Pastor’s Pen

February 2019

This month at

Inside Worship at Grace pg 2 Music Ministry pg 2 Spiritual Growth at Grace pg 3 Christian Education Schedule pg 3-4 Serving Others at Grace pg 5 Family Promise Concert pg 5 Stephen Ministries pg 6 Letters to the Congregation pg 7 The Grace Family pg 8 Save the Date pg 8 Pancakes & Pajamas pg 8 Women of Grace Corner pg 9 Annual Congregational Meeting pg 9 Birthdays/Finances pg 10 Family Promise pg 11 Dr. Dorway & Friends Concert Insert Calendar Insert

Mar.’s Grace Notes Deadline is Feb. 10th. Please e-mail articles to: cyndi@gracepclv.org or

call the church office at 702-384-4554.

Notes

Youth Super Bowl LIII Gathering February 3rd at 3:00 p.m.

Goodall’s Home

Annual Congregational Meeting with Lunch

February 10th at Noon Central Campus Social Hall

Mozart Vespers Rehearsals Every Wednesday at 7:15 p.m.

Central Campus Sanctuary

Be Mine?

Do you remember

the candy hearts?

As we continue to journey into 2019,

February has come. February is the

shortest month of the year, and it

includes both Valentine’s Day and

the Super Bowl.

Did you know that “February” comes

from the Latin word februum which

means “purification?”

Maybe it’s not obvious, but as people

of God, both of these ideas call us

back to the person of Jesus the Christ.

Jesus came, was incarnate, in order to

act out God’s great LOVE for us.

Jesus in effect is saying to each one

of us, “Be Mine.” He longs for each

of us to draw near to Him and give

Him every little piece of our hearts.

Each time we turn to Him and present

our own broken, battered or fully joy-

filled hearts we become more and

more fully the new creation in Christ

that we are created to be… and by

this action we are made holy…

purified… bit by bit.

So, this February, I encourage each of

us to come to God with intention…

He is the ONE Who love us more

than we could ask or imagine.

This prayer comes out of the

Celtic tradition… and I invite

you to pray with me…

Christ, as a light illumine and guide me.

Christ, as a shield overshadow me.

Christ under me; Christ over me;

Christ beside me on my left and my right.

This day be within and without me,

lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.

Be in the heart of each to whom I speak;

in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.

This day be within

and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.

Christ as a light;

Christ as a shield; Christ beside me

on my left and my right.

Be Mine? Pastor Dana

Worship at Grace...

Central Campus Music Notes

The Grace Concert Choir is recruiting singers NOW for our Lenten concert

performance of the MOZART VESPERS! We'll sing this glorious work on Sunday,

March 31st at 2:00 p.m. as part of our concert series. Rehearsals started January 30th -

so contact Lisa ASAP at lisaelliottsoprano@gmail.com if you want to join us - last

call so please get in touch NOW!

Don't miss all the special worship music at Central this month:

Feb 3rd - Chancel Choir and Bells of Grace

Feb 10th - Chancel Choir and Kids of the Kingdom

Feb 17th - Chancel Choir and soloists Travis Lewis and Stephen Taylor

Feb 24th - Jubilee Singers, honoring God and Black History Month

MARK YOUR CALENDAR for our Dr. Dorway and Friends special concert

March 3rd, 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.

Central Campus Sanctuary

Don't miss it!

Spiritual Growth at Grace...

Santa visited Sunday School on December 23rd for the Jesus Birthday Party Event. Santa also attended

Children’s Church where he and the children sang Happy Birthday to Jesus. Santa told the children that

he loves to read his Bible; and that he was very proud of them for being at church to learn more about

Jesus.

During the month of December, during Children’s Church, the children have been reading a series of

scripture based Christmas storybooks. On this very special Jesus Birthday Party, Santa delivered one of

the storybooks to every child. What a treat! Thank you Santa for visiting the beautiful Grace children.

So fun!

Excited kids enjoyed leading the congregation by telling the story of the night when Jesus was born.

Beautiful singing, bells and chimes playing added such sweet blessings to the evening worship.

Way to Go Grace kiddos - Well Done!

