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Join us for worship at First Grapevine on Sunday as we continue our "Believe" series and delve into the transformative message of Grace and Truth, exploring the profound impact of Christ's presence in our lives.
In John 1:1-14, the scripture unfolds, revealing that the Word became flesh in Jesus Christ. This passage emphasizes the divine grace bestowed upon humanity through Christ, who is both the embodiment of grace and the revelation of God's eternal truth.
To celebrate reading twelve Books of the Bible this year, we will be hosting a pizza party at the Family Life Center after Church this Sunday in the Family Life Center. Enjoy Pizza from Wise Guys pizza, music, and fellowship as we celebrate this accomplishment.
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Scout Troop 700 Chili Dinner & Gift Exchange
Dec. 4 | 7 PM | Family Life Center
First Grapevine boys and girls (grades 5 -12) and their families are invited to the 15th Annual Troop 700 Christmas Chili Dinner and Gift Exchange on Monday, December 4 at 7 PM at the Family Life Center. This will be a fun and informal way to learn more about the Troop while enjoying delicious food and fellowship. For more information, please visit TXTroop700.com.
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Grayful Spirits: Hometown Christmas Music Program & Lunch
Dec. 7 | 11 AM - 1 PM | Stewart Hall at The REC
Begin this wonderful time of year with other senior adults in Stewart Hall at Grapevine’s REC as we enjoy listening to The Chorus singing songs of the Christmas season. Enjoy a catered box lunch with your church friends following the program and take time to explore The REC's Active Adults 55 & Better activities and classes.
Please review the registration form below and proceed with registration and payment ($5 per person) as suggested. Deadline is Thursday, November 30. No refunds. Event attendees will receive an email a few days before the event with additional information, but if you have questions please contact Carole Lee (carole76051@gmail.com).
Registration Form
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Poinsettias
Deadline: Dec. 8
Help our guests and church family feel welcomed, and beautify our spaces to the glory of God by ordering poinsettias. This is a meaningful way to remember or honor your loved ones this holiday season. Please complete the information below to order your poinsettia(s). You may take your plants home with you after the Christmas Eve Services on December 24 or designate them to be given away. The cost is $18 per plant. Mark checks with “poinsettias” in the memo or pay online below. The order deadline is December 8 in order to have them by the Candlelighting Concert, so please order quickly.
I Want To Honor A Loved One By Purchasing Poinsettia(s)
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Staff Love Offering
Each year we have the opportunity to give toward a Christmas gift for our pastors and church staff to honor and thank them for their hard work. We would really encourage you to consider a gift to thank them for the hard work they have put in this year. If you would like to give toward this gift, please mark “staff love offering” in the memo of your online gift, app, or check. Gifts may be placed in the offering plate or brought to the church office. The deadline to contribute toward this gift is Sunday, December 15.
Give Today
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Open Door Sunday Class Christmas Trivia
Dec. 10 & Dec. 17 | 9:45 AM | Family Life Center Room 1012
The Open-Door Sunday School Class would like to invite all to Christmas Trivia on December 10 and December 17, beginning at 9:45 AM in room 1012. Biblical and traditional Christmas trivia questions will be asked, and candy will be the reward for every answer. Be sure to join for joyous laughter and friendly competition. If you have questions, please contact Anita Mullins (mullins.joe@verizon.net).
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Methodist Children's Home Bike Project
Dec. 15: Bike Assembly
This year, we are gifting 39 bikes and helmets for Christmas. The average price for a bike/helmet is $155. If you would like to make a financial gift, please note "Bike Project” in the memo of your check or online giving by using the link below. Bikes will be delivered to our church and assembled the afternoon of Friday, December 15 at 12 pm, with delivery to MCH Waco on Saturday, 12/16. Please contact Laura Kupcunas if you would like to help assemble bikes; any time you can give is appreciated! We would love your help!
To sign up to help with bike assembly, please reach out to Laura Kupcunas at laurakupcunas1@gmail.com or
817-521-7961.
Donate Today
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Christmas Eve Nativity and Market Stall
Christmas Eve | 2:30 PM - 8 PM shifts
Christmas is coming! We feel it in the air. Three outdoor activities are planned on Christmas Eve from 2:30-8:00 pm. There will be a Market Stall where children can make bags of food for Rudolph and his reindeer friends! A new addition is a Market Stall where volunteers will serve hot chocolate to one and all! Last but not least, there is a live Nativity with Baby Jesus in the starring role!
