2023
Grace Notes – Feb 13
IN THIS ISSUE…
February 19th Worship, Basket Items, Ash Wednesday, GUMY Help Needed, Thank You from Nanette, Table Hosts, Give to UMCOR, Desserts Needed, Tickets on Sale, COG Hygiene List, Donations Needed
February 19th Worship
9:00 & 11:00 AM Traditional Worship
“Mountaintops”
Rev. Mike Chamberlain
Scripture Reading:
Old Testament: Exodus 24:12-18
Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9
10:15 AM Common Grace Modern Worship
“Kingdom’s Kitchen”
Rev. Kyle Reynolds
Scripture:
Matthew 13:33
Zechariah 4:10
We’re continuing with our new series called Short Stories with Jesus, looking at the parables and what they mean for us today! Join us each week through Easter for a fresh look at a familiar story.
Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany
Dear Members and Friends of Grace,
How ‘bout those CHIEEEEEEFS?!!? That being said, I take this opportunity to offer you my heartfelt and humble thanks, most especially for the last two weeks of my service at Grace. To say I was overwhelmed by the gathering on January 22 would be a vast understatement. From the music to the words shared to the smiles and laughter to the wonderful offerings of love and cards and care – there simply aren’t enough words, even for me, to share the depth of my gratitude. For friends from all the churches I had the honor of serving over my career, I am humbled to see and remember with you our time together.
Thank you also for your presence to worship God on my last Sunday. Your tolerance of my purple chucks, my attempt at a little humor, and the focus on God and the word of God was my dream for that last Sunday – and God and you fulfilled it beyond any expectation I might have had.
And let me also thank you for our lifetime in ministry together. God has been doing mighty things in all the ups and downs of our history from 1st United Methodist in downtown Olathe and south to Harrison, to Hope United Methodist new church start, to the discernment for those two communities to come together into Grace United Methodist with the development of a second campus Center of Grace Mission Center is nothing but the miraculous vision, commitment of faithful people, and fulfillment through the hand of God. To have had the opportunity to be a part of one of those chapters, and most specially to get to know and work alongside and create friendship and community with you is the greatest honor of my life.
I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future for both of us. God is not and will not be done with ministry through Grace until God’s reign is fulfilled on earth, even as it is in heaven. Blessings to you for the journey ahead, my prayers will not cease for you and the faith community of Grace I so love. I will move on to whatever the next chapter is that God has for me, and you will never be far from my heart. By God’s grace and Spirit, we will always be connected through shared ministry and faith through the promise of Jesus and his life we seek to live together.
Peace to you, and always grace!
nanette
UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) is providing disaster relief for the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. If you would like to contribute, you may use the link provided which will take you to the Grace website. Click on “Disaster Relief.” Your contribution will be sent to UMCOR. Thank you!
$35 for adults and $7.50 for children
Purchase Extravaganza Tickets Here
Donations Needed for Grace Extravaganza:
“Once Upon a Time for Missions”
Donations are a critical part of the success of this event, and we need your help to secure donations for both silent and live auctions. Past donations have included vacation timeshares, hotel getaways, gift certificates, fine art, sports tickets, event tickets, dishes, toys, jewelry, classes and even puppies! New and antique items only please. Drop off donations in the church office through March 1st.
Contact Brad Mitchell at [email protected]
or (913) 484-5378.
For general inquiries, contact Liz Dunsing at [email protected]
or (913) 269-4233.
Shop now for the Grace Extravaganza Auction Baskets! Donated items need to be in the church office by Wednesday, February 22. You can shop the basket gift list at Target or at Amazon. Signs around the church will have post-its you can take with items to purchase, as well as QR codes for the gift lists. Thank you for your support of Grace Missions!
Grace Extravaganza GUMY Help Needed!
Grace Extravaganza is a church-wide fundraiser for mission work at GUMC with dinner, silent auction and a live auction. The youth ministry receives a substantial amount of funds from our generous and kind members who come to Grace Extravaganza.
Participation in GE is required for all students who are attending a mission trip this summer. Students help set up, take down, and serve our members throughout the night as a small way of saying “thank you” to our congregation.
Even if you are not sure if you are going on a mission trip, or you are certain you are not, we still need your help!
Not only is your presence a gift to the church, but you are deeply needed to help the evening run smoothly. GUMY Students help:
-serve dinner
-facilitate auction items
-help members get the proper item they’ve purchased
-run childcare
-greet members
-serve drinks and appetizers
-clean up dinner and the event as a whole
Thankful for all your help!
Let Us Know You Are Coming Here
Hygiene items may be dropped off at the Center of Grace or brought to worship on Sunday mornings at the Ridgeview Campus. Look for the labeled box in the welcome area. Thank you!
