ANNOUNCEMENTS

This week at Grace
Sunday - 10:00 a.m. Worship
Wednesday -  Office Closed
4:30 p.m.  Pre-Service Music
5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Service
Thursday - Office Closed
Friday - Office Closed

♦     Christmas Eve Service will take place on Wednesday, December 24, 2025. Music starts at 4:30 pm, and our Worship Service with Holy Communion starts at 5 pm. We welcome you to come and bring your friends and family to celebrate the birth of Our Lord! 

♦  Holiday Hours: Our church office will be closed beginning Wednesday, December 24, and will
resume normal operating hours on Monday, January 5. Our parish administrator can be reached via
phone during office hours (9 am – Noon) on 12/29/25, 12/30/25, and 1/02/26 at (863) 686-5585. In
case of pastoral emergency, please contact P. Lois Sorensen at (813) 494-4052.
♦  Centering Prayer will not meet on Thursday, December 25, or Thursday, January 1.
♦  Our annual meeting is upcoming on Sunday, January 11 at 11:30 am, in the Fellowship Hall
following worship. Please make plans to attend.
     The agenda consists of four items:
          -- the proposed 2026 Ministry Spending Plan (aka Budget)
          -- a few required and a few recommended updates to our church constitution
          -- the slate of individuals recommended by council to serve on council for the 2026-2028 term.
          --to vote on authorizing the replacement of the main Fellowship Hall air conditioning unit.
To prepare you to vote in this important meeting, P. Olga-Maria, Terry Neal and other members of
the finance committee / council will be available during coffee hour on Sunday, January 4. We will
go over the Ministry Spending Plan and Constitutional revisions together and address any questions
you may have. The Ministry Spending Plan and Constitutional revisions documents will also be
made available on Sunday, Dec. 28.

♦     December’s God’s Work Our Hands: Pastor’s Discretionary Fund. Donations to this fund create a pool of resources for members & neighbors in need. We also collect gift cards for gas, groceries & pharmacy.

♦    Prayer List:  Mary Buschbacher, Mabel Carreira, Doris Cirillo, June Clark, Ann Daffer, Julie Dunston, Carol Grzegorczyk, Anne Guilford, Judy Haer, Jeff Hale, Gloria Hanchard, Lydia Hodge, Brian Hosty, James & Grace Irish, Katie King, Wil Krell, Amy Krell, Bob & Jane Lemley, Scott Listy, Lynda Mack, Ron & Flo Mari, Mac McPeak, Monica Mencia, Avery Monroe, Doris Muszynski, John Shamp, Abby Shocik, Mike Shocik, Tim Simpson, Arleen Smith, Betty Smith, Linda Springer, Kristen Storms, Natalie Thiele, Henry Tomlinson, Glenn Van Benschoten, Gary Venable, Connie Wasserman, Greg Wasserman, Helen & Ron Wettleson, and Max Wickham.

♦     Please let the office know if you or any of our church family is in hospital or needs home communion.

♦    The Backpack Ministry helps feed the students of Oscar J. Pope Elementary. Please continue to bring ramen noodles and 16/18 oz creamy peanut butter.

♦    Friendship Pads: All who are worshipping with us today, especially those who are visiting with us, are invited to sign the Friendship Pad that is at the center aisle end of the pew. Please list your phone number if you are visiting. We would like to be in touch with you and to welcome you to our gathering. After you sign, please pass it down the pew and back.

♦   Parish News:
       Presiding Minister -- The Rev. Dr. Olga-Maria Cruz
       Assisting Minister -- Terry Neal
       Music -- Gene Hodges, Organist; Art Pranno, Choir Director;
                      Mary Flekke, Bell Choir Director
       Ushers -- Kevin & Cheri Zarnstorff
       Doorkeeper -- P.J. Blanchette
       Altar Guild -- Mary Buschbacher & Phyllis Whidden
       Flowers --  Pastor Olga-Maria Cruz: Christmas Blessings
       Birthdays --12/25: Melanie Buskirk                      

♦   Worship Opportunities:
          Sunday Morning Worship in-person and livestreamed at 10:00 a.m. 
          Online:  Website -     https://www.gracelakeland.com/live
                         Facebook -  https://www.facebook.com/churchgracelakeland
                         YouTube -   https://www.youtube.com/@gracelakeland/streams