Grace: Helps

Blog moving to The City of Grace

2010-04-20T22:04:00.002-04:00

Here is the link to the public side of our City of Grace. Our helps/needs going forward will be posted there.

The City is our new website for getting things done and people connected at Grace. While our current website (www.GraceToday.net) will continue to be a great source of information (especially guests), it will compliment the many tools that our new City site will bring.

One of those tools is the "Needs" blog. The City will pull all of our current blogs (like this one) into one website simplifying how we communicate with you.

The City: A Catalyst for Community. It's full of awesome!

Update on Painting the Container

2010-04-13T18:25:00.000-04:00

Todd Kasson is taking the lead on this but others are stepping forward to help.

Todd has a compressor, generator and spray kit we can use. He has priced out the supplies and is ready to schedule when we could do this.

If you'd like to help, call Todd at 513-4671 or Darien at 830-2464.

Update on helping Brenda mover her parents Fri.

2010-04-13T18:23:00.004-04:00

Update: Looks like the afternoon is best for Brenda and for us. Thanks to those who offered to help in the morning!

We'll plan to meet at Brenda's Friday at 2 pm. Terry is bringing his truck and Darien is bringing Todd's (no trailer needed, Todd).

Right now we have:

Martha Fletcher
Terry Fletcher (after 4)

Richard Berndt

Darien Gabriel
Anita Gabriel

How about you?

Call me at 830-2464

email me at info@gracetoday.net

Directions to Brenda Keene's:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=137+Destin+St+Summerville,+SC+29483&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=137+Destin+St,+Summerville,+Dorchester,+South+Carolina+29483&gl=us&ei=vOrFS9TuHJD09QSQr4meDg&ved=0CAcQ8gEwAA&ll=33.025936,-80.268753&spn=0.009085,0.015428&z=16

Address:

137 Destin St Summerville, SC 29483

(Out Butternut Rd. behind Reminisce)

Moving Party!

2010-04-12T14:18:00.003-04:00

Grace Family,

We have an opportunity to help out a single mom in our church family. Brenda Keene's parents have lived with her for quite some time. But they now how their own place! She and her daughters are thrilled!

Brenda wants to move them this week and welcomes any help we can offer.

While you are welcome to call her and help out anytime this week, we are organizing a moving party on Fri. Right now it's tentatively in the morning but if there is more interest in helping that afternoon we might just do that (or do like 11-1). Anyway, if you're willing to help that day please let me know asap and which you prefer (before or after lunch) and then we'll resend this out with the firm times.

We'll not be moving a lot of heavy stuff but we will start with the furniture and some boxes. Todd has offered his truck and trailer for us to use but if you have a pick-up we'd appreciate you bringing it.

Feel free to email or call me.

Because of Christ, we're better together,

Darien

Brenda's # is 693-3932

Right now I have the following commitments:

Martha Fletcher (after lunch)
Terry Fletcher (late afternoon and has truck)

Richard Berndt (any time)

Tom Blount (before lunch)

Darien Gabriel (any time)

How about you?

Cool-seal small trailer

2010-04-06T11:53:00.000-04:00

We need to cool-seal the top of our small trailer to protect the contents from leaking. If you are interested in organizing a team to take care of that, please see Darien. The church will handle the expenses.

Paint Shipping Container on property

2010-04-05T11:49:00.003-04:00

Paint our 40 ft. storage container located on our property.

We want to be good neighbors. Our industrial shipping container is like a truck trailer. Can you say brown? It's sitting out on our property where all can see. I think it would look a lot nicer painted a forest green.

We're looking for someone to organize a team to paint it.

If you're interested, contact Darien or Terry.

How you can help on Easter Sunday

2010-03-31T14:51:00.000-04:00

We're going to have a lot of guests with us on Sun. That's great! But to be even more hospitable than normal, I'd like to try a couple of things and I need some help making that happen.

First, I'd love to see us handout the newsletter & prayer sheet instead of putting it all in the chairs. It's more trouble but then it communicates a grace that is appropriate. (we might still choose to leave pens and green cards in the chairs but I'll leave that up to those who vol)

The need: I need people to volunteer to stand at the doors from 10:20-10:40 and hand them out as people arrive (and many will be late).

How do you do this? Easy:

1. Smile and look them in the eye

2. Welcome them to Grace

3. Hand them whatever we have for them

Note: they are "Guests" not "Visitors". Guest sounds a little warmer.

Second, I'd love to see us help seat people (usher) once the service starts. To the regular, it's obvious where the empty chairs are. And if it isn't, we're not too embarrassed to go and search for an empty chair.

But the guest feels very awkward before they even enter the room. Someone who has already scoped the situation can confidently lead a guest and their family to a row or chair making their most awkward part of the morning a little less so.

The need: People (men, women or confident youth) who will usher people to chairs from 10:25-10:45.

We don't have people to coordinate this. But if several of you volunteer, I can connect you via email and you will at least be aware of who else is in.

If you are going to volunteer for either of these, it's essential that you arrive early. If you could arrive by 10:15 that would be perfecto!

Please be careful not to volunteer if you already have other responsibilities Sun. morning. That way you're less likely to stress and leaves room for someone else to volunteer that is free to serve this way on Sun mornings.

Thanks in advance for even considering serving this way!

Care Package for G* and A* in East Asia

2010-03-14T16:52:00.000-04:00

* We leave their full names out at their request.

CARE PACKAGE WISH LIST

Southern Living or any other cooking magazines
National Geographic or Outside magazine
Strawberry Sour Straws
Cute Stationary
Scented Candles
Cute napkins or seasonal paper plates and napkins (i.e. thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter stuff)
Chocolate chips
Craisins
Toffee Chips
Caramels
Splenda
Coffee-reg and decaf
Heritage House Oodles
International Delight liquid Coffee Creamer singles
Muffin mix-the kind you just add milk or water
Crystal light drink mix
Dreamland BBQ Sauce
Soup mixes, especially Bear Creek
Cup cake liners
Any sort of baking and recipe stuff
Big Train brand- Chai Mix
Tortellini
Pictures of your family
Letters from your kids
Articles from the paper or magazines you liked or thought were interesting (especially things related to “east asia”)
Christmas ornaments
Velveeta
Tortillas
Salsa
Laffy Taffy
Gluten free mixes or stuff (we have a teammate that can’t eat gluten)
Reese Peanut Butter Cups
“The Good Earth Tea” chai or original flavor

THINGS THAT THEY CAN EASILY GET IN EAST ASIA

Snickers
Oreos
Dove Chocolate
Pringles
Ramen Noodles
Rice
Almonds, Cashews, Peanuts and Pistachios
Cookies
Candy

This is just a wish list, remember if you want to mail us something fun it’s pretty expensive so don’t buy much. If you want to send a package on the boat (surface) that is great it is a lot cheaper but it takes around 3 months.. Thanks for thinking of us and wanting to love us in this way.

Ways You Can Help: Curacao

2010-03-10T16:28:00.001-05:00

Project CURACAO 2010

for

4 sessions

for

30 adult/teen females each session

*These crafts will be used to serve as visual reminder of our relationship with GOD,

HIS perfect plan for our lives and HIS amazing ability to forgive all our sins.

WE NEED 4 DIFFERENT PROJECTS

Criteria

*Reading level at or below 6 TH grade

*Travels well

*Can be completed in 2-hour session

*Colorful

*Cost effective

See Doris Hundley for specific information or questions.

Ways You Can Help: Administration

2010-03-08T10:31:00.005-05:00

There are often office-like duties that could performed by someone gifted with administrative ability and organizational passion. Some can be done at home as well. This frees up pastoral leaders to deal with more appropriate tasks. Here are a few opportunities:

* Print and fold the newsletter each week. The newsletter is finished on Friday and gets emailed to the "Printer" who then prints them out (2-sided) and then folds them to bring Sun. morning. The church provides the printer and ink.

* Print and cut the prayer sheet each week. The prayer sheet is finished on Friday and gets emailed to the "Printer" who then prints them and cuts them in half. These are then brought to be shared on Sun. morning.

* Create kid packs. Every fifth Sun. we keep our children in for the entire worship service. This is to help prepare them to sit through an entire adult-geared worship service.

But even in an engaging service, a child can get sidetracked and become a distraction to others pretty quickly. We would like to keep a box "Kid packs" or "Kid Bags" that contain a number of activities and items that would help them learn about Jesus while being in the rest of their family. Ultimately, this helps us move toward families worshiping together instead of doing everything segregated.

Packets would also be used for special services like our Thanksgiving Celebration and our Christmas Eve service. They actually could be used any given week as some families wish to keep their children with them in the service every week.

This person would be responsible for creating/assembling packets so that there are enough on hand any given week. They would make preschool and children's age packets.

* Birthday and Anniversary card preparer. Someone to assist Darien in gathering the materials needed to send out cards. Includes buying postage, cards and then addressing them as well as helping him be aware of who's is this month.

* Lobby setup/clean-up. This is rather simple at this time. There are some basic materials we put out each Sun. on the lobby counters for our guests in particular (Bibles, mini-vite cards, giving envelopes, home group map). These items simple need to be displayed nicely while keeping setup/take down simple and quick.

* Help collect and send care package to our missionaries. We have a partially completed care package that needs a few more things before ship it to G and A. If you'd like to help us finish it up, let me know.

* Prayer Sheet updater. This person updates the prayer requests each week. With help from Darien they add/delete/update the prayer sheet praises and prayer requests before sending the sheet off to be printed.

If you have questions or need more information, feel free to call Darien at 832-3775.

Royal Oaks pianist needed

2010-02-21T20:29:00.000-05:00

Ministry Opportunity at Royal Oaks

We need some pianists to help with our services at Royal Oaks. For those of you who do not know, Grace Christian Fellowship leads a service each Sunday at 9 am at Royal Oaks, an assisted living center off of Trolley Road behind Arbys. The service lasts about 30 minutes and usually has about 15 residents each week. We need some volunteers who can play 3 or 4 hymns. If you can volunteer for one Sunday each month or one Sunday every two months, it would be of great help. If you do not feel like an accomplished pianist, we can give you the song book that we use and you can pick the hymns you feel comfortable playing. If you even think you may be interested, pray about it, and if you think God may be leading, let Brian Joslin know and he can give you more details. God has been working through Grace for several years now, and we look forward to what He will continue to do.

Thanks

Jimmy Reeves

GCF Disaster Relief Efforts

2010-02-01T22:06:00.000-05:00

Learn all about our Disaster Relief efforts at Grace on our new Facebook page. Todd Kasson is the lead on this Servant Group.

Open Letter from Linda Dean to Grace Family

2010-01-31T16:39:00.000-05:00

I thought this open letter was very appropriate for our church family. I read it to our church family during our Jan. 31st worship service. I post it here for others to be encouragement from as well. To keep up with the latest prayer requests and progress, see our prayer blog.

