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Clerical Comments
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. Acts 1:1
We will celebrate Pentecost on Sunday, May 27th (all are invited to wear red that Sunday - the color of Pentecost). Pentecost is the birthday of the church universal. It is the day when the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gave the disciples the ability to speak in other languages so that all could hear the gospel. The coming of the Holy Spirit with the accompanying wind rush, tongues of fire, and multilingual tongues, is the miracle of Pentecost, but after a life time in the church, over fifty years, I think it was also a miracle that, "they were all together in one place."
Jesus said where two or three are gathered in my name, that he would be with them. Someone cynically commented that where two or three are gathered there will be an argument. The church has experienced many arguments throughout its history; every denomination is a witness to the arguments in the church. But on that first birthday of the church, they were all together in one place. I imagine they still argued about many things, but they were together. Perhaps their faith in the risen Christ caused them stay together and they worked out their disagreements in the love of Christ. When we are able to work out our disagreements in love, committed to stay together in one place, I believe room is made available for the Spirit. Wherever the Spirit is miracles happen.
Our United Church of Christ came into being in 1957 because four denominations (Congregational, Christian, Evangelical, and Reformed) had become two denominations and then one denomination, together in one place. We are the United Church of Christ - united and uniting. We are the denomination that dreams of Jesus' prayer from John 17:21 one day being fulfilled, "that they may all be one." The United Church of Christ is part of the National and World Council of Churches. It was an awesome experience during my sabbatical to sit in the worship center of the World Council of Churches and think of all the partner denominations throughout the world represented there, all together in one place.
It is exciting that our own congregation, Grace UCC, is living out Jesus' prayer. It has already been four years since Gethsemane and Evangel voted to be together in one place - united and uniting. As more members join from an ever widening international community I look forward to witnessing to the uniting Spirit that brings us all together in one place. Imagine the miracles yet to come. God is Still Speaking! Yours in Christ, Pastor David
Adult Education
Our Adult Education class will meet on Sunday morning from 9:30-10:15 in the choir room for a six week session on Phyllis Tickle’s Embracing Emergence Christianity –The Church’s Next Rummage Sale. From the DVD course cover: Phyllis Tickle is the founding editor of the religious department of Publisher’s Weekly. She is a recognized authority on religion in America and author of over two dozen books in religion and spirituality. In our study we will examine the changing face of Christianity and culture. Phyllis surveys 2000 years of Western history, identifying the great upheavals that occur in Western culture and Christianity every 500 years. The last was the Great Reformation of the 1500’s; the next is happening now.
The course will use video presentation and small group discussion. The six sessions include: 1) Emergence 101; 2) Where Now Is the Authority?; 3)The 20th Century and Emergence; 4) Gifts from Other Times; 5) How Then Shall We Live?; 6) Hallmarks of Emergence. I encourage you to find Phyllis Tickle on the internet at UTube. She is a wonderful and informative speaker and the class promises not only be enlightening, but also fun. The class begins on April 15. Join us!
On Sunday, May 27 - Pentecost - we will be receiving the Strengthen the Church special mission offering of the United Church of Christ. This offering builds the UCC's future. It funds new congregations and renews existing ones. It supports programs for youth and young adults and nurtures current and future leaders. And it aids the God is Still Speaking Ministry to spread our message of inclusivity.
Directed to local Conferences, Local Church Ministries and the Stillspeaking Ministry, Strengthen the Church gifts help to create vibrant church communities of extravagant welcome.
Did you know that 50% of your gift is directed by Local Church Ministries and the Stillspeaking Ministry to Spread the Love?
Across the country ten Regional Women's Ministry Consultants, two per region, are dedicatedto enhancing women's ministry programs in the local churches, Associations, and Conferences of the United Church of Christ by providing resources and support! And...Did you know that 50% of your gift is retained by Conferences for use within their Conference to Spread the Love?
Here are some of the ways Conferences are using, and plan to use, their portion of your 2009 and 2010 Strengthen the Church gifts:
...Southwest Conference is gathering young adults in Flagstaff and Tucsonas emerging "communities of faith" that find support, meaning, and sustenance together.
...South Central Conference sends pastors to the national UCC training for New and Renewing Church Pastors. Twelve have already attended, including pastors of all three new church starts in the Conference, and pastors of revitalizing churches they serve.
...Ohio Conference has called Jim Oates as Coach for Church Development and Congregational Renewal to work directly with
congregations, identify and train more coaches, and support leaders.
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Theological Reflection:
On Peacemaking by Pastor Pat A. Apura
"Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God " (Matt. 5:9)
Peacemaking is our business as followers of Jesus Christ, the Prince of peace. But it does not mean that only Christians seek and strive for peace. There are many peace-loving and peacemaking people in the world who are not Christians. However, for Christians peacemaking should seek the peace that Christ gives, not what the world gives. The peace that Christ gives is called in Hebrew word, "shalom." Shalom means wholeness, soundness, prosperity, harmony and integrity. In short, shalom means total well-being and abundant life for humanity and for all nations. Jesus says, "I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10).
