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Grace United Methodist Church Mission: To love God completely and to serve Jesus Christ unselfishly
P. O. Box 446, Union, South Carolina Office: 427-1266
Rev. David Bauknight., Pastor Cell Phone: 803-480-2153
November 2014 From the Pastor Sharing Our Thankfulness
through Commitment
Psalm 1 begins, “The truly happy person doesn’t follow wicked advice, doesn’t stand on
the road of sinners and doesn’t sit with the disrespectful. Instead of doing these things,
these persons love the Lord’s instruction, and
they recite God’s instruction day and night!”
There’s not a question that the Bible declares
the Lord's great power and majesty while also
revealing His deep mercy and love. How worthy is
He of all our wholehearted, passionate submission!!
The question is: Do we readily and willingly always
give it to Him? In other words, have we submitted to
Jesus without reservation?
Complete obedience is a choice to follow
God regardless of the outcome. This means that we
obey the Lord even if our friends choose a different
path, or when suffering, embarrassment, or ridicule is
guaranteed. Seeing His will done is more important
than our own comfort or personal ambition. We
commit everything to God, regardless of the outcome
and cling to His promises: “He will never leave us” (Heb. 13:5), and “He makes good out of every
situation” (Rom. 8:28).
We are in a special month. November
reminds us of our thankfulness for the many blessings
our Loving Heavenly Father has not only offered but
given in abundance. It is also the month we check
our thankfulness by our commitment. Notice this
month’s article title “Sharing Our Thankfulness
through Commitment” Our commitment is not born
of the moment (as in, I commit to follow God in this
instance), but about submission and commitment as
a way of life. It reminds us of the joy God has in
blessing His children, and in return our joy in
passing those blessings along to others. Setting
restrictions on our commitment to God is so
tempting…we want to be able to change our mind
when obeying upsets our lifestyle, or the final result
is unclear, or we're just plain scared. But let me ask
this one sobering question: “If Jesus is really the Lord of our life, do we have the right to limit how
we’ll do His will, when we’ll do His will, or how
much of His will we'll do?”
As believers, disciples, seekers, followers,
and Christians, do we really have a right to set our
own limits? Living faithfully should be centered
around one question, “What does God want me to
do?” The answer at times may cause suffering,
human disappointment, or sorrow, but obedience is
always right. And following God in all things is the
surest path for spiritual growth.
Our challenge is to cling to the promises that have
never failed us and commit to follow our Lord Jesus
because His plan is always right. Alone, our human
strength is limited because we see only dimly, and
we have no real knowledge of what the future holds.
However, we are not alone! We are children of the
King, and with Him all things are possible! Will
you take the next step with me in faith knowing
Who holds tomorrow in His hands? With shoes tied
and a willing spirit to walk in Christ’s promises… Pastor David.
GUMCEP News
Thanks to everyone who came to our Fall Festival! We all had a great time and enjoyed wonderful hotdogs prepared by our dedicated Board. November will be a busy month at GUMCEP beginning with Holiday Pictures taken of the students on Nov. 5th. Students and teachers will attend The Veterans Day Parade on Tuesday, Nov. 11th, Our annual Thanksgiving Luncheon will be on Tuesday, November 25th, for the students and parents. Don’t forget the Consignment Sale to be held on Friday, November 21st, and Saturday, November 22nd. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone from the students, and staff of GUMCEP!
GUMCEP Cookbook Fundraiser
The GUMCEP Cookbook is being printed, and will arrive before Christmas! The cookbook will make great gifts for family and friends. If you would like to reserve one or more copies of this cookbook, please come by GUMCEP, or mail the form below to the church. The cost of the cookbook is $10.00. Checks should be made out to GUMCEP. Thanks for your support in advance.! Name:
___________________________________
Number of Cookbooks _________________
Total amount paid _____________________
Circle Corner
Circle of Hope – 10:00, Nov. 3 - , hostesses - Jane Moore & Cathy Staniewicz
Johnnie Sanders Cir. -
10:00, Nov. 3, Church Parlor
Lucy Lee Shuler Cir. – No Meeting
The United Methodist Women will
have a General Meeting on Tuesday, November 18, 2014, at 6:30 p.m. Spouses and/or significant others are invited to
attend the potluck supper. Meat, rolls, and tea will be provided. Please let your circle chair know if you will be attending by the Friday, November 7. Circle chairs need to let Sheryl Price know by Sunday evening, November 9. We will have a very inspiring guest speaker, Jacqueline Martin, author of "Three Little Birds". She will talk of her journey during the time of their newborn third child's stay and death at MUSC and how God was present during that time. She works with the youth at St. Giles Presbyterian Church in Greenville, South Carolina and her book is available through Amazon.com should anyone want to read it.
