In This Issue
WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY
NEW EMAIL ADDRESS?
KNOW A GRAD? SEE TJ
GROWING CHRISTIANS
DEVON MCDONALD AT GRACE
JAYNA AND STEVE AT UM MEN
ROCKIN WITH MOM
GRACE SHIRTS AVAILABLE
NEW CHILDRENS ENSEMBLE
VBS - COMING IN JUNE
ANOTHER BATHROOM REMODEL
HELP THE SICK IN AFRICA
HELP NEEDED
Join Our Mailing List!
Quick Links
 
Bishop Mike's E-pistle
Join Our Mailing List!
A SIGN OF THE TIMES
Dear Friends,
Grace Church lights up the night - and the daytime too. The new LED message center has been installed in the brick framework of the old sign. With the new message center we'll be able to communicate with those passing by the church and let them know what's going on at Grace. This eye-catching communications tool will help us let Kokomo know that Grace Church is alive and ministering to the community in many ways.

With a grant from Igniting Ministry, the welcoming ministry of the United Methodist Church, we were able to purchase the LED sign at a reduced cost. With their help we'll be able to promote the theme of "Open Hearts, Open Minds and Open Doors."

New LED Message Center

In the photo above the LED message center is advertising the Caedmon's Call Concert. And speaking of the concert.....it's not too late to purchase tickets. You can get them at the office tomorrow (Friday) by noon or pick them up at the door. The cost is $12.00 each. See you there!
WORSHIP
 
8:15 Worship in the Chapel with Holy Communion
 
9:25 a.m. Service in the Sanctuary

Anthem:  "Joyous Spirit" by the Morrison Advanced Youth Handbell

Special Music: "When He Was on the Cross, I Was on His Mind" by the Gospelaires

Mark 9:14-29

Sermon "You Asked For It...What Should I Do If My Adult Children Make Decisions That Could Ruin Their Lives?"  Pastor Stephen Beutler
(The current Sermon Series features our Pastors responding to our questions and suggestions)
NEW EMAIL ADDRESS?
If you have a new email address, please let us know. We'll update your account and make sure that you are current and continue to receive the Grace UMC email newsletter without interruption. Thanks!
KNOW OF A GRACE HIGH SCHOOL OR COLLEGE GRADUATE? TELL TJ
Please let TJ know A.S.A.P. if you are aware of a high school or college graduate from Grace Church.
GROWING CHRISTIANS LEARN TO WALK LIKE JESUS
Walk Like JesusBeginning Sunday, April 27, Growing Christians will begin a new series led by a popular Bible teacher, Ray Vander Laan.

In the series "Walk As Jesus Walked", the class will discover the passion of our early Christian brothers and sisters - a consuming desire to be like the Rabbi, every day.

Topics will include: The Passion of Elijah, Learning to Walk like Jesus, An Unlikely Disciple, Why Christians Suffer, and Don't Forget Us.

The study is part of the "Faith Lessons: That the World May Know" produced by Focus on the Family.  Growing Christians Class meets off the Northwest Balcony.
DEVON MCDONALD TO SPEAK ON UMM SUNDAY
Devon McDonaldDevon McDonald, former Colts lineback and Notre Dame Special Teams standout will give his testimony and share his faith in Jesus Christ on Sunday, April 27th during United Methodist Men's Sunday. Grace will be commemorating the 100th Anniversary of United Methodist Men.
This is a special Sunday that you won't want to miss.
MEN INVITE LADIES FOR SPECIAL PROGRAM

Jayna Beutler will be featured at this month's UM Men's "Ladies' Night".
Last Summer, Pastor Steve and Jayna were on a Lilly Foundation's Family Renewal Leave for Grace Church and our Pastoral Family.  Pastor Steve has taken the lead at some past presentations of last Summer's experience.

At April's "Ladies' Night" Jayna will share her own perspective on the Renewal Leave.

Women are welcome to attend every UM Men meeting.  Reservations for the catered meal may be given to Val Harris by email or callinng 453-6952.
MOTHER / DAUGHTER BANQUET
Rockin With Mom

Bobbie Sox, Poodle Skirts, Juke Boxes, Elvis, Cars with Fins, and Sock Hops. That was the Fabulous Fifties.

Ladies, join us on May 13th at 6:30pm for "Rockin With Mom" and enjoy an evening of fun and fellowship Fifties-style!

Tickets will be sold April 27th, May 4th and May 11th. The cost is $7.00 for ladies and $3.00 for little ladies.