To seek and build this kind of peace (shalom) is imperative as well as hazardous. It is imperative because the Prince of peace wills it, and the world needs it. It is hazardous because it involves the advocacy for justice. And justice is the other side of peace. One cannot be whole without the other. The prophet Isaiah puts it this way, "Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow." (Isaiah 1: 17). Likewise, the Apostle Peter advised his fellow Christians to seek peace and pursue it (I Peter 3:11).
Faced by this reality, peacemaking becomes a tough and dangerous ministry because it involves the radical tearing down of unjust structures and institutions and puts the peacemaker in the frontline line against greedy people who will readily destroy and kill those who denounce their injustices and corrupt practices. The recent event of the Arab Spring is a good example of people who die to seek and establish "shalom" in their own countries. Likewise, in recent Philippine history several pastors, lay church workers and lawyers were murdered by the military on order of governmental authorities simply because they were striving for peace with justice for the common people.
Peacemaking in the global arena must necessarily involve not only cessation of war, or reduction of arms, but also complete cessation of making and creating armaments of mass destruction. The present global situation is unjust and in such a situation there can be no peace. Peace can only be achieved if and when the gospel of peace offered by Christ is sought and accepted. For as long as the affluent nations are spending billions of dollars for military purposes; for as long as the 99 percent of world population live in poverty; for as long as the rich nations exploit the resources of the underdeveloped countries for their own standard of living; for as long as the millionaires and billionaires of this world continue to be greedy, there can be no "shalom."
In Third world countries like the Philippines, Christians know that causes of "unpeace" are largely found in the unjust socio-economic and political practices, structures and laws. An example of an unjust law is the labor and agrarian laws which favor the rich and powerful and discriminate against the poor and powerless peasants. In this situation, there can be no peace within the hearts of people as well as in the heart of the nation. Social unrest describes this situation.
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GRACE UCC WELCOMES OUR GUESTS IN APRIL
It was our joy to welcome the following guests:
Ronald W, Jenny B, Admire K, Rochelle W, Kenchelle S, Maryann G, Jacquelyn C, Chris M, Antoinette & Michael R, Kura Sithole, Norman Bell, Aaliyah McAfee, Dan R, Alexius, Herring, Mellissa, Shone'Tavia, Anthony and Michael W, Hermeka, Alexius and Michael H, Ronald H, Desmond W, Oscar C, Eve B, Jovany, Sharloch, Eugine, and Jeremiah P
Worship Participants
May 2012
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Greeters/Ushers
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Readers
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5/6
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Wardo & Kathryn James,
Jane E.
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Leah Pantermuehl
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5/13
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Jane W., Helen Day, Candelaria
Jamito
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Rajinee Buquing
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5/20
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Linda & Oscar Monera,
Miguel Carlin
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Linda Monera
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5/27
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Lee Burns, Gene Selph, Jane W.
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Oscar Monera
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CARE VAN
May 2, 2012 4 pm -- 6:30 pm
The March Care Van served forty two (42) children, who received a total of 92 shots. Spindletop International Charitable Foundation has generously funded the medical supplies for our site. This program provides infants to eighteen years of age with free immunizations for childhood preventable diseases. Grace UCC has served as a host site since 2008. Thanks to the volunteers who greet the clients, assist with the paper work, direct them to the appropriate stations, and serve the lollipop at the end: Lisa Lum, Jane Woodward, Helen Day, Jane Eixmann, Lee Burns, Miguel Carlin, and Pastor David. The next Care Van date is Wednesday, April 4, 2012, here at Grace. Thanks, Jane E
You Are Invited
Bridal Party for Grace UCC Brides:
Rachel Pantermuehl Adams, Lisa Bartel Dean, Ellen Jaroszewski, Leah Pantermuehl, and Jennifer Kasper-Leffler
Saturday, June 9th,
2 to 4 pm
Fellowship Hall
Monetary donations will be collected on May 13 and May 20 for a church gift to each bride.
GRACE SENIOR FELLOWSHIP
The seniors and friends will be on our way for a cool treat. Our bus leaves Tuesday, May 1 at 9:00 am for the Blue Bell Creamery in Brenham. At the end of our tour, we will have delicious ice cream.
Then lunch in Chappell Hill at Bervers Kitchen. Following lunch we have reservations for a tour of the Chappell Hill Historical Museum. They require that we have at least 15 people. It will be a full morning and a relaxing ride home. Cost: $1.00 for bus, $3.00 for the Blue Bell tour, $1.50 for the museum, plus the price of your lunch.
On the way home be on the lookout for some late blooming blue bonnets and other spring wild flowers.
