June 3, 2023

Grace Family,

Good evening! I pray this email finds all of you well!

Tomorrow is a special day at Grace as we thank God for, and celebrate, Grace Christian Academy's 8th grade graduates at tomorrow's 8:00 a.m. service. Then, at tomorrow's 9:30 a.m. service, we'll thank God for, and celebrate, Grace's Youth Confirmands via Grace's annual Youth Public Examination and Confirmation. On account of examination and confirmation taking place at tomorrow's 9:30 a.m. service, Communion will not be celebrated at that service tomorrow. We'll celebrate Communion at 9:30 a.m. worship next Sunday, June 11.

Tomorrow's 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., and 12:30 p.m. services will be live streamed. You can find the English live-streams at gracefallschurch.org/stream. The Spanish live-streams are here.
 
Sunday School and Sunday Bible Study will not meet tomorrow (Youth Public Examination & Confirmation). Both will resume next Sunday, June 11.

Summer Snack Providers Needed. Grace is seeking individuals, couples, or families to provide and serve post-service refreshments during the summer. This means making a pot of coffee and providing snacks (homemade or store bought) for the services. If this is something you could do one or more weeks between June 11 and September 3, please sign up on the bulletin board in Information Hall. Please contact Tricia Visscher (churchadmin@gracefallschurch.org or 703-534-1719) with any questions. Thank you!

SUMMER BIBLE STUDY—The Gospel Before Jesus: A Study of God’s Love in the Old Testament. "The Old Testament is just laws and God's anger." "The Old Testament is Law, and the New Testament is Gospel." Maybe you have heard these stereotypes about the Old Testament. Perhaps you have thought or currently think similar things when reading through parts of the Old Testament. In "The Gospel Before Jesus," we will look at five of the many moments where God's Gospel, the good news for sinners, is prevalent in the Old Testament. Before Jesus was born in Bethlehem, God loved, fought for, defended, rescued, forgave, remembered, and restored sinners. Jesus described the Old Testament this way: "These are the Scriptures that testify about me." The Gospel message of salvation for sinners has always been God's plan. He uses the Old Testament to show us the magnitude of his grace and mercy through his interactions with real people. Through our study of God's Word, may we come away with a better understanding of the Gospel message in the Old Testament.
 
Details for “The Gospel Before Jesus”:
·      A meal will be served at 6:30 p.m. (Volunteers are needed to help provide the meal.)
·      The study is from 7-8 p.m.
·      Childcare will be provided free-of-charge
·      All five studies happen on Thursday nights: June 15, 22, July 6, 13, 20
·      Please RSVP to Vicar Josh @ 619-253-1247 if you are coming to the meal and/or if you
       need childcare

Grace’s SUMMER BIBLE CAMP—June 26-30! Registration can be done at gracefallschurch.org! There are only 8 seats remaining! If you or someone you know would like to register a child, please do so ASAP! If you have questions about Summer Bible Camp, please contact Leigh Redfield at 703-966-2494 or lredfield@graceva.org.
 
HOUSING and MEALS for Summer Bible Camp. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thanks to your generosity and hospitality, Grace has filled all the housing needs for Grace's out-of-town helpers, as well as all the meal needs to feed our out-of-town guests!

Financial Gifts to Help Start a WELS Church in Boston Are Being Collected. If you are moved to help start a WELS church in Boston, you may give a financial gift in two ways: 1) Use the scan code on the previous page. That will take you to a donation site where the Boston mission is one of the gift points. 2) Write out a check payable to Grace Lutheran Church and place it in the blue box in the Fellowship Room labeled “Boston Mission.” Grace will be collecting financial gifts for the WELS church in Boston through Sunday, June 25.

Grace Christian Academy Is Seeking Applicants for the Position of Educational Assistant (EA). This is a paid position. For a position description, questions, or if you would like to apply, please contact Pastor Wattles.
 
Please feel free to make use of Grace's pastoral care (a visit to your home, private Communion, counseling, etc.). Pastor Satorius and I are more than willing to help you however we may be able to. Additionally, we have other volunteers who have stepped forward to offer a variety of kinds of assistance. Please don't hesitate to reach out!
 
Thank you for your continuing financial contributions to support Grace's ministries! If you would like to make a financial gift to Grace, you can do so in a variety of ways:
 
--To give a one-time financial gift through Grace's Paypal account, go to gracefallschurch.org/donate and follow the instructions. You may use this resource to contribute financial gifts to Grace's general fund, the Grow Grace Building Fund, or make a contribution to help with humanitarian aid in Puerto Rico.

--To set up reoccurring electronic financial transaction gifts, go to gracefallschurch.org/giving and follow the instructions. 

--You may mail a financial gift by mailing it to Grace at 3233 Annandale Road, Falls Church, Virginia, 22042.

--You may use an offering envelope to mail your financial gift to Grace via mail--or deposit the offering envelope in the collection plate when you come to worship at Grace. Grace provides offering envelopes to all members of the congregation and any friends of the congregation who desire offering envelopes. If you would like offering envelopes, please contact Tricia Visscher at churchadmin@gracefallschurch.org or 703-534-1719 to make arrangements to receive your offering envelopes.

Thank you for taking the time to read this UPDATE!

God's peace be with you---
 
Pastor Kevin

May 28, 2023

Grace Family,

Good morning! A blessed Pentecost to all of you!

Today Grace will worship at 8:00 a.m. (Traditional English), 9:30 a.m. (Traditional English), 11:15 a.m. (Contemporary English), and 12:30 p.m. (Spanish). Holy Communion will be celebrated at 11:15 a.m. worship.

Today's 9:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., and 12:30 p.m. services will be live streamed. You can find the English live-streams at gracefallschurch.org/stream. The Spanish live-streams are here.
 
Today the Grace Choir will have a brief rehearsal at 9:00 a.m.

Sunday School and Sunday Bible Study will not meet today or next Sunday (Youth Public Examination & Confirmation). Both will resume on Sunday, June 11.

Tomorrow Youth Confirmation Class will meet in the Sanctuary at 5:45 p.m.

On Tuesday, the Church Council will meet in Classrooms 5-6 at 6:30 p.m.

On Saturday, Youth Public Examination & Confirmation Rehearsal will take place at 9:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary. The Worship Team will rehearse at 12:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.

Because of Youth Public Examination and Confirmation at 9:30 a.m. worship next Sunday, Holy Communion will not be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. worship. Holy Communion will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. worship on Sunday, June 11.

Assignment News from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (WLS): This past Wednesday-Thursday were assignment days at WLS (the seminary from which Pastors Satorius and Wattles graduated, as well as the seminary that all Grace's vicars attend). The following men with connections to Grace were assigned into the public ministry:

-Grace member Noah Satorius was assigned as a vicar to Hope Lutheran Church in Toronto, Canada
 
-Chris Walther was assigned as Grace's next vicar
 
-Karl DeMarce, a member of the first graduating class of what was known at the time as Grace Lutheran School and whose mother is still a member here...in a second career as a pastor was assigned to St. John Lutheran Church, Tappen, ND
 
-Former Grace vicar Josh Koelpin was assigned to start a church in Boston
 
-Grace member Zach Satorius was assigned as a teacher and dormitory supervisor at Luther Preparatory School in Watertown, WI
 
-Former Grace vicar David Young was assigned as pastor to churches in Martin, SD and Gordon NE
Grace’s SUMMER BIBLE CAMP—June 26-30! Registration can be done at gracefallschurch.org! There are only a few more open spots. If you or someone you know would like to register a child, please do so ASAP! If you have questions about Summer Bible Camp, please contact Leigh Redfield at 703-966-2494 or lredfield@graceva.org.
 
HOUSING and MEALS Needed for Summer Bible Camp. Grace is blessed to have out-of-town high school helpers + adult chaperones coming to help facilitate Grace’s Summer Bible Camp. As a congregation, we need to house our out-of-town guests for about a week + provide meals for them. We’re looking for housing for 3 girls, 2 boys, and 1 female chaperone + 1 meal. If you are able to support this worthwhile endeavor by housing some of these folks—or by providing a meal (either by preparing it or making a financial gift to pay for a meal), please reach out to Leigh Redfield at 703-966-2494 or lredfield@graceva.org. Thank you for your support of Summer Bible Camp!

Financial Gifts to Help Start a WELS Church in Boston Are Being Collected. If you are moved to help start a WELS church in Boston, you may give a financial gift in two ways: 1) Use the scan code on the previous page. That will take you to a donation site where the Boston mission is one of the gift points. 2) Write out a check payable to Grace Lutheran Church and place it in the blue box in the Fellowship Room labeled “Boston Mission.” Grace will be collecting financial gifts for the WELS church in Boston through Sunday, June 25.

Grace Christian Academy Is Seeking Applicants for the Position of Educational Assistant (EA). This is a paid position. For a position description, questions, or if you would like to apply, please contact Pastor Wattles.
 
Please feel free to make use of Grace's pastoral care (a visit to your home, private Communion, counseling, etc.). Pastor Satorius and I are more than willing to help you however we may be able to. Additionally, we have other volunteers who have stepped forward to offer a variety of kinds of assistance. Please don't hesitate to reach out!
 
Thank you for your continuing financial contributions to support Grace's ministries! If you would like to make a financial gift to Grace, you can do so in a variety of ways:
 
--To give a one-time financial gift through Grace's Paypal account, go to gracefallschurch.org/donate and follow the instructions. You may use this resource to contribute financial gifts to Grace's general fund, the Grow Grace Building Fund, or make a contribution to help with humanitarian aid in Puerto Rico.

--To set up reoccurring electronic financial transaction gifts, go to gracefallschurch.org/giving and follow the instructions. 

