G race of Ch r i s t Pre s by t e r i a n C h u rc h Yo u r P l a ce To B e l o n g , B e l i e v e , B e co m e , B l e s s
Iglesia Presbiteriana Gracia de Cristo: Un Lugar Para Pertenecer, Creer, Ser y Bendecir
March
2019
VOL 111
Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church
Head Pastor — Bill Williamson
Debbie and Bill Williamson
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” – Isaiah 60.1 Dear Grace of Christ Family, A few weeks ago, I shared Dale Bruner’s image of the Church after the Resurrection. There were only 11 of the original 12 disciples remaining. Judas was no longer with them. After Jesus ascended to heaven, the 11 disciples were referred to by Dale Bruner as, “the limping Church.” They were not complete. They were not whole. So, as the Church, they limped along. Even after Judas was replaced, the Church kept limping along, and it continues to limp along today. It’s a good image to remind us that as the Church, we are still not perfect or whole. The Church consists of imperfect and broken people. That is true of Grace of Christ as we endeavor together towards the plans God has for us in Yakima and around the world.
what Jesus says are the Greatest Commandments: “Love God and Love Others.” Join us in March, as we enter into the Season of Lent. Let’s ARISE and come together with great expectations for what God is going to do as we continue to limp along. Begin now by reading Isaiah 60, which we will study throughout March. Begin asking God to give you the courage to stand up and to be counted. Look for where God is calling you to bring the light of Christ into this dark world.
However, the limp does not keep us from “being the Church.” We are to ARISE, stand together, united in Christ, and proclaim the Good News, all to the glory of God. Together we shall ARISE as we serve one another and love, not only those who are lost and far from God, but also fellow brothers... back to God (and/or the Church). In today’s culture, there are many who do not trust the Church, or the people who call themselves the Church. Many people are giving up on the Church. They are not giving up on their faith, but they no longer trust the institution of their faith. Honestly, I don’t blame them. The Church has let people down. The Church has let God down. The Church has not fulfilled it’s Great Commission. The Church has perhaps lost its way. Dare I say, the Church, and those in the Church, have forsaken their first love. It is time for us to RISE UP and become the Church Christ came to establish. Maybe we need to get back to 2
Ya k i m a G r a c e . c o m
In the Grace of Christ, Pastor Bill
Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church
Pastoral Care — John Stolzenbach
Jesus Christ
Deacon Anneliese Eastridge visiting her Home Centered Parishoner, Doris Drumhiller
The Same in All the Seasons of Life Winter is making its way into Spring, even with all the snow we've had, with the official start of Spring on March 20. Many of us are saying how quickly the seasons come and the seasons go, literally. There are still a few Christmas lights flickering in the evenings and Lent begins on March 6 with Ash Wednesday. The season of Lent is the time followers of Jesus prepare to remember His suffering and death, before celebrating His resurrection on Easter. Ash Wednesday is a time we remember that we are sinners and are marked with ashes with the sign of the cross remembering not only that we are sinners in need of a Savior, but our mortality, “you are dust and to dust you shall return.” – Genesis 3:19. This is part of the rhythm we call life. “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter of heaven, a time to be born and a time to die.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 It’s the time between our birthday and the day we take our last breath, that we call life. This world brings changes, along with the ups and downs of living in whatever season in which we find ourselves. With all these changes, there is one constant, and His name is Jesus, who never changes. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” – Hebrews 13:8
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The good news is we are not alone. God, though His Holy Spirit, lives in all believers. We are also blessed with the Body of Christ, called the Church (universal and the local church). We have our Deacons who want to come alongside our partners/ members when sickness or hospitalizations happen, or if they are confined to their home or a care facility. We also have Growth Groups and other small groups where we can share the joys and burdens of life. We can’t forget those we worship and serve with. In Galatians 6:2 we are reminded that we are to carry or bear one another’s burdens. And we can’t forget the great invitation made by Jesus, Himself: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30 We cannot come along beside you if we don’t know you are in the need of care. Please let us know (through the church office, sharing on the Connect Cards on Sunday, or letting your small group leader or ministry leader know), so the pastoral care team, which includes the Deacons, can respond appropriately to your needs. Let us know how we can best serve you. Together Serving Jesus, John Stolzenbach
Ya k i m a G r a c e . c o m
Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church
Stewardship Jesus’ Love for the Church
Jesus arrived in the villages of Caesarea “When Philippi, He asked His disciples, "What are people
saying about who the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some think He is John the Baptizer, some say Elijah, some Jeremiah or one of the other prophets." He pressed them, "And how about you? Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter said, "You're the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus came back, "God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn't get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God Himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I'm going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together My church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out. "And that's not all. You will have complete and free access to God's Kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven. A yes on earth is yes in heaven. A no on earth is no in heaven." He swore the disciples to secrecy. He made them promise they would tell no one that He was the Messiah. – Matthew 16:13-20
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go all out in your love for your wives, exactly “Husbands, as Christ did for the church – a love marked by giving,
Spend time meditating and in prayer considering your relationship with the church: • What words do you speak about our church? Do you speak with a spirit of love or a critical spirit? • What does your schedule say that you value? For many of us our schedules define us. Our leadership at Grace of Christ regularly ponders how to reach a generation that is over-committed to any number of activities. Families have less and less time for church. Does your life demonstrate to Christ that you love His church? • Do you have the passion for the church that Jesus expressed when He described a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out? Our church is the body through which Jesus does His work in the world. • Is your love of the church marked by giving, not getting? Are you growing in your financial giving to our church so that we can do more of what Jesus calls the church to do in Yakima and around the world? • Jesus loves the church and is fully engaged in growing us to be more like Him. Are you present? Do you regularly attend church or do you live on the edge of our community? Are you present and engaged in the worship of God and in the process of discipleship?