From Linda Dean:

On Dec 30,2009 our lives and the life of our youngest son, Josh changed forever. As most of you are aware our son, Josh was severely wounded by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan. It is not the inhumane act committed or the injuries of our son that lies heavy on my heart as I write this. However, it is what God is teaching me through this journey that our family has been allowed to take that I want and need to share with all of you. As you read this please know that I stand before God stripped of anything I think I am or anything you may think I am. All that is good in me and that which is not so good. I am humbled by the situation I find myself and I pray that you will see God’s glory and His hand in a very difficult situation.

So where does one begin to share those things that are well hidden in the heart? Where does a person go when the pain is so intense, the hurt is so deep and the valley you are in keeps sinking lower….and the lessons learned are equally as painful as the events themselves. What direction does one take when fatigue has overwhelmed them and they desperately need to know that God is still there? There is only one place to go to and that place is the Cross.

I have found myself at the Cross quite often these days. It has been at the Cross that God would teach me about tears. When the words would not come, the tears did. When I could not express my heart, the tears did the talking for me. Tears were not uncommon to Christ. Tears represent the heart, spirit and soul of a person. To hold back tears is to hide part of your Christ-likeness. I learned that I can’t go to the Cross with just my head and not my heart. And just about the time I thought I had no more tears to cry God in His wonderful wisdom would do what any loving father would do…He gave me more.

At the Cross I learned that my situation was no surprise to God. Deut. 31:8 tells me that the Lord Himself goes before me, He will never leave or forsake me. God Himself had already traveled the road I was on long before my journey ever began. The road I find myself on these days is paved with the blood of The Son. God knew all about suffering. He watched His Son suffer and heard Him cry out. I learned this lesson only too well as I heard the painful cries of my own son. God reminds me of the other part of the verse that promises He will never leave or forsake me. I wish I could tell you that I have never doubted God’s presence in these last 4 weeks. The truth is there have been days of empty loneliness that has left me numb and discouraged. But God nudges me back to the Cross...”I will never leave you or forsake you.” God is faithful and trustworthy even when I am not.

God is also teaching me that I am to allow others to help carry my burdens. In Luke 23:26 we are told of Simon a Cyrenian helped Jesus carry the cross. In Gal. 6:2 we are told to carry each others’ burdens. This past week God lead 2 of our brothers in Christ to ask us if they could visit us. No one wants anyone to see them at their worst and weakest, but we needed help and we needed people around us that loved God and was willing to love us. We also needed someone that understood Godly wisdom and how to gently give it to us.

At the Cross is where God teaching me about giving. After all, the Cross is all about giving. John 3:16 ‘For God so loved the world HE GAVE...” Those of you at Grace know all about giving. My family and I have been the recipients of your love and generosity. Our hearts are overwhelmed at your willingness to love us and to minister to us. Your actions are an honor to God and your lives are a reflection of God’s glory. It is your love for Him that gives you the capacity to love others. We are humbled by your actions, prayers and kindness and we are privileged to be a part of the family of Grace.

It is my prayer as our journey continues that God will keep me grounded at the Cross. Steve and I love all of you and we are so thankful God has given us the opportunity to serve and worship at Grace. We look forward to being back home soon. Be prepared for lots of hugs...I am finding there is great healing in hugs.

With heartfelt thanks,

Linda Dean

Laundry Love

2010-01-26T14:57:00.002-05:00

LAUNDRY LOVE people

an open space for Laundry Love facilitators to share, encourage, create

A message to all members of LAUNDRY LOVE people

Hello all,

I am still reeling from the JustOne Annual Hub meet up this past weekend in Seattle. We revised language and imagined the continual future of this Laundry Love effort. I will be posting some of these thoughts, including the language and helps during this and next month. Stay tuned..

In friendship and partnership,

greg

Visit LAUNDRY LOVE people at: http://laundrylove.ning.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network

Baby Bottle pick-up

2010-01-18T15:20:00.000-05:00

Grace Family,

We need to pick up some brochures and baby bottles from the Low country crisis pregnancy center in N. Chas. If you can do that this week, pls call me and let me know. You can bring them Sun. morning when you come to church.

You can call me at 832-3775.

Directions:

Lowcountry Crisis Pregnancy Center - www.lowcountrycpc.org

2810 Ashley Phosphate Road, North Charleston - (843) 553-3528

Thanks,

Darien

Care Package items for Rob Payne in Afghanistan

2010-01-18T13:25:00.001-05:00

Hi there! (from back in Nov 09)

Just found out earlier this week during our only telephone conversation this week so far (which lasted maybe 10 minutes or so) with Rob that one stick of deodorant is $20.00 where he is...about 5x the cost here in the US...I couldn't believe it!...

Anywho, I had Rob email me the *specifics* of his hygiene (type of deoderant, body wash, etc.) so he wouldn't have to spend over $100 on toiletries (every month) that we can purchase for him here and ship out for maybe $30 total. I've included the specifics below in case you'd like to add these to your care packages for him, as some of you have asked if there's anything he *needs*:

1.)    Old Spice hair and body wash. It's one of those all in ones.
2.)    The NON-gel Old Spice deodorant (white chalky one).
3.)    Edge shaving gel (with the gray lid or orange lid)
4.)    Nivea After-Shave Balm (white bottle)
5.)    Mach 4 razors
6.)    Any kind of tooth paste

...Thanks and have a great weekend, Kady

We've since noted that hot chocolate is in high demand there (extreme cold) so that's a must in any care package.

The Goose Creek HG will likely be sending out a care package if you want to piggy back on that. Contact Darien for more info on that.

Grace's Response to Haiti Earthquake

2010-01-15T08:32:00.005-05:00

Grace Family:

Haiti was already considered the poorest country in the world. With reports of 50,000 people dead coming in, things are going from bad to worse. Here is some information on the disaster to date: Wikipedia on Earthquake

Richard Stearns, President of World Vision said this disaster is somewhat unique compared to Katrina and the tsunami. Some reasons he gave included:

* Urban disaster of 3 million people

* Over a million people are displaced from homes

* Infrastructure damage signficant

* Access is very difficult (island, port destroyed, airport severely damaged, roads largely blocked)

* Communication problems; power outages

* Comparable to the tsunami costs to rebuild (approx. $350 million)

* Many first responders (faith-based & secular) are victims as well as responders due to large number of people affected

(From Conference Call, Jan. 15, 2010)

Does God's Kingdom have a response for this? I believe it does. Like after Hurricane Katrina and the tsunami, we have a chance to show the love of Christ in practical ways. It will cost us time, energy and money. But is that really a cost when it's "More blessed to give than to receive"? (Jesus, Acts 20:35)

How will Grace respond? While our leadership is still discussing the specifics of how we'll respond, here is the answer to that question in broad strokes:

We will pray.

Everyone can do this. We need to take advantage of every opportunity we get with another Christ-follower to pause from whatever we're doing and pray. Here are a few suggestions:

-Survivors to be found
-Children (comfort; reuniting with parents; basic needs; care for orphans; connecting w/ local churches); 50 % of population is made up of children
-Disaster relief workers (wisdom, safety, resources, strength, dealing w/ being a victim & helper)
-Healing (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual)
-Resources to pour in & distribution to improve
-Spiritual protection from evil; that the light of Christ would shine brightly
-That Jesus' Church would respond with compassion, humility and generosity to effectively show the love of Jesus in practical and life-changing ways
-That Jesus would change many lives forever

We will give.

Pastors Bill Hybels, Max Lucado and World Vision leader Richard Stearns all offered that the most effective way the greater church can help right now is through prayers and giving to faith-based organizations who are prepared and experienced with this kind of disaster relief. My hope is to take a special offering this Sunday (1/17) for this need and opportunity.

We will give to organizations making a physical and spiritual impact in Haiti. We encourage you to first generously give directly to any of these below. You can also give to Grace Christian Fellowship and we will give to them. Note "Haiti Relief."

You can also give to the US Gov't or Red Cross. However, they will not help any churches financially as a part of their relief work. This is why we recommend you giving to Christ-centered ministries and relief organizations.

Some ministries/ organizations we believe will be most effective at compassionate and comprehensive relief include:

Samaritan's Purse Franklin Graham's international compassion ministry

World Vision 31 year presence in Haiti alone. Global leader in compassionate response

Compassion International Known for their child sponsorship emphasis

International Water Mission (based in N. Charleston, SC) Water purification systems is their specialty

Childspring International Jan Reeves has contacts with this ministry

World Relief Recommended by World Vision as well

Children's Hunger Fund Francis Chan endorses this ministry

International Medical Teams This ministry already has teams on the ground in Haiti. For doctors and nurses to respond in crisis. This is one way to go sooner than later, assuming you have medical training.

We will serve.

My hope is that we will be moved to do whatever we can to help. But I hope that we will be as "wise as serpents and gentle as doves" to be most effective. Rushing down there to help without a good plan or experience can do more harm than good. But there are ways we can help.

For example, "Promise packs" are backpacks packed with hygiene products, school supplies and more to be given out to children in the weeks and months ahead. World Vision hopes that churches will pull these together for the children of Haiti. Details at www.worldvision.org.

Another way is to volunteer at International Water Missions in N. Charleston. They build water purification systems and then send them into the mission field.

We will go.

Should we get the chance to go as partners with a professional relief organization/ministry, we'll send people down. More likely is us going to help in the rebuilding phase. There was much work to do before the earthquake.

For some Biblical perspective on this, consider these verses:

Luke 13:1-8
Psalm 46:1-11
Zechariah 7:9-10
Isaiah 58
Matthew 5:14-16

If you have other ideas or questions, feel free to contact us. We don't pretend to have this all figured out. We are open and listening to God and will respond to His leading along the way.

Contact us:

843-832-3775
info@gracetoday.net
www.twitter.com/gracetwitt
Facebook

Wed update for Wanda & meal info

2010-01-13T09:38:00.000-05:00

Wanda Aquino is coming home today (Wed) and will need some meals. If you are able to help in this area please sign up at Take Them A Meal using the link below. They confirmed that these meals DO NOT need to be low-sodium. They just want her to eat. Details are at www.takethemameal.com.

takethemameal.com login info:
last name: aquino
password: gcf

Hot Chocolate is hot commodity in Afghanistan!

2010-01-11T12:05:00.000-05:00

Dear GCF Family,

Our home group will be sending a box of hot chocolate packets to Rob Payne next week. If you would like to contribute hot chocolate, just bring to me this Sunday, January 16.

I will be working in the nursery, so you can drop it off to me there. If you were not at church this Sunday, Rob says that it is very cold in Afghanistan and hot chocolate is their favorite thing to help keep them warm. See you all Sunday!

Jan

janreeves@knology.net

Unreached people in Central Asia. Will you go?

2009-12-13T18:22:00.000-05:00

One of the future trips I hope we take as a church family is to Central Asia to the unreached people of a particular Russian country. About 50% of the people have not heard of Jesus or have a self-supporting church yet.

From those we support:

The Container Arrived!!!

