NEWSLETTERS
Grace Notes October 29, 2010 Vol. XXXVI No.42
GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
3604 N. BEN JORDAN, VICTORIA, TX 77901
Telephone: (361) 573 -4840
E-Mail grace@gracevictoria.org
Website www.gracevictoria.org
THIS SUNDAY
OCTOBER 31, 2010
9:00 SUNDAY SCHOOL
10:00 WORSHIP
Congregational Meeting
Covered Dish Luncheon
This Sunday will be a special day in the life of Grace Presbyterian Church. We were chartered as a congregation on October 30, 1952. We celebrate this beginning of our ministry together by gathering in one worship service at 10:00am. After the worship service there will be a brief congregational meeting to elect session members for the class of 2013. The candidates are Irene Hahn, Adrienne Kulousek, and Chrissy Kovar. The nominating committee also recommends
beginning with this class the session classes be reduced from 4 members to 3.
The nominating committee will also nominate for the 2011 nominating committee Ruth Gullick, Paul Peterson, and Belle Sparks. Howard Shahan will be nominated for the Garden of Grace Committee.
We will receive the budget for 2011 prepared by the session. The budget includes changes in the pastor’s terms of call which will be voted on by the congregation at this meeting. The Stewardship Committee will initiate the stewardship campaign for year ahead.
After this very short meeting there will be a covered dish luncheon in Tracy Hall. This will be a great time of fellowship and celebration. Remember also that Sunday School begins a little early at 9:00am.
Grace and peace,
Dan
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THE LIARS CLUB
Thursday, November 4th @ 6:00 pm! Come join us for a Chicken fried chicken dinner from Grandy’s! Sign up no later than Tuesday November 2nd by 5:00pm so we can get a head count for the dinners. You can call Janie at the church office @ 573-4840 Cost of the plates will be 7.00. Don’t miss this event we have lots of fun in store!
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November Events Coming Up:
1st Friday November 5th @ Buffet City @ 6:30
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The Grace Crusaders softball team extended their winning streak to 2 games on Thursday night October 28th with a victory over the “Knuckleheads” by a score of 16-9. Wade Purcell, David Boedeker, and Kenny Blank helped the team out with patience at the plate and good base running. Greg Veliz “sealed the deal” in the top of the 6th inning with an inside-the-park grand slam home run.
Next, the Crusaders play a double-header on November 4th at 7:00 and 9:00. Come out and cheer us on to another victory!!!
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Ruth Circle will meet Tuesday, November 2 at 9:30 a.m. in the church library with Betty Prichard and Elinor Shahan as co-hostesses.
Nona Nielsen will host Rachel Circle at 9:30 a.m. in the church library on Wednesday, November 10.
Lesson 3 - Worshiping God and the Lamb - Scripture: Revelation 4-5 will be discussed.
Join either Circle for study and fellowship.
The monthly Ladies "Dutch Treat" Luncheon will be held on Tuesday, November 16th at Vera Cruz. Those who wish may play cards at Tracy Hall immediately following the Luncheon. All Grace Women and their guests are invited to attend.
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The Grace Church Annual Golf Tournament was held on Saturday, October 23rd at the Victoria Country Club. Due to several of our members being out on the PGA tour, the event had only two teams. Team #1, “The Scramblers”, consisted of Ed Warren, Doug Warren, Keaton Warren, and Dave Peyton. Members of team #2, “The Sandbaggers”, were Jim Friedel, Darwin Davis, Tom Brooks, and Larry Hable. After a hard-fought 18-holes, the “Sandbaggers” came out on top by one stroke; the main difference being a 30-foot birdie putt by Tom Brooks on hole #15.
In all seriousness, both teams played well and had a great time. As always, thanks go out to Ed Warren for organizing the tournament and to Joan Meyer for the wonderful dinner she prepared at the church following the tournament.
P.S.: There is a rumor out that Cuero Presbyterian Church has challenged Grace Presbyterian Church to a tournament—Stay Tuned!
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You are invited to
our 100th Anniversary
Celebration, Worship and Reception
to be eld at Tivoli Presbyterian Church
Sunday, October 31, 2010
from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Tivoli Presbyterian Church
Established in 1910 in
Tivoli, Texas
Grace Notes October 22, 2010 Vol. XXXVI No.41
GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
3604 N. BEN JORDAN, VICTORIA, TX 77901
Telephone: (361) 573 -4840
E-Mail grace@gracevictoria.org
Website www.gracevictoria.org
THIS SUNDAY
OCTOBER 24, 2010
WORSHIP IN THE PARK
Ethel Lee Tracy Park
10:00 am
This will be our second year to gather at Tracy Park for worship on Sunday Morning. There are several good reasons to do this. One is that we have invited the whole of Victoria to come out and worship with us. Well, maybe not literally everyone but everyone we could reach. Last year one lady from Copperfield Village came over in her wheel chair from next door. Sometimes people are a little more comfortable visiting with us when they don’t have to go inside a strange church. Maybe this will make it easier for someone to give us a try.