not getting. Christ's love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything He does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness.
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– Ephesians 5:25-27
Ekklesia ~ The Church Ekklesia is the Greek word for church and the word Jesus would have used when speaking in the Matthew verses. Its definition is “a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly of Christians gathered for worship in a religious meeting.” Ekklesia or church references both the people gathering and the place they gather. The church is God’s gift to His creation. Jesus built the church; the church is the only thing Jesus ever said He would build. Jesus loves the church. If we are growing to become more like Jesus then we should also love the church. 4
Ya k i m a G r a c e . c o m
Meditate on God's desire for you to sacrificially love His church. Janet Krieger Elder Business Ministry
Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church
Gracia de Cristo / English
En Español
GREAT ENTHUSIASM
For Being Able To Serve Our Community We are very excited to serve our surrounding community in unity. We continue to learn and to carry the message of the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ. It is humbling to see how He is faithfully transforming local families. God in His infinite love sends us to carry the message of the good news to all the people in the whole world.
GRAN ENTUSIASMO
De Poder Servir A Nuestra Comunidad Estamos muy entusiasmados de poder servir en unidad a la comunidad que nos rodea, aprendiendo y llevando el mensaje del Evangelio de Nuestro señor Jesucristo, y trabajando en la transformación de una familia a la vez. Dios en su infinito amor nos envía a llevar el mensaje de las buenas nuevas a todas las personas en el mundo entero. tanto, vayan y hagan discípulos de todas las “Por naciones, bautizándolos en el nombre del Padre y del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo, enseñándoles a obedecer todo lo que les he mandado a ustedes. Y les aseguro que estaré con ustedes siempre, hasta el fin del mundo. – Mateo 28:19-20
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go and make disciples of all nations, “Therefore baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I assure you that I will be with you always, until the end of the world. – Matthew 28: 19-20
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When we accept and obey the call of our Lord Jesus Christ to love, serve and edify our neighbor, we must also share our time, our lives and our resources with those who are going to be transformed by the Grace of God. It is in this way that the Lord recognizes us as His true and authentic disciples. this way everyone will know that they are my “Indisciples, if they love one another. – John 13:35 ” He appointed some, apostles; to others, prophets; “to others, evangelists; and to others, pastors and teachers, in order to train the people of God for the work of service, to build the body of Christ. – Ephesians 4:11-12
” “We continue praising God in His Sanctuary... – Psalm” 150:1
Every Sunday at 1:00 in the afternoon, families gather in the Sanctuary to praise and thank God for all His blessings. The worship team, directed by Bladimir Rivera, leads our congregation in singing praises to our Lord and King. It is very exciting to watch the young generations worshiping God and listening carefully to the messages every week.
