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,
Welcome! As a noun, the word has many meanings. But as a verb its manifestations are countless. God is the originator of welcome. In the beginnong of biblical time, God welcomed us into creaing and into existence. We experience the same love and welcome in Jesus Christ. This welcome is not only to make us wanted and accepted, but it is also an invitation to share in God’s work. God’s welcome motivates us and compels us to extend the same welcome to others. We are transformed as we express welcome. (United Methodist Women ProgramBook 2014-2015, Welcomed by God, Welcoming All).
1 Peter 4:9-10 reminds us to, “Open our homes to each other without complaining. And serve each other according to the gift each person has received, as good managers of God’s diverse gifts” (CEB)
Many were blessed by the “gifts” that God has given to those who served during VBS. Many are blessed by the “gifts” that are shared during worship, Sunday school, bible class, etc.
As we move to our “One Glorious Service” starting Sunday, July 5, 2015, prayerfully ask God how you can use your gift(s) to serve others. Maybe it’s greeting, ushering, hospitality hour, teaching, or helping with the children and youth. Let’s all do what we can to help others:
“EXPERIENCE GRACE!”
Blessings and Peace,
Pam Pinkerton
Pastor’s Column
Grace and Peace to you,
What Is Immersion?
Immersion – Based on the Oxford Dictionary means; a deep involvement into something. It is the method of teaching a foreign language by the exclusive use of that language.
What is Immersion in Grace 2015? In our context, Immersion in Grace 2015 is a deep involvement into the presence and power of God. It is taking the weekend of July 24-26, 2015, to exclusively use as a place in time to encounter the grace of God. I strongly encourage you to set this weekend aside specifically for turning our hearts toward heaven, for “setting our minds on things above…” and to Experience Grace!
I have taken the liberty to enclose the dates and times of each service in this article. Our prayer is that each worship service, teaching session, and preaching experience will add to our faith the things that we need to accomplish what God has assigned us to do in this world.
Friday, July 24th
10 am – Teaching/Healing Session – Pastor Fred Bates, Jr.
7 pm - Worship Service - Rev. Sylvester Key II
Saturday, July 25th
10 am – Teaching/Healing Session – Pastor Fred Bates, Jr.
10:30 am – Worship Service – Rev. Sylvester Key II
7 pm – Worship Service – Rev. Joyce Campbell
Sunday, July 26
9am – Worship Service – Pastor Fred Bates, Jr.
11:45am – Worship Service – Rev. Joyce Campbell
7 pm – Worship Service – Rev. Louis Carr
Of course out wonderful music ministry team of choir, praise, and GEM members will be in the house. All worship services and teaching sessions will take place at the Church of the Good Shepherd, located at 2020 South Collins Street where Reverend Eldon Reynolds and the congregation stand ready to welcome us in the experience of this spiritual encounter.
I would love to see you at every single session and service. 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
United Methodists lead coastal cleanup in Philippines
PARANAQUE, Philippines (UMNS) — In observance of World Oceans Day, United Methodists led a coastal cleanup at Freedom Island, a critical habitat and eco-tourism area that is the nesting ground of fishes in Manila Bay and also serves as a bird sanctuary. Gladys P. Mangiduyos reports.
United Methodists celebrate freedom on 150th Juneteenth GALVESTON, Texas (UMNS) – On June 19, 1865, federal troops under the command of Union Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, with a message of freedom for slaves. More than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, slaves in Texas finally received word that they were free. Now, 150 years later, Juneteenth is commemorated across the country with parades, festivals, family activities, and worship services, reminding all of us that freedom was long sought and should not be taken for granted.
Women model United Methodist uniforms
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UMNS) — Winnet Matiza slowly made her way up the flight of creaky steps, holding on to the rail for support. A few concerned onlookers assisted her, wary that the 76-year-old might slip and hurt herself. Last month, this United Methodist church member was crowned “queen” at the inaugural Chitungwiza-Marondera District modeling show, organized by The United Methodist Church women’s union, Rukwadzano Rwe Wadzimai. Eveline Chikwanah reports.
