Words of Grace MARCH 2014 APRIL We are called, gathered and enlightened by God to grow in grace and transform lives.

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1 C O M M U N I T Y O F G R A C E C H U R C H MARCH 2014 APRIL 2014 Words of Grace Community of Grace mission statement : We are called, gathered and enlightened by God to grow in grace and transform lives. Inside this issue: Lent & Holy Week Schedule 2-3 Upcoming Events 4-5 Lutheranch Roundup Saturday, March 1, 2014 from 5pm-9pm Join us for good food, entertainment and fellowship for a good cause. Invite your friends, family & neighbors. Donations and Pledges will be collected for the Standing on the Promise campaign to raise funds for the new retreat center at Lutheranch in Tallapoosa, Georgia. We will have a Guest Speaker to discuss more about Lutheranch, Line dancing at 7:00 pm and Mark Adams & friends will be providing music for the evening. Silent Auction: We have several donated items to bid on in a silent auction that all proceeds will benefit the Standing on the Promise campaign for Lutheranch. Complete a bid card and then use your assigned # to place your bid(s) instead of your name. The bid will close at 7:30pm on March 1st and the winning bids will be announced around 8pm. You do not have to be present to be the winning bid, we will contact you. Roundup Dinner: Join us for dinner beginning at 5:15 pm. Dinner donations will be collected and 100% of these proceeds will go toward the Standing on the Promise campaign. Dinner will be BBQ, Turkey, baked beans, coleslaw, pasta salad, dessert and drinks (lemonade, sweet & unsweet tea.) Summer Camps 6 Choir Beats 8 Youth Happenings 9 CoG Stewardship 10 WELCA News 11 Calendars & Serving Schedules 12-15

2 Lent Page 2 To be silent does not mean to be inactive; rather it means to breathe in the will of God, to listen Lent As early as the mid-fourth century, Christians have observed a time of preparation before the Easter celebration. The Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts for 40 days. The forty days of Lent recall the 40 day fast of Jesus in the wilderness after his baptism (Matthew 4:2, Luke 4:1-2) and Moses' 40 day fast on Mount Sinai (Exodus 34:28). It is a time of simplicity and preparation. Lent is a time of prayer, service and self-examination. Take time to attend Lent Worship Services: Ash Wednesday March 5, 2014 at 7:00 pm Lent Mid-Week Worship March 12, 2014 at 7:00 pm Lent Mid-Week Worship March 19, 2014 at 7:00 pm Lent Mid-Week Worship March 26, 2014 at 7:00 pm Lent Mid-Week Worship April 2, 2014 at 7:00 pm Palm Sunday Worship (One Service Only) April 13, 2014 at 10:00 am attentively and be ready to obey. Dietrich Bonhoeffer Lenten Adult Bible Study Too Deep for Words Pastor Ma invites you to an Adult Bible Study each Wednesday during Lent at 7:30pm. He will walk through the Too Deep for Words 2014 Lent devo onal focusing on scriptures from Romans. Bible Study will be at 7:30 pm on the following Wednesdays; March 12th, March 19th, March 26th and April 2nd. Sign up today if you plan on a ending.

3 Holy Week Page 3 Palm Sunday: One Service Only April 13, 2014 at 10:00 am. Procession with Palms and Passion Sunday Drama. Weather permitting, we will gather out in front of the church before the service. Join us for our annual Picnic and Easter Egg Hunt. Maundy Thursday April 17, 2014 at 7:00 pm. Maundy is derived from the Latin word Command. Come reflect on Jesus words; I give you a new commandment, that you love one another just as I have loved you. (John 13:34) The Altar will be stripped in preparation of Good Friday. Good Friday April 18, 2014 at 7:00 pm. A service of remembrance and meditation of Jesus final words on the Cross. Easter Sunday April 20, 2014 worship at 7:00am, 8:30am and 10:45am with an Easter Brunch from 9:30am and 10:30am. Community of Grace s Annual Palm Sunday Picnic & Egg Hunt April 13, 2014 after the 10:00 AM worship service plan on staying for our annual Picnic & Egg Hunt. Donations of candy for the plastic eggs can be dropped off in the Easter Egg Hunt box located in the Narthex. Look for the sign up sheet to bring a dish to share for the picnic. Children bring your Easter Baskets for the Egg Hunt, kids up to 5th grade can participate. Youth will help hide the eggs. Easter Sunday Brunch April 20, 2014 Please join us for Easter Services at 7:00 am, 8:30 am or 10:45am on Easter Sunday, April 20th. Community of Grace s Annual Easter Brunch will be served from 9:30 am - 10:30 am. Plan on joining us for great food, wonderful fellowship, and celebrate the Risen Christ! Please sign up to bring a Brunch dish to share.

