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!
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Greetings Grace!
Can you believe another month has come and gone? What a month we had at Grace. VBS, Prayer Saturdays, Fun, Fit, Fabulous Fellowship, UMW/Man-Up, Bible Class, choir rehearsals, “Immersion in Grace”. There are so many opportunities for us to “Experience Grace”. How much have you been experiencing?
We are so blessed to have leaders, teams and members, who meet, plan and act so that we can grow together.
“Grace UMC Arlington seeks 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”.
Life changes come when we tap into what God has placed before us. Ernest Pugh has a song titled, “I Need Your Glory”. In that song he asks “if you are longing for Him, thirsting for Him, then lift up your voice and tell him that you need him!” We are also reminded in the following scripture that in addition to telling God, we can simply reach towards God.
“I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land” Psalm 143.6 (NIV)
It’s like when you’re out in the heat. All you can think about is getting to a place where you can quench your thirst; where you can cool off. You want it, you go for it, and you do what you must to get it.
David was at a point where he desired more of God. Dealing with life sometimes can pull you away and try to keep you from God. He had a need and desired more. And if he could do nothing except stretch out his hands, he knew that he would receive; that God would deliver.
If you are thirsting and wanting more of God, call, stretch out your hands, and keep the calendar posted as a reminder for ways to come and “Experience Grace”.
Blessings and Peace
Pam Pinkerton
Pastor’s Column
Grace to you,
When reading the Bible, there is something that will stick out, particularly when you are looking for it. I challenge you to read your Bibles this way for the next few months. “Which way”, you may ask?
When reading through the New Testament, ask the following questions; what is God’s part (or God’s responsibility)? Then, what is my part (or responsibility)?
The Christian life can get frustrating if we have not concluded that God has a very active and present role in our lives. God’s role of dispensing grace into and upon the life of the believer is a task that only God can perform. We get frustrated when we try to work, live, or move outside of this powerful and divine force. Paul referenced this in Galatians 2:21, when he said, “I don’t ignore the grace of God, because if we become righteous through the Law, then Christ died for no purpose.” (CEB)
There are just some things that we cannot afford to ignore, one of them being, the grace of God. The frustration factor becomes immense in our lives when we ignore what God has provided for us, and try to worry our way through a problem (or the faith fight). Jesus clearly informed us that worry would get you nowhere.
In a recent “Grace Notes” article, I shared that we “must cooperate with the grace of God.” In these few words, I am encouraging you to “get out of grace’s way.” Let God do God’s part or more emphatically, stay out of God’s business! I refer you to the 6th Chapter of Matthew, where Jesus says,
“Therefore, don’t worry and say, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ Gentiles long for all these things. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them.”
In September’s article, I will reflect more on “our part” of this equation, but I will not leave you wondering what “our part” is. I commend to you the close of the last referenced verse;
“Instead, desire first and foremost God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”(CEB)
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
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Mission/Volunteer Opportunities
Hospitality hour set up/ clean up. If you are interested in picking up items for hospitality hour (donuts, juice, fruit, your own special dish) or helping with clean up after church, please see Pam Pinkerton
Children/Youth Volunteers needed
If you are interested in an opportunity working with the children and/or youth, helping with Sunday School or Children’s Church (during 2nd Service) Please see Wilma Davis.
*************************************************
Have you checked out the Grace website lately? Have you “Liked us” on Facebook? Log on towww.graceumcarlington and tell us what you think. We’re excited that people are finding us online. Share the site with friends and family so they too can “Experience Grace”
Upcoming Events:
Save the Dates
* Sunday School Explosion – September 14th.
*John Elliott Scholarship, September 21st
*United Methodist Women’s Day – Sunday, September 28th.
See you at Bible Class on Tuesdays at 7pm.
*********************************************************
Hebrews 10:38-39Common English Bible (CEB) 38 but my righteous one will live by faith, and my whole being won’t be pleased with anyone who shrinks back. 39 But we aren’t the sort of people who timidly draw back and end up being destroyed. We’re the sort of people who have faith so that our whole beings are preserved.
Be ready to imagine the impossible!
