Grace Alive Dec2015

Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church

Interim Head of Staff — Pastor Cindy Shively

Let every heart prepare room for the coming of our Savior, King Jesus. Advent (which means coming or visit) is a season of preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ at Christmas. It begins four Sundays before Christmas (November 29th this year), and ends Christmas Eve. As we celebrate Advent, we remember:

• The hope of God’s people, for the coming of God’s Messiah to save, to forgive, and to restore.

• Our need for a Savior, which God has so graciously provided in sending Jesus to us – what a gift!

• Our hope for the second coming of Jesus.

Jesus has promised He will return to earth. Are we ready? Are we helping others to be ready?

How will you prepare to welcome Jesus into your heart this season? How will you help others?

Psalm 46:10 tells us, “Be still and know that I am God.” Will you set aside some time to help you, and your family, reflect on God’s saving love through Jesus?

Romans 15:13 encourages us: “May the God of hope fill you will all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Is there someone in your life who needs the hope of knowing God’s love and peace, which Jesus alone offers? Are you willing to somehow share the hope of Jesus with them, perhaps inviting them to a worship service, or over for a meal?

I Timothy 2:4 reminds us that God “wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” John 1:12 also says, “Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in his name, He gave the right to become children of God.” 2

The Lord is come: Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, and heaven and nature sing…

There is absolutely no greater gift we can give someone than the love and hope of Jesus. I love the way Lee Strobel describes God’s love in his book, “The Case For Grace.” He says, there is no concealing how his heavenly Father feels. “…the Bible shouted over and over: God’s love for me is unrestrained and unconditional; His grace is lavish and unending. I am His workmanship and His pride and He couldn’t stand the thought of spending eternity without me in His family.”

Will you take a few minutes, right now, to prepare room in your heart for that kind of love, for that kind of King? Will you also pray, and ask, “Lord, who is the person you are bringing to my mind, who also needs to know how much You love them, and how you want them to spend eternity with You in your family? How do you want me to reach out to them this season?”

What a wonderful opportunity to give the gift that lasts – the gift of a Savior! Joy to the world! Let every heart prepare Him room. Let earth receive her King!

With great joy and hope, Pastor Cindy Shively

Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church

Session Notes — Janet Krieger

As Session concludes this year of church leadership three Elders will be stepping away from active service; Larry Allan, Janet Krieger and Pat Drollinger. Elders continuing to serve in active leadership include Rich Millet, Jeff Gray, Linda Mathews, JoAnne Hayes, Jason Larsen, John Yolo, Peggy Schaffer, Steve Hildebrand, Mark Baldwin, Betty Rosenkranz, Barney Trick, Amae Merrill, Alex Rule and Linda Sorenson.

Speaking on behalf of Larry and Pat, I can say it has been an absolute privilege to serve in church leadership these past years. Your Session has pursued hearing from God, discerning His will and then making decisions to guide our congregation that are in line with the Father’s heart for His church.

As I complete a season served on Session I want to share my thoughts regarding church leadership.

But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that in this world kings are tyrants, and officials lord it over the people beneath them.

But among you it should be quite different.

Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must become your slave. Matthew 20:25-27 Care for the flock of God entrusted to you.

Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly -- not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. 1 Peter 5:2 John Maxwell writes “God is the Ultimate Leader, and He calls every believer to lead others. The call to leadership is a consistent pattern in the Bible.

When God decided to raise up a nation of His own, He didn’t call upon the masses. He called out one leader—Abraham. When He wanted to deliver His people out of Egypt, He didn’t guide them as a group.

He raised up a leader to do it—Moses . . . Every time God desired to do something great, He called a leader to step forward. Today He still calls leaders . . . For every work.”

The truth is, anyone who believes in Me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. John 14:12 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things He planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 God expects His children to lead and our leadership is to be modeled on what we say and do. A life of faith is to be lived so that we bring glory to Him. The reality is that each of us is in a position of leadership whether it be in the church, our workplace, among our friends or within our families.

The church needs leaders. Leadership in the church is about listening for vision from God, within the corporate community of the church, and then being given the authority and power to pursue that vision — to extend the Kingdom. Kingdom work is the most important thing we as believers can do. It is a work that influences the culture and establishes an eternal future. Consequently leadership in the Body of Christ cannot be left to chance. Committed leaders are required to accomplish the work Jesus has given to His church. God has promised personal blessing and satisfaction as the reward for Kingdom leadership.

