grace alive oct 2015

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G r a c e o f C h r i s t P r e s b y t e r i a n C h u r c h

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grace. The more we learn to listen to the voice of our loving heavenly Father, the more we can discern how best to use our talents.

Our treasures are a gift of grace. Deuteronomy 8:18 reminds us it is God “who gives you the ability to produce wealth.” All that we are, and all that we have, is a gift from God. How does God want us to use our treasures for his transforming purposes in the world, and in particular through His church?

In the same way that, “God lavishes the riches of His grace on us” (Ephesians 1:7), God wants us to give of ourselves and our resources with lavish grace. When it comes to giving, it’s so important to know that we give out of the overflow of God’s love and grace to us, not out of obligation or fear. Unlike the gentleman who was shaking his head in disgust and disdain at me and my dog for being on his lawn (I hadn’t seen his signs forbidding me to do so), God is not judging us, or looking for what we are doing wrong. God loves you so much! God is greatly pleased with you. “God takes great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)

As you seek to live fully in God’s grace, will you take some time to prayerfully consider how you can give of yourself and your resources to share God’s grace with others? What joy we have in giving to the Lord.

On Sunday, October 25th at 10:00 am we will have an all-church celebration of God’s lavish grace to us, in a combined worship service and opportunity to renew our faith commitment and giving to the Lord, followed by a shared meal together. What a time of celebrating God’s goodness! Living by grace,

– Pastor Cindy Shively

Interim Head of Staff— Pastor Cindy Shively

Grace is God’s incredible gift of undeserved love, which God lavishes on us in so many ways. When we truly understand God’s love and grace for us, we naturally desire to somehow love God back, and also to share God’s love and grace with others. King David recognized this in his prayer in 1 Chronicles 29.

“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours… Wealth and honor come from you alone. But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us!”

God owns everything.We are simply the managers (stewards) of all God has graciously entrusted to us, including our time, our talent and our treasures. As stewards, we carry no sense of entitlement to the assets we manage. It’s simply our job to find out what the owner wants done with His assets (our time, talent and treasures), then carry out His will. Giving of ourselves and our resources is the primary way we share God’s grace with others.

Our time is a gift of grace. Psalm 90:10,12 says, “Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty… Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.”

God certainly does not want us to burn out, so we need to choose carefully how we use our time. As we think about what really matters, and what lasts, how do we want to give of our time to share God’s grace with others?

Our talents are a gift of grace.God graces us with talents, and to them, we add experience, training, and opportunity. We then use our talents to provide for the needs of our families, and also to serve the Lord, again sharing God’s

to Share God’s Grace

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My son started preschool this year and he absolutely loves every minute of his time in the classroom. Every day he comes home with something new that he learned and he can’t wait to “teach” it to me, my wife and our two little girls. Each night before bed he asks, “Dad, is tomorrow Tuesday?” If the answer is “no,” then he quickly follows up with his next question, “Is tomorrow Thursday?” Tuesdays and Thursdays are now his favorite days because they are when he gets to be a “big kid” and when he gets to “learn lots of new stuff.”

Harrison is helping me to see how beautiful life can be when we take on the excitement of learning. Kids are good at this because everything is new and everything is fresh. Too often, we adults are unimpressed with the sunset because we have seen it a thousand times before.

When Jesus called those first people to follow him, he gave them the identity of “disciples.” He could have used many other words to describe this new family he was creating, but he intentionally chose the word that simply means “learner or student.”

So what are you learning right now? Are you learning new things about yourself, new things about God’s created world, or new things about the people around you? And how is this process of learning helping you to teach other people the ways of Jesus?

Today might not be Tuesday, but today is a great day to learn something new.

– Pastor Tyler Van Horn

Assistant Pastor— Tyler Van Horn

Sermon Series Fall 2015A Study in the Gospel of Mark

WE ARE INVITED INTO THE MISSION OF JESUS

OCTOBER 4: “ THE POWER OF THE KINGDOM”WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY

PREPARATION AND PREACHING (1:35-39) HEALING THE LEPER (1:40-45)

OCTOBER 11: “FAITH THAT BRINGS WHOLENESS TO OTHERS”

THE PARALYTIC AND HIS FRIENDS (2:1-12)

OCTOBER 18: “COMMUNITY THAT BRINGS OTHERS TO JESUS”

LEVI IS CALLED AND THROWS A PARTY (2:13-17)

OCTOBER 25: “LAW BREAKING THAT BRINGS GRACE TO THE WORLD”

(ONE-SERVICE CELEBRATION - 10:00 am)FASTING AS A GRACE RATHER THAN A LAW (2:18-22)

SABBATH AS A GRACE RATHER THAN A LAW (2:23-28 AND 3:1-6)

What’s New with Communion?This summer our Deacons began a new opportunity for Communion. In addition to our regular celebration of Communion during our worship services on the first Sunday of even months, on Prayer Sundays (generally the first Sunday of odd months), Communion will be offered in the Parlor following each service. We are already revising the Communion in the parlor to have a little more time for reflection. Please feel free to enjoy this new opportunity. Thank you to our faithful, devoted Deacons for this ministry!

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For some time now, Session has pondered how to best prepare those we identify as leaders, to successfully step into positions of leadership as Elders, and / or to serve on various ministry teams and committees. This fall we will begin our first leadership class, with the specific goal of developing the understanding of our missional focus of discipleship and equipping leaders to serve as Elders and in ministry positions. It is our vision that church leadership will rise from those participating in this training.