Thank you for the
Bean Bag Chairs and Donations
It is with sincere appreciation that we would like to give a hearty thanks to everyone that donated a bean bag chair/s and money for the purchase of bean bag chairs for our MCF/Sonshiners. We know our children will be delighted to have their own comfortable space to enjoy watching the “big screen” tv lesson. Thanks for caring so much about our children’s ministry!
The Action Bible
Are you familiar with the Bible kids just can’t put down? It’s called, “The Action Bible”, and it offers
215 fast-paced narratives in chronological order making it easier to follow the Bible's historical flow. As a compelling blend of clear writing plus dramatic images created by internationally recognized artist, Sergio Cariello, it provides an appeal which crosses all age boundaries. Because this edition draws kids into the excitement of the world's most awesome story, it is an excellent choice for young contemporary readers. For additional ordering information concerning “The Action Bible,” visit Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Focus on the Family, Christian Book, and other online sites. It would make a great Christmas present for any kid! (Just don’t be surprised if you find adults reading it too!)
We are blessed to have two members of the Bauknight family doing God's work here at Grace. Sherry will be working at the church, but a portion of her work will be at home on computer. She has asked that if you need to contact her to either call 803-480-2721 or e-mail her at [email protected]. Grace is "Great and Growing" ! Jerry Lipscomb , SPRC Chair
Day Light Savings Time Ends
Sunday, Nov 2
Young at Heart
Are you YAH (Young at Heart)? YAH is for everyone! Our next gathering will be Wednesday, November 12th, at noon. Why not join us for a fun-loving, birthday/anniversary celebrating time all served up with great food at Andy’s. (Some of us even eat the delicious homemade dessert that Brenda Childers makes, first!) Hope to see you there!
November “Kingdom Tales”
Attention Ladies and Knights ages K5 through 5th Grade The entire month of Novem-ber we will continue our "Kingdom Tales" adventures which lead us right to the very throne room of King Earl, the Undecided. With each session, the king must decide the very best way to solve a problem in the kingdom. To do so, the king seeks the counsel of the kingdom's two most trusted advisers. In the lessons we learn along with King Earl how to help develop the noble character God wants everyone to have! Can’t wait to see you there, Sirs and Ladies!
A “Very Special” 5th
Sunday Program
We are so excited to announce our own Fran Love will be sharing her Emmaus experience with us on Nov. 30th
at 9:30 am for our 5th Sunday program! Fran is an integral part of our Grace UMC family, and a genuine blessing to everyone she meets. It will be an intriguing morning to see the road to Emmaus through her beautiful eyes. Thanks in advance Fran, for not only who you are, but more importantly whose you are! We love you and are looking forward to hearing from you! The Johnnie Sanders Circle will be hosting.
Pink Sunday
On Pink Sunday, October 19th, Pastor Da-vid blessed handmade prayer shawls knit by members of our own UMWs with a moving prayer. Our hearts are warm with gratitude for the precious UMW members who painstakingly make prayer shawls for can-cer and other very ill patients. Because very ill patients often experience a deep spiritual connection with those they know who are praying and caring for them, the value of these shawls become priceless. Thank you for sharing God’s love in such a tangible way.
