JUN 15, 2016
This Week at Grace

What We Know When We Don't Know
Dear Grace,

The tragedy in Orlando is so horrific that our words and prayers seem inadequate. I find myself turning again and again to Paul's admonition in Romans 8:26-27 that:

the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

When our words fail us, we can trust the Spirit is sighing for and with us with sighs too deep words.

There is so much we don't know: the motives, life history, mental health and religious convictions of the shooter - whether the gathering of certain intelligence could have stopped him. Speculation runs rampant in the wake of tragedy. We don't know why such evil happens.

So we pray: Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer, and sigh for and with us when our prayers have run out.

But there is also much we do know:
  • We know the names and faces of the victims of the shooting. May we say them and pray them, holding their loved ones in our hearts. So we pray: Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer, and sigh for and with us when our prayers have run out.
  • We know that gun violence is an epidemic in our country. And we know that we follow a God whose vision for the world is one where swords turn to ploughshares and spears into pruning hooks. So we pray: Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer, and sigh for and with us when our prayers have run out. 
  • We know that it's easy to blame entire groups, namely Muslims, when one person commits a horrendous crime. May we fight against our instincts to turn on an entire religion and instead love our neighbor as ourselves. So we pray: Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer, and sigh for and with us when our prayers have run out. 
  • We know that homophobia in our country and in our churches is an evil epidemic. We know that LGBTQI folks have for decades found sanctuary in clubs precisely because our sanctuaries have not been safe places. We know that fear and pain and trauma is heightened in this community this week, and that Christians have been complicit in their marginalization. So we pray: Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer, and sigh for and with us when our prayers have run out.
And we do know for certain that the God of the cross was with the victims that night, crying and sighing, holding them in their pain. We know that this life is not the end, but the God who promises to never let us go is holding the victims now. We know that God calls us to do more than pray, but to act up and speak out and all we can to right the complex wrongs that contribute to such heinous hate and violence.

And we know for damn sure, that no matter what the world or the church or terrorists try to convey, that LGTQI persons are beloved children of God, created in God's beautiful image. Know that if you want a safe place to talk or lament or weep or scream, I am here. Grace is here.

All of us are praying: Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer, and sigh for and with us when our prayers have run out.

See you for worship on Sunday at 11am where we will do our best to create a sanctuary that is truly that, and invite those who need a safe place to dwell in the loving arms of God.

Peace,

Kate



The Vision at Grace
To feed our surrounding community, spiritually and physically, while reaching outward with God's love and intentionally welcoming all in the name of Christ.

Calendar

Calendar of Events

Wednesday, June 22
Women's Group (Bible study and fellowship), 7pm, Calissa's home

Tuesday, June 28
Needles and Prayers, 7pm

Thursday, July 7
Grace Reads, 7pm, Starbucks in Whole Foods Ponce Plaza - next book: How to Read the Bible by Harvey Cox.

Tuesday, July 12
Needles and Prayers, 7pm

Wednesday, July 13
Women's Group (Bible study and fellowship), 7pm, Calissa's home

Thursday, July 14
Church Council Meeting, 6:30pm, Grace Cafe 


Event Spotlight

HOLIDAY WEEKEND HYMN SING!

On Sunday, July 3rd, join Grace for a service filled with singing. What's your favorite hymn to sing? Love belting out "Amazing Grace"? Or is "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" more your style?

We want to know what YOU want to sing. Email your three (3) favorite hymns to candi ([email protected]) by Friday, June 24th. We'll tally the top vote-getters and be ready to sing them together on July 3rd at 11am.


Sharing Our Gifts
Give to Grace. Safe, secure, one-time or recurring, tax-deductible giving is available by visiting www.graceonponce.org/donate or by scanning the below QR code.

Your gifts make a difference in the lives of our church and community.

And remember that Grace's financial documents are open and available. Simply email our financial assistant, Nora Harris ([email protected]) with any questions you may have.

Thank you for your faithful support of the work that God is doing through Grace Church!



GRACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
458 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE
Atlanta, GA 30308
404-876-2678

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