GRACE NOTES – April 11, 2017 Ministry in the Life at Grace Presbyterian Church

This Week at Grace

*SDB-See Details Below Church Wide Events in purple

TUESDAY – 04/11 Meals on Wheels, 9:00 p.m., Room 110 Librarian Available, 6:45 p.m., Library New Day Meeting, 7:00 p.m., Room 108 Choir Practice, 7:30 p.m., Sanctuary WEDNESDAY – 04/12 Meals on Wheels, 9:00 a.m., Room 110 Balance and Flexibility Exercise Class, 10:00 a.m., Room 103, *SDB No ‘Come and See’ this week! Yoga Practice, 7:00 p.m., Room 103 THURSDAY – 04/13 – Maundy Thursday Meals on Wheels, 9:00 a.m., Room 110 Grace Notes Deadline, 2:00 p.m. Maundy Thursday Service, 7:00 p.m., Sanctuary FRIDAY – 04/14 Meals on Wheels, 9:00 a.m., Room 110 Girl Scout Troop 3516, 6:00 p.m., Room 102 Good Friday Service, 7:00 p.m., Sanctuary SATURDAY – 04/15 Memory Café, 10:00 a.m., Sanctuary SUNDAY – 04/16 – Easter Sunday Sunrise Service, 7:00 a.m. Education Hour, 9:00 a.m. Fellowship Time, 10:00 a.m. Worship Service, 10:30 a.m., *SDB MONDAY – 04/17 Meals on Wheels, 9:00 p.m., Room 110 Grace Notes Deadline, 2:00 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 421, 7:00 p.m., Sanctuary Cub Scout Pack 421, 7:00 p.m., Assembly Discipleship Huddle, 7:30 p.m., Room 104 TUESDAY – 04/18 Meals on Wheels, 9:00 p.m., Room 110 WOG Tuesday Circle, 12:30 p.m., Room 109 Librarian Available, 6:45 p.m., Library Stephen Ministry, 7:00 p.m., Room 107 Choir Practice, 7:30 p.m., Sanctuary

Grace Calendar is available on the website: http://churcharlington.com/calendar/

Welcome to Lent 2017

This calendar is prepared for your reference during the season of Lent, practiced by many Christian traditions around the world. If you are less familiar with this practice, then I hope this

calendar will help you to experience the 40 days before Easter as a more deep and meaningful time in your present spiritual life.

The season of Lent is a more “penitential” season, so it is a season more in a “minor key.” The color is purple, the worship hymns and songs point us toward the road to Jerusalem, and in

the end, the journey to the cross and the resurrection. You are welcome to join us on the journey to the cross with Jesus and those who follow Him.

Blessings! Pastor Craig Sanders

*************************** Lenten Calendar 2017 Maundy Thursday Service April 13, 7:00 p.m. Communion by Intinction

Good Friday Service April 14, 7:00 p.m.

Easter Sunrise Service April 16, 7:00 a.m.

Easter Sunday Service April 16, 10:30 a.m. Communion by Distribution

Discipleship at Grace

Christian maturity happens through many different offerings during the week:

• Sundays – classes for all ages at 9:00 a.m.

• Women of Grace Circles that meet on a regular basis at various times.

• Monthly men’s and women’s meetings

• G-Men – last Saturday of the month, 9:00 a.m.

• Women of Grace General Meeting – one a month

• Seasonal Bible Studies by Pastor Craig

• Discipleship Huddle – 1st and 3rd Mondays at 7:30 p.m. at the church

• See the Grace Notes email for other special events.

Weekly Worship Wednesdays – “Come and See” Worship at 7:00 p.m. Worship done in a more simple fashion with songs and hymns done by a small worship team with intimacy and spirit. Pastor Craig leads the worship with prayers, scripture readings, preaching and congregational prayers. Sundays – Morning Worship at 10:30 a.m. Worship is a more traditional style with liturgy, hymns and songs, song responses, scripture readings, preaching and congregational prayer. If you are desiring traditional worship from a reformed perspective, this is your service.

