Grace Church Articles

Summer Sunday School

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:16:00 -0400

Grace will offer Summer Sunday School for “Completed” K– thru 6th Grade! Bible Teaching, crafts, singing , skits and activities will all be held in the All-Purpose Room. Adults and Sr. & Jr. High Students are invited to assist Sue Brown and Rick Barr as Bible Teachers/Speakers. To volunteer or for more info call: Rick Barr 734-8150 or Sue Brown 697-1327.

Ladies Brunch

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:12:00 -0400

Women of Grace - Please join us for brunch on Saturday morning, June 8th, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. in the All-Purpose Room for a time of fellowship and encouragement. Our speaker will be Karen Weaver, who serves with her husband Jim at Crossroads PCA Church in Middletown. Childcare will be provided. Sign-up for the brunch and childcare in the Connector Hallway or by contacting the church office.

What Happens When You Teach Kids?

Fri, 10 May 2013 15:28:00 -0400

Lisa Williams shares some some funny and touching highlights from working with elementary age kids in Sunday School. LISTEN HERE.

2013 Vacation Bible School

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 17:45:00 -0400

It is time to prepare for Vacation Bible School! Upward Bound takes young “backpackers” on a delightful trek following Jesus’ rugged and radical ascent to the Kingdom of God. Costumed storytellers, trail journals, lively singing, outdoor recreation, tasty trail treats and more create a significant summertime experience. This ultimate VBS expedition runs June 21st, 24-28th from 8:45 a.m. to 12 noon. VBS will need many helping hands in the areas of classroom teachers and assistants, decorations, registration, recreation, refreshments, music, missions, and Bible story-telling. We will also need photographers, puppeteers, t-shirt silk screening helpers, plus more! A sign-up poster will be located in the Connector Hallway. For more information, contact Janet Phillips or Flora Ball.

Chili Cookoff (NEW VIDEO PROMO)

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 17:33:00 -0400

This year’s Chili Cookoff (“Chili Dynasty”) will be held right after the 2nd Service on Sunday, April 28th. The Cookoff benefits the Senior High Youth Missions Trip to Allenwood, NJ (July 20- 27), a MNA Disaster Relief Project. We need Chili cooks to volunteer to make a Crock Pot of their best recipe--cooks sign up in the Connector Hallway. We invite everyone to come and eat chili and help support the Sr. Hi Mission Trip. Vote for your favorites by donating money in the jar by their chili pot. Sign up in the Connector Hallway. For more information: Rick Barr 302-677-0326.

CHILI DYNASTY PROMO #2

CHILI DYNASTY PROMO #1

Habitat for Humanity Build

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 17:36:00 -0400

What: Habitat for Humanity

When: May 4th, 7:45 – 3:00

Where: 101 5th Street

Frederica, DE 19946

Age: Must be at least 16

Need: 15 Workers Questions: Call Dave Swatski.

What makes a Friday Fabulous?

Sun, 03 Feb 2013 19:04:00 -0500

Kara Markoya tried a new theme for our monthly children’s fun night “Fabulous Friday” this month: The Fabulous Amazing Race! The kids had such a blast, that Kara wrote up a description of how it all worked.

She divided the kids into groups of about 4-6, each with an adult leader. Then with their group they had to visit 12 stations and complete 12 challenges. The first team to complete all the challenges won a prize. (A Hershey bar and a grape Tootsie Roll bar tied up with ribbon.) To start each team was given a different starting point. (It took about 90 minutes to complete, Grades 1-6.)

The kids can't wait to do it again next year! It's fun just to read about what they did!

For a full description of all 12 stations, with a picture 'review', read on!

Sticky Faith

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 15:26:00 -0500

If you have children still at home, you will want to consider attending this 8-week study based on the book Sticky Faith: everyday ideas to building lasting faith in your kids. The study will be held on 8 Tuesday evenings from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. beginning February12th at the home of Celeste Rakes, Bicentennial Village, Dover. A flyer is available in the Connector Hallway listing the topics covered in each of the 8 sessions. If you have any questions, contact .

