Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church
Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church 9 South 8th Ave Yakima, WA 98902 (509) 248-7940
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
November Calendar of Events Sun, Nov 2 Prayer Sunday / Stewardship Sunday all morning Sun, Nov 2 Congregation Meeting to Elect Officers 10:35a Sun, Nov 2 KidZone Leader Meeting 11:00a Sun, Nov 2 Covenant Partners meet with Elders 12:30p Mon, Nov 3 Transformation Yakima Meeting 1:00p Mon, Nov 3 Living Waters Meeting 5:30p Mon, Nov 3 Fellowship Ministry Team 6:00p Tue, Nov 4 All Staff Birthday Lunch 12:00p Thu, Nov 6 Senior Adult Ministries Meeting 1:30p Thu, Nov 6 Women’s Ministry Meeting 4:30p Fri, Nov 7 MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) 9:30a Justice Project Open House 5 - 7p Fri, Nov 7 Fri, Nov 7 Craft Night 6:00p Sat, Nov 8 Ghormley Work Day (RSVP for lunch) 9:00a Sun, Nov 9 Pastor Jack’s Last Sunday “Listening To God” Sun, Nov 9 Congregation Meeting 10:35a Tue, Nov 11 Worship Ministry Team Meeting 5:30p Tue, Nov 11 Discipleship Ministry Team Meeting 6:00p Tue, Nov 11 Service Ministry Team Meeting 6:00p Tue, Nov 11 Business Ministry Team Meeting 7:00p Wed, Nov 12 Veteran’s Dinner & Program 6:00p Thu, Nov 13 Prayer Ministry Meeting 4:00p Sacred Messengers Meeting 7:00p Thu, Nov 13 Fri, Nov 14 MOPS Leadership Meeting 9:00a Sat, Nov 15 Deacon Training 9:00a Sat, Nov 15 National Day of Prayer Meeting 2:00p Sun, Nov 16 Salvation Army Angel Tree Kick Off Wed, Nov 19 Preschool Board Meeting 9:15a Wed, Nov 19 Mabel Swan Thanksgiving Dinner 12:00p Thu, Nov 20 Kaffee Klatsch / Lou Bartelli 1:30p Fri, Nov 21 MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) 9:30a Sat, Nov 22 Prayer Shawl Ministry 1:00p Cristo Vive Fall Baptism & New Member Class 2:00p Sat, Nov 22 Sun, Nov 23 Thanksgiving Worship - One Service Only 9:30a Sun, Nov 23 Kidzone 2nd Grade Bible Presentation 9:30a Shoeboxes Due for Operation Christmas Child 9:30a Sun, Nov 23 Sun, Nov 23 Farewell Celebration &Thanksgiving Meal 11:00a Cristo Vive Fall Baptism & New Member Class 2:00p Sun, Nov 23 Hymnfest hosted by American Guild of Organists 3:00p Sun, Nov 23 Tue, Nov 25 Preschool Thanksgiving Feasts Tue, Nov 25 Session Dinner and Meeting 6:00p Wed, Nov 26 Preschool Thanksgiving Feasts Wed, Nov 26 BSF Today 9:00a Wed, Nov 26 Mary MacLean Guild 12:00p Thu, Nov 27 Thanksgiving at Ghormley Thu, Nov 27 Thanksgiving Day / Church Closed all day Fri, Nov 28 Church Closed all day
Sanctuary/Prayer Rm Sanctuary Room 217 Mid High Rm Adult Ed Room Room 220 DF Lounge Parlor Adult Ed Room Parlor Gym Yakima Maker Space Adult Ed Room Ghormley
Everyone Everyone KZ Leaders New Partners Committee Committe Committee All Staff Committee Committee Moms Everyone Women Everyone
Sanctuary Everyone Room 203 Committee Room 218 Committee Adult Ed Room Committee Library Committee Garden Room Everyone Adult Ed Room Committee Library Committe DF Lounge Committee Adult Ed Room Committee DF Lounge Committee Everyone Adult Ed Room Committee Garden Room (Parlor) Garden Room Everyone Gym Moms Garden Room Knitters Chapel Everyone Sanctuary Everyone Sanctuary 2nd Graders Sanctuary Everyone Gym Everyone Chapel Everyone Sanctuary Everyone Preschool Families In Classrooms Garden Rm/Mid High Elders / Staff Preschool Families In Classrooms Sanctuary / Classrooms Women Offsite / Homes Women Camp Ghormley Everyone Entire Church Everyone Entire Church Everyone
Grace Alive is available in a PDF format on the church web page www.YakimaGrace.com. For inquiries, submissions, omissions, and corrections, contact Jana in the church office 248-7940 x 108. jana.alderman@yakimagrace.com 2
Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church
Weekday Events Monday TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) 10:00 am Overeaters Anonymous 12:00 / noon Trailseekers 2:30 pm Al-Anon 5:15 pm Divorce Care 5:30 pm
Adult Ed Adult Ed Gym Adult Ed Room 203
Everyone Everyone
Tuesday
Gym Parlor
Everyone Women
Wednesday Women of Action (2nd & 4th Weds) 9:30 am Men’s Noon Bible Study 12:00 / noon Contemporary Worship Rehearsal 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm Youth Group - Mid High & Senior High 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Chapel Adult Ed Sanctuary Youth & Mid High Rms
Women Men 6th-12th Grade
7:00 pm 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm 5:45 pm - 9:15 pm
Choir Rm Chapel Lounge, Prayer Rm
Cristo Vive SOZO Team
9:00 am - 11:30 am
Chapel, Prayer Rm
SOZO Team
Sanctuary Sanctuary Chapel Adult Ed Lounge Mid High & Youth Rm 2nd Floor Gym
Everyone Everyone Everyone Adults Adults 6th-12th Grade 3yrs-5th Grade Adults
Bible Study “Living a Spirit Led Life” Women in the Word Bible Study
Thursday Temple Choir Cristo Vive Music Rehearsal SOZO Prayer
Friday
SOZO Prayer
9:15 am 9:45 am
Everyone Everyone
Sunday Services and Events Worship - Led by Contemporary Worship Team 8:00 am & 9:30 am 11:00 am Worship - Led by Temple Choir & Organ Worship - Cristo Vive (Spanish) 12:15 pm 9:30 am Going Deeper 9:30 am Golden Circle 9:30 am Youth Sunday School 9:30 am KidZone THE STORY 9:30 am
Sermon Series The Story November 2 Ruth ………..………..… November 9 Saul………..………..……… November 16 Young David ……….. November 23 King David………..………
Ruth 4:1-10 “The Faith of a Foreign Woman”……..……..……..…….. 1 Samuel 3:1-10 “Listening to God” ……..……..……..……..……..……. 1 Samuel 16:1-13 “From Shepherd to King” ……..……..……..…….. 2 Samuel 12:1-13 “Trials and Tribulation” ……..……..……..……..……
Chapter 9: The Story Chapter 10: The Story Chapter 11: The Story Chapter 12: The Story
3
Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church
Announcements Veterans’ Dinner Scheduled for November 12th You still have time to sign up for the Veterans’ Dinner at the Connection Center. Reservations can be made through November 9, 2014. This year’s speaker is Command Sergeant Major Jonathan White who is in charge of the Yakima Firing Center. He will be speaking about the changes in military training since 9/11, a day we all remember. With so much unrest and distress not only in the Middle East but also in other parts of the world, this program will be of interest to each of us. We encourage you to show your support for all of those currently serving in the military as well as for our veterans by joining us for this special evening. Tickets for the event are $15 for non-veterans and $12 for veterans. It will begin at 6:00 p.m. in the Garden Room. Alice Villasenor will be catering the meal. We’re hoping that you will be able join us. Everyone is welcome whether you have been a part of the military or not.
Christmas Sneak Peek dates
Dec. 2 Decorate the Church Dec. 5 MOPS Christmas Tea Dec. 6 Ghormley Mountain Meadow Christmas Dec. 6 Santa Breakfast/Photos Dec. 7 Angel Tree Gifts Due Dec. 9 Preschool Christmas Program Dec. 13 Child-Sized Rehearsal 10:00am Dec. 14 Child-Sized Service Dec. 18 A Christmas Kaffee Klatsch Dec. 20 Cristo Vive Celebration Dec. 24 Family Christmas Eve Service 5 p.m. Dec. 24 71st Carols and Candles 9 p.m.
4
A Meal with Mabel Swan
We are going to bless our neighbors at Mabel Swan with a full Thanksgiving dinner on Wed, Nov 19 at noon. We need people to help with set up, clean up, serving and of course cooking food! Please sign up at the Connection Center and thank you!
