MID-WEEK LETTER from Grace United Methodist Church

December 7, 2006 Editor: Linda Entwistle

LAST WEEK:

There was a brief article in the December 1 "Current" (the newsletter of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference) about the hospital in Ganta, Liberia that we have made the focus of our holiday mission challenge.

Shortly after the Ganta United Methodist Hospital reopened after Liberia's civil war, an elderly woman came to visit. She told the administrators that her father was one of many who gave up land for the building of the Ganta United Methodist Mission Station back in the 1920s.

She is a widow who lives with her sister in an extended family setting. She sells potato greens in the local market, and has an average income of $600 (Liberian) per year.

She indicated that she is a Christian, that she has always been grateful for the love of God and the care the hospital has provided for her people, and that she wanted to make a contribution toward its needs.

And she handed them $1000 (Liberian)-- almost twice her annual income. The faith in God and love of neighbor reflected in this selfless act is staggering.

The Mission team invites each family at Grace Church to participate in this act of faith and love, in the name of Jesus Christ, whose birth we celebrate during this holy season.

And may God bless us as we bless others.

Remember the miserable weather we had last Friday? Due to the hazardous road conditions and dangerous wind chills, Rev. Mike decided that it was in everyone's best interest to cancel events at the church that morning-- including the decorating of the sanctuary for Advent.

But some of the members of our congregation are of hardier stock than that, and three intrepid women arrived and put in hours to prepare the sanctuary for Advent worship. We thank them, but each

of them would say, "To God be the glory".

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FOOD PANTRY NEEDS: canned meats, spaghetti, gelatin desserts

FINANCIAL UPDATE: We started 2006 with $12,662 in advance pledges in hand. To date, we have had:

Additional income of $209,027 Expenses of $224,191

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THE CALENDAR: (Please note especially items marked with an asterisk).

Thursday, Dec. 7: * UMW Salad Supper at 6:30. All women are welcome. Bring table service and a dish to share.

Friday, Dec. 8: Issues of Aging at 10:30 a.m. in the Seekers Sunday school room.

Sunday, Dec. 10: Grace Years worship service at Parkview at 2:00.

High School Youth Fellowship will meet at 5:00 in the Fellowship Hall.

* Winter Concert at 6:00. Refreshments following.

Monday, Dec. 11: Growing in Grace will rehearse at 4:00 in the sanctuary.

Finance committee meeting at 7:00.

Tuesday, Dec. 12: Quilters will meet at 6:30.

Angelus hand bell choir will rehearse at 6:30.

Chancel choir will rehearse at 7:30.

Wednesday, Dec. 13: Men's breakfast group will meet at 6:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

Grace Years ministry team will meet at 9:30 a.m. in the pastor's study.

Grace Years worship service at Canterbury Ridge at 4:00.

Cherub Choir will rehearse at 5:30.

Life Song will rehearse at the Aters' at 6:30.

WellSpring begins at 7:30 in the sanctuary.

Thursday, Dec. 14: XYZs will depart at 11:00 a.m. for their monthly outing. Reservations for this "mystery

trip" must be made by Monday, Dec. 11. Call Mary and Bob Hackl.

J.O.Y. sharing group will meet at 7:00 in the parlor.

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If you know of someone who is in need of pastoral care, please contact the church office (328-1414) or respond to the e-mail address above.

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