Winter ESL Classes

Sun, 20 Jan 2013 17:43:00 -0500

Registration: Feb. 7th 6:00 PM- 8:00 PM. Students may also enroll throughout the semester. Registration begins 15 minutes before class. All classes are free. Students will be asked to purchase a book for $20.

Classes: Feb 14th - March 24th, Thurs: 6:30 PM - 8:45 PM, Sun: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM.

Our classes stress conversational English. The Beginners class is for those who speak little or no English. The Intermediate class is for those who know just enough English to “get by”. The Advanced class is for students who want to improve their pronunciation and accent and to feel more comfortable conversing at work, at school, and in the community. Flyers have been placed in mailboxes to pass along or post. Additional colored flyers are available in the Connector Hallway. Donations of refreshments are needed on a rotating schedule. Sign up in Connector Hallway or contact .

Precepts Study of Matthew

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 15:51:00 -0500

Ladies, are you looking for a Bible study to start the new year with? Precepts resumes this week on Tuesday, January 8th at 9:15am with The Gospel of Matthew….Learn who the promised Messiah, the King who will sit on the throne of David! And what His kingdom is! Matthew I answers these questions and brings you face-to-face with the long-awaited Jewish Messiah…in Matthew II, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the resurrection and its power in your life & the ability to take up the challenge to share the gospel with others. Materials cost for this lesson is $16.00 & babysitting is available. Contact the church office to register.

Persecuted Christians and Tornados?

Sun, 16 Dec 2012 11:56:00 -0500

What do persecuted Christians and tornados have in common? Louder Than Words will be helping the victims on their mission trip this winter. We will be traveling approximately 2500 miles roundtrip serving in many ways and presenting the Gospel. One highlight will be a week of full time work at the distribution center for The Voice of the Martyrs, in Bartlesville, OK. After that, LTW will be laboring for five days with Mission to the World in Joplin, MO building houses for tornado victims. Come hear all about this trip and the other two missions projects for this coming year.

Grace Church Young Hearts is sponsoring a dessert and presentation fundraiser for Louder Than Words Missions. When? Friday evening, January 11, 2013 6:30-8:00 pm in the sanctuary. Enjoy and sponsor our eternal work! Sign up in connector Hallway. Indicate if you can bring cookies or other finger dessert. An offering will be taken to help with the LTW Mission trip. Thank you for your prayers.

Update Hurricane Relief Efforts

Sat, 03 Nov 2012 23:03:00 -0400

URGENT UPDATE Super Storm Sandy - How You Can Help!

Super Storm Sandy left major damage throughout many areas, primarily in New York and New Jersey. Initial assessments have been done by MNA Disaster Response staff in conjunction with local PCA leadership. MNA is called by the PCA General Assembly to coordinate disaster response in the United States and Canada. Our focus will be marshalling critically needed resources to PCA congregations and establishing volunteer staging areas in New Jersey and New York. Our first worksite is now open and operating in Atlantic City NJ at the request of New City Fellowship Mission PCA. Teams have been on the ground undertaking mucking, gutting and debris cleanup in the target communities, including direct assistance to PCA families.

Another PCA church extremely hard hit we are assisting is Redentor PCA in South River NJ, a multicultural congregation pastored by Pastor Fernando Freitas. The following is a portion of an email received by Pastor Freitas:

Our Church, Redentor Presbyterian Church, is a 17 year-old community planted in South River, to reach especially (at that time) the Brazilian community. Even though the majority of its 68 members is still comprised of Brazilians immigrants, today it is a multicultural church, with people also from Portugal, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Peru and Ecuador.

In October of 2008 God gave us an opportunity to buy our own building that is very close to the center of our town. The building was totally remodeled by the grace of God and the efforts of our own members and friends. In December 3, 2010, we started to use it, when we had the first Worship Service there. However, during the hard weather under Hurricane Sandy our building had its basement completely filled with flood water along with the rest of downtown, South River, NJ.

Redentor has lost their entire electrical, heating, and alarm systems. The church is now scrambling to gather for worship and other services at the homes of members, some who are also dealing with major loses. Redentor has also lost furniture and kitchen supplies. Their insurance policy does not cover any of these loses estimated in the tens of thousands or more.