Sunday School All the children (10) along with their teacher Edith Figueroa, enjoy learning the stories of God and His Son Jesus. They also enjoy playing and receiving gifts each week for their participation in class. Edith shares with us: "Our Children are a great blessing that we must protect and feed with the word of God at an early age, so that they do not stray from the good path." 5
Cuando aceptamos y obedecemos el llamado de nuestro Señor Jesucristo para amar, servir y edificar a nuestro prójimo, debemos también compartir nuestro tiempo, nuestras vidas y nuestros recursos con aquellos que han de ser transformados por la Gracia de Dios. Es de esta manera que el Señor nos reconoce como sus verdaderos y auténticos discípulos. este modo todos sabrán que son mis discípulos, si “ De se aman los unos a los otros. – Juan 13:35 ” Él mismo constituyó a unos, apóstoles; a otros, “ profetas; a otros, evangelistas; y a otros, pastores y maestros, a fin de capacitar al pueblo de Dios para la obra de servicio, para edificar el cuerpo de Cristo. – Efesios 4:11-12
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“ Continuamos Alabando a Dios en su Santuario. ”150:1 – Salmo Cada domingo a la 1:00 de la tarde, las familias se reúnen en el santuario para Alabar y agradecer a Dios por todas Sus bendiciones. El grupo de alabanza liderado por su director Bladimir Rivera nos lleva en esta comunión para cantarle a nuestro Rey y Señor, y es muy emocionante mirar como las nuevas generaciones alaban a Dios y escuchan con atención los mensajes cada semana.
Ya k i m a G r a c e . c o m
Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church
Gracia de Cristo / English
En Español
the child in His way, and even when he is old, “ Instruct he will not turn away from Him. – Proverbs 22: 6 ”
ESCUELA DOMINICAL Todos los niños (10) junto con su maestra Edith Figueroa disfrutan aprendiendo las historias de Dios y de Su Hijo Jesús. También juegan y reciben regalos por su participación en la clase. Edith nos comparte: “Nuestros niños, son una gran bendición que debemos proteger y alimentar con la palabra Dios a muy temprana edad, para que no se aparten del camino.” al niño en su camino, y aun cuando fuere viejo “Instruye no se apartará de Él. – Proverbios 22:6 ”
Nuestros Eventos
Gracia de Cristo Events
Programa Después de Escuela en la Primaria Adams son los Martes y Jueves de 3 pm – 5 pm.
After School Program at Adams Elementary Tuesdays & Thursdays from 3pm – 5pm. Financial Peace in Spanish at Adams Elementary Thursdays, February 21 thru March 28 from 5pm – 7pm. Adams Elementary Teacher Appreciation Dinner at Grace of Christ Church, April 25 at 5:30 pm. Clothing Exchange at Grace of Christ Church Gym Saturday, May 11 from 9 am - 1pm. Adams Outreach Camp at Ghormley Meadow June 14-16, 100 children from 3rd, 4th & 5th grades. If you wish to volunteer & serve in any of these ministries, please call 509-248-7940 x 113 or call Pastor Alex Rule directly at 509-731-2657 or alex.rule@yakimagrace.com May God bless you today and always. Working for His Kingdom, – Pastor Alex Rule
Paz Financiera en Español en la Escuela Primaria Adams, comenzando el 21 de Febrero hasta Marzo 28 de 5pm – 7pm, solo los días Jueves. Cena de Apreciación para los Maestros de Adams en la Iglesia de la Gracia de Cristo, Abril 25 a las 5:30 pm. Intercambio de Ropa en el gimnasio de la Iglesia Gracia de Cristo, Sábado, 11 de Mayo de 9am - 1pm. Campamento de Más Alcance para Adams en Ghormley, Junio 14-16, para 100 niños de Adams de 3ro, 4to y 5to grado. Si usted desea ser voluntario para servir en alguno de nuestros ministerios por favor comuníquese con nosotros llamando al 509-248-7940 X 113 o directamente con el Pastor Alex Rule al 509-731-2657 o alex.rule@yakimagrace.com Que Dios los bendiga hoy y siempre. Trabajando para Su Reino, - Pastor Alex Rule
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Ya k i m a G r a c e . c o m
Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church
Women's Ministry
There is still time to register for Women’s Retreat!* We’d love to have you join us in Leavenworth! March 29-31
For we are longing to see you so that we may share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen you... so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. Romans 1:11-12
YakimaGrace.com/Retreat *Late registration fee applied after February 28.
ar was f e
Women’s Spring Luncheon
SIMPLEGIFTS WOMEN’S SPRING RETREAT
into f n
Ladies, you are invited to Mary MacLean’s annual Spring Luncheon at noon on March 27 in the Garden Room.
MARCH 29-31, 2019
LEAVENWORTH, WASHINGTON
to
WITH GUEST SPEAKER
EMILY JAMIESON
e h
For we are longing to see you so that we may share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen you... so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. Romans 1:11-12
HOSTED BY GRACE OF CHRIST WOMEN’S MINISTRY
We will offer a lovely luncheon and hear an encouraging word from a special guest speaker. The suggested donation is $5 per person. Mabel Swan ladies will come as our guests. Please RSVP in the church office.
