I heard the bells on Christmas Day, Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat, Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
This carol was the closing hymn at the traditional service last Sunday. We’ve likely all wondered if there can ever really be peace on earth. Our thoughts today are no different than those of Henry W. Longfellow when…
On Christmas day, 1863, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow—a 57-year-old widowed father of six children, the oldest of which had been nearly paralyzed as his country fought a war against itself—wrote a poem seeking to capture the dynamic and dissonance in his own heart and the world he observes around him. He heard the Christmas bells that December day and the singing of “peace on earth” (Luke 2:14), but he observed the world of injustice and violence that seemed to mock the truthfulness of this optimistic outlook. The theme of listening recurred throughout the poem, eventually leading to a settledness of confident hope even in the midst of bleak despair.
Along with hope comes joy. On this, the third Sunday of Advent we will hear Pastor Bill’s message on Boundless Joy with a sermon text from Luke 1:46b-55.
Children’s Christmas Play
The kids (and directors) have been working hard! You won’t want to miss the Children of Grace Church presenting the musical, The Drowsy Shepherd on Sunday, December 16, at 6 p.m. in our sanctuary.
Volunteers Needed for Family Promise
Grace Church will be hosting two mothers and two children staying with us from December 23rd through January 6th. At this time, we are in urgent need of more volunteers. This Sunday is the last opportunity to sign up to volunteer for Family Promise. Sign-up sheets are located in the Welcome Center. Your help is needed in the following areas – preparing an evening meal, sleeping over at the church, and driving the van in the morning or afternoon. If you feel called to do this important ministry please sign up in the Welcome Center. If you have questions, please contact Arlene Miller at arlenelmiller@comcast.net .
Movie Night is Coming to Grace. Beginning on January 11, we will be showing a Christian movie in Fellowship Hall. Mark your calendars for 1/11, 2/15, 3/8, 4/12 and 5/10. Each movie will begin at 7 pm and will include free popcorn! This is a great opportunity to invite a friend. Our January movie is God’s Not Dead.
A Longest Night Service, held on or around the eve of the winter solstice, is a modern Christian religious service designed to temper the struggle with darkness and grief faced by those living with loss. Loss may include the death of a loved one, divorce or separation, separation due to military service, the loss of a job, or living with serious illness. To acknowledge that God’s Word comes to shine light into our darkness, a service of prayer, scripture, and music will be held in our Sanctuary at 7:00 pm on December 21. If you, or someone you know, is experiencing grief or loss at this time of year, please share this information with them. All are welcome.
KINGDOM ASSIGNMENT NEWS
Eight-year-old Julia Fabin accepted a Kingdom Assignment and is working to help Haitian families stay together. Please take a moment to visit her display of ornaments and jewelry made by Haitian artisans in the Welcome Center. You may find that unique gift for Christmas!
NEW AT GRACE:
Birthday Revelers. Your pastors want to celebrate your life! Each month in 2019, your pastors are hosting those who have a birthday in that particular month, along with one guest. The first birthday celebration will be on January 7 at 6 pm for all of you with a January birthday. Childcare and pizza will be provided for young children. There will be no cost, but reservations are required. Reservations are being accepted now for January birthdays. Your reservation must include the January date of your birthday, and how many children will require childcare. Please register in the Welcome Center or email kmihoerck@indianagrace.org. Deadline to register for the January event is December 23, 2018.
Casting a Vision for Prayer, 2019 Prayer Seminar with Terry Teykl.
Plan now to join your prayer team in Fellowship Hall on January 12. Using humor and depth, Terry leads prayer seminars across the nation. The seminar begins at 8:30 with refreshments and registration. Sessions are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with lunch at noon ($5/person) Please call the church office by January 8 to make reservations for the lunch. All are welcome. Lets grow in prayer together!
Grace Church Special Christmas Services in the Sanctuary
Friday, December 21 – 7:00 pm “Longest Night” Worship Service
*No worship service on Saturday, December 22
*Regular Worship schedule on Sunday, December 23:
9:00 am – Traditional Worship
11:00 am – Contemporary Worship
Monday, December 24 – Christmas Eve Candlelight Services
3:00 pm – Contemporary Worship
5:00 pm – Contemporary Worship
7:00 pm – Traditional Worship
Child care for children up to age three is available in the nursery, rooms 108 and 109 during Christmas Eve services.
Ring in the New Year With Grace! Join us in Fellowship Hall on Monday, December 31 from 9 p.m. – midnight for a New Year Celebration. There will be music with the contemporary worship band, a message, games, food and fun! Bring a dish to share. No sign-up is necessary.
Just a reminder…Our pastors and staff have many gifts, but clairvoyance is not one of them : ) If you or a loved one should be admitted to the hospital, please let the church office know so that our pastors may visit.
Heart Warmers:
On my way home one day, I stopped to watch a Little League baseball game that was being played in a park near my home. As I sat down behind the bench on the first-base line, I asked one of the boys what the score was. ‘We’re behind 14 to nothing,’ he answered with a smile.
‘Really,’ I said. ‘I have to say you don’t look very discouraged.’
‘Discouraged?’ the boy asked with a puzzled look on his face…
‘Why should we be discouraged? We haven’t been up to bat yet.’
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Whenever I’m disappointed with my spot in life, I stop and think about little Jamie Scott who was trying out for a part in the school play. His mother told me that he’d set his heart on being in it, though she feared he would not be chosen.
On the day the parts were awarded, I went with her to collect him after school. Jamie rushed up to her, eyes shining with pride and excitement.. ‘Guess what, Mom,’ he shouted, and then said those words that will remain a lesson to me….’I’ve been chosen to clap and cheer.’