This past Monday the 40 ft container finally arrived. Andy spent a day at customs, and then two days later we were able to unload all the materials for the playground at the orphanage. In the picture above, men are unloading the playground equipment at the orphanage to be stored until a work team comes in May to construct the playground. The director, pictured to the right, was so happy to see all of this arrive as we have been planning this for many months now. In addition to the playground, we received 110 boxes of clothing, toys, and arts supplies to distribute to the orphans here. If you are interested in joining us for this trip in May 2010, please visit Two Hearts For Hope website, and follow the instructions to come on the m trip. Thanks for continuing to lift this up, and please rejoice with us that everything arrived safely.

Logo design contest

2009-12-03T17:22:00.001-05:00

We're looking for some creative logo designs for our upcoming series iShine and WiiShine playing off of the popular iPhone and wii game system respectively.

The parameters are simple: A one-word logo (iShine, wiiShine) that captures the flavor of the product we're playing off of as well as the basic message each series is to have.

iShine is simply calling all Christ-followers to be light wherever they work, play or live. It's what Christ-followers do.

WiiShine is simply applying the iShine calling to the church family as a whole. We should shine as a church family and not just individually.

Submissions for iShine are due in by Fri., Dec. 11th. WiiShine submissions are due Fri., Dec. 18th. The prize is a book from Waterbrook Press or DVD small group curriculum Road to Financial Freedom by Crown (Plus the satisfaction that you were a part of helping visually communicate God's truth creatively. The art will be free for anyone's use as well.

Submit your entries to me at dariengabriel@gmail.com.

Have fun!
Darien

Series synopses:

December

We'll celebrate the Christ child in a new series called .

Jesus said, "You are the light of the world" to his disciples. In other words, he said, "Go shine!" And so are we as his followers. We follow Christ by trusting and obeying him. We'll look at the Christmas story and see where light and Christmas intersect.

January

We'll clarify our vision in light of our mission to "Love God. Love People." by describing what that should look like at Grace. We'll build on our series in Dec. iShine moving from the individual applications to our church-wide response. This series we'll call wiiShine.

Photoshop Help needed today

2009-11-30T11:44:00.004-05:00

If you can help me edit and image for our new church website today and are proficient with Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator or an equivalent software, call or email me asap. If not, pray we find someone that can help us out. 832-3775.

The help we need is to take our logo above and make it usable on a dark background. I'm thinking the edges need to diffuse (right word?) to clear so that the background can come through gradually making for a less harsh application.

Computer Help needed

2009-11-24T16:59:00.002-05:00

Family of Grace,

I'm typing this on my homeschool computer because the church office computer is dead (or playing dead) now. If you think you might be able to help us fix it read on...

...it's just rebooting over and over but never getting to the Windows desktop screen. I've tried cold boot, warm boot, safe mode boot, (snow boot...just kidding) and no change. Just keeps going and going and going...It had been randomly rebooting multiple times per day the past couple of weeks but it hasn't come back for 3 days now.

The computer is a no-name tower built 3+ years ago. It's running (was) XP Pro.

If you are good with computers and want to take a crack at fixing it, I'm wide open.

Staples wants $70 to determine if it's a software or hardware problem but told me after a quick look that it's probably hardware related. Not sure what it could be other than motherboard but then I'm no expert. Motherboards are the expensive part of the computer.

So send me your ideas and suggestions. But I'm looking for help here of some kind. I am limited in what I can do from here.

It's okay to pray for us too as we figure this out. God is good!

Darien

Care Package for G* and A* in East Asia

2009-11-18T16:11:00.002-05:00

* We leave their full names out at their request.

CARE PACKAGE WISH LIST

Southern Living or any other cooking magazines
National Geographic or Outside magazine
Strawberry Sour Straws
Cute Stationary
Scented Candles
Cute napkins or seasonal paper plates and napkins (i.e. thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter stuff)
Chocolate chips
Craisins
Toffee Chips
Caramels
Splenda
Coffee-reg and decaf
Heritage House Oodles
International Delight liquid Coffee Creamer singles
Muffin mix-the kind you just add milk or water
Crystal light drink mix
Dreamland BBQ Sauce
Soup mixes, especially Bear Creek
Cup cake liners
Any sort of baking and recipe stuff
Big Train brand- Chai Mix
Tortellini
Pictures of your family
Letters from your kids
Articles from the paper or magazines you liked or thought were interesting (especially things related to “east asia”)
Christmas ornaments
Velveeta
Tortillas
Salsa
Laffy Taffy
Gluten free mixes or stuff (we have a teammate that can’t eat gluten)
Reese Peanut Butter Cups
“The Good Earth Tea” chai or original flavor

THINGS THAT THEY CAN EASILY GET IN EAST ASIA

Snickers
Oreos
Dove Chocolate
Pringles
Ramen Noodles
Rice
Almonds, Cashews, Peanuts and Pistachios
Cookies
Candy

This is just a wish list, remember if you want to mail us something fun it’s pretty expensive so don’t buy much. If you want to send a package on the boat (surface) that is great it is a lot cheaper but it takes around 3 months.. Thanks for thinking of us and wanting to love us in this way.

Help Lanz's move Sat.

2009-11-18T14:15:00.003-05:00

MOVE CALLED OFF AS OF 11/19. THANKS

Basic info:

Help Lanz's move

Saturday Nov. 21 8:00 AM

Starting at 115 Venice St. Summerville 29483

Other info:

We are hoping to start early and only be a couple of hours so we can all have most of Saturday to do other things! We rented a truck, but if you have a pickup and are willing to bring it just in case, please do. If you are willing and able to help please reply to this email or call Phil 822-6391, thanks that help us with planning & knowing who to call if we have any last minute changes. If you are unable to come, please keep us in your prayers on Saturday!

Thanks everyone...

Easy way to help: Free up "safe for guests" seats

2009-10-27T02:19:00.000-04:00

Another easy way to help out on Sunday mornings is to sit either close to the front or on the far side of the room. This opens up the "safer for guests" seats making visiting a new church in a senior center just a little less awkward.

Sports Equipment & Games for Inmates

2009-10-26T14:59:00.001-04:00

Lieber Correctional Institute in Ridgeville really needs recreational equipment. Lyndora (Recreational Specialist) was so desperate that she started calling churches. What a great way to show the love of Jesus in a practical way. So we're collecting new and gently used games and equipment that men in prison would enjoy like basketballs, cards, boardgames, footballs, etc. We'll be collecting for the month of Nov. We'll have a box out on Sun. morning.

Simple ways you can help

2009-10-26T14:18:00.001-04:00

A simple way you can help make it easier for guests on Sunday mornings, the elderly and those with infants is to park in the back of the parking lot instead of taking the closest available spot. See, that was easy!

Prison looking for fun gear

2009-10-22T13:44:00.000-04:00

Computer + Houseware items needed

2009-09-30T17:10:00.002-04:00

JoAnn & our Helps Servant Group has had to stop giving financial assistance for a limited time but there are still needs coming in that we can help with. There are 2 below. Darien

Ericka

Ericka is a young woman called me (JoAnn) on Mon. in need of some household furnishings, such as:

dishes

pots and pans

glasses

anything for the kitchen
chairs

lamps

sofa etc.

woman's clothing (Ericka size is 5 in jeans or pants and medium in tops)

If you have anything that you are not using and want to give away, it would be greatly appreciated.

You may bring any items to church on Sun. except for large items that I would not be able to fit in my car.If you have something large we will make arrangements to pick it up and deliver it to her.

Note: JoAnn is planning to go and see Ericka to better assess her physical and spiritual condition. If you want to help, call her at 760-0374.

Stacey

Stacey Ingraham is need of a computer. She wants to go to school and much of that is online now.

Stacey lives with us (Schad's basement apartment) and has been coming to church for the past couple of months, just in case you don't know her. (She is also an active member of the Goose Creek Home Group. She has 2 young children and is a single mom)

Thanks for caring,

JoAnn Schad
760-0374

P.E.A.C.E. Plan

2009-09-22T12:07:00.000-04:00

Website Designers Unite!

2009-09-17T11:06:00.002-04:00

We're deep into designing our new website GraceToday.net 2.0. It's going to be simple, clean and photo-rich. For that to be good news, we need lots of fresh and new photos of our people.

So, calling all photographers! We need pictures of all ages doing all the great things we do at Grace. Probably what we need the most of is pics of our Home Groups and Sunday mornings. Everything from groups eating together, to setup to worship services. Just lots of pics!

If you'll just get them to us as you can by just putting them on a CD and passing them along when you see me that would be great!

Thanks everyone,
Darien & the 2.0 Team

Photos Needed

2009-09-11T22:47:00.000-04:00

Hey Everybody,

we're deep into designing our new website GraceToday.net 2.0. It's going to be simple, clean and photo-rich. For that to be good news, we need lots of fresh and new photos of our people.

So, calling all photographers! We need pictures of all ages doing all the great things we do at Grace. Probably what we need the most of is pics of our Home Groups and Sunday mornings. Everything from groups eating together, to setup to worship services. Just lots of pics!

If you'll just get them to us as you can by just putting them on a CD and passing them along when you see me that would be great!

Thanks everyone,
Darien & the 2.0 Team

Convoy of Hope: An opportunity to love people

2009-09-04T11:48:00.002-04:00

How could we partner with these organizations to love on Charleston?

Greater Charleston Convoy Of Hope
Gordon Cashwell
Sep 3, 2009

Hope for the hopeless...

On Saturday, Oct 10th, the Greater Charleston Convoy of Hopewill be rolling into town.

The 7^th annual Convoy of Hope event promises to be one of Charleston’s largest community outreach events to extend help to those in need in the city's history. Local churches, civic organizations, businesses, medical organizations are partnering together to serve our community. Join with us through volunteering and financial help and become a tangible expression of hope to your commun ity.

WHAT: COMMUNITY OUTREACH

A carnival-like event that includes free distribution of 1,000's of bags of food to provide meals to feed needy people throughout the Greater Charleston area. Free grocery distribution begins with free refreshments, live entertainment, children’s carnival area, medical services, job placement, haircuts, and more. The activities will continue, rain or shine, until all the food has been distributed. No identification is needed.

WHO:

Area churches, businesses, and community agencies in the Greater Charleston area; Without Walls Ministry; and Convoy of Hope, based in Springfield, Missouri, are donating time and resources to host this community outreach. This all-volunteer outreach includes a 1000+ volunteers who will be on hand to help unload the Convoy of Hope truck, distribute food, and facilitate all outreach programs.

WHY:

Convoy of Hope local outreaches are united acts of compassion designed to meet the basic physical and spiritual needs of community residents. Convoy of Hope is a non-profit organization that provides resources to organizations and churches to meet physical and spiritual needs for the purpose of making the community a better place.

WHEN: Saturday October 10th

WHERE: Noisette Parking Lot near the old Naval Base (map). At the corner of McMillan and Avenue East.

