“State of the Church” Update

On Sunday, May 15th immediately following the 10:30 a.m. worship service, there will be a free luncheon for the entire congregation.  As you enjoy your delicious meal prepared by the Meet and Eat with the Pastors Team and the Baskets of Love Teams, you will be able to hear a “State of This Church” Update given by Pastor Ron, the Board of Directors, and Lay Leadership.  A question and answer period will follow.  This is an excellent opportunity to get up to speed on all the changes and renovations here at Grace Church.  A free will offering will be accepted to offset the cost of the meal, and to help support the continuing renovations of the Children’s Ministry wing. 

 

 

YOUTH GROUP FIELD TRIP!

Jr. and Sr. High Youth Groups will be going Ice Skating on Sunday May 15th at the Chiller in Dayton.  Please meet in the parking lot at the church and be ready to leave by 3:00 p.m.   Return around 8:00 p.m. 

A Mother’s Day Tribute

Mothers of the Bible.

EVE   If you start on the subject of motherhood, you have to start with Eve. Eve was the very first mother on earth. Eve is effectively the original mother. She had no one to turn to when she wondered how a fever and rash could be soothed, or if it was OK to give an infant strawberries, or other such things that most of us can turn to our mother and ask when we are worried and unsure. Eve was the first to experience the joys of motherhood – the wet kisses, the first steps, sharing the joys of discovery with her children. Eve also experienced the first heartbreak as a mother, when she was the first to have to bury a child. Eve made her mistakes, but she had to live with them.

SARAH    Sarah is a great reminder that God does not require your life to be perfect, and He also does not promise that your life will be perfect. Sarah was waiting for the child that would bless all families of the Earth. But this child didn’t come on her time schedule. So Sarah took matters into her own hands, and messed things up royally. And why did God continue to see His plan to fruition through Sarah? Because God, unlike man, does not just see who you are today, He sees who He has destined you to become. Sarah laughed, but God delivered. Sarah is very much like us today.

BATHSHEBA    Bathsheba is a woman who is used by King David, as an object of his affection and a desire of his whim. However she is strong throughout King David’s weakness of character. She is the one who coolly calls him to be responsible for his actions. Bathsheba then bears the tragedy of David’s sins, through the loss of her first husband and the loss of her infant. However, she later has a son whom she petitions successfully to become the heir, King Solomon. Bathsheba never let her situation define her, she subtlety defined her situation, and the fate of her children.

JOCHEBED    Jochebed had to make the ultimate choice. She was pregnant at a time when she knew that if she gave birth to a son, that he would be killed. Her pregnancy surely was filled with terror. Once she gave birth, she loved her son greatly, but knew his fate. Instead, she put him in a basket and sailed him down the river, leaving him at great risk. And likely the whole time, she prayed for God to protect her baby, asking for a miracle. And through her faith, her son was given back to her when she was hired as a nurse-maid. Little did she know of the miracle God would deliver through her son Moses.

MARY    Mary, mother of Jesus, is the ultimate mother of the Bible. She felt all that a mother can feel. The anticipation of birth – Mary even had to endure this through the doubtful eyes of those around her. She most likely felt completely and wholly unworthy of the honor bestowed on her. But she offered all she had, for the mercy of God’s plan. She then did all the work of motherhood – the late night feedings, the diaper changing, the endless laundry. She also experienced the joys of motherhood as Jesus grew and learned from her and the world around them. And then it was all torn from her, as she lived the pain and suffering and death of her first born son.  But Mary lived on, for herself, for her love of God, and for her other children and grandchildren.

Motherhood, then and now, is at times an exhausting job.  It is truly, however, an honorable one, established and blessed by God.  All mothers feel the same emotions, share the same workload, experience the joys and sorrows of each of our children, as we shape them and build them to be servants of the Lord, here on Earth.  And we can take inspiration from these five women, who illustrate for us the strength and love and faith needed to navigate motherhood.  Happy Mother’s Day!

Be The Church Sunday 2011

Thanks to everyone who made Be The Church Sunday a success!

Children’s Ministry Wing Remodel Project

Great progress is being made! 

Thanks to everyone who participated in our
work days last week!

Emergency In Japan

An elderly couple huddle around a wooden stove in a gymnasium after an earthquake and tsunami swept through Otsuchi, in the Iwate prefecture, eastern Japan March 15, 2011. Otsuchi, situated on Japan's eastern coast, has ceased to exist, overwhelmed by a combination of earthquake, tsunami and fire that razed the town of 17,000 people on Friday, killing more than half the population in a matter of moments. The situation around the coastal town of Otsuchi was desperate, with people scavenging for food and rescue teams trying to put out forest fires, according to Patrick Fuller of the Red Cross international humanitarian group. REUTERS/International Red Cross/Handout (JAPAN)

Please give generously to

 Pacific Emergency, UMCOR Advance #3021317

UMCOR is working through relief and church partners in Japan to respond to the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear explosions. Current partners include Global Medic and the United Church of Christ in Japan.

