November 2014

Volume 16 Issue 10

Glimpses of Grace
at
Grace United Methodist Church


Grace UMC
2113 Old Monrovia Road
Huntsville, AL 35806
(256) 430-0003
www.graceumchsv.org



Sunday Services

Contemporary
Worship
9:00 am

Sunday School
10:05 am

Traditional Worship
11:00 am







Grace Staff

Senior Pastor
Bryan Sisson


Associate Pastor
Todd Noren-Hentz


Director of Youth
Ministries
Adam McNeil


Office Administrator
Vicki Sheehy


Music Director
Gianna Gimenez


Praise & Worship Leader
Doug Wright


Accompanist
Curtis Lindsay


Facilities Manager
Ben Allen


Nursery Coordinator
Kalyn Polatty



Serving Thankfully
A grateful heart overflows in order to serve and give!
Salvation Army Angel TreeAdopt an angel to make Christmas
gifts possible for children in need. Well have 45 Angels available for
adoption beginning November 9, and gifts will need to be received by
December 7. Contact Jeana Kowerduck for more information at
jeana@hiwaay.net or (256) 651-0031.
Operation Christmas ChildThis worthwhile project brings the
love of Christ to children all around the world in their own languages.
What a great way to spread the word of God! All of the instructions
and materials needed are on the Operation Christmas Child table
outside the Sanctuary, so please prayerfully consider participating this
year! The deadline to turn in filled boxes is November 16.
Costa Rica Poinsettia FundraiserHelp beautify our Sanctuary
with poinsettias for Advent while also supporting our mission trip to
Costa Rica in 2015. The cost is $15. See the display table beginning
November 16 to place your order. Final orders are due on Sunday,
December 7. You may take your poinsettias home after the
Christmas Eve services.
CASA TEMP$ WorkdayOur annual day to assist the elderly in
our community with winterizing homes is scheduled for Saturday,
November 1, at 8:30 am. Please join us! Lunch will be provided for
the workers at the church at noon. Contact Don Love for more
information at melissa1@hiwaay.net or (256) 859-1389.
2



Pastors Ponderings

37 Then the righteous will answer him, "Lord, when was it that we saw
you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to
drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed
you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw
you sick or in prison and visited you?' 40 And the king will answer
them, "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who
are members of my family, you did it to me.' Luke 25:37-40, NRSV

Just recently I was with a group of pastors for a continuing
education event, and our facilitator shared an interesting
storyA friend had shared with him how he and several
from his church had travelled to Calcutta, India to work with
the Missionaries of Charity, the Roman Catholic Latin Rite
religious congregation established by Mother Teresa in 1950.
Their main goal was to work in the soup kitchen and care for
the extreme poor and physically challenged in the area. One
morning one of the sisters came running in and exclaiming to
their group, Jesus needs you! Jesus needs you! And when their
group made their way outside, they found a paralyzed man
outside the back door - he was hungry and covered in his own
excrement. When asked what they could do to help, the sister
said that he needed to be fed, but the most pressing need was
for him to be bathed. One of the group members would
need to help him clean up. Our speaker said that the people
in his friends group let out a collective gasp, EEEWWW
We cant do that. The thought of bathing the invalid, of
cleaning him and washing away his own waste was too much
for many of them to handle. But finally a plumber from their
group stepped forward and said, I can do it. I deal with this all
the time! Jesus needs you, Jesus needs youHow will
you respond?

I am moved by Jesus words here in Matthews Gospel
writings. He shares with his listeners about the final judgment
that will be upon faithful disciples, whether or not they
reached out to others with the loving hope and grace of
God. He offers this image of separating the faithful and
obedient from the unfaithful and pretending - the goats from
the sheep as a result of their actions. And the root of the
challenge is the demonstrating of faith - that word lines up
with action, that how they respond to everyday needs of
brothers and sisters lines up with Gods call to care for and
love brothers and sisters around us. Feed the hungry, take
care of the sick and imprisoned, provide a home for the
homeless and clothing for the poor these are all Jesus
challenge to put faith into action. Like how the sister of the
Missionaries of Charity cried out, Jesus needs you! Jesus needs
you, the reminder is that Jesus needs and calls US to be his
heart of compassion and grace in the world. We, too, being
challenged to live our love of God by putting it into action
among those around us. Faith-filled devotion IN
ACTION

I am so blessed to serve and be in ministry among so many
who take this devotion to heart, who seek to live out their
faith in very tangible ways. There are Grace volunteers who
build ramps for those in wheelchairs who need assistance in
getting into their own homesthere are members who
provide bags of food for children weekly, those whos options
over the weekend when away from school are limitedthere
are those who collect and distribute food, who give money to
the Love Bowl Fund to assist those within our community who
have need for financial assistance, who reach out and care for
the homebound. Grace is FULL of servants who live out
their thankfulness to God through action

