Behind the Scenes

Much of the success of the Christmas Boutique is due to the faithfulness of these people. Ray Lee was the chef. Braden and Alyssa Magnusson worked all day Friday helping Ray with preparations. They arrived with him early Saturday morning to have the food ready to be served around 10 a.m. Around 22 men served the 350 ladies in about 20 minutes! What a blessing they were to the entire room full of ladies. Thank you men!

Braden Magnusson

Chef Ray Lee

Alyssa Magnusson was too focused on her job to smile for the camera. Doug Wade is on the left. I think John Tietjen is on the right.



A sampling of our wonderful servers. Head server Mel Layne is in the middle. Don't they look awesome!

Christmas Boutique - November 22

"Difficult times require heroic faith"

Our special guest was Corrie ten Boom (well...Susie Tucker as Corrie). For 45 minutes we sat spellbound listening to Corrie tell her story of being a watchmaker in the Netherlands when Nazi Germany invaded. Her family sheltered Jews and members of the Dutch underground in a ”hiding place” in their home. Eventually the operation was discovered and the family sent to concentration camps. Upon her release Corrie became a “Tramp for the Lord”, preaching a message of faith and forgiveness around the world.



The European living room set became an ideal place for photos. The photo below is of Allyn Young, head of the decorating committee. She had the brainstorm for the warm, inviting living room set for Susie to give her presentation. Along with the rest of the committee, she worked so hard to make the Christmas Boutique a success. Check out the laundry on the clothesline in the snowy outdoors in the bottom photo. How creative!





Photo above: Donated by Karen Eskew of Molly Kate's, the drawing prize this year was everything you see on the table. Place settings for 4, linens, centerpiece, etc... Beautiful! The proceeds were split between our missions project this year (Relevant Arts - China) and the newly established Charlene Layne Scholarship fund. Thank you, Karen. It would have blessed Charlene so much to know that your generosity will bless ladies who may not be able to afford special events or retreats.

Change built on the Changeless!

Change built on the Changeless! Women of the Word at GRACE Chapel in 2008-2009 are putting into action what buzz words of current media cannot approach. Moving location from the main sanctuary to the chapel area, numbers increasing, and teaching diversified, we have broken out of stereotypes and limited expectations through the prayerful leadership of our women’s director, Cathy Clark.

In studying the book of Ephesians, women are excited to affirm the will of God in their midst, exulting in their being chosen before the foundation of the world, having been adopted into the family of God through Jesus Christ. How magnificently the grace of God and faith in Christ bestowed by Him on each one of us transforms each week! As we complete lessons in Lenya Heitzig and Penny Pierce Rose’s Live Abundantly: A Study of Ephesians, we know the radical change to which He calls us. During the twelve weeks of this study, transitioning into a study of James, women from every walk of life are welcomed into a loving family relationship, sustained by changeless and timeless truths designed for women in such a time as this.

Heather Horning

Women of Faith

Here's a few of us that went to Women of Faith. It was a fun, refreshing time (except the bus ride, but that's another story) with hilarious, yet poignant speakers like Luci Swindoll, Marilyn Meberg, Patsy Clairmont, Sandi Patti and Sheila Walsh. Dramatic and comic sketches by Nicole Johnson and music by Nicole C. Mullens and Natalie Grant kept the energy level high.



Mother & Daughter: Ronda McPeek and Helen Hardy

Sue Porges & Mary McCracken

Another Mother & Daughter set: Antionette Benak and Marie Ramirez.

Antionette was our fearless bus driver. She was an incredible blessing to all of us.

Living Abundantly!

Teri, a servant of Christ Jesus,
To the saints at Grace Chapel, my faithful sisters in Christ Jesus: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Didn't Paul have a magnificent way of beginning a letter? Although, my greeting is slightly different, it's modeled after Paul's, and filled with the same affection for you that he possessed for his fellow believers. Of course, he wrote his letter from a gloomy prison cell in Rome, while I sit in the comfort of my air conditioned family room, surrounded by the love of my family and dogs. As I consider his conditions, I am moved by his steadfast love and commitment to Jesus, his fellow believers and in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I can't wait to plunge into God's word as we study the book of Ephesians! Are you as excited as I am?

