Announcements for 7/28/19

CHURCH OFFICE:  Please note that the secretary will not be in the office on Sunday, August 4th. The office will re-open on Thursday, August 8th from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

AUGUST CALENDAR:  With the August/September edition of The Gleanings arriving after the 1st of the month we didn’t want you to miss any upcoming events.  Please find a copy of August’s calendar in the bulletin today.

THEY’RE HERE!  The school supply lists for Niagara Falls Harry Abate Elementary School are now available in folders on the donation tables in the chapel and narthex.  Feel free to take a list from the grade of your choice.  You can purchase any of the supplies on the list and bring them back to the donation table.  OR you can purchase ALL the supplies on the list to support a “virtual student”, place the items in a paper bag (or bookbag), attach the list to the outside of the bag, and leave the bag on the table.  There is a critical need for supplies at this inner city school.  School supply donations of all types are appreciated.  All of your gifts will be distributed by the teachers directly to our local students that they know have a need.  Thank you for your generosity toward our children.

PLEASE NOTE:  Several of the school supply lists request ear buds or ear phones.  Hint–there are nice models available for $5 or less at Five Below in the strip plaza located in the Walmart shopping complex.  You may be able to find them even cheaper than $5 if you watch the sales.

SOCKS & UNDERWEAR:  Our inner city children are also in need of socks and underwear for the coming school year.  While these items are taken for granted by most of us, they are considered a luxury by families that are struggling to provide the basics needed for everyday life.  Grace members have given generously to this annual mission project for several years, and our school nurses have come to depend on us as partners as they try to provide for the dignity of the children in their care.  Boxes are available in the chapel and narthex to accept your gifts.  Thank you for your help.

TODAY IS THE LAST SUNDAY to donate to support LCMS Disaster Response as they continue to work at various disaster sites around our country, including recent earthquakes and floods.  LCMS is often one of the first agencies to respond to disasters with needed resources and volunteers to help meet immediate needs, and teams often provide long-term support to help residents rebuild their lives and homes.  If you would like to support our church’s work at disaster sites throughout our country, please place your July Special Mission envelope in the offering plate or use a convenience envelope located in the pew and clearly marked “LCMS Disaster Response”.

Please join the Brese’s following worship next Sunday, August 4th in celebration of their 60th WEDDING  ANNIVERSARY.  Anniversary cake, punch and coffee will be served in the Fellowship Hall.

FUNDRAISER:  All are welcome to come out and support Pamela Carr-Simcox on Sunday, August 4th from 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM at The Bakery located at 3004 Niagara Street, Niagara Falls, NY.  Funds raised will go towards renovating her home bathroom to be handicap accessible.  $20 per ticket with cash bar.  There will be entertainment, 50/50 and baskets.  Food will be served starting at 3:00 PM.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL UPDATE – CONTACT:  LACEY BAHR 525-5134

THIS WEEK IS VBS! Please keep our volunteers and participating families in your prayers.

TODAY is the decoration setup.  If you are able to help, even for a short time, please stay after service to help us prepare the building for the week-long event.

IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO REGISTER! Friends, family, neighbors: follow up with invitations you’ve made, or extend new ones.  Registration forms are at both entrances or can be downloaded at gracenf.org/vbs.

GOLDEN AGERS.  Pioneer Camp and Retreat Center will be hosting a “Golden Agers” event August 26th thru August 29th.  Come for a day or for the whole retreat and experience a faith-filled and fun time.  Contact Pioneer for all the details at (716) 549-1420 or www.pioneercamp.org.

GOD’S WAY IS BEST. This truth is known to those who follow God’s Spirit, revealed in Jesus. God’s love wants everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of truth. Our own last words to the world can also reflect God’s truth, balancing love for God and others.  For help creating your statement, contact Robert Wirth, LCMS Foundation Gift Planner @ robert.wirth (at) lfnd (dot) org or 716-863-4427.