Another reason to go outside for worship is that we can enjoy God’s wonderful creation. This time of year, when we enjoy so many beautiful days, it is a great opportunity to thank God just for being alive. Sometimes, I think, moving outside the building we worship in helps us to think beyond our familiar four walls. There are no bounds to all the wonders God is doing in the world and there are no bounds to the possibilities of our being able to serve God in new ways.
This special day also gives each of us an opportunity to invite a friend to come to worship with us. You might say, “We are having worship in the park. Why not come with us?” You can think of a better way to say it than that.
There are plenty more good reasons for this special service, and for you and others to come. You can probably think of some yourself. Whatever the reason, I really look forward to welcoming you in the name of our Risen Savior, Jesus Christ.
Grace and peace,
Dan
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ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
The annual congregational meeting will be Sunday, October 31, 2010, following the 10:00 combined worship service. At this meeting will hear reports from the stewardship committee and the nominating committee. As in the past, reports from the other committees will be presented in written form. All committee chairs are reminded to turn their reports in to the church office no later than Friday, October 22 so the reports can be prepared for distribution.
COVERED DISH LUNCHEON
A covered dish luncheon will be served immediately after the congregational meeting. Please join us for good food and fellowship.
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The Liars Club Thursday, November 4th
We have lots of fun in store! Come join us! More info in next newsletter!
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November Events Coming Up:
1st Friday November 5th @ Buffet City @ 6:30
November 30th Victoria Regional Meeting & Worship followed by covered dish
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Grace Crusaders in the News!
The Grace Crusaders pulled out a last-inning victory over the Wendt Shockers on 10/14 by a score of 13-12. We have a bye week on the 21st, and play again at 7:00 p.m. on October 28th vs. the Knuckleheads.
Grace Notes October 1, 2010 Vol. XXXVI No.38
GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
3604 N. BEN JORDAN, VICTORIA, TX 77901
Telephone: (361) 573 -4840
E-Mail grace@gracevictoria.org
Website www.gracevictoria.org
LIGHT WEIGHT, FLEXIBLE, AND STRONG
Recently I saw an ad for something described as “light weight, flexible, and strong.” For some reason that, caught my attention. I have seen other items advertized as having similar attributes, shoes, riding jackets, fishing poles, plastic utensils, and the like. A product with these qualities is a good value and endures the test of time.
Some might say that these characteristics apply to a healthy life style as well. Maintaining a healthy weight, keeping our muscles and joints flexible through activity, and building strength through proper nutrition and exercise, all seem to be excellent ways to care for our bodies and to enhance our lives.
It seems to me that these same objectives apply to our spiritual lives as well. It is easy to become weighed down by our past; our past mistakes, old grudges, left over fear and anxiety. Once we lose that extra baggage we find ourselves set free to more fully enjoy the blessings of this life. We can be less ridged, more flexible, more willing to adapt to change. Like a tree that does not bend in the wind, is pushed over in a storm, so we, who are unable to make concessions, are unable to change with changing times and may find ourselves pushed over and fallen.
In much the same way we must work to be strong of faith, trusting in God in times of adversity. Being strong of faith is developed much like being strong of body, through proper nutrition and exercise. The nutrition that feeds our soul is feasting on God’s word, receiving the encouragement of the community of faith, and turning regularly to God in worship and prayer. It is this kind of regular healthy diet, along with the avoidance of “junk food” (like dwelling on the failings of others, gossip, and fear of all that is unknown) that builds strong spiritual muscles. Those muscles also need to be exercised through the living out of our faith. Faith that is heard but is not lived out is not really faith at all. We must not only talk about love we must do love. We must not only talk about forgiveness, we must forgive. We must not only talk about patience and kindness, we must be patient and kind.
As we develop these three great attributes; light weight, flexible, and strong, we build up a faith that endures. We become an enduring, live giving present in the world capable of being an instrument of God’s love and mercy.
Grace and peace,
Dan
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We have some great readers in this church and I
would like to thank all of you who have donated
books to the library at M.D. Anderson. I have
already taken some of them home but there is
still time if anyone still needs it as I am not planning on getting
up to the hospital till mid October. Thanks again,
Adrienne
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PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN NEWS
Ruth Circle will meet on Tuesday, October 5 at 9:30 a.m. in the church library with Carolyn Franz and Millie Sweeney as co-hostesses.
Marilyn Genty will host Rachel Circle on Wednesday, October 13 in the church library at
9:30 a.m.
Lesson 2 - Seven Letter to Seven Churches - Scripture Revelation 2-3 will be our focus for both circles.
All Grace Women are invited to join either circle for study and fellowship.
Our monthly "Dutch Treat" Luncheon will be held at Chili's on Tuesday, October 19 at
11:30 a.m. Those who wish may play cards at Tracy Hall during the afternoon immediately following the luncheon.