4 Upcoming Events Page 4 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:17-19 Kid s Cra Day March 15th from 1pm - 4pm Kerri Lawton is hos ng another Kid s Cra Day on Saturday, March 15th. Kerri will have recycled items that the kids will use to make St. Patrick s Day cra s. See Kerri Lawton for more informa on or sign up in the Narthex! God in Games God in Games ministry invites all adults to the next gathering. All are welcome to come out for a night of fun games & fellowship. Join us Saturday, March 15th at 7:00 pm at Jeannie Batistic s home. Please bring a light snack to share with the group. For more information about God in Games, contact Debbie Hysong. Chili Cook-off Saturday, March 22, :30 pm Everyone is invited to try their hand at making the best pot of Chili for the chili connoisseurs of CoG. All attending will taste each submitted chili and vote for their favorite. This is a wonderful opportunity for fun, fellowship and Tums. Look for a sign-up sheet in the Narthex to make chili or bring crackers, chips, drinks, & dessert.

5 Upcoming Events Page 5 Men s Ministry All men are invited to the next Men s Ministry Breakfast and Bible Study the first Saturday of each month. The Men s Ministry also helps with special projects for around the church. Join us for a light breakfast at 7:00 AM and the Bible Study will begin at 7:30AM Saturday, March 1, 2014 Saturday, April 5, 2014 Contact Bud Linton or the church office for more information about this ministry. Thrivent Builds/Habitat 2014 House Community of Grace plans to participate in the 2014 Thrivent Builds Habitat house. Information is forthcoming but we would love to have you get involved. The more hands, the merrier! We are also planning on having another Themed Basket Auction this year to raise funds towards the build. Contact Mike Supplee at if you are able to donate a basket this year. More information coming soon about the basket auction and the work days!! ZUMBA Class Local ZUMBA instructors lead a ZUMBA class here at CoG on Monday evenings. All are welcome to come out for the class, cost is $5 to the instructor. See the calendars for exact dates since they do not meet every Monday. For more information, see Alexia.

6 SUMMER CAMPS Page 6 People of all ages need time away to build relationships, to connect with peers, to rest and find refreshment for life, to re-connect with nature and God's creation. Plan now to send your child(ren) to a week of Summer Camp at Lutheridge (all ages) or Affirm (Youth.) Pricing for a week long camp can be high but the benefits of your child(ren) attending camp will follow them throughout their life faith journey. Please do not let cost deter you from making this commitment. Scholarships are available for each camp along with a personal financial commitment. Please contact the church office if you have any questions! Affirm will be held at Berry College Sunday, June 15, 2014 at 2pm through Friday, June 20, 2014 at 12pm. It is open to Youth who have completed grades 6-12 and college freshmen and sophomores. The total cost of the camp is $375 if you register by May 1st, and this price includes lodging, all meals, an event t-shirt, and all program costs. There are a limited number of openings for students and they will fill up, so register as soon as possible! Affirm Scholarships are available from the synod, scholarship forms are due by April 1, Scholarships are available from CoG, please fill out form and turn it into the church office. Lutheridge offers many other camps over June and July for children who completed grades 1-12 from Adventure weeks and camping out to Rafting adventures. Costs differ for each camp. Community of Grace would like for children and youth to attend the same week, June 8, 2014 through June 14, We have adult leaders who are applying to attend as Camp Care Leaders during this week. Lutheridge Scholarships are available. Send in your scholarship form by March 15th to lock-in the lowest rate. Scholarships are available from CoG, please fill out a form and turn it in the church office. Forms can be found in the Narthex. Lutheridge camps that are offered for the week of June 8th - June 14th: First Camp (completed 1st or 2nd Grade) $420 Pioneers (completed 3, 4, or 5th Grade) $420 Crazy Cool CampOut (completed 4th or 5th grade) $430 NightOwls (completed 6-8th grade) $440 Pioneers (completed 3, 4, or 5th Grade) $420 Rock & Raft (completed 6-8th & 9-12th grades) $575