Church opens doors for stranger others turned away
HAM LAKE, Minn. (UMNS) — When Cedar United Methodist Church held a memorial service for a woman who died after a battle with cancer and had no resources or living relatives, the pastor thought the church was welcoming a stranger. Eight churches had declined to hold the service. But after the memorial, a church member told the Rev. H. Grant Tanner that he knew the woman, who he said had been baptized and confirmed at Cedar and was active in the youth ministry for many years. “Those eight churches that passed on her allowed her to come home,” Tanner said. Christa Meland reports for the Minnesota Conference.
Full versions of the stories with photographs and related features can be found at www.umc.org/news
Growing in Grace
REMINDER!
On July 12, 2015 at 3:00 pm, Grace will be celebrating the third year anniversary of Pastor Bates and Mrs. Rona as Pastor and First Lady of our church. Because the program is confidential, I can only tell you that we have a great guess speaker, good music and much much more. Please mark your calendar and come out to show your support and to show our Pastor and First Lady just how much they mean to Grace and to show them how pleased we our to have them as Pastor and First Lady.
Scott Marshall
Chair; SPPRC
*****************************
Relocation Transition Team Update
The team had an initial meeting with Pastor Eldon Reynolds of Good Shepherd UMC on May 28, 2015. The meeting was primarily an introduction of the team and Pastor Reynolds. On June 22, 2015 the two transitional teams and Church Pastors met for a meet and greet session. Corresponding ministries from each church met separately to exchange contact information and plan individual meeting to discuss mutual concerns.
Future meetings are planned for Mondays on a rotationally basis every other Monday. During our next meeting the teams will begin discussing the mechanics of how the transition will physically take place. Our team will present “Things to Consider “ to Pastor Reynolds and Good Shepherd’s transition team prior to the next meeting.
Sterling Langford
Relocation Transition Team, Chair *******************************
Grace United Methodist Women
UMW was founded more than 140 years ago. Each organizational meeting is focused on the mission set for us by Jesus Christ, as expressed through the PURPOSE of UMW.
Prayer and Programs are a part of UMW meetings and are there to help us accomplish mission and ministry in our personal lives, church, community and the world. UMW meetings are open to ALL women of the church.
Please save the date and join us for our next meeting which will be held on Saturday, July 25th at 10:00 am.
Grace United Methodist Women
Be ready to imagine the impossible!
*******************************
Greetings Grace,
Welcome! As a noun, the word has many meanings. But as a verb its manifestations are countless. God is the originator of welcome. In the beginnong of biblical time, God welcomed us into creaing and into existence. We experience the same love and welcome in Jesus Christ. This welcome is not only to make us wanted and accepted, but it is also an invitation to share in God’s work. God’s welcome motivates us and compels us to extend the same welcome to others. We are transformed as we express welcome. (United Methodist Women ProgramBook 2014-2015, Welcomed by God, Welcoming All).
1 Peter 4:9-10 reminds us to, “Open our homes to each other without complaining. And serve each other according to the gift each person has received, as good managers of God’s diverse gifts” (CEB)
Many were blessed by the “gifts” that God has given to those who served during VBS. Many are blessed by the “gifts” that are shared during worship, Sunday school, bible class, etc.
As we move to our “One Glorious Service” starting Sunday, July 5, 2015, prayerfully ask God how you can use your gift(s) to serve others. Maybe it’s greeting, ushering, hospitality hour, teaching, or helping with the children and youth. Let’s all do what we can to help others:
“EXPERIENCE GRACE!”
Blessings and Peace,
Pam Pinkerton
Pastor’s Column
Grace and Peace to you,
What Is Immersion?
Immersion – Based on the Oxford Dictionary means; a deep involvement into something. It is the method of teaching a foreign language by the exclusive use of that language.
What is Immersion in Grace 2015? In our context, Immersion in Grace 2015 is a deep involvement into the presence and power of God. It is taking the weekend of July 24-26, 2015, to exclusively use as a place in time to encounter the grace of God. I strongly encourage you to set this weekend aside specifically for turning our hearts toward heaven, for “setting our minds on things above…” and to Experience Grace!
I have taken the liberty to enclose the dates and times of each service in this article. Our prayer is that each worship service, teaching session, and preaching experience will add to our faith the things that we need to accomplish what God has assigned us to do in this world.
Friday, July 24th
10 am – Teaching/Healing Session – Pastor Fred Bates, Jr.
