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January 27, 2017
Grace & Peace to you Grace Church!
I’m excited to tell you about a new series of messages that were beginning this week at both of our campuses. Pastor Jeff and I have been busy preparing for some time now and have been finding what we’re reading and studying exhilarating, and yes, even intimidating.
Beginning this Sunday, January 29th, we’re going to take a five-week journey into the book of Revelation. Now, at the outset, we need to agree that five weeks isn’t nearly enough time to tackle all the complexities of such an intense book. Pastor Jeff and I will talk a bit about those limitations on Sunday. I’ve already created at least four follow-up series to this one that we hope to tackle at a later time.
I hope you can join us for the next five weeks at either our West or East Campuses at 9:30a or 11:15a. We don’t believe you’ll be disappointed.
If you were at our West Campus last Sunday, you got to experience the comfort of our new chairs that were delivered last Thursday. After years of faithful use, Church Council and the Trustees decided to retire our well-worn “mauve” chairs. Have no fear, they were donated to a good cause, though. The majority of them went to the Salvation Army here in Bay City, while a number of them also were donated to the Good Samaritan Rescue Mission. Now those chairs that for so many years blessed us will serve to bless others, right here in our community!
The new chairs were purchased with undesignated monies that Grace Church was blessed with in 2016. It’s our hope that they would be a blessing to the Grace West Campus family and make our worship experience even more welcoming, inviting, and comfortable. We even made sure to have at least seven chairs with arms for those in our congregation who prefer them.
This week has been a tough week for me as I’ve suffered from a fairly nasty cold. I want to take this opportunity to thank the amazing staff and volunteers we have here at Grace that have helped pick up some of the slack so I could take an afternoon or two off to get some needed rest. I continue to be amazed at the commitment and stamina that all of Grace Church demonstrates on both sides of the river to make ministry happen here in Bay City! We certainly are one blessed church.
Hope you have a great start to your weekend, and I look forward to seeing you when the tribe gathers at West and East campuses this Sunday. And, don’t forget to bring a friend to church. Introduce them to our amazing Savior and King and this amazing place!
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Eric |
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Pathway Points
Steppng Up for Jesus
Monica Lebsack, Creative Ministries Director
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Ahhh…winter…we love it! Don’t we? After all, we live in Michigan…Okay, so maybe love is a bit strong of a word. For me, it’s more of tolerate. The farther south you go, the bigger the bugs and reptiles get. Yes, I can definitely tolerate the snow and ice. Unfortunately, bugs aren’t the only things that die off in the winter, so do a lot of our relationships. We greet each other warmly on a Sunday morning, but throughout the week, we avoid driving on the icy roads or in the dark. The problem with this is two-fold, not only do members of our church family suffer from loneliness, but the world misses out on seeing how we do life differently. Don’t believe me? Check out this article on how kindness was newsworthy: Niceness versus kindness. What could you do to go beyond the Sunday morning niceties and extend genuine kindness?
Stepping up with you in His strength!
 Monica
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New Series starting January 29
@ both Campuses:
REVELATION
This week's message:
"Dear John"
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(Requests will stay on the prayer list for 1 week. If you have a repeating request, please check the box on your Relationship Card, and your request will remain on the list for 4 weeks.)
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GraceGroup Leader Training
Saturday, January 28
10:30a-12p
East Campus
If you are a GraceGroup Devotional, Connectional, or Missional leader, or have been invited by one of your group leaders, please plan on attending this important training.
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The New Membership Class will be held Sunday, January 29, 12:30p, at West Campus. Join us for lunch and discussion about Grace Church.
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PANCAKE BREAKFAST
The Cub Scouts are hosting a pancake breakfast at West Campus on Sunday, January 29, from 8:30 am to 11:30 am. Come and have a delicious breakfast and support our troop. Your donations will be greatly appreciated.
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 Please be sure to put your FULL NAME on your offering envelope each week to ensure giving credit. If you would rather used your assigned number, it can be found on your giving statement, or call the office and we will provide it for you. Thank you!
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The Youth Group is encouraging you to participate in Baby Bottle Boomerang! Your contributions provide the gift of life to unborn children as you join in supporting the work of Beacon of Hope Pregnancy Care Center. Pick up your bottle in during Grace Cafe on Sunday, fill it will your pocket change, some bills, or checks, and return the bottle by Sunday, February 5th.
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2017 UMW Program Books are being distributed. If you would like a copy, see Karen Preston (East) or Irene Halog (West).
The Hearty Soup Supper on Friday, Feb. 4th, still needs soup donations, server, and helpers. See posters in Grace Café at both campuses if you can assist. We would be most grateful. This year we will be serving supper from 4 to 7 pm! Tickets will be available at the door.
This month, Ruth Circle made 13 colorful fleece blankets for children at God’s Country Cooperative Parish (seven churches in the eastern part of the UP, covering 250 miles) in Newberry, MI. We know they will provide warmth and snuggling for those kids.
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Wanted: Used Bible Study Books
If you have a collection of used Bible study books you would like to part with, the Salvation Army is conducting a number of Bible Study Groups—both at the center and part of a Prison Ministry. Your books would be greatly appreciated, Please put your used Bible Study books in the box located in the fellowship hall.
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Golden Years Potluck
Feb. 9th at 12:00 Noon
Grace Church West Campus
Bring a Valentine to share
Bring your own Table Service & Dish to pass.
PROGRAM: Beth Trahan
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PROTECTION TRAINING
Given by: Saginaw Bay District
9:30 am West Campus
Saturday, February 4th
You will need the training if you will be taking children or youth to a district or conference event such as the District Youth Trip, June 30 thru July 9th. Pastor Melene Wilsey
Visit: www.saginawbaydistrict.org
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Levi's Table
February 13
6:30-8p
Uptown Grill
3 E. Main St., Bay City
in the uptown development
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