Grace United Methodist Church - Clover...

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Grace United Methodist Church 11222 Leopard Street, Corpus Christi, TX 78410 (361) 242-3333 www.ccgrace.org WE’RE ON FACEBOOK, TOO! October 13, 2011 OFFICE HOURS Monday thru Thursday: 9:00a 5:00p Fridays: 9:00a 12:00p CONTACT US [email protected] 361-242-3333 extension Pastors: Stan Whites 205 [email protected] Home 933-0702 / 290-1762 Mark Montgomery 204 [email protected] Home 288-2007 / Cell 726-9332 Director of Adult Ministry: Patti Gideon 201 [email protected] Director of Youth Ministry: Kathy Rios 203 [email protected] Director of Children’s Ministry: Kandi Tumlinson 206 [email protected] Church Administrator/Finance: Pat Pike 221 [email protected] Administrative Assistants: Sandy Callis 200 [email protected] Cathy Roznovsky 202 [email protected] Director of Music Ministry: Anita Schulz 208 [email protected] Pianist: Mary Anne Christian [email protected] Praise Band Director: Kirk Tumlinson [email protected] Wesley Counselor Rick Sanchez 361-442-3670 [email protected] A Word from Pastor Stan Whites Hi Folks, Fall is upon us, which once again opens us to countless opportunities to experience and share the amazing blessings of this life God has so graciously provided. Just last night the pumpkins arrived to fill our “Pumpkin Patch” This weekend our “Harvest Fair” will open its doors to the community and beyond. And the next few weeks will have us packing and preparing to make our move to Northwest Boulevard. The fall season in the church can be wonderfully chaotic. However, it is my prayer that we will be intentional in slowing down enough to recognize and participate in two momentous events that will impact God’s ministry here at Grace for years to come: our “Living the Vision” campaign, and the transition to our new campus. These next few weeks, we will each be asked and challenged to prayerfully consider “what does God want to do through me” as we seek to make plans for 2012 and pay down our existing debt, in order to move forward with life-changing ministries. Many times we see these efforts as a financial drive. But finances are just one part of a holistic covenant of prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness that we make in becoming a part of this body of faith. Our transition from Leopard Street to Northwest Boulevard will be an extensive endeavor that will invite us to live out the “characteristics of our faith” or “fruit of the Spirit” as a witness and foundation to who we are and what God calls us to be. [love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)] I, personally, am very excited to journey with each of you through the next few months. It will be a glorious and once-in-a-life-time event. Included in this newsletter are some important dates and information about the logistics of relocating. It’s our hope and intention that you are provided with as much information as you need to prepare for the move. It is also my hope that each of us are spending time in prayer, allowing God to make our hearts ready; not just to participate, but to live into the vision God has for Grace. CUT OUT AND POST ON FRIDGE

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Page 1: Grace United Methodist Church - Clover Sitesstorage.cloversites.com/graceunitedmethodistchurch/documents/10 … · Grace United Methodist Church 11222 Leopard Street, Corpus Christi,

Grace United Methodist Church

11222 Leopard Street, Corpus Christi, TX 78410 (361) 242-3333 www.ccgrace.org

WE’RE ON FACEBOOK, TOO!

October 13, 2011 OFFICE HOURS Monday thru Thursday: 9:00a – 5:00p Fridays: 9:00a – 12:00p CONTACT US [email protected] 361-242-3333 extension Pastors: Stan Whites 205 [email protected] Home 933-0702 / 290-1762 Mark Montgomery 204 [email protected] Home 288-2007 / Cell 726-9332 Director of Adult Ministry: Patti Gideon 201 [email protected] Director of Youth Ministry: Kathy Rios 203 [email protected] Director of Children’s Ministry: Kandi Tumlinson 206 [email protected] Church Administrator/Finance: Pat Pike 221 [email protected] Administrative Assistants: Sandy Callis 200 [email protected] Cathy Roznovsky 202 [email protected] Director of Music Ministry: Anita Schulz 208 [email protected] Pianist: Mary Anne Christian [email protected] Praise Band Director: Kirk Tumlinson [email protected]

