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!
*******************************
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:
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
**************************
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.
************************
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)
******************************
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)
*****************************
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
*****************************
Have information to share? Praise reports, upcoming events? Please submit to Pam Pinkerton.
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!
*******************************
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
**************************
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.
************************
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)
******************************
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)
*****************************
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
*****************************
Have information to share? Praise reports, upcoming events? Please submit to Pam Pinkerton.