THE GRACEVINE

Grace Presbyterian Church, November 2008
518 Roselawn Blvd., Lafayette LA 70503      e-mail: gracpreb@bellsouth.net
 

Consecration Sunday is November 9!!
 

Congregations that approach financial stewardship from a biblical perspective do not view the money Christians give to their church merely as a way to pay its bills. Rather, such congregations see financial contributions as a way to help people grow spiritually in their relationship with God by supporting their church’s mission and ministry with a percentage of their income.

Grace has selected the New Consecration Sunday Stewardship program as a way to teach the biblical philosophy of the need of the giver to give for his or her own spiritual development, rather than on the need of the church to receive. Instead of treating people like members of a social club who should pay dues, we treat people like followers of Jesus Christ who want to give unselfishly as an act of discipleship. New Consecration Sunday encourages people to toward proportionate and systematic giving in response to the question: “What percentage of my income is God calling me to give?” During morning worship on Consecration Sunday, (November 9) we are asking our attendees and members to make their financial commitments to our church’s missionary, benevolent, and educational ministries in this community and around the world.

Ever attendee and members who completes an Estimate of Giving Card does so voluntarily by attending worship on November 9 (11 am). We urge people to attend who feel opposed to completing a card. The procedure is done in such a way that no one feels personal awkwardness or manipulation if he or she chooses not to fill out a card.

We will do no home solicitation to ask people to complete cards. During morning worship our guest leader (Pastor Fred Seay, First Presbyterian Church of Lake Charles) will conduct a brief period of instruction and inspiration, climaxed by members making their commitments as a confidential act of worship.

We will encourage participation in Consecration Sunday events from now until November 9.

Since we will make no follow-up visits to ask
people to complete their cards, we will make every effort to inform, inspire, and commit everyone to attend Consecration Sunday.

The catered meal after 11 am worship on November 9 is called a “Celebration Luncheon.” I like that. We celebrate because we do not stress the church’s needs for funds. We celebrate because we do not (and cannot) shame or guilt trip people into generosity. We don’t want financial contributions to “pay the bills” or “support the budget”—we want to grow spiritually by giving the “first fruits” of our income to the Lord.

I hope we give because: we feel gratitude to God; we see giving as part of our spiritual relationship with God; we feel privileged to serve; and we take joy in helping others.

Thanks in advance for your enthusiastic participation in Consecration Sunday events.

~In Christ, David Jones


 

Kirkin’ Of The Tartans

Nov. 2, 8:45 a.m.
(ONE SERVICE ONLY!)
Everyone is invited to wear plaid for the annual Kirkin’ of the Tartans. This historical Sunday service includes a procession into the church by the Caledonian Pipes and Drums, inspiring music and a roll call of names of Scottish clans. Wear your plaid, whether you’re of Scottish descent or not, and don’t miss this unique worship service. Names of Scottish clans will be listed in the bulletin and recognized during the service. Please call the church office (984-6400) to be sure your clan name is included.


CHANCEL CHOIR:

Add some music to your life. Now is a good time to join the Grace Chancel Choir. The choir welcomes all who are interested to be a part of their joyful music ministry. For more information, call Greig Ashurst, 504-4079, or just show up Wednesday evening for practice at 7 p.m.
 
 

CONGRATULATIONS NEW OFFICERS!

Please pray for the newly elected church officers as they prepare to take office. Elders: Beth Dooley, Catherine McGowen, Sam Porter, Janet Stahlhuth; Deacons: Paul Guillot, Jonelle Archibald, Mary Conner, Sally John, Terry Wolford; Trustee: Larry Donohoe; Nominating Committee: David Causey, Marian Skerrett, Nicole Stelly, Carol Stubbs.

MEN’S FELLOWSHIP:

Thursday, NOV. 6
Randy Smith hosts the Men’s Fellowship at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 6 at 610 Greenbriar Rd. All men are invited to join the group for fellowship, food, fun and prayer. For more information, call Randy at 981-8548.

SPORTS REACH, NOV. 15 and 16
Men and women are invited to participate in this ministry by playing softball or socializing with prisoners at Pollock Prison. Group will leave at 8 a.m. and return by 6 p.m. on Saturday and by noon on Sunday. If you are interested, you will need to fill out a federal form, which is available in the church office. For more information on this prison ministry, call Randy Smith, 781-6115.

 

  

MASH (Mature and Strong at Heart):
MASH will meet Tuesday, Nov. 18, for a pre-Thanksgiving meal and fellowship. The church will furnish the turkey, and everyone is asked to bring a favorite side dish to share. Fellowship begins at 10:30 a.m. For more information, call Marian Skerrett, 235-9692.

CONSECRATION SUNDAY:

NOV. 9
We believe that our church members have sufficient concern for spiritual growth and the mission and ministries of our church to attend the two special events on Consecration Sunday - Sunday morning worship and the Celebration Luncheon immediately following. This is a catered meal, so we need reservations. If you have not finalized plans to attend these two events, please do so immediately. Our goal is to have every member and regular worship attendee present. Please let us know you will be present by emailing David Jones, dgjones@126company.com or calling David or Jysele at 981-4361 (home) or 232-6841 (office). The effectiveness of our mission and ministries next year depends on your initiative and dedication. Please make whatever sacrifices are necessary to be present on Sunday, Nov. 9.
Pastor John

PRAYER BREAKFAST:

Sat., NOV. 1
Men’s and Women’s Prayer Breakfast will meet Saturday, Nov. 1, at Piccadilly on Johnston St. at 8:30 a.m. for a buffet breakfast. Please join us.

