Grace Presbyterian Church

Information For March 29-April 1

Dear Grace Community,

This is hard, right? I know I’m not the only one who thinks so.  It’s hard to have our lives disrupted.  It’s hard to know that people we love and care about are at risk of contracting and suffering from Covid-19.  It’s hard to not know what the future holds, not that we ever did, but we thought we did.

Let me remind you of the five words I asked you to learn last Sunday during Facebook live worship.  “I am with you always,” Jesus says in Matthew 28:20. This is hard, and Jesus is with us.

Amidst what is hard, there is great value in connecting with one another, even if it is by technology.  Below are a lot of opportunities for you for worship and connection.  If you need help navigating any of this, contact us, 316-684-5215.  I’m grateful that there are ways we can connect, and I pray for you daily.  I encourage you to reach out to one another.  Pick up the phone and reconnect.  Check in on someone when they cross your mind.  Pray for each other.

In Christ,
Catherine

Sunday, March 29 at 10 am

Worship

Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/mygpc.org

Or watch a recording later in the week: www.mygpc.org

See the attached hymn – Be Thou My Vision – so you can join us in singing in worship.

Monday, March 30 at 8 – 8:15 am

Morning Prayer

Start the day on zoom with prayer with Catherine Neelly Burton.

Join by computer/tablet/smartphone: https://zoom.us/j/908919593

Join by phone: +1 346 248 7799

Meeting ID: 908 919 593

Tuesday, March 31 at 2 pm

Parables: Tell Me the Stories of Jesus with Martin Burch

Join our Executive Pastor Dr. Martin Burch in examining the Parable of the Great Dinner in Luke 14.  Read Luke 14:7-24 to prepare.

Join by computer/tablet/smartphone: https://zoom.us/j/451095641

Join by phone: +1 346 248 7799

Meeting ID: 451 095 641

Wednesday, April 1 at 11 am

Kids time with Jennifer: Join Jennifer Snook for some fun on Facebook

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mygpc.org

Wednesday April 1

Youth Connection: Kirk Anderson sets up video connections with youth.  If you have a youth in your family who wants to connect, contact Kirk@mygpc.org

Thursday, April 2 at 5:30 pm

Birthday Party!!!

Join Pastor Catherine Neelly Burton for her virtual birthday party.  (It’s also Dale Haury and Dave Sproul’s birthdays.)  Log into Zoom and say a quick hello, or stick around and see the faces of other church people you’ve missed.  If you’re feeling adventurous, wear a fun hat.  Plan to hold your pet up to the screen so we can meet your dogs/cats/gerbils/etc.

Join by computer/tablet/smartphone: https://zoom.us/j/954331109

Join by phone: +1 346 248 7799

Meeting ID: 954 331 109

Grace Presbyterian Church

Updates: March 23, 2020

Dear Grace Community,

It was good to worship with so many of you on Facebook today.  It is uplifting to me to know we are together.  I hope others of you will watch worship here on our website.

We sent out a series of online opportunities for you on Saturday.  I included one wrong address.  The link for the Service for Lament is now updated below.

Please take advantage of these opportunities.  If you need help navigating any of this, contact us, 316-684-5215.  Please be patient with us if something doesn’t work quite the way you expect.  We’re learning a lot of this on the fly.  I’m grateful that there are ways we can connect, and I continue to pray for you.

In Christ,
Catherine

Monday, March 23 11 am

Kids time with Jennifer: Join Jennifer Snook for some fun on Facebook Live.

Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/mygpc.org

Monday, March 23 7 pm

Service for Lament: While we want to be positive and hopeful in this hard time, many of us are grieving things we’ve lost or had to give up.  Naming this in a holy space is an important part of grieving.  Join Pastor Catherine Neelly Burton on zoom for a time of prayer and naming what it is that you lament.

Join by video:  https://zoom.us/j/674226577

Call in to zoom: +1 346 248 7799 US

Meeting ID: 674 226 577

Tuesday, March 24 2 pm

Parables: Tell Me the Stories of Jesus with Martin Burch

Join our Executive Pastor Dr. Martin Burch in a conversation about one of his favorite parables.

Join by video: https://zoom.us/j/652634457

Call in: +1 346 248 7799

Meeting ID: 652 634 457

Wednesday, March 25

Youth Connection: Kirk Anderson is setting up video connections with youth.  If you have a youth in your family who wants to connect, contact Kirk@mygpc.org

Thursday, March 26 7 pm

Music with Sean Foster and Kelsey Wise: Tune in to Facebook live and listen as Sean (our Director of Music Ministry) and Kelsey (our organist) share some of their favorite music.

Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/mygpc.org

Friday, March 27 5:00 pm

Congregational Hangout: Drop in and see other members of the congregation.  Fellowship and reconnect.