Christmas Pageant Practice Day and

Family Worship Service - 6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve

Bible Sunday January 13, 2019

70’s Theme Christmas Party

Food, Games, Friends and Gift Exchange... so fun!

New Year’s Eve Youth Lock-In Cooking Competition and Judging

Sweets Team (banana pie) big WINNER

Worship Watched Midnight Fireworks at Las Vegas BLVD Hotels from church parking lot.

All Night Games!

Amazing Grace Ministry We could use donations of the following items to be distributed

on the third Wednesday in February:

Razors/Travel sized Shave Cream As always we accept used eyeglasses/readers/sunglasses!

Please place all donations in the designated box in the Narthex/Fellowship Room.

ELDERS Ed Benton

Alan Bowers Jennifer Brinkley

Robert Eaton Ron Eyer

Skylar Goodall Jennifer Hamby Iva Hinkelman

Robert “B.J.” Jamison Bruce Laird

Delinda Larson Philip Merkley Rob Merriman

Jim Nelson Sam Palmer

Scott Plummer Kerry Radke

Norma Somers Jim Stuhmer

Katharyne Taylor Peter Wilson

DEACONS Bill Carlston

Cathy Carlston David Eaton

Jill Eaton Kim Holt

Mary Jamison Carol Keane

Janice Plummer Sarah Plummer

Nancy Sarna Jill Taylor

Stephen Taylor Diane Vogelzang Jason Williams

Grace Presbyterian Church Leadership

Serving Others at Grace...

Homebound Communion

The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month in Worship. If you are homebound, or in the hospital and cannot attend church to receive communion, the sacrament can be brought to you. Please call the church office 702-384-4554 to make arrangements for a time during the week when the officers of the church may bring communion to you.

What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly

with your God.

In February, we are collecting foods that are easy to swallow/chew or nutritionally dense.

Please return items to the Central Campus by February 17th.

Stephen Ministries

Last month’s article discussed 5 reasons why a person would not request a Stephen Minister.

Let’s take a close look at these reasons, one at a time.

Handling grief, loss alone is the worst kind of grieving, Jesus has made us wonderfully

dependent on relationships. When God spoke us into being it was for the purpose of being in a

relationship with Him. A relationship where He gives us Grace and all that we need to follow

His path for our purpose in this life. In return for these gifts and blessings we need to honor,

worship, and praise our Creator, God.

In the book of James 2:23 we are told that Abraham was called a friend of God. And Abraham

is the father to us all. So if Abraham was a friend of God shouldn’t we be also? What do

friends do? They look out for each other; they care for each other. If a friend comes to you

seeking help, do you turn them down or do you do what you can to give them the help they

need and deserve. Of course you help them, you are in relation to them.

Now your friend has suffered a great loss, it doesn’t matter loss of what - it is a loss. With the

loss comes pain, and again it doesn’t matter the pain it is there and needs to be dealt with in

love. Friends help friends!

When you feel pain, how do you react? Do you crawl under a table, curl up into a ball and

wait? Do you become active and pray? What do you do when you feel pain? Isn’t it nice to

have a friend you can talk to and commiserate with until the pain passes? Prayer is a way of

talking with our friend Jesus. Job found solace, even though it was wonky, in talking to his

“friends”. That, too, is relationship to each other, as well as with God. Job’s friends may not

have helped him solve his pain, but they discussed that pain with him and well ?????

I know that when I was feeling “down” and/or sad it always helped to unburden myself to a

trusted friend. And oftentimes that friend would tell me later that any help they gave me lifted

them up also!

So with the purpose of God making us for relationships, it is necessary to build those

relationships for the express aim of getting help when it is needed/necessary. And that my

sisters and brothers is why you should not try to grieve a loss alone. In your time of crisis, it is

necessary to share your burden, many shoulders make for a light load!

Jesus said “Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matt.

11:28) Doesn’t that tell us to ask for help and guidance through losses?

The need is great and the solution is simple and available in our congregation; ask the Pastors,

or a Stephen Leader about Stephen Ministry to get the help you need and deserve (Doug Oquist

(702) 877-0742, Gary Koon (702) 838-7823).

WE STAND IN WAIT OF YOUR NEED!

