Greetings, friends.
“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time.” – John Lubbock
We hope you are taking some time to rest and enjoy this summer weather at the beach, the mountains, or even in your own back yard!
Here is a fun way to enjoy a summer afternoon next month. Acts of Kindness Scavenger Hunt. You as individuals, family, small group or groups of friends are invited to work independently or form teams to participate. There are “bingo” cards with suggestions of acts of kindness in the welcome Center. On Sunday, July 10th we will begin by honor system at 1pm to try to get “bingo” on the cards. At 6:30 there will be a Pizza celebration in the Fellowship Hall. There will be small prizes for those who get bingo and grand prizes for those who fill the card. Please pick up your cards and form your teams today. Register your teams beginning next week in the welcome center. There are also green postcards to leave wherever you perform an act of kindness.
This Sunday, Pastor Bill begins a new sermon series entitled WAIT! Is that really in the Bible?
The series begins with Cleanliness is Next to Godliness. The scripture lesson is from Matthew 23:25-26. Special music at the 9 AM traditional service will be by soloist, Tim Sexton and pianist, Scott Cramer.
There will be a special Charge Conference to vote on Bob Penrose’s candidacy for ministry at 10 AM this Sunday in Fellowship Hall. Official membership is required to vote at any charge conference.
This Sunday afternoon, the Grace Church Praise Band will play at the Floodway Park in Homer City at 1:00. Take your lawn chair or blanket and join friends and neighbors for an afternoon of great music.
Grace Youth will meet on Sunday at 6:30 PM in the Growth Center.
Family Promise
We are once again providing the dinner meals for two families that are currently in the Family Promise program. Our church is scheduled to provide meals from Sunday, June 26th through Saturday, July 9th. The meals will need to be delivered to the Family Promise house. If you are willing to prepare a meal and deliver it, please go to the website: TakeThemAMeal.com and under the area of “Let’s Find a Meal Schedule” type in family promise with the password 812 to sign up. There are currently two families. A mom with two daughters, ages three and eighteen and a mom, dad, three-year-old and a baby. They do not have any food allergies nor are they picky eaters. If you would like to help out, but do not have time to cook, you could also order something and have it delivered. Volunteers are invited to eat with the families if you are comfortable, but it is not necessary.
You may deliver meals by 5:00 pm. to the Family Promise House, 812 Marion Road, Indiana, PA. Please park at the small lot off of Marion Road between the side door with the ramp and the dumpster. Ring the bell at the door and someone will be there to collect the meal. Include any cooking or reheating instructions with your meal.
If you would like to provide a meal but have any questions or cannot access the TakeThemAMeal.com website please call Arlene Miller (724-388-6656) or Beth Fabin (724-388-8871).
Thank you so much for considering helping Family Promise and these families in need. Family Promise is an organization that helps families regain housing, independence and dignity. For more information about Family Promise go to familypromiseofindianacounty.com.
Grace Church’s annual Courtyard Carnival will be held Saturday, July 16, from 11 AM to 1 PM in the church’s courtyard. Everyone is welcome to enjoy carnival games, a dunk tank, an inflatable slide and carnival-type food, like pizza, popcorn, snow cones and soft pretzels. Admission is free. Game and food costs range from 25¢ to $1. Bring the whole family and join the fun. This is one of the happiest days of summer for many kids! Don’t miss it!
It is CHUCH CAMP time! It is a well-established fact that more children and youth accept Jesus at church camp than at any other place. Our Methodist Church Camp programs are centered around the ministry of Jesus Christ, and the mission of Christianity. Camp goals are to create a welcoming environment that is an echo of the embrace that we receive from Jesus.
Summer Camp is a place for kids to find themselves, meet new friends, and above all connect with God. With programs like adventure, sports, fine arts, special interest camps, little camps for our junior campers, family camps, and exceptional persons camp, our camps have something for everyone!
Grace Church offers camperships to the children associated with our church. We will pay up to 2/3 of the cost of a week at one of our camps. Please contact Doris at the church office for campership information.
CHURCH DIRECTORIES: The corrected and reprinted directories have been delivered to the church office. Jeannette and Doris will be in the Welcome Center between services this Sunday to distribute the directories. IF YOU ALREADY PICKED UP YOUR DIRECTORY, but have found it was assembled incorrectly, you may return it to us for a corrected directory.
John and Lisa Price are interested in hosting a
six-week adult community group for those who are interested. It would be held at their camp in Penn Run. The address is 1532 Highway 259, Penn Run PA. The study would be on Proverbs (because we can always use wisdom). When weather permits, classes will be held outside, and if the weather is bad, we will open the doors and windows for those concerned with Covid-19. There is a small run that flows through the property most the year, so kids will get wet and dirty while having fun! We can build a campfire or go hiking or just explore the woods. If interested, please email or call Bob Penrose at
layleader9am@indianagrace.org or 724-840-2460.
Thank you for participating in the Baby Bottle Campaign. If you haven’t yet returned your baby bottle, it may be dropped of at the church office. Lifeway Pregnancy Center will gather the filled bottles next week.
Grace church is sponsoring a Red Cross Blood Drive on July 14th. As reported on he American Red Cross says it is need of help as blood supplies dwindle in the dry summer months.
The Red Cross says they have noted a decline in blood donations, which is not unusual in the summer, but this year, according to Karen Sistek, they are experiencing more appointment no-shows and lower overall number of donors scheduling.
Please schedule your appointment to donate now. Sign up early to secure your appointment on the schedule. Visit the Red Cross website at redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS. If you have problems signing up to donate, you may call Jeannette at the church office.
Grace Kids have some exciting events planned for the summer: Pre-School through Kindergarten Story Time continues each Thursday morning from 10 – 11 AM. Call Marty Christian to register your little one!
Grace Church Praise Band will play on the main stage at Mack Park for the July 4th Star Spangled Celebration at 7:30 PM.
GRACE KIDS VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL – For ages pre-K through 5th Grade (completed)
Kids will learn the beautiful truth! Spark Imagination and kick creativity into high gear at Spark Studios. This summer, kids will learn that God’s creativity didn’t stop in Genesis. The Master Artist is working to redeem, reclaim and transform us–His creations–to the design he planned for us. Kids will see the beautiful truth that they are God’s workmanship as they learn to use their talents to bring glory to Him. Help kids take up the gauntlet this summer and accept the challenge to “armor up” and be strong by remaining with God. ADULT AND TEEN VOLUNTEERS are needed!! Register online for both students and workers at indianagrace.org.
ATTENTION SENIORS ADULTS: July 1st is the deadline to sign up for the Thursday, July 21 trip to Keystone Safari in Grove City where you can walk or drive through this 144-acre interactive animal & adventure park located in Grove City. Pet and feed some of the world’s most beautiful and exotic species. Cost is $25 (lunch on your own), includes admission and transportation. Please write Safari on the memo line of your check.
Sunday, August 21 Altoona Curve baseball Faith & Family Night (AN ALL-CHURCH EVENT)
Cost is $10 per ticket (drive on your own) or $20 for Senior Adults needing transportation. Please write Curve Game on the memo line of your check. Those seniors who require transportation may park in the lot behind the church. We will depart at 3 pm, stop at a restaurant (self-pay) and arrive at the ballpark for the 6 pm game. Seating is limited, so sign up early! Payment is required in advance to secure your ticket(s).
Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad trip on Thursday, October 6. The cost, including transportation is approximately $26 plus your dinner(self-pay). Take your own bagged lunch and drink.
