Grace Happenings

GET READY FOR AN AMAZING WORKDAY TOMORROW! Saturday, November 22, 8:00 a.m. – all able-bodied adults and senior high teens are welcome to help at a GBC Grounds Workday ~ for part or all of the day. A chipper/grinder will be used – there is a great deal of brush (some in piles) that must be hauled and run through the chipper. Due to the nature of the work, children are not included in this workday. If you have questions, please contact David Word at 744.0357 or thewords4@mail.com.

TO BRING:

*SAFETY GOGGLES/GLASSES
*EAR PLUGS
*CHAINSAWS
*BRUSH CUTTING TOOLS
*WHEELBARROW
*GLOVES
*WATER
*EXTRA PAIR OF CLEAN SHOES FOR INSIDE THE BUILDING

CUT WOOD AVAILABLE! There is cut wood available on the church property for you to haul away. Thus far, there has been limited response to this offer and we have begun giving it away to neighbors who stop by to inquire. So, if you want cut (but not split) firewood, please bring a truck or trailer tomorrow to haul it away!

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD (OCC) BOXES ARE DUE AT THE CHURCH THIS SUNDAY – NOVEMBER 23: How can you help? Pray that God would bring many children and families to faith in Christ through these gifts. Pack a shoe box with small toys and other gifts. Remember to include $7.00 or more for each box you prepare to help cover shipping and other project costs. Additional information is also available at www.samaritanspurse.org. Following the services this Sunday, the boxes will be taken to the local distribution center for shipment to Charlotte.

THE CHILDREN’S DRAMATIC AND MUSICAL PRESENTATIONS MINISTRY announces their Christmas production entitled "Unshakable, Immovable, Faithful, and True” ~ presented two different evenings, Sunday, December 14, 6:00 p.m. or Monday, December 15 at 7:00 p.m. Due to limited seating, complimentary tickets are required. These tickets are now available from Wendy Routhier. Please see her on Sunday in the foyer (between services) to get your tickets for either Sunday or Monday evening.

NEW DYSON VACUUM CLEANER: Grace has been blessed with the purchase of a new Dyson vacuum cleaner. This machine has operating features that are very different from the basic models we have used in the past. We realize that it may sound astonishing to you … but for the benefit of all “users”, we will have a ten minute demonstration tutorial – in the kitchen – immediately following each morning service this Sunday, November 23. (We have already had to call in an expert for one “repair” already.) This will ensure that we are using the vacuum properly, preventing damage and utilizing all the special cleaning features it offers. If you are interested, and not able to attend this Sunday, please feel free to see Ed or Carol Shimkus or Elaine Mazzo (all experienced Dyson users) for a quick demonstration at some other time.

THANKSGIVING MEAL WITH INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: On Monday, November 24, you have a missions opportunity to serve in ministry to VCU International Students at the annual Thanksgiving Dinner. There are many ways you could be involved: come to chat and share (eat and visit with students); serve; come early to set up; stay late to clean up; donate money; donate food. The dinner will be held at Clark Springs Elementary School, 1101 Dance Street in Richmond, beginning at 5:00 p.m. Volunteers may arrive as early as 4:00 p.m. Reservation sheets for this event will be on the back table on Sunday, or you may contact Shirley Lucas at VCU, 402.3515 or by email at slucas18@comcast.net. GBC Contact: John or Jamie Calabrese 763.2434 or j.calabrese1@verizon.net.

AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE YOUR THANKSGIVING DAY WITH AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT: International students are eager to learn more about our culture, to experience the warmth of a home, and to make American friends. Thanksgiving Day is a wonderful opportunity to reach out to students with hospitality and friendship. If you would be interested in sharing this special American holiday with a VCU International Student, please contact Pam Haney at pohaney@vcu.edu or call 828-8309 – TODAY!

ONLY TWO SUNDAYS REMAIN TO PURCHASE YOUR CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS: The season is rapidly approaching when we particularly celebrate the birth of our Savior, the God-man – Jesus Christ. Our auditorium would look beautiful filled with poinsettias, which have become a symbol associated with the Christmas season. Flowers may be purchased through GBC in memory or honor of a loved one. The list of names will be published in the bulletin once during the month of December. Following the Christmas Eve service on December 24 here at the church, the poinsettias may be taken home by the purchaser. Two sizes of plants will be available - $15.00 or $20.00. Please return the green card (on the back table) with your checks in the offering box (written to GBC, noting “Poinsettia Purchase” on the memo line). If you have any questions, contact Stephanie Pritham at 744.8042. Deadline for purchase is Sunday, November 30.