FAMILY PROMISE PO BOY SALE

NOV 6
Family Promise is sponsoring a Po Boy Sale Nov. 6. Individual orders welcome or delivery available for orders of 10 or more—orders must be turned in by Nov. 3, fax 235-2768 or call 233-3447. Po-Boy sale will be held at First United Methodist, downtown.

NIGHTLIGHT JEWELRY SALE:

Sun., NOV. 16
Purchase holiday gifts and benefit a good cause at this 3rd annual sale. Nightlight is a Bangkok based mission that provides vocational and educational alternatives to women living on the streets of Bangkok. For more information, visit www.nightlightbangkok.com

HELP SUPPORT MDO:

You can help Grace Mother’s Day Out by participating in a Tupperware sale beginning Nov. 6. A portion of proceeds will benefit MDO.

MEALS ON WHEELS DRIVERS NEEDED:
For many years Grace has been committed to providing meals to the homebound elderly. Volunteer drivers are needed. For information, contact Jane Sawvel, 234-7805.
 

 

 The congregation extends sympathy and prayers to the family and friends of Trudy Thompson, who died Oct. 25. Memorial service was Oct. 28.


 

 

 

CHRISTIAN
EDUCATION
“Let the wise listen and
 add to their learning.”
Proverbs 1:5

NOTE: One service only Nov. 2, 8:45 a.m. for Kirkin’ of the Tartans, and Nov. 9, 11 a.m., for Consecration Sunday.
Sunday School: 10 a.m.
Sunday Evenings: Youth Group, 5:30 p.m.
Sunday Mornings:
*Session Room—Study of 1st Thessalonians led by Catherine McGowen
*Chapel—Vineyard, Old Testament study of God’s grace from “Grace in a Tree Stump”—led by Margaret Boone
*Library—Young Adults-“The Velvet Elvis”
*Room 3— The Bible and It’s Influence-led by Ewing Brown
**Children & Youth**
Nursery—Rooms 4 and 6
Pre-K—Room 4, David C. Cook series, led by Leslie Swain
K-5th—Room 10, Living God’s Word-“Abraham & Sarah, Moses”—Advent
Middle School—Room 8, “Jesus, the Life Changer”
Senior High—Room 12,“Connecting Your Heart To Others,” led by Lorene and Sammy Pyle and Bernie Deckard


 

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN
PW CIRCLES:

 

All women are invited to join a circle. The Church Circle meets the second Tuesday of the month at 9:30 a.m. in the church library. The Night Circle meets the second Tuesday at 7 p.m. in different homes. This month’s meeting will be at Margaret Boone’s home, 229 Grand Ave. (981-2475). We look forward to seeing you!

 

PW ANNUAL MEETING: Sun., NOV. 16, 3 p.m.

All women are invited to join PW for lunch and fellowship Nov. 16, 3 p.m., at the church. There will also be a meeting, installation of officers and collection of the annual Thank Offering. The offering provides a tangible way to express the blessings in our lives and supports carefully selected ministries throughout the world.

 

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FLOWER CALENDAR: Please consider signing up to bring flowers for the sanctuary one Sunday. Flowers may be given in honor of or in memory of someone. There are many openings on the calendar in the narthex.

 

GIFTS OF GRACE:

Please remember to pray for our soldiers and their families.

 

LES AMIS:

Les Amis (the friends) is a fellowship for all singles. We meet for lunch once a month after church, usually the second Sunday. This month, however, we will NOT meet due to the heavy church schedule.

WONDERFUL WEDNESDAYS:

Many, many thanks to everyone who helped make these evenings at Grace a success! We hope to do this again in 2009. Kitchen Krewe: Margaret Boone, Stephanie Burger, Sue Candler, Tim Conner, Carole Drake, Joyce Guillot, Barbara Hamilton, Sally John, Mary Lou Montgomery. Nursery: Erica Blank & Katherine Conner. Pre K: Leslie Swain. Jr. High/Middle School: Bethany & Jared Price. Adult Classes: Catherine McGowen, Jean O’Roark, Pauline Neto, Ewing Brown, Christi Latour, Leigh Carr, Bill Stubbs, Paul Guillot. General Assistance: Lucy Abernethy, Claude Hooton, Gary Stahlhuth, Gray Guillot, and, of course, Pastor John Wamsley. --Lynne Castle

WESLEY UNITED CAMPUS MINISTRY REPORT:

Things are going well this semester. We got off to a strange start with missed school for hurricanes, but our Monday Lunches and small group Bible studies are now in full swing. The first weekend of October, which was UL’s fall break, a group of students put feet to our faith as we engaged in local mission projects, helping Faith House ministry with post-Gustav clean-up.
We are looking forward to beginning our Wednesday evening worship services in the coming weeks and to inviting more students to participate in the life of our ministry. We invite your prayers for us that we may finish this semester in a strong way! Please call 235-6073 or check out our website (ulwesley.com) if you have questions or would like to find ways to support us. Thank you for your support and God bless your ministry!

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