At its September 18 meeting the Grace Session adapted the church mask policy. Visitors and members are required to wear masks unless they are fully inoculated from the Covid-19 virus. Those who are fully inoculated are strongly encouraged to wear masks. All staff and anyone in contact with Jacob’s Learning Ladder must wear masks, regardless as to vaccination status.
Each year on the first Sunday of October, World Communion Sunday, we receive a special offering. This offering is a national offering of the Presbyterian Church USA and is called “The Peace and Global Witness Offering.”
Our mission distribution team decides where to give 25% of the offering we receive. The Presbytery of Southern Kansas decides where to give 25% of the offering, and the national PCUSA decides how to use the final 50%.
This year the local portion of the offering goes to the Pando Initiative. The Pando Initiative serves students in the Wichita, Derby, and Haysville area helping them to engage and thrive in education. Their vision is that every student in the community graduates and is ready for their next stage.
Starting on October 10 we explore our stewardship theme, “Together for Joy!” In the last 18 months we’ve experienced being together and apart in new ways. We’ve found joy in worship online, in the parking lot, and in our building. We celebrate the many ways we find our joy in the Lord as a congregation.
Join us Sunday, October 10, at 2 pm, on the east lawn for a Blessing of the Animals. All pets are welcome and must be on a leash or held in arms.
Pastor Catherine Neelly Burton offers a blessing to each animal and owner as well as a time of thanksgiving for our animals. This brief time of worship is a wonderful way to celebrate God’s creation.
Hello, Grace Family.
Children’s Ministry is moving on all cylinders with the start of another school year. The Excavation Station, (elementary Sunday School Class) enjoyed learning about being made in God’s image last week. Nine students created an art gallery depicting what it was like to be made in the image of God.
In addition to Sunday School, the Girls of Grace group continues to grow. This is a group made up of elementary age girls 3rd- 6th grade. We would love to start a “Guys of Grace” group if a willing adult is being called to lead.
We are focusing on filling ourselves up with a healthy dose of spiritual meals. Just like our physical bodies need good food several times a day, so do our spiritual bodies. We talked about three spiritual meals we can enjoy each week
Spiritual vitamins are also great things to “take” in order to grow as a Christian and build deeper connections with others. Spiritual vitamins are things like Church Retreats, Fellowship activities, Youth Group, Mission Trips, Listening to Christian music…. But eating vitamins alone won’t result in a healthy body. These should be taken in addition to the spiritual meals we listed earlier.
Two opportunities to engage in both of these things involve the Children’s Ministry here at Grace.
Spiritual Meal Opportunity: Adopt a Jacob’s Learning Ladder Teacher/Class – In the Coffee bar area there is a bulletin board with names and lists of all JLL staff. We encourage you to take a name or a list and commit to praying for this person throughout the school year. If you feel led, write them a note during this time, send them a Bible verse, bring them a special drink once in a while. This is one way we can build connection with the families that attend Jacob’s.
Spiritual Vitamin Opportunity: Jacob’s Learning Ladder is hosting a Trunk or Treat event in the Grace Parking Lot on Wednesday, October 27 from 6:15 – 7:15 pm. Sign up to park your car in one of the designated spots and hand out candy, prizes, stickers, etc. to all the kids that pass by. Some people enjoy creating a “carnival type game.” We have some here at Grace that you can use. Contact me (Jennifer) if you would like to know more. jennifer@mygpc.org