Grace Avenue United Methodist Church
3521 Main Street | Frisco, TX 75034 | 972.335.2882 | www.GraceAvenue.org

Streetlight - March 20, 2020
Note: Some of you may have received an email from Billy Echols-Richter requesting help. Please note that is a spam message and can be deleted. If you look closely, the email address is not from Billy's account. If you have any questions, you can reach out to Billy at billy@graceavenue.org .
Out of concern for the safety and well-being of our church and our community we will not be holding worship in-person on March 29th. Join us for online worship at 11:00am at the links below.

Grace Avenue Sanctuary Worship
Via Website:  HERE
Via Facebook Live:   HERE

Grace Avenue Modern Worship
Via Facebook Live:    HERE

Grace Chapel Worship
Via Facebook Live:   HERE
Via Instagram Live:  HERE

On Sunday afternoon we will email links to recorded services for those who are unable to join us online.

Holy Week & Easter Worship
Please watch www.GraceAvenue.org , your email and social media for updated information about Holy Week & Easter Worship.
Building Currently Closed
All onsite office hours, meetings, and other gatherings are currently cancelled or postponed.
If you have and immediate pastoral need, contact:
Frisco Campus:  laura@graceavenue.org  or  joe@graceavenue.org
Grace Chapel:   Alex@grace380.org  or  Courtney@grace380.org .
Stay Connected
As we navigate these unprecedented times, we want to stay as connected as possible. As the situation evolves, so will our response. Please know that our pastors, staff, and leaders are working hard to reach everyone in the best way possible.

Please feel free to reach out to any of our staff during this time. Email is best since office is closed.
You can also CLICK HERE to let us know of any specific need that you might have.

See below for ways to stay connected with each other and with God during this time.
Adult Connections
Zoom Bible Study with Joe Stobaugh
Tuesdays at 8:00pm
Contact  Joe@GraceAvenue.org  for log-in information. 

Zoom Bible Study with Laura Echols-Richter
Thursdays at 9:15am
Contact  Laura@GraceAvenue.org  for log-in information.

Zoom Bible Study with Billy Echols-Richter
Wednesdays at 12:30pm
Contact  Billy@graceavenue.org  for log-in information.

Small Group and Sunday School Gatherings
If you are a part of a Small Group we encourage you to find ways to continue to gather and connect virtually. ZOOM offers options for free video conferencing. If you need help finding ways to connect with your group, please reach out to us and we will help as much as possible.
Spiritual Connections
Facebook Noon Devotionals
Follow our Grace Avenue Facebook page and look for a message each weekday from one of our staff.

Guide for Prayer and Study (GPS)
Our GPS offers an opportunity to reflect and engage with scripture and prayer each day.

The GPS is available online via Facebook each day at 6:00am.

While we are not gathering in person, you can also find the GPS on our website HERE.
Connections for Youth
For links to online gatherings, please email Christopher Vaughan at  christopher@graceavenue.org  to be added to the Ignite Youth email list. Also be sure to follow on  Facebook  and  Instagram .

Sundays 
9:45am | Sunday School 
Online via zoom, SH & JH class

5:00-6:00pm | Small groups
Online via Zoom, by grade level

6:006:30pm | Meditation and Reflection Worship 
On Facebook & Instagram live with Christopher/Brayden

Mondays
4:00-5:30pm | College Student Check-in
Online via Zoom

Wednesdays
4:00-6:00pm | Online Games and Bible Study 
Via Discord (games like werewolf, Minecraft, etc.)

7:00-8:00pm | Senior High Family Group Bible Studies 
Online via zoom
Connections for Children
While we aren’t meeting in person, we have ways that you can connect virtually! Be sure to follow  Kids On Grace Avenue  on Facebook for the most updated info including:

-A Daily Post from Ms. Brittany

-9:45am Sunday School Live on Facebook  (DETAILS HERE)

Virtual Meet-Up & Holy Listening With Ms Brittany
Email Ms. Brittany at   bboard@graceavenue.org to set up a virtual meeting with your family and a time of Holy Listening with your child!