A third location in New Jersey we are concentrating on is Calvary PCA in Allenwood. The congregation is focusing on the hard-hit coastal areas of Manasquan and possibly Bay Head, channeling resources to those in need. Calvary is uniquely positioned as a gateway to possibly the most devastated New Jersey coastal areas. We anticipate a long haul here as we continue to investigate, along with like minded agencies, to establish a "beach head" here for at least several years.

A fourth and fifth site and volunteer staging areas are being established in NY, working with PCA churches undertaking operations at Coney Island and the Rockaways area, probably the hardest hit areas. Work is underway at these sites to set up a distribution centers to receive and redistribute critically needed donated items. Our concentration will be on subsidized housing with a concentration on the towers, an extremely underserved populace even before the storm. A list of requested items will be posted here soon; your help in streaming these supplies to our staging areas is requested.

For the most part, other PCA church facilities in Sandy's path are primarily in tact and most all have power restored. However the financial impact of this storm is substantial to our sister congregations due to cancelled services and the work of our churches through mercy in helping meet the needs of their congregants and communities.

In response to the request of local PCA leadership in the affected areas, MNA Disaster Response is providing needed resources and volunteers to assist in this major recovery effort. A designated fund has been established to receive donations to assist with the financial needs. TO DONATE, please click here. Please know that MNA charges no fees for administrative overhead; therefore 100% of all donations to MNA Disaster Response go to serve those who are in desperate need.

TO VOLUNTEER, YOU MUST REGISTER! To register as a disaster response volunteer, please click here.

PLEASE PRAY, GIVE, AND GO!

Mission to North America, 1700 North Brown Road, Suite 101, Lawrenceville GA 30043

2012 PresWIC Messages

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 10:19:00 -0400

Ladies, if you missed the March 2012 conference in Wilmington, you can listen to the messages online. The guest speaker was Sue Jakes, who brought three messages on the theme of Connecting with Christ--His Church, His Work and His Calling in our Lives, based on Ephesians 2:19-22. Sue describes what God says His church is to be and how her local church fulfilled its commission as 'the body of Christ' to her and her four children after her husband left them.

Message 1

Message 2

Message 3

New Hymns Project - Indelible Grace

Wed, 20 Jun 2012 14:10:00 -0400

Indelible Grace has recently released a contemporary hymns project that was recorded live at the Ryman in Nashville in conjunction with our denominational (PCA) General Assembly in 2010. It is now available for a limited time free on Noisetrade. (option to donate). Click the play button below to listen to the songs, or enter email for free download of whole project.

Current Messages on Justice

Sun, 17 Jun 2012 10:50:00 -0400

If you've missed one of the current messages on "The Wisdom of Justice," you can 'catch up' and listen below! What is the meaning of justice? What is the Biblical concept of peace ("shalom")? What does it mean to work for justice and the peace of our community? What does the Bible say about Christian's responsibility to care for the poor? Who are the poor? Why is there poverty? These messages dig into the Biblical concepts and will challenge your thinking, regardless of your political party of church background.

The Wisdom of Justice, Part I: Peace and Justice

The Wisdom of Justice, Part 2: Doing Justice

The Wisdom of Justice, Part 3: Caring for the Poor

The Wisdom of Justice, Part 4: Causes of Poverty

Conversations on Multi-Ethnic Ministry

JonathanSeda — Thu, 24 May 2012 15:46:00 -0400

Pastors Jonathan Seda and Kenny Foster, part of the leadership of the Reconciliation and Justice Network (a grassroots group in the PCA seeking to cast theological vision for the church to understand and embrace reconciliation and justice as core elements of the Gospel of the Kingdom), have planned a gathering of PCA leaders as they gather for the General Assembly of the PCA in Louisville KY. The gathering is called, "Conversations on Multi-Ethnic Ministry" and is being sponsored and promoted by MNA (Mission to North America). Check it out at http://pcamna.org/multiethnicconference.php .

Jobs for Life 2012 Spring Class Testimonies

Tue, 15 May 2012 19:52:00 -0400

Encouraging video from students at the end of the Spring class. Listen and spread the word that this ministry may continue to expand and bear fruit in our area!