7 Page 7 Prayer Community Join the prayer team in the Sanctuary for a time of group sharing and guided meditation the first and third Wednesdays each Month at 11:00 am. March 5th, March 19th, April 2nd, April 16th Join the Prayer Team for breakfast at Main Street Restaurant in Snellville the last Wednesday of each month at 9:30am March 26th and April 30th Send us your prayer requests or praises: Place your request in the offering plate on Sunday. Lois Gilleece at loisgilleece@aol.com Contact the church office at or alexia@transformlives.org Receive the prayer request list via e Contact Jeannie Batistic via jbatistic82@gmail.com and start receiving ed prayer request and praises for those in and around our community. Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry Community of Grace supports the Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry in many ways. You can get involved in serving our local community needs. Bring in non-perishable items, personal hygiene items or give monetary donations to help purchase food items when the pantry is low or help with utility assistance. You can also volunteer your time beginning with a volunteer training class provided by the Cooperative Ministry. Contact the Co-Op for training dates and times. Cooperative Hours of Operation: Monday: 3pm-7pm Wednesday: 10am-2pm Friday: 10am-2pm Phone # You can stay connected with the needs of the Ministry by: * Joining their list on their website. * Like their Facebook page to get information in your Newsfeed.

8 CHOIR Beats Page 8 Choir Retreat Good news from All voices are invited to a Choir Retreat, March 15, 2014 from 10am - 12pm. We will be rehearsing Palm Sunday and Easter music. For additional information, contact Amanda via at amanda@transformlives.org. heaven the angels bring, Glad tidings to the CHOIR SCHEDULE earth they sing: To us this day a child is given, To crown us with the joy of heaven. - Martin Luther Traditional Choir Rehearsals If you enjoy making a joyful noise we invite you to join the Traditional Choir. Prayerfully consider joining us for rehearsals each Tuesday evening, from 6:30pm-7:00pm. Praise Team Rehearsals If you enjoy making a joyful noise (with your voice or musical instrument) we invite you to join the Praise Team. Prayerfully consider joining us for rehearsals each Tuesday evening 7:00pm-8:00pm. No Rehearsals on April 8, 2014 No Rehearsals on April 8, 2014

9 YOUTH Happenings Page 9 Youth Wednesday Night Learning All Middle School youth are encouraged to attend confirmation class each Wednesday evening from 6:45pm-7:45pm. Class will NOT meet after Ash Wednesday or Lent Worship Services. Come prepared each week with your Bible, Confirmation Book and writing pen and paper. All High School youth are encouraged to attend Faith-Building Activity Hour each Wednesday evening 6:45pm-7:45pm. High School youth will NOT meet after Ash Wednesday or Lent Worship Services. ALL YOUTH ARE WELCOME TO ENJOY A FELLOWSHIP DINNER STARTING AT 6:00PM. Youth are encouraged to attend Sunday School each Sunday at 9:45am with Amanda. Come dive deeper in your relationships with others while finding how the Bible relates to your daily situations. Breakfast makes Sunday School fun! Let Amanda know if you can bring breakfast to share. No Sunday School: April 6th (Spring Break) April 13th (Palm Sunday One Worship at 10AM & Picnic after) or April 20th (Easter Sunday, come for Easter Brunch at 9:30am) Youth Sunday Activities All Middle & High School youth are encouraged to come out on Sunday s from 12:30pm to 1:30pm for group activities and service opportunities. Upcoming meeting dates are: March 23rd & April 27th. Summer Camp Fundraiser Youth are encouraged to attend a summer camp (Affirm or Lutheridge.) To help with scholarships for these week long camps, youth will participate in a fundraiser on March 23rd to sell Baked Goodies & Camp Fun Baskets. See Amanda for more information.

10 Page 11 WELCA News Wild Women Weekend Retreat Community of Grace has a group of 18 ladies attending the Wild Women Weekend at Lutheridge Retreat March 7th - 9th. Please keep them all in prayer as they travel and participate in this wonderful weekend of faith activities. Monthly Meetings WELCA March meeting will be held on Monday, March 24, 2014 at 7:00 PM. The Bible Study for the evening will be Woman of Endor, a Seer and Communicator from 1 Samuel 28:3-25. WELCA April meeting will be held on Monday, April 28, 2014 at 7:00 PM. The Bible Study for the evening will be Daughter, an Honest Virgin from Judges 11. Mulkey Wedding Shower WELCA hosted a Bridal Shower for Allison Mulkey & Renee Mulkey on Sunday, February 9th. It was a great a ernoon full of wonderful food and fellowship. Allison & Renee were so excited and thankful for the shower. Begin each meeting with a time of personal prayer & reflection in the Sanctuary. The Sanctuary will be open beginning at 6:30pm with soft hymn music and devotional materials for your use.

