Little Dresses & Britches Ladies, right now we have more fabric than we can sew! We would love to have your help! We will be sending off the next shipment this FALL. Fall is coming soon and we have lost a good seamstress. It is URGENT! We need you to sew. This project qualifies for Risk-Taking Mission. Pastor Dustin is fully supportive of Little Dresses and Britches, please help us...for info. contact Jean @ 434-1724 UPCOMING CHURCH CALENDAR EVENTS: Monday, October 6 6:30 PM 7:00 PM La Noche AGLOW Young Women’s Bible Study Tuesday, October 7 6:30 PM PEO Chapter AO Ministry Leaders Pastor: Rev. Dustin Wilhite Children: Stacy Sanchez Community Care: Sar ah Cox Youth/Young Adults: Alan McMillen Worship Arts: Holly Boyle Treasurer: Tamar a Valdez Finance/Membership: Ter r i October 5, 2014—October 11, 2014 Koehler Executive Secretary: Pat Lyman Facility Manager: Ralph McGee Lock-Up Custodians: Amelia & Joe Monforti We’re Social WEBSITE: ww.graceumcalamogordo.org Wednesday, October 8 9:30 AM S.P.A (childcare provided) Thursday, October 9 6:30 PM Finance Meeting Friday, October 10 9:00 AM UMW Bazaar Workshop Saturday, October 11 11:30 AM Shared Table Sunday, October 12 5:30 PM 5:45 PM 6:00 PM Women’s Bible Study Focus Team Financial Peace University SUBMIT INFORMATION Deadline is the Monday before the Sunday you wish for information to appear. Send to: [email protected] Like Us on Facebook Grace United Methodist Church www.facebook.com/ graceumcalamogordo Grace United Methodist Youth GUMY www.facebook.com/pages/graceunited-Methodist-youth-groupgumy SPA for Moms www.facebook.com/spaformoms Children of Grace www.facebook.com/ childrenofgraceumc Follow us on Twitter @gracumcalamogo Welcome to Grace United Methodist Church! We are called by Jesus Christ to love each other unconditionally and to support one another on our spiritual journeys. We hope that your experience in worship today is inspirational and uplifting. Join us again as we worship God together. Grace United Methodist Church •1206 Greenwood Lane, Alamogordo, NM 88310-5740 575-437-7640 • www.graceumcalamogordo.org 1 Extravagant Generosity A Message from Pastor Dustin: "Autumn is a second spring, when every leaf is a flower."--Albert Camus When I was a kid growing up on the dusty plains of West Texas, I never thought much about the autumn. There really wasn't much to think about there. Most of our trees were Chinese Elm or Fruitless Mulberries; neither of which are known for their fall color. But then we moved to Kentucky so that I could attend seminary. The first year we were there is when I experienced my first real autumn. The typical fall things happened, cooler nights, shorter days, and harvest decorations emerged on people's porches. But for the first time in my life, I fell in love with autumn. I'll never forget driving to class one morning. The air was crisp and the sun was just peaking over the horizon. As I drove down the street, I noticed something for the first time. Fall color. Shimmering through the leaves of the Red Oak trees was sunlight tinted with rust. I was amazed! So for the next several weeks I paid more attention to the details of the world around me. Myranda and I scheduled a Saturday to take our kids to the Daniel Boone National Forest for a drive through the fall foliage. At each twist and turn and with every rise along the road, we uttered "ooh's" and "aww's." The colors were amazing and beautiful. It was as though every leaf was a flower. Every October, I think back to those fall days in Wilmore. This year, as I've been reflecting, I realize that that's the way people are too. Some of us blend in; we don't stand out. But then one day, when we least expect it, things change. It's through God's grace that the change takes place. As we change, we become what we have been all along. We become what God has always seen in us. We become his glorious creation, radiant, wondrous, and magnificent. So if you get a chance, head up the mountain this fall and take a gander at the fall color. But more importantly, try to see the amazing color inside yourself and in your brothers and sisters. Let's seek to be who God has called us to be. Presence: Gifts: 8:30 AM Worship Service = 171 11:30 AM Worship Service = 95 Total Worship Attendance Service = 266 Sunday school = 120 Budget for 2014 = $633,231.00 Received This Week (9/28) = $6,778.00 Received Month-to-Date = $40,170.81 Received Year to Date = $434,483.77 Sunday School Classes All Classes are held from 9:45 to 10:55 a.m. Adults: ABC Class – Room 9-10 Back to Basics – Room 14 God’s Way Out – (Disciples Hall) DH, Room 108 JOY Class – Room 12-13 Trinity Class – Room 3-4 Women’s Study – Room 11 Young Adult Bible Study DH, Room 205 Youth: Jr. High – DH, Room 206 Sr. High – DH, 209 Children: 2nd & 3rd Grade – DH, Room 106 4th & 5th Grade – DH, Room 105 2 year olds – Room 21 3 & 4 year olds – Room 22 Kinder & 1st Grade – DH, Room 103 Until next time... 2 3 Risk-Taking Mission & Service Brrr...It’s hard to believe, but winter is on the way and GUMC will again be assisting Ruidoso Community UMC in keeping the Tarahumara Indian children warm and cozy. Please begin collecting new and gently-worn children’s coats for the project. Ruidoso’s pick-up date TBA. Thanks! —The Mission Team Five Fruitful Practices We have committed to strengthening our life and mission together through a focus on five specific, Spiritled practices: Radical Hospitality, Passionate Worship, Intentional Faith Development, Risk-Taking Mission & Service and Extravagant Generosity. As we exercise these qualities of Christian life together, we will grow personally