Be On the Construction Crew: 25 Ways to Build Up Our Church Romans 14:19 states “Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another…” and Ephesians 4:12-13 continues that thought, “to equip the saints for the work of min-istry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ.” Discipleship Resources suggest 25 Ways to build up our Church. 1. Ignite the spiritual fires to your own soul. 2. Carefully study your Bible with the aid of good resource materials. 3. Remember you are the church; the place where you study and worship on is a building. 4. Support your church fellowship with regular attendance. 5. Frequently pray for your church leaders. 6. Look for ways to encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ. 7. Discover your own unique and best method of witnessing to others and do it often. 8. Give freely and generously of your time, talents, money, prayers and witness, remembering all that you have or ever hope to have belongs to God. 9. Believe in your church and speak highly of its accomplishments and possibilities. 10. Systematically invite people to attend study and worship with you on Sunday as well as on other occa-sions. 11. Don't spend a lot of time criticizing others for what your church is not doing. Do something yourself! 12. When you use your church building facilities, seek to leave it better than when you found it. 13. Frequently ask your church leaders, "What can I do to help?" 14. When you are prone to criticize your minister and others, remember that they are human and therefore also make their fair share of mistakes. 15. Refuse to harbor hard feelings toward anyone. 16. When you attend a church business meeting, attend with a Christ-like spirit. Look for the good and the constructive. 17. Encourage frequent and wise use of your church building facilities. 18. Endeavor to get all the facts about events, happenings, and decisions in your church before offering your advice on most subjects. 19. Lend your enthusiastic support to new forms of worship, programming, and outreach. 20. Be an active member of a prayer and work group. 21. When your co-workers do something worthwhile, thank them for what they’ve done. 22. When members sin, love them, forgive them, care for them, and let bygones be bygones. 23. Dare to dream creative and construction dreams of what your church can become. 24. Pursue your creative and constructive dreams for your church as if your church depended on you and you alone. 25. In all things for your Christian life and church, first of all ask, "What would Jesus do." The psalm-ist declared, "My help comes from the Lord." (Psalm 121:3)"I can do all things through Christ who strength-ens me." (Philippians 4:13.) Let’s all seek to speak kindly, to have our speech seasoned with grace, and build up and encourage as we serve God. “Only One Life, Twill Soon Be Past, Only What’s Done For Christ Will Last…” Peace & Joy – Pastor David
Is It Time to Stop Tithing? (Pastoral thoughts worth sharing)
Growing up in church, the concept of tithing was drilled into my little Bryl-creem’d head. We tithed because we were told to. We tithed in response to Jesus dying for us. We tithed because the church would close if we didn’t. I’m not sure if that is what was taught, but it is the principle with which I walked away. As we realize church should be more than a holy huddle, conversations about tith-ing change. The new conventional wisdom says that outsiders think all the church cares about is their cash, so the best way to get them to listen to the Gospel is to stop talking about money. We still believe that true believers should tithe, but we ease them into it. The Prosperity Gospel has driven us further underground. We frown at the idea that we should give because it's the best investment scheme on the planet. Stories of television preachers with airplanes and multiple mansions reinforce our resolve to keep the tithe on the down low. Giving is still a good idea, but only if you’re really, really sure you want to. The last thing we ever want to do is give the impression that anyone is being co-erced. So, I wonder if it's time to drop talking about the tithe altogether? This is not be-cause it's unbiblical or because it's offensive. The problem with the way we’ve talked about tithing is that it completely misses the point. Giving because I’m told to, or because I’m grateful, or because the church needs it aren’t necessarily bad things, they’re just second-ary, really secondary. Giving is about generosity. And generosity opens up the soul. Gen-erosity connects me with God. When I give away what I’ve worked so hard to earn, I begin to understand the Gospel. I begin to experience the heart of God as He sees his son dying on a cross for the sin he did not commit. Generosity is the key to the treasure chest of joy. When I give, I experience just a taste of heaven. Teaching people that giving is about duty, or thankfulness, or responsibility is like getting married because she cooks a mean apple pie, or he’s a great fixer upper. Apple pie is fine and getting all the stuff fixed is great, but marriage is so much more. We talk about percentage giving, and that is fine, but generosity is so much more. Not sharing the joy of generosity because of abusive, selfish folks espousing a false Gos-pel is in fact robbing God’s children of an abundant life. We shouldn’t shy away from talking about money, giving, and generosity. We should talk about it more and more and more, but we have to talk in terms of generosity. Sure, give to the church, and give to the homeless, and give to the mission in Africa. Give a percentage because that will help you crack the shell of selfishness that encases your soul, but don’t stop there. Sometimes I wonder if we’re afraid to teach true generosity (not just supporting the local church, but becoming people who give in every direction) because we have a scarcity mentality…like the idea that if we don’t tithe, the church will shut down. I believe the oppo-site is true; as we learn true generosity and the joy it brings, as the local church becomes at least as generous as the most generous secular givers, the storehouse will overflow. Let’s consider how generous God is and our response. Let’s ask ourselves, “Are we truly grateful for God’s graciousness, and does it show in the way we live and give back to Him?” Pastor David.
You Took My Parking Space
At Church! An eye opener.
