Welcome to this edition of Grace Notes
a Newsletter from Grace United Methodist Church, Arlington, TX. This newsletter comes to let you know about happenings at Grace, and to invite you to reflect on your walk with God as you strive to follow Jesus’ summary of the commandments: to love God, one another, and oneself.
Be ready to imagine the impossible!
*******************************
“With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies”. Psalm 60:12 (NIV)
Greetings Grace,
This Sunday is what many people call the big“game day”. Folks started planning for this day weeks, months, probably even a year ago! I’m a fan of football; I too enjoy a game every now and then. And I know that the players put a lot of time and energy into getting prepared for every game. Every time they step on the field they have a goal; to get to the end zone and score. Yard by yard they travel. Sometimes only gaining a few yards at a time in an effort to get to where they need to be. They get hit, sometimes lose yardage, at times they don’t make it to the end zone, yet they do not give up. On the field, the players communicate with each other, because everyone has to know where to be and what to do each time the ball is snapped.
There are coaches, managers, and owners, working together with the players, encouraging them to not look behind but look to the goal ahead, which is to ultimately play on the big “game day”. Thinking about the players reminds me of how our lives are. Every day we are to do something to prepare us for what God has for us. Like the players, we are called to follow a plan. We are called to work together. We too must communicate. We are called, to strive to get to our“victory” in Christ. The scripture from Psalm 60 reminds us that God has carefully planned out our course of action. He had a game plan for each one of us before we entered this world. And, like the players, we have help; our Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Each one stepping in to encourage
us, travel along side with us, and guide us every single day.
God even provides angels to travel before us to trample down things that may try to keep us from getting to our ultimate destination, our goal. Like the players, we also have to do our part. We are to study our play book, the
bible. We are to communicate and have a relationship with God. We are to look forward, not stay stuck in the things of our past. Should we get hit, fall down, get discouraged, we are to pray and ask God to help us get back on track. It may seem like a lot, but God is there and he knows what we need, all we are to do is trust him to get to where he desires us to be.
Blessings and Peace
Pam Pinkerton
Pastor’s Column
Grace to you,
Living the abundant life that Jesus promised every believer can be realized in your own life. However, there are some hindrances that continually challenge our ability to walk in the grace and peace that God has provided.
One of the main challenges that I find God’s people wrestling with on a regular basis is relationship dysfunction. Families have experienced an onslaught of attacks from the enemy because the quality of
your relationships will affect the quality of your life.
I believe God is bringing Grace UMC Arlingtona season where we can become equipped for the struggle of unity within our families and relationships. Make every effort to “experience grace” as we embark on this season of encouragement and instruction in this critical area. Starting this week, the second annual “Relationship Seminar” will open with a worship service on Friday night, February 7th @ 7pm. Morningside UMC will join us for a wonderful time in the word. Saturday, February 8th, we will be afforded instruction and wisdom from the word of God and people who have experience in relationship issues.
Finally, set your calendars for the first annual “Women’s Conference” coming March 21-23rd. We have some outstanding preachers, teachers, and seminar leaders who will bring powerful counsel and wisdom for life and relationship skills. Jesus is our Lord in 2014 as we grow in grace and in the knowledge of
our Lord and Savior, we will continue to; Bring people into a life changing relationship with Jesus
Christ, by making disciples through our words and actions in cooperation with God’s grace.
Let’s continue to stay faithful in cooperating with God as we see His faithfulness towards us!
Stay in Love with God and each other,
Pastor Bates and Rona
Growing in Grace
Grace United Methodist Women is initiating a Missions project. WE COLLECT CAMPBELL SOUP LABELS & BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION. Labels for Mission- Don't forget to save labels and box tops. The UMW is saving the following labels and box tops: & Box Tops for education. All labels and box tops go to mission projects here at home and around the conference.
Box Tops for Education: General Mills, Cottonelle, Pillsbury, Huggies, Fiber One, Ziploc, Green Giant, Hefty, El Paso, Nature Valley, and Avery Office Supplies.
UPC Codes: Campbell Soups, V8, Prego, Franco-American, Pepperidge Farm, and Swanson
So Grace family please clip those labels and box tops, then place them in the box marked "UMW LABELS" in the fellowship area.
