Grace Alive - November 2019

Grace of Ch r i s t Pre s by t e r i a n C h u rc h Iglesia Presbiteriana Gracia de Cristo

NOVEMBER

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“Love Others Through Drops of Grace”

Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church

Head Pastor — Bill Williamson

THANK YOU NOTES “We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers.” I Thessalonians 1.2 Dear Grace of Christ, I am not very good at writing thank you notes. Ok, I’m terrible at writing thank you notes. The Apostle Paul, on the other hand, encourages me to be better. I particularly get inspired when I read his letters to the Christians in Thessalonica. Paul does not simply write thank you notes, but he gives thanks to God for the Thessalonians. He is thankful that their faith is not only growing, but that others are hearing about what God is doing among the Thessalonians. We will take a look at Paul’s “thank you notes” during November.

As we approach another Thanksgiving, I realize how much I have to be thankful about. I am thankful for how God has guided me throughout my life. There have been ups and downs, highs and lows, but God has always been with me. He has surrounded me with people who have invested in my life, used by God to help me become who I am today. I am blessed with an amazingly gracious wife, incredible daughters, sonsin-laws who love those daughters, and of course our three grandchildren. I have had friends who have been used by God to encourage me, inspire me, pray for me, mentor me, love me, and spur me on towards love and good deeds. I cannot imagine who I would be without those people in my life.

On top of all of that, I am thankful for the ways God has used painful events and circumstances in my life to keep me grounded in Christ. Unfortunately, I tend to remember the difficult and dark times of life, the broken relationships through my life, the mistakes and failures, more than I count my blessings. Yet, in the past year God has taught me to look up to Him, to seek Him in all circumstances, to trust Him in times when I do not understand what He is doing, and to rely upon Him when I cannot see where He is leading me.

The one constant in my life, besides the everlasting presence of God, has been the Church, His Bride. I am particularly thankful for God’s call back to Yakima, and back to Grace of Christ. Join me on Sundays in November as we discover what it means to not simply write “thank you notes”, but to live a life of thanksgiving. I am particularly looking forward to November 3. Our guest preacher will be Grace of Christ’s very own Garth Gustafson. Like Paul, who gives thanks to God for the Thessalonians, I know that we are all grateful for how God is impacting lives in Cambodia through the ministry of Garth and Caroline. I look forward to hearing the message Garth has for us during our worship services, and to hear more about what God is doing in Cambodia at the luncheon to follow.

Because of the Grace of Christ, – Pastor Bill

BETHLEHEM A CHRISTMAS PAGEANT Have you ever wondered what the children in Bethlehem experienced through the birth of our Lord Jesus on that chaotic date? You are invited to relive the experience Dec 15 at the 10am service as your Grace community presents the cantata “Bethlehem” for your worship and enjoyment. This would be an appropriate event to invite a friend or neighbor who needs to be introduced to the miraculous saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church

Congregational Care — John Stolzenbach

Thanksgiving This is the month we celebrate Thanksgiving, the national holiday. As followers of our amazing Triune God, every day should be a day filled with giving thanks to the Lord, no matter what’s going on in our individual lives.

I was raised to thank people, not just once but multiple times.

That backfired when I was dating my wife, Sue. We were in college. I lived in the dorm and she lived at home with her parents, a stone’s throw from my dorm. The first time I was invited to dinner, I thanked her mother during dinner, as I left, and the next time I saw her. I may have also written her a thank you note. My mother would have been proud. Finally, her mother said to Sue, if I thanked her one more time, she was never going to have me come to dinner again!

Seriously, let’s get back to giving thanks to the Lord. First of all, it’s biblical. Giving thanks to the Lord fills the pages of the Old and New Testaments. Giving thanks to the Lord wasn’t limited to one day out of the year. It was spontaneous like Moses and Miriam breaking into song praising and thanking God for delivering them from Pharaoh’s mighty army.

Then there’s Mary’s response of a song of praise, called the Magnificat where she praises God for choosing her to be the earthly mother of the coming Messiah. The Psalms also are filled with praise and thanksgiving.

“Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever!

Let the redeemed of the LORD say so...” – Psalm 107:1-2 ESV Paul’s life was filled with things like being thrown in jail, being shipwrecked, hunted down, stoned and beaten, but yet in the midst of all this he could write:

It means God’s promise of never leaving nor forsaking you is being lived out in ALL circumstances. Here’s a promise God made to His people, Israel: “ Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.

I have called you by name; you are mine.

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.

When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.

When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” – Isaiah 43:1-3 NLT I don’t know what this season of life holds for you, but I do know Who’s holding you through it. Here’s an idea. How about writing a thank you note to God expressing your gratitude for His presence in your life, through the good, the bad, and even in the ugliness of life. He’s always been right by your side, in fact, He’s closer than that. Through His Holy Spirit, He’s living in you. While you’re at it, why not take the time to write someone a note of thanksgiving. Who has been Jesus on two feet walking with you through whatever valley you’ve gone through or are presently going through?

Remember everyday can be a day of giving thanks to the Lord and others as we live life with an attitude of gratitude. “ Sing to God a thanksgiving hymn, play music on your instruments to God.” – Psalm 147:7 MSG

“ Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV “ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7 ESV What does it mean to give thanks in all circumstances? Does it mean to give thanks for cancer, death of a relationship, family strife, fires or the death of a loved one? Not exactly, but it does mean to give thanks that you are not alone.