A tentative schedule of the classes to be taught follows. Each class will meet the 4th Tuesday of each month and will begin with a dinner at 5:30 PM and then proceed to the teaching from 6:00-7:30 PM.

SEPTEMBER – A Life Worth Imitating • Thriving Relationships: UP / IN / OUT • Rhythms of Grace: REST (abiding), WORK (fruit) Pendulum

OCTOBER – Multiplying Life • Understanding How You Have Been Gifted: The Five-Fold Gifts • Leading Other People: The Leadership Square

NOVEMBER–Leading Families on Mission • Who are the people you are leading? (Living as Spiritual Parents) • How are you discipling these people? (Developing Predictable Patterns)

DECEMBER – Celebrations that Lead to More Growth • Vision Casting for 2016 • Sharing Testimony • Worship and Prayer together

JANUARY – You Got the Call - Now What? • Leading In The Way of Jesus

FEBRUARY – What Is A Presbyterian Elder? • Authority from Serving In the Name Of Christ

MARCH – How Elders Serve • Serving in a Culture of Honor

APRIL – Listening Prayer • Positioning Ourselves to Hear God Speak

MAY – The Ministry Of Elders • Core Values, Mission Priorities, Ministry Opportunity

Praise God for His desire to raise up individuals who are trustworthy, honorable, respected and respectful.Pray He will put the spirit of leadership upon them, so they may share the work with our pastoral staff.

Please pray for leaders in the congregation to rise up and serve.

Prayerfully consider if God is calling you to this training. If so please contact Janet Krieger: [email protected]

– Janet Krieger

Session Notes— Janet Krieger

LEADERSHIP CLASSES

© JimmyLarche.com

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For many years, I was happy being a busy, responsible, visibly dutiful worker for God. In fact, I was more than happy to do the work -- I felt a lot of personal pride at the work I was doing and how ‘important’ I must have been in God’s eyes.

Then, suddenly, by an avalanche of circumstance, all of my ability to do busy, responsible, visible work for God fell through. I was forced to slow my pace of life to an unhurried crawl. I looked embarrassingly irresponsible to all of the people who before saw me as competent and capable. And the only, occasional, minuscule work I could still do for God was invisible to most people and seemed desperately insignificant – especially to me.

I was crushed. Heart, soul, mind, and strength were all in turmoil - simultaneously. Who was I if I wasn’t doing stuff for God, saving souls and leading Bible studies and doing amazing, visible, wonderful, mouth-dropping things for him? How could He do this to me? I floundered. For a few years. They were some dark, desperate years.

And then: Slowly, so slowly that it took me a long time to see it, in seeped the light. And then: Quietly, so quietly that it took me a long time to hear it, I could hear God’s Voice breathing into the deep recesses of my heart. Over time, here are the pieces I put together:

Jocey, don’t you belong to Me? Isn’t your life Mine to lead, Mine to orchestrate, Mine to ‘ruin’? Don’t you know that you are all I want – not all of this ‘important’ stuff you do for Me? Don’t you know that all I want is for you to want Me, be near to Me, love Me? You are not a means to My end of getting fruitful ministry out of you! Stop trying to prove yourself – to Me or to others. Yes, I saw how busy you were ‘for Me.’ I saw how responsible a worker you were. I saw all of the ‘important’ ministry that filled your every waking moment. And: guess what? I don’t care. I don’t care about any of that. In fact, I care way too

Connecting Ministries— Jocelyn Larsen

much for you to let you keep striving, contriving, finding your identity in all that. That’s why I let it get buried.

You used to do stuff for Me for fear that I’d be displeased if you didn’t. You used to do stuff for Me because you felt guilty when you didn’t. You used to do stuff for Me out of pride in your heavenly resume.

No more! Go and be, my dear. Walk in the footsteps of My Spirit knowing that you can trust Me to lead your life. Know that I see all that is invisible. Know that who you are becoming as a result of suffering, invisibility, anonymity, obscurity is more important, more precious, more valuable to Me than this upside-down world can even imagine. Know that My mouth drops open at a very different kind of ministry than that which dazzles the world. You are Mine and I am yours. That is what matters to Me most.

Lord, if you have to fire me to keep me from being just a hireling, do it. Make me only, ever a lover of God.

– Jocelyn Larsen

If you want to hear more from Jocelyn, subscribe to her blog at lifewithjocelyn.com.

“A lover of God is better and more pleasing to God than a hundred thousand hirelings.” Theologia Germanica (ca. 1350) from the fourteenth-century German renewal movement known as “The Friends of God,” championed by Martin Luther.

You’re invited to join me on a devotional study through the

Gospel of Mark this fall.I’m calling it a devotional study because I hope that you’ll find each one to be both intellectually stimulating (like a study) and heart-engaging (like a devotional).Go to my website, LifewithJocelyn.com and subscribe to my blog. Each Sunday afternoon you will receive an email with that week’s devotion.

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Now that I can look back to what just happened during the last 4 days... I have to chuckle... and I really believe THE LORD got us to Yakima for surprise “spiritual surgery.” i

The name of the marriage conference we attended was called Love After Marriage. That sounds

harmless and safe enough, and yet it was the name of the ministry, “Nothing Hidden

Ministries,” that really compelled me to at least ask Perry if he would consider going to it. I totally did not see in the title “3.5 days Intensive” (not that I would have really known what that meant.) We had been talking about vulnerability and shame for several days, and this just seemed to be an

opportunity to force us in to it.