--You may mail a financial gift by mailing it to Grace at 3233 Annandale Road, Falls Church, Virginia, 22042.

--You may use an offering envelope to mail your financial gift to Grace via mail--or deposit the offering envelope in the collection plate when you come to worship at Grace. Grace provides offering envelopes to all members of the congregation and any friends of the congregation who desire offering envelopes. If you would like offering envelopes, please contact Tricia Visscher at churchadmin@gracefallschurch.org or 703-534-1719 to make arrangements to receive your offering envelopes.

Finally, I will not be with you today at worship as I am attending a family reunion. I am returning to Falls Church tomorrow. If you are in need of immediate pastoral assistance while I am away, please reach out to Pastor Satorius.

Thank you for taking the time to read this UPDATE!

God's peace be with you---
 
Pastor Kevin

May 20, 2023

Grace Family,

Good evening! I pray this UPDATE finds all of you well!

Tomorrow Grace will worship at 8:00 a.m. (Traditional English), 9:30 a.m. (Traditional English), 11:15 a.m. (Contemporary English), and 12:30 p.m. (Spanish). Holy Communion will be celebrated at 8:00 a.m. worship.

Tomorrow's 9:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., and 12:30 p.m. services will be live streamed. You can find the English live-streams at gracefallschurch.org/stream. The Spanish live-streams are here.
 
Tomorrow the Grace Choir will rehearse at 9:00 a.m. Sunday School and Sunday Bible Study will meet at 9:30 a.m. in the classrooms.

Sunday Bible Study is beginning a study of Jesus' "I AM" statements in the Gospels where he uses these expressions to describe himself and to illustrate the promises that are ours through him. The study will be an interesting and helpful one! If you've never been to Sunday Bible Study, now would be a great time to check it out!

On Tuesday, Bible Cafe will meet at 9:30 a.m. in the entrance to the Sanctuary.

Grace’s SUMMER BIBLE CAMP—June 26-30! Registration can be done at gracefallschurch.org! There are only about 20 more open spots. If you or someone you know would like to register a child, please do so ASAP! If you have questions about Summer Bible Camp, please contact Leigh Redfield at 703-966-2494 or lredfield@graceva.org.
 
HOUSING and MEALS Needed for Summer Bible Camp. Grace is blessed to have out-of-town high school helpers + adult chaperones coming to help facilitate Grace’s Summer Bible Camp. As a congregation, we need to house our out-of-town guests for about a week + provide meals for them. We’re looking for housing for 3 girls, 2 boys, and 1 female chaperone + 1 lunch and 1 dinner. If you are able to support this worthwhile endeavor by housing some of these folks—or by providing a meal (either by preparing it or making a financial gift to pay for a meal), please reach out to Leigh Redfield at 703-966-2494 or lredfield@graceva.org. Thank you for your support of Summer Bible Camp!

Grace Christian Academy Is Seeking Applicants for the Position of Educational Assistant (EA). This is a paid position. For a position description, questions, or if you would like to apply, please contact Pastor Wattles.
 
Please feel free to make use of Grace's pastoral care (a visit to your home, private Communion, counseling, etc.). Pastor Satorius and I are more than willing to help you however we may be able to. Additionally, we have other volunteers who have stepped forward to offer a variety of kinds of assistance. Please don't hesitate to reach out!
 
Thank you for your continuing financial contributions to support Grace's ministries! If you would like to make a financial gift to Grace, you can do so in a variety of ways:
 
--To give a one-time financial gift through Grace's Paypal account, go to gracefallschurch.org/donate and follow the instructions. You may use this resource to contribute financial gifts to Grace's general fund, the Grow Grace Building Fund, or make a contribution to help with humanitarian aid in Puerto Rico.

--To set up reoccurring electronic financial transaction gifts, go to gracefallschurch.org/giving and follow the instructions. 

--You may mail a financial gift by mailing it to Grace at 3233 Annandale Road, Falls Church, Virginia, 22042.

--You may use an offering envelope to mail your financial gift to Grace via mail--or deposit the offering envelope in the collection plate when you come to worship at Grace. Grace provides offering envelopes to all members of the congregation and any friends of the congregation who desire offering envelopes. If you would like offering envelopes, please contact Tricia Visscher at churchadmin@gracefallschurch.org or 703-534-1719 to make arrangements to receive your offering envelopes.

Finally, I will be out of town Wednesday - Thursday of this week. I'll be meeting Grace's next vicar. If you are in need of pastoral assistance while I am away, please reach out to me on my cell (703-839-2489).

Thank you for taking the time to read this UPDATE!

God's peace be with you---
 
Pastor Kevin

May 6, 2023

Grace Family,

Good evening! I pray this UPDATE finds all of you well!

Perhaps you’ve seen the painting above. It was recently hung in the Little Lambs Room. You may recall that the previous Good Shepherd painting in the Little Lambs Room was a victim of the flooding of Grace’s lower level some years ago. Our truly heartfelt thanks go out to local professional artist and Grace member Alexia Scott for painting this new artwork for Grace! So if you haven’t already seen this beautiful rendition of the Good Shepherd, please take a moment to check it out. If you’re interested in more of Alexia’s work, you may peruse that here. 

Tomorrow Grace will worship at 8:00 a.m. (Traditional English), 9:30 a.m. (Traditional English), 11:15 a.m. (Contemporary English), and 12:30 p.m. (Spanish). Holy Communion will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. worship.

Tomorrow's 9:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., and 12:30 p.m. services will be live streamed. You can find the English live-streams at gracefallschurch.org/stream. The Spanish live-streams are here.
 
Tomorrow the Grace Choir will rehearse at 9:00 a.m. Sunday School and Sunday Bible Study will meet at 9:30 a.m. in the classrooms.

Tomorrow evening the Grace Christian Academy Gala takes place. Please pray for God’s blessings on this annual event that raises money to support the ministry of GCA.

On Monday, Youth Confirmation Class will meet online and in the Berean Room at 5:45 p.m.

On Tuesday, Bible Cafe will meet at 9:30 a.m. in the entrance to the Sanctuary.

Worship Team will rehearse in the Sanctuary at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday.

At last Sunday’s Kindergarten Teacher Call Meeting, Grace voted to seek the assignment of a kindergarten teacher from the graduates of Martin Luther College (MLC). The graduation and assignment of MLC teachers occurs this Saturday, May 13. Please pray that Grace Christian Academy receives the assignment of a kindergarten teacher.

Grace’s SUMMER BIBLE CAMP—June 26-30! Registration is open at gracefallschurch.org! If you have questions about Summer Bible Camp, please contact Leigh Redfield at 703-966-2494 or lredfield@graceva.org.
 
HOUSING and MEALS Needed for Summer Bible Camp. Grace is blessed to have out-of-town high school helpers + adult chaperones coming to help facilitate Grace’s Summer Bible Camp. As a congregation, we need to house our out-of-town guests for about a week + provide meals for them. We’re looking for housing for 7 girls, 2 boys, and 1 female chaperone + 2 lunches and 5 dinners.. If you are able to support this worthwhile endeavor by housing some of these folks—or by providing a meal (either by preparing it or making a financial gift to pay for a meal), please reach out to Leigh Redfield at 703-966-2494 or lredfield@graceva.org. Thank you for your support of Summer Bible Camp!
 
Please feel free to make use of Grace's pastoral care (a visit to your home, private Communion, counseling, etc.). Pastor Satorius and I are more than willing to help you however we may be able to. Additionally, we have other volunteers who have stepped forward to offer a variety of kinds of assistance. Please don't hesitate to reach out!
 
Thank you for your continuing financial contributions to support Grace's ministries! If you would like to make a financial gift to Grace, you can do so in a variety of ways:
 
--To give a one-time financial gift through Grace's Paypal account, go to gracefallschurch.org/donate and follow the instructions. You may use this resource to contribute financial gifts to Grace's general fund, the Grow Grace Building Fund, or make a contribution to help with humanitarian aid in Puerto Rico.

--To set up reoccurring electronic financial transaction gifts, go to gracefallschurch.org/giving and follow the instructions. 

--You may mail a financial gift by mailing it to Grace at 3233 Annandale Road, Falls Church, Virginia, 22042.

--You may use an offering envelope to mail your financial gift to Grace via mail--or deposit the offering envelope in the collection plate when you come to worship at Grace. Grace provides offering envelopes to all members of the congregation and any friends of the congregation who desire offering envelopes. If you would like offering envelopes, please contact Tricia Visscher at churchadmin@gracefallschurch.org or 703-534-1719 to make arrangements to receive your offering envelopes.

Lastly, I will be out of town Wednesday - Thursday. I will be working with the group that is starting a WELS church in Boston. If a situation arises in which you are in need of immediate pastoral assistance during this time, please reach out to Pastor Satorius.

Thank you for taking the time to read this UPDATE!

God's peace be with you---
 
Pastor Kevin

April 29, 2023
 

April 22, 2023

Grace Family,

Good afternoon! I pray this UPDATE finds all of you well!

Tomorrow Grace will worship at 8:00 a.m. (Traditional English), 9:30 a.m. (Traditional English), 11:15 a.m. (Contemporary English), and 12:30 p.m. (Spanish). Communion will be celebrated at 11:15 a.m. worship.

Tomorrow's 9:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., and 12:30 p.m. services will be live streamed. You can find the English live-streams at gracefallschurch.org/stream. The Spanish live-streams are here.
 
Tomorrow the Grace Choir will rehearse at 9:00 a.m., Sunday School will meet at 9:30 a.m., and there will be a Congregational Meeting at 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Room. You are invited to participate!

On Monday, Youth Confirmation Class will meet online and in the Berean Room at 5:45 p.m.

On Tuesday, Bible Cafe will meet at 9:30 a.m. in the entrance to the Sanctuary.

