GRACE. Amazing. After nearly COMMUNITY OVERSEAS ACTIVE IN THE AND ACTIVE MAY 2017

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1 Amazing GRACE Making ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY AND ACTIVE OVERSEAS Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World through Christian Growth, Community Outreach and Life Skill Development MAY 2017 After nearly 18 months of planning, the time has arrived for Grace s first international mission trip since Ten Grace members are packing their bags and their tool belt as part of a Mission Guatemala work week. They leave May 27 and return on June 4. Participating in the mission trip are: Russ Abarr Kathy Bucher Heidi Clear Kerry Clear Maddie Hauersperger Doug Marsh Pam Marsh Bob Messersmith Karen Messersmith Melodie Ringer The Grace congregation is showing their support with contributions to help pay for the trip and with agape notes written to the participants. The agape notes express the congregation s love, care and support to those participating. While in Guatemala, the Grace crew will be helping to build new restrooms for an elementary school. Not glamorous work, but necessary and greatly appreciated. Speaking of building Grace is once again proud to be a church sponsor of the local Habitat for Humanity Matthew 25 Build. This year s house will once again be built near Battell Center in Mishawaka. For many years, Grace has provided a one-day volunteer crew to work on the house, and Scott Dunham is heading up the efforts to recruit volunteers for this year. A work date has not yet been set, but if interested in helping to build or to serve lunch, let Scott know. On May 9, St. Joseph County Habitat for Humanity is participating in the Community Foundation s Give Local Day, so all donations given in support of the Matthew 25 House on that day will be doubled by the Community Foundation. Grace s Outreach Committee has raised over $2,000 including $ from the Lenten Houses which will be given to Habitat on May 9.

2 AMAZING GRACE NEWSLETTER A NOTE... DEAR FRIENDS, GRACE UMC STAFF Senior Pastor: Dr. David Schrader Associate Pastor: Kerry Clear Counselor: Pam Schrader Music Director: Jim Pickley Choir Director: Victoria Garrett Wedding Coordinator: Chris Rowe Organist: David Eicher Drummer: Dan Degucz Director of Children s Ministries: Melodie Ringer Assistant Director of Children s Ministries: Amy Hendrickson Youth Leader: Maddie Hauersperger Visitation Coordinator: Melodie Ringer Church Secretary: Jennifer Robinett MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY: JUDY CLADY Custodians: David Neibar Tim Piech Angel Soto Preschool Teachers: Amy Hendrickson, Director Nancy Creech Melodie Ringer Nursery: Amy Seese Connie Harmon Business Administrator: Bob Suter This month I have to reflect on how quickly time flies. And I am not just thinking in terms of the fact that Easter is already over, when it seems like Christmas was just yesterday. I am reflecting on the fact that my little girl is getting married in May. It seems like just yesterday that she would hide behind me when I attempted to introduce her to friends, and would often bury her face behind my knees when doing so. Today, with her Masters degree in hand, she is a Human Resource manager for a Fortune 500 company and isn't one bit shy at all. The little girl who never wanted to get too far from home now lives in Los Angeles. When I talk to her on the phone I hear the voice of a grown up, confident woman. That is how it should be, though I have to admit I sometimes miss being the protective daddy she once stood behind, burying her face behind my knees. THINGS CHANGE. That is true in our spiritual lives as well. We grow up, and one day seek to do something for God rather than just praying that God might be our protector. Our prayers change from "let me hide in you" to "how can I march in the lead for you?" Last month we had a planning session where our members were invited to submit ideas for fellowship and ministry in the church. Many of 2 the ideas represent the thoughts of mature Christians asking "how can I march in the lead for you?" These ideas will be reviewed by the appropriate task force, and many of them will become part of our school year calendar. Some are just for friendship building and fun, others are for ministry that engages our members in making disciples for Jesus Christ. The task forces will be meeting over the next few months. If you weren't at the planning session Pot Luck dinner and have an idea, it is not too late to submit your idea for consideration. Just use the suggestion box outside the sanctuary. It would also be great if you would let the appropriate task force leader know about your interest in the ideas that have already been submitted. The list is in this newsletter. WE ALL GROW UP. We mature as people, as Christians, as church members. It is a good thing. But I know you will understand if I look a little bit spacey this month, gazing off in space as I remember a tiny little girl who used to bury her face behind my knees, and ponder the miracle of how she turned into a competent, independent, mature Christian woman about to be married to her best friend, Nick. BLESSINGS! PASTOR DAVID

3 3 AMAZING GRACE NEWSLETTER 2017 GRACE PLANNING RESULTS CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP 1. Second Trivia Night 2. Euchre Night 3. Cubs Game 4. Camping Trip 5. Canoe Trip at Mongo 6. Trip to Deep River 7. Bowling 8. Attend Play at St. Pat's Park 9. Youth Events with Fellowships 10. Movie After the Pot Luck Meals 11. Pot Luck Dinner Groups 12. Pen Pals with College Students and Members in the Military 13. "Send Off " Picnic for Young People going to College, Military or Other Education 14. Apple Picking Trip 15. South Bend Cubs Outing 16. Ice skating at Howard Park 17. All Church Picnic in conjunction with Raggedy Ann Sunday 18. Golf Outing 19. Amish Dinner 20. Cross Country Ski outing at St. Pat's Park 21. Ice Cream Social after Second Service 22. Tubing/Canoeing at St. Pat's Park CHRISTIAN GROWTH 1. Speaker from Different Religion with Question and Answer Time 2. Personal Testimony of God s Work in One s Life in the Worship Services 3. Members write a short devotional to share in an Upper Room type booklet or for Publication in the Monthly Newsletter 4. Meditation Workshop from a Christian Perspective, with selected readings/books 5. All in Ministry form for new members. 6. New Adult Sunday School Class 7. Send children to Church Camp in John Wesley Tour of England 9. Host a Night with the Mayor on How could Grace lead in community efforts on Inclusion 10. Women s Retreat 11. Youth Vacation Bible School TRUSTEES 1. New sound system in Great Hall (continued on page 5)

