Something new for kids at Grace this summer!

Our summer program, which begins June 3, will be the “F.A.I.T.H. Olympics.” F.A.I.T.H. stands for Follow, Act, Imagine, Trust and Hope – characteristics of a faithful follower of Jesus.  Our children will learn what it looks like to follow Jesus by first being exposed to his life through “The Miracle Maker” DVD. The rest of the summer will be learning about the lives of his faithful people through the ages, like William Tyndale, Jim Elliot, and Amy Carmichael. These followers of Jesus walked his paths faithfully despite many very challenging circumstances. The children will be on “olympic” teams together, interact with the stories, play games, and have creative activities, all in keeping with the “olympics” theme.

If we truly believe that Jesus’ death and resurrection has made it possible for us to bring flourishing, the children of our church are our first arena. Their lives will be shaped by us and they will in turn help us understand what it looks like to follow Jesus.

There are several ways to get involved:
1)  People are needed to assist the teachers and interact with children each summer Sunday.
2)  We need a creative team to help us design a theme logo, signs, props, etc.
3)  Give a few hours on Saturday, June 2, to help set up for the kick-off on June 3.

Click here for more information or to volunteer.

Have you checked out the Grace Family Resource Center?  It’s a great resource for gospel-centered living right on our campus! The Family Resource Center has a variety of intentionally selected books and resources for living life under the authority of Jesus Christ.  There are books on discipleship, theology, parenting, marriage, being single and more, all priced approximately 25% below retail.  The Family Resource Center is located on the first floor of the Education Building and is open Sunday mornings from 10:45 AM to noon.

Click here for a list of current titles offered at the FRC.

New to Grace?
Enjoy Crepes & Coffee this Sunday

If you’ve come to Grace within the last 9 months, you’re invited to a casual event to get to know the staff and church better this Sunday, May 6, during second hour in the Social Hall.  We’ll be serving WARM, FRESHLY-MADE CRÊPES and our own DELICIOUS SEKA COFFEE.  Contact Kim Donath (or 562-595-6881) with questions or for additional information.

It’s time to get ready for this summer’s Life Groups!  Here’s just a taste of some of the great groups we’ve had in the past to stimulate your creativity:

Activity based: roller-skating, triathlon training, basketball, volleyball, bocce ball, tennis, bowling, golfing, surfing, skateboarding, etc.

Leisurely groups: movie discussions, Taste of Long Beach, cooking classes, game night, concerts in the park, beach days, barbeques, etc.

Book Groups:  book of the Bible, Flannery O’Connor, Jane Austen, etc.

Got an idea?  We’d love to hear about it.  We’re now accepting applications for Summer Life Group leaders.  The summer schedule is pretty flexible.  Groups can be from 4 to 8 weeks or meetings, anywhere from June 18 to August 18.  Questions? Contact Wil Rogan, or click here to apply online.

View Good Friday photos here.                                    View Donor Appreciation Event photos here.

Good Friday Service

April 6 | 7:00 & 8:15 PM | Chapel
Join us as we slow down and enter into the narrative of the crucifixion as told in the Gospels. Together, we will remember the sorrow and pain that God himself embraced on that mysterious day Christians name “Good Friday.” Childcare through 4 years at 7:00pm service only.

Easter Sunday Service

April 8 | 9:30 AM | Sanctuary
Join the people of God in celebration of God’s glorious plan of redemption, restoration, and renewal. Children from kindergarten up will worship with their families. After the service there will be an extended time of celebration on the Plaza with refreshments.

- Be sure to arrive early!  We’re expecting a full house this Sunday.
- Try to stick to one car per family or walk, if you live close.  Parking will be at a premium.
- Please pick up your children after the service and before heading out for refreshments on the plaza.
- There will be no second-hour classes on Easter Sunday.

Palm Sunday | April 1
9:30 & 11:00am, Social Hall
We mark the beginning of Holy Week with Palm Sunday – the day Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem on the back of a donkey and presented himself as Messiah, the world’s true king. The crowds welcomed him saying, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.  Hosanna!”

Maundy Thursday, April 5 | Evening
Homes Throughout LB
This year we will continue the practice we began last year of hosting the Maundy Thursday service in homes across Long Beach. By doing this we not only provide a warm and personal atmosphere in homes, but we are also able to better accommodate everyone who might want to participate. Each group is led by someone who will follow an order of events beginning with a meal, followed by the foot washing and then the bread and cup. Every group will be serving the same menu for the sake of simplicity, convenience and uniformity. Many groups followed the time with a dessert and warm conversation around the table.
Click here to register for Maundy Thursday groups!

Friday, April 6 | 7:00 & 8:15pm
Chapel
Join us as we slow down and enter into the narrative of the crucifixion as told in the Gospels. Together, we will remember the sorrow and pain that God himself embraced on that mysterious day Christians name “Good Friday.” Childcare through 4 years at 7:00pm service only.

Sunday, April 8 | 9:30am
Sanctuary
Join the people of God in celebration of God’s glorious plan of redemption, restoration, and renewal. Children from kindergarten up will worship with their families. After the service there will be an extended time of celebration on the Plaza with refreshments.

Reserve Your Place at the Table!

This year we will continue the practice we began last year of hosting the Maundy Thursday service in homes across Long Beach. By doing this we not only provide a warm and personal atmosphere in homes, but we are also able to better accommodate everyone who might want to participate.

What will you experience? Each group is led by someone who will follow an order of events beginning with a meal, followed by the foot washing and then the bread and cup. Every group will be serving the same menu for the sake of simplicity, convenience and uniformity. Many groups followed the time with a dessert and warm conversation around the table.

What are the advantages to this? Instead of coming into a group of almost 400 people in a large hall on our campus, you will be part of a group of 12 to 15 people in a home. It’s a great way to get to know others and to be known. After trying it for the first time last year, we’ve received an enthusiastic response from many people who said they’d like to host or lead again this year! You can simply click the link below and reserve your space in a group on Thursday, April 5. You can make your choice by zip code location or by selecting someone you know. Be sure to register every person in your group or family who will be with you. This is a family-friendly event.

Click here to register!

Click here for the Holy Week schedule.

Reserve Your Place at the Table!

This year we will continue the practice we began last year of hosting the Maundy Thursday service in homes across Long Beach. By doing this we not only provide a warm and personal atmosphere in homes, but we are also able to better accommodate everyone who might want to participate.

What will you experience? Each group is led by someone who will follow an order of events beginning with a meal, followed by the foot washing and then the bread and cup. Every group will be serving the same menu for the sake of simplicity, convenience and uniformity. Many groups followed the time with a dessert and warm conversation around the table.

What are the advantages to this? Instead of coming into a group of almost 400 people in a large hall on our campus, you will be part of a group of 12 to 15 people in a home. It’s a great way to get to know others and to be known. After trying it for the first time last year, we’ve received an enthusiastic response from many people who said they’d like to host or lead again this year! You can simply click the link below and reserve your space in a group on Thursday, April 5. You can make your choice by zip code location or by selecting someone you know. Be sure to register every person in your group or family who will be with you. This is a family-friendly event.

Click here to register!

This Sunday, we will welcome 13 people into membership at Grace.  They are (L to R top) Adam and Amanda Gagne, Randy Baranosky, Rick and Ruth Biscocho, Horacio and Meredith Freijo, (L to R bottom) Joe Biscocho, John and Lynne Matlock, Frank and Shannon Walker, Tiffany Chase.  Learn more about our newest members by clicking on their names.