Mission
Grace United Church of Christ strives to respond to God’s call to mission and ministry through support of local missions in the Lebanon area as well as national and international support of ministries of the United Church of Christ.
Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but one who turns a blind eye will get many a curse.
Proverbs 28:27
Ongoing Monthly Missions
Rising Waters: Youth from UCC Mission trip to New Orleans stand below Katrina water line. Participants (left to right) Kristin Rodkey, Ashleigh Glosser, Katelyn Sides, Trevor Kiscadden, Ellen Petley, Kathryn Fuhrman, Chad Hackman, Megan Leppo, Samantha Shimp, Kathryn Vasil.
- Used Stamps—Women’s Guild collects used stamps for Bethel Institutes, which is located in Bielfield, Germany. It is a Therapeutic Community to help physically, mentally, and socially disabled people, founded in 1872. It now supports a program in the U.S. called “Stamps for Living,” which is centered at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Washington, DC, as well as the Deaf/REACH Program. Selling used stamps helps to benefit Bethel Institutes and its programs.
- Soda Tabs/Tabs—collected and donated to Ronald McDonald House at Hershey Medical Center.
- Pennies from Heaven—sponsored by our Christian Ed with the monies collected being donated to various local charities.
Local Missions
More to Do: Four years after Katrina Youth from Grace and Myerstown UCC continue to help rebuild in New Orleans. Patricipants: Home Owner, Chad Hackman, Megan Leppo, Kathryn Fuhrman, Samantha Shimp, Jeff Sides, Jim Kiscadden, Kathryn Vasil, Ellen Petley, Rev. Holly MillerShank, Eugene Stum.
Life Lessons: Youth from Myerstown and Grace UCC churches listened to the powerful testimony of Debora Joseph, member of Beecher Memorial UCC in New Orleans, as she shared her experience during Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath. Participants: Debora Joseph, Chad Hackman, Megan Leppo, Kathryn Fuhrman, Samantha Shimp, Katelyn Sides, Trevor Kiscadden, Ashleigh Glosser, Kathryn Vasil, Kristin Rodkey, Ellen Petley.
- Adopt–a-Family Project
In December each year, we collect food and clothing for local families in need. - Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank
Grace UCC hosts the Central Pennsylvania blood mobile during the year. All members of Grace are eligible to receive blood through the blood bank. - Domestic Violence Intervention of Lebanon County
Annual collection of financial support and household items to benefit local women and children in need. Our Sunday School program has also participated in DVI’s Hands of Hope event in Monument Park in Lebanon. - Habitat for Humanity
In 2007 the Lebanon Association of the UCC funded and built the first handicap accessible Habitat House in Lebanon County. We at Grace continue to support Habitat through financial contributions and assist in the monthly UCC Habitat Work Days the third Saturday of each month. - Lebanon County Christian Ministries
Grace UCC serves meals bimonthly to those in need in Lebanon City. We also collect non-perishable food items at the church on a regular basis. - Lebanon Rescue Mission
Grace UCC supports this local ministry to men seeking shelter and recovery in the Lebanon area. - Relay for Life
Multiple families participate in fundraising efforts throughout the year and the annual Relay for Life walk. This relay ranked 4th in the entire state of Pennsylvania in 2007. - Samaritan Counseling Center
Grace is one of the SCC partner churches. Members benefit from professional counseling services and group training sessions provided by SCC. - UCC Home in Annville
The UCC Home in Annville is our local branch of a nationwide consortium of nursing homes supported by the United Church of Christ. We collect Christmas items for residents as well as participate in worship activities though the Lebanon Association.
National and International Missions
- Child Sponsorship
Grace UCC annually sponsors two children through our Global Ministries partnership. Our current sponsorships support children in the Armenian Ministry Association of America and the Lephoi Centre for the Blind. - Church World Service Blankets
Each year in January, we collect offerings to buy warm blankets through Church World Service which are then distributed to victims of natural disasters in the United States and around the globe. - Heifer International
Heifer International meets urgent needs around the world by providing people in third world countries with animals and requiring them to share the first offspring with other families, who then share the first offspring, etc. It is a gift that keeps on giving and helps people help themselves and others. Grace UCC purchases animals through Heifer each spring. - Baby Blankets to the Dakota Indians
Penn Central Conference and the Dakota Association have shared in partnership for more than 20 years. Each year we send handmade blankets that are crotched, knitted, or sewn by the Women’s Guild and other women in the church to South Dakota. Blankets also go to local women and children in need.
United Church of Christ Missions
- Christmas Fund
Collected in December each year, this mission is an expression of joy and gratitude for those who serve the church. Gifts to the Christmas Fund help provide supplemental financial support to retired clergy and lay employees of the church. - Neighbors in Need
God calls each of us to seek peace between individuals and nations. We support the UCC’s work on ministries of peace and justice through annual contributions to Neighbors in Need each October. - One Great Hour of Sharing
Jesus fed thousands with five loaves and two fish offered by a small boy. We at Grace UCC continue this spirit of sharing through our support of One Great Hour of Sharing providing food and other basic necessities to communities throughout the world. - Our Church’s Wider Mission
Offerings to support OCWM are collected each Sunday. These resources are the foundation for all church work accomplished outside of our local church setting including support of Penn Central Conference and the National Settings of the United Church of Christ. - Strengthen the Church
Members of Grace collect coins (and bills) in offering boxes throughout the year to support this vital ministry. STC allows Local Church Ministries to continue the work of supporting Local UCC Congregations and raising up new leaders for service to Christ’s Church.