One day, a man went to visit a church, He got there early, parked his car and got out. Another car pulled up near the driver got out and said, "I always park there! You took my place!" The visitor went inside for Sunday School, found an empty seat and sat down A young lady from the church approached him and stated, "That's my seat! You took my place!" The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing. After Sunday School, the visitor went into the sanctuary and sat down. Another member walked up to him and said, "That's where I always sit! You took my place!" The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still He said nothing. Later as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood up, and his appearance began to change. Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet. Someone from the congregation noticed him and called out, "What happened to you?" The visitor replied, as his hat became a crown of thorns, and a tear fell from his eye, "I took your place.."
Tuesday, Nov. 25th , 7:00 PM
First Baptist Church
News from UCCOM
The Union County Council on Ministry met on Thursday, September 25th and discussed partnering with local schools in filling backpacks with food and snacks for children that are in need to take home over
weekends. An update was given on the Youth Back to School Bash event that was held at Grace UMC’s Mark’s Park. In addition the following dates and topics were discussed: ….Fun Day at the Bible was scheduled this year for October 19th at Foster Chapel ….Song Fest will be November 2nd at Duncan Acres ….Pulpit Exchange on January 25th ….Salkehatchie is scheduled for June 13th-20th (after UMC ministers return from Annual Conference June 7th-11th.) The UCCOM also voted to donate $500 to Meals on Wheels. Representatives were then asked to bring their VBS themes and dates to upcoming meetings in order to discuss offering more variety to community children. The next meeting was rescheduled for October 30th to help alleviate demands on our churches’ and their representative’s busy holiday schedules. We are incredibly blessed to have a Union County Council on Ministry whose goal it is to come together to cooperate for the good of our community!
UMC market
UMCmarket is The United Methodist Church’s program for donations through online shopping. UMCmarket has been vetted and proven by The United Methodist Church’s
General Council of Finance and Administration, GCFA, as a new way to create income-streams to our local churches and ministries. All donations acquired through the member’s shopping goes directly to our churches or UMC organizations. UMCmarket is operated by Zebraplace LLC. Our unique transaction engine collects the “invisible” commission every time a member generates a purchase and converts that commission into donations to the organization. Every single transaction might not be of a considerable amount but aggregated over a year it can become significant. Through UMCmarket, the vendor’s commission will go back as a donation to our members’ home churches or other organizations within The United Methodist Church. This becomes money that now can be used where help is needed the most! If you have any general questions or need help with your umcmarket.org experience, please feel free to open a ticket under "My Page", or email our customer service team at [email protected]. If you would like more information about UMCmarket and The United Methodist Church connection, please email [email protected] or [email protected]
Loyalty Dinner on November 16th
Our Loyalty Dinner this year will be catered by Midway Barbeque and served right after church on November 16th. The cost will be $8 per person $4 for children 2 - 10 yrs old. Please pay for your meal at the door. Also, watch your bulletins for the sign-up/ tear off section to help us get a head count for Midway. We look forward to a time of joy, laughter, and fellowship as we give thanks to Him for His great faithfulness and commit to honor ours!
Welcome to the Grace Family !
Amber & Keith Ivey Peyton & Addison Lakeside Drive Union, SC 29379 864-466-5393
Blaise and Gage Ham Sons of Josh Ham 662 Oakland Road Union, SC 29379 864-427-4589 How blessed we are to have the opportunity to share Christ with all of our new baptized and full members!
Convenient Bulletin Sign-up/Tear-offs
for Fund Raisers and
Dinners
For your convenience, our bulletins now have a convenient tear off section so our members can sign-up for Fund Raisers and Dinners. You may wait until you get home to cut it off with scissors and bring it back, or simply fold it back and forth a few times creasing with your fingers and it will tear right off! You may then place it in the offering plate or in the Convenient Drop-off Box on the Welcome Table (in the Education Building), whichever is the most convenient for you!