Announcements EMILY JAMIESON
...is a truth-teller and a trajectory shifter, a far cry from the deceiver and shape shifter she was when Jesus took hold of her life. As a result of her own colorful journey with God, a deep love of study and words, and a passion for people, Emily loves nothing more than to lead others into the fullness of life that Jesus offers by way of His Word. She shares vulnerably from her own life in ways that will make you laugh and cry, know yourself and God better, and cause you to experience freedom! Emily, Marshall, and their four rascally boys (Tucker, Bennett, Wesley, and Finn) live in the heart of Seattle’s University district where she runs her own business as an Academic Coach and works with a non-profit raising up next generation leaders.
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SIMPLEGIFTS WOMEN’S SPRING RETREAT MARCH 29-31, 2019
LEAVENWORTH, WASHINGTON WITH GUEST SPEAKER
EMILY JAMIESON HOSTED BY GRACE OF CHRIST WOMEN’S MINISTRY
Ya k i m a G r a c e . c o m
Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church
Mission Ministry GCP Mission Statement Equipping disciples to love and serve our neighbors.
Spring Fundraisers 2019 With the coming of spring, comes a multitude of opportunities to learn more about and to participate with the Mission Partners and Mission Organizations of Grace of Christ. Our spring lineup includes quite a few fundraisers which are vital to these organizations and also provide you with a great way to learn what is going on. On the calendar are: March 24, Trailseekers Auction; April 27, Yakima County Night of Champions Banquet; and the Love, INC of Yakima’s Banquet on May 2. Our God is the One who gives and gives and gives!
The Yakima County Night Of Champions Banquet April 27 | 6pm | Westside Church The Fellowship of Christian Athletes Night of Champions is slated for Saturday, April 27, 6:00pm, at West Side Church in Yakima, 6901 Summitview. Join with people from around the Yakima Valley to show your support for our local Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) ministry and hear from students, coaches, and staff about how FCA is impacting our schools and communities. Mark your calendars and plan to attend this key fundraising event for FCA in Yakima County. Reservations: Make Your Reservation (or) Sponsor a Table Barry Reifel Area FCA Director P: (509) 307.1534 E: breifel@ fca.org
Ellen Reifel Banquet Director P: (509) 307.1502 E: ellenreifel@fca.org
Vision: To see the world impacted for Jesus Christ through the influence of athletes and coaches. Mission: To present to athletes and coaches, and all they influence, the challenge and adventure of receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, serving Him in their relationships and in the fellowship of the church. Values: So that our relationships will demonstrate steadfast commitment to Jesus Christ and His word. We value integrity, serving, teamwork, and excellence.
TRAILSEEKERS AUCTION March 24 | 2pm | Grace of Christ Gym Are you ready for an evening of FRIENDS, FOOD & FUN? Then don't forget to mark your calendars and save the date because it's time once again for the Trailseekers' Auction Fundraiser. Are you ready for a Dessert Auction? How about a Silent Auction? And then there is the Raise the Paddle Live Auction. So much fun in one evening with all the proceeds going to fund the Trailseekers Program.
Dinner is Provided! All that's needed is YOU! So please come join us on March 24 from 2:00–5:00pm down in the Gym. We hope to see you there. For more information contact: Monnie Miller P: 509.248.7940 x105 E: Monnie@YakimaGrace.com
Love in the Name of Christ of Yakima Love INC
Love In the Name of Christ
Empowering Families To Break Out Of Poverty
May 2 | 6pm | West Valley Church
Mission: To mobilize local churches to transform lives and communities IN THE NAME OF CHRIST. Kirk Vander Molen, National Executive Director of Love, INC has been named the speaker for Yakima’s Love, INC (Love in the name of Christ) annual banquet. The banquet will be held Thursday, May 2, 6:00pm, at West Valley Church, 6901 Summitview, Vander Molen’s message will inspire you.
Kirk Vander Molen Vander Molen has a Ph.D in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences from Western Michigan University with a research focus on religious problem-solving styles in the context of experiencing poverty, equipping him with a unique perspective of breaking out of poverty. His masters’ degrees include a masters in Divinity from Western Theological Seminary and a masters in Social Work from Grand Valley State University. Vander Molen did his undergraduate studies in Business at Hope College. Prior to his current role with Love, INC National, Vander Molen's experience of over 25 years of church and community ministry includes serving as National Director of Missional Integrity and as an affiliate executive director in Michigan. He’s also worked as an associate pastor, a newspaper reporter, and for the United States House of Representatives.
