candle

Silent Night Worship Service: December 11

December is a month of mixed messages and mixed emotions.  For anyone who has experienced loss or sadness, the holidays can be difficult, or at the least, stir up emotions.  Whether it is a public loss, like a death in the family or a divorce, or a more private sadness, it can be hard to move through a season when the expectations are high energy, big smiles, and full schedules.

Recognizing that some of us need a time to pause, a quiet time and space set apart during the Advent Season, Grace will host our annual “Silent Night” service on Monday, December 11, at 6:30 pm in the sanctuary.  It is a quiet worship service that includes the Lord’s Supper.  All are invited to join us. Even if you approach Advent and Christmas with no sadness or heaviness you may appreciate a quiet evening of worship.

light

Let There Be Light: Advent 2017

Genesis 1:3 says, “Then God said, ‘Let there be light;’ and there was light.”  These words draw us into the creation story.

‘Let there be light’ is also a good way to enter into Advent.  The season of Advent is an opportunity for us to prepare for Christ’s birth and return.  On the first Sunday of Advent we light one candle.  It is a small representation of the hope that we have in a dark world.

Each week we light one more candle, and the light grows. Then on Christmas Eve we light the four Advent candles and the Christ candle, a visible symbol of the promise we have in Jesus. He is the light of the world, the light no darkness can overcome.

Join us each week in worship during Advent as we explore together this theme, “Let there be light,” and look at stories from the prophets and the gospels to help us prepare for Christmas.

Yellow Bag Sundays

Yellow Bag Sundays: December

Each month on the first Sunday you’re encouraged to take home a re-usable yellow grocery bag, put some non-perishable items in it, and bring it back the next week, or soon thereafter. In November and December our contributions go to Operation Holiday.  Operation Holiday is a mission of Interfaith Ministries.  Operation Holiday expects to serve over 13,000 people this year.

Grace Presbyterian Church

December 2017 Sunday Morning Schedule

9 am Worship in the Great Room | 10 am Education and Fellowship (see below) | 11 am Worship in the Sanctuary

Worship at 9 am is in the Great Room and is led musically by our band. The style is less formal than the 11 am service. The 11 am service is in the Sanctuary and is led musically by our choirs. The style is more traditional. There is no Sunday School on December 17 or 24. On December 17, we enjoy the Christmas Brunch at 10 am. On December 24, there is One Worship service at 11 am.

Children and Youth

Children ages 0-Pre-K

  • A nursery is available all morning from 8:50 am – 12:15 pm.  From 10 – 10:45 am, Colissa Frye leads a Sunday School lesson for these children.

Kindergarten – 2nd Grade

  • Kindergarten – 2nd grade meets in room B10 (in the basement) also known as the ‘Foundation Station.’

3rd – 5th Grades

  • 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders meet in Tower Room (on the 2nd floor).

Youth

  • 6-8th graders meet in the Youth Center (downstairs)
  • 9-12th graders meet in the Youth Center (downstairs)

Adults

Love and Logic, Meets in Room 103

Jennifer Snook and Cindy Dethloff team up for another Love and Logic class. This time the focus is Teens, Tots, and

Technology. This class is ideal for parents, grandparents, or anyone else who spends time with children and youth. The Love and Logic way of talking to children gives you specific answers and actions for some of the difficult moments in

child-rearing. These simple techniques are effective with all children, from toddler to teens. It will change your life and the lives of your children.

Bible 101: Meets in Room 101

Do you want to know more about the Bible but don’t know where to start?  Join the Bible 101 class. Each small unit (four weeks for the second unit) provides an entrance into scripture.  If you’ve studied the Bible before you’ll enjoy the refresher.  In December we focus on the gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Steamers: November 5, (Room 208)

Dave McIntire teaches the class in December.\

 

bible

Sunday Morning Preaching Schedule for December 2017

December 3     

This is the first Sunday of Advent.  Our text for the day is Isaiah 64:1-9.  Catherine Neelly Burton preaches this day, and we celebrate the Lord’s Supper.

December 10   

On this second Sunday of Advent we hear scripture from Isaiah 40:1-11 and Mark 1:1-8. Catherine Neelly Burton preaches.

December 17   

On this Sunday we hear of Mary’s visit from the angel Gabriel in Luke 1:26-38. The Epic Brass plays at both worship services, and Catherine Neelly Burton preaches.

December 24   

We have one worship service on Sunday morning.  At 11 am we worship with the continued Advent theme of ‘Let There be Light.’  Catherine Neelly Burton preaches from Luke 1:46b-55. On Sunday evening we worship at 5, 8, and 11 pm.  These are Christmas Eve worship services.