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! 

In just a few short weeks, our children and youth will be headed back to school.

I remember what it was like having to prepare for a new school year, after a summer of lazy days and staying up all night.  

Do you remember what is was like to shop for school clothes, purchase school supplies, and pick out the perfect backpack? I do. I also remember how I felt, anticipating seeing old friends and wondering about meeting new ones. 

Custodians are making last minute repairs and cleaning classrooms. Teachers around the metroplex are beginning to prepare classrooms so that they are ready by the time school starts.  

What can we do to help prepare our students to get ready for the new year?  You guessed it! Lift them up in prayer.  

In these next few weeks, I encourage you to lift up in prayer, not just our children and youth, but anyone who may be beginning or returning to school.

Some students will be returning to the school they attended previously while others may be transfering to a new school. Going back to school after being away and establishing new routines, can be overwhelming. However, prayer changes things!

Through prayer we ask God for protection, strength, wisdom, direction. Through the Word, we get a better understanding of what God has promised us. We receive confirmation and clarity from Gods Word. 

Joshua reminds us in the following scripture that God is with us wherever we go,  

“Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go”. Joshua 1:9 (AMP) 

As we move through these next few weeks, let us all be reminded that God is with us wherever we go because He has already prepared the way.

Blessings & Peace,
Pam Pinkerton 

Pastors column

Grace and Peace to you, An Important Announcement!

I bring you good tidings of great joy!  After the diligent work of members of the Administrative Council, the Discernment Team, and the Transition Team, the entire Grace UMC Arlington operation is moving to a new location. 

This means all of our Worship Services, Bible Studies, Activities, Practices, and Administrative Operations will be relocating to 2020 South Collins Street. 

Many of you know this to be the current location of the Church of the Good Shepherd UMC.  We will be sharing worship space, classrooms, and office space with wonderful members of COGS (as they affectionately refer to themselves).

The first service at the new location will be Sunday, September 13th, at 9:00 am.  During the course of the transition, we will continue to keep everyone updated as to the logistical arrangements of the move.  With this being said, I want to thank God, through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who has blessed us to be able to continue striving to walk out our vision of “bringing people into a life changing relationship with Jesus Christ”.

On Sunday, September 2nd, (First Sunday in September), we will show honor to our current sanctuary and holy items, with a wonderful praise celebration as we decommission this sacred space.  Let’s continue to thank God for supplying our every need as we, “…walk by faith and not by sight”.

We continue to pray for your growth in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Pastor Bates and Rona

Volunteer Opportunities   

Fantastic opportunities available!  
Volunteers are needed to service the fellowship activities before our Faith Enrichment Classes. Responsibilities include: setting up the hospitality table, making coffee and purchasing items for our fellowship time. Volunteers are also needed for cleanup afterwards.
For more information and to sign up, please see Pam Pinkerton or Evette Brazille.
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Volunteers are needed to assist with the children Faith Enrichment classes. Ministry Safe training is required. Please see Wilma Davis for more information.
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Business students, persons who desire to be business owners, or retired individuals, Interested in learning QuickBooks to help with church books? Please see Phyllis Scott if you are interested.

Thank you!

To everyone who prayed, participated and/or attended the 2015 Immersion in Grace – thank you!  As a reminder, if you would like to order Immersion 2015 or One Glorious Service CDs, please see Rev. Penny immediately following the worship service.

UMW/Man Up 
United Methodist Women and “Man Up” will meet Saturday, August 22, at 10:00 am.
All women are invited to attend.

UMNS Weekly Digest 
Bishop leads peace trip to Japan, 70 years after bombings
NEW YORK (UMNS) — In early August, United Methodist Bishop Mary Ann Swenson will lead a World Council of Churches delegation to Japan for 70th anniversary commemorations of the atomic bomb attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. Group members also plan to encourage their governments to ban nuclear weapons. Linda Bloom reports.

