and Pr. Friederike invite all parents to come to a special Sunday School Class (9:35-10:30 AM) for parents about Lent and Easter. We will share ideas about how to cele-brate Lent and Easter with your kids: What books and other resources are there that you can use to mark this special time of the year? What does Lent mean, in general and for you? How to talk about crucifixion and resurrection? Does the Easter Bunny have something to do with this at all?
We are planning to hold more special parent classes through out the year. If there is a topic that interests you, that you would like to learn more about and talk about with us and other parents, please, let us know: [email protected] or [email protected]. ▣
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W O M E N ’ S E V E N T S
MARCH 13 - 15, 2020 | MT. CROSS
The registration for our annual Women’s Retreat, is open. What are you registering for? A great weekend with other women of all ages! We come together to connect, to learn about ourselves and others, to spend some time away from the usual hustle and bustle of our lives—under the Redwoods up in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Two options: come on Friday night for the whole weekend and leave on Sunday after worship, or come up just for the day on Saturday. If you are con-cerned about getting there, accessibility, or baby compatibility, please, contact Pr. Friederike ([email protected]). We want to make it work for every woman!
The topic will be “Life Stories.” The Bible is a book full of stories, lives, biographies, people—and so are our lives. Let’s find connections, and time for ourselves (from crocheting to hiking to…)
Sign-up online in MyGrace by February 23, or send me an email and we’ll figure it out! I am really excited and looking forward to seeing you at Mt. Cross!
Pastor Friederike ▣
Life Stories
International Women’s DayOn March 8, all over the world people celebrate and remem-ber International Women's Day. For some it is a day to protest, for others a day to celebrate womanhood.
We at Grace want to mark the International Women's Day among other things by collecting menstrual supplies for women for Ecumenical Hunger Project (EHP) customers. Preferred are winged pads and plastic applicator tampons. You can bring these products to the Narthex on Sundays or to the office during office hours. ▣
#EachforEqual#IWD
Upcoming Women’s Events 3/5 Women’s Night Out, Kathy Fitzgerald’s House, 7:00 PM
3/8 International Women’s Day Remembrance, @ Grace, after the second service (11:45 AM-ish)
3/13 - 15 Women’s Retreat, Mt. Cross Camp
3/21 Women’s Breakfast, Fireside Room @ Grace, 8:30 AM
4/2 Women’s Night Out, organized by Gretchen Rauch, 7:00 PM
4/18 Women’s Breakfast, Fireside Room @ Grace, 8:30 AM ▣
& A
Kathy FitzGerald | Los Altos Thursday, March 5 | 7:00 pm
Women’s Night Out, January 2020
THE POWER
C O L U M B A R I U M | H O L Y L A N D | E N D O W M E N T
Grace Columbarium . . . ?A columbarium (/̩kɒləmˈbɛəriəm/; pl. columbaria) is a place for the respect-ful and usually public storage of cinerary urns (those holding a deceased’s cremated remains).
Throughout history, churches have had cemeteries, crypts, and all manner of places to inter loved ones. In 2017, as we made our pilgrimage to Wittenberg, Germany, one of the high points was paying respects at the burial place of Martin Luther which is prominently located under the pulpit in the Castle Church. In the last year or two there has been interest in exploring the possi-bility of creating a place on the Grace Lutheran campus for the purpose of interring cremated remains. Many churches have begun this practice in recent years, recalling this long tradition.