Worship Team will rehearse in the Sanctuary at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Matt & Leigh Redfield have RETURNED their Calls to Immanuel Lutheran School, Hutchinson, MN. We give thanks for the Redfields’ continuing service at Grace and pray God’s blessings upon their family and ministries.
 
Lydia Wilde has ACCEPTED the Call to Teach at Crown of Life Lutheran School, West St. Paul, MN. We will miss Lydia as she departs to her new teaching ministry after this school year is finished. We thank her for her faithful service among us and pray God’s blessings on her transition to, and service in, her teaching ministry at Crown of Life!
 
Kindergarten Teacher Call Meeting on Sunday, April 30 at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. A Zoom link for this meeting will be emailed to the congregation on Sunday, April 30. All are welcome to participate in this meeting.
 
Grace’s SUMMER BIBLE CAMP—June 26-30! Registration is open at gracefallschurch.org! If you have questions about Summer Bible Camp, please contact Leigh Redfield at 703-966-2494 or lredfield@graceva.org.
 
HOUSING and MEALS Needed for Summer Bible Camp. Grace is blessed to have 11 out-of-town high school helpers + 3 adult chaperones coming to help facilitate Grace’s Summer Bible Camp. As a congregation, we need to house our out-of-town guests for about a week + provide 12 meals for them. If you are able to support this worthwhile endeavor by housing some teens or a chaperone—or by providing a meal (either by preparing it or making a financial gift to pay for a meal), please reach out to Leigh Redfield at 703-966-2494 or lredfield@graceva.org.
 
The GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY GALA will be on Sunday, May 7 at the McLean Hilton! This year’s theme is “God So Loved the World” and will feature lots of global surprises! All proceeds will benefit the school's ministry. Details can be found here.
 
Please feel free to make use of Grace's pastoral care (a visit to your home, private Communion, counseling, etc.). Pastor Satorius and I are more than willing to help you however we may be able to. Additionally, we have other volunteers who have stepped forward to offer a variety of kinds of assistance. Please don't hesitate to reach out!
 
Thank you for your continuing financial contributions to support Grace's ministries! If you would like to make a financial gift to Grace, you can do so in a variety of ways:
 
--To give a one-time financial gift through Grace's Paypal account, go to gracefallschurch.org/donate and follow the instructions. You may use this resource to contribute financial gifts to Grace's general fund, the Grow Grace Building Fund, or make a contribution to help with humanitarian aid in Puerto Rico.

--To set up reoccurring electronic financial transaction gifts, go to gracefallschurch.org/giving and follow the instructions. 

--You may mail a financial gift by mailing it to Grace at 3233 Annandale Road, Falls Church, Virginia, 22042.

--You may use an offering envelope to mail your financial gift to Grace via mail--or deposit the offering envelope in the collection plate when you come to worship at Grace. Grace provides offering envelopes to all members of the congregation and any friends of the congregation who desire offering envelopes. If you would like offering envelopes, please contact Tricia Visscher at churchadmin@gracefallschurch.org or 703-534-1719 to make arrangements to receive your offering envelopes.

Lastly, Pastor Satorius, Vicar Schroeder, and I will be out of town, Monday – Wednesday, at a Pastors Conference in Roanoke, VA. If you are in need of pastoral assistance during this time, please reach out to either Pastor Satorius or myself via our cell phones

Thank you for taking the time to read this UPDATE!

God's peace be with you---

 
April 8, 2023

Grace Family,

Good afternoon! I pray this UPDATE finds all of you well!

Tomorrow we celebrate Jesus' resurrection! We'll do so at Grace with:

An Outdoor Sunrise Service at 6:30 a.m. on the parking lot.

A 7:15 a.m. Easter Breakfast in the Fellowship Room prepared by TORCH (Teens Outwardly Reflecting CHrist--Grace's high school ministry).

Easter Festival Services at 8:00 & 9:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary. The 9:30 service will be live streamed.

An Easter Brunch from 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Room. Please bring a food or beverage item to share.... (and thanks for doing so!).

A Contemporary Easter Service at 11:15 a.m. This service will be live streamed.

A Spanish Easter Service at 12:30 p.m. This service will be live streamed.

Sunday School and Sunday Bible Study will not meet tomorrow. Both will resume next Sunday, April 16 at 9:30 a.m.

On Monday, Youth Confirmation Class will meet online and in the Berean Room at 5:45 p.m.

On Tuesday, Bible Cafe will meet at 9:30 a.m. in the entrance to the Sanctuary.
On Saturday, the Board of Christian Education will meet at 7:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Room. The Worship Team will rehearse at 12:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.

Matt & Leigh Redfield Receive Calls. GCA Grades 5-6 Teacher Matt Redfield and GCA Learning Specialist Leigh Redfield have received Calls to teach at Immanuel Lutheran School, Hutchinson, MN. Matt has been called to teach grades 5-8 and serve as principal. Leigh has been called to teach grades 2-4. As Matt and Leigh consider where the Lord would have them continue to serve in the teaching ministry, they ask for your prayers that the Lord give them clarity and peace in the Call deliberation process. They also welcome any comments that you may have to share with them.
 
Lydia Wilde Receives a Call. GCA Kindergarten Teacher Lydia Wilde has received a Call to serve as “7^th Grade Homeroom Teacher” (teaching some, but not all, 7^th grade subjects) at Crown of Life Lutheran School, West St. Paul, MN. As Lydia considers where the Lord would have her continue to servce in the teaching ministry, she asks for you to pray that the Lord give her clarity and peace in the Call deliberation process. Lydia also welcomes any comments that you may have to share with her. 

The GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY GALA will be on Sunday, May 7 at the McLean Hilton! This year’s theme is “God So Loved the World” and will feature lots of global surprises! All proceeds will benefit the school's ministry. Details can be found here.
 
Grace’s SUMMER BIBLE CAMP will be June 26-30! Registration will open on March 20th. Summer Bible Camp (SBC) is seeking someone to help ideate and coordinate the decorations in the building. If you think you might be that person—or have questions about serving in this way, please contact Leigh Redfield Thank you, and keep your eyes and ears open for more opportunities to help with SBC!

Please feel free to make use of Grace's pastoral care (a visit to your home, private Communion, counseling, etc.). Pastor Satorius and I are more than willing to help you however we may be able to. Additionally, we have other volunteers who have stepped forward to offer a variety of kinds of assistance. Please don't hesitate to reach out!
 
Thank you for your continuing financial contributions to support Grace's ministries! If you would like to make a financial gift to Grace, you can do so in a variety of ways:
 
--To give a one-time financial gift through Grace's Paypal account, go to gracefallschurch.org/donate and follow the instructions. You may use this resource to contribute financial gifts to Grace's general fund, the Grow Grace Building Fund, or make a contribution to help with humanitarian aid in Puerto Rico.

--To set up reoccurring electronic financial transaction gifts, go to gracefallschurch.org/giving and follow the instructions. 

--You may mail a financial gift by mailing it to Grace at 3233 Annandale Road, Falls Church, Virginia, 22042.

--You may use an offering envelope to mail your financial gift to Grace via mail--or deposit the offering envelope in the collection plate when you come to worship at Grace. Grace provides offering envelopes to all members of the congregation and any friends of the congregation who desire offering envelopes. If you would like offering envelopes, please contact Tricia Visscher at churchadmin@gracefallschurch.org or 703-534-1719 to make arrangements to receive your offering envelopes.

Thank you for taking the time to read this UPDATE!

God's peace be with you---
 
Pastor Kevin

March 26, 2023

Grace Family,

Good morning! I pray this UPDATE finds all of you well!

Today Grace will worship at 8:00 a.m. (Traditional English), 9:30 a.m. (Traditional English), 11:15 a.m. (Contemporary English), and 12:30 p.m. (Spanish). Communion will be celebrated at 11:15 a.m. worship.

Today's 9:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., and 12:30 p.m. services will be live streamed. You can find the English live-streams at gracefallschurch.org/stream. The Spanish live-streams are here.
 
Today the Grace Choir will rehearse at 9:00 a.m., Sunday School will meet at 9:30 a.m., and the Sunday Bible Study will meet at 9:30 a.m. You are invited to participate!

Tomorrow, Youth Confirmation Class will meet online and in the Berean Room at 5:45 p.m.

On Tuesday, Bible Cafe will meet at 9:30 a.m. in the entrance to the Sanctuary. The Church Council will meet at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom.

A Lenten Supper will be offered on Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. in the Fellowship Room, with a Lenten Service following at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. All are invited to both the supper and the service.

Worship Team will rehearse in the Sanctuary at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday.
Holy Week Schedule
April 2: Palm Sunday (regular Sunday schedule)
April 6: Maundy Thursday Service with Communion (7:00 p.m.)
April 7: Good Friday Services (7:00 p.m. English; 8:30 p.m. Spanish)
April 9: Easter Sunday
            6:30 a.m. Easter Sunrise Service (outside, weather permitting)
            7:15 a.m. Easter Breakfast (prepared by the high school ministry [TORCH])
            8:00 a.m. Easter Festival Service
            9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Easter Brunch (see announcement)
            9:30 a.m. Easter Festival Service
            11:15 a.m. Contemporary Easter Service
            12:30 p.m. Spanish Easter Service

Easter Altar Flowers. On Easter Sunday the church altar will be decorated with a variety of flowers. If you are interested in sponsoring flowers for the Easter Sunday altar, please sign up on the bulletin board in Information Hall.  The deadline to sign up is April 3.
 
Easter Brunch. Easter Brunch will be offered between the services on Easter Sunday from 9:00 a.m.  – 12:30 p.m.  Please consider bringing an item to share (rolls, coffeecake, juice, etc.)
 