Upcoming calendar of events in preparation for Convoy of Hope (see full calendar):

- Sept. 12th from 5:30 to 7pm: Prayer and Worship Vigil at the Convoy of Hope site (Noisette Parking Lot) Michael Brown leading worship at this event. Contact Jennifer @prayerops@gmail.com.

- Sept. 19th, 26th & Oct 3rd from 9am to 1pm: Flyer Distribution to Neighborhoods (Volunteers Needed) to begin at Hope Assembly (map). Contact Meg at meg@brewerdevelopment.com.

- See After Care Training Dates/Times on the Convoy of HopeEvents Calendar.

- Oct. 8th and 9th at 9am: Site setup (Volunteer Needed) at Convoy Site (map). Contact John @ jhgoffsr@yahoo.com.

- Oct. 9th at 6:45pm: Volunteer Commissioning Rally at Faith Assemby (map)

- Oct. 10th at 7am: Volunteers report to Convoy site (Volunteer Needed) (map)

- Oct. 10th at 10am: Convoy of Hope gates open (rain or shine) - (Volunteer Information).

It's time to show the love of God in our community.

Gordon Cashwell, Charleston Convoy Coordinator

gordon@withoutwallsministry.org

GCF Twitter feeds

2009-09-03T15:54:00.008-04:00

Check out our new twitter feeds:

www.twitter.com/gracetwitt - Latest news, thoughts and questions.

www.twitter.com/graceprays - Church-wide prayer requests.

Facebook Group Page at www.facebook.com

Search "Grace Christian Fellowship Summerville"

5 Suggestions for loving people

2009-09-03T15:53:00.000-04:00

5 Suggestions for loving people

* Offer physical assistance. Ex. Take meals to a sick friend or neighbor.

* Offer emotional support. Ex. Ask someone if you can pray for him or her.

* Offer loving hospitality. Ex. Invite those who don't yet know Jesus into your home and include them in activities you already love to do.

* Offer generous affirmation. Ex. Look for ways to affirm those around you, such as sending encouraging cards.

* Offer the meaning and purpose of life. Ex. Host a home group in your home or workplace.

Help Zazula's move Thurs, 3 PM

2009-08-19T17:11:00.001-04:00

Grace Family,

David, Jena and Zachary are moving to CT this week and could use some help moving some heavy stuff into their moving van. They are willing to hire out some strong, young youth and have food for the adults.

If you can come sometime after 3 PM they would greatly appreciate it.

If you can come later but want to check with to see if they are done before coming, you can call me at 832-3775 and I'll give you a status report.

Thanks,

Darien

Address:

1060 Willowood Ave

Goose Creek, SC 29445

Map & Directions

Sign Putter-outers

2009-07-29T12:04:00.000-04:00

We keep hearing how many folks find our church simply by seeing our signs out and about. They are sharp, informative signs. And they are hard to ignore because they aren't out all the time. They're only out Sat. am - Sun. pm.

That's made possible by people who don't mind working behind the scenes serving the Lord humbly. We put out nearly 20 signs each week. Some people put 2 and some put out 7 or 8.

We've had a couple of regulars rotate off and we're looking for some help. If you think you might like to help with this ministry, call or email Darien to learn more. 832-3775.

The needs list continued

2009-07-27T12:00:00.002-04:00

More items needed in addition to what's listed below:

These are for a single mom with 3 children who's husband walked out on her several months ago. She wasn't left with much.

* queen size bed frame
* 2 twin size mattresses and bed frames
* twin bed sheets and blankets
* 1 king size bed frame
* 4 dressers for clothing
* basic car

Contact us at info@gracetoday.net if you can help us with any of these needs.

Families in need and how you can help today

2009-07-22T16:22:00.003-04:00

This email is from JoAnn Schad as she shares how we can help another single mom:

Stacy Ingram and her 2 children, Jayden 2 and Aleah 5 are now living with Otto and I. She has some immediate needs. If anyone could help we would appreciate it very much.

1. pots and pans
2. inexpensive laundry hamper
3. queen size sheets
4. clothes for herself-size 18 pants and 2xx tops
5. clothes for her children boy size 2 and girls size 7 maybe 8.

Stacy would like to take her test to get her cosmetology license. But she has to go to Columbia to take the test and doesn't have transportation. It would be wonderful if someone would be willing to drive her there.

Other needs for other families:

1. electric stove and air-conditioner for elderly woman in St. George
2. washing machine for a family of 7

We are always looking for very inexpensive cars. There are 3 women that are in great need of a car. If you know someone who would like to donate one or sell one for very little money, that would be such a blessing to these women.

Thank you for caring,
JoAnn Schad
760-0374

Please pray over this list with your family and Home Group and ask God how you might bless these families. Feel free to bring items on Sun. morning as well.

For more info, feel free to call me or JoAnn. If you would like to know how to get more involved in helping families like these, call JoAnn.

Finally, on Sat. we'll be helping a single mom move from one apartment to another. 2 Home Groups will be sending a few folks to help but we need more. Call Darien for specifics but it's this Sat. morning in Summerville.

Serving the least, the last and the lost in Jesus' name,
Darien

Practical needs for a families in Low country

2009-07-10T14:52:00.001-04:00

A struggling family that has called our church needs some help.

They are needing a washing machine, and a single bed. Bunk beds would be better since they have 7 people living in a very small house.

They also need clothes for 2 children girl 15, boy 13.

Here's an opportunity to show the love of Jesus in a practical way.

Please call Shirley (873-8530) or me (760-0374) if you can meet any of those needs. Also an elderly women in St. George needs and air conditioner (window unit)

Thank so much for caring. JoAnn Schad

Mission: Charleston ramping up

2009-07-01T15:04:00.003-04:00

Check out the many opportunities coming in for you to help us love on the SC low country July 11-20. Go to www.mission-charleston.blogspot.com for more!

Mulching Sr. Center

2009-07-01T15:03:00.001-04:00

We got a thank you letter from Jean Ott, the Exec. Director at the Dorchester County Sr. Center for mulching their flower beds.

Thanks to all who pitched in!

96% aren't connected to a church

2009-04-08T15:27:00.003-04:00

Apparently we need to start working on multi housing ministry in Summerville. This stat says it all:

1.    Who is “Multihousing?” A community of people living in the same locality, in similar structures, under the same management or authority. This encompasses more than apartments… from nursing homes, condos, military housing, marinas, duplexes, triplexes, senior apartments, urban high-rises, etc.
2.    57% of Americans live in multihousing communities.
3.    96% of the people living in these communities have NO CONNECTION to a church!

Great opportunity to get equipped

2009-04-07T18:20:00.002-04:00

Dear Grace Family member,

We have a great friend and partner in the work of the Gospel in Tim Bryant and the Lowcountry Biblical Counseling Center. For this reason, I want to encourage you to prayerfully consider if God might want you to participate in their upcoming seminar "Change that Sticks." I'll let you read the nitty-gritty below.

It's for those who want to grow personally as well as those who are looking for more equipping in the area of one on one discipleship and non-professional counseling.

The link will show you price and dates. Should you be interested but need financial assistance, I'll be happy to talk to you about it. Just give me a call.

I'm praying that we'll get better at building one another up in the Word. This is a great opportunity to get outside biblical training at a great price.

Feel free to call if you have questions or if you want to know who else is going. Don't put this off. This training is April 17th!

In Christ,

Darien

Details

You are invited to an upcoming seminar on Biblical Counseling beginning
April 17, Track 1: "Change that Sticks".

The Lowcountry Biblical Counseling Center hosts various trainings
throughout the year. This one is our most popular entitled "Change that
Sticks" and lays the basic foundations of biblical counseling and change-
covering key topics such as depression, anxiety, anger, forgiveness,
marriage and family conflict, communication, and more. The material
used was developed in connection with the Biblical Counseling Center in Chicago by a team of
biblical counselors with many years of counseling experience. It has been
used to help many people discover and apply biblical wisdom to life's
challenges. Both counselors and those seeking counseling regularly
attend. God's Word is sufficient and this seminar, I pray, will convince
you of this and give you the skills to unlock it in your life and ministry
to others. I hope you will consider coming or inviting others to come.

To register: call (843-278-0072) or visit our website at
<http://www.lcbcc.org/> www.lcbcc.org. (The following link will take you
to the info and registration page on this seminar -
http://lcbcc.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=27 .

DATES: April 17, 18; May 1, 2; and May 15, 16 (Fridays 7-9pm; Saturdays
9am-3pm)

THE MATERIAL: The 150+ page manual was developed in partnership with the
Biblical Counseling Center in Arlington Heights and is based upon the
biblical counseling approach of Dr. Jay Adams, Dr Wayne Mack, Dr John
MacArthur, Dr. Ed Welch, and Dr. David Powlison. It includes practical
assignments for biblical change.

THIS SEMINAR is one of four seminars that can be used as part of the
requirements for certification by the National Association of Nouthetic
Counselors (NANC.org). By attending any on of these seminars you are
invited to become part of a group who meet each month for ongoing
development and training in Biblical counseling. I hope to see you there.
For more information or to register visit our website at
<http://www.lcbcc.org/> www.lcbcc.org.

LOCATION: 361 Egypt Rd Mt Pleasant, SC (East Cooper Baptist Church)

TOPICS you will be led through as we open the Word of God together:

1. Why Should Christian's Counsel?

2. Why Use the Scriptures in Counseling?

3. Sanctification: The Christian's Claim to Change

4. How to Build Biblical Involvement & Hope

5. How to Gather the Right Information

6. Determining What the Real Problems Are

7. Discovering & Instructing Biblical Solutions

8. Dealing with Those Resistant to Change

9. What Kinds of Homework to Give

10. Controlling Fear, Anxiety and Worry

11. Anger: It's Causes and Cures

12. Defeating Depression

13. The Guilty Conscience

14. Counseling People with Pain & Bitterness

15. Communication Problems: the Heart Speaks

16. The "Secrets" of Blessed Marriages

17. Helping with Role Confusion in the Family

If you have any further questions please call 843-278-0072.

Your brother in Christ - Tim Bryant

"Ministering God's Truth in Love...One Soul at a Time"
6541 Rivers Ave, North Charleston, SC 29485
Phone:(843)270-0072
Fax:888-269-1340
Web: www.lcbcc.org
E-mail: lowcountry@biblicalcounselingcenter.org

Crisis & Security in our Church

2009-04-06T13:26:00.003-04:00

With the recent shooting of a pastor during a worship service, many churches are evaluating their crisis response (or lack thereof) these days. Here are some links that should help:

Ministry Continuity Solutions: www.ministrycontinuitysolutions.com
Christian Emergency Network: www.centoday.com
National Next of Kin Registry: http://nokr.org/nok/restricted/home.htm
Other sites:
• www.redcross.org
• www.ready.gov
• www.fema.gov
• www.fema.gov/kids
• www.disastercenter.com/agency.htm
• www.nonprofitrisk.org/training/train.htm#r_conf
• www.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/emergencyplan/index.html

Christian Emergency Network - Aware-Ready-There - Home

Christian Emergency Network is a communications and collaboration network mobilizing Christians and their churches to be ready to respond to emergencies big ...
www.christianemergencynetwork.org/

Strawberries for Royal Oaks

2009-04-02T20:49:00.001-04:00

GCF Children Special Activity

All K – 5^th are invited to do something fun for the family and for the seniors at Royal Oaks.