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Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church

Stewardship — Janet Krieger

GOD GAVE HIS BEST “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 “We love each other as a result of His loving us first.”

– 1 John 4:19 God so loved the world that He gave... and He gave His best. God gave His Son and Jesus gave His life. God gave as an expression of His absolute love for us. We love because God first loved us. We give because God first gave to us.

God modeled generous giving to His children. God has given us abundant life on this earth and eternal life with Him. Father God has given us His best, and because we love Him, our response should be to give the very best of our time, talents, and treasures to Him in return. Our love of God is demonstrated in our actions when we express His love and generosity.

Giving is our opportunity to give honor and thanks to God, to trust Him and to participate in the most important work of the Kingdom, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. We cannot out give God; when we give He promises to give us back even more.

“Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything your land produces. Then He will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with the finest wine.” – Proverbs 3:9-10 Scripture teaches that if we honor God with our wealth, giving to Him the best part of what He makes available to

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us, His promise is to care for us. Financial giving is an act of faith, done in obedience, to His Word. We choose to either honor God or dishonor Him with our giving; there is no in between. If we withhold from God what is His, if we ignore the promptings of the Holy Spirit to give we do not honor our King.

“Giving our best is the responsibility of the believer whose life has been transformed by Jesus. If God has not entered into your life, if He has not done anything for you then you have no reason to give. But if you are pursuing Jesus, if God is present, entering into your daily existence, if He is up to something in your life... then you have every reason to give... you give because you have received. The practice of stewardship becomes “God’s way of raising disciples, not man’s way of raising money.” – Wesley K. Wilmer Enter into the discipline of stewardship. Offer your best gift to the One who gave His best gift to you. Promise yourself – heart, soul, mind, and strength – to God every day. Practice generous giving as a spiritual response to God’s goodness.

Give because God gave to us. Give in thankfulness to the One who loves you.

“Knowing what is right is like deep water in the heart; a wise person draws from the well within.”

– Proverbs 20:5 Spend time as a family meditating on God’s generosity to you. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to a commitment of giving.

Ya k i m a G r a c e . c o m

– Janet Krieger Business Ministry Elder

Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church

Children’s Ministry — Melissa Gray

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD It’s time for Operation Christmas Child!

Shoeboxes will be available in the Garden Room beginning November 3 and are due November 17 in time for National Collection Week. only This is a wonderful opportunity to bless a child with what may be the only Christmas Gift they receive this year AND hear about Jesus.

Please consider joining us for this wonderful outreach opportunity.

ADAMS GIVING TREE KICK OFF SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24

It’s that time of year again when we get to bless the students at Adams Elementary with a special Christmas gift. Gift Tags will be available in the Garden Room following the service at 10am. Our goal this year is to bless 250 students (50 more than last year). Please join us in covering this outreach with prayer and consider sponsoring a child this Christmas season. In addition to your sponsorship and prayer, we are also in need of empty boxes to wrap the gifts, Christmas paper, ribbon, and gift bags. We will also need many volunteers to wrap the gifts on December 8 and help with the event on December 11. If you are interested in volunteering for this special event, please contact Melissa.

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES FOR THE ADAMS GIVING TREE

DECEMBER 8: All Gifts Must Be Returned Adams Gift Wrapping Party Volunteer Meeting! 12:15PM in Gym December 11: Adams Giving Tree Christmas Celebration 5:00-8:00PM

BETHLEHEM CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

NOVEMBER MEMORY VERSE

The Grace of Christ Christmas Pageant will be on December 15 at 10am. We would love for all ages to join us in this beautiful and fun program to share the story of Christmas.

The Lord’s Prayer: “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.”

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER: November 17 | Costume Fittings | 10:00- 11:00am December 1 & 8 | Blocking Rehearsals | 10:15-10:45am December 4 & 12 | Dress Rehearsals | 5:30 -7:00pm Continued on page 6

NOVEMBER LESSONS AT A GLANCE: THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT The Fruit of the Spirit and The Lord’s Prayer Nov 3: The fruit of Gentleness Nov 17: The Lord’s Prayer Nov 10: The fruit of Self-Control Nov 24: The Lord’s Prayer 5

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Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church

Grace of Christ Preschool — Alli Weide 509.248.7940, ext. 119 Alli@YakimaGrace.com www.yakimapreschool.com

Chapel

November Memory Verse: “Give thanks to the Lord who made the moon and stars.” Psalm 136:3,7,9 Jesus Storybook Bible Story: Filled full! (The feeding of the 5,000 from Matthew 14, Mark 6, Luke 9) We will talk about different ways that God takes care of us, what it means to be thankful, and how we can show our thankfulness to God and others. We are also continuing the tradition of participating in Operation Christmas Child with the church.

This year, each class will be encouraged to work together to fill a shoebox; and additional shoeboxes will be available for families who wish to fill their own.

Thank You

On behalf of the Staff and Board I would like to thank everyone who participated in our Pampered Chef fundraiser!

Fundraising Gala & Silent Auction

We will be hosting our 2nd Annual Fundraising Gala & Silent Auction in February! Last year our event raised over $6,000 for our preschool. With that money, we have been able to fulfill all our scholarship requests and send each student to the Thompson’s Farm Pumpkin Patch in Naches at no cost to families! Thank you, Lord!

