Grace United Methodist Church
April News Magazine
New Message Series at All Sunday Worship Times
Easter worship at Grace was glorious, and truly served as a capstone of the weekend's activities, including the Living Last Supper on Maundy Thursday and The Weeping Tree Tenebrae Cantata by the Chancel Choir on Good Friday. Thanks to everyone involved.
It was also the culmination of seven weeks of preparation during the Lenten season, through the sermon and study series based on the Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster.
Beginning this Sunday, March 30th, a new Sunday morning schedule will be in place, with a multi-week message series at all worship times based upon our making a (spiritual) journey. Pastor Scott and Director of Family and Children's Ministry Dann Lies will cooperate to deliver! Here's the schedule:
8:00 - 8:45 a.m. Heritage Worship
9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Abundant Grace Worship
9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Adult SS Class [New Disciples]
9:00 - 9:15 a.m. Child Care for pre-k & elementary
9:15 - 10:00 a.m. Children's Chapel, Kids' Zone
10:15 - 11:05 a.m. Sunday School/Small Groups
11:15 - Noon The Journey*
*The Journey is designed with 3 "Cs" in mind: Casual, Contemporary, and Culturally-relevant
Worship Themes for the Next Seven Weeks
Beginning this week, a seven week message series will be presented at all worship services. It is a way of focusing on our spiritual journey.
March 30th Where are we headed?
April 6th Who's going with us?
April 13th What do I speak?
April 20th How much will this cost?
April 27th How do I handle these potholes and detours?
May 4th Can I give you a lift?
May 11th Are we there yet?
Get Your Passport
When someone travels to a new country, they first get a passport which is stamped by the receiving country. This Sunday, March 30th, Grace will begin offering three distinctively different worship experiences. Worshippers this Sunday will receive a sort of "passport." Over the next six weeks, that passport may be presented at worship and be stamped or punched indicating attendance at the specific worship service attended (i.e. - 8 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:15 a.m.). Also, passports will have space to indicate service opportunities for which you sign up at the Mission Fair on March 30th.
At the end of the six weeks, persons who can produce their passport verifying their having journeyed to all three worship services is invited to come as the guest of the pastor to a party to celebrate. Persons who have record of attending worship in any service all six weeks will receive special recognition.
View Worship Services on DVD
Each week, a cinematography crew films the second worship service, formerly at 10:30 a.m. but next week moving to 9:00 a.m. and copies it to DVDs which are available in the church library. These DVDs are also available for purchase for $2.00.
Justin Hopkins, our chief camera operator, reports that the Living Last Supper presented on Maundy Thursday, March 20th, the Good Friday Tenebrae Cantata from March 21st and the Easter Worship Service on March 23rd are all available. Contact the church office if you wish to order a copy of these or any other worship services.
Work Begun on Upgrading Lighting and Electrical
A bequest of Jay and Alma Lee Slinkard will provide funding for an upgrading of 48 year old florescent lighting fixtures in the educational building which began this week. The Board of Trustees has chosen Cotner Electric to perform the work. In addition to the replacement fixtures, surge repressing measures are being taken to protect the electronic equipment of the church.
Recommendation Regarding Sanctuary
At its March 18th meeting, the Worship Team, at the request of the pastor, composed the following memo to the Board of Trustees and Finance Team:
It is our unanimous recommendation that Grace hire an architect who has experience in designing worship areas to assist us with revitalizing this most visible area of the church. This person could then develop a design or designs which encompass flooring/floor covering, seating, portable lecterns, a Communion rail and appropriate organ chamber screening. All of this should be designed with accessibility in mind so that those leading us in worship (pastor, musicians, choir members, etc.) can move freely and smoothly within the Chancel area. It should also include consideration of future uses of the Chancel area in terms of wiring or other electronic enhancements which we do not have now but may have need for in the future.
We highly recommend Charlie Herbst (the architect) for the job as he is local and has worked with us in the past on building issues, but we recognize that this is ultimately a decision for the Trustees. We also recognize that money is tight right now, but we believe that, at the very least, the flooring/floor covering should be selected and installed as soon as possible.
We would appreciate it if you could address these issues at your respective meetings on April 1st so that they can be discussed at Church Council on April 8th.