We decided to “go for it” and we agreed we were joining hands and JUMPING

OFF of a CLIFF together! Both Perry and I were nervous as we drove the two hours, and

more than once we commented “what the heck are we doing? Is this crazy or God?”

I can’t even describe some of what went on because I am still taking it in myself. But I will say....

It was life changing... and relationship changing. It was revelation... and full of tools for application.We felt exposed but deeply loved.

Lots of emotion and lots of healing.

I thank each of you for praying. I am so encouraged. I am so grateful!

LOVE AFTER MARRIAGE Love After Marriage is a program created by a couple Barry and Lori Byrne who in response to a prophetic dream, created this program for couples who want to pursue the truth and tools available necessary for God’s best in relationships. Barry and Lori are involved in leadership training at Bethel Church in Redding California and have coached thousands of couples from around the world to bring about wholeness and healing to their marriages.

This intense 3.5 day training is for couples who not only want to strengthen their own marriages, but also have the desire to disciple other couples in their marriages.

The workshop that just took place in Yakima at Open Bible Christian Center was “home” for 3.5 days to 19 couples from all over Washington, Montana and Australia. The Holy Spirit was doing a transforming work in each couple. Some came in desperate need of healing, while others were looking forward to the tools necessary to work through issues that come up. Whatever the need, the Holy Spirit worked through each person with what was needed to leave with rekindled loved and a personal change that was life transforming!

This ministry is so amazing, we hope to continue to the next phase which is an 18 week small group study so more couples can radically transform their marriages. Stay Tuned…

Family Ministries— Shan Trick

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It was life changing... and relationship changing.

It was revelation... and full of tools for application.

We felt exposed,but deeply loved.

Lots of emotion, and lots of healing.

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until October 4th, after that they will be available at the door for $10. Recently, in my devotional, it was highlighted that the only thing we can truly count on is God’s love. This was referring to how we may not see God acting in our troubles today but that we could count on His everlasting love for us, and rest in His peace. Trying to plan/control the future does not work. I find that if I do not plan/schedule then nothing happens. But I am trying to not worship the plan/schedule as my salvation. To have it as the guide or outline for the future and be sure that He is the one directing, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you (me) in Christ Jesus.” Giving thanks even when nothing goes according to my plan for the day! “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen.”

WOMEN’S FALL BIBLE STUDYFashioned to Reign, by Kris Vallotton, is an 8-week women’s study that will be facilitated by Shan Trick and Tyann Whitworth. Fashioned to Reign, begins Wednesday, Oct 21 to Dec 16 at 6:00 pm, Cost: $35. This is a powerful study by Kris Vallotton, will (1) take women on a journey of God’s true plan and purpose for women, (2) explore Jesus’ radical teachings and care for women, (3) learn about men’s important role in restoring women, (4) reveal the true interpretation of difficult Bible passages about women, and (5) provide examples of women in leadership as God intended.

This study includes a DVD teaching by Kris Vallotton, workbook study and time for group discussion. Contact Shan for more information and for registration fees: 248-7940 or [email protected]. Childcare is available with a reservation.

WOMEN’S LUNCHEONJust a moment ago I was anticipating the coming Summer – all the adventures and possibilities! As I write this, the schools have just started back (except a few colleges), and by the time you read this the Fall sports will be well into their seasons! Time just flies by so quickly, and schedules fill up in the blink of an eye! I hope you are able to join Women’s Ministry on Saturday, October 10th – we are hosting a Royal Banquet Luncheon, a time to sit and connect with our neighbors.

This is an opportunity to bring the people who you live near, friends that have not had time to connect with, and/or meet up with the people who sit near (or not) on Sundays; a child free time to talk with other women. (Childcare is not available at the church for this event.) For this rare treat we are planning a “High Tea” with a royal flair. The inspiration came from the “Fashioned to Reign” Bible Study.

During the Luncheon we have asked Robin Biddlecomb to speak. Her title is “Fierce Love” as an exchange; not just of God’s love for us— but how we are to reciprocate that love, to Him and to each other. What does this love really look like? From us to our families, to other Christians, to those who are not saved, and most importantly what does it look like to Fiercely Love ourselves in the way God intended us to? At the conclusion of the luncheon, there will be an opportunity to register, and purchase the “Fashioned to Reign” curriculum.Tickets for the Banquet Luncheon are on sale in the Garden Room for $5 per person. Tickets will be available

Women’s Ministries— Shan Trick

– Jennifer Ulmer

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lives of those around me. I love talking about who God is and what He’s doing in my life and in the world. It’s the one thing I never tire of learning about or discussing. I am a believer in healing. Teenagers face many challenges and new responsibilities. Growing up in our world comes with a lot of pressure to succeed. And while our youth are struggling to keep up with all that’s expected of them, they are also attempting to figure out who they’re going to be and what they want to believe. I count it a privilege to walk alongside them as they decipher those vital things. I deeply desire healing, life-giving relationships, and a life-long dialogue with and about God for each of the students I work with. My vision for the youth of this church family is that they would find a home here, a place where they feel safe and know that they are loved; no matter what mistakes they make along the way. I want this to be a place where they know they can come to find adults who genuinely care about them and peers who are struggling with the same issues they are. I want us to embark on the journey of struggling, learning and growing together.

