“Grace 101: You Are Invited!” – August 14, 2022

"Grace means you're in a different universe from where you had been stuck, when you had absolutely no way to get there on your own." Anne Lamott

Dear SDUMC Family,

I hope you are finding some places to cool down during these hot days of late summer. As we shared in Communion last Sunday, it was a great joy to experience grace with all of you. Always know we have opportunities to share Communion each week on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. through Vespers over Zoom and at 8 a.m. on Sunday mornings.

Yet, I know many wonder what does grace mean.

We may attempt to do a search with many of our earthly tools... Open a dictionary. Read a Scripture passage on grace. Do a Google search for quotes on grace. Delve into the meanings in Greek. Yet, even using all those tools can leave us wondering what grace means to each of us.

So, I hope you'll join us on Sunday as we share a familiar passage from Scripture that I feel helps us understand this gift from God. We'll also have some resources at the Small Group Table on Sunday if you want to deepen your understanding of grace.

This Sunday will also be a special day as we celebrate the 2022 Youth SSP Trip. Rev. Claire and the youth will share in worship and provide a Ministry Moment and video to help us experience all the outstanding work and community that happened this year.

I look forward to Worshiping with you this Sunday at 8:00 a.m. (in the Chapel for a shortened Communion Service), 9:30 a.m. (in the Sanctuary), or on Livestream at 9:30 a.m. (and throughout the day and week on our YouTube Channel). The morning will be filled with special music, an excellent Ministry Moment from the youth, and services filled with God's gift of Grace.

Have a blessed weekend, and stay cool!

Grace and Peace,

John