This is my last Gracevine for 2022. As I look back on the previous 12 months, It has truly been a year of God’s provision and presence here at Grace UMC. We began the year welcoming Pastor Gary Spencer to share my pastoral duties. Pastor Gary brought his years of experience to us and blessed us with several sermon series’ and a variety of leadership insights. I am grateful for his unique gifts to this congregation.
Pastor Beth has increased her duties to include administrative oversight of the daily work of our facilities staff, and this has included the hiring of two facilities staff members, C. H. and Jeremy. I am grateful for our beautiful campus, the upkeep of which is no accident. The hard work of staff and volunteers makes a beautiful campus possible.
I am grateful that we have a dedicated staff of people who work daily to fulfill our mission and vision. The vision of “building bridges between Christ and our community” is a vision I recognize in the activities of everything from our preschool to our food pantry to our music department to our clothes closet.
My family is grateful for so many of you who have offered prayers and encouragement during Colleen’s recent health problems. She continues to improve in her recovery from surgery.
Our Christmas Eve services are offered at 3pm, 5pm, and 11pm. I am working on a message entitled “Only The Beginning.” The scripture passages are Titus 2:11-14 and Luke 2:8-14. At the 11pm service, Pastor Beth has entitled her Christmas Eve message “The Unexpected.”
Please remember that we will have one service at 10am on Christmas Day and at 10am on New Year’s Day. Our regular 9am and 11am service times will resume on January 8.
Finally friends, thank you for the privilege of serving as one of your pastors in 2022. Have a wonderful Christmas, and I look forward to what God has in store for us all in 2023!
Steve Hart