Grace Presbyterian Church
4300 Las Cruces Way (at Eastern Avenue) -Sacramento, CA 95864
 

January

• This Sunday: January 22nd:  Ever turn off the TV because you just can't handle hearing any more bad news? Or any more badly covered "news?"  If we are here to join with God to help make the world a better place, what are we to do when we are weary of the world's problems? Or our family problems? Get a shot in the arm this Sunday -- encouraging insights from Jesus' weariness and persistence.  .
• Learning Opportunity:  "Get Out of the Boat" -- A seminar in overcoming fear and moving from inaction to values-based action, building on concepts from John Ortberg and Bill George.

• Looking Back: Decenber 25: Christmas Day at Grace was awesome: The Rev. Dr. Kristin Saldine, formerly a member of Fremont Presbyterian Church and currently a professor of preaching at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary was amazing as our special pulpit guest.   Matthew Garza, Concert Trumpet with the U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West, was fantastic as our guest musician.  Sten Bolander, organist, thrilled everyone with his artistry at the console of the pipe organ. 

• Tai Chi classes continue every Wednesday evening from 6:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. in the Social Hall.  Taught by Daniel Quincy, an acknowledged expert in the field.

Did You Miss It?  

Visitation by Nationally Known Cyclist 

• The Sunday of Labor Day weekend 2011 Grace was the only church in Sacramento to be visited by The Rev. Brian Heron, nationally known cyclist.  He rode his bicycle into the sanctuary and was interviewed by The Rev. Warren Barnes.  We are honored that Brian chose Grace for his only church experience in Sacramento.  Brian is on a 10-week. 4,000-mile tour of the northwestern United States.  Brian calls it "A journey of letting go and bringing together -- a cycling pilgrimage to learn about others' experiences with the sacred."  To learn more about Brian's pilgrimage experiences, check out this official PCUSA site before he returns to his Presbyterian congregation in Portland: http://www.pcusa.org/news/2011/7/12/journey-letting-go-and-bringing-together/ or Brian's blog:  http://pedalpilgrimage.wordpress.com/.

Got Stress?  Want Less?  See Us! 

Beginning August 31, 2011, Grace Church embarked on a special program for Wonderful Wednesdays Plus, entitled, "Got Stress?  Want Less?  See Us!"  These were open gatherings to which everyone was welcome.  Grace Church thanks Pat Stokes for her superb leadership for this entire series.

Here is what you may have missed:

• Wednesday, September 7 at 6:30 p,m. -- This evening Included Diane Ford's additional orientation to the topic of stress and stress reduction and three more engaging break-out presentations on stress reduction:  Art for Stress Reduction with resident artist Linda Sweetman, Healthy Behaviors and Nutrition with Holli Devon, Ph.D., and a Ph.D. guest from the UCD School of Nursing, and Time Management with The Rev. Warren Barnes.  The evening again ended with light refreshments. 

• Friday, September 9 at 6:30 p.m. -- A complementary dinner followed by an incredible, whole-person address, "Good Stress.  Bad Stress.  De-Stress," by The Rev. Dr. Timothy Little, D. Min., B.C.C., Retired Chaplain, UCD Medical Center. 

• Sunday, September 11 at 9 a.m. --  A creative, worshipful hour focused on stress reduction with Diane Ford, followed by a delightful complementary picnic lunch coordinated by Laddie Parish, Floy Hall, and Joan Richey. 

Earlier this Year

• Early this year Grace was likely the Only Church in Sacramento to Experience Authentic, Ancient Sounds of the Wilderness.  At times, sound communicates the mystery of God more clearly than written and spoken word. We were thrilled to hear primitive and ancient instruments during worship. Specifically, the didgeridoo and bullroarer.  The “didgeridoo” is a wind instrument that is thousands of years old, originating with the Aboriginal people of Northern Australia. The “bullroarer” in another ancient instrument found in Australia as well as around the world. Called the “groaning stick” by native Americans, this universal instrument has been used as a communication device over long distances as well as in rituals and rites of passage.

  These instruments were played by Christopher Cook, who accompanied Ryan Harbert as he played a wooden recorder.  These local musicians have played at Grace several times, bringing the hammered dulcimer and reed instruments to our sanctuary.  They played their most ancient instruments on January 30 to add to our reflection of the “wilderness.”  This is the place of journey, discovery, danger and redemption in our Scriptures.

   Inspiring Music Program

Grace Church values its highly creative, inspiring music program under the leadership of Diane Ford, Director of Music.  Diane excels in every aspect of music ministry, having served as Director of Music and Worship Arts at Westminster Presbyterian Church in downtown Sacramento for eight years and as Director of Music and Spiritual Formation at Calvary Presbyterian Church in New Jersey for three years prior to coming to Grace Church as our Minister of Spiritual Development and Outreach.  Diane has her M.Div. and S.T.M. from Union Theological Seminary in New York City and her B.A. with a double major in vocal and piano performance from CSUS. 

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An exciting example of Grace's innovative music program is Jazzin' Up the Old Testament.  These Sunday evenings of superb live jazz and engaging lectures and talk-back on the Old Testament were the highlight of Grace's community programs last fall. Our jazz musicians were Mark Stivers (piano),  Elaine Lord (percussion), Christopher Cook (reeds), Ken Rabiroff (bass), and Ryan Harbert (saxophone and flute). The Old Testament lectures were by Diane Ford.  For biographical summaries of our presenter and musicians, click here.  For a summary of the introductory presentation at Jazzin' Up the Old Testament, click here.

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If you are an accomplished vocalist and instrumentalist with excellent people skills, have experience in various musical expressions and styles of worship in the context of the reformed tradition and faith, and demonstrate highly promising ability as a prospective director of church music, you may wish to consider studying with Diane with the possibility of succeeding her should she decide to pursue other opportunities.  Inquiries and expressions of interest should be sent to Grace4Sacramento@aol.com and should include as an attachment a complete, up-to-date resume as a Word or pdf document.