Hicksville Grace UMC

From the Pastor - November 2011

Hicksville Grace UMC — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 19:53:42 +0000

November is a time of Thanksgiving to the Lord. The Thanks-giving Holiday is officially celebrated this year on November 24, but we should have a heart of gratitude throughout the year, for the blessings we’ve received from God. As Paul re-minds us in Ephesians 5:19-20, we sing and make melody in our hearts to the Lord, ―giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ‖.
Abraham Lincoln understood this as on the third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty three, in the midst of a Civil War, he gave a Proclamation to set apart the last Thursday of November ―as a day of Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father‖. Lincoln mentions the ―fruitful fields and healthful skies‖ and other bounties which we enjoy;― that we are prone to forget the source from which they came … They are gracious gifts of the Most High God …‖.
When we celebrate Thanksgiving this year let us not be prone to forget from where our blessings flow, but praise and honor God with our words and deeds.
Have a very Happy

The Chords Return to Grace UMC for Harvest Festival

Hicksville Grace UMC — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 23:39:41 +0000

The Chords conducted the worship service at the Harvest Festival on October 23.

From the Pastor

Hicksville Grace UMC — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 16:34:55 +0000

October, the peak of the fall season. It has its Fall Festivals, Harvest Dinners, and Trunk or Treats. Fall is full of activity for Grace UMC also as noted by the numerous activities in this newsletter.

This is a busy time but we must always seek to find time for Christ in order for Him to work in our lives. The 131st Psalm is a story about a man in a hurry. A person who busied himself with the concerns of the world. He kept his mind perpetually busy and because of it, he was full of unrest and had no peace. But he changed and his heart became calmed and his mind quieted as he had found “Hope in the Lord”. He was seeking out the Lord daily, praying and reading His word and this was bringing him peace. Christ is the only remedy that can truly give us peace. As you journey through this October may you experience the joy of life and the peace of Christ who gives us life!

Linda West — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 11:25:28 +0000

Greetings Church Family,

It is my pleasure to announce that I have been appointed by the Bishop to serve as Pastor of the Grace United Methodist Church beginning July 1, 2011. My wife RaeAnn and two of our four adult daughters look forward to moving to Hicksville and serving Grace UMC as well as being a part of the community.

As a brief background note, I was raised in the Methodist Church in Paulding, Ohio and accepted Christ while in 6^th Grade. I was active in MYF and Campus Life before attending a private Christian School, Anderson College. I had fought the Call to Ministry for decades before I fully answered the Call and surrendered my whole life to Christ in 2008. During that time I was an Attorney, Judge and Prosecutor in the Cleveland area and more recently in Paulding and Van Wert Counties. I am finishing up my studies at Asbury Theological Seminary and am to graduate in May 2012. My wife and I are lifelong Methodists and we have held various leadership positions in the local Methodist Churches. We have four adult daughters, Rebecca, Maria, Lona and Mary. Lona with our Grandson, Byron lives in Utah while Mary lives in California. Rebecca and Maria, being challenged with some developmental disabilities, live with us.

I along with the PPRC will be setting up a schedule whereby I can visit with the Church families. This will be a priority along with visiting the shut-ins and those who have not attended Grace for a time. I will be establishing regular office hours and will generally have an open door policy.

I am excited about this opportunity to serve the Lord at Grace UMC. My family and I look forward to meeting you and partnering with you in ministry, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to transform lives, make Disciples of Christ and further the Kingdom of God.

May God continue to bless you and your family. I hope to see you in Church.

Introductory Letter

Linda West — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 14:45:44 +0000

Greetings in Christ,

     Our Secretary Linda West informed me that this is the last Newsletter before my arrival as your Pastor on July 1, 2011. I wanted to take the opportunity to let you know how thrilled I and my wife, RaeAnn and our two daughters, Rebecca and Maria that are living with us, are about becoming a part of the Grace United Methodist Church. Before I take the pulpit in July, I will send out a more lengthy letter telling you about myself, my family and my Call which brought me to Grace UMC.
     I would also like to thank Pastor Wack for his warm welcome and for his efforts to make the transition occur as smoothly as possible.
     I look forward to meeting everyone and to starting what I pary will be a long and fruitful association with Grace UMC.
     See you in July!

Godspeed, Pastor Tim Pieper