During our Sunday, February 23 Adult Forum (9:45 - 10:30 AM in the Chapel) we will begin talking about the possibility of a Grace columbarium with more intentionality. This will be followed up by a survey of interest. Our goal is to gauge interest in pursuing further planning for this idea. Don’t hesitate to contact Pr Matt with any questions or ideas. [email protected] | 650.494.1212 ▣
Legacy Fund GrantsOn January 16, 2020, the Endowment Committee
met to consider annual grant requests and enthusiastically voted to rec-ommend $17,325 in awards, which represents less than 5% of the total endowment fund value averaged over the past three years. The Church Council approved these requests on Tuesday, January 21, 2020. The awards are as follows:
$5,500 Preschool - Facility & Bicycle Upgrades
$1,000 Youth Group Western States Chaperones
$5,000 Sanctuary Choir Chairs – Worship & Music
$1,000 Automated External Defibrillator (AED) – Hospitality
$500 Bright Stars of Bethlehem – Social Ministry
$2,250 Farming Hope – Social Ministry
$2,075 Stoves in Brown Hall – Property Team
$17,325
We gratefully acknowledge those who have contributed to the Legacy Fund or intend to do so. Legacy Fund Members include people who have made gifts to the endowment and/or have included the endowment in their estate plans. If you have any questions about how you can be a part of this vital legacy, contact Martha Meyer, chair of the Endowment Committee. [email protected] ▣
Grace Goes to the Holy Land 2021!We had our first formal Adult Forum on Sunday, February
9 to begin discussing this epic trip in more detail. We
expect brochures to be ready and a webpage in the
week or two following this newsletter. We are looking
to take a fairly good size group on an 11 or 14 day trip
(depending on whether you add Petra/Jordan) that
will begin on Thursday, June 10, 2021. Biblical texts will
come alive in a way that will enrich your faith life and
worship experience. Keep your eye open for more infor-
mation, and contact Pastor Matt with any questions.
[email protected] | 650.494.1212 ▣
2011 Grace trip to the Holy Land
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S T E W A R D S H I P | E A S T E R F L O W E R S | T X T 2 G I V E
Help to decorate the sanctuary for Easter by making a donation in honor of or in
memory of your loved ones. Dedications will appear on the slides in the
narthex during the season of Easter. www.gracepa.org
Txt2GiveThere is a new way to give at Grace!
In addition to all of the other ways you have given to Grace, you can now give a gift from your Debit/Credit Card directly by texting from your phone. TxtGive is partnered with MyGrace and all gifts will be recorded to your statement, like any others you might give. Give it a try right now!
Stewardship 2020At Grace Lutheran we have many reasons
to celebrate. We hope that Grace members
enjoyed “Celebrate Grace!” at Mitchell Park
Library on January 26. These events are great
opportunities to celebrate together and say
Thank You, Glad to See You Again, We Love
the Activities at Grace, and Nice to Meet You!
A new year has begun! However, our church
fiscal/program year is at the half-way point. We
ended the first half of the fiscal year in strong
shape, thanks to the commitment of Grace
members. We encourage everyone who has
not done so recently to make sure they are
where they planned to be.
Now we begin the planning process as we
look forward to a new budget year. We will be
sending you information about the upcoming
pledge campain: 2020 Vision for Mission.
Mark your calendar now for Pledge Sunday
on April 5, 2020. ▣
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W O R S H I P A N D M U S I C
What is this
“NOT Choir” I keep hearing about,
you ask?NOT Choir is for anyone who wants to get better at singing in the congregation. Just like its name states, it is NOT choir and you will never hear us perform! Maybe you like the idea of singing hymns in church, but don’t think you do it very well and wish you could do better. Maybe you DON’T like singing hymns, but you know that it’s something Lutherans are supposed to do and wish you could like it. Or maybe you enjoy singing hymns SO MUCH that you wish you could do it more than once a week!
Since NOT Choir started as just an idea this past fall, it has developed into a fan-tastic learning opportunity both for the people who participate and for me! I have learned so much about what things people typically find challenging and how to help them, both in the class and in the way I lead singing on Sunday mornings.
Each weekly session includes some combination of these four components:
1. Conversation about why singing in church is important. WHY do we do this, what do we observe about it, and how do our bodies, minds, and spirits react to the act of singing together?
2. Basic vocal technique. How can we learn to breathe and use the voices God has given us in a way that makes singing less awkward or uncomfortable, and more satisfactory, meaningful, and even fun?
