Have you ever read the Bible all the way through? From cover to cover?

It’s quite an undertaking, and an impressive feat fewer people have

accomplished than you might think. As Christian people we have a high

view of scripture, we think of the Bible as God’s Word, and we recognize

it as our best tool for understanding who God is and who we are in God.

Yet many of us may not be in the habit of reading scripture on a regular

basis. Fewer than that regularly participate in studying the Bible with

other believers in a structured or systematic way. And fewer still may

claim to have read the entirety of the Holy Word.

If we, as a body of believers in Jesus Christ, were to think of the

foundation of our Christian faith together consisting of worship, prayer,

community, service, and study, we probably wouldn’t be wrong to think

that study often gets easily overlooked in the midst of our daily

obligations.

Recognizing the challenge of attempting to read and study the scriptures

in isolation, your church has provided the means for learning together

with others what the Bible has to say to the believer about the nature of

God and God’s relationship with us.

Join us in 2020 as we read through the Bible as a congregation, using the

2020 Plan available from Crystal in the church office. Together we will

read a specific passage of scripture each day of the year and gather

together every couple of months to reflect on what we are reading and

learning in the process.

Then we hope you will join us for one of our Bible study groups. The

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

2 Fellowship Team /

Worship Team

3 Social Justice Team

4 Administrative Team

5 Grace Notes / Women of

Grace

6 Women’s Bible Study /

Prayer List

7 Liturgist / Usher / G-I-B

Schedules

8 Birthdays / Anniversaries

January 2020

Volume 14 Issue 1

Grace 2 U Newsletter

A Quarterly Publication of

Grace Presbyterian Church

Dawsonville, GA

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Then we hope you will join us for one of our

Bible study groups. The adult Bible study class

meets every Sunday morning at 9:30 and is led

by Bible teacher Bob Thornton. We also have a

ladies’ Bible study every Tuesday morning at

10:30 under the leadership of Margie O’Byrne.

May your 2020 be filled with grace and peace

and many good things, and may you devote

yourself to the study and understanding of the

Word of God this year and beyond.

Grace to you,

David

THE FELLOWSHIP TEAM

Our annual picnic after church on Sunday,

September 29, 2019, at the Rock Creek Park

was a huge success. The annual Thanksgiving

meal after the Kirking of the Tartans was

enjoyed by all and the tartan table runners

were a bonus to the decorations. Thank you to

all who helped decorate, serve, brought a

dessert or dish, and helped with the cleanup.

Remember to check the food for the parlor

calendar and the flowers for the sanctuary

calendar and sign up for one or the other or

maybe both, and we thank all of you for being

gracious hosts.

Blessings,

Ruth Ann Ball

Fellowship Team Chairman

WORSHIP TEAM

Grace to you from the Worship Team!

Triumph! Kirking of Tartans was a huge success-

what a great team effort. I cannot say enough

about the fabulous members of Grace Church

that helped. I do want to recognize the

members of the Worship Team. They are Doris

Greijack, Hanne Gear, Nancy McCue, Christy

Jordan, Nancy McNeill, Carol Watkins, Gene

Seese, Joyce Ball, Margie O’Byrne, and Marsha

Loftin.

A special thanks to Carol Watkins for herding

everyone at the front of the church and getting

us in the correct order to enter the church. She

made it look easy but trust me, it’s not.

Thank you for all the work you guys do for

Grace Presbyterian Church!

In addition to the Worship Team, there was a

huge participation from the congregation to

make the celebration a success. The altar boys

and girls, the bag piper James Rutmann, and

Margaret for conducting calling the clans. Also,

thank you to the clan members and our guest

musicians.

The congregation was even kind enough to

stand out in front of the church for a group

picture. The pictures have been posted to

Grace’s Facebook page. They turned out great!

Have you noticed our choir has grown a little?

Thank you, TJ Hageli, for joining the choir and

sharing your voice. If any member of the

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congregation is interested in joining the choir,

please see Gene after the service.

In addition to the Kirking, we had the Hanging

of the Green service. You can tell this was a

boundless achievement simply by looking

around the sanctuary. One simply cannot ignore

the Christmas feeling that comes when looking

at our tree, the poinsettias, or Advent candles.

