“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105

As I reflect upon the last month and the Lenten season we’re about to enter in to, I’m reminded that God’s Word

does indeed light the way on our journey through this world. God’s Word tells us that he won’t leave us or for-

sake us. During the loss of Joni’s mother, we felt such comfort and peace as we ushered my mother-in-law into

eternity. We want to thank you for being instruments of God’s grace to us during this difficult time.

Also, Grace is experiencing a wonderful beginning of the new year of ministry as God is providing all that we need for

the ministry and mission He’s called us too. Thank you all for your participation and support of our ministry and mis-

sion here in Vista. God’s Word tells us that the body of Christ is diverse and cooperative working together to advance

God’s kingdom purposes and you are certainly all that God has designed you to be.

At the end of February, the Session received word from Iglesia García that starting the first of March they were mov-

ing to a new location to continue their ministry. They are very excited to be partnering with Parkside Church in

Oceanside, as their journey takes them into a new season of ministry. It has been great that Grace incubated and

launched this embryonic fellowship and we hope and pray that they will grow and flourish, advancing the Kingdom

of God in North County. May the Lord be a Light to their path!!

As I gaze out into the month ahead, we start the season of Lent, a preparation for our Easter celebration on April 21st.

It’s a time traditionally in the Church to reflect on God’s lighted path and whether we are walking in the light or stum-

bling alongside the path in the dark. Have we taken a detour of our own design or are we walking in the will of God?

Staying on God’s course is always a better idea, but we tend to wander off as pride and self-sufficiency get in the way.

Take time during this Lenten season to evaluate your walk with the Lord and where you might need to be redirected

back to the lighted path.

It is the hope of Session to launch the Mission Study Committee this month to begin the process of helping the con-

gregation discover what God is calling us to do and accomplish for the next five to ten years. This is a requirement

of the Presbytery to complete but more importantly it will serve to define our ministry going forward and what skills

sets we need in the next installed Pastor to partner with Grace. Pray for the people who will be asked to serve on this

very important committee, for the demanding time and effort it will take to complete the task. It is a spiritual process

the committee will lead us all on to seek God’s will for Grace Presbyterian Church. God will light the way because He

told us in James: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8)

Peace,

Pastor Mike

Reflect ion from the Pastor

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GRACE PRESS Lenten Worship Schedule

Thank you Card from Iglesia Gracia

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MARCH 2019

We are very pleased to report these figures for January showing the wonderful support of our

members. It even becomes more joyous as we take a preview look at February when three

members came forward with very generous over-and-above gifts assuring Grace is beginning a move

forward. Another wonderful sign (remember it is not just financial gifts) is the great response of time

and talented gifts that have stepped forward to help with the Facilities Committee work day on Satur-

day, March 9 at 8am. What a wonderful way to show our personal love for the work of our Lord.

- Michael Cooley, Finance Committee chair

Finance Committee Report

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GRACE PRESS

Missions: Operation HOPE-Vista becomes Operation HOPE-North County!

Operation HOPE-Vista is a local shelter serving women and families with children who are expe-

riencing homelessness. Grace Presbyterian Church has partnered with them since its inception.

Our members have served and/or are currently serving on their board of directors and support (formerly

known as steering) committee. We have hosted the annual fundraiser dinner and auction. Grace pro-

vides monthly support, volunteers for the shelter and fundraising events. Mary Bryan and her Tuesday

meal staff of volunteers faithfully prepare and deliver a nutritious, hot meal to the shelter twice each

month. It has been exciting to watch God’s hand in the expansion of services provided to guide indi-

viduals and families out of homelessness and on to stable housing. For more information: www.opera-

tionhopeshelter.org

Here’s the latest update:

Staff and volunteers at the shelter have often found that instead of simply identifying the location of

the shelter, the “Vista” tag implied that only Vista itself was served. This mis-perception becomes critical

when it interferes with eligibility for funding. Therefore, the first of several steps has been completed

which will officially change the name of the shelter from Operation HOPE-Vista to Operation HOPE-

North County. Hopefully this will clarify the scope of the program, as well as the communities we serve.

April 27th will be the inaugural Evening of HOPE Gala to be held at CSU San Marcos. The event is

planned to recognize members of the community who balance community involvement, professional

endeavors and philanthropy – and, of course, to promote the shelter and its programs. The annual din-

ner and auction usually held in the spring is being moved to the early fall due to budgetary needs. The

fall event – “Celebration of HOPE,” will have a familiar format, recognizing successes of clients, the Jean

Cole Commitment to Service Award, and celebrating new visions for the future.

OHNC is also partnering with Kiwanis on May 4th for the annual Grape Gatsby event. It is a great evening

with tasting booths, music, live and silent auction, and lots of fun – we would love to have you join us!

More information on our website – https://operationhopeshelter.org.

