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!
I thank God for the seeds that have been planted at Grace. We are reminded in the following scripture that:
“There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven” Ecclesiastes. 3:1(NIV)
Everything we do has been planned. The seeds that were planted have grown into the various activities that we have experienced thus far. The scripture reminds us that there is also a season for every activity under heaven.
Just as the ground needs rain; this is our season for an Immersion in Grace! God reminded us of “Prevenient, Justifying and Sanctifying” Grace during Immersion last year. Each night we were filled with the Power of the Holy Spirit.
Immersion in Grace 2014 begins on Sunday evening July 20th. What a way to start the week!
Morning teachings sessions are Monday – Wednesday, with evening services each night.
We believe God for:
Blessings and Peace
Pam Pinkerton
Pastoral Letter
July 17, 2014
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Today a humanitarian crisis is unfolding on our southern border with the arrival of tens of thousands of unaccompanied children. Many of you have communicated with us about your heartfelt desire to provide compassionate care for the unaccompanied children who are suffering in our midst. As bishops we have been conferencing with each other about how the people of the United Methodist Church might respond in a manner that is most faithful to the gospel. We have also been in conversation with the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), community leaders, and government officials. Our colleague, Bishop Jim Dorff, and other leaders in the Rio Texas Conference have just returned from three days on the border addressing the situation and representing the gospel and the church and encouraging people in a Christ-like response.
Let us be guided by the Biblical witness of faith: Jesus said, “Let the little children to come to me for to such belong the kingdom of heaven.” (Luke 18:15-16)
Jesus instructed us to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, clothe those in need, visit the sick and those imprisoned then he said, “When you have done it for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you have done it for me.” (Matthew 25:40)
We are to extend hospitality to strangers. (Romans 12:13; Hebrews 13:12)
We do not understand all that these children have experienced in their home countries or in their arduous journey to our borders. We do know that their plight breaks the heart of God. Children are some of the most vulnerable members of the global community. Many come seeking to survive. They all need our compassion and care. At a time of concern about a struggling economy and national security, it is easy to give in to fear and to let that fear, rather than God’s heart, shape our hearts and our rrresponse. “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.” (II Tim. 1:7). As followers of Christ, we have the power and wisdom of God to care for these unaccompanied children.
As the Bishops of the United Methodist Conferences of Texas, we call on the people of The United Methodist Church to: Pray regularly for the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being and healing of these children and families, wisdom for our
government officials, and peace for the countries from which these children have come;
Work with faith and community leadership to provide housing, life necessities, pastoral/
Spiritual care, and as stable an environment as possible for these children and
families while their long-term status is being resolved; be attentive to seeing Christ in the faces of these children; Be alert for specific opportunities to offer ministries of compassion and care, which we will share as needs emerge.
In the words of John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement, “Do all the good you can by all the means you can in all the ways you can in all the places you can at all the times you can to all the people you can as long as ever you can.”
In the name and spirit of Christ, we join with you in Christian love for these children. God bless you.
Earl Bledsoe, Bishop of the New Mexico and Northwest Texas Conferences
Jim Dorff, Bishop of the Rio Grandeand Southwest Texas Conferences
Janice Huie, Bishop of the Texas Conference
Mike Lowry, Bishop of the Central Texas Conference
Mike McKee, Bishop of the North Texas Conference
Mission/Volunteer Opportunities
Bethlehem Center is in need of gently used bras and men’s socks, underwear and belts. Please bring donated items to the church by Sunday, July 27th. Please see Pam Pinkerton if you have questions. Thanks!
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Mission u (formerly called School of Christian Mission) is an opportunity to study current issues impacting society based on recent mission study topics. Mission u is open to members and non-members of UMW. Evening and weekday classes August 4 – 7th, and weekend classes August 8-10. For more information please contact Billie Ray or www.ctumw.org
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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
Classes
Fine, Fit and Fabulous Program for Women. Saturdays beginning at 8:00 am. Now through August 16th. Please see Rodrione Robinson for more information.
****************************
United Methodist 101 online class is designed for new church members and anyone else wanting to know more about our: History, Structure, Beliefs, Ministries, Challenges. Cost is $9.00. This 6 week course begins July 23. Register online at:
www.umctraining.org
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REMINDERS:
Fourth Saturdays at Grace – Man Up, UMW, SOD (School of Discipleship for youth ages 10-16). Meetings begin at 10:00 am.
Sunday School begins at 10:25 am; classes for ages 3 and up.
Children’s Church – during the 11:15 am Traditional Service – you must be 8 and under to attend.
Be ready to imagine the impossible!
*************************
Greetings Grace!
