LOVE IN ACTION - STEWARDSHIP 2024
Each October our stewardship campaign highlights the ministries of our church and how we can support those efforts. We are all asked to consider what we will give to the church in 2025 to support the life and ministries of Grace, and to make a pledge to that effect. These pledges are used to build the budget for the new year. Your pledge helps us know what resources the Stewardship Team and Session will have to work with to plan all of the many missions, outreaches, and programs for 2025. You can complete a paper pledge card (found in the Sanctuary or church office) or pledge online. We hope to receive all pledges by Sunday, November 3. Thank you for your past gifts to the church and for your pledge of support for 2025. Click here to access the online pledge card.
SERVE: PUMPKIN PATCH
PUMPKIN PATCH
The Grace Pumpkin Patch is more than halfway through the season! We are selling pumpkins and mums in and around the Pavilion through Halloween. Thank you for all of the time and support so many of you have provided to make this year a success!
The following shifts are still unstaffed:
10/31 (Thursday) 10-1 and 4-7
Please register on the sign-up genius here or check with the church office about filling one of the available time slots.
The Grace Pumpkin Patch supports Thornwell Home for Children, Historic Paradise Foundation, Give Kids the World, Isaiah 117 home for foster children, and funds youth & other ministries.
GIVE: FORT MILL CARE CENTER
The 2nd Annual Grace Chicken Challenge
The second annual Great Chicken Challenge has kicked off! Between now and Thanksgiving, we are collecting frozen whole chickens to donate to FMCC, as not every family needs a full-sized turkey. Grab a whole chicken, freeze it, bring it to church and place in the freezer in the kitchen. Renee will collect them and transport them to FMCC weekly.
For mid-October/November, The Fort Mill Care Center is also requesting (think Thanksgiving!!) donations of the following items on this list.
Please place in the shopping cart outside of the sanctuary and contact Renee with any questions.
GIVE: DIMES FOR HUNGER
Each October we collect the Dimes for Hunger offering. This money is distributed by our presbytery’s Hunger Action Team to about 15 ministries within the 5 counties of our presbytery and to feeding ministries in Guatemala, Malawi, and Honduras. Our children collect this offering during worship each Sunday in October and they love to receive your coins, paper money, and checks (made out to Grace Presbyterian) for this special offering. This year we have been challenged to grow Grace’s giving from $2,798 to $3,000. Last year our presbytery met the goal of collecting $2 million since this effort began in 1978! This offering makes a difference to people having to choose between paying rent, getting their prescription medications, and having enough to eat. Thank you for helping our neighbors in need!
GATHER: FALL ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR AT GRACE
Saturday, October 26th, 9am-1pm
Expect to see 23 vendors with the following crafts: quilting, woodworking, wood and acrylic crafts, custom pillowcases, dog treats and shampoo, macrame, crochet, mosaics, soap, extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar, painting, watercolor, jewelry, candles and wax melts, custom made tumblers and cups, upcycled silver pieces and more.
Coffee and donuts will be on sale inside the church and the pumpkin patch will be open outside from 10am-7pm.
Here is a link to the Facebook Event
GATHER: TRUNK OR TREAT
October 27, 4:00pm
If you plan to decorate your trunk, please let Sarah or the church office know or register here.
GIVE: HISTORIC PARADISE BAKING BAGS
During October, Grace will be collecting items to fill 30 baking bags for the residents of HPF. The bags will be assembled during the Grace Family First dinner on November 3rd.
Items needed:
- Sugar
- Flour
- Vanilla
- Vegetable oil
- Cinnamon
SERVE: GREETERS AND USHERS NEEDED
We need volunteers willing to be Greeters/Ushers at our 8:00am worship service each Sunday. Being a Greeter/Usher for our church is an important ministry. First impressions are lasting impressions. We want everyone who enters our church to feel welcome and comfortable. If this is a ministry that you would be interested in, please contact the church office.
