GRACE NEWS

Grace United Methodist Church

1401 West Main Street, Springfield, Ohio 45504

“Growing in Grace, Serving in faith,

Reaching out with God’s Love to Bring All to Christ”

Volume XXII, Issue10 Published Monthly October 2017

STEWARDSHIP PRAYER

O God, our loving creator and giver of all our good gifts, bless our church, strength-

en our faith and grant us the spirit of Christian stewardship so that we may give

generously of our time, talent, and money to the spread of Your Kingdom here in our

church and throughout the world. We pray through Jesus Christ, who multiplied the

loaves and fish so that everyone had more than their fill. Amen

WEALTH? Yes, that’s what we have here in our Grace family. You may think,

not me! I’m not wealthy. Well reflect for a minute with me about the exceedingly good

and gracious ways you contribute to the Body of Christ through your offerings, your

tithes, your gifts, and your time. When a need is expressed or wherever helping hands

are needed everyone in the Grace family answers the call—receiving more blessings than

we give. Christian stewardship gives Joy! — I count Joy with Jesus as WEALTH! Command them to do

good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. (1 Timothy 6:17)

As God’s stewards we have responsibilities that, in turn, bring us WEALTH! We receive with joyful

thanksgiving the many gifts that God showers upon us—time, talent, treasure, our bodies, our friendships,

natural resources and the beauty around us. As Christian stewards God helps us manage our time wisely so

we can give it in a balanced way. Our abilities help us to be a vital part of the Body as we put our talents to

work in ministry. Lastly let’s consider our resources, whether they are slight or major, we should be grateful

to Honor the Lord with our wealth, with the first fruits of all our crops; then our barns will be filled to over-

flowing, and our vats will brim over with new wine. (Proverbs 3: 9-10). Look up to see where all our bless-

ings come from! God is the ultimate giver of all we have.

As Christian stewards, the Grace family faithfully blends all of their WEALTH by responding to God’s

call. For it is well known the surest way to be enriched is to share freely what you have, whether it be mon-

ey, love, appreciation of beauty, or devotion to a worthy cause. I am so happy to be a part of a family who

are WEALTHY and live expectantly as God’s stewards. We are all blessed! Whatever ever you do, do it

from the heart for the Lord and not for people. You know that you will receive an inheritance as

a reward. You serve the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24 CEB)

In Christ’s love and mine, Mary F. Ahlborn , Finance Chair

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Church Conference Minutes, September 14, 2017

The Church Conference meeting of September 14, 2017 was presided over by Rev. Victoria C. Downing, Pastor of Grace United Methodist Church, Springfield. After her opening prayer, Pastor Vicki explained to members that the meeting was being held to vote on relocating the Grace congre-gation to the newly established UMC Central Community Center in downtown Springfield (formerly Faith UMC). For the past six months All Church Meetings have been held by Grace UMC to investi-gate, study, and pray over the advantages and disadvantages of the possibility for relocating the Grace congregation to the UMC Community Center. Pastor Vicki said, “With the information that has been gathered and discussed at each meeting, it was time for the members to vote whether to move or stay in our own church facility.” Before the vote, John Ahlborn, Leadership Chair, presented devotions and prayer. A Treasurer’s bal-ance sheet was given to all. The next order of business was explanation of the voting procedure. Voting on the issue was made by secret ballot. After the votes were collected, Marilyn Martin, SPPRC Chair, and Mike Amos, Head Trustee, counted the votes. While waiting for the voting results, at-tendees had fellowship and refreshments. Voting results: 54 voted to stay in the Grace church facility 4 voted to move to the UMC Community Center 35 members were present to vote 23 were telephone votes by members (authenticated by Belinda Montgomery, Office Manager and Membership Chair.) With the majority vote being to stay in our present facility, Pastor Vicki said the Trustees will contin-ue to work with Tim Parchal, a construction engineer, to finalize his proposal for the roof repairs which will be presented to members in the near future.

Respectfully submitted, Mary Ahlborn, Secretary

NEXT ALL CHURCH MEETING -- THURSDAY, OCT 12, 6:00 PM Attendees: John & Mary Ahlborn, Michael Amos, Forrest & Lynda Applegate, Dan & Pastor Vicki Downing, Bruce & Gail Eckler, Becky Frantz, Larry & Phyllis Garber, Mardella Hesson, Paul Luttrull, Marilyn and Tom Martin, Matt Monroe, Belinda & Lynn Montgomery, Bill and Paulette Pinkerton, Da-vid & Barbara Sheehan, Betty Stanley, Kim Stehle, Dave Speas, Mary Collins, LaDonna Knasel, Roxanne Combs, Chalta Hillock, Jane Shough, Mattie McCain, Betty Smith, Roger Frock, Barbara and Mike McCoy.