2023
Letter from Pastor Kyle
Friends – today I have that unique combination of a hopeful spirit and a heavy heart that comes anytime change looms on the horizon. I’m writing you to share that this summer I will be leaving Grace and going to serve St. Paul’s United Methodist Church as their Senior Pastor. Our Bishop, David Wilson, and District Superintendent, Tom Brady, have discerned, along with our Great Plains Cabinet, that a lead pastor role is the next appropriate step for me, and have recently determined that St. Paul’s is an excellent fit for my leadership gifts and abilities. When I got the call, and had the chance to talk with Hope and spend time in prayer, we also knew that this was a great fit and the next most faithful step. I am excited for this journey! St. Paul’s is a strong, inclusive community with a solid foundation that has been serving in Lenexa for almost 40 years. They have great staff and worshipping communities, and they are ready to ask what’s next and what’s new for them as they move into the future. It will be a good place for who I am and how I lead, and a great chance to grow in ministry responsibilities and capacity. It will also be a wonderful and nurturing community for Hope and Gracie.
But leaving Grace will not be easy. Most of you know that I was formed and shaped and influenced by Grace long before I came to serve as a pastor here six years ago. Grace was my home when I was a toddler and when I received my Third Grade Bible; it is where I was confirmed and was given my first opportunities to lead in the church. Throughout my youth and young adulthood, Grace was pivotal to me developing and discerning my call to ministry, and supported me throughout my process.
It has been all the more of a blessing, then, these last six years to journey alongside of you. Again, this church invested in me, as you entrusted me to imagine and launch Common Grace. You allowed me to grow in my understanding of myself and to take on more responsibility in supervising and implementing our day-to-day operations. You have invested in an amazing group of staff that I could lead alongside, and you have prepared me for ministry in the future. You celebrated me as I married Hope, and then again as we welcomed Gracie Ruth into the world last summer. It is for all of this and so much more that I am grateful today; and it is for all of this and so much more that goodbyes will be tough.
The sadness exists because of the depth of relationship we have built, the ministry we have shared, and the joy we have experienced. It is no doubt heightened because we are a community that has been in the throes of change recently. And it is true that, if you are like me, the idea of more change feels a bit overwhelming. BUT – I know what this community is. I know who you are. I’ve seen it for 30 years. So, while things may be a bit disorienting right now, I have full confidence that you have the resources and gifts that are needed to see one another through. You will be led by great pastors and staff – now and in the seasons to come. And most importantly, you will be led by God, as this church has been for 165 years.
In the next few months, we will celebrate together what has been, and we will work together as we prepare to welcome Pastor Barry into the community this summer. And in all things, we will find moments of levity and laughter as we journey on into God’s vision for the future.
Grace + Peace,
Pastor Kyle
2023
Grace Notes – Feb 6
IN THIS ISSUE…
February 12th Worship, 2022 Giving Statements, Extravaganza Donations, Silver Set Luncheon, Basket Auction Items, COG Hygiene List, Tickets On Sale, Job Opening COG, GUMY Help Needed
February 12th Worship
9:00 & 11:00 AM Traditional Worship
“Knock, Knock”
Rev. Mike Chamberlain
Scripture Reading:
Mark 8: 27-33
10:15 AM Common Grace Modern Worship
Rev. Kyle Reynolds
We’re just kicking off a new series called Short Stories with Jesus, looking at the parables and what they mean for us today! Join us each week through Easter for a fresh look at a familiar story.
Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany
GRACE EXTRAVAGANZA – MARCH 3, 2023
Donations Needed for Grace Extravaganza:
“Once Upon a Time for Missions”
Donations are a critical part of the success of this event, and we need your help to secure donations for both silent and live auctions. Past donations have included vacation timeshares, hotel getaways, gift certificates, fine art, sports tickets, event tickets, dishes, toys, jewelry, classes and even puppies! New and antique items only please. Drop off donations in the church office through March 1st.
Contact Brad Mitchell at [email protected]
or (913) 484-5378.
For general inquiries, contact Liz Dunsing at [email protected]
or (913) 269-4233.
Shop now for the Grace Extravaganza Auction Baskets! Donated items need to be in the church office by Wednesday, February 22. You can shop the basket gift list at Target or at Amazon. Signs around the church will have post-its you can take with items to purchase, as well as QR codes for the gift lists. Thank you for your support of Grace Missions!
GRACE EXTRAVAGANZA Tickets on Sale Now!
$35 for adults and $7.50 for children
Click on the link below to purchase your ticket!
Purchase Extravaganza Tickets Here
Grace Extravaganza GUMY Help Needed!
Grace Extravaganza is a church-wide fundraiser for mission work at GUMC with dinner, silent auction and a live auction. The youth ministry receives a substantial amount of funds from our generous and kind members who come to Grace Extravaganza.
Participation in GE is required for all students who are attending a mission trip this summer. Students help set up, take down, and serve our members throughout the night as a small way of saying “thank you” to our congregation.
Even if you are not sure if you are going on a mission trip, or you are certain you are not, we still need your help!
Not only is your presence a gift to the church, but you are deeply needed to help the evening run smoothly. GUMY Students help:
-serve dinner
-facilitate auction items
-help members get the proper item they’ve purchased
-run childcare
-greet members
-serve drinks and appetizers
-clean up dinner and the event as a whole
Thankful for all your help!
Let Us Know You are Coming Here
Click Here for Job Description
2023
Harvest Time in a Vineyard – Short Stories with Jesus
Harvest Time in a Vineyard – Short Stories with Jesus by Rev. Kyle Reynolds