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!
*******************************
“For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, "Do not fear, I will help you." Isaiah 41:13
I have no problem reaching for my grandchildrens’ hands when we are out and about. As soon as I step the car, I’m reaching for a hand. And I keep ahold of their little hands until we are finished doing what we needed to do. I was the same way with my children. Whenever we were out, I’d would hold their hand. I wanted them to stay close to me; not be out of sight or reach.
I remember watching the president and first lady during the inauguration. While walking, you could see him reaching for her hand. It was as though her hand was supposed to be there, holding his. As I read the scripture above, I thought about the Lord, holding my hand. In particular, my right hand. “For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand”. He didn’t say he wanted to hold my hand, he didn’t ask if he could hold my hands, he doesn’t reach for our hands. He made it clear that he holds my right hands.
There are times when I forget that God is holding my hand. I don’t move with confidence, I fail to step out in faith, and I’m not the light that God has called me to be. Those are some of the things that happen to me when I forget that God is right there holding my hand.
Whenever I need, God is right here, holding my hand. If my day is not going well, he’s here holding my hand, reassuring me that things will be fine. Guiding me in another direction. If I’m tired and feel like I can’t do another thing, he’s here, squeezing my hand to let me know that things will be ok. I don’t have to reach for God’s hand, because he never lets mine go. And the good news is that you don’t have to reach for God’s hand either. God is big enough to hold all of our hands, and he does!
The next time you are feeling as though you’re walking alone, remember what God said, “I, the LORD your God hold your right hand”. Remember that God never goes back on his Word. It’s real, it’s alive, and it’s for us, whenever we need.
Blessings & Peace,
Pam Pinkerton
Pastors column
Grace to you!
During the course of the “10 Principles for a Successful Life Change Strategy” series, I have been made aware of the need for us to not just hear the Word, but to become doers of the Word as well. James makes this point clear as he records;
25 But there are those who study the perfect law, the law of freedom, and continue to do it. They don’t listen and then forget, but they put it into practice in their lives. They will be blessed in whatever they do. (James 1: 25 CEB)
We can read and listen to Scripture until our ears fall off, but the Bible is clear that the principles and lessons must be put into practice to have any effectiveness in our life change strategy. Think about it; I can have the best laid business plan every created, but it will not profit me if I never put it into action.
I encourage you, as we complete this series and expound on relationship principles, to put the plan into action and watch to Word of God (in action) change your life!
The time is upon us for the “Relationship Seminar” (for singles and couples), on Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 9am. The newly appointed District Superintendent, Dr. Clifton Howard and Mrs. Barbara Howard are our special guest along with the special panel for questions and answers. The First Lady and I are looking forward to team teaching in the first session.
The Life Change series will continue after the “Relationship Seminar” and should conclude before Easter.
It is our mission the dictates our direction, so remember, we exist to, and are, “Seeking 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!”
Stay in love with God and each other,
Pastor Bates and Rona
Sharing Grace
Rhythm Melody Harmony Form Tone-Color
Introduction to Music Group Instruction
Ages 21 and above
Requirements
1. Time to practice at least 30 minutes every day.
2. Time to attend Music Class the first and third Saturdays…12:00 noon until 1:00 pm.
Classes will begin April 6, 2013. Location: Grace United Methodist Church. Register with Pam Pinkerton by March 24th, 2013. Name and phone number please.
Ann Thompson, M.A., M.Ed., B.S. Certified Music Educator.
*****
YOU PUT THE DEVIL OUT, BUT YOU LET HIM LEAVE HIS BAGS!!
You got out of a bad relationship because it was bad, but you are still resentful, and angry (you let the devil leave his bags).
You got out of financial debt, but you still have the desire to spend (you let the devil leave his bags).
You got out of a bad habit or addiction, but you still long to try it just one more time (you let the devil leave his bags).
You said, I forgive you, but you can’t seem to forget (you let the devil leave his bags).
