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!
*******************************
“Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy” (Psalm 47:1)
At the end of a moving speech, we clap. At the end of a good song, we clap. At the end of sermons, we clap. When I read the scripture above, I could not help but to wonder, do I clap and shout with cries of joy when God has done something in my life? What a way to give God praise!
Imagine walking into church and hearing people clapping and shouting with cries of joy, just because. God has done so much in our lives. If we started clapping, we’d probably never stop!
I’m excited to bring you this issue of Grace Notes. God is moving Grace and that my friends, is definitely something to clap and shout about.
Blessings & Peace,
Pam Pinkerton
Pastors column
Grace Family,
What an awesome month! Our Church continues to experience to grace and blessing of God at a wonderful rate. We are experiencing growth on all levels, (attendance, membership, financial, and most importantly, spiritual). This can only mean that we are praying together, working together, and pulling together in order to position ourselves to be used by God in this great adventure.
The Anniversary and Reunion weekend was outstanding! The participation and attendance at both events was exceeding above all that we could ask or imagine.
I am looking forward to two important dates during this month. Mark your calendars for Thursday, November 1, 2012, at 7pm, which is our charge conference. Also, on Saturday, November 17th, at 11am we will organize our 2013 times of ministry, special events, outreaches, spiritual formation, and fellowship.
In our “Potential Principle” teaching, we outlined the fact that potential and power is in planning. However, planning alone will not solve the problem. Remember;
1. Prayer – The place where the plans are discussed and understood.
2. Positioning – Being in the right place at the right time.
3. Proper Implementation of the Plan – Doing things the right way and with excellence, and finally;
4. Pace – Knowing when, how fast, or how slow you should proceed.
Meditate on these points as you make decisions in your own life and as we plan the life and ministry of Grace. Now, keep looking for 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
Grace Happenings and Special Thanks!
Sharing the Grace!
Grace Family as Thanksgiving season approaches, we are being asked to share from our abundance with those who are less fortunate. As you are shopping for your family's meal, pick up extra non-perishable groceries [canned goods, dry stuffing/bread mix, chicken broth, etc].
Baskets will be placed in the fellowship hall for your donations. Monetary contributions of $10 can be made so items such as meat, eggs, butter, etc can be purchased. These goods, along with the perishable items, will be distributed prior to Thanksgiving Day.
This effort will support needy families in the Arlington/Grand Prairie Area. Do you know of needy families in these areas? Submit names to Billie Ray or Rev. Stemley.
This is a means for us to Allow Others to Experience Grace!
Billie Ray, Layleader
Prayer Ministry
“Is any of you sick? He should call on the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord” James 5:14
Tips for Spending Time With God Throughout the Day
· Learn to pray while “on the go.”
· Let God into your daily problem-solving activities.
· Acknowledge to others your need of divine help.
· Expect God to act outside your limited perspective.
· Keep reflecting on a specific biblical theme.
· Be encouraged that Jesus has promised to stay with you in all of life’s circumstances.
Be blessed,
Deborah Hunte
*************************************
Why Go to Worship?
A churchgoer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every week. "I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time...." This started a controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher:
"I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I can not recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this ... they all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!"
"Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart..." Jeremiah 15:16
Scott Marshall
------------------------------------
Joint African American UMC service is set for Sunday, December 9, 2012, at 10:30 am at Campus Drive UMC, 4301 Campus Drive Fort Worth, Tx. 76119. Please remind family and friends about the special joint service.
************************
Attention All Men of Grace.
It's time that we get our United Methodist Men's Group back up and running. Men of Grace we need to be LEADERS so we can set the example for our young men and women.
"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Mathew 5:14-16.
Scott Marshall
TRAIL BLAZERS UPDATE
The Trail Blazers (50+) meetings will begin in January. Plans are in the works for a production in March.
Please see Billie Ray, for more information.
************************
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!
*******************************
“Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy” (Psalm 47:1)
At the end of a moving speech, we clap. At the end of a good song, we clap. At the end of sermons, we clap. When I read the scripture above, I could not help but to wonder, do I clap and shout with cries of joy when God has done something in my life? What a way to give God praise!