Grace of Christ needs the leadership of individuals transformed by faith, with discernment for our present reality, vision for our future and lives that model the character of Christ.

Church leadership . . . . Why not you?

Praise God for the pastoral, Elder, Deacon and ministry leaders He has raised up in our church.

Please pray for our church to act in obedience to God, to move forward with fearless faith, to look for the presence of God, following hard after Him and to anticipate the miracles of God knowing He can and will do great things.

– Janet Krieger 3

Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church

Senior Adult Ministries

Kaffee Klatsch Got your house cleaned? Got your tree up? Got your gifts all wrapped? Got your Christmas dinner planned?

Got your cards ready? Got cookies baked? Got a feeling of being overwhelmed? And are your responses to the first six questions ‘no’ and your response to the last one ‘yes’? You’ve got lots of company.

The very distressing part of this situation, is that we’ve let these factors influence our celebrations. The very first Christmas was so incredibly humble. There’s no record of any of that fanfare cited in the Bible. No shopping frenzy. No superficial show of tinsel and lights. No mass consumption of sweets. The first gift was from God to us. Then, the Magi took their gifts to our King, not to each other. The lights were from the Star of Bethlehem and the rest of the heavens.

Somehow, we’ve managed to distort so much of the original message.

This December, we encourage you to reflect on the REAL meaning of Christmas. God never meant for you to run up enormous bills trying to please others.

He never meant for you to feel the hype that mass media seems to instill in us. Instead, He wanted time with YOU. Our December Kaffee Klatsch is designed to provide that for you. We’ll meet in the sanctuary on Thursday, December 17th, at 2:00 p.m.

and begins selecting the ones that he thinks convey the essence of Christmas.

While he appears to deliver this effortlessly, a tremendous amount of preparation goes into these presentations.

As you already know, every gift we’ve been given by our Lord, requires cultivating. Writers rarely share a first draft. Soloists wouldn’t dream of performing without a rehearsal. Artists experiment with a medium before they produce their masterpieces. The same is true with Jon. While we’ve been frolicking and making merry, he’s been at the keyboard for the last couple of months practicing for us. Thank you, Jon! This concert will allow you time to savor the essence of Christmas. You don’t need to bring anything other than a smile. If you’d like to include a friend or three, please do so. Everyone is welcome. We’ll shift into the Garden Room after the concert and share a cup of hot wassail to extend the warmth before you head back into your busy life. As always, if you sign up at the Connection Center, we have a better idea of how much wassail to prepare. Thanks for your help.

Dr. Jon Waite, our church organist, has prepared a beautiful selection of Christmas music for you. The grand finale will bring tears to your eyes. For the last few years, Jon has done this concert for us. Each August, he starts going through his collection of music

Embracing Gracia de Cristo!

Gracia de Cristo (formerly Cristo Vive) is making a difference in our Valley. We are excited to have Gracia de Cristo become an integral part of our Grace of Christ Family and Ministry. Alex Rule is serving as our Director of Hispanic Ministries. He is currently taking a Christian Discipleship program through Whitworth University, and we hope to make him a Lay Pastor in June of 2016. Session has voted to give Alex permission to administer the sacraments once he has been trained, so he is working on that. Also, Rodney Eells has taken on the role of mentoring and assisting in the Gracia de Cristo ministry. Thanks for your prayers and support for this growing ministry. Please also pray for the financial needs of this ministry.

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Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church

Gracia de Cristo Our Spanish speaking church has officially changed their name from Cristo Vive to Gracia de Cristo.

Join us in the Sanctuary Sundays at 1:00 pm for worship!

— Alex Rule

CLOTHING EXCHANGE “Lord, I pray that You will be honored and glorified in all that we do and say today.” That is how I ended my devotional time the early morning hours of October 17th before I hurried to the church to greet and serve those who came to the clothing exchange.

When we consider serving Jesus with our time, talent and treasure this is what it is about: • Time - Six hours on Friday and six hours on Saturday.

• Talent - Sort the donated clothes and getting things ready for the shoppers. Helping the shoppers find what they need. Interacting and praying with them.

The line of shoppers was already forming in the parking lot when those who came to serve gathered in the gym to put the finishing touches to the preparation and to be ready to help our visitors. We joined hands in a circle to ask God’s presence and His blessing on all who came.