Wesley Counselor Rick Sanchez 361-442-3670 [email protected]

A Word from Pastor Stan Whites

Hi Folks,

Fall is upon us, which once again opens us to countless opportunities to

experience and share the amazing blessings of this life God has so

graciously provided. Just last night the pumpkins arrived to fill our

“Pumpkin Patch” This weekend our “Harvest Fair” will open its doors to

the community and beyond. And the next few weeks will have us packing

and preparing to make our move to Northwest Boulevard.

The fall season in the church can be wonderfully chaotic. However, it is

my prayer that we will be intentional in slowing down enough to recognize

and participate in two momentous events that will impact God’s ministry

here at Grace for years to come: our “Living the Vision” campaign, and the

transition to our new campus.

These next few weeks, we will each be asked and challenged to

prayerfully consider “what does God want to do through me” as we seek to

make plans for 2012 and pay down our existing debt, in order to move

forward with life-changing ministries. Many times we see these efforts as a

financial drive. But finances are just one part of a holistic covenant of

prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness that we make in becoming a

part of this body of faith.

Our transition from Leopard Street to Northwest Boulevard will be an

extensive endeavor that will invite us to live out the “characteristics of our

faith” or “fruit of the Spirit” as a witness and foundation to who we are and

what God calls us to be. [love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)] I, personally,

am very excited to journey with each of you through the next few months.

It will be a glorious and once-in-a-life-time event.

Included in this newsletter are some important dates and information

about the logistics of relocating. It’s

our hope and intention that you are

provided with as much information as

you need to prepare for the move.

It is also my hope that each of us

are spending time in prayer, allowing

God to make our hearts ready; not

just to participate, but to live into the

vision God has for Grace.

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Important Dates and Information The church office will be open on a limited basis

the week of Oct. 31st – Nov. 4th to facilitate

basic church needs and respond to ministry

events. Our offices will fully close the week of

Nov. 7th - 11th to allow our staff and pastors the

time to pack up and make the transition, as well.

Daytime Activities: Barring

unforeseen difficulties, Grace UMC

will close its “daytime” ministries

for a two-week period beginning

Oct. 31st.

Evening Events: “Nighttime”

ministries will continue on a

reduced schedule, allowing for

programs that still choose to meet

with limited resources available to

them: classroom, tables, chairs, and

a television.

All ministries and programs except

Sunday morning worship, will be

suspended Thursday, Nov. 10th

through Sunday, Nov. 13th .

The church will be open and available for all its ministry programs in the new facility on November 14th.

Oct. 30

All Saints Sunday

31

Nov. 1

2 3 4 5

6

7 8 9 10 11 12

13

SPECIAL GRATITUDE

SERVICE 10:00 A.M.

No Sunday School

14 15 16 17 18 19

REUNION UNDER

THE TENT

14521 NW Blvd.

20

Full Sunday Worship and

Sunday School Resume

21 22 23 24 25 26

Sunday Mornings at the New Campus

Welcoming & Hospitality: A beverage bar will be stocked in the “mall” with coffee, tea and water. This will be

hosted by and coordinated within the Welcoming Team.

Sunday School Classrooms: Much thought and prayer has gone into the placement of all adult Sunday school

classes. In a spirit of cooperation and gratitude, you are invited to study the floor plan provided today and to

begin now envisioning your small group filling the space. Scheduled tours are available upon request.

Food and Fellowship: All adult Sunday school classes are encouraged to utilize the cabinet and counter space

available in each room to provide food and beverage for an atmosphere of hospitality and nurture within your

small group. The kitchen will not be available during the Sunday school hour.

Coffee Hour: The individual classroom “Food and Fellowship” will replace the public “coffee hour”.

No Daytime Programs

No Daytime Programs / Offices Closed

Trustees begin moving tables/chairs.

