News from Grace Church

September 2007

Grace Connection

...where real life meets real faith...

Greetings!

One of the things I am worst at is waiting. But I'm so thankful that God brings things into my life where I must be totally dependent upon Him and learn to wait for His perfect timing. The most recent example of this is our current building project, and the addition of Phase 3. Much has actually been happening since last year when we began this adventure, and I'm eager to 'see the dirt flying' and watch the vision God has given Grace become a reality. It is appropriate to review some of the milestones God has led us through and events yet to come as we prepare for Pastor Joel to take us through a study of the book of Joshua.

Feb 2006 - Elders establish vision for ministry

Mar 2006 - Building, finance & campaign teams established

May 2006 - Vision communication at Annual Shepherding session

Aug 2006 - Brown, Brown & Associates, Inc., hired as

Phase 3 architects

Sep 2006 - Architect interviews with Ministry Leaders

Oct 2006 - 'For Such a Time as This' campaign kick-off

Nov 2006 - First Fruits offering received of $117,425

Nov 2006 - 3-year pledges received totaling $591,374

Jan 2007 - Phase 3 debt service level determined

Feb 2007 - Request for Proposal (RFP) sent to five contractors

Mar 2007 - Master Plan finalized, preliminary budget established

Mar 2007 - Mortgage financing recommended by Finance Committee

May 2007 - Frank Dale & Company selected as General Contractors

May 2007 - Special Use Permit (SUP) submitted to City of Lucas

Jun 2007 - SUP approved by Lucas Planning & Zoning Commission

Jul 2007 - SUP approved by Lucas City Council

Aug 2007 - Total pledge collection reaches $235,483

Aug 2007 - Design documents sent for initial bids

Here is where we believe God is taking us next:

Sep 2007 - Phase I & 2 fire alarm installation

Sep 2007 - Finalization of land donation, shared retention pond

Oct 2007 - Phase 3 financing finalization

Nov 2007 - Construction documents complete

Nov 2007 - Permitting process begins

Nov 2007 - Finalization of pricing contracts

Dec 2007 - Phase I & 2 sprinkler system installation

Dec 2007 - Permitting complete

Jan 2008 - Begin construction

Jul/Aug 2008 - Construction complete with certificate of occupancy

These dates can only be accomplished as God clears the way for us. And just as Joshua and the people of Israel entered God's promised land, it will take steps of faith for the community of Grace to move forward toward what God wants for us. The leadership at Grace is committed to seeing this new building become a reality. And as Pastor Joel reminded us this past Sunday, the reason for the building is to accomplish the ministry that God has in store for us. So as we watch the process unfold before us of putting up a building, may we rededicate ourselves to the mission of Grace: to reach our community for Christ and to help those who believe in Him, become more like Him. As we do this, God will handle all those details associated with putting up a structure that allows us to accomplish His will. To Him be the glory!

Living the Life (Micah 6:8) by God's Grace,

Pastor Blair Abbott

Executive Pastor

Real People

The following interview was conducted with Pat and Bob Harrison. They have been at Grace for four years and serve at Grace as Life Group leaders and Prayer Team leaders. Pat and Bob are committed believers and have been married for 15 years and between them have four children and eight grandchildren.

What has God been teaching you lately? Bob - Prayer is the key to a closer relationship with God.

What is the most important thing you've learned about walking with God? Pat - I have to spend time with Him alone daily.

How do you keep your time with God fresh? Pat - By reading His Word daily. He is continually teaching me through His Word.

Who was influential in your spiritual growth? Bob - My mother. By taking me to church regularly and constantly challenging me when a decision had to be made with "What would a Christian do in this situation?"

If you could experience an event in the Bible, which one would you choose? Bob - Jesus' resurrection.

How has being in a Life Group at Grace impacted your life and the life of your family? Bob & Pat - It has allowed us to build closer relationships with other Christians.

What is something the people of Grace would be surprised to know about you? Pat - I have a twin brother! Bob - I used to be a fighter pilot.

Some Day I'd like to... Bob & Pat - Go to Israel.

Mission of Grace

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

YouthFast 2007 by Wes Tarbox

Praise God! Twenty-seven dedicated youth participated in YouthFast - a day of prayer and fasting. After letting go of the temptation to "over-organize," the Spirit truly led. He took us on a journey that we never imagined; something so unique that we look back and know He directed as we rode the wave of submissive obedience.

However, knowing most youth have never experienced prayer and fasting, we began by establishing what prayer and fasting really is, and preparing 18 "prayer stations" throughout Grace to be experienced in teams of 3-4. "Quiet rooms" were designated for individual prayer and Scripture study.

We blanketed the physical Grace campus with prayer - from administrative offices, foyer and everywhere in between, to praying for every regular attendee, ministry leader and visitor. We also spent time praying for ministry needs and prayer requests while praising God for all He's doing. In the end, I was able to compile (literally) twenty-eight pages of prayer items. WOW! For six hours, our church building and all those who walk its halls were bathed in prayer with clarity and focus through fasting. The only sustenance for the day was water, and the provision of God's strength!

Tasked with mulching the Grace playground, everyone pitched in shoveling, wheeling and raking; enabling GEM Express Preschool & Kindergarten to pass upcoming inspections. The 100+ bottles of water kept everyone in good shape.