My job this year was to greet those who came, to invite them in and to make them feel welcome. It was a privilege answering questions and receiving comments: We are new, how do we do this?

• Treasure -The clothes etc. that you have in your own home, no longer used or needed. God has need of them.

Time, talent and treasure - it takes all three to be a servant for Christ. It was a joy to be a servant that day.

Those who served and those who were served were abundantly blessed. And surely God was honored and glorified.

– Betty Rosenkranz

Where do I pay?

My mom brought me as a child. Now, as an adult, I have clothes to donate back.

I heard a friend talking about this so I came.

I am glad I did.

I have clothes for next year. Can I bring them now?

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

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Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church

Women’s Ministries — Shan Trick

A Royal Banquet with The King Saturday, October 10 was a beautiful day in the Yakima Valley. Our seasons were changing from an amazing late summer to an incredible autumn full of colorful trees and cooler days. Inside the Grace of Christ Garden Room, the table was beautifully set for 125 women all coming to a Royal Banquet with the King. And a very grand event it was. Did the King show up? You bet! This was no ordinary luncheon.

Her story was an inspiration to all of us as we each have had seasons in our lives where we feel the presence of God stronger during times of trial. Robin’s trial produced perseverance in seeking her heavenly Father God who created her to delight in Him. Robin also spoke about the upcoming women’s study “Fashioned to Reign” and her personal involvement with the Vallottons who authored the book.

Women’s Ministry recognizes the need for community and plans to have women’s gatherings just like this one, three times a year. Watch for our next one coming in January.

A community of women from a variety of churches and life situations all came and were met with great expectation of meeting King Jesus face to face. He was ushered in while the women celebrated His arrival through singing beautiful worship music led by Elaine Brennecke. We all enjoyed wonderful tea sandwiches, fruit, and scones provided by D’Lish catering while listening to the guest speaker Robin Biddlecomb tell us her testimony and the reflection of God’s love in her life and how she reciprocates that love to others.

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SAVE THE DATE!

WOMEN’S BRUNCH Saturday, January 9 10a – 12p / Gym Details to come!

Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church

Preschool — Rhonda Cardona

“Let’s go to Bethlehem!

Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” Luke 2:15 Grace of Christ Preschool is celebrating Christmas this month! We are planning a special day and evening for our annual Christmas programs on December 8. There is much to be excited for and everyone is practicing hard.

This is an important month for our fund raising and we need your support! We are selling our 2016 calendars again this year. They can be purchased either at the Connection Center on Sundays or in the main church office or coffee stand during the week. We also have greeting cards. Each item sells for just $6.

And yes, See’s Candies are here! This is our biggest fund raiser of the season and comes just in time for Christmas! Check out what we have on Sunday morning Dec 6 and 13. We will have all the same favorites and this year we will also have See’s Candy Bars for sale. A perfect stocking stuffer! The candy is also available to purchase during the week at the coffee stand and in the church office.

Each of these fund raisers is important for our preschool budget. We have many families receiving scholarships, which is in desperate need of funds and our daily operating budget is always stretched beyond our resources. Your support helps us to continue to provide this outreach ministry to our community.

Please keep the preschool children, their families and staff in your prayers.

Thank you everyone for your support and Merry Christmas!

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Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church

Connecting Ministries — Jocelyn Larsen

This morning was a normal morning at my house. this be, Jesus!? There is so much work to be done – in my heart, in my household, and in this world.

I woke up to a quiet house, save for the whir of dueling white-noise fans. I drank a cup of coffee and read a chapter in a book about Jesus, feeling in my stomach the tension of not knowing at what moment the silence would turn abruptly to mayhem. This morning I had just about 20 minutes. Oh, those blessed 20 minutes! My toddler woke up sort-of happy and drank a ‘ba-ba’ of milk on my lap while I finished the last few pages of my chapter. By then, the big boys were awake and for an hour and a half we did mixed amounts of snuggling, drinking chocolate milk, finishing homework, making sack lunches, eating breakfast, getting dressed, crying over not having a 4-year-old’s belt, negotiating with a 5-year-old to lend his belt to the 4-year-old because after all he really didn’t need it to keep his pants up, crying loudly as Daddy left, wiping tears, finding a 4-year-old’s belt, making just one more cup of coffee on the way out the door to school and preschool and work.

