The Grace Vine - grucc.com

The Grace Vine - January 2019 page 1 of 12

January 2019

The Grace Vine Grace United Church of Christ An Open and Affirming Congregation 25 East Second Street, Frederick, Maryland 21701 www.grucc.com

In this issue: Pg.

A Flash Back 1

All the Saints 2

Grace UCC’s

2019 Church World Service Mission Project

3

Caring and Sharing 4

Birthdays 4

Food Bank Collection 4

Youth News 4

Congregational Life 5

Finance & Property 5

From the Church Office 5

Epiphany Sunday, January 6 6

A Flash Back as We

Move Forward to the

New Year!

Circa 1907!

This was shared with

Pastor Rob from a

friend of Grace UCC

who happened across

it in an antiques and

collectibles shop in PA.


Lydia, Dorcus and Phoebe: Witnesses to the Faith (January 27th ) This date celebrates three important women in the very early church. In a culture which did not pay much attention to women in general, it is im-portant to remember those women who are lifted up. They provided much needed support and leadership for the new fledgling church. These are not women who stayed in the kitchen and supported the men. These are strong women of faith who exerted real leadership in the community of faith. Phoebe was a first-century Christian woman mentioned by the Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the Romans, verses 16:1-2. A notable woman in the church of Cenchreae, she was trusted by Paul to deliver his letter to the Romans. Paul refers to her both as a deacon (Gk. diakonon) and as a helper or patron of many (Gk. prostatis). This is the only place in the New Testament where a woman is specifically referred to with these two distinctions. Paul introduces Phoebe as his emissary to the church in Rome and, because they are not acquainted with her, Paul provides them with her credentials. Lydia was most likely a Greek Macedonian even though she lived in a Roman settlement. She was evidently a well-to-do agent of a purple-dye firm in Thyatira, a city southeast of Pergamum and approximately 40 miles inland, across the Aegean Sea from Athens. Lydia insisted on giving hospitality to Apostle Paul and his companions in Philippi. They stayed with her until their departure, through Amphipolis and Apollonia, to Thessalonica (Acts 16:40-17:1). Paul, Silas, and Timothy were traveling through the region of Philippi when they encounter “a reputable businesswoman and possibly a widow… [who] was a righteous Gentile or ‘God-fearer’ attracted to Juda-ism”. “She was one of a large group [considered]…sympathizers with Judaism, believers in the one God, but who had not yet become ‘proselytes’ or taken the final step to conversion to Judaism”. Because these encounters and events take place “in what is now Europe,” Lydia is considered “the first ‘European’ Chris-tian convert”. Dorcas, also known as Tabitha, was a disciple who lived in Joppa, referenced in the Acts of the Apostles (9:36–42) In October the Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates Saint Tabitha the Widow, raised from the dead by the Apostle Peter. Acts recounts that when she died, she was mourned by "all the widows...crying and showing Peter the robes and other clothing that she had made while she was still with them" (Acts 9:39). The Greek construct used in this passage indicates that the widows were the recipients of her chari-ty, but she may also have been a widow herself. It is likely that she was a woman of some means, given her ability to help the poor. The disciples present called upon Peter, who came from nearby Lydda to the place where her body was being laid out for burial, and raised her from the dead. This narrative concerning Tabitha/Dorcas indicates her prominence in the community at Joppa. This might also be indicated by the fact that Peter took the trouble to come to her from a neighboring city, when re-quested by the community members. The name Dorcas is a Greek translation of the Aramaic name Tabi-tha, meaning "gazelle" One species of gazelle is now known as the dorcas gazelle.

For All the Saints


Grace UCC’s

2019 Church World Service Mission Project2019 Church World Service Mission Project2019 Church World Service Mission Project

All of January - Collecting Hygiene Kit Items (list below)

Sunday, January 27, 2019 - Assembling Hygiene Kits (Add your

name to the sign-up sheet or contact Trevor Addie.)

During the month of January we will be collecting items for:

CWS (Church World Service) Hygiene Kits

Items needed:

Hand towels measuring approximately 15”x 28” to 16”x

32”

(no fingertip, bath, dish towel or micro-fiber)

Washcloths

Wide-tooth combs

Finger nail and toe nail clippers

Bath size bars of soap in the wrappers

Toothbrush in individual packages

Standard size Band-aids

All items need to fit inside a one-gallon plastic zipper closure bag. Remove the excess

air from the bag and seal before boxing. Do NOT add any extra items or toothpaste.

