and the grace news

GRACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
14521 Northwest Blvd.
Corpus Christi, Texas 78410-5501
Address Service Requested
Grace United
Methodist Church
14521 Northwest Blvd.,
Corpus Christi, TX
78410
361.933.0109
Non-Profit
Organization
U. S. Postage
PAID
Corpus Christi, TX
Permit No. 690
The Good News
1st - Cottage meeting
4th - Operation Christmas Child starts
Pumpkins arrive
Cottage meeting
5th - Trustees meeting
10th - Church Work Day
11th - Men’s Service Ministry Breakfast
14th - Food Bank Distribution Day
17th - Harvest Fair
20th - Newsletter Deadline
UMW Hope Circle
Finance meeting
25th - Blood Drive
28th - Food Bank Distribution
29th - Newsletter Team
31st - Trunk or Treat
Starting Monday, October 5th
Monday - Saturday
9am - 6pm
Sunday
12:30pm - 6pm
Volunteers are needed for
3 hr shifts and story time
You can sign up at
http://vols.pt/WpaofX
Fall has begun! However, I must admit that I’ve barely been able to detect the beginning of
fall in terms of the end of hot weather. Welcome to the coastal bend of Texas! But fall has
begun in terms of the flurry of activity in our lives. For those with children at home, school is
in full swing with all the other activities associated with that – sports, band, and then other
activities that aren’t directly associated with school – dance, other sports, etc.
We also have begun a flurry of activity in the life of the church – Wednesday Night
Live has kicked off, a new season of Sunday morning small groups for all ages, other Bible
studies and groups have begun. The pumpkins will arrive October 4 (come help unload and
volunteer to staff the Pumpkin Patch during October!).
These are all wonderful activities and ministries. But not long ago, I participated in a
gathering of pastors to reflect on ministry and fruitfulness and we were discussing goals for
our churches. Much of the time we think of goals in terms of things like starting new ministries, having more people participating in ministries, increasing our giving, etc. These are certainly worthy goals, but we were challenged by the one leading our gathering to push beyond
those things. These are all activities and resources. We were pushed to ask the question
“why?” Having more people participating or creating new groups is not an “outcome,” nor is
increasing our giving. What is it we hope to achieve by having more people or creating new
groups or receiving more giving? What is the desired outcome? What is the “end” of which
such activities are the “means?” What will creating more resources enable us to do in terms
of accomplishing our mission?
The mission statement of the United Methodist Church is “to make disciples of Jesus
Christ for the transformation of the world.” So our focus isn’t merely to have activities, or
more activities, or more people involved in those activities. We engage in small group Bible
study each week to move people along the path of discipleship so they are sent out into the
world to disciple others and to transform the world. We teach children the faith or provide
youth a place to fellowship in order to grow them as disciples. One of the things I’ll be asking
our leadership, both staff and lay is to think about what specific “outcome” goals we believe
God is leading us to work towards. Then we’ll be poised to strategize our activities and resources to reach toward those outcomes.
These are challenging, yet exciting times to be part of the church of Jesus Christ and
to be focused on the mission of “making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the
world.” It is my hope that we as a congregation will become laser focused on that mission.
Walking in Grace,
Pastor Jason
A Moment in Time…
Church Office
Main: 361.933.0109
fax: 361.933.0154
Pastors:
Reverend Jason Fry
[email protected]
Home: 361.933.0702
Cell:
830.992.0181
ext. 205
Pastor Michele Lott
[email protected]
Cell: 361.222.4227
ext 204
Director of Youth Ministry:
To Be Filled
[email protected]
ext 203
Director of Children’s Ministry:
Debbie Shannon
ext 206
[email protected]
Administrative Assistant:
Sandy Callis
[email protected]
ext. 200
Office Administrator:
Kristina Abrigo
[email protected]
ext. 202
Property Manager:
Phillip Christian
Cell: 361-443-0094
Director of Finances:
Lana Norris
[email protected]
ext. 221
Director of Music Ministry:
Anita Schulz
[email protected]
Pianist:
Mary Anne Christian
[email protected]
Praise Band Director:
Michael Perez
[email protected]
Director of Media:
Holli Horton
[email protected]
Methodist Healthcare Ministry
Counselor:
Laura Lopez cell: 361-652-3573
Because he was the first pastor of Grace the Rev. Goodenough had so
many important events occur during his tenure, so I am just going to highlight some of them. To begin with, the organizing of the congregation in
Calallen. Remember, the congregants were still without a home of their
own when Pastor Goodenough came on the scene in 1948. Talk of building
a new church was certainly going on but there was so much to be done in
order to make it happen. Then on March 13th, 1949 the deed was done and
the first service was celebrated. Then there was the congregations urging
for the good pastor to find him a wife which happened in 1950 although I
have found no mention of a wedding in my research. But on September of
1951, Mrs. Goodenough was rushed to Ewing Hospital in Sinton for the
birth of their first child, a little girl, Kathleen Sue. And of course the first of
three new buildings was erected that same year and also a small parsonage. So you see it has been pretty easy for me to come up with columns
for the last three months. Next month it will be the turn of the Rev. Walton
and I am anxious to find out what went on during his tenure at Grace.
