IN THIS ISSUE

Celebrating God’s love, seeking God’s direction together

August 2013

Scriptures, Greeters, etc. 2

Calendar 3

Youth/Children 4,5

Kids, Birthdays 6,7

Tidbits 8,9

Choirs News 10

Missions 11

Missions / Salty Service 12,13

Trustee 14

Charge Conf. / Ranhorne 15

From the Pastor Back page

Growing In Grace A publication of Grace United

Methodist Church 1209 Country Club Road

Newport News, VA 23606 (757)595-0017

Fax (757)599-1550 www.graceumcnn.org

admin@graceumc.hrcoxmail.com

Pastor: Rev. Steven Barbery

Sunday Services: Early Worship: 8:45 am

Traditional Worship: 11:00 a.m.

Sunday School 9:45-10:45 a.m.

G r o w i n g I n

G r a c e

Christopher Newport University

Riverside Elementary School

Grace UMC Preschool

The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. James 5:16

Staff:

Celia Hammond

Shannon Templeton

Julie Kiepke

Mary Segars

Beverly Ouzts

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Scripture Readings: August 4 ~ Brandon LaReau

COMMUNION SUNDAY Hosea 11:1-11; Psalm 107:1-9, 43 (UMH 830)

Colossians 3:1-11; Luke 12:13-21

August 11 ~ Emily Bacon Isaiah 1:1, 10-20; Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23 (UMH 783)

Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16; Luke 12:32-40

August 18 ~ Tina Fields Isaiah 5:1-7; Psalm 80:11-2, 8-19 (UMH 801)

Hebrews 11:29-12:2; Luke 12:49-56

August 25 ~ Ann Talbot Jeremiah 1:4-10; Psalm 71:1-6 (UMH 794)

Hebrews 12:18-29; Luke 13:10-17

*Readings for the worship services will generally be chosen from the scriptures above.

(Readings may vary for special services.)

Counting Team #4

*John Thompson

Helen Parker Gail Hartjen

Lockup:

Roger Patterson

4th ~ Bob and Betty Hill 11th ~ Gilda and Les Knight 18th ~ Ray Nobles and Gloria Champine 25th ~ Frank and Audrey Wiggs

Ushers:

Team #3

*Wes Boyd Marie Boyd

Mickey Garrett Kevin Hobson

Acolyte for

August:

Samantha Jo Jackson

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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

August 2013

Every Sunday Early Service 8:45 am

Sunday School 9:45am Traditional Service 11:00 am

2:00pm Nepali-Speaking Worship

9 Salvation Army Sandwiches

1:30 pm Points of Grace

9 Senior Breakfast

7 Stew/Fin Mtg.

1:30 pm Points of Grace 7:00 Trustees

6 Praise Choir No Chancel

Choir

6 Praise Choir No Chancel

Choir

6 Praise Choir No Chancel

Choir

6 Praise Choir No Chancel

Choir

Youth Mission Reach in Roanoke

Youth Mission Reach in Roanoke

10:30-12:30 York River

District Mission Mtg.

Youth Retreat Marie Boyd’s

Home

6 pm Choir Picnic @

Jan & Jeri’s

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Thank You to VBS Volunteers!

An incredible thank you goes out to all the

volunteers who helped children visit Babylon

and hear the stories of Daniel and how he

honored God and experienced miracles. We are

especially grateful to Kim Rumsey, (set design and master of

ceremonies), Stephan and Melissa Mygas (our Bible times actors),

and to Beverly Ouzts, Jerry Jaehnig, and Gynetha Conway for

leading music. This year’s VBS divided children into the tribes of

Israel, and they travelled as nomads to various activities. Thanks also

to tribe leaders, craft helpers, games and marketplace leaders, and

food preparation people. In keeping with our theme of Daniel serving

God while in a strange land, we raised $146.68 in mission offering to

help refugees through Church World Service. Again, thank you to all

who gave of your time, talents, and service.

Thank You! Thank you to Sandy Fisher, a truly Salty Servant, who helped coordinate a youth service project to Westhampton Baptist Church on July 25. Grace members helped prepare a lunch that was enjoyed by people in our community who are very needy. Thank you Sandy for your leadership.

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Summer Mission Trip – Aug 10 – 14

Please be in prayer for our summer mission trip group! Our group will leave Grace UMC at 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 10, and after a day of worship and team-building activities, we will be working in the Roanoke community and help out at the Salvation Army. Attendees are: Baker and Ford McFall Phillip Michael Burke Johnny O’Neill Guadelupe Flores David, Adam, and Cindy Brakman Samantha Jackson Gail Hartjen Garrett Ouzts

Dear Grace Church Family, The last five years having been amazing, both in terms of what we have experienced spiritually and community-wise, and in terms of what we have accomplished together in service to God and our neighbors. You all have been such a blessing to me, and my time at Grace has been a deeply meaningful chapter of my life. I have been honored to be one of you. I thank you for your generous gifts to the church of time and talents and support of youth and children’s programs, and I especially thank you for your words of wisdom and encouragement and prayers for me. I will miss you all dearly. Please continue to reach out to our children and youth in Christian love. I will keep you in my heart and in my prayers! Love, Juliana

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August Birthdays Happy Birthday To You! Happy

Birthday To You! Happy Birthday Dear…..