May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father encourage you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say. 2 Thessalonians 2:16 Funnies for Pastor Vicki in honor of her birthday, Oct 15th: It’s a bad day for Pastor Vicki when … -- The church votes to change her day off to Sunday. -- She calls the groom by the bride’s former boyfriend’s name. -- She gets assigned to nursery duty—during the morning service. -- The organist is asked to play while she preaches. -- She forgets to turn her cordless mike off and says…

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Scriptures For October

Oct. 1 Romans 2:7

Oct. 2 2 Timothy 3:16

Oct. 3 Ephesians 4:12-13

Oct. 4 Ephesians 2:10

Oct. 5 Psalm 4:7-8

Oct. 6 Romans 9:17

Oct. 7 1 Corinthians 6:11

Oct. 8 Psalm 32:8

Oct. 9 Proverbs 8:17

Oct. 10 Psalm 119:41

Oct. 11 Philippians 2:12-13

Oct. 12 Matthew 7:24

Oct. 13 Philippians 4:5

Oct. 14 1 Timothy 1:14

Oct. 15 Luke 11:13

Oct. 16 Philippians 4:19

Oct. 17 Psalm 21:6

Oct. 18 Psalm 119:50

Oct. 19 Matthew 6:14

Oct. 20 Proverbs 27:5

Oct. 21 Hebrews 2:1

Oct. 22 Romans 12:5

Oct. 23 Psalm 51:6

Oct. 24 Matthew 21:22

Oct. 25 2 Corinthians 4:13

Oct. 26 Romans 15:2

Oct. 27 Ephesians 4:15

Oct. 28 Psalm 9:1

Oct. 29 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Oct. 30 Hebrews 4:3

Oct. 31 1 Corinthians 6:19

Prayer Needed

Mike & Cathy Amos

Gwelda Bilow

Pastor Mary Beth Cheeseman

Claudia Clark

Jim Cornelius

Chuck Freund

Lois Gram

Phyllis Greetham Juanita Juergens

Millie Luttrull Lynn Montgomery

Margie Shaffner Barbara Sheehan

Karl & Bette Stevens Jack Yeager

Grace Church sends sincere sympathy to the Family &

Friends of Jerry Grindle on her passing on August 30, 2017.

Grace Church sends sincere sympathy to the Family &

Friends of Barbara Cornelius on her passing on September 4,

2017

“Shower of Blessings”

Recipient for October is

Margie Rumery

3926Cabot Dr., Apt B,

Springfield OH 45503

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Lou Rust - Oct. 3 (Oakwood Vil-

lage,1500 Villa Rd., Apt. 332, Spfld.,

OH 45503)

Gwelda Bilow - Oct. 24 (2150 Montego Dr., Spfld., OH 45503)

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- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - CUT HERE- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

PLEDGING OURSELVES TO GOD PLEDGING OURSELVES TO GOD

PLEDGING OURSELVES TO GOD

Name:____________________________ Member

I will: Attendee

Pray for our church and our ministry.

Attend a class or study group for spiritual growth.

Serve in a ministry area.

Please circle the number of the area(s) willing to serve:

1. Evangelism

2. Outreach

3. Discipleship (teaching).

4. Hospitality (nurture).

5. Worship.

PLEDGING OURSELVES TO GOD

Name:_____________________________ Member

Attendee

I am pledging a tithe (10%) of my income.

I am pledging a proportion (some %) of my

income.

I am increasing my pledge with a goal of moving

toward the tithe as my giving goal.

My financial pledge:

$__________weekly

$__________monthly

$__________yearly

CONSECRATION OF PLEDGES IN SUPPORT OF GRACE UMC, Sunday, 0ct. 15th

Filling out a pledge card is a powerful act of Worship as we are totally trusting in God to help us fulfill our

promises to Him. Pledging our support to our church gives us an opportunity to thank God and bless His

community with offerings from the labor of our lives. Annual pledges represent recognition of the abun-

dance of God’s gifts to us and our dedication to His church.