***************************

New Easter Devotions by Dallas Willard

Lent has begun--and with it, a brand new series of devotional insights by Dallas Willard! This devotional series will resume with 40 new readings from Dallas Willard’s writing, focused on the message and themes of Easter. http://dallaswillardcenter.com/lent-ash-wednesday/

***************************

Lectionary Texts

Sunday, April 16, Resurrection of the Lord/Easter, Acts 10:34-43 or Jeremiah 31:1-6; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24, Colossians 3:1-4 or Acts 10:34-43; John 20:1-18 or Matthew 28:1-10

*******************************

SERMON NOTES

This week there is no “Come and See” service but there will be services on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, both at 7:00 p.m. Maundy Thursday will be a communion service with time spent considering all that happened that evening so long ago. Friday will be a service of scripture and songs as we walk through the Good Friday narrative as told in Matthew. Then Sunday morning there will be an early sunrise service on the patio at 7:00 a.m., followed by the education classes at 9:00 a.m. and worship at 10:30 a.m. At that service, there will be communion served. Come and enjoy this week of sorrow and rejoicing! Alleluia, again, for Christ is risen! Pastor Craig Sanders

PRAYING OUR JOYS AND CONCERNS

JOYS

For All the Blessings of this Life by God’s Gracious Provision:

• Birthdays this week: Logan Dillman and Kent Couch 4/9; Maggie Curtis and

Sherry Tipton 4/12; and Bob Curtis 4/13

• Anniversaries this week: Erma & Bill O’Mary 4/10; Jennifer and Marc Ross 4/11

• The joy of following Christ and sharing His love with each other and our community.

• The privilege to live in a nation where we are allowed to worship freely. May all nations enjoy

this freedom.

CONCERNS

For Healing and Comfort:

• For members and friends struggling with personal issues that are physical, mental and spiritual.

Please pray for:

• Danny Smith recovering from a diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome and back disc problems.

• Ken Flynn, cousin of Joan and Jim Smith, who is in the hospital with high blood sugar and high blood pressure.

• Victims and survivors of the school bus accident outside of Garner State Park. They were

members of First Baptist Church in New Braunfels and the driver of a pickup truck. Thirteen

died from the church.

Ongoing:

• Larry Johnson, Lisa Johnson’s dad, has gout and enlarged heart.

• Erin McGaha suffering from a genetic heart problem.

• Joe Hardin who has Parkinson’s disease.

• Mark Smith struggling with ALS.

• Sue McFen, Aimee Breuklander and Lori Smith are undergoing therapy for breast cancer.

• Angie & Rick Morris as they support their son, Bode.

• April and Mitch Lechelt as his Parkinson’s progresses.

• And strength for all their caregivers. For Communities and Countries throughout the World:

• Victims and survivors of the sarin gas bombing in Syria and the bombing of the Christian Coptic Church in Egypt.

• Our leaders, for wisdom as they lead.

• For peace in our cities.

• For the end of war and the healing of nations.

• For people of faith everywhere to honor God and work for peace and justice.

Those Serving in the Military: Related To

Lt. Brant Brock (Japan) Related to Terry & John Hendricks Michael Fisher (Wichita Falls, TX) Related to Becky & Gehlin Menti Capt. Neil Kennedy (Middle East) Son of Sherry & Bruce Capehart WO1 Brent King (Fort Hood, TX) Related to Becky & Gehlin Menti LCPL Benjamin Martinez (Jacksonville, NC) Nephew of Anna and Roger Perez E5 James McAllister (Kings Bay, GA) Son of Barb & Sam McAllister CW4 Andy Musfeldt (Lewis-McChord, WA) Nephew of Net, Susan & Ron Musfeldt MAJ Deanna Musfeldt (Lewis-McChord, WA) Niece-in-law of Net, Susan & Ron

Musfeldt LCDR Brian Musfeldt (NPS Newport, RI) Son of Susan & Ron Musfeldt and

nephew of Net Musfeldt 1st Lt. David Saporito (Corpus Christi, TX) Cousin of Brian Anderson Family LCPL Jonathon Scarborough (Okinawa) Grandson of Joan & Dick Townsend Drea Smith (Sudan) Niece of Becky & Gehlin Menti Brian Smith (Eielson, AK) Nephew of Becky & Gehlin Menti

For First Responders in Law Enforcement, Fire, EMT’s and others:

• Linda Kindt, Cole Brock, Brian Martin and James Sicks

For Our Church and Its Ministry:

• Session, for direction and leadership; Ministry teams for diligence and compassion.

The New Beginnings Ministries:

• New Day

• Story Time

• Senior Adults Events

• Memory Café

• Meals on Wheels

• Scouts

• Charlotte Anderson mentoring program

• That through these ministries our members would form relationships and draw people into our fellowship and come to know Christ.

To have the prayer chain activated, submit your prayer to prayerrequest@gpcarlington.org or use the prayer chain link online at www.gpcarlington.org. The requests are directly linked to our prayer chain team leader Barb McAllister.

Prayer concerns will be removed after two weeks unless the prayer concern is updated.

Those in hospice care will remain under prayer concerns.

PASTORAL CARE MEALS – Leslie Seggelink is in charge of pastoral care meals. Anyone in need of this ministry, please contact her at 817-913-5118.

