The robes are cleaned, the new stoles have been delivered, and it’s time to start the choir back up!
Rehearsals begin Wednesday, September 4, and the choir sings the following Sunday, September 8. Rehearsals are from 6:00-7:00 pm. The season starts with anthems that center around our current series on Esther.
Feel free to invite a friend or family member with you to choir rehearsal. The more the merrier. See you all soon!
The Grace Book Club meets again on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at 6:30 pm, in the Parlor. The book selection is Tell Her Story, by Dr. Nijay K. Gupta. The book club is open to all. Contact Melissa Buteyn at englishteachmb@gmail.com or call the church office for more information.
I was reading in Craig Groeschel’s Daily Devotional, Daily Power, the other day and was taken by this section in Craig’s reflection for August 15:
They call them the “dog days” of summer those weeks when the temperatures soar and make it impossible to enjoy being outside for long. The air scorches our nostrils, the heat burns our skin, and the pavement sizzles beneath our feet. You know cooler weather will come eventually, but in the meantime, you’re sweating buckets.
To be honest, I’m often stuck in the “dog days” of the news cycle about our world, country, state, county, and city. Something needs to break this cycle. And I believe I know the antidote.
Now is the time to increase our critical thinking skills to address the issues of power, justice, democracy, and leadership through loving, and God, and love others.
The good news of the gospel leads us to stand against hate. The good news of the gospel leads us to stand with the LGBTQ community, immigrants, and refugees. The good news of the gospel calls us to love all regardless of ethnicity, economic status, and yes, even those with different political parties than our own.
Are you stuck in the “dog days” of the news cycle about our world, country, state, and city? Exercise critical thinking. Engage justice issues. Confront the abuse of power. Support those who are experiencing relationship troubles. Discard anxiety and trust God. Esther did.
You too can exercise influence for the common good. It was the way of Esther. It is the way of Jesus. Critical thinking is necessary. Now is the time, my friends.
On the journey of Christian discipleship and spiritual formation with you, I remain faithfully yours,
Steve
The Rev. Dr. Steven M. Marsh
Interim Pastor
Starting Sunday, August 18, your Worship Team and Rev. Dr. Steven Marsh will lead a seven-week sermon/message series on the Book of Esther titled “For a Time Such as This.” Each week, they will explore one chapter of Esther, looking at its significance then and for today. Join in by reading the corresponding chapter before worship.
August 18 – Chapter 1: “The Time is Now”
August 25 – Chapter 2: “Thinking, Not Blamming”
September 1 – Chapter 3: “Favoring, Not Shaming”
September 8 – Chapter 4: A storytelling drama
September 15, Chapter 5: “Living the Vision”
September 22; Chapter 6: “Resting, Investing, and Loving”
September 29, Chapters 7+: Concluding Drama
This past Sunday was a remarkable day. It began with our youth leading worship and informing all of us on the work of partnering with God in mission work in Georgia. Following worship Our Interim Pastor Journey Town Hall Meeting Step 3 transpired. A very open and authentic experience was had by all in attendance, approximately 99 people.
The question discussed was: What are Grace’s strengths and additional challenges, along with declining attendance, as we move forward in evaluating worship services, emerging ministry emphases, and staffing transitions?
The results have been tabulated. Do pick up your packet of materials, which include the tabulation of comments and a memo concerning unexpected expenditures at the kiosk or download the packet at Grace’s website mygpc.org.
Friends nothing in your life is an accident. God has purpose for each of you. Read the benediction below (benediction, in Latin literally means, “good word”) written by the late Richard Halverson, Minister of Word and Sacrament (PCUSA), and Chaplain to the United States Senate (1981- 1994). You’ll be encouraged.
You go nowhere by accident.
Wherever you go, God is sending you.
He has a purpose in your being there.
Christ who indwells you has something he wants to do through you wherever you are.
Believe this.
And go in his grace and love and power.
Amen.
As we continue our preaching series For Such A Tim As This, I encourage you to read the book of Esther. There are so many parallels in the world today with those during Esther’s time in the early sixth century BC.
Remember, nothing in your life is by accident. Everything is purposed by God!
On the journey of Christian discipleship and spiritual formation with you, I remain faithfully yours,
Steve
The Rev. Dr. Steven M. Marsh
Interim Pastor