Please join me in helping our teenagers to feel loved and e m b r a c e d . Here’s to a great year!

Peace in Christ,

– Kelsey Schmidt

HELLO CHURCH FAMILY!I’m so excited to be your Interim Youth Director this year! It’s a pleasure to work with the amazing teenagers here at Grace of Christ and I thank God for this calling that I love every day. Thanks for entrusting your youth to me. I am a twenty something follower of Jesus and lover of all things sparkly and/or tasty. My husband (Aaron Schmidt) is also a part of this church family and volunteers with the youth. My favorite things to do when I’m not at work include spending time with him and our three awesome dogs, baking, and drinking good coffee and tea. I also love reading, music and Yakima in the fall. Family is so precious to my husband, Aaron, and I. Most of his family lives in the valley and my parents live just a few hours away. When we aren’t at home watching movies and eating good food, we can usually be found at the home of my mother-in-law or grandma, or at the family winery in Zillah. I have always loved this valley and the opportunities it has afforded us to grow closer to family and good friends. Prior to my life here, I grew up in Hermiston, Oregon. There I interned with my high school youth pastor and worked with middle school students as part of the youth staff. In college, I focused my internship on children’s ministry and studied Theology and Spanish. I graduated from Whitworth in 2012 and came here to work with Jeff Murray as an intern. I’ve been here ever since, as an intern and then as a volunteer, and now as the Director. I’m passionate about Theology and about illustrating the message of the Kingdom in a way that’s applicable to the

Student Ministries— Kelsey Schmidt

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Children’s Ministry— Susie Woodin

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILDSamaritan’s Purse partners with churches and missions who are involved in children’s ministry.Shoe-boxes are filled with gifts that are prepared with love and given from hearts full of generosity, compassion, and a desire to share Jesus’ love. Each box is SO appreciated! Read on to find some tips on how to best fill your shoe-box.

BEST GIFTS:• For any age boy here, what they really want is a

soccer ball. So get the best quality MINI SOCCER BALL that you can fit into the box when it is inflated (OR SEND A DEFLATED BALL WITH A PUMP) and you can basically forget about anything else!

• BRAND NEW NICE SHORT-SLEEVED SHIRTS (WITH NO WRITING ON THEM) for boys and girls.

• SMALL FLASHLIGHT WITH BATTERIES (Most families don’t have electricity, flashlights are gold!)

• GOOD QUALITY MELAMINE PLATE, BOWL, AND/OR CUP (Practical and also special.)

• SOAP AND A PLASTIC SOAP DISH THAT HAS A COVER. When you bathe standing on a big rock in the dirt as kids do here, you really need the soap holder. And families never have enough soap.

• TOOTHBRUSH IN A TOOTHBRUSH HOLDER. Again, the plastic case for the toothbrush is really great when you don’t have a sink/counter/tiled bathroom but rather brush your teeth outside squatting over dirt and need to keep it in your room.

• PENCILS, ERASERS, COLORED PENCILS, AND SHARPENERS for all school-aged kids. And good quality pens for kids aged 10-14, in black, red, green, and blue. All of these are required for school and the ones from America last so much longer.

GREAT GIFTS: • Jump-ropes• Marbles• Band-Aids• Harmonica • Comb• Socks

• For the youngest girls, a BABY DOLL WITH LIGHT BROWN SKIN AND NO HAIR

• TOY CAR, TRUCK OR AIRPLANE FOR THE YOUNGEST BOYS (The ones with bigger wheels that are made for toddlers and are larger than Matchbox size are good. NOTE: Matchbox wheels are so small, they don’t work well in dirt.

NOT SO GOOD items we have seen kids receive:• Anything with instructions in English; (We tried to

explain to one girl who got a cool pair of markers that came with a clip so you could draw with them both at the same time & a set of paper 3-D glasses, but it didn’t make sense to her.

• NO Toys That Aren’t Universally Recognizable (We have seen kids receive matching memory card games - a great idea but with no one to explain it to them, they are wasted.)

• NO YO-YO’S (They don’t know what it is here.)• NO GLOVES, WINTER HATS • NO PLAY-DOUGH (Kids have no idea what it is for.)• NO STUFFED ANIMALS (Young kids here usually

burst into tears when presented with stuffed animals from their shoe-boxes. You can’t know what the animal will signify in the culture your box reaches.)

• NO STICKERS OR TEMPORARY TATTOOS• NO T-SHIRTS WITH WORDS OR PICTURES • ANYTHING CHEAP OR FRAGILE (One box had a

white skinned, red-haired porcelain doll in it…)

• Hard candy and gum• A simple watch for older kids• A solar calculator for older kids• Sunglasses for older kids• Hair elastics & head-bands for girls

SHOEBOX BROCHURES CAN BE FOUND IN THE GARDEN ROOM BEGINNING OCT 11. ALL SHOEBOXES ARE DUE NOV 15.

