Due to the need to address a number of questions and provide time for discussion, the Jan 25th Congregational Meeting unfortunately extended longer than planned. As a result, we lost our 'quorum' when a number of people left the meeting before the conclusion of the business agenda, and the final votes were unable to be completed.  We have scheduled the completion of this meeting for Sunday Feb 22 at 9:30am.

The remaining items to be voted on include:
   1) Election of the new Church Council for 2015 (and 2016 for 2 year terms)
   2) Approval to use the Building/Capital fund if required to cover shortages during the year.
   3) Election of the Nominating Committee.

   Feel free to discuss any of these items with our finance team, your council members, or the pastors prior to the meeting if you need more information.

  Please make every effort to attend this meeting in order to help support this important work of our church! 

Thanks for your participation and prayers!

Especially for Families - Take the LOL Tree of Life Challenge for Lent!

Adults are welcome, too!  

Beginning this weekend, the First Sunday of Lent, you will notice something a little different in the sanctuary when you come to church. Directly to the left of the altar you will see a picture of a tree. That tree is intended to help us remember our theme for Lent this year which is The Tree of Life.  

Each week there will be a special devotion at the beginning of worship that reminds us that The Tree of Life for all of us is truly the cross of Christ. And each week our tree in church will come to life with leaves that all of you will provide.  

Throughout Lent we are encouraging you to help your children participate in the Lenten discipline of GIVING by living out their faith in practical ways at home. Leaves made of green construction paper will be available on the Lenten Devotion table in the Narthex for you to take home and help you do just that. The idea is for you to encourage your children to perform service at home and to write what they did and their name on a leaf each time they do. Please help your children pick something from the list, or something that you come up with, during the week. Try to pick as many different things as possible so they have the opportunity to try new things. Bring your leaves back to church the following Sunday so we can add them to the other leaves on the tree in the sanctuary to celebrate what it means to give life by serving!  

The following is a list of some of the ways your children can serve during Lent:

• Learn a new bible verse.
• Pick up trash in the neighborhood.
• Help mom or dad with a chore. (Trash, clearing the table, yard work, dishes, etc.)
• Pray for someone who isn't nice to you.
• Make an offering to the "Change for Change" jug at church.
• Listen to a Christian music station on the radio.
• Say a prayer for a friend in need.
• Help take care of a family pet.
• Clean your room/pick up your toys/clothes.
• Say "God loves you." to someone.
• Hug a family member.
• Say a prayer at meals and at bedtime.
• Write a "Thank You Note" to God.
• Stand up for someone who is being bullied.
• Volunteer at an animal shelter.
• Invite someone to church.
• Help your friends/brothers/sisters. (Play nice, share, etc.)
• Use good manners. (Say "please" and "thank you".)
• Check for good batteries in the smoke detectors at home. Or encourage mom and dad to get them if you don't have them.
• Talk to a family member you don't get to see very often. (Phone, Skype, letter, email...)
• and anything else you can think of...

  Take the Lenten Tree of Life Challenge and watch our tree come to life!  

Grace Place Preschool is holding an Open House on Saturday, March 14th from 9am-12 noon.  Please come to inquire about preschool for the next calendar year, tour the school, or just look around.   You can pre-register by calling Melinda at 609-268-2756,