Easter Cross. On Easter Sunday, a cross will be outside in front of the church (weather permitting).  You are invited to bring a flower and attach it to the cross before Easter worship as a symbol of Jesus’ victory over sin and death, and a representation of salvation for all people!
 
The GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY GALA will be on Sunday, May 7 at the McLean Hilton! This year’s theme is “God So Loved the World” and will feature lots of global surprises! All proceeds will benefit the school's ministry. Details can be found here.
 
Grace’s SUMMER BIBLE CAMP will be June 26-30! Registration will open on March 20th. Summer Bible Camp (SBC) is seeking someone to help ideate and coordinate the decorations in the building. If you think you might be that person—or have questions about serving in this way, please contact Leigh Redfield Thank you, and keep your eyes and ears open for more opportunities to help with SBC!

Lexie Tangen has Accepted the Call to Serve as Grades 3-4 Teacher! We pray for God’s blessings upon Lexie’s teaching ministry at GCA!

Please feel free to make use of Grace's pastoral care (a visit to your home, private Communion, counseling, etc.). Pastor Satorius and I are more than willing to help you however we may be able to. Additionally, we have other volunteers who have stepped forward to offer a variety of kinds of assistance. Please don't hesitate to reach out!
 
Thank you for your continuing financial contributions to support Grace's ministries! If you would like to make a financial gift to Grace, you can do so in a variety of ways:
 
--To give a one-time financial gift through Grace's Paypal account, go to gracefallschurch.org/donate and follow the instructions. You may use this resource to contribute financial gifts to Grace's general fund, the Grow Grace Building Fund, or make a contribution to help with humanitarian aid in Puerto Rico.

--To set up reoccurring electronic financial transaction gifts, go to gracefallschurch.org/giving and follow the instructions. 

--You may mail a financial gift by mailing it to Grace at 3233 Annandale Road, Falls Church, Virginia, 22042.

--You may use an offering envelope to mail your financial gift to Grace via mail--or deposit the offering envelope in the collection plate when you come to worship at Grace. Grace provides offering envelopes to all members of the congregation and any friends of the congregation who desire offering envelopes. If you would like offering envelopes, please contact Tricia Visscher at churchadmin@gracefallschurch.org or 703-534-1719 to make arrangements to receive your offering envelopes.

Lastly, I won't see you at Grace today. As Grace's ministers are helping Pastor Clay Welch of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Manassas to serve the pastoral vacancy at Shepherd of the Hills, Winchester by leading worship and preaching on the fourth Sunday of each month...today is my turn to serve in that way. I look forward to being with you for worship on Wednesday!

Thank you for taking the time to read this UPDATE!

God's peace be with you---
 
Pastor Kevin

March 18, 2023
Grace Family,

Good afternoon! I pray this UPDATE finds all of you well on this beautiful afternoon!

Tomorrow Grace will worship at 8:00 a.m. (Traditional English), 9:30 a.m. (Traditional English), 11:15 a.m. (Contemporary English), and 12:30 p.m. (Spanish).

Tomorrow's 9:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., and 12:30 p.m. services will be live streamed. You can find the English live-streams at gracefallschurch.org/stream. The Spanish live-streams are here.
 
Tomorrow the Grace Choir will rehearse at 9:00 a.m., Sunday School will meet at 9:30 a.m., and the Sunday Bible Study will meet at 9:30 a.m. You are invited to participate!

On Monday, Youth Confirmation Class will meet online and in the Berean Room at 5:45 p.m. A Bullying--How to Help Your Child presentation will take place at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. For more information on this presentation, please see the announcement below.

On Tuesday, Bible Cafe will meet at 9:30 a.m. in the entrance to the Sanctuary. The Building Committee will meet at 7:00 p.m. in Classroom 6.

A Lenten Supper will be offered on Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. in the Fellowship Room, with a Lenten Service following at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. All are invited to both the supper and the service.

Worship Team will rehearse in the Sanctuary at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday.

A Grace Parent University event, Bullying--How to Help Your Child, will be held in the Sanctuary on Monday at 7:00 p.m. This event will focus on how adult children of the Heavenly Father can help children respond to, and stand up against, bullying; and in doing so, develop skills that will help them address the adversities that will come their way throughout their lives. The presenter for this event will be Renae Smith. Renae has spent her career working with children as an elementary classroom teacher, music teacher, and licensed professional counselor. Her years of experience have provided her with a wealth of information to share. Parents and children (age 8 and older) are invited to Bullying--How to Help Your Child! Free childcare will be provided for children under the age of 8. If a GCA scholar or parent attends the event, all children in that family will receive a Dress-Down Coupon!

The GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY GALA will be on Sunday, May 7 at the McLean Hilton! This year’s theme is “God So Loved the World” and will feature lots of global surprises! All proceeds will benefit the school's ministry. Details can be found here.
 
Grace’s SUMMER BIBLE CAMP will be June 26-30! Registration will open on March 20th. Summer Bible Camp (SBC) is seeking someone to help ideate and coordinate the decorations in the building. If you think you might be that person—or have questions about serving in this way, please contact Leigh Redfield Thank you, and keep your eyes and ears open for more opportunities to help with SBC!

Please feel free to make use of Grace's pastoral care (a visit to your home, private Communion, counseling, etc.). Pastor Satorius and I are more than willing to help you however we may be able to. Additionally, we have other volunteers who have stepped forward to offer a variety of kinds of assistance. Please don't hesitate to reach out!
 
Thank you for your continuing financial contributions to support Grace's ministries! If you would like to make a financial gift to Grace, you can do so in a variety of ways:
 
--To give a one-time financial gift through Grace's Paypal account, go to gracefallschurch.org/donate and follow the instructions. You may use this resource to contribute financial gifts to Grace's general fund, the Grow Grace Building Fund, or make a contribution to help with humanitarian aid in Puerto Rico.

--To set up reoccurring electronic financial transaction gifts, go to gracefallschurch.org/giving and follow the instructions. 

--You may mail a financial gift by mailing it to Grace at 3233 Annandale Road, Falls Church, Virginia, 22042.

--You may use an offering envelope to mail your financial gift to Grace via mail--or deposit the offering envelope in the collection plate when you come to worship at Grace. Grace provides offering envelopes to all members of the congregation and any friends of the congregation who desire offering envelopes. If you would like offering envelopes, please contact Tricia Visscher at churchadmin@gracefallschurch.org or 703-534-1719 to make arrangements to receive your offering envelopes.

Lastly, I will be out of town Wednesday - Friday of this coming week (March 22-24). I will be participating in a meeting of the WELS Board for Home Missions. If a situation arises in which you are in need of immediate pastoral assistance, please reach out to Pastor Tim Satorius.

Thank you for taking the time to read this UPDATE!

God's peace be with you---
 
Pastor Kevin

March 11, 2023

Grace Family,

Good afternoon! I pray this UPDATE finds all of you well!

Tomorrow Grace will worship at 8:00 a.m. (Traditional English), 9:30 a.m. (Traditional English), 11:15 a.m. (Contemporary English), and 12:30 p.m. (Spanish).

Tomorrow's 9:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., and 12:30 p.m. services will be live streamed. You can find the English live-streams at gracefallschurch.org/stream. You can find the Spanish live-streams here.
 
Tomorrow the Grace Choir will rehearse at 9:00 a.m., Sunday School will meet at 9:30 a.m., and the Sunday Bible Study will meet at 9:30 a.m. A Call Meeting for a grades 3-4 teacher for Grace Christian Academy will take place at 6:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. You are invited to participate!

The Monday Youth Confirmation Class will meet at 5:45 p.m.

Bible Cafe will meet this Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. in the entrance to the Sanctuary.

The Board of Elders will meet via Zoom on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

A Lenten Supper will be offered on Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. in the Fellowship Room, with a Lenten Service following at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. All are invited to both the supper and the service.

On Saturday the Board of Christian Education will meet at 7:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Room. Worship Team will rehearse in the Sanctuary at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Also on Saturday, March 18: FOOD, MOVIE & GAMES NIGHT for HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. TORCH (Grace’s high school ministry—Teens Outwardly Reflecting CHrist) is hosting a spaghetti dinner, time in God’s Word, movie and games’ night for any Grace high school students (and friends!) starting at 5:00 p.m. Please let us know you’re coming—no later than March 16—by texting 281-825-8591 (Lisa DeSpiegelaere).

On Monday, March 20 at 7:00 p.m. a Grace Parent University event, Bullying--How to Help Your Child, will be held in the Sanctuary. This event will focus on how we, as adult children of our Heavenly Father, can help children respond to, and stand up against, bullying; and in doing so, develop skills that will help them address the adversities that will come their way throughout their lives. The presenter for this event will be Renae Smith. Renae has spent her career working with children as an elementary classroom teacher, music teacher, and licensed professional counselor. Her years of experience have provided her with a wealth of information to share. You are invited to Bullying--How to Help Your Child!
 
New Bible Information Classes to Begin Soon! What is Bible Information Class? Bible Information Class is a course led by Grace's pastors that goes through the basic teachings of the Bible and the Christian faith. This course is offered privately, or in a group setting, or online. The course is offered in both English and Spanish. People take the course for a variety of reasons: to learn about the teachings of the Bible and the Christian faith, as a "refresher" of the basic teachings of the Christian faith, or to become a member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church/Iglesia Luterana Gracia y Paz. If you are interested in finding out more about Grace's Bible Information Classes, or to register to participate, please reach out to Pastor Tim Satorius for a class in Spanish or Pastor Kevin Wattles for a class in English.

The GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY GALA will be on May 7 at the McLean Hilton! This year’s theme is “God So Loved the World” and will feature lots of global surprises! Please watch for more information coming soon!
 