7 pm - Worship Service - Rev. Sylvester Key II
Saturday, July 25th
10 am – Teaching/Healing Session – Pastor Fred Bates, Jr.
10:30 am – Worship Service – Rev. Sylvester Key II
7 pm – Worship Service – Rev. Joyce Campbell
Sunday, July 26
9am – Worship Service – Pastor Fred Bates, Jr.
11:45am – Worship Service – Rev. Joyce Campbell
7 pm – Worship Service – Rev. Louis Carr
Of course out wonderful music ministry team of choir, praise, and GEM members will be in the house. All worship services and teaching sessions will take place at the Church of the Good Shepherd, located at 2020 South Collins Street where Reverend Eldon Reynolds and the congregation stand ready to welcome us in the experience of this spiritual encounter.
I would love to see you at every single session and service. 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
United Methodists lead coastal cleanup in Philippines
PARANAQUE, Philippines (UMNS) — In observance of World Oceans Day, United Methodists led a coastal cleanup at Freedom Island, a critical habitat and eco-tourism area that is the nesting ground of fishes in Manila Bay and also serves as a bird sanctuary. Gladys P. Mangiduyos reports.
United Methodists celebrate freedom on 150th Juneteenth GALVESTON, Texas (UMNS) – On June 19, 1865, federal troops under the command of Union Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, with a message of freedom for slaves. More than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, slaves in Texas finally received word that they were free. Now, 150 years later, Juneteenth is commemorated across the country with parades, festivals, family activities, and worship services, reminding all of us that freedom was long sought and should not be taken for granted.
Women model United Methodist uniforms
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UMNS) — Winnet Matiza slowly made her way up the flight of creaky steps, holding on to the rail for support. A few concerned onlookers assisted her, wary that the 76-year-old might slip and hurt herself. Last month, this United Methodist church member was crowned “queen” at the inaugural Chitungwiza-Marondera District modeling show, organized by The United Methodist Church women’s union, Rukwadzano Rwe Wadzimai. Eveline Chikwanah reports.
Church opens doors for stranger others turned away
HAM LAKE, Minn. (UMNS) — When Cedar United Methodist Church held a memorial service for a woman who died after a battle with cancer and had no resources or living relatives, the pastor thought the church was welcoming a stranger. Eight churches had declined to hold the service. But after the memorial, a church member told the Rev. H. Grant Tanner that he knew the woman, who he said had been baptized and confirmed at Cedar and was active in the youth ministry for many years. “Those eight churches that passed on her allowed her to come home,” Tanner said. Christa Meland reports for the Minnesota Conference.
Full versions of the stories with photographs and related features can be found at www.umc.org/news
Growing in Grace
REMINDER!
On July 12, 2015 at 3:00 pm, Grace will be celebrating the third year anniversary of Pastor Bates and Mrs. Rona as Pastor and First Lady of our church. Because the program is confidential, I can only tell you that we have a great guess speaker, good music and much much more. Please mark your calendar and come out to show your support and to show our Pastor and First Lady just how much they mean to Grace and to show them how pleased we our to have them as Pastor and First Lady.
Scott Marshall
Chair; SPPRC
*****************************
Relocation Transition Team Update
The team had an initial meeting with Pastor Eldon Reynolds of Good Shepherd UMC on May 28, 2015. The meeting was primarily an introduction of the team and Pastor Reynolds. On June 22, 2015 the two transitional teams and Church Pastors met for a meet and greet session. Corresponding ministries from each church met separately to exchange contact information and plan individual meeting to discuss mutual concerns.
Future meetings are planned for Mondays on a rotationally basis every other Monday. During our next meeting the teams will begin discussing the mechanics of how the transition will physically take place. Our team will present “Things to Consider “ to Pastor Reynolds and Good Shepherd’s transition team prior to the next meeting.
Sterling Langford
Relocation Transition Team, Chair *******************************
Grace United Methodist Women
UMW was founded more than 140 years ago. Each organizational meeting is focused on the mission set for us by Jesus Christ, as expressed through the PURPOSE of UMW.
Prayer and Programs are a part of UMW meetings and are there to help us accomplish mission and ministry in our personal lives, church, community and the world. UMW meetings are open to ALL women of the church.
Please save the date and join us for our next meeting which will be held on Saturday, July 25th at 10:00 am.
Grace United Methodist Women