You told your unequally yoked mat that it was over, but you still continue to call (you let the devil leave his bags)
WHEN YOU PUT THE DEVIL OUT, MAKE HIM TAKE HIS BAGS TOO……
“The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and he adds no sorrow with it” (Proverbs 10:22)
Shared by Billie Ray, Lay Leader
*****
"Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death, and will deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised up."
Matthew 20:18-19
Easter Lilies for the altar, in memory of loved ones or in honor of family or friends. Completed forms must be given to Marleana Coles by Sunday, March 24th
Easter Program (children & youth), will be on Sunday March 31st, 9:30 am – 10:15 am. If you would like for your child to participant in this program, attendance in Sunday school is required.
*****
Volunteer Opportunities:
The Outreach Committee is looking for you!
The church isn’t just the building. At Grace UMC Arlington our mission is to:
Seek 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.
For more information, please see Rev. Penny Stemley
*****
Eggs needed
On Saturday, March 30th, from 10:00 – 12:00 noon, there will be an Easter egg hunt for children and youth. If you would like to donate eggs (plastic only, filled with candy) please bring them to the church by Sunday, March 24th.
------------------------------
News around the church
from United Methodist News Service
http://umns.umc.org
New churches in U.S. surpass goal
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Church planters established 684 new United Methodist churches in the United States during 2008-12, surpassing the denomination’s new church development goal for the quadrennium by 34.
574 new worship communities thrive
NEW YORK (UMNS) — Since 2008, The United Methodist Church has started 574 worshipping communities in Southeast Asia, Eurasia, Africa and Latin America. That number exceeds the original goal of 400 church plants for the 2009-12 quadrennium.
Bishop White to head heritage board
LINTHICUM HEIGHTS, Md. — The United Methodist Church’s African American Methodist Heritage Center has announced the election of retired Bishop Woodie W. White as president of its board of directors. White is a longtime United Methodist and member of Black Methodists for Church Renewal, the United Methodist African-American caucus. The center works to provide research, preserve artifacts, and protect and promote the stories of black people who have been part of Methodism since its inception in the 1700s.
Be ready to imagine the impossible!
*******************************
“For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, "Do not fear, I will help you." Isaiah 41:13
I have no problem reaching for my grandchildrens’ hands when we are out and about. As soon as I step the car, I’m reaching for a hand. And I keep ahold of their little hands until we are finished doing what we needed to do. I was the same way with my children. Whenever we were out, I’d would hold their hand. I wanted them to stay close to me; not be out of sight or reach.
I remember watching the president and first lady during the inauguration. While walking, you could see him reaching for her hand. It was as though her hand was supposed to be there, holding his. As I read the scripture above, I thought about the Lord, holding my hand. In particular, my right hand. “For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand”. He didn’t say he wanted to hold my hand, he didn’t ask if he could hold my hands, he doesn’t reach for our hands. He made it clear that he holds my right hands.
There are times when I forget that God is holding my hand. I don’t move with confidence, I fail to step out in faith, and I’m not the light that God has called me to be. Those are some of the things that happen to me when I forget that God is right there holding my hand.
Whenever I need, God is right here, holding my hand. If my day is not going well, he’s here holding my hand, reassuring me that things will be fine. Guiding me in another direction. If I’m tired and feel like I can’t do another thing, he’s here, squeezing my hand to let me know that things will be ok. I don’t have to reach for God’s hand, because he never lets mine go. And the good news is that you don’t have to reach for God’s hand either. God is big enough to hold all of our hands, and he does!
The next time you are feeling as though you’re walking alone, remember what God said, “I, the LORD your God hold your right hand”. Remember that God never goes back on his Word. It’s real, it’s alive, and it’s for us, whenever we need.
Blessings & Peace,
Pam Pinkerton
Pastors column
Grace to you!