Grace’s SUMMER BIBLE CAMP will be June 26-30! Registration will open on March 20th. Summer Bible Camp (SBC) is seeking someone to help ideate and coordinate the decorations in the building. If you think you might be that person—or have questions about serving in this way, please contact Leigh Redfield Thank you, and keep your eyes and ears open for more opportunities to help with SBC!

Please feel free to make use of Grace's pastoral care (a visit to your home, private Communion, counseling, etc.). Pastor Satorius and I are more than willing to help you however we may be able to. Additionally, we have other volunteers who have stepped forward to offer a variety of kinds of assistance. Please don't hesitate to reach out!
 
Thank you for your continuing financial contributions to support Grace's ministries! If you would like to make a financial gift to Grace, you can do so in a variety of ways:
 
--To give a one-time financial gift through Grace's Paypal account, go to gracefallschurch.org/donate and follow the instructions. You may use this resource to contribute financial gifts to Grace's general fund, the Grow Grace Building Fund, or make a contribution to help with humanitarian aid in Puerto Rico.

--To set up reoccurring electronic financial transaction gifts, go to gracefallschurch.org/giving and follow the instructions. 

--You may mail a financial gift by mailing it to Grace at 3233 Annandale Road, Falls Church, Virginia, 22042.

--You may use an offering envelope to mail your financial gift to Grace via mail--or deposit the offering envelope in the collection plate when you come to worship at Grace. Grace provides offering envelopes to all members of the congregation and any friends of the congregation who desire offering envelopes. If you would like offering envelopes, please contact Tricia Visscher at churchadmin@gracefallschurch.org or 703-534-1719 to make arrangements to receive your offering envelopes.

Thank you for taking the time to read this UPDATE!

God's peace be with you---
 
Pastor Kevin

February 26, 2023

Grace Family,

Good morning! I pray this UPDATE finds all of you well on this Lord's Day!

Today Grace will worship at 8:00 a.m. (Traditional English), 9:30 a.m. (Traditional English), 11:15 a.m. (Contemporary English), and 12:30 p.m. (Spanish). Communion will be celebrated at 11:15 a.m. worship.

Today's 9:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., and 12:30 p.m. services will be live streamed. You can find the English live-streams at gracefallschurch.org/stream. You can find the Spanish live-streams here.
 
Today the Grace Choir will rehearse at 9:00 a.m., Sunday School will meet at 9:30 a.m., and the Sunday Bible Study will meet at 9:30 a.m. TORCH (Teens Outwardly Reflecting Christ...Grace's high school youth group) will have a planning meeting at 2:00 p.m. in Classroom 6.

The Monday Youth Confirmation Class will meet at 5:45 p.m. in the Berean Room and online.

The Grace Christian Academy Talent Show takes place Monday at 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. All are invited to attend!
 
Bible Cafe will meet this Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. in the entrance to the Sanctuary.

The Church Council will meet via Zoom on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.

A Lenten Supper is offered on Wednesday at 6:15 p.m., with a Lenten Service following at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. All are invited to both the supper and the service.

Worship Team will rehearse in the Sanctuary at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday.

A Grace Parent University event, Bullying--How to Help Your Child, will be held on Monday, March 20 at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. This event will focus on how we, as adult children of our Heavenly Father, can help children respond to, and stand up against, bullying; and in doing so, develop skills that will help them address the adversities that will come their way throughout their lives.

The presenter for this event will be Renae Smith. Renae has spent her career working with children as an elementary classroom teacher, music teacher, and licensed professional counselor. Her years of experience have provided her with a wealth of information to share. You are invited to Bullying--How to Help Your Child!
 
New Bible Information Classes to Begin in March! What is Bible Information Class? Bible Information Class is a course led by Grace's pastors that goes through the basic teachings of the Bible and the Christian faith. This course is offered privately, or in a group setting, or online. The course is offered in both English and Spanish. People take the course for a variety of reasons: to learn about the teachings of the Bible and the Christian faith, as a "refresher" of the basic teachings of the Christian faith, or to become a member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church/Iglesia Luterana Gracia y Paz. If you are interested in finding out more about Grace's Bible Information Classes, or to register to participate, please reach out to Pastor Tim Satorius for a class in Spanish or Pastor Kevin Wattles for a class in English.

You’re invited to participate in Prayer Partners! What is Prayer Partners? Prayer Partners is a layperson-facilitated prayer group. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages us to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds,” and to encourage each other. James 5:16 directs us to “pray for each other.” It is in the spirit of these verses and Christian love that Prayer Partners is initiated.
 
Want to talk and pray with someone in a quiet place on Sunday mornings? Stop by the Prayer Partners Room (Berean Room).
 
Feel moved to “be there” with prayer for a fellow Christian? Sign up on the bulletin board in Information Hall to “staff” the Prayer Partners Room. Have questions? Please reach out to Nathanael Dyjak.

Please feel free to make use of Grace's pastoral care (a visit to your home, private Communion, counseling, etc.). Pastor Satorius and I are more than willing to help you however we may be able to. Additionally, we have other volunteers who have stepped forward to offer a variety of kinds of assistance. Please don't hesitate to reach out!
 
Thank you for your continuing financial contributions to support Grace's ministries! If you would like to make a financial gift to Grace, you can do so in a variety of ways:
 
--To give a one-time financial gift through Grace's Paypal account, go to gracefallschurch.org/donate and follow the instructions. You may use this resource to contribute financial gifts to Grace's general fund, the Grow Grace Building Fund, or make a contribution to help with humanitarian aid in Puerto Rico.

--To set up reoccurring electronic financial transaction gifts, go to gracefallschurch.org/giving and follow the instructions. 

--You may mail a financial gift by mailing it to Grace at 3233 Annandale Road, Falls Church, Virginia, 22042.

--You may use an offering envelope to mail your financial gift to Grace via mail--or deposit the offering envelope in the collection plate when you come to worship at Grace. Grace provides offering envelopes to all members of the congregation and any friends of the congregation who desire offering envelopes. If you would like offering envelopes, please contact Tricia Visscher at churchadmin@gracefallschurch.org or 703-534-1719 to make arrangements to receive your offering envelopes.

Thank you for taking the time to read this UPDATE!

May God continue to bless you with good health and hope in Jesus---
 
Pastor Kevin

February 12, 2023

Good afternoon! I pray this UPDATE finds all of you well!

Tomorrow Grace will worship at 8:00 a.m. (Traditional English), 9:30 a.m. (Traditional English), 11:15 a.m. (Contemporary English), and 12:30 p.m. (Spanish).

Tomorrow's 9:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., and 12:30 p.m. services will be live streamed. You can find the English live-streams at gracefallschurch.org/stream. You can find the Spanish live-streams here.
 
Tomorrow the Grace Choir will rehearse at 9:00 a.m., Sunday School will meet at 9:30 a.m., and the Sunday Bible Study will meet at 9:30 a.m.

The Monday Youth Confirmation Class will meet at 5:45 p.m. in the Berean Room and online.
 
Bible Cafe will not meet this Tuesday. Bible Cafe will resume on Tuesday, February 21 at 9:30 a.m. in the entrance to the Sanctuary.

The Board of Christian Education will meet on Saturday at 7:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Room.

Worship Team will rehearse in the Sanctuary at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Help with Lenten Suppers? The season of Lent and Grace's midweek Lenten suppers and worship begin on Ash Wednesday, February 22. The Lenten suppers are truly a blessing, allowing time for nourishment and fellowship prior to the Wednesday Lenten services. During COVID we relied on a small staff and commercially prepared meals for the Lenten suppers. Now we would like to build a larger base of volunteer helpers and possibly offer some homemade meals. Are you willing to coordinate set-up and clean-up for a meal? Would you be willing to coordinate a group of individuals to provide a meal? Would you be willing to contribute financially towards a meal? (Catered meals can cost from $350 - $800 per meal or more). If you are interested in helping, please sign up in Information Hall, or contact Tricia Visscher.

GCA Teachers Receive Calls. Kindergarten teacher Lydia Wilde has received a Call to teach upper grades’ classes at St. Philips Lutheran School, Milwaukee. 5^th & 6^th Grade teacher Matt Redfield has a received a Call to teach grades 3-8 and serve as principal of St. Mark’s Lutheran School, Bemidji, MN. As Lydia and Matt consider their future service in the teaching ministry, they ask for your prayers for discernment and peace. Both of open to any thoughts, comments, etc. that you may wish to share with them.
 
New Bible Information Classes to Begin Soon! What is Bible Information Class? Bible Information Class is a course led by Grace's pastors that goes through the basic teachings of the Bible and the Christian faith. This course is offered privately, or in a group setting, or online. The course is offered in both English and Spanish. People take the course for a variety of reasons: to learn about the teachings of the Bible and the Christian faith, as a "refresher" of the basic teachings of the Christian faith, or to become a member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church/Iglesia Luterana Gracia y Paz. If you are interested in finding out more about Grace's Bible Information Classes, or to register to participate, please reach out to Pastor Tim Satorius for a class in Spanish or Pastor Kevin Wattles for a class in English.

You’re invited to participate in Prayer Partners! What is Prayer Partners? Prayer Partners is a layperson-facilitated prayer group. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages us to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds,” and to encourage each other. James 5:16 directs us to “pray for each other.” It is in the spirit of these verses and Christian love that Prayer Partners is initiated.
 
Want to talk and pray with someone in a quiet place on Sunday mornings? Stop by the Prayer Partners Room (Berean Room).
 
Feel moved to “be there” with prayer for a fellow Christian? Sign up on the bulletin board in Information Hall to “staff” the Prayer Partners Room. Have questions? Please reach out to Nathanael Dyjak.