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Prayer Ministry

PROPHETIC PRAYER GOD LOVES OUR CHURCH! He has a great plan for our church to be part of his Kingdom going forth into the community. Do you recall on the last Prayer Sunday, Robin Stuber (on the Prayer Ministry Team) asked us to listen for the Lord’s response to the question she prayed; “Lord, what do you want to say to our church?” Everyone listened for the Holy Spirit to speak to them. Then Robin said, “I’m bringing a mic around for you to share what you heard.” What glorious things you heard! She started with the children, who were excited to be part of what was happening. This is a sampling of your responses, “Be My People of Grace,” “Love,” “Light a Fire,” “Welcome Everyone,” “More Love and Less Judgment,” “I’m Doing Something New,” “Love One Another,” “Hang in There, Don’t Give Up,” “Come Home,” “God Loves Us and Christ is the Cornerstone,” “Don’t Worry About the Bottom Line,” You Are My Beloved With Whom I Am Well Pleased,” “Be Courageous,” “Step Out and Do Something New,” “Remove the Walls, Take Down the Barriers, Embrace My People,” “Come to Me Unfettered”…and many more.

These beautiful words for our church bring us to the realization that Grace of Christ (we) are favored by God. He wants such beautiful things for us. He sees us being fruitful and completing His plan. What joy, what possibilities for us as Christians to seek our Lord and actually hear from Him as promised in the Bible.“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” – John 10:27“Then the Lord spoke to you from the midst of the fire, you heard the sound of words, but you saw no form—only a voice.” – Deuteronomy 4:12“Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!” – Isaiah 6:8

Charleigh, Brian and Harold were lovingly baptized and welcomed into our church family on a beautiful day in August. What a joy it is to witness this sacrament and to be able to come alongside as a family of Grace.

Charleigh Robel Brian Buchanan Harold Brown

Baptism Celebrations

JOIN US FOR

PROPHETIC PRAYER How to Hear, How to Pray

with ROBIN STUBER

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4th

9:30 A.M. IN OUR CHAPEL

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Formerly First Presbyterian Christian Preschool

Also, start thinking about your See’s Christmas Candy orders! We will begin taking pre-orders in November.

You are an important part of Grace of Christ Preschool! Your support through prayer, donations, and support of our fundraising efforts makes a huge impact on the families and children we serve. Thank you! The tuition we charge does not cover all of the cost of providing the program and we depend on our fundraisers.

We are taking pre-orders for our God’s Creation Calendars & Cards! We are selling 2016 wall calendars, pocket calendars and greeting cards – both everyday cards and Christmas cards. Each item is just $6! Greeting cards come in sets of 12. Last year we sold out quickly so if you don’t want to miss out – PREORDER NOW!

Or contact Rhonda Cardona at 248-7940, ext. 119 or email her at [email protected] with orders or questions.

As always, we will have a limited number of items available for you to purchase in October. Merchandise should arrive by the end of October.

Orders are being taken from any Preschool Family and Staff Member until

September 28th.

Preschool— Rhonda Cardona

Baptism Celebrations

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Early in August, Alex and I were talking about the need to do something special with the youth of the Cristo Vive congregation. I thought back to my many great memories of hiking and camping in Mt Rainier National Park. We decided this could be a great experience for our youth, as most had never been to the Mountain before.

We chose August 22nd for our excursion, and selected an itinerary including Lake Tipsoo, the Grove of the Patriarchs, the bridge over Box Canyon and some hiking at Paradise. As we were planning the details regarding age limits, how many students, etc, I had misgivings about who might want to go walking around all day long. After much prayer and planning, God put together just the right mix of teenagers and adults.

We all had a great time exploring new sights and wonders; deer crossing the highway in front of us, marmots munching on berries right on the hiking path, and reading statistics about the mountain at the Visitors Center. Everyone said that they would love to go hiking there again. However, God had something else very special planned for us.

MY KAIROS MOMENT…It was a very crowded and smoky day at Paradise and I had to park the van far away. As I walked up the road to the Visitors Center, I was grumbling about not finding

Gracia de Cristo— Alex Rule

A MOMENT ON THE MOUNTAIN

LISTENING TO THE LORD! On Friday, September 11, 2015, I received a call from my good friend, Ken, who lives and works at the Yakima Union Gospel Mission. He asked me to give the message for the Family Shelter that night. When we started the worship music, I invited the kids who were sitting at the two front tables to join us in clapping their hands, but I noticed that only three of them were clapping and had trouble keeping the rhythm, so I asked them to tap on the tables like I was doing. Suddenly the kids next to them joined in with the tapping on the tables, and then the parents joined in tapping and everyone in the room was tapping on the tables!

We experienced the loudest sound ever in the library - the sound of an avalanche or thunderstorm, the sound of a huge marching multitude. I closed my eyes and started praying, thanking God for His blessings. Then, in that very moment I heard God’s voice very clearly saying, “Do you hear???... Can you see???... Do you understand???... THIS IS MY ARMY!!! PLEASE TAKE CARE OF MY CHILDREN!!! THEY WILL BE THE NEXT GENERATION OF GOD’S LEADERS!!!”

– Alex Rule

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a closer spot. Nearing the Center, I glanced up as someone approached me. No, it couldn’t be! I thought to myself. But then that person called out my name. Yes, it was my friend, the father of one of my trumpet students taking his dog back to his car. I had meant to get in touch with him at the end of June, and now here it was nearly the end of August. I asked about his daughter and he said she was up ahead waiting to go hiking. A bit later, I looked for his daughter but couldn’t find her.

