Yellow Bag Sundays

August 2019 Yellow Bag Sundays

Each month on the first Sunday you’re encouraged to take home a re-usable yellow grocery bag, put some non-perishable items in it, and bring it back the next week, or soon thereafter.  In August our offering goes to the Covenant Presbyterian Church Food Pantry.  All non-perishable groceries are welcome.  Consider bringing canned meats and canned fruits.

youth

August 2019 Youth Schedules

If you would like to get on the Student Ministry email list for either IGNITE or INSPIRE/WYLDlife, please email your request to Kirk Anderson at kirk@mygpc.org.

IGNITE (All High School aged youth)

  • Sunday School: We celebrate with an open house on August 18 with regular schedule starting September 8.
  • Wednesday Fellowship
    • We start back up with a party and Worship on August 21 at 6:30 pm.
    • Regular Fellowship starting August 28.
    • Schedule (unless otherwise noted)
      • 5 pm Chess club
      • 6:30 – 7:45 pm Fellowship
      • Dinner is tentative at this time.

INSPIRE (All Middle High aged youth)

  • Sunday School: We celebrate with an open house on August 18 with regular schedule starting September 8.
  • Wednesday Fellowship
    • We start back up with a party on on August 21 at 3:30 pm.
    • Regular Fellowship starting August 28.
    • Schedule (unless otherwise noted)
      • 3:20 pm snacks / chill time
      • 3:45 – 4:55 pm Fellowship
      • 5 pm Chess Club

WYLDlife (Middle High Youth)

  • No WYLDlife clubs until September.

 

 

 

bible

Sunday Morning Preaching Schedule for August 2019

August 4          

Catherine Neelly Burton preaches from Luke 12:13-21.  We celebrate the Lord’s Supper in both services.

August 11    

We welcome Jo Ella Homan as our preacher.  Jo Ella serves the Presbyterian Church USA as the regional liaison to the Caribbean.  As our congregation and our presbytery explore partnerships with Presbyterians in Cuba, Jo Ella helps guide us.

August 18       

Catherine Neelly Burton preaches this day from Luke 12:32-40.  We celebrate the start of the school year with the Blessing of the Backpacks in each worship service.

August 25    

On this Sunday a portion of our congregation is on a church retreat.  Therefore, we have only One Worship Service at 10 am in the sanctuary.  Caitlin Hendrix is our preacher this day.  Caitlin is a PCUSA pastor who serves as a chaplain.  She and her family participate in Messy Church.

Grace Presbyterian Church

Sunday Morning Schedule: August 2019

9 am           Worship in the Great Room

11 am         Worship in the Sanctuary

Worship at 9 am is in the Great Room and is led musically by our band.  The style is less formal than the 11 am service.  The 11 am service is in the Sanctuary and is led musically by our choirs.  The style is more traditional.

There is Sunday School for people of all ages on August 18.  There is a class for adults on August 11.  Adults are invited to the Steamer class on August 4 and 25.  Sunday School is at 10 am.

Adults

  • August 11:   All adults are invited to a class with the Reverend Doctor Jo Ella Holman. Jo Ella is the PCUSA mission coordinator for Cuba and the Caribbean. She preaches in both worship services this day.  Sunday School is a chance to hear more about what God is doing through the Presbyterian Church in Cuba.
  • August 18:   People of all ages are invited to the Great Room for a party!  As we look toward the fall the Christian Discipleship team is excited to get us ready for new classes and learning opportunities.
From the Pastor's Desk

From the Pastor’s Desk: July 2019

Dear Grace Community,

I write to you in what is now the hottest week of the summer.  We’ve reached the 100’s.  It’s July so no real surprise.  Our mission trip team is home from Denver, and a group of youth and adults are at the Presbyterian Triennium.  We’re a month removed from a wonderful Vacation Bible School.  The life of the church does not slow down, but the pace changes in the summer.

Staff and volunteer leaders are looking to the 2019-20 church year with great anticipation. Your Session spent many months studying the PCUSA Vital Congregations took-kit. The concept of Vital Congregations moves the focus from church growth to church vitality.

For too long churches have chased the idea of growth. Growth is important, no doubt, but the reality of changing social trends is that almost no churches are growing. This reality can feel defeating if all we focus on is numerical growth. I appreciate the shift to thinking about vitality. Vitality is essential for us as a church.

The PCUSA study walked us through seven types of church vitality. Through our study we recognized that we have strengths and opportunities for growth in each area. The Session has identified two areas to focus on in the coming year, and I look forward to sharing more about this in the coming weeks and months.

In Christ,
Catherine