Dear Church Family, “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life …” John 6:27 John records the miracle of Jesus feeding 5,000 people at the beginning of the sixth chapter of his gospel. Later the crowds followed Jesus and he questioned their motives. They were not following him for who he was and the mission he was calling them to undertake. He said, “You are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.” Then Jesus encouraged them to work for enduring values. As individual Christians and as a congregation, what motivates our response to Jesus Christ? Do we believe that our relationship to Jesus Christ is purely a personal response? Such a value places little emphasis upon participation in the community of the Church. Such a response does not acknowledge that commitment to Jesus unites us with a community of faith which seems to guide our growth in faith, support and nurture that faith, and provide discipline and encouragement for our continuing discipleship. If Grace Church is to live up to our highest values … what are they? I can think of four primary values that will best honor God. I will list them in order: Making disciples of Jesus Christ Relating to the outsider just as Jesus did, with no concern for self or cost Knowing, teaching, and sharing the Word of God with others Doing whatever is necessary to reach the lost around us. Our congregation’s life will then be marked by disciplined lives, pervasive prayer, constant activities outside the walls of the church, and a constant readiness to change in order to meet more effectively the needs of others. The greatest response we can make to God, as individuals and as a congregation, is the response of communicating Christ’s love to others. May God make us more sensitive to working for the enduring values as we minister together in this new year. In Christian love, Activities 2 Missions 4 Spotlight 5 Youth 6 Calendar 7 Birthdays 8 To help you prepare to hear God’s Word at worship: Readings for February 1 Deuteronomy 18:15-20 Psalm 111 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 Mark 1:21-28 Readings for February 8 Isaiah 40:21-31 Psalm 147:1-11, 20c 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 Mark 1:29-39 Readings for February 15 2 Kings 2:1-12 Psalm 50:1-6 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 Mark 9:2-9 Readings for February 22 Genesis 9:8-17 Psalm 25:1-10 1 Peter 3:18-22 Mark 1:9-15 Amazing Grace Let’s go to camp! Now’s the time to register! Check out the Susquehanna conference summer Camps’ website at www.susumcamps.org or call 1-800-8748474 to learn more about the United Methodist Summer Camp Programs. You can even register on line! If you would like to review a brochure, or go the paper registration route, contact Sandy Grimes at 5662897. Discounts are available for early registration. Get up and enjoy the great outdoors! How do you balance your busy life? Join us for an evening out on Saturday, March 7th at 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. You will enjoy dinner, entertainment, and connecting with your peers as we work at finding balance in an imbalanced world. Childcare is available. Please contact the Planning Committee at balance4family@ gmail.com or Tammy Houck at [email protected] or 566-2897. Take Your Vow of Membership Join us if you are interested in growing in your faith and understanding of our Wesleyan traditions. All new members are required to attend this six-week study. Our next session will begin on Sunday, February 8th at 6:30 pm, with an informational coffee hour hosted by Rev. John at Grace. Subsequent sessions will be held on Sunday mornings from 9:30 to 10:30 am, beginning Sunday, February 15th and ending on Sunday, March 22nd. New members will take their vows of membership on Sunday, March 22nd at the 10:45 am worship service. If you are interested in attending, please contact Tammy Houck at [email protected] or 566-2897. Children’s Musical Italian Night Fundraiser Italian Night at JoJo’s is set for