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!
*******************************
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” 1 Thes.5:11.
Words: Standing ground while facing pressure; practical steps when enduring through a faith project; the purpose and function of the church; the power of partnership; take time to find the right perspective; trusting the Word. Do these words sound familiar? As I put together the Grace Notes for this month, those words came to mind. I have received encouragement through those words.
I’m excited to be part of a growing Grace! I don’t know about you but every time I enter this place, I leave feeling encouraged. There is always someone here with a smile, a hug, an encouraging word. We don’t know how people are feeling when they come to Grace; we must do our best to encourage them while they are here. When we receive “our Word” and act upon “the Word” it shows. Encouragement comes through living the Word of God. I’m looking forward to the New Year and all that is ahead for us at Grace. Let’s continue to show others that “the Word” is alive in us. Have a safe and Happy New Year!
Blessings & Peace,
Pam Pinkerton
------------------------------------
Pastors column
Grace Family,
Jesus is Lord at Grace UMC Arlington!
I really enjoyed the moments and services we shared during the beautiful holiday season.
Grace UMC Arlington is experiencing the vitality that can be measured numerically, statistically, and spiritually. I am overjoyed at the increased participation of the members of our Church.
I want to personally thank the Sunday school ministry team and their cooperation with the Overture to Music coordinator for the outstanding performances of our children during our Christmas Service. Our first Christmas Eve Candlelight Service was very special and I look forward to continuing that wonderful tradition.
As we look forward to 2013, I see only growth in every area of our partnership. Let’s make 2013 the best year ever as Grace UMC Arlington seeks to fulfill its God given purpose and assignment.
January will prove to be full of exciting events and opportunities for spiritual growth. Mark those calendars and make up your mind to fully participate, in order to maximize the grace of God in your life.
1. January 8th starts a new Bible Study on Tuesday nights.
2. January 15th marks the start of the children’s (ages 11-18) confirmation classes.
3. January 13-20th is our first church wide fast.
4. January 20th is Commitment Sunday.
I have asked the Worship Committee to make special arrangements for two additional days of the Communion Table during the fast. Our prayer focus will revolve around Colossians 1:9-11.
Are you ready to see what the Lord has in store for us? Together, let’s expect what is, “…far beyond all that we could ask or imagine according to his power at work within us”.
Stay in love with God and each other. Grace to you!
Pastor Bates
Sharing Grace
WHY PRAY?
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.
Prayer is a means of grace. A “means of grace” is a practice, ritual, place, or object that provides access to the power and presence of God. Prayer is a practice that opens our hearts to the power of God’s love that heals and forms our character, damaged by sin, into the image of Christ. In prayer we make ourselves available to God and God’s love. (To be continued.)
Shalom in Christ
The Grace Prayer Team
Submitted by Deborah Hunte
*******************************
What is required of me to be a United Methodist?
Baptism ushers you into the Christian church universal, the family of Christ. If you have not been baptized you will be asked to repent of your sins and profess your faith in God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and Christian Faith as contained in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments.
You will be asked to promise to "keep God's holy will and commandants and walk in the same all the days of your life as a faithful member of Christ's holy church."
Your pastor may require that you participate in a membership class before being baptized or taking church membership vows.
Look for more Questions and Answers about the United Methodist Church in next month's addition of our newsletter.
Scott Marshall
*************************************
The Trailblazers
Trailblazers, is a spiritual and life enrichment program for those who are age 50+. Our first meeting of 2013 will be held Thursday, January 3 at 10:30 a.m. We will meet at the church.
The spiritual aspect will be the focus of the first Thursdays of the month. Relevant topics found in contemporary literature will be the topic of our Bible study.
Life enrichment will be the focus of the 3rd Thursdays of the month - this will include cultural experiences, physical fitness and community service.
All interested persons are asked to join in getting the Trailblazers up and running once again. We are blazing the trail for others to follow. We want the young'uns to know that, with the Lord on our side; we can keep growing in Grace and making a difference in the world.
Blessings to you all,
Billie L. Ray, Lay Leader
*******************************
Giving 101%
Here is an interesting little mathematical formula.
If:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
IS REPRESENTED AS:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 6 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26,
Then
H-A-R-D-W-O-R-K
8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11=98% and
K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E
11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5= 96% but
A-T-T-I-T-U-D=E
1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5= 100%
AND look how far the love of God will take you:
L-O-V-E-O-F-G-O-D
12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4=101%
Therefore, one can conclude with "mathematical certainty" that: while Hard Work and Knowledge will get close, and Attitude will get you there, it is the Love of God that will put you over the top!
"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen." 2 Corinthians 13:14.
Scott Marshall
------------------------------------
News around the church
from United Methodist News Service
http://umns.umc.org
2012: Church’s year in review
United Methodists had a busy 2012. They were there to respond to natural disasters, feed the hungry and reach out to others in need. They also elected bishops and at the 2012 General Conference, debated the denomination’s structure and security of appointment for clergy.
The United Methodist News Service has put together roundups on some of the top church-related stories of the year. They include:
· A year’s worth of disaster response
· Overview of the debate on church governance
· The church’s response to hunger
· What agencies accomplished this year
· A year in pictures
· United Methodists of note who died in 2012
Read these and others at www.umc.org/yearend.