And then I was carrying a toddler, holding the hand of a 4-year-old, trying not to drop my coffee, walking along the sidewalk and up the steps to work. But I felt for just a moment in my soul the deep significance of my footsteps, my heartbeat, my prayers. This is faith. This is hope. Every day I demonstrate faith in God just by putting on my shoes and driving to this place and walking into the building and breathing in the Spirit and putting one foot in front of the other to go about this work that mostly seems impossible and fruitless. Every day I demonstrate hope in God just by showing up to my prayer times and reading more to find out who this Jesus is and listening attentively to the humans around me and helping them know that they matter, that I care about and for them, that they belong and are safe when they’re with me.

It might look like a girl just taking care of her 3 boys and it may look like a girl just going to work. But in that moment, God showed me what a very spiritual exercise of great faith and great hope it actually is. Faith and hope that God sees me doing the slow-asmolasses and personally wearying work of entangling miscommunication, casting vision, remembering people. Faith and hope that this world can get better simply because Jesus was dead and now is alive and well. Faith and hope to receive day by day the ministry to which He is calling me, trusting that what looks foggy now will later become clear. Faith and hope that major change takes major time, and that the tiny deposits I make each day into my personal life with God, my blood family, my spiritual family, my writing, my workplace are indeed my prayer through simple, active obedience: God, I trust You. I trust that You are hard at work answering my prayers. I trust that You are making all things new because of Jesus.

I felt for just a moment in my soul the deep significance of my footsteps, my heartbeat, my prayers.

On my drive to work, my thoughts were far away from the car. I was consumed with: I desperately want to be a person who follows Jesus. I want to be a lover of God and others, deep down and deeply outward.

I want Him to change me from the inside out so that I and those around me will flourish more and more as the humans we were created to be. I want to bring more of what Jesus brought to this world – humility in the face of pride; love in the face of selfishness; peace in the face of turmoil; justice in the face of dehumanization. How can

If this is true, may each day be a normal day for all of us.

– Jocelyn

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Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church

Connecting Ministries

Ways to Make Your Christmas Season Merrier and More Meaningful in the Way of Jesus: Donate and Wrap Gifts for Madison House Kids’ Christmas Party Wrapping Location: Olde Lighthouse Shoppe Call and make an appointment to wrap: Debbie Jones (910-6390) For a list of suggested gifts to donate, contact: Jocelyn Larsen (248-7940 x205)

Serve Dinner at Madison House 302 S. 4th St. Yakima 5-6 pm On Any Weeknight Bob Whitney (509) 457-3370 bob.whitney@yugm.org

Volunteer for a Shift at the Madison House Christmas Party (MH staff expect 2,000 kids to receive gifts that day in 10 sessions!)

Tuesday, December 22 • 302 S. 4th Street, Yakima • Play Games, Distribute Gifts, Serve Cookies, etc.

• Donate a Gift (valued at $15 - $25 each) for youth (ages: infant-18 years) - unwrapped so that an age and gender can be assigned to the gift before wrapping.

• Donate Cookies for the Party Bob Whitney: (509) 457-3370 bob.whitney@yugm.org Charlotte Thorpe: (509) 853-4305

Union Gospel Mission 1300 N 1st Street, Yakima • Help serve a meal at the Mission.

Breakfast, lunch or dinner. 1-2 hours commitment, younger children would need to be accompanied by a parent in the dining hall for tasks.

• Initiate a perpetually-needed-item drive to collect for the Mission. If you’re hosting a Christmas party, ask guests to bring an item to donate along with their appetizer. Or set up a box at your workplace for people to donate. Drop off at the UGM main office.

Suggested items: new socks and underwear, toilet paper, paper towels, canned food, hygiene products, plastic forks and spoons; diapers size 5 & 6.

Charlotte Thorpe: (509) 853-4305

Trailseekers The Trailseekers kids are grades K-5; families with kids near this age range are welcome to come as a family! Join the Trailseekers leaders & kids: Monday, December 7 @ 2:30 - 4pm for lesson time.

• Monday, December 14 @ 2:30 - 4 pm for Christmas Celebration (We expect 60-65 to attend!)

• Donate or bring Christmas cookies for the Christmas celebration on December 14.

• Nearly all of the Trailseeker kids are from needy families. If you would like to bless one of their families in any way, contact Greg Nebekker 307-1100 and he will connect your gift with a family in need.

