Dear Grace Family: I really appreciate the fact that so many of you have returned your pledge cards for 2021. It is a wonderful thing to have a significant amount of funds pledged to help us plan the budget for the coming year.  If you have not yet turned in your 2021 pledge card, please do so by September 27, 2020. While…

Dear Grace Family: As we approach Labor Day weekend, it is my prayer that we all make the effort to stay connected with our friends and family. Many people who normally travel on holiday weekends may not do so this year, but there are still ways to be social by phone or letter or the various forms of electronic communication. Loneliness and…

Dear Grace Family: With a new school year underway I see more traffic and activity around the church and in the Merritt Island community. I am grateful for the signs of life and activity all around us, even if it requires extra patience when driving. If you are in the process of adjusting to a new schedule because of school starting, I…

We are fast approaching the first day of school and this year it has been fraught with turmoil as parents and teachers are worried about attending classes in person. I invite everyone to keep our schools, school administration, teachers, parents, and students in your prayers as we begin this year in a different way. Some of our students will continue to do virtual…

Dear Grace Family and Friends: As we approach the opening of our public schools for a new year, we will see more traffic and more people out of their homes. I pray that all of us can exercise extra patience and that we can express gratitude for each pleasant encounter. The isolation of the past few months has been difficult for many…

Dear Grace Family and Friends: This has been a crazy week indeed! It started with a hurricane warning last weekend. We canceled in-person worship because of the warning. While there were no weather problems on Merritt Island, there was a car that hit a power source near the church, causing the church campus to lose power. The power was off from Monday…

Dear Grace Family: As we end the month of July, I pray for our school personnel, parents and students who are preparing for a new school year. It will be different from previous years because of the pandemic, and I know there is a great deal of anxiety. May our words and actions serve as a source of comfort for those who…

Dear Grace Family: Has someone ever quoted a scripture verse to you when you were having a hard time and the verse was not particularly helpful? I know that I have had this experience. Sometimes well-meaning friends and family members do not know what to say when we are struggling, so quoting a familiar Bible verse is an easy response.   This Sunday,…

Dear Grace Community: We continue each day to be aware of our need for the peace that can only come from God’s Holy Spirit. This week has been challenging for our community with the county trying to set plans to reopen the schools amid continuing spikes in covid cases.  This Sunday, July 19, my message will be based upon Genesis 28: 10-22…

Dear Grace Family: I pray that you are able to enjoy celebrating the July 4th holiday in a safe manner. It will be different than previous years because of the challenges of the pandemic, but thankfully we have the technology that helps us stay connected with family and friends. Thank you all for your ongoing prayers for the church and community. I…