Week 39

We welcome you to our worship service! Pastor Jake Snieder will lead us in worship.

This evening: our combined worship service is at 5pm and it will be led by Calvary CRC and located at First CRC.

We are celebrating Lord’s Supper Sunday October 16 in the am worship service.

GRACE CHURCH VISION STATEMENT: As disciples of Christ our purpose is to encourage spiritual growth in ourselves, our family, and our church family so that we will be the presence of Christ to all the world around us in all we say and do.

September 25, 2011 – Safe Church Ministry: Today is abuse Awareness Sunday and all CRC churches have been encouraged to take up an offering for the work of the Safe Church Ministry. Safe Church ministry is responsible for creating awareness of the various forms of abuse, encouraging churches and communities to prevent abuse and to respond justly and effectively following the disclosure of an incident of abuse. They also assist in consultations, training, resource development and policy formation with the safe church teams.

October 2, 2011 - Race Relations: Race Relations is a ministry by which the CRC provides leadership and assistance to the denomination, congregations and church members. They are working to eliminate racism and its effects on the body of believers throughout the world.

Please inform the office or your district elder if there are any announcements or concerns that you would like to go in the bulletin. Please have all bulletin items in by Wednesday 7pm. Office Hrs: Tues –Fri 9am–noon

· Please come Sunday mornings at 9am and join in prayer for our church and community. We meet in Room #2 (in the lower level)

· Join us for prayer following the worship services in the room at the back of the sanctuary. All requests remain confidential.

1. There is a worship service today at Maple City Residence (97 McFarlane) at 2pm.

2. There is a worship service on today at Chatham Retirement Resort at 3pm.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: The next social event for the church will be on Saturday October 15^th! You have received a flyer in your mail slot this morning with all the information. If you need a ride to Wendy’s place please talk to Julie C, Claire P, or Sharon S. Also, if you are interested in roasting marshmallows bring along your roasting stick. Don’t forget to sign up on the table in the narthex so we know how much food to bring!

DISTRICT SOCIALS: Fall programs are well on their way, and now is the time to start our district socials as well. We will begin with a District 1 coffee social during the month of October, and continue numerically through the remaining districts. Plans are being made for district 1 to meet after the October 23 morning service. Save the date. More details to follow.

DISTRICT LISTS: Last week in your mail slot you should have received your district list showing you who is in your district, who your Pastoral Care Worker is, and who your Elder and Deacon are. If you did not receive this sheet please let the church secretary know. As mentioned above, we are starting up the district socials again. The purpose of these as well as the information you received is to bring the people in each district closer together in order to support and encourage each other as a family of God. To be part of a church family is a real blessing. We assist each other, pray for each other, and support and encourage each other. That’s why it is so important to inform your district elder, Pastoral Care Worker, or Pastor if you are ill, or for any reason you would like to have a visit or to talk to someone. Too often we find out after the fact that someone is in the hospital or has returned home from the hospital, or has been struggling with something. As Pastor, Elders, and Pastoral Care Workers we would like to hear from you if we can be of any assistance, as we are here to assist each other and support each other as part of God’s Church. – Jake J, Clerk of Grace CRC

BUDGETS FOR 2012: ATTENTION ALL COMMITTEES AND PROGRAMS: Please put together your budgets for 2012 and submit them to Ron N, Board of Trustees, by October 1^st. These budgets need to be detailed with how the monies are distributed within your budget ie. craft supplies, study material, etc. If you have any questions please talk to Jake J, Clerk of Council, or Ron N, Board of Trustees Chair.

USING YOUR GIFTS IN WORSHIP: We have put a form in your mail slots for you to fill out on how you are able and willing to be involved in worship. There are many things to choose from and this is meant for youth all the way up to our older members to fill out and get involved. Please put the completed forms in the church office. If you need more, there are more on the table in the narthex.

THANK YOU! so much to all those who contributed towards the simulcast event held on Sept 17th! We appreciated so much the generous donations of food, the willing assistance of helpers, the breakfast and lunch committee, the associated sermons, the expertise technical/sound management and the set-up/clean up efforts! Each of you were supportive to the success of this event and we pray that all those who attended were uplifted, challenged and encouraged to "outlive your lives" for the glory and honour of our Lord and Saviour, making a difference for eternity! - The simulcast committee.

PASTOR WILLIAM: will be attending a meeting of the Caribbean and North American Area Churches. He will be representing the Christian Reformed Church as well as participating on behalf of the executive committee of the World Communion of Reformed Churches.

LIBRARY NEWS: “Ransomed Dreams” by Sally John is a completely different book from her usual writings. This is a wonderful story that delivers an intense and emotionally satisfying reminder that our lives can change in a heartbeat.