For information: John Stolzenbach (509) 426-2689

Prayer Ministry 101 Your Prayer Ministry is recruiting people for 2016. Are you interested in this ministry and learning more about it? Come, be trained! If you are already involved, come and be refreshed! Sun, Dec 6, 10:45 -11:30 am

Hospitality (Cookies, Greeters, Connection Center) Just try it out this month! Greet as a family. Have one meaningful conversation with one new person each week you’re a greeter. Dave Whiteside: (509) 945-3719

Bless a GCPC Family In Need Monnie Miller (509) 248-7940 x105

Quiet Service (A contemplative place to remember God mid-week) Wednesdays 12:00-12:40 pm, Sanctuary What to expect: 12:00-12:15 pm silent reflection with a guide. 12:15-12:35 pm short teaching. 12:35 -12:40 communion. 12:40-1:00 pm sanctuary open for quiet reflection. We’ve been following along with our Mark study on Sunday mornings, but will focus on Jesus’ birth for the season of Advent. Contact: Jocelyn Larsen or Tyler Van Horn (509) 248-7940.

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Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church

Children’s Ministry — Susie Woodin

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS:

Dec. 12 @ 10:00 am – Please plan to attend

KidZone Presents: “A Night Like No Other” Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11 A long time ago, one very special night, Baby Jesus was born to be our Savior. What a great blessing that we get to celebrate that special night again and again, year after year! Journey back to that very first Christmas night, and celebrate the Savior’s birth as the children of Grace of Christ Church share “A Night Like No Other” on Dec. 13. Please note there will be only two worship services on this day (9:00 & 11:00) and all the kids will sing at both services.

a special rehearsal in the Sanctuary for all KidZone children. Sonbeams, Cubbies, and 1-5th grades will be singing together the entire morning, so all kids will rehearse at the same time on Saturday. PLEASE ARRIVE ON TIME.

Dec. 13 @ 8:30 am – ALL KIDZONE KIDS should arrive to their classrooms no later than 8:30 am. The kids will sing at the beginning of the 9:00 and 11:00 services. They will have breakfast during KidZone, and can be picked up in their classroom around 11:20. Please plan to have your child(ren) participate in both services.

Baptisms

Join us in celebrating those who were baptized at Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church this summer and fall.

Aunicka Grace Strother

Levi Thomas Gabbard

Emily Jean Gabbard

Spencer McLain Olson

Brian Buchanan

Charleigh Jean Robel

Harold Brown

Erin Kathleen Meloy

Born March 22, 2015 Parents: Don & Krista

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Born July 12, 2015 Parents: Marc & Carrie

Born February 25, 2015 Parents: Michael & Heidi

Born June 11, 2010 Parents: Marc & Carrie

Born May 6, 2008 Parents: Doyle & Pat Ehli

Born March 9, 2001 Parents: Randy & Angie

Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church

Student Ministries — Kelsey Schmidt

Hello church family!

The holidays are on their way! Our youth are looking forward to celebrating Christmas with a party this month, followed with a break from youth group to spend extra time with our families and loved ones. I always miss youth group around the holidays, but I value the time our youth get to spend taking trips or being at home with people who love them.

I love Christmas! One of my favorite things about this season is being reminded of how blessed it is to give. It feels so good to watch the people I love unwrap the gifts I’ve carefully chosen for them. Giving freely of ourselves is something that Jesus calls us to do all year long, not just at the holidays.

My hope for the teenagers I work with is that they would answer that call and experience the joy of putting others first. In an effort to learn about what it means to be selfless, the youth of Grace of Christ are invited to give up their Spring Break April 3rd-8th for Project Restore.

We’ll spend a week in Portland, OR doing urban mission.

Join us once again as we partner with the Salvation Army in this wonderful project. Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church has blessed an average of 200 children each year for the past 20+ years! Please help make Christmas special for a child in the Yakima Valley. It’s easy…all you need to do is: 1. Choose a tag from the Giving Tree located in the Garden Room.

2. Purchase the NEW gift named on the tag, or a NEW gift of your choosing.

3. Attach the tag to the UNWRAPPED GIFT.

4. Bring the gift back to the Giving Tree at GCPC by December 7, OR drop it off at the Salvation Army after that date. They will then distribute the gifts the following week.

Don’t miss this opportunity to make a difference in the life of a child. Thank you for your generosity!

We’ll spend our days working hard to provide basic needs for underprivileged people and we’ll debrief our experiences together and look to the Scripture to teach us what it means to bring restoration, healing, resurrection everywhere we go.