LIFE AT GRACE

Wanda Archer – thank you - Wanda has served our Meals on Wheels Ministry faithfully. She was one of the original group of church members who signed on in 2008 to staff the weekday food distribution site at Grace Presbyterian Church. Wanda – thank you for your many years of service and now may you enjoy your Wednesdays in other ways…

from the Grace Presbyterian Church Meals on Wheels Volunteers

*******************************

THANK YOU so very much to everyone who helped with our Jews for Jesus program April 4. We couldn’t have done it without you! Ushers, cookie bakers, set-up crew, all who helped with the refreshments preparation and clean-up, Chip who served as A/V tech and Roger who recorded the presentation. Thank you, all! For those who were unable to attend…We will be planning a date for you to view the recording and will let you know about that soon. Thanks again to all who helped.

*******************************

New Sunday School Offering

C S Lewis – Mere Christianity

As we all know, Pastor Craig refers to C S Lewis occasionally. Well he has decided to take this to a new level and begin a 3-month long Sunday morning class on C S Lewis’ book, Mere Christianity. The class will go chapter by chapter through the book and there is an accompanying study guide and on line lectures you can view prior to each section by the late Dr. Christopher Mitchell of Wheaton College. If you are interested, please plan to bring your bible and a copy of the book, Mere Christianity. In the meantime, begin reading the book and work through the study questions. The study guide is available at www.cslewisinstitute.org. The four lectures are also available on line at the same site and/or in class. Looking forward to seeing you there! The Education Ministry of Grace Presbyterian Church

***************************

Spring Plant Sale! - Thanks to all of you that have turned an order forms for our Spring Plant Sale! You have one more week to do your preorder. All the preorders are due this Sunday, April 16th. Our sale day and pick up is on Saturday, April 22nd from 9:00 to 1:30. All of the proceeds will be for our Prayer Garden. We hope to plant our last garden this May. Thanks in advance for supporting the Prayer Garden. If you have any questions, please call Linda Black at 817-261-4223 or e-mail her at lblack@wans.net. The Prayer Garden Task Force

***************************

The updated Church Directory was emailed to members and friends of Grace on Monday, Jan. 30th. If you did not receive it, please call the church office. There are also printed copies of the directory on the table outside the church office for those who prefer a printed version.

***************************

Safe – Secure – Serene Spiritual Walk

Grace Prayer Garden - Looking for that perfect place to walk with friends? Try the Grace Prayer Garden that is wheelchair, walker, and stroller friendly for a safe, secure, serene, spiritual walk. Just 14 laps around the perimeter of the garden is one mile. Make a list of people or things that you want to pray about and pray for one each lap to stay physically and spiritually fit.

*************************** A new practice group has begun at Grace: Christian Meditation. This is meditation practiced in the Christian tradition. Its roots go back to the beginnings of the Church, the Gospel teachings of Jesus

and the advice of early Christian monks. Meditation does not replace other forms of prayer. It revives their meaning.

We meet Sundays from 3:00 in room 103. More information about this enriching spiritual experience and the World Community for Christian Meditation is available in the narthex. If you have questions, feel free to contact Greg Southworth, meditation leader, at greg27241@yahoo.com. All newcomers are welcome. If this is your first time, please show up about 10 minutes early to meet

**************************

Spirituality Class - We have started the study of Liturgy of the Ordinary, by Tish Harrison Warren. Join us as we consider the practices and habits of every day (e.g. waking, eating leftovers, losing keys) through the lens of liturgy. We meet every other week on Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. in room 109. For more information, contact Jan Nash, Ann Pennington, or Susan Musfeldt.

”Come and discover the holiness of your everyday.”

************************** Soul Sisters – Beginning the new year, Soul Sisters began a study The Story (NIV) by Max Lucado and Randy Frazee. This book provides a study of the Bible in story form and in chronological order. It includes 31 chapters, a study guide and a video guide. According to the publishing information:

God goes to great lengths to rescue lost and hurting people. This is what The Story is all about: the story of the Bible, God's great love affair with humanity. Condensed into 31 accessible chapters. The Story sweeps you into the unfolding progression of Bible characters and events from Genesis to Revelation. Using the NIV Bible, it allows the stories, poems and teachings of the Bible to read like a novel. And like any good story, The Story is filled with intrigue, drama, conflict, romance and

redemption - and this story is true.

***************************

Women of Grace

The 2017 "Woman of the Year" Award nominations closed on Sunday, March 26th. Thank you so much for submitting your nominations. During the month of April, Susan Musfeldt, recipient of the 2016 "Woman of the Year" Award, will meet with past recipients of this award, to review the nominations and make the final selection. In addition, an order will be placed for the name plate of the 2017 recipient which will be engraved and added to the existing wall plaque. The 2017 "Woman of the Year" Award will be presented on Sunday, May 7th during the Sunday Worship Service. Refreshments will follow the Service in the narthex.

