From the Editor

 

This month as Spring springs forth yet again, I’m sitting at my computer listening to Mozart on an ucharacteristically cold and dreary Spring day, the cats are all gathered around observing their human engrossed in the creative process, and I have to reflect that we’re pretty much warm, dry and happy.

Things have been worse . . .

Now and then I see a guy on the corner with the sign proclaiming “Homeless.” In fact, it’s usually the same guy; I’ve seen him on various corners around the city for years, but still I think, There but for the Grace of God . . .

And it’s true, isn’t it? There but for the Grace of God could be any of us, so I’m glad we do some things as a congregation to support the less fortunate in our midst, and (fortunately or unfortunately) we don’t have to go to far-away places to find them.

Got a thought for the day you’d like to share? Drop us a line!

 

newsletter@grace-pres.org

 

 

Carl

Our Worship Schedule

Grace Presbyterian Sunday School

From the Pastor

Be A Bridge Builder

Are you a bridge builder? You should be. As Christians we are called to be bridge builders rather than wall builders. I’m reminded of the time when the Apostle Paul visited the city of Athens. The story is found in Acts 17 if you want to read it. He could have gone in there and blasted them for their idolatry and polytheism but he didn’t. He sought to build bridges rather than walls. He sought common ground in which he could tell them about the amazing love of God for them in Jesus Christ.

If we want to reach our culture for Christ we need to learn to build bridges.

Let’s let Paul be our guide. Here’s how he did it. First, he was confident in his message. He knew that Jesus was the only way to God. That salvation was found in no one else but Jesus. Paul wasn’t ambivalent on that point and neither should we. A second thing Paul did was to be attentive for ways to find common ground. He commended them for their religiosity rather than condemning them for it. Third, Paul was positive. He explained the Unknown God to them in a way that they could hear. And fourth, he was assertive. Paul wasn’t afraid to talk religion with them. He knew Christ and he was confident that he had something to tell them that would transform their lives.

Let’s be like Paul, building bridges to our culture so that we can, without embarrassment, share the transforming love of Christ with them.

Grace and Peace,

Larry

 

Letters to the Editor

Dear SLOG:

One minute each night in WWII, there was an  advisor to Churchill who organized a group of people who dropped what they were doing every night at a prescribed hour for one minute to collectively pray for the safety of  England, its people and peace.  This had an amazing effect as bombing stopped.

 There is now a group of people organizing the  same thing here in America. If you would like to  participate: Each evening at 9:00 PM Eastern Time (8:00 PM  Central, 7:00 PM Mountain, 6:00 PM Pacific), stop whatever you are doing and spend one minute praying for the safety  of the United States, our troops, our citizens and for peace  in the world.

If you know anyone who would like to participate, please pass this along. Someone said if  people really understood the full extent of the power we have available through prayer, we might be speechless.  Our prayers are the most powerful asset we  have.

 

Jean Starnes

 

Dear SLOG:

Greetings from Orphanos!  Those of you who sent Christmas cards to the Orphanos children will be especially pleased to see four Easter cards designed by the children at Lar Batista in Southern Brazil and sent to us.  Lar Batista has been in operation for the past thirty-seven years and has raised close to 650 children under the management of Pai and Mae Fragoso.  Many of you will remember their daughter Grace who has visited our church several times and works in the Orphanos office in Cordova.  A few years ago our church provided outside lighting for the orphanage.  See these cards on the bulletin board.

 Jean Markham

From the Presbyterian Women

 

Circle meetings for April

 

Circle # 1 - Tuesday April 8, 2008 at 10:00 AM at the church

 

Circle # 2 - Tuesday April 8, 2008 at 10:00 AM at the home of Diane Graves

 

Circle # 3 - Tuesday April 15, 2008 at 10:00 AM at the church and go to lunch after the Bible Study

 

Circle # 4 and # 5 – Together, Monday April 14, 2008 at 7:00 PM at the church

 

Board meeting - April 28, 2008 at 7:00 PM at the home of Jan Evans

 

 

The PW Annual Gathering will be held Saturday April 5, 2008 at Parkway Gardens United Church from 9:00 AM to after the 12:15 PM lunch.

Did You Know . . . ?

We have Sunday School classes for all ages?

Children’s Groups:

v    Nursery School. Teachers are Kathe Walker and Judith Thigpun

v    2 Years-Pre-K. Teachers are Wendi Glenn, Frances Kitterman and Debbie Metoyer.

v    Kindergarten-5^th Grade. Teachers are Susan Lawson, Michelle Miles and Cathy Bendall

Youth Groups

v    Jr. & Sr. High Students. Teacher is Carl Jones

Adult Groups

v    In-Betweeners. Class for young adults, college age though 30’s

v    Bible Discovery. Leaders are John Dotson and Bill Bendall

v    Friendship Class. Leader is John Price

Sara Lawson is our Sunday School Superintendent and Suzanne Getman is our Asst. Superintendent.