Volunteers are needed to make this evening special for church members and guests. Will you organize the Reindeer Food Booth or Hot Chocolate Booth? Will you volunteer at a booth for an hour or two? The live Nativity needs Baby Jesus, Shepherds, Wisemen, and Angels. The entire family can join in; all ages and stages are accommodated! Costumes are provided for this magnificent event, which you will not forget! There are behind-the-scenes volunteer opportunities as well, such as washing and ironing costumes. If the chill in the air has you thinking Christmas, and you have a couple of hours to dedicate, please contact Sue Schultz at seg1024@yahoo.com.
What a wonderful way to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior! “Oh, come, let us adore Him.”
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Women's Ministries: Just Joy Overnight Retreat
Feb. 4 | Prothro Center at Lake Texoma
Join us on February 2-4, 2024, for the Just Joy Women’s Retreat. This retreat will take place at Prothro Center on Lake Texoma. Join us as we worship and are inspired by Rev. Dr. Cindy Ryan. You will learn, grow, and build friendships with other women. Prothro Center information can be viewed here.
The registration form can be accessed here. Please download and print out the registration form or pick one up from the church office or from the worship space Atrium. Registration includes hotel-style lodging and delicious meals beginning Friday night through Sunday morning. Check-in starts at 4:00 PM on Friday. Register early if you have a special request, like a downstairs room or a single room, as limited quantities are available. Due to expenses, no refunds are available after January 14, 2024. Please submit completed forms and payments to the church office.
Please don’t let cost hold you back; if you require scholarship assistance, please contact us at fmgwomensministry@gmail.com. Drop or mail your registration form and check to the church office. The last day to register is January 14, 2024.
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Pastor Carly Payne's Celebration of Ministry | |
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Pastor Carly Payne is preparing to leave First Grapevine at the end of December to accept a new ministry position with the United Methodist Church. We are incredibly grateful for Pastor Carly Payne's contributions to our church over the past four and a half years.
Please plan to join us in celebrating Pastor Payne's ministry at a reception in the Sanctuary Foyer from 9:30 AM - 11 AM on Sunday, December 10. This will be an opportunity for you to visit with Pastor Payne and express your appreciation for her contributions to First Grapevine. We will have a basket for those who would like to bring cards for her.
On behalf of the Staff Parish Relations Committee (S.P.R.C.)
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Update Membership Information | |
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It is time for us to update our database with any changes, additions, or deletions that may have occurred in YOUR family over the past year.
Have you changed your phone number? Have you moved? Are you preparing to move soon? Are all of your children still at home, and are they all included in your membership record? Do you want your record published?
If you have not already informed the church office about changes to your record, please let us know now so that the information in the printed Directory is correct. To update your record, please contact Veronica Hernandez at 817-481-2559 ext. 205 or send your updates by email to veronicah@firstgrapvine.org by November 24, 2023. Thank you for your help!
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Last Week's Numbers & Gifts | |
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In-Person: 353
Online: 415
Sunday School: 80
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A gift was given to the Endowment Fund by
- Jeannie Dalmolin
- Open Door Sunday School Class
A gift was given to the Endowment Fund in memory of Derek Ozymy by Gary & Tommie Weir.
A gift was given to the Endowment Fund in memory of Debbie Edgren’s sister, Sue Dodd, by Gary & Tommie Weir.
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A Note From Pastor Allen Lutes | |
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Dear First Grapevine Family,
A heartfelt thank you to each of you for four great years of ministry. I was blessed to be appointed to First Grapevine and was even more blessed to be able to know you all and be a part of your faith journey. I want to extend a special thank you to the S.P.R. Committee for the lovely reception they held for my family and me. I would also like to thank everyone who took the time to write a card and bring a gift. We will treasure them all. My prayers go on with you as you continue to spread God's love in the Grapevine community and around the world. Blessings to you all.
Pastor Allen Lutes
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Operation Christmas Child | |
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Our final count is in, and we collected 104 shoeboxes (84 at church and 20 online on the BASBO website). Praise His Holy Name! Congratulations to everyone involved in packing shoeboxes and praying for O.C.C.
Pray for God to touch the hearts of the children who receive shoebox gifts and hear the Good News of God's best gift, His Son, Jesus Christ!
In Christ's Service,
Neil Anderson
O.C.C. Coordinator
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