About Grace

OUR MISSION

We are called by Christ to . . . KNOW GOD AND MAKE GOD KNOWN…

We are committed to imagining more ways to share the limitless of God with the world by being a passionate and steady witness to the difference relationship with Jesus can make. We believe that God calls and equips us to follow Jesus through deep spirituality, true community, and a passion for wholeness. Discipleship and friendship grounds our ministry and relationships. In response to the greatest commandment, we are committed to loving God and one another. We believe abundant life and significance is found in loving God and serving the community, and faith formation at every stage of personal, family, and community life.

People are always in the process of becoming acquainted with Grace, whether through worship, community groups, church-sponsored activities and events or just running across our website. To help people stay informed, we regularly post new questions and answers here, as well as elaborate on answers to older questions.

Q. DO WE HAVE STRUCTURED BIBLE STUDY?
A. We have different ways to help people study the Bible and develop their faith.

A group meets Sunday mornings after worship for about an hour, usually using a book or study guide as a reference.

Other groups spring up during the year on various days of the week and at different times. Speak with Pastor Gilmore or an elder to learn more about groups now meeting and those about to be formed.

Additionally, we encourage everyone who worships at Grace to bring a Bible to follow along with readings during worship. We believe people should read the Word for themselves, not just listen to someone else read or interpret it for them.

Q. WHY DO WE OFFER TWO DIFFERENT WAYS FOR PEOPLE TO TAKE COMMUNION AT THE TABLE?
A. We offer people the option of taking a piece of bread and dipping it in the cup (intinction) or they can take a wafer and an individual cup and either partake at the table or return to their seat. For those concerned about virus contact, the latter option reduces that concern. For people who come from a variety of backgrounds (as people who attend Grace do), this gives them an option to take communion in the most meaningful way possible. We take communion at each worship service, every week.

Q. WHERE DO THE IDEAS COME FROM FOR OUR SERMON SERIES?
A. Our pastors and volunteer leaders discuss sermon ideas, usually several months ahead of time. Sometimes a sermon series is based upon what is called the Lectionary, a designed set of Bible readings with a plan for an entire year. We strive for a clear message each Sunday morning. We work with the Children and Youth leader to coordinate lessons and readings with our children’s program, in order to reduce the number of ideas children and families are hearing on Sundays. We want families to be able to ride home together and share thoughts about what they learned that morning.

Q. HOW IS CHURCH LEADERSHIP ORGANIZED?
A. We have three leadership groups — A Board, which meets monthly, to take care of all business and operational matters. Our MLT (Ministry Leadership Team) is made up of the chairs of each of our program teams. They meet monthly to plan, review and execute the ministries of our church. And our elders, who also meet monthly, are the spiritual leaders of the congregation in concert with the pastoral staff. Our non-pastoral staff consists of a Director of Children & Youth programs, an administrative assistant, a nursery attendant and a custodian. We have volunteers who are responsible for worship planning, praise team (music) and technology support.

Q. WHAT DO ELDERS DO?
A. Elders do different things, depending upon the church and denomination. The biblical picture of an elder is someone who is primarily a “teacher.” In this church, elders provide pastoral care, spiritual leadership and encouragement to everyone who is part of the Grace family. They often are most visible when serving at the communion table during worship services, but that role is not restricted to elders. Our elders also assist as prayer partners during and after worship services, and they do at-home and in-hospital visits with people who cannot attend worship on Sundays. You will find Grace elders fully engaged in all aspects of church life, including various leadership positions.

Q. DOES OUR CHURCH ALLOW WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP ROLES?
A. We’ve had women serve as our Moderator (Board Chair) and we have women as well as men who serve as elders.

For more on the Biblical basis for our practices, pick up a copy of “What We Believe” in the front lobby of our church.