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Hello. My name is Edgar and unfortunately I’m incarcerated in a California prison. Sorry to

bother you, but I just wanted to say thank you for the Christmas Gifts that you sent to my

children.

I cannot thank you enough. See, this Christmas my wife did not have any gifts for our children,

but here your church gave us gifts and put a big smile on their little faces. I want to say thank

you on behalf of me, a grateful father and also I want to extend the gratitude of all my fellow

prisoners for all of your service of love and for helping us in such an amazing way.

I pray that God blesses you and your ministry and your family. I pray that His favor be upon

you always and that all that you do may prosper. I know that this letter is not much but it’s

filled with gratitude. Please know that I pray for your church. May God bless you always.

Blessings,

Brother Edgar

Letters to the Congregation

On behalf of Family Promise LV and staff we would like to extend our appreciation for the

amazing week of hosting our families. Your team is truly dynamic in the endless hours that was

dedicated to this project.

We thank you so much for all of your efforts with our families; providing breakfasts, lunches

and dinners. Also, for the endless hours that your overnighters stayed with our families.

Kindest Regards,

Barbara Coggins

Program Director

An Angel Tree Thank You

The Grace family...

2019 February 3 Youth Super Bowl LIII Gathering - 3:00 p.m. - Goodall’s Home 9 Church Women United - 9:00 a.m. - Central Campus 10 Annual Congregational Meeting with Lunch - Noon - Central Campus 18 President’s Day - Office Closed March 3 Dr. Dorway and Friends Concert - 2:00 p.m. - Central Campus 3-10 Family Promise - Central Campus 6 Ash Wednesday Service - 7:00 p.m. - West Campus 9 Church Women United - 9:00 a.m. - Central Campus 10 Pancakes & Pajamas - 9:10 a.m. - 10:20 a.m. - Central Campus Daylight Saving Time Begins 16 Church Women United - 9:00 am. - Central Campus 17 Confirmation Classes Begin 31 Concert Choir Mozart Vespers Concert - 2:00 p.m. - Central Campus April 13 WOG Spring Tea - 1:00 p.m. - Central Campus 14 Palm Sunday 18 Maundy Thursday Taize Service - 7:00 p.m. - West Campus 19 Good Friday Tenebrae Service - 7:00 p.m. - Central Campus 21 Easter Sunday

It's Pajama Day! Don't worry about Daylight Savings Time, just

roll out of bed and head to church for breakfast. The children of

Grace and Girl Scout Troop 227 are teaming up once again to

collect pajamas for the Las Vegas Rescue Mission. On Sunday,

March 10, 2019 we will be serving pancakes and sausage in

the Central Campus Social Hall. Join us for breakfast, coffee, and

juice, and drop off a pair of pajamas...or more...for the 30-40

children and teens the Rescue Mission houses every night. Pajamas must be new, and can be

any size, infant-adult. Breakfast will be served from 9:10 a.m. - 10:20 a.m. All children and

Children's Ministry volunteers are encouraged to wear pajamas to church for the event. If you

would like to be part of the cooking team at the West

Campus, please contact Rhonda at rhonda@gracepclv.org,

or Heather Palmer at hrpalmer96@aol.com.

WOMEN OF GRACE

Annual Congregational Meeting

Sunday, February 10th

After the 10:30 Worship Service

Central Campus Social Hall

Agenda:

Election of Elders and Deacons

Election of 2019 Officer Nominating Committee

Presentation of 2018 Annual Report

Review of 2019 Budget

Review Pastors’ Terms of Call

Project NEON Update Lunch will be provided at Noon in the Central Campus Social Hall.

Childcare is available.

Your generous donation in support of our mission allowed this collection of stuffed animals to

be delivered to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department for children in adverse and

dangerous situations.

Women of Grace, Executive Board

If we missed your birthday or have it incorrect, please contact the church office with your complete birth date so that we can update our records.