and as a congregation in fulfilling the will of God to live lives that are dedicated to Christ and committed to serving God. Passionate Worship OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD — Sunday, October 26, 2014 We need YOUR help! We are holding a children’s PACKING PARTY during Sunday School and we need some items to put in the shoeboxes to bless children this holiday season. Some items that are needed include: boxes of #2 pencils, ink pens, crayons, $1 coloring books, bath soap, toothpaste, soft children’s toothbrushes, girl’s hair brushes and hair pieces, combs for boys, small toys such as balls and cars. We need some shoeboxes! Beautiful music is coming in the Fall to Grace ! We have many special musical events planned leading into the holiday season. Worship Arts Ministries Director, Holly Boyle, has been working hard with these groups to prepare us for meaningful worship experiences in both Sunday services. She is doing a fantastic job leading us in our efforts to make a joyful noise unto the LORD. You can also help with shipping costs—$7 per box! All items must be NEW and can be taken to the 2nd and 3rd grade Sunday School rooms or to Stacy Sanchez’s office prior to October 26th. THANK YOU for all your help! Contact Jan Richardson for more information @ 430-9176 Upcoming Special Musical Events: October 19: —God’s Promise Ringers & Grace Ringers (8:30 pre-service and worship) — By His Grace Trio Radical Hospitality (8:30 Anthem) October 26: How do you practice hospitality? The Pregnancy Help Center of Alamogordo practices hospitality in helping those who are facing the life crisis of unplanned pregnancy. They encourage clients to trust God and make good decisions. Join them in fundraising for this great cause at FUN FOR HOPE on OCT. 8, 2014 from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm at The Flickenger Center (1110 New York Ave.) —Comedian Mike Williams will entertain guests—TICKETS are $10.00 each. Call 437-9800 for more information. We can follow their example of radical hospitality! 6 —Pantastic Praise, Pans of Grace and a NEW (yet unnamed) Steel Drums Group (8:30 pre-service and worship) November 9: —Alamo Grace Community Orchestra (8:30 worship) 3 GRACE UMC Singles Group is meeting! Intentional Faith Development We have developed a thriving singles group at the church! The next meeting will be October 19, 2014 at the CIVIC CENTER on 1st Street. (*CORRECTION—not Oct. 9th*) Silver and Turquoise Tea *Proceeds benefit the Flickinger Center* “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” — Acts 2:42 2:00 to 4:00 PM, Tickets are $10 in advance, call Pat Rosival @ 439-1680.. LIFE AS A DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST: Tickets on the day of the event are $12. By Sandy Carlton CHURCH CONFERENCE Church conference will be held on October 5, 2014 at 12:00 PM in the Sanctuary at Grace UMC.  An additional item will be on the agenda.  All members are encouraged to attend! Do you wonder if you are absolutely hearing the voice of God? On Sunday evenings, we have been studying Discerning the Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer. I desire to know God’s will and direction for my life. T his was my reason for joining this Bible study. In this class, I have learned about practicing the FIVE M’s of correctly hearing God’s voice. Recent prayer requests: 1.) Look for the message of the Spirit. Listen to the Holy Spirit. Don’t just casually ask God for guidance. Consciously turn your attention inward to see if what you are sending carries the weight of God or if it is the unsure, unsteady voice of your own conscience. —Jeannie (granddaughter) of Larry and Ginger Morgan; Praise the Lord, she had a healthy baby boy in North Carolina! —Justin (Candace Reynold’s nephew) was involved in a car accident and has broken bones; pray for healing, wisdom for doctors and safe travel for Justin’s mother. —Eva Morris; she passed away this week, pray for comfort and peace for her family. —Reverend Leonard Gillingham; he passed away this past week, pray for his family and especially his wife, Martha. —Bill McFarland; Praise the Lord, his heart surgery was successful! Thank you for all your prayers.—please pray for his quick recovery. —Ray Von Husen; pray for quick healing of cancer and wisdom for the doctors —pray for peace for him and his wife, Jan. —Ryan McDermott; pray for healing from a life-threatening illness; especially for his kidney function to improve; pray for peace for family members Linda and Jerry McDermott. If you would like to submit a prayer request or join the Prayer Chain to pray for others, please contact Helen Menefee, 437-3350 or [email protected] or Carol Hackett, 437-8700, or [email protected] 4 2.) Live in the mode of prayer. Submit what you hear back to God in prayer. When the issue comes into your mind, don’t spend time worrying; spend time handing the issue over to God. (Oh, duh, why didn’t I think of this?) 3.) Search out the model of Scripture. Does what you think you’re hearing in any way contradict the character of God or the Word of God? 4.) Submit to the ministry of Eli. Seek the counsel of a wise, more mature believer who can discern God’s leading in her own life. (Sometimes I would be afraid to seek advice because I wouldn’t want the situation to be known.) 5.) Expect the mercy of confirmation. Ask the Lord for confirmation. The Lord allows the Holy Spirit to speak to me and verify His message through His written Word, circumstances, or even another person. (Wow!!!!! This one really spoke to me. Why hadn’t I done this???) SPEAK LORD, FOR I AM LISTENING. 5