Be ready to imagine the impossible!
*******************************
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” 1 Thes.5:11.
Words: Standing ground while facing pressure; practical steps when enduring through a faith project; the purpose and function of the church; the power of partnership; take time to find the right perspective; trusting the Word. Do these words sound familiar? As I put together the Grace Notes for this month, those words came to mind. I have received encouragement through those words.
I’m excited to be part of a growing Grace! I don’t know about you but every time I enter this place, I leave feeling encouraged. There is always someone here with a smile, a hug, an encouraging word. We don’t know how people are feeling when they come to Grace; we must do our best to encourage them while they are here. When we receive “our Word” and act upon “the Word” it shows. Encouragement comes through living the Word of God. I’m looking forward to the New Year and all that is ahead for us at Grace. Let’s continue to show others that “the Word” is alive in us. Have a safe and Happy New Year!
Blessings & Peace,
Pam Pinkerton
------------------------------------
Pastors column
Grace Family,
Jesus is Lord at Grace UMC Arlington!
I really enjoyed the moments and services we shared during the beautiful holiday season.
Grace UMC Arlington is experiencing the vitality that can be measured numerically, statistically, and spiritually. I am overjoyed at the increased participation of the members of our Church.
I want to personally thank the Sunday school ministry team and their cooperation with the Overture to Music coordinator for the outstanding performances of our children during our Christmas Service. Our first Christmas Eve Candlelight Service was very special and I look forward to continuing that wonderful tradition.
As we look forward to 2013, I see only growth in every area of our partnership. Let’s make 2013 the best year ever as Grace UMC Arlington seeks to fulfill its God given purpose and assignment.
January will prove to be full of exciting events and opportunities for spiritual growth. Mark those calendars and make up your mind to fully participate, in order to maximize the grace of God in your life.
1. January 8th starts a new Bible Study on Tuesday nights.
2. January 15th marks the start of the children’s (ages 11-18) confirmation classes.
3. January 13-20th is our first church wide fast.
4. January 20th is Commitment Sunday.
I have asked the Worship Committee to make special arrangements for two additional days of the Communion Table during the fast. Our prayer focus will revolve around Colossians 1:9-11.
Are you ready to see what the Lord has in store for us? Together, let’s expect what is, “…far beyond all that we could ask or imagine according to his power at work within us”.
Stay in love with God and each other. Grace to you!
Pastor Bates
Sharing Grace
WHY PRAY?
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.
Prayer is a means of grace. A “means of grace” is a practice, ritual, place, or object that provides access to the power and presence of God. Prayer is a practice that opens our hearts to the power of God’s love that heals and forms our character, damaged by sin, into the image of Christ. In prayer we make ourselves available to God and God’s love. (To be continued.)
Shalom in Christ
The Grace Prayer Team
Submitted by Deborah Hunte
*******************************
What is required of me to be a United Methodist?
Baptism ushers you into the Christian church universal, the family of Christ. If you have not been baptized you will be asked to repent of your sins and profess your faith in God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and Christian Faith as contained in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments.
You will be asked to promise to "keep God's holy will and commandants and walk in the same all the days of your life as a faithful member of Christ's holy church."
Your pastor may require that you participate in a membership class before being baptized or taking church membership vows.
Look for more Questions and Answers about the United Methodist Church in next month's addition of our newsletter.
Scott Marshall
*************************************
The Trailblazers
Trailblazers, is a spiritual and life enrichment program for those who are age 50+. Our first meeting of 2013 will be held Thursday, January 3 at 10:30 a.m. We will meet at the church.
The spiritual aspect will be the focus of the first Thursdays of the month. Relevant topics found in contemporary literature will be the topic of our Bible study.
Life enrichment will be the focus of the 3rd Thursdays of the month - this will include cultural experiences, physical fitness and community service.
All interested persons are asked to join in getting the Trailblazers up and running once again. We are blazing the trail for others to follow. We want the young'uns to know that, with the Lord on our side; we can keep growing in Grace and making a difference in the world.
Blessings to you all,
Billie L. Ray, Lay Leader
*******************************
Giving 101%
Here is an interesting little mathematical formula.
If:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
IS REPRESENTED AS:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 6 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26,
Then
H-A-R-D-W-O-R-K
8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11=98% and
K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E
11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5= 96% but
A-T-T-I-T-U-D=E
1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5= 100%
AND look how far the love of God will take you:
L-O-V-E-O-F-G-O-D
12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4=101%
Therefore, one can conclude with "mathematical certainty" that: while Hard Work and Knowledge will get close, and Attitude will get you there, it is the Love of God that will put you over the top!
"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen." 2 Corinthians 13:14.
Scott Marshall
------------------------------------
News around the church
from United Methodist News Service
http://umns.umc.org
2012: Church’s year in review
United Methodists had a busy 2012. They were there to respond to natural disasters, feed the hungry and reach out to others in need. They also elected bishops and at the 2012 General Conference, debated the denomination’s structure and security of appointment for clergy.
The United Methodist News Service has put together roundups on some of the top church-related stories of the year. They include:
· A year’s worth of disaster response
· Overview of the debate on church governance
· The church’s response to hunger
· What agencies accomplished this year
· A year in pictures
· United Methodists of note who died in 2012
Read these and others at www.umc.org/yearend.