2/1 Matt Neighbors 2/11 Emily Vibert 2/23 Amanda Ford

2/1 Sharon Wilson 2/12 Michelle Duncan 2/23 Barbara Moore

2/2 Kris Kent 2/12 Ana Shaw 2/23 Christina Smith

2/3 Dwight Fillmore 2/13 Alexis Antonopolos 2/24 Stefan McLin

2/4 Jeannie Einsiedel 2/13 Laura Turner 2/24 William Stephan

2/4 Frances Miller 2/13 Alisa Zyla 2/24 Caleb Wilson

2/5 Patricia Gray 2/15 Jack Proud 2/24 Christian Wilson

2/6 Cathy Carlston 2/15 Megan Trenkler 2/25 Vicki Borders

2/6 Douglas Sinclair 2/16 Ed Benton 2/25 Cindie Hernandez

2/6 Terry Thompson 2/16 Kimberly DiSciorio 2/25 Margaret Marsh

2/7 Jennifer Brinkley 2/16 Megan Hodges 2/25 Allie Neighbors

2/7 Taylor Dunlop 2/19 Christian Abbo 2/25 Pat Reid

2/7 Stephen Gibson 2/19 Bonnie Boelhouwer 2/25 Patricia Spring

2/7 Stephani Martinez 2/19 Ryan Linsenbardt 2/26 Pennelopy Silva

2/7 Phyllis Noblitt 2/19 James Nelson 2/27 Carol Dyreng

2/7 Suzy Oquist 2/19 Fred Ohene 2/27 Russell Leonard

2/7 Nicole O'Rourke 2/20 Eliane Assiobo-Adja 2/27 Leonie Mowat

2/7 Madeleine Vibert 2/20 Amy Leonard 2/27 Joel Reid

2/8 Parker Kolberg 2/20 Fernando Medina 2/27 Dawn Sinclair

2/8 Gregory Smith 2/21 Paul Roper 2/28 Jerry Reeves

2/9 Steven Vig 2/21 Maggie Schiffbauer 2/28 Harold Trimmer

2/11 Karen Camuglia 2/22 Bob Eaton 2/28 Harry Wineman

2/11 Marilyn Dimmick 2/22 Brian Holthus

Well it’s that time of year again when we host homeless families, as they work to become self-sufficient.

Host week is March 3rd thru March 10th

Family Promise is a national organization, previously known as Hospitality

International, which helps families through case management to become employed and

financially stable. It is the only organization that keeps the whole family together.

Family Promise is also the only organization where a father can stay with his kids while

trying to get back on their feet.

We as a congregation, provide nightly accommodations at the church, provide food

items for breakfast, sack lunches and prepare hot dinners for our host week.

We would ask that you pray as to how you can assist our team during this wonderful

mission for people in need. The families arrive at the church around 5:00 p.m. and leave

at 7:00 a.m. We have a wonderful core group who volunteers, but we would love to

invite you to come and experience this wonderful mission for our community. People

are needed to provide and serve meals each night for up to 16 people, 2 people each

night to stay as chaperones and of course we take financial donations for breakfast and

lunch items. Overnighters have available, a twin bed, air mattress, couches in the CYC

or a cot, which are provided. There is also Wi-Fi available for your evening

entertainment.

Sign ups will be on the patio at Central February 10th and 17th.

The coordination team would like to thank you in advance for your participation in this

wonderful opportunity to do God’s work. For questions, contact Kim (702-524-6854)

and Mikel Holt, Crystal and Dennis Acuncius (702-696-9333), Gary and Dorell Koon

(702-838-7823)

Label

Grace Presbyterian Church Central Campus 1515 W. Charleston Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89102

Central Campus

1515 W. Charleston Blvd.

Las Vegas, NV 89102

Sunday School: 9:00 a.m.

Worship: 10:30 a.m.

West Campus

4590 S. Hualapai Way

Las Vegas, NV 89147

Sunday School: 9:30 a.m.

Worship: 10:30 a.m.

Phone: 702-384-4554

Fax: 702-385-1698

www.gracepclv.org

GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 ** CHURCH OFFICE

CLOSED** 9:30 AM G.I.F.T.S.

