Monthly Archives: April 2009

Grace Lutheran Church West Springfield to host 2009 CROP Walk

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Grace Lutheran Church West Springfield is proud to announce that it will be the host church for the 2009 CROP Walk involving churches in West Springfield and Agawam.

The event, taking place Sunday, May 17, 2009, will seek to raise money to help Church World Service, a cooperative ministry of 35 Protestant, Orthodox and Anglican denominations that provides sustainable self-help and development, disaster relief and refugee assistance in some 80 countries, focusing specifically on local and global grassroots, hunger-fighting efforts (CROP stands for Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty).  

All those in the surrounding communities are encourage to participate by signing up sponsors who will support your participation in the walk.  This year CROP walks across the country will share more than $3.7 million with food banks, pantries, community gardens and other local efforts nationwide.

Learn more by visiting http://cropwalk.org or by contacting Grace Lutheran Church West Springfield CROP Walk 2009 coordinator Ginny Tonelli-Green via email or at 543-8435.

Updated: This Week at Grace, April 26, 2009

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Saturday, April 25, 2009
Late morning: Vendor fair
3:30 pm-5:30 pm – New member meeting

Sunday, April 26, 2009, Third Sunday of Easter
8:45 am – Chancel Choir Rehearsal in Fellowship Hall
9:30 am – Worship Service, Sunday School
11:00 am – Book Club (Featured book: “The Book Thief”)
6:00-8:00 pm – AA Meeting

Tuesday, April 28, 2009
9:00-10:00 am – Bible Study
10:00-Noon – Needler’s

Saturday, May 2, 2009
6:00 pm – Service with Holy Communion
8:00-9:00 pm – Al-Anon

Sunday, May 3, 2009, Fourth Sunday of Easter
8:45 am – Chancel Choir Rehearsal in Fellowship Hall
9:30 am – Worship Service, Sunday School
6:00-8:00 pm – AA Meeting

Be a part of ‘Cash for the Cupboard’

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The West Springfield Parish Cupboard is conducting its annual Cash for the Cupboard fund-raising drive. Parish Cupboard is an organization dedicated to feeding the hungry in the greater West Springfield area.

Cash for the Cupboard is the organization’s major fundraiser for the year, and monetary and food donations are needed.

Monetary donations for the Parish Cupboard can be mailed to:
Cash for the Cupboard
c/o 1023 Main St.
West Springfield, MA 01089.

Checks can also be made out and sent to Grace Lutheran Church with “Cash for the Cupboard” in the memo field.

For more information contact Brian Roberts.

Grace Lutheran Church West Springfield April book discussion rescheduled for April 26

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The next monthly book discussion at Grace Lutheran Church West Springfield, originally scheduled to take place Sunday, April 19, has been rescheduled for Sunday, April 26 at 11:00 a.m. in the church parlor. The featured book will be “The Book Thief” written by Marcus Zusak. Continue reading →

Grace Lutheran Church West Springfield renews commitment to Habitat for Humanity in 2009

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Grace Lutheran Church West Springfield is excited to announce that in 2009 it will once again participate in a new home build in conjunction with Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity.

Kicking off this Saturday, April 18, 2009, this year’s build is located at 162 Wrentham Rd. in Springfield, Mass. (See map below.)


View Larger Map

With funding assistance for the build provided by the Western Massachusetts chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Grace Lutheran Church West Springfield has already pledged $1,000 toward this year’s build, for which the church will run a rummage sale in June.

Additionally, Grace has committed to participating in two work days at the build this year. Those days are Saturday, June 13, and Saturday, Oct. 3. Volunteers are always needed to help fulfill our quota of at least six crew members, plus providing lunch and water for all those working at the site that day.

Habitat for Humanity is also looking for “gifts in kind” to help the build effort. These items and services include:

  • Excavation
  • Water and sewer hookup
  • Concrete
  • Plumbing and heating
  • Electrical
  • Lumber
  • Roofing
  • Carpet and tile
  • Kitchen and bath cabinets
  • Landscaping
  • Smoke detectors

    • If you or someone you know can donate any of these items or services, or if you are interested in learning more about this Saturday’s kick-off event or participating in Grace Lutheran Church West Springfield’s upcoming build work days (which are a great way for first-time Habitat for Humanity volunteers to get involved) email Martha, Grace’s Habitat for Humanity congregational liaison.