3. Music reading. We may have had lessons on an instrument in childhood, but for most of us those days are far in the rear-view mirror, and we didn’t main-tain those skills into adulthood. Acknowledging that much of what we sing in church can be learned by listening to the leaders and the stronger singers around us, how much easier and faster can we learn by understanding the elements of pitch, rhythm, and musical phrasing?
4. Probably the part people look forward to most: we always preview the hymns for the upcoming Sunday. Getting the hurdle of music-learning out of the way ahead of time helps prepare for a deeper experience on Sunday— you come to church with the melody already in your head, can enjoy the experience of singing something you recognize, and perhaps sink even deeper into the words of the powerful poetry found in many of our hymns.
Most important of all, sometimes we eat snacks, and ALWAYS we laugh a lot! NOT Choir meets all Thursdays except the first Thursday in every month, from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. I hope you’ll join us! ▣
10 Years of Tim!
Tim Getz began his ministry at Grace on March 1, 2010. His passion, skill, experience, and sense of call have reshaped our musical and worship identity to the envy of many. Another joy we have experienced is Tim’s personal connections to us as individuals and a community. We are blessed! As a true professional, he has objected to a party during Lent, so mark you calendars for noon on Sunday, April 26 for a celebration of Tim!
Tim Getz Director of Music Ministry
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W O R S H I P A N D M U S I C
Pancake Supper Wednesday, February 19
6-8pm | THIS WEEK!!
COME AND EAT YOUR FILL!! The Grace Youth are hosting a Pancake Supper Fundraiser to prepare for Lent! Pancakes, whipped cream, butter, syrup, and sausage!!
Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday/Wednesday, refers to events of the Carnival celebration, beginning on or after the Christian feasts of the Epiphany (Three Kings Day) and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday”, reflecting the practice of the last night of eating rich, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of Lent.
Missed the supper? You can still contribute to the Youth Fund at www.gracepa.org: click on MyGrace then . No need to login. The youth appreciate your support! ▣
Saturday February 22
9 am
Can you help?We are excited to say that we are beginning some of the improvements in the Brown Hall/Brown Hall Courtyard area of the campus imagined in the 500 Years in Hope & Grace Capital Campaign. We are planning a workday for some work in the Brown Hall Courtyard modifying the planter areas, including the removal of the center planter. We are also looking to repair the paver walk near the library to get rid of its ups and downs. Can you help? We are hoping for Saturday, February 22. Sign-ups in the narthex, or send to [email protected].
Plan A | Saturday, February 22 @ 9 AMRain Backup | Saturday, March 14 @ 9 AM ▣
C H I L D R E N , Y O U T H , A N D F A M I L Y
book which I had pre- ordered in October!! The title… All Along You Were Blooming! Hahaha. A nice little wink from God.
I was recently asked to serve on the cur-riculum writing team for the ELCA Youth Gathering, and I just returned from a writing retreat with the team in Dallas. The theme for the Gathering is Boundless. So I have been thinking, planning, and writing about the boundlessness of God! For three days we dreamed and talked about how we could convey a boundless God to youth. It was such an honor and joy to be asked to serve on this team. This is the first time I have been asked to serve on the National Gathering Team! Needless to say it was challenging and lots of fun! I now have spent two weeks writing a unit of curriculum for the Gathering!!
So today as I started writing my newslet-ter articles I thought I would talk about my word and my inspiration and I wanted to use this quote. I looked at my phone wallpaper and googled it. Again her book cover came up and I was reminded that I am excited about her book coming out soon; I ordered it so long ago! Then I took a closer look at the cover, getting more and more curious about getting to read it! I burst into joyful tears!! The actual title of her book is… All Along You Were Blooming: Thoughts for BOUNDLESS Living!! hahaha.