Thanks in advance for your consideration.
The suggestions and opinions of all church members are not only welcome but desired. Please share your thoughts with any and all of the leaders of the church, especially as it pertains to their respective areas of responsibility.
Offering for Medical Expenses
The Church Council invites you to contribute toward payment of the mounting medical expenses incurred by Joni Bliss in her treatment for ovarian cancer. An offering will be received in all worship services on Sunday, May 4th.
Upcoming Sunday Morning Service Changes
With the addition of a third service beginning on Sunday, March 30th, a few changes are being made to our Children’s Ministry schedule to best serve the needs of our parents.
Infant and Toddler Nursery for children ages Infant –3 years old will be available during all three Sunday morning services and the Sunday School hour.
Children’s Chapel And Kids Zone
Toddlers-4th Graders will be invited to come forward during the Children’s Gathering during the 9:00a.m. service and will then be dismissed to Children’s Chapel in room 104 for ages 3-6 and Kids Zone room 102 for children in grades 1st-4th. Children staying for the Sunday School hour will be taken to their classrooms following the end of the service and can be picked up at the end of the Sunday School hour.
At this time there will no Children’s Ministry available other than the Nursery during the 11:15 service.
If you have any questions, please call Dann Lies at the church office.
Summer Camping Opportunities
Parents, summer will be here before you know it! Why not include a Summer Camp experience for your child this summer? Camps will be held at the 550 acre Blue Mountain UM Center located near Fredericktown in the Mark Twain National Forest. Campers get a taste of living in dorm-style housing with bunk beds and community restrooms. Blue Mountain lake provides fishing, swimming, canoeing, the aqua jump and launcher, and a climbing iceberg. Campers take trails to beautiful worship sites like Vesper Point, StarFire Circle, and Chapel in the Pines.
Ages 5-7 Precamper/Parent June 7-8 $ 75/100
5th-8th The Journey June 9-13 $235/260
3rd-5th Boys Only June 16-19 $180/205
3rd-5th Pathfinders June 13-16 $180/205
3rd-5th Girls Only July 7-10 $180/205
5th-8th Adventure Camp July 7-11 $235/260
Keep in mind...
Grade level is read as going into the 2008-09 school year. April 16th is the earlybird price deadline.
Grace offers financial assistance. Please do not allow finances to be the only reason not to send your child to Camp. Scholarship need is kept strictly confidential. A $50 deposit check is required with your forms and full payment is due 2 weeks prior to camp.
For more information and registration information please talk to Dann Lies or go to www.mocamps.org.
Collecting for FISH
During the month of April we are collecting Pasta And Pasta Sauce for the local FISH pantry. Please drop off these items, and other donated food items, in the collection bin outside the sanctuary
UMW Reading Program
This book has been added to the UMW Book Collection for 2008. You will find it on the top shelf to the left of the library door. Feel free to check this book and others out and enjoy reading them.
ENRIQUE’S JOURNEY
By Sonia Nazario
This astonishing true story recounts the unforgettable journey of a Honduran boy who braves hardship and peril to find his mother in North Carolina. With gritty determination and a deep longing to be by his mother’s side, Enrique travels through hostile, unknown worlds. Enrique’s Journey is the timeless story of families torn apart, the yearning to be together again and a boy who will risk his life to find the mother he loves.
Safe House for Women
The Safe House for Women will be having a bookfair at Barnes & Noble, West Park Mall on April 12th to kick off National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. Special events will be held in the store throughout the day. A percentage of sales will be donated to the Safe House for Women. For more information, call Lisa Quick at 335-7745.
UMW Spotlight
Opal Collins is a member of Grace United Methodist Women. Opal feels that the
organization gives her a sense of "belonging" and being a part of the important work the women do, both in our local church and in other parts of our country and world. The bonus of fellowship with others is very important. The women learn from the programs presented at meetings and through the reading program of United Methodist Women.
UMW Annual Basement Sale
We are going to try this again, so clean out those closets, basements and garages and donate any clean usable items to the UMW Basement Sale on April 12th. Please bring your articles in the week of April 7th. The larger articles you can bring in on Friday or call the church office if you need them picked up.
