This is my last Gracevine article of 2019, and I have been thinking about what words sum up this year for me. I am ending the year with a heart that is surprised, full, and very grateful. When 2019 began, I did not anticipate the many blessings that have come to pass in my family life. I did not anticipate a merger…

We are quickly approaching another Christmas and the end of another decade. How will this Christmas be different for us? Will we experience the warmth and joy that comes with Emmanuel, God with us? Will our hearts be changed as we again invite Christ to live in our hearts and influence the way we live and interact with the world around us?…

We are now approaching the second Sunday of Advent, less than three weeks from Christmas! My personal prayer this season is to stay focused on Jesus so that I am able to bring a sense of encouragement and hope to every encounter and interaction. This goal sounds easy enough, but the challenge lies in making time for God first, before tackling all…

Thank you for your prayers for our Kairos team as we served in the prison last weekend. The Holy Spirit showed up and those of us who went thinking that we would bless others came away experiencing renewal and joy beyond anything that we gave. This is the way it works in God’s economy! This Sunday, November 24, I will be sharing…

Recently, someone asked a pastor what she would request of her congregation if she could have anything. Her immediate response was “I would request a church devoted to prayer.” What a faithful response! We must never underestimate the power of prayer. So, I have some prayer requests. I am serving on a Kairos prison ministry team from Thursday, November 14 through Sunday,…

We have another weekend of ministry opportunities here at Grace. The Country Store is scheduled for Saturday morning in the fellowship hall, and we welcome volunteers for set-up on Friday at 6 pm. This is a quarterly event at Grace, and we are blessed to be able to provide cleaning supplies, pet food, and several other household items that many people cannot…

Several folks have inquired about the sanctuary air conditioning. The trustees have hired a company to install a new unit, but the unit had to be ordered. Installation is anticipated within the next couple of weeks. Many thanks to our trustees for reviewing bids and hiring the work done, and for all of you for your generosity and patience! Friends, we REALLY…

This Sunday, October 6, is world communion Sunday. This is one of my favorite Sundays of the year. I love the wonderful, diverse tapestry that constitutes the body of Christ throughout the world. People of many races, languages, cultures and regions of the world worship God in a variety of ways. Jesus invites us all to a feast that is a celebration…

Wow! There is so much going on at Grace the next few days! Sunday we will celebrate Frances Brush’s 43 years of service to Grace and the Merritt Island community. The luncheon will begin at 12:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall and we look forward to lots of laughter and stories of life together over the years. If you have already turned…

Most of us would prefer it if the ethical, moral, and spiritual questions we face were easy to understand with clear, black and white answers. Unfortunately, the world in which we live is often filled with ethical dilemmas and challenges that involve uncertainty and more gray areas than we would prefer. Doing what is right is not always easy, nor is it…