FLOWER CHART for2021 is now up and hanging in the narthex. You may also sign up by calling the office. Cost for a centerpiece is $45, or you can choose two vases at a cost of $56.

NEXT SUNDAY will be the last opportunity to donate to MEALS ON WHEELS OF NIAGARA FALLS, our designated special mission for January.  This is a local agency serving the ill, disabled, and elderly in our city.  They are NOT affiliated with national Meals on Wheels programs, and do NOT receive any government funding.  Because they have no income requirements to qualify for assistance, they are able to serve many who would otherwise fall through the cracks.  This organization was started 50 years ago by members of St. Paul Lutheran Church on 18th Street, and many of our members have volunteered with them over the years.  If you would like to support their work, please use your special mission envelope during January, or donate online under “special mission”.

FEBRUARY MISSION PROJECT:  Tables will be set up beginning in February to receive donations of toilet tissue for distribution by Heart, Love & Soul.  This is one of their most requested and appreciated items since it is needed daily and cannot be purchased with EBT cards (food stamps).  If you wish to help our neighbors in need, you may want to place this item on your shopping list early since the purchase of paper products is still limited in many stores because of the pandemic.

FLOWER CHART for2021 is now up and hanging in the narthex. You may also sign up by calling the office. Cost for a centerpiece is $45, or you can choose two vases at a cost of $56.

MEALS ON WHEELS OF NIAGARA FALLS is our designated special mission for January.  This is a local agency serving the ill, disabled, and elderly in our city.  They are NOT affiliated with national Meals on Wheels programs, and do NOT receive any government funding.  Because they have no income requirements to qualify for assistance, they are able to serve many who would otherwise fall through the cracks.  This organization was started 50 years ago by members of St. Paul Lutheran Church on 18th Street, and many of our members have volunteered with them over the years.  If you would like to support their work, please use your special mission envelope during January, or donate online under “special mission”.  

FLOWER CHART for2021 is now up and hanging in the narthex. You may also sign up by calling the office. Cost for a centerpiece is $45, or you can choose two vases at a cost of $56.

MEALS ON WHEELS OF NIAGARA FALLS is our designated special mission for January.  This is a local agency serving the ill, disabled, and elderly in our city.  They are NOT affiliated with national Meals on Wheels programs, and do NOT receive any government funding.  Because they have no income requirements to qualify for assistance, they are able to serve many who would otherwise fall through the cracks.  This organization was started 50 years ago by members of St. Paul Lutheran Church on 18th Street, and many of our members have volunteered with them over the years.  If you would like to support their work, please use your special mission envelope during January, or donate online under “special mission”.

THANK YOU for your generous donations to this year’s Advent Giving Tree.  Your gifts will be delivered over the next couple of weeks to the appropriate agencies, where they will be distributed directly to our neighbors in need in Niagara Falls.

SOCIAL MINISTRIES will not be meeting in person this month.  Committee members will be receiving an update and outline of upcoming business by mail or email.

THANK YOU to Grace members, friends of Grace, and the Social Ministries Board for your support of Help and Hope for the Homeless, Inc. during the December special missions month. I am both humbled and gratified by your generous response to our mission of helping homeless individuals and/or families to leave this lifestyle. God’s Blessings, John Loss.

THE GLEANINGS submission deadline for the next issue is Friday, January 15^th.

FLOWER CHART for2021 is now up and hanging in the narthex. You may also sign up by calling the office. Cost for a centerpiece is $45, or you can choose two vases at a cost of $56.

MEALS ON WHEELS OF NIAGARA FALLS is our designated special mission for January.  This is a local agency that delivers meals to Niagara Falls residents who are in need of help with cooking due to illness, disability, or age related issues.  Since they have no income requirements to qualify for assistance, they are able to serve many who would otherwise fall through the cracks.  However, that also means that they are NOT eligible to receive any government funding.  Their only sources of revenue are from donations and from a nominal fee they charge for the meals ($7.50 per day for two meals).  This organization was started 50 years ago by members of St. Paul Lutheran Church on 18th Street, and many of our members have volunteered with them over the years.  If you would like to support their work, please place your special mission envelope in the offering plate during January, send it to the office, or donate online under “special mission”.  If you would like to volunteer in their kitchen, or as a driver, server, or on cleanup, please contact them at 282-3468.

CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS on our altar are given to the Glory of God, in memory of our loved ones, and in thankfulness for all Blessings received. “Glory to the Newborn King!”

THANK YOU for participating in this year’s Advent Giving Tree project.  Please place your donations on the tables by next Sunday, January 3.  We are partnering with four agencies this year, including Heart, Love, & Soul, Summit Life Resources, Gospel Rescue Mission, and the Magdalene Project.  Your gifts will be delivered at the beginning of January to help our neighbors in need.

TODAY IS THE LAST SUNDAY to donate to our December Special Mission, HELP & HOPE FOR THE HOMELESS, INC.  This is a local charity founded by Grace member John Loss, This charity continues to work toward helping the homeless in our city through job training and associated skills.  If you would like to support this work, please place your Special Mission envelope in the offering plate, send it to the office, or donate to Special Missions online at www.gracenf.org.