We will start at 8:30am, Saturday, April 18 at the Charpia Strawberry field off Embassy Drive and will end around 12:30 at Royal Oaks.

The fun for the family is that they are going to get to enjoy ½ of all the strawberries we pick in the hour we will be in the field. The fun for the seniors at Royal Oaks is that they are going to get to enjoy the other ½ of the berries.

After picking, all will come to the Hundley’s at 124 Smilax Lane where we will sort the berries and have hot dogs (around 11AM). After our lunch, we will go to Royal Oaks and give the berries to the kitchen staff and greet the residents as they come for their lunch. We will leave from Royal Oaks between 12 and 12:30. We will arrange rides for any who need them.

God commands us to love one another. He gives us so many ways to show our love. On April 18, we will show it by sharing the strawberries he created with some people who can no longer get out and move around in a farm field.

Each K – 5 child is asked to bring $5.00 to cover the cost of berries you pick for your family.

Furniture still needed

2009-03-31T16:23:00.000-04:00

Grace Family,

Last Friday I shared this need:

Furniture needed

A single mom is looking for used furniture for her new residence. She has 2 boys and needs the following furniture items:

Living room furniture (tables, lamps, sofa, chairs, etc.)

Full or Queen-sized bed for her

Chest of drawers for her boys bedroom

If you want to donate any of these items, please call JoAnn Schad or Shirley Fletcher to coordinate delivery.

If you can help move donated furniture from donating family to the family in need, please let JoAnn (469-5084) or Shirley (873-8530) know.

It's still a need. No one has responded. So I'm asking again that if you can help, please let us know. This mom and her 2 boys are living in section 8 housing with no furniture. We are in the early stages of helping them and this is a great way to see how responsive she will be to God's love shown in a practical way. Larry O'Neill is willing to move the furniture as am I. She has been given a fouton so she doesn't have to sleep on the floor but a bed would be better.

Contact JoAnn (469-5084) or Shirley (873-8530) or me if you can help.

In Christ we're better together,

Darien

Furniture needed

2009-03-27T16:35:00.004-04:00

A single mom is looking for used furniture for her new residence. She has 3 boys and needs the following furniture items:

Living room furniture (tables, lamps, sofa, chairs, etc.)

Full or Queen-sized bed for her

Chest of drawers for her boys bedroom

If you want to donate any of these items, please call JoAnn Schad or Shirley Fletcher to coordinate delivery.

If you can help move donated furniture from donating family to the family in need, please let JoAnn (469-5084) or Shirley (873-8530) know.

Not For Sale making a difference

2009-03-13T16:58:00.000-04:00

FROM DAVID BATSTONE: HOW DID THIS THING START?

I read in a local paper that one of my favorite Indian restaurants in the Bay Area had been trafficking women from India to wash dishes, cook meals and other tasks. The story came out when a young woman, Chianti Pratipatta died of a gas leak in an unventilated apartment owned by the proprietor of the restaurant, who forced Chianti and others into slavery under threat of reporting their illegal presence to the authorities.

This was happening in my country at a restaurant I frequented. My shock turned into a consuming passion that took me around the world to learn more about how slavery flourishes in the shadows.

I also learned about the solutions. I met heroes. Modern-day abolitionists fighting trafficking and slavery on the front lines. And I knew I had to do something. The Not for Sale Campaign combines technology, intellectual capital, abolitionist groups and a growing network of individuals like yourself – joined together to end slavery in our lifetime.

Welcome to the movement.

WAY FM

2009-03-10T16:04:00.001-04:00

Imagine this…

The estimated population of the Tri-County area is 600,000

Of these 600,000 how many people will not likely ever step into a church?

How can we reach them for Christ? How can we meet them where they are?

The answer is simple…

While they are driving, working, at the beach, eating at local restaurants and shopping in local shops.

100.9 WAY-FM exists to bring the message of Christ to the Lowcountry, but we cannot exist alone. We need your help! We are a listener supported radio station bringing hope to the Lowcountry and we are about to offer you an opportunity. This is your chance to help .. if every person, in every church, holding one of these pieces of paper right now gave, $10 WAY-FM would meet our financial goals for the entire year. Monthly gifts help us sustain our goals and maintain our budget. Your generous gifts allow us to bring events to the Lowcountry like the World Vision Tour with Sanctus Real, Matthew West and Jason Gray, it allows us to partner with the South Carolina Stingrays and bring you DecembeRadio as well as local bands Within the Red and T Culler. Helps to support future events like the upcoming Skillet, Disciple and Decyfer Down concert, as well as more to come!

Think about it…. That is 2 lattes…to offer hope

Let’s meet them where they are

WAY-FM’s pledge drive is March 24 – March 27

To give call 843.529.9293 or donate online at www.wayfm.com

Cadbury goes Traffik free

2009-03-09T10:27:00.001-04:00

Let's celebrate the amazing news that by the end of summer 2009, Cadbury's Dairy Milk bars can be part of our diet again!

We congratulate Cadbury on their commitment to justice and now look to their policy being adopted across their entire product range.

Cadbury's decision demonstrates the power of ordinary consumers in bringing change and freedom. Two years ago, STOP THE TRAFFIK met with Cadbury and was told that a fairtrade Cadbury's bar was impossible and impracticable.

This is a victory for every person who has complained, campaigned and spread the message. But most of all, it is a victory for every child held in exploitative labour on West African cocoa farms. It is important to remember though that all exploited children will not be free until Mars, Nestle, Lindt, Hershey and all the others have put human rights before profit and make similar announcements. Click here to find out more about the trafficking of children to work on cocoa farms.

STOP THE TRAFFIK has been calling for individual companies to take responsibility for the chocolate they sell and asking for it to be traffik free. This is a very significant step in our campaign.

If you've been part of this, e-mail it to your local press and tell them of the campaigning you did.

Together we will STOP THE TRAFFIK

STOP THE TRAFFIK Coordinating Team
Enquiries: info@stopthetraffik.org
57 Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7HS
+44 (0)20 7921 4258

LP needs a Shower!

2009-03-05T14:02:00.001-05:00

Church-wide Diaper Pounding/Baby Shower for Little Phil

There will be a casual drop-in Diaper Pounding for the Little Phil "LP" Lanz Sunday, March 8 at Jimmy & Jan Reeves' house from 2-4 PM. There will be dessert and punch. Hope to see you there! Questions? Call Jan at 814-1035.

Note: It's not just for the ladies...

You aren't limited to bringing diapers

Disaster Relief Training

2009-02-25T16:39:00.001-05:00

Disaster Relief Training Oct. 8-9, 2009

If you're interested in joining Darien to get trained to go do disaster relief in the future, pencil in the Oct. training date above. You can learn more about this here.

Diaper Pounding for Little Phil

2009-02-20T13:42:00.002-05:00

There will be a casual drop-in Diaper Pounding for the Little Phil Lanz Sunday, March 8 at Jimmy & Jan Reeves' house from 2-4 PM. There will be dessert and punch. Hope to see you there!

Diapers for newborn boy needed

2009-02-18T16:13:00.001-05:00

We are collecting diapers for a single mom in difficult circumstances. She will likely deliver a baby boy in 2 weeks. Bring new diapers Sunday mornings for the next several weeks. See JoAnn Schad for details.

Internet Evangelism Sunday Is April 26

2009-02-18T14:01:00.000-05:00

Internet Evangelism Day is an annual web-awareness day for churches and groups to emphasize the potential for online evangelism. This year, the date is April 26. The Internet Evangelism Day website provides detailed resources, ideas, and strategies to help use the Internet to reach others for Christ. Tools include a self-assessment for church websites, enabling them to better reach out into their communities. It also offers free downloads of video clips, Powerpoints, handouts, music, and drama to create presentations for Internet Evangelism Day. More info.

Lowcountry Pregnancy Center Jan. Needs

2009-02-01T14:11:00.003-05:00

The LC Pregnancy Center has monthly needs that our people can help provide. We just need somebody to be willing to gather the donations and get them to the Pregnancy Center. If that's you, please contact Darien at 832-3775.

Lowcountry Crisis Pregnancy Center (843) 553-3505

Pregnant? Scared? Confused? We can help. (843) 553-3505. FREE & Confidential Services. Enter Site.
www.lowcountrycpc.org/

Ready to Serve?

2009-01-21T14:53:00.003-05:00

The following are areas we need help in:

Host homes for youth coming from Curacao 2nd week in July

Leaders & helpers for back yard bible clubs in July (4 mornings)

Drivers for moving youth around during the 2nd week of July

Food preparation helpers for lunches and suppers 2nd week of July

Setup/Take down on Sundays: Loaders; helpers; sound

Preschool & Nursery: 2 helpers

Church sign put-er out-ers

See Darien if you have questions on any of these.

ESL Classes

2009-01-20T14:36:00.002-05:00

We're gathering names of those who are interested in learning more about how to teach ESL (English as a Second Language). If you're interested, call Darien at 832-3775.

Add your name

2009-01-20T14:23:00.001-05:00

It's a small way but it's a way that I can help make people aware of worldly injustice so that something can be done about it. So I added my name. Will you? Darien

Dear Darien,

The inauguration of President Barack Obama has historic significance that citizens across the political spectrum can appreciate and celebrate. With at least nine new Senators and 52 new Congressional Representatives coming to Capitol Hill, change is in the air in Washington.

But there are some things that haven’t changed. Beyond our borders, the poorest of the poor are victimized by violent crime – sexual violence, slavery, trafficking, police brutality, and property theft from widows and orphans. And justice systems in poor countries are ill-equipped to protect victims of violent oppression and apprehend and prosecute perpetrators. Add your name to a letter bringing these important issues to President Obama’s attention.

IJM works in twelve countries to investigate and prosecute exploitation of poor and vulnerable children, women and men, but we alone cannot provide relief for all the victims who desperately need it.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Make sure that the Obama Administration and the 111th Congress help make public justice systems capable of protecting the poorest of the poor, and the most vulnerable among them: children and women.

Please add your name to a letter bringing these important issues to President Obama’s attention – and share this message with others. Thank you for raising your voice.

