Grace Updates: Saturday, May 30

Dear Grace Community,

“…Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.  They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.  All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”  Acts 2:2-4

You can hear this same passage, read by members of our church, in English, Spanish, and German by going here: https://vimeo.com/423617209

Sunday is Pentecost.  On this day we celebrate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.  There is evidence of the Holy Spirit all around us, moving, breathing, washing over us.  At the same time, there is evidence of a parched world, longing for the Spirit.

More than 100,000 people in our country are dead from the Coronavirus, and I give thanks that the death rate is slowing.  I hope and pray that trend continues.  As I write this, the city of Minneapolis cleans up from a night of violence, and I struggle with those images as well as the image of a police officer kneeling on a man’s neck.

I lament the overwhelming pain in our world, and I’m grateful that in the face of this pain we continue to worship together, even if it’s online.  I hope you join us Sunday at 10 am on Facebook Live.

Let us know how you are.  Email the church staff or call us to check in and share.  We miss you and pray for you.

In Christ,
Catherine

Links

Sunday, May 31 at 10 am
Worship: Pentecost Sunday
Confirmation Sunday
Sermon Scripture: Selections of Acts 2
Catherine Neelly Burton preaches
Song: Holy Spirit, Grace Like Rain
Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/mygpc.org
Or watch a recording later in the week: www.mygpc.org

Monday, June 1 at 8 – 8:15 am: Morning Prayer
Start the day on Zoom with prayer with Catherine Neelly Burton.
Join by computer/tablet/smartphone: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87150815304
Join by phone: +1 346 248 7799
Meeting ID: 871 5081 5304

Tuesday, June 2
The parable class is taking a couple of weeks off and returns later in June.

Wednesday, June 3
If you have a youth in your family who wants to connect, contact Kirk@mygpc.org
This week the youth start a book/Bible study using the Bible and Rob Bell’s book What is the Bible? The book costs $6.  Contact Kirk with questions.

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Pentecost: Sunday, May 31

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This Sunday is Pentecost!  On this day we celebrate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The text in Acts 2 says that as the people gathered the Spirit first made its presence known in “a sound like the rush of a violent wind…”

As we celebrate Pentecost in our homes this year you are encouraged to come by the church and get a pinwheel. We have 50 of these, and we hope they serve to remind you of the movement of the Holy Spirit.  About half of our pinwheels are on the church lawn.  Feel free to take one of those, or come inside and pick one up from a vase at the entrance by the sanctuary.

Pentecost

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Grace Garden Team

We’re not gathering in the building, but you can help beautify the outside of Grace Presbyterian.  The Garden Team is back to work: spreading out and digging in the dirt. They are always looking for new members.  Contact Don Allison dallison15@cox.net or Bill Wynne bill.wynne@wichita.edu  with questions or to volunteer.

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Pentecost Offering

offering

Pentecost Sunday is May 31.  Each year we receive a special offering on this day.  This year you may give here: https://specialofferings.pcusa.org/offering/pentecost/

The PCUSA Pentecost offering goes to support ministries with children and youth.  On the national church level this includes the Youth Triennium.  Last summer we sent a group of youth and adults to this conference.

We send 60% of this offering to the PCUSA and keep 40% here.  The 40% goes to the Wichita Children’s Bridges Program which supports young adults who have aged out of the foster system.

 

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Grace Updates: May 16

Dear Grace Community,

Love is patient, love is kind… Do these words sound familiar?

These words are found in 1 Corinthians 13, which is our scripture for Sunday. Together we look at love, as Paul presents it to one of the first Christian churches.

Those first Christians in Corinth sought to be a church, which was not something anyone they knew had ever done before.  As we seek to be a church in a pandemic, which is not something anyone we know has done before, we’ll see what the letter to Corinthians might say to us.

Last week was distanced, but full, for our community.  Some of you studied scripture with Martin Burch.  Some of you prayed with me or volunteered at Giving the Basics.  Youth gathered for study and fellowship, and Dave and Maggie McIntire won our Zoom trivia night.  Opportunities to gather continue for the coming week and are listed below.

Let us know how you are.  Email the church staff or call us to check in and share.  We miss you and pray for you.

In Christ,
Catherine

Links

Sunday, May 17 at 10 am: Worship
Sermon Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Hymn #366 Love Divine, All Loves Excelling – View hymn>
Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/mygpc.org
Or watch a recording later in the week: www.mygpc.org

Monday, May 18 at 8 – 8:15 am: Morning Prayer
Start the day on Zoom with prayer with Catherine Neelly Burton.
Join by computer/tablet/smartphone: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88943492651
Join by phone: +1 346 248 7799
Meeting ID: 889 4349 2651

Tuesday, May 19 at 2 pm: Parables: Tell Me the Stories of Jesus with Martin Burch
Join our Executive Pastor Dr. Martin Burch in a parable study. This week the class looks at the story of the rich young ruler in Mark 10:17-27.  This includes the parable of the camel and the needle.
Join by computer/tablet/smartphone: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87055666025
Join by phone: +1 346 248 7799
Meeting ID: 870 5566 6025

Wednesday, May 20: 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, May 21 at 7 pm: Music Ministry
Sean Foster and Kelsey Wise share some of their favorite hymn arrangements on facebook live.  Tune in and join us.
Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/mygpc.org
Or watch a recording later in the week: www.mygpc.org

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