| The Mission...
The community of Grace is here to reach people for Christ and to help those who believe in Christ to become more like Him. |
 Run the Race!
It seems to be easier to talk about being physically fit than it does to talk about being spiritually fit. Both are probably equally difficult. The truth about the Christian life is that most believers are not very spiritually fit - and content to stay that way. At Grace, we see life as a journey that is well defined by God's direction and purpose. God didn't create us and then abandon us to wander in a state of uncertainty. He created us with purpose, with a plan in mind and designed us to play a part in what He is doing.
The journey of life is what we call Running the Race. It's the pathway that we follow as we grow in our spiritual walk with Christ and in our relationship with others in the body of Christ. As God's Word instructs us, we are to grow to maturity so that we become "more like Christ" in all aspects. (Ephesians 4:15) This doesn't happen overnight - it's a process of growing as we seek God in all that we do and yield to His Spirit as He transforms us into His image.
Last Sunday I invited you to Run the Race with team Grace! We began a five week Sunday morning worship series where we will be challenged from the words of Paul in the New Testament to "run with endurance the race that God has set before us." NLT Hebrews 12:1
We will take the first steps by joining the team and warming up together. Then we are ready to take our place at the starting line and run to the finish. It will be an exciting race that I hope you will be a part of. Let's run the race together!
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Pastor Joel
Senior Pastor |
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Ready to Discover Grace?
Discover Grace is an ongoing three week series designed to help you get to know Grace Church, its mission and ministries. Make your reservations by contacting Sheila Hoekstra at sheila@grace-efc.org or by calling 972.727.4512 ext. 102
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| The Rest of the Story
Youth Worship Blowout
On February 29th, 125 area kids descended on Grace Church to be part of an event the likes of which Grace has never seen before!
Two Christian rock bands (WWC! Band, and The Trust Project) blessed us with some great music played at an ear bending decibel level and shared relevant testimonies reaching the hearts of youth about what God has been doing in their lives. These folks cared so much about the kids that they actually took time listen to and get to know them.
The Grace Youth Praise Team also performed, Rachel Munden gave her testimony and there was a powerful drama which lead us into a deeper time of worship and thanksgiving focused on Christ. John Welkener everyone an opportunity to respond by leading a time of invitation, confession, submission, adoration and acceptance of Christ and His work. Praise God - four youth accepted Christ that night!
It is exciting to see the Holy Spirit move in the hearts and minds of the youth right here at Grace, and to see them used as a vehicle through which the Gospel of Christ is shared with friends, neighbors, and visitors who came to see what the "big deal" was about. Our youth invited their friends, prayed fervently for this event, and witnessed first-hand the power, strength, and might of our Almighty God. What a great testimony they can carry with them for the rest of their lives! - Wes Tarbox, Youth Ministries Director
What a rush! You know, the Acts 2 kind of rush. Two weeks ago, 14 people from Grace Church took a trip to Múzquiz (pronounced moosekeys), Mexico. Múzquiz is located in the State of Coahuila about 80 miles south of Eagle Pass, Texas. Our guide was Ernie Harman and his wife Hilda of SER Ministries, one of the eleven Grace supported global ministries.
We were in Mexico for three days of ministry. Each day was broken into three activities. In the morning we would go into an area village. We visited Racherias, La Mota and Esperanza during our stay. Once in the village, the youth would begin to play basketball and soccer which would attract the attention of the youth in the area. At the same time, most of the adults divided into two or three teams and would go house to house to invite people to come to a presentation of physical and spiritual health.
As crowds gathered, Mesa Taveras began by presenting good health practices like hand & mouth hygiene. He would also divided the adults into male and female groups to speak of specific health issues. During these discussions Mesa would segue into a presentation on spiritual health resulting in an invitation to follow Christ. After this we handed out snacks, soap, toothpaste and tooth brushes.
In the afternoon, we served in one of the Múzquiz ministries led by Ernie Harmon such as Bible clubs where kids up to sixth grade are reached and often their parents too. We would sing together, give testimonies and Mesa would present an invitation to follow Christ. (You really need to see Mesa's dramatic presentation of David and Goliath - It is good in any language!) We also brought some VBS projects that were used to share the message of Christ.
On two of the three evenings we had a showing of the Chronicles of Narnia. Using a laptop, a sheet and a projector as an outdoor movie theatre. We explained C.S. Lewis was telling a parable of the sacrifice of Christ and presented the gospel.
During each of these activities between 50-100 people would typically gather. Over the course of the three days we saw 33 people declare Christ as their Savior. Now that's a rush!
Participating in the trip were Joel, Laurie, Rachel and Michael Walters, Mesa, Mary, Marcos and William Taveras, Chad Leeras, Chris Mayes, Timothy and Abigail Welkener, and LaWanna and Larry McPherson. Ask any one of us if you want to hear first hand how God worked among us. I know we all came back knowing what an awesome and loving God we have and that He loves everyone on the earth. - Larry McPherson, Missions Director |
Adopt-A-Highway
Do you remember what you were doing on Saturday morning, November 19, 2005? There was a group of around 25 here at Grace who began a different kind of ministry to our community. We picked up 26 bags of trash on FM2170 (a.k.a. Estates Parkway) between FM2551 (a.k.a. Angel Parkway) and FM 1378 (a.k.a. Country Club Road). 121 bags of trash later, you can join us on Saturday morning, April 5th, for the 11th time we 'clean our highway' as part of the annual Texas Trash-off.
Why do we participate in Adopt-A-Highway? It is one way we show our community that we care about more than just ourselves. Doug Gallagher put it this way, "We've mentioned before on how it is part of the testimony of our church and how people are watching what we do, or in some cases, don't do. Come out and meet some folks you haven't met yet, or see them in circumstances you wouldn't normally view them in --- like up to their ankles in mud!!" Serving together is a great way to get to know others within the family of Grace.
Keeping our section of highway clean is a wonderful way we can reach out to our community. It may also be the opportunity you've been looking for to invite one of your neighbors to join you as you serve the Lucas community through the family of Grace. If you'd like more details or are able to join the crew, please let Dave Bruchan or Doug Gallagher know you plan to join them. And remember, you'll get to wear one of those stylish orange vests and discover untold 'treasures' as you make your way up and down our adopted section of highway.
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Ministry Leader's Meeting
April 5, 8:30 - 11:00 AM
Grace Church
Adopt-A-Highway
April 5, 8:30
Grace Church
Fresh Encounters Interactive Prayer
April 6, 4:30 - 5:30 PM
Prayer Room
GEM Express Donuts with Dad
April 10 & 11, 8:30 AM
Fellowship Hall
Youth Extra Innings
April 11, 8:30 - 11:30 PM
Grace Church
Continentals
DREAMER - Epic Story of Joseph
April 18, 7:00 - 8:30
All-Church Work Day
April 19
Men & Boys Backpack Trip
April 26
High School Senior Open House
April 27, 3:00 - 5:00 PM
Church Board Meeting
April 28
Elder Meeting
April 28
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Belize Mission Trip 
Are you ready to change your perspective and make a lasting impact while enjoying one of the most beautiful places on earth? The Belize Mission Trip is just for you!
Date: June 17 - 22
Cost: $750.00
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On the Move! 
Have you seen it? The portables have been moved to their new location in preparation for Phase III groundbreaking in late Spring or early Summer, 2008. | |
