May/June 2011 Newsletter
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Pastoral Letter
“Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
Dear Friends in Christ:
We have just celebrated a glorious Easter. The good news is that the Easter season continues on - both in the church year and in our own personal life as believers. Death has been conquered. As Christians, we have been given the gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ. This is wonderful news! The new life of Christ lives on in our hearts. In our church year, the Easter season continues on for 50 days. For the disciples, these 50 days were life changing. Disappointed and confused disciples were changed forever. They became courageous believers with a new mission - the Great Commission.
Scripture records many occasions in which Jesus appeared to his disciples during the 40 days following his Resurrection and prior to his Ascension to heaven. He continued to teach his disciples during this period, eating with them, breaking bread with them, visiting them on the seashore, forgiving sins, and commissioning them to share the Good News as the Spirit would lead them. Former vocations were transformed as the disciples were given a new life work. They were commissioned to tell the world about the new life found in their risen Lord. They were called to be fishers of men - and of women - for the sake of the Gospel.
There were so many occasions in which Jesus met with his disciples, that they could not even be recorded in scripture. The Message, a modern day paraphrase of these passages, contains these words at the end of John’s Gospel:
“There are so many other things Jesus did. If they were all written down, each of them, one by one, I can’t imagine a world big enough to hold such a library of books.”
However, Jesus’ ministry to the disciples was not complete. In order to fulfill the great and challenging task they had been given, they would need power from above. They had been taught, discipled, forgiven, and encouraged - but they would not be able to accomplish all that lay ahead in their own human strength.
The disciples were told to wait in Jerusalem to receive supernatural power from above - the Holy Spirit. They waited together, prayed together, and sought God for ten days more. These were important days for the disciples. They remained together praying in unity, deepening their relationship with God and with one another. Out of their time of prayer and unity, they chose a new disciple to replace the one who had betrayed Jesus. They were ready for the next step in their journey with Christ.
Scripture records that “suddenly” the Holy Spirit came upon them at Pentecost. However, we know this was not a sudden occasion in the life of these men and women. Jesus had been preparing them for over three years for this experience of the Holy Spirit. They were empowered from on high - a new Baptism - a release of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Having been discipled and commissioned, they were now empowered to complete the work they had been given.
As we read the story of the transformation of these early disciples of Jesus, we know that this can be our own story as Christians. During these next weeks, we will read stories in scripture about these events and can relate them to our own life. Their stories can become our stories of new life in Jesus Christ.
On June 12, we will celebrate Pentecost Sunday by reading these early accounts and breaking bread together, followed by a time of fellowship with a luncheon after the 10:00 am service. Please join us for this special occasion in which we celebrate the birth of the church as we read the story of the Holy Spirit empowering these early disciples.
Pentecost Sunday is a great time to bring friends to church and meet new people. On the bulletin board, you will find a sign up sheet. Please join us in the parish hall for this event.
During this season of our church year, may you enjoy Easter Blessings and Pentecost Power!
Yours in Christ,
The Rev. Ellendale M. Hoffman, D.Min.
Pentecost Celebration Covered Dish Luncheon
As tradition has it, we will again celebrate the Birthday of the Church with a Parish wide Covered Dish Luncheon following the 10:00 am service on Sunday, June 12. A sign up sheet will be posted in the Foyer for you to add your name and what you will bring to the feast.
Looking forward to seeing you there for a wonderful family celebration.
Blessings, Kathy Bartus & Jackie Phyfe
New Feature for our Harvest Fair!
After some discussion with members and the clergy, we have decided to have an enlarged silent auction alongside the regular Fair taking place on Saturday, November 5.
The details of this silent auction will be laid out at a later date. At this point we want you to consider what you might give to this auction to raise additional funds for our outreach.
Auction items might be craft items, beautiful books, jewelry, gourmet dinners, etc. We hope to have a collection of sale-able items in time for the preparation prior to the Fair. Let your imagination take flight!
Blessings, Gunlög Millet & Jackie Phyfe
Grace Church Food Pantry
April Contributions
It is so great to be part of such a wonderful,caring congregation.The generosity of our parish to the community food pantry is awesome. It is certainly appreciated.
Thank you all!
“God loves a cheerful giver.”
Frank R.Tarrio
Thank You!
Dear Friends in Christ:
Thank you for a wonderful surprise birthday party for us on that beautiful Sunday morning in April following the 10:00 am service. We have been so blessed to love and serve God together with you over these past years at Grace Church. That first Sunday in April was another anniversary for us in addition to our birthdays. We arrived at Grace Church and began our ministry here with you on the first Sunday of April twenty-three years ago. Your surprise party was a wonderful occasion of celebration for both our birthdays and our shared ministry together in this parish. It was such a joyful occasion. Thank you for your love expressed to us through the food, cake, flowers, balloons, cards, and your financial gift given to us so that we could take some time away together on a special trip.
We are so grateful to God that we are able to serve Him in such a special place as Grace Church. Together, as we share the healing love of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, we are reaching out in love and service along the shoreline and changing lives for the sake of the Gospel. It is an honor to serve our Lord with you.
Easter Blessings to each one of you and your families.
Chuck and Ellendale Hoffman
Summer Office Hours
During the months of July and August, the church Office will be open 9:30 am until 12:30 pm, Monday through Friday.
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