Grace United Methodist Church

Mission: To love God completely and to serve Jesus Christ unselfishly

P. O. Box 446, Union, South Carolina 29379 Office: 427-1266

Rev. David Bauknight., Pastor Cell Phone: 803-480-2153

From the Pastor

Listen to What You Hear

“Give ear and hear my voice, listen and hear my speech.” - Isaiah 28:23

Have you ever thought about the difference between hearing and listening? Did you know

there was a difference? To "listen" means that we are paying attention to the sound, thoughtful and

considerate attention to the sound. To "hear" refers to perceiving something with our ears.

Each and every day there are literally thousands of sounds that compete for our attention.

There are so many different sounds that most of us do not pay attention to most of them. The

television can be on, the phone ringing, and everyone in our house talking at once and we can still

tune most of it out. It is not that we are not hearing the noise, but we are not listening to it.

God gave us ears to hear the beauty of sound, and He gave us the ability to listen so that the

sound can be understood. When both hearing and listening work together, we have an

understanding of the purpose of the sound. We can hear music but not listen to the words. When

both music and lyrics are understood, the beauty and meaning of the whole song is revealed to us.

We can hear the words of a person speaking to us, but if we truly listen to the person, we will better

understand their heart and the meaning behind their words. The same principle holds true with

God's Word. We can hear the Word preached, taught and read. We can read the Word ourselves

and hear our own voices speak it. But, when we really listen to God's Word, then our understanding

begins to change. So many times, people leave church after having heard a sermon and don’t remember

anything about it. When we are listening and give consideration to what we hear, we will leave thinking

about what we just heard. The next step is to start having a conversation with God, asking Him to open up

more of our understanding.

Friends, we are starting a brand new day. As you read this, take time today to think about how much

you hear versus how much you listen. How much are you missing that God has for you? Is He talking to you

but you are not paying attention? Take your Bible and read the entire chapter in Isaiah 28. (Other suggested

readings are Exodus 9 and Matthew 15:21-39) But instead of just reading the words and hearing them in

your head, pray the Holy Spirit will give you the power to truly listen and to understand the message God has

for you. When God’s Word is transformed into His voice speaking to you in your life, then your hearing and

listening will open up a new world of understanding for you. Your life will change and take on new meaning.

But it all begins with understanding the difference between hearing and listening. I pray that we all start

listening to God today.

I don’t know who wrote the song, but The Gaither Vocal Band sings it. Tune it in and “listen” to the

words to “He is Here.” Here’s the chorus… “He is here, Hallelujah! He is here, Amen! He is here, Holy,

Holy, I will bless His name again. He is here, listen closely, hear Him calling out your name, He is here, you

can touch Him, you will never be the same.” Praying that you’ll join me and “listen” for His continual

presence…Pastor David

February 2017

Wednesday Bible Study to Resume

Wednesday morning Bible study will

resume on February 1st at 10:30 a.m. For five weeks we will look at the power that prayer has in all areas of our lives as we share the study based on the movie "War Room". Study books will be available for $7.80 but are not mandatory to participate! Please join us as we explore five challenging Scriptural lessons, beginning on February 1st and concluding Ash Wednesday, March 1st. What a wonderful way to enter the Easter Season!

Stewardship

Report 2016

Offering Report as of January 29, 2017

2017 Budget - $ 383,770.00

Needed for 2017 Budget Y-T-D - $ 36,204.70

Budget Rec’d Y-T-D - $ 35,910.82

Surplus/Deficit Y-T-D - $ -293.88

Weekly Offering Needed - $ 7,240.94

Expenses Y-T-D - $ 10,058.24

Please put Grace as a priority in your financial planning. Our combined gifts keep the Church’s mission alive and growing. Thank you so much!! Sincerely, Pastor David

Mon,. Feb. 6th ,10:00 AM Packie Whitener, hostess

Mon.., Feb. 6th, 11:00 AM

No Meeting

“SOUPER” Bowl

Sunday February 5

February 5th, children, parents and the congregation are asked to bring cans of soup for GUMC Souper Bowl Boxes. The can items will be taken to the Duncan Acres UMC Food Pantry to be distributed to those in need. Also, the GUMC youth will be at the entrance doors collecting donations for “Meals on Wheels”. Please make checks to GUMC and mark for “Souper Bowl”. Thank you in advance to each of you for sharing and caring for the less fortunate individuals on “Souper Bowl” Sunday.