United Methodist Women
April 1, 2008
10:00am Mission Team
11:00am Coffee/Fellowship
Program by Mary Jane Statler
Noon Simple Soup Lunch
Circle Meetings
April 15, 2008
9:30am Morning Circle of Grace
Hostess: Margaret Dement
Co-Hostess: Mary Jane Statler
Program: Patsy Palmer
12:00pm Sander Circle
Hostess: Pat Best
Billie Hansberger
Program: Mary Jane Statler
6:30pm Evening Circle of Grace
Hostess: Alice Niswonger
Program: Brenda Shadron
Meals on Wheels
Grace will deliver Meals on Wheels the week of April 14—April 18, 2008.
Grace Scholarships
It is time again for opening up the application process for scholarships administered by the Grace United Methodist Church Foundation. This year the scholarships will be offered to members of Grace UMC that are either entering college or technical school. The qualifications vary with each individual scholarship and the scholarships being offered this year are, the Homer & Ann Yount/Grace Foundation Scholarship and Champ & Leona Green Scholarships. Packets for these scholarships are available in the church office and at the Welcome Center in the Narthex. The applications must be completed and returned to the church office no later than April 30, 2008 in order to be considered.
Tools and Blanket Mission
Remember Blanket Sunday on April 13, 2008! Your support is greatly needed for this to be a successful 2008 Grace Church missions effort. Blankets are great when needed for warmth, a wind breaker or to hang as a wall for some privacy; putting on the ground or floor to lie down on or sit upon. Those who have very few passions use them in many helpful and creative ways.
In years past, Grace Church asked members to purchase a blanket and we would ship them to places where needed or to a distribution place. Now it is simple and easier; member contributions are given and the collection is sent to Church World Service for bulk purchases which eliminate shipping costs and provides for better, more durable blankets.
You can trust your Missions Team that this member contribution project will be safely sent for its intended purpose and get to the right place for intended help. Some on-church groups and people soliciting for funds to help others don’t succeed to fulfillment.
We can rely on such religious organizations as "UMCOR" United Methodist Core on Relief and Church World Service. Let’s help "blanket" the need for this mission year and beyond.-Charline Caldwell, Missions Team
Dear Rev. Moon:
Thank you and your church for allowing the LIFE (Leading and Inspiring Families to Excel), "Extreme Preteens" to meet every Monday and Wednesday after school in your church. This program could not happen without the support of you, your church and the wonderful members that are volunteering to make this happen for the young youth.
Having been in education many years, this is one of the very best after school programs I have been a part of and the credit goes to your church family.
Thank you and God Bless you for giving to our youth.
Jo Peukert , LIFE Initiative Coordinator
United Way
Adult Mission Trip To Henderson Settlement
Grace's Mission Team is planning a week long work camp trip to Henderson Settlement for the week of May 11 - 17th. The group will leave after first service on the 11th and return on Saturday evening the 17th. The purpose of this trip will be to assist the area residents and to learn more about the work of the Methodist Church in SE Kentucky.
Adults of any age or skill levels are welcome s work projects will be selected according to the skills and interests of those going on this trip. Typical work projects often include home improvement projects for the residents of the surrounding area and/or work on site at Henderson Settlement with one of their many programs that serve area residents.
Four days will be devoted to work projects and one day will be devoted to touring and learning about the area that Henderson serves. The housing facilities for work campers are good and include meals while there. There is a fee of about $ 28 per day to cover room and meals. The church will cover transportation costs for those going along.
Anyone interested in joining this group should let the church office know of your interest in the next couple of weeks as we need to make a reservation soon to reserve this week. You may contact Robert Parsons (651-3546) or Pastor Scott Moon for more information. Please consider joining us for this special opportunity to serve others.
A Word From Joshua…..
Greetings, Brothers and Sisters,
Grace and peace! I certainly hope you all had a wonderful Easter, rejoicing not only in the fact that Jesus is risen, but that he is still alive today.