Join by video: https://zoom.us/j/758689119

Call in: +1 346 248 7799

Meeting ID: 758-689-119

Grace Presbyterian Church

Updates: March 21, 2020

Dear Grace Community,

There are multiple ways for you to connect with the church and each other in the next week.  Please take advantage of these opportunities.  If you need help navigating any of this, contact us, 316-684-5215.  Also, please be patient with us if something doesn’t work quite the way you expect.  We’re learning a lot of this on the fly.  I’m grateful that there are ways we can connect, and I continue to pray for you.

In Christ,
Catherine

Please note: to watch Facebook Live, you need a Facebook account. If you need help setting one up, please let us know. For Zoom, you need to download the app to either your smartphone or tablet. If using your computer for Zoom, you’ll be prompted what to do on setup.

Worship: Sunday, March 22 10 am

Kids time with Jennifer: Monday, March 23 11 am

Service for Lament: Monday, March 23 7 pm

  • While we want to be positive and hopeful in this hard time, many of us are grieving things we’ve lost or had to give up.  Naming this in a holy space is an important part of grieving.  Join Pastor Catherine Neelly Burton on Zoom for a time of prayer and naming what it is that you lament.
  • Join by video: https://zoom.us/j/674226577
  • Meeting ID: 674 226 577
  • Call in to zoom:  +1 346 248 7799

Parables: Tuesday, March 24 2 pm

  • Tell Me the Stories of Jesus with Martin Burch
  • Join our Executive Pastor Dr. Martin Burch in a conversation about one of his favorite parables.
  • Join by video: https://zoom.us/j/652634457
  • Call in: +1 346 248 7799

Youth Connection: Wednesday, March 25

  • Kirk Anderson is setting up video connections with youth.  If you have a youth in your family who wants to connect, contact Kirk@mygpc.org

Music with Sean Foster and Kelsey Wise: Thursday, March 26 at 7 pm

  • Tune in to Facebook Live and listen as Sean (our Director of Music Ministry) and Kelsey (our organist) share some of their favorite music.
  • Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/mygpc.org

Congregational Hangout: Friday, March 27 5:00 pm

  • Drop in and see other members of the congregation.  Fellowship and reconnect.
  • Join by video: https://zoom.us/j/758689119
  • Call in: +1 346 248 7799
From the Pastor's Desk

From the Pastor’s Desk: March 2020

Dear Grace Community,

But now says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. – Isaiah 43:1

I’m writing to let you know that we are cancelling worship and all church activities (meetings, events, rehearsals, regular groups, etc.) through the end of March.

This is not a decision made lightly but prayerfully and thoughtfully with the best information we have right now.  This decision was made by members of the staff in consultation with the church session and with physicians in our congregation.   We made this decision, not out of fear, but as a way to protect the most vulnerable around us.  There is much uncertainty around the Coronavirus/Covid 19, but what is clear is that limiting large gatherings is prudent in stopping the spread.

This decision is hard for many reasons, including that gathering to worship is central to who we are, and so we invite you to worship in a new way for a few weeks.  Starting this Sunday, we will live stream worship on the Grace Facebook page at 10 am CDT.  The same service will be available on the mygpc.org website later that day.  This week the service will be primarily scripture, prayer, and music.

This technology allows us to, in fact, worship together.  While not ideal, it is a gift.  Staying connected while not seeing each other at Grace is important.  We will send out regular communications through email.

If you are staying home all of the time because you are self-quarantining or because of your health, do you need any help?  Do you need things dropped off at your house (medicine, food, etc.)?  Please let us know so that we can help you.  Do you need prayer?  We’d love to pray for you.  If you are willing to help run errands for people or to make check-in phone calls to members of our community, please let me know, 316-684-5215, catherine@mygpc.org.

I look forward to hearing from you, and I will miss being together this Sunday.

In Christ,
Catherine

From the Pastor's Desk

From the Pastor’s Desk: A Note About Health Precautions

What does life at Grace Presbyterian Church look like in this time of the Coronavirus – Covid 19?  The answer will likely change from day to day.

Tim and Isaac, our custodians, are cleaning as vigilantly as ever.  Tim is in tune with what cleaning supplies are best equipped to kill the virus.  Jacob’s Learning Ladder is receiving regular updates from the state health department and follows all guidelines.

The other change to our common life is that on Sunday we ask you not to shake hands, even during the passing of the peace.  While some of you are completely comfortable with shaking hands, the people next to you might not be.  In addition our ushers will greet you with words of welcome but no handshakes.

We are exploring the possibility of video recording our services so that those of you who need to stay home may watch.  Right now, you may listen to sermons on our website.

[button url=”https://www.mygpc.org/sermons” target=”” size=”small” style=”orange” icon=”” popup=”” title=””]Listen to Sermons[/button]

If you are sick, we ask that you not come to worship.  If you are sick or choose to stay home because of your vulnerability to sickness, please let us know if you need anything.  Do you need someone to run to the store for you?

For the coming weeks look for updates like this in the Thursday email.

In Christ,

Catherine