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!
*******************************
Greetings Grace,
Our current sermon series has been focused on seeking vision with a spirit of unity. Scriptures references have reminded us to “live together in unity and that the anointing of God flows best where where is unity” (Psalm 133). When people come together for kingdom building with God, there is less confusion more accomplishments and productivity.
We’ve heard that plans fail if they are in conflict with God’s commands which is one of the reasons we go through discernment processes. Vision through unity reminds us that we all have gifts, but we cannot do it all by ourselves. We need each other.
As we seek to “make disciples through our words and actions in accordance to God’s grace” I wanted to remind everyone of the upcoming Community Prayer on Saturday, May 23rd at 9:00 am. During this time we come together with confidence and in agreement that God hears the prayers we place before Him as a community of believers.
Following are focus points from the April 25th Community Prayer:
· Discernment Process – Knowledge of God’s Will (Col. 1:9)
· Upcoming Capital Campaign – Provision (2 Corin. 9:10-11)
· Financial Freedom Seminar – Wisdom (James 1:5)
· 2015 Immersion in Grace Worship along with the speakers and leaders (John 4:23-24 & Eph. 6:19)
God continues to give us what we need to do the work that He is calling us to do. There is no lack, only potential in God.
Please keep the above focal points in prayer this week.
Blessings and Peace,
Pam Pinkerton
Pastor’s Column
Grace and Peace to you,
Jesus, in John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
If we were to search throug this simple phrase, we could find gold nuggets of wisdom that will last beyond any trial or tribulation that may come our way. Notice Jesus commends to us, peace. This however is not just any peace, but “My peace”.
Often we seek places of tranquility in order to get away from the noise and pressure from this world. However, Jesus is clear that the world may offer a tranquility that does not “surpass all understanding”. What the Lord is encouraging here is to find a place “in Him” where no trouble of the world can disturb or disrupt.
Are you resting “in Christ”? Are all your hopes and joys “in Christ”? Does your peace come from that place “in Christ”? If not, seek the place “in Christ” where peace goes undisturbed and uninterrupted.
“Friends and Family” day is May 24th! We’re looking forward to seeing your friends, loved ones, and co-workers as together we, Experience Grace!
Finally, make sure your calendars, day planners, and electronic devices are marked for July 24-26, 2015. These dates are set aside for a spiritual encounter as we look to the 2015 Immersion in Grace!
Missed a service? Well order your CDs for listening, studying, sharing with others, and downloading onto your favorite device. The “6 Principles of Vision” series and the “Preparation for Vision” series is now available in the four pack album for your spiritual enrichment as we make plans to continue “Running with the Vision”.
We continue to love and pray for your growth in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Pastor Bates and Rona
UMNS Weekly Digest
Natchez Trace walk brought peace, raised funds
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Troy Waugh felt called by God to walk the nearly 450 miles of the Natchez Trace. He did just that last summer, raising nearly $10,000 for Nashville's United Methodist Community Care Fellowship. A video titled "Finding God and Goodness on Natchez Trace Walk" documents his experience.
Turning to the Bible when sorrow strikes
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — After a tragedy of the magnitude of the Nepal earthquake, people of faith are filled with questions. We wonder how God could allow this to happen. We wrestle with making sense of the suffering in light of our Christian faith. The Rev. Joe Iovino reflects on finding comfort in Lamentations.
Nepal earthquake survivors in dire need of food, shelter
NEW YORK (UMNS) — In rural Nepal, the number of earthquake casualties was lessened by the fact that many people were outside of their homes when the disaster occurred, reports a United Methodist missionary couple based there. But emergency needs of food and shelter remain dire. Linda Bloom has the story.
Full versions of the stories with photographs and related features can be found at www.umc.org/news *****************************
Congratulations Graduates
Congratulations to the 2015 Grace Graduates!
It seems like yesterday when my dad was looking on proudly as the youth of Grace UMC began to graduate from high school. Now there is a scholarship in his memory that will forever embrace the love and pride he felt as a Sunday school and Bible Study mentor and teacher to the youth.
Robert C. Jones, Sr. loved Grace United Methodist Church. He worked tirelessly with the leadership to ensure that our youth had a place called Grace to come to and feel safe, knowing they were loved and God was in the midst. On behalf of my mother, Mrs. Mary Jones, my daughters, Melissa and Morgan (both were youth presidents and extremely active youth at Grace) and the Robert C. Jones, Sr. family, we congratulate the youth on a job well done!
Embrace the spirit of peace that was a huge part of Mr. Jones and the legacy he leaves at Grace UMC.
Congratulations and God’s Peace be with you,
Carole Jones-Lofton
****************************
East District News
UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief)
Early Response Recertification Training
9am – 1pm June 20, 2015
FUMC Mansfield, 777 N. Walnut Creek, Mansfield
Registration closes on June 15. Trainer: Wayne Dobbins Materials & Fee: $20
For questions and additional information contact Laraine Waughtel, CTC Coordinator of Disaster Response
Larainewaughtel@ctcumc.org
What is?
Local Church
“The most significant arena through which disciple-making occurs”. 2012 Book of Discipline (BOD)
“Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit (helps) people to accept and confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and to live out their daily lives in light of their relationship with God” (BOD). Where laity hold membership.
District
May bring churches in a region together in shared mission or ministry. District superintendent provides leadership. Grace UMC Arlington is part of the East District.
Annual Conference
The primary link to the church’s connectional structure. Local churches are organized into annual conferences, regional bodies that meet yearly for legislative purposes. Each annual conference has an equal number of lay and clergy members.
(Adapted from Let’s Go Fishing United Methodist Handbook)
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!
