Things are certainly hopping around Grace Church! Watching the progress of our current construction project has been so interesting. Talk about master craftsmen! We are so anxious for this work to be completed so that we we can move into the remodeled rooms and have the new handicap entrance available to everyone. Thanks to everyone for cheerfully making the adjustments in room assignments, entry ways and schedules…and for putting up with some clutter and dust over the past several weeks.
Once this project is complete, we move right into finishing the work in our sanctuary. You may remember that the sanctuary upgrade was part of the “Called To Grow” plan from several years ago. The new paint job done last year was just the beginning. Our pews will all be refurbished, floors will be sanded and new carpeting will be installed this summer. By mid-summer, all of the work should be complete.
While we love and appreciate the beautiful church building, we realize how blessed we are to have the time, talent and resources to move ahead with programming and outreach to our community, our nation and our world. The building is a tool for ministry…but the church is the people!
Never doubt that we can–and do–make a difference in the lives we touch. We received this note from an IUP student who was active with our chancel choir. It is shared with the writer’s permission:
I want to thank you for our time together. I am truly blessed to call you my church family. I have grown as a Christian because of all of you, and I am very grateful. My next church will have extremely large shoes to fill (especially in the music department)! You have all made a huge impact on my life, and I ask that as we part ways, you think of this as sending a brighter light for God into the world instead of me merely leaving. Please keep my family and me in your thoughts. I wish you all the best. See you soon!
Many blessings and much love, Jensen
This Sunday morning Pastor Bill’s message will focus on the parables of the lost. The Sacrament of Baptism will be celebrated at the 11:00 service, including baptism by immersion for some of our youth who are preparing to be accepted into full church membership. It’s sure to be a very meaningful morning.
Our Spirit Alive at 6:45 services have been so well received. Last week’s message on healing, the personal testimony and anointing were so impactful. Please join us for a spirit-filled worship service each Sunday evening.
The Indiana High School Baccalaureate Service previously scheduled for our sanctuary has been moved to the Summit Church on West Pike Road because of the construction work that will be starting in the sanctuary later this month. Everyone is invited to this service which is planned and carried out by the graduating class. The A cappela choir—a community favorite–will be performing. We want to extend our thanks and appreciation to Summit for hosting the event on such short notice. The service is at 3 p.m.
Grace will recognize our own graduates in our sanctuary on the morning of June 2nd. If you are a graduating senior, or if your son or daughter is graduating from high school or college, please call Chris in the church office to let us know if the graduate will be joining us in either the 9 or 11 am service on June 2. We annually recognize and honor our grads with a meaningful gift. At the 9 am service, graduates are encouraged to wear caps and gowns so they can process at the beginning of the service. At 11, they will be recognized in the pews.
Capital Campaign Update:
As of Wednesday, May 8th, the total amount pledged remained at $276,440.
Total cash received and cash received from the sale of stocks was $228,694.
We are nearing the end of the construction project, and so far things have gone very well. If no other changes to the plan are required, we will made a final payment of $168,252 to the contractor in early June.
Thank you for your prayerful and generous support. Donations are cheerfully accepted at any time!! Please indicate “Capital Campaign” in the memo line of checks, or on the offering envelopes.
SPECIAL NOTE:
As the construction work in the church building continues, the sign-up sheets for Grace Church events will be on the table near the new double-door entrance to the Welcome Center. You may also call the church office to sign up for most events.
IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER:
Indiana Hospital has tightened their security and will no longer give our pastors information regarding who from our congregation may be hospitalized. We never want to miss the opportunity to see you or your loved one when there is a need for a pastoral visit. So, we ask that you alert the office staff or one of the pastors directly if you should be hospitalized. Thank you for your help!
The Helping Hands Ministry is ready, willing and able!!
Need help with things like small chores, yard work or seasonal cleaning? To get help, email or call the church office and provide your email address to be put in touch with a helper. If you are interested in being a helper to someone in our church family, please call the church office.
Grace Life Event:
Mark your calendars for an Ice Cream Social! Friday evening, May 17 at 7 pm in Fellowship Hall. Everyone is invited. If you would like to donate toppings, please do so by dropping them off in the Parlor by Wednesday, May 15. This event is sponsored by the Grace Life Committee.
