RECENT EVENTS This year the Free Neighborhood School Supply Give-away was a huge success. Once again, Jeannette and her team will gave away school supplies to school aged children. This year the team provided assistance to 30 families. Thanks to Loretta, Darrell, Sharmella and Micah. Pastor David used some of the time to speak with people and share the message of the Gospel. Special thanks to our brothers and sisters from Mt. Pleasant Church of God. Brittany and Zack made the trip from Dillsburg to help out and bring donations. UPCOMING EVENTS OUR MEMBERS SAY Hello, my name is Loretta and I have been a member of Community of Grace since November of 1999. I believe I could write a book about why everyone should come to Community of Grace to worship God but that is not feasible at this time. I've chosen one aspect of my Community of Grace experience to share with you and what I want everyone who visits this web site to know is that Community of Grace is a great Bible teaching church. Pastor David is passionate about the Word of God. He teaches the never changing, everlasting, inspired word of God in such a way that we've become well equipped Christians, able to live out what we believe and walk in faith and in obedience to God's commandments. He trains us to be disciples, to go out among the people of the world and spread the living Word, the gospel of Jesus Christ. If you want to know that you know you're living the Christian life come to Community of Grace, sit under Pastor David who is called to teach and peach. NEWS YOU CAN USE Pay What You wish Wednesdays Philadelphia Museum of Art 2600 Benjamin Franklin parkway Philadelphia, PA 19130 215-763-8100 Main building is open until 8:45 PM Website Philadelphia Museum of Art Terror Behind The Walls First time attending Terror Behind the Walls? Here's some helpful information: Terror Behind the Walls is located inside the massive castle-like walls of Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, PA. Now in its 22nd year, Terror Behind the Walls is consistently ranked among the top haunted attractions in the country. You can get an idea of what to expect on our preview page. Before visiting, be sure to check out our FAQ page. It includes information about when to arrive, where to park, how to get a discount, and much more. You may also want to consider upgrading to a VIP experience or booking a dinner or hotel package if you're visiting from out of town. And finally, don't forget that buying online is ALWAYS the cheapest and most convenient way to purchase Terror Behind the Walls tickets, guaranteed. Save time and money, and purchasing in advance is the only way to guarantee entry to the event. See you in the cellblocks soon! Eastern State Penitentiary 22nd & Fairmount Streets Philadelphia, PA 19130 215-236-3300 September 19, 2014- November 2, 2014 Website Terror Behind The Walls Fall Foliage in Philadelphia Pennsylvania is an Autumn paradise and what better place to see spectacular seasonal colors than right here in our own backyard. Literally, in our backyards. Fairmount Park is the largest urban park in the USA and is home to some of the most amazing trees, bushes and flowers ever seen. From the river views on Martin Luther King Drive and Kelly Drive to the scenic vistas atop Georges Hill to the splendor of Benjamin Franklin Parkway, one has only a short trip to revel in the best the season has to offer. Now's the time to go out and see Mother Nature show off in our wonderful city! The brand new Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk is amazing. Philadelphia’s fantastic outdoor spaces continue to grow with the opening of the Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk in Fall 2014. Overview Extending the popular Schuylkill River Trail, the Boardwalk is a 2,000-foot-long concrete pathway along the shoreline from Locust Street another four blocks south to connect to the South Street Bridge. The pathway connects to the South Street Bridge via a 460-foot-long ramp that provides pedestrian, bicycle and ADA-compliant access to the Schuylkill River Trail. The riverside path is 15-feet wide and includes four scenic overlooks for those who want to relax and take in spectacular waterfront views of the Philadelphia Skyline. This is a huge addition to the Schuylkill River Trail. The trail is easily one of the most-used parks in Center City Philadelphia, with more than 19,000 users every week. The trail is already popular with runners, walkers and bikers, and the boardwalk is going to be another excellent addition to the park’s repertoire, connecting the trail to University City and beyond. The boardwalk extends the existing Schuylkill River Trail from Locust Street to the South Street Bridge. The extension had to happen via an over-the-water boardwalk because there was not sufficient space for the trail to continue over land along this portion of the trail on account of active railroad tracks. Access Points There are three access points to the boardwalk. The first is the access point at Locust Street, the current southern end of the trail. When the boardwalk opens on October 2, the on-land trail will seamlessly connect to the over-the-water boardwalk here and run to the South Street Bridge. There are two access points on the South Street Bridge: a 460′ long ramp for bikes connects to the north side of the South Street Bridge, while a stairtower for pedestrians connects the boardwalk to the south side of the bridge. Length and Width The 2,000-foot-long boardwalk is 15 feet wide and about 50 feet out from shore at its furthest point beyond the tree canopy. Overlooks And Solar-Powered Lights The boardwalk promises four widened overlooks with benches ideal for fishing, taking in the waterfront views and general hanging out. The trail is immensely popular for evening runs and rides, so Schuylkill Banks lined the entire path with solar-powered overhead lights. Website Boardwalk and South Street Ramp Ben Franklin Parkway Philadelphia's answer to the Champs-Elysees features vibrant fall foliage steps away from Center City. The Benjamin Franklin Parkway is lined with trees, forming a canopy of red, orange and yellow over your head in the autumn months. During your stroll, explore some of the world's most renowned museums including the Barnes Foundation, Franklin Institute, Rodin Museum and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Wissahickon Gorge Forbidden Drive runs parallel to Wissahickon Creek, through the heart of Fairmount Park, and got its name when it closed to cars in the 1920s. It offers amazing walking and foliage viewing without leaving the city proper. Morris Arboretum With 92 acres of gardens to explore, Morris Arboretum is a spectacular setting for the beautiful colors of autumn — in fact, Travel Pulse recently named the arboretum one of the five best U.S. gardens to visit this fall. The historic grounds are home to thousands of plants, including gorgeous maples, dogwoods and oaks. Morris Arboretum 100 E. Northwestern Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19118 215-245-5777 Website Morris Arboretum Schuykill River Trail Overview This recreational path runs along the Schuylkill River from Center City Philadelphia, through Valley Forge National Historical Park in Montgomery County and ends in Phoenixville, Chester County. The 26.5-mile trail is a favorite for bicycle clubs, families, runners and walkers. If this loop isn't long enough, continue through the park to link up with the 19-mile Perkiomen Trail, a multi-use path leading to Green Lane Park. The Montgomery County portion of the trail, which starts near the Shawmont neighborhood in Philadelphia, is paved for its entire length. Come Prepared Most of the trail is a 10- to 12-foot wide paved surface with grass shoulders, and gets very busy on weekends. Parking is available at several train stations along the R-6 Norristown line, as well as at Valley Forge Park's Betzwood Picnic Area. But you really don't need a car to enjoy this trail, since it's easily accessible by public transit. Taking your bike up to Norristown by train is a great option, because you can hop right on the trail for an easy ride up to the park, or back to Philadelphia. Website Schuykill River rail