During the month of November we have opportunity to
continue living as Christ for those around us by expressing
thankfulness. Consider being a volunteer for the CASA Work
Temp$ day on Saturday, November 1
st
. So many elderly in
our own community need help with weatherizing their homes
in preparation for the winter. What a powerful and
meaningful way to serveIf you havent had a chance to pick
up a box for Operation Christmas Child, I encourage you to
do so. What an easy opportunity filling up a box with toys
and special items to share the love of Christ with children in
need around the world. And bring the boxes back to the
church for worship on November 16
th
so that we can dedicate
and pray over them before theyre shipped offConsider
picking an angel from the Angel Tree this year. Each of those
represents a special child for whom we can share the spirit of
Christmas. Those gifts are due back to the church by
December 7
th
so they can be delivered in a timely manner.
Opportunities to serve and be Gods heart for others are all
around us find ONE WAY to respond to Gods call to love
through acts of service.

I look forward to sharing this season of thankfulness with all
of you. What better way to express our thankfulness and love
than through service. Jesus needs usLets serve together!

See you in worship!
- Pastor Bryan


New Sermon Series for November
Pastor Bryan and Pastor Todd will be beginning a new four-
week sermon series Sunday, November 2, entitled The
Psalms of Our Lives. Each week we will explore a different
genre of the Psalmists writings to claim the richness of
strength and comfort found within these writings. Come and
be a part of worship as we rest in the comfort of Gods Word!
3


Happenings At Grace
Daylight Savings Time Ends
Dont forget to turn your clocks BACK one hour
on Saturday, November 1, so that you will be on
time for worship on Sunday, November 2!

Lions Gate Homeschool Recognition
Did you know that 224 students - from Kindergarten to 12
th
Graders -
meet at Grace UMC each week with the Lions Gate Homeschool
Co-Op! And did you know that 37 teachers teach them wonderful classes
within the wall of Grace?! On Sunday, November 9, we want to
celebrate that outreach and offer thanks for all the families
represented by these special students. We have invited all of
these Lions Gate families to worship with us that day, and at
both services we will take time to recognize them. Please
mark your calendars and plan on being intentional about
welcoming all of our special visitors!

2015 Ministry Team Sign-Ups
Please prayerfully consider where God might be leading you to
be in service and ministry in 2015. Ministry Team Sign-Up
sheets are in the hallway outside the Sanctuary, and all are
invited to sign up. There are also sheets on the table
describing the responsibilities of each Ministry Team, so read
over and decide where you want to serve. We Need YOU to
be a part so we can faithfully serve our community in 2015!

Stewardship 2015:
Jesus Teachings: Parables for LIFE Stewardship
If you havent yet turned in your Estimate of Giving cards or
Opportunities for Ministry worksheets for 2015 PLEASE DO SO!
Extra cards/sheets are available on the table outside the
Sanctuary and can be placed in the weekly offering or turned
in to the church office. Our 2015 ministries are dependent
upon our giving, so please prayerfully consider offering your
gifts to God!


Joining the Church
Are you interested in joining Grace and becoming an official member?
Its an EASY process! You can join in church at the end of a
Sunday morning service by coming down forward to answer
the question of membership OR you can do it more privately
by meeting with Pastor Bryan or Pastor Todd. We want YOU
to be a part if you are not already, so please let us know how
we can help you with the process! Email Pastor Bryan at
bryansisson@graceumchsv.org for more information.

Bill Pay Giving
Have you ever considered making your weekly gift to Grace
UMC by bill pay?! Consider this easy option for giving, and
talk to your bank provider for options!


Upcoming 2015 Budget Reconciliation Meeting
All 2014 Ministry Team Leaders, Church Council Members,
and Finance Team Members are asked to attend the all-
important Budget Reconciliation meeting scheduled for
Thursday, November 13, at 6:00 pm at the church. We
need all hands on deck to help prepare the budget for 2015.
Please make every effort to attend. There will be childcare.


Church Council Meeting
The next Church Council Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday,
November 18, at 6:30 pm. All Ministry Team leaders and
members of the Council are reminded to be present. This is
an important meeting! The Pastors Compensation packages
plus 2015 Church Leaders will be voted on, so please make
sure that you are in attendance! Childcare will be provided.



Hanging of the Greens and
Chili Cook-Off
Every year we get together to enjoy a great
night of food and fellowship as we beautify our
church to celebrate the birth of Christ! There is
much to decorate, and we could really use the help. This year
the fun will take place on Sunday, November 23. We will
begin decorating at 4:00 pm. Then at 5:30 pm we will have
our Annual Chili Cook-Off.

