News & Announcements
Breaking News on Summer Worship 2023!!
After conversations with Pastor, staff, the Worship & Music Committee & our Council President, we have decided that starting with our first outdoor worship service on Sunday, June 25th, Grace will be going to one service throughout the summer, at 9:30am. Our one worship service format will continue through Sept. 10th, in the Sanctuary most Sundays. On that day, our 9:30am worship service will be followed by our Ministry Madness and then at 11:00am, our Church Picnic.
Also, Grace will be having outdoor worship services at the end of each month this summer, as we celebrate the season. We’ll worship outdoors only on Sunday—June 25, July 30 & August 27, at 9:30am, on the lawn of Grace Office, weather permitting. Don’t forget to bring a lawn chair. In case of inclement weather, worship will be in the Sanctuary.
Combining worship will be a wonderful opportunity for us to all gather together as community. We plan on returning to our usual two worship services on Sunday, September 17th. Hope to see you here all summer!
Meet Our Interim Pastor – Rev. Wayne R. Shelor
I am a native of Virginia, having been born and raised in the small town of Christiansburg, which is southwest of Roanoke. After high school I attended Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, VA intending to become a Medical Technologist, but the Lord had other plans, so in the middle of my fourth year I changed to a Religious Studies major and graduated in 1981. That fall I entered Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS) for my studies leading to a Master of Divinity degree & being ordained in the Lutheran Church in America (LCA) in August of 1986. In 1983 my wife Vikki and I were married. We have had a wonderful life together that includes three adult children: Becca, and twins Ray and Joshua. We treasure whatever time we get to share with them and continue to learn how best to parent millennial children. Previously I have served as a settled pastor in three congregations in Virginia, as well as serving as the Executive Director of Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp & Retreat Center (an outdoor ministry site of the ELCA). In 2013 I began serving as an Intentional Interim, this will be the ninth congregation I have served in this way. I have special training in conflict resolution, youth ministry, systems theory, stewardship, and intentional interim ministry. Over the course of my ministry, I have been actively engaged in evangelism, hospitality, stewardship growth, organizational goal-setting and synodical level youth ministry. My personal interests include reading, travel, gardening, “off the beaten path restaurants,” live theater, the sharing of stories and signs of the amazing generosity of our Lord.
I am looking forward to meeting you and hearing your personal story. As we all get to know each other, please note I am usually available Mon.-Thurs., 8:30am-2:00pm (Friday is his day off). If you wish to be sure to find me, please make an appointment by email at wshelor.gracelutrn@gmail.com or call the church office at 610-948-3684.
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.
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. Or you could try reading Ta-Nehisi Coates’ award-winning book “Between the World and Me.”
Also, you could watch the powerful & 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).
“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.
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