Amazing GRACE Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World through Christian Growth, Community Outreach and Life Skill Development APRIL 2017 HOLY WEEK at Grace Observing Holy Week helps prepare you for the joyous celebration of Easter. And Holy Week at Grace United Methodist Church begins on April 9 with a traditional Palm Sunday celebration at both the 9:00 and 10:30 am services. Palms will be available for all to take and share. On Maundy Thursday, April 13, Kerry Clear, Grace s newly named Associate Pastor (no longer Student Assistant Pastor) will lead the worship and Communion service at 7:00 pm. Pastor David and Pastor Kerry will be collaborating on a series of monologues illustrating the point of view of different characters from Holy Week. Pontius Pilot will explain how he sees no need for a Messiah. Judas, who is tired of being patient, will give his side of the story. And Jesus will reveal how he is struggling with facing the pain he is about to receive. Other characters will also be presented. Grace will be part of the multi-church interdenominational celebration of Good Friday on April 14. It will be held at First Baptist Church on Ironwood Drive beginning at 7:00 pm. At 11:30 am on Saturday, April 15, the children of Grace and from the neighborhood will have the opportunity to hunt for Easter Eggs on the church property. And then comes Easter, Sunday April 16, with its joyful message of salvation and life eternal, proclaimed with the words, He is risen! He is risen, indeed! The full choir will be present at both the 9:00 and 10:30 am services.
A NOTE... 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 Dear friends: Congratulations are in order for Kerry Clear. Because he is half way through his seminary education, and because he has passed his interview with the Board of Ordination, our bishop, Julius Trimble, has granted him sacramental privilege and Local Pastor status at Grace Church. In The United Methodist Church it is only those approved by a bishop who can serve the sacrament of Holy Communion, baptize babies and confessing Christians and conduct weddings and church funerals. Kerry can now do this within the confines of Grace Church and for Grace members in situations where pastoral duties must be conducted beyond the walls of our facility. His next step in the process, closer to the end of his education, would be to be consecrated as a probationary member of the Annual Conference, and three years after that to be eligible for full ordination, which gives him sacramental privilege to anyone, anywhere. Kerry will be leading our Maundy Thursday service on April 13. I will have him take the lead in serving the Eucharist at that service. It will be the first time he has that privilege. I hope you will join us that evening, first because it is such an important part of Holy Week, but also to recognize this important change 2 of status for Kerry as he seeks full ordination. On April 14 we will be joining over a dozen area churches for a 7:00 pm Good Friday service. It will be held at First Baptist Church, which is just blocks from Grace, at Ridgedale and Ironwood. I anticipate that all of you will be in worship on Easter Sunday, here at Grace if you are in town, or at another church if you are traveling. No greater gift has been given us than salvation and the promise of eternal life in Jesus' name. For me, the height of Christian celebration is on Easter morning, when we sing the anthem of Methodism, Christ the Lord is Risen Today, written by one of the founders of the Methodist movement, Charles Wesley. Every time I find myself in a church of another denomination, I pick up one of their hymnals to check and see if they include this song. It is most always there, whether the church is Protestant or Catholic. As United Methodists we can take pride in our great outreach through mission and charity, which is what the world most knows us by, except perhaps on Easter morning, when those in the know in every denomination know us as the movement that gave Christianity the hymn most used to celebrate our most (Continued on page 3)
WEDNESDAY NIGHT ADULT CLASSES April 5 - REFLECTIONS ON LENT "The Crucifixion - Two Views on the Meaning of the Cross and the Resurrection" Taught by Pastor David at 7:00 pm in room 104. April 26 - CLIMATE SCIENCE with Dr. Ron Barker Dr. Barker has come to believe that as Christians we have a clear moral obligation to respond appropriately to what the science is saying, especially since reasonable action would be neither too costly nor unduly inconvenient. Contrary to what we often hear, it appears almost certain that changing energy habits will actually be good for our economy and its citizens. By contrast, the projected consequences of refusing change could be a disaster for the whole of humanity within the next century. You are invited to join us at 7:00 pm for this presentation, which will attempt to steer away from politics and just present current scientific theory, and then decide for yourself. (continued from page 2) important holiday and proclamation: Lives again our glorious King. Where, O death, is now thy sting? Once he died our souls to save, where's thy victory, boasting grave? Bring a friend to join in the joy of this song. Blessings! Pastor David Happy spring! I cannot believe winter is already over (maybe because I still question if it ever started?). During the season of Lent we have been focusing on things that keep us from fully living into healthy relationships with each other and with God. We have been looking at ways to participate in the mission of God in the world. Some of us have been trying to give up the things that keep us separate from God and neighbor and instead looking for ways to see each other as God sees us and love each other completely in our imperfection. As Easter quickly approaches, we look forward to celebrating the resurrection of Christ together as a community of resurrected people. This is an exciting season! We focus on what it means to be resurrected and what it means to live without the fear of death. We are a people who live into the resurrection, unashamed of who we are in our good and our bad, knowing that we are living in passing on the earth - it is not the end game, it is only an inning. When we say "He is Risen" and reply "He is Risen Indeed" we are rejoicing that the shackles that bind us to the ways of the world mean nothing to the risen Lord and we are called into his freedom. Kerry Clear 3