Warmly,
Eileen Campbell
Director of Justice Campaigns

Blood Drive

2009-01-08T14:35:00.000-05:00

Announcing our next Blood Drive
Date :	1/22/2009 from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Location :	Seacoast Christian Church Summerville Seacoast Christian Church Summerville 301 East 5th North Street Summerville, SC 29483
Make an Appointment :	Click Here
Directions and Notes :
www.mapquest.com


What do I have to do :
Making an appointment is easy. Click on the link above or below. Once you get to the website enter your email address and date of birth. If you have used the online appointment system before your information will display for your approval. If you have not used our online system before you can fill out the form with some basic information that the blood bank will need. Then click the "Continue and View Blood Drives" button. You will see our blood drive. If you went to the site without using the link and don't see our drive enter seacoastchristian where it asks for the sponsor code. Click the circle to the left of the day you would like your appointment. On the next page, pick a time. Then you will receive an email confirming your appointment. Click Here now to make your appointment! You are going to save a life!
Questions and Comments :
Site Coordinator :	Angie Kimsey angiekimsey@seacoast.org

Painting and flooring next

2009-01-04T17:38:00.001-05:00

The Schad's basement work continues as they prepare it for single-mom Crystal Duke and her 2 boys.

With the sheet rock close to being done, there is flooring and then painting to be done. If you'd like to help, call Darien at 832-3775 or you can call Otto and JoAnn Schad at 760-0374.

Eagle Harbor Boys Ranch

2008-12-16T15:20:00.005-05:00

The Goose Creek Home Group recently finished up our first mission project. We took 10 of our group and their kids to eat pizza and play games with 8 boys in one of the two houses at the Eagle Harbor Boys Ranch. The boys were great and had a blast as did we. We are looking forward to going back and meeting the boys in the second house.

If you or your group are interested in helping, contact Darien at 832-3775 or email at info@gracetoday.net. Here are directions:

Directions to Eagle Harbor Boys Ranch

Address:
1044 Eagle Harbor Lane
Summerville, SC 29483
(See a map)

Directions:

Directions from Charleston Take Interstate 26 West to Exit 194 (Road 16, Jedburg, Pinopolis exit). At the stop sign, turn right. Go 2 miles, and turn right by the New Hope United Methodist Church on to Starline Drive. Go 1.2 miles, and turn left on to Candle Drive. At .4 miles, Candle Drive turns into Leisure Drive. Go .4 more miles and turn left on to Haney Branch Road. Eagle Harbor is .2 miles ahead on the left. Drive in, take the first right, continue under the "Ranch" entrance and follow the gravel road down the left fork to the two houses.

Advent Conspiracy: Another option

2008-12-10T14:43:00.001-05:00

This Christmas season, many Americans are forced to spend less on Christmas than they normally would. The pastors leading the Advent Conspiracy movement have advocated for this mentality long before the economic challenges we all face hit this holiday season. We love Advent Conspiracy and its message to all of humanity this Christmas to worship fully by spending less, giving more and loving all.

As you consider how you are allocating your Christmas gifts, consider giving the gift of clean water to a child in Rwanda for just $5. A contribution from you personally, your family or your church this Christmas can change the entire trajectory of a life and a community. $10,000 will provide drinking water for an entire community. You can learn more at www.RwandaCleanWater.com

Be inspired by Advent Conspiracy and check out their latest video to see why thousands of churches are conspiring this Christmas season.

Merry Christmas!

Courtney Fahey
Rwanda Clean Water

Swap Shop

2008-12-08T14:18:00.002-05:00

Do you like things for free? Boy I do!

Do you like cleaning out your garage, attic, closet, storage shed? Me too!

But what do you do with all that stuff? Taking it to Goodwill is one option. But what if you could help somebody out at the same time. Somebody you already know...

The Swap Shop has that very idea in mind. Jaimie Lanz setup the Grace Swap Shop Group using Yahoo.com so that the people of Grace could help one another out in practical ways. Sounds like we're better together to me...

One Dollar

2008-12-03T16:39:00.001-05:00

By Jan Joslin

One of my favorite places in the world was my Grandaddy and Gran Lennon’s farm in North Carolina. Everything about it was magical. As a child, there was only one thing that didn’t fit in my mind. At Christmastime, my Grandaddy would proudly give each of us a crisp dollar bill in one of those gift envelopes from the bank. Privately, I was a little embarrassed and always hoped none of my friends asked what my grandparents gave me for Christmas. My childish mind could understand there were 23 of us grandchildren, and I knew we were dearly loved – but a DOLLAR?

It wasn’t until years later that I found out the reason for the dollar. My grandparents wanted to give something to each of us. But their REAL gift was the more than $1,000 they contributed to the Lottie Moon Christmas offering each year which went to support Southern Baptist international missionaries. The amount was a sacrifice they were eager to make.

My church has been talking about the Advent Conspiracy a lot this year. The Web site says, “Christmas can (still) change the world. This year, Give Presence.” My grandparents were way ahead of their time. They gave presence instead of presents. And the younger generation is following in their footsteps. As a family we don’t exchange many presents; we do try to give our presence. In fact, for my parents’ recent 50^th wedding anniversary, we celebrated with a hands-on mission project for Operation Inasmuch. Lots of people thought that was a little weird. Grandaddy and Gran Lennon would have understood it just fine.

International Justice Mission

2008-12-02T22:24:00.001-05:00

Here's another way you can help give Jesus a birthday gift this Christmas...

This Christmas, give a gift so precious that you wouldn’t dream of wrapping it: Freedom. International Justice Mission has meaningful gifts that bring hope, dignity and freedom to those in great need.

How it works:

1. You purchase a gift from IJM’s Holiday Gift Catalog.

2. A beautiful card detailing the gift is delivered to your friend or loved one.

3. Your gift is used by IJM to bring freedom to children, women and men in great need.

Featured gift: A day of Advocacy - $70

The poor are often left voiceless in the aftermath of violent oppression. Give someone in desperate need the priceless gift of a highly professional IJM lawyer who will bring the law to bear on their behalf.

Visit the 2008 Gift of Freedom Holiday Catalog today and give freedom to everyone on your list!

Warmly,

Laurie Hayes
International Justice Mission

Basement Project Next Steps:

2008-11-20T14:20:00.000-05:00

1. Finish wiring electrical

2. Insulate walls

3. Sheet rock walls

4. Paint walls and trim

5. Install cabinetry

6. Tile floors

Don't hesitate or you'll miss out on helping! Call today to find out more about how you can help, contact Otto at 760-0374 (h) or 276-1207 (c).

Basement renovation update

2008-11-19T13:39:00.002-05:00

Otto is working on electrical wiring. He could use some assistance there. He is planning to hire an electrician to do the panel work since that exceeds his experience.

Next will be insulating the walls. If you can help with this, let Otto know.

After insulation will be Sheetrock installation. We need supplies and people to help us put it up.

After that will be painting.

To find out more about how you can help, contact Otto at 760-0374 (h) or 276-1207 (c).

Basement Renovation for Crystal

2008-11-10T14:39:00.003-05:00

Here are a few items that are needed:

Wall insulation

Sheet Rock, mud & tape

Kitchen cabinets

Stove

Nails

Hardware for doors

Paint & supplies

For more information on how you can donate these call Otto Schad at 760-0374

Internet / Web Ministry: Looking ahead

2008-11-07T13:40:00.007-05:00

Below is an email I sent recently outlining my thoughts on where I hope we'll go online as a church. If any of this hits you, shoot me an email. Darien

Mike,

Below is the content from a previous email where I gave you an outline of the scope I feel this ministry should pursue. Thanks for all your work on this!

Darien

PS I cc'd several other people that have helped us with online stuff already. I'd really like to involve more people in leveraging the Web for all church ministry.

Sep 27 Email:

Great! And perhaps we can briefly discuss what kind of help we really need. I want to stay involved in this ministry as it fits my SHAPE but there are a lot of pieces to it I don't need or really want to do that others might love.

Some things others can help us do:

Edit/contribute to a specific blog (lots of opportunity here;-) )

Upload photos to sites we create online (Picasa.com for example)

Build slide shows for our website using pics we upload (Picasa.com)

Edit/create e-zekiel event pages using the newsletter

Edit/create e-zekiel pages as needed

Upload mp3s of our messages to podcast to e-zekiel and then linking to itunes.com

Editing our online google calendar and making that available to our members for those who already use it for personal or work purposes. Google calendar allows you to have multiple calendars that you can turn on or off. So you could turn on our Grace Calendar of events or of internal events (meetings). Right now I edit these since I need to know them anyway. Note: I've invited you to be able to edit and manage both of these calendars so that if we have someone volunteer you can put them to work! (assuming this makes sense)

Create a page that shows our church how we're using current websites to better connect with each other. Examples include:

* Google calendar (see above)
* Facebook
* Churchteams home group database through our website
* Planning Center Online for worship service planning
* Blogs (church and personal)
* Youversion.com online bible & journal community (still in early stages for us)
* Gubb.net where I am beginning to share task lists with people
* Registering at our own website
* Creating new websites from scratch that are evangelistic or pre-evangelistic (bridge sites)

So by now I think you see that I'm looking to leverage the web a lot more in the near future. The only thing holding us back is people resources.

As soon as you get a list of people interested in working on these things, let's schedule a 2-hour meeting and sit down together and get people started.

Thanks for all your help on this, Mike. It's a real passion of mine and I think you.

In Christ we're better together,
Darien

There's lots more potential

ShoeTube

2008-10-29T14:39:00.002-04:00

With many of you, your families and your small groups considering ministry and mission options during 40 Days of Community and the Advent Conspiracy , I wanted to pass this along to keep good options in front of you. Feel free to share this with others and I'll post it on our Grace: Helps Blog.

Because we're better together!

Thanksgiving Celebration

2008-10-28T14:11:00.003-04:00

You can help us in the following ways:

1. Make and bring food.

2. Help Shirley Fletcher transport meat and drinks the day of.

3. Help setup tables before the event that day at about 5 PM.

4. Help take-down and clean up afterward.

5. Buy a ham or turkey to donate.

Call church office if you have any questions. 832-3775.

Basement Apartment Supply list

2008-10-27T14:15:00.002-04:00

Items needed to complete basement apartment for Crystal

Immediate Needs

1.electrical:

Boxes for outlets (about 25) ,wiring, overhead lighting fixtures(3).13 receptacles

Future Needs

2.some insulation

3.Sheetrock(50)

4. 20-24 in. electric stove

5.more wood studs

Flooring has been donated. Doors, window, some studs, bathroom and fixtures as well.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. We would like to complete this project as soon as we can

Crystal will be moving in with us in 2 weeks.

Thank you so much,

Otto and JoAnn

Web/Internet Ministry Opportunities

2008-10-25T11:00:00.002-04:00

Here is a clip from an email I wrote to Michael O'Neill about our web/computer ministry opportunities:

Some things others can help us do:

Edit/contribute to a specific blog (lots of opportunity here;-) )

Upload photos to sites we create online (Picasa.com for example)

Build slide shows for our website using pics we upload (Picasa.com)

Edit/create e-zekiel event pages using the newsletter

Edit/create e-zekiel pages as needed

Upload mp3s of our messages to podcast to e-zekiel and then linking to itunes.com

Editing our online google calendar and making that available to our members for those who already use it for personal or work purposes. Google calendar allows you to have multiple calendars that you can turn on or off. So you could turn on our Grace Calendar of events or of internal events (meetings). Right now I edit these since I need to know them anyway. Note: I've invited you to be able to edit and manage both of these calendars so that if we have someone volunteer you can put them to work! (assuming this makes sense)

Create a page that shows our church how we're using current websites to better connect with each other. Examples include:

* Google calendar (see above)
* Facebook
* Churchteams home group database through our website
* Planning Center Online for worship service planning
* Blogs (church and personal)
* Youversion.com online bible & journal community (still in early stages for us)
* Gubb.net where I am beginning to share task lists with people
* Registering at our own website
* Creating new websites from scratch that are evangelistic or pre-evangelistic (bridge sites)

So by now I think you see that I'm looking to leverage the web a lot more in the near future.

