  |
|||
|
|
  |
News & Events for Grace Lutheran Church
|
|
 |
|||
Church Jazz at Grace "Instruments for Peace" concert benefits outreach ministry in Palestine
“Each one of us can be an instrument of peace,” insists Mitri Raheb, president of Bright Stars of Bethlehem, a non-profit organization providing outreach programs to children and adults of all ages and religions in and around Bethlehem, Palestine.
The Rev. Dr. Raheb will be speaking at a concert called “Instruments for Peace” on Thursday evening, May 30, 7:30 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 7300 Division, River Forest. The concert features the award-winning talents of the members of the Church Jazz Ensemble, led by saxophonist Andy Tecson.
Andy saw a performance by a Diyar Consortium dance troupe as they toured the United States a year ago. The dance program is one of many outreach ministries of Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem that are funded through the Diyar Consortium and supported by Bright Stars.
“My response to the moving dance performance is to provide my gift of music as a means to support the ministry that is inspiring them.” Andy Tecson’s Church Jazz concerts have raised funds for many causes through the years, including a 2012 performance at Grace that benefited Lutheran Child and Family Services and Lutheran Social Services of Illinois. Church Jazz is based at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 1500 W. Belmont in Chicago. The group features some of the top jazz musicians in Chicago. They perform regularly in the city and suburbs. Mitri Raheb was featured in a 2012 “60 Minutes” segment on Christianity in the Holy Land. As pastor of Christmas Lutheran Church, Raheb works to promote peace and room for hope for both Muslim and Christian Palestinians.
The church’s outreach ministries include the International Center of Bethlehem, Dar al-Kalima College, Dar al-Kalima Health and Wellness Center, and the Diyar Academy for Children and Youth. Each of these programs equips local community members to assume a proactive role in shaping a brighter future.
There is a wine and cheese reception at 6:30 p.m. before the concert. Tickets for the event begin at $25. Limited VIP seating is available for $100 per ticket. For $500 guests can enjoy a private pre-conert dinner with Rev. Raheb and
VIP seating for the concert. Go to instrumentsforpeace.eventbrite.com to purchase tickets.
For more information please contact Sue Foran at sforan4@comcast.net. For more information about Bright Stars of Bethlehem, visit brightstarsbethlehem.org.
Congregation meeting
There will be a regular meeting of the congregation on Sunday, June 2, following the 11:00 a.m. service. The main order of business is the approval of the 2013-14 budget. The agenda also includes a report on tower repairs as well as a report from the Volunteers Committee. Come and be a part of an important discussion about mission and ministry here at Grace. A light lunch will be served, and childcare will be available in the church nursery.
Join members of Grace and Harmony Community Church for the Hunger Walk
You can also help the Harmony Food Pantry by participating in the Greater Chicago Food Depository's Hunger Walk. The 5K walk starts at 8:30 a.m. on June 29 along Chicago's Lakefront. For each walker Harmony's food pantry receives $12, which enables the pantry to purchase food for 25 people. If you can't walk, you can sponsor a walker for $12. Grace's walkers will gather at church at 6:30 a.m. and take a bus to the walk site. Be part of the partnership between Grace and Harmony, Pastor James Brooks’ church. For more information, contact Diane Carioscio at diane_carioscio@comcast.net.
Watch a video about last year’s walk. You’ll see some familiar faces.
