MID-WEEK LETTER from Grace United Methodist Church

January 4, 2007 Editor: Linda Entwistle

LAST WEEK:

Amid the busyness of the past couple of weeks- holiday preparations in general, battling the flu that's going around, and whatever else you found yourself up against, I hope that you were also blessed with glimpses of hope, joy, and renewal. Mine came in a neat little bundle, starting with the 11:00 worship on Christmas Eve and extending through Christmas Day.

Like most of you, I have lots of little "bundles" tucked away, some containing good things: moments of grace, and mercy, and love; some bad:

frustrations, regrets, fears.

Why do we keep the "good stuff" in a bundle, anyway? Why isn't that setting out for us to enjoy and for others to share every day? And why do we keep the "bad stuff" at all?

People sometimes hire a professional to handle an estate sale for them, helping them to identify what is valuable and to get rid of the accumulated physical possessions they don't want or need. I've come to the conclusion that I need to let God take on that role when it comes to my accumulation of emotional baggage. Let Him assess the event and the feeling and tell me what He wants to do with it. And then let Him do it. He's the professional; if I pay attention, I may learn something.

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FOOD PANTRY NEEDS: soups, canned fruit, and crackers

No financial update this week; Jim Roush is hard at work on the end- of-year figures.

Of note: Grace has paid the last of our apportionments for 2006!

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

Sunday, Jan. 7: Grace Years worship service at Parkview at 2:00.

Grace Years worship service at Florida House

at 4:00.

High School Youth Fellowship will meet at 5:00

in the fellowship hall.

Monday, January 8: Growing in Grace rehearsals resume at 4:00.

Finance meeting at 7:00.

Tuesday, January 9: Quilters will meet at 6:30.

Angelus hand bell choir will rehearse at 6:30.

Chancel Choir will rehearse at 7:30.

Wednesday, Jan. 10: Men's Breakfast Group will meet at 6:30 a.m. in the fellowship hall.

Grace Years worship service at Canterbury Ridge at 3:00.

Cherub Choir resumes weekly practices at 5:30.

Life Song will practice at 6:30 at the Aters' home.

WellSpring service will begin at 7:30 in the sanctuary.

Thursday, Jan. 11: * The XYZs will be having lunch at Kennedy's.

Departure at 11:15 a.m. Make reservations with the Ricketts by Monday, January 8.

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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