Young at Heart

Young at Heart members will meet Wednesday, February 8, at Andy’s at noon.

For Inclement Weather Church Closing Information

Please go to: http://wspa.com/closings/

Lenten Season Begins Ash Wednesday, March 1

Once again, GUMC will be the host for the Community Lenten Service and lunch each Wednesday from Ash Wednesday, March 1, through Holy Week, Wednesday, April 12. Pastors from different denominations and churches will deliver the message each week. Tommy Bishop, GUMC organist/choir director, has planned special Lenten Season music. Each Lenten Service begins at 12 noon. Lunch will be served after the service. This year, pastor David will begin our series on Ash Wednesday, March 1. Please join fellow church and community members in attending these meaningful services in preparation for Easter.

Medi Home Hospice Seeks Volunteers

Volunteers are needed to provide companionship and support to terminally ill patients and their families. There is no cost for training and no previous medical background is required. If interested, please contact Melissa Mullinax, Volunteer Coordinator, at 864-427-8322.

Sonshiners/MCF/Confirmation Class

A big “Thank You” is extended to those attending our Sonshiners/MCF Planning Meeting. Your dedication to GUMC children is deeply appreciated. We would like to say a special “Thank You” to Pat Owens, David Bauknight, Zach Staniewicz, Melissa and Stewart Wagner, and April and John Glenn for being such dedicated disciple makers for our Sunday night programs in January. We also appreciate April and John Glenn, Allie Owens and Maggie Berry for preparing the delicious meals for our children. We are off to a wonderful start!

The Schedule for February is: Feb. 5 – No meeting. Souper Bowl Sunday

Feb. 12 – Valentine Movie Night – April and John Glenn. Meal.- Melodi Gault & Dawn Fallaw

Feb. 19 – No Meeting.

Feb. 26 – Larry and Dale Goff will prepare the lesson and the meal.

Chancel Choir

Wed., Feb. 1 – 7:30pm Wed., Feb. 8 – 7:30pm Wed., Feb. 15 – 7:30pm Wed., Feb. 22 – 7:30pm

Bells of Grace

Sun., Feb. 12 – 5:45pm Sun., Feb. 19 – 5:45pm Sun., Feb. 26 – 5:45pm

February Family Night

Supper

Family Night

Supper will be held

February 22 at 6:30 p.m.

The Upper Room class will be our host. Please make

plans to prepare a delicious dish or two, bring your

family or guests and enjoy great food and lively

fellowship.

We Welcome Karen Hibbard to the

Grace Staff as our New Director of Ministries

Calling More Disciple-Makers

We need more adults to teach the Children’s Sunday School for one month. The lessons are copied and either given or emailed to

you. Any materials needed can be found around your house or call the church if you need help locating materials. We will have them waiting for you on the Welcome Table! Please consider investing one hour of your time each Sunday for a month helping Grace’s children.

Providence Place, PA: Catherine Cooksey

Heartland Residential: Raye Hellams,

Mary Jo Rogers

Heartland Nursing: Betty Lidkea

Because We Care

February

1 Susan Dunbar ,

Ralph Thompson

2 Elwood Eason

3 Pat Scoggins

4 JoAnne Lipscomb, Pat Owens

6 Greyson Day, Jeremy King

9 David Beavans, Joseph Beavans,

Todd Brooks

12 Gage Ham, Hazel Lawson

15 Tuttie Sheorn

16 Jacob Arnold, Sissy Matthews

20 Ben Johnston, Jenny N. Williams,

Stewart Wagner

22 Maurice Cordell

24 Grayson Fallaw

26 David Bauknight

We are deeply

appreciative for all the recent

newsletter submissions.