About 30 minutes later our youth had regrouped and we set out on the trail. Shortly after, we came across a family group beside the trail. A man was squatting down and he was holding a woman who was struggling to breathe. It was my friend and his wife. Knowing their religious background was different than mine, I asked if I could pray for his wife and he replied, “Please do.” So right there on the path, I prayed aloud, in Spanish, asking that God would touch this woman and revive her. When we had finished praying, I noticed that she was calming down and she began breathing more regularly. That evening, I contacted him to see how his wife was doing. He replied that she was okay and he thanked me for praying for them.

This is a family I had been praying for ever since I first met them some 10 months ago. I believe God is at work in their lives and trust that very soon they will come to a personal faith in the One who touched us all that day on the mountain.

– Rodney Eells

Cristo Vive Fellowship

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Kaffee KlatschSenior Ministry

Kaffee Klatsch will meet on Thursday, October 15th, at 2:00 p.m. in the Garden Room. Lynn Buchanan will be our featured speaker. Lynn was instrumental in getting a mountain rescue team established on the east side of the mountains when none existed.

All too often, climbers go off unprepared for what they will find. Weather conditions can change rapidly putting everyone at risk. Having participated in innumerable rescue operations for over five decades, he has many stories to share.

Lynn has deep connections with our church. He was baptized by Dr. David Ferry. Additionally, his mother’s family name was Ghormley. There are many who immediately have warm feelings and memories of Camp Ghormley simply by hearing that name mentioned.

Lynn is looking forward to joining us to share some of his experiences. As always, we’ll have a cup of coffee waiting for you along with a piece of something that has danced with a pumpkin. How can you miss that? As always, we appreciate it when you sign up at the Connection Center so we have an estimated nose count. And, as always, the invitation stands even if you forget to do that. We’ll look forward to seeing you there.

THANK YOU CARENET CALLERS AND CARD WRITERSCarenet has been a church-wide ministry providing periodic calls to the congregation to help stay in touch, and express the Lord’s caring. The card writers have sent birthday cards to the congregation. The Carenet Minstry has been serving our congregation for over 10 years, and was particularly helpful during our denominational transition.

Thank you so much to the faithful people who have served in this calling and Birthday card ministry:

Jana Alderman, Arlene Altena, JoAnn Anderson, Marv and Fran Becker, Virginia Campbell, Patricia Clark, Sandy Coats, Carol Daniel, Nelda Dilley, Bev Dolquist, Carole Drake, Betty Elder, Donna Erhart-Boling, Marilyn Gilbert, Dorothy Hall, Helen Howson, Larry and Sharon Handy, Larry and Nancy Hasen, Susan Hillis, Diana Leonard, Frances Lockwood, Eloise Lucas, Carolyn Mason, Tammy Nunley, Barbara Pearson, Stella Pence, Carol Reiber, Bev Sager, Wilma Scheibner, Carol Stuhley, Shirley Whiteside, and Arden Underdal.

After prayerful consideration, we have decided to discontinue this ministry. We trust that you will let us know if you have any concerns or need any information. The birthday cards will continue through December 2015. Our Deacons will continue to reach out to our “home-centered” parishioners.

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I was speaking with someone who had just returned from a developing country and he said the thing he appreciated the most about being back in the United States was being able to drink water out of the tap. Clean water, something we often take for granted, is a precious commodity in much of the world. Our Yakima Valley Living Waters Team is responding to this reality.

In October, a group of four (Buzz Rowe, Larry Allen, Jim and Kathy Bricel) will be working with Living Water World Missions and returning to the Huehuetenango region of Guatemala. We will be helping with two installations, partnering with a couple of churches in this region, to put in water purification systems and provide health, hygiene and spiritual education for the community. The systems will be installed in churches hosting Compassion International Programs and will provide clean water and education for the Compassion students, their families and the community.

Our team is also in the process of setting up a survey trip to Tzucacab, located in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. We have installed three systems in churches in this area. During return visits we are able to reconnect with people, help troubleshoot problems with existing systems and make contact with churches interested in installing a water system in the future.

If you are interested in being a part of this ministry please contact Jim or Kathy Bricel (965-6042). Contributions can be written to Grace of Christ, for Yakima Valley Living Waters.

– Kathy Bricel

YAKIMA VALLEY LIVING WATERS

Missions ~ Living Waters

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Ghormley Meadow Christian Camp

Mark your calendar for these Family Friendly Fall events at Ghormley!

UPCOMING FALL EVENTS AT GHORMLEY

SLAMQUEST AND THE BLASTMiddle School and High School students come and reunite with your camp friends in this action-packed weekend! Filled with all your favorite camp activities, including the zipline and night games! Register now at http://www.ghormleymeadow.org.SLAMQUEST (Middle School Grades 6th-8th) OCTOBER 16th-18th

THE BLAST (High School Grades 9th-12th) NOVEMBER 20th-22nd

MOUNTAIN MEADOW CHRISTMAS (DEC 12TH-13TH)Bring the whole family and join us for Christmas worship, tree cutting, snow tubing and many more winter activities as we celebrate the Christmas season! Visit www.ghormleymeadow.org for registration details.

MEET OUR NEWEST STAFF MEMBER!“We are excited to announce the hiring of Stephanie Lewis for the position of Guest Services Director! Stephanie replaces Matt Gooch, who departed at the end of August to return to school to finish his degree. Stephanie brings many years of experience in ministry, sales, and administration, and is excited for the challenge of helping to enhance Ghormley’s retreat ministry. Stephanie is joined here by her two children, Celeste, and Raydan. Next time you’re at Ghormley, be sure to say hi to Stephanie!”