THANK YOU for your generous donations of turkeys and hams to help provide our neighbors with a warm Christmas meal.  Your gifts of 6 hams and 18 turkeys have been delivered to Heart, Love & Soul, the Magdalene Project, Community Mission, and the Niagara Falls Lord’s Day Dinner, all of which are anticipating a greater than normal attendance of those in need of assistance.  Thank you to Ross Folmsbee for delivering to Community Mission, and to John Loss for delivering to the other agencies.

NEXT WEEK IS THE LAST SUNDAY to donate to our December Special Mission, HELP & HOPE FOR THE HOMELESS, INC.  This is a local charity founded by Grace member John Loss, This charity continues to work toward helping the homeless in our city through job training and associated skills.  If you would like to support this work, please place your Special Mission envelope in the offering plate, send it to the office, or donate to Special Missions online at www.gracenf.org.

THERE IS STILL TIME to donate to our ADVENT GIVING TREE PROJECT.  Please place your donations on the tables by Sunday, January 3.  We are partnering with four agencies this year, including Heart, Love, & Soul, Summit Life Resources, Gospel Rescue Mission, and the Magdalene Project.  Your gifts will be delivered at the beginning of January to help our neighbors in need.

IF YOU ARE LIVE-STREAMING and you would like to participate in our Advent Giving Tree project, you can find a list of needed items in the recent edition of the Gleanings, found online at www.gracenf.org.  Please call Erin at 283-1843 to arrange a convenient drop off time during office hours.  The side door near the office has a doorbell if the church is locked.

GRACE LADIES have ordered 25 poinsettia plants for our altar/ chancel for this Christmas season. If you would like to help defray the cost, please place your check or cash in an envelope marked Grace Ladies. You may place this special donation in offering plates or you may drop it off in the church office.

FLOWER CHART for2021 is now up and hanging in the narthex. You may also sign up by calling the office. Cost for a centerpiece is $45, or you can choose two vases at a cost of $56.

WEDNESDAY Bible study will not be held on December 23^rd or 30^th. It will resume in January.

NO SUNDAY CE or ELF class on December 27^th.

TODAY is the last day to donate TURKEYS & HAMS.  Most of your donations have already been delivered to our partner agencies as they prepare to serve holiday meals to our neighbors in need.  Watch next week’s bulletin for final donation totals and the agencies we were able to assist.  Thank you for your generous gifts.  

ADVENT GIVING TREES are available in the narthex and chapel.  If you would like to participate in this project, please take a tag (or tags) from the tree and bring the item (unwrapped) back to the table as soon as you are able.  We are supporting four agencies this year, including Heart, Love, & Soul, Summit Life Resources, Gospel Rescue Mission, and the Magdalene Project.  All donations will be used locally to help those in our community who are struggling.  

IF YOU ARE LIVE-STREAMING and you would like to participate in our Advent Giving Tree project, you can find a list of needed items in the recent edition of the Gleanings, found online at www.gracenf.org.  Please call Erin at 283-1843 to arrange a convenient drop off time during office hours.  The side door near the office has a doorbell if the church is locked.

HELP & HOPE FOR THE HOMELESS, INC., a local charity founded by Grace member John Loss, is designated as our December Special Mission envelope agency.  This charity continues to work toward helping the homeless through job training and associated skills.  If you would like to support the homeless in our city through this charity, please place your Special Mission envelope in the offering plate during December, send it to the office, or donate to Special Missions online at www.gracenf.org.

HOLY COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION in the parking lot for those participating online will be from 1:30-1:45 today. This is a one-time-only change due to the Voters’ meeting.

“EXPLORING THE LUTHERAN FAITH” CLASS starts today after the Voters’ meeting.

LAST OPPORTUNITY:  Next Sunday is the last day to donate TURKEYS & HAMS.  Donations are needed to help our local soup kitchens provide holiday meals for our neighbors in need.  They can be stored in our downstairs kitchen freezer.  If you need help carrying your donation, an usher will be glad to assist you.  

IF YOU ARE LIVE-STREAMING and you would like to donate a turkey or ham, you can arrange a drop off time by calling Erin in the office.  We are also accepting gift card donations from grocery stores, Walmart, & Target, which the soup kitchens can use to purchase the items they need to serve our neighbors in need.  If you wish to participate in our Advent Giving Tree project, you can find a list of needed items in the recent edition of the Gleanings, which can also be found online at www.gracenf.org.

ADVENT GIVING TREES are now available in the narthex and chapel.  If you would like to participate in this project, please take a tag (or tags) from the tree and bring the item (unwrapped) back to the table as soon as you are able.  We are supporting four agencies this year, including Heart, Love, & Soul, Summit Life Resources, Gospel Rescue Mission, and the Magdalene Project.  All donations will be used locally to help those in our community who are struggling.

