Grace Lutheran Church

Christ in Action. Grace in Tripoli.

Gathering for Worship

Merry Christmas!

Yes, I know it is January. Did you think that Christmas has come and gone? I am here to remind you that Christmas is a season that is twelve days long. We have the opportunity to celebrate the mystery of our God being born a human baby until January 6th.

This Christmas, I witnessed the Holy Spirit gather so many people together for worship and fellowship. Your family members visited to experience the Sunday School Program, which let us see the birth of Jesus through the eyes of the stable animals. Children and grandchildren returned for holiday celebrations and attended the Christmas Eve service, where we worshiped the God who became a human baby. The Holy Spirit gathered those needing community in times of isolation and social distancing for a Christmas day potluck. The Holy Spirit gathers people to this space to witness the good news of Jesus Christ and to receive the sacraments of Baptism and Communion.

This Christmas, I also witnessed an obstacle in our building that makes it difficult and dangerous for people to gather for worship and fellowship. Our elevator is this obstacle. Grace Lutheran Church, our mission statement says, “In light of who we are and where we are, we believe God wants Grace congregation to exist in order to worship and witness to the love of Christ.” We claim that as children of God, the Holy Spirit gathers us to worship and witness the love of Christ. For all people to gather for worship and witness to the love of Christ, we need a safe elevator and an entryway that is accessible and hospitable.

I encourage you to rise up to support God’s ministries and Grace Lutheran Church by making a donation or pledge to the Ascending Grace Accessibility Campaign. Your donation will help to create a safe and accessible entryway and elevator.

Here’s how you can make a gift today:

  • Give Online – Go to gracetripoli.org/give. Click “Give Online” and the “Accessibility Project.”
  • Check to Grace Lutheran Church – Write “Accessibility Project” on the memo line.

I hope that by next Christmas, the Holy Spirit will gather all family and friends without significant obstacles. I hope that all people can enter this space safely to witness the good news of Jesus Christ’s birth.

Merry Christmas,

Pastor Tyler Hoey, January 2022