One Service on November 23
On Sunday, Nov 23 our church family will come together in the Sanctuary for one service at 9:30 that will blend our traditional, contemporary & Latino worship styles, followed by family fellowship & a Thanksgiving meal in the gym. Details coming soon!
Peaceful Parenting
Peaceful Parenting will continue Wednesdays through November 12 from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm in the David Ferry Lounge. We offer childcare and a kids fun time that runs concurrent to class time.
Church Communication Needs?
For all your church communication needs please email PRTEAM@yakimagrace.com or call the office 248-7940.
Cookies & Cans
Every Sunday morning we serve cookies, coffee and punch during fellowship hours after each service in the Garden Room. Our church family provides the cookies each week. Please bring cookies on the week beginning with the first letter of your last name. Also consider bringing a donation of non-perishable food items for donation to Calvary Rescue Mission.
ovember 2 N November 9 November 16 November 23 November 30
N-S T-Z A-F G-M N-S
Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church
Senior Pastor — Pastor Jack Peebles Dear Church Family, This is my last note to you, and I am filled with mixed emotions. Early in my time here, we resurrected the old “Tower Talk” and rebranded it “Here@First” before finally settling on the current incarnation of “Grace Alive” at the time of our denominational change. I brought the newsletter back because I wanted to improve communication between the leadership of the church and the membership. This was a way for us to share with you what the Session and staff were working on and how God was moving in the midst of the congregation. At the very least, it created a venue through which I could share my heart- which is what I want to do in this final letter. Thank you for seven wonderful years. Margaret and I heard in accepting the call to First Presbyterian Yakima seven years ago that this would be a season of growth for us and for you. While we anticipated the growth would eventually be in our numbers, there were challenges to be tackled first! The health of the church needed to be addressed, and we started with the leadership culture because the congregation will always be a reflection of her leadership. With the help of TAG Consulting, a common mission needed to be uncovered so that the congregation could have a compass bearing. We went through some staff and denominational changes in the midst of those conversations. Before we could begin to grow numerically, God had in mind that we all needed to grow spiritually. He wanted us to be faithful. He wanted us to respond to His grace. He wanted us to go deeper in our walk with Him and our relationships with one another, learning to listen to His voice in our daily living while responding to that voice through our actions. This year, especially, has seen a significant increase in our worship attendance and congregational participation. That didn’t happen by accident. The journey to get to this year has been long and challenging. Thanks be to God for how He has worked in and through the people of Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church! Thanks be to God for how he has refined and
shaped me! Thanks be to God for how He will continue to bestow His grace in all of our lives! The Session has set my last day as November 9th, graciously affording me the opportunity to take some time off. Session is also planning a farewell celebration – thanksgiving meal on November 23 at 11:00 following the combined 9:30 worship service (worship will be led by both our contemporary and traditional worship teams – no services at 8:00 or 11:00). I hope you will be able to attend. Session will have many decisions to make over the next months, and I encourage you to keep them in your prayers. I would also encourage you to hold them accountable. We have worked hard to earn your trust by being more transparent over the last several years. Make sure they build on the foundation that has been set. Make sure they remain faithful to God as they lead. I know they will! As for the Peebles family, the congregation to which we will be moving is the First Presbyterian Church of Orlando, Florida. FPCO is a 4,000+ member congregation, and I have accepted the call to become their Associate Pastor of Discipleship, beginning February 1st. While there are many aspects of this new call that are exciting, we are thrilled to be moving closer to family on the Gulf Coast. My prayers are with you as you enter into this season of transition. Whether someone steps into the church building for the first time or someone else encounters covenant partners of the church in the local supermarket or their place of employment, I pray that God’s presence and power would be evident to all through the people of Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church. In closing, I offer to you the benediction I gave in worship from time to time, taken from Numbers 6:24-26: May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make His face shine and be gracious to you; may the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you His peace- both now and forever. Amen! Living and loving for Him, – Pastor Jack Peebles 5
Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church