Annual GUMC Chili Cook-Off
Its that time of year to start preparing your favorite chili
recipe for the annual GUMC Chili Cook-Off right after the
Hanging of the Greens at 5:30 pm on November 23. We
need everyone to join in and help decorate the Church for the
festive Christmas Season at 4:00 pm and bring your favorite
pot of chili and a dessert to share. It can be any type of chili
you like! The Food and Fellowship Team will provide drinks
and accompanying condiments. Along with winning the right
to hold onto the coveted GUMC Chili Cook-Off trophy, there
will be prizes for 1
st
, 2
nd
, and 3
rd
place winners. So, come on
out and help wrestle the trophy away for last years winner!
Hope to see you all there! This event is always lots of fun!
Dont miss it!

Upcoming Charge Conference
Please note that our Charge Conference with District
Superintendent, Dale Cohen, is scheduled for Monday,
November 24, at 6:30 pm in the Sanctuary. This is a
celebration of all that has been accomplished in ministry by
the church in the past year, and ALL MEMBERS are invited
to come and be a part of the reporting. It is important that we
have a good representation from our church present, so
PLEASE mark your calendars and make every effort to attend!

4


Family Life Ministry News

Church Retreat
Join us for the 50
th
Annual Church-Wide Retreat. To get us
back on a fall cycle and encourage wide participation, this
years retreat will be a one day retreat on Saturday,
November 15. Well ride a charter bus from Grace to Camp
Sumatanga and spend the day breathing deeply together as we
relax, worship, and play. The deadline to register and pay is
Sunday, November 2, but space on the bus is limited to the
first 56 people. Well meet at the church at 7:30 am and
return by 8:00 pm Saturday night. To learn more, view the
schedule and pricing, and download the registration form
please visit: http://www.graceumchsv.org/retreat.


Men of Grace
Each week at 11:30 am various men from Grace UMC and
their friends gather for lunch at a local restaurant to talk about
life, faith, and our church. We rotate to a different day of the
week each month. In November, we will meet on
Tuesdays. To receive information about upcoming lunch
gatherings, you may sign up for our email list at: http://
graceumchsv.org/mailman/listinfo/mog_graceumchsv.org,
join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/
groups/Men.Of.Grace.Lunch.Fellowships, or talk to Buddy
McMullin at (256) 683-4164 or buddymcmullin@gmail.com.


Pick-up Basketball
We have Pick-up Basketball every Wednesday
evening at 7:30 pm in the gym. Interested in staying
informed about Pick-up Basketball? Ask Pastor Todd
to put you on the email list! We also have a
Facebook and Twitter for basketball if youd like
to keep up that way.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GraceUMCBB
Twitter: @GraceUMCBB


Grace Family Fun Fly
Sunday, November 2, from 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Come fly with us or watch the flying in the gym any time
during this event. This is our next to the last scheduled Grace
Family Fun Fly. Next month Fun Fly will be on December 7.
For more information, contact Jim Marconnet at (256) 772-
3946 or jmarconnet@gmail.com.








Parents Night Out
PNO is for infants and children up to 5
th
Grade and is
conducted on select Friday evenings. PNO is a drop-in type
program and is open for participating parents and children
between 5:00 and 10:00 pm. PNO relies upon adult
volunteers, paid nursery staff, and youth helpers. We hope you
will invite your friends, neighbors, and co-workers to be a part
of this program.
The next PNO is Friday, December 5, from 5:00 - 10:00 pm
and costs $10 per child, with a $20 family maximum. Children
5 and under are asked to be picked up by 9:00 pm. You can
register online at www.graceumchsv.org/pno.





Offerings from The Vine Pastoral Counseling Center:
Service of Worship and Healing
November 4, and December 9
12:00 - 12:45 pm at the Gideon Blackburn House of 1
st

Presbyterian Church
Emotional Health for Teens
November 2 from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
First Baptist Church in Huntsville
Free pizza for youth of Grace UMC (a supporting church)
Marriage Ministry
God has created marriage to bring much satisfaction and pleasure.
The relationship is intended to bring healing and fulfillment to
both people. It is intended as a basic building block of theBody
of Christ where the fruits of the Spirit are manifest and multiplied.
Unfortunately, we live in a country with a divorce rate of 70%.
The marriage relationship can also be the greatest source of pain
and destruction. Because the marital covenant is so important,
The Vine offers our Marriage Ministry.

Premarital Counseling: 4-6 sessions using Prepare and Enrich

Marriage Intervention: 8 sessions in an educational format with a
workbook to learn skills in the most threatening areas to marital
satisfaction.

Marriage Checkup: 2 sessions to determine the health of your
marriage, identify areas of conflict and consider how the spiritual
dimension of the relationship brings fulfillment.

