Church Activities & Announcements
April Meetings
Caring Team - Tuesday, the 1st at 7:00 p.m.
Women's Fellowship - Thursday, the 3rd at 7:00 p.m.
Worship Planning Team - Tuesday, the 8th at 7:00 p.m.
Board of Trustees - Monday, the 14th at 7:00 p.m.
CEC - Tuesday, the 15th at 7:00 p.m.
Evangelism Team - Monday, the 21st at 7:00 p.m.
Board of Elders - Tuesday, the 22nd at 7:00 p.m.
250th Anniversary Task Force
The article below was published in last month's "Visitor" - to date NO ONE has responded to this request. Please read the article below again and call with your positive response about sitting on a task force for a pictorial directory.
The members of the Anniversary task force are looking for three or four individuals who would form a sub-committee of the Task Force. This sub-committee would be responsible for our special 250th Anniversary Pictorial Directory. The sub-committee members would handle all publicity, sign-ups for the evenings photo's when they are taken, working with the Pictorial Directory staff to set-up the format of the new Directory. The sub-committee members would also be responsible for making phone calls about various items connected with the Pictorial Directory. The task would begin sometime this summer and end in November 2008.
The 250th Anniversary Pictorial Directory will be something special for all of us to have and keep. We are planning a hard-bound directory and desire all families at Graceham Moravian to participate. The special 250th Anniversary Pictorial Directory will be available sometime late 2008 or early 2009.
Communion Bread
The Time and Talent Survey conducted in September 2007 offered our members the opportunity to bake bread for our Communion Services. A good number of men and women volunteered to bake bread. Therefore, the Elders have asked that bread be served at every communion service starting in 2008. The Communion Bread served on Maundy Thursday during Holy Week, March 20th, was baked by Mary Steffen. The congregation thanks you for baking bread for our Communion Service.
Bowl For Kids Sake
Each year Pastor Gehris forms a team of four other bowlers for the purpose of raising funds for Big Brothers / Big Sisters of Frederick County. Once again this year we are sponsoring a team - IT WOULD BE GREAT IF WE COULD SPONSOR TWO TEAMS. The date for bowling one game is Sunday, May 4th. We will bowl at 2 p.m. at Terrace Lanes (10 Pin) in Frederick City.
Contact Pastor Gehris if you would like any information about this event or if you would like Bowl for Kids Sake.
Bible Study
The NEW Bible Study will begin on Tuesday, April 8th at 10:00 a.m. or Wednesday, April 9th at 7:00 p.m. in the Heritage Room and conclude 7 weeks later. During this seven-week study we will read and discuss the book entitled "Power From on High" written by Rev. John Greenfield. "Power From on High" was written to celebrate the Two Hundredth Anniversary of The Great Moravian Revival in 1727.
"Born in prayer," a great faith was developed which He Who said "According to your faith be it unto you" was eager to answer. Therefore, the Holy Spirit was mightily poured out among you. Not only were souls born into the Kingdom of God's grace and quickened by deeper faith, but a spirit of love went forth healing all animosities so that the world could say of you as it is said of Christ's followers in the first century, "See how these Christians love one another."
Quickened by the glorious record of that great uplift in the life of the Moravian Church, we unite with yours the prayers of all the Denominations we represent that the Holy Spirit may be wonderfully shed abroad in the life of the Churches and that the glorious event which so mightily moved, through you, the religious life of the eighteenth century may have its duplication in the twentieth." Printed from the Forward of "Power From on High."
"Power From on High" is no longer in print. Therefore, I am asking anyone owning a copy of this book to please loan it to the church for this most important Bible Study.
There will be a sign-up sheet hanging on the Bulletin Board in the Narthex. If you would like to attend either Tuesday morning or Wednesday evening, please sign up. Also indicate on the sign-up sheet if you have a copy of "Power From on High." We will be making copies of the book available to those who do not have a copy; however, those copies loaned to us must be returned to their proper owners.
I feel this is an appropriate book to study during the celebration of our 250th Anniversary here at Graceham Moravian. This will be a special opportunity for us to look at the Spiritual Renewal of the Moravian Church in 1727 and will lead us to a renewed spirit.