The Sunday School hour is from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

A big THANK YOU to these volunteers who are our teachers and leaders.

From the Congregational Life Committee

Annual Churchwide Picnic Saturday, April 26

The Congregational Life Committee invites you to come to Ellendale Park to enjoy food, fun, and fellowship Saturday, April 26. The pavilion has been reserved from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Just bring a potluck dish; the committee will provide burgers, hot dogs, chips and drinks. Lunch will be available at about 11:00 am.

The park is a nice shady area with plenty of picnic tables. Everyone is encouraged to bring a lawn chair. There are paved walking trails suitable for baby buggies, children’s tricycles and bikes.

There will be games for children and adults: Horseshoes, Bean Bag Toss, Badminton, Croquet and others. Swings and slides are available for the smaller children. You may also want to bring Frisbees, baseballs and gloves.

Registration will be required to help the Committee determine how much food to prepare. Watch for the registration forms in the Sunday bulletins in the coming weeks. Completed forms will need to be received in the office by April 22. A map to Ellendale Park will also be included in the bulletins.

 

Did You Know . . . ?

We have two volunteers who stay after the 11:15 AM church service to count the offering and register all the information for our financial administrator, Betsy Lewis? They are Joan Tinnen and Larry Toussaint. We appreciate their devotion to this project each week. By using your offering envelopes or stating on your check what the money is for Joan and Larry’s job is much easier to make sure your contribution is registered to your “account”. Please take time to thank Joan and Larry for their wonderful service.

 

From the Worship Committee

 

FLOWERS – Flowers are God’s wonderful creation. They are especially welcome as they usher in springtime – from the golden daffodils and the brightly colored tulips to the breathtaking display of azaleas that we enjoy in this city. Children like to pick bouquets from their yards giving them to their mothers to say “I love you.” We give roses on Valentine’s Day to express our love. Flowers are an important part of weddings with much thought given to the kind of flower used and the color. We like to bring flowers from the yard to add a touch of color inside.

 

In the same manner, the beautiful poinsettias grace our sanctuary at Christmas and the Easter lilies and tulips make our celebration of Easter even more joyous. Don’t fail to enjoy the spectacular display of Easter lilies this spring just outside the kitchen area on the south side of the building. They will be blooming much later after Easter. Many thanks to Ken Hathaway who planted those lilies left over from Easter in years past for our continued enjoyment.

 

For over twenty years Katherine Fitzgerald has provided countless bouquets, many of the flowers from her own yard, as she has used her God-given talent for growing and arranging flowers to the Glory of God. Katherine could always be counted on to provide and arrange table decorations for church events such as church potluck suppers, Presbyterian Women gatherings and most recently the receptions for our ministers, Judith Reese and Larry Turner. Katherine is making plans to move to be with her daughter and will be leaving our midst. We will sorely miss her talent and her flowers.

 

You are invited to place flowers in the sanctuary in memory of someone, in honor of someone, or to the Glory of God. Sign the flower calendar on the wall in the hallway to reserve the date, then call the church office at 386-3241 and give the details to the Administrative Assistant, Linda. Place your order with Bartlett Florist at 388-013l. Tell them you are from Grace Presbyterian Church, give them the order and the date you want flowers to be delivered. The basic arrangement is $35.00 which is usually very nice. Special flowers (roses, etc.) will cost more.  Make your check payable to Grace Presbyterian Church and place it in the collection plate. Note on the bottom of the check that it is for flowers. For additional information, please contact Wendi Glenn, Cell phone (901) 338-3816.

 

Jean Markham, Chair

 

 

 

 

 

Did You Know . . . ?

We have a church-wide program each spring? We have met at Pinecrest for a family camp for several years. This year we will be meeting at Ellendale Park for a family picnic. The picnic is Saturday April 26, 2008. Watch for up to date information in this month’s newsletter plus the Sunday bulletins. Mark your calendars for this church-wide event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACROSS

1 Then Jesus declared, "I ___ the bread of life (John 6:35)

4 he went away and sold everything he ___ and bought it (Matt 13:46)

7 "___ ! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? (Luke 4:34)

