News from Grace Church

Grace Connection

Grace Church...where real life meets real faith

May, 2007

In This Issue

Easter and Beyond

G.E.M. Express Update

The Mission

Real People

Prayer Focus

Vision Check

I learned something new...well maybe not really new, but I think it was time for me to relearn this great lesson ~it was time to pause and for a vision check.

As a child, friends of mine and I purchased "cool" new sunglasses. Some of them had blue lenses, some green and I think mine were red. Did you have a pair too? When I slipped on my "cool" sunglasses my world was tinted pink, when I slipped on my friend's glasses my vision suddenly became blue and another pair showed a green world.

Psalm 18:25-26 says this, To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity. To the pure you show yourself pure, but to the wicked you show yourself hostile.

Wow, isn't that just like those colored glasses? When we view life through the lens of anger we see and show hostility, anger and hate. When we view life through the lens of faith we see and are faithful. When we view life through the lens of purity we see and show purity.

The question is, which pair of sunglasses will I wear today or better yet, am I in serious need of a vision check? If we are in Him, our precious Father is ready and waiting to do infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope! (Ephesians 3:21)

Ministry Quicklinks

Easter and Beyond

by Pastor Joel Walters

It was an exciting time for the Grace family to come together at Lovejoy High School and celebrate the resurrection of Christ. According to our best count, 553 people joined in worship, marking the largest attendance to date for the ministry of Grace. We were able to make some good connections with the people of our community, and to increase our vision for the community in which we exist.

I want to thank each of you who walked outside of your comfort zone to pray, invite and connect with people for this celebration. This was truly an opportunity to "practice what we have been preaching" in fulfillment of our mission - to reach our community for Christ.

Now, take a deep breath and ask; what's next? Well, as quick as we covered the first part, we move on to the second part of our mission; helping those who believe to become more like Him! On April 22 we began our series on Discipleship - Come, Follow Me. It's an invitation from Jesus to each of us to come and journey with Him on the path of discipleship. We will continue this series through the end of May, as we learn together about what Jesus meant when He called us to follow Him.

Grace Educational Ministry Year in Review by Diana Abbott

It is hard to believe we are at the end of our 6^th year of ministry at GEM Express Preschool & Kindergarten! God continues to guide and grow this ministry as we seek to be faithful to His calling to reach our community for Christ and help those who know Him to be more like Him.

This year there were over 115 children enrolled at GEM Express. We were able to offer nine classes to children ages 2-6 years old. God blessed us with an awesome staff of caring and committed teachers and assistants to support our weekday preschool & kindergarten ministry. We already have over 110 children enrolled for the 07-08 school year with a few spots available in the W/F 3 yr. old class and in the M-TH 4 yr. old class. Contact the GEM office for further details at (972)727-0071.

We are excited to offer four weeks of summer camp again this year. Camps are open to children ages 3-6. Classes are limited to ten students each. Click here for more details regarding dates camps are being offered and tuition rates.

It continues to be a real privilege to work alongside parents as they teach and train up their little ones. What a thrill it is to hear the children singing songs of praise to the Lord throughout the school day or to hear them read for the first time. As I look back over this past school year, I am reminded of the many ways God has been working in the hearts and minds of our students. On May 3^rd and 4^th at 10:00am GEM Express Preschool & Kindergarten will present the 6^th Annual Spring Program. All classes will participate in the program with graduation following. This year 55 students will participate in GEM's annual graduation ceremony! The program will be held in the sanctuary and the Grace family is invited to join us for this special celebration.

Special thanks to the community of Grace for your continued prayer support for this ministry. It has been exciting to see members of the Grace family step up to be prayer partners for the GEM staff throughout the school year. We appreciate your faithfulness in this vital part of our ministry at GEM.

I thank God for His faithfulness and for allowing me to serve Him in this ministry to our community and to the Grace family.

The Mission of Grace

The community of Grace is here to reach people for Christ and to help those who believe in Christ become more like Him.