GRACE NOTES. September 2017

Transcription

1 Pastor s Notes GRACE NOTES September 2017 It has been hard to see the pictures coming from Houston and surrounding areas in the wake of Hurricane Harvey without being overcome by grief or sadness or despair. Highways turned to rivers, homes virtually overtopped by floodwaters, desperate rescues, all suggest a once-in-a-lifetime horror. Except, of course, that most of us are plenty old enough to remember what Hurricane Katrina did to New Orleans. Houston and surrounding areas are, once the immediate disaster finally subsides, facing a very long-term period of recovery and rebuilding. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), the disaster -recovery agency of the Presbyterian Church (USA), will be a part of that effort. As described on its webpage (pda.pcusa.org), PDA, whose primary ongoing funding comes through the denomination s One Great Hour of Sharing offering, enables congregations and mission partners of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) to witness to the healing love of Christ through caring for communities adversely affected by crisis and catastrophic event. PDA s work is long-term; their work rebuilding in and around New Orleans continued for a decade, as long as there were homes needing repair. I have no doubt PDA s commitment in Houston will be equally enduring, as long as it takes to get the job done. The insert in your Sunday bulletin offers ways to help with financial support immediately. This need, however, is going to continue for years to come. There may be opportunities for different means of support in the near future, and those will be passed along as they become available. In the meantime, pray. Pray for those who have suffered such traumatic loss; pray for those who continue to put themselves at grave risk to rescue others; pray for leaders to have the vision and will to do the right thing in the wake of this disaster; and pray for those who will commit to the ongoing work of recovery.

2 Anna Circle begins their fall study "Ten Women of the Bible" by Max Lucado on Tuesday, September 12th at 10 AM in Fellowship Hall. All women are invited to join us in a time of study, fellowship and refreshments. Libby Richardson will present the first lesson on Sarah. Page 2 PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP Congratulations to Dorothy Nevill, Presbyterian Women Honorary Life Membership recipient. The members of Anna Circle of Presbyterian Women at Grace church presented the award to Dr. Dorothy Nevill on August 6 during the worship service. Dorothy received an honorary life pin and personalized certificate. Her 2 sons, Robert and David, and her grandchildren participated in the worship service. Dorothy and Gale joined Grace on November 13, Throughout the past fifty plus years, Dorothy has served in many roles...mother of two sons, an educator at University of Florida, and in service and ministry here at Grace. Following her retirement from UF, she attended Columbia Seminary tackling the difficult Greek language. Dorothy has been an elder on numerous terms of Session, participated in the Stephen Ministry, been a delegate for General Assembly, served on various Presbytery committees, taught Sunday school and confirmation classes and led circle lessons. She has chaired 2 pulpit nominating committees; most recently when Reverend Charles Freeman was called to serve at Grace. Her energy and spirit are boundless as she serves our Lord in so many ways...thank you Dorothy for being you...we love you. ABOUT THE PIN The caring, supportive hands represent women who seek to build an inclusive community of Presbyterian Women. The leaf represents growth of our personal and corporate response to Jesus Christ as we nurture our faith. The dove, shown in the globe, indicates our work for peace in our own lives and throughout the world. At the center of the design is the cross, by which our sins are forgiven and we are freed to live in Christ who is at the center of our lives. The overall design is of a butterfly, a symbol of newness in Christ.