*************************
Greetings Grace!
Can you believe another month has come and gone? What a month we had at Grace. VBS, Prayer Saturdays, Fun, Fit, Fabulous Fellowship, UMW/Man-Up, Bible Class, choir rehearsals, “Immersion in Grace”. There are so many opportunities for us to “Experience Grace”. How much have you been experiencing?
We are so blessed to have leaders, teams and members, who meet, plan and act so that we can grow together.
“Grace UMC Arlington seeks 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”.
Life changes come when we tap into what God has placed before us. Ernest Pugh has a song titled, “I Need Your Glory”. In that song he asks “if you are longing for Him, thirsting for Him, then lift up your voice and tell him that you need him!” We are also reminded in the following scripture that in addition to telling God, we can simply reach towards God.
“I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land” Psalm 143.6 (NIV)
It’s like when you’re out in the heat. All you can think about is getting to a place where you can quench your thirst; where you can cool off. You want it, you go for it, and you do what you must to get it.
David was at a point where he desired more of God. Dealing with life sometimes can pull you away and try to keep you from God. He had a need and desired more. And if he could do nothing except stretch out his hands, he knew that he would receive; that God would deliver.
If you are thirsting and wanting more of God, call, stretch out your hands, and keep the calendar posted as a reminder for ways to come and “Experience Grace”.
Blessings and Peace
Pam Pinkerton
Pastor’s Column
Grace to you,
When reading the Bible, there is something that will stick out, particularly when you are looking for it. I challenge you to read your Bibles this way for the next few months. “Which way”, you may ask?
When reading through the New Testament, ask the following questions; what is God’s part (or God’s responsibility)? Then, what is my part (or responsibility)?
The Christian life can get frustrating if we have not concluded that God has a very active and present role in our lives. God’s role of dispensing grace into and upon the life of the believer is a task that only God can perform. We get frustrated when we try to work, live, or move outside of this powerful and divine force. Paul referenced this in Galatians 2:21, when he said, “I don’t ignore the grace of God, because if we become righteous through the Law, then Christ died for no purpose.” (CEB)
There are just some things that we cannot afford to ignore, one of them being, the grace of God. The frustration factor becomes immense in our lives when we ignore what God has provided for us, and try to worry our way through a problem (or the faith fight). Jesus clearly informed us that worry would get you nowhere.
In a recent “Grace Notes” article, I shared that we “must cooperate with the grace of God.” In these few words, I am encouraging you to “get out of grace’s way.” Let God do God’s part or more emphatically, stay out of God’s business! I refer you to the 6th Chapter of Matthew, where Jesus says,
“Therefore, don’t worry and say, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ Gentiles long for all these things. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them.”
In September’s article, I will reflect more on “our part” of this equation, but I will not leave you wondering what “our part” is. I commend to you the close of the last referenced verse;
“Instead, desire first and foremost God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”(CEB)
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
*************************************************
Mission/Volunteer Opportunities
Hospitality hour set up/ clean up. If you are interested in picking up items for hospitality hour (donuts, juice, fruit, your own special dish) or helping with clean up after church, please see Pam Pinkerton
Children/Youth Volunteers needed
If you are interested in an opportunity working with the children and/or youth, helping with Sunday School or Children’s Church (during 2nd Service) Please see Wilma Davis.
*************************************************
Have you checked out the Grace website lately? Have you “Liked us” on Facebook? Log on towww.graceumcarlington and tell us what you think. We’re excited that people are finding us online. Share the site with friends and family so they too can “Experience Grace”
Upcoming Events:
Save the Dates
* Sunday School Explosion – September 14th.
*John Elliott Scholarship, September 21st
*United Methodist Women’s Day – Sunday, September 28th.
See you at Bible Class on Tuesdays at 7pm.
*********************************************************
Hebrews 10:38-39Common English Bible (CEB) 38 but my righteous one will live by faith, and my whole being won’t be pleased with anyone who shrinks back. 39 But we aren’t the sort of people who timidly draw back and end up being destroyed. We’re the sort of people who have faith so that our whole beings are preserved.