I would like to preface this letter by apologizing again for its brevity—quite honestly there is little going on at the moment. Spring is trying to push its way through little by little; I’m looking forward to warmer weather, because our youth have lots to do in the next few months. Sunday, April 6th immediately after church, I will be organizing an open house at the youth house across the street from the church—we will be discussing the future of the youth group, and I will be looking for volunteers to help organize the new Youth Council. If you’re a parent, if you’re an interested friend, if you’re young, if you’re old, if you love Jesus, if you enjoy camaraderie, if you love adventure and excitement, if you enjoy studying the Bible, if you’re wealthy, if you’re poor, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE show up to this meeting. We will have lunch together— probably pizza—and will begin to form ideas on how to rebuild our youth ministry. If you would like to lend a hand in this vital ministry, don’t be a stranger.
Saturday, April 26th at 5:30 P.M. we will also begin our Movie of the Month event. Join us for a film, food, and fellowship to be hosted at the youth house—we will be examining culturally relevant, popular films, then discussing spiritual themes found within the movies.
Finally, I should remind you all that the absolute deadline for all camp registration forms is fast approaching: April 13th. If you still have any intention at all of going to camp, please get them to me ASAP!
That’s all for now. In the meantime, remember: God has blessed each and every one of us here at Grace—but "to whom much is given, much will be required." Please join me in helping to strengthen our youth in their walk with Christ.
Looking forward to working with you,
Joshua
"The Youth Guy"
Older Adult Activities
April Mystery Dinner
The Older Adult April Mystery Dinner will be on Thursday, April 10th at "The Bayou Grill" in Pocahontas, MO. The bus will leave the north parking lot at 5:00pm. Reservations will be made, so if you cancel, please call Karen at 335-9286 by Wednesday, April 9th. Sign up on the opportunity sheet Sunday or on the bulletin board by the church office. Bring a friend and enjoy the evening out.
Third Thursday Luncheon
Join the Older Adults for lunch on April 17, 2008. Fellowship begins at 11:00am and lunch is served at noon. Cost is $2.00 per person. Sign up on the bulletin board by the church office.
A Note from the American Red Cross
American Red Cross volunteers have been working around the clock to provide relief for those that have been affected by the recent floods. The support of community members is vital to the success of the relief effort.
Things to know about the Southeast Missouri Chapter:
Counties covered: Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Perry, Scott, and Stoddard.
32 volunteers are working in shifts to manage shelter operations, bulk distribution, and client assistance.
187 people have registered at a Red Cross shelter.
There have been 96 overnight stays since Tuesday.
Over 650 meals and snacks have been served.
How the Chapter is responding:
One shelter is still open in Cape Girardeau County located at the Delta Community Center 211 East Main in Delta.
Two Emergency Response Vehicles are taking clean up kits and bulk supplies into the affected areas for residents and first responders.
Affected individuals that need additional assistance are encouraged to call the local Chapter at (573) 335-9471 to be paired with a volunteer caseworker.
As the focus shifts from sheltering people to assisting with clean up and recovery the Chapter will be have service delivery sites in several locations in Southeast Missouri
How you can help:
Let your neighbors know that there is emergency assistance available from the Red Cross for eligible individuals and families. For more information call (573) 335-9471 and ask to speak to client services. Even if the person is not in our jurisdiction, we can give them contact information for service.
Donate your talent: Volunteer to help with the relief effort. Call your local RSVP/VIC office: Cape County: 335-7555 Scott County: 887-3664.
Donate your wealth: Make a donation of bulk water, commercially prepared food, or a financial donation. Call Kessie Hinkle at 573-335-9471 for more information.
MARCH 30th: MISSION FAIR
Drop by Fellowship Hall Sunday morning to explore the ways you can be in mission and service through Grace.
Worship Attendance
Cumulative Worship Attendance 2007 2008
thru 3/23/2008 2,849 2,442
Finances through February
Operating fund offerings through February 2008 totaled $44,683 compared to the previous five year average of $49,976 with a range on any given year from $48,600 to $53,110.
Musicians Needed
Journey Music Team seeking bass guitarist, percussionist and keyboard player. Please contact Julie Walker at 243-6438 if interested.
Food, Fun, Fellowship
April 5, 2008 6:00pm
Fellowship Hall
Join us for another special evening. For more information, contact Opal Collins, Wilma Copeland , Lillian Jones, or Mary Jane Statler.
