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!
*******************************
“Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong”. Ecclesiastes 5:1
Greetings,
Above that scripture in my bible are the words, “Stand in Awe of God”. Those words remind me to think about how I am when I approach God. I have my moments when I approach God with a lot of questions. I want to know why this or how come something went down the way it did. I also have my moments when I approach God angry, hurt, tired, mad, and unsure. As I sit reflecting, I am reminded that there are times when God wants me to approach him and just listen; not utter a word.
Verse 2 of Ecclesiastes Chapter 5 says, “Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth so let your words be few”. Interesting…God is letting us know that although he knows all of our thoughts, there are just some things we do not need to say. God knows there are times when we utter so many words that we create an opening for the enemy to use
what we say against us. Have you ever been talking to God and you actually talk yourself out of something God needs you to do? That can happen when we talk and talk instead of being quiet and listening.
Solomon was a very wise man. In his later years we see that he is sharing as a result of what he learned. I remember times in my younger years when I was told to just “be quiet”. There was a good reason for that. Information was about to be shared that was of value. Had I not gotten quiet and listened, there is no telling what would have happened. Now that’s not to say that I always got quiet. To get still and listen, like everything else was a process of learning.
Often times in our haste, we often hurry to God, ready to spill out every single thing on our minds “when” God may be calling us to simply listen. There are times when we may not want to hear what God has to tell us. There are times when we’d rather rattle on and on than to allow God to speak (somehow we think that will cover up what he’s trying to say to us). However there are a lot of times, when we just need to be quiet.
Some people do not like the quiet. Perhaps they feel if silent it will put them in a position to listen. Have you ever tried to explain something to someone and they wouldn’t be quiet long enough for you to get a word in? I’m sure that happens to God a lot.
Think about when was the last time you stood in awe of God? When was the last time you approached God, simply stood still and listened? Has God been calling you to come and be quiet? If it’s been a while since you stood still and listened, why not give it a try. Trust me; it’s not as bad as you think.
Blessings& Peace,
Pam Pinkerton
Pastors column
Grace to you,
This summer of Great Expectations is closing fast! Immersion in Grace 2013 is here!
Have you seen what I’ve seen? Have you heard what I’ve heard? Our God has been awesomely faithful during these summer months. He has abundantly supplied all our (Grace UMC Arlington’s) needs in every
aspect of ministry. I also believe the best is yet to come!
We have finally arrived at the much anticipated time of Immersion in Grace 2013, August 18-20th! Please believe me when I say that the excitement level outside our church is extremely anticipatory. I want you to experience this level of grace for yourselves, so make plans to attend every single service. Your life will be transformed by the grace of God during this immersion experience of renewal, restoration, and refreshing in God’s presence.
We are continuing to cooperate with God’s grace as we fulfill this mission at Grace UMC Arlington, where we are called 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 we see His faithfulness towards us!
Stay in Love with God and each other,
Pastor Bates and Rona
Ministry Opportunity
Grace UMC Arlington is looking for a committed few!
What: Member Call Ministry
Time Commitment: 1-2 hours per week
Who: Interested persons
Purpose: To how love and concern by making a periodic phone call to members and friends of Grace UMC.
Benefits: No work done for the Lord goes unrewarded.
Contact: Pastor Bates when interested @817 350-7586 or by email at
fredbates300@hotmail.com
Growing in Grace
We’ve got the Sunday worship messages on cd. Please see Rona Bates to order copies in the fellowship room immediately after service.
Bible Study– We’re finishing the Book of Galatians. Our next study will
be focused on the Book of 1 Peter. Join us on Tuesday evenings at 7:00
pm.
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!
*******************************
“Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong”. Ecclesiastes 5:1
Greetings,
Above that scripture in my bible are the words, “Stand in Awe of God”. Those words remind me to think about how I am when I approach God. I have my moments when I approach God with a lot of questions. I want to know why this or how come something went down the way it did. I also have my moments when I approach God angry, hurt, tired, mad, and unsure. As I sit reflecting, I am reminded that there are times when God wants me to approach him and just listen; not utter a word.
Verse 2 of Ecclesiastes Chapter 5 says, “Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth so let your words be few”. Interesting…God is letting us know that although he knows all of our thoughts, there are just some things we do not need to say. God knows there are times when we utter so many words that we create an opening for the enemy to use
what we say against us. Have you ever been talking to God and you actually talk yourself out of something God needs you to do? That can happen when we talk and talk instead of being quiet and listening.
Solomon was a very wise man. In his later years we see that he is sharing as a result of what he learned. I remember times in my younger years when I was told to just “be quiet”. There was a good reason for that. Information was about to be shared that was of value. Had I not gotten quiet and listened, there is no telling what would have happened. Now that’s not to say that I always got quiet. To get still and listen, like everything else was a process of learning.
Often times in our haste, we often hurry to God, ready to spill out every single thing on our minds “when” God may be calling us to simply listen. There are times when we may not want to hear what God has to tell us. There are times when we’d rather rattle on and on than to allow God to speak (somehow we think that will cover up what he’s trying to say to us). However there are a lot of times, when we just need to be quiet.
Some people do not like the quiet. Perhaps they feel if silent it will put them in a position to listen. Have you ever tried to explain something to someone and they wouldn’t be quiet long enough for you to get a word in? I’m sure that happens to God a lot.
Think about when was the last time you stood in awe of God? When was the last time you approached God, simply stood still and listened? Has God been calling you to come and be quiet? If it’s been a while since you stood still and listened, why not give it a try. Trust me; it’s not as bad as you think.
Blessings& Peace,
Pam Pinkerton
Pastors column
Grace to you,
This summer of Great Expectations is closing fast! Immersion in Grace 2013 is here!
Have you seen what I’ve seen? Have you heard what I’ve heard? Our God has been awesomely faithful during these summer months. He has abundantly supplied all our (Grace UMC Arlington’s) needs in every
aspect of ministry. I also believe the best is yet to come!
We have finally arrived at the much anticipated time of Immersion in Grace 2013, August 18-20th! Please believe me when I say that the excitement level outside our church is extremely anticipatory. I want you to experience this level of grace for yourselves, so make plans to attend every single service. Your life will be transformed by the grace of God during this immersion experience of renewal, restoration, and refreshing in God’s presence.
We are continuing to cooperate with God’s grace as we fulfill this mission at Grace UMC Arlington, where we are called 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 we see His faithfulness towards us!
Stay in Love with God and each other,
Pastor Bates and Rona
Ministry Opportunity
Grace UMC Arlington is looking for a committed few!
What: Member Call Ministry
Time Commitment: 1-2 hours per week
Who: Interested persons
Purpose: To how love and concern by making a periodic phone call to members and friends of Grace UMC.
Benefits: No work done for the Lord goes unrewarded.
Contact: Pastor Bates when interested @817 350-7586 or by email at
fredbates300@hotmail.com
Growing in Grace
We’ve got the Sunday worship messages on cd. Please see Rona Bates to order copies in the fellowship room immediately after service.
Bible Study– We’re finishing the Book of Galatians. Our next study will
be focused on the Book of 1 Peter. Join us on Tuesday evenings at 7:00
pm.