GRACE This Week

Prayer Service for Ukraine and World Leaders

Friends, all of our hearts have been heavy as we all watch the headlines and the cries for mercy in Ukraine. One Christian leader in Kyiv said they were claiming this verse in the Psalms… “Praise be to the Lord, for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in a city under siege” Psalm 31:21 This is such an important moment to turn to God and intercede – praying for mercy and help and peace.

We will gather tomorrow, Saturday, February 26^th at 10 am in the Locust Street Sanctuary for a time of prayer for our world, its leaders, and for Ukraine.

I hope many of you will be able to gather and pray at this serious moment.

Update from our Building Committee

This has been an eventful week in our new church construction. Here’s an update from our Building Committee Co-chairs: Steve Follett and Gary Etter

Construction of our new church building is proceeding and is still on schedule for completion in the first quarter of 2023. Despite the cold and wet weather which has caused some delays and excavating complications, earthwork and installation of utilities is continuing, and the contractor is working on the building foundation (pictured above). There have been some expected change orders due to sinkholes and rock excavation, but we allocated contingency dollars in our budget for these types of costs. The schedule indicates that steel will begin to be erected sometime in March or early April. Another update will be given at the congregational meeting on March 6. Please pray for good weather and good decision-making as construction proceeds!

When I saw the picture of the foundation going in, I immediately thought of Paul’s words to the Corinthian church: “For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” May many come to put their trust in Jesus for generations to come in that building that is starting to take shape on Hecktown Road.

This Sunday

On Sunday, I’ll wrap up “The Good Fight” series with Play Offense. As I’ve studied and prayed this week, I have learned so much. The last piece of the armor, the Sword of the Spirit, is an offensive weapon but it also is used for defense. Sunday, we will see how Jesus, himself, used the sword of the spirit, the Word of God.

Over the last few weeks, I have been so happy to see the connections and hear the buzz during our fellowship time. It has been powerful to be able to spend time connecting between services over coffee. We have literally years’ worth of not connecting to overcome. I’ll hope you will stop for coffee Sunday between services. I also want to invite you to consider another way to connect.

6-week small groups begin next week

Beginning next week, we will launch a new sermon series called Questions Jesus Asked. Over the six weeks of the series, you can be a part of a small group that will discuss the Sunday message and connect with other GRACE people by studying the question Jesus asked. We will have Zoom groups on Sunday night, and in-person groups on Monday.

You can GET MORE INFORMATION AND SIGN-UP HERE.

Student Ministry and Jodi Wycherley

Finally, be in prayer for our High School students who leave for their Winter Retreat today. This is a significant time of connection for them – that they have missed during the pandemic months. It is also significant for them and for us as a church because it will be the last retreat that Jodi Wycherley will be leading on staff. After over 15 years leading in our student ministry, Jodi is taking a new position at the YWCA. Jodi grew up at our church and got her call to ministry by doing it –as an intern over summers, and then several years as a youth ministry associate. After a brief time serving another church, she came back to serve 15 years in our high school and middle school ministries. If you know Jodi, you know her tremendous heart for our students – she has devoted these years guiding students to grow in their relationship with the Lord and serve out of their relationship with the Lord. I am so grateful for the impact she has had on so many students over so many years. And I am thankful that we don’t have to say goodbye because Jodi and her family are not moving away. They will continue to be a part of our GRACE family and our mission. We will celebrate her ministry later this month on Sunday, March 13^th at 5 pm at the Locust Street Campus. All are welcome to join the celebration.

I can’t wait for Sunday and all God has in store as we worship, as we open up his Word and as we connect with each other – brothers and sisters in Christ.

Your Pastor,