A special thanks to the members who came in

and organized everything for us the day before.

They are: Carol Watkins, Joe Fortune, Joey

Homans, David Jordan, Joann Keller, and

Marsha Loftin.

God Bless You! Merry Christmas and Happy

New Year!

Mark Hageli

SOCIAL JUSTICE TEAM

Each Team Leader and each Team member on

Social Justice is a blessing to Grace Presbyterian

Church. They volunteer their time, talent, and

treasures to work so diligently for Christ.

GRACE-IN-A-BOX: Team Leader Bill Keller (and

Wayne) and their volunteers packed and

distributed 185 meals plus fresh fruit, water,

and a newspaper this fourth quarter.

December totals not in yet.

NGAL: Team Leader David Jordan continued to

lead worship and share communion at the

North Georgia Assisted Living Home with

volunteers from our congregation the first

Sunday of each month. The SJ team led a Bible

Study with the residents the first Saturday each

month. The residents look forward to this

interaction. We gave small Halloween,

Thanksgiving, and Christmas gifts to them.

NOA: Team Leader Betty Powell and her

volunteers did a wonderful job serving delicious

dinners on the third Wednesday of each month

to the No One Alone group. We are grateful,

also, to Kristie Myers for sharing her talents on

the first Wednesday of each month.

RAINBOW GIRLS: The Social Justice Team

hosted the Rainbows Girls at Amicalola Falls

Lodge for a Christmas lunch and party on

December 8. A big Christmas tree, a delicious

food buffet, and beautifully decorated tables

set the scene for Grace to show the girls the

love of Jesus Christ. With fellowship, laughter,

and joy - and, of course, Christmas gifts –

everyone enjoyed the day! Special thanks to

each of the team members for making this

happen.

RIC RACK: Team Leaders Shelby Lee and Ruth

Ann Ball worked hard at Ric Rack this quarter

along with many volunteers! Thanks to our

Grace family we gave 220 pounds of food so far

this quarter.

MIXED BAG: We cleaned up Allen Street; we

assisted Randy Davis’s team with the Good

Samaritan Christmas boxes.

I have thoroughly enjoyed being your Elder

these last 3 years. It has been such a blessing to

work with you, my church family! Thank you

from the bottom of my heart, and May God

Bless You in all you do.

My Wonderful Team Members:

Francis and Ruth Ann Ball

Mike and Joyce Ball

Elaine and Ron Coker

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John and Sandy Grimes

David and Christy Jordan

Bill & Joann Keller

Shelby Lee

Betty Powell

Bob & Peggy Thornton

Tom and Barbara Quintrell

Carol (& Wayne) Watkins

Sherry and Bill Weeks

ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM

Grace Presbyterian Financials

Statement of Activity Report.

• Tithes and Offerings. January-November

2019, $212,145 vs January-November

2018, $216,698,

-$4,552.

Comments on budget.

• Total Revenues January-November 2019,

$238,802 vs January-November 2018,

$224,586 + $14,215.

Comments: Reason for increase, New

Face for Grace 2 donations of $21,770.

• Net Revenues January-November 2019,

$24,748 vs January-November 2018,

$20,483 + $4,264.

Comments: Net revenues are up due to

New Face for Grace donations.

• Statement of Financial Position

Checking account amount January-

November 2019, $169,916 versus to

January-November 2018, $144,327 +

$25,588.

Comments: Reason for increase Bourbon

Street Communion Grant and New Face

for Grace donation.

Building and Grounds.

• Safety/Security Program.

Thanks for the research, pricing and

recommendation of the Medical Project

team, Bob Thornton, Team Leader, a

defibrillator was purchased and was

installed on the hallway wall of the

administrative/classroom wing.

• New Face for Grace 2.

Thanks for your generous funding

support for the New Face for Grace 2.

Update on the completion of the New

Face for Grade 2 Projects.

1. The Sanctuary pews upholstery was

deep cleaned on December 19th. Joe

Fortune, project leader, obtained

pricing and scheduled the work.

2. Replace the carpeting in the

administrative/classroom wing with

vinyl flooring. Randy Davis, project

leader, has confirmed materials and

labor pricing and will schedule work

asap.

3. Paint the exterior of the building.

Project will be delayed until weather

is warmer in 2020.

Project leader Gordon Brand.

Gordon Brand

Elder

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GRACE NOTES

I just remembered how difficult it is to

remember to write out the correct year once

January rolls around. A new decade to boot

(well, not technically but I’ll not get into

that…�), now I must remember it’s the

twenties, not the teens! I find change is the

only constant I can always count on.

Speaking of changes, we all know about the

capital campaign we just completed for

refurbishing the back and deep cleaning the

pews. Thanks to an anonymous donation, in

addition to these changes, we were able to

purchase a new Clavinova for the sanctuary to

replace our aging digital keyboard. We now

have two very fine and quality instruments to

use as we move into the Lenten season and we

could not be more excited!

You have probably noticed some changes to our

choir as well. I want to take a quick moment to

thank John and Sandy Grimes for their years of

service to the choir as members and librarians.

They both decided it was time to retire from the

chancel choir this year. They were an immense

help to me when I came to Grace and they will

be missed greatly in the choir loft. I expect to

hear great hymn singing from the pews

wherever they are! Also, Randy Davis will be

stepping aside this year as he will be going

through some medical procedures. We wish

him success and a quick recovery and anticipate

his return to the choir.

Change can be a good thing and sometimes

change is hard, but it is the one constant in our

lives, and I embrace it when it comes as it

always has something to teach. My prayer for

you is when change comes into your lives, know

that it is His hand that guides it and us always.

Happy New Year!

P.S. Join the choir! (You knew I couldn’t end a

newsletter without asking that)

Grace2U,

Gene

On December 6th, eighteen Ladies of Grace

enjoyed a delightful trip to Sautee Nacoochee

for lunch at Bernie’s Restaurant, shopping at

the General Store, and a tour of the Hardman

Farm Historic Site. We were able to get into the

holiday spirit as we viewed the house which was

decorated for a Victorian Christmas. Our next

luncheon is scheduled for Tuesday, January 21st

at 12:30 in the church fellowship hall. This

luncheon is being hosted by the Liturgical Arts

team. The Ladies Bible Study group will be

hosting the February 18th luncheon. Please be

sure to mark your calendars. All Ladies of Grace

are invited to join us as we enjoy good food and

fellowship.

Peggy Thornton.

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The Ladies Bible Study is currently studying

Discovering the Bible, a New Generation. We

meet on Tuesday mornings at 10 for prayer

concerns and our lesson begins at 10:30. We

conclude at noon. We welcome any women to

join us! Come some Tuesday and see if you

don’t enjoy fellowship with good-hearted

women and learn something new. We would

love to have you join us! -Margie O’Byrne

Grace Folks,

We need your help updating the church

directory. If you would like to edit your contact

information or be included in the updated

directory, please complete the form provided

each Sunday beginning in January. You can send

updated pictures and info to

gp2@trailwave.net.

The 2020 edition will be available in February.

