Blog (Page 5)
News and thoughts
Worship update – 2022-01-28
Last night (27 Jan), Church Council held a special meeting to review the current state of Covid cases in Fairfield County. While the number of cases has peaked and is coming back down, it was decided that they are still higher than we would like. So, for the next at least the next two weeks (through 6 Feb), we will remain online-only for worship. Council will meet again in two weeks and re-examine the data. In the meantime, you can…
Temporary Return to Online-only Worship
…in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. 5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus. Phillipians 2:3b-5a You may already have heard last evening’s call from Pastor Keith via DialMyCalls, but in an effort to spread the news as far as possible we’re sharing the letter from Council here as well. January 10, 2022 Dear Church Family and Friends, Happy New Year! …
Pastor’s Column – Oct 2021
What is your favorite season? Is it Fall with her orange and yellow leaves? Is it Winter and his snow covered trees? Is it Spring, and the arrival of her warm rays of light? Or do you prefer Summer with its long days and vacation getaways? My favorite season seems to be whatever comes next or before. Instead of living in the moment and giving thanks for the season we are in, a part of me is never quite satisfied.…
Pastor’s Column – Sep 2021
Greek: μένω, menoEnglish: Abide, dwell, remain The Greek word μένω, pronounced meno, appears thirty-four times in the Gospel according to John, demonstrating its theological importance in that Gospel narrative. Simply put, μένω means to be with, to abide, to dwell, to remain with, and it is often used to describe one’s relationship with Christ. It is used throughout John, but most notably in John 15 where Jesus is the true vine. “I am the vine, you are the branches. Those…
Pastor’s Column – Aug 2021
I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you. Philippians 1:3-5 In this time of Covid and social distancing, I have developed a new appreciation for the ways in which Paul greets churches that are out of his reach. They are either too far away or in the context of Philippians, Paul is restricted to his tiny jail cell, not able to leave even if he…
Pastor’s Column – July 2021
They are like trees planted by streams ofwater, which yield their fruit in its season. Psalm 1:3a I recently heard someone explain that the “Church is a community of people where God nurtures, teaches, and challenges us in the ways of God.” Through our worship, in our prayers, by way of fellowship, we feel the nurturing presence of God with us. Through Sunday School and the studying of scripture, we dive deeper into the mystery of God’s immense love for…
Pastor’s Column – June 2021
“Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, for she said to herself, ‘If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.’ Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, ‘Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.’ And instantly the woman was made well.” Matthew 9:20-22 I have always loved this scripture passage. Here is this woman, suffering with a horriblemedical…
Vacation Bible School
KNIGHTS OF NORTH CASTLEQUEST FOR THE KING’S ARMOR GRACE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRISTVACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2021 1185 PLEASANTVILLE ROAD LANCASTER, OHIO FOUR SUNDAY EVENINGS FROM 4-6 PMJULY 11, JULY 18, AUGUST 1, AND AUGUST 8 MUSIC, BIBLE STORIES, RECREATION, CRAFTS AND MORESNACK PROVIDED EACH NIGHT FREE PROGRAM! REGISTER BY JULY 4ONLINE REGISTRATION AT https://2020.cokesburyvbs.com/graceuccvbs2021(free downloadable materials available at registration site)or call 740-654-0565 for more information call 740-654-0565
Pastor’s Column – May 2021
Universal Resurrection Tradition (Click for image) Many of us have heard the old adage, “A picture is worth a thousand words,” which is a way of saying our interpretation of art is complex and contains many layers. The colors, the figures, the painter’s intentions, even the one observing, all contribute to the open-ended meaning revealed through art. In fact, a thousand words is generously low for the endless possibilities on could come up with. In that way, pictures offer us…
Returning to In-Person Worship
To our Grace Church family and friends, As promised, church council has been meeting every two weeks to review the possibility of returning to sanctuary services. We met again on April 8 and agreed to return to in-person worship services on May 9. Selecting this date will allow us to accomplish a number of important objectives. While many of our members have been fully vaccinated, this date allows for many of the younger members of the church to complete the…