GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Grace Church was not able to fulfill its commitment to financially support a number of Missions in the 3rd quarter due to lack of funds. Givings have been down substantially this summer and fall and the church has spent more money than we have received. The income improved in November and we pray for that trend to continue in December so that we can end the year in a positive direction.

Several people have asked which missionaries we were not able to support in September. Below I have identified them with a website and contact information to allow individuals who feel moved to act individually with financial support to do so. Please note that if the general givings continue to increase in December, the church will be able to honour the Missions commitment, making payments to our priority Missions first.

Yes, believe it or not, we have just started a new year.  The first Sunday in Advent marks the beginning of the Church year.

I’ve often wondered why this is.  After all, wouldn’t it make more sense to begin the year with a significant event such as the birth of Christ?  Then again, the coming of God into the world, in the human form of Jesus his Son, is such a significant event that it demands a time of waiting and preparation.  Without it, we are liable to miss the real reason for the season.

Advent and Christmas and Epiphany give us a chance to re-define our understanding of generosity. It is in this season that we remember God the Son becomes one of us in Jesus of Nazareth. He lays aside all His “benefits” as God and comes as a secret agent to sacrifice Himself that we might have a life giving relationship with God forever. God moves into the neighbourhood as a baby boy. And we can’t sing enough about it. So let us not be distracted from this central truth but learn anew from our Lord’s spirit of generosity.

February 2023

Dear Innercity Intercessors,

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