All Daytime and Evening Programs Resume

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CLEANING BUCKETS RE-PURPOSED 3:30 p.m., Sunday, October 16th

We will gather Sunday, October 16th at 3:30 p.m. in the

Fellowship Hall and we need all hands on deck. As the

buckets are completed we will put them in a trailer so

they can be delivered to Bastrop soon after. We will

also have ice cream afterwards to celebrate!

A Church-Wide Invitation To

The D.O.W. Group October Outing October 22nd, 2011

Pickle Smith Pickle Factory & Blackland Museum We plan to eat at the Back Street Café afterward. We’ll

be leaving the Grace Church west parking lot at 8:30

a.m. All are welcome! ~Doers Of the Word!

The Next Grace Church Blood Drive Sunday, Oct. 23rd 8:30a – 1:00p

All donors are required to show a Photo I.D. and will

receive two vouchers for an Ice Rays Game, a T-shirt,

and a Sonic coupon. Remember: You should eat a good

breakfast before donating. If you haven’t eaten in four

to six hours before going to the Blood Mobile, you may

be deferred.

Island In The Son UMC presents

Methodists Got Talent! $10 per person, Saturday, November 5

5:30 p.m. Dinner / 7:00 p.m. Talent Program Island in the Son UMC is located on Mustang Island,

between Newport Pass road and Beach Access road #3,

on the west (Laguna) side of Highway 361. If you have

talent you’d like to share in our show, contact Lynn

Houston 361-462-4464 before October 25th.

Prayer Shawl Ministry: K1G2 Our prayer shawl ministry (Knit 1, Give 2) will be

taking a short break due to the move to the new facility

and the holidays after that. We will meet again in

January, so watch your newsletter and bulletins for the

date and time. Meanwhile, keep praying and creating.

If you know of a need, contact the office or Gale

Bridgeman 726-6595.

All Saints Sunday, October 30, 2011 On Sunday, October 30

th, at both worship services, we will be celebrating All Saints’ Sunday. It is a time

for the church family to remember loved ones who have died, and a special occasion to remember those in

our congregation whose stories are still fresh in our minds and hearts. Healing comes slowly and is not

under our “command” but sharing our grief divides it, and moves us closer to a sense of God’s peace.

Plan now to be in worship and join us in lighting a candle and saying a prayer for the following members

on that day: John Elswick, Dolly Gribble, J.I. Hall, Emily Moore, Jack Moore, Ray Myers, and W.E.

“Spider” Webb.

Adding The Final Touch! While finishing touches are made on the structure of the new campus, other

details are being tended to by dedicated members coordinating everything

from inviting seating for the mall to blinds for windows. Display boards are

now in the glassway. Each board provides a picture of these unbudgeted

items and individual “gift” tickets for specified dollar donations. If you feel

so moved to contribute towards any of these major items, simply remove a

ticket, write a check for the amount and turn it in to the church office or

place it in the collection plate.

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ELECTRONIC GIVING IS NOW AVAILABLE Grace United Methodist Church is

pleased to announce the introduction of an electronic option for making regular

offerings. Contributions can now be debited automatically from your checking or

savings account (or processed using your debit card). Our new electronic giving

program offers convenience for you and much-needed donation consistency for our

congregation.

If you are currently giving on a weekly basis, you will no longer need to write out 52 checks a year, or

prepare 52 envelopes. And, when travel, illness or other circumstances prevent you from attending

services, this program will allow your weekly offerings to continue on an uninterrupted basis.

An authorization form is included in this newsletter, and will soon be available online. In addition, we’ll

provide “Frequently Asked Questions” in future publications.

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Saturday, October 29, 2011

5:30-8pm

Grace United Methodist Church

At our NEW location!

14521 Northwest Boulevard

FMI: 242-3333 Decorate your vehicle and bring some goodies to share

Crafts, games and treats

Prizes for best costumes and best decorated vehicles

Families/groups attending the event to “treat” children will park in the designated parking lot with their

trunks/pick-up beds accessible. If you prefer to give something other than candy, consider stickers,

pencils, fruit, or bookmarks.