We are excited to join Jesus in His mission of feeding the hungry, caring for the downtrodden, and bringing a little of Heaven to earth. Any high school student is welcome to join us for this trip. Our deadline for registration is at the end of January. Each student will need to raise $200 to cover housing and travel costs for the week and we’ll do fundraisers to help make that possible.

As our church family, you can support us through your involvement in those fundraisers in the coming months and through prayer as the trip grows near. Please pray that the leaders involved in planning the trip would have wisdom and peace, that our hearts would be prepared to learn whatever God wants to teach us, and that we would bond as a team and become an even closer community as a result of this restorative project. Thank you for being a congregation who loves and support its youth. We are grateful for you!

Many blessings, Kelsey

December 4th, 9:30 am MOPS is hosting our annual Christmas Tea on Friday, December 4, from 9:30 to 11:30 am in the Garden Room. All women are invited, whether a MOPS member or not. Join us for a fun event that includes a special breakfast, other treats, a message from one of the MOPS moms, and a craft. This has always been a special event to commence the celebration of the advent of our Lord and the saving grace He offers.

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Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church

Ghormley Meadow Christian Camp

CONSIDER A YEAR END GIFT TO GHORMLEY!

MOUNTAIN MEADOW

CHRISTMAS (DEC 12TH-13TH)

Bring the whole family and join us for Christmas worship, tree cutting, snow tubing and many more winter activities as we celebrate the Christmas season! Visit www.ghormleymeadow.org for registration details.

Ghormley’s excellent staff is prayerfully considering future needs for the camp, and are actively planning for future facility improvements.

Will you prayerfully consider giving a year end gift to Ghormley? We are excited about the direction God is taking the camp, and need your support. If you’d like to give a gift, please see our website for instructions on how to give and to see what we’re up to.

FINANCIALLY Support Camp Ghormley through operating funds, camp scholarships, and memorials.

PRAYER • As we wrap up the 2015 fiscal year, pray that Camp Ghormley will be financially successful for the rest of 2015 and into 2016.

• Pray that relationships will be built, lives changed, and every person who comes to Ghormley Meadow will meet Jesus.

2016 SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! Don’t miss this great opportunity to save big on 2016 camps, while giving your camper a great surprise for Christmas!

EARLYBIRD PRICES VALID NOV. 23 - DEC. 31ST (To Qualify Pay 50% of 2016 Price by Dec. 31st)

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• Pray that the Lord will lead us as we prepare for adding and updating facilities.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES • Adopt-A-Cabin / Adopt-A-Flower Bed • Host Guest Groups

For Adopt-A-Cabin, contact Joe Buckley at 961-0424 or email jcbuckley2@fairpoint.net.

Ghormley Work Days are scheduled for the second Saturday of each month at camp to provide maintenance of facilities and grounds. Our next Second Saturday is scheduled for January 9th from 9:00am-3:00pm. Lunch will be provided with an RSVP. Call camp at (509) 672-4311.

Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church

Missions

Helping Those In Need During this busy Christmas season, life can be challenging. Challenging not just for you and your family, but for many others throughout the Yakima Valley. Each Christmas Eve service, an offering is taken to help those in need. This year, the offering will be donated to two local organizations – Union Gospel Mission and Love, INC. (Love In The Name of Christ.) Here are a few of the services these mission agencies provide to those in need:

EMERGENCY SERVICES INCLUDE: Food – We serve an average of 500 hot, nutritious meals each day - 3 times a day Monday - Friday and 2 times a day Saturday and Sunday, every week of the year.

Shelter

– At full capacity, we sleep approximately 165 men, 16 single women and 15 families in separated dormitories. Each night, an average of 100-130 men, women and families find shelter from the dangerous streets.

Clothing

– Friends of YUGM graciously donate clothing for people experiencing homelessness. We distribute this clothing to men, women and children who may have little more than the clothes on their backs.

Personal Hygiene

– Restrooms, hot showers and personal hygiene supplies are all available to our guests. We also offer diapers for mothers with children.

Care Centers – YUGM partners with local dentists, medical care professionals and Pacific Northwest University students who donate their time and expertise to provide our guests with medical and dental services.

Love, INC Receptionist

Love INC (In the Name of Christ) empowers families to break out of poverty. We go beyond superficial “bandaid” fixes and address the root issues that keep people stuck in their brokenness.