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Ya k i m a G r a c e . c o m
Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church
Hospitality Ministry You are Invited to Dinner! March 6 | 5:30pm | Garden Room In Act 2:46, we read that the early church “…continued to meet together in the Temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God…” (NIV) On Wednesday, March 6 we have the opportunity to gather together in our church home to prepare our hearts for the Lenten Season during the Ash Wednesday worship service. Prior to the service, you are invited to partake in a simple meal together of soup, salad, and bread.* The meal will begin at 5:30pm in the Garden Room, followed by some time of individual reflection and prayer before the service begins at 6:30pm. *Gluten free and vegetarian alternatives will be provided.
Please RSVP: Please sign-up or call the church to help us with a headcount. Join us as we prepare our hearts for Easter! Interested in assisting with the meal preparation and serving others? We welcome others’ help in this hospitality event! Please contact Linda Mathews: 509-388-5527 or Linda Sorenson: 509-834-1185.
Linda Sorenson
New Face in Worship Have you met some of the new people attending Grace? If not, then please take the initiative and introduce yourself to someone you don’t know! Get out of the pew during the Greet & Meet time during the service. Another strategy is not to visit with familiar friends until you’ve introduced yourself and welcomed a new face in the Garden Room. Remember, it only takes someone about 15 seconds to vacate the building, so don’t delay. If you happen to discover someone is a first-time guest, encourage them to stop by the Welcome Center and pick up a Welcome Packet and a free gift!
MOPS (Mothers Of Preschoolers) MOPS has been having a great year, with some fun events on the horizon. We have kicked off pre-sales for our upcoming Antiquities Photo Fundraiser. Antiquities are old fashion photos of your children or grandchildren.
Thank You!
We added a few new faces to the hospitality team! Thank you to our church congregants who take a turn and share in the corporate task of being the ‘face of the congregation’ as people enter our church seeking a place to Belong. Your warm smiles and encouraging words of welcome extends Christ’s invitation to come and seek the goodness of the LORD here at Grace of Christ. Hospitality is extending a hand of fellowship to others. It’s something each of us practices as we follow the example of Jesus. Opportunities abound! Prayerfully consider taking a turn a few times a year to serve as a Greeter, Welcome Center Volunteer, Parking Lot Greeter/Security, or at a special event.
Linda Mathews
If you would like to purchase a coupon to get your children / grandchildren's picture taken, please contact the church office. The pictures will be taken the second week of April here at the church and will be ready by Mother’s Day. They will make a great gift! Please put May 17 on your calendar, as we will have a celebration that morning, as we will be finishing our 20th year at Grace of Christ. Without the support of the church, this group would not be around so thank you so much and hope you can join us that morning to celebrate!
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Ya k i m a G r a c e . c o m
Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church
Student Ministry — Thomas Sudbury
The Blast was a hit! Camp is Coming!
We had such a wonderful time at the Blast at Camp Ghormley! It was an opportunity for our high school students to connect to God on a deeper level, to connect with each other in a great way, and to meet new friends who will last a lifetime. Our role this year was to share in worship and it was an amazing opportunity to bring youth into communion with God. AND‌ WE HAD SNOW!
HIGH SCHOOL: July 7-13 WATER SKI CAMP (13+): July 21 - 25 MIDDLE SCHOOL (Mid High 2): July 28 - August 2 In the upcoming Months, we will be offering a fundraiser to help youth pay for camp! Stay tuned!
This Month
We are excited to go to camp this summer and are planning to get all of the kids from our church to attend camp during the same week (Middle School and High School respectively). It is important for us to be in community together whenever we can, so if at all possible, please have your children sign up for the following dates:
Yakima 2 Yetebon
The team has started meeting and we have a tentative date (first two weeks of April 2020) to start planning our trip to Yetebon, Ethiopia. Our church has always had a special connection with the people of Yetebon, and it is my pleasure to continue the legacy, offering an opportunity for our youth to serve with Project Mercy. In the book of Acts, we see Philip meet with an Ethiopian man while he is on the Desert road to Gaza. His encounter is eye opening, as he simply follows the lead of the Holy Spirit, which leads to this man accepting Christ and being baptized. I feel that we will, in a similar way, be given opportunities to share the good news with others. As the Ethiopian said, "How will I know unless someone explains it to me?" I pray we will have opportunities to explain scripture throughout this entire journey.