THREE UPCOMING KINGDOM ASSIGNMENTS:
The Sleppy Family has organized a Mario Kart tournament to be held in Fellowship Hall on Saturday, May 18 to raise money for Family Promise. The sign up sheet is located on a table at the new entrance to the Welcome Center The tournament is open to all ages, so hone those gaming skills and join the fun!
Six-year old Carter Innocenti will host a Kingdom Assignment Lemonade Stand on Sunday, May 19, before and after the 9 and 11 am services. The stand will be located in the church courtyard (or on the portico if it should rain). Cost of a cup of lemonade is $1 and all proceeds will be used to purchase VBS song cds for each family unit that attends Grace Church VBS this summer. Please help Carter further God’s kingdom through worship–one cup at a time!
Ryan Fabin has set up a bike ride on the Hoodlebug Trail in memory of Bobby Myers on Sunday, June 9th at 2:30 p.m. Everyone will meet at the parking lot beside Divine Destiny Church (formerly the Omni) A donation of $10/rider is recommended, but not required. All proceeds will go to the Grace Missions fund in Bobby’s memory. Walkers are also welcome!!! After the ride…or if biking/walking is not your thing, please consider eating at Hoss’s anytime that day. When you present a card or sheet with our group number, Hoss’s will donate a portion of your check to Grace Church Missions. YOU MUST PRESENT CARD OR PAPER for the contribution by Hoss’s. Copies are available at our info table just outside the new Welcome Center doors.
Senior Adult Ministry Event: Thursday, May 16 – Tour of Old Bedford Village and picnic. Cost is $10 and includes a packed lunch and transportation. Sign up at the table near the new double-door entrance to the Welcome Center or call the church office.
The Men’s Prayer Breakfast will be held on Saturday, May 18 at 8:30 am. The sign-up sheet is on the table near the new entrance to the Welcome Center.
Coming this Summer: Grace Kids Baking Camp for children K through 5th grades: Let the fun begin in our church kitchen! Learn new recipes in every class. Kids will be taking home the sweet treats they bake. Classes will be on Mondays, June 10, 17, 24 and July 1 from 6 – 8 p.m. Cost of the camp is $15 per child. Limited space is available. Register your child early by emailing Becky at bmcanulty@indianagrace.org. The church office cannot accept the registrations for this camp.
On Sunday, June 9 at 4 pm, we will begin our Summer Community Prayer Walks. The starting point for June will be here at Grace. These monthly Prayer Gatherings are the result of the hard work of the Ministerium. Prayer can–and will–make a difference in our community, Please join your friends and neighbors in prayer and fellowship. We hope to see you on the corner of 7th and Church streets on June 9.
June 9th is Pentecost. Please remember to wear red to church that day!
Active Faith Summerfest at Mack Park on Saturday, June 1.
Organized by LoveIndianaPA, this event is for the whole family and will include food, kid’s bounce houses, live music (including our own Grace Contemporary Worship Team), and a 5K benefit race. More information and sign-up forms are available at the information table at the Welcome Center.
Special Talent Needed!!!
If you can make balloon creatures, we need YOU! Please call the church office if this is your special talent!!
Proms, Graduations and Celebrations
It’s an exciting season for the young people in our community, and across the nation. Please pray for them to make wise decisions, and to be safe during the celebrations.
Laugh Lines:
The weary evangelist knocked on another door, fully expecting to have it slammed in his face. Sure enough, the older woman who answered, angrily demanded that he leave once she figured out why he was there and slammed the door.
The door, however, bounced back open, and the woman shouted, “Get your foot out of my door!”
“But ma’am…” the evangelist began, when the woman again slammed the door in his face. Once again it bounced back open.
“I said get your foot out of my door!” the woman yelled again. One more time she slammed the door. One more time it bounced open again.
“But ma’am…” the evangelist said again, only to be cut off.
“Don’t talk back to me!” the woman screamed in a rage. “I want you off my property!” She slammed the door a fourth time, only to see it bounce open a fourth time.
“Ma’am,” the evangelist yelled as he beat a hasty retreat down the sidewalk, “you’ll be able to close your door if you move your cat out of the way!”
Have a great day. See you in church!