Associate Pastor — Pastor Cindy Carter Trusting God through Transition We serve a God who sends – He sent Abraham to a new land. He sent Jesus to earth for us. And God sends us to share the Good News of Jesus’ love to people near and far. Nearly seven years ago, God sent Pastor Jack and Margaret, Annabelle and David Peebles to First Presbyterian Church in Yakima, and we have grown deeply through their ministry and friendship. Now God is sending the Peebles to a new congregation, and they are stepping out in faith and obedience. We pray God’s best for them, and we will greatly miss them. God’s sending involves change and transition, both for the Peebles and for us at Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church. What makes transitions so challenging? Change often involves grief and loss. There’s the fear of the unknown, and wondering how the changes will impact what we value. One key to successfully navigating transition is to understand and embrace our values, and hang onto them through the change. Pastor Jack has helped to lay a solid foundation in our leadership here, who, with the Lord’s help, will help us make a smooth transition. How do we trust God through transition? We trust God by focusing on God’s faithfulness throughout history, and to us. Studying God’s Story this year becomes increasingly meaningful. God’s purposes of loving and rescuing people continue on today. Life doesn’t always look like what we expect, nor do we always like God’s timing, but God is faithful and He accomplishes His purposes. Remember Abraham and Sarah – God promised their offspring would be as numerous as the stars, but 6
then waited for 23 years to give them a son. Yet God’s people grew and flourished! God doesn’t just work through the circumstances – he plans them. Remember Joseph, whose jealous brothers sold him into slavery. Yet it was all part of God’s plan to preserve His people from the famine. In Genesis 50:20, Joseph tells his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” God is with us – he comes into the mess of life with us. He wants us to trust Him and His immense love for us. God never promised life would be easy. John 16:33 says, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” But God does promise to be with us. “And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) God also promises to bring good out of hard things. Romans 8:28 reminds us, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Change may be hard, but God will bring good out of it. Finally, remember how God has been faithful to Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church throughout our history. Paul’s words to the church in Philippi are true for us today. God is not finished with us yet. As we seek to make disciples who love and serve our neighbors, we will continue to ask God, “What are you saying to us?” and “What do you want us to do?” Then with God’s help we will go where God is sending us into our everyday lives to make a difference for Jesus. Serving the Lord together with you, Pastor Cindy Carter
Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church
CareNet Service Ministry Ministry Many years ago Care Net was designed as part of our ministry to reach out and inquire into the needs of the members of the church by providing compassionate, regular pastoral-type calls. At our most recent Care Net meeting, we discussed how times and needs are changing. Currently, every three months our Care Net callers are given a list of church attendees to contact. Due to the size of our church and the size of the Care Net team, you are probably getting a call about once a year. Because everyone has busy schedules, you may find that the call happened when you weren’t available and that the Care Net caller, who also has a busy schedule, left a voice message for you. Since Care Net was established, other ways of contacting you, such as Grace Alive, messages on the large screens at the front of the church and weekly emails, have evolved. These have become helpful for keeping our church family involved and informed. Through our calls, we are finding that some of you are already very well connected and that our Care Net calls are an overlap with other contacts. As a sharp contrast, we sometimes find our calls have come at just the right time and the recipient is thrilled to have a ‘real voice’ church contact. In an effort to reconcile those polar situations, we are
Living a Spirit Led Life Bible Study is up and running again this fall with a new addition--men! We have a discussion table for men only, table #12 (better known as the 12th man table). So any of you men who have been interested in joining us down in the gym on Tuesday mornings, now is your chance. This fall we are doing the study, Welcome to The Father’s House, Bringing the Lord’s Prayer to Life through Story & Study. When Jesus taught His disciples to pray in what we now refer to as the Lord’s Prayer, He wasn’t just teaching them words. He was teaching them the priorities of heaven. He was inviting them to join Him in bringing heaven to earth. Learning to hear and discern God’s voice is an integral part of this study. Each week after the teaching, we do a follow-up listening prayer exercise to immediately apply the teaching to our lives. We learn to listen to God speak to us and then meet in small groups to help corporately discern if what we are hearing is from God.
looking at ways to try to make sure that attendees who want calls continue to get them without duplicating efforts for those who don’t need them. Once we get those folks who truly want continued calls identified, we’re hoping to make more frequent contacts (2-3 times a year, or more frequently if requested). We also hope to assign the same Care Net caller to you so you establish a connection with this person. Currently, it’s highly likely that you get a call from someone you don’t know. We’d like to make these contacts more personalized so this ministry is truly helpful. When you receive your next Care Net call, please feel comfortable telling your caller that you enjoy receiving the calls or that you no longer feel a need for them. If you tell your caller that you do not need the contact, please understand that you will not be hurting their feelings nor will they think that you have wandered from the path. We fully understand that family time is precious and that an unexpected call can be viewed as distracting rather than helpful. Also, please be aware that you will not have your name removed from any other list involved with church activities if you opt out of receiving Care Net calls. We are simply trying to revamp this particular ministry to make it more effective. Thank you, in advance, for your helpful candor.