Ok, God. I get it. Thanks for all the little reminders!! Bloom, Become and BE BOUNDLESS!! God’s love is too great to be measured!! God at work in ways I could never dare imagine!! ▣
Text by Elizabeth Hood Children, Youth & Family Ministry
- Morgan Harper Nichols
In December I started to ponder what my word for would be. I thought a lot about this last year, about all the ways I have changed and grown. About how much of the world I have seen, journeys I have taken and roads I was lost on. As I thought three words kept coming back to me: bloom, blossom and becoming. On New Year’s Eve, I was with a childhood friend and we were talking about all had brought us: joy, laughter, sadness, pain—all the highs and lows that come in life. I was looking through quotes for inspira-tion and noticed that the wallpaper on my phone had this quote (above) on it. I hadn’t realized it, but for months my phone already had my word on it! Then, when I decide to post my new word of the year with photo memories from last year, I googled to find the exact quote and realized that this was a quote from Morgan Harper Nichols new
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C H I L D R E N , Y O U T H , A N D F A M I L Y | S U M M E R
Sunday School• April 4 , 9 - 11 AM | Communion Class
• May 17 | Last day of regular Sunday School
• July 6 - 10 | Sign up for Day Camp !
• July 19 - 24 | Grace goes to Mt. Cross
Communion Class We love to invite you to join us for Communion Class for any children who are ready to learn about Communion. We will gather and learn together, watch a video, discuss the role of communion in worship, and bake bread. At least one parent must be present, but both are welcome. If you have questions, connect with Elizabeth.
Middle School • April 11, 5 PM | Easter Eve Decorating Party!
Pizza Dinner, fill eggs & decorate Brown Hall, followed by Easter Vigil
• May 17 | Last day of regular Sunday School
• May 28 | Confirmands/Families Celebration Dinner
• May 31 | Rite of Confirmation | 10:45 AM Worship All are welcome to this wonderful celebration of our youth and their faith!
• Keep an eye out for some fun events.
High School• April 11, 5 PM | Easter Eve Decorating Party!
Pizza Dinner, fill eggs & decorate Brown Hall, followed by Easter Vigil
• April 12 | Easter Breakfast
• May 17 | Last day of regular Sunday School Senior Quilt Sunday | 10:45 AM Worship
• June 23 - 30, 2020 | High School Summer Trip to Western States Youth Gathering at California Lutheran University
• June 29 - July 3, 2021 | ELCA Youth Gathering in Minneapolis, MN
b o u n d l e s s : G o d b e y o n d m e a s u r e
All beings in heaven and on earth receive their life from [God]. God is wonderful and glorious. I pray that [God’s] Spirit will make you become strong followers and that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith.
Stand firm and be deeply rooted in [God’s] love. I pray that you and all of God’s people will understand what is called wide or long or high or deep. I want you to know all about Christ’s love, although it is too wonderful to be mea-sured. Then your lives will be filled with all that God is. I pray that Christ Jesus and the church will forever bring praise to God. [God’s] power at work in us can do far more than we dare ask or imagine. Amen.
Ephesians 3:15-21 CEV
JUNE 23 - 30, 2020
Western States Youth GatheringFor current 8th - 12th grades from ELCA Congregations at Cal Lutheran Univ.
JULY 6 - 10, 2020
Day Camp | Grades K-5 | a unique partnership between Mt. Cross and GraceMt. Cross summer staff come to Grace for a week of faith-based fun, including group games, arts & crafts, worship, community building activities and Bible studies based on our summer theme. Register now at gracepa.org
JULY 19 - 24, 2020
Grace Goes to Camp | Grades 1 - 8Spend a week in the beautiful Santa Cruz mountains at our church camp, Mt. Cross. Theme: From Generation to Generation. Psalm 100:5 ▣
JUNE 8-12 | 9AM - 4PM
We Have a Right
JUNE 15-19 | 9AM - 4PM
I’m Blessed
JUNE 22 - JULY 3 | 9AM - 12PM
Sinchi Sacha
JULY 27 - 31 | 12 - 4 PM
ubuntu :: middle/high school
JULY 27 - AUGUST 7 | 9AM - 12PM
The Disappearance of Mirabelle Van deVeer
Christian Music Theater 2020CMT is a spirit-led camp for children of all faiths that uses the performing arts to cultivate respect for ourselves and others, to communicate human values, to increase concern for our planet, and to grow in relationship with our God. Programs are available from entering kindergarten through grad-uating from high school.