If you're interested in helping in this ministry, contact Michael O'Neill or Darien Gabriel at info@gracetoday.net or 832-3775.

Our First Deacons and their wives

2008-10-24T15:49:00.000-04:00

Dear Grace Family,

It's exciting to announce our first Deacons and their wives selected by you to serve at Grace Christian Fellowship! They are:

Steve & Linda Deans

Brian & Jan Joslin &

Mike & Sherry O'Neill

Congratulations you all!

I appreciate their willingness to serve in this way. Thank you all for patiently working with us as we have gone through this process for the first time.

Please begin praying for them as they meet with the Pastor/Elders and begin serving our church family. Encourage and support them when you see them. Let them know you're praying for them.

We'll field questions Sun. at our Congregational Meeting as well.

Because we're better together,

Darien, Gene, Jimmy, and Terry

Christmas can [still] change the world.

2008-10-23T14:46:00.004-04:00

Enter the Story

Christmas can [still] change the world.

The story of Christ's birth is a subversive story of an upside-down kingdom. It's a story of promise, hope, and a revolutionary love that is still changing the world to this day. So, what happened? What was once a time to celebrate the birth of a savior has somehow turned into a season of stress, traffic jams, and shopping lists. And when it's all over, many of us are left with presents to return, looming debt that will take months to pay off, and this empty feeling that we somehow missed its purpose.

Is this what we really want out of Christmas?

What if Christmas became a world-changing event again by turning our focus back to the birth of Christ? What could happen to your family if this focus was celebrated in loud, bold and totally unexpected ways? What if you could actually trade your season of stress for a season celebration and unbelievable memories with your friends and family? What if all of this could save a life at the same time? It can.

Welcome to Advent Conspiracy

So at Grace we're challenging everyone to take part of what you would have spent on Christmas presents for each other and use that money to buy Christmas (birthday) gifts for Jesus. When you give to the least of these you give to me, Jesus said. So any time you help the poor you're giving to Jesus.

Americans spend $600 billion a year on Christmas. We spend about $1,000 per family. Surely we can give some of that to someone way more needy and bless Jesus in the process.

I encourage you to replace expensive gifts with relational gifts--gifts that take more time than money to make. It might even be spending time with someone that's the gift. This will take more effort. You can't just run to Wal-Mart or Toys R Us on Christmas Eve and pick up a quick, useless $20-gift. You have to actually give it some thought and time. Yes, this will be a sacrifice. Yes, it will be worth it.

Latest on Crystal

2008-10-06T15:06:00.001-04:00

Hi Darien, Otto asked me to email you this list of needs for the basement. We have purchased a few things and Otto is working and getting some things done.Almost everything has been moved out except for the work table with the printer.

We have the printer for sale and would like to give that work table to someone who would like it. It is very heavy and cannot be folded. It's a great table for anyone who could use it. ( so pass the word) The rest of the studs will have to be put up and then the next thing that will have to be done is the electrical, which Jodie and Chuck will be doing that for us. It is one of the greatest expenses. After that, the sheet rock (second greatest expense) My son will be calling a friend of his about donating some sheet rock????

Crystal told me yesterday that her job at McDonald's will be ending at the end of the month. She wants to go to school and hopefully work part time She will be moving in with us.My goal is to have this basement finished as soon as possible.We're trusting God to provide us with the material and the labor to accomplish this monumental task, and we know He will, because this is what we believe He want us to do.

Thanks, JoAnn

Major Events Need More Help

2008-10-01T15:07:00.000-04:00

We have 4 more major events coming up in 2008. The Sr. Center has gone up dramatically on their rental rates so renting above and beyond our normal rental agreement could cost us a lot. But they've worked with us and are allowing us to use the extra rooms for FREE IF we do the setup and take-down along with the cleanup. That's a lot of savings! It's also a lot of work...

That's where you come in. Yes, you!:-) We need extra help setting up tables and chairs and taking them back down, taking garbage out, cleaning bathrooms, etc. for the following events:

40 DOC: Ministry Fair: Sun AM, Nov 9 (setup 8:15, take-down, clean up afterwards)

40 DOC: Celebration Sunday & Meal: Sun AM, Nov 23 (setup 8:15, take-down, clean up after)

Thanksgiving Celebration Service and Meal: Tue PM, Nov 25 (setup 4 PM, take-down, clean up after)

Christmas Eve Service: Wed PM, Dec 24 (setup 4 PM, take-down, clean up after)

We normally setup for Sun services with 6-8 people. This will add 1-2 people per week for that. Most of the help is actually needed after the service when people normally like to get home.

If you would be willing to provide extra help for any of these events, will you please take the initiative and let us know through your welcome card, phone, email or in person.

Provide your name, phone, email, date(s) you can help and whether you'll help before or after. info@GraceToday.net 832-3775

Setup Schedule

2008-09-30T14:11:00.001-04:00

My hope is that someone will volunteer to coordinate the setup schedule for me in the future. Right now, it's me. (Darien)

I'm adding a link to the right side where everyone can get a peek at it. If you have questions, feel free to call me at 832-3775.

WAY FM Rocks!

2008-09-23T14:37:00.000-04:00

Dear Lowcountry Church Member,

By now I hope you have been listening to WAY-FM when you are in your car, at home or online. We are so glad to be here serving the Lowcountry! However, there is a cost in bringing this ministry to you. WAY-FM is a listener supported station that relies heavily on donations to stay on the air. During October 14-17 we will be having our very first pledge drive. This is when we give you, the listener, an opportunity to join with us in reaching the Lowcountry for Christ. After your tithes to your local church we would appreciate any amount you are able to give, whether monthly or a one-time gift. We are also in need of phone volunteers during our pledge drive. If you are interested in volunteering please call us at 529.9293 or email wayx@wayfm.com. Thank you in advance for partnering with us here in the Lowcountry.

Blessings!

Bret Bremberg, General Manager WAY-FM, Charleston

An opportunity for God to work

2008-09-21T15:10:00.001-04:00

Here's another way we can help be a part of the recovery process for so many whose lives have been turned upside down by disaster. What an opportunity for God to work!

FRANKLIN GRAHAM VIDEO REPORT:
Urgent Appeal for Hurricane Victims

As we work in three locations in Texas to help victims of Hurricane Ike, Samaritan's Purse President Franklin Graham calls for prayer, volunteers, and financial help. Visit our Web site to watch his video message.

Click here to view the video report

Click here to volunteer

Disaster Relief is Costly

2008-09-21T15:07:00.001-04:00

Dear Grace Family,

I'm including this because those serving on the front lines need our support. I got this via email. Here's one way you can help from a distance (in addition to praying):

To: Friends of Southern Baptist Disaster Relief
From: Mickey Caison, Disaster Relief Operations Center Director
Re: Immediate Financial Needs for Hurricane Ike Victims

A little more than a week ago, the people of the American Gulf Coast experienced another horrific hurricane. Already we are being asked to draw comparisons between the damage inflicted by Hurricane Ike and that of Katrina and Rita. This is where it gets tricky.

First, it is early in the process. Second, the nature of Ike—encompassing a 500-mile stretch of Louisiana and Texas coastline—impacted a far wider range of cities, homes and communities including America’s 4th largest city, Houston. One could consider one early measure of damage in insurance losses. In that regard, Monday’s estimates of Ike were over $10 billion in damages compared with $40 billion of Katrina.

The volunteers who respond through Southern Baptist Disaster Relief don’t wait for damage assessments. As soon as the storm cleared, we had “boots on the ground.” Already, we have assembled the capacity for 500,000 hot meals per day in cooperation with the American Red Cross and Salvation Army through 46 Feeding Units (mobile kitchens). More than 92 other units are in place providing power, hot showers, laundry, communications and other practical services.

The Hurricane Ike response is on the heels of Hurricane Gustav in Louisiana where Southern Baptists deployed more than 204 units and still have 95 units working today. We expect to continue to provide feeding, chainsaw and mud-out work for many weeks to come. However, our purpose is the same as it always is: to lend practical assistance to people in need, while pointing to the One Who we serve.

There is one practical, tangible comparison I invite you to prayerfully consider. As of the close of business on Tuesday, September 16, 2008 the North American Mission Board had received less than $20,000 in financial gifts in response to Hurricane Ike.

Will you make this a matter of prayer? Will you carry this message to your mid-week prayer meetings, Sunday School class and other groups you fellowship with? 100% of financial contributions to Disaster Relief go straight to the field—helping meet the needs of people affected by the storm while sharing the saving message of Jesus Christ.

Your most efficient option for responding is online through www.namb.net and clicking on "Donate Now", or go directly to this link. You may also mail your donation, payable to the North American Mission Board, to PO Box 116543, Atlanta, GA 30368-6543. Thank you for giving this your prayerful consideration.

Disaster Relief: NC Baptists in Baytown, TX

2008-09-15T15:47:00.001-04:00

All three of our (NC Baptist) large feeding units will be set up in Baytown, Texas to assist with Hurricane Ike disaster relief efforts there. The combined capacity of all three feeding units is 70,000+ meals per day. Teams and equipment are traveling today and plan to start serving meals tomorrow (Tuesday). Lots of our other equipment and volunteers are also traveling to Baytown, Texas including tanker units, generator units, shower units, laundry units, etc. We anticipate sending recovery volunteers at a later time. We will update you when we are ready to send recovery volunteers and teams.

Please pray for the victims of Hurricane Ike and for the volunteer as they seek to serve them. Pray for safety for the volunteers as they travel and as they work.

For regular updates go to our website at http://www.ncmissions.org/Projects/disasterrelief/ike.aspx

Please remember that the ministries of NC Baptist Men are funded through your gifts to the NC Missions Offering. If you would like to give specifically to the Hurricane Ike disaster relief efforts, please make your check payable to NC Baptist Men, PO Box 1107, Cary, NC 27512 and designate your check for Hurricane Ike disaster relief.

Food needed

2008-09-12T14:43:00.002-04:00

Folks, there is a need for food here. Thanks Doris for the heads up. Check this out:

I just spent some of the morning going to various agencies in our area. They are all "needy". There is one group Dorchester Interfaith Outreach Ministries that is totally out of non-perishable food. I spoke with Doris Ayers and she told me they have been turning away folks for almost 3 weeks due to no inventory. She said most of these persons are families with small children or elderly. She was requesting canned meats (tuna, salmon, ham), grits, powdered milk, just stables. They really have nothing to give out. Just passing on information.

