June 2018 The Walk to Emmaus A Transforming Experience of Christian Community Inside This Issue Table of Grace 2 Items for Sale 3 Ozark Mission Project 3 Heritage Sunday 4-5 Renovation Progress 4 Arkansas Annual Conference 6 501-623-5626 gaumch.org Our worship on Sunday, June 10 will feature a celebration of our Walk to Emmaus ministry. Through the years, many of our members have taken part in this 72-hour retreat that is focused on deepening our discipleship and strengthening our service. The journey begun on retreat is continued in small groups that meet regularly for support and accountability and in a community that seeks to strengthen the work of Christ in our congregation and community. Many questions you may have about the Walk to Emmaus are answered in the paragraphs below. If you have other questions, or if you are interested in attending an upcoming walk, speak to any of our members who are wearing colorful lanyards in worship this Sunday, June 10. (The dates of upcoming walks are as follows: (Sept 20-23 Men s Walk #190; Oct 18-21 Women s Walk #191). What is the Walk to Emmaus? The walk to Emmaus is an experience of Christian spiritual renewal and formation that begins with a three-day short course in Christianity. It is an opportunity to meet Jesus Christ in a new way as God s grace and love is revealed through other believers. A Journey with Christ The Gospel of Luke relates the story of two disciples of Jesus who were going along the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. As these two friends were walking together, they shared their hearts deepest concerns about the death of Jesus. An unknown person joined them and explained the scriptures as they walked. Toward the end of the day s travel, they urged the stranger to eat with them. As the stranger took bread, blessed, broke, and shared it with them, their eyes were opened and they recognized the risen Christ. Then they rushed back to Jerusalem to share the good news with others. (Luke 24:13-35) What happens on the Emmaus weekend? You will enjoy three days of singing, learning, laughing, worshipping, reflecting, praying, and participating in small groups. Discussions center around fifteen talks given by laity and clergy. These talks present the theme of God s grace, how that grace comes alive in the Christian community, and how it expresses itself in the world. You ll also discover how grace is real in your life, how you live a life of grace, and how you bring grace to others. You will have the opportunity to participate in the daily celebration of Holy Communion and to understand more fully the body of Christ. You will experience God s grace through the prayers and acts of anonymous service offered by the Emmaus community. You will leave with an experience of Christian love in action that will equip you for new levels of grace-filled service and leadership. What happens afterward? You are invited to have a closer walk with Christ for the rest of your life. Those who attend a Walk to Emmaus are encouraged to: expand their own spiritual lives through worship, study, and active participation in their local church; become more active disciples of Christ in service to the world. ~ David Fleming
Table of Grace Community Meal Coming June 3 On Sunday, June 3, Grand Avenue UMC will begin a weekly community meal in Fellowship Hall. The doors will open at 4:30 p.m. and guests can enjoy a time of music and fellowship. The music at the first event will be provided by Tommy Phillips, Terry McLarty, and Jennifer Evans. The Week 1 Team will begin serving the meal at 5:00 p.m. Many hours of work, research and planning have gone into this new mission. We strongly believe that God is calling Grand Avenue to serve in this way. Please be in prayer for all the volunteers and for all our guests. Let us be the hands and feet of our Lord Jesus to share food and God s love with all who attend. A big thank you goes to all who have volunteered to work on a team. Teams are listed below with team leaders indicated by an *. Week 1 Team Week 2 Team Week 3 Team Week 4 Team Week 5 Team *Clements, Bob Almond, Jean Blythe, Mike Clark, Chuck Coston, Morris Edwards, Edi Erwin, Bonnie Evans, Jennifer Hefty, Karla McLaughlin, Sue Oliver, David Oliver, Robin Peters, Carol Solsby, Doug *Clements, Ellen Bolding, Danny Bolding, Tonja Clements, Bob Furo, Kay Grandstaff, Jean Hart, Julie Harvey, Brian Harvey, Sharon Offutt, Myrt Scruggs, Tom Sims, Jana Stanley, Linda *McLarty, Sheila Dean, Jeanne Larue, Jewel Matthews, Brenda Mayberry, Janet McNeely, Pegi McNeely, Stan Milholen, Sandy Morrissey, Jim Parks, Vicki Peck, Jennie Riley, Richard *Scrivner, Carol Blancke, Martha Dickinson, Carol Dickinson, Floyd Hart, Julie Leak, Elizabeth Murphy, Cheryl Nester, Bill Nix, Jonnie Rushing, Diane Rushing, Mike Valentine, Evelyn *Calloway, Andy Bass, JoAnn Calloway, Lee Cornell, Sean Dickinson, Carol Grace, Sammie Grace, Troy Hahm, Carol Hemphill, Andy Hemphill, Linda Lewallen, Bill Lewallen, Linda Pritchett, Connie Pritchett, Earl Dear Grand Avenue Volunteers After six months of discussion and then six more months of intense planning, the day is finally approaching for our first community outreach dinner - The Table of Grace. I am excited and a little anxious about June 3. We have done our best to consider every detail, and we are as ready as we can be. I especially thank the dedicated task force that brought the plan together: Janice Carhart, Bob Clements, Shari Coston, Kay Furo, Karla Hefty, Ruby Hill, Jonnie Nix, and Pastor David Fleming. The five work team leaders are appreciated and so are all the wonderful volunteers who have offered to serve. We are all blessed to belong to this caring Grand Avenue family. Many thanks, Mary Tom Taylor Table of Grace Task Force 2