Grace Golf Tournament - A reminder that Saturday, October 23 is our annual Golf Tournament at Victoria Country Club. You can sign up by calling Ed Warren (575-8851) or Joan Meyer (573-7856).
Gather at 12:30 p.m. to T-off at 1:00 p.m. Scramble teams will be formed. Fee is $45.00 to be paid at Pro-Shop prior to T-off.
Call soon to be included in this fun event.
Grace Notes September 24, 2010 Vol. XXXVI No.37
GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
3604 N. BEN JORDAN, VICTORIA, TX 77901
Telephone: (361) 573 -4840
E-Mail grace@gracevictoria.org
Website www.gracevictoria.org
World Communion Sunday
and the Peacemaking Offering
On October 3, World Communion Sunday, we will receive the Peacemaking Offering. I thought you might be interested in how this offering came about. Here is a brief history of World Communion Sunday and the Peacemaking Offering from the PC(USA) website pcusa.org.
Presbyterians have celebrated World Communion Sunday since the mid-1930s. At that time North Americans were experiencing the economic upheaval of the Great Depression, and many were concerned about the instability in Europe and the possibility of another world war. A group of Presbyterian ministers met to pray and talk about the church’s role in such a time. Rediscovering the unifying power of Christ in the Lord’s Supper, they reaffirmed that in Christ all Christians are one, regardless of nationality, race, or ethnicity. From their meeting came the first World Communion Sunday in 1936. In the years that followed other denominations began to celebrate this special Sunday.
In the mid-1970s a later generation of Presbyterians, also experiencing a time of challenge following the Vietnam War, revisited World Communion Sunday. Many members of the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America were feeling a sense of urgency to work for peace. Thirty-one presbyteries sent overtures to the General Assembly asking that the church direct energy toward peacemaking. As a result, the 187th General Assembly (1975) commissioned the Advisory Council on Church and Society “to reassess the concept of peacemaking . . . in the light of our biblical and confessional faith.” The Advisory Council created a special task force, chaired by William Creevey, then pastor of St. Peters by the Sea, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, to study and prepare a report on peacemaking.
Members of the task force met, prayed, and studied, then came to the conclusion that peacemaking was central to the gospel and to the mission of the church, that it was at the heart of being a Christian, and that it ought to have priority in the church. Their work was a call directed at the inner life of Presbyterians to commit to work for peace individually and as a church. A commitment to peacemaking, though, would need to be reflected both in the
structure and in the finance of the church so that it could be translated into action. The task force recommended creating a national peacemaking program and a special offering to fund the work of peacemaking.
According to Robert Smylie, one of the resource staff for the task force, Dean Lewis, director of the Advisory Council on Church and Society and another of the resource staff, saw that it was necessary to do something that had never been done with a special offering—recommend that the Peacemaking Offering’s receipts be divided among every level of the church so that congregations, presbyteries, synods, and the General Assembly’s program could all find creative ways to work for peace. Congregations would keep 25 percent, synods and presbyteries would receive 25 percent, and 50 percent would go to the newly formed Presbyterian Peacemaking Program.
The task force agreed that World Communion Sunday, when Christians of all nations and peoples celebrate their unity in Christ, was an ideal time to receive the offering that would be used for peace work in the name of Christ.
The 192nd General Assembly (1980) adopted the task force’s work, “Peacemaking the Believers’ Calling.” Thirty years later Presbyterians continue to work for peace and to receive the offering used to fund that work.*
Grace and peace,
Dan
*Thanks to Robert Smylie, William Creevey, and Dean Lewis for insights into the development of the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program and the Peacemaking Offering.
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GRACE GOLF TOURNAMENT
Our annual Grace Men Golf Tournament will be held Saturday, October 23rd at the Victoria Country club beginning at 12:30 p.m. Scramble teams will be formed so please contact Ed Warren (575-8851) or Joan Meyer (573-7856) to sign up. Cost will be $45.00 payable before the 1:00 p.m. T-off at the Pro- Shop. Players are reminded to wear shirts with collars and soft spike or tennis shoes.If you are interested in a motorcycle ride during the afternoon on this day, please contact Pastor Dan at the church office. A social supper will follow at the church following the tournament (no charge; donation basket available). Join this fun fellowship event for our Presbyterian Men!***********************************************************************************************************************
I would like to thank the church for all their concern and get well cards after my surgery and throughout my recovery. Thank you for all you care and support. It is nice to hear from my church family and to be asked after Sunday's service how "Hop Along" is doing. Ya'lls questions and comments make me smile every time.
I would also like to thank you all for your support in sending me to Triennium this summer. I had a wonderful time as I have told many of you. Being surrounded by over 3,000 God loving and praising Presbyterian youth and adults was incredible. I have never seen so many youth excited for worship, so excited that we practically ran in to get up close. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to attend Triennium.
Thank you,
Maddie Franklin