Are you stressed? Do you want to improve communication in your family or relationships? Do you need someone

to talk to? Contact the Peninsula Pastoral Counseling Center 873-2273

www.peninsulapastoral.org

Happy 60th

Anniversary to Grace!

Our congregation marks 60 years of

ministry in 2013. We will have a church-wide

celebration later this year. If you are

interested in helping with planning, contact

the church office.

1 Susan Devane 8 Myrna Thompson

2 Connie Keator 9 Kathryn Wiggin 22 Harriett Tomaseski

Betty Sharpe 13 Iris Walls Capp Lovelace

Blackie Jackson Lynn Mcdonald 23 Timothy Lopez

Delores Sutherland 16 Judy Capps Bobby Walker IV

3 Kenneth Knemeyer 17 Iris Layton 24 Mary Ann Johnson

4 Ginger Root Michael Northway 25 Regina South

Will Ouzts, Jr. Emily Dershem Lee Hauser

Christie Wojciechowski 19 Frances Porter 26 Austin Capps Jr.

5 Beverly Ouzts Dee Johnston 27 May Nelson

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Lauren Daughtrey Payton Hobson

Job Opportunity

We are looking for a part-time Coordinator of Children and Youth

Ministries. If you have any contacts, please let the Staff Parish

Committee know by contacting Frances Porter 595-4506.

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NOTE CARDS FOR SALE United Methodist Women are selling note cards

featuring some of the stained glass windows in the sanctuary. There are 12 different cards in a pack for

$10.00. All proceeds will be used for mission outreach at home and around the world. We

appreciate your support.

BABY SUPPLIES NEEDED

The members of the Points of Grace ministry at Grace UMC are collecting baby supplies to be used by our Nepali-speaking community. Since two of the Nepali-speaking women are expecting boys in the next month and a half, we are asking for new or gently used baby clothes for boys at this time. We might need clothing for girls in the future, but we do not have storage space to collect them now. We also need new or gently used baby furniture that meets current codes for baby furniture (or monetary donations to be used to buy two cribs). Other items such as diapers, bottles, etc. would be appreciated. If you would like to help us, please take your donations to the office by August 18. Monetary donations can be made in the regular offering with the notation “Baby Supplies.” Please contact Joan Heaton (898-6006), Betty Hill (930-0790), or Betty Sharpe (591-0790) if you have any questions.

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FOOD LION MVP USERS!! You can give towards

DUCO's mission work without spending an extra dime! Just sign up to link your card with DUCO (forms are found on the board near the Men and Women's restrooms) and Food Lion will send some

money their way. Thank you!!

JOIN US! The August Senior Adult

Breakfast meets at THE WARWICK RESTAURANT

located at 12306 Warwick Blvd, Newport News, VA 23606,

on Monday, August 12, at 9:00am. Everyone is welcome!

FOOD BASKETS: We continue to collect food for those in need in our community. Remember that during the summer hours, the children do not get lunches at school. Please take advantage of the two for one sales at the grocery stores. Baskets are in Narthex and outside office. Food collected in August goes to DUCO.

CROP HUNGER WALK Sunday, October 13, 2013

2:00pm @ North Riverside Baptist Church

The Missions Committee is encouraging Grace members to support the annual CROP

Hunger Walk again this year. Maggie Keator and Johnny O’Neill will be heading it up. Watch for more details.

Preschool Registration Registration for Preschool classes for

the upcoming 2013 - 2014 school year is open now. We offer classes for 2 ½, 3 and 4 year-old children. If you have any questions regarding the preschool,

or are interested in getting a few brochures to share with some friends or neighbors, please contact Beverly

Ouzts at 595-0032.

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Choir News (11:00 a.m.)

All choirs are on break for the summer.

CHANCEL BELLS The chancel bells will resume practice on Thursday September 19th at 6 pm. Please note that this is a permanent time change.

CHANCEL CHOIR The chancel choir will resume practices on Thursday September 5th at 7:15 pm. Please note that this is a permanent time change.

CHAPEL AND CHERUB CHOIRS The chapel and cherub choirs will resume practice on Sunday September 15th in the children's wing. Keep an eye on the bulletin for a meeting for parents on the 8th of September. Chapel choir is for ages 6-10 and cherub choir is for ages 4 and 5.

