Greetings!
Did you happen to get up early this morning in anticipation of seeing the longest lunar eclipse in over 600 years? How disappointed I was to see nothing but heavy cloud cover at 4:30 a.m.! But then, my morning devotions included this passage from Psalm 8:
You have set your glory in the heavens. Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies to silence the foe and the avenger. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them; human beings that you care for them?
It doesn’t matter that I missed seeing the eclipse, I personally know the One who made it happen!!
_____________________
This evening is the annual Light Up Night in Downtown Indiana. Our Youth Group has been working on the parade float that will include live music from our Contemporary Worship team members. If you wish to participate by riding on the float or walking beside it, please be at the church by 5:20 p.m. today. The float moves out promptly at 5:30 to get lined up for the parade. Immediately following the parade, we will have refreshments in the Courtyard. Stop by and help greet our guests!
_____________________
Pastor Bill is feeling much better, but in an abundance of caution, will not be in services this Sunday. Pastor Will Pinos will bring the morning message, and Pastor Kathy Mihoerck will give the Thanksgiving message on Sunday evening at 7 p.m.—her first official sermon at Grace since graduation from Course of Study!!!
And…while we all recognize Pastor Kathy’s accomplishment, we have made the difficult decision to postpone the official reception that was scheduled for this Sunday morning. We will update you when we have a new date to celebrate with her.
The altar flowers this Sunday are in memory of Wendell “Tex” Campbell and given by the Patrick and Lori Clifford family.
Youth Group will meet on Sunday evening at 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:15. Bring a friend and enjoy the fun, fellowship and a message.
We have an on-going need for help in the Children’s Ministry areas. If you feel a tug on your heart to work with our children in Sunday School, After School Program or childcare, please contact Pastor Marty at 724-463-8535. Teaching children the ways of our Lord is clearly a responsibility of parents. Grace Church parents are blessed to have options to help train our children with the many children’s ministries offered here. But we must rely on volunteers to staff our programming. God’s command to teach our children His ways applies to all of us.
_____________________
The Poinsettia Order Form will be included in Sunday’s bulletin. If you would like to place a poinsettia in the sanctuary for the Christmas services, please fill out a form and include it with your check for payment. Minimum donation is $10. (Please be sure to write Poinsettia in the memo line in case your check gets separated from the order form.) Church Council voted to have proceeds beyond the cost of the flowers go to the Missions Fund this year. If you would like to memorialize or honor someone, but choose not to have a poinsettia, please indicate Missions on the order blank. Donations of any size are cheerfully accepted and will be used for mission purposes. The plants may be picked up after the 9 p.m. Christmas Eve service.
_____________________
The Photographer will return on Wednesday, December 1, and photos will be taken between 2:00 and 8:00 PM. This is the last opportunity to be included in Grace Church’s new pictorial directory. While no sales will take place during the photo sessions, optional purchases will be offered online following the photo dates. If you need help scheduling an appointment, please call Jeannette at the church office. To make your appointment online, the scheduling link is:
https://instant-scheduling.com/sch.php?kn=763&typId=63721&step=2
https://instant-scheduling.com/sch.php?kn=763&typId=63721&step=2
We know some appointments did not work out, but we can receive up to 15 more submitted pictures that are taken with your own camera in Portrait mode (not landscape). It is best to use a plain background. Please email them to jlemmon@indianagrace.org. First come first serve. Any overrun submissions will cost $10 to submit but everyone who submits will get a free directory.
_____________________
The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation provides matching scholarships for students who are attending a participating United Methodist-related school.
If you feel that the school that you plan to attend next fall may be a participating school, then please visit the UMHEF website https://www.umhef.org/scholarships/ or google United Methodist Higher Education Scholarships, and review the approved list of schools and the UMHEF scholarship application information.
If your school is on their approved list, you will need to first submit an application for a Grace U. M. scholarship before January 15, 2022, so that it can be reviewed prior to the UMHEF scholarship deadline of March 1. Applications are available at the Church Office and in the Welcome Center.
DO NOT SUBMIT A SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION BEFORE JANUARY 15, 2022 IF YOU DO NOT PLAN TO ATTEND A UMHEF APPROVED SCHOOL.
_____________________
A Special Charge Conference, called by District Superintendent, Jodie Smith, will be held at Grace United Methodist Church on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary. The purpose is to be informed and take appropriate action on the matter of the Boy Scouts of America and the relationship with United Methodist Churches who charter Boy Scout troops. Anyone may attend this meeting, but you must be a full member to vote on any issues.
Music Sunday is Dec. 12 at the 9:00 Traditional Service. The Sounds of Grace orchestra and the Christmas Choir will be celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, with music and readings. Please plan to attend this joyous Christmas service. It will definitely get you in the holiday spirit.
_____________________
Please note: There will not be a Wednesday Dinner on November 23. Dinners will resume on November 30th. The menu will be in next week’s bulletin and email blast.
Have a wonderful day.
