From the Pastor's Desk

From the Pastor’s Desk- January 2018

Dear Grace Community,

Music is central to our life as a church.  We raise our voices in song, and we connect with God through beautiful music that is made in worship. For over 23 years, Donna Hetrick has led our music ministry at Grace. Our community is blessed by her faithfulness, her dedication, and her love for worship, music, and people.

Donna and her family are moving next summer, so she will no longer serve in our music ministry. Donna actually holds three positions at Grace: Director of Music Ministries, Director of Music for the 9 am worship service, and Organist. I’m writing to make you aware of this upcoming change as well as the plans that are taking place.

At its October Session meeting, the Session, at the recommendation of the Personnel team, formed a search team to lead the music ministry search. Serving on the team are Bruce Gealy, Charlene Randle, Janet Rhoads (chair), Randy Routsong, and Bill Vavra. Catherine Neelly Burton serves on the team as well.

The team began meeting in November with the first goal being to update and revise job descriptions. Great attention was given to this, and the team presented the updated job descriptions to the Personnel team and Session in January. The search team will start advertising the positions in early February.  The team is aware that we might find one person to fill all three positions, or we may find multiple people.

We ask for your prayers in this process, and if you know of someone who should apply for the position(s) direct them to the team.

In Christ,
Catherine

creed

Congregational Study for Lent: Creed

You are invited to participate in a congregational study on the Apostles’ Creed during Lent.  We’re using Adam Hamilton’s book, Creed. Books are $15.  You may buy them through Amazon or another source, or we sell them on Sundays, February 4, 11, and 18.

Study Groups are as follows:

Sunday Morning at 10 am

  • Creed – Book-Based Group: Meets in Room 101

This class is for people who do the reading each week and want to come together to talk about it.

  • Creed – Video-Based Group: Meets in Room 103

This class is for people who may or may not do the reading each week, so a portion of the class is spent watching a video to help everyone catch up.

  • Steamer Class: Meets in Room 209

The Steamers explore Creed as a group.

Tuesday Morning at 10 am

  • Creed – Meets in Room 103

If your Sunday mornings are full and your Tuesday mornings are free, join this group.

Tuesday Evenings

  • Creed – Grace Young Adults

Grace Young Adults meet in homes for this study.  Contact Catherine Neelly Burton, Catherine@mygpc.org for more information.

johnrutter

John Rutter’s The Gift of Life

John Rutter’s The Gift of Life

Our Music Ministry has the wonderful opportunity to present John Rutter’s large work, The Gift of Life, in the 11 am worship service on April 22.

We are hiring a small orchestra to accompany.  Our choirs rehearse every Wednesday, beginning January 10, 7:30-8:15 p.m. in the Sanctuary, and invite you to join us!

Rutter is a wonderful British composer who published this work in 2015 as a celebration of life. Please come join us in learning this beautiful music and then offering to God in worship on April 22.

Questions? Contact Donna at donna@mygpc.org.

rutter

 

 

choir

Women’s Chorus – January 28

All women, including youth, are invited to join our Women’s Chorus on Sunday, January 28, for the 11 am service.  Rehearsals are in the Sanctuary:

  • Wednesday, January 17, 7:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, January 21, 10:00 a.m.
  • Wednesday, January 24, 7:00 p.m.

All are welcome to join us, whether you sing in choir regularly, or this is your first time!  Please come join our Music Ministry in raising your voice in song and praise to our God!  Questions? Contact Donna at donna@mygpc.org