FINANCIALLYSupport Camp Ghormley through operating funds, camp scholarships, and memorials.

PRAYER• As we wrap up the 2015 fiscal year, pray that Camp

Ghormley will be financially successful for the rest of 2015 and into 2016.

• Pray that relationships will be built, lives changed, and every person who comes to Ghormley Meadow will meet Jesus.

• Pray that the Lord will lead us as we prepare for adding and updating facilities.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES• Adopt-A-Cabin / Adopt-A-Flower Bed

• Host Guest Groups

For Adopt-A-Cabin, contact Joe Buckley at 961-0424 or email [email protected].

Ghormley Work Days are scheduled for the second Saturday of each month at camp to provide maintenance of facilities and grounds. Our next Second Saturday is scheduled for October 10th from 9:00am-3:00pm. Lunch will be provided with an RSVP. Call camp at (509) 672-4311.

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Dear Church Family,

I want to thank you all so much for your love and kindness over the past four years. Your enthusiastic support of my ministry at Grace of Christ has been a constant encouragement. Words cannot express how much you all mean to me, and how much you have all helped me to grow and thrive during my time here. I came on the scene in May of 2011 as an inexperienced 25-year-old. I will be leaving this December as a full-fledged, confident woman of God. Thank you for your fellowship and for all you’ve taught me about God and His kingdom. Please remember all that I’ve taught you over the years as well, my friends. I will miss you all very much, it’s true. But as I leave for Arizona, I am trusting that the Lord has wonderful things in store for me and for you!

Temple ChoirWorship Ministry

Grace and peace,

Lyndi Peacock, Temple Choir Director

HOW MANY SERVICES?"Are we going back to two contemporary services this fall, or staying with one contemporary and one traditional?" It's a question that worship ministry team fields often, and one which we have prayerfully wrestled with over the past couple of years.As you know, there are so many issues to keep in tension! For example: fullness of the sanctuary (full enough to feel like you’re not coming to church all alone, but allowing enough room for our friends and visitors to have an available seat); coordinating the entire morning schedule accounting for KidZone kids and teachers, Adult Ed classes, etc.; sensitivity to the time, energy, and spiritual freshness of the staff and volunteers involved week in and week out as they lead us on Sunday mornings…and much more that I don’t have room for here.So, here’s our stance: we’ll keep evaluating year-to-year. We see this question as an ongoing tension to maintain, not as a once-and-for-all solvable problem.For now, this fall, we’ve made the decision to go back to the schedule we’ve had for the last few academic years:8am contemporary. 9:30am contemporary. 11am traditional. 1pm Cristo Vive. Also, just so you know, right now our worship ministry team has been focusing on and wrestling with the bigger, more broad-stroke question: How can we do a better job at connecting people to Christ, connecting people with each other, and helping us all grow as disciples of Jesus on Sundays?If you have any ideas, suggestions, or thoughts on how we can do a better job of connecting you, your family, and your friends to Christ and each other on Sundays, or how we can help you as a disciple of Jesus, please don't hesitate to contact me. I would love to hear from you!

– Jason Larsen, On Behalf of Worship Ministry Team

Veterans Day Dinner & Program

Sunday, November 8th At 5:00 pm ~ in the Garden Room

Tickets go on sale Oct 18th

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October Calendar of Events

Glorifying God With Our BestPioneering and Ongoing Outreach

Engaging and Nurturing RelationshipsBeing A Cornerstone in the CommunityEquipping People for Ministry Through

Biblical Foundation and Service

Grace Alive is available in a PDF format on the church web page www.YakimaGrace.com. For inquiries, submissions, omissions, and corrections, contact Ericka in the church office 248-7940 x 100. [email protected]

Grace of ChristPresbyterian Church9 South 8th AveYakima, WA 98902(509) 248-7940

Tues, September 29 “Pursuing Our Limitless God” 9:15 am Gym Women (Bible Study Begins)