As a supporting member church, all are free to Grace UMC
members (except for testing and workbook materials) for as long
as initial funding lasts. Sessions are $50 each afterwards. For
more info, call The Vine at (256) 270-7399 or go to vinepcc.com.
5


Missions

Missions That We Regularly Support
with Donations:

Huntsville Assistance Program Food donations
Blount Hospitality House Personal-sized toiletry items
Redbird Community Soup barcodes from Campbells
Labels for Education
Ronald McDonald House Pop tabs from soda cans
New Futures Homeless Shelter Monetary donations


Volunteer Your Time with
These Important Ministries:

Salvation Army Soup Kitchen Make sandwiches at Grace at
8:30 am on Mondays, November 10 & 24.
Contact: Imogene Johns, (256) 837-0324
Meals-on-Wheels Meet at the Huntsville Senior Center on
Drake at 10:15 am on Friday, November 21
to serve meals to the homebound.
Contact: Donna Evans, (256) 420-6401
Wheelchair Ramp Installation Meet at the church at
8:30 am on Saturday, November 8.
Contact: Chuck Evans, (256) 527-2413


Huntsville Assistance Program Needs
HAP is in need of donations to help those without enough
food in our area. In an attempt to bring awareness and
reminders to everyone, we highlight the most needed items in
the newsletter each month. For November we are
requesting canned meats. Please bring your non-expired,
non-perishable food items to the Food Pantry in Fellowship
Hall #3. HAP is always in need of basic food items. We ask
for additional non-food items because individuals can not use
Food Stamps to purchase any paper products or soap
products.


Upcoming Food Pantry Changes
Through the remainder of 2014, Grace will continue to
support the Huntsville Assistance Program. Beginning in
January of 2015, due to our increasing involvement, we're
going to focus our support on Manna House. Manna House
is an organization that ministers to the needs of the homeless
of Huntsville. Grace has been increasing our support of
Manna House through Outdoor Church and food and
clothing donations over the past few years. So that our
actions can have the most impact, any canned food, pet food,
or clothing donations made in 2015 will go directly to Manna
House. Please contact Brian Mitchell if you have any
questions or would like to help out.

Meals to Grow - Backpack Food Program
Our community has a great number of children who
dont get enough to eat at home. During the school
year, the free lunch program helps provide for these
children during the week, but the weekend can seem
very long when you are hungry. The Meals to Grow program
(www.mealstogrow.org) was started to address this problem.
Every Friday, bags of food are placed inside the backpacks of
children at high risk of hunger during the weekend.

Currently, Grace UMC is generously serving children next
door at Providence Elementary School and students at
Montview Elementary School. Its humbling to see the
gratitude of the children, teachers, principals, and staff at each
of the schools. The childrens eyes grow wide with delight
when they see us bringing in food. The team of people
working at the school, who know the needs better than
anyone, thank us endlessly.

If you are called to serve in this ministry, there are many ways
to help. We always need food, monetary donations, and
prayer. We need help packing bags, too. Contact Rachael
Benton at engineermom@gmail.com for more details.

We pack on the 3
rd
Monday of every month at 6:00 pm. The
next packing is scheduled for Monday, November 17.
The following items are needed for each bag:
1 Pop-top can of soup with meat (such as Progresso,
Chunky, etc.)
1 Pop-top canned meal (such as Chef Boyardee Ravioli,
etc.)
1 Fruit cup or pop-top can of fruit
2 Packages of peanut butter crackers or cheese crackers
2 Individual sized boxes of cereal or 2 cereal bars (or
breakfast product)
4 Healty snacks (such as granola bars, Cheez-Its, packages
of crackers, fruit snacks, Rice Krispie Treats, raisins, Sun
Chips, etc.
1 Shelf-stable milk in juice-box size (such as Yoohoo! Or
Hersheys, etc.)

The Church Office will be
closed Wednesday & Thursday
November 26 & 27
for the Thanksgiving Holiday.
6


Join the Fun at Grace

Literary Ladies
All women of the church are invited to join
the Literary Ladies in their monthly discussion
of a book. They meet the third Monday of each month at
10:00 am. Nursery care can be made available if needed. For
more information, contact Callie Vincent at (256) 539-9870 or
caldon@knology.net.
Our upcoming books are:
November 17: All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony
Doerr
A blind French girl and a German boy in
occupied France during WWII
December 15: No Book - Christmas Luncheon
January 19: The Traitors Wife by Allison Pataki
The woman behind Benedict Arnold and
the plan to betray America
February 16: Killing Kennedy: The End of Camalot by Bill
ORiley
Narration of the events leading up to the
assignation of President Kennedy as well
as the events aftermaths


GraceFull Players/GraceFull Players Dancers
Luncheon on Sunday, November 9
Our next GraceFull Players/Dancers luncheon will be on
Sunday, November 9, after the second service at 12:00 pm.
Please plan to join us and bring a covered-dish for lunch,
fellowship and planning. Discover the wonderful ways you
can give and receive through our ministry of sacred dance and
drama. We would love to see some new faces involved! For
more information, contact either Shannon Rosenthal at
serosenthal@knology.net or (256) 895-0253, or Susan Allen at
(256) 895-9191 or SRAtapping@bellsouth.net.