HELP & HOPE FOR THE HOMELESS, INC., a local charity founded by Grace member John Loss, is designated as our December Special Mission envelope agency.  This charity continues to work toward helping the homeless through job training and associated skills.  If you would like to support the homeless in our city through this charity, please place your Special Mission envelope in the offering plate during December, send it to the office, or donate to Special Missions online at www.gracenf.org.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN HISTORY? We have received a box of GLC historical documents. Some very interesting, others mundane. We’re looking for someone who’d like to be a hobbyist historian to go through the documents, sorting, cataloging, and comparing it to our archives to decide what should be kept. Please call the office if this is a good fit for your interests & talents.

FLOWERS on our altar today are to the Glory of God and in praise and celebration for the 100^th birthday of Crystal Michel (November 28^th) from family and friends at Grace, God’s continued blessings.

TURKEY & HAM donations will continue to be accepted for two more weeks, until December 13.  Donations are needed to help our local soup kitchens provide holiday meals for our neighbors in need.  They can be stored in our downstairs kitchen freezer.  If you need help carrying your donation, an usher will be glad to assist you.  

IF YOU ARE LIVE-STREAMING and you would like to donate a turkey or ham, you can arrange a drop off time by calling Erin in the office.  We are also accepting gift card donations from grocery stores, Walmart, & Target, which the soup kitchens can use to purchase the items they need to serve our neighbors in need. 

TODAY IS THE LAST SUNDAY to support LCMS Disaster Response, our November special mission envelope agency.  Lutheran Emergency Response Teams (LERT) continue to aid the victims of the many disasters our country has experienced during 2020, including massive wildfires, unprecedented numbers of hurricanes, flooding, and tornadoes.  The rebuilding process will take years.  If you would like to use the convenience envelopes located in the pews, please mark them clearly as “November Special Mission”.  You can also donate online today or tomorrow by clicking “Special Missions”.  

ADVENT GIVING TREES are now available in the narthex and chapel.  If you would like to participate in this project, please take a tag (or tags) from the tree and bring the item (unwrapped) back to the table as soon as you are able.  We are supporting four agencies this year, including Heart, Love, & Soul, Summit Life Resources, Gospel Rescue Mission, and the Magdalene Project.  All donations will be used locally to help those in our community who are struggling.

THANK YOU for your generous donations to our special mission envelopes to support St. John & Holy Ghost Lutheran Schools.  We were able to send a check for $1100 to each school to aid them in their efforts to provide a quality education in a Christian environment.

“EXPLORING THE LUTHERAN FAITH” CLASS will be offered on Sunday mornings following worship beginning December 6. Childcare is available following the same guidance as Sunday School. If you are thinking about membership at Grace, this is the class you need. Members are welcome to come and get a refresher. Please register in advance by contacting the office.

NO WEDNESDAY Bible Study this week due to Thanksgiving.

THANK YOU for your generous donations to our Harvest Food Collections “Cases for a Cause”.  Your gifts will be delivered to St. Vincent de Paul food pantry on Military Road this coming weekend to help them restock as they continue to serve 50 local families over the upcoming holiday time.

TURKEY & HAM donations are needed to help our local soup kitchens provide holiday meals for our neighbors in need.  Donations can be stored in our downstairs kitchen freezer.  If you need help carrying your donation, an usher will be glad to assist you.  

IF YOU ARE LIVE-STREAMING and you would like to donate a turkey or ham, you can arrange a drop off time by calling Erin in the office.  We are also accepting gift card donations from grocery stores, Walmart, & Target, which the soup kitchens can use to purchase the items they need to serve our neighbors in need. 

ONE WEEK REMAINS to support LCMS Disaster Response, our November special mission envelope agency.  Lutheran Emergency Response Teams (LERT) continue to aid the victims of the many disasters our country has experienced during 2020, including massive wildfires, unprecedented numbers of hurricanes, flooding, and tornadoes.  The rebuilding process will take years.  Please consider if you are able to help by using your November Special Mission Envelope before the end of the month.  You can also donate online by clicking “Special Missions”.  

LAST CHANCE TO SIGN CARDS–OUR OLDEST MEMBER at Grace, Crystal Michel, will turn 100 years old later this week.  There are cards available to sign for her on the glass case.  If you would like to send your own greeting, cards can be dropped off in the office and we will make sure they are sent to Crystal.

ADVENT GIVING TREE–Next Sunday we will enter the season of Advent, and Giving Trees will be available in the narthex and chapel.  If you would like to participate in this project, please take a tag (or tags) from the tree and bring the item (unwrapped) back to the table as soon as you are able.  We are supporting four agencies this year, including Heart, Love, & Soul, Summit Life Resources, Gospel Rescue Mission, and the Magdalene Project.  All donations will be used locally to help those in our community who are struggling.

“EXPLORING THE LUTHERAN FAITH” CLASS will be offered on Sunday mornings following worship beginning December 6. Childcare is available following the same guidance as Sunday School. If you are thinking about membership at Grace, this is the class you need. Members are welcome to come and get a refresher. Please register in advance by contacting the office.