Rita has planned another fun bus trip. If you think you will need some water or a snack on the way, please bring them with you. See the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board. -- Mae Delle Jaroszewski
Young Adult Group
The Senior High Youth of Grace UCC will be joining other youth from around the South Central Conference and the nation this summer participating in the National Youth Event from July 10-13, 2012 at Purdue University. In order to cover some of their costs for travel and registration the youth along with the help of the Young Adults and Fellowship Team will be hosting a spaghetti lunch on May 20, 2012 after worship in the fellowship hall. The lunch will include spaghetti, tossed salad, and garlic bread. The youth will also have a dessert table available and singing and fellowship will follow the lunch. The youth will be accepting good will offerings to help with their trip and appreciate your support!! If you would like to help decorate and help the youth with this special lunch please contact Marilyn Reyes and or Miguel Carlin. We look forward to seeing you there!!
miguelcarlin@msn.com. --Miguel Carlin
Grace Pictorial Directory
Did you miss having your picture taken for the church directory, want to change your picture, or have joined the church since the directory was published? Jubert Buquing, our resident photographer, will be available to take or retake pictures after church during the month of May. Let's get 100%participation!
Members: Perla F, Brenda F, Ed Furst, The Loonam families, J.W. N, Rita P, The Rachuk Family, Family of Evelyn Selph, Family of Zikai Sithole, Millie W, and LaVerne Wright.
Friends: Rev. Douglas Anders, the family of Rev. Gary Arndt, Christine Black (Victor Bartel's mother), Barbara Day, Roetta Hudson, Meta Kriegel, Linda Miller, Cecil Tielke, Family of Waldine Winter, Jan Woodward, Jason Woodward.
Please send all articles for the June newsletter to Jane W. by May 15 to jkwoodward@sbcglobal.net.
For Church Directory changes, please call the church office at 281-575-7866 or email graceucchouston@sbcglobal.net.
Check out the daily devotions and the UCC Web site at www.ucc.org
R & R Update
Thank you to the congregation, friends, and supporters of Grace UCC for a successful Valentine's Luncheon and fund raising event on February 12. We collected a little over $1,000 from luncheon ticket and raffle ticket sales, plus $620 from individual donations to the R & R fund. After we paid expenses for the meal and decorations, the R & R fund now has a balance of $5,084. Replacing the carpet in the sanctuary will cost $7,400. We are looking at using some available funds from Capital Replacement, with the intent of repaying those funds as donations to the R & R Fund continue. Replacing the carpet can happen within the next month or two!
Special thank you's go to the following people: Oscar Monera-printing the luncheon tickets; The youth and the young adults--helping with the decorations, ticket sales, raffle sales, collecting tickets, and general support. Committee members who worked to plan, coordinate, decorate the Fellowship Hall, and serve the food: Laura Bruce, Marissa Buquing, Lee Burns, Miguel Carlin, Linda Monera. Our impromptu auctioneer, Pastor Barney, who stepped up to the occasion for additional bids!
It was indeed a church-wide supported event! Plus we had wonderful singing and dancing to complete the affair! If you missed it, ask Rameen Zahed, Jubert Buquing, Joshua Polido, Marilyn Reyes, Linda Monera, Eric Potts for an encore. Simeon Jamito is giving private dancing lessons in his spare time!
Next on the list of projects is replacement of the pew cushions and then renovations of the main bathrooms in the Fellowship Hall hallway. --Jane E
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May Birthdays
01 - Ellen J // 02 - Rachel A // 05 - Rita P // 06 - Cassie S // 10 - Peter L
11 - Helen D, 11 - Namnama P // 12 - Khareen Linao // 13 - Niesan E
16 - Jaime B // 21 - Aster F
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April Grace UCC Council Highlights
In addition to receiving the regular committee reports, Council also addressed the following:
Business Updates
- Discussed music director
- Pastoral Relations Committee nominees
- Extension of the Lilly Grant
- National Youth Event at Purdue Univ. in July
- Food donations to House of Amos for March totaled $267.00
- Reviewed Statement of Core Value of Grace UCC
- Next council meeting to be May 6
New Business
- Discussed Life Line screening in July
- Bridal Party planned for Saturday, June 9
The approved March minutes have been added to the Minute Notebook in the conference room.
--Jane Woodward, Council Secretary
CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTER
Back To School Program
Christian Community Service Center (CCSC) has helped disadvantaged students increase their probability for academic success through the Back To School program since 1986. This year 6,500 children will receive an extensive pack of new grade-appropriate school supplies and a $30 voucher for new uniforms/shoes.
So, mark your calendars and join us as often as you can.
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Client Registration on May 7, 8, 9, & 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Blanton Building, 3400 W. Alabama near Edloe (red brick building).
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Sort & Setup on July 28, from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 4600 Bellaire Blvd. just inside Loop 610 at Avenue B.
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Distribution on August 4, from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or from 12 noon to 5:00 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 4600 Bellaire Blvd. just inside Loop 610 at Avenue B.
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