Scrapbook/Craft Night
The Scrapping/Crafters will meet at the church on Friday,
November 7, from 5:00 - 11:00 pm. We would love to see
you there. Its always a good time of food and fellowship. You
can come for the entire time or for only part of the time.
Please join us and bring a snack and beverage to share. Feel free
to bring a friend or two or three, and enjoy this time together.
For more information, contact Susan Brown at (256) 722-3898
or scrappingsusan@gmail.com.

Advent Devotion Guide
Our Advent Devotion Guide is back by popular
demand. We are hoping you might feel led to
write a devotion based on a short piece of
Scripture through which you can share an experience, a
reflection, questions, or more that will help us all wait for the
coming of the Lord. We also need a few photographers who
have some archives we could use to help bring our guide to
life with photos. Devotions are due by Sunday, November 16.
They should be 400 words or less. If youd like to participate,
email Pastor Todd at toddnorenhentz@graceumchsv.org and
hell assign you a Scripture or sign up in the hallway for a
Scripture of your choice.


Fun Timers Upcoming Meeting
*Please Note the Date Change
On Monday, November 3, we will be traveling to the
Limestone County Event Center to view the Smithsonian
Museum exhibit entitled The Way We Worked. It shows how
work has changed and how jobs have changed due to
technology. For example, ice house jobs are gone due to
having refrigerators. Many of us will remember reading about
or using some of these items from our childhood. The exhibit
leaves Athens on November 8 which is what facilitated the
date change.
Afterwards, we will visit the Alabama Veterans Museum and
Archives which is located next door to the Limestone County
Event Center and shares a parking lot. We will decide on a
place for lunch when we get to Athens.
Anyone is invited to join us on this outing! We will meet at
the church at 9:15 am in order to be at the Limestone County
Event Center at 10:00 am. It is located at 114 W. Pryor Street
in Athens.


Grace United Methodist Women
Friendship Circle News
The Grace United Methodist Women will have their
November meeting on Thursday, November 20, at 12:00
pm. All are invited to bring a sack lunch and join us! A
dessert will be furnished. For further information, contact
Betty Lawson at (256) 837-2824.


Newsletter Deadline/No January Newsletter
Preparing for the many activities that surround the Christmas
season is a very busy time in the church office. Because of
this, the next issue of the newsletter will cover December
2014/January 2015. Articles are due by Monday, November
17. Please consider all events taking place in December AND
January in deciding what articles to submit.
7


For Your Information


Mission Trip Deposit
For those wanting to participate in the 2015 Costa
Rica Mission Trip, deposits of $200/person are
due by November 1. For more information, contact Brian
Mitchell at (256) 527-4583 or briantmitchell@gmail.com.


Help Needed on Finance Committee
The Finance Committee has a special request during this time
of LIFE Stewardship. Our Financial Secretary and our
Treasurer are relinquishing their positions by the end of the
year. New volunteers are needed immediately to learn from
these great servants of our church. The treasurer disburses all
money contributed to causes represented in the church budget.
The treasurer also makes regular and detailed reports on funds
received and expended to the Finance Committee and the
Church Council. The Financial Secretary keeps records of the
contributions, payments, pledges, and gifts in kind. The
Financial Secretary also develops donor reports of quarterly
giving. Experience with CDM+ or Quick Books is helpful but
not necessary. If you are interested in performing either of
these important ministries for our church, please contact James
Marden at wahador@knology.net or (256) 679-5484.
Memorial & Honorary Gifts to Grace


General Fund
In memory of Sarah Murray (John Murrays Mother)
- given by Ingrid Dow

In memory of David Lee (Tony Lees Father)
- given by the Tuesday Morning Ladies Bible
Study Group

In memory of Harry Woolverton
- given by Audrey Woolverton

Choir Robe Fund
In honor of Joann Wiemers
- given by the Tuesday Morning Ladies Bible
Study Group


*To make a memorial or honorary gift, please make checks
payable to Grace UMC. On the memo line, list the name of
the person being honored or memorialized, and the fund in
which you wish the money to be deposited.
Prayer Concerns:
Helen Matthews, Joann Wiemers, Jim Martin,
Martha Rothermel, and Stacey McIntyre.
Welcome to Our Newest Members!
We are so happy to have you in our Grace Family!