Pledges are the primary funding mechanism for Grace UMC services and programs. Our pledges allow us to

responsibly carry out God’s work in this congregation and the community-at-large. But primarily, our giving

to God is not about the need of the church to receive, but the need of the giver to give. God’s gifts to us

begin with the beauty of His creation to the current and future plan He has for us. Our faith in Him as our

Provider helps us to lay self-reliance aside and focus on what God needs in order to grow His Kingdom.

Please turn pledges in on or prior to October 15, 2017

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise: give thanks to Him and

praise His name.” Psalm 100:4

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For all you did during my

surgery and recuperation

time.

Lynn Montgomery

CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP

Christian stewardship successfully bridges the material world around

us and the world of the spirit within us. Stewardship enables

Christians to measure the extent of our faith in and love of Jesus by

the kind and quality of the stewardship we perform. Stewardship is

not job-oriented or project minded. It is a way of life for a lifetime.

Eagle and Dove Christmas Boxes

First of all, a big thank you to all of you who have been contributing school

supplies. You can check the chart any time to see what we still need.

Now we are moving on to the rest of the items we would like to include. We

need hats and gloves, which will probably soon be available at the Dollar

Stores, etc. We need stuffed toys. Please also be looking for small toys for boys and girls. (cars,

small balls, yo-yo’s, etc.)

We will also accept money donations if you would prefer we do the shopping.

Thank you for being a blessing to these young children.

Annual Creamed Chicken ‘n’ Biscuit Dinner

The Creamed Chicken n Biscuit Dinner is Thursday, November, 2nd. There

will be two "seatings" again this year. Last year, along with the addition of a

lunch service, some yummy menu items were also added; mashed pota-

toes and noodles. The sign-up sheets with the items needed will be posted.

Many volunteers will also be needed. The chicken pickin' day will be

Wednesday this year instead of Tuesday. Details for what positions need

volunteers will be posted with the ingredients lists.

United Methodist Women

October Circle dates::Rachel Circle usually meets on the third Wednesday and Miriam Circle meets on the third Thursday (October 19th) at noon at the Masonic Home. It's my understanding that Rachel Circle hasn't been meeting. Anyone interested may join the Miriam Circle at the Masonic Home for lunch. The United Methodist Women have lost 3 of our instrumental members, that will be greatly missed. Jean Ann Stephens, Jerry Grindle and Barbara Cornelius were not just members of the UMW, they were leaders and mentors. At the gathering on 9/26 will be having a memorial moment for them. We will be sharing stories and

favorite memories. Please bring your stories to share along with any photos. RoxAnne

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October 1 Stewardship Campaign begins World Communion Sunday (offering) October 9 Columbus Day, Bank & Church Offices OPEN October 12 All Church Meeting, 6:00 PM October 15 Consecration Sunday, Newsletter Deadline, Pastor Vicki’s Birthday October 16 Connection Blueprint Meeting @ Grace UMC, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM October 29 Church Conference, after 10:45 AM service

A 10 year old little girl was asked by another classmate,

“What is it like to be a Christian?” The girl replied, “It’s like

being a pumpkin. God picks you from the patch, brings you in,

and washes all the dirt off of you. Then he cuts open the top and

scoops out all of the yucky stuff. He removes the seeds of doubt,

hate, greed, etc., and then He carves you a new smiling face

and puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see.”

2017 Stewardship Celebration

Oct 1 – Oct 15

CONSCECRATION OF PLEDGES

Oct 15

2017 Budget = $161,325.00

2017 Average giving each month Jan thru Jun $11,690.00

Membership as of 2016 – 120

Average attendance Jan - Jun of 2017 – 69

Second Mile Giving:

UMCOR for Texas & Florida $740.00

Pregnancy Resource Clinic $303.73

WHO ARE WE

AND WHAT DO WE BELIEVE?

As members of the Grace fellowship

we agreed to

-- faithfully participate in its ministries with

-- our prayers, our presence

-- our gifts, and our service.

MOPS (Mother of Preschoolers) is coming to Springfield, OH

MOPS Group will meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of every month beginning September 13

from 9:30 to 11:30 AM at High Street UMC. MOPS is an international organization that encourages

and equips moms of young children to realize their potential as mothers, women, and leaders, in re-

lationship with Jesus, and in partnership with the local church. Flyers with websites to go to for more

information are on the hall table.

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How many times does Jesus say we should forgive others?

A. 7 B. 70 C. 77 D. 70 x 7 E. C or D, depending on the translation

Answer: See Matthew 18:22.

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Grace United Methodist Church

1401 W. Main Street

Springfield OH 45504

937.323.9078