LEARN: WEEKLY STUDY GROUPS
- Tuesday (10am on Zoom) The Meaning of Jesus: Two Visions, by Marcus Borg and NT Wright.
- Wednesday Study Group Everything Good about God is True: Choosing Faith, by Bruce Reyes-Chow. (E-mail Joanne for more information about either of these groups.)
- Thursday Study Group (10-11:30am hybrid) The Thursday Morning Bible Study is reading The Universal Christ by Richard Rohr. Please email Celia Wilson for more information. Here is a link to the Zoom.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Please look over the list of classes and we hope that you and your family will join us.
Nursery and Toddlers (Infants through 2 year olds) – Room 8
Early Childhood (3 year old - 5k) – Room 9
Primary Class (1st - 5th grades) – Room 5
Youth (6th-12th grades) - Youth Room
Adult Sunday School - Room 15: A new series facilitated by the book “Being Presbyterian in the Bible Belt.”
SAVE THE DATE:
Ladies, mark your calendars! The 2025 Grace Women’s Retreat will be held April 4-6, 2025 at The Coastal Retreat Center in Isle of Palms, SC.
GATHERING AT GRACE : What opportunities for fun are available at Grace? Where do I belong?
Our (sort of) age related gatherings are for anyone who wants to come and have fun with others. No ID checked! If you want to hang out with folks, no one will turn you away.
- GRACE FAMILY FIRST NIGHTS - We meet on the first Sunday of each month for food and fellowship. Following our meal, one of our awesome musical groups will sing and we usually end the night with a mission project to support one of the many groups we serve. Sarah Childers coordinates this group.
- -ISH GROUP - people who are the age of the parents of our littles and elementary school kids gather for food and fun. Dre Manoni coordinates this group.
- GAP GROUP - We don’t need babysitters (or we do and get them) and can still drive at night. We gather the 3rd Friday night of each month for food and shenanigans. Sometimes we’re at the home of a member, sometimes we can be found at a local pub or restaurant, but we can always be found laughing and having fun. (What’s in the name? It was the group in the gap between our young adults and seniors…that’s not really true anymore, but the name stuck.) Ray Scott is our coordinator.
- DAYTRIPPERS - We go on field trips during the day. From spider lilies to Hello Dolly to Fort Mill History Museum and more. Watch for the monthly adventure. Annmarie Clark coordinates this group. All are welcome!
- VINTAGE GRACE - This group of Seniors gathers annually for a Christmas lunch and gift swap.
- YOUTH - 6th through 12th graders gather weekly for faith-building, service and fun. More details here.
ASSISTIVE LISTENING - DEVICES AND APP
If you have trouble hearing the message and other speaking in the sanctuary, please let the people in the sound booth know. We have three assistive listening devices. It is recommended that you bring your own headphones that can be plugged into the device.
We now have an app available that streams the service. Please check the website for details on how to download and use it.
PARKING ON SUNDAYS AT GRACE
On Sunday mornings, please reserve all of the parking spots in the circle for those with limited mobility unless you hold the monthly Space of Grace.
NAMETAGS
Please remember to wear your nametags on Sunday mornings. We have had quite a few guests attending worship, so it's helpful if we are wearing our nametags. If you are missing your name tag, let Ami know.
SOFT PLASTIC RECYCLING
Great job on continuing your collections! We have received several benches with half going to the Historic Paradise Foundation. Have you ever wondered where the plastic goes after we collect it? The following 2 videos will provide those answers:
Recycling program
Trex factory
HUG ME DOLLS
Do you know someone who needs a hug? Melissa has been making some hug-me dolls and is ready to make some more. They come in a wide variety, with each one just waiting to be hugged. They are $10 with all proceeds going to Thornwell Home for Children and Teenagers.
INTERFAITH PARTNERSHIP WITH TEMPLE SOLEL
Presbyterian Church & Jewish Temple Partner – Sharing Lessons of Hospitality: CN2 News article