WOG Tuesday Circle - will meet on Tuesday, April 18, 2017, at 12:30 p.m., Room 109 to study the 2016-2017 Presbyterian Women (PW) Horizons Bible Study, "Who is Jesus? What a Difference a Lens Makes". Lesson #9 will be shared by all circle members. The Lesson Leader will be Gerry Askew, the Devotional Leader is Joan Smith, and the Hostess is Julie Bayless. All Women of Grace are invited to participate. If you have any questions, please contact Juliette Westphal, Tuesday Circle Coordinator, at email: rwestphal@tx.rr.com

***************************

New Beginnings Ministries

Balance and Flexibility Exercise Class will meet every Wednesday morning in Room 103 at 10 a.m. starting March 30. We will be concentrating on exercises to help us gain the ability to recover from possible falls. This class is the off shoot of the Senior Class "A Matter of Balance" and is open to all. The class will be self-led and fun.

***************************

Financial Report

March 2017 YTD

Budgeted income

17,693

53,080

Budgeted Expenses

18,944

56,831

Actual Income

17,417

54,306

Actual Expenses

16,424

55,292

Income over (under) Expenses

993

(986)

***************************

Devotional Booklets Copies of the current devotional booklet, “Our Daily Bread,” are available in the basket on the table outside the sanctuary doors. Please pick up your copy for March-April-May.

***************************

Grace Presbyterian Church Session

Moderator: Rev. Craig Sanders

Ruling Elders Class of 2017 Class of 2018 Class of 2019

Kent Couch, Clerk Ron Musfeldt, Education Melinda Kinkel, elder elect, Stewardship Brian Anderson, Fin-Admin Tom Sicks, Bldgs & Grounds John Hendricks, Worship Elsa Louis, Pastoral Care Elaine McCann, Communications Greg Southworth, Mission, Neighborhood Outreach

Grace Presbyterian Church Staff Pastor: Rev. Craig Sanders Director of Music: Gehlin Menti Office Administrator: Cynthia Tucker Financial Clerk: Bonnie Schuler

Grace Presbyterian Church Trustees Christopher Coffman, 2017, Bill O’Mary, 2018, Karen Ellen Anderson, 2019

Grace Presbyterian Church is a Stephen Ministry Congregation Stephen Leader: Stephen Ministers: Louie Nash Becky Couch Dick Townsend

Charles Kennedy Janie Whinery Faye Sanders

***************************

HOW TO CONTACT GPC

Follow Grace Presbyterian on the web! Our website is: http://gpcarlington.org/ and our Facebook page is: www.facebook.com/GracePresbyterianArlington Need to get the word out about your ministry, or special event at Grace? You can use the Grace Communications Form (at: http://gpcarlington.org/main/index.php/about-grace third /communications-form), send a request via email to the Communication Ministry at commform@gpcarlington.org, or contact the Communication Ministry Session liaison Elaine McCann at: elaine2018@gpcarlington.org.

If you would like to contact Pastor Sanders his church office e-mail is pastor@gpcarlington.org. Please feel free to contact him in the office during office hours at 817-468-0868. Craig’s cell phone number is 936-727-0098.

If you are struggling with something in your life and would like someone to talk to and pray with you, consider having a Stephen Minister. Contact Louie Nash, 817-999-8962 or louie.nash@sidehike.net

Reminder----Hearing assistance devices are available to those who need them. They are located on the table outside the office.

Sunday School at Grace 9:00-10:00 a.m. Nursery (available during the worship service) ..................................................................... Room 101 Children (pre-k through 6) ..................................................................................................... Room 110

Youth (Grades 7 through College) ....................................................................................... Room 104 Christianity 101: Spiritual Formation and Discipleship (Adults) ....................................... Room 103 Contemporary Issues (Adults) ............................................................................................ Room 108 Soul Sisters (Women's Study) ............................................................................................. Room 109 The Present Word (Adults) .................................................................................................. Room 107

Child care is provided from infant to age 5 in the Nursery, Room 101.

The Young Adult Sunday School Class - Young adults and those who feel young at heart will meet on Sundays. If you are interested in joining us, please text or email Jenny Ross at 817-723-7677 or jross011@Att.net. You will be added to the group message and will have a say in where we meet.

*******************************

The Landscape Maintenance Crew for week of April 9: Dave Kinkel, Shalyn Shourds and Louie Nash

*******************************

Thank you all so much for your help.

*******************************

*******************************

Facebook user! Please visit us on Facebook at this address and "Like" us so we can get the site in front of more people!!!

http://www.facebook.com/GracePresbyterianArlington Visit the site often and we will communicate through it to your face book site.