9 When he lies, he speaks his ___ language, for he is a liar (John 8:44-45)

11 he taketh from him all his ___ wherein he trusted (Luke 11:22) KJV

13 You hypocrites, why are you trying to ___ me? (Matt 22:18)

14 If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will ___ out (Matt 9:17)

15 That ___ after the dust of the earth on the head of the poor (Amos 2:7) KJV

16 They are full of envy, murder, ___ , deceit and malice (Rom 1:29)

17 Every day I sat in the temple___ teaching, and you did not arrest me (Matt 26:55)

18 The breath of God produces ___, and the broad waters become frozen (Job 37:10)

19 the supreme commander, sent by ___ king of Assyria (Isa 20:1)

22 Strengthen the feeble hands, ___ the knees that give way (Isa 35:3)

26 The ___ of those who ate was about five thousand men (Matt 14:21)

30 gathered the quails: he that gathered least gathered ten ___ (Num 11:32) KJV

33 Instead, he took the ___ lamb that belonged to the poor man (2 Sam 12:4)

34 I have come into the deep waters; the ___ engulf me (Ps 69:2)

36 words of the prophets declare good to the king with one ___ (2 Chron 18:12) KJV

39 do not let your ___ hand know what your right hand is doing (Matt 6:3)

40 Give us today ___ daily bread (Matt 6:11)

41 For my yoke is ___ and my burden is light (Matt 11:30)

42 When he saw Queen ___ standing in the court, he was pleased (Est 5:2)

43 Men will faint from ___, apprehensive of what is coming (Luke 21:26)

44 Be perfect, therefore, ___ your heavenly Father is perfect (Matt 5:48)

45 Son, be of good cheer; ___ sins be forgiven thee (Matt 9:2) KJV

46 "follow ___ ," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men”(Matt 4:19)

 

DOWN

1 ___ are creatures of little strength (Prov 30:25)

2 sister of Lazarus (John 11:5)

3 as one wipes a dish, ___ it and turning it upside down (2 Kings 21:13)

4 And ___ is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth (John 4:37) KJV

5 Isn't he the one they sing about in their ___ (1 Sam 21:11)

6 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not ___ sin (Rom 4:8) KJV

7 Those who were my enemies without cause ___ me like a bird (Lam 3:52)

8 the magicians tried to produce gnats by their secret ___ (Ex 8:18)

10 she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with ___ and pitch (Ex 2:3)

12 all that handle the ___ , the mariners, and all the pilots (Ezek 27:29) KJV

19 Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the ___ of the world! (John 1:29)

20 one ___ and one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering (Num 7:15)

21 A voice of ___ calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord (Matt 3:3)

23 For where ___ or three come together in my name, there am I (Matt 18:20)

24 Ask him. He is of ___ ; he will speak for himself (John 9:21)

25 king of the Jews? "___ , it is as you say," Jesus replied (Matt 27:11)

27 no one can see the kingdom of God ___ he is born again (John 3:3)

28 the Israelites were to live in ___ during the feast of the seventh month (Neh 8:14)

29 he did not ___ to sorcery as at other times (Num 24:1)

30 so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by ___ counsel (Prov 27:9) KJV

31 "No misfortune is seen in Jacob, no ___ observed in Israel (Num 23:21)

32 the ___ for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough (Ps 49:8)

34 Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? A ___? (1 Sam 24:14)

35 How ___ is the candle of the wicked put out! (Job 21:17) KJV

37 and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ___ (Mark 14:47)

38 Jesus withdrew to the region of ___ and Sidon (Matt 15:21)

 

April 2008
Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
		1	2 6:30Awana 6:30Youth Bible Study 6:30 Prop. Comm. 7:30 Choir	3 Praise band - 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm 6:30 Christian Education	4 Youth Lockout – Bring $30.00	5
6 5:00 Bell Choir Practice 6:00 Youth Study	7	8 7:00 Cong. Life	9 6:30Awana 6:30 Youth Bible Study 7:30 Choir	10 Praise band - 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm	11	12 9:00 am Youth Car Wash (Bring $5.00 for lunch)
13 3:30 Worship Committee No Youth Meeting 5:00 Bell Choir Practice	14 7:00 Commitment Committee	15	16 6:30 Awana 6:30 Youth Bible Study 7:30Choir	17 Praise band - 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm	18	19 10:30 am GraceFest 2008
20 TBA Youth Laser Quest 5:00 Bell Choir Practice	21 7:00Session	22	23 6:30 Awana 6:30 Youth Bible Study 7:30 Choir	24 Praise band - 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm	25	26 11 am Family Picnic – Ellendale Park
27 5:00 Bell Choir Practice 6:00 Youth Bring a Friend Game Night	28 7:00 PW Board Meeting Home of Jan Evans	29	30 6:30Awana 6:30 Youth Bible Study 7:30Choir