Monday, March 2nd from 4 to 7 pm. The menu includes spaghetti and meatballs, chicken parmesan, stuffed shells or pizza. We’ll receive 15% of their receipts. Look for more details in the Sunday bulletin announcements. February’s Friendship Breakfast is set for Wednesday, February 4th at 8:30 am 2 February 2015 Western Family Night Saturday, February 21st 4 to 6:00 pm It’s time to break out your cowboy boots and flannel shirts! Join us for our annual Family Fun Western Night at Grace. Come enjoy our western cuisine including rattle snake bites, tractor wheels, and cow patties. Children can experience lassoing a bull, mining for gold, crafts, and more! There will be opportunities to donate funds to our Ready-for-School Program such as a bake sale, creatively crafted hobby horses to purchase for the kiddos and our “Best Cowpoke of Grace” contest! Support your favorite Grace Cowboy by donating money to his collection can before the big Cowpoke Competition. Our competitors for this year are Rev. John, Brent Simpson, Bryan Waldron, John Kaschak and George Woodring. So come out and support your favorite! Awards will be given for best western wear so be sure to dress to impress. Sign-up at the Welcome Center today! Adults $7 - Children (ages 10 & under) $3. Mom’s Group You’re invited to join the Women of Grace with Young Children who meet Wednesday mornings at 9:30 am in the home of Jacki Kratz. These stay-at-home moms are currently viewing a Beth Moore series on Revelations while their children play in eye and ear shot of their mothers. Contact Jacki at [email protected] or call/text her at 717-475-7494. Upcoming Dates of Importance! Sunday, February 1 Sunday, February 8 Wednesday, February 11 Sunday, February 15 Wednesday, February 18 Saturday, February 21 Sunday, March 1 Potato Soup Sale, proceeds benefit the Ready for School Program Children’s Musical Bake Sale Scout Sunday Grace Christian Preschool Pizza Hut Fundraiser Youth Sunday celebrated at all three worship services Ash Wednesday Dinner served from 5 to 6:45 pm Ash Wednesday Worship Service 7 pm Family Western Night from 4 to 6 pm Annual Blood Drive 3 Amazing Grace Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25:40 A significant number of non-profit organizations fold within the first five years. However, Love In the Name of Christ (Love INC) is heading into its eighth year serving the Hummelstown/Hershey community! Having surpassed the critical transition period, Love INC’s Board of Directors recently held a planning session to establish a five-year strategic plan. “We are a maturing organization and are taking the necessary steps to be here long into the future,” states Executive Director, Diana Myrvang. “None of what we do would be viable without the valued support of our 17 partner churches.” Since Love INC operates with a limited staff of three parttime employees, the non-profit agency relies heavily on over 450 volunteers to meet community needs. Grace Church members have played vital roles in supporting Love INC’s ministries. In 2014, members volunteered nearly 1,000 hours, serving on a regular basis with upkeep at the parsonages, providing clerical duties in the office, and lending skills to refurbish bicycles. Every month members of Grace meet with clients at the Hummelstown Food Bank, taking personal care requests, distributing items, and offering further assistance including resume writing, job interviewing, and budgeting classes (which are offered throughout the year by Love INC volunteers). Many members have become involved in annual events including the Sneaker Collection and Distribution Drive which fitted over 400 local children with new footwear in august. Fourteen members baked over two dozen pies for the fourth annual Pie Auction. Many support the Share the Love Campaign each Valentine’s Day which is currently underway (see information table in the Narthex). Also, year ‘round support is given for the Personal Care Closet Ministry which provides non-food items to over 70 families