Offering Report as of October 26, 2014 2014 Budget $358,819.48 Needed to Meet Budget Y-T-D 296,715.91 Budget Rec’d Y-T-D 277,595.84 Budget Surplus/Deficit Y-T-D -19,120.07 Weekly Offering Needed 6,900.37 Offering Rec’d Last Week 5,028.00 Expenses Y-T-D 282,712.59 Unbudgeted Fund Bal. Y-T-D 58,995.75 Unbudgeted Expenses Y-T-D 61,545.95
Stewardship Report
Because We Care
Eden Terrace, Spbg, SC: Mary Hodge
Providence Place, PA: Catherine Cooksey
Savannah Grace-Palms,
of Mt. Pleasant, SC: Judith Eversman
NHC, Laurens, SC: Cornelia Huggins
Easley, SC: Eleanor Hawkins
Heartland Residential: Ruth Gregory,
Betty Lidkea & Mary Jo Rogers
Heartland Nursing: Lib Ruff
Ellen Sagar Nursing: Neely Beaty
Lib Johns
Choir Rehearsals: 7:30 pm Wed., Nov. 5, 12, & 19 4:00 pm Sun., Nov. 2, 9, 16 & 23
Bells of Grace: 5:45 pm Nov. 2, 9 ,16, &
On-line Prayer Requests
You can now submit a prayer request for a friend or loved one via the Grace web-site! Just go to www.graceunion.org, look on the left-hand column on the front page of the site, and submit your prayer request using the short form provided, including : 1. Your name. 2. Your e-mail address. 3. Prayer Title is the name of a person or reason you are requesting prayer. 4. Prayer details include any details you wish to share about person or reason. 5. Select a category that addresses your request. Then submit! Your request will show up under the "Prayer" icon on the web-site and will be shared with our church family as well as community members who are visiting our web-site. Help us as we strive to be better Prayer Warriors!
Youth News
Saturday, November 1st, Grace Youth are going to Asbury Hills for their Fall Festival, a day of fun and adventure. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains,
Asbury Hills offers their activities for free that day. Youth will need money for both lunch and supper. We’ll be leaving Grace at 8a.m., eating lunch at Asbury Hills, eating dinner on the way back and arriving at Grace around 8p.m. A Liability Release is required to be signed (go to asburyhills.org or pick up from Preston). Closed-toe shoes are also required for those participating in the activities. Space for 12 youth and 1-2 Chaperones are available on the bus.
Youth Sunday is November 9th. We are excited that our Youth are sharing in the entire service and the focus is on their most recent Bible Study series “Modern Parables”. Plan now to come and participate with our Youth.
Speaking of Loyalty……. (a “little” from all of us goes a long,
yes a very long way…………………………!)
Did you know that if just 75 people gave $5.00 more a week, it would equal $19,500 more per year! Let’s place our focus on what God can do with just a little more from all of us!
Life Line Screening
Grace is pleased to offer a preventive health event. Life Line Screening, a leading provider of community-based preventive health screenings, will host their affordable, non-invasive and painless health screenings on 11/8/2014. Five screenings will be offered that scan for potential health problems related to: blocked arteries; abdominal aortic aneurysms; hardening of the arteries in the legs; atrial fibrillation or irregular heart beat; and a bone density screening for men and women. Register for a Wellness Package which includes 4 vascular tests and osteoporosis screening. All five screenings take 60-90 minutes to complete. Call 1-888-653-6441 for cost and registering.
Secret Santa Begins 2014 Drive
Secret Santa begins their 2014 sponsorship drive on Nov 4. This year we have approximately 300 children to sponsor. If you are interested in sponsoring or know someone who would be, please contact Brooke and Brad Valentine at [email protected] or call Brooke at 426-2776 and leave a message. Drop off dates for gifts will begin on Dec 1 and run through Dec. 13. If you are interested in parlor sitting from 4:00—5:00 Mon-Thurs and Fri from 12:00—5:00., please either contact the church office or Brooke.
Text Message Reminders:
If you are not currently receiving text messages as reminders for upcoming church activities, please share your cell phone number with us by contacting the church office at 427-1266 or by e-mailing it to Dale Goff at [email protected]. We are currently sharing reminders with 45 members, but we would like to share with EVERYONE who receives text messages. Please be sure to include your area code. Help us get the word out about the AMAZING things going on at Grace!
“Let them praise him with dancing and
make music to him with tambourine and
harp.” Proverbs 149:3
Come and join us in celebrating Christ through interpretive Dance! We would love to perform for the congregation at Christmas time, so practices will begin soon! Everyone is welcome to join us! If you are interested in participating please contact Amber Ivey at 466-5393.
Convenience Drop Box We have 2 convenient drop boxes on the Welcome Table for our members! These boxes are for those who come by when the Church Office is closed or the staff is busy. Paper clips, pens, paper and envelopes are available for your use.