IMPORTANT DATES

NOV 1...... No School (Parent-Teacher Conferences) NOV 11...... No School (Veteran’s Day) NOV 13...... Board Meeting NOV 18...... Brown Day (3 Day) NOV 19...... Brown Day (2 Day, KPrep, PreK) NOV 25...... Feast Day (3 Day) NOV 26...... Feast Day (2 Day, KPrep, PreK) NOV 27-29...... No School (Thanksgiving Break)

Classrooms Themes: Fall Traditions, Leaves, Thanksgiving Story November Numbers: 8, 9 November Color: Brown November Letters (2-Day & 3-Day): C, O November Letters (Pre-K & K-Prep): X, Y, Z

Second Step Social-Emotional Skills for Early Learning Following Directions: Listening and following directions helps you learn. Repeating directions helps you remember them.

Asking for What You Need or Want: To ask for what you need or want, face the person you are asking and use a respectful voice. continued from page 6

MOUNTAIN MEADOW CHRISTMAS Get into the Christmas spirit with a fun Grace of Christ family day at Ghormley devoted just to family and activities! Join Grace of Christ from Noon-5:00pm for sledding, zip lining, cookie decorating, Christmas crafts and MORE! General Registration (the no meal option) is free for ages 0-6, $5 for ages 7-11, and $10 for ages 12+. Overnight accommodations, meals and additional paid activities such as tree trekking and gingerbread houses are available for an added fee. Register online at ghormleymeadow.org and let them know you are part of the Grace of Christ Family Day in the notes of your registration. Contact Melissa Gray for more information: 509-248-7940 melissa.gray@gmail.com ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: • Amazing brunch (prices vary by age)

• Sledding

• Gingerbread House Building Contest (Gingerbread Houses $17.50)

• Christmas Crafts

• Cut down your own Christmas tree (Trek for your tree $10) 6

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• Family Movie Night

Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church

Mission Ministry “Equipping disciples to love and serve our neighbors” Grace of Christ is a mission focused church, sharing DROPS OF GRACE locally, nationally and internationally having a global reach. Loving in the name and power of Christ, Grace of Christ truly has a world-wide impact, changing lives for His Kingdom. The Mission Ministry Team (MMT) maintains interaction with and oversees distribution of funds to more than twenty mission partners and organizations.

YUGM Thrift!

SHOP. DONATE. VOLUNTEER. GOOD DEALS. GREATER CAUSE.

YUGM Launches New Thrift Store

YUGM Thrift! | 2011 W. Lincoln Avenue, Yakima

New Second Store Benefits the YUGM

Yakima Union Gospel Mission is adding a second location to their thrift shop options. Called YUGM THRIFT!, this new store is located at 2011 W. Lincoln Avenue in Yakima and will expand the benefits of the first store – The Olde Lighthouse Shoppe – which is located at 15 S. Front Street. This inaugurate store operates from the original location of the Yakima Union Gospel Mission.

Gently Used Donations Welcome

According to Dottie Hildebrand, YUGM Chief Director of Development, the thrift shops welcome your gently used clothing, furniture or household goods. Hildebrand explains that through your donation items and by shopping at the thrift shops, you can truly make a difference in our community and the lives of others. All proceeds from both stores benefit the Yakima Union Gospel Mission.

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Clothing shopping at YUGM Thrift!

Yakima Union Gospel Mission

To follow Christ in helping people move from homelessness to wholeness.

The Yakima Union Gospel Mission is dedicated to serving men, women and children experiencing homelessness with the compassion of Christ. The Mission provides emergency and transitional services and serves over 500 meals daily. Learn more at www.yugm.org.

Check Out the New Store

Hildebrand invites you to come and see the new thrift shop. Store hours are: 9am-7pm, Monday-Friday and 10am-5pm on Saturday. Donations can be dropped off at the new location and while you are there, you may want to check out the shop for Christmas finds.

Ya k i m a G r a c e . c o m

Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church

Mission Ministry Update On The Moultray Family!

Greetings, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, The Moultray family sends you prayers for a growing and intimate faith in our Lord Jesus. We would like you all to know that we are back stateside and have been reintegrating into life here in the Yakima Valley, at least for the next year.

Our experience serving in Honduras has been one of the richest, most rewarding, and most difficult undertakings of our life, and we count it a privilege to have served. We are currently living in Selah, the kids are back in school, and Ryan is working for Community Health of Central Washington.

In December, we will return to our mission site, Loma de Luz Hospital, on the North shore of rural Honduras, for three weeks of service. It’s a time at the hospital when they are often short-handed, and we are looking forward to reuniting with our Honduran family.

The Moultray Family

We felt very blessed when we recently attended service at Grace of Christ, as we were warmly welcomed home. We are so grateful for the support and encouragement that Grace of Christ has lavished upon us over the last 3 1/2 years, Thank You!

A few things that you can keep in your prayers, in regard to our ministry: 1) Honduras has recently been hit by a dangerous Dengue Fever epidemic, which has affected many of our dear friends from our community.

2) The hospital, school, and orphanage are constantly running short - handed, and looking for short and long - term help. In particular, the hospital is needing doctors in November.

3) There is always a spiritual battle raging, and unity of the Believers is crucial.

4) Finally, we ask for your prayers as we discern whether to return to the mission field after this year.

We look forward to connecting with you all in future!

Loma de Luz Hospital, Balfate, Honduras

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Blessings in Jesus, The Moultrays

Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church

Worship Ministry PARAMENTS The paraments in the church are also know as pulpit cloths.