As we learn to hear God’s voice, we know Him more fully and as a result, trust that we can be honest and open with Him. Along with the Bible study’s weekly teaching and daily homework, we offer a website, www.livingaspiritledlife. com, with a Word of the Day followed by a listening prayer question. Teaching and prayer exercises can also be found here, giving more opportunities to practice hearing from God. You are welcome to join us any Tuesday and to bring a friend or two. We meet in the gym with coffee and conversation at 9:00 AM, and teaching by Kathy Bricel and Kathy Myers begins at 9:15. Discussion group follow-up goes until 11:30 AM. When we gather together there is a great anticipation of God’s presence in our midst. If you are wondering, “What does it mean to live a Spirit led life?” come join us on Tuesday mornings. Questions? Call Nancy Gustafson (966-9611).
7
Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church
Ghormley Service Ministry Meadow Christian Camp
STORIES AROUND THE CAMPFIRE By Linda Burnam
My first trip to Camp Ghormley was at the ripe old age of nine. I had just gotten the cast off my leg after having broken it six weeks earlier. My unchurched family lived across the street from one of the church’s manses. The Rev. Bill Rasco and his family lived there at the time and their middle daughter (Gail) invited me to go to camp with her. My mother’s greatest fear was that I would re-break my leg. We all gathered at the church with our baggage and sleeping bags. All the baggage was loaded at the front of the large cattle truck (probably the same truck Anne Crose Schilperoort rode up in) and then we were loaded in. I believe Carroll Hull was the one who transported us to Ghormley. We sang “We Are Those Presbyterian Kids” and “Rabbit Ain’t Got No Tail T’all” at the top of our lungs. Now my love affair with Ghormley had begun. I thrived on the love given to me by my counselors and the girls in my cabins. The fresh crispness of the morning air was a new experience that I cherish to this day. The swimming pool got its water from a warming pool, so the pool water was green and you could not see the bottom. It was cold, so I didn’t stay in long. The cabins had windows with hinges on them and we hung our swimming towels on them. It was cold in the mornings and the girls’ bathhouse had outdoor sinks with cold water only, and if you got there too late, you had to use them instead of an inside sink with warm water. The bathhouse toilets were a novelty because when you pulled a chain, the water flowed the whole length down a metal trough that washed (you know what) away. I have no idea where it went from there. The boys’ and the girls’ areas were separated and you dared not go over into the boys area or you would get in trouble. I did once at night when it was dark, and luckily, I didn’t get caught. We would go up to Vesper Hill in the evenings for talks and it was like you were on hallowed ground. We were to bring something nice (for girls, it was a dress) to wear on Sunday morning because we had a church service at Chapel Rock. Someone brought an old portable organ and we sang songs. I have too many memories to name them all. I was thirteen when I gave my heart to Jesus. 8
Now I was a young mother with children of my own and a must was for them, and much later my grandson, to go to Ghormley like I did. A number of years would go by before I would return to my beloved Camp; this time as a counselor for Junior Camp. The next assignment the Lord gave me was to dean the Outreach Camp. It was for girls only, and we had as many as 200 girls attend. During the time new buildings were being built, my dear Rex and Fred Johnson became as close as brothers. I call it the building era; almost every weekend we would drive up to camp so Rex could help with the building and I helped in the kitchen. I have slept in every cabin there but one. We even got to stay in the Ghormley Cabin. It was built for the Ghormley family so they could come and stay anytime they wanted. After seven years of volunteering, Rex became the interim director for a year until the new director came. It was a busy but fun experience. The winters were so beautiful; what a wonderful gift God had given us. During the summer, some of the staff would come down to our house to relax and be silly. I like to believe I am the oldest counselor, at the age of 70, to have a cabin full of grade school girls. I had a hard time keeping up with them, so I decided that would be my last. I still cherish the time I spent at Camp Ghormley.
Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church
Ghormley Meadow Christian Camp
LOOKING FOR A WAY TO SERVE GHORMLEY?