SMALL GROUP STUDIES: What can Small Groups do for you? Small Group studies are very good at building relationships, providing a context for in depth learning, and, most importantly, serving as a catalyst for encouraging spiritual growth and transformation. Consider joining one for this Church season. For more information, contact Randy Grace CRC Small Group coordinator.

Day of Encouragement - This annual conference will be held on Oct.15 at Hamilton District Christian Highschool. This is a great conference with many workshop sessions to choose from. Everyone who attends agrees that it is an excellent day! We often have a group going from Grace CRC and so carpooling will work. Registration is paid by the diaconate. For further details see www.diaconalministries.com or contact Doug Wiersma 351-0062. Contact Doug to register no later than Sunday, Oct.2nd.

FLOWER MINISTRY: The Flower Ministry is beginning again after Thanksgiving Day. We are asking for people to donate a bouquet of flowers each week (only one vase) and they will be placed on the organ. Following the worship service this bouquet of flowers will be taken, by our elders & pastoral care workers, to someone in the congregation who is house bound, sick, or dealing with difficult circumstances. If you would like to participate in this ministry, please sign up in the narthex to donate a bouquet of flowers for a specific Sunday. Your job in this would be to purchase the flowers with a vase (there are extras in the Council room) and place them on the organ before church that Sunday morning.

FOOD DONATIONS NEEDED: It is important to give food to the poor in our community not only on special holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, but throughout the year. We would like to encourage each of you to bring non-perishable food items to the church each month. There is a bin underneath the mail slots that we would like to fill up each month and bring to one of the local food banks: Salvation Army, Outreach for Hunger, and Praise Fellowship. Please help us by bringing non-perishable food items to the church this upcoming Sunday. Let’s make a difference in the lives of those around us!

REMINDER: Next Sunday is the 1^st Sunday of the month – do you know what this means? You’re right – CADET POP CAN FUNDRAISER SUNDAY. Please bring your pop cans to the church Sunday morning and we will have Cadets on hand to help you.

REMINDER TO ALL COMMITTEE HEADS: Please send Doug Wiersma an electronic copy of your 2011-2012 objectives. They reviewed a number of them at their meeting in June, but he doesn't have a copy of very many of them. If you could please send them to him this week, that would be appreciated. If that doesn’t work please let Doug know. He currently has Education, Prayer, CoffeeBreak, and Worship.

Missions Trip Fundraiser - Needing help with fall clean-up such as raking leaves or yard work, or organizing your garage, or for housework or odd jobs around the house??? Jessica W is looking to raise funds to go on a missions trip to Haiti in November 2011. She is travelling with a group affiliated with “Awake in Haiti” where she will be helping with medical work and setting up a clinic in a tent city. So, if you have any odd jobs that you would like Jessica to do for you, she will be glad to accept donations in return for the jobs done. Jessica will be available to work on the following dates: Friday Oct 21^st, Saturday Oct. 22nd, and Saturday Oct 29^th. To arrange a time for her to come and work for you please contact Trish W or email her. Thanks for your support!!

CHURCH SCHOOL: Church School classes for all students in grades 6-12 begin this morning with an introduction to teachers, classrooms, and curriculum. If you missed Church School this morning join us next week Sunday at 9am. Contact Roseanne Baker or Pastor Jake for more information.

TUESDAY NIGHT: All young adults aged 18 to 30something are invited to join us this Tuesday night at the home of the Snieder's (4 Kirkcaldy Pl). We will be continue our study of the Alpha Course. Alpha is an opportunity to explore the meaning of life in a relaxed, friendly setting. For more information please contact Pastor Jake.

SEPTEMBER 25 FROM 7-9PM: If you are in high school this one’s for you! The goal of Youth Group is to encourage, empower and equip the youth not only to desire a relationship with Christ but to live in a relationship with Christ. This is done through fellowship, worship, discipleship, ministry, and evangelism with activities and events such as All Ontario Youth Convention, Mission Trips, Ski weekend, hiking, Bible studies, game nights and youth services! The new Youth Group year begins TONIGHT!, from 7-9pm at the church. We will begin our meeting in the sanctuary with a welcome and devotion time, followed by a short information session about what you can expect at Youth Group this year. We will then spend the rest of the night playing some group building and get-to-know you games.

YOUTH SERVICE IN AYLMER: Aylmer CRC will be hosting a Youth Service on Sunday, October 2 at 5:00pm. The speaker will be Derrick Drover, a speaker, musician, and singer/songwriter. Born and raised in Newfoundland, Derrick has a unique blend of provoking thought and humour as he challenges young and old alike in their walk with God. His message will be based on the story of “Doubting Thomas”. Come, worship with the whole family, and then join us for soup and buns in the school gym afterwards.

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 30: We kick off our new season of the Junior Youth ministry on Friday, Sept 30 from 7:30-9pm at the church. We will begin our evening with some outdoor games in front of the church. I need three parent/adult volunteers for the evening. Please contact Pastor Jake if you can help.