The immediate response includes meeting the most pressing basic humanitarian needs of surrounding communities in damaged areas in northern Japan: drinking water, basic food, basic cooking and eating supplies, clothing, and fuel. 

United Methodists and friends are urged to pray for the people of Japan and support UMCOR’s relief efforts through giving.



HOW TO GIVE

Give to Pacific Emergency, UMCOR Advance #3021317. Please write the Advance # and project name on the memo line of your check.   

   

Online: By Offering:	www.givetomission.org For local church and Annual Conference credit, make the check payable to your local United Methodist Church and write “Pacific Emergency, UMCOR Advance #3021317” in the memo line.  Put your gift in the offering plate.
By Check:	To send a gift directly to UMCOR, make your check to UMCOR and mail to:  UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087.
By Credit Card:	Call toll-free (800) 554-8583

Lenten Luncheons

 

The United Methodist Women will be hosting the 42^nd Annual Lenten Luncheons at Grace United Methodist Church, 301 E. Market St, Washington Court House, each Thursday during the season of Lent.  The cost of the meal will be $6.00.  Luncheons start promptly at noon, and will release by 12:55.  Reservations for lunch must be made the FRIDAY prior to the luncheon, by calling the church office at 335-0460.  Unfortunately, we will not be able to accommodate walk-ins (individuals without reservations), so make sure to get your reservation in!  While you are doing it, why not make a reservation for the full series.  We wouldn’t want you to miss a thing!  The theme for this year is Christ in the Strangest Places:   Foreshadowed, Fulfilled, Forever.  Please see below for the schedule of speakers and menus.  Hope to see you there!

Thursday March 10^th Speaker Ronald Dodds, Grace United Methodist Church “Mine”

Chicken Supreme Casserole, Swiss Green Beans, Sunshine Salad, Rolls and Cheesecake

Thursday March 17h – Speaker Dave Owens, Center-Spring  United Methodist Church “Nothing”

Lasagna, Green Salad, Garlic Bread, Pistachio Dessert with cookie

Thursday March 24^th – Speaker Father Jan Sullivan, St. Colman Catholic Church “Marked”

Ham Loaf, Macaroni and Cheese, Broccoli Slaw, French Bread, Chocolate Sheet Cake

Thursday, March 31^st – Speaker Ray Vance, South Side Church of Christ “Enlist”

Creamy Pork Chops, Crunchy Vegetable Bake, Waldorf Salad, Whole Grain Bread, Tropical Dump Cake

Thursday April 7^th – Speaker John Pfeifer, The Gathering Place “Invest”

Individual Meat Loaves, Hash Brown Casserole, Oriental Salad, Rolls, Brownie Cupcakes

Thursday, April 14^th – Speaker Jim Kiger, Hospice of Fayette County “Finish”

Creamed Chicken on Biscuits, Seasoned Green Beans, Cranberry Salad, White Cake with Strawberries

Reservations for the April 14^th luncheon are due by Friday, April 8^th at 4:00 p.m.  Please call the church office at 335-0460 to reserve your spot today! 

Upcoming Sermon Series

The next sermon series is titled Lessons on Prayer. This series will begin on March 9^th with the Ash Wednesday service and continue through Palm / Passion Sunday.

Do you need a touch from God?  Do you long for a divine encounter with the creator of the universe so you can have things turn around? Do you feel you have tried everything else with limited results? I believe we need a sovereign touch for a spiritual awakening.  We need to humble ourselves before God and invite His presence into our lives.

Through this series we will hear how others – Moses, Elijah, David, Jesus, and Paul – sought God through intentional prayer.

The schedule for this series is:

Date Sermon Title Preaching

March 9^th  –      “Arguing with God - Moses”                   Pastor Ron Dodds

March 13^th –     “Listening for God - Elijah”                   Pastor Ron Dodds

March 20^th –     “Singing to God - David”                        Pastor Ron Dodds

March  27^th –    “Conversations with the Messiah”          Pastor Ron Dodds

April 3^rd –         “Praying in the Spirit – Paul”                 Pastor Ron Dodds

April 10^th –       “Never Give Up on Prayer”                Pastor Becky Barnard

April 17^th –       “Prayer that Changed Everything”         Pastor Ron Dodds