I have become increasingly aware of increases in COVID cases. Please remember that we have a reserved section of the sanctuary for folks who feel safer wearing masks indoors. If you sit on the side of the sanctuary closest to the organ, remember that masks are required in that section. We have plenty of masks available for anyone who forgets to bring…

This week you may receive Grace’s yearly stewardship letter. Our leadership team at Grace is working hard preparing for the coming year. We are so grateful for the faithfulness of all of you in sending in your pledges. Last year we had the best overall total pledge commitments since I started at Grace in 2015. While pledges have never accounted for our…

At our Church Council meeting this week, I shared the vision for the coming year of worship at Grace. The plan that our staff and music leaders have embraced is to offer two worship services on Sunday mornings at 9 am and 11 am. We will avoid labeling the services, but the 11 am service will be a more modern type of…

The summer season is moving fast, and in just a few weeks we will begin another school year. For families with school-age or college-age children, the calendar revolves around the school year. Here at Grace, we are looking forward to supporting MILA Elementary school with a new school year, and we pray that our volunteers will be allowed on the school campus…

I’m back! It has been an excellent renewal leave for me to reflect on what God has in store for the future. The time away included a good mix of relaxation, study, prayer, and reflection. I am so grateful to our great staff and so many of you in the congregation who have served faithfully in my absence. During my leave, I…

As I prepare for my sermon this week, I am reminded of everything women have had to endure in order to be treated equally under the law. It was not that many years ago that women could not own property, would not be considered fit to raise their children if their marriage ended in divorce, could not go to college, could not…

Wow! We had an awesome Vacation Bible School week. Our campus was filled with the laughter of children and the excitement of learning about Jesus. We are so grateful to all our volunteers. You were Amazing! No matter how big or small the job was you stepped up just like Isaiah and said: “Here I am!” What a blessing you were to…

Wow! Monday is the first day of Vacation Bible School! We are so excited about hosting an in-person VBS this year. Niki has made lots of plans. We have a lot of wonderful volunteers and over 70 children who will be on campus learning about Jesus and how he loves them and how God is always there for them in all circumstances.…

As many of you are aware, I am currently spending time on renewal leave. This means that I am taking a few weeks away from my normal preaching and church leadership duties to study, reflect, plan, and relax as I ask for God’s Holy Spirit to recharge my batteries. I am very grateful that our United Methodist Church provides this opportunity for…

Memorial Day is upon us and I imagine we will all find some time to spend with family and friends celebrating this three-day weekend. Especially now that some of the Covid restrictions are being lifted. But this weekend is also a time that has been set aside to honor all the service men and women who have died fighting for the freedoms…