Thank you to everyone who participates in any choir in any way. Your support and dedication is amazing and much appreciated.

For more information, please contact Regina South at 804-694-7756 or by email at ReginaLSouth@gmail.com .

Early Service and Praise Choir (8:45 A.M.) Our Early Service welcomes you with lively music, joyful worship, heartfelt sharing, and a friendly “hello”. The Praise Choir practices each Thursday evening at 6 – everyone is welcome to join. If you would like to participate in any other way, from getting to church in time to welcome early arrivals to helping with sound or visual presentations to serving communion, let the pastor know. And bring a friend with you to church!

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August Sales Tax Holiday: School Supplies and Clothing

When: First full weekend of August (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) each year. This year the holiday will take place August 2-4, 2013. What's Exempt: During this three-day period, purchases of qualifying school supplies selling for $20 or less per item, and purchases of qualifying clothing and footwear selling for $100 or less per item will be exempt from sales tax. Note: This is a great time to purchase items to donate locally or to use in School Kits.

THE SALVATION ARMY 2013 - 2014

SCHOOL SUPPLY DONATIONS

Below is a list of items that will be needed for this school year:

Black Sharpie Mechanical Pencils

Box of Tissues Notebook Paper

Color Markers #2 Pencils

Color Pencils Pencil Erasers

Composition Books Pencil Sharpeners

Crayons Pens – Blue, Black, Red

Folders with Pockets 3 Ring Binders

Folders with Pockets /Prongs Rulers

Glue Sticks & Liquid Scissors

Hand Sanitizer Scotch Tape

Highlighters Spiral Notebooks

Index Cards 3 x 5 Supply Boxes

BOOK BAGS

NEEDED. PLEASE DO NOT

PLACE SCHOOL

SUPPLIES IN THEM.

The missions committee will have a collection basket available for school supplies for the salvation army on August 4, 11, 18.

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Jesus said: "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness

be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled underfoot."

Matthew 5:13

Salty Servants minister to persons outside their church family. For Jesus, anyone in need is our neighbor. We are called to follow Jesus beyond our comfort zones, to be light in the darkness, ambassadors of reconciliation, agents of the Kingdom which God. The Missions Committee of Grace encourages you to be a Salty Servant for at least one hour a week in one of these four ways: 1. Hands-on Mercy -- alleviating the suffering of others. We can feed the hungry, clothe the naked, befriend the immigrant or refugee, mentor students, shelter the homeless, care for children needing a home, visit the lonely, provide medical help to the sick, comfort the dying, give solace to the grieving. 2. Addressing systems that cause suffering. Why are people hungry in this rich land? Why can't people make a living with a full time job? Why are teens dropping out of High School? Is jailing those getting into trouble the only way? How much interest do loan sharks charge desperate people? Where do the homeless live in our community? What can be done to cut the violence in our society? Speaking out and working against racial, cultural, or religious discrimination is justice ministry. Justice ministries address the social, cultural, economic, or legal causes of human suffering. 3. Earth-Care –being stewards of God's creation. We humans have a history of using the earth as if it was ours to abuse, but, "The earth is the Lord's, and all that is on it." We can plan an Earth Day event, participate in a beach or highway cleanup, raise concern about water or air pollution, get involved in tree-planting, or research and educate others about green practices that preserve the earth’s resources. 4. Cultivate relationships to ease the emotional or spiritual needs of others. We can get to know our neighbors, befriend someone who is lonely or left out, pay attention to someone who is anxious, afraid, or ignorant of God's love. We are called to be ambassadors of reconciliation, building relational bridges, healing strained relationships, and offering welcome, warmth, understanding, and hope. If you have offered your time and talent as a Salty Servant in the past week, drop one of the prepared cards into the offering plate. We will tally them and celebrate the ways we follow Jesus in Salty Service.

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SALTY SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES Here are some interesting opportunities to be a Salty Servant. On behalf of LINK of Hampton Roads, Inc., we are desperate to find

volunteers who will assist Leigh Mitchell, Logistics and Volunteer Coordinator in providing the "axis" of LINK's services. Leigh is the key person at LINK who provides resources to clients who are seeking assistance; we are currently desperate for volunteers to help us set up the following:

New inventory tracking system Sorting of donated goods Assistance in sharing the resources of donated goods with the community Distribution of donated goods Truck driver(s) for moving in/out clients of CANLINK permanent supportive housing program (we have associates (former clients) who assist with the heavier work of moving items). Volunteers to help residents to organize their homes Visiting the sick, many of our residents are alone and are sick (we have had 6 deaths in the past 3 months and would really appreciate persons who would check in with our associates (formerly named clients). Persons willing to check on the phone with clients on a daily basis—chat and check in with them. Delivery of food, household items, clothing, etc., to shut ins Pick up of food from the Foodbank Sorting and bagging food ready for delivery Emergency deliveries of items to clients Hospital visits Hospital or doctor appointment mentors Administrative assistants who are adept at using computers, telephone and who can train our VIEW volunteers on how to work in a workplace Women to conduct and help facilitate women's groups Men to conduct and help facilitate men's groups Who's brave enough to take on a "kids" group (or two) one for the younger kids, one for the older, we have musical equipment, a van for outings, help them with school work, chatter n natter with them.