Kids on Grace Avenue Email List
Email Ms. Brittany if you would like to receive Children's specific emails.
Connect Through Missions & Outreach
Food Drive for Local Food Banks
On-Going | Dailey Between 10am & 4pm
Bring Donations to the “Grace on the Go” Trailer in the circle drive.
Find a list of the most urgent needs  HERE .

Frisco Family Services is specifically requesting these items this week:

Jelly
Salad Dressing
Mayo
Spaghetti Sauce
Dry Beans

Donations in any size are appreciated, but please no JUMBO sizes.

Sock & Underwear Drive for Samaritan Inn
Now Through April 5th
Drop these Donations at in the bin inside the front door at the church.
Underwear is the most under-donated, yet most needed item of clothing. We are collecting women’s briefs and men’s boxers (med, large, & x-large) for those at The Samaritan Inn. Contact Mary Martin at mary@graceacenue.org with questions.

Help our Neighbors
If you are able to help with those who are unable to get out with errands, deliveries, meals or other assistance please CLICK HERE and let us know.
Connect Through Giving
As always, please remember that the church relies on your generosity for it’s ministries. We need your help more than ever as we will not be able to collect offerings in person. 

On-line giving is always available.

Even though the office is closed, you can drop contributions at the church between 9:00am-4:00pm, in the red donation box which is inside the front door.
You can also mail offerings to the church at 3521 Main Street, Frisco, TX 75034

If you have any questions about giving, please contact Cindy Moreland at cindy@graceavenue.org.
Word on the Street
billy echols-richter
I have always had a comfortable relationship with numbers. As a kid growing up I enjoyed math and learning arithmetic. I have always loved team sports, so until recently, I would check sports scores, statistics and standings on a daily basis. I would check the numbers from the stock markets and vital statistics from our church but I have never been obsessed or felt enslaved by these numbers. At Christmas my family gave me a Fitbit so I marvel at the ability to glance at health indicators such as heart rate, calories burned and number of steps taken.

All this has changed with the arrival of COVID-19. Today my relationship with numbers seems ominous and threatening. I feel overwhelmed every time I see that chart that shows the number of new cases and deaths because of COVID-19. Seeing the impact on the economy, and people’s personal livelihoods, is heartbreaking. To hear that 3,300,000 people in the United States filed for unemployment last week is overwhelming. And the numbers now forecast ignite a fatalism that challenges even an optimist like me. The current numbers make me depressed, downcast and sullen.

In such a time as this I start with the important reminder from Psalm 121:

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.”

Once I turn my attention back to the resourcefulness of God, I begin to regain a perspective of faith that is not focused on numbers but names; not focused on curses but blessings.

The fourth book of the Bible is named, ironically, Numbers. It is easy to assume that it is nothing more than lists and statistics, however it is an important re-telling of Israel’s wilderness struggles and God’s resourcefulness through it all. In Numbers you will find statistics that read like a census, but also there are stories, laws, travel itineraries, reports of military battles and instructions for worship. Most importantly there are listings of names reminding me that that our God is a God of relationship. We are not just a statistic in God’s eyes. We are the beloved children of God where when God counts, God “numbers the hairs on our head” (Luke 12:7).

Today I invite us to not get lost in the numbers, but take time to name names. We each know people who affected and vulnerable in the midst of this crisis. Pray for them by name and trust others are doing the same.
Pray for those you know personally or for someone whose story has impacted you.

Name a worker in the medical profession.
Name a first responder.
Name a government leader.
Name a civil servant.
Name a person who is not at home because they are doing an essential job.
Name a person who is forced to be at home alone
Name an educator who is teaching from home.
Name a student who is learning from home.
Name someone who has lost their job.
Name someone who is afraid of losing their job.
Name a person who is ill with COVID-19.
Name a person who suffering with some other medical condition.