Mary Lutz - Historian
...and the grace news
August 2015
FINANCIAL REPORT THROUGH
August 31, 2015
New Members
Becky Cantu
Year to Date received for Ministries $527,057.93
Year to Date Ministries - $507,547.83
Visitors - August
Kathelin Trinidad
Claude & Cherry Pichot
14521 Northwest Blvd TMF Loan
Balance January 1, 2015 - $2,283,274.71
Balance July 31 - $2,188,257.75
Average - August
Worship 8:50 143
11:15 126
Nursery
7
Monthly Average: 278
Small group
(Sunday School)
Average: 130
If you might know the addresses for the following
members, please contact
the church office at 9330109 or email Sandy Callis
at [email protected].
Leo & Lisa Coffey, Robert
Jones II, Gary & Debbie
Lankford, Kathleen
Najvar, Nicole Waters, D.J.
Weber.
Playground Fund Phase 2
$5014.15
Van Fund
1 van bought with $13,705.99 toward a second van
Outreach has some exciting news!! Our fundraiser
"Sweet Cases" for local Foster Children raised
$2,500.00 that will provide 100 duffle bags to local
Foster Children. This will get them started in their
new journey. Thank you to all who were able to donate. We will put the bags together as a group, all
are welcome to help. Date to be announced soon!
Food Bank Ministry is doing great things in our community. We are averaging 65 Families a month. We
are still in need of volunteers with pick up trucks/
SUVs. If you would like to join the Food Bank team,
please contact Elizabeth McGehee at
[email protected].
Distribution takes place the 2nd & 4th
Wednesdays of each month from 9-11am
at the Thrift Shoppe.
Volunteers are always needed,
we would love to have you join us!
Oak Park Walkway
$10,034.67
Designated Ministry Offerings
August
Food Bank $20.00
Mentoring $805.25
Outreach
(Rail-backpacks & sweet cases) $1740.25
Missions $10.00
As of August 31, 2015
2015 Apportionments
$85,049.00
2015 Apportionments Paid
$24,668.64 29.01%
The Thrift Shoppe is always in need of your
gently used items, so head to your closets,
box up your treasures and bring them to the
Thrift Shoppe. Our customers are just waiting
for your items. Our mission goals are fulfilled
because of your faithful giving. Thank you so
much for all that you do!
UMW NEWS
Attention Ladies!!
Start going through your favorite recipes for baked
goods. Soon UMW members will be calling you to ask
you to bake something for our Bake Sale to be held at
the Harvest Fair on October 17, 2015.
JOY CIRCLE will meet on October 14, 2015 at 6:30pm
in a room to be announced later. Bring your favorite
snack and join us for fellowship and fun.
HOPE CIRCLE will meet on October 20, 2015 at
9:15am in the Fellowship Hall. Join us for fellowship
and refreshments.
Looking forward to seeing you there!!
Sign up at the
ministry table on
October 11 & 18.
October Blood Mobile Details
October 25th will be the last drive for this year. All
donors must have a PHOTO ID. It only takes a few
minutes to donate and change the lives of as many as
3 people! Our own George Tompkins received 2 units
of blood in his recent heart surgery. Thanks to donors
like you, blood was available for him!
