Dear Grace Street Family,
As temperatures begin to drop, it looks like we are entering into the Fall. It is a beautiful Friday night as I write this. Debbie and I are about to go with my parents to dinner to celebrate their 61st anniversary. Life has its challenges, of course, but I am humbled by the many blessings in my life - especially the privilege I have of being your pastor. My heart is full as I think about our church family. Here are a few of the things that I see happening.
Our children's ministry is burgeoning with babies. Did you know that we have between 8 and 12 little ones in our nursery every Sunday? The growth is so strong that we are adding a teacher on Wednesday nights. Our class on purity for older elementary students, begins soon, and before long preparation for the Christmas musical will be in full swing. Baseball starts tomorrow for 1st through 6th graders - 10:00 a.m. at Parkview Baptist Church on Fielder between Sanford and Randol Mill. Pretty exciting stuff.
Our youth ministry is going well, healthy and growing. Around 15 youth are attending Sunday school, and 25 are coming together each Wednesday night. Our youth are serving in so many areas of the church, including the praise team, and they are beautiful young people. Don't forget to pray for them.
In Sunday school, we have recently added a college and career class/ministry. They are meeting tonight to study, pray, and to enjoy each other. We've never had a class like this before. Other classes are on the drawing board. Our sanctuary choir continues to lead us in beautiful worship, and they are in preparation for the Christmas musical already. Can you believe it?
So many of you tell me that you are being challenged and growing through our Sunday morning times with Dr. Karen Bullock, as she inspires us with stories from church history, and we learn our own story there. I look forward to each Sunday morning too, and the breakfasts have been great. Sunday school classes are enjoying the time putting those together. We are setting records in attendance for our Sunday school hour. Dr. Larry Ashlock will be with us this Sunday morning. Awesome!
Our woman's ministry is going strong. They are enjoying a new study led by Priscilla Shirer every Saturday morning and Monday night. Our men's meetings are also well attended. 25 men came to hear Paul Vinyard, and David Hanson, the founder and CEO of Decorator's warehouse will be with us this next Thursday evening, October 5th.
Our outreach & missions ministries are going strong too - from our apartment ministries to our Celebrate Recovery and Grief Share. People are being reached and loved in Jesus' name. I am so grateful. This is such a great time to be involved in Grace Street - don't miss if you can help it.
Let's remember to pray for each other. One hallmark of our church has been prayer. People are dealing with health issues, economic crises, relationship struggles and so much more - too many to mention here. Thank you so much for the way you love and pray. I am praying for you this evening. You are always on my heart:
I do love you, and I am so glad to be
Your pastor,
Jim Burgin
www.avenueofgrace.com
817-704-6143
PS See you Sunday morning - Lord's Supper is happening.