*******************************
Greetings Grace,
Our current sermon series has been focused on seeking vision with a spirit of unity. Scriptures references have reminded us to “live together in unity and that the anointing of God flows best where where is unity” (Psalm 133). When people come together for kingdom building with God, there is less confusion more accomplishments and productivity.
We’ve heard that plans fail if they are in conflict with God’s commands which is one of the reasons we go through discernment processes. Vision through unity reminds us that we all have gifts, but we cannot do it all by ourselves. We need each other.
As we seek to “make disciples through our words and actions in accordance to God’s grace” I wanted to remind everyone of the upcoming Community Prayer on Saturday, May 23rd at 9:00 am. During this time we come together with confidence and in agreement that God hears the prayers we place before Him as a community of believers.
Following are focus points from the April 25th Community Prayer:
· Discernment Process – Knowledge of God’s Will (Col. 1:9)
· Upcoming Capital Campaign – Provision (2 Corin. 9:10-11)
· Financial Freedom Seminar – Wisdom (James 1:5)
· 2015 Immersion in Grace Worship along with the speakers and leaders (John 4:23-24 & Eph. 6:19)
God continues to give us what we need to do the work that He is calling us to do. There is no lack, only potential in God.
Please keep the above focal points in prayer this week.
Blessings and Peace,
Pam Pinkerton
Pastor’s Column
Grace and Peace to you,
Jesus, in John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
If we were to search throug this simple phrase, we could find gold nuggets of wisdom that will last beyond any trial or tribulation that may come our way. Notice Jesus commends to us, peace. This however is not just any peace, but “My peace”.
Often we seek places of tranquility in order to get away from the noise and pressure from this world. However, Jesus is clear that the world may offer a tranquility that does not “surpass all understanding”. What the Lord is encouraging here is to find a place “in Him” where no trouble of the world can disturb or disrupt.
Are you resting “in Christ”? Are all your hopes and joys “in Christ”? Does your peace come from that place “in Christ”? If not, seek the place “in Christ” where peace goes undisturbed and uninterrupted.
“Friends and Family” day is May 24th! We’re looking forward to seeing your friends, loved ones, and co-workers as together we, Experience Grace!
Finally, make sure your calendars, day planners, and electronic devices are marked for July 24-26, 2015. These dates are set aside for a spiritual encounter as we look to the 2015 Immersion in Grace!
Missed a service? Well order your CDs for listening, studying, sharing with others, and downloading onto your favorite device. The “6 Principles of Vision” series and the “Preparation for Vision” series is now available in the four pack album for your spiritual enrichment as we make plans to continue “Running with the Vision”.
We continue to love and pray for your growth in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Pastor Bates and Rona
UMNS Weekly Digest
Natchez Trace walk brought peace, raised funds
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Troy Waugh felt called by God to walk the nearly 450 miles of the Natchez Trace. He did just that last summer, raising nearly $10,000 for Nashville's United Methodist Community Care Fellowship. A video titled "Finding God and Goodness on Natchez Trace Walk" documents his experience.
Turning to the Bible when sorrow strikes
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — After a tragedy of the magnitude of the Nepal earthquake, people of faith are filled with questions. We wonder how God could allow this to happen. We wrestle with making sense of the suffering in light of our Christian faith. The Rev. Joe Iovino reflects on finding comfort in Lamentations.
Nepal earthquake survivors in dire need of food, shelter
NEW YORK (UMNS) — In rural Nepal, the number of earthquake casualties was lessened by the fact that many people were outside of their homes when the disaster occurred, reports a United Methodist missionary couple based there. But emergency needs of food and shelter remain dire. Linda Bloom has the story.
Full versions of the stories with photographs and related features can be found at www.umc.org/news *****************************
Congratulations Graduates
Congratulations to the 2015 Grace Graduates!
It seems like yesterday when my dad was looking on proudly as the youth of Grace UMC began to graduate from high school. Now there is a scholarship in his memory that will forever embrace the love and pride he felt as a Sunday school and Bible Study mentor and teacher to the youth.
Robert C. Jones, Sr. loved Grace United Methodist Church. He worked tirelessly with the leadership to ensure that our youth had a place called Grace to come to and feel safe, knowing they were loved and God was in the midst. On behalf of my mother, Mrs. Mary Jones, my daughters, Melissa and Morgan (both were youth presidents and extremely active youth at Grace) and the Robert C. Jones, Sr. family, we congratulate the youth on a job well done!
Embrace the spirit of peace that was a huge part of Mr. Jones and the legacy he leaves at Grace UMC.
Congratulations and God’s Peace be with you,
Carole Jones-Lofton
****************************
East District News
UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief)
Early Response Recertification Training
9am – 1pm June 20, 2015
FUMC Mansfield, 777 N. Walnut Creek, Mansfield
Registration closes on June 15. Trainer: Wayne Dobbins Materials & Fee: $20
For questions and additional information contact Laraine Waughtel, CTC Coordinator of Disaster Response
Larainewaughtel@ctcumc.org
What is?
Local Church
“The most significant arena through which disciple-making occurs”. 2012 Book of Discipline (BOD)
“Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit (helps) people to accept and confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and to live out their daily lives in light of their relationship with God” (BOD). Where laity hold membership.
District
May bring churches in a region together in shared mission or ministry. District superintendent provides leadership. Grace UMC Arlington is part of the East District.
Annual Conference
The primary link to the church’s connectional structure. Local churches are organized into annual conferences, regional bodies that meet yearly for legislative purposes. Each annual conference has an equal number of lay and clergy members.
(Adapted from Let’s Go Fishing United Methodist Handbook)