Watch future newsletter for more opportunities to serve the Lord!

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NOTES FROM YOUR TRUSTEES

- by Gloria Champine

Several contractors have reviewed the roofing problems at our Church and have decided not to submit a

bid. A Class A contractor from Gloucester has examined the structure and decided to submit a bid. This contractor has built or restored 60 churches in nearby communities and has done an excellent job. In addition, we expect to receive a bid from a local contractor that has done work for our Church previously. After the Trustees have made a decision, our Chairman, Roger Patterson, will discuss the bid with Church Council and Finance Committee for their information and costing concerns. The lighting in the Sanctuary had moved to second priority, but lighting problems such as replacing bulbs, etc. will be handled on as needed basis. Additional Items Small jobs in the Parsonage have been

completed and the Pastor and family have moved in. Exterior painting on the entrance door and wood trim around the house will follow at a later date.

A tree fell over the fence at the Parsonage. The Trustees, working with the United Methodist Men and the assistance of Cindy and Adam Brakman, have removed the tree, cut it up, and placed it out for pick up by the City.

Keeping a watch on small leaks from the flat roof over the Bride's Room and Choir Room.

A dining room chair at the Parsonage is being repaired and the couch in the living room is outdated. It likely will be taken to a consignment shop.

A plumber was called in to repair a water leak around a commode in the ladies room.

The drain line in the refrigerator in the SFH has been unclogged.

As always, your Board of Trustees will continue to seek to do the best job possible in maintaining the physical property of the Church and the Parsonage and in spending our contributions for the greatest benefit to our Church. We welcome your thoughts, ideas, and prayers.

TREASURER’S NOTES by: Betty S. Hill Budget Update through July 28, 2013:

Budgeted $152,894 ~ Received $149,140

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continued from page 16 From the Pastor’s Desk (cont’d)...

and a short list of area schools listed. I would like the church to be praying for these schools. I would also like us to be praying for the church – Grace, York River District, Virginia Conference, the United Methodist Church as well as the Church (universal) along with our sisters and brothers in Christ and the leaders of the Church. When we are connected to God through prayer and willing to be transformed by God’s grace, we will do mighty acts in name of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Grace and Peace, Pastor Steve

Mark Your Calendars

Charge/Church Conference Sunday, November 3 at 4:00pm,

at Warwick Memorial UMC

RANHORNE MEMORIAL TRUST

The Ranhorne Memorial Trust Board of Grace United Methodist Church is please to announce that the following students have been awarded scholarships for the upcoming school year:

Meredith Boyd, Longwood University Adam Brakman, Christopher Newport University Carter Casey-Rutland, Emory University Elizabeth Casey-Rutland, Mount Holyoke College Robert Casey-Rutland, The College of William and Mary Christina Jackson, Old Dominion University Hannah Rumsey, Virginia Commonwealth University

Al Abbitt, Chairman Ranhorne Memorila Trust Board

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

U.S. Postage

PAID Newport News, VA Permit No. 1827

Grace United Methodist Church 1209 Country Club Road Newport News, Virginia 23606

Return Service Requested

From the Pastor’s Desk...

Greetings in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, Thank you everyone for the warm reception that we are still receiving as I begin my ministry as the Pastor of Grace UMC. Hannah, Lisa and I are feeling at home in the parsonage and we look forward to being part of the Grace family. Though I only have a month of experience as the pastor here, I can tell you that the greatest asset of any church is its people. Grace United Methodist Church is no exception. What makes the difference between vital churches and dying churches has nothing to do with age, economic level or educational level and very little to do with location of the church. The two factors that influence vitality are the people’s connectedness to God and also their willingness to be transformed by God’s amazing and eternal grace. These two factors are at both the individual and community levels. We have to be spending time with God – at Jesus’ feet, in prayer, through Bible study, and in engagement with each other in worship and Sunday School and small groups. We also have to be willing to be different individuals and a different church tomorrow – moving onward to perfection as John Wesley would describe it - than we were today. As long as we have those two things going for us, then Grace UMC will be a vital congregation (conference standard) but more importantly we will be the “body of Christ” on earth. On the front of the newsletter, you will notice the prayer mentioned along with some scripture

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