Prayer vigil - May 18

We want to make sure you are aware of the upcoming May 18 prayer vigil, and offer you an easy way to sign up for the event.

This prayer vigil is unique, unlike any in recent memory.  You will have two completely different choices for how you want to participate.

In the morning (9 a.m. to noon), participants will come for a one hour block of time.  Arrive at 9 a.m., 10 a.m. or 11 a.m.  Those attending during that block will be divided into four groups and be led to one of four rooms in the facility.  During the hour, you will pray in each of these four rooms:

• Fellowship Hall, where you will pray for the outreach ministries of Grace and for all of the outside groups that use our facility, and for a vision to reach even more people with the good news of Jesus Christ.
• Library, where you will pray for the children and youth ministries of the church, their teachers, and the need for additional teaching space.
• East Elementary Room, where you will pray for all of the current ministries at Grace (such as the council, the guilds, Bible studies, scouts), and the need for additional meeting rooms for those ministries.
• Sanctuary, where you will pray for all who worship at Grace and for all those in our community who worship nowhere that we could be reaching.

Prayer leaders will be present in each room to guide the prayers that are offered.

In the afternoon (noon to 9 p.m.), participants are invited to spend a 30 minute (or more) block of time praying in the church sanctuary.  This is the more traditional prayer vigil format.  Soft music will be playing during this time of prayer.

Sign up sheets are available in the narthex, but you can also sign up by clicking here:  SIGN ME UP!  This will allow you to send an email to Tom Brodbeck, who will add your name to the list.  Just tell Tom what time you would like to pray.

St. Luke's Mission Hygiene Pantry

On the first three Sundays of March, Grace will be collecting personal hygiene and household cleaning products on behalf of St. Luke's Mission Hygiene Pantry.  This pantry serves as a resource for area caregivers who work with home-bound elderly or disabled clients.

All contributions are welcome, but certain items are especially requested.  These include:  toilet tissue, laundry and dish detergents, household cleaners, bath soap, toothpaste and deodorant.

A collection box is located in the Grace narthex.  Please place your items there.  If you have any questions, please talk with Tom Brodbeck or Susan Truchses.

SOUP-er Sunday

Don't forget to bring your cans of soup on Sunday as Grace celebrates "SOUP-er Bowl Sunday."  Each worshipper is encouraged to bring two canned soups (of any kind).  Place your contributions beneath the goal post in the Grace narthex.

Cards for the Military

This spring our Military Support Team invites you to send cards of encouragement to members of the military.  They have provided names and addresses of individuals connected to the Grace family for your convenience.  Copies of these can be found on the harvest table in the Grace narthex.

Clothing Needed by the Pregnancy Resource Center

The Pregnancy Resource Center currently has a great need for girl and boy winter baby clothes, in sizes 12 months - 24 months (2T).  If you or someone you know has excess of these sizes, or has a pile waiting to take to Goodwill, consider sharing your abundance with those who come to the PRC.

Clothing items may be dropped off at the Center (address below) any time between 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, or on Tuesday and Thursday evenings between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.  You may also bring your items to Grace Church on Sunday.  We will see that they are delivered to the PRC as well.

Remember, too, that the PRC is always in need of caring individuals who will serve as client advocates.  These volunteers are trained to meet directly with PRC clients - a great way to make a difference in the life of a mom-to-be and her unborn baby.  Other volunteers needed include someone to launder and mend donated clothing, individuals who will sort and match donated clothing, and people to help keep the center clean.

Here is the contact information for the PRC if you wish to deliver items in person or would like more information about how to volunteer:

Pregnancy Resource Center of Clark County
2612 Elmore Drive (just south of the old Community Hospital Building)
Springfield, OH 45505
(937) 525-3780

SOUP-er Sunday

Nationally, Sunday February 3 is "Super Bowl Sunday," but at Grace it will be "SOUP-er Sunday."  We are encouraging everyone who attends Grace on that day to bring along two (or more) cans of soup.  We will be donating all proceeds to St. John's Food Pantry.  Our goal is to gather 1,000 cans of soup on that day.

You will be hearing more about this on Sunday, but we wanted to get the word out early because soup is on sale this week at area grocery stores.  Both Kroger and Meijer are advertising special prices on Campbells and Progresso soups. Any kind of soup will be appreciated!

Let's "bowl" the Food Pantry over by making Feb. 3 a "souper" day!

Funeral Arrangements for Jerry Keppler

Jerry "Kep" Keppler, husband of Grace member Sandy Keppler, passed forward on Friday, January 4 after a short battle with cancer.  His funeral arrangements are as follows:

• Visitation:  Tuesday, January 8, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., Littleton Rue Funeral Home
• Service:  Wednesday, January 9, 2:00 p.m., Littleton Rue Funeral Home

Thank you for remembering Sandy and the rest of her family in your prayers during this time of grief.