Both of Grace UMC’s pastors share information via blogging. Pastor Steve Hart shares a message each week in the blog listing below, with his message also emailed out in our weekly Gracevine Newsletter. Associate Pastor Beth Burton also blogs, sharing thoughtful insights on faith and everyday life. Click here to visit Pastor Beth’s blog and see the latest messages from Pastor Steve below.
Dear Grace Family:Here we are in the heart of another holy week. But this one is unlike any other that we have experienced. We are confined to our homes. We may be fearful regarding our health and the health of our loved ones. We may be fearful about our economic futures. Yet in the midst of these concerns, we have the opportunity…
Dear Grace Family: In 1966, Robert Kennedy delivered a speech in which he quoted a curse which says, “May he live in interesting times.” Kennedy went on to say that while life then was interesting and dangerous and uncertain, it was also the most creative of any time in history. Times of crisis call upon all of us to be creative in…
Dear Grace Family: As we continue our journey through COVID-19 and its effects on everyone, it is important that we all develop routine prayer practices. You may have specific, personal prayer needs to share. Please send those to Pat Harrison at path.gumc@gmail.com. Pat will forward those requests to me and Pastor Beth and our prayer team. If you have a need that…
Updated, Saturday, May 23: Information from this blog post has been moved to our COVID-19 Impacts web page (Click for new page). Watch weekly online worship services live at 11 AM each Sunday on the Grace UMC Facebook page. You can also watch Sunday Service LIVE on our Sermons page, plus view Archived Worship Services.
Good Evening Grace Family: After continuing to follow the news and the guidance of our conference leadership, we have decided to cancel all worship services at Grace this Sunday, March 15. Our congregation is composed of many elderly people, and we do not want to expose anyone to unnecessary risk. We reached this decision after prayerful deliberation and the encouragement of our…
Dear Grace Community: Have you ever struggled to forgive someone who has hurt you? I think we all have, and sometimes we may struggle for years to let go of the hurt and the pain in order to offer true forgiveness. This Sunday, as we continue our Lenten sermon series, we will explore what it means to embrace the uncertainty of forgiveness.…
Dear Grace Community: The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, and this year Ash Wednesday was February 26. We had excellent attendance for the Ash Wednesday service. The 40 days of Lent include the days between Ash Wednesday and Easter, excluding Sundays. Every year, I hear comments and questions about Lent, ranging from “What should I give up for Lent” to…
Hello Grace Family! Have you ever had a day where everything feels the same even looks the same but you know deep in your heart that something significant has changed? This Sunday is Transfiguration Sunday. It is a threshold day. It is a day that marks a change from one reality into another. Threshold days leave us feeling a little like we…
Dear Grace Community: What’s in a name? Shakespeare made this phrase famous in Romeo and Juliet. He used this rhetorical question to communicate the idea that external labels or titles given to us do not change our essence. “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet…..”, or so said the Bard. However, names that offer insight into identity are very important…
Dear Grace Community: A few years ago I had a friend who led a praise band called “Fools for Christ.” With that band title, my friend was able to remind people that part of the joy and freedom of Christian discipleship is that we never have to take ourselves too seriously. I have been reflecting on this idea in preparation for the…