Fall 2020 Connecting Opportunities
CHILDREN
CHILDREN AND FAMILY SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS
Families can join us in the gym as we go through The Gospel Project lessons. There will be songs, activities, large group Bible teaching, and learning the key passage. Parents will also be given materials and guidance to lead their children in a small group setting as they discuss the lesson with their kids. All families with children, birth through 6th Grade, are welcome. We will meet every Sunday in the gym, 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. Leaders: Pastor Greg Grindinger and Julie Cordes. Registration is required: https://gracepres.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/509/responses/new. Masks are required and families will sit at their own tables.
HARVEST WALK
Put on your favorite costume for this Halloween alternative. You can have your picture taken, play games, participate in activities, and get lots of candy and prizes along the way! This is for kids of all ages. Saturday, October 31st from 2 – 5 p.m. Go behind the church, along the Prayer Walk. Leaders: Julie Cordes and Sarah Alkire. For more information contact Julie Cordes via email or 309-472-5293. No need to sign up; just come when you can.
STUDENTS
JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGH SUNDAY MORNINGS
Take a deeper look into God’s Word as we discuss core doctrines of the Christian faith, culturally relevant topics, and topics that can help you walk closer with the Lord. This is a laid back, teaching and discussion-style format. We also livestream on our YouTube channel for those who cannot or prefer not to meet in person. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_u6xQbsNzjDWBl3jI4czBA/videos
Time: Sundays, 9:45-10:45 a.m., Room 162
Contact: John Vanne via email
JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGH SUNDAY EVENING CONNECT GROUPS
On Sunday evenings, we have connect groups for Jr. and Sr. Highers, divided by gender and somewhat by age. Some groups meet at the church and some off-site. These groups are designed to be smaller so students can open up, get to know each other, discuss God’s Word, and have lots of fun! To sign up for a connect group, go here: https://gracepres.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/491/responses/new
Time: Sundays, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Contact: Cara Schuck via email
For further information on Jr. and Sr. High programs and monthly events, please contact John Vanne, Director of Student and Family Ministries, via email.
GRACE PARENT GATHERINGS
We have monthly parent gatherings for any parents or guardians of Jr. and Sr. Highers. These gatherings are to connect, encourage, resource, and equip you as you disciple your teens. To keep up to date on when and how these gatherings happen, please subscribe to the parents’ e-mail list by e-mailing John Vanne.
YOUNG ADULTS
YOUNG ADULT MINISTRIES
We are a ministry of young adults, ages 18 to around 30 at Grace Presbyterian Church. We strive to grow deep authentic community among each other and the rest of our church that inspires action and is a warm place of connection. We're serious about following Christ and carrying out His mission together. And we're serious about being the hands and feet of Grace, mobilizing our church. Why? Because that's how we roll.
LIFE GROUPS
We believe that significant growth in Christ happens best in the context of intentional relationships. Relationships are best nurtured in a small group setting, so we offer a number of different “Life Groups” that meet throughout the week.
WORSHIP/PRAYER NIGHTS
We host worship and prayer nights every other month (next one in December) to encourage community as we corporately worship our incredibly great God. Check out the Young Adults page on the church website at www.gracepres.org/youngadults.
CONNECTION NIGHTS
Young Adults gather on Thursday evenings for Indoor Volleyball, 6 – 8:30 p.m., merged with social times to promote continued fellowship and provide a chance to initiate new friendships.
ACTIVITIES
We do everything from social outings, service projects, to even weekend camping trips. To find out what we have coming up, check out the Young Adults page on the church website. www.gracepres.org/youngadults. If you are interested in more information about the YAMS, please contact Jonathan Welch via email.
GRACE GRADS
For young adults that either attend college or are of college age that attend Grace Pres and call it home. We have a Sunday school that meets 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. to connect, study God’s Word, and serve. Location varies depending on weather. Contact Jonathan Welch via email to find out where.
ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOLS
ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL FALL ELECTIVE
“The Saviorhood of Christ”
Teachers: Gary Chiaravelle and Pastor Kerry Frantz
Location: Room 172 in the south hallway
Time: 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. every Sunday
Dates: October 25 – December 13, 2020
Register: Email Pastor Kerry
INTERNATIONAL DISCUSSION GROUP
This class explores the basic teachings of Christianity in an informal discussion format for people whose second language is English.
Teacher: Mike Uno
Location: Room 009 in the lower level
Time: 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. every Sunday
Register: Email Mike Uno (or just show up)
ONGOING ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES
Contact Pastor Kerry Frantz
Understanding the Will of God (Grace Connections)- Room 116 (Front Porch)- Teacher Woody Hartwell (This class allows for a hybrid approach of in-person or zoom attendance).