Please feel free to make use of Grace's pastoral care (a visit to your home, private Communion, counseling, etc.). Pastor Satorius and I are more than willing to help you however we may be able to. Additionally, we have other volunteers who have stepped forward to offer a variety of kinds of assistance. Please don't hesitate to reach out!
 
Thank you for your continuing financial contributions to support Grace's ministries! If you would like to make a financial gift to Grace, you can do so in a variety of ways:
 
--To give a one-time financial gift through Grace's Paypal account, go to gracefallschurch.org/donate and follow the instructions. You may use this resource to contribute financial gifts to Grace's general fund, the Grow Grace Building Fund, or make a contribution to help with humanitarian aid in Puerto Rico.

--To set up reoccurring electronic financial transaction gifts, go to gracefallschurch.org/giving and follow the instructions. 

--You may mail a financial gift by mailing it to Grace at 3233 Annandale Road, Falls Church, Virginia, 22042.

--You may use an offering envelope to mail your financial gift to Grace via mail--or deposit the offering envelope in the collection plate when you come to worship at Grace. Grace provides offering envelopes to all members of the congregation and any friends of the congregation who desire offering envelopes. If you would like offering envelopes, please contact Tricia Visscher at churchadmin@gracefallschurch.org or 703-534-1719 to make arrangements to receive your offering envelopes.

Lastly, I am out of town this weekend. If you are in need of immediate pastoral assistance during this time, please contact Pastor Tim Satorius (703-677-7269).

Thank you for taking the time to read this UPDATE!

May God continue to bless you with good health and hope in Jesus---
 
Pastor Kevin

February 4, 2023
 

January 28, 2023

Good afternoon! I pray this UPDATE finds all of you well!

Tomorrow is Grace's annual International Sunday event! All the Sunday services will focus on God's grace and gospel being for all people. At 11:15 a.m. worship, the service will be bilingual (English, Spanish) and the scholars of Grace Christian Academy will offer special songs. Following the 11:15 a.m. service, there will be an International Potluck Meal. Please bring food that testifies to your heritage (and label it as such). Each family is asked to bring two food dishes, singles bring one dish. We'll share our food with one another...and it will be a great time celebrating our "international-ness," as well as the Bible's teaching that God's grace and the good news of Jesus are for everyone!
Tomorrow's 9:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., and 12:30 p.m. services will be live streamed. You can find the English live-streams at gracefallschurch.org/stream. You can find the Spanish live-streams here.
 
Tomorrow the Grace Choir will rehearse at 9:00 a.m., Sunday School will meet at 9:30 a.m., but the Sunday Bible Study will not meet tomorrow. Sunday Bible Study will resume on February 5 at 9:30 a.m.

The Monday Youth Confirmation Class will meet at 5:45 p.m. in the Berean Room and online.
 
Bible Cafe will meet on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. in the entrance to the Sanctuary.

Worship Team will rehearse in the Sanctuary at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Fundraiser for Grace Christian Academy. GCA will be having a Spirit Night fundraiser on Wednesday, February 8th at Bolay-Falls Church. Bolay is a fast-casual restaurant offering fresh, healthy, and gluten-free food. (Like Chipotle, but with different menu offerings.) 20% of all sales designated to GCA will be donated to the school. (No tickets are needed this time. Just mention Grace at check-out.) The fundraiser applies to eat-in, or take-out meals. Bolay is located at 1208-D W Broad St. in the Birch and Broad shopping plaza.
 
New Bible Information Classes to Begin Soon! What is Bible Information Class? Bible Information Class is a course led by Grace's pastors that goes through the basic teachings of the Bible and the Christian faith. This course is offered privately, or in a group setting, or online. The course is offered in both English and Spanish. People take the course for a variety of reasons: to learn about the teachings of the Bible and the Christian faith, as a "refresher" of the basic teachings of the Christian faith, or to become a member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church/Iglesia Luterana Gracia y Paz. If you are interested in finding out more about Grace's Bible Information Classes, or to register to participate, please reach out to Pastor Tim Satorius for a class in Spanish or Pastor Kevin Wattles for a class in English.

You’re invited to participate in Prayer Partners! What is Prayer Partners? Prayer Partners is a layperson-facilitated prayer group. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages us to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds,” and to encourage each other. James 5:16 directs us to “pray for each other.” It is in the spirit of these verses and Christian love that Prayer Partners is initiated.
 
Want to talk and pray with someone in a quiet place on Sunday mornings? Stop by the Prayer Partners Room (Berean Room).
 
Feel moved to “be there” with prayer for a fellow Christian? Sign up on the bulletin board in Information Hall to “staff” the Prayer Partners Room. Have questions? Please reach out to Nathanael Dyjak.

Please feel free to make use of Grace's pastoral care (a visit to your home, private Communion, counseling, etc.). Pastor Satorius and I are more than willing to help you however we may be able to. Additionally, we have other volunteers who have stepped forward to offer a variety of kinds of assistance. Please don't hesitate to reach out!
 
Thank you for your continuing financial contributions to support Grace's ministries! If you would like to make a financial gift to Grace, you can do so in a variety of ways:
 
--To give a one-time financial gift through Grace's Paypal account, go to gracefallschurch.org/donate and follow the instructions. You may use this resource to contribute financial gifts to Grace's general fund, the Grow Grace Building Fund, or make a contribution to help with humanitarian aid in Puerto Rico.

--To set up reoccurring electronic financial transaction gifts, go to gracefallschurch.org/giving and follow the instructions. 

--You may mail a financial gift by mailing it to Grace at 3233 Annandale Road, Falls Church, Virginia, 22042.

--You may use an offering envelope to mail your financial gift to Grace via mail--or deposit the offering envelope in the collection plate when you come to worship at Grace. Grace provides offering envelopes to all members of the congregation and any friends of the congregation who desire offering envelopes. If you would like offering envelopes, please contact Tricia Visscher at churchadmin@gracefallschurch.org or 703-534-1719 to make arrangements to receive your offering envelopes.

Thank you for taking the time to read this UPDATE!

May God continue to bless you with good health and hope in Jesus---
 
Pastor Kevin

January 21, 2023

Good afternoon! I pray this UPDATE finds all of you well
Tomorrow Grace will worship in English at 8:00, 9:30, and 11:15 a.m.  Communion will be celebrated at 11:15 a.m. worship. Spanish worship will take place at 12:30 p.m.
 
Tomorrow's 9:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., and 12:30 p.m. services will be live streamed. You can find the English live-streams at gracefallschurch.org/stream. You can find the Spanish live-streams here.
 
Tomorrow the Grace Choir will rehearse at 9:00 a.m., Sunday School will meet at 9:30 a.m., but the Sunday Bible Study will not meet tomorrow. Sunday Bible Study will resume on February 5 at 9:30 a.m.

The Monday Youth Confirmation Class will meet at 5:45 p.m. in the Berean Room and online.
 
Bible Cafe will meet on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. in the entrance to the Sanctuary.

Worship Team will rehearse in the Sanctuary at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday.

You’re Invited to International Sunday next Sunday, January 29^th! International Sunday is Grace’s celebration of the Christian festival of Epiphany. There will be special worship services on this day, including a bilingual (Spanish/English) service at 11:15 a.m. The scholars of Grace Christian Academy will sing at the 11:15 a.m. service.

International Potluck Meal. A potluck meal will follow 11:15 a.m. worship on International Sunday. Please bring food that testifies to your heritage (and label it as such). Each family is asked to bring two food dishes, singles bring one dish. Please contact Tricia Visscher with any questions.

Sign Up to Sponsor Flowers for the Grace Altar in 2023. If you would like to sponsor flowers on the altar in 2023, please sign up on the new 2023 flower chart located next to the bulletin board in Information Hall.
 
You’re invited to participate in Prayer Partners! What is Prayer Partners? Prayer Partners is a layperson-facilitated prayer group. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages us to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds,” and to encourage each other. James 5:16 directs us to “pray for each other.” It is in the spirit of these verses and Christian love that Prayer Partners is initiated.
 
Want to talk and pray with someone in a quiet place on Sunday mornings? Stop by the Prayer Partners Room (Berean Room).
 
Feel moved to “be there” with prayer for a fellow Christian? Sign up on the bulletin board in Information Hall to “staff” the Prayer Partners Room. Have questions? Please reach out to Nathanael Dyjak.

Please feel free to make use of Grace's pastoral care (a visit to your home, private Communion, counseling, etc.). Pastor Satorius and I are more than willing to help you however we may be able to. Additionally, we have other volunteers who have stepped forward to offer a variety of kinds of assistance. Please don't hesitate to reach out!
 
Thank you for your continuing financial contributions to support Grace's ministries! If you would like to make a financial gift to Grace, you can do so in a variety of ways:
 
--To give a one-time financial gift through Grace's Paypal account, go to gracefallschurch.org/donate and follow the instructions. You may use this resource to contribute financial gifts to Grace's general fund, the Grow Grace Building Fund, or make a contribution to help with humanitarian aid in Puerto Rico.

--To set up reoccurring electronic financial transaction gifts, go to gracefallschurch.org/giving and follow the instructions. 

--You may mail a financial gift by mailing it to Grace at 3233 Annandale Road, Falls Church, Virginia, 22042.

--You may use an offering envelope to mail your financial gift to Grace via mail--or deposit the offering envelope in the collection plate when you come to worship at Grace. Grace provides offering envelopes to all members of the congregation and any friends of the congregation who desire offering envelopes. If you would like offering envelopes, please contact Tricia Visscher at churchadmin@gracefallschurch.org or 703-534-1719 to make arrangements to receive your offering envelopes.

Thank you for taking the time to read this UPDATE!