Mike & Cathy Banks
Grant Banks (in college)
103 Raymon Circle
Huntsville, AL 35806
(256) 604-6961 - Mikes Cell
(256) 509-9718 - Cathys Cell
(256) 830-2004 - Home
Michael.g.banks@gmail.com
cabanks0202@gmail.com - Cathys email

Chuck & Dee Finders
180 W. Dublin Drive #807
Madison, AL 35758
(520) 237-6981 - Chucks cell
(520) 289-9958 - Dees cell
cefinders@wowway.net - Chucks email
cdafind@wowway.net - Dees email

Daniel & Dana May
(Kaylyn & Michael)
175 Stoneway Trail
Madison, AL 35758
(256) 325-1868 - Home
(601) 567-6573 - Daniels Cell
(601) 831-0373 - Danas Cell
danielmay83@gmail.com
dana.d.may@gmail.com

Greg & Jill Reese
(Nick & Jessica)
109 Alexandria Drive
Huntsville, AL 35806
(256) 698-0344 - Gregs Cell
(256) 698-0253 - Jills Cell
gareese@gmail.com
jill.reese@gmail.com
8

The Grace Youth Times




Issue #50 November 2014
Due to budget cutbacks, weve eliminated all fact checking from the Grace Youth Times. Therefore, you
may not be able to believe anything you read on this page.

YOUTH CHALLENGED TO HELP OTHERS
GUMY has taken it upon themselves to set a mission
goal for the month of November. The youth will
attempt to collect enough items to fill 5 boys, and 5 girls
boxes for Operation Christmas Child. The deadline to
turn in items is November 9. The boxes will be packed
on November 12.
Weve set a goal of 5 each. I think we can do much
more than that, but were going to strive to reach that
goal. Our students have a desire to serve and help, so I
think they will really get behind this drive and come
through with a lot more than 10 boxes, said one
optimistic parent.
A list of items to be collected can be found on the youth
website at youth.graceumchsv.org. Donations need to
be placed in the blue tub on the counter in the Youth
Room.


YOUTH ASK, HOW MANY BACKFLIPS CAN
YOU DO?
Grace Youth are headed to Shakalaka trampoline park
on Monday, November 10 at 7:00 pm (students are
out of school the following day for Veterans Day).
While there, students are welcome to bounce around,
jump off the walls, and do all the things they attempt to
do weekly in the Youth Room, but arent allowed to.
The cost is $17 per student. Students are welcome to
meet us at Shakalaka that night.

STRANGE CHRISTMAS AHEAD
Lets just say were going to take a new look at the
Christmas story smiled Youth Pastor Adam McNeil
when asked about the upcoming Different Christmas
series on Sunday nights.
The program will focus on some interesting insights into
the Christmas story. Mission, evangelism, and
discipleship will be explored through unique Christmas
stories and experiences.
The series will begin November 23 at Sunday night
MYF meetings.





Dates to Remember

November. 9 Last Day for Christmas Child Donations

November. 10 Shakalaka at 7:00 pm

November 12 Packing Christmas Child Shoeboxes at
6:00 pm

November 16 Behold Deposit Due

November 23 Church Christmas Decorating at 4:00 pm

November 26 No Wednesday Night Youth

9


Childrens Ministry Notes

Our Childrens Ministry exists to be a
place where kids:
Know the love and joy of Jesus Christ
Invite everyone to know Him
Develop a heart of service
Seek God and his Word
With each letter in our KIDS Logo having a meaning, we
hope that this assists each of us in sharing with others what
Grace KIDS ministry is all about.


Children's Church - Worship and Wonder
During the 9:00 and 11:00 services, following the childrens
message, children ages 4 through 2
nd
Grade are invited to
worship using a curriculum called Worship and Wonder.
Children hear, see and experience the sacred stories and
parables of God, led by storytellers and greeters. If you like
to tell stories to children, this is a great opportunity! If you
are interested in being a storyteller or greeter (teens included!),
please contact Shelley Lenahan at shelley.lenahan@gmail.com
or (256) 651-9359.


Worship and Wonder Training
Through our new Worship and Wonder format in Childrens
Church, our children are learning how to worship as they
follow their own child-friendly liturgy. Each week they
interact with the Bible story and do things that evoke wonder
within them as they experience worship. On Sunday,
November 2, the entire church will have a chance to see
Worship and Wonder in action during our worship service.
Well also hold a training for storytellers and greeters which
are needed at both 9:00 and 11:00 worship services to make
this program a success. The training on November 2 will
immediately follow 11:00 worship, and pizza is provided for
volunteers and their children. Childcare is available during
the training.


Christmas WeeBZ!
Come join us for our Christmas edition of
WeeBZ! For ages 2 years-PreK, this is a fun, age
appropriate time to learn about Gods love and
the birth of His Son, Jesus. Activities begin on
Wednesday, November 5 from 6:00-7:00 pm. Well meet
on November 5, 12, 19, and December 3. See you there!


Movie Mania for Grace Kids
Its time once again for Movie and Game Night for Graces
Kids on Saturday, November 8, from 6:00-9:00 pm. We
will be watching The Incredibles. Please bring a snack to share.
This will be a great time of fellowship and fun so bring your
friends!


