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!
*******************************
"Do everything in love” 1Corinthians 16:14
Greetings Grace,
I can’t believe that December is here! We are in the last month of 2013. Where did the year go? We have had a productive year at Grace. We made time to stop and listen to God to stay attentive to our mission 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.
We also made time to think about our relationships and were reminded to glorify God in the way we treat each other by “putting on love, which is the perfect bond of unity” (Colossians 3:14). We spent a week in March being attentive to God. We showed God love by turning off the “extra” stuff so we could hear him better.
And, we stood together showing our love for Grace UMC at Immersion 2013 and during our Reunion Weekend. When committees asked for support, we showed our love through volunteering and giving.
There are a number of scriptures that remind us of what “love” is. There are also scriptures that remind us to “love our neighbors as ourselves” (Romans 12:9). I’d like to take a moment to reflect on the scripture in 1 Corinthians which reminds us to “Do everything in Love”. This scripture does not tell us to pick and choose which activities we want to do “in love”, but in all that we do, from our attendance in the activities at the church to the way we attend to and move through our homes, and jobs; how we speak, and how we listen, we are called to do it all, in love.
“Change” can sometimes be hard to transition into “in love”, however; we can’t grow without some sort of change taking place. Beginning January 2014, we will have a change in ministry chairpersons along with the addition of new committee members. Each ministry team has responsibilities to carry out in 2014. To help make this a smooth transition, please pray “in love” about these changes and the work that is before them.
Blessings and Peace
Pam Pinkerton
Pastors column
Grace to you,
Advent – The coming into a place, or an arrival; especially one that is anticipated.
During this Advent Season, I will bring a series of messages that will focus on 4 of the many reasons Jesus Christ came to earth.
On the first Sunday, the message, “Jesus Came to Teach” will highlight the powerful function of our Lord as Teacher of the Church. I am looking forward to reflecting on the first anticipated arrival of the Christ, and in doing so, looking ahead to the second anticipated arrival.
To God be the glory!
I hope you are excited about this Advent season and the upcoming year at Grace UMC Arlington.
Great events are planned for 2014, including; The Relationship Seminar, The Financial Freedom Seminar, and Immersion in Grace 2014. Also, new to 2014, will be a Women of Grace Conference. Also prepare for the addition of a second service that starts January 12, 2014. How exciting! Look for the dates soon so you can make your plans to attend these “growing in grace” events.
Jesus is our Lord in 2014 as we grow in grace and in the his knowledge, we will continue 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 as we see His faithfulness towards us!
Stay in Love with God and each other,
Pastor Bates and Rona
Growing in Grace
The Administrative Church Council is a group of committee chairs and representatives whose primary function is to make sure that the plans and programming for Grace fulfills the mission of Grace UMC Arlington. On Monday, December 9th, the Church Council will meet at 7pm. We ask that everyone who is current or future chairperson and ministry committee member attend this meeting.
Ministry Opportunities
ANGEL TREE - December 21, 2013
On Saturday, December 21, 2013 we will distribute Christmas Gifts to children of the incarcerated who are in our community. "Angel Tree is a program (of Prison Fellowship) that focuses on transforming the lives of prisoners' children and fostering reconciliation between the child, prisoner-parent, and family.
Volunteers will be needed to prepare Christmas gift bags. Please see Rev. Penny Stemley to volunteer or for more details.
Grace United Methodist Women
We need your gently used men, women and children’s clothing, sweaters and coats. These items will help support the mission of The Bethlehem Center. Donations will be accepted through 12/14/13.
Please see Betty Smith if you have questions.
Be ready to imagine the impossible!
*******************************
"Do everything in love” 1Corinthians 16:14
Greetings Grace,
I can’t believe that December is here! We are in the last month of 2013. Where did the year go? We have had a productive year at Grace. We made time to stop and listen to God to stay attentive to our mission 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.
We also made time to think about our relationships and were reminded to glorify God in the way we treat each other by “putting on love, which is the perfect bond of unity” (Colossians 3:14). We spent a week in March being attentive to God. We showed God love by turning off the “extra” stuff so we could hear him better.
And, we stood together showing our love for Grace UMC at Immersion 2013 and during our Reunion Weekend. When committees asked for support, we showed our love through volunteering and giving.
There are a number of scriptures that remind us of what “love” is. There are also scriptures that remind us to “love our neighbors as ourselves” (Romans 12:9). I’d like to take a moment to reflect on the scripture in 1 Corinthians which reminds us to “Do everything in Love”. This scripture does not tell us to pick and choose which activities we want to do “in love”, but in all that we do, from our attendance in the activities at the church to the way we attend to and move through our homes, and jobs; how we speak, and how we listen, we are called to do it all, in love.
“Change” can sometimes be hard to transition into “in love”, however; we can’t grow without some sort of change taking place. Beginning January 2014, we will have a change in ministry chairpersons along with the addition of new committee members. Each ministry team has responsibilities to carry out in 2014. To help make this a smooth transition, please pray “in love” about these changes and the work that is before them.
Blessings and Peace
Pam Pinkerton
Pastors column
Grace to you,
Advent – The coming into a place, or an arrival; especially one that is anticipated.
During this Advent Season, I will bring a series of messages that will focus on 4 of the many reasons Jesus Christ came to earth.
On the first Sunday, the message, “Jesus Came to Teach” will highlight the powerful function of our Lord as Teacher of the Church. I am looking forward to reflecting on the first anticipated arrival of the Christ, and in doing so, looking ahead to the second anticipated arrival.
To God be the glory!
I hope you are excited about this Advent season and the upcoming year at Grace UMC Arlington.
Great events are planned for 2014, including; The Relationship Seminar, The Financial Freedom Seminar, and Immersion in Grace 2014. Also, new to 2014, will be a Women of Grace Conference. Also prepare for the addition of a second service that starts January 12, 2014. How exciting! Look for the dates soon so you can make your plans to attend these “growing in grace” events.
Jesus is our Lord in 2014 as we grow in grace and in the his knowledge, we will continue 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 as we see His faithfulness towards us!
Stay in Love with God and each other,
Pastor Bates and Rona
Growing in Grace
The Administrative Church Council is a group of committee chairs and representatives whose primary function is to make sure that the plans and programming for Grace fulfills the mission of Grace UMC Arlington. On Monday, December 9th, the Church Council will meet at 7pm. We ask that everyone who is current or future chairperson and ministry committee member attend this meeting.
Ministry Opportunities
ANGEL TREE - December 21, 2013
On Saturday, December 21, 2013 we will distribute Christmas Gifts to children of the incarcerated who are in our community. "Angel Tree is a program (of Prison Fellowship) that focuses on transforming the lives of prisoners' children and fostering reconciliation between the child, prisoner-parent, and family.
Volunteers will be needed to prepare Christmas gift bags. Please see Rev. Penny Stemley to volunteer or for more details.
Grace United Methodist Women
We need your gently used men, women and children’s clothing, sweaters and coats. These items will help support the mission of The Bethlehem Center. Donations will be accepted through 12/14/13.
Please see Betty Smith if you have questions.