Children are involved in set, costume and prop construction, creative dra-matics, music, and choreographed movement, all culminating in an orig-inal musical drama. Karen Salveson, composer, writer and director, con-ceived the very first Christian Music Theater at Grace Lutheran Church in the summer of 1985. Summer 2020 is the 36th year of ministry at Grace!
Registration is now open for
Summer 2020!
www.graceCMT.org
2020 Preschool Summer Fun Camp
Grace Lutheran Preschool summer camp is back with six week of fun! We emphasize imagination, social-emotional development, creativity, and team work. The weekly themes inspire exciting stories, activities, games, crafts, collaboration, building projects and fun, fun, fun!. We have an experienced, educated, fun and compassionate staff.
We have planned six fun filled sessions, each with its own theme. Your child may attend one or more sessions. We will offer a morning snack. Parents are to provide a bag lunch for their child. We ask that one time per session, each parent arrive 15 minutes prior to pick up to help clean up. Sign-ups for a clean-up slot will be available on the first day of camp.
Register now at www.gracePRE.org
Session 1: Great Adventures in the OceanTime to investigate the ocean. Our room will become an ocean full of jelly fish, sharks, gigantic fish, crabs, and Larry the Lobster!
June 1 - June 5 5 days
$ 325/$ 375
Session 2: Time Travel - DinosaursTravel back in time to when dinosaurs roamed the earth! Build a time machine and travel to prehistoric times, design a dinosaur, dig for fossils, make exploding volcanoes. Investigate how chickens are like dinosaurs.
June 8 - 12 5 days
$ 325/$ 375
Session 3: Halloween in June!Dress up in costumes, ghosts, bats, witches, anything you want to be! Lots of drama, art, and music.
June 15 - 19 5 days
$ 325/$ 375
Session 4: Great Adventures with Animal FriendsSwing around with monkeys, tromp like the elephants, go on bear hunts. Make an animal parade!
June 22 - 26 5 days
$ 325/$ 375
Session 5: Space and Science Race - MONDAY-THURSDAYTravel to the moon and back. To the sun? …nope, too hot! Let’s build a rocket ship to blast off to mars…we just might meet some aliens!
June 29 - July 2 4 days
$ 260/$ 300
Session 6: Get Ready for School - Get Ready for Fun!Enjoy being with friends, cooking, reading, playing, art and drama. Making friends and making memories!
Aug 10 - 14 5 days
$ 325/$ 375
TIME: Monday through Friday (except Session 5) 9:00 am - 1:00 pm (pack a lunch!
COST: $ 325.00 per session for Grace Preschool families $ 375.00 per session for non-Grace families or online registration
Preschool Summer Fun Camp is for children aged 2 yrs 9 mos - 5 years. Must be potty trained.
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C H R I S T I A N M U S I C T H E A T R E | P R E S C H O O L
T H A N K Y O U ! | C O N C E R T
Thank you, Dale!
A special THANK YOU to Dale Loepp for his faithful and amazing cooking for Life Together dinners for over two years! He’s hung up his apron, but we hope that his
cooking may pop up here and there in the future. His weekly commitment to quality meals on Wednesday evenings has been
greatly treasured by all who come. Thank you, Dale! ▣
Soli Deo Gloria, under the baton of Allen H Simon, presents
J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion with orchestra and soloists:
Jeff Barnett, EvangelistRita Lilly, soprano
Janet Campbell, mezzo-sopranoMichael Jankosky, tenorJoshua Hughes, baritone
Jim Monios, bass
Saturday, March 7, 4:30 pmChrist Episcopal Church
1700 Santa Clara | Alameda
Sunday, March 8, 3:30 p.m.Grace Lutheran Church
3149 Waverley St. | Palo Alto
Tickets are $30 General; $25 Student/Senior. Students in grades K-8 are free. Discounted tickets available: Order in advance online or call 888-734-7664
https://www.brownpapertickets.com/profile/37830
Tha n k youAs a staff, we are all blessed to serve here among all of you wonderful people and to be a part of the amazing things that God is doing here. We want to thank you all for your generous gift for Christmas!