Thur, October 1 Senior Adult Ministries Meeting 1:30 pm Adult Ed Rm Committee Fri, October 2 MOPS Creative Moments 9:00 am Room 217 Moms Sat, October 3 Love, INC Walk to End Poverty 10:00 am Parking Lot Everyone (Start & End at GCPC) Sun, October 4 World Communion All Morning Sanctuary Everyone New Covenant Partner Class 8:00 am Adult Ed Rm Everyone (Partner With Grace) Prayer Class Taught by Robin Stuber 9:30 am Chapel Everyone Mon, October 5 Living Waters Meeting 5:30 pm Room 220 Committee Tue, October 6 All Staff Birthday Lunch 12:00 pm Parlor All Staff Worship Ministry Team Meeting 6:15 pm Adult Ed Rm Committee Thur, October 8 Ghormley Commission Meeting 7:00 pm Adult Ed Rm Committee Fri, October 9 No Preschool Today Preschoolers MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) 9:30 am Gym Moms Sat, October 10 Ladies Royalty Luncheon 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Garden Room Women Tue, October 13 Service Ministry Team Meeting 6:00 pm Adult Ed Rm Committee Wed, October 14 Business Ministry Team Meeting 4:00 pm Library Committee Thur, October 15 Kaffee Klatsch 2:00 pm Garden Room Everyone Fri, October 16 MOPS Leadership 9:30 am Lounge Committee Clothing Exchange Set Up 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm Gym Everyone Youth Slam Quest @ Ghormley All Weekend Ghormley Meadow 6th - 8th graders Sat, October 17 Clothing Exchange 9:00 am - 2:00 pm Gym Everyone Sun, October 18 ELZ Lunch 12:30 pm Adult Ed Rm ELZ Staff Tue, October 20 Session Leadership Meeting 7:00 pm Adult Ed Rm Committee Wed, October 21 Edith Ferry Circle Lunch 12:00 pm Parlor Women Preschool Board Meeting 12:00 pm Lounge Board Members Youth Group: Get Air (Meet there) 6:30 pm Offsite 6th - 12th graders Thur, October 22 Women’s Ministry Meeting 4:00 pm Parlor Committee Fri, October 23 MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) 9:30 am Gym Moms Sun, October 25 One Service 10:00 am Sanctuary Everyone Congregational Meal (Potluck!) 11:30 am Gym Everyone Deacon’s Meeting 3:30 pm Lounge Deacons Tue, October 27 Session Dinner and Meeting 5:30 pm Garden Rm/Mid High Elders & Prog.Staff Wed, October 28 Mary MacLean Guild 12:00 pm Offsite Women Sun, November 1 Prayer Sun (Communion in Parlor) All Morning Sanctuary Everyone Mon, November 2 Blood Drive 10-2 pm Garden Room Everyone Wycliffe Dinner and Program 7:00 pm Gym Everyone

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Monday TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) 10:00 am Adult Ed Everyone All Staff Check-In Meeting 10:00 am DF Lounge All Staff Overeaters Anonymous 12:00 / noon Adult Ed Everyone Trailseekers 2:30 pm Gym Al-Anon 5:15 pm Adult Ed Everyone Divorce Care 6:30 pm Room 217 Everyone

Tuesday Pursuing Our Limitless God (Women’s Bible Study) 9:15 am Gym Women Women In the Word Bible Study 9:45 am Parlor Women

Wednesday Women of Action (2nd & 4th Wednesdays) 9:30 am Chapel Women Men’s Noon Bible Study 12:00 / noon Adult Ed Men Youth Group - Mid High & Senior High 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm Youth & Mid High Rms 6th-12th Grade Cristo Vive Bible Study 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Adult Ed Everyone Cristo Vive Music Rehearsal 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Sanctuary Everyone

Thursday Bible Study Fellowship 9:00 am Sanctuary Women SOZO Prayer 5:45 pm - 9:15 pm Lounge, Prayer Rm SOZO Team Contemporary Worship Rehearsal 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Sanctuary Temple Choir 7:00 pm Choir Rm

Friday SOZO Prayer 9:00 am - 11:30 am Chapel, Prayer Rm SOZO Team

Worship - Led by Contemporary Worship Team 8:00 am & 9:30 am Sanctuary Everyone Worship - Led by Temple Choir & Organ 11:00 am Sanctuary Everyone Worship - Gracia de Cristo (Spanish) 1:00 pm Sanctuary Everyone Going Deeper: Revelation 9:30 am Adult Ed Adults Golden Circle 9:30 am Lounge Adults Youth Refuel 10:30 am Mid High & Youth Rms 6th-12th Grade KidZone 9:30 am 2nd Floor 3yrs-5th Grade

Weekday Events

Sunday Services and Events

Announcements

PARTNER WITH GRACEDiscover what it means to Partner with Grace at our next New Covenant Partner class. Sundays at 8:00am, Oct 4 through Nov 1 in the Adult Ed Room. Everyone is welcome. Please RSVP to Jean, 248-7940.

WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY October 4th, in the Sanctuary8AM, 9:30AM, 11AM & 1PMWorld Communion is a celebration observed by Christian Churches around the world. It is an opportunity to join with Christians worldwide at the Lord’s Table. Held on the first Sunday of October, it is an interdenominational service that promotes Christian unity and ecumenical cooperation. Join with us as weto partake of this Lord’s Supper.

CLOTHING EXCHANGEJoin the Clothing Exchange on October 17th in the Gym at 9:00 am.

Oct 4: N - S Oct 11: T - Z Oct 18: A - F Oct 25: G - M

OCTOBER

BAPTISM SUNDAYBaptism Sunday is scheduled for Nov 8. Please contact Jean Paulson, 248-7940, if you are interested in being baptized.

ONE SERVICE ON SUNDAY, OCT 25 On Sunday, October 25th at 10:00 am we will have an all-church celebration of God’s lavish grace to us, in a combined worship service and opportunity to renew our faith commitment and giving to the Lord, followed by a shared meal together.

BLOOD DRIVE: Nov 2nd, 10AM - 2PMCOOKIES & CANS

G r a c e o f C h r i s t P r e s b y t e r i a n C h u r c hG r a c e o f C h r i s t P r e s b y t e r i a n C h u r c h

NONPROFIT ORGUS POSTAGE

PAIDYAKIMA, WA

PERMIT NO 59

GRACE OF CHRISTPRESBYTERIAN CHURCH9 S 8TH AVENUEYAKIMA, WA 98902

ONE SERVICE

A CELEBRATIONGIVING TO SHARE GOD’S GRACE

10:00 - OCT 25FAMILY POTLUCK FOLLOWS WORSHIP

grace alive oct 2015

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