Blessings,
Billie L. Ray, Education& Interpretation Coordinator, Grace UMW
a Newsletter from Grace United Methodist Church, Arlington, TX. This newsletter comes to let you know about happenings at Grace, and to invite you to reflect on your walk with God as you strive to follow Jesus’ summary of the commandments: to love God, one another, and oneself.
Be ready to imagine the impossible!
*******************************
“With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies”. Psalm 60:12 (NIV)
Greetings Grace,
This Sunday is what many people call the big“game day”. Folks started planning for this day weeks, months, probably even a year ago! I’m a fan of football; I too enjoy a game every now and then. And I know that the players put a lot of time and energy into getting prepared for every game. Every time they step on the field they have a goal; to get to the end zone and score. Yard by yard they travel. Sometimes only gaining a few yards at a time in an effort to get to where they need to be. They get hit, sometimes lose yardage, at times they don’t make it to the end zone, yet they do not give up. On the field, the players communicate with each other, because everyone has to know where to be and what to do each time the ball is snapped.
There are coaches, managers, and owners, working together with the players, encouraging them to not look behind but look to the goal ahead, which is to ultimately play on the big “game day”. Thinking about the players reminds me of how our lives are. Every day we are to do something to prepare us for what God has for us. Like the players, we are called to follow a plan. We are called to work together. We too must communicate. We are called, to strive to get to our“victory” in Christ. The scripture from Psalm 60 reminds us that God has carefully planned out our course of action. He had a game plan for each one of us before we entered this world. And, like the players, we have help; our Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Each one stepping in to encourage
us, travel along side with us, and guide us every single day.
God even provides angels to travel before us to trample down things that may try to keep us from getting to our ultimate destination, our goal. Like the players, we also have to do our part. We are to study our play book, the
bible. We are to communicate and have a relationship with God. We are to look forward, not stay stuck in the things of our past. Should we get hit, fall down, get discouraged, we are to pray and ask God to help us get back on track. It may seem like a lot, but God is there and he knows what we need, all we are to do is trust him to get to where he desires us to be.
Blessings and Peace
Pam Pinkerton
Pastor’s Column
Grace to you,
Living the abundant life that Jesus promised every believer can be realized in your own life. However, there are some hindrances that continually challenge our ability to walk in the grace and peace that God has provided.
One of the main challenges that I find God’s people wrestling with on a regular basis is relationship dysfunction. Families have experienced an onslaught of attacks from the enemy because the quality of
your relationships will affect the quality of your life.
I believe God is bringing Grace UMC Arlingtona season where we can become equipped for the struggle of unity within our families and relationships. Make every effort to “experience grace” as we embark on this season of encouragement and instruction in this critical area. Starting this week, the second annual “Relationship Seminar” will open with a worship service on Friday night, February 7th @ 7pm. Morningside UMC will join us for a wonderful time in the word. Saturday, February 8th, we will be afforded instruction and wisdom from the word of God and people who have experience in relationship issues.
Finally, set your calendars for the first annual “Women’s Conference” coming March 21-23rd. We have some outstanding preachers, teachers, and seminar leaders who will bring powerful counsel and wisdom for life and relationship skills. Jesus is our Lord in 2014 as we grow in grace and in the knowledge of
our Lord and Savior, we will continue to; Bring people into a life changing relationship with Jesus
Christ, by making disciples through our words and actions in cooperation with God’s grace.
Let’s continue to stay faithful in cooperating with God as we see His faithfulness towards us!
Stay in Love with God and each other,
Pastor Bates and Rona
Growing in Grace
Grace United Methodist Women is initiating a Missions project. WE COLLECT CAMPBELL SOUP LABELS & BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION. Labels for Mission- Don't forget to save labels and box tops. The UMW is saving the following labels and box tops: & Box Tops for education. All labels and box tops go to mission projects here at home and around the conference.
Box Tops for Education: General Mills, Cottonelle, Pillsbury, Huggies, Fiber One, Ziploc, Green Giant, Hefty, El Paso, Nature Valley, and Avery Office Supplies.
UPC Codes: Campbell Soups, V8, Prego, Franco-American, Pepperidge Farm, and Swanson
So Grace family please clip those labels and box tops, then place them in the box marked "UMW LABELS" in the fellowship area.
Blessings,
Billie L. Ray, Education& Interpretation Coordinator, Grace UMW