Graduates
It's that time again when we start to plan our celebration for our graduating seniors. If your daughter or son is graduating from High School, College or Graduate School, please call the church office with their date of graduation. Once again we will be honoring our graduates during May and presenting them a gift from the congregation.
Thurmont Food Bank Offering Sunday, April 13th
Place your food items in the basket setting in front of the Communion Table in the Sanctuary. Donated items needed: cereal, canned or frozen meat, fresh or canned fruit, rice, noodles, macaroni & cheese, hamburger helper, dish and laundry soap, toilet paper, hygiene items.
We have a number of our members serving as volunteers at the Food Bank each month which is located at St. Johns Lutheran Church, 15 N. Church St. Call Pastor Sally Joyner-Giffin at 301-271-4554 if you would like to volunteer at the Food Bank.
The Food Bank hours are 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. each Tuesday and 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. each Friday. Donations may be dropped off ½ hour before regular food bank hours.
Men's Breakfast
Our April Men's Breakfast will be held at Mountain Gate Restaurant on Saturday, April 5th at 7:30 a.m. Remember, a sign-up sheet no longer exists … so mark your calendar and join us for breakfast. Spouses are invited as well.
Moravian Music Foundation
There are two up-coming concerts sponsored by the Moravian Music Foundation which you might like to attend.
Unitas Chorale Concert, held in the Nazareth Moravian Church on Sunday, April 27th at 7:30 p.m., with a Brass Prelude at 7:15 p.m. A special feature of the concert will be the premiere of a newly composed children's choir anthem, with music by Unitas' director, Jill Bruckart, and text by (then) four year-old Helen Louise Meckstroth (daughter of the Revs. Andrew Meckstroth and Lynnette Delbridge.)
The George Lloyd Memorial Concert, held at Tremont Terrace Moravian Church, New York City, on Sunday, May 4th at 3:30 p.m. The concert will feature the delightful flute and guitar ensemble, Two Part Invention, and will encompass works from familiar American Moravian composers as well as 18th century European classical works.
Camp Hope In Search Of A Cook
Hope Conference and Renewal Center is in need of a Head Cook from June 15 - August 9, 2008. Responsibilities include: ordering food and supplies; supervising and assisting summer youth staff in meal preparation, serving and clean up; contributing to positive staff morale.
Successful candidates will have experience in: cooking for groups of 50-100; familiarity with current food safety practices; ability to relate comfortably to children and youth.
Housing available on premises. Should be 21 years or older. For more information contact Rick at 908-459-4435.
Moravian Historical Society
The Moravian Historical Society is seeking a full-time Executive Director to administer the activities of the Society and the Whitefield House Museum (including collections management, mounting of exhibits, and presentation of historical programs) in Nazareth, PA. The Director is the Society's liaison with public groups and works closely with a volunteer Board of Managers. The qualified candidate must meet the following requirements:
- Bachelor's or related degree in history, museum studies, or other appropriate field
- Minimum of 3 years professional experience in a museum or equivalent setting
- Computer proficiency
- Exceptional people skills including proven ability to work with a non-profit board, professional staff, and volunteers
- Previous experience in a supervisory capacity is desirable
- Experience in grant-writing is desirable
- Willingness to adjust to flexible work schedule
- Understanding and appreciation of Moravian Church history and culture
Interested candidates send resume to Dr. David Schattschneider, Chair, Board of Managers, at schattda@moravian.edu Position available immediately. Applications accepted until position is filled.
Don't forget the Prayer Wall …
Pray for the 2008 Eastern District Synod and all the delegates who will gather together in Bethlehem on the Campus of Moravian College during June 2008. Pray for our four delegates from Graceham Moravian: Sue Keilholtz, Jean Harding, Gloria Rollins, and Pastor Gehris
Pray for those churches in the Eastern District who are in search of pastoral leadership.
We continue to pray for the churches located in the Northern Province. Pray for the following churches this month located in:
- The District of Columbia and Maryland
- Washington, Faith
- New Carrolton, Trinity
- Thurmont, Graceham
- Upper Marlboro, St Paul's
Pray for the 20/20 program of the Moravian Church and for the Pastor's who are serving new church starts in the Northern Province. Pray also for lay-leaders to rise up and assist those pastor's as together they spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Starting twenty new churches by the year 2020.