Walk Through the Gospels (1 John 1:3)- Room 146 (Chapel) Teacher Russ Jones
Young Married- Room 004 in Lower Level. Teacher Matt Gillespie
CO College Class- 015-1, 2- Facilitator Chase Smith
Rock Solid (Zoom only) at 8:00- 9:00 am with Frank and Normi Howard as facilitators
MEN
MAN IN THE MIRROR MEN’S BIBLE STUDIES
(7-8 am every Wednesday morning) Room 116 (Front Porch) Harold Jones as leader. The class features the Four Voices teaching series by Patrick Morley.
Men’s Evening Study (6:30-8 pm every Wednesday evening) Room 172. Led by Greg Gipp. DVD series by Toni Evans that allows breakout discussion and prayer time around tables.
COMMUNITY GROUPS AND MEMBERSHIP
COMMUNITY GROUPS
Community groups are small groups in which people become friends, study the Bible together, pray for each other, and serve each other. We are establishing community groups all around the Peoria area. We already have groups that meet in Dunlap, Peoria, Trivoli, Bartonville, Morton, Washington, and East Peoria. We are hoping to add more groups this fall and winter. If you would like to join a community group, email Pastor Greg. He will help you find friendship and growth in an existing group or a brand new one.
MEMBERSHIP AND BAPTISM
Our membership and baptism classes are not meeting in person right now, but we still want to facilitate these things with you. We can get you going in either of these areas online. Email Pastor Greg if you would like to join the church, be baptized, or have one of your children baptized.
SUPPORT AND PRAYER
THE WARRIOR WOMEN OF GRACE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP
This loving group meets to provide spiritual and emotional support to women who have been diagnosed with cancer. Leader: Pat Edwards.
GRIEFSHARE
This is a Biblical support group for those who have lost loved ones. All who are on the journey of grieving are invited. We meet every Monday, 2 – 4 p.m., in the Front Porch, Room 116. Leaders: Geri Ringelspaugh and Pastor John Hopwood
WOMEN’S MONDAY MORNING PRAYER GROUP
All women are invited to pray for our church, our nation, our missionaries and our own personal needs. We meet every Monday morning at 9:30 am, in Room 172. Leader: Mary Jane Crowell.
EQUIPPING
TACTICS IN DEFENDING THE FAITH
Are you looking to more effectively share your Christian convictions with your non-Christian friends, neighbors, coworkers, and relatives? In the Tactics class, apologist and author Gregory Koukl demonstrates how to get in the driver’s seat, keeping any conversation moving with thoughtful, artful diplomacy. Learn how to maneuver comfortably as you share your faith with others in this discussion format class that will allow virtual (Zoom) or in-person attendance. Everyone is invited. Every Wednesday, Sep 16 through Nov 11 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., in the Front Porch, room 116, and by Zoom. Leaders: Pastor Kerry Frantz and Pastor Greg Grindinger. For information or to sign up, email Pastor Kerry Frantz.
WORSHIP TEAMS
GRACE BAND
This team plays to the glory of God and the shepherding of his church on Sunday mornings. Band positions are by audition. Contact: Kevin King.
VOCAL WORSHIP TEAM
This team leads the congregation in song and points the people to Jesus. Vocal positions are by audition. Contact: Kevin King.
SERVING
MONDAY MORNING MEN’S WORK GROUP
Men of all ages, whether retired or working, use their skills and experience to be involved with maintenance tasks around the church facility along with a time for devotional, prayer, and fellowship with like-minded servants. Time: Mondays, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Contact: Randy Whitman
SNORTS MINISTRY
Snow and ice removal teams provide a safe and welcoming entrance to the Grace facility on Sundays and weekly events. Scheduling is flexible and usually bi-monthly. Time: Sunday mornings and/or intermittent weekly needs . Contact: Randy Whitman
SAFETY TEAM MINISTRY
Men and women are needed to help assure a safe environment for everyone at Grace’s special events, children’s ministry, and Sunday services. Time: Sunday mornings and/or intermittent weekly needs. Contact: Randy Whitman
LAWN CARE AND MAINTENANCE MINISTRY
Men and women use their love for the outdoors and “green thumbs” to maintain the lawns, flowers, prayer walk, and general maintenance while also enjoying fellowship together as they work. Time: Midweek mornings or afternoons. Contact: Randy Whitman