What a week! After two years, it was amazing to have our GRACE Kids back rocking our Locust Street Campus all week at VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL- known to the kids this year as SPARK STUDIES. This morning, we finished up our last morning of an incredible week.
Our children came each morning to experience worship, Bible Study, as well as praying for and giving to God’s work in the world. A special thanks to the countless volunteers – both adults and students, the leadership team (Sue Dietrich, Linda Dyson, Linda O’Brien, Becky Richendollar, Vicki Severn, and Jocelyn Vlach) and to our amazing GRACE Kids leader, Ben Kraihanzel, along with all the staff who share a commitment to the vision of leading our children to find and follow Jesus Christ.
We want our kids to have “wow” experiences as they claim and grow in their faith. And this week there were plenty wows – at game time, in bible study, in worship and in arts. Ben, aka Dr. Spark really “lit up” worship – be sure to ask one of the kids, or Ben himself.
Sunday, at all the services, we will share the story of VBS and at the 11 am service, our VBS band and kids will lead our worship music. Parents be sure to have them wear those GRACE shirts. We also have a video to give you a sense of God’s work on our campus this week.
Also, on Sunday, we will celebrate our GRACE dads at all the services. There will be a photo booth for you to grab a picture with your dad, or with a group of friends.
I am excited to launch our summer series: Summer Stories this week. We will spend all Summer at the feet of Jesus listening to him tell his stories. Through the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), Jesus told 39 stories. Sunday, we will start with the story of “The Soils.” As we listen to his stories, Jesus is inviting us to a new way, a new life and most importantly to a life-changing relationship with Him.
It’s that time of year where I love seeing pictures on Instagram and Facebook of you and your families at the beach. The summer has a totally different pace and has all of us in and out of town. It would be a great help if you would please GIVE BEFORE YOU GO. Your giving and generosity are vital to the mission and ministry at Grace Church. In the summertime, our expenses and our programs don’t slow down, they increase. In spite of a volatile market, you continue to be faithful in your giving! It is a sign of your commitment to Jesus and the mission of GRACE, and also an act of trusting the One who gives us all good things. I am so grateful for your faithfulness in this strategic season. So, before you head out on vacation, please consider giving before you go. CLICK HERE to make a gift
Finally, I hope you are driving past Hecktown Road and marveling at the progress of our new building. You can see now clearly see the shape of the Sanctuary and the entire campus. Don’t forget you can watch a live camera of the progress. CLICK HERE to see —
See you Sunday. What a joy it is to be…
Your pastor,
Dr. Marnie Crumpler
Senior Pastor