We will be going through the book Living Abundantly, A Study In Ephesians by Lenya Heitzig and Penny Pierce Rose.




As you can see, the cover is darling and it very much appeals to my femininity! I know that seems superficial, but I really like the soft yellow background, the huge pink flower with the yellow center (although it could use a smiley face), the well-manicured, green lawn (I'm a desert dweller...green grass impresses me!), the 50's style blue dress with the empire waist (it's "oh-so-flattering"), the retro Dolly shoes complete with ankle strap, peep-toe and 5" stacked heels! And, just look at that gorgeous long flowing hair!

Yep, it's an adorable cover. But, the really good stuff...it's inside...where we will find abundant life through the Living Word of God! Please join us, it won't be the same without you!

WOW ~ Women of the Word, Women's Bible Study is starting up in 15 Days! Busy schedule? (of course, we're women!) No problem! You have your choice between attending the morning or evening study.

When: Wednesday, September 10
Time: 9:00 AM & 7:00 PM
Where: Fellowship Hall A-B


Fall Kickoff Celebration!

When: Wednesday, September 10
Time: 6-8:30 PM
Where: Behind the Fellowship Hall for Food, Fun and Fellowship! Bring your own chair!

Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love. (Ephesians 6:24)

Your Sister in Christ,
Teri

P.S. We would love to hear from you. You're welcome to join in the "conversation" by leaving a comment.

The Elisabeth Elliot Newsletter

A few years ago (or more) my husband and I had the privilege of leading worship for a conference in which Elisabeth Elliot spoke four times in one day. It was the first time she had spoken so many times in one day, she told us. But I will never forget it. She spoke on suffering, and told of her life in Ecuador before and after her husband, Jim Elliot, was murdered by the Auca indians. (The movie, The End of the Spear, tells the story.) I still have the notes and pull them out and review them.

She produced a newsletter for many years that I absolutely loved. I treasured every issue and even now they are in a safe place where I can pull them out and glean insight from this biblical, practical and sometimes opinionated woman of God. It was no secret that she loved hymns and hated the modern worship choruses of today. I have come to understand that perspective. She said the words of the hymns, rich in theology and God's character, were what carried her through the dark times in Ecuador.

I have made a wonderful discovery! All of Elisabeth Elliot's newsletters can be downloaded in pdf's from her Web site. I can't tell you have blessed I have been by her teaching, her books, her articles through the years. If she is a new acquaintance to you, let me introduce you! Elisabeth Elliot: www.elisabethelliot.org

Fighting the good fight

Pastor Dean taught yesterday on fighting the good fight of faith. It reminded me of a paragraph in the book Holiness by J.C. Ryle. This encouraged me greatly at a time the fight was especially strong and I needed to be reminded of what a 'good' fight it is!

"Let us settle in our minds that the Christian fight is a good fight - really good, truly good, emphatically good. We see only part of it yet. We see the struggle, but not the end; we see the campaign, but not the reward; we see the cross, but not the crown. We see a few humble, broken-spirited, penitent, praying people, enduring hardships and despised by the world; but we see not the hand of God over them, the face of God smiling on them, the kingdom of glory prepared for them. These things are yet to be revealed. Let us not judge by appearances. There are more good things about the Christian warfare than we see."

Coming in September

Grace Chapel's Women of the Word will be studying the book of Ephesians! (We will be using the book “LIVE ABUNDANTLY: A Study in Ephesians” by Lenya Heitzig and Penny Pierce Rose.)

Beginning September 10, we will meet on Wednesdays 9 – 11 a.m. or 7 – 8:30 p.m. Whether you are a new believer or have studied God's Word for many years, this is a place for you to grow in your walk with Christ and your relationship with your sisters at Grace Chapel. Please plan to join us!