The word comes from the Latin paramentum, meaning adornment. Paraments are liturgical hangings which can be displayed on or around the altar, as well as the cloths hanging from the pulpit and lectern. In the church, paraments have an instructive purpose and point us to the life of Christ and the great acts of redemptive history.

The cloths are different colors that indicate the seasons of the church year. White stands for purity and is displayed for Christmas and Easter. Purple represents royalty, repentance and suffering and is displayed during

Lent and Advent. Black represents death and mourning and is displayed on Good Friday. Red represents the fire of the Holy Spirit and is displayed on Pentecost. Green represents spiritual growth and world missions and is displayed during “ordinary time,� which is the period from Pentecost to Advent and the period from Epiphany to the beginning of Lent. After the Protestant Reformation, some churches and denominations, in an effort to divorce themselves from the influence of the Roman Catholic

Church, removed the cross, paraments, vestments, stained glass and sometimes even musical instruments from their worship.

There are currently some churches are doing similar things in an effort to be modern and different from more traditional churches. After the Reformation, the Presbyterian Church was one of the denominations that retained some of the features of the Roman Catholic Church that were considered to be useful for their beauty and educational value. Over the centuries worship has

been focused on emphasizing the true, the good and the beautiful. Some churches have decided to exclude the beautiful from their worship. We are blessed here at Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church to have a beautiful sanctuary that helps bring us to an attitude of awe and wonder as we magnify God in worship.

The paraments that hang in our church have an interesting history. In the summer of 1969, a youth group from Yakima First Presbyterian Church, led by Tom Peason, spent time in Hoonah, Alaska, a village some distance from Juneau, to help the Presbyterian Church there. The girls taught vacation Bible school and the boys worked in the lumber mill. In 1982 another group, led by Tim Uecker, returned to Hoonah to refurbish the manse for the arrival of a new pastor. George and Violet Mayeda, elders of the Hoonah church presented First Presbyterian with a collection of hand decorated, beaded paraments as a thank you gift.

May God be glorified in our worship as we are reminded of the great acts of redemptive history as we see and appreciate our paraments.

Soli Deo Gloria, Glory to God Alone – Duncan McRayde

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Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church

Worship Ministry

Jesus is the Light We may not know the exact duration of our darkness, but we are not without hope. The same God who brought Abram’s promised descendants out of bondage is your Father, your Redeemer, your Light. The morning right after the longest night is not very different from the morning prior. The sky will still look black when I pull the curtains apart. But, light has overtaken the darkness. The tiny fraction that tipped the scales towards light is a victory.

As each day brings us closer to winter, I am aware of the decreasing daylight hours. When I wake up at 6am, I open the curtains out of habit, but no sun comes streaming in. I think I notice the encroaching darkness because it challenges my spirit every year. I always miss the sun.

This time of year can be challenging for other reasons.If you are going through a dark period of your life, all the festivities and traditions can be painful and lonely rather than merry and exciting. How do we navigate the holidays when we’re also grieving or waiting for God’s promises to be fulfilled?

Periods of Darkness There are many Biblical references to periods of darkness, both in nature and in people’s circumstances. Genesis 15 is the chapter where God tells childless Abram His plan for an impossibly large family tree, the slavery they’ll endure, and finally, their redemption. Verse 12 reads, “As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him.” – Genesis 15:12

“In [Jesus] was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” – John 1:5 Jesus’ life is your light and your victory over darkness. Even as we wait for the light to dawn in a tangible way on our difficult circumstances, we can cling to Him and His Word.

Prayer and Testimony In this season of celebration, the Prayer Ministry Team wants to reach out to those in the middle of a long night. In lieu of our usual healing service, we will be having testimonies each Sunday in December. Fellow church members will share about their experience with brokenness, loneliness, unmet expectations, and emotions related to loss.

Following each service, you will have the opportunity to pray with someone at the front of the sanctuary. Those who are praying have been through tough times too and would love to lift you up in prayer.

My “Brooke Arkills Translation (BAT)” goes like this, “Abram entered a terribly dark night. God told him, ‘Hey, it’s going to get dark like this for generations of your family. Really dark. For a long time. But guess what? It will end. The sun will come up again in a brilliant way and your descendants will come out of the darkness. My promises will carry them through that time.”

Abram’s descendants were given a time frame of four hundred years of slavery. I Googled the winter solstice and was surprised to find not just a date, but a time too. “Winter solstice 2019 in the Northern Hemisphere will be December 21st at 8:19pm.” That’s as dark as it will get this year.

About ten years ago, I had significant health issues and kept expecting a quick solution. Looking back on that time, how I wish I could have done a Google search and learned the exact date and time that it would start to get better.

Years passed, and I continued to suffer. It was indeed a long, dark night in my life.

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Light is coming. Hold on.

– Brooke Arkills

Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church

Gracia de Cristo / English

En Español

A Well Worked Day Is A Blessed Day!

¡Un Día Bien Trabajado Es Un Día Bendito!

More than 40 people responded to the call to serve and clean Madison House. Young and old, they used their gifts and talents to give glory and honor to our Lord. Grace of Christ Church and “La Hermosa” Church joined forces and resources to pray, clean, change light bulbs and to shine the Spirit of God on Madison House. What a wonderful experience to be able to give our love and time to benefit our community. We pray that God will continue to join people together as we love and care for our neighbors. The people who attended the event enjoyed a delicious Mexican lunch and good fellowship!

