Archive | May, 2010

Lock-In

on May 25, 2010 in Upcoming Events, Youth

Dear Youth & Parents,

I’m looking forward to next week’s lock-in and staying up all night long with dozens of hyper teenagers. Below is important information regarding the lock-in.

Entering & Exiting the Lock-In
The lock-in will begin at 7:30 pm and end at 6:00 am the following morning. It is important that youth have a ride home at 6:00 am in the morning as chaperones and the youth pastor will be cranky by this point. This year’s lock-in is a true lock-in where we will not be leaving church grounds all night. Youth will not be permitted to leave and come back, unless they their parents have spoken directly with me about it. Late arrivals are fine. Also, a release/medical form is required for all youth participants. I have a current copy of this for most of our regular youth on file – the form is good for one year. Forms are available on our church website and will be available at registration. All youth and chaperones will be required to sign in when they arrive at the lock-in. There is no cost to this year’s lock-in.

Adult Supervision
I need parents of regular Grace youth to provide at least one volunteer adult to chaperone one of the following shifts (see below) during the lock-in. This is considered to be a requirement of youth attendance at the lock-in. If your family can’t meet this requirement, please notify me in advance. Also, please let me know (email is preferable) which shift you plan on chaperoning at your earliest convenience so I can make sure we have enough adults for each shift

Early Bird Special – 7:30 to 10:30 pm

Midnight Shift – 10:30 pm to 1:00 am

Graveyard Shift – 1:00 to 6:00 am *restrictions apply (read below)

All of this is to ensure the safety of all youth – we expect to have many guests and visitors, which makes supervision even more important. If you plan on chaperoning during the “Graveyard Shift,” you must have completed Grace’s Safe Sanctuaries training. Joanne Weis is leading a Safe Sanctuaries training on Tuesday, January 12 at 6:30 pm. (originally scheduled for tonight, but rescheduled due to weather), so there is an opportunity for you to receive this training before the lock-in. Safe Sanctuaries training is recommended for all chaperones.

Additional note on adult supervision – I may not be present for the first hour of the lock-in pending the completion of the Grace Ministry Center due to Upward basketball games needing to be rescheduled for Friday night. If we have enough supervision for the graveyard shift and the building is finished, I may leave a few hours early to sleep a little before I will have to return to the church for basketball games all day on Saturday.

Food
We will provide soft drinks and water. All youth participants are asked to bring a snack or two to share. We will not be serving dinner, so if you want your child to have a well-balanced meal, please feed them at home before the lock-in. Orange juice and donuts will be available at 5:00 am. Adult chaperones are invited to eat food too!

What do I need to bring?
- Snack or two to share
- Release/Medical form (if you don’t have one on file)
- Adult chaperone
- Friends (youth who brings the most friends wins a digital camcorder)
- Plan on how to get home in the morning at 6:00 am

Other optional items you may want to think about
- Flashlight for flashlight tag
- Dark clothes for flashlight tag
- Sleeping bag/blanket/pillow
- Medicine/toiletries
- Video games (please no inappropriate video games) & Video game systems
- Anything you want to do all night (e.g., guitar, board games, cross stitch project, etc.)

What will the schedule be?
The schedule will be made after we know whether or not the Grace Ministry Center will be completed before the lock-in.

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MYF Silent Auction

on May 25, 2010 in Upcoming Events, Youth


On May 23 at 5:00 p.m., Grace United Methodist Youth Group will host their second annual Stuff Auction. The Stuff Auction is a fundraiser sponsored by the youth group to help complete the Youth Room in the Grace Ministry Center.

There will be an opportunity to bid on some items via silent auction in the Grace ministry center two weeks before the auction. We are accepting donations from now to May 23, but prefer to receive items prior to May 8 so that we may give it full exposure during our Stuff Auction. If you would like to make a donation, please let Todd Noren-Hentz or Linda Morgan know.

This year’s Stuff Auction will also include a full service spaghetti dinner served by our youth group. Tickets may be purchased from a youth for $10 in honor of the 10th Anniversary of Grace UMC which is also being celebrated on May 23. The Stuff Auction and Dinner will immediately follow the Grace Ministry Center Open House at 5:00 pm. It is not necessary to come to the dinner to participate in the auction. The auction will start at approximately 5:30. All youth and children may eat free.

Here’s a partial list of things auctioned in the Stuff Auction last year to give you an idea of the kinds of things that were donated.

Please fill out the form below to commit your donation to the Stuff Auction.

All of the following items were sold and raised money for the youth group.

  • A custom built Nerf gun – From master gunsmith, Graham Owen
  • 5 Sessions of Baby Sitting – From Becca or Samantha Weir to be arranged at a mutually agreed upon time; Each session auctioned separately
  • Giant Red Plush Lizzard – Perfect decoration for almost anywhere
  • Grace Youth Group T-Shirt – Your choice of style and size
  • Harley Davidson Blowout Vest for Dogs – Not for people, unless you wear your vests around your legs and your arms and you are really small; extra-small size
  • Children’s Table – Great for Legos, Trains, Drawing
  • Wired Fast Ethernet 10/100 5 Port Hub
  • Pie & Pie Cover – From Valerie Murphree
  • Session of Babysitting – Provided by Lauren Rosenthal
  • Coca-Cola Lamp – Courtesy of Jeremy West
  • 1 Free French Horn Lesson – From Melissa Kowerduck
  • 4 different landscape prints, framed – from the Butler-Moore’s and Robertsons
  • Barbie mp3 Player – Holds 1 GB
  • Bionic-Eye Plug-in TV Microscope – New in Box
  • Playskool Busy Ball-tivity Center – New in Box
  • American Girl Doll (sells new for $95-100) – This one has been masterfully recrafted by Susan Brown.
  • Stampin’ Up! Gift Basket – Contains between $50 – $75 in products
  • Cricut Cartridge – “Happily Ever After” (Disney Princess design) – Cartridge for the Cricut die-cutting system. Sells for $89.99 new
  • Barbie Dolls (new in box, Special Edition) range from $9.99 to $39.99 in value
  • 4 Tickets to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center – Good until January 1, 2010, courtesy of Sondra Robertson
  • Club Scrap Scrapbooking Kit – retails for $32.99
  • Panasonic DVD Player In excellent condition.
  • Pioneer Tuner Top of the line, in great condition.
  • Professionally Decorated Cake – Decorated by Paula Harmon, see some great ideas and examples here. Design of your choosing, good for up to 12 months (not the cake, just the offer to make the cake).
  • 4 Dog Training Lessons – From master Dog Trainer, Mary Graham
  • Cross Pendant Necklace – New from fashionista Gina Barlow
  • Faith Polatty – 2 Pecan Pies. Yum.
  • Stampin’ Up! Product Gift Basket – Assembled by Joann Wiemer
  • Caroline Nolen-Howe – Babysitting, arranged at a mutually agreed upon time
  • Private 30 Minute Plane Ride – With stunt pilot, Michael Weis
  • The Works of John Wesley, 14 volumes, bound in 7 – Published by Baker. Very Good condition. Identical to this set.
  • A Dinner – Courtesy of the Stricklands
  • Shrimp Boil – Get the full Cajun experience from the Stevisons
  • Serenade – Given by Nick Morgan
  • Rental of Star Trek Movie Collection – Pastor Steve’s personal Star Trek movie collection can be yours for one month (may unlock hidden meaning in Sunday sermons)
  • Rental of Star Trek Voyager Series – Watch Pastor Steve’s personal Star Trek Voyager Series one season at a time (7 seasons available)
  • Rental of Star Trek Enterprise Series – Watch Pastor Steve’s personal Star Trek Enterprise Series one season at a time (4 seasons available)
  • Wall Hanging Pictures – Courtesy of Nylea Butler-Moore
  • Automobile Heater/Fridge Console – Don’t drive around with luke-warm beverages, travel in style with this great auto accessory from the Van Valkenburgs
  • Swiffer Gift Pack – Have a dirty house, get this Swiffer gift set complete with a WetJet mop, solution refills, pad refills, and extra scrubbers
  • Lot of Men’s Sweaters – Large size, Get prepared for the winter now!
  • Thomas Kinkade Puzzle – What’s better than a painting by Thomas Kinkade? A puzzle by the Painter of Light.
  • Small Red Basket – Have loose things hanging around. Put them in this basket.
  • Young Adult Book Lot – 10+ Young Adult Titles.
  • Nautical Display Case – Love the sea? Mount this keepsake on your wall.
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The Shack Discussion Group

on May 25, 2010 in Upcoming Events


Grace United Methodist Church will be offering a moderated discussion group on William P. Young’s popular book, The Shack.

We have both a daytime and evening option for this discussion group: Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. and Thursdays at noon. The Wednesday group will be lead by Lyn Barger and will begin on April 29 and run through May 27. The Thursday group will be lead by Todd Noren-Hentz and will begin on April 30 and run through May 28.

We are hoping this discussion group will be an open and fruitful place to talk about The Shack. We welcome anyone who has read the book, whether you’re part of another church or faith community or you don’t belong to any religious institution, or even if you’re just a regular ol’ member of Grace UMC. The Shack talks about many theological issues in a unique narrative form that gives emotional and spiritual weight to doctrines and theological ideas that have too often been stale or dry in our lives and in our churches. The Shack points to the depth of God’s love and cracks wide open the potential for our relationship with the living God.

In addition to our weekly discussion group, please see below for related online discussions from The Shack.

You can purchase The Shack directly from its publisher, Windblown Media at www.theshackbook.com.
Not a reader? Get the audio book here.

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We have two options for the online part of The Shack discussion group – a Facebook based group and the forum below. Take your pick of whichever one is more convenient for you. Todd and Lyn will be cross posting thought provoking comments from both real-life and online groups, so you won’t miss out on anything.

Grace Shack Discussion Group

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Ministry Center Open House

on May 23, 2010 in Upcoming Events

Grace United Methodist Church is excited to open its doors to the Grace Ministry Center. It is our hope and prayer that this new facility will be a gift to the community through the programs that it will house. We wish to cordially invite all members of the community to come and tour the Grace Ministry Center during our Open House, which is now open!

The Grace Ministry Center will more than double the floor space of Grace UMC, contains a full sized gym, walking track, stage, multi-purpose rooms, nursery facilities, and much more. At our open house, you can expect to see a little of what church at Grace is like in addition to our new building. We will provide delicious snacks and activities for children. Also, you can register to win one of several impressive gift baskets that various teams within our church have assembled for this occasion.

Come as you are and drop by our Open House any time between 3 and 5 p.m. when it is scheduled in the winter of 2010 and stay as long or as short as you like. We’re looking forward to meeting you. Click here for directions to Grace UMC.

Immediately following the Open House (5:00 pm), you are invited to enjoy a spaghetti dinner provided by the Grace Youth Group and stay for their Stuff Auction fundraiser. Tickets to the spaghetti dinner will be $10 and may be purchased at the door.
The dinner and auction will be held in the worship center.

For more information, please call Joanne Weis at 430-0003, ext 805 or Todd Noren-Hentz, ext 806.

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2010 Vacation Bible School

on May 23, 2010 in Upcoming Events

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL is our biggest event of the year! We go “all out” each June to have a fun and exciting time of worship, games, crafts, drama, and story time. Many wonderful volunteers come together to make VBS an awesome experience for everyone!

Join everyone at BAOBAB BLAST: God’s Great Get-Together!

Mark your calendar for Vacation Bible School at Grace UMC – June 13-16, 2010.
God’s Great Get-Together won’t be the same without YOU!
All kids ages 4 yrs – 5th grade are welcome!

Baobab Blast is an open invitation to be a part of God’s Great Get-Together. Set under the impressive baobab tree, kids will have the opportunity to hear the Word, be amazed at God’s wildlife creations, and be a part of a supportive community. The great baobab tree in the expansive African savannah is the setting for this year’s VBS.

What is a Baobab?Baobab (bä´ōbăb´´) is a gigantic tree found in Africa that creates its own ecosystem. A baobab tree’s hollowed-out trunk, leaves, foliage, nectar, fruit, and bark provide basic life needs for many different creatures. For two months out of the year, when the rain falls and the grasses are green in the African Savannah, the baobab tree produces leaves and flowers. The enormous tree can grow to 98 feet tall and 36 feet wide. Baobab trees are one of the world’s oldest life forms. The baobab tree serves as a meeting place for many people to gather, discuss, and share stories.
At Baobab Blast, the baobab tree is the central figure—the hub of activity, energy, and life. The baobab tree supports and invites community. In fact, the baobab tree is a symbol of community.
Sign up today!

Pre-registration begins: Sunday April 25, 2010

Download a form using the link below…
2010 VBS Registration Form

Forms are also available a the VBS Table after each service and during Open House on May 23rd from 3:00-5:00 p.m.

Deadline to Order VBS T-Shirts: Sunday May 23rd Price: $10
Something new: Sponsor T-Shirts, Price $20 each (indicates that you sponsored VBS) will be ready for Open House

2010 VBS T-Shirt Order Form

SUPPLIES NEEDED: Empty Quaker Oats Containers (18 oz. canisters) with Lids, Ring Pops

For more information or to register for VBS, visit the church office Monday-Thursday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. or call 256-430-0003. Take an extra form and bring a friend!

Grace UMC VBS
June 14th-17th
5:30 pm. – 8:30 pm
Ages 4 yrs – 5th grade

The “Liability and Medical Release form must be completed by a parent or guardian before your child can participate in VBS:
Click here for the form!!

Click Here to Register!

On the main page please click the Participant Registration link on the left to register your child. If you want to help with VBS, please use the Volunteer registration link.

If you are purchasing a Tshirt, the money is due by May 24th. You can also sponsor a T-shirt for $10.

You can pay at the VBS table outside the sanctuary after each service or you can mail a check made out to Grace UMC (memo line: VBS T-shirt).”

Candy & Snacks – We need some treats to feed kids during the week and to fill the take-home bags for all of our participants (please drop these off at the VBS table):

· 5 bags – Gummies (worms or bears)
· 2 boxes – Corn Chex
· 2 boxes – Goldfish crackers
· 4 boxes – Fruit gushers (any flavor)
· 10 bags- Lifesavers Gummy Saver Fun Size bags (any flavor)
· 5 bags – Charm’s Blow Pops
· 5 bags – Tootsie Roll Pops
· 4- 12 oz bags Airheads
· 4 – 10.58 oz bags Airheads Pops
· 1 large bag Super Bubble Gum
· Ring Pops

Supplies (please drop off at the VBS table)

1. Plastic cups

Decorations Items Needed – tag any items that you would like returned

1. White Camping Rope Lights
2. Large, thick rope (aquatic type) to go around a dock

Prayer for VBS:
As we plan and prepare for Crocodile Dock, our team would cherish your prayers. Pray that God would give us wisdom in planning. Pray for the right staff members to join our team. And pray that God would begin working in the hearts of the children who will come to Crocodile Dock!

Mission items
Sunday night and All nights – Donations for the Funk Family – Missionaries in Bolivia
Monday night – Canned Goods
Tuesday night – Pet Supplies
Wednesday night – School Supplies

For more information, call the church office at 430-0003, or email the VBS Director at Ranae Bartlett

Ranae Bartlett
VBS Director

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