Greetings Friends,
Grace Church was sure buzzing this week. A whopping 185 children attended VBS where 106 volunteer adults and youth happily worked with them throughout an amazing week. When everyone gathered in Fellowship Hall for opening and closing, there was a ROAR of excitement as the kids sang, danced and learned that God is good! The theme carried right through till the very end when we were treated to a Wild World of Animals show in the courtyard. Just to name a few, the handler brought with her a scorpion, a legless lizard, an owl, a tortoise, a beautiful baby leopard, an armadillo, and even a baby kangaroo. A real hit for everyone was the monkey who was described as being like an active two-year old on steroids! He wasn’t still for one second, and evoked lots of laughs from the crowd.
You will have a chance to see some of the VBS action (minus the animals) on Sunday morning when the kids will be joining us to sing and dance in worship.
Obviously, VBS is not a one-man job. A huge thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers who worked with the children and those who were behind-the-scene doing prep work, security and clean-up. We also acknowledge Graystone Church for the use of their parking lot, and the Borough Parking Authority for allowing parents to drop off and pick up kids without worrying about parking fines. The beautiful decorations donated by Summit Church helped to create the perfect African background. It was community in action, and we so appreciate everything and everyone.
And…while all of this activity was going on in the education wing, the crews were diligently working in our sanctuary. The pews are in place, carpeting is laid, and the cushions are just waiting to be placed on the pews. While there may be finishing touches required next week, we will be worshiping in the sanctuary this Sunday! However, the Narthex will be unavailable, so please use the new entrance, through the Welcome Center to the Sanctuary.
Just a little preview!!!
Capital Campaign Update
As of Wednesday, August 7th, the total amount pledged remained at $276,440.
Total gifts received, both pledged and unpledged, amounted to $278,491.
The Preservation Savings Fund will be used to offset any final costs for the project. As monies come in for the Capital Campaign, the Preservation Savings Fund will be replenished.
If you would like an update on where you stand with your pledge or need to adjust it, please call the church office.
MISSIONS NEWS
Fall Mission Trip
A mission trip to Puerto Rico is being planned for Saturday, October 12th to Saturday, October 19th. We will be working on hurricane damaged homes.
Please plan to attend an informational meeting on Sunday, August 18th at 10:15 a.m. in the GIM Building. If you cannot attend the meeting, but want more information, please call Larry Catlos at 724-463-7788 or 724-388-6032.
GUMC Mission Committee recently renamed our Mission Trips Fund to the “Bobby Meyers Missions Trips Fund”. If you would like to donate to Missions in Bobby’s memory, please include on your check or envelope “In Bobby’s Memory”. Thank you!
LOOKING AHEAD
August 11 – Swim party at Mack Pool to celebrate the fun we’ll have at VBS (There will be no Spirit Alive Service this evening.)
August 18 – Step-up Sunday – our new 6th Graders will be moving into the Youth Group classes & activities
August 18 – Blessing of the Backpacks. Kids: Plan to bring your backpacks to church for a blessing
August 25 – Our contemporary Worship Team will lead music at the Harvest Home Worship Service at the Indiana County Fair. (There will be no Spirit Alive Service this evening. We encourage you to join folks from around the county at the evening church service. Entrance to the fairgrounds is free on Sunday)
In September, the Wednesday night dinners and classes resume, Cancer and COURAGE support group convenes, our church picnic will be held at Blue Spruce, and many other exciting and meaningful opportunities will commence.
The Outreach team is planning a Love Out Loud Day of Service on September 14 where each of us has the opportunity to step into the community to be a blessing to others.
Senior Adult Ministry Trip to The Amish House and Smicksburg Shops: Thursday, August 22, depart Mack Park at 9:00 am and return at approximately 5:00 pm. Cost is $15 per person and includes transportation and a “Mega Buffet” lunch at The Amish House. RSVP by signing up in the Welcome Center and paying $15 to the church office by Monday, August 12. If you have any questions, please contact Donna Overdorff at 724-464-7552 or email Donna at: donnajeanoverdorff@gmail.com.
Watch your bulletins and future email blasts for details about these and many other upcoming activities and opportunities to gather with your church family.
Calling all Bakers – Thousands of new freshmen, transfer and grad students are coming to IUP over the next couple weeks. Baked goods are a sure way to show students the love of Christ and give them a taste of home! Grace and Cru will be connecting with dozens of IUP students over the next several weeks, and especially during the “Welcome Weekend” (August 22 -25) Please bring donations to the Parlor or church office by August 21. Not a baker? No problem. We also need donations of bottled water or soda. Contact Phil Floyd with questions. 724-840-3094.
A Couple Thoughts:
Many families who came to VBS are planning to come to Grace this Sunday to watch their kids perform at each morning service. What an opportunity we have to showcase our church, but more importantly to share why we love to worship here.
Two of your staff members recently attended a Hospitality and Food Service Conference. Although most of the churches represented there had huge congregations—with 1500 to 6000 attending on any given weekend–it was easy to see that we all have many of the same ideas and some of the same problems. Most of the churches were very new compared to Grace, without the ‘way it’s always been done’ mentality. Those churches reached out and tried new things. They were growing! Most apparent was the fact that church hospitality is not something that just a few people can manage. It must be the culture of a church…the culture of Grace Church.
The keynote/motivational speaker at the conference was Kenn Kington, a Christian Comedian. His message was inspirational and very entertaining. It zeroed in on four points—Focus, Anticipation, Initiative and Responsibility—each with a real life (and comical) story to go with it. FOCUS on what is really important. ANTICIPATE needs and meet them. Take the INITIATIVE when things need to be done. “The smallest action is better than a great intention.” Take RESPONSIBILITY–be the church. Most of all, remember that our primary purpose is people!
As lovely as it is, Grace Church is much more than a stately building. As guests come this Sunday…and each Sunday, please join your staff and the hospitality team in exhibiting the ‘real’ Grace Church–her people! Shake hands, introduce yourself and offer to join a guest in the Welcome Center for coffee. They aren’t strangers…just friends we haven’t met yet! (And if it just so happens that you greet someone you think is new, but has actually been attending for years, you needed to finally know them anyway.)