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THESE UPCOMING EVENTS!
Please thoughtfully consider how you might partner with Ghormley. Here are some ideas:
High School Event – The Blast
Prayer
The Blast is for students in 9th12th grade, over the weekend of November 21-23.
• Pray that Camp Ghormley will finish the year financially strong. • Pray for upcoming fall and winter events – that relationships would be built and lives changed.
Volunteer – Contact Joe Buckley, 961-042 (cell) 697-8729 (home), jcbuckley2@fairpoint.net • Ghormley Work Days are scheduled for the 2nd Saturday of each month to provide maintenance of facilities and grounds. • Adopt-A-Cabin / Adopt-A-Flower Bed
Check out the Ghormley website for more information. Don’t miss this great opportunity to catch up with old friends, play your favorite Ghormley games, and further connect with Christ!
Thanksgiving Dinner – November 27
Cabin Spotlight – Girls’ Bathhouse
Make plans for your family to join us on Thursday, November 27th, for our Thanksgiving Day meal and festivities! We’ll provide a full-service meal with all the trimmings that allows you to spend time with the ones you love the most -- without the cleanup! In addition to that, enjoy games, beautiful scenery, and perhaps even a game of flag football! For more information, or to register, please visit our website, http://www. ghormleymeadow.org/.
Here are some of the needs at the Girls’ Bathhouse. Contact Joe Buckley if you can help.
Mountain Meadow Christmas – December 6
• Host guest groups • Help with activities and events that will be part of the Year of Ghormley
Financially
support Camp Ghormley through operating funds, camp scholarships, memorials, etc.
• New mirrors • New countertop • Light covers
• Interior paint • Roof repair
Make plans to join us on Saturday, December 6, for Mt. Meadow Christmas! Here are some of the things that will be happening:
• Trek for Tree • Scavenger Hunt Sledding (if snow) • Cookie Decorating • Gingerbread House Contest • Hay Rides • Zipline
• Sundeck • Family Games in Evergreen • Gingerbread Contest/ Cookie Contest Winners • Christmas Reading • Movie and Popcorn • Board Games
For those who want to stay overnight, a light breakfast will be served Sunday morning before departure. Look for more details and registration on our website and on Facebook in the upcoming weeks!
The cost will be $25 for adults, $15 for kids 9
Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church
Student Ministries — Jeff Murray
What a awesome fall so far. Our group had a great time at the middle school retreat. I’m so thankful to Ghormley for setting us up for a powerful time of ministry. Great things ahead! Most important the first week of this month we are hosting an open house at the Yakima Maker Space. The event is also a change drive. If you’re like me you have a coffee can full of old pennies in your hall closet. Wanna get rid of it and help someone in need? I want to encourage you to drop by this event and check out what we’re doing, if you’ve got spare coins you can dump them into our coin sorter and put it toward The Justice Project. This can be a great way for those of you with kids & grandkids to teach them that a little bit can go a long way. A can full of pennies means a lot when it can help give a child freedom from slavery. Read more about it at IJM.org. Peace to you! Jeff
10
Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church
Cristo Vive Fellowship — Pastor Gustavo Carvajal
NEW ROOF JOY Praise God for a successful installation of the Camarena’s roof. We were surprised by having to go on the steepest sides to bare wood, which meant removing all previous layers of roofing down to the original shingles. This task obviously took us more time, money and materials than expected, but we worked as a team with volunteers from our congregation including Rodney, Carmelo, Gustavo and the great commitment of the Camarena family. What a joy to work with them and bless them with a much needed repair. So, Grace of Christ Family, your support to our ministry is making a difference in the lives of our congregants and in our community. In case you’re curious, check their home out @ 608 South 7th Ave, 2 blocks south of Davis High school.
FUND RAISER DINNER SUNDAY DECEMBER 7
CLOTHING EXCHANGE This fall, we can gladly say that the Clothing Exchange was a Great Success! Many families from around the Yakima Valley came in to give and to receive the blessings of our Lord. Clothes, shoes, toys, and many other items were donated in abundance by kind hearts to show kindness to our brothers and sisters in need. This year, we had lots of volunteers and donators, one of them was a women named Ashley. “I like coming to the Clothing Exchange as a shopper, but this time I was focused on giving,” said Ashley. “My mother always taught me to help others and look for opportunities to serve, so this year I decided to do just that.” Ashley kindly brought cookies and donuts to complement the coffee table, and donated a couple items to give to others in need. She was a great part in helping this clothing exchange become successful. In addition, after the event, all the rest of the items were donated to the Yakima Union Gospel Mission.