2

3 9:00 AM Sunday School (All Ages) 9:00 AM Worship Service 9:30 AM Adult Bible Study West 9:45 AM Choir Warm-up 10:00 AM Coffee Fellowship 10:30 AM Children's Church & Sunday School 10:30 AM Children's SS West 10:30 AM Nursery & Early Education 10:30 AM Worship Service Central/West 11:30 AM Fellowship - West 11:45 AM Jubilee Rehearsal

4 6:30 PM

Congregational Life &

Mission @ West 6:30 PM Spiritual

Growth

5 8:30 AM BSF

Leadership

6 8:30 AM BSF 12:00 PM Prayer Team

Ministry 5:30 PM Youth

Fellowship 6:00 PM Bells of Grace

Rehearsal 7:00 PM West Choir

Rehearsal 7:15 PM Chancel Choir

Rehearsal 7:30 PM Leadership

Small Group

7 8 ** CHURCH OFFICE

CLOSED** 9:30 AM G.I.F.T.S.

9 10:00 AM

Amazing Grace

Board Meeting

10 **Grace Notes DEADLINE** 9:00 AM Sunday School (All Ages) 9:00 AM Worship Service 9:30 AM Adult Bible Study West 9:45 AM Choir Warm-up 10:00 AM Coffee Fellowship 10:30 AM Children's Church & Sunday School 10:30 AM Children's SS West 10:30 AM Nursery & Early Education 10:30 AM Worship Service Central/West 11:30 AM Fellowship - West 11:45 AM Jubilee Rehearsal

11 11:30 AM Saying

Goodbye Gracefully 12:30 PM Priscilla

Circle 6:00 PM Support

Commission

12 8:30 AM BSF

Leadership 8:30 AM Sewing 6:30 PM Deborah

Circle

13 8:30 AM BSF 5:30 PM Youth

Fellowship 6:00 PM Bells of Grace

Rehearsal 7:00 PM West Choir

Rehearsal 7:15 PM Chancel Choir

Rehearsal 7:30 PM Leadership

Small Group

14 Valentine’s Day

15 ** CHURCH OFFICE

CLOSED** 9:30 AM G.I.F.T.S.

16

17 9:00 AM Cancer Support Group 9:00 AM Sunday School (All Ages) 9:00 AM Worship Service 9:30 AM Adult Bible Study West 9:45 AM Choir Warm-up 10:00 AM Coffee Fellowship 10:30 AM Children's Church & Sunday School 10:30 AM Children's SS West 10:30 AM Nursery & Early Education 10:30 AM Worship Service Central/West 11:30 AM Children's Ministry Meeting 11:30 AM Fellowship - West 11:45 AM Jubilee Rehearsal

18 6:30 PM Deacons

Meeting @ West

19 8:30 AM BSF

Leadership 10:00 AM Sarah

Elizabeth Circle 12:00 PM Lydia

Circle

20 8:30 AM BSF 12:00 PM Prayer Team

Ministry 5:30 PM Youth

Fellowship 6:00 PM Bells of Grace

Rehearsal 7:00 PM West Choir

Rehearsal 7:15 PM Chancel Choir

Rehearsal 7:30 PM Leadership

Small Group

21 10:00 AM Shawl

Ministry 10:00 AM Women of

Grace Board Meeting

22 ** CHURCH OFFICE

CLOSED** 9:30 AM G.I.F.T.S.

23 8:00 AM Brown Bag

24 9:00 AM Sunday School (All Ages) 9:00 AM Worship Service 9:30 AM Adult Bible Study West 9:45 AM Choir Warm-up 10:00 AM Coffee Fellowship 10:30 AM Children's Church & Sunday School 10:30 AM Children's SS West 10:30 AM Nursery & Early Education 10:30 AM Worship Service Central/West 11:30 AM Fellowship - West 11:45 AM Jubilee Rehearsal

25 6:30 PM Session

Meeting @ West

26 8:30 AM BSF

Leadership 8:30 AM Sewing 9:30 AM Esther

Rebecca Circle

27 8:30 AM BSF 5:30 PM Youth

Fellowship 6:00 PM Bells of Grace

Rehearsal 7:00 PM West Choir

Rehearsal 7:15 PM Chancel Choir

Rehearsal 7:30 PM Leadership

Small Group

28 1 ** CHURCH OFFICE

CLOSED** 9:30 AM G.I.F.T.S.

2