Please be encouraged to

continue this trend! It takes all

of us working together to have the best possible

newsletter. Deadline for the March Grace

Messenger will be February 15th .

O God, our times are in Your hand:

Look with favor, we pray, on Your

servants who have birthdays this month

as they begin another year. Grant

that they may grow in wisdom and grace,

and strengthen their trust in Your

goodness all the days of their life; through

Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Circle of Hope Back Pack Project

There are so many school children who have little or nothing to eat on weekends. The Circle of Hope, here at Grace, started a project

in 2016 to prepare back packs of food for the children to take home. The project has been both successful and rewarding and if you would like to be a part of this project, contact any member of Hope Circle. If you would like to make a donation, make your check out to: Grace UMW, Hope Circle and at the bottom of your check be sure to write Back Pack Project. Jeannette Galloway, Chairperson, would like to thank you for helping with the Back Pack Project. She can be reached at 441 – 3743.

GUMCEP News

During the month of February, there are many activities that will take place at GUMCEP. The children will learn about Groundhog Day and President’s Day. Valentine Parties will also

take place in the classrooms. Lots of learning is going on in

each of the classes. Come and visit anytime.

Lenten Lunch

Planning Meting

All ladies involved in coor-dinating the lunches for our Lenten

Series are invited to attend the planning meeting on Thursday, Feb. 16th at 10:00 AM in the church parlor.

UMCSC Helps Fund Spiritual Support Team during Emanuel 9 Trial

By Jessica Brodie As victims, survivors and family members of the Emanu-el 9 massacre gathered for the emotionally grueling trial in Charleston recently, a three-pronged team of chaplains, mental health counselors and victim advocates were there every step of the way, letting them know they were loved and they were most certainly not alone. Bishop Jonathan Holston, South Carolina resident bish-