During the course of the “10 Principles for a Successful Life Change Strategy” series, I have been made aware of the need for us to not just hear the Word, but to become doers of the Word as well. James makes this point clear as he records;
25 But there are those who study the perfect law, the law of freedom, and continue to do it. They don’t listen and then forget, but they put it into practice in their lives. They will be blessed in whatever they do. (James 1: 25 CEB)
We can read and listen to Scripture until our ears fall off, but the Bible is clear that the principles and lessons must be put into practice to have any effectiveness in our life change strategy. Think about it; I can have the best laid business plan every created, but it will not profit me if I never put it into action.
I encourage you, as we complete this series and expound on relationship principles, to put the plan into action and watch to Word of God (in action) change your life!
The time is upon us for the “Relationship Seminar” (for singles and couples), on Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 9am. The newly appointed District Superintendent, Dr. Clifton Howard and Mrs. Barbara Howard are our special guest along with the special panel for questions and answers. The First Lady and I are looking forward to team teaching in the first session.
The Life Change series will continue after the “Relationship Seminar” and should conclude before Easter.
It is our mission the dictates our direction, so remember, we exist to, and are, “Seeking 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!”
Stay in love with God and each other,
Pastor Bates and Rona
Sharing Grace
Rhythm Melody Harmony Form Tone-Color
Introduction to Music Group Instruction
Ages 21 and above
Requirements
1. Time to practice at least 30 minutes every day.
2. Time to attend Music Class the first and third Saturdays…12:00 noon until 1:00 pm.
Classes will begin April 6, 2013. Location: Grace United Methodist Church. Register with Pam Pinkerton by March 24th, 2013. Name and phone number please.
Ann Thompson, M.A., M.Ed., B.S. Certified Music Educator.
*****
YOU PUT THE DEVIL OUT, BUT YOU LET HIM LEAVE HIS BAGS!!
You got out of a bad relationship because it was bad, but you are still resentful, and angry (you let the devil leave his bags).
You got out of financial debt, but you still have the desire to spend (you let the devil leave his bags).
You got out of a bad habit or addiction, but you still long to try it just one more time (you let the devil leave his bags).
You said, I forgive you, but you can’t seem to forget (you let the devil leave his bags).
You told your unequally yoked mat that it was over, but you still continue to call (you let the devil leave his bags)
WHEN YOU PUT THE DEVIL OUT, MAKE HIM TAKE HIS BAGS TOO……
“The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and he adds no sorrow with it” (Proverbs 10:22)
Shared by Billie Ray, Lay Leader
*****
"Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death, and will deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised up."
Matthew 20:18-19
Easter Lilies for the altar, in memory of loved ones or in honor of family or friends. Completed forms must be given to Marleana Coles by Sunday, March 24th
Easter Program (children & youth), will be on Sunday March 31st, 9:30 am – 10:15 am. If you would like for your child to participant in this program, attendance in Sunday school is required.
*****
Volunteer Opportunities:
The Outreach Committee is looking for you!
The church isn’t just the building. At Grace UMC Arlington our mission is to:
Seek 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.
For more information, please see Rev. Penny Stemley
*****
Eggs needed
On Saturday, March 30th, from 10:00 – 12:00 noon, there will be an Easter egg hunt for children and youth. If you would like to donate eggs (plastic only, filled with candy) please bring them to the church by Sunday, March 24th.
------------------------------
News around the church
from United Methodist News Service
http://umns.umc.org
New churches in U.S. surpass goal
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Church planters established 684 new United Methodist churches in the United States during 2008-12, surpassing the denomination’s new church development goal for the quadrennium by 34.
574 new worship communities thrive
NEW YORK (UMNS) — Since 2008, The United Methodist Church has started 574 worshipping communities in Southeast Asia, Eurasia, Africa and Latin America. That number exceeds the original goal of 400 church plants for the 2009-12 quadrennium.
Bishop White to head heritage board
LINTHICUM HEIGHTS, Md. — The United Methodist Church’s African American Methodist Heritage Center has announced the election of retired Bishop Woodie W. White as president of its board of directors. White is a longtime United Methodist and member of Black Methodists for Church Renewal, the United Methodist African-American caucus. The center works to provide research, preserve artifacts, and protect and promote the stories of black people who have been part of Methodism since its inception in the 1700s.