    Grace Lutheran Church nets hundreds of items for Springfield Rescue Mission

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    Grace Lutheran Church West Springfield thanks all those who participated in Operation Hope Tote. During the month of March, the church community collected more than 400 personal items — including toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, deodorant and razors and more — to assist the Springfield Rescue Mission.

    These items have been distributed in filled bags to the poor and homeless during the Easter season, allowing people to clean up on the outside and know inside that someone, somewhere cares about them. The items had a total estimated value of $830.00. Grace Lutheran Church West Springfield again thanks all those who donated their time, talent and items for this special effort.

    This Week at Grace, April 12, 2009

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    Sunday, April 12, 2009, Easter Sunday
    6:00 am – Sunrise Service at the Holyoke Soldier’s Home by the flagpole
    8:45 am – Chancel Choir Rehearsal in Fellowship Hall
    9:30 am – Worship Service, Sunday School
    6:00-8:00 pm – AA Meeting

    Tuesday, April 14, 2009
    9:00-10:00 am – Bible Study
    10:00-Noon – Needler’s

    Saturday, April 18, 2009
    6:00 pm – Service with Holy Communion
    8:00-9:00 pm – Al-Anon

    Sunday, April 19, 2009, Second Sunday of Easter
    8:45 am – Chancel Choir Rehearsal in Fellowship Hall
    9:30 am – Worship Service, Sunday School
    11:00 am – Book Club discussion of “The Book Thief” by Marcus Zusak
    6:00-8:00 pm – AA Meeting

    Participate in the 2009 New England Synod Assembly

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    The 2009 New England Synod Assembly will be held from Thursday, May 28 to Saturday, May 30, 2009, at the Sturbridge Host Conference Center, 366 Main Street, Sturbridge, Mass.

    This year’s theme is “God’s Work. Our Hands. Treasure in Clay Jars.” Author Kelly Fryer will be this year’s keynote speaker. Fryer is a well-known theologian and writer of the bible study publication, “No Experience Necessary: Everybody’s Welcome.”

    Each congregation is entitled to two voting lay assembly members. There is a fee to attend. For more information, contact Pastor Harman at pastorharman@gracelutheranonline.com or visit the New England Synod website.

    Worship schedule for Holy Week 2009 at Grace Lutheran Church West Springfield

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    Be sure to join us this Holy Week for a number of special ceremonies leading up to the Easter Sunday Worship commemorating the Resurrection of our Lord.

    Palm Sunday Worship (Apr. 5)
    The Sunday morning worship service (9:30 a.m.) will feature an interactive Easter pageant, enacting the Passion history from Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem to the resurrection on Easter morning. It’s a great opportunity for young people to learn about the Resurrection of our Lord in a way that will resonate with them.

    Maundy Thursday Worship (Apr. 9)
    Join us for a special worship ceremony at 7:00 p.m. commemorating the Last Supper of Jesus Christ.

    Good Friday Worship (Apr. 10)
    Taking place at 7:00 p.m., this worship service will remember the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

    Easter Sunday Sunrise Worship (Apr. 12)
    An annual tradition for Grace Lutheran Church West Springfield, join us at the flag pole at Holyoke Soliders’ Home, 110 Cherry St., Holyoke, Mass., for a special sunrise worship service, starting at 6:00 a.m. (sunrise is slated for 6:14 a.m.). Attend this intimate service and come away with a new sense of life!

    Easter Sunday Worship: The Resurrection of our Lord (Apr. 12)
    The annual Easter worship will take place Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. in the church sanctuary.

    For more information on any of the Holy Week events at Grace Lutheran Church West Springfield, email the church office.

    This Week at Grace, April 5, 2009

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    Sunday, April 5, 2009, Palm Sunday
    8:45 am – Chancel Choir Rehearsal
    9:30 am – Children’s Passion Play
    6:00-8:00 pm – AA Meeting

    Tuesday, April 7, 2009
    9:00-10:00 am – Bible Study
    10:00am-Noon – Needler’s

    Thursday, April 9, 2009, Maundy Thursday
    7:00 pm – Worship Service

    Friday, April 10, 2009, Good Friday
    7:00 pm – Worship Service

    Saturday, April 11, 2009
    8:00-9:00pm – Al-Anon

    Sunday, April 12, 2009, Easter Sunday
    6:00am – Sunrise Service at the Holyoke Soldier’s Home by the flagpole
    8:45 am Chancel Choir Rehearsal in Fellowship Hall
    9:30 am – Worship Service, Sunday School
    6:00-8:00 pm – AA Meeting