• Advent is about new beginnings. The First Sunday in Advent is December 1.

What is the new beginning you hope for in your life?

• Hope is the expectation that God reigns and God’s promises will be fulfilled.

Jesus came into the world, fully God and fully man. Jesus Christ brings salvation to humans in order to reconcile all things to the Father.

• Hope ensures your new beginning is purposed by God and not an accident.

It is this Jesus who suffered, died, and was buried for you. It is this Jesus who rose from the dead in order for you to know the most incredible new beginning…forgiveness of sin, everlasting life, and purpose for living.

• Read the benediction below (benediction, in Latin, 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 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.

• Remember, nothing in your life and Grace’s is life is an accident. That is the promise of Advent

On the journey of Christian discipleship and spiritual formation with you, I remain faithfully yours,

Steve

The Rev. Dr. Steven M. Marsh, Interim Pastor

• Advent is about new beginnings. The First Sunday in Advent is December 1.

As followers of Jesus who are Presbyterian, we are “missional” and “connectional”. Although we are 1.2 million individuals in the Presbyterian Church (USA), we find ways to connect and fulfill the mission of Jesus collectively.

As followers of Jesus, we exist to proclaim salvation in Jesus Christ and him alone; nurture and equip followers of Jesus for the work of ministry; worship God with our whole mind, body and spirit; preserve the truth; promote justice while serving the marginalized in society, and demonstrate the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven.

• Jesus Christ came into the world, fully God and fully man. Jesus Christ, God incarnate, came into the world to proclaim a connectional and missional beginning for the salvation of humans in order to reconcile all things to the Father.

It is this Jesus who suffered, died, and was buried. It is this Jesus who rose from the dead in order for humans to know the most incredible new beginning…forgiveness of sin, everlasting life, and purpose for living. Advent is the new beginning of partnering with Jesus to change the world one life at a time.

• Read the benediction below (benediction, in Latin, 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 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.

• Remember, nothing in your life and Grace’s is life is an accident.

On the journey of Christian discipleship and spiritual formation with you, I remain faithfully yours,

Steve

The Rev. Dr. Steven M. Marsh

Interim Pastor

Rest strong in the truth that you belong to God. 

Dependency on God combines God’s action and human action into experiencing God’s kingdom. Lean on God as we prepare to elect the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC).

Here is an update on our Journey to the New Pastor.

• The Session receives The Strategic Plan (Mission Study) at its Stated Session Meeting, Monday, November 18.
• November 2024-January 2025 the Nominating Committee finds Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) members.
• The Session can call a Special Meeting of the Congregation in December or January for the election of the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) depending on the Nominating Committee’s progress.
• Currently, the PNC slate is scheduled to be elected at the Annual Meeting on Sunday, February 23, 2025. The Strategic Plan is also presented for discussion.
• The PNC begins its work in January, February, or March, depending on when the Congregational Meeting for the election of PNC members occurs.

Now is the time for each one of us who call Grace Presbyterian Church their home and family to reach out to others who may be looking for a better way to live. Advent, a time for new beginnings, is two weeks away. It is the truth that Jesus Christ was born to change the world one life at a time.

Read the benediction below (benediction, in Latin, 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 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.

Remember, nothing in your life, and Grace’s life is an accident.

On the journey of Christian discipleship and spiritual formation with you, I remain faithfully yours,

Steve

The Rev. Dr. Steven M. Marsh

Interim Pastor

A most historic National Election occurred on Tuesday, November 5. And I’m writing this column before the polls closed. From my vantage point, there’s been more participation due to an increase in the young adult and female population. And a healthier debate on the issues.

For all of these factors I’m grateful. Remember, resting strong in the truth that you belong to God and knowing who you are in Christ matters most. 

My friends, dependency on God combines God’s action and human action into experiencing the kingdom of God. Depend on God as we move closer and closer to the election of the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC).

Here’s an update on our Journey to the New Pastor.

• The Strategic Plan (Mission Study) is presented to the Session for approval at the Stated Session Meeting, Monday, November 18.
• November 2024-January 2025 the Nominating Committee identifies Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) members.
• A Special Meeting of the Congregation for the election of the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) could be called in December or January depending on the Nominating Committee’s progress.
• Currently, the PNC slate is scheduled to be elected at the Annual Meeting on Sunday, February 23, 2025. The Strategic Plan is also presented.
• The PNC begins its work in January, February, or March depending on when the Congregational Meeting for the election of PNC members occurs.

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.

Remember, nothing in your life and Grace’s is life is an accident.

On the journey of Christian discipleship and spiritual formation with you, I remain faithfully yours,

Steve

The Rev. Dr. Steven M. Marsh

Interim Pastor

Today is Ingathering Sunday. Grace Presbyterian Church aspires to make fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ who are remembering, telling, and living the way of Jesus. Resting in the truth that you belong to God and know who you are in Christ matters most. 

My friends, dependency on God combines God’s action and human action into experiencing the kingdom of God. Depend on God as you ponder your 2025 Pledge of Time and Treasure and a gift above your pledge to the operating budget. God will lead you to obedient and sacrificial.

Here’s an update on our Journey to the New Pastor.

• The Strategic Plan (Mission Study) is presented to the Session for approval at the Stated Session Meeting, Monday, November 18.
• November 2024-January 2025 the Nominating Committee identifies Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) members.
• A Special Meeting of the Congregation for the election of the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) could be called in December or January depending on the Nominating Committee’s progress.
• Currently, the PNC slate is scheduled to be elected at the Annual Meeting on Sunday, February 23, 2025. The Strategic Plan is also presented.
• The PNC begins its work in January, February, or March depending on when the Congregational Meeting for the election of PNC members occurs.

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.

Remember, nothing in your life is an accident. Nothing in Grace’s life is an 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