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 There’s a new place to go on a Saturday night.
House of Grace, a Christian coffeehouse, is open the second and fourth Saturday of each month in the basement social room at Grace Lutheran Church, Sixth Avenue and Main Street, Royersford. The coffeehouse is open from 7 to 10 p.m.
“It’s a great place for people to come who don’t want to go to a bar,” said Kurt Berner, one of the planners of the coffeehouse. House of Grace features live bands, coffee (including espresso and cappuccino) and muffins and snacks.
“We’re unabashedly Christian here,” Berner said. Guests “hear great music and experience the Gospel,” he added.
Berner, who plays in Grace Lutheran’s own worship band, Spirit of Grace, said the band “thought it would be great if we could find places to play.” Looking around the church’s social room - transformed by lowered lighting, small tables, candles and floral arrangements – he said, “We have this great room,” which was underused.
Shortly after the first of the year, he said, a committee began planning the coffeehouse. House of Grace opened Oct. 14, with the “house band,” Spirit of Grace, performing that evening. More than 100 people attended the first night.
The new venue has been so well accepted that bands are booked solid all the way to the end of May. Berner noted that two or three bands call him each week to see about performing at House of Grace. A good mix of bands are booked, he said, some older and some younger. The bands come from as far as northern New Jersey, he added.
“Messenger,” the worship band from St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Obelisk, performed on Nov. 11. Spring City resident Denise Schmidt was enjoying her first time at the coffeehouse, after being invited by a friend who has a friend in the band. “It’s really nice,” she commented, admiring the décor and “the whole general atmosphere.”
“And the people, when we got here, were really friendly,” she added.
Julie Harp, Pottstown, was also visiting House of Grace for the first time. “I love the Lord. I love Christian music,” she said, noting she was glad to “finally have somewhere to go on a Saturday night. She found out about the coffeehouse through a friend “who heard it from a friend,” she said.
Carla Spinozzi, West Norriton, was happy with her first visit, too. She came to House of Grace, she said, “because I’m a Christian and I don’t go out, so this is a nice venue for a Christian person to come to.”
The coffeehouse is staffed by volunteers from the congregation who handle kitchen duties, as well as setup and cleanup. In fact, after the coffeehouse closes at 10 p.m., the room has to be transformed back into a church social room for the 9 a.m. family service held every Sunday.
Joanne Palmer, a member of Grace Lutheran who was volunteering as the greeter on Nov. 11, said, “I think it’s a wonderful ministry to reach people who may not otherwise come to church.”
On Nov. 25, “Angels Wake” will perform. Information about the band can be found on the Web at www.angelswake.com.
That evening will be “Katrina Relief Night.” Grace Lutheran is sending a work team to Ocean Springs, MI, Feb. 17 to 23 to help with rebuilding from Hurricane Katrina. A portion of the proceeds from food and beverage sales at House of Grace on Nov. 25 will help pay expenses for the trip.
Also, everyone who brings a Wal-Mart, Lowe’s or Home Depot gift card, in any denomination, will receive a free espresso, cappuccino or latte. The gift cards will be used the by the work team for supplies once they are in Mississippi, or will be distributed to others who are working on rebuilding their homes and lives.
Dec. 9 will be “Coats for the Homeless” night. Any coat that can be donated is worth a free cup. The band will be “9 Feet Tall.” Information about the band can be found at www.9feettall.com.
For more information about House of Grace visit www.house-of-grace.com or call 610-948-3684. For band and booking information, e-mail berner60@comcast.net or call 610-792-1242.
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