every month. Donations are very much needed on a regular basis and may be placed in the collection basket located in the Narthex. As the Church Ministry Coordinator, I thank Grace Church for its continued and growing support of Love INC! I invite you to visit www.loveinthenameofchristgreaterhershey.org and consider where your personal talents and time may be used to support of many ministries of Love INC in 2015 and beyond. Contact the office at 835-0101 or Susan Schulteis at 566-9548 to make a commitment to help on a regular basis, provide a few hours of service, donate monetarily, or assist with a specific event. PS - Valentine’s Day is fast-approaching. Time to let your friends, family, co-workers, teachers, coaches, and loved ones know how much they mean to you. For a donation of $10, Love INC will beautifully wrap a long-stemmed, red rose, add a personalized message from you, and deliver your gift to the recipient’s home or place of employment in the Hershey/Hummelstown area. Orders may be made online at Loveincgreaterhershey.org, by calling the office at 835-0101, or filling out an order form located at the display table in the Narthex. Orders will be taken until February 9th. A large percentage of the proceeds will support the many ministries Love INC serves. 4 February 2015 Scholarship Aid Available The United Methodist Scholarship Program is a church-wide educational service providing scholarships to help supplement the financial needs of today’s students. Funding for these scholarships is provided through Special Sundays Offerings, wills, annuities and other designated gifts. Students need to complete only one application each year. Applications are reviewed by members of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) and other affiliated representatives. The following are standard criteria for every program offered through GBHEM: Applicants must be pursuing a degree program at any accredited institution. High School students may apply if they will be college students in the fall term. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Applicants are required to be full-time students according to their school’s standards for the program for which they are enrolled. I am pleased to announce that Matt Houck (one of Grace’s own youth) has been awarded one of these scholarships. The next time you see Matt, please take a moment to congratulate him! Applicants must be an active, full member of the United Methodist Church for at Seniors graduating this June, you might least one year. Membership is determined by the date the applicant was con- want to check out this opportunity. firmed and took membership vows with a United Methodist church. (Members of other Methodist denominations are not eligible.) Here’s What’s Cookin’ On February 18th, Tami will be preparing a meal to be served from 5 to 6:45 pm before the 7 pm Ash Wednesday worship service. The menu includes baked ziti, a veggie, roll, salad and dessert. February’s Soup Sale flavor is loaded potato soup. Proceeds benefit the Ready for School Program. Sign-up at the Welcome Center. Thursday’s menus for February are: 2/5 Mike Still’s famous sauerkraut, roast pork, mashed potatoes, veggie, roll, and dessert 2/12 baked chicken thighs, mac & cheese, veggie, roll, salad and dessert 2/19 cheeseburgers, baked beans, chips, fixin’s, and dessert 2/26 lasagna, veggie, garlic bread, salad, and dessert 5 Amazing Grace Grace Kids’ Club is back! Grace Kids Club will begin March 4th. Kids in Kindergarten through 5th grade are invited to join us after school on Wednesdays for 4 weeks. From 3:45 to 5:30 pm, there will be games, a snack, Bible lesson, craft, music and fun led by Grace youth. Registration will be available soon through the Church website at gracehummelstown.org under Programs/Grace Kids’ Club. Please see Sandy Grimes, Barb Rosensteel, or Stacey Forshey for more information, or if you are a youth or adult who would like to help. February GUMY Events Sunday, February 1 GUMY and TY join for a