Send a card to Loubie today

2008-09-08T16:13:00.001-04:00

Loubie isn't in the hospital but she missed Sunday because of a seizure. Please pray that they will go away so that she can live without the constant fear of another seizure. Send her an encouraging card too:

Loubie O'Neill

100 Rebellion Road

Summerville, SC 29483

Operation: Christmas Child

2008-08-29T09:07:00.004-04:00

CNN VIDEO REPORT:
Passing On the Blessing

A girl who received an Operation Christmas Child shoe box while an orphan in Russia has the opportunity to deliver gifts to children in Ecuador. She tells her story on CNN.

Click here to view the video report on our website.

Pray about what your Home Group might do this holiday season as we talk about service projects and the Advent Conspiracy.

40 Days of Community...talk about ways to help!

2008-08-28T11:00:00.002-04:00

Go to http://www.bettertogetheratgrace.blogspot.com/ to learn more about how we're better together at Grace and how you can help us with this incredible series beginning Oct. 12th.

There is a lot of work that needs to happen before then so if you want to plug in and help, check out this blog or call us at 832-3775. We're better together!

Mission: Charleston or Curacao in 2009

2008-08-28T10:55:00.002-04:00

If you're passionate about making a difference in the world, then Summer 2009 will have your head spinning!

We're throwing a biggest effort at Mission: Charleston in 2009. For 10 days welcome concentrate our efforts on loving on our neighbors all over the SC Low Country. In addition, we may host and be joined by a youth group from Curacao to help make this happen.

We'll need host homes, food preparers, transportation, team leaders, prayers, workers, helpers, and more to pull off this huge endeavor for our church. We're even welcoming help from other churches! Check out our new blog for this trip at http://www.mission-charleston.blogspot.com/.

If you're more a world traveler, our other summer option is Mission: Curacao. We're going back after a successful venture this summer. We already have more wanting to go than we took the first time. Check out the latest on this trip at http://mission-curacao.blogspot.com/.

Directions to Bobby's

2008-08-02T12:47:00.001-04:00

In the previous post I have 2 opportunities for you to help folks move. Here is additional information for Bobby Howard:

The address is 121 Darcy Ave in Permisson Hill which is right behind the Walmart there in Goose Creek. You turn beside Walmart on Davenport and follow it to the end. In intersects with Darcy at that point. Turn left and 121 will be on the right in the 1st or 2nd building. We're renting a u-haul so whoever can come should find us fairly easily. If you know who can come and help and they have a cell phone, we can call if there is some delay or you can give them my cell # so they can call of they have questions. It's also OK for us if they simply want to show up when available. We appreciate any help we can get. Thanks again for everything you have done to help us get settled there so far. We love you guys and look forward to living close by again!

Help 2 families move Aug. 8-9

2008-07-30T14:10:00.000-04:00

There are a couple of ways you can help out next weekend...

First, Chuck & Jodi Goins have been coming now for about 6 weeks, they are in our new Starting Point Home Group and are interested in joining Grace...and they are moving from one apartment to another and could use some help.

From Chuck:

Darien, We are now moving on Fri., Aug. 8th (Starting @ 10:00-Done) and Sat., Aug. 9th. (Starting @ 10:00-Done), we will provide food and drinks for all that come....Something that would really help would be if someone could watch Ian, any ideas?

Directions:

1. Coming from either direction on Main turn onto Berlin G. Meyers(165) where Lowes and Home Depot are.
2. Go to the first light and turn Left. This will put you onto Marymeade Dr.
3. Continue going straight resist the urge to turn into the Farmington Village Apt. complex.
4. Go straight thru the Roundabout Follow you will now be in our complex The Tradition.
5. When you enter the complex turn left, follow road to the 400 building, its the last building on the right (blueish gray) before the road turns slightly right.

If these directions don't work for everyone our address is:

325 Marymeade Drive Apt. #405
Summerville, SC 29483

Later, Chuck

Second, Anita and I have some good friends (Bobby & Kim Howard, plus 2 daughters) that are moving to Summerville. Bobby Howard will begin teaching at CSU this fall. Since we'll be on vacation (how convenient, I know) we won't be here to help them move in. If you would be willing to help them for a while, here is their info:

Phone: 828-230-3836

They'll arrive Sat. afternoon and need help until they're done. They may work some on Sun.

I realize you all have busy lives and that this isn't fun or convenient work. But it's a great way to help some brothers and sisters in Christ who are in legitimate need. It will dost you some time and sweat whether you help them unload or watch children. Either way, while you won't get paid down here, you'll definitely chip into your eternal retirement plan;-)

Serving Him...together,
Darien

Franklin Graham Festival 60 days away

2008-07-30T13:44:00.001-04:00

Usher volunteers still needed for the Franklin Graham Festival

As we approach the last 60 days before the Festival there is still a need for key volunteers in the area of Ushers. As of this date, we have 160 that have registered to be an Usher.

We estimate that we will need 250-350 Ushers per-night to serve at each Festival service. The Ushers will be seen first by those attending the Festival, so a smile and a greeting to help people into the seating sections will be a great hosting ministry. Volunteers can sign up on line at billygraham.org and go to the Lowcountry Festival site. We would ask the Ushers sign up before September 1^st.

The Festival Web page is a great information source and volunteer’s registration source for all areas of the Lowcountry Festival. Go to www.billygraham.org and click on the Lowcountry Festival Web site. You can click a Festival Involvement area to register in all of the key volunteer areas. God Bless you.

Lowcountry Franklin Graham Festival

P.O. Box- 61207

North Charleston, SC 29414

Phone: 843-745-6272

Fax- 843-743-8093

Lowcountry Festival September 19-21, North Charleston Coliseum

Help Persecuted Christians around the world...today!

2008-07-21T11:21:00.001-04:00

I recently signed up to send letters to Christians who've been imprisoned because of their faith. I will be able to write them a letter of encouragement in their own language using a special website and then mail the letter myself. Below is the email I received after signing up for you to read and see what it entails. I encourage you to prayerfully consider doing the same thing as we "Remember those in bonds as bound with them." (Hebrews 13:3) Pastor Darien

Registration Confirmation

Thank you for signing up for The Voice of the Martyrs' Prisoner Alert program. With this special interactive program, you will have the opportunity to help imprisoned Christians in nations like China, Vietnam, Turkey, and other countries, through...

1.) Prayer;
2.) Protesting to appropriate government officials;
3.) Writing an encouraging letter (You will even be able to translate your letter into the prisoner's native language); and
4.) Involving your Christian friends and watching the worldwide impact of the program.

Hebrews 13:3 encourages us to "remember those in bonds as bound with them." Through the Prisoner Alert program, you will be able to fulfill this vital scripture and tell the world that we will not let our Christian brothers and sisters suffer in silence.

A new prisoner profile or update goes out each month. In the meantime we invite you to visit www.prisoneralert.com and view the current prisoner profile and opportunities for involvement.

We also invite you to visit The Voice of the Martyrs website at www.persecution.com to learn more about today's persecuted church.

If you live in the USA and are not current receiving The Voice of the Martyrs monthly newsletter, we invite you subscribe here...

Portable Church Stuff

2008-07-17T16:47:00.004-04:00

One of the areas of service we're trying to streamline is our setup and take-down before and after worship each week. Setup alone requires 8 people a week for an average of an hour a week per person. That's 8 man hours a week to setup.

To reduce our actual setup time we're looking to invest in some equipment designed to help portable churches be more efficient. We've found two companies that specialize in this area: Portable Church Inc. and Church on Wheels.

If this area of service interests you, feel free to go to these websites and do some research on how we can improve our process. Feel free to to pass along any other companies who also specialize in this area.

If you are interested in helping us setup in the mornings periodically, call Darien at 832-3775 or email us at info@gracetoday.net. We only need help once a month on setup.

Walk for Life

2008-07-17T13:24:00.000-04:00

Nov 8 there will be walks in N. Chas, Mt. Pleasant & West Ashley

For more info contact Tammy or Paula @ 553-3528 or email tammy@lowcountrycpc.org

www.LowCountrycpc.org

Otto & JoAnn Schad help

2008-07-07T11:20:00.003-04:00

Many of you already know that JoAnn's mother died Sat. morning. The next night Otto had what they thought was another heart attack. It appears that he's going to be fine. However, they are still grieving and dealing with the stresses of a funeral and lots of family all together from all over.

Ways you can help:

* Pray for God's grace to cover the family dynamics as they interact under less than ideal conditions.

* Pray for the Gospel to clearly be presented as a part of the funeral service. Pray for salvation to result.

* Pray for comfort and peace as the family grieves.

* Provide food for the family after the funeral. Details below.

* Provide meals for the Schad family. Coordinate with Anita Gabriel (607-2977)

* Offer to take Otto to and/or from dialysis any day this week. Call JoAnn for that after today at 760-0374.

* Go to the service tonight at 7 PM. Details below.

From email this morning:

First of all a praise. It looks like Otto will be discharged today. He had the symptoms of a heart attack but apparently not the damage of one. So I don't know what you call that but he's waiting for one final blood test to come back before leaving. Pray that he'll be discharged in time to make the funeral so he can be there for JoAnn.

Second, visitation for the family of Ruth Miller (JoAnn's mother) will be before and after the service (7 PM) and those visiting hours are 5-9 PM at the Stuhr Funeral Home in West Ashley:

J Henry Stuhr Inc‎ - more info »

3360 Glenn McConnell Pkwy, Charleston, SC - (843) 723-2524‎

From Summerville, it may be quicker to go down US 61 than I-26 depending on where you are in town.

There will be no graveside service.

If you want to help by bringing food, please coordinate that with Anita Gabriel (607-2977). She'll need it before 5 PM unless you're taking it directly to JoAnn's brother's house (by 5 PM). Directions for that are here:

1975 Old Fort Ave
Charleston, SC 29414

maps.google.com

If you have any questions, feel free to call me at 832-3775.

Thanks for praying and all your support for the Schads, Darien

Meals for Andrea & Rich

2008-06-18T11:45:00.001-04:00

Meals for Rich and Andrea finish up through Fri. They'll resume in late July when Andrea starts her radiation treatments. Check back here for more info or call the church office (832-3775).

Setup schedule in June

2008-06-17T14:52:00.001-04:00

6/22/2008	Charlie Aquino	Jerry Davidson
6/29/2008	Mike Garlick	Chuck Hudson	David Rowell

Latest meals for Andrea and Rich

2008-06-15T22:50:00.001-04:00

Trautman Meals (everyone knows to contact Rich to set up a meal-drop-off time)
Sunday = JoAnn Schad
Monday ?
Tuesday = Jennifer Diamond
Wednesday = Ms. Margaret
Thursday = Jan Reeves
Friday ~ possibly Doris...if she gets the email in time...if this doesn't work for her to cook then, the meals will end on Thursday with Jan :)

Anita Gabriel is now coordinating. You can reach her at 832-6099 or 607-2977.