Volume 3, Issue 2

February, 2013

Pastors Corner
Worth the Wait
I have often found it difficult to wait, to be patient in situations where I have no control. I have allowed frustration and impatience to block me in reaching my objectives and following my plans. In so doing, I have no doubt squandered opportunities to attain a goal and serve others. It has taken me time to see that Gods timing is often much different than mine. As I reflect on Gods faithfulness and perfect wisdom, I am reminded with each step of faith that I can turn my impatience, worries, even my failures over to the Lord. We have this promise from the Prophet Isaiah: Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion Blessed are all who wait for Him I am finding that the more I wait for and depend on the Lord, the easier it is to respond in trying situations with patience and love. Show me your ways O Lord, teach me your paths; Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long
Psalm 25: 4 5

Prayer Concerns
Our Nation, Tammy Baker, Brenda Brown, Jeff Engel, (Bro. Ed & Mrs. Karons son) Mr. & Mrs. Delbert Eubanks, Kaye Fraizer, Frances Green, Gene Halburton (Bro. Eds aunt), L. C. Hatcher, (Bro. Harrells father-in-law) Helen Henderson, Sis Hobby, Janet James, R. D. Jones, (Brenda Howells father) Peggy McLeod, Roscoe McLeod, C. D. Mizell, (Jasons grandfather) Louise Mosley, (Wandas mother) Mack Shaw, Lynda Ubrey, Frances Woodard, unspoken requests, U. S. Military stateside and abroad especially Little Joe Hinton and his family and the family of Nolan Eubanks, (Bro. Eds uncle) and the family of Ray Jones, (Brenda Howells brother)

Gods amazing love will carry you through all things, especially the really hard things in life, giving hope in what lies ahead for believers. We wait in hope for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you. Psalm 33:20-22

Sundays
Worship Service 10:00 am

Grace will house & provide an evening meal to the following groups in March for George County Habitat for Humanitys Collegiate Challenge
Villanova University (20) University of New Hampshire (9) Wesley Foundation from Eastern Illinois (15) Georgia Southern University (25) Olentangy Liberty High School (25)

Wednesdays
Family Meal 6:00 pm Children, Youth, & Adult Bible Study 6:30 pm

Peace and Blessings, Bro. Ed Engel, Jr.

Youth
Children

Opportunities for Worship & Service At Grace

Adults Missions
Wednesday February 13
Bring your favorite Valentine Food/ Treat to share during our Family Meal Time & Invite a friend to Bible Study!

Whats going on in Youth Ministry??

From Dawn Hubbert, Coordinator

Youth Praise Band Practice On Sundays at 4:30 pm at First UMC

Re-cap

Looking ahead Feb. 24 Red Roots in concert (First UMC) April 12 & 13 30 Hour Famine (Grace UMC)

The youth would like to express our sincere thanks first to our Church Family for your prayers and financial support for the 2013 Winter Retreat held on January 1820 in Gulf Shores, AL. Secondly, to our leaders Rev. Mark Barfield and Coordinator, Mrs. Dawn Hubbert, thank you so much for all your hard work and preparation for the retreat. We would also like to thank our wonderful chaperones and cooks, Mrs, Faye Vickers & Mrs. Georgia Woolman from Grace, Mrs. Ashley Lawrence, and Mr. Ray Dees from First UMC and Mrs. Sandra Mathis and the leaders and youth from Winborn Chapel UMC that came down on Saturday and joined us.