Hanging of the Greens Service November 30
th
The Hanging of the Greens is a service for the first Sunday in Advent. It is based on the English tradition of decorating the home with wreaths, garlands, a Christmon tree, and evergreens for Advent and Christmas. In a church setting, it readies the sanctuary (and church members) for the season. Almost 2,000 years ago, the story goes, a clutch of sleepy shepherds were watching over their sheep on a star-brightened hillside in Palestine. It was a still, uneventful night. Suddenly the darkness was filled with a strange light. The stillness was broken by angel voices singing “Glory to God in the Highest, on earth peace, goodwill to all.” So begins Christmas, the most beautiful and meaningful celebration of the Christian calendar. Christmas actually begins with Advent, the season through which we move. Both the seasons of Advent - the season of “going toward” the birth of Christ – and Christmas have a long history. These seasons and their customs have developed through many centuries and many countries. Old customs and observances are refined, renewed, replaced; new ones are added. Some of our customs have pagan origins but have been “converted” by redefining their meanings. What is significant for us is not what they once have meant but rather what they mean for us today. On November 30th, our “Hanging of the Greens” service will mark when Grace UMC begins to wear its Christmas apparel. For the first time our Christmon tree will stand in the sanctuary. This day for the first time, its lights will shine for us. As we make ready for the birth of the child by preparing our sanctuary, we make ready ourselves and the sanctuary of our own hearts. We are mindful that, although it is not Christmas yet, it will be here soon, very soon.
Ummm! We can just taste our UMW’s wonderful cookies!
We are definitely looking forward to the UMW’s delicious Christmas cookies and hot chocolate served on December 7th as refreshments after the Children’s Christmas Play. We are asking that the cookies be brought to the church by 12pm on that day. Thank you UMWs for using your gifts to help celebrate the Christmas Season with our church family! You do so much for all of us!
Duncan Acres will host Annual UCCOM Song Fest
Always a delight to attend, the Song Fest hosted by Duncan Acres United Methodist Church will be held on November 2nd at 6:30. Choirs, duets, and soloists will gather to praise God as they sing selections from their individual churches’
repertoire. If you need your spirit lifted, remember to mark your calendar for this inspiring evening!
Fun Day at the Bible Aptly Named
On October 19th, Johnnie Sinclair graciously drove his merry band of five to Foster’s Chapel United Methodist Church to enjoy the Fun Day at the Bible. While there, participants Ben and Noel Johnston, Peyton Ivey, and Allie Owens were im-mersed in sessions that helped reinforce their knowledge of the story of Noah. Chil-dren began by singing and then rotated to three more sessions of games, crafts, and the Bible story. The evening was finalized with delicious pizza and a few more playful minutes on what Allie Owens described as an “awesome playground”! Next year, we look forward to adding more children to our merry band! Thanks Mr. Johnnie for taking your time to transport and entertain us!
Old Fashioned Children’s Christmas Play on the Horizon
Our very talented and busy Children’s Ministry Team is planning an “Old Fashioned Children’s
Christmas Play for us on December 7th at 6pm. Please come out and support our precious Grace kids as they help to refocus our attention on “The Birth of Jesus”. This evening promises to honor the most cherished gift ever given on earth through the theatrics of children. We hope you can join us! You will certainly be blessed!
Singing Around the
Christmas Tree It’s nearly time for one of the highlights of the Christmas season! On Sunday, December 7th at 5:30pm, Grace’s own accomplished group, Gospel Grass, will lead us in singing Christmas carols around the Christmas tree. As we open this season with love, joy, peace on earth, and goodwill from God toward men, let us take this time to lift our hearts heavenward with songs of praise and gratitude. Thanks “Gospel Grass” for pointing us toward Him by continuing to share your wonderful gifts!
White Christmas Each year Grace UMC takes the amazing opportunity to prepare 30 food baskets to help families in need with a wonderful Christmas meal they would otherwise not be able to enjoy. As we sit around our Christmas tables full of God’s gracious bounty, let us not forget those less fortunate than ourselves. Very soon boxes will be place around the church for collection of non-perishable food items from our members. You may also contribute by making a check payable to Grace United Methodist Church with “White Christmas” placed in the “For” line. From this fund, we will purchase, bread, fruit, and hams a little closer to the delivery time. We will pray that our gifts truly offer a bit of “White Christmas” to our fellow brethren! Thanks in advance for your participation in this meaningful ministry. If you are interested in helping fill or deliver the boxes, please contact the church office.