Claflin University receives top honors
HAMPTON, Va. (UMNS) — United Methodist-related Claflin University was named the 2015 HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) of the Year at the annual AARP HBCU Awards presented by Hampton University, taking awards for best college and best alumni association. Claflin and other colleges in South Carolina were lauded for standing with their communities in the hours following the historic removal of the Confederate flag.

Liberia honors churches for service during Ebola outbreak
MONROVIA, Liberia (UMNS) — Prayers and action undertaken by the Liberian Council of Churches during the Ebola outbreak of 2014-2015 have been honored by the Liberian government with the distinction of “Commander, Order of the Star of Africa.” Julu Swen, Liberia Conference communicator, has the story.

Commentary: Toward a theology of barbecue
DENVER (UMNS) — “Barbecue, theologically speaking, is about bringing people together, creating a space where we can recognize the divine in each other,” writes Adrian Miller, a certified barbecue judge and lifelong member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. In a commentary for Duke Divinity School's Faith and Leadership, he writes about barbecue's historic role in church culture, especially the African-American church.

Procession of hopefulness: Church and school partnerships
OMAHA, Neb. (UMNS) — Every afternoon at 3:15, the Rev. Chad Anglemyer watches what he calls “a procession of hopefulness.” He sees 50 or more students making their way across a busy street from nearby Burke High School straight to the doors of St. Luke's Teen Center. That’s just one example of a successful church-school partnership that Vince Isner highlights in Interpreter.

Full versions of the stories with photographs and related features can be found at www.umc.org/news

Save the Dates 
Sunday School Explosion!
Sunday, September 20, 2015.
John Elliott Scholarship Program:
Sunday September 20, 2015
Grace UMW- United Methodist Women’s Day
Sunday, September 27th

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, 

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 
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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

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,

“Grace United Methodist Church 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”.  

Grace UMC Arlington is about active and accountable discipleship.  Inside I share information about these types of discipleship. We are reminded in Bible Study that Faith = Belief + Action (confidence in the truth plus our corresponding action).  

There are several opportunities for us to “Experience Grace”. These opportunities are listed on the monthly calendar.  Please keep it handy as a reminder for ways that you can become more active and grow in Grace. 

Thank you Robert C. Jones Scholarship recipients for sharing your future educational goals with the congregation.  We wish you the best, and know that we are praying for your continued success in obtaining your goals.

 

Speaking of our young people, please SAVE THE DATE: June 28th, Young People Music Festival. For more information, please see Mrs. Ann Thompson.

 

Your leadership team is looking forward to another month of “Running with the Vision”. Summer is just around the corner.  There are plans to make it one that you will not forget! 

 

Blessings and Peace,

Pam Pinkerton

 

Pastor’s Column

 

Grace and Peace to you,

 

Walking in my God-given vision (foresight into His purpose and plan, with the insight to carry it out) takes looking beyond where I am in order to see the possibilities.  This third point in the series; Abraham’s Vision is quite important when we consider what God told Abraham in Genesis 13:14b-15, “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever.”

 

The principle found here indicates that you must be able to see “from the place where you are”.  The reason most people never begin to walk in their God-given vision is because they can never see beyond their current condition or situation.  If it’s walking in health and healing, can you see yourself outside of the captivity of sickness and disease? If it’s some sort of emotional bondage, can you see yourself free from the chains that hold you? 

 

God has given each of us the ability to see through the eyes of faith, to “see afar off” as it were.  It’s time we start gazing into the sky to see, “the stars of the sky in multitude…”  Look beyond your limitations and look to God’s unlimited ability.  That place where God, “who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think (imagine)…” is waiting for you to walk in your God-given vision.

 

To get more on this, order the CD from Sunday, May 31st; which is the third teaching in the “Vision Series” sub-division, “Abraham’s Vision”.