3 SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS Page Don Woodward 4 - WT Chesnut 8 - Anette McGee 14 - George Tuma 18 - Wally Kirk 20 - Doug Hackett 28 - Franklin Morgan 28 - Mike Nunnery SEPTEMBER ANNIVERSARIES 29 - Wally & Pauline Kirk Please call the church office at , if your special day is NOT listed or is NOT correct. August Session Meeting Highlights August 14th ADMIINISTRATION & PERSONNEL Have a good lead on an another permanent nursery worker MISSION Special offerings for 2017 were approved St Francis dinner will be held on September 25 School supplies were delivered to Metcalfe Elementary on August 8 PROPERTY & OPERATIONS Roof leaks have been fixed Future FLAPDAN office renovations are moving forward STEWARDSHIP & FINANCE 2018 committee asking budgets were received All manual pages were approved Will investigate estate & wills program CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Children s Sunday school teacher(s) needed Fall study similar to Lenten study may start in October WORSHIP AND MUSIC Communion will be served by intinction during the worship hour on September 3rd Committee will meet after worship service on September 17th in the library CONGREGATIONAL LIFE & OUTREACH Worship ad was placed in the Independent Alligator Thanksgiving dinner will be held November 12 Membership list is being reviewed

4 Those signed up for Fellowship Hour in September are: 9/3 - Butler/Crane 9/10 - Tuma 9/17-9/24 - Birthdays & Anniversaries - Ferguson Page 4 LPG, Living, Praying, Giving We learn to PLAY by playing; we learn to LIVE by living; we learn to PRAY by praying; we learn to GIVE by giving. This project is a food and household item collection. These items are forwarded to Gainesville Community Ministry at the end of each month. For the month of September we will be collecting paper goods. Let s fill the purple baskets. Also, please remember the baby wagon. The finance committee would like to keep the congregation informed as to our General Fund income and expenses and our pass through donations: July Year to Date Income $19, $116, Expenses $10, $ 88, Pass through donations: July Year to Date Two Cents a Meal $ $ If you have any questions about our budget, please contact Lois Butler, treasurer, at or treasurer@gpconlin.org The 2017 FLOWER CALENDAR is up in the Narthex. Please sign up for a date you would like to provide flowers for the sanctuary. The cost is $ Those signed up for September are: 9/3 - Piazza 9/10-9/17 - Harris 9/24 - Kirk Elders on Call For September Debbie Harris (352) Varian Osteen (352) Pastoral Care Two elders volunteer to be available to church members and friends who may need assistance. If Reverend Freeman is unavailable or the church office is closed, these elders are on-call to help.

5 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 3 10:00 - Church School (Communion by Intinction) 2 cents a meal offering 10 Guest Speaker - Rev Dr Ed Tenhor 17 10:00 - Church School Worship Committee Meeting Finance Committee Meeting 24 Rev Freeman on Vacation 8:30-2:30 Blood Drive 10:00 - Church School AA Meets every evening at 7 pm Church Office Closed St Francis House Dinner September :00 - Anna Circle :00 - Family Promise Dinner Rev Freeman on Vacation Family Promise Week 7 6:00 - Family Promise Dinner Harmony 14 Harmony 21 Harmony 28 Harmony LABOR DAY

6 SEPTEMBER Grace Presbyterian Church 3146 NW 13th Street Gainesville, FL Phone: Fax: W E RE ON THE WEB: GPCO NLINE. ORG We have received a donation of $31.57 from Amazon Smile for the months of April, May, and June Thank You! Please continue to shop at Amazon Smile and designate Grace as your charity. StartWithaSmile at smile.amazon.com/ch/ for your shopping and Amazon donates to Grace Presbyterian Church of Gainesville, FL. MEN S NOON LUNCH & FELLOWSHIP The men of the church are invited to meet each Wednesday from 12:00 to 1:00 pm in the library for fellowship. Please bring your own brown bag lunch, beverages will be provided. Liturgy Passages for September 9/3 13th Sunday after Pentecost Exodus 3:1-15 Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b Romans 12:9-21 Matthew 16: /10 14th Sunday after Pentecost Exodus 12:1-14 Psalm 149 Romans 13:8-14 Matthew 18: /17 15th Sunday after Pentecost Exodus 14:19-31 Psalm 114 or Exodus 15:1b-11, Romans 14:1-12 Matthew 18: /24 16th Sunday after Pentecost Exodus 16:2-15 Psalm 105:1-6, Philippians 1:21-30 Matthew 20:1-16