Love In The Name of Christ operates a Clearinghouse that links people in need with needed resources and services in the community, either one of our Partner Churches or a partner agency in the community.

Our long-term mentoring and life skills program (T.E.A.M., Training, Equipping & Mentoring) links families in poverty with trained volunteers from our network of 20+ local churches. Families in the T.E.A.M. Program earn vouchers for material help such as groceries and gas cards to free up their income to pay off debt. Meanwhile they are learning vital budgeting and life skills that enable them to lead productive, financially independent lives.

Would you prayerfully consider giving to those in need this Christmas season?

Individual Assessment / Counseling – Counselors assess each individual guest to determine their unique circumstances and needs. We then offer them individualized assistance and referrals for employment, housing, community aid, substance abuse, recovery and other services.

Spiritual Encouragement

– Daily chapel services, Bible studies and discipleship programs offer the spiritual hope and healing that is essential to building new lives.

UGM NEEDS VOLUNTEERS! We have opportunities in our Kid’s Chapel from 6:45 pm – 8:15 pm every evening. Each new volunteer will be paired with a current volunteer who will help introduce them to the Kids Chapel room and help train them. Each volunteer will be responsible for preparing a story for the night, helping parents to sign in their kids, engaging and communicating with the kids during the evening, and enforcing classroom rules and executing appropriate disciplinary actions. Supplies are available. Interested?

Go to www.yugm.org / volunteer or call 853-4330. THANK YOU!

UGM Meals

UGM Recycling 13

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

December Calendar of Events Thurs, November 26 Happy Thanksgiving / Church Closed

All Day

entire church

Fri, November 27

Church Closed

All Day

entire church

Sun, November 29

No KidZone Today

Morning

2nd Floor

Kidzone

Tues, December 1

All Staff Birthday Celebration

4:00 pm

Offsite

All Staff

6:15 pm

Adult Ed Rm

Committee

Garden Room

Everyone

Worship Ministry Team Meeting Wed, December 2

Decorate the Church for Christmas!

Thurs, December 3

Senior Adult Ministries Meeting

1:30 pm

Adult Ed Rm

Committee

Fri, December 4

MOPS Christmas Tea

9:30 am

Garden Room

Moms

Sat, December 5

Santa Breakfast (hosted by preschool)

9:00 am

Gym

Everyone

Sun, December 6

Communion Sun

Sanctuary

Everyone

10:45 - 11:00 am

Lounge

Everyone

5:30 pm

Rm 220

Committee

Prayer Ministry 101 (A Teaching by Robin Stuber)

Mon, December 7

Living Waters Meeting

Tues, December 8

Preschool Christmas Program (3’s)

12:00 pm

All Morning

Sanctuary

Preschool

Service Ministry Team Meeting

10:00 am 6:00 pm

Adult Ed Rm

Committee

Preschool Christmas Program (4’s & PK)

7:00 pm

Sanctuary

Preschool

Wed, December 9

Business Ministry Team Meeting

4:00 pm

Library

Committee

Fri, December 11

MOPS Leadership

9:30 am

Adult Ed Rm

Leadership

Dec 12 & 13

Mountain Meadow Christmas

(Overnight Dec. 12th an option)

Sat, December 12

Childsize Rehearsal

Sun, December 13

Childsize Services

Sun, December 13 Sun, December 13 Tues, December 15

Session/Deacon Dinner

Wed, December 16

Edith Ferry Circle Lunch/Meeting

Thurs, December 17

Kaffee Klatsch / Jon Waite Organ Concert

Sat, December 19

Gracia de Cristo Christmas Celebration

Sun, December 20

Early Learning Zone Lunch

December 21 - 31

Childcare Closed (Open on Sun!)

Mon, December 21

Preschool Winter Break Begins (Kids return 1/4/16)

Thurs, December 24

Church Office Closes at Noon Today

All Day

Ghormley Meadow Everyone

10:00 am

Sanctuary

Kidzone

9:00 & 11:00 am

Sanctuary

Everyone

Congregational Meeting

10:15am

Sanctuary

Everyone

Chat with the Elders

10:45am

Adult Ed Rm

Everyone

6:00 pm

Garden Room

Elders & Deacons

Parlor

Women

2:00 pm

Sanctuary

Everyone

5:00 pm

Gym

Everyone

Adult Ed Rm

ELZ Staff

Christmas Eve Services:

12:00 pm

12:30 pm All Day 12:00 pm

Church Office

5:00 pm

Sanctuary

Everyone

5:00 & 9:00 pm

Sanctuary

Everyone

Family / 9p Candles & Carols

Fri, December 25

Merry Christmas! (Church Closed Today)

Sun, December 27

No KidZone Today

Morning

2nd Floor

Kidzone

December 28 - 31st

Church Office Closes at 1:00p this week!