4 AMAZING GRACE NEWSLETTER NEWS FROM CHILDREN S MINISTRIES W e had a fabulous turnout for our Easter Egg hunt! There were so many Raggedy Ann friends and members of the community that joined us on that sunny afternoon. Even the Easter Bunny made an appearance. Thank you to all that contributed candy and their time to this wonderful tradition. A special Thank you goes out to Stacy Gunn and Terrie Martin and their family and to Kathy Andert! VBS June 19-23rd!! The website is open for registration of participants and volunteers. Go to the church website and look for this Cave Quest logo and click on it. There will also be a laptop available on Sunday Mornings in the Welcome center and upstairs in the children s area to sign up. We need many adults and youth to serve as shepherds and leaders to make this week a success. Sign up TODAY! YOUTH NEWS May 21st is Volunteer Appreciation Sunday. Anyone who has participated in the life of the church over the past year is invited to be recognized and come to a reception between services. May 13th is Cookies and Canvas. Youth and youth mothers - see Maddie for details. Thank you to all who participated in yard clean up at the Andert's home. A special thanks to Abe for recruiting volunteers. Together, we accomplished a weeks worth of work in just over an hour. Great work team! ~Kerry Clear 4

5 (continued from page 3) COMMUNITY OUTREACH AMAZING GRACE NEWSLETTER 1. Open a Center in the Downtown Area to Serve Social Needs 2. Establish Mentorship Program to Benefit the Youth of the Community 3. Specific Team of Prayer Warriors to Pray for Concerns Brought to the Paper Pantry 4. A prayer Group Dedicated to praying for the people who attend the Paper Pantry 5. Link with an Existing Community Group to increase their Outreach/Mission/Services 6. Youth Community Volunteering 7. Event for People in Neighborhood; Go Door to Door Inviting People to Come to Event and Church 8. Prayer Walk in Downtown South Bend LIFE SKILL DEVELOPMENT 1. Developing a Tutoring and Mentoring Program for the Youth 2. CPR Class 3. Dave Ramsey or Similar Financial Planning Class 4. Cooking Classes 5. Community Garden 6. Shift from Victim thinking to Victor Thinking 7. Classes for the Teens and Their Parents 8. Real Life Application and Discussion WORSHIP 1. Contemporary Worship Service with Vocalists and Band 2. A Contemporary Worship Service Centered on the Music of Irish rock Band U2 3. Every 4th Sunday have Contemporary Music in the Service Didn t you love hearing the bells 2 weeks in a row and at Christmas after being locked up for so many years? 5 It was amazing! Unfortunately, the bells have aged and are in desperate need of repair in order to keep the Bell Choir alive. If you feel moved to help keep this ministry going, please ear mark any donations with Bells. Thank you!

6 AMAZING GRACE NEWSLETTER UPCOMING EVENTS...Worship Committee Meeting - May 1...UMW Lunch - May 4...Men s Breakfast - May 6...All Church Potluck - May 7...Luncheon at St. Paul s - May 11...UMW Circle - May 11...Paper Pantry - May 13...Board of Trustees Meeting - May 15...Church Council Meeting - May 16...Geranium Sale - May 21...Raggedy Ann Sunday - May 21...Volunteer Recognition Sunday - May 21...Christian Fellowship Task Force Meeting - May 21...Grace Book Club - May 22...Guatemala Mission Trip - May 27-June 4 We celebrate that Ted and Janet Tappan transferred their membership to Grace. THANK YOU... On April 30 the children of Grace visited residents of St. Paul s Retirement Community and delivered hand made flowers. Our sympathy is extended to Sharon Venema as she mourns the loss of her mother. Dear Grace, David and I want to thank the clean up crew that came over and worked so hard in our yard. It looks wonderful and it was a great example of do unto others. We also want to thank everyone at church for their prayers and well wishes during his recovery. We are truly blessed. In Christian Love, Kathy and David Our sympathy is also extended to Connie Long as she recently lost her father. 6

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8 AMAZING GRACE NEWSLETTER NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID 3012 South Twyckenham Drive South Bend, Indiana South Bend, Indiana PERMIT No. 109 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED PRAYER A Holy Occupation In his book Prayer: A Holy Occupation, Oswald Chambers says we should focus on God when we pray; not on ourselves. How will my prayer life be different if I focus on God rather than on my circumstances? This question directs us to look at the broader picture. When we focus on God we are drawn closer to Him and the answer we receive will be what God desires of us. The answers we receive will: Sometimes be positive. Sometimes be negative. Sometimes to be patient. Sometimes be that we must recognize that the answers may not align with our desires or expectations. In his book he also states that we are not asked to prove God answers prayers; we are to be living monuments of God s grace. What does that mean? It means that God desires that we return his love and witness to his grace in our lives. Therefore let us pray daily this month as follows: Dear Father, I come to you this day with the thoughts to not only be concerned with my circumstances, but with the needs of others and the desires of God. (Then follow with your own prayer thoughts.) Amen, Prayer Emphasis Team