Más de 40 personas respondieron a la llamada para servir y limpiar Madison House. Jóvenes y adultos, usaron sus dones y talentos para darle gloria y honor a nuestro Señor.

Nuestra iglesia Gracia de Cristo junto con la Iglesia "La Hermosa" unieron fuerzas y recursos para orar, limpiar, cambiar focos, etc. Y así traer al Espíritu de Dios al edificio.

Qué experiencia tan maravillosa poder dar nuestro amor y tiempo en beneficio de nuestra comunidad. Nuestras oraciones son para que Dios continúe conectando a las personas para amar y cuidar a nuestros vecinos. Las personas que asistieron al evento disfrutaron de un delicioso almuerzo mexicano y un buen compañerismo.

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Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church

Gracia de Cristo / English

En Español

Be Persistent In Prayer

Many times, we ask God in prayer to listen to our demands and not to forget His promises; we think that our Lord does not remember his word. The truth is that God already knows our needs even before they appear in our lives. God wants you to be constant in prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17). You should never dismay and be discourage if you do not receive an immediate response. Believe in Him with all you heart and with your entire mind “GOD IS IN CONTROL.” Jesus teaches us to pray with faith in this parable of the unjust judge and the persistent widow.

“Now Jesus was telling the disciples a parable to make the point that at all times they ought to pray and not give up and lose heart, saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and had no respect for man. There was a [desperate] widow in that city and she kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice and legal protection from my adversary.’ For a time he would not; but later he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow continues to bother me, I will give her justice and legal protection; otherwise by continually coming she [will be an intolerable annoyance and she] will wear me out.’” Then the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says! And will not [our just] God defend and avenge His elect [His chosen ones] who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay [in providing justice] on their behalf? I tell you that He will defend and avenge them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find [this kind of persistent] faith on the earth?”– Luke 18:1-8

You Are Invited!

Our Annual Fundraiser Dinner will be Thursday, November 14th at 5:30pm in the church gym. $10 per person, suggested donation. Join us for an amazing “home-cooked” authentic Mexican dinner, a program sharing more about our Gracia de Cristo ministry and a time to be together, worshipping our Lord and Savior! All are welcome; please RSVP to the church office, 248-7940 or email info@yakimagrace. com. Come be a part of God’s amazing work in our church!

Working for the Kingdom of God – Pastor Alex Rule

Ser Persistente En La Oración

Muchas veces, le pedimos a Dios en oración que escuche nuestras demandas y que no olvide sus promesas; creemos que nuestro Señor no recuerda su palabra. La verdad es que Dios ya conoce nuestras necesidades incluso antes de que aparezcan en nuestras vidas. Dios quiere que seas constante en la oración (1 Tesalonicenses 5:17). Nunca debe consternarse y desanimarse si no recibe una respuesta inmediata. Cree en Él con todo tu corazón y con toda tu mente "DIOS ESTÁ EN CONTROL."Jesús nos enseña cómo debemos orar persistentemente en esta parábola.

“Ahora Jesús les estaba contando a los discípulos una parábola para decir que en todo momento deben orar y no darse por vencidos y desanimarse, diciendo: “En cierta ciudad había un juez que no temía a Dios y no respetaba al hombre.

Había una viuda [desesperada] en esa ciudad y ella seguía acercándose a él y diciéndole: "Dame justicia y protección legal de mi adversario". Durante un tiempo no lo hizo; pero luego se dijo a sí mismo: ‘Aunque no temo a Dios ni respeto al hombre, porque esta viuda continúa molestándome, le daré justicia y protección legal; de lo contrario, si viene continuamente, ella [será una molestia intolerable y ella] me cansará "." Entonces el Señor dijo: "¡Escucha lo que dijo el juez injusto! ¿Y no defenderá [nuestro justo] Dios y vengará a Sus elegidos [Sus escogidos] que claman a Él día y noche? ¿Se demorará [en proporcionar justicia] en su nombre? Te digo que Él los defenderá y los vengará rápidamente. Sin embargo, cuando venga el Hijo del Hombre, ¿encontrará [este tipo de persistencia] fe en la tierra?” – Lucas 18: 1-8 (AMP)

¡Estas Invitado!

Nuestra cena anual de recaudación de fondos será el jueves 14 de noviembre a las 5:30 p.m. en el gimnasio de la iglesia. $10 por persona, donación sugerida. ¡Únase a nosotros para una increíble cena mexicana auténtica "casera", un programa que comparte más sobre nuestro ministerio de Gracia de Cristo y un tiempo para estar juntos, Alabando a nuestro Señor y Salvador! Todos son bienvenidos; RSVP en la oficina de la iglesia, 248-7940 o envíe un correo electrónico a info@yakimagrace.com. ¡Ven a ser parte de la increíble obra de Dios en nuestra iglesia!

Trabajando para el Reino de Dios – Pastor Alex Rule Si usted desea ser voluntario para servir en alguno de nuestros ministerios por favor comuníquese con nosotros llamando al 509-248-7940 X 113 o directamente con el Pastor Alex Rule al 509-731-2657 o alex.rule@yakimagrace.com 12

Ya k i m a G r a c e . c o m

Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church

Women’s Ministry Beth Moore “The Inheritance”

This Fall, Women’s Ministry has been offering a Wednesday evening video Bible Study, “The Inheritance” by Beth Moore. It has been a fantastic study on who we are as God’s creation. There are still four more classes, each being fairly independent, making it perfect for you to join in on the study! (Last class November 20) We meet at 6:30pm in the gym for a simple supper then move up to the Lounge (main floor) at 7:00pm for the hour video study. Come and be fed body and Spirit. If you missed any of the teachings, DVDs of past lessons can be checked out, so you can catch up!