Superbowl Party in the Youth Room. We will have great food and ask each Youth’s family to bring a drink and a nutfree sweet to share. Please note the extended hours of 6 pm to 9 pm. Sunday, February 8 GUMY Event at our usual time of 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Sunday, February 15 Youth Sunday at Grace! Our Youth will lead all three services! Please come and join us. A luncheon will be held after the service, so please sign-up at the Welcome Center desk. Sunday, February 22 We will have a “Poverty Dinner” in anticipation of our 30-Hour Famine weekend coming the 13th and 14th of March. We always welcome any Youth grades 7 through 12 to our GUMY events; and 5th and 6th grade young people to our TY events. iBlast Rehearsal Dates/Times for February February 1 - 4:45 to 6 pm February 8 - 4:45 to 6:15 pm February 15 - no practice (Youth Sunday) February 22 - 4:45 to 6:15 pm 6 Thu Fri Sat Fe b ru a r y 2 0 1 5 Wed 7 Tue 6 14 Youth Sunday Practice 8 am to noon Mon 5 Family Dinner served from 5 to 6:30 pm Covenant Bible Study 5:50 pm Angel Choir 6 pm Junior Praise 6:35 pm Chancel Choir 7 pm 13 Sun 4 Friendship Breakfast 8:30 am Women’s Bible Study 9:30 am both at Grace and Kratz Home Handbell Rehearsals 5:30 - 7:30 pm Adult Volleyball 7 pm 12 God’s Girls 2:45 pm Family Dinner served from 5 to 6:30 pm Covenant Bible Study 5:50 pm Angel Choir 6 pm Junior Praise 6:35 pm Chancel Choir 7 pm 2 10 Men’s Basketball 7 pm 11 Women’s Bible Study 9:30 am both at Grace and Kratz Home GCP Fundraiser at Pizza Hut 11am-10pm Handbell Rehearsals 5:30 - 7:30 pm 19 Family Dinner served from 5 to 6:30 pm Covenant Bible Study 5:50 pm Angel Choir 6 pm Junior Praise 6:35 pm Chancel Choir 7 pm GUMY Advisors 7pm 17 Men’s Basketball 7 pm 18 Women’s Bible Study 9:30 am both at Grace and Kratz Home Ash Wednesday Meal served from 5 to 6:45 Ash Wednesday Worship 7 pm 26 Family Dinner served from 5 to 6:30 pm Covenant Bible Study 5:50 pm Angel Choir 6 pm Junior Praise 6:35 pm Chancel Choir 7 pm 3 Men’s Basketball 7 pm 9 16 Widows & Friends at Grace1pm 23 24 Men’s Basketball 7 pm 25 Women’s Bible Study 9:30 am both at Grace and Kratz’ Handbell Rehearsals 5:30 - 7:30 pm GCP Open House 5:30 - 7:30 pm Adult Volleyball 7 pm 1 Loaded Potato Soup Sale Children’s Musical Rehearsal 1-3 pm iBlast 4:45 pm Rev. John’s Confirmation Class 5 pm GUMY/TY Superbowl Party 6-9 pm 8 Scout Sunday Children’s Musical Bake Sale Fundraiser Musical Rehearsal 1-3 Prayer Shawl 3 pm iBlast 4:45 pm New Member Coffee with Rev. John 6:30 GUMY 6:30 pm 15 Youth Sunday New Members’ Class 9:30 am Children’s Musical Rehearsal 1-3 pm No iBlast today No evening GUMY 22 New Members’ Class 9:30 am Children’s Musical Rehearsal 1-3 pm Prayer Shawl 3 pm iBlast 4:45 pm GUMY Poverty Dinner 27 20 28 21 Family Western Night 4 to 6 pm 7 Happy Birthday Greetings To …. 2/01 Barbara Gebhart Gina Yocum Jacquelyne Endy Samantha Farace 2/02 Wanda McDonough 2/03 Colette Cocco Morgan Crouse Mason Lupp 2/04 John McGinn Amy Darowish Ashleigh Simpson Carter Erwin 2/05 Caleb Ocker 2/06 Donald Woodburn Erica Ndlovu 2/07 Ann Biser John Zitko Tommy Klock 2/08 Kimberly Dotts Kennedy Brown 2/10 Janice Evans Yvonne Abela Nick Ruddle 2/11 Ray Davidson Mary Cook 2/11 Annie Sierer 2/13 Robin Bubnis Dylan Wanner Connor Leiby 2/14 Pam Dykes Anne Hartzfeld David Sierer 2/15 Jennifer Russell Bel Bergey 2/16 Dean Cray Mark Yocum Robert Fallat Hannah Haynes Megan Mitchell 2/17 Sally Terry 2/17 Alex Wagner 2/18 Earl Cassel Gretchen Yingst John Harman Timothy Barr Mike Turner 2/19 Ashley Lynch Liz Lynch 2/20 Ron Bell 8 2/20 Ellie Reynolds Katelyn Hanft 2/21 Rob Harper Kiley Strohm Alexandra Sierer Benjamin Sierer Nickolaus Janak 2/22 Dale Forshey 2/23 Tiffany Cartwright Shane Boyer Weston Miller 2/24 Brandon Harper 2/25 Trey Klock 2/26 Meghan Swavely Andrew Zomok Kelly Barr McKenna Helder 2/27 Kenneth Cook Sherry Bechtel Kyle Ercol Alexander Klipa 2/28 Arlene Fisher Tina Marie Lerch Charlisse Elliott
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