Unbelievable, but yes, December is around the corner. So, please mark your calendar at 5pm on the first Sunday of December and come to our evening of celebration, yummy food and fellowship. Blessings, Gustavo
11
Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church
Family Ministry
I’M EXCITED TO SHARE WITH YOU HOW GOD HAS BEEN WORKING IN OUR PARENTING CLASSES It all began in 2010 when I met Laurie Kanyer who for years previous had been using the mid-high room each week to teach groups of mostly at risk teen moms how to successfully nurture and take care of their babies. As Laurie and I visited about the incredible gift of parenthood, we recognized the tremendous need for more parenting classes in the Yakima Valley. Thus parenting classes at First Presbyterian church began in the fall of 2011. Since the inception of the program, the desire for this parenting ministry has always been to provide a warm, loving and non-threatening environment for families from all walks of life across the valley to come in and learn how to be better parents. What we have seen during this journey of parenting classes is amazing. To date we have had 535 adults who have gone through training and lots and lots of kids who have been blessed by the children’s staff and volunteers having fun and learning about the Love of God. God has brought a variety of people with various needs into our church. Our instructors Laurie Kanyer, Robin Perches and currently Mary Pleger, are all certified parenting educators making the teachings court approved for those needing parenting classes to fulfill responsibility for the court system. We also offer the class with simultaneous Spanish translation to those who need it. We’ve heard testimony from our Hispanic families that they want to learn a different style of parenting than what they’ve learned from their parents. The number of Spanish speaking families who attend is growing each semester. The relational component of this class is off the charts. For each table of people in class, there is a table mentor. The job of the table mentor is to help encourage conversation,
12
build relationships and lift each other up in prayer. This has been life changing for both mentors and students. It has been amazing to watch friendships made both inside and outside of class. In class reviews, this has consistently been mentioned as one of their favorite parts of class. For some, just walking through the doors of a church is scary or wondering if they will be judged or looked down on by others. All of these apprehensions are put to rest right away. Thanks to the table mentors and greeters who make them feel right at home. Class participants have mentioned feeling accepted and cared for while they are here. The kids love class time and have fun interacting with the other kids. Many families have joined our church family for Sunday services, Bible studies and for outside family events. At the conclusion of class, participants are given adult Bibles and Jesus story book Bibles for their kids. It’s really encouraging to see the excitement on the faces of the ones who have just received their very first Bible. The Bibles are generously donated by a family in our congregation. This class not only provides a 1½ hour training for moms, dad, grandmas, grandpas, foster families and other care takers, but an exceptional childcare and children’s program affording the parents the ability to come and drop their kids off in a safe and fun environment while attending class, all for free. I encourage you to come and check out for yourself what God is doing here in parenting class on Wednesday nights. Parenting class meets Wednesday nights at 6 pm in the David Ferry Lounge. Come and be encouraged and blessed. — Shan Trick Family Ministries Coordinator
Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church
Senior Ministry
Kaffee Klatsch Come join us to discover “The History of Radio in the Yakima Valley.” Lou Bartelli, of Cherry FM radio, will be our guest speaker for the November 20, 2014 Kaffee Klatsch in the Garden Room at 2:00 p.m. Lou has been a radio announcer for over forty years. Even when he was a teen, he knew that was exactly what he wanted to do. He would rush home from school, head to a quiet spot, grab a prop as a microphone, and address the audience he envisioned. You’ll learn that in l974 he traded his imaginary audience for a real one and that he has been keeping his listeners entertained and informed ever since that time starting a KIT and the moving to KMWX/KFFM. Today, his voice greets many of us as we grab our first cup of coffee struggling to consciousness. By that time, he’s already been up and sharing news and music for several hours. Those of you who know him have seen him under tarps during unpleasant weather sharing updates of special events. He has camped out in unlikely spots around town bringing us ‘on the scene’ coverage of unique happenings. While most of us would fold and head homeward under these conditions, there’s Lou with a big smile and a wave for all of his fans as the wind rips around a flimsy stall or as the temperature plunges to a temperature thrilling to a popsicle. He claims he loves every minute of it.