Easter Egg Hunt Fellowship on Saturday April 15 at 11:30 am in the Great Hall. We will have a family devotion, a craft and pictures with the Easter Bunny before heading out to find eggs. This is a great event to invite friends, family and neighbors! Vacation Bible School is just around the corner! We will be Following Jesus, The Light Of The World, on a Cave Quest the week of June 19-23 from 9:00 am to Noon. Mark your calendars now! We will need many volunteers to help lead our spelunkers on their journey! Volunteers, sign up early to get your special spot! On Sunday, April 30, we will be going back to St. Paul s Healthcare facility to hand out Spring flowers to the residents. Children in K-5th grade will be going during the 10:30 service. 4
YOUTH EVENTS Hey, it s your friendly youth director Maddie! I have been going through some rough times but the youth here at Grace and those that come on Wednesdays and Fridays have never failed to put a smile on my face. We have some exciting events in the works, such as serving lunch at Broadway Christian Parish and a trip to SkyZone. More importantly, we have a mission trip to beautiful Kentucky this July. I have been before and I highly recommend you sign your youth up to join us on a week of fun, learning, and growing in Christ. Thanks for welcoming me as you have! Love to all! After some acclimation time the youth group will be resuming activities with a vengeance this month. We have a big year planned with mission trips, amusement parks, service projects, and more. Some activities will be joint High School and Middle School, others will be separated. APRIL SCHEDULE Saturday, April 8, 5-8 pm -All Youth prepare food for Broadway Christian Parish meal and learn the art of baking bread. Dinner provided. Sunday, April 9 -Youth play handbells in both worship services. -All youth go to Broadway Christian Parish to serve lunch. Sunday, April 16 -No Youth Sunday School (all participate in worship) -Youth play handbells Sunday, April 23, 10:30 am -Regular Sunday School Friday, April 28, 7-11:30 pm / Permission slips required -7:00 pm - All youth meet at church for basketball -8:00 pm - Local developer David Matthews: presentation of hope and encouragement (in the Sanctuary) -8:45 pm - Leave church to go to Skyzone for lasers, music, blacklights, and a wild, jumping time. *Wear neon clothing.* -11:30 pm - Return to Church Sunday, April 30 / 5th Sunday -No Sunday School (all participate in worship) 5
UPCOMING EVENTS...Men s Breakfast - April1...All Church Potluck - April 2...All Church Planning Session - April 2...Reflections on Lent - April 5...UMW Lunch - April 6...Paper Pantry - April 8...Palm Sunday (Children Singing) - April 9...Mission Outreach Meeting - April 11...Maundy Thursday Worship Service - April 13...Interdenominational Community Good Friday Service - 7:00 pm (at First Baptist Church, 3010 Ironwood Dr.)...Easter Egg Hunt Fellowship - April 15...Board of Trustees Meeting - April 17...Guatemala Mission Trip Meeting - April 23...Grace Book Club - April 24...Climate Science with Dr. Ron Barker - April 26...Salad Bar Luncheon - April 28 We celebrate that Amelia Lynn, daughter of Kim and Rick Stephens, was baptized on March 26. Congratulations to Virginia Black on winning the Community Spirit Award for Dismas House. Congratulations to John Axelberg on winning the Economic Impact Award at the South Bend Regional Chambers 2017 Salute to Business Event. Our sympathy is extended to the Kring family on the loss of Jamie s mother. Our sympathy is also extended to Jody McQueary on the loss of her mother. THANK YOU... Dear Pastor Dave, Kerry and Family, and all who have helped at Project WARM this year, You have been a great blessing. Thank you! Stuart has been a great witness of love and character. Thanks for your courage to step out, even on your own. The men comment about what a great kid he is. God is opening doors for a way to get these guys in a more stable life. Thank you to Grace UMC members for their generosity as well. Love in Christ, Anne Huffman, Project WARM Dear Grace Congregation, Thank you so much for your recent donation to Broadway. Groceries are always needed and so very much appreciated! Blessings, Your Friend in Christ from Broadway Christian Parish 6
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NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID 3012 South Twyckenham Drive South Bend, Indiana 46614 South Bend, Indiana PERMIT No. 109 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED We re a month into the Lenten Season. April 16 is Easter. If you haven t started a devotion or Bible study for Lent, there s still time and there are plenty of resources on the internet. Or perhaps you could still give up something. To me the idea of giving something up isn t a penance. It is more about removing an obstacle to my relationship with God. I decided to give up Facebook for 40 days. My hope is that I will not be as in tune to it when the 40 days are gone. I tell myself that Facebook keeps me in touch with the younger members of my family and with friends but, I have begun to wonder - does it really do this? Maybe it is just taking up time that won t come back. Time that could be spent more productively. There are many prayer requests posted on social media. Some of the people needing prayer are not known to me. I still feel an obligation to pray at least right then. Sometimes there is way too much information about the situation and that isn t necessary. The subject s privacy isn t protected either. Do you ever wonder if the request is valid? I do. Are you thinking right now that this is a very strange Prayer Focus? Well, it is. The problem is that the person writing it is not and hasn t been focused on prayer recently. Too many things circle in my mind and keep me from listening to God or talking to Him. You probably have times like this too. A quote from John Wesley puts things in perspective for me. Here it is: Indeed, nothing will avail without prayer. Pray, whether you can or not. When you are cheerful, and when you are heavy, still pray; pray with many or with few words or with none at all: you will surely find an answer of peace. From a letter dated January 31, 1764. So, for the rest of Lent, please stop a moment each day and pray with me whether with many words or with few words and we will surely find an answer of peace. ~Vicki Davis