GRACE WEEKLY UPDATE: February 26, 2010:
Grace @ 125
Grace is 125 years old this year! So we’re planning some parties. Save the dates of Sunday, September 26 for our big gala worship service and Sunday, December 12 for a preaching visit by Bishop Trimble!
Leona Sutton presented a historical moment at last weekend’s services and we all were blessed. She told how the growth of Grace necessitated the building of a new church at 19th and Crocker to be completed in 1902. Some thought the cost should be $15,000 and others thought $30,000. Pastor Guild led the congregation to a compromise---It was determined that the new Grace would come in at no more than $20,000. Then, as now, cost overruns inevitably complicated matters. The building was completed for a cost of $32,000 and a dedication service was set for a January Sunday in early ’02 with special guests including a bishop and national church dignitaries. A blizzard blasted in the day before and the pastor despaired of having anyone in attendance. But---hallelujah!---1500 people showed up that Sunday. When the offering was announced at $18,000 (plus an additional gift of $2500 for a new organ), Pastor Guild fainted away on the platform and had to be revived by his brethren.
This story only makes me want to pray: “Do it again, God! Do it again!” We are the heirs of generous people. We are people of Grace and our song is HALLELUJAH!
We are also people of Grace who have a vision of ministering in new ways in our time:
The Grace Free Medical Clinic is now scheduled to open in March.
A Tuesday free meal open to all who come is also in the works.
New short-term study/discipleship growth groups are soon beginning on Monday evening (March 1), Tuesday afternoon and evening (March 2), and Tuesday morning (March 9). Check in the church bulletin, church office or on our website for details.
A new adult Sunday school class for all who don’t have one now will begin Sunday, March 7, 9 am, room 306. Bill Cotton is going to kick it off - help make this new class what you want and need.
“Our truth is an ancient one: that love endures and overcomes; that hatred destroys; that what is obtained by love is retained, but what is obtained by hatred is a burden.” (American Friends Service Committee)
THIS WEEK:
TOMORROW---Bidwell-Riverside pancake breakfast at Grace, 8 am-noon.
AT WORSHIP---2nd weekend in Lent: “Blessed Are Those Who Mourn” will be the sermon on Saturday (5 pm) and Sunday (8 and 10:15 am). “Enough Is Best!” will continue the teaching/participation series at the Crossroads service (9 am).
SUNDAY AFTERNOON: Vocal Arts Ensemble concert at Grace, 4 pm.
THIS WEDNESAY’S SOUP & SERMON SERVICE: Barry Tritle, pastor of the West Des Moines UMC will lead (12:10 pm)).
NEXT WEEKEND: THE HOBBIT/Youth Dinner Drama, March 5, 6, 7.
ALL WEEK: Tithes and offerings to help Grace cash flow in response to high snow removal (We’ve already spent more than we budgeted!) and other early-in-the-year bills will be received. I’ll have the smelling salts close by!