In the evening we met around the communion table finishing our day of fasting and worship with an hour of singing followed by a home-cooked meal.

I know this day meant different things to each youth. Some were able to spend quality time alone with God, others grew closer to their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. All of them spent time in prayer for others, Grace Church and for the ministries God is using to impact our community and world. They worked hard and prayed hard - many of them had never been without food for 9-10 hours before and there were times we struggled with empty stomachs. But through that, we were able to maintain our focus on God as our Creator and Provider of our needs. It was a great time of spiritual growth and I am honored and blessed to have been a part of directing a day that was truly God-given and God-ordained. To Him be all glory and honor!

In This Issue

Quick Links

Life @ Grace

Women's AM Bible Study begins

August 28

9:00 - 11:30 AM

Grace Church

GEM Staff In-Service

August 31

Labor Day
Grace Church Office Closure

September 3

Mission Trip to Dominican Republic

September 4-10

GEM Staff In-Service

September 4-7

A.W.A.N.A. begins

September 5

6:30 PM

GEM Express
Meet-The-Teacher

September 6 & 7

10:00 - 11:00 AM

Youth Group

Six Flags

September 8

Discover Grace

Part 1 of 3

September 9

10:30 AM - 12:00 noon

Grace Prayer Team Meeting

September 9

4:30 PM - 5:30 PM

GEM Express begins

September 10

Women's PM Bible Study begins

September 10

7:00 - 9:00 PM

Grace Church

Men's Fraternity

September 14

6:00 AM

Harbor Point Community Church

(2301 Premier Dr.

Plano, TX)

Real Options Walk-For-Life

September 15

Women's Ministry Journey on Together

September 15

7:00 - 9:00 PM

Grace Church

Discover Grace

Part 2 of 3

September 16

10:30 AM - 12:00 noon

Men's Fraternity

September 21

6:00 AM

Harbor Point Community Church

Discover Grace

Part 3 of 3

September 23

10:30 AM - 12:00 noon

Church Board, Elder Meeting

September 24

GEM Express Open House

September 27

Men's Fraternity

September 28

6:00 AM

Harbor Point Community Church

Women's Ministries
Fall Refuel
with Nancy Leigh Demoss

Sept 28 - 29

Denton, TX

Have you heard?

Grace library and G.E.M. Express Administration have traded spaces. Why not stop by the new library and check it out?

Has Grace Church impacted your life?
Why not tell us how? sheila@grace-efc.org .

Journey On Together

Ladies' Night Out

September 15th

7:00-9:00pm at Grace

Women of every age are invited to fellowship with prayer,

dessert, skits, games and more!

Men's Fraternity

Men's Fraternity

Each week beginning:

Friday, September 14

6:00-7:30 AM

Location:Harbor Point Community Church (2301 Premier Dr., Plano, TX)

Hosted by: Four Streams Ministries

THE QUEST FOR AUTHENTIC MANHOOD

The Quest for Authentic Manhood is the foundational level or ground floor experience of manhood focusing on a man's core identity and giving an overview of basic manhood issues while dealing with various identity issues that may have distorted Biblical masculinity. Learning to clearly define manhood will give a succinct and passionate answer to the questions, "What is a man?" and "What am I living to be?" This captivating journey helps men:

Resolve wounds from the past
Embrace a Biblical definition of manhood
Develop their own personal manhood plan

Contact: Mark Munden at markmunden@fourstreams.org or at 972.312.8562

A.W.A.N.A. by Craig Brandt

Hey Kids, A.W.A.N.A. begins August 5, 6:30 PM - you won't want to miss it!

A.W.A.N.A. is an international, Bible-centered children's and youth ministry providing local churches with weekly clubs, programs and training. Our goal is to help raise spiritual champions who know, love and serve Christ using integrated programs, resources for Bible-based parenting and discipleship, child and family evangelism and specialized volunteer training. The acronym A.W.A.N.A. comes from the first letters of Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed as taken from 2 Timothy 2:15.

The A.W.A.N.A. ministry has been partnering with the parents of Grace for over 20 years and while our uniforms and personnel have changed, our desire to evangelize and disciple children has remained steadfast and rooted in our response to the unparalleled love our Savior lavishes on us.

The A.W.A.N.A. ministry actively works along side other Grace ministries to carryout Grace's overall mission by equipping children for an effective life for Christ and preparing them for service. We also realize the opportunity for community outreach God allows through each child's family. Therefore, emphasis is placed on directly engaging parents and regularly partnering with them.

We are excited about the upcoming year and positions are always available for those who have a willingness to serve with us.

Contact Craig Brandt at craig.brandt@tx.rr.com or at 972.396.8000.

Article Headline

Discover Grace

What's Grace Church all about? Do you know the growth process of Grace Church? Have you discovered your unique Spiritual gifts? Come to Discover Grace & learn more about your church.

September 9, 10:30 AM-12:00 noon

Pastor Joel's Office

Please RSVP to 972.727.4512 ex. 102.

Have the ministries of Grace changed your life? Let us know how Grace has impacted your life by contacting Sheila at sheila@grace-efc.org.

The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9