GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

A Message From Nancy Brown

To my Grace Church family,

Greetings to all of you on this wonderful occasion, celebrating 40 years of God’s incredible faithfulness to Grace church.

As one of the 38 founding members of this congregation, it's a privilege and an honour to share with you just a few special moments of those early days which I recall and think about so often.

They were days of excitement, challenges, and hard work - not so very different from today as you face new challenges, especially this year, trying to deal with everything related to COVID-19. But, as it was in the beginning, you have survived and by God's goodness and faithfulness, you will continue to do so. And, as God says in 1^st Samuel, "thus far the Lord has helped us". I stand in awe and amazement of how prayers have been answered in building up this congregation.

The founding pastor Gordon Kouwenberg, as a very young man, was sent to Orleans, in May of 1980, to establish the first ever Presbyterian church in Cumberland township. A small group of us went door to door in the community passing out literature, inviting people to come and worship. In September of that year, our 1^st service was held at Convent Glen school.

January 4^th, 1981 was another exciting moment when 38 of us joined Grace church. The name Grace was chosen as it was so significant in realizing God's love and mercy and all He was doing in our midst. All of the chartered members have now either passed away or moved to other parts of the country with the exception of Joan Prashad, who continues to be actively worshipping at Grace.

In 1984, only 3 years after the founding of Grace church, the land site was chosen. We didn't know when or how we would ever build or where the money would come from, but we trusted God completely to provide. And, that He did. With continual prayer and our belief in giving 25 percent of our monthly income to missions, combined with the incredible donations from individuals, local businesses, and many churches both within and outside the Orleans area, we moved ahead.

October 30^th 1988, on a very cold, mosquito ridden day, more than 100 people came together to dedicate this land to the Glory of God. With tears in the eyes of many, we looked over to the horizon beyond and sang “TO GOD BE THE GLORY, GREAT THINGS HE HATH DONE”.

The following summer, in 1989, work was begun on the building. We had approved an original design at the cost of $15,000. Although it was paid for, this was suddenly scrapped because GOD had other plans. For two solid weeks we were challenged to pray faithfully twice a day for the future of Grace church. Some even joined pastor Gordon in prayer on this property early in the morning and evening to discern God's will for the building. And thus, this current building became our place of worship. BUT the church isn't about a building, but rather about the people. Quickly, the first session was elected and from that began many of the ministries that are still alive - Today.

An integral part of our worship has been music which has flowed through such talented musicians as Lyn Quinn, Connie Penner, and most recently, Kevin Russell.

My friends, always remember in your prayers the faithful and spiritual men of God who shepherd you so tirelessly. Pastor Gordon was solid in preaching the word of God and the importance of accepting Christ into our lives. He was followed by pastors Jim Statham, Dan MacKinnon and more recently pastor Jonathan Dent, all of them being incredible men of God who never waver from the truth of HIS word as written in the holy scriptures.

The years pass, and changes are always occurring, but God remains the same - yesterday, today and forever. We don't know what the next 40 years will bring, maybe even the return of Jesus when we, as Christians, will all be together once again, in our heavenly home.

Blessings and love to each of you on this, the occasion, of the 40th anniversary of GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. TO GOD BE THE GLORY GREAT THINGS HE HATH DONE.

Nancy Brown, founding member,

January 4, 2020