I thank God for the seeds that have been planted at Grace. We are reminded in the following scripture that:
“There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven” Ecclesiastes. 3:1(NIV)
Everything we do has been planned. The seeds that were planted have grown into the various activities that we have experienced thus far. The scripture reminds us that there is also a season for every activity under heaven.
Just as the ground needs rain; this is our season for an Immersion in Grace! God reminded us of “Prevenient, Justifying and Sanctifying” Grace during Immersion last year. Each night we were filled with the Power of the Holy Spirit.
Immersion in Grace 2014 begins on Sunday evening July 20th. What a way to start the week!
Morning teachings sessions are Monday – Wednesday, with evening services each night.
We believe God for:
- Salvation for those who need to know God,
- Understanding of God’s Word,
- Growth in Grace and the Knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ,
- Healing, and
- Prosperity of the spirit, soul and body.
Blessings and Peace
Pam Pinkerton
Pastoral Letter
July 17, 2014
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Today a humanitarian crisis is unfolding on our southern border with the arrival of tens of thousands of unaccompanied children. Many of you have communicated with us about your heartfelt desire to provide compassionate care for the unaccompanied children who are suffering in our midst. As bishops we have been conferencing with each other about how the people of the United Methodist Church might respond in a manner that is most faithful to the gospel. We have also been in conversation with the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), community leaders, and government officials. Our colleague, Bishop Jim Dorff, and other leaders in the Rio Texas Conference have just returned from three days on the border addressing the situation and representing the gospel and the church and encouraging people in a Christ-like response.
Let us be guided by the Biblical witness of faith: Jesus said, “Let the little children to come to me for to such belong the kingdom of heaven.” (Luke 18:15-16)
Jesus instructed us to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, clothe those in need, visit the sick and those imprisoned then he said, “When you have done it for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you have done it for me.” (Matthew 25:40)
We are to extend hospitality to strangers. (Romans 12:13; Hebrews 13:12)
We do not understand all that these children have experienced in their home countries or in their arduous journey to our borders. We do know that their plight breaks the heart of God. Children are some of the most vulnerable members of the global community. Many come seeking to survive. They all need our compassion and care. At a time of concern about a struggling economy and national security, it is easy to give in to fear and to let that fear, rather than God’s heart, shape our hearts and our rrresponse. “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.” (II Tim. 1:7). As followers of Christ, we have the power and wisdom of God to care for these unaccompanied children.
As the Bishops of the United Methodist Conferences of Texas, we call on the people of The United Methodist Church to: Pray regularly for the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being and healing of these children and families, wisdom for our
government officials, and peace for the countries from which these children have come;
Work with faith and community leadership to provide housing, life necessities, pastoral/
Spiritual care, and as stable an environment as possible for these children and
families while their long-term status is being resolved; be attentive to seeing Christ in the faces of these children; Be alert for specific opportunities to offer ministries of compassion and care, which we will share as needs emerge.
In the words of John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement, “Do all the good you can by all the means you can in all the ways you can in all the places you can at all the times you can to all the people you can as long as ever you can.”
In the name and spirit of Christ, we join with you in Christian love for these children. God bless you.
Earl Bledsoe, Bishop of the New Mexico and Northwest Texas Conferences
Jim Dorff, Bishop of the Rio Grandeand Southwest Texas Conferences
Janice Huie, Bishop of the Texas Conference
Mike Lowry, Bishop of the Central Texas Conference
Mike McKee, Bishop of the North Texas Conference
Mission/Volunteer Opportunities
Bethlehem Center is in need of gently used bras and men’s socks, underwear and belts. Please bring donated items to the church by Sunday, July 27th. Please see Pam Pinkerton if you have questions. Thanks!
****************************
Mission u (formerly called School of Christian Mission) is an opportunity to study current issues impacting society based on recent mission study topics. Mission u is open to members and non-members of UMW. Evening and weekday classes August 4 – 7th, and weekend classes August 8-10. For more information please contact Billie Ray or www.ctumw.org
***************************
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
Classes
Fine, Fit and Fabulous Program for Women. Saturdays beginning at 8:00 am. Now through August 16th. Please see Rodrione Robinson for more information.
****************************
United Methodist 101 online class is designed for new church members and anyone else wanting to know more about our: History, Structure, Beliefs, Ministries, Challenges. Cost is $9.00. This 6 week course begins July 23. Register online at:
www.umctraining.org
****************************
REMINDERS:
Fourth Saturdays at Grace – Man Up, UMW, SOD (School of Discipleship for youth ages 10-16). Meetings begin at 10:00 am.
Sunday School begins at 10:25 am; classes for ages 3 and up.
Children’s Church – during the 11:15 am Traditional Service – you must be 8 and under to attend.