When the numbers start to overwhelm you, pause and speak the name of someone you love. Remember that God calls and knows you by name.

We don’t quote scripture from the book of Numbers very often with one great exception. Numbers 6:22 offers a blessing that has been used throughout the centuries to remind us of God’s constant disposition towards his people.

“The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.”

No matter what we may be facing, let us remember that God has not turned his back... God is always facing us.

With you on Grace Avenue,
Billy Echols-Richter
Pastor
Connect Through Prayer
We believe that prayer is powerful and connects us over space and time.  Be in prayer for those who are sick, isolated, or scared in the mist of these uncertain times.  Pray for the peace of wisdom to reach into all of the corners of our community, our nation, and our world. If you have a specific prayer request, please  CLICK HERE .


GRACE AVENUE PRAYERS
For all those impacted by COVID-19.
For health care professionals who are caring for those who are sick.
For other public and civil servants who continue to serve our communities during this time of social distancing.
For the staff of non-profit organizations who are trying to continue services in these unprecedented times.
For teachers and students/parents learning new ways of teaching, learning and connecting.
For those grieving loved ones around the world.
For those who can’t be with their loved ones and feel isolated and alone.
For those who have anxiety, depression and struggle with mental illness.
For refugees in need of a safe place to live. We especially pray for the children and their guardians.
For the homeless who are without shelter from the storms and COVID-19.

For those who are in need of a Spiritual Home, Emotional Home and Physical Home.
For peace in our community, our country and our world
For all those impacted by the tornadoes in Nashville.. 
For all those who lost loved ones in senseless acts of violence.

God’s Blessings
For the ministries of Grace Avenue and Grace Chapel
For the United Methodist Church and for wisdom as we move forward.
For all communities of faith as they seek new ways to gather and care for one another.

For New Births:
For Ryan and Jess Springer upon the birth of Aspen Elsie Springer
For Brock and Melanie Babb as they celebrate the birth of their baby

For God's Comfort & Peace:

For those who are grieving
For Lisa Manchee and her family upon the death of her father.
For Courtney Reed and her family upon the death of her grandmother.

For those in hospice and their families:
For Jim Dean

For God's Strength & Healing:

For those in the hospital and in rehab
For Arlene Bute
For Shirley McCaskill

For those recovering from surgery or hospitalizations
For Bert Bohannon
For Ed Frantz 
For Mary Ellen Fruth
For Celia Godfrey who broke her arm
For Judy Hanttula
For Harvey Kadlec
For Aaron Lane
For Sue Miller
For Mel Reed

For all those battling cancer
For Sage Backus
For David Cloninger
For John Dinneen
For Donnie Harris
For Richard Hill
For Charlie and Donna Hubbard
For Dennis Lane
For Dan Lucado 
For Karin Matthews 
For Sharon McCormack
For Donna Money
For Bev Nopp
For Kathy Porter
For Danny Robertson
For Brenda Segovia
For Curt Selby
For Jessica Townsend
For Lori Walker
For Andrew Withaeger
For John Whatley (in New York)
For Cynthia Wright
For Joan Matthews, Cindy Moreland’s mother

For all those dealing with other health concerns
For Alysse and Chandler Blackwell
For Michael Brewton battling ALS
For Carl Chambers
For Carolyn Chrone
For Joyce Cravens
For Jon and Mary Pat Fischer
For Mary & Harvey Kadlec
For Jordan King
For Susan Lane
For Janie Lucado
For Alexah McGovern
For Gwen McKee
For Dot Morrison 
For Shane Pence
For Jim Seyfert
For Beverly Smith
For Ed Stinnet
For Pam Thanawalla

For all those who are homebound
For Irene Auten
For Evelina Brent
For Mark Kee
For Gini McCulloch
For Bob Medlin
For Elizabeth Paris
For John Pickelman
For David Smith 
For Jeannie Taylor
For Anna Thayer 


For parents and siblings of our family members who have had surgery, facing health complications and are battling cancer.
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