Thursday, March 31, 2011

Because of God's Love - Places for Prayer

Thursday March 31, 2011

Making time for prayer is a very important matter, but sometimes finding the right place for communication with God is just as important.  We all need sacred spaces and places in our lives.  In today’s New Building DYK we’ll examine how our new facility will make room for prayer.  Thanks, BER

 Scripture of Day

1 John 5:14-15
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.  And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

We are asking everyone to complete the phrase Because of God’s Love…
Responses from our congregation
            I have new birth in image of God.
            I have love in my heart.
            I understand true faith.
            I have had the strength to get through a tough time.
            I am more patient with myself and with others because God is patient with me.
And today from the other side of yesterday’s special quote:

Because of God’s Love…

I continue to teach teenagers! 

What will you be today Because of God’s Love…

New Building DYK
1.      We currently have a Prayer Room at Grace Avenue that is in the office area.  It is currently being used as a temporary office for Chris Yost as he prepares to start Cross Way UMC.  The Prayer Room has a beautiful stained glass window.
2.      In the new building the Prayer Room and its stained glass window will be relocated to a new space on an outside corridor east of the proposed sanctuary.  The Prayer Room will have an exterior door allowing for greater privacy and more accessibility at all times of day.
3.      The new sanctuary will have kneeling prayer rails at the front.
4.      The renovation of the current Worship Center will include kneeling prayer rails.
BOTTOM LINE:  At Grace Avenue prayer is our past, present and definitely our future.  In the new building we are being intentional about creating sacred spaces for this to happen.
Prayer of the Day
 Jesus, Savior of the world, you call each of us to know you.  Open our hearts so that we may know your gift in our lives and be filled with zeal for your work. AMEN.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Because of God's Love - First Impressions

Wednesday March 30, 2011

Where does a first impression happen?  At a church, some say it happens in the children’s nursery, the restrooms or the front door.  We’ve looked at the beautiful renderings of the new building and thought; “Wow, that will make a great impression.”  In today’s New Building DYK we examine a place that may be the most important of all as it relates to first impressions. Thanks, BER

 Scripture of Day

Matthew 17:20-21
    “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”

We are asking everyone to complete the phrase Because of God’s Love…
Responses from our congregation
            I am original.
There is peace in our life.

I am healthy.
 I am filled.
 I am able to love others.

I have a great church family to worship with.

And today from a teenager in our church:

Because of God’s Love…

I get to have a youth minister like Jenna!

What will you be today Because of God’s Love…

New Building DYK
1.      Grace Avenue currently has 120 parking spaces (not including parking spaces at the YMCA)
2.      Through the “Because of God’s Love” campaign Grace Avenue is planning to build approximately 200 NEW parking spaces almost tripling the current number.
3.      The new parking spaces will be located in three separate lots; northeast, southeast and southwest of our current buildings.
4.      All the parking will be connected by a driveway/fire lane that will encircle the campus.
5.      The City of Frisco is scheduled to install a traffic light on Main Street in front of our campus sometime in 2011.

BOTTOM LINE: Parking lots are where first impressions are often made.  It won’t matter how nice our buildings are if people cannot find a place to park.

Prayer of the Day
Lord Jesus, open the doors of my heart to the grace of the Holy Spirit.  Help me as you work through me to open the hearts of others to your love. AMEN.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Because of God's Love - Building More Time

Tuesday March 29, 2011

Today we discuss time. Time is one of our most precious resources.  Last Sunday at church, one service was finishing and another was about to begin.  I looked around as several people from the previous service lingered and were visiting with one another.  A person greeted me, looked around and said:  “when you create a wonderful worship experience, people want to stay and visit about it.  I wish we had more time to visit after the service instead of being rushed out.”  Below I want to address that in today’s New Building DYK. Thanks, BER

 Scripture of Day

Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

We are asking everyone to complete the phrase Because of God’s Love…
Responses from our congregation
            I can and desire to love others.

            I am accepted for who I am,  even when the world says differently.
            I have family.
            I am saved

And today a special shout out to our Discipleship Council Chairperson Robin Phillips:

Because of God’s Love…
We have sports!
What will you be today Because of God’s Love…
New Building DYK
Creating two worship venues on our campus not only will improve the quality of our worship, it will allow for more time.  Once built we will be able to expand the schedule so that instead of having services crammed together, currently only a few minutes apart, we will have as much as 25 or 30 minutes between services.  This allows for much greater flexibility and fellowship before and after the services.
Prayer of the Day
God of all, teach me to appreciate the gift of faith.  Help me to understand the value of that gift so that it may guide all my decisions and how I glorify you with the use of time. AMEN.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Because of God's Love

Monday March 28, 2011

Welcome to my blog.  I plan to make entries several times a week for the next three months during the Because of God’s love campaign.  If you have questions, I’d love to address them and facilitate a broader discussion.  Thanks, BER

 Scripture of Day

2 Corinthians 3:4-5
 Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God.  Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.

We are asking everyone to complete the phrase Because of God’s Love…
Responses from our congregation
I am allowed to be human and forgiven.
I don’t worry about things I cannot fix.
I am blessed beyond measure.
I choose to seek understanding rather than wait for it.

And from the hearts of children:

             I can smile at my friends.
I can cry and it is okay. 
            I am a princess.
What will you be today Because of God’s Love…

New Building DYK
We purchased the land for our church in May of 2002. (Approx 17 acres)
We completed Phase 1, The Worship Center in June 2004 (Approx 8200 sq. feet)
We completed Phase 2, The Learning Center in October 2007 (Approx 23,000 sq feet)
We hope to complete Phase 3, this new building by Fall 2012 (Approx. 22,000 sq feet)

Prayer of the Day
Gracious God, I bless you.  I want to do your will.  I freely place my whole being and my future in your hands. AMEN