This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday. Often called the “birthday of the church”, Pentecost is the Sunday when Christians celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit and the beginning of the church’s mission to the world. Traditionally, Christians wear red on Pentecost. So, on Sunday, I invite you to join me in wearing red. The Holy Spirit certainly is at work at GRACE Church.
On Sunday, I will wrap up our ALIVE series. Jesus’ last appearance ALIVE on Earth before he ascended to be with the Father, was on a mountain. He gave the disciples a reminder of who they were. And he reminded them what they were supposed to be doing. After these final words, he disappeared. The disciples were just staring up in the sky when 2 angels appeared. They said, “What are you waiting for?” That’s a great question for us today. What are we waiting for? Sunday, I will pose that question to you and to our church.
SUNDAY MORNING UPDATES
I am so very grateful for our COVID team who has helped us, since last March, faithfully navigate our continued ministry through the pandemic. I am also so very thankful that we are able to move forward, with their guidance to RE-LAUNCH many of our favorite Sunday morning experiences.
Beginning June 6th
1) In-Person Worship Registration is no longer required.
2) Sunday morning Fellowship is back!
Between the worship services, we will take our fellowship outside to the area adjacent to the auditorium entrance. There will be coffee, water, and pre-packaged snacks. Masks will not be required. The “Outdoor Lobby” for Fellowship will be “open” 9:20-9:50 am and 10:35-11:05 am
3) GRACE Kids is back.
At all services, our GRACE Kids program will be ready for you. Kids (Infant- Pre-K) can check in and head to their classrooms before service. Kids (K – 5th grade) can check in before service but then start the service with your parents. You will be invited to head to your program before the sermon. We ask kids over 2 to continue wearing masks inside.
I’m excited to announce that we have a brand-new GRACE Kids Director, Ben Kraihanzel. Ben is a Bethlehem native and has life-long connections to our congregation. I’ll share more about Ben and some other personnel updates next week.
On June 13th, we will re-launch our Sunday morning Young Adult Bible Study. More details to follow.
Thank you for your patience and your faithfulness through these last months. And thank you for your continued patience as we move towards a more normal Sunday morning experience. These are great steps forward and more are coming.
I can’t wait for us to be able to reconnect in all these wonderful ways. Healthy churches grow deep and wide. Deep – through growing relationships with Jesus & with one another AND Wide – through new people becoming a part of our GRACE Community. Let’s keep growing in the GRACE of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
It is a true privilege to be…
Your pastor and friend,
Dr. Marnie Crumpler
Senior Pastor