Be there or be square!
"GRACE, EXPERIENCE IT"  SHIRTS AVAILABLE
Now you can wear a polo shirt with the "Grace, Experience It" logo on it. Order your shirt(s) on Sunday mornings after the 9:25am service in Fellowship Hall.
NEW CHILDREN'S ENSEMBLE

GRACEFUL ARTS CHILDREN - A New Children's Ensemble has started rehearsals on Sunday Evenings at 6:00pm. A special song is planned to honor the Families of the church on Mother's Day, May 11, 2008 during the 9:25am service. Children ages 4-6 will have an opportunity to sing this special song. Children 7-11 will accompany the singing choir with handbells, chimes and percussion instruments. If you would like your children to participate, please plan to have them at rehearsals Sunday evenings at 6:00pm.

VBS - JUNE 22-26 AT MAIN ST. UMC

God's Big Backyard

The time is 5:30 - 8:00pm.

The Kokomo United Methodist Cluster made up of Grace, Alto, Main St., St. Lukes and Trinity are working together this summer to welcome your children and others in our community into God's Big Backyard.

VBS can't happen without you. There are volunteer regisration forms at the Welcome Center. We need help in every area: snacks, teacher, leaders, games, set up, decorations, etc.

Children's Registration Forms are also available at the Welcome Center to sign up your kids today.

Return forms to Amanda Kelly or the Church Office A.S.A.P.
CHECK OUT THE NEW FH CABINET
New FH Cabinet
After the Fellowship Hall remodelling project was completed, it was determined that there was a need for more storeage, but it had to be storeage with attention paid to the aesthetics of the room. Bill White was commissioned to come up with a unit that would serve both requirements. He produced a beautiful and well-crafted cabinet. A big thanks to Bill for all his hard work!
ANOTHER BATHROOM REMODEL AT GRACE
Say bye bye to the old bathrooms. Grace is remodelling the remaining 6 bathrooms starting April 21st. And the people said, "AMEN!"
HELP THE SICK IN AFRICA

Put 4 "Medical Vans" Into Dr. Dennis Markes' Hands.

Operation classroom received a donation of 4 SUV's.  But they need to get to the Kissy Clinic in Africa.

The 4 vehicles will then be made into medical vans for use by the clinic.

Both the North and the South Conferences joined together for this project.  Shipping costs $7,000... $1,700 per vehicle.

Join "The Wheels on the Vans Go to Africa" campaign.  Just put your donation in an envelope marked... "Vans to Africa" any Sunday in April... or give it to Cindy in the office.

HELP NEEDED IN THESE AREAS
 
  • Volunteers needed for Caedmon's Call Concert on Friday April 18: Ticket sales, set-up and take-down, security and merchandising, a runner with a full size van or SUV for transport and errands all day... sign up at the Hospitality desk.
  • Native American Ministries Sunday(UMC Special Sunday) Help support this urban ministry.  Funds provide scholarships and help develop and nurture conference-based Native American ministries.  An envelope is enclosed for your convenience.  Put it and yuour donation in the collection tray.
  • Crisis Child Care needs more help to assist at least once a month for 4 hours.  Beginning May 5th the center will no longer run on Mondays but will be open from 8:00 A.M. to noon on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday and Thursday afternoon from 1:00 - 5:00 P.M.(if needed).Contact Jeff Newton at Kokomo Urban Outreach 765-461-9618 or Lisa Sawyer 765-863-3500
  • Web Site Team needs help. If you are interested in writing articles and updating to www.kokomograce.org; if you have a feel for the design of websites and the kinds of information that will be helpful in speaking to our community about Grace Church, and the ways we seek to follow Jesus, then contact one of our team:  Tim Garner, Val Harris, Randy Manning, Chris Hedges or Lee Flasche.
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  • Master Teacher Tutoring is in need of Tutors, Substitute Tutors, Story Tellers and Snack Providers. Please call Dianne Waggaman at 459-4524 and let her know that you are willing to help.
  • United Methodist Women need Pencil sharpeners for Church World Service. Contact Betty Corn @ 457-0044.
  • The Shopping Cart: A container for collection of the following items will be in the Mulberry St. entrance during the remodelling project. Your support of these local ministries is greatly appreciated.   Open Arms: Feminine products and condiments  Kokomo Urban Outreach: Volunteers to mentor  Kokomo elementary students, Canned Soup, Easter Baskets, Candy and Small Toys, and Peanut Butter  Nesting Doves: Newborn Diapers and Grocery Cards  CAM: Toothpaste, Shampoo, TP, and Deodorant.

    • Your Editors for Experience Grace This Week: