Celebrating 2019 in 2020
Dear Church Family,
2019 will be remembered for many years to come. It was a year when the congregation fully realized its vision of Embrace All + Engage With Jesus + Expand the Kingdom. We claimed a voice in a powerful way by clearly articulating who we are. We allowed the church’s priorities, on display throughout the building, to drive and inspire everything we do. This led to many exciting actions and new opportunities for ministry. We acquired seven acres across Canyon Creek Drive, launched a building campaign which raised more than $618,000, and changed our leadership structure. Our relationship with Wakefield Elementary School continued to produce fruit in our neighborhood. The youth group participated in Youth2019 in Kansas City.
Grace sent mission teams to Sager Brown UMCOR Depot, the Texas/Mexico border, and hurricane relief teams in Texas. For the first time in five years, we increased attendance on Easter Sunday, and Christmas Eve services grew by more than 20% over 2018. Also on Christmas Eve, we raised $1400 to provide showers and laundry facilities for the homeless population of Denver, CO.
Recently someone in Sherman reached out to SueAnn Spencer, our Lay Leader, searching for Stephen Ministry. The person said, “I knew if any church in town had Stephen Ministry it would be Grace.” For a church our size, Grace is known for its tremendous heart. The faithful generosity of our members allowed us to do life-changing things last year. This week, January 26, is Commitment Sunday for 2020. Please bring your completed card to worship on 2020, and offer it as an act of faith. Thank you for the privilege to serve this wonderful community of faith. In 2019 we did things no one, even I, could have predicted. I expect God to show up and surprise us in even more ways in 2020!
2019 will be remembered for many years to come. It was a year when the congregation fully realized its vision of Embrace All + Engage With Jesus + Expand the Kingdom. We claimed a voice in a powerful way by clearly articulating who we are. We allowed the church’s priorities, on display throughout the building, to drive and inspire everything we do. This led to many exciting actions and new opportunities for ministry. We acquired seven acres across Canyon Creek Drive, launched a building campaign which raised more than $618,000, and changed our leadership structure. Our relationship with Wakefield Elementary School continued to produce fruit in our neighborhood. The youth group participated in Youth2019 in Kansas City.
Grace sent mission teams to Sager Brown UMCOR Depot, the Texas/Mexico border, and hurricane relief teams in Texas. For the first time in five years, we increased attendance on Easter Sunday, and Christmas Eve services grew by more than 20% over 2018. Also on Christmas Eve, we raised $1400 to provide showers and laundry facilities for the homeless population of Denver, CO.
Recently someone in Sherman reached out to SueAnn Spencer, our Lay Leader, searching for Stephen Ministry. The person said, “I knew if any church in town had Stephen Ministry it would be Grace.” For a church our size, Grace is known for its tremendous heart. The faithful generosity of our members allowed us to do life-changing things last year. This week, January 26, is Commitment Sunday for 2020. Please bring your completed card to worship on 2020, and offer it as an act of faith. Thank you for the privilege to serve this wonderful community of faith. In 2019 we did things no one, even I, could have predicted. I expect God to show up and surprise us in even more ways in 2020!
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