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…

This weekend is the perfect time to invite your friends to experience our wonderful music department!  Saturday, December 17 at 6pm and Sunday, December 18 at 10am are the times for the cantata: Tidings of Joy: A Celtic Christmas Celebration.  Don’t miss this opportunity to reach out to our community and share the joy of Christmas music with others! Please know how much we appreciate your end of…

Dear Grace Family, This Sunday is the third Sunday in Advent. It is the Sunday we celebrate the theme of Joy. So, I find it more than a little ironic that the lectionary reading for today finds John the Baptist in prison sending his disciples out to ask Jesus, “Are you the one we are to expect? Or should we look for another?” John seems filled with doubt and…

I sincerely appreciate the support and encouragement so many of you have provided my family during Colleen’s illness. Colleen has asked me to share the following on her behalf:  “Thank you to everyone who has supported me and my family in this health challenge. I have been looking at this cancer as a curse, but maybe it is the vehicle by which…

This Sunday, November 27th, marks the first Sunday in Advent. The beginning of Advent marks the beginning of the Christian liturgical year. It is a season of waiting, as we wait the birth of Jesus. In fact, waiting is a major theme during this time of year. Our songs of Advent are filled with waiting images… “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” Our scriptures speak…

Gratitude. This is a good word not just during November and Thanksgiving but throughout the year. Personally, I am grateful that over the past several years, I have gotten to know so many of you. As a pastor, it is such a rich experience to look out at the pews in the sanctuary and know about the lives of the people we…

I write this as we wait for storm Nicole to pass through our area. I was certainly not expecting another storm this late in the season. It is events like this that remind me that it is healthy to hold all my planning lightly because I cannot control future events. The life example and teaching of Jesus reminds us that flexibility, adaptability,…

For many years now, Grace has hosted a “country store” event quarterly. We offer various items that are typically not available at food pantries, such as cleaning supplies and personal hygiene products. This event is open to everyone. Saturday, November 5, is our fourth-quarter country store for 2022. We welcome volunteers for setup on Friday evening at 6pm and for the Saturday…

I hope you are enjoying our great fall weather as much as I am! The weekend forecast looks great, which is especially good news because we have our annual trunk n treat event on the Grace campus Saturday. Every year I am amazed at the huge turnout for this event. If you are free late Saturday afternoon and early evening, come out and welcome people…

Have you ever heard the adage that we usually find what we are looking for? I think this applies to how we see the people in our lives. If we think most people are dangerous and not worthy of our trust, we may experience danger on a regular basis. If we offer people a spirit of openness and trust until they prove…