| BLESSINGS OF THE BACKPACKS is AT THE 10:15 WORSHIP SERVICE ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 2ND |
Saturday, August 1st
Thornwell is showing their enthusiasm.....we are expecting a record number of participants (31)! We are blessed to have them join us but will need the help from our Grace Family to ensure we can accommodate our guests!
Our most urgent needs are as follows: Greeters for guest arrival; Grill Master; Water; ONE MORE BOAT.
This is a favorite event for many Grace members as well as children, youth and adults from Thornwell Home for Children. To learn more about Thornwell, click here. What exactly is Thornwell Lake day? A few of the adults from Thornwell will bring three cottages from Thornwell to Grace for a day on the lake. They begin the day at Pitcairn Park with a lunch consisting of grilled hotdogs, hamburgers, chips desserts, etc. Then church members host guests from Thornwell on their boats and other water toys out on Lake Wylie. The days ends with everyone returning to Grace for dinner, dessert and a game of bingo. As you have probably been able to gather, this take A LOT of people to put on an event like this.
This is a favorite event for many Grace members as well as children, youth and adults from Thornwell Home for Children. To learn more about Thornwell, click here. What exactly is Thornwell Lake day? A few of the adults from Thornwell will bring three cottages from Thornwell to Grace for a day on the lake. They begin the day at Pitcairn Park with a lunch consisting of grilled hotdogs, hamburgers, chips desserts, etc. Then church members host guests from Thornwell on their boats and other water toys out on Lake Wylie. The days ends with everyone returning to Grace for dinner, dessert and a game of bingo. As you have probably been able to gather, this take A LOT of people to put on an event like this. Please contact Lisa Fairclough with questions and the Sign-Up Genius link to help can be found here.
GIVE: IMMIGRATION ALLIANCE UPDATE - CAFE JUSTO
Grace has begun to support Coffee growers in Mexico by purchasing coffee from Cafe Justo to be used weekly for our Sunday coffee service. By using this coffee we will be supporting farmers in Mexico earn a living wage, enabling them to stay in their country versus immigrating to the United States. If you enjoy coffee on Sunday, consider making a donation via the QR code next to the coffee maker or by dropping a few bucks into the collection container in the kitchen.
In addition, you can purchase Cafe Justo for home use. The Committee will be purchasing one pound bags of ground coffee for $15 and make them available for you to enjoy at home.
GATHER: BACK TO SCHOOL POTLUCK BREAKFAST
Sunday, August 9th at 9am
It seems like school just finished, and now it’s time to celebrate the beginning of a new school year! We would love for you to join us for a potluck breakfast on August 9th at 9:00 am. Please bring a breakfast dish to share with everyone! Please RSVP on REALM or contact the church office! We hope to see you there!
GATHER: GUYS' SUPPER CLUB
August 11th at 6pm
We would love for you to join us at Mac’s Speed Shop in Fort Mill for delicious food and great conversations. We are excited to have you there! Please RSVP in Realm.
GATHER: FEM AND THEM
August 13th at 6:00pm
We invite you to join us for our Fem and Them meeting on August 13th at 6:00 PM. Our gathering will take place at Maisie’s Green Brae. We look forward to seeing you there! Please RSVP on Realm or call the church office.
GATHER: BACK TO SCHOOL BASH
August 16th, 3:30pm
We’re pumped about our Back to School celebration! We’ve got two fantastic bounce houses on the way - one even comes with a water slide! We will also have other activities like the Gaga Pit. To make sure everyone has a blast in a safe environment, we’ll be dividing the kids by age groups.
Here’s the schedule for the day:
From 3:30 to 5:15, preschool and elementary kids can bounce around with their parents watching closely. At 5:15, it’s time for a yummy hot dog supper, followed by the youth age participants having their turn on the slides from 5:45 to 7 PM.
We’ll be serving hot dogs, so feel free to bring a side dish or dessert to share with others.
Can’t wait to see you there! Please RSVP in Realm or call the office!
SERVE: GIVE KIDS THE WORLD
A Grace team will serve at Give Kids the World October 16th-23rd. It is a ways away, but we have to make our housing and service reservations NOW. If you'd like to come, a $75 per person deposit is now due to reserve your spot. The total cost should be around $350 per person, not including transportation or most meals. If you have questions, contact Joanne.
GIVE: INTERFAITH BLESSING BOX
Thank you to all who have supported the Blessing box (located right outside of Grace.) The blessing box operates on the simple idea of “take what you need, leave what you can.”