MOPS (Mothers Of Preschoolers)

Have More Fun, Fear Less, and Find your People!

As MOPS finishes our first month of meetings, we are becoming more inspired to Have More Fun, Fear Less, and Find Our People. We have had an awesome time reuniting with mom friends and making new friends! Beginning in November, we will be selling baked or ready-to-bake homemade apple and pumpkin pies for $20. Just in time for Thanksgiving! More information will be available soon.

Bring your teens!

Our Yakima Grace Youth Group meets Wednesday nights throughout year. 6:30pm for dinner in the gym – then they break out to Middle School or High School, study scripture, play games and hang out!

Pick up at 8:30pm in the gym.

Bring your littles!

We have a phenomenal childcare (RSVP 509-248-7940), and this fall we’ve provided a program for grade school kiddos. Drop off: Main Floor by the Espresso Station! So, bring the family Wednesday night for a mid-week refresher - body and Spirit!

Did Someone Say BUNCO?!

Mark your calendars, for another fun filled Bunko evening on Thursday, December 5th. We know the joyful Christmas season gets hectic, we wanted to offer an evening of fun.

As well as a chance to connect with other women who may share or have other traditions for celebrating Christmas.

Priscilla Shirer – Spring Conference

Keep watch in the New Year for the details regarding a women’s trip to see Priscilla Shirer live in Redmond, WA on March 20, 2020. We would like to organize a group trip to the west side for this conference, similar to when Beth Moore was in Redmond a couple years ago. Before Priscilla’s conference in March, we plan to offer one of her Bible studies AND watch the movie “Overcomer!” We’ll have more details soon!

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On Friday, December 6 we will host our annual MOPS Christmas Tea. Join us as we celebrate the birth of Jesus by holding a baby shower! New or gently used baby items will be donated to Love, Inc. We love our volunteers! If you would like to help with our kids’ program or join our group as a Mentor Mom, please call Danielle Woodcock at 509-312-9883. Continue to spread the word for all moms who need a little “me” time to come the 1st and 3rd Friday mornings at 9:30. We meet in our beautiful Chapel and we’d love to meet you!

Ya k i m a G r a c e . c o m

Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church

Hospitality Ministry

The

of serving

on the Hospitality Team Comes in Many Forms

Linda Sorenson 509-834-1185

Celebrating the Sacrament of Baptism!

What a joy it was to celebrate the baptism of two children last month. Quinn Olson, daughter Mandy and Wayne. Clara Cawman, daughter of Mark and Janice. Thanks to those who facilitate this celebration by helping upfront or behind the scenes by providing flowers, cake, making baby quilts, and taking photographs.

Quinn Olson Mandy & Wayne Olson

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Clara Cawman Mark & Janice Cawman

Linda Mathews 509-388-5527

Fellowship of Hosting a Meal Together!

Another joy tasked to the Hospitality Ministry Team is to occasionally come alongside other ministry groups to help host special events. Two events are planned in November.

Lunch with Missionaries Garth & Caroline Gustafson Sunday, November 2 at 12:30pm in the Gym The first event is working with the Mission Ministry Team on the up-coming Mission Fair on Sunday, November 3, a luncheon is planned to provide an opportunity to hear from missionaries, Garth and Caroline Gustafson about the exciting work the LORD is doing in Asia through the ministry of the YWAM base in Battambang, Cambodia. The no-cost luncheon will be served 12:30pm in the gym. Baked potatoes with lots of toppings, a salad, and dessert will be served. Please let the church know if you plan to attend so that we might get a head count for our preparations. Also, if you want to help with this event, let us know!

One Service Thanksgiving Celebration & Potluck Sunday, November 24 Then on Sunday, November 24, is our all-church Thanksgiving meal after the single worship service. Turkey, mashed potatoes & gravy, and dressing will be provided.

Ya k i m a G r a c e . c o m

Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church

Hospitality Ministry Congregants are asked to bring a side dish or dessert that serves 8-12 people. If you want your container returned, please clearly mark it with your name and phone number, or better yet, bring your contribution in a disposable container if you’d like. Food contributions can be dropped off in the Garden Room prior to the service and will be taken down to the gym for you to be refrigerated or heated according to your specifications.

Then, come on down to the gym after the service and join in the fellowship and festivities! Many hands are needed to help with this event so if you, and perhaps your Life Group, would like to help be of service in this event, please let the church know and they can pass along your interest to Linda Mathews or Linda Sorenson.

(Please note: A donation basket will be available help offset the cost of the turkey, so bring a dollar or two if you care to contribute in addition to your side dish or dessert.)

Beautifying the Sanctuary!

Monday, November 25, from 10 am – 2pm Again, HMT’s Sanctuary Guild, working along the Mary McLean Guild and other volunteers, will be prepare the church for the advent season by decorating the sanctuary and the church on Monday, November 25, from 10 AM into the mid-afternoon. If you are interested in helping (come anytime 10am-2pm), please let the church know.

People who don’t mind heights or ladders are especially welcomed to join in!

