News & Announcements

Good News at Grace!!!

     Capital Improvements that we initiated in 2009 as part of our Grace Odyssey II project involved the Welcome Center, elevator, new windows, and several other upgrades to our campus. We borrowed more than 800,000 to complete these valuable items that have enhanced the experience at Grace, making every area in the sanctuary and Ed building accessible to all.                                             We are pleased to announce to the congregation, with gratitude toward your faithful giving, that the mortgage loan will be satisfied and paid in full by the middle of January, years ahead of schedule.                                             It is truly a cause for celebration!

Meet Our Missionaries –
Click the link below for their bios & info on how they serve God in Central America.
 
 

CDC Guidelines & Church Covid Status Regarding Worship

     The Community risk level of COVID for Montgomery County has lowered to “medium”.  In following the CDC and Montgomery County guidelines, wearing masks while indoors at Grace is optional, effective immediately.  We are, once again, permitting (and encouraging!) congregational singing.  Individuals who are at high risk should continue to consult with their medical professional for best practices to stay well.  If you are not feeling well, please be considerate and stay home, and worship with us on the livestream.   The livestream begins at 10:30 am on our YouTube channel Grace Lutheran Royersford.  Worship is also saved to the worship page on our website www.gracelutheranroyersford.

     Grace will continue to follow the CDC and Montgomery County guidelines (see below) while Covid-19 is still considered a public health concern.  You will continue to be informed of changes via email and our updates will be posted to our website.  Thank you for your continued cooperation for the welfare and health of our community.  

     Please join us for worship and in the work we do to speak and to BE God’s love in the world!  Grace is making a difference in lives- thanks be to God!

Guidelines for wearing masks, per CDC website:

Low Risk – Wear a mask based on your personal preference, informed by your personal level of risk.

Medium Risk – If you are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe illness, talk to your healthcare provider about additional precautions, such as wearing masks or respirators indoors in public.

     If you live with or have social contact with someone at high risk for severe illness, consider testing yourself for infection before you get together and wearing a mask when indoors with them.

High Risk – Wear a well-fitting mask indoors in public, regardless of vaccination status or individual risk (including in K-12 schools and other community settings).

     If you are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe illness, wear a mask or respirator that provides you with greater protection.

The following information comes from the PA Department of Health, regarding Human Trafficking.
 
Human Trafficking happens in cities, suburbs & rural areas.  TRAIN PA has courses open to the public to learn about combating human trafficking.  SOAR trainings equip people with skills to identify, treat & respond appropriately to human trafficking:
 
Mission Kids and the Montgomery County Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition (MCAT) websites are below; please also consider supporting this cause through your tax exempt donation to Mission Kids or MCAT.
 
The National Human Trafficking Hotline continues to operate amid the COVID19 crisis.
 
Call:  1-888-373-7888
Text:  HELP to 233733 (BEFREE)
Email:  help@humantraffickinghotline.org
Dear Brothers & Sisters In Christ;
 
   If you find your heart is hurting for those suffering from racism, or maybe you just aren’t sure that racism is even “real”, please make the commitment to learn more.  A great resource to start with is “Waking up White” by Debbie Irving.  This author shares her gradual awareness of racism by sharing the stories of her own life.
 

   If you love digging deep into historical facts and want to better understand why racism is so embedded in our current culture, read “When Affirmative Action was White” by Ira Katznelson.

   In my learning journey, I will next be reading Ta-Nehisi Coates’ award-winning book “Between the World and Me.”  Let’s talk.   Let’s learn together.  Please email me to join a group zoom book discussion on “Between the World and Me.”

   Also, watch the powerful and thought-provoking true story “Just Mercy” about systemic racism and the battle for justice.  You can currently watch this move for FREE on all digital networks.

   Another excellent book is White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo.   Other informative, challenging, and well-done resources include Selma  (movie),  Dear White People (movie and Netflix series), andThirteenth   (Netflix documentary).

   Ready for the next step?  Let me know that you are interested in guiding and leading Grace to see our next steps and to help us begin to make changes for the sake of God’s beautiful, diverse creation.   Contact me at jkrais.gracelutrn@verizon.net.
 

“Whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me…. Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”  – Matthew 25:40-45.

 Peace, Pastor Janelle Krais

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Mental Health Resources:   For you or someone you love…

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)  HelpLine can be reached Mon.-Fri., 10am–6pm, ET.  1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or info@nami.org

Montgomery County Mobile Crisis  Immediate support for crisis

situations available 24/7 at 1-855-634-HOPE (4673).

Mont. County Children’s Crisis Support Program  Immediate

support for crisis situations available 24/7 at 1-888-HELP-414.

Mont. County’s teen talk line  If you’re a teen feeling overwhelmed & need another teen to talk to, please call at (866) 825-5856 or text (215) 703-8411. It is available, free of charge, Mon.-Fri., 3 to 7pm.

PA Department of Drug & Alcohol Program (DDAP). To find

addiction treatment or a treatment provider, call the 24/7 toll-free

1-800-662-HELP hotline.

Laurel House  (domestic violence)  24/7 hotline: 800-642-3150,

Women’s Center of Montgomery County’s  (domestic violence)

hotline: 800-773-2424.

Alcoholics Anonymous   www.aa.org for help with a drinking problem