May God continue to bless you with good health and hope in Jesus---
 
Pastor Kevin

December 31, 2022
 

Good morning! I pray this UPDATE finds you well on this last day of 2022!
Tomorrow Grace will worship with special New Year's Day services at 8:00, 9:30, and 11:15 a.m.  Communion will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. worship. Spanish worship will take place at 12:30 p.m.
 
Tomorrow's 9:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., and 12:30 p.m. services will be live streamed. You can find the English live-streams at gracefallschurch.org/stream. You can find the Spanish live-streams here.
 
Tomorrow the Grace Choir will not rehearse, nor will there be Sunday School or Sunday Bible Study. These ministries will all resume on January 8 at their usual times and locations.

The Monday Youth Confirmation Class will not meet on January 2, but will resume on Monday, January 9.
 
Bible Cafe will meet on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. in the entrance to the Sanctuary.

Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m. brings a Voters Meeting. This annual meeting is an important one as a financial plan for 2023 will be adopted, church officers elected, and a calendar of Grace's special services and events will be presented. Please plan to participate in this meeting. It will take place in the Sanctuary.

Nominations for Church Officers (for Thursday’s Voters Meeting)
Chairman: Bryan Killian
Secretary: Chris Vojta
Financial Secretary: Reese Hartmann
Assistant Financial Secretary: Chuck Visscher
Treasurer: Peter Kiesel
Board of Elders: Brian Bishop
Board of Christian Education: James Dankert
Board of Trustees: Miles Smith, Rob Skoog
 
Sign Up to Sponsor Flowers for the Grace Altar in 2023. If you would like to sponsor flowers on the altar during the coming year, please sign up on the new 2023 flower chart located next to the bulletin board in Information Hall.
 
You’re invited to participate in Prayer Partners! What is Prayer Partners? Prayer Partners is a layperson-facilitated prayer group. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages us to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds,” and to encourage each other. James 5:16 directs us to “pray for each other.” It is in the spirit of these verses and Christian love that Prayer Partners is initiated.
 
Want to talk and pray with someone in a quiet place on Sunday mornings? Stop by the Prayer Partners Room (Berean Room).
 
Feel moved to “be there” with prayer for a fellow Christian? Sign up on the bulletin board in Information Hall to “staff” the Prayer Partners Room. Have questions? Please reach out to Nathanael Dyjak.

Please feel free to make use of Grace's pastoral care (a visit to your home, private Communion, counseling, etc.). Pastor Satorius and I are more than willing to help you however we may be able to. Additionally, we have other volunteers who have stepped forward to offer a variety of kinds of assistance. Please don't hesitate to reach out!
 
Thank you for your continuing financial contributions to support Grace's ministries! If you would like to make a financial gift to Grace, you can do so in a variety of ways:
 
--To give a one-time financial gift through Grace's Paypal account, go to gracefallschurch.org/donate and follow the instructions. You may use this resource to contribute financial gifts to Grace's general fund, the Grow Grace Building Fund, or make a contribution to help with humanitarian aid in Puerto Rico.

--To set up reoccurring electronic financial transaction gifts, go to gracefallschurch.org/giving and follow the instructions. 

--You may mail a financial gift by mailing it to Grace at 3233 Annandale Road, Falls Church, Virginia, 22042.

--You may use an offering envelope to mail your financial gift to Grace via mail--or deposit the offering envelope in the collection plate when you come to worship at Grace. Grace provides offering envelopes to all members of the congregation and any friends of the congregation who desire offering envelopes. If you would like offering envelopes, please contact Tricia Visscher at churchadmin@gracefallschurch.org or 703-534-1719 to make arrangements to receive your offering envelopes.

Lastly, I want to let you know that I have returned the pastoral Call I received to Crown of Life Lutheran Church, Yucaipa, CA. That means that we'll be continuing on together here in the ministry of Grace. I greatly appreciate your prayers and the thoughts that you shared with me during the Call deliberation process.

Thank you for taking the time to read this UPDATE!

May God continue to bless you with good health and hope in Jesus---
 
Pastor Kevin

December 17, 2022

Good morning! I pray this UPDATE finds you well!
Tomorrow Grace will worship with English traditional services at 8:00 and 9:30 a.m. At 8:00 a.m. worship, Communion will be celebrated. Contemporary worship is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. Spanish worship will take place at 12:30 p.m.
 
Tomorrow's 9:30 a.m. (English Traditional Service), 11:15 a.m. (English Contemporary Service), and 12:30 p.m. (Spanish Service) services will be live streamed. You can find the English live-streams at gracefallschurch.org/stream. You can find the Spanish live-streams here.
 
Tomorrow the Grace Choir will rehearse in Classrooms 5-6 at 9:00 a.m.

Tomorrow Sunday School for children ages 3-6th grade will meet in the classrooms at 9:30 a.m.

The Sunday Bible Study will meet tomorrow in Classroom 4 at 9:30 a.m.
 
On Monday, Youth Confirmation Class will meet at Grace and online, starting at 5:45 p.m.,
 
Bible Cafe will not meet on Tuesday.
 
CHRISTMAS SERVICES AT GRACE
 
December 24, Christmas Eve
5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Service (live-streamed)
6:30 p.m. Children’s Christmas Concert (live-streamed)
8:15 p.m. Candlelight Christmas Service
 
December 25, Christmas Day
English: 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m. (live-streamed), 11:15 a.m. (livestreamed)
Spanish: 12:30 p.m. (livestreamed)
Christmas Poinsettias. If you would like to sponsor a poinsettia on the Grace altar for Christmas, please sign-up on the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in Information Hall. The cost is $17 per plant and is payable to Grace Lutheran Church.
 
Sign Up to Sponsor Flowers for the Grace Altar in 2023. If you would like to sponsor flowers on the altar during the coming year, please sign up on the new 2023 flower chart located next to the bulletin board in Information Hall.
 
For our 2023 calendars…
January 1: Grace begins the new year with special New Year’s Services at 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., and 12:30 p.m. Communion will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. worship.
January 5: Voters Meeting. At this meeting a financial plan for 2023 will be adopted, as well an election of church      officers.
January 8: Sunday School, Sunday Bible Study, and Grace Choir Rehearsal resumes
January 29: International Sunday. Grace celebrates Jesus as the Savior of all Nations with a special bilingual (English/Spanish) service at 11:15 a.m. and an “International Buffet” meal following the service.

You’re invited to participate in Prayer Partners! What is Prayer Partners? Prayer Partners is a layperson-facilitated prayer group. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages us to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds,” and to encourage each other. James 5:16 directs us to “pray for each other.” It is in the spirit of these verses and Christian love that Prayer Partners is initiated.
 
Want to talk and pray with someone in a quiet place on Sunday mornings? Stop by the Prayer Partners Room (Berean Room).
 
Feel moved to “be there” with prayer for a fellow Christian? Sign up on the bulletin board in Information Hall to “staff” the Prayer Partners Room. Have questions? Please reach out to Nathanael Dyjak.

Please feel free to make use of Grace's pastoral care (a visit to your home, private Communion, counseling, etc.). Pastor Satorius and I are more than willing to help you however we may be able to. Additionally, we have other volunteers who have stepped forward to offer a variety of kinds of assistance. Please don't hesitate to reach out!
 
Thank you for your continuing financial contributions to support Grace's ministries! If you would like to make a financial gift to Grace, you can do so in a variety of ways:
 
--To give a one-time financial gift through Grace's Paypal account, go to gracefallschurch.org/donate and follow the instructions. You may use this resource to contribute financial gifts to Grace's general fund, the Grow Grace Building Fund, or make a contribution to help with humanitarian aid in Puerto Rico.

--To set up reoccurring electronic financial transaction gifts, go to gracefallschurch.org/giving and follow the instructions. 

--You may mail a financial gift by mailing it to Grace at 3233 Annandale Road, Falls Church, Virginia, 22042.

--You may use an offering envelope to mail your financial gift to Grace via mail--or deposit the offering envelope in the collection plate when you come to worship at Grace. Grace provides offering envelopes to all members of the congregation and any friends of the congregation who desire offering envelopes. If you would like offering envelopes, please contact Tricia Visscher at churchadmin@gracefallschurch.org or 703-534-1719 to make arrangements to receive your offering envelopes.

I have received a Call to serve as the lead pastor of a multi-site ministry about an hour east of Los Angeles--Crown of Life Lutheran Church. Crown of Life has three campuses, each with its own pastor (one of them being Grace's former vicar--Ben Zak). In addition to serving as the campus pastor at Crown of Life--Yucaipa, I would also coordinate and lead the ministries that the three campuses carry out together. As always whenever I have had a Call to another ministry to consider, I humbly ask for your prayers--prayers that God bless the Call deliberation process with clarity; and that his will be done. Additionally, I welcome anything that you might want to share with me as I consider whether to continue in the ministry at Grace, or move to serve as a part of Crown of Life's ministry.

Lastly, I will be in Nebraska this coming week for my father's funeral and interment. I will be leaving tomorrow afternoon and returning Thursday evening. If, while I am away, you are in need of immediate pastoral assistance, please reach out to Pastor Tim Satorius.

Thank you for taking the time to read this UPDATE!

May God continue to bless you with good health and hope in Jesus---
 
Pastor Kevin

December 10, 2022
 

Good afternoon! I pray this UPDATE finds you well!

Tomorrow Grace will worship with English traditional services at 8:00 and 9:30 a.m. At 9:30 a.m. worship, Communion will be celebrated. Tomorrow's 11:15 a.m. service will not be a contemporary service, but rather the first offering of this year's Children's Christmas Concert. Spanish worship will take place at 12:30 p.m.

Tomorrow's 9:30 a.m. (English Traditional Service), 11:15 a.m. (Children's Christmas Concert), and 12:30 p.m. (Spanish Service) services will be live streamed. You can find the English livestreams at gracefallschurch.org/stream. You can find the Spanish livestreams here.

