We bless backpacks in worship on Sunday, August 20, at 9:00 and 11:00 am. We offer a blessing to students, teachers, and school staff as they prepare for the new school year. Children and teachers may bring their school bags to their service, but it’s not required. God’s blessings know no walls, and they will make it to their intended place!
The Adult Sunday School class continues at 10:05 am in the Grace Parlor. Our study is Ways of Meeting God with Larry Cracraft. Join us for any of these stand-alone classes. In Ways of Meeting God, participants discover, “How do we know it when we see it?” We examine relevant scripture, and NO, that is not boring!
This helps you use your spiritual self AND your imagination to encounter God. Using your spiritual self speaks to where you live. Using your imagination speaks to “the parts of you that see a story in the Bible and then often wonder if, “This is a good place for people to jump in and gain insight into scripture, ask questions, and learn together. Come and explore where and how you can meet God.
Grace Church has been an integral part of my faith story. I grew up here and was a member of the youth group. After college, I returned to Wichita and returned to Grace, where I met Charlene, and we were married here. As our children grew up at Grace, I taught Sunday School, served on Deacons and Session, and assisted with the planning of the 9 am service. All along, the Holy Spirit has been gently nudging me this way and that. At one point, Jay Ayers was teaching a class on preaching, and I felt a call to “give it a try.” I wanted to try three times over several months because I knew the first time, I would be really nervous, the second time I would still be nervous, and the third time, I would find out if I was called to preach. Grace was gracious and provided positive feedback.
Over the next several years, I occasionally served as pulpit supply at smaller churches near Wichita. In addition, I was taking seminary courses online. The classes were fulfilling, and I settled in with pulpit supply one to two times a month, which still allowed me to continue to grow and worship at Grace. In January 2023, I agreed to serve as the regular weekly pulpit supply at Viola and Wellington. The worship times are separated enough that I can lead worship at both churches on Sunday mornings. This summer, both churches voted to have me serve as the Commissioned Ruling Elder (Lay Pastor). I will be commissioned at the August 12, 2023, Presbytery of Southern Kansas meeting.
There are so many members of Grace who have been part of my journey, and I say with a whole heart – Thank you.
Peace be with you,
Scott Randle
We are excited for Laura Daniel as she becomes the Interim Director for Jacob’s Learning Ladder (JLL) after the departure of Emily Stoltz, who moved on to a teaching position with the Catholic school system. Laura has been with JLL for many years and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. JLL is searching for a new Director with more information coming soon.
Good News! The IPNC completed the Ministry Discernment Profile (MDP) online. The next step is for Gail Doering, Executive Director of the Southern Kansas Presbytery, to approve the MDP. Once approved, we should be able to start receiving Pastor Information Profiles (PIF) for review.
A little bit of info to share that I saw: As of today, there are 960 Call Seekers in the Church Leadership Connection system, 152 MDPs (71 released, 25 awaiting approval, and 66 in the works).
Let us all be in prayer to receive the call seekers that God would have for us.
Kind regards, IPNC team