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Here are some of the events going on this month. For more information, check out the church website! You can download our calendar in the youth section! Here are the highlights: FAMILY NIGHT | MINUTE TO WIN IT | WED, MARCH 20 We will be having our next family event! This time we will be hosting a Minute to Win It night with some very special guests! You will have to show up to find out who! COFFEE HOUSE | KARPOS:LIVE! | FRIDAY, MARCH 22 We will be having our monthly Coffee House, Karpos:Live! Come check out some great coffee and good tunes! YOUTH GROUP | XTREME NIGHT! | WED, MARCH 27 We will have having an Xtreme Night! Youth get ready for some fast paced, high energy, most likely messy, fun and games!
Ya k i m a G r a c e . c o m
Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church
Children’s Ministry — Melissa Gray
VBS Kickoff March 24!
Come on by the Garden Room and grab some popcorn, pick up your Volunteer T-Shirt and sign up to join the VBS fun at ROAR June 24-28! Registration begins for children and volunteers.
March Memory Verse:
Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Psalm 100:2
March Lessons at a Glance... March 3: March 10: March 17: March 24: March 31:
God helps Daniel act wisely. God delights in His people. God hears Zechariah’s prayer. Jesus heals an official’s son. Jesus teaches us to live differently.
During the month of March, we will continue digging into discipleship and learning more about the heart of God and how he uses ordinary people just like us to teach us amazing things. Above is a snapshot of what we will be exploring this month! Come join the fun upstairs in KidZone! Grace Kids is a great place to make new friends, sing, play, and learn more about God through hands on activities and games. See you on Sunday morning at 9:00!
Palm Sunday
April 10 Palm Sunday Rehearsal
Please mark your calendars for this very important mandatory rehearsal for our Palm Sunday Performance in the Sanctuary. 6:00-6:30 for Soloists, 6:30-7:30 everyone. Pizza will be served!
April 14 Palm Sunday Grace Kids Sing
Grace Kids will be presenting “It’s All Because Of Jesus” at the end of the 9:00 Service.
Palm Sunday Kids rehearsals have begun in Grace Kids. We will have a short rehearsal time in class each Sunday morning through March, with a full mandatory rehearsal on Wednesday, April 10. Practice CD’s and lyrics are available now.
Minute to Win it March 20, 6:00-8:00pm
Grab your family and join us for a night off from cooking and a fun filled evening of games and prizes! Dinner begins at 6:00 in the gym, followed by fast-paced challenges and games. Will your family take home the grand prize? Come join the fun and find out!
Ash Wednesday
Has your family experienced our Ash Wednesday Service? This has always been a very special service for our family to participate in together. Soup will be served at 5:30 in the Garden room and is a wonderful time to fellowship together with our church family. Following dinner there will be a time of prayer at 6:00, and the service begins at 6:30. Childcare is available for young children. Wednesday, March 6.
SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR: Family Night
Grace Kids, grab your parents and join us for a fun family event on Thursday, March 7 along with our Grace of Christ Preschool. The preschool is hosting a Family Book Fair for ALL AGES from 5:307:00 with a DRESS AS YOUR FAVORITE BOOK CHARACTER night! I NEVER miss an opportunity for fun costumes, so of course I’m grabbing the family and heading to this fun event. There will be pizza, fun costumes, and LOTS of fun books to shop for. 11
Ya k i m a G r a c e . c o m
Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church
Grace of Christ Preschool — Alli Weide 509.248.7940, ext. 119 Alli@YakimaGrace.com www.yakimapreschool.com
CHAPEL
In our Jesus Storybook Bible, we read the story of the Ten Commandments and learned that, “No matter how hard they tried, they could never keep God’s rules all the time. God knew they couldn’t. And He wanted them to know it, too. Only one Person could keep all the rules. And many years later God would send Him – to stand in their place and be perfect for them. Because the rules couldn’t save them. Only God could save them.” We then skipped ahead to the New Testament where we learned about how God’s Great Rescue Plan was brought about through Jesus’ death and resurrection. “But it would be all right. It was God’s Plan. ‘It was for this reason that I was born into the world,’ Jesus said... Then Jesus shouted out in a loud voice, “It is finished!” And it was. He had done it. Jesus had rescued the whole world.”