G R A C E N O T E S 1 7
A novel, a memoir, a challenge Happy New Year, although the year will be well underway by the time you read this. Why don’t you make a belated New Year’s Resolution to stop by the library and see what we have to offer, or check out the shelves in the reading room in the narthex? We will have a special display of material for Lent in both places beginning Ash Wednesday at the end of February. We appreciate suggestions for material to purchase, and also feedback on things you’ve read or watched from the library.
One of our goals is to provide material that examines contemporary life and problems, in order to understand and react accordingly as Christians. As I have mentioned before, I believe literary fiction can put a face on problems that no amount of news coverage, statistics, editorials and exhortations are able to. I just read an advance review of a new novel titled American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins about a woman and her son escaping drug cartel violence in Acapulco by immigrating to the U.S. The book was compared to The Grapes of Wrath and its story of the Dust Bowl migration to California. A high stan-dard to live up to—I’m anxious to read it, but I’ll put it out in the library for others first.
Another new book on the library order list reviewed with the novel above that also has to do with immigration is the memoir Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen, by Jose Antonio Vargas, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, that tells of his own strug-gle in the U.S. after being brought here as a child from the Philippines with no legal path to citizenship. There is also a Dear America: Young Readers’ Edition: The Story of an Undocumented Citizen, for Grades 3 - 7.
The review ends with a quote from author Edwidge Danticat, herself an immigrant from Haiti, in her foreword to The Penguin Book of Migration Literature: Departures, Arrivals, Generations, Returns, on the meaning of home: “Do we define home as where we welcome others in, or as where we keep others out?” The Penguin Anthology will also be available in the library.
See you at the library! ▣
Mary Ashley, Librarian [email protected] or 650.494.1829
No matter where you are from, we’re glad you’re our neighbor!You’ll see some lawn signs in the Narthex, with the message “No matter where you are from, we’re glad you’re our neighbor” in English, Spanish and Arabic. These signs are provided by the Social Ministry Committee to the people of Grace. Please feel free to take one home.
These signs were first created by Immanuel Mennonite Church, in Harrisonburg, VA. A message from their pastor Matthew Bucher:
“We choose to reach out to our neighbors and neighborhoods, welcome those who come from different backgrounds and places, and practice hospitality through the open doors of our communities.
We encourage you to join us in welcoming the stranger, getting to know your neighbors, hosting and being hosted, reaching out across divides, providing shelter, seeking justice, and sharing love with friend and stranger.”
If the message resonates with you, please take one of the lawn signs and place it in front of your home. ▣
- Members of the Social Ministry Committee
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L I B R A R Y | S O C I A L M I N I S T R Y
G R A C E N O T E S 1 9
C O U N C I L | S O C I A L M I N I S T R Y
Happy New Year! As I reflect back on at Grace, there was one significant milestone for our congre-gation—the addition of Pastor Friederike as our associate pastor! She has already had a strong impact in our church life, most noticeably at worship, with confir-mation, and for women’s ministry. We are so blessed to have her at Grace, along with Tilman, Henriette, and Ludwig.
The church council had a retreat at Mt. Cross on February to plan for . We have some exciting opportunities awaiting us this year:
• Working with the Property Team on the plans for Brown Hall and the courtyard
• Supporting the staff during Pastor Matt’s upcoming sabbatical
• Planning a new capital campaign toward the end of the year.
The council wants to express their appreciation to the entire congregation for their continued support, specifically for the volunteering that you do, and for the financial support that you all provide to make our ministries possible. Thank you!