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Grace Church member

Mary Tom Hefte will

journey to Russia in

November as part of a

continuing education

seminar team organized

by the chair of the Russia

Initiative of our own

SWTX

Conference. While there,

Mary Tom will meet with

Russian pastor and

DS Rev. Vera Agapova

and others in the

Novgorod District (both

pastors and lay leaders) to

guide them in creating in-

house devotional guides

designed in the “Upper Room”

format. She’ll also share with them the

experience of Christ-centered prayer, or “Centering

Prayer”, that encourages periods of silence in response to the

written or spoken Word of God.

Mary Tom's group is the fourth SWTX team to provide these seminars. Several years ago, over 100

Russian Methodist pastors, along with the Bishop in Moscow, developed a list of topics to supplement their

education following graduation from the Russian Methodist Seminary. While all the Russian pastors are

ordained, they depend on active partnerships with US Methodist churches for additional education

opportunities as well as supplemental financial support.

Since 1994, other SWTX conference teams have traveled to Vologda, Russia, the home of Good News

UMC and Rev. Vera, to help with VBS programs at the church's camp facility, fellowship family nights at the

church and other means of sharing our lives in Christ. Others have focused on medical education. Many

Russian-American friendships have developed which will last a lifetime.

In the last 7 years since the VBS programs began, attendance at children's Sunday school has increased by

400%, while active church members look for ways to reach into the community in Vologda. Local orphanages

are a big part of their outreach.

The Russia Initiative receives funding only through extra giving from churches and individuals, not from

apportionments. If you would like to help with needed church facilities repairs, VBS camps, salary support, or

seminary scholarships, please send a gift (check) payable to: SWTX Conference Treasurer, 16400 Huebner

Rd, San Antonio TX 78248. Note on check memo line: Russia Initiative #2038. For

additional information about future trips and teams, contact Cindy Stone, Chair, Russia Initiative, 512/476-

6688 or [email protected].

Please keep Mary Tom and her teammates in your prayers.

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Why Grace?

Sunday, October 23rd 1:30 p.m., in Room 143

What does it mean to be a Christian?

What does it mean to be a member?

If I join the church, what will it expect from me?

What can I expect from the church? How do I get involved?

If you’ve wrestled with any of these questions, join Pastors Stan and Mark as they

address the four “why’s” of God’s grace:

“Why Grace?”

“Why the Church?”

“Why The United Methodist Church?” and

“Why Grace United Methodist Church?”

If you have been thinking about joining the church, or just want learn more

about it, join us for a time of discovery. We will gather Sunday, October 23rd

at 1:30 p.m. in room 143. Reserve your seat by checking the box on today’s

communication card, or by calling Pastor Mark at 242-3333, ext. 204,

or e-mailing him at [email protected] .

“We agree with the doctrine, submit to the Discipline and

Social Principles, and will endeavor to give of our prayers,

presence, gifts, service, and witness. Now let’s say the

sermons start to run long; what is our recourse?”

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GRACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

11222 Leopard Street, Corpus Christi, Texas 78410

Address Service Requested

THIS SATURDAY! 10A – 4P

The Pumpkin Patch & Harvest Fair

The Harvest Fair!

Homemade/Handmade Crafts

Jewelry, Quits, Yard Art Crosses, Bird Houses

United Methodist Women’s Annual Bake Sale

Barbecue Served 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Chicken Beans

Spanish Rice Bread

$7 plate*

The Pumpkin Patch!

Monday – Saturday 9am - 6pm

Sundays 12noon - 6pm

Story Time

Among the Pumpkins happens weekdays

9am - 2pm. Call Sandy Callis

to schedule your group 242-3333

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX PERMIT NO. 690

Save the Date! Saturday, December 3rd

Church-Wide Prayer Vigil