op for The United Methodist Church, authorized a $30,000 grant to help fund a spiritual support team that ministered to the survivors attending the trial. The 15-person chaplaincy team—a project of the South Carolina Law Enforcement As-sistance Program—spent the entire day each day of the trial helping to pray and otherwise come alongside them. Pres-byterian Disaster Assistance and the Office of Victims of Crime in Washington also helped with funding. “I think we all were just so shocked and saddened by the tragedy and everyone wanted to do something,” said Colum-bia District Superintendent Cathy Jamieson. “Even though we couldn’t all be there (at the trial), we were there by sup-porting this team and knowing they were providing prayers, hospitality, pastoral care and nurture as an extension of our ministry.” On June 17, 2015, nine members of Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Charleston, were murdered by a self-proclaimed white supremacist. The shooter, Dylann Roof, was convicted in December on 33 federal charges, including hate crimes, and sentenced to the death penalty Jan. 10. Among those killed were the Rev. Clemen-ta Pinckney, church pastor and state senator. The murders gripped the nation. Former President Barack Obama, as well as Holston and other United Methodist clergy, attended the funeral. As the tragedy unfolded, Jamieson said, “Money came into the South Carolina Annual Conference, and at the time we didn’t necessarily have a purpose or di-rection for the money.” But she said God provided a purpose when she was contacted by longtime friend Dr. J. Eric Skidmore, state police chaplain and program manager for SCLEAP. Skidmore asked whether the UMC would consider helping to fund a spiritual support team for the roughly 95 victims, survivors and family members of the Emanuel 9 who would be attend-ing the trial and would surely need counseling, prayer and other support. Holston authorized the grant. SCLEAP came alongside other caregivers in what Skidmore called “a three-legged stool” organized by the woman he calls his hero, victims’ advocate Clarissa Whaley of the United States Attorney’s Office. Whaley’s effort, which Skidmore said had the blessing of acting United States Attorney Beth Drake, encompassed spiritual support, as well as mental health counseling and other victim advocacy. Skidmore and Dr. Steve Shugart, clinical chaplain with SCLEAP, headed up the spiritual support team component that included a rotating pool of 13 other clergy members of a variety of denominations. “The federal folks provided a large space they called ‘the family room’ on the third floor of the courthouse, and it became our home in the midst of this tragedy,” Shugart said. The “family room” was a place for the 95 survivors to come during the trial for prayer, counseling and other sup-port. They could also view the trial from the room rather than having to be there in person, which was often quite trau-matizing, Shugart said. The team would offer prayer, Scripture readings and group and individual spiritual counseling, as well as other care. “One of our roles was to escort people in and out of the courtroom, to places to eat or respite places for care, and it seems small, but like all aspects of this ministry, we were tethered to them, working with them, being with them as they ate and prayed,” Shugart said. “We mostly listen to folks and be present so they can give voice to some of their groan-ings, as Scripture would say. “We went through a lot of the tough questions, like how do these terrible things happen in light of our belief in a loving God, what’s next for my life, how will God use me, even what to say to Dylann Roof at the end.” They also had the opportunity to minister to the federal team, attorneys, police officers and others connected to the trial. They said the funds donated by the UMC and others helped them provide a place of comfort that reflected true kindness and care. “It was more than a trial,” Shugart said. “It was a chance to see God and God’s goodness and hope and pray for a part of His place, His Kingdom.” Skidmore said the experience not only offered assistance to the survivors but also a testament to the Christian hospitali-ty of Charleston, which he called a true ecumenical effort. “Every one of the boxed lunches they received each day had prayer cards written by Charleston clergy mem-bers,” Skidmore said. “It was an AME tragedy in an AME church, but there were so many others helping: United Meth-odist, Presbyterian, Anglican, Baptist, Lutheran.” Skidmore said their work did not end with the sentencing. Other elements to the case still remain, and a second commu-nity worship service is being planned for Charleston soon. The first worship service, held at the Anglican church St. Michael’s one block from the courthouse, was one of the most moving parts of the spiritual support offered, Skidmore said. The team plans to continue to offer care for the 95, plus the support team themselves.

THE GRACE MESSENGER Grace United Methodist Church 201 South. Church Street Union, SC 29379 E-mail: mail@graceunion.org

2017 Grace Servant Leaders

Church Council Ministries: Dale Goff, Servant Leader, Karen Hibbard, Zach Staniewicz, Frank Hart, Frances Adams, Margie Ruff, John Fallaw, Tommy Sinclair, Fran Love, Mary Lou Gregory, Pat Owens, Rusty Price, Freada Jackson, Pat Nichols, Brenda Childers, Sheryl Price. Council at Large Ministries: Carolyn Turner, Dawn Fallaw, Kathy Arnold, Zach Staniewicz, Mike Zimmerman, Mimi Charles, Peggy Langley, Betsy Sheorn Trustees Ministries: Tommy Sinclair, Servant Leader, Doris Russell, Larry Goff, Lisbeth Kelly, Allen Owens, Jacob Arnold, Tommy Sherbert, Brooke Valentine, Joe Lawson Staff-Parrish Relations Ministries: Fran Love, Servant Leader, Mike Jolly, Kathie Sinclair, Ralph Thompson, Melodi Gault, Philip Arnold, Judy Caston, David Keith, Bill Weber, Frances Adams Frank Hart Nominations & Lay Leadership Ministries: Pastor is Servant Leader, Jeannette Galloway, Brenda Childers, John Glenn, Harold Simmons, Mary Jane Cunningham, Sissy Matthews, Jan Thompson, Susan Lawson, Stewart Wagner, Frank Hart Finance Ministries: John Fallaw, Servant Leader, Mary Lou Gregory, Frank Hart, Frances Adams, Dale Goff, Fran Love, Tommy Sinclair