Week 19

Ø There is a worship service today at Riverview Gardens (King St. W.) at 2:30pm. Please use the side door on Robertson Ave. The family asked to attend is Henry & Sylvia.

Ø There is a worship service on Friday at Eden Villa (190 Stanley Ave.) at 10:30am.

Thought for the week: “If you’re waiting for something to turn up try your sleeves.”

May 6, 2012 – Operation Manna: Operation Manna is a program of Diaconal Ministries. It provides grants, networking and coaching to CRCs across Canada for the development of those ministries in CRC neighbourhoods.

May 13, 2012 – Right to Life: This organization is dedicated to the protection of life from conception until natural death. Education and assistance to women and men who find themselves in an unexpected pregnancy, as part of other pro-life organizations we help mothers have their babies and give them the support they need to make the LiFE affecting decision to either keep their child or find adoptive homes.

A special thank you to all of the people who have volunteered to assist at the 5th annual Community Living Art Show. The art show takes place at the Chatham Public Library during the week of May 7 - May 12.

As a volunteer on Tuesday to Friday, your role consists of: greeting anyone who stops to look at the art pieces, encouraging visitors to sign the guest book and fill out a comment card for the artist and explaining the silent auction (instructions will be in a booklet provided for the volunteers).

Those who volunteered for service on Monday will be helping to set up the pieces and the Saturday volunteers will help serve refreshments and assist with the packing up of the art. We hope you all enjoy your time spent at the library. If you have any further questions, speak to Teresa.

THANK YOU: Thank you to the building committee for all of the hard work they have done over the past year trying to come up with the best solution to meet the needs of the congregation with a facility enhancement plan. Your work is appreciated!

Who We Are

We are called Christian because we confess, belong to, and follow Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.

We are called Reformed because our history is rooted in the 16^th century Protestant Reformation. We continue to affirm the Reformation teachings of salvation by faith in Christ alone, and the Bible as the only rule of faith and conduct.

We are called Church because we are part of the universal family of God, through which our relationships to God, to each other, and the world are nurtured.

MAIL SLOTS: If you have been worshipping with us as a guest and would like to have a mail slot to receive correspondence from our church please phone or send an e-mail to the church office and let us know. We’d love to set that up for you!

GRACE CRC CHURCH PICNIC: Please mark June 3^rd on your calendar for a church picnic here at Grace CRC after the morning worship service. There will be lots of food, fun, and games for all!! More info to follow.

TECHIE PEOPLE NEEDED: We need to replace a couple of members of our audio/visual team and would love to have you join us. Training will be provided. Please contact Jeff for more information. Thank you to Ken, Ray, and Phil who have given a lot of time in this important ministry in our church! We wish you God’s blessings!

NURSERY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Come join this great ministry and spend time with the youngest members of our congregation! We are in need of youth and adult volunteers for both am and pm worship services. This is an easy job to do and it is really appreciated! Talk to Jolene, Natalie, or Christina if you can help us out!

LIBRARY NEWS: “Reclaiming Lily” by Patti Lacy. When an insidious genetic disease strikes her family, Harvard graduate Dr. Kai Chang must alert Lily, the sister she left on orphanage steps years earlier. Will Lily’s adoptive parents stand in her way?

OPEN HOUSE: Georgina & Hank are looking forward to celebrating their 50^th wedding anniversary D.V. You are hereby invited to their ‘Open House’ being held on Saturday May 12^th from 2-4pm at 58 Woodland Ave. We would love to see you there.

Council Report: Last Sunday we drew the names for elders and deacons in the morning worship service. For elder, Frank, Ron, and Bill were selected, for deacon, Jackie and Myrna were selected. We are thankful to all those who let their name stand for elder and deacon and we look forward to the service on the morning of May 27 when we officially welcomed them into the office. May God bless them in their new role in Grace Church and may God bless the out going elders Bill, Greg, and Ray, as well as the outgoing deacons Teresa and Aaron.

New Members/Profession of Faith Class: Interested in learning more about the beliefs and teaching of Grace CRC and the denomination of the Christian Reformed Church? Want to know more about becoming a member of Grace CRC? Are you considering making a public profession of your faith? Pastor William and Pastor Jake invite you to join us for a six week class starting the beginning of June. Together we will explore what it means to be Reformed and why it matters. Please contact Pastor Jake if you are interested in attending.

Back from University or College? Come join the Young Adults group! We are meeting this Tuesday at Pastor Jake's starting at 7:30. All young adults aged 19ish-to-30something are invited to join one of the following discussion groups: Group 1 will be reading The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. Group A will be reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan.

TONIGHT: 7-9pm - Activity and games night at the church. Bring a loonie or toonie for Kimberly.

Youth Unlimited Mission Trip: A spot has opened up for the SERVE trip from July 7-14 in Woodstock. Any student entering gr.9-12 this coming September is can go. Talk to Pastor Jake if you are interested.

Please visit www.gracecrcyouth.com for more info about the following events and Grace CRC's youth ministry.