PAGE 5

MARCH 2019Grandparents@Prayer

Generation G: Leaving a Spiritual Legacy (or Hot Topics on Grandparenting)

-by Gramma Pat Whisler

This month’s GP Hot Topic:

O U T S O U R C I N G I N T E N T I O N A L I T Y Am I the grandparent who says, “I’ve decided to be intentional about getting my grandchildren to come to church with me? If I can just get them to church, they will be exposed to the Bible and Gospel.” This grandparent was determined to find a way to get them to church, so the “professionals” could do it right. Are we outsourcing our faith as a main goal to get them to church so they can hear the right things? What about our responsibility that they see and hear the right things… from us. A few weeks ago, our daughter and granddaughter spent the night with us. “It just so happened” (quotes mean I believe a higher power at work) that our Grandparents@Prayer was meeting that Sunday. Marna and Lily agreed to come with Russ and I. They were able to hear their grandparents and the others who attended talk about our spiritual devotion to our grandchildren and families. They heard us pray to God about them! As godly grandparents, we have the potential to powerfully influence the spiritual direction of our grandchildren – to show them Christ, who is the way, the truth and the life. That’s what really matters for today and eternity. Someone will teach and influence our grandchildren. Do we really want the internet or celebrities doing that? Why should it not be us? We must have a desire to share the gospel with our family. Our lives should be driven by hope in the promises of God. Prayer: Father God please give us sufficient courage so that now and always Christ will be exalted by us for the sake of another generation who needs to know the truth that the Gospel really does set us free. Action: Do a deliberate action that connects you, God, and your grandchildren so that each knows what you are doing. A thought: When grandparents enter the door, discipline flies out the window.

Join our Grandparents@Prayer meeting on Mar 24 in room 10 a half hour before the traditional service begins.

God’s Word: Being an Intentional Christian Grandparent, the Holy Spirit comes to me. Then I receive the power to be God’s witness—to my children, grandchildren, Grace Church, and in every part of the world. Paraphrased from Acts 1:8 (International Children’s Bible)

Outsourcing is often a negative business word associated with a company that would for whatever reason, send their work out for someone else to do. As an employee, we want to be able to do the work ourselves. Often it will mean a decrease in pay, if we don’t get to do the work. Yet do we, as grandparents, ever let someone else do the work we should be doing? Do we outsource our spiritual grandparenting?

PAGE 6

GRACE PRESS

1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

If you have a birthday or anniversary in March and your name does not appear above, please

contact the church office at 760-724-0077 to update our records. Thank you!

8am Men’s Breakfast

SUN MON TUE WED THUR FRI SAT

6:30pm Missions Committee

9:30am PEO Book Club

6:30pm Worship Committee.

6:15pm Fellow. Committee7pm Deacons

8:30am PEO

1pm Finance Comm.

6:30pm Session

31

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

S U N D A Y S

9 & 10:30am: Worship Services

9 & 10:30am: Adult Studies

10:30am: Children’s Sunday

School

M O N D A Y S

1pm: Knitting Ladies

7pm: AA meeting

T U E S D A Y S

10am Women’s Bible Study

5:15pm: Soup Kitchen

W E D N E S D A Y S

10am: Staff Meeting

2pm Creciendo Juntos

7pm Deep & Wide Class (no 3/6)

7:30pm: Worship Band Reh. (no 3/6)

T H U R S D A Y S

10am: Bible Study

2pm Creciendo Juntos

6pm Hand Bell Rehearsal

7:30pm Choir Rehearsal

FRIDAYS

12-2pm EFAP

3pm Personnel Committee

7pm Service

8am Church

11 Ken & Lucy Dickson (55 years)

27 Wayne & Karen Campbell (37 years)

4 Russ Whisler

6 Pat Sexton

Del Snider

9 Dyana Preti

11 Linda Huston

14 John Bossaller

17 Elizabeth Bostian

17 Sybil Ward

19 Carol Pollock

21 Bev Bush

Sue Bouchard

22 Annette Groscup

Alice Nolf

Jano Schwichtenberg

23 Roger Corley

PAGE 7

MARCH 2019

Aliaga Family

Alice Nolf

Apollo Bostian

Bill Greenway

Bob Wilson

Bumgardner Family

Chris Nolf Family

Cleta Corum

Dick Woolsey

Doug Barrie

Elizabeth Johnson

Erin Eldridge

Grigorii Kirillov

Jan Patterson

Judy Ambrose

Judy D. Kirkland

Judy Woolsey

Lisa Duff

Maxine Fox

Mike Cooley

Neil Kirkland

Parker Family

Paulina Cooley

Rex Bassett

Rita Sinatra

Scott Brady

Stamm Family

Terry Breen

Trisha Roest-Sinatra

Wallman Family

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

Punch/Coffee Flowers

March 3 Fellowship Jayne Parker

March 10 Fellowship Available

March 17 Fellowship Backrow Ladies

March 24 Fellowship Available

March 31 Fellowship Barbie Nicholson

Punch/Coffee Service and Flowers for March

(Bill Sinatra’s sister in law)

(Bill Sinatra’s brother in law)

(Elizabeth Bostian’s son)

Church Staff

G R A C E P R E S B Y T E R I A NC H U R C H

1450 E. Vista WayVista, CA 92084

Phone: 760-724-0077

Fax: 760-724-2534

E-mail: info@gpcvista.org

www.gpcvista.org

Address Service Requested

W H E R E G O D ’ S F A M I L Y G R O W S

facebook.com/GPCVista

Interim Pastor/Head of Staff Rev. Dr. Michael Wallman

Director of Church Operations Christie Elliott

Bookkeeper Albina Lumetta

Secretary Veronica Campos

Bridge Ministries Director Felipe Huguet

After School Program Director Maria Haigh

Sunday School Coordinator Hannah Foster

Chancel Choir Director Jayne Parker

Organist Frances Hummel

Hand Bell Choir Director Pat Sexton

Facilities Jim Aliaga

GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IS A CONFESSING CHURCH, and we believe:

That Jesus Christ alone is Lord of all and the way of salvation.

That Holy Scripture is the triune God’s revealed Word,

the Church’s only infallible rule of faith and life.

That God’s people are called to holiness in all aspects of life.