Club 45 Meets Sundays at 5:30 pm!
Club 45 is a program for all 4
th
and 5
th
Grade
students led by Jim and Holly Cecil. Come join us
as we learn about 13 really bad days and how God
used them.
A challenge has been issued by the Youth...Who can make the
most Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes? We will be collecting
items for our boxes and assembling them on Sunday,
November 16. Please bring in small items such as school
supplies, small toys, socks, toothbrushes, hairbrushes, combs,
etc. Please contact the Cecils at (256) 828-1387 if you have
any questions.


Mission Madness
Bring your kids ages, Kindergarten - 5
th
Grade, to Grace to on
Wednesdays from 6:00 - 7:00 pm, to learn about the lives of
missionaries and the countries they served. We will be
traveling to Hawaii and Mexico learning about the
missionaries, their passions, as well as the cultures and foods.
Donna Willis is going to come and talk to us about her life as
a missionarys child. The kids will get to hear her play the
Ukulele and may even learn how to hula!

If you have an idea or would like to speak with the kids about
missions, contact please contact the Cecils at (256) 828-1387.

Dust off your looms! Mission Madness has a new
project. We are going to make rainbow loom friendship
bracelets for our missions team to take to Costa Rica. The
friendship bracelets will be a gift for the children of Grace for
the children of Costa Rica. We will have a box to put your
creations in upstairs in the large Sunday School Room. This is
an ongoing project. Lets see how many bracelets we can
send!






Nursery Ministries
Grace UMC is blessed to have the following
Individuals serve on the Nursery Ministries Team:
Nursery Coordinator: Kalyn Polatty
Brittany Allen Olivia Bell
Sarah Davis Jannise Davis
Caroline Dobbie Amber Jones
Samantha Ramsey Jenny Shaw
Ashley Sylvester Brittany Walton
Samantha Weir
10



Grace Family Events News & Notes

Notes!

Dear Grace Family,
Thank you for all your thoughts, prayers, and cards
during the time of my mothers hospital stay and passing.
I also want to thank you for the Steak-Out gift certificates.
Your kindness, love , and generosity has been a blessing. Please
continue to keep our family in your prayers as we walk through
the healing process.
Love & God Bless,
Juanita, Andrew, & Graham Owen

Dear Grace UMC,
Will & I wish to give thanks to our generous church family first
for the ham and sweet potatoes, and second for the check for
the Steak-Out meal. All the food was delicious and thoroughly
enjoyed by both of us. We are truly lucky to be members of
such a warm, generous and loving church family.
Love in Christ,
Will & Betty Hoft


























Stacey McIntyre Address
Now that Stacey McIntyre is out of UAB Hospital she will be
staying for several weeks in Birmingham at the home of her
son, Ben. If you would like to send cards of encouragement
and love to Stacey they may be sent to 149 Hackberry Circle
Chelsea, AL. 35043.

Due to the large number of events at Grace, only a few
important church events are highlighted here. Visit
our online calendar at www.graceumchsv.org/calendar
for full details. A weekly calendar is also posted on the
church office door.
Important Grace Events in November

November 1 (Saturday) Daylight Savings Time Ends
November 1 (Saturday) Costa Rica Mission Trip Deposit Due
November 1 (Saturday) 8:30 am CASA TEMP$ Work Day
November 2 (Sunday) All Saints Sunday
November 2 (Sunday) Budget Submissions Due
November 2 (Sunday) 12:00 pm Worship and Wonder Training
November 2 (Sunday) 4:00 pm Weekly GraceFull Singers
Practice Continues
November 2 (Sunday) 4:15 pm Congregational Care Basket
Assembly
November 3 (Monday) 9:15 am Fun Timers Trip to Athens
November 4 (Tuesday) 9:30 am Weekly Womens Bible Study
Continues
November 4 (Tuesday) 11:30 am Men of Grace Lunch
Moves to Tuesdays for November
November 5 (Wednesday) 6:00 pm Christmas Wee BZ Begins
November 8 (Saturday) 6:00 pm Kids Movie Mania
November 9 (Sunday) Lions Gate Homeschool Recognition
November 9 (Sunday) 12:00 pm GraceFull Players Luncheon
November 10 (Monday) 8:30 am Salvation Army Sandwiches
November 13 (Thursday) 6:00 pm Budget Reconciliation Mtg.
November 15 (Saturday) 7:30 am 50
th
Church-Wide Retreat
November 16 (Sunday) Operation Christmas Child Boxes Due
November 16 (Sunday) Advent Devotion Guide Submissions Due
November 16 (Sunday) 3:00 pm SPRC Meeting
November 17 (Monday) Newsletter Deadline
November 17 (Monday) 10:00 am Literary Ladies
November 17 (Monday) 6:00 pm Meals to Grow Packing
November 18 (Tuesday) 6:30 pm Church Council Meeting
November 20 (Thursday) 12:00 pm United Methodist Women
November 21 (Friday) 10:30 am Meals-on-Wheels
November 23 (Sunday) 4:00 pm Hanging of the Greens &
Chili Cook-Off
November 24 (Monday) 8:30 am Salvation Army Sandwiches
November 24 (Monday) 6:30 pm Charge Conference
November 26 & 27 (Wednesday &Thursday) Church Office
Closed for Holiday
November 27 (Thursday) Thanksgiving Day
December 5 (Friday) 5:00 pm Parents Night Out
Baby Baptisms!
Congratulations to Daniel & Dana May
and big sister Kaylyn on the baptism of
Michael David May on Sunday, October 5!