SUNDAY EVENING LORD’S TABLE SERVICE: During this season when we think especially of being thankful, come to celebrate your thankfulness for the gift of eternal life that God has given us through His Son Jesus. Sunday, November 30, 6:00 p.m., we will have a special service celebrating the Lord’s Table. This is one of two ordinances that Grace observes which the Lord Jesus gave to the local church to symbolize the inward reality of salvation (Acts 2:38-42). The Lord’s Table is the commemoration and proclamation of Christ’s death – until He returns, and should always be preceded by serious self-examination (1 Corinthians 11:28-32). Although the elements of communion are only representative of the flesh and blood of Christ, the Lord’s Table is nevertheless an actual communion with the risen Christ who is fellowshipping with His people (1 Corinthians 10:16). “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” What a wonderful assurance this is of the return of the Lord Jesus!

PIPER-JIMENEZ FELLOWSHIP GROUP: All members of this Fellowship Group are invited to attend an excursion to the Grand Illumination in Williamsburg on Sunday evening, December 7. This outing will serve as the group’s Incarnation Day Fellowship, and will include dinner together afterward. If you are interested in attending, please contact Charles or Julia Piper for all the details at fivepipers@msn.com.

ROUTHIER FELLOWSHIP GROUP: Kevin and Wendy Routhier will host a Christmas Fellowship for this group on Saturday, December 13, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in their home. Children are welcome, and everyone needs to bring a “heavy” hors d’oeuvre and a drink to share. If you plan to attend, please contact Kevin or Wendy at kwrouthier@comcast.net.

GRACE CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTY: In honor of Jesus’ birthday, children of all ages are invited to a Christmas Cookie Decorating Party at the Routhier home on Saturday, December 20, from 9:30 a.m. until noon. This is an “open house” party – come when you can and leave when you must. All cookies and decorating materials are provided – however, an RSVP is requested - to the Routhiers at kwrouthier@comcast.net by December 16.

COLLEGE AND CAREER CHRISTMAS FELLOWSHIP: This event will be held on Sunday evening, December 21 at 6:30 p.m. in the Silva home. Additional details will be forthcoming.

NEWCOMER’S FELLOWSHIP: Are you relatively new to Grace and would like to learn more about this local church? You are invited to attend an informal dessert fellowship with Grace leaders at the home of David and Donna Word on Saturday, January 24 at 7:00 p.m. This is a great opportunity for you to meet people and to ask questions about Grace. Let us know you would like to attend by calling the Church Office at 378.6722 or email to info@gracebiblerichmond.org.

PRESENTATION FROM THE MEXICO CITY TEAM: Those in attendance for the services this past Sunday were blessed and encouraged to hear from Charles Piper, Kevin Routhier, and Gary Swigert concerning their trip to Mexico City . The photos of the Neza Christian Church service in the new building on October 26 reflect how the Lord is blessing this small church. The team also shared that they are trusting God for the provision of the remaining $90,000 payment for the property, which is due on February 1, 2009. If you would like to contribute to this fund through GBC, please note “Neza Church property” on the memo line. The current GBC fund balance is $1,100.

PRAY FERVENTLY FOR THE WETTSTONES: Please pray for: the translation work going on; for the few believers in the area; for a climate in which the Gospel can be spoken and spread; for an end to bombings and a time of peace; for the workers – that we would rejoice as the Spirit wars against our flesh and that we would not be discouraged but open our mouths and speak the great things of God, and that He would protect us until the day He calls us home – that He would allow us to see His [Central Asian] bride.

BIRTHDAYS

JOYFUL AND BLESSED BIRTHDAY GREETINGS TO THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE IN OUR GRACE FAMILY: Lance Higley, David Boyd, Jeff Parrish, Noah Fuller, Carolyn Dowdy, Wesley Anderson, and Kristin Miller. We are thankful to God for each of you!