Lou has a wealth of experiences to share with us. After his presentation, you’ll have a whole new appreciation for the world of radio. Even in this age of technology where people are tweeting, posting, texting, and whatever-ing with a gadget in their hands, radio is still at the top of the list for helping us connect with the world. All we have to do is hit an ‘on’ button and Lou brings it right into our homes. What a blessing for the technologically inept! Thank you, Lou! Please come join us for this enlightening presentation. Of course we’ll have coffee and munchies. Lou will be happy to answer your questions as we visit informally afterwards. Please sign up at the Connection Center to give us an idea of how many chairs we’ll need. See you there!
13
Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church
Children’s Ministry — Susie Woodin
W
WELCOME TO THE WORLD’S MOST CONFUSING HOLIDAY... CHRISTMAS!
here did the name Christmas come from? And what do hanging stockings and waiting for Santa Claus have to do with Jesus’ birthday? More than you think!
Christmas traditions. You know the Christmas story - but do you know the story of Christmas?
This year during Advent we are hosting the Christmas party of the season in KidZone! Buck Denver and the “What’s in the Bible Gang” invite you all to KidZone as we answer the question…Why Do We Call It Christmas? We are going to have tons of fun as we explore our most popular Christmas traditions (stockings, Santa and more!) to the birth of Jesus. The Real Story Behind The Holiday unwraps the real meaning behind our favorite
• Why does Christmas sometimes seem like two different holidays? • Where do we get the word Christmas? • Who is St. Nicholas and why was he important? • Why do we celebrate Christmas on December 25?
Why Do We Call It Christmas? The Real Story Behind the Holiday contains these topics:
KIDZONE KIDS HAVE STORIES TOO!
W
e LOVE the kids who attend KidZone, and we are very blessed by each and every one of them. It’s amazing to see and hear about all they do for others, and it is an honor to watch them become living and breathing examples of God’s love. That’s why we feel it’s important to share some of the wonderful things our kids are doing to make a difference in the lives of other’s. Each month we would like to highlight some of the special things that our kids are doing in their family, church, school, and community. If you have or know of a child who has a special story of blessing someone, please email Susie@YakimaGrace.com and we will share their story. This month I’d like to introduce Emma Gruenberg . Her parents are Jeff and Becky Gruenberg, (Becky our Barista at the Higher Grounds coffee stand!). Emma is a 5th grader at Moxee Elementary school, is a graduate of Grace of Christ Preschool (formerly First Pres. Preschool) and she attends KidZone regularly. Her hobbies are softball, basketball, piano, and hip-hop. Her favorite scripture is John 14:6; Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Her favorite Bible story is how God made Adam and Eve.
14
Emma recently participated in the Little Miss East Valley/Little Miss Glitter Pageant. This pageant was a community service project of a senior girl at East Valley High School. The purpose of the project was to teach girls the concept of teamwork, help them step out of their comfort zone, make new friends, represent their community in a positive manner, and be a mentor to other girls their age. The pageant was open to K-5th grade students from Terrace Heights Elementary, Moxee Elementary, and East Valley Elementary. The proceeds from registration fees and ticket sales went to the Children’s Hospital Foundation. There were stringent guidelines for participation and Emma met each one beautifully, and went on to win the crown as Little Miss Glitter. She had the privilege of helping this project earn nearly $2300 and was blessed to present the check in person at Children’s Hospital in Seattle, along with the pageant coordinator. Emma participated in this pageant not for the prize or crown – but to help raise money for kids with cancer. She is a great example of what it means to serve others. She is a special girl and is a blessing to us all. Congratulations Emma! Thank you for “shining” the love of Jesus in such a beautiful, glittery way!
Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church
SUBSCRIBE TODAY Online Guided Journey November 3-30
ignitinghope.com/feasting-on-the-spirit
As the Women’s Ministry team is still in the process of preparing for Wendy Backlund, guest speaker at our Spring Women’s Event March 20 and 21, Wendy invites men and women to begin preparing ourselves this November for something more than Turkey dinner with all the trimmings. She has called us to Feast on the Spirit.
15
GRACE OF CHRIST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 9 S 8TH AVENUE YAKIMA, WA 98902
NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID YAKIMA, WA PERMIT NO 59
www.ignitinghope.com/feasting-on-the-spirit