Congratulations to Nathan & Katie Rigoni on the
baptism of Charlotte Elliana Rigoni on
Sunday, October 12!

Congratulations to Bradley & Amanda James on
the baptism of William Douglas James on
Sunday, October 19!

Your church family rejoices with you
during this special time in the lives of your
precious little ones!
11



Greeters
9:00 am
2 Phil & Mary Graham
9 Gail Linton/Andrew Riley
16 Nick & Betty Van Valkenburgh
23 Liz Hayes/Mary Iffrig
30 Gina Barlow/Carol Graham

11:00 am
2 Amit Patel/Gina Barlow
9 Ashok & Sangita Bhatnagar
16 Carolyn Parker/Debbie McMullin
23 Cindy Schwartz/Linda King
30 Shannon Rosenthal/JoAnn Gore
Acolytes (11:00 am)

2 Reid & Riley Brown
9 Robbie Pierson/Jasmine Puryear
16 Harper Rasmussen/Ainsley Lenahan
23 Sarah Grace Reynolds/Reid Brown
30 Reid & Riley Brown
Guest Deliveries
2 Tonia Stulting
9 Jennie Rountree
16 Gina Barlow
23 Emily Stinson/Callie Vincent
30 Jennie Rountree
2 Sarah Allison
2 Faith Polatty
3 Shelley Lenahan
4 Lauren Willis
5 Aubrey Self
5 Brian Mitchell
6 Joann Wiemers
7 Jim Barlow
7 Rebecca Gruber
8 Bill Pedigo
8 Matt Rasmussen
9 Autumn Southern
11 Gabriel Stulting
12 Lyn Barger
12 Bob Clem
13 Jean Pritchett
13 John Lawson
14 Wes Coleman
15 Savannah Black
15 Robbi Cecil
16 Donna Evans
16 Todd Guthrie
17 Pam Blackwell
17 Laura Hanks
17 Robert Schwartz
17 Tracy Sisson
18 Alyssa Melton
19 Wayne Self
19 Alex Black
21 Ainsley Lenahan
21 Daphne Wimberly
21 Linda Austin
23 Jeff Weir
24 David Bowman
25 Larry Hogan
25 Betty Lawson
25 Paul Williams
25 Phil Owen
26 Kathy Weaver
27 Betty Harrison
30 Bronwyn Sanders
11:00 am Childrens Church

2 Shelley Lenahan
9 Betsy Allison/Phala Rasmussen
16 Mandy Mitchell/Kalyn Polatty
23 Patti Runyan
30 Shelley Lenahan
9:00 am Childrens Church

2 Rachael Benton/Ranae Bartlett
9 Emily Stinson/Christy Odom
16 Carol Reynolds/Audra Johns
23 Lia Brown/Rebecca Self
30 Christy Odom/Penni Grant
12









2113 Old Monrovia Rd.
Huntsville, AL 35806



CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
The church office hours are Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Our pastors and staff are
available by appointment in the afternoons. If you need to contact Pastor Bryan on Friday or Saturday, call his
mobile phone at (256) 527-5042.
BULLETIN DEADLINE
The deadline for information for the church bulletin is Tuesday afternoon. Please contact Vicki Sheehy at
(256) 430-0003 about information that needs to be included.

ARE YOU RECEIVING E-MAIL ANNOUNCEMENTS?
If you have e-mail, we encourage you to join our announcements list. You can sign up online from the church
web page at www.graceumchsv.org.

NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
The newsletter is published monthly, on the 4
th
Monday of each month. Articles are due by the 3
rd
Monday of
the month. Articles are received by e-mail: vickisheehy@graceumchsv.org OR place articles in newsletter
mailbox in church office. Thank you for your contribution of articles.

GRACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Pastors Mobile/Voice Mail # - (256) 527-5042 Pastors emailbryansisson@graceumchsv.org
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Grace UMC is a Safe Sanctuary Church.
Summaries of our Child and Youth Protection Policy are always available.