There is a definite chill in the air this morning as I watch four squirrels scampering through the yard hiding nuts and seeds for their winter stash. The hummingbirds have gone, leaves are just beginning to change color, and apples are ready for picking! What an orderly plan God has for each season!
Along with the Fall season, comes Midnight Mission which will be held on Friday night, September 30th. Cru members, along with folks from Grace will host this annual event in the courtyard. They need your help with baked goods and drinks. Please sign up in the Welcome Center. Donations may be brought to the main entrance and placed on the carts provided during hours of operations here at the church.
Our Sunday sermon series continues this week with Pastor Bill’s message The Call of the Wild vs. The Call of the Kingdom. Scripture text is Matthew 16:21-26. If you are following along with the reading from The Unshakable Kingdom, the current reading is from Pages 105-154 (Yellow spine book) or Pages.68-106 (Black spine book).
The Sounds of Grace Orchestra will bless the 9 a.m. service.
The Afterschool Program began on Wednesday with more than 60 kids attending. What an opportunity for folks to make a difference for these children. If you would be interested in volunteering—either regularly or occasionally—please contact Pastor Marty Christian at the church office.
Our first Sweet Hour of Prayer was an enriching and encouraging session. Through prayer, we see change in things and in ourselves. When we come together to pray, we are fulfilling the scripture of “…For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I with them”. As we face many challenges in our church and our community, when we pray, we can see God’s hand at work in our lives and the life of our Church. So, join us for our next session so we can be a people of prayer and a church of prayer together.
Join us for another “Sweet Hour of Prayer” on Monday, October 3rd at 7 p.m. in Room 101 (Church St. side of the Parlor). Our Prayer Committee will lead us in prayers for our church, our community and for any personal concerns that may be lifted for prayer.
MISSIONS:
We are a missions-minded church, proud of our long history of serving and supporting various missions locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. There are two up-coming mission projects in which you can be involved:
An informational meeting will be held next Sunday, October 2nd at 10:15 AM in the G.I.M. Building for anyone interested in the Fall Mission Trip to Mayfield, Kentucky in November. Mayfield was devastated by tornados last December, and many homes were destroyed. If you think you may be interested, please stop by the G.I.M. building on October 2 to learn more about the mission. The trip is scheduled for Saturday, November 12th to Saturday, November 19th. If you cannot attend the meeting, but would like more information, please contact Larry Catlos at 724-463-7788 or 724-388-6032.
Dan and Donna Overdorff are leading a Mission Team to the Unto Warehouse on Oct. 18-19, to pack meals, clothing, school kits, irrigation materials, hygiene items, and more. $50 per person (4 people per room / 2 queen beds) includes van transportation and hotel room; depart at 5:30 AM on Oct. 18, from the Overdorff’s Home at 61 Campbell Lane, Indiana, PA. Sign up in the Welcome Center or contact Donna Overdorff at 724-464-7552.
Music Notes
Our Sounds of Grace Orchestra still needs musicians! We especially need people who play trombone, tuba or bass instruments. Please contact Paul Rode, the director, call the hurch office 724-463-8535, ext. 25 and leave a message, or email tstclair@indianagrace.org. We also would love to have more string instruments. Rehearsals are Tuesdays at 6:30 in the sanctuary – but not every week. Please check the bulletin for more times.
Our Agape Bells started rehearsals on Wednesdays at 7:00 PM. If you would like to join this fun group (who plays during the 9:00 Worship Service “when ready”), please contact Debra Moore, or call the church office 724-463-8535, ext. 25 and leave a message, or email tstclair@indianagrace.org.
Kids Bells rehearse on Wednesdays at 5:15 PM. Any questions may be directed to Beth Blair at 724-463-8535.
AN ALL CHURCH EVENT – Grace is organizing an “Arts & Crafts Showcase” for Thursday, December 1, 2022. It will be exciting to see and purchase homemade treasures created by talented members of our congregation. If you are interested in setting up a display of your work or would like to sell your handiwork, please register in the Welcome Center. The Showcase in Fellowship Hall will begin at 1 PM and end at 7 PM. We cannot accommodate business.
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
A new class titled “Learn The New Testament – emphasis on Paul’s letters” will begin soon. The same class will be held on Wednesdays at 6 PM (Room 208) beginning September 14 and on Sundays between services starting September 18 (Room 205). You can contact Kenny Schramko at 724-584-6920 if you have questions. Please sign up in the Welcome Center.
The Journey Sunday School Class meets each Sunday in Room 208. New members are always welcome.
The Live Wire Sunday School Class meets each Sunday in Room 102. Bob Penrose and Wes Tomer teach the class. New members are welcome to join at any time.
There are also numerous small groups meeting on a regular basis. If you would like more information on any of these groups, please contact Bob Penrose by email at coachpenrose@gmail.com
CHURCH BUSINESS:
The annual Charge Conference will be held on Tuesday. October 18 at 7 PM at the Marion Center United Methodist Church. This is a cluster conference that includes several other local churches.
Disaffiliation Information meetings:
So that everyone may be well informed about the process for disaffiliation from the United Methodist Church, Pastor Bill and other leadership personnel will lead information meetings on the following dates:
Saturday, September 24th at 10 AM and 7 PM
Thursday, September 29th at 1 PM and 7 PM
Tuesday, October 4th at 10 AM and 7 PM
These meetings will include opportunities for you to ask any questions you may have about the disaffiliation process.
Church Picnic Leftovers
Everyone had a great time at the picnic last weekend. However, some of you went home without pans, dishes, serving utensils, potholders, etc. All of these ‘left-overs’ are in a Welcome Center cupboard (on the food service side). Please stop by promptly to pick up your belongings so that they aren’t misplaced forever!
There are also MANY items in the lost and found in the Welcome Center. Among these are several insulated mugs. If you are missing your travel mug, stop by to check out the collection we have!
GRACE YOUTH have many opportunities to gather:
- Youth Sunday School: Room 202 at 10:10 AM.
- The Youth meet tonight Sunday Evenings from 6:45 to 8 PM in the Grace Growth Center. Doors open at 6:30 PM.
- Junior High Youth meet from 6-7 PM on Wednesdays in the Youth Room.
- Senior High Youth meet from 7:30-8:30 PM on Wednesdays in the Youth Room.
Grace Kids/Family Movie Night will be held in the Kids Theater at 6 PM on Friday, September 30. Popcorn and ice cream will be available!