11 Page 12 March 2014 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 7a Men s Ministry 5p-9p Lutheranch Roundup :45a Sunday School ALL AGES 10:45a Contemporary Worship 3-4:30p Scouts 5:30-8p Scouts ZUMBA Class $5 6:00p Band Practice 6:30p Traditional Choir 7-8p Praise Team 9:45a-12p Grayson Mom s Club 11a Hour of Prayer 6p Fellowship Dinner Soup & Sides 7p Ash Wednesday Service Scouts 12-2p Scouts WELCA Wild Women Weekend at Lutheridge March 7th March 9th :45a Sunday School ALL AGES 10:45a Contemporary Worship 3-5p Scouts 5:30-7p Scouts ZUMBA Class $5 6:00p Band Practice 6:30p Traditional Choir 7-8p Praise Team 6p Fellowship Dinner Soup & Sides 7p Lent Worship 7:30p Lent Bible Study Scouts 10a-12p Choir Retreat 1-4p Kid s Craft Day with Kerri 7pm God in Games at Jeannie Batistic s :45a Sunday School ALL AGES 10:45a Contemporary Worship 3-5p Scouts 5:30-8p Scouts ZUMBA Class $5 6:00p Band Practice 6:30p Traditional Choir 7-8p Praise Team 7-8p Singles 11a Hour of Prayer 6p Fellowship Dinner Soup & Sides 7p Lent Worship 7:30p Lent Bible Study Scouts 7-8p Vision Board 12-2p Scouts 6:30p Chili CookOff 23 9:45a Sunday School 10:45a Contemporary Worship 12:30-1:30p Youth Group 3-5p Scouts 5:30-7p Scouts 24 6:30p Prayer & Reflection 7-8p WELCA 25 6:00p Band Practice 6:30p Traditional Choir 7-8p Praise Team 26 9:30a Prayer Breakfast 6p Fellowship Dinner Soup & Sides 7p Lent Worship 7:30p Lent Bible Study 27 Scouts All Georgia Youth Gathering March 28th through 30th :45a Sunday School 10:45a Contemporary Worship 5:30-8p Scouts ZUMBA Class $5

12 Page 13 March Serving Schedule March 2, 2014 March 9, 2014 March 16, 2014 March 23, 2014 March 30, 2014 Transfiguration of Our Lord First Sunday of Lent Second Sunday of Lent Third Sunday of Lent Fourth Sunday of Lent Worship Asst (8:30) Marge Blanton Kim Linton Karen Hubbard Kerri Lawton Debbie Hysong Communion Asst (8:30) Anna Jahns Bud Linton Lois Gilleece Jeanne Bennett Kim Linton Reader (8:30) Wanda Mulkey Jenny VanDerMeer Kerri Lawton Vernon Mukhlall Ed Jahns Ushers (8:30) Bud Linton Mike Supplee Phil Wiley Bud Linton Lennie Hysong Kim Linton Karen Supplee Vicki Wiley Kim Linton Debbie Hysong Greeters (8:30) Alma Passaro Bud Linton Walt Woods Phil Wiley Alma Passaro Mary Jensen Kim Linton Sandra Woods Vicki Wiley Mary Jensen Projector Specialist (8:30) Karen Supplee Ed Jahns Robbie Schwartz John Cundey Karen Supplee Sound Engineer (8:30) Mike Supplee Ed Jahns Robbie Schwartz John Cundey Mike Supplee Altar Florist Wanda Mulkey Wanda Mulkey Wanda Mulkey Wanda Mulkey Debbie Hysong Nursery (8:30) Tellers (8:30) Lennie & Debbie Hysong Bud & Kim Linton 2nd Service Tellers Phil & Vicki Wiley Lennie & Debbie Hysong Worship Asst (10:45) Jeannie Batistic Tim Hanson Karen Killian Ken Mitchell Ali Suciu Communion Asst (10:45) Alexia Cundey Jennifer Gann Barbara Adams Melanie Mitchell Ryan Harrell Reader (10:45) Trudy Hanson Mark Adams LD Bean Jamie Witt Ken Cundey Usher & Greeter (10:45) Projector Specialist (10:45) Tim Hanson Ryan Harrell Ken & Ruth Cundey John Cundey Bobby & Vickie Rowe Melanie Mitchell Katie Killian & Alexia Cundey Josh Harrell Ashleigh Henning & Sarah Spivey Jeannie Batistic Sound Engineer (10:45) Russ Harrell John Cundey John Cundey Russ Harrell Kevin Killian Nursery (10:45) Tellers (10:45) Jeannie Batistic & Jaime Oltmann Ken & Melanie Mitchell Trudy & Tim Hanson Kevin & Karen Killian Jeannie Batistic & Jaime Oltmann Nursery (9:45) Elementary Sunday School (9:45) Youth Sunday School (9:45) Adult Sunday School (9:45) Stephanie Fraser Stephanie Fraser Amanda Sacchitello Pastor Matt Henning Vernon Mukhlall Vernon Mukhlall Sign up today to teach Amanda Sacchitello Vernon Mukhlall Sign up today to teach Amanda Sacchitello Vernon Mukhlall Sign up today to teach Amanda Sacchitello Vernon Mukhlall Altar Flowers Harrells Cundeys Killians Marge Blanton Available to You! Celebration of Jennifer Eddy's & Joey's Birthday In Celebration of Owen's 9th Birthday In Celebration of Kiefer's Birthday In Memory of husband, Dick