After what seemed to be the longest week, I was just ready to spend the weekend drawing closer to God. The entire week I felt like I had just done everything wrong! Nothing was working out the way I thought it should. Our first night of the retreat, Rev. Mark Barfield spoke of Gods plan for our lives. He said even when things are hard remember, God has a plan for our lives. No matter what mistakes you may have made, your future is just a memory to God. He knows everything that is and will become of you. Never second-guess his judgment. Gods Awesome Handiwork! For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future, reads Jeremiah 29:11. It amazes me how God knows exactly how and when to pull on our heartstrings. Because, it seemed as though everything Bro. Mark had to say was precisely what I needed to hear. All the thoughts that had been crowding my brain that week, he touched on and told us just how we could help make our problems better. Of course, we threw in a few fun trips between sessions. I would dare say The Track was the best. I loved seeing Mrs. Faye and Mrs. Sandra riding in the carts together. I could tell they were having just as much fun as we were. It was great! The morning that we left, Mrs. Dawn gave a great devotional. She talked about how if we want clean hearts then we need to fill them with clean and holy stuff. She used the example of a dirty glass. If you have a dirty glass and then wash it with muddy water, would you want to drink out of it? No! You want to use pure water to rinse the glass. Just like with the glass, if we fill our hearts with God then we too will be clean. I thought it was a great example and again it really touched my heart. Overall, I would say the trip was for sure a success! I was able to experience Gods grace every moment. From watching the sunrise to late night sessions, I loved every minute of it! I am so glad that I am blessed with such God fearing people in my life. This Winter Retreat was just what I needed to keep the devil off my back.

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Grace United Methodist Church 33263 Hwy 98 Lucedale, MS 39452

Mailing Address Goes Here

Childrens Bible Study Looking Exploring Gods Word Childrens Bible Study Looking Ahead Unit 3 Gods Family Exploring Gods Word Ahead Unit 3 Gods Family Lesson Title & Theme Adult Bible Study Led by Bro. Ed Engel Feb.06LessonHelps & Theme Jesus Title Me Led by Bro. Ed Engel Wednesday nights Jesus will helpHelps Me ask. Feb.06 Jesus us when we Wednesday nights February 13, is Ash Wednesday Feb.13 Im Loved Jesus will help us when we ask. The Way February 13, is Ash Wednesday Every person is important to God and the beginning of Lent Feb.13 Im Loved Walking inThe Way the Feb.20person is important to God Every Gods Plan to Save Me and the beginning of Lent Footsteps of Jesus in the Walking God loves us soPlan to he wants to Feb.20 Gods much Save Me Youth BibleFootsteps of Study Holy Week March 2430 forgive ourus so much he wants to God loves sin. Jesus Holy Week March 2430 Feb. 27 God Gives Me Courage forgive our sin. Youth Bible God will help when were sad or Feb. 27 God Gives Me Courage Sunday, March 24, Palm Sunday Study discouraged. when were sad or God will help Sunday, March 24, Palm Sunday Prayer discouraged. of Preparation Friday, March 29, Good Friday Lord Jesus, help Preparation the Prayer of me think of all Family Meal Friday, March 29, Good Friday times Jesus, help me think of all the Lord youve helped me when Ive Family Meal needed you. helped me when Ive times youve Help me trust you to Schedule Sunday, March 31 be there you. Help me trust model needed in tough times and you to Schedule Sunday, Sunday31 Easter March that trust for others. Amen. be there in tough times and model Wednesdays Easter Sunday that trust for others. Amen. Wednesdays Jan.30 Georgia Woolman Thank You Jan.30 Georgia Woolman Feb.06 Faye & Gerald We would like to say a big Thank Thank You You to Miss Nacole a big Thank Feb.06 Everyone Faye & Gerald We would like to sayMcLeod and Feb.13 Mrs. Faye Vickers forMcLeod and You to Miss Nacole leading our Feb.13 Everyone (Bring your Valentine childrens class. If youleadinglike Mrs. Faye Vickers for would our Food/Treats Valentine (Bring your to share) to volunteer to If you would like childrens class.assist them with Food/Treats to share) Feb.20 Michele Mizell teaching or maybe helping with to volunteer to assist them Feb.20 Michele Mizell Feb.27 Wanda Childress crafts please let them know. teaching or maybe helping with Feb.27 Wanda Childress crafts please let them know.

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The Heritage The Heritage of Methodism of Methodism Adult Bible Study