A tube of extended expiration date toothpaste will be added to each Hygiene Kit just

prior to its journey.

For more information please contact: Trevor Addie at [email protected].

Trevor Addie

Chairperson, Outreach Ministry Commission

Grace Outreach Commission - Mission Project

mailto:[email protected]


January 2019January 2019January 2019

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 3

6 PM Zumba (begins again)

4 1 PM Coffee w/COIPP (GSR)

5

6 EPIPHANY 9:45 AM Christian Educ. Classes (2nd fl) 11 AM Worship with Holy Communion (S) 5 PM Redemption City Church (S)

7 10 AM & 3:30 PM E. Estes Voice Lesson 6:30 PM TFC Young Adult Group

8 5:30 PM E. Estes Voice Lesson 6:30 PM ManKind Project (DR)

9 6:30 PM TFC Youth Group (DR)

10 6 PM Zumba (GSR) 6 PM TFC Youth Cmte (rm 7 PM TFC Board Mtg.


12

13 The Baptism of Christ 9:45 AM Christian Educ. Classes 11 AM Worship 5 PM Redemption City Church (S)

14 NEWSLETTER ARTICLE DEADLINE 10 AM & 3:30 PM E. Estes Voice Lesson 7 PM/Finance & Property Comm. Mtg. (Rm 3)


16

6:30 PM TFC Youth Group (DR)

17 6 PM Zumba (GSR) 6 PM/Fred.Co. HD group

18

1 PM Coffee w/COIPP (GSR)

19

20 2nd Sunday after Epiphany 9:45 AM Christian Educ. Classes (2nd FL) 11 AM Worship (S) & 5 PM Redemption City Church (S)

21 Martin Luther King Day 10 AM & 3:30 PM E. Estes Voice Lesson 6:30 PM/TFC Young Adults (2nd fl)

22 5:30 PM E. Estes Voice Lesson 6:30 PM ManKind Project (DR) 7:00 PM Council Meeting (rm 3)


24 6 PM Zumba (GSR)

25


26

27 3rd Sunday after Epiphany 9:45 AM Christian Educ. Classes (2nd FL) 11 AM Worship (S) & 5 PM Redemption City Church (S)

28 10 AM & 3:30 PM E. Estes Voice Lesson


30 6:30 PM TFC Youth Group (GSR)

31 6 PM Zumba (GSR)

FEBRUARY 1 1 PM Coffee w/COIPP (GSR)

FEBRUARY 2

1 New Year’s Day

CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED


SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 3

6 PM Zumba (begins again)


5

6 EPIPHANY 9:45 AM Christian Educ. Classes (2nd fl) 11 AM Worship with Holy Communion (S) 5 PM Redemption City Church (S)

7 10 AM & 3:30 PM E. Estes Voice Lesson 6:30 PM TFC Young Adult Group



10 6 PM Zumba (GSR) 6 PM TFC Youth Cmte (rm 7 PM TFC Board Mtg.


12

13 The Baptism of Christ 9:45 AM Christian Educ. Classes 11 AM Worship 5 PM Redemption City Church (S)

14 NEWSLETTER ARTICLE DEADLINE 10 AM & 3:30 PM E. Estes Voice Lesson 7 PM/Finance & Property Comm. Mtg. (Rm 3)


16

6:30 PM TFC Youth Group (DR)

17 6 PM Zumba (GSR) 6 PM/Fred.Co. HD group

18


19

20 2nd Sunday after Epiphany 9:45 AM Christian Educ. Classes (2nd FL) 11 AM Worship (S) & 5 PM Redemption City Church (S)

21 Martin Luther King Day 10 AM & 3:30 PM E. Estes Voice Lesson 6:30 PM/TFC Young Adults (2nd fl)

22 5:30 PM E. Estes Voice Lesson 6:30 PM ManKind Project (DR) 7:00 PM Council Meeting (rm 3)


24 6 PM Zumba (GSR)

25


26

27 3rd Sunday after Epiphany 9:45 AM Christian Educ. Classes (2nd FL) 11 AM Worship (S) & 5 PM Redemption City Church (S)

28 10 AM & 3:30 PM E. Estes Voice Lesson


30 6:30 PM TFC Youth Group (GSR)

31 6 PM Zumba (GSR)

FEBRUARY 1 1 PM Coffee w/COIPP (GSR)

FEBRUARY 2

1 New Year’s Day

CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED

2

6:30 PM TFC Youth

Group


Called To Care - Grace Folks in Need of a Visit

Following is a list of members and friends of our Grace Church family who are currently ill, home-bound, recovering from an injury or surgery, or hospi-talized. If you know of other folks who should be added to this list, please contact Pastor Rob at 240-217-2768 or call the church office.