13 Page 14 April 2014 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 9:45a-12p Grayson Mom s Club 11a Hour of Prayer 6p Fellowship Dinner Soup & Sides 7p Lent Worship 7:30p Lent Bible Study 3 Scouts 4 5 7a Men s Ministry 6 9:45a NO Sunday School 10:45a Contemporary Worship 3-5p Scouts 7 5:30-8p Scouts ZUMBA Class $ Spring Break April 7th 11th 12-2p Scouts PALM SUNDAY 10am Worship 11am Picnic & Egg Hunt ZUMBA Class $5 6:00p Band Practice 6:30p Traditional Choir 11a Hour of Prayer No Wednesday 7p Maundy Thursday Worship 7p Good Friday Worship 3-5p Scouts 5:30-7p Scouts 7-8p Praise Team 7p Singles Evening Activities 20 EASTER SUNDAY :00a Sunrise Worship 9:45a Easter Brunch 10:45a Contemporary Worship 3-5p Scouts ZUMBA Class $5 6:00p Band Practice 6:30p Traditional Choir 7-8p Praise Team 6p Fellowship Dinner Mexican 6:45p Learning for All Ages 7:45p Grace Gathering Scouts 7-8p Vision Board 12-2p Scouts 27 9:45a Sunday School ALL AGES 10:45a Contemporary Worship 12:30-1:30p Youth Group 3-5p Scouts 5:30-7p Scouts 28 6:30p Prayer & Reflection 7-8p WELCA 29 6:00p Band Practice 6:30p Traditional Choir 7-8p Praise Team 30 9:30a Prayer Breakfast 6p Fellowship Dinner Breakfast 6:45p Learning for All Ages 7:45p Grace Gathering

14 Page 15 April 2014 Sunday Serving Schedule And Holy Week Service Serving Schedules Coming Soon

15 Community of Grace will go and make disciples of all people by humbly walking with God through worship, learning and service. Called, gathered and enlightened by God to grow in grace and transform lives. Worshiping every Sunday 8:30 AM Traditional Service 10:45 AM Contemporary Service Phone : Community of Grace 1200 Athens Highway Grayson, GA Phone: pastormatt@ transformlives.org Visit us on the Web! Community of Grace Community 1200 Athens Hwy. HWY 78 (Athens Hwy) HWY 84 Cooper Rd. Loganville South Gwinnett Odum Rd. Skyland High School Parking Rosebud Cooper Rd. Community of Grace Invites you to Worship with Us Easter Sunday, April 20, 2014 Sunrise Worship Service 7:00 am Traditional Worship Service 8:30 am Contemporary Worship Service 10:45 am Join us for an Easter Brunch between the 8:30 am and 10:45 am worship services.