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By Kirk Anderson, Director of Student Ministry

Romans 12:2  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

I was Empty

God detoured me to be FILLED

I was not following God’s path

God detoured me to friends and fellowship

I was bitter and blamed God…<my way>

God detoured me to…soften my heart and be thankful! <God’s Way>

I was distracted

God detoured me to be focused

I was diving into a dark place

God detoured me into the Light

I was…Rude and Angry

God detoured me to Love and Patience

I thought…I am in control

God showed…He is in control

I was headed to contentment

God detoured me to Courage

I was in a world of Silence

God detoured me to His Word

I was alone

God Detoured me to Friendship.

I was confused in my faith

God led me to see Him clearly.

I was putting God Out of my Everyday LIFE

God detoured me to putting Him IN my everyday LIFE

I was worried

God detoured me to peace

I was lost and confused

God detoured me to HAPPINESS and FRIENDSHIP

I was Lost & Alone

God detoured me to be a part of His PLAN.

I was Confused & Irritated…

God led me to the answer; to patience

I was Stressed

God led me to Peace

I was Lost and Confused

God detoured me to a Path with a Plan

I WAS BUSY AND MOVING…

God detoured me to…Slow Down & Enjoy His Presence

When we put “I”, as in ourselves, before God, we lose our direction and get caught up in this world. We get scared, lonely, confused, lost, angry and greedy. We lash out at others, and we fail. But the God of this earth is so full of love and grace that He is willing to give us signs, detours if you will, to allow us back on His path, to be a part of his world.

For a week in July, those of us who went on mission trip were able to experience many signs from God. Some were spoken to us, some were actual detour signs and some were whispers and nudges, letting us know that He was there. God was saying He wanted us to change direction, to look at our lives and make a commitment to a new path, a path not led by us but by Him.

Every year this amazing church supports and makes sure any youth that want to attend this mission opportunity get to take this trip. These trips change lives as you can see by the “Statements of Detour” above from those who were on this year’s trip to Cherokee Nation, NC. But my thought is, for this article post anyway, how many of you have taken the time lately to get away, serve others, worship and pray, to let God be completely in your life 24/7? If you haven’t, what would happen if you took a week and spent it with others praising and seeking God? Would you come back a different person? Would you hear God and see the detour sign He may have placed in your life? Would you re-think how you treat your fellow man?

My challenge to you is this – read Romans 12:2 again, plan and take a week or longer and use it to serve others with others. Praise and worship God, be in prayer, read and mediate on the Word, allow God to permeate your life for that week 24/7 and see what happens.

Is it a sacrifice? You bet it is…but imagine where that detour may take you!

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All Church Breakfast: Sunday September 6

Join us for breakfast at 10 am on Sunday, September 6, in the Great Room. The cost is $5 for individuals, $3 for children under 12, and $13 family cap.

 

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Automatic Giving

Would you like one less thing to have to think about regularly and help Grace’s cash flow at the same time? Then sign up to have your pledge taken out of your savings or checking account on a regular basis.

Grace offers the opportunity for automatic withdrawals. Technically this is an ACH debit. It is an automatic transfer of your giving from your checking or savings account directly to Grace’s account. It costs you nothing, saves you time and checks, and Grace benefits from greater stability in monthly contribution levels. If you’re interested you can go to our online giving portal  and sign up or speak to Sandy Mosher in the Accounting Office.

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Weekday Worship and Bus Tickets: Friday August 14

On Friday, August 14, guests gather at Grace to receive bus tickets. This monthly ministry begins at 7 am. Guests arrive and gather in the alcove. Tickets are distributed at 8:30 am. Following ticket distribution everyone is invited to stay for a brief worship service with communion at 8:40 am.

Church members and non-bus ticket recipients are encouraged to join us for worship.

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Same Sex Marriage Conversation

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Dear Grace Community,

Last spring the Grace Session invited you to participate in listening sessions regarding same-sex marriage. People were able to share feelings, and Session members heard a wide range of views. These were not debates but time to talk and listen.

Same-sex marriage is now permitted, though not required, in the Presbyterian Church USA, the denomination Grace is part of. Since the Supreme Court ruling this summer, same-sex marriage is now legal in all 50 states. The Grace session has discussed how else we might engage the congregation before making a decision about whether or not Grace will allow same-sex marriages.

As your pastor it is clear to me that we will not be of one mind on this issue. There are far too many opinions and convictions in this congregation. Instead, my hope is that we can remain a unified church no matter what we decide.

With that as my hope and with the Session’s encouragement I reached out to two men this spring and summer. These two men lead organizations with differing viewpoints and yet have found a way to work together. They are Paul Detterman from the Fellowship of Presbyterians and Brian Ellison from the Covenant Network of Presbyterians. The Fellowship is opposed to same-sex marriage while the Covenant Network is in favor of it.

Last year as presbyteries debated this issue Paul and Brian spoke together before many of those meetings, not debating one another, but both speaking honestly about their opinions and their convictions about same-sex marriage and the importance of church unity.

Our Session invited Paul and Brian to Grace, and we host them on Tuesday evening September 29. We’ll have a casual dinner from 5:45-6:15 pm for $7, and the program is from 6:30-8 pm in the Great Room. Both men will speak, and there will be plenty of time for questions and answers. Please make plans to attend.

I know that many of you know how you feel and will not change your minds on this issue. That is fine, but it’s important that we know how to be a church with people we disagree with.

In preparation for their visit we are offering a book study in the weeks leading up to September 29. We will read two books, one recommended by Paul and the other by Brian. The books are Washed and Waiting by Wesley Hill and The Bible’s Yes to Same-Sex Marriage by Mark Achtemeier.

The study group meets Sundays August 23 and 30, September 13, 20, and 27 from 2-3:30 pm in the Grace Parlor. Copies of the books are available at Grace for $22 total, or you may purchase them on your own. Please reach out to me or anyone on the Session if you’d like to talk about any of this.

In Christ,

Catherine

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