God’s blessings to each of you for the new year! ▣
COUNCILScott Bandy
Susan Choquette, SecretaryMary CravensJane Garvey
Michelle GerisMatthew Lungren
Holly Lucke, PresidentGerrie Phillips
Erik Rausch, V. PresidentWally ReiherRyan RiddleKaty SiegelHolly Lucke
GLOBAL CHURCH - YOUR IMPACT
Situated in eastern Africa is the newest country in the world. But newest isn’t the only way to describe South Sudan — it’s also one of the most volatile.
After decades of civil war and unrest, South Sudan gained its independence from Sudan on July 9, 2011. But two years later internal conflict broke out among the country’s two major tribes.
According to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, an estimated 1.9 million South Sudanese are internally displaced and many more have fled to neighboring countries due to poverty, food insecurity, a lack of education and health care, and extreme violence against civilians. While the government struggles with the situation, many have turned to the church to be a healer and peacemaker.
“With all of this suffering, we still see God has a promise for us,” said Hilary Garang Deng, bishop of the Malakal Diocese of the Episcopal Church of Sudan. “He gave us a mission to testify
about the great God who created the world.”
Part of this mission includes establishing the Evangelical Lutheran Church Africa Mission in South Sudan. With the assistance of local partners, including ELCA congregations that are Sudanese, the Episcopal Church of Sudan, and the South Sudan Council of Churches, the ELCA raised more than $1 million to enable this work as part of The Campaign for the ELCA.
In November 2015, the partners broke ground on a Lutheran center and clinic in Juba, the nation’s capital. The center is situated near Juba’s Hai Referendum area, which lacks basic health and education services, making it difficult for people who are displaced to improve their lives, said Rafael Malpica Padilla, executive director for ELCA Global Mission.
“It is precisely in that community that we are planting a center to provide these opportunities,”
Reconciliation Lutheran Church Community Center and Clinic spread hope in South Sudan
he said. “This center will be a place of encounter for a community that has experienced the horrors of war; a place of hope for the next generation of leaders; an instrument through which we will touch people’s lives; and where the good news of the gospel will be proclaimed.”
Opening its doors two years later in November 2017, the Reconciliation Lutheran Church Community Center now offers courses, including English language lessons, vocational and computer training. This will be the first formal education for many South Sudanese adults. “Most of them were in the war and couldn’t get an education,” said Mawien Ariik, an ELCA pastor and missionary who coordinates outreach for the new church.
The Reconciliation Lutheran Clinic also opened it doors with the support of ELCA members and gifts to the campaign. It is now offering a variety of services, including prenatal and postnatal care, primary healthcare and community health education.
“You’ve come at the right time, because our situation cannot settle,” said Angelina Michael Lasuba, administrator of the Reconciliation Lutheran Center. “But the love that you are
giving us, shows us that we are all Christians and we all have a love of brothers and sisters. As they say, ‘The brother who comes to you in a hard time is a brother that loves you.’”
Hope continues to be a common thread connecting and motivating these leaders in South Sudan. Amid conflict, violence, poverty and famine, they are growing the Lutheran church, spreading the message of God’s love and bringing hope for a peaceful future.
“[In the U.S.] there’s a season when … the trees lose their leaves, but it doesn’t mean that they’re dead,” Ariik said. “For those who believe our congregations are dying, they are not dying; they may come back to grow again, so there should be a hope for that. Like in Africa now — the Lutheran church is growing here.”
Your support of the campaign’s Global Church priority enabled 11 new global ministry evangelism projects, such as the one in South Sudan, to get underway. Together, we are sharing God’s promise through Jesus and advancing our companions’ ministries.
IMPACT REPORTFeb. 1, 2014 – June 30, 2019
A report on Reconciliation Lutheran
Church in South Sudan, a recipient of
benevolence funds from the Grace
Capital Campaign.
Read more at https://www.elca.
org/Resources/Campaign-for-the-ELCA#Celebration
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