March Memory Verse:
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4
CLASSROOMS
The first two weeks in March are all about books to go along with our Scholastic Book Fair! What are the different types of books? What are your favorite books? What can books teach you? Students will participate in a 10-day Read-a-Thon where they track how many hours they have spent reading (or looking at books) or being read to by parents, siblings, grandparents, teachers, etc. Prizes are awarded to the top readers in each class and the overall top reader for the school! The second half of the month we study part of God’s beautiful creation in Pond Life, Bugs, and Butterflies. Be On the Lookout! There might be a sneaky Leprechaun running around March 14 & 15! If we’re lucky, we’ll catch him... or at least find some of his (chocolate) gold coins! He’s pretty sneaky though and tends to send us on a wild goose chase while he makes a mess of our classrooms!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Our Scholastic Book Fair Runs March 1-8, including Sunday FAMILY NIGHT | BOOK FAIR | THURSDAY, MARCH 7 Please join us for our Book Fair Family Night on Thursday, March 7, 5:30-7pm. Dress like your favorite book character and enjoy pizza, story time with our teachers, prizes, a photo booth and more! RSVP to alli@yakimagrace.com
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR THE 2019-2020 SCHOOL YEAR!
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Ya k i m a G r a c e . c o m
Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church
Ghormley Meadow Christian Camp Murdock Grant Received
Last fall, we asked you to be praying for us as we submitted a grant proposal to the Murdock Foundation, based in Vancouver, WA. The grant proposal was aimed at helping Ghormley take crucial steps towards continued organizational and fundraising development. We received notice in midJanuary that we have been awarded a $30,000 grant! To our knowledge, this is the first outside grant of this size that Ghormley has ever received. This will allow us to supercharge our level of training and work with our consultant, Ron Frey, as well as allow us to develop key systems to support future donor and organizational growth. Praise God!
Registration for summer camp 2019 is now open! Don’t miss the opportunity to save money on your child’s camp registration by registering before April 19th. For more information, visit us at: www.ghormleymeadow.org/summercamp/
We’re hiring! We’ve begun our search for those who God is calling to serve at camp this summer. We have many needs, and a variety of types of positions remain available. If you’re thinking about joining our team, don’t delay, apply today! For more information on summer jobs, visit us at: https:// www.ghormleymeadow.org/get-involved/summer-staff/
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Attention all moms and their daughters! Registration is now open for our Mom and Daughter Retreat Weekend, the weekend of April 12-14! Plan to spend a weekend created just for moms and their daughters to have fun together, explore, play, laugh, and build life-long memories together, all in God's beautiful creation! There will be a speaker, worship time, crafts, games, good food, and lots of other fun activities designed for moms and daughters to connect and make memories! Don’t miss out on this amazing time. Register online now: https://www.ghormleymeadow.org/ family-events/mother-daughter-retreat-weekend/
Online Giving
2019 Camp Registration
Summer Staff Hiring
Mother Daughter Weekend
We’re excited to announce that online giving is now available through our website! Please visit our Donate page to see what giving opportunities we currently have, and how to get involved. http://www.ghormleymeadow.org/donate/
Prayer Needs
• Pray that God will continue to bless us with groups to fill our non-summer months, especially in the months of March and April this year. • Pray that relationships will be built, lives changed, and every person who comes to Ghormley Meadow will meet Jesus. • Ghormley has hired a fundraising consultant to help us built a future vision and development plan. Please pray for God's direction in this very important process! • Pray that God will lead us to the right staff members who He desires to serve at Ghormley this summer.
509.672.4311
facebook.com/ghormleymeadow
Ya k i m a G r a c e . c o m
Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church
Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church
Our Core Values
Glorifying God With Our Best Pioneering and Ongoing Outreach Engaging and Nurturing Relationships Being A Cornerstone in the Community Equipping People for Ministry Through Biblical Foundation and Service
9 South 8th Ave Yakima, WA 98902 (509) 248-7940
MARCH CALENDAR OF EVENTS Sat, February 23 30 Hour Famine/ Student Ministry
Sat Night Gym/Youth Rooms
6th-7th Grade
Sun, February 24 Deacon's Meeting
12:30pm Lounge
Deacons
Tue, February 26 Preschool Teacher Meeting
12:15pm KidZone Room
Staff
Tue, February 26 Session Dinner and Meeting
5:30pm Garden Rm/Adult Ed Rm Elders
MARCH Fri, March 1-7 Scholastic Book Fair Through Thur, March 7 (not Sat)
8:45am – 12:30pm Garden Room
Fri, March 1 MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers)
9:00am Chapel
Moms
Sun, March 3 Prayer Sunday
Tue, March 5 Hospitality Ministry Team Meeting
Wed, March 6 Ash Wednesday | Dinner & Service
5:30pm Garden Rm/Sanctuary Everyone
Thur, March 7 Adult Ed Committee Meeting
4:00pm Library
Committee
Thur, March 7 Scholastic Book Fair Family Night!