Missed a service? Order your CDs for listening, studying, sharing with others, and downloading onto your favorite device.  The “6 Principles of Vision”, “Preparation for Vision” and “Unity in Vision” Divisions are 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

 

Denzel Washington: ‘Put God first’

NEW ORLEANS — Actor Denzel Washington gave Dillard University graduates four life goals, starting with “Put God first.” Washington gave the commencement address on May 9, receiving an honorary doctorate before leaving to give another commencement address at Wiley College in Marshall, Texas. Dillard and Wiley are two of the historically black colleges supported by The United Methodist Church’s Black College Fund. Washington’s 2007 film “The Great Debaters” tells the story of a Wiley College debate team. Sue Strachan reported for NOLA.com and The Times-Picayune. Read The Times-Picayune story

Support the Black College Fund

Liberia gives thanks for freedom from Ebola

MONROVIA, Liberia (UMNS) — United Methodist leaders joined in as Liberia gave thanks for the declaration that the country is free of Ebola. But church leaders also recalled the many lives lost and counseled continued vigilance in public health. Julu Swen reports.

Read story and post a comment

 

Haste makes waste in disaster response

FORT WORTH, Texas (UMNS) — An effective disaster response by church folks requires "patience and process," say the Rev. Laraine Waughtal, disaster response coordinator for the Central Texas Conference, and Vance Morton, the conference's communications director. They offer five tips, drawn from experience in a region beset by tornadoes.

Read commentary

 

Full versions of the stories with photographs and related features can be found at www.umc.org/news

 

CTCUMW News

 

Central Texas Conference United Methodist Women.

You are invited to attend Mission U. Study topics this year:

• Created for Happiness
• The Church and People with Disabilities
• Latin America: People and Faith.

 

The Latin America Study is also for Children and Youth. The study provides information that will help youth increase their understanding of what life is like for Latin American Youth. For more information go to www.ctcumc.org

 

Growing in Grace

 

We are excited to announce that Rodrione Robinson will be the Youth Study Leader at Mission U, Glen Lake Camp this year.

 

Mission U (formerly known as Christian Schools of Mission) One of the locations is  Glen Lake Camp – July 31st, August 1st and 2nd.  On Friday night participants will help with mission projects, along with fun and fellowship. The cost for Mission U is $80 for youth (which includes their study book), $100 for adults.  

 

For more information, please see Pam Pinkerton

 

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Father’s Day – June 21st

We will be paying tribute to “Fathers” on Sunday, June 21st.  Please join us by bringing a picture of your father (no bigger than a 5x7 frame size) for display to the congregation. Pictures are due by close of VBS, Friday, June 19th.  For additional information, please see Evette Brazille.

 

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Membership is about active discipleship. (the following information shared from the United Methodist Interpreter)

 

When we unite with a local congregation of The United Methodist Church, one of the central themes is growing faith in Jesus Christ. Ways that we live out membership vows are by participating actively in Sunday school, attending weekly worship, supporting church ministries through financial giving and seeking ways to serve in mission and ministry. (Rev. Dawn Chesser).

 

Accountable Discipleship

Accountability is practiced in a network of grace based on the fact that God, out of great love for us, came to dwell amount us.

Believing God is at work within us (sanctifying grace), we form smaller communities of faith to help one grow in God’s grace, understanding and good works and encourage one another to pray and to the right thing. 

 

While accountable discipleship groups continue today, people also meet in study groups, women’s or men’s groups or youth groups for prayer, encouragement and service. (Rev. Wendy Deichmann)

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Financial Freedom Seminar – Thank you Sarah McMillion and Phyllis Scott for sharing information and answering questions on how to live debt free. 

 

We look forward to learning more.  Proverbs 4:5-7, “Get wisdom, get understanding, do not forget my words or swerve from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding”. (NIV)

 

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Please help the Bethlehem Center by donating travel size soap for their hygiene kits. A collection box will be in the middle room.  Thanks!

Pam Pinkerton

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Have information to share? Praise reports, upcoming events? Please submit to Pam Pinkerton.