Men’s Service Ministry 2nd
Sunday Breakfast
Once a month, the Men’s Service Ministry will have a
men’s breakfast to break bread, fellowship, and discuss projects around the church and/or for a family in
need of our skills. We envision children working
along side of their fathers, giving praise and glory to
God, in the form of service to others.
PLEASE JOIN US!
Please contact Richard Shurley at
[email protected] for more information.
A Big THANK YOU!!
Wanda Armstrong would like to extend a huge
thank you to all of you who have been praying for
her and sending your cards of encouragement.
She would especially like to thank Dottie Reindl
and Winnie Janak for their assistance and support.
Please keep Wanda in your prayers as she
continues cancer treatments and
receives hospice care.
Beginning about the middle of September and
stretching into October, there will be a series of
“cottage meetings” – gatherings of groups of people
of Grace in homes to allow Jason and Joan, our new
Senior Pastor and his wife, to become better
acquainted with us – and for us to get to know
them. Sign up at the ministry table anytime!
MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK!
Join your brothers & sisters in Christ for a much
needed beautification day for Grace!
There will be window cleaning, mowing,
trimming, prayer garden TLC, etc.
Please sign up on the form provided.
Cleaning set to start at 7:30am.
Contact Richard Shurley with questions at
361-816-9653 or [email protected].
You’re probably used to hearing people in church talk about giving. But when was the last time in
church that you talked about earning or saving? Is it unchristian to earn money? Is it wrong to save for
ourselves and our families?
John Wesley didn’t think so. Wesley, the Christian evangelist and founder of the Methodist movement, gave a remarkable sermon called “The Use of Money.” In it, he said that the important thing isn’t
money itself but how we use it. Wesley’s surprising advice still rings true today: earn all you can, save
all you can, give all you can.
During the month of October, as a congregation we will be considering these issues through a sermon series: Earn. Save. Give.: Wesley’s Simple Rules for Money, The source material comes from
the work of popular author and pastor James A. Harnish. In addition to the sermons, each family is encouraged to read the devotional guide by Harnish, copies of which have been distributed in worship the
last couple of Sundays and will be mailed to other families who have not had opportunity to do so. During
the month, each family will receive a narrative description of the financial investments the church has
made this year to carry out the ministry of Grace UMC. Each family will also be invited and encouraged to
consider making a commitment to give toward the ministries budget in 2016.
October 4
-
“Wisdom: What We Need More Than Money” -
October 11
-
“Money – Good or Bad?” – Earn All You Can
October 18
-
October 25
-
November 1 -
Proverbs 3:13-18
Proverbs 6:6-11 and Luke 16:1-13
“You Can’t Take it with You” – Save All You Can
1 Timothy 6:6-10 and Luke 12:13-21
“How Far Will You Go?” – Give All You Can
Luke 21:1-4 and 1 Timothy 6:17-19
Commitment Sunday (All Saints Day)
Turning 50 is best when celebrated with the Grace family!
Just a little over a week ago I had the great joy of turning 50. Some might hope that it
could slip by unnoticed – not me…luckily! Instead of slipping quietly into the next decade of
life I received teasing, decorations, lots of cake, and an abundance of love. I also enjoyed
hearing the congregation sing, “Happy Birthday” and seeing pictures of my decorations on
the screens in worship. Thank you for any and every part you played in that!
My family loves to celebrate together…especially the “big”
days. Unfortunately my schedule didn’t allow us to get together
for this one – I’ll admit that I was a bit moody that we wouldn’t be
able to connect for this event. I was blessed that my parents
were able to make a quick trip (22 hours of driving for a 38 hour
visit) and they were willing to drive to San Antonio to eat at the
restaurant where my oldest son works.
And then I realized that my family is much larger than I imagined. I came home from a conference to find my home decorated with streamers, balloons, dead flowers, gifts, and cards…a whole lot of love packed
into my home. When I looked closer I saw that another friend
had come in and done a “deep cleaning” in preparation of my
parents’ visit. My mailbox was filled (seriously filled!) with wonderful birthday cards from my Grace family.
I have often said that I don’t know how people “do life” without a church family. This past week has reinforced my belief that
family isn’t about blood but about love, faith, and God. Romans
12:10-13 says, “Love each other like the members of your family. Be the
best at showing honor to each other. Don’t hesitate to be enthusiastic—be on
fire in the Spirit as you serve the Lord! Be happy in your hope, stand your
ground when you’re in trouble, and devote yourselves to prayer. Contribute
to the needs of God’s people, and welcome strangers into your home.”