A Touch of Grace

Sat, 05 May 2012 16:09:00 -0400

“A Touch of Grace Ministry” was developed for the purpose of facilitating the body of Christ at Grace caring for one another when needs arise (when a baby is born, someone is hospitalized, or a death occurs).

Opportunities to extend “a touch of grace” include helping to provide a meal or assisting with simple needs in the home (cleaning, lawn mowing).

There are opportunities for men, women, and high school students to serve as the hands of Christ!

Let us know how you’d like to be involved by completing the
"A Touch of Grace" volunteer form.

Contact person: (678.2748)

through love serve one another” Galatians 5:13

Jobs for Life Spring 2012 Graduation

Tue, 01 May 2012 12:07:00 -0400

It is hard to believe that we are about to graduate our fifth class of Jobs For Life. On May 15, 2012, at 6:30 p.m., come join us in celebrating the men and women who have finished the course. After the graduation a reception will follow. Please continue to pray for them as they pursue their employment roadmap.

Ironworks 2012 Grace Games

Tue, 01 May 2012 11:54:00 -0400

Men, IRONWORKS 2012 Grace Games is scheduled for May 19th at 12:56 p.m. Aye! We expect 50 men to come and participate in the Games! We will be forging the bonds of brotherhood through friendly games of competition, feats of skill for all levels, laughter, and open grill filled with meat. Ironworks will fill the grill with burgers and hotdogs, and all the fixins. If you want something else, you kill it and we'll grill it! Men, we guarantee that you'll have a great day! We promise a lot of fun,..and a few surprises..(hint: dress for mess or you'll be depressed)

It's the most fun you'll have and no money required…just a hardy and stout attitude! Awards and Prizes can be earned but the FUN IS FREE! We will meet in the Scottish Highlands…okay…Bob Hogan's house. As the sun sets we will have a closing ceremony bonfire. See the sign up sheet in the Connector Hallway and sign up! We need to know how much cow meat we need. Feel free to bring other Bros! Any questions contact Kevin Natrin 535-7566 or Ken Williams 250-5835.

Holy Week 2012 - Slideshow

Sat, 21 Apr 2012 12:44:00 -0400

Maundy Thursday Recording

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 19:00:00 -0400

Here's a recording of a piece the Praise Choir sang at our recent Maundy Thursday service.

"When You Prayed Beneath the Trees"

Men's Chinese Comedy Connection

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 20:59:00 -0400

Tuesday evening April 10! IronWORKS Chinese Comedy Connection MEN! We're mennnnn, we’re manly mennnnnnn… Spring is rolling in and it is once again that most special time of year.. You wait for it, you want it and you know it! It's our 65 2/3 annual Chinese Comedy Connection. Maybe you have heard about it, maybe you have attended it, maybe you have smelled it (hopefully before and not after…… and don’t go THERE) Come one, come all, bring a friend.. This is open to all men 13 and up. The price of admission is 1 quart of your favorite Chinese food and your sense of humor. We'll laugh, we will eat, we will expel noxious fumes and supply the comedian… Hey, what more could a man ask for on a Tuesday evening…?! Come join us, Tues. April 10th, at 6:36 p.m. in the all‐purpose room. Any questions. Call Alan Nadler.

Inquirer's Seminar April 17 & 24

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 20:36:00 -0400

C.L.A.S.S. stands for Christian Life and Service Seminars. 101 is the Inquirer's Seminar (taught by Jonathan Seda). It's a great way to find out more about Grace's Vision, Beliefs, Values and Philosophy of Ministry. The class is required for those seeking membership. You may sign up HERE or for more info contact the church office. Childcare will be provided upon request. Please let us know the names and ages of children in need of childcare. Deadline for registration and childcare is Sunday, April 15th.

"You're Beautiful" Live Recording

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 19:45:00 -0400

Here's a song recorded during our 9:15 am communion service last month (Feb. 26, 2012).Cover of Phil Wickham song. Lead vocal: Rebekah Rakes Mitchell; Guitar: Daniel Rakes, Violin: Emily Brown; Djembe: Alex Baker; Piano/Synth and BGV: Jeff Rakes.