Imagine walking into church and hearing people clapping and shouting with cries of joy, just because. God has done so much in our lives. If we started clapping, we’d probably never stop!
I’m excited to bring you this issue of Grace Notes. God is moving Grace and that my friends, is definitely something to clap and shout about.
Blessings & Peace,
Pam Pinkerton
Pastors column
Grace Family,
What an awesome month! Our Church continues to experience to grace and blessing of God at a wonderful rate. We are experiencing growth on all levels, (attendance, membership, financial, and most importantly, spiritual). This can only mean that we are praying together, working together, and pulling together in order to position ourselves to be used by God in this great adventure.
The Anniversary and Reunion weekend was outstanding! The participation and attendance at both events was exceeding above all that we could ask or imagine.
I am looking forward to two important dates during this month. Mark your calendars for Thursday, November 1, 2012, at 7pm, which is our charge conference. Also, on Saturday, November 17th, at 11am we will organize our 2013 times of ministry, special events, outreaches, spiritual formation, and fellowship.
In our “Potential Principle” teaching, we outlined the fact that potential and power is in planning. However, planning alone will not solve the problem. Remember;
1. Prayer – The place where the plans are discussed and understood.
2. Positioning – Being in the right place at the right time.
3. Proper Implementation of the Plan – Doing things the right way and with excellence, and finally;
4. Pace – Knowing when, how fast, or how slow you should proceed.
Meditate on these points as you make decisions in your own life and as we plan the life and ministry of Grace. Now, keep looking for 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
Grace Happenings and Special Thanks!
Sharing the Grace!
Grace Family as Thanksgiving season approaches, we are being asked to share from our abundance with those who are less fortunate. As you are shopping for your family's meal, pick up extra non-perishable groceries [canned goods, dry stuffing/bread mix, chicken broth, etc].
Baskets will be placed in the fellowship hall for your donations. Monetary contributions of $10 can be made so items such as meat, eggs, butter, etc can be purchased. These goods, along with the perishable items, will be distributed prior to Thanksgiving Day.
This effort will support needy families in the Arlington/Grand Prairie Area. Do you know of needy families in these areas? Submit names to Billie Ray or Rev. Stemley.
This is a means for us to Allow Others to Experience Grace!
Billie Ray, Layleader
Prayer Ministry
“Is any of you sick? He should call on the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord” James 5:14
Tips for Spending Time With God Throughout the Day
· Learn to pray while “on the go.”
· Let God into your daily problem-solving activities.
· Acknowledge to others your need of divine help.
· Expect God to act outside your limited perspective.
· Keep reflecting on a specific biblical theme.
· Be encouraged that Jesus has promised to stay with you in all of life’s circumstances.
Be blessed,
Deborah Hunte
*************************************
Why Go to Worship?
A churchgoer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every week. "I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time...." This started a controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher:
"I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I can not recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this ... they all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!"
"Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart..." Jeremiah 15:16
Scott Marshall
------------------------------------
Joint African American UMC service is set for Sunday, December 9, 2012, at 10:30 am at Campus Drive UMC, 4301 Campus Drive Fort Worth, Tx. 76119. Please remind family and friends about the special joint service.
************************
Attention All Men of Grace.
It's time that we get our United Methodist Men's Group back up and running. Men of Grace we need to be LEADERS so we can set the example for our young men and women.
"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Mathew 5:14-16.
Scott Marshall
TRAIL BLAZERS UPDATE
The Trail Blazers (50+) meetings will begin in January. Plans are in the works for a production in March.
Please see Billie Ray, for more information.
************************
Special thanks to Mrs. Mattie Battle and Family:
Please accept our special thanks for bringing joy and cheer. Your friendly smiles and giving hearts are felt throughout the year.
Thanks for your hard work, devotion and showing that you care, your wonderful delicacies and punch are far beyond compare.
We appreciate you more that you know,
Your Grace Church Family
Please accept our special thanks for bringing joy and cheer. Your friendly smiles and giving hearts are felt throughout the year.
Thanks for your hard work, devotion and showing that you care, your wonderful delicacies and punch are far beyond compare.
We appreciate you more that you know,
Your Grace Church Family