Thank you for being my family for more than three years! You
have blessed me in more ways than I can remember. When I
couldn’t see you drove me to appointments, when I was hungry
you fed me, when I was lonely you became my friends, when I was Pastor Perk: Awesome kids
feeling old you made a big deal out of it…that’s what family does. (Michael Castenada) bring
warm cinnamon rolls for
I realize that I’m definitely on the downhill side of my life (it’s goyour birthday.
ing to be a GREAT adventure on this side!) but our family is going
strong. I pray that we continue to be on fire in
the Spirit as we serve the Lord. Let’s covenant
together that we will be happy in hope, stand
our ground when we’re in trouble, and devote ourselves to prayer. Let us contribute to
the needs of God’s people and continue to
welcome strangers into our house. We are the
family of God, united by faith and love.
With Joy and Thanksgiving,
Youth News
Kids Corner
The Pumpkins are coming!!!
Come help us prepare the patch for their arrival on Saturday, October 3rd at 10am. We
will be laying pallets down and getting everything set up for delivery on Sunday. The
pumpkins should arrive Sunday, October 4 around 12:30pm!
Sometimes they are early; sometimes, late!! BUT COME PREPARED ON
OCTOBER 4 to unload over 1,800 bright orange, red, green or stripped pumpkins along
with gourds of all shapes and sizes. Bring the entire family – great fun!!
WE will be in need of wagons, wheel barrows, garden carts. Etc. to help unload.
Please spread the word and sign up in the Mall area to work a 3 hour shift, or register
Wednesday Night Live Jr
6-8pm
SonShine Singers
Kinder- 5th grade
th
Kinder-5 Grade
We are still looking for a leader to prepare
for Birthday for Jesus scheduled for
Wednesday, December 9th
Please contact Debbie Shannon for
Dinner, Activities, Games,
Lessons and FUN!!!
on line at http://vols.pt/WpaofX The pumpkins will need to be rolled every
Wednesday night as well; so WNL groups; get signed up to do so!
Wear closed toed shoes and bring gloves; as well. These bright orange balls
are right out of the field and can be quite dirty!!
Begins September 9th
more information.
Meals are $3 each or
Purchase a meal ticket for $36
October 7th
Lasagna
Salad, Garlic Bread
Cobbler
October 14th
Hamburgers
Baked Beans, Potato Salad
Cookies
Decorate your vehicle and bring some
goodies to share
Games, Prizes & Treats for the Kids
Prizes for best decorated vehicles
Free Hot Dogs, Chips and Drinks to the
first 200 people
Families/groups attending the event to “treat”
children will park in the designated parking lot with
their trunks/pick-up beds accessible and be set up by
5:45. If you prefer to give something other than
candy, consider stickers, pencils, fruit, or bookmarks.
October 21st
Beef Tips
Rice, Corn
Ice Cream
October 28th
Pasta
Salad, Garlic Bread
Cupcakes
As the summer of planning and praying for Grace UMC youth winds down, I
am reminded of Romans 12:12 “ Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction,
faithful in prayer.” Normally, this is one of my favorite bible verses because
it reminds me of the importance of hope, patience, and prayer in any
process. But today, I choose to focus on the joyful in hope part of the verse.
I love watching our youth taking on leadership roles in our church. Whether
they are leading a prayer, reading scripture, or participating in mission work,
they are growing and learning to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ here
at Grace UMC. Pastor Michele, at one of our meetings, stated “The youth are
not the future church. They are the church of today. They can be active
members today.” This concept has resonated within me because as parents
and church members we must step up, volunteer and support our church in
all of our programs and ministries. We have a beautiful community, a
beautiful church, and most important beautiful youth filled with hope. Our
youth are the adults of tomorrow but active members today. From the wise
words of Sitting Bull, “Let us put our minds together and see what life we
can make for our children.”
I hope to see YOU at our next Youth Leadership Team meeting! It is
composed of some youth, some adults, some people with a lot of time,
some people with a little time, and some people with no time…
YOU will be a perfect fit. Thank you.
Holli Horton