Caring and Sharing

Millie Davis 801 Pine Ave.,Frederick, MD 21701

Joe Free 1117 Rocky Springs Rd., Frederick, MD 21702

Jean Gaver 7407 Willow Rd., AL 250, Frederick, MD 21702

Paul and Miriam Himes 9810 Masser Rd., Frederick, MD 21702

Pam Kehne 1632 Wall Dr., Pasadena, MD 21122

Betty Linton 990 Waterford Dr., Unit 206, Frederick, MD 21702

Youth Group News!

A Pastoral Care note:

Due to the current HIPAA (Privacy) laws, hospitals are not permitted to contact churches on behalf of patients. If you know of a church member who is hospitalized, please inform the church office. In the case of an emergency hospitalization (whether yourself or a family member), please contact Pastor Rob at 240-217-2768 or call the church office.

January Birthdays

Norine Haas Jan 8

Mary Walsh Jan 15

Lester Slick Jan 16

Jerry Princler Jan 17

Debbie Kula Jan 18

Sergei Travis Jan 22

Robin Haak Jan 26

Doris White Jan 31

NON-PERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS NEEDED,

for example: peanut butter ~ pasta ~ rice ~

spaghetti ~ tomato sauce ~ Cereal ~ canned

fish ~ canned meats

WHAT: Grace Youth Group

WHAT: Stay Tuned for Upcoming 2019 Events!

Frederick Food Bank:

On the third Sunday of every month, we dedicate the “Grace

Groceries” that have been collected in our little red wagon (in

the narthex), and then deliver them to the Frederick Foodbank.

Thank you for your continued generosity!

More than 82 items of

“Grace Groceries” were

collected in November.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjvgIfQ9ZnbAhXEt1kKHZaOBFoQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffirstbaptistdelavan.com%2Fvideo%2Fsharing-caring-sermon-rev-betsy-perkins-9252016%2F&psig=AOvVaw2dq0X6UETH6O0yao5KCix8&ust=152709910264344


WEEKLY Grace Vine E-News

The Church Office sends out the Grace Vine E-News to members and friends every Friday, sharing upcoming news and events. Please email the church office at [email protected] to add your email address to this distribution list!

Planning an Event at the Church?

Contact the Church Office to Schedule!

Are you planning an event at the Church? If so, PLEASE remember to call the church office and make sure to get on the calendar ASAP. This means BEFORE you make plans, invite people, advertise, etc... The church building is getting increasingly busy throughout the week and we’d like to avoid embar-rassing double-bookings. Thanks so much!!

From the Church Office

Greeters and Fellowship Hosts! Please consider serving as a GREETER to welcome people to worship or

Serve as a FELLOWSHIP HOST to welcome people after worship.

Sign-up sheet is on the refrigerator in the Good Shepherd Room.

Congregational Life

Finance & Property Commission

November Treasurer’s Report

November 2018 2018 Year-to-Date

Income: $ 19,116.87 $ 173,400.46

Expenses: ($ 12,057.90) ($ 220,727.62)

Difference: $ 7,058.97 ($ 47,327.16)

To Everyone Using the Church Facility ...

Please be good stewards of our church building. If you are the last one leaving the building; please make

sure all lights are turned off in all rooms, hallways, entry ways and that doors are firmly closed and

locked. If you see something that may need addressed by the Church Finance and Property Commission

please contact the church office.

~ Thank you in advance for helping to take care of our church facility!


x

x

x

Grace United Church of Christ 25 East Second Street Frederick, MD 21701 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

PLACE LABEL HERE

Grace United Church of Christ 25 East 2nd Street, Frederick, Maryland 21701 [email protected] ~ www.grucc.com 301-662-3312

Church Office Hours: M-F/9AM-3PM 11AM Sunday Worship Service

Holy Communion - 1st Sunday of each month 9:45 AM Sunday School

Sunday, January 6

Worship with us at 11 AM

Wishing you a New Year filled with

Peace and Blessings!

Documents

The Grace Vine - grucc.com