5:30pm Garden Room
Everyone
1:00pm Garden Room
Knitters
4:00pm Lounge
Committee
All Morning Sanctuary
Everyone
4:00pm Lounge
Sat, March 9 Prayer Shawl Ministry
Everyone Committee
Sun, March 10 Student Ministry Staff Meeting
Mon, March 11 Edith Ferry Circle Lunch & Meeting
Tue, March 12 Mission Ministry Team Meeting
4:00pm Adult Ed Rm
Committee
Tue, March 12 Prayer and Healing Gathering
6:30pm Chapel
Everyone
6:30pm Adult Ed Rm
Committee
12:00pm Fireside Room
Thur, March 14 Ghormley Commission
Women
Fri, March 15 MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers)
9:00am Chapel
Moms
Fri, March 22 Karpos: Live! Coffeehouse Music
6:00pm Garden Room
Everyone
1:00pm Garden Room
Knitters
Sat, March 23 Prayer Shawl Ministry
Sun, March 24 Deacon's Meeting
Sun, March 24 Trailseeker's Auction
2:00pm Gym
Tue, March 26 Session Dinner and Meeting
5:30pm Garden Rm/Adult Ed Rm Elders
Wed, March 27 Women's Spring Luncheon
12:30pm Lounge
March 29 - 31 Women's Spring Retreat / Leavenworth
Deacons Everyone
12:00pm Garden Room
Women
All Weekend Leavenworth
Women
Register for Retreat online YakimaGrace.com/Retreat
APRIL
April 1 - 5 No Preschool / Spring Break Sun, April 7 Communion Sunday
All Week All Morning Sanctuary
April 11-13 MOPS Antiquities Photo Shoot!
Sun, April 14 Palm Sunday
Sun, April 21 Easter Sunday
Preschool Everyone Everyone
Grace Alive is available in a PDF format on the church web page www.YakimaGrace.com. For inquiries, submissions, omissions, and corrections, contact Ericka in the church office 248-7940 x 100. ericka.clark@yakimagrace.com
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Ya k i m a G r a c e . c o m
Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church
Weekday Events MON TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) All Staff Check-In Meeting Overeater’s Anonymous Trailseekers Al-Anon Divorce Care
10:00am 10:00am 12:00pm 2:30pm 5:15pm 6:30pm
TUE
9:00-11:30am 9:45am 6:00-8:00pm 7:00-8:00pm
SOZO Prayer Women in the Word Bible Study Gracia de Cristo Music Rehearsal Gracia Men of Courage
Adult Ed Everyone Lounge All Staff Adult Ed Everyone Gym Trailseekers Adult Ed Everyone Lounge Everyone Prayer Room Fireside Room Sanctuary Sanctuary
SOZO Team Women Gracia de Cristo Music Team Men
WED Encounter: Youth Group *Dinner too! Gracia Women of Prayer
6:30-8:30pm 5:30pm
THUR Bible Study Fellowship Temple Choir SOZO Prayer
9:00am 7:00pm 5:45pm - 9:15pm
FRI MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) (Meets the 1st & 3rd Friday) SOZO Prayer
9:00-11:30am
Chapel Moms
9:00 - 11:30am
Prayer Room SOZO Team
SUN Grace Contemporary Worship Grace Traditional Worship (Led by Temple Choir) Gracia de Cristo (Worship in Spanish) Going Deeper: Hebrews Golden Circle Grace Kids Youth reFUEL
9:00am 11:00am
Sanctuary Everyone Sanctuary Everyone
1:00pm
Sanctuary Everyone
Gym 6th-12th grade Adult Ed Women Sanctuary Women Choir Room Temple Choir Prayer Rm Everyone
Sunday Services and Events
9:30am Adult Ed 10:15am Room 103 9:00 & 11:00am KidZone Wing 9:00am Youth Rm & Gym
Announcements COOKIES, CRACKERS & FRUIT
Thank you for bringing cookies, crackers, fruit, or quick breads for all to enjoy during our fellowship hour on Sunday. See dates you can contribute – last names beginning with…
Sunday,
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March March March March March
3 10 17 24 31
N - S T-Z A- F G-M N-S
Ya k i m a G r a c e . c o m
Adults Adults 3yrs-5th grade 6th-12th grade
GRACE OF CHRIST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 9 S 8TH AVENUE YAKIMA, WA 98902 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
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