Heart of Grace

The Heart of Grace

One of the first things that people tell me about Grace, whether they are “church shopping” or just dropping in as visitors, is how genuinely friendly we are. This heartfelt friendliness reflects our mission of sharing God’s love. And, as St. John wrote, we love because God first loved us. This love results in action born of a generous heart.

This generosity is so apparent here at Grace, from generous weekly offerings to gifts at special times like Hurricane Ian to the in-kind giving each month for our “Graceful Giving” that benefits our community and world.

As your pastor, I want to share a bit of my story of giving. Earl and I had been married for 39 years before he died in 2014.  In the course of those years we experienced what most of us do in the ordinariness of lives lived. We worked and laughed and loved and raised our family and decorated the Christmas tree and were in church every Sunday. And we gave our offerings regularly. Now, to be honest, Earl was always worried about what was ahead. Would we have enough? What about an unexpected turn of events? We gave regularly but not very generously to be honest.

After Earl’s death, as I am living into this life as a single person, I am drawing on the practice of regular giving that Earl and I established. But also, I am moving from worry to wonder – not worrying about what is ahead but instead wondering about how my stretch in generosity might make a difference. So, over the years, I continued my regular giving but also realized that I can increase that giving as well as make gifts to other projects and agencies that are important to me and to the community. Generous giving has become a source of joy for me knowing that my giving is contributing to the Heart of Grace.

Over recent times, we have seen the reach of our worship grow both onsite and online. Visitors have come to our midst. New members are being received. People are connecting with one another through our Grace Cares program. The homebound are visited. Quilts are stitched, food is collected, fellowship is shared. And these are only the stories of which I know. So much of the love we share with one another happens in the ordinary moments of people reaching out to each other with God’s love.  All of this born of generous hearts touched with the good news of Jesus, good news that changes lives.

Our community of faith is a lean church depending on lots of people participating. As we look at our future, we see that the potential for ministry is great. Potential becomes a reality when people step forward with generous hearts and participate. Thank you for your generous participation. You make a difference. Your gifts make a difference. 

Let us celebrate generosity. It is the way of Jesus who gives life abundantly.

Thank you.

In Christ’s love, 
Pastor Pam