irc

Read with the Refugee Team

The Grace Refugee Team invites you to read. We’re reading This Flowing Toward Me. The following description comes from Amazon.com:

What began in 1979 as a response to a random bulletin board posting would ultimately change Sister Marilyn Lacey’s life–and the lives of countless refugees. In vivid prose, Sister Lacey narrates her twenty-five year spiritual journey of work with those displaced by conflict and disaster. In the spirit ofDead Man Walking, she invites us to solidarity with some of the world’s most vulnerable. Timely and engaging, This Flowing Toward Me offers fresh, personal insights into the world of refugees and international immigrants. More importantly, it stirs our hearts to remember the gospel mandate to welcome the stranger.

Copies of the book are available for purchase at Watermark Books, or you may order them elsewhere.  Read the book, and then join us for conversation on Wednesday, July 20, at 6 pm. The group meets at Fran Belden’s house. Contact the church, 684-5215, for the address.

Vacation Bible School

By Jennifer Snook, Director of Children’s Ministries

Surf’s up!

Vacation Bible School is happening as I write this newsletter, and we are having a great time together. On the first day of VBS, we had a young child who was unsure whether it was a good idea to stay or not. Our teenage volunteers stepped up for this child and used their gifts of encouragement and love to extend the grace of Jesus to that little lamb.  By the middle of the day the child was participating in group activities and making friends.

Vacation Bible School is a beautiful thing all the way around.  Stop by the bulletin board to see photos of the week.  We had a crafts station, games, music, snacks, story time and science.

There is no children’s Sunday School during the month of June, but starting in July we combine our children’s classes together and have a fun time learning more about how much Jesus loves us. If you would like to be involved in this amazing ministry please contact Jennifer at jennifer@mygpc.org.

vbs-2016

IGNITE Mission Trip 2016 – Pascagoula, MS

By Kirk Anderson, Director of Student Ministries

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. ~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18  

I love July.

First, I am a warm weather person, so the heat doesn’t really bother me. I love the 4th of July. I am still a fan of blowing things up…the bigger the better.

But, my favorite part of July is our annual High school Mission trip. Knowing that God is going to do some extraordinary work through these amazing kids and adults is something that I can’t put a price tag on.

Lives are changed, expectations are blown away. Grace, forgiveness and love become common, all because God is allowed to work in ways that don’t always happen in our day-to-day routines. If you have never done a week of service, do so before you can’t. I promise you will be a different person.

My one request is that you pray for us during this trip.  he names of those participating on this year’s trip are listed below.  Please pray continually!

Youth: Max McIntire, Matthew Randle, James Thompson, Jordan Pluenneke, Alex Fanning, Drew Whepley, Emma Schumann, Andrew Hetrick, Makena Frazier, Emma Marvin, Luke Hetrick, Garrett Lancelot, Jack McHenry, Camron Morgan, Mekonen Ney, Katelyn Regan, Wil Ullmann, Noelle Schumann, Alexandra Schumann, Gracie Schnedler, Blake Ullman, Joseph Beauchamp, Clare Heathman, Justin Lewis

YaYa’s: Erin Whepley, Christina Sledd

Adults: Jim Grannis, Charlene Randle, Sean Foster, Kathy Whepley, Bill Hetrick, Alan Crane, Kirk Anderson

youth

July 2016 Youth Schedules

If you would like to get on the Student Ministry email list for either IGNITE or INSPIRE/WYLDlife, please email your request to Kirk Anderson.

IGNITE (All High School aged youth)

  • Sunday discussion (10 – 10:50 am) on July 24.
  • Tuesday Chess Club (3:30 – 4:30 pm) in Room 101 led by Ann Graham and Gary Hart.
  • Wednesday Fellowship (6:00 – 7:15 pm) on July 20 and July 27.
  • Mission Trip: July 8-17 in Pascagoula, MS.
  • Mission Sunday: Rehearsal on July 23 and 30, and One Service on July 31.

INSPIRE (All Middle High aged youth)

  • Sunday discussion (10 – 10:50 am) on July 24.
  • Tuesday Chess Club (3:30-4:30 pm) in Room 101 led by Ann Graham and Gary Hart.
  • Wednesday Fellowship (3:30 – 4:45 pm) on July 20 and July 27.

YaYa’s (College aged youth)

  • We meet on Sunday evening at various homes and venues discussing God’s purpose in one’s life during the college aged years. Call Kirk or Sean Foster for locations and more information.

 

 

refugee-team-movie-night-june-17

Refugee Team Movie Night: June 17

Join the Refugee Team for a movie night at 6:30 pm on Friday, June 17, in the Grace Parlor.  We’re watching “Rain in a Dry Land.”

Rain in a Dry Land provides eye-opening answers as it chronicles the fortunes of two Somali Bantu families, transported by relief agencies from years of civil war and refugee life to Springfield, Massachusetts and Atlanta, Georgia. As the newcomers confront racism, poverty and 21st-century culture shock, the film captures their efforts to survive in America and create a safe haven for their war-torn families. Their poetry, humor and amazing resilience show us our own world through new eyes.

[button url=”http://www.pbs.org/pov/raininadryland/” target=”_blank” size=”small” style=”orange” icon=”” popup=”” title=””]See more[/button]

The movie starts at 6:30 pm.  We provide snacks, or feel free to bring your dinner with you.