SUNDAY AT GRACE

We invite mothers and everyone else to join us for worship at 10:30 a.m. this Sunday. Pastor Steve’s message is “Whatever the Hardship, Keep Rising Up!” We will celebrate Holy Communion and welcome a guest soloist, Reese Hawkins. Of course, you are invited to come at 9:15 a.m. to join in the study of The Color of Compromise in the Blue Room. There will be pastries, coffee, and fellowship in the Ladies’ Parlor at 10:00 a.m. If you are unable to attend worship in person, join us online here at the Grace Church Dayton channel of YouTube.

FREEDOM SCHOOL BOOK DONATIONS

Following years of successful Freedom Schools sponsored by Grace UMC, Grace Urban Development (GUD) will take the lead for the 2024 Freedom School, which will be held at Louise Troy Elementary this year! The Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom School program provides summer enrichment that helps children fall in love with reading, increase their self-esteem, and generate positive attitudes toward learning. Children are taught using a model curriculum that supports children and families around five essential components: high quality academic enrichment; parent and family involvement; civic engagement and social action; intergenerational leadership development; and nutrition, health, and mental health. GUD’s Freedom School will be held June 10 thru July 19. One hundred young scholars will be participating in our Freedom School this summer.

Again this year, we are asking our Grace family to help support the Grace Urban Development CDF Freedom School by purchasing the books for this program. The books for each child cost $90. Books are used in the classrooms, and each child takes home one book each week. If you would like to provide books for a child or two this summer, please write a check to Grace Urban Development with “Freedom School Books” marked in the memo line. Checks may be placed in the offering plates on Sunday or turned into the office during the week. If you would like more information about Freedom School or how to help, please contact Debbie Nerderman at (937) 278-4731 or email debbie@graceurbandevelopment.org.

SPECIAL SUNDAYS AT GRACE

The next two Sundays at Grace will be even more exciting than usual! Sunday, May 19, is Pentecost, which celebrates the day the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples like tongues of fire. WEAR RED!

Sunday, May 26, will be Second Chance Sunday at Grace. Our guest preacher will be Heidi Arnold, who teaches at Sinclair Community College and inside men’s and women’s prisons. She is a HOPE letter writer, a volunteer for Sacred Stories and Grace by Heart, and a member of Four Friends and All-In Community. Plan to come hear her message, “Peace, Justice, and a Pickle”.