Suggested items to add to Blessing Box: soup/spaghetti-o's, cake mix/icing/brownie mix, cereal, canned meat, granola bars, canned veggies/fruit
SERVE: PRAYER SHAWLS
We are looking to revive a team of knitters and crocheters to make prayers shawls for residents of local nursing homes and those in hospice care. Donations of yarn would also be appreciated. If you would like to join a group or knit/crochet at home and contribute, please contact Pam Bushnell or the church office and we will help you get connected. Thanks!
SERVE: GRACE'S ANNUAL YARD SALE
SAVE YOUR STUFF!!
August 29th, 7:00am-11:30am
Donations will be accepted between August 24th – August 27th from 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. and on August 28th from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Please contact Wanda if you are willing to volunteer for set-up week or for Yard Sale Day! If you are interested in providing baked goods for the Bake Sale (hosted by Temple Solel), please contact Jan Rose.
Click here for more information.
SAVE THE DATE: GRACE CONGREGATIONAL RETREAT
SEPTEMBER 12TH 10AM-4PM
BETHELWOODS CAMP AND CONFERENCE CENTER
LEARN: SUNDAY SCHOOL
Please look over the list of classes and we hope that you and your family will join us.
Nursery and Toddlers (Infants through 2 year olds) – Room 8
Early Childhood (3 year old - 5k) – Room 9
Primary Class (1st - 5th grades) – Room 5
Youth (6th-12th grades) - Youth Room
Adult Sunday School - Room 15
GATHERING AT GRACE : What opportunities for fun are available at Grace? Where do I belong?
Our (sort of) age related gatherings are for anyone who wants to come and have fun with others. No ID checked! If you want to hang out with folks, no one will turn you away.
- GRACE FAMILY FIRST NIGHTS - We meet on the first Sunday of each month for food and fellowship. Following our meal, one of our awesome musical groups will sing and we usually end the night with a mission project to support one of the many groups we serve. Kim Palmer coordinates this group.
- -ISH GROUP : -Ish is one of our interest/affinity groups at Grace and anyone can join! We call ourselves ISH because all of our group descriptions are open in interpretation. 😊 We are young(ish) and many would describe their stage of life as chaotic with lots of competing schedules and commitments. Some of us are married, some are not. Some have kids, some do not. We like to meet for lunch after church the 3rd Sunday of each month (“Lunch & Hang) and usually help coordinate things like celebrating a wedding or baby showers, things like that. We are always looking to meet new folks and are open to expanding the types of events we do based on the interest of the group. We are always evolving, just like Grace! If you are interested in helping host/planning an event or want to get involved, reach out to Dre Manoni. We have a Facebook group where we try to keep things updated(ish) when we are doing stuff. You can request to join the group by searching “The -Ish@Grace” on FB. Dre Manoni coordinates this group.
- GAP GROUP - We don’t need babysitters (or we do and get them) and can still drive at night. We gather the 3rd Friday night of each month for food and shenanigans. Sometimes we’re at the home of a member, sometimes we can be found at a local pub or restaurant, but we can always be found laughing and having fun. (What’s in the name? It was the group in the gap between our young adults and seniors…that’s not really true anymore, but the name stuck.) Ray Scott is our coordinator.
- DAYTRIPPERS - We go on field trips during the day. From spider lilies to Hello Dolly to Fort Mill History Museum and more. Watch for the monthly adventure. Annmarie Clark coordinates this group. All are welcome!
- VINTAGE GRACE - This group of Seniors gathers annually for a Christmas lunch and gift swap.
- YOUTH - 6th through 12th graders gather weekly for faith-building, service and fun. More details here.
ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES
If you have trouble hearing the message and other speaking in the sanctuary, please let the people in the sound booth know. We have five assistive listening devices. It is recommended that you bring your own headphones that can be plugged into the device.
PARKING ON SUNDAYS AT GRACE
On Sunday mornings, please reserve all of the parking spots in the circle for those with limited mobility unless you hold the monthly Space of Grace.
NAMETAGS
Please remember to wear your nametags on Sunday mornings. We have had quite a few guests attending worship, so it's helpful if we are wearing our nametags. If you are missing your name tag, let Ami know.
SOFT PLASTIC RECYCLING
Great job on continuing your collections! We have received several benches with half going to the Historic Paradise Foundation. Have you ever wondered where the plastic goes after we collect it? The following 2 videos will provide those answers:
Recycling program
Trex factory
HUG ME DOLLS
Do you know someone who needs a hug? Melissa has been making some hug-me dolls and is ready to make some more. They come in a wide variety, with each one just waiting to be hugged. They are $10 with all proceeds going to Thornwell Home for Children and Teenagers.
INTERFAITH PARTNERSHIP WITH TEMPLE SOLEL
Presbyterian Church & Jewish Temple Partner – Sharing Lessons of Hospitality: CN2 News article