In Our Prayers: The Aliucci Family (Hageli Family),

Osvaldo Alonso (Suehelen White), Francis and

Ruth Ann Ball, Michelle Blair, Susan Bruno (Jo

West), Lee Bueno, Becky Burger (Janie Mori),

Chase Busby, Bill Cain, Caleb (Hubert’s Nephew),

Becky Crownover (Friend of Marsha Loftin), Jan &

David (Chris Seese), Debbie, Katy Dennis, Amanda

Edwards (Grace Walden), Gray Family (Joe

Fortune), Bill Gear (Hanne Gear), Marty Goodman

(Margie O’Byrne), Donna Greene (Marsha Loftin),

Sandy Grimes, Rachel Hageli (Sister of Mark

Hageli), Paula Harris, Marian Hopkins, Marty

Horne, Tate Ingram, Robin Jackson’s Family

(Relative of John Grimes), Amy Gibson’s Family,

Donna Greene (Marsha), Carol Ann Groebner,

Gwyn Hamie (Margie), Joan (sister of Paula

Halteman), Doug Jones (Margie’s brother),

Winfred Kelley, Louise Kelly (Chris Seese), Lamar

(Richard Smith), Rich LeDuke (Father of Dana

Loring), Shelby Lee, Lori Lemleigh, Linda (Mal

Zajac), Sarah Logan, Lucas (Nephew of Dana

Loring), Andrew McPherson, Nancy McNeill,

Chuck & Diane Piatt, Ann Quandt , Chris Seese,

Nancy Stamp (niece of Grace Walden), Emily

Steinemetz (Granddaughter of Hanne Gear), Kyle

Styron (Marsha Loftin), Brad Taylor, Tricia (Sherry

Weeks), David Trombly (Kathy Westra), Vernon

(Reed Maurer), Judy Wadsworth, Tom Whalen

(Davida), Karan Winters (Mary Ann Sheehy),

Tommy Wright (Susan Atkins), Barbara Zajac’s

family, Kara Zajac

Nursing Home/Rehab: Marilyn Dreier, Betty

Rhodes

Sympathy: The family of Larry Harris

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GGGGRACE IN ARACE IN ARACE IN ARACE IN A BOX SCHBOX SCHBOX SCHBOX SCHEDULEEDULEEDULEEDULE Grace-in-a Box and its Volunteers continues

to support our community thru the

Churches Meals Program(G.I.B.)

January

2nd– Bill and Joann Keller (9:00-11:00am)

Joe Fortune (1:30-5:30 pm)

9th – Sherry Weeks (9:00-11:00am)

Andrew McPherson (1:30-5:30 pm)

16th – Peggy Thornton (9:00-11:00 am)

Vic Wallace (1:30-5:30 pm)

23rd– Randy Davis (9:00-11:00 am)

Elaine Coker (1:30-5:30 pm)

30th – Doug Powell (9:00-11:00 am)

Jim Hambright (1:30-5:30 pm)

February

6th– Nancy King (9:00-11:00 am)

Elaine Coker (1:30-5:30 pm)

13th– Joan Davis (9:00-11:00 am)

Tom Quintrell (1:30-5:30 pm)

20th– Robert Ivy (9:00-11:00 am)

Kristie Myers (1:30-5:30 pm)

27th – Bill & Joann Keller (9:00-11:00 am)

Ann Riggs (1:30-5:30 pm)

March

5th- Priscilla Taylor (9:00-11:00 am)

Tom Quintrell (1:30-5:30 pm)

12th – Sherry Weeks (9:00-11:00 am)

Betty Powell (1:30-5:30 pm)

19th– Doug Powell (9:00-11:00 am)

Andrew McPherson (1:30-5:30)

26th– Peggy Thornton (9:00-11:00 am)

Vic Wallace (1:30-5:30)

REMINDER: ALSO: Please remember that on the day you

volunteer, you are asked to provide fresh fruit

to go with the box meals.

USHER/GREETER/LITURGIST SCHEDULE

Liturgists:Liturgists:Liturgists:Liturgists: Ushers:Ushers:Ushers:Ushers:

January January January January JanuaryJanuaryJanuaryJanuary

1111////5555 CoCoCoCommunmmunmmunmmuniiiioooon n n n SeSeSeSerrrrvers:vers:vers:vers: Bill & Joann Keller, Marsha Loftin Bill & Joann Keller, Marsha Loftin Bill & Joann Keller, Marsha Loftin Bill & Joann Keller, Marsha Loftin

1111////5555 Randy DavisRandy DavisRandy DavisRandy Davis Bill & JBill & JBill & JBill & Joann Kelleroann Kelleroann Kelleroann Keller

1111/ / / / 12121212 JoJoJoJoey Homansey Homansey Homansey Homans Bonnie FryBonnie FryBonnie FryBonnie Fry & & & & Mary Ann Sheehy Mary Ann Sheehy Mary Ann Sheehy Mary Ann Sheehy

1111////19191919 Paula Harris Paula Harris Paula Harris Paula Harris Jim Jim Jim Jim Hambright & Hambright & Hambright & Hambright & Margie OMargie OMargie OMargie O’’’’ByrneByrneByrneByrne