All Week

Church Office

Everyone

Sun, January 3

No KidZone Today

Morning

Sat, January 9

Women’s Brunch

Tues, January 12

Pursuing Our Limitless God Begins

14

2nd Floor

Kidzone

10:00 am

Gym

Women

9:15 am

Gym

Women

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

Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church

Weekday Events Monday

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) All Staff Check-In Meeting ESL Classes (Mon & Wed) Overeaters Anonymous Trailseekers Al-Anon Divorce Care

Tuesday

Pursuing Our Limitless God (Women’s Bible Study) Women In the Word Bible Study

Wednesday

Women of Action (2nd & 4th Wednesdays) Men’s Noon Bible Study Youth Group - Mid High & Senior High Gracia de Cristo Bible Study Gracia de Cristo Music Rehearsal Women’s Worship & Dance

Thursday

Bible Study Fellowship SOZO Prayer Contemporary Worship Rehearsal Women of Prayer (Spanish/English) Temple Choir SOZO Prayer

Friday

SOZO Prayer

10:00 am 10:00 am 11:00 am 12:00 / noon 2:30 pm 5:15 pm 6:30 pm

Adult Ed DF Lounge Room 220 Adult Ed Gym Adult Ed Room 217

Everyone All Staff Everyone Everyone

Gym Parlor

Women Women

9:30 am 12:00 / noon 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Chapel Adult Ed Youth & Mid High Rms Adult Ed Sanctuary Chapel

Women Men 6th-12th Grade Everyone Everyone Women

9:00 am 5:45 pm - 9:15 pm 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm 7:00 pm 5:45 pm - 9:15 pm

Sanctuary Lounge, Prayer Rm Sanctuary Lounge Choir Rm Lounge, Prayer Rm

Women SOZO Team

9:00 am - 11:30 am

Chapel, Prayer Rm

SOZO Team

Sanctuary Sanctuary Sanctuary Adult Ed Lounge 2nd Floor Mid High & Youth Rms

Everyone Everyone Everyone Adults Adults 3yrs-5th Grade 6th-12th Grade

9:15 am 9:45 am

Everyone Everyone

Women SOZO Team

Sunday Services and Events

Worship - Led by Contemporary Worship Team 8:00 am & 9:30 am Worship - Led by Temple Choir & Organ 11:00 am Worship - Gracia de Cristo (Spanish) 1:00 pm Going Deeper: Revelation 9:30 am Golden Circle 9:30 am KidZone 9:30 am Youth Refuel 10:30-11:00 am

Advent Devotional For a small donation, you will receive 12 cards - a new devotional which will take a close look at the many varying emotions surrounding Jesus’ birth, in order to make the story feel more real, more human, and more relevant for today. Our prayer is that each of us would see ourselves more clearly, feel both affirmed and challenged by the passions we find here, and, above all else, to be drawn to more devotedly love that babe in the manger.

15

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

NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID YAKIMA, WA PERMIT NO 59

CE L E B R A T I O N S

2

DECORATE THE CHURCH

4

MOPS CHRISTMAS BRUNCH

5

SANTA BREAKFAST

7

ANGEL TREE GIFTS DUE

8

PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS

12 KIDZONE REHEARSAL 12 & 13

13

MOUNTAIN MEADOW CHRISTMAS A CHILDSIZED CELEBRATION

‘A NIGHT LIKE NO OTHER’

16

YOUTH DINNER & PARTY

17

CHRISTMAS ORGAN CONCERT

19

GRACIA DE CRISTO CELEBRATION

24

FAMILY CHRISTMAS EVE: 5 PM

24

72ND CAROLS & CANDLES: 9 PM

HOLIDAY HOURS CHURCH CLOSED: DEC 25, JAN 1 OFFICES CLOSE @ 1 PM: DEC 24 & 28 - 31 BUILDING CLOSES @ 5 PM: DEC 29 - 31