Items for Sale - Make an Offer TABLE (Pictured Right) Glass Top Dining Table, Walnut finish. Can be viewed in Fellowship Hall. Make an offer in the church office. Table will be sold to the best offer. PIANO (Pictured Right) Piano and bench, Kimball 1963. You must be able to provide your own delivery. Interested? Call Patti Keahey at 501-282-9332. PIANO (Pictured Above) Spinet Piano and bench, Poole brand. The piano can be viewed in the church parlor. Will be sold to best offer. Contact church office. Update Your Church Directory Outreach is collecting one pound bags of rice during the month of June. The Baber s New Address Doug & Barbara Baber 2120 Paganini Avenue Henderson, NV 89052 Ozark Mission Project - Summer 2018 Ozark Mission Project will be hosted by First United Methodist Church of Hot Springs this year the week of June 25-29. Applications for house repairs and yard work to be done free by teams of youth and an adult sponsor are available in the church office. On Monday, June 25, our church will provide dinner for the 75 missioners who will come from various churches throughout the state to help in our city. If you can help cook on that Monday, please contact Shari Coston (525-7456). Words alone cannot express my appreciation for you all during the loss of my mom, Betty McDearmon. Your prayers, calls and uplifting encouragement mean a great deal to me. I miss her more than words can express. She loved being a part of Grand Avenue UMC. Love in Christ, Sandra Acree (Daughter of Betty McDearmon) 3
The newly built Grand Avenue Methodist Church, 1928 Grand Avenue UMC Celebrates Heritage Sunday On May 27, 1928 the first worship service was held in the brand new sanctuary located at 841 Quapaw Avenue, and on Sunday May 27, 2018, the Grand Avenue congregation celebrated the 90 year anniversary of that very first worship service. Our church has a rich history of service to the Hot Springs community, and it was with thankful hearts that we commemorated this occasion. The day s worship service centered around our local church history as well as the 50 year Jubilee anniversary of the formation of The United Methodist Church (the 1968 uniting of Evangelical United Brethren and the Methodist Church). Following worship, members and guests enjoyed a potluck luncheon in Fellowship Hall. A grand time was had by all. Renovation Progress On Sunday, May 23, Pastor David invited us to write Bible verses on the old tile in Fellowship Hall - especially verses on hospitality and love. The new flooring was literally laid over the verses, leaving the room undergirded with scripture. The work on Fellowship Hall and the office area is nearing completion. A new canopy has been hung over the office entrance. Walls have been painted, vinyl flooring installed, and ceiling tiles replaced. The work is scheduled to resume during the week of June 4. New carpeting will be laid in all offices. Countertops will be installed in the back office. Finally, cove molding and touch-up work will finish the project. 4 Brian and Libby Harvey along with Jana Sims work as a family to add scripture (and artwork) to the old floor.
Ruby Hill reads the scripture lessons. Bless this House Mary Tom Taylor, Jennifer Evans, and Kathie White Blessing Generations for 90 Grand Years! Destiny Phillips greets everyone with a smile. Clyde Covington shares the early history of Grand Avenue. Pastor David Fleming delivers the message. Members and guests enjoy the first potluck luncheon in our newly renovated Fellowship Hall. 5
G United Methodist Church 841 Quapaw Avenue Hot Springs, Arkansas 71901 We re Here to Serve You Senior Pastor - Rev. David M. Fleming Chancel Choir Director - Kathie White Ukulele Band Director - Peggy Phillips Church Secretary - Karen Copelin Non-Profit U S Postage Paid Hot Springs, AR 71901 Permit No. 170 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Phone: (501) 623-5626 Fax: (501) 623-3526 E-mail: grand.avenue@sbcglobal.net www.gaumch.org 2018 Arkansas Annual Conference June 17-20, 2018 Bank of the Ozarks Arena Hot Springs, AR Visit ac2018.arumc.org 8 Schedule of Annual Conference Worship Sunday, June 17 Opening Worship 7:30 p.m. Bishop Ruben Saenz Monday, June 18 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 19 8:00 a.m. Daily Worship Daily Worship Wednesday, June 10 Daily Worship 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 10 Closing Worship 10:30 a.m.