Tomorrow the Grace Choir will rehearse in Classrooms 5-6 at 9:00 a.m.

Tomorrow Sunday School for children ages 3-6th grade will meet in the classrooms at 9:30 a.m.

The Sunday Bible Study will meet tomorrow in Classroom 4 at 9:30 a.m.

On Monday, Youth Confirmation Class will meet at Grace and online, starting at 5:45 p.m.,

Bible Cafe will meet on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. in the entrance to the Sanctuary.

Wednesday evening will offer a catered Advent Supper at 6:15 p.m. in the Fellowship Room, followed by Grace's annual Prelude to Christmas Music Festival at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. The music festival will be live-streamed.
CHRISTMAS SERVICES AT GRACE
 
December 24, Christmas Eve
5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Service (livestreamed)
6:30 p.m. Children’s Christmas Concert (livestreamed)
8:15 p.m. Candlelight Christmas Service
 
December 25, Christmas Day
English: 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m. (live-streamed), 11:15 a.m. (livestreamed)
Spanish: 12:30 p.m. (livestreamed)
Yay!!! We made our goal with the GCA Envelope Fundraiser! Thanks to some final gifts to this year’s GCA’s Envelope Fundraiser, we reached the goal of $20,000! Thank you so much to the many people who contributed!

You’re invited to participate in Prayer Partners! What is Prayer Partners? Prayer Partners is a layperson-facilitated prayer group. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages us to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds,” and to encourage each other. James 5:16 directs us to “pray for each other.” It is in the spirit of these verses and Christian love that Prayer Partners is initiated.
 
Want to talk and pray with someone in a quiet place on Sunday mornings? Stop by the Prayer Partners Room (Berean Room).
 
Feel moved to “be there” with prayer for a fellow Christian? Sign up on the bulletin board in Information Hall to “staff” the Prayer Partners Room. Have questions? Please reach out to Nathanael Dyjak.

Please feel free to make use of Grace's pastoral care (a visit to your home, private Communion, counseling, etc.). Pastor Satorius and I are more than willing to help you however we may be able to. Additionally, we have other volunteers who have stepped forward to offer a variety of kinds of assistance. Please don't hesitate to reach out!
 
Thank you for your continuing financial contributions to support Grace's ministries! If you would like to make a financial gift to Grace, you can do so in a variety of ways:
 
--To give a one-time financial gift through Grace's Paypal account, go to gracefallschurch.org/donate and follow the instructions. You may use this resource to contribute financial gifts to Grace's general fund, the Grow Grace Building Fund, or make a contribution to help with humanitarian aid in Puerto Rico.

--To set up reoccurring electronic financial transaction gifts, go to gracefallschurch.org/giving and follow the instructions. 

--You may mail a financial gift by mailing it to Grace at 3233 Annandale Road, Falls Church, Virginia, 22042.

--You may use an offering envelope to mail your financial gift to Grace via mail--or deposit the offering envelope in the collection plate when you come to worship at Grace. Grace provides offering envelopes to all members of the congregation and any friends of the congregation who desire offering envelopes. If you would like offering envelopes, please contact Tricia Visscher at churchadmin@gracefallschurch.org or 703-534-1719 to make arrangements to receive your offering envelopes.

Finally, as I have mentioned in previous UPDATEs, I have received a Call to serve as the lead pastor of a multi-site ministry about an hour east of Los Angeles--Crown of Life Lutheran Church. Crown of Life has three campuses, each with its own pastor (one of them being Grace's former vicar--Ben Zak). In addition to serving as the campus pastor at Crown of Life--Yucaipa, I would also coordinate and lead the ministries that the three campuses carry out together. As always whenever I have had a Call to another ministry to consider, I humbly ask for your prayers--prayers that God bless the Call deliberation process with clarity; and that his will be done. Additionally, I welcome anything that you might want to share with me as I consider whether to continue in the ministry at Grace, or move to serve as a part of Crown of Life's ministry.

Thank you for taking the time to read this UPDATE!

May God continue to bless you with good health and hope in Jesus---
 
Pastor Kevin

December 3, 2022

Good afternoon! I pray this UPDATE finds you well!

Tomorrow Grace will worship with English traditional services at 8:00 and 9:30 a.m. An English contemporary service will be offered at 11:15 a.m. A Spanish service will take place at 12:30 p.m.

Tomorrow's 9:30 a.m. (English Traditional Service), 11:15 a.m. (English Contemporary Service), and 12:30 p.m. (Spanish Service) services will be live streamed. You can find the English livestreams at gracefallschurch.org/stream. You can find the Spanish livestreams here.

Tomorrow the Grace Choir will rehearse in Classrooms 5-6 at 9:00 a.m.

Tomorrow Sunday School for children ages 3-6th grade will meet in the classrooms at 9:30 a.m.

The Sunday Bible Study will not meet tomorrow on account of the Congregational Meeting at 9:30 a.m.

A Congregational Meeting is planned for tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Room. In addition to ministry updates, a draft of the 2023 Financial Plan will be presented. Please make plans to attend the Congregational Meeting and participate in the workings of your congregation!

On account of the Congregational Meeting taking place tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. (at the same time as the 9:30 Communion service), Communion will not be celebrated at the 9:30 service tomorrow, but rather at the 9:30 service on Sunday, December 11. Moving the celebration of Communion at the 9:30 service to the following Sunday has been Grace's usual practice when a Congregational Meeting takes place at the same time as the 9:30 Communion service.

On Monday, Youth Confirmation Class will meet at Grace and online, starting at 5:45 p.m.,

On Monday at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary, Grace Parent University will host a viewing of, and discussion about, Screenagers: Next Chapter. Pre-COVID, Grace hosted the viewing of Screenagers. That was very well received by the Grace community, as well as the community at-large. Screenagers: Next Chapter is the sequel to the original Screenagers. This film deals with pre-teen and teen anxiety and depression--which have skyrocketed in recent years. The film offers solutions and strategies to help parents support their children's mental wellness. Following the showing of Screenagers: Next Generation, GCA's school counselor, Renae Smith, will facilitate a discussion of the presentation.

Bible Cafe will meet on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. in the entrance to the Sanctuary.

Grace's Board of Elders will meet via Zoom on Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday evening will offer a catered Advent Supper at 6:15 p.m. in the Fellowship Room, followed by an Advent service at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. The service will be live-streamed.

Children’s Christmas Concert next Sunday at 11:15 a.m. Next Sunday at 11:15 a.m. brings the offering of beautiful Christmas songs and anthems. The Bible’s account of the birth of the Savior of the World—Jesus Christ—will also be shared. You are invited to attend what promises to be a wonderful event! Bring a friend or two! This concert will also be presented on Christmas Eve at 6:30 p.m.

THANK YOU for supporting the GCA Envelope Fundraiser! This year’s GCA’s Envelope Fundraiser brought donations of close to $20,000! Thank you so much to the many people who contributed!

You’re invited to participate in Prayer Partners! What is Prayer Partners? Prayer Partners is a layperson-facilitated prayer group. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages us to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds,” and to encourage each other. James 5:16 directs us to “pray for each other.” It is in the spirit of these verses and Christian love that Prayer Partners is initiated.
 
Want to talk and pray with someone in a quiet place on Sunday mornings? Stop by the Prayer Partners Room (Berean Room).
 
Feel moved to “be there” with prayer for a fellow Christian? Sign up on the bulletin board in Information Hall to “staff” the Prayer Partners Room. Have questions? Please reach out to Nathanael Dyjak.

Please feel free to make use of Grace's pastoral care (a visit to your home, private Communion, counseling, etc.). Pastor Satorius and I are more than willing to help you however we may be able to. Additionally, we have other volunteers who have stepped forward to offer a variety of kinds of assistance. Please don't hesitate to reach out!
 
Thank you for your continuing financial contributions to support Grace's ministries! If you would like to make a financial gift to Grace, you can do so in a variety of ways:
 
--To give a one-time financial gift through Grace's Paypal account, go to gracefallschurch.org/donate and follow the instructions. You may use this resource to contribute financial gifts to Grace's general fund, the Grow Grace Building Fund, or make a contribution to help with humanitarian aid in Puerto Rico.

--To set up reoccurring electronic financial transaction gifts, go to gracefallschurch.org/giving and follow the instructions. 

--You may mail a financial gift by mailing it to Grace at 3233 Annandale Road, Falls Church, Virginia, 22042.

--You may use an offering envelope to mail your financial gift to Grace via mail--or deposit the offering envelope in the collection plate when you come to worship at Grace. Grace provides offering envelopes to all members of the congregation and any friends of the congregation who desire offering envelopes. If you would like offering envelopes, please contact Tricia Visscher at churchadmin@gracefallschurch.org or 703-534-1719 to make arrangements to receive your offering envelopes.

Finally, as I mentioned in last Saturday's UPDATE, I received a Call to serve as the lead pastor of a multi-site ministry about an hour east of Los Angeles--Crown of Life Lutheran Church. Crown of Life has three campuses, each with its own pastor (one of them being Grace's former vicar--Ben Zak). In addition to serving as the campus pastor at Crown of Life--Yucaipa, I would also coordinate and lead the ministries that the three campuses carry out together. As always whenever I have had a Call to another ministry to consider, I humbly ask for your prayers--prayers that God bless the Call deliberation process with clarity; and that his will be done. Additionally, I welcome anything that you might want to share with me as I consider whether to continue in the ministry at Grace, or move to serve as a part of Crown of Life's ministry.

Thank you for taking the time to read this UPDATE!

May God continue to bless you with good health and hope in Jesus---
 
Pastor Kevin