1111////26262626 Margie OMargie OMargie OMargie O’’’’ByrneByrneByrneByrne Michael & Joyce Michael & Joyce Michael & Joyce Michael & Joyce Ball Ball Ball Ball

LiturgLiturgLiturgLiturgiiiiststststs:s:s:s: Ushers:Ushers:Ushers:Ushers:

FebruaryFebruaryFebruaryFebruary FebruaryFebruaryFebruaryFebruary

2222////2222 Communion Servers: Communion Servers: Communion Servers: Communion Servers: Jim Jim Jim Jim Hambright, Margie OHambright, Margie OHambright, Margie OHambright, Margie O’’’’Byrne, Byrne, Byrne, Byrne,

Grace Walden, Carol WatkinsGrace Walden, Carol WatkinsGrace Walden, Carol WatkinsGrace Walden, Carol Watkins

2222////2222 Grace WaldenGrace WaldenGrace WaldenGrace Walden Bob & Peggy Bob & Peggy Bob & Peggy Bob & Peggy Thornton Thornton Thornton Thornton

2222////9999 Joyce BallJoyce BallJoyce BallJoyce Ball Gordon & Jeannette Brand Gordon & Jeannette Brand Gordon & Jeannette Brand Gordon & Jeannette Brand

2222////16161616 Kristie HomansKristie HomansKristie HomansKristie Homans Joey & Kristie HJoey & Kristie HJoey & Kristie HJoey & Kristie Homans omans omans omans

2222////23232323 Peggy ThorntPeggy ThorntPeggy ThorntPeggy Thorntonononon Marsha Loftin & Betty Powell Marsha Loftin & Betty Powell Marsha Loftin & Betty Powell Marsha Loftin & Betty Powell

LitLitLitLiturgisurgisurgisurgists:ts:ts:ts: Ushers:Ushers:Ushers:Ushers: MarchMarchMarchMarch March March March March

3/13/13/13/1 Communion Servers:Communion Servers:Communion Servers:Communion Servers: GGGGordon Brand, Dick & Naordon Brand, Dick & Naordon Brand, Dick & Naordon Brand, Dick & Nancy McNency McNency McNency McNeillillillill

3/13/13/13/1 Bob Thornton Bob Thornton Bob Thornton Bob Thornton Dick & Nancy McNeill Dick & Nancy McNeill Dick & Nancy McNeill Dick & Nancy McNeill

3333/8/8/8/8 Grace Walden Grace Walden Grace Walden Grace Walden Dan & Jane MillerDan & Jane MillerDan & Jane MillerDan & Jane Miller

3/153/153/153/15 Randy DavisRandy DavisRandy DavisRandy Davis Mark & Shannon Hageli Mark & Shannon Hageli Mark & Shannon Hageli Mark & Shannon Hageli

3/223/223/223/22 Joey HomansJoey HomansJoey HomansJoey Homans Warren & Nancy Warren & Nancy Warren & Nancy Warren & Nancy King King King King

3/293/293/293/29 Margie OMargie OMargie OMargie O’’’’Byrne Byrne Byrne Byrne Sam & JuSam & JuSam & JuSam & Judy Wadsworth dy Wadsworth dy Wadsworth dy Wadsworth

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MarchMarchMarchMarch

6th – Paula & Howard Halteman

20th – Sherry & Bill Weeks

21st – Janie & Hubert Tinsley

January Birthdays

3rd – John Joh

12th – Linda Clemons

16th – Don Boney

18th – Penny Kelley

24th – Nancy McCue

24th – Cecile McGuire

30th – Tom Quintrell

February Birthdays

1st –Barb Ritcheson

9th – Rebecca Rainey

15th – Marsha Loftin

15th – Priscilla Taylor

16th – Fran Dimick

16th – Janice Dunbar

16th – Judy Manke

17th – Margie O’Byrne

20th – Chris Seese

21st –Rachael Lorenz

March Birthdays

1st – Richard Smith

7th – Joyce Ball

9th – Joe Fortune

10th – Ron Coker

12th – Kay Parrish

18th – Kathy Westra

18th – Marian Hopkins

20th – Jim Hambright

21st – Scott Vickery

30th – Jane Miller