Some of the Hospitality Ministries Team’s committees are up-front and face-to-face with other people, but some have places to serve quietly behind the scenes. Whether you are an extrovert or an introvert, there is a place for you to serve others on the Hospitality Ministry Team.

Prayerfully consider joining the Hospitality Ministry Team.

Need more information? Contact Linda Mathews at 3885527 or Linda Sorenson at 834-1185.

All-Church Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner

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Ya k i m a G r a c e . c o m

Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church

Miscellaneous Annual Veterans’ Dinner & Program Sunday, November 10 at 5:00pm in the Garden Room MUST PRE-PURCHASE TICKETS by noon on November 4

Nov. 4th is is the absolute final day to purchase tickets to attend this event. There will not be tickets available at the door this year.)

“How many pies does it take to have a good Thanksgiving? ”

We are the family of pies!

Traditionally, we serve two Pastor Emeritus pumpkin pies, one raspberry, Steve Baker one chocolate cream, one lemon meringue and one cranberry cream pie. The selection might even include a mincemeat or pecan pie.

Below is a pie recipe that tends to make people thankful.

I hope you will have a great Thanksgiving!

Cranberry Cream Pie 1 (3 oz) package raspberry gelatin 1 cup hot water 2 cups (16 oz ) cranberry sauce 1 cup non-fat sour cream 4 oz low or non-fat cream cheese 1/4 cup sugar 1 cup whipping cream 6 quartered marshmallows or 60 minis 1 (10" deep) graham cracker crumb pie shell Dissolve gelatin in hot water. Stir in cranberry sauce. Cool.

Stir in sour cream. Chill until very thick but not set. Pour into a 10 inch deep graham cracker crumb pie shell and chill till firm. Cream cheese and sugar with fork. Slowly add cream and then quartered marshmallows. Chill 4 hours or more. Whip topping unill thick and spread over pie.

Thanksgiving For Mabel Swan Let’s share Drops of Grace with our neighbors at Mabel Swan on Wednesday, November 20 as we provide them with a delicious Thanksgiving dinner–with all the trimmings!

Do you want to help with this luncheon?

We need folks to prep food, decorate tables, serve food and clean up! The event will commence at noon in the Garden Room.

Please contact Joyce Sagare, 509-248-6691.

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Ya k i m a G r a c e . c o m

Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church

Ghormley Meadow Christian Camp

MOUNTAIN MEADOW CHRISTMAS

Get into the Christmas spirit with a fun day (or weekend!) at Ghormley Meadow! There will be brunch, sledding, tree trekking, cookie/ gingerbread house decorating, Christmas crafts, the option to spend Saturday night and MORE! Check out our website “Family Events” for all the weekend menu options. Come up, breathe in the fresh mountain air and get rejuvenated in God’s beauty!

REGISTER ONLINE: http://www. ghormleymeadow.org Family Events Mountain Meadow Christmas Menu (even more options online!)

• Amazing brunch (prices vary by age) • Gingerbread House Building Contest (Gingerbread Houses $17.50) • Sledding • Christmas Crafts • Family Movie Night • Cut down your own Christmas tree (Trek for your tree $10)

Support Needs

Interested in supporting the ministry of Ghormley? We have a number of projects either in process or that we are raising funds for, so we can begin. If you’d like to know what we’re up to, or how to support the ministry of Ghormley, visit us at: https://www. ghormleymeadow.org/donate/

Online Giving

Online giving is now available through our website! Please visit our Donate page to see what giving opportunities we currently have, and how to get involved. https://www.ghormleymeadow.org/donate/

Prayer Needs

• Pray that God will continue to bless us with groups to fill our non-summer months.

• 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 raise funds and embark on several facility improvement projects.

www.ghormleymeadow.org 17

509.672.4311

facebook.com/ghormleymeadow

Ya k i m a G r a c e . c o m

Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church

Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church 9 South 8th Ave Yakima, WA 98902 (509) 248-7940

Our Core Values

Glorifying God With Our Best Pioneering and Ongoing Outreach Engaging and Nurturing Relationships Being a Cornerstone in the Community Equipping People for Ministry Through Biblical Foundation and Service

NOVEMBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS Sun, Oct 27 Wed, Oct 30 Fri, Nov 1 Sun, Nov 3 Sun, Nov 3 Sun, Nov 3 Sun, Nov 3 Sun, Nov 3 Mon, Nov 4 Tue, Nov 5 Sat, Nov 9 Sun, Nov 10 Mon, Nov 11 Mon, Nov 11 Mon, Nov 11 Tue, Nov 12 Tue, Nov 12 Wed, Nov 13 Thur, Nov 14 Thur, Nov 14 Thur, Nov 15 Sat, Nov 16 Sun, Nov 17 Sun, Nov 17 Sun, Nov 17 Wed, Nov 20 Fri, Nov 22 Sat, Nov 23 Sun, Nov 24 Sun, Nov 24 Sun, Nov 24 Mon, Nov 25 Tue, Nov 26 Thur, Nov 28 DECEMBER Sun, Dec 1 Sat, Dec 7 Sun, Dec 8 Wed, Dec 11 Sun, Dec 15 Tue, Dec 24 Tue, Dec 24 Wed, Dec 25 Dec 26 - Jan 1

Deacon’s Meeting 12:30pm Lounge Family Dinner & Trunk or Treat 6:30pm Gym/Parking Lot MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) 9:30am Chapel Daylight Savings: FAll Back Prayer Sunday / Communion in Fireside Rm All Morning Sanctuary/Fireside Rm Garth Gustafson (YWAM Cambodia) Preaching All Morning Sanctuary Mission Sunday All Morning Garden Room Gustafson Cambodia Update Luncheon 12:30pm Gym Worship Ministry Team Meeting 5:00pm Library Hospitality Ministry Team Meeting 4:00pm Lounge Prayer Shawl Ministry 1:00pm Garden Room Veterans Dinner and Program (Tickets in Office) 5:00 - 7:00pm Garden Room Veterans Day (No Preschool Today) Edith Ferry Circle Lunch and Meeting 12:00pm Fireside Room Business Ministry Team Meeting 4:00pm Library Mission Ministry Team Meeting 4:30pm Adult Ed Room Prayer and Healing Service 6:30pm Chapel Preschool Board Meeting 12:15pm Kidzone Women’s Ministry Team Meeting 4:30pm Adult Ed Room Gracia de Cristo Fundraiser Dinner 5:30pm Gym MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) 9:30am Chapel New Deacon Training 9:00a-11:00am Adult Ed Room Congregational Meeting 10:15am Sanctuary Deacon’s Meeting 12:30pm Lounge Operation Christmas Shoebox (Turn in Today!)

Mabel Swan Thanksgiving 12:00pm Garden Room MOPS Leadership Meeting 9:00am Adult Ed Room Prayer Shawl Ministry 1:00pm Garden Room Thanksgiving Sunday / One Service & Potluck 10:00am Sanctuary/Gym Grace of Giving Sunday 10:00am Sanctuary Adams Giving Tree Kick Off (Gifts Due Back Dec 8th) 10:00am Garden Room Decorate the Church!

10:00am Garden Rm/Sanctuary Session Dinner and Meeting 5:30pm Garden Rm/KidZone Happy Thanksgiving! Church closed 28 & 29 All Day/Night Entire Church First Sunday of Advent / Communion Sunday All Morning Sanctuary Mountain Meadow Christmas (Register GhormleyMeadow.org) Camp Ghormley Collect and Wrap Adam’s Giving Tree Gifts 10:15am Gym Adams Christmas Party (At Adams School) 5:00 - 8:00pm Adams Elem. School “Bethlehem” Christmas Pageant / One Service 10:00am Sanctuary Family Christmas Eve Service 5:00pm Sanctuary 76th Annual Carols and Candles 8:00pm Sanctuary Merry Christmas!

Church Closed (weekdays) for Christmas Holiday All Day/Night Entire church

Deacons Everyone Moms Everyone Everyone Everyone Everyone Committee Committee Knitters Everyone Women Committee Committee Everyone Board Committee Everyone Moms New Deacons Church Partners Deacons Everyone Committee Knitters Everyone Everyone Everyone Everyone Elders Everyone Everyone Everyone Everyone Everyone Everyone Everyone Everyone Everyone

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. ericka.clark@yakimagrace.com

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Ya k i m a G r a c e . c o m

Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church

Weekday Events MON TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly)

Overeater’s Anonymous Trailseekers Al-Anon Divorce Care Bible Study Fellowship

10:00am 12:00pm 2:30pm 5:15pm 6:30pm 7:00pm

TUE

9:00-11:30am 9:45am 10:00am 5:30-7:00pm 7:00-8:00pm

SOZO Prayer WOW Women of the Word Bible Study Staff Check-In Meeting Gracia de Cristo Music Rehearsal Gracia Men of Courage

Adult Ed Adult Ed Gym Adult Ed Lounge Sanctuary Prayer Room Fireside Rm Lounge Sanctuary Sanctuary

Everyone Everyone Everyone Everyone Men Make Appointment Women All Staff Gracia Music Team Men

WED Gracia Women of Prayer Encounter | Youth Group (Dinner too!)

Beth Moore Bible Study (Dinner/Class)

5:30pm Adult Ed 6:30-8:30pm Gym 6:30 / 7:00-8:15pm Gym/Lounge

Women 6th-12th Grades Women

T HUR Bible Study Fellowship SOZO Prayer Temple Choir

9:00am 5:45pm - 9:15pm 7:00pm

Women Make Appointment Choir

FRI SOZO Prayer MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) (1st & 3rd Fridays)

9:00 - 11:30am 9:30 - 11:00am

Sanctuary Prayer Rm Choir Room Prayer Room Chapel

Make Appointment Moms

Sunday Services and Events

SUN

Grace Contemporary Worship 9:00am Sanctuary Everyone Sanctuary Everyone Grace Traditional Worship (Led by Temple Choir) 11:00am 1:00pm Sanctuary Everyone Gracia de Cristo (Worship in Spanish) Going Deeper: Genesis 9:30am Adult Ed Adults Golden Circle 10:15am Room 103 Adults Grace Kids 9:00 & 11:00am KidZone Wing 3yrs-5th grade Youth reFUEL 9:00am Youth Rm & Gym 6th-12th grade

Announcements COOKIES FOR SUNDAY!

Thank you for bringing cookies, crackers, fruit, or quick breads for all to enjoy during our fellowship hour on Sunday.

See dates you can contribute – last names beginning with…

SUNDAY

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Nov Nov Nov Nov

3 10 17 24

Ya k i m a G r a c e . c o m

G-M N - S T- Z A-F

GRACE OF CHRIST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 9 S 8TH AVENUE YAKIMA, WA 98902 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID YAKIMA, WA PERMIT NO 59