Winter 2011-2012

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Welcome to Grace.
If you are new to this faith
community there are a few
things I hope you will no-
tice: we are a group of real
people, coming together, seeking God,
supporting and loving each other, grow-
ing together and attempting to discover
Gods movement in our lives and learn-
ing to move with Him. We dont claim to
have all the answers, and we dont claim
to be finished products, rather we be-
lieve God is at constant work in us.
When I joined Grace Community as the
Lead Pastor in August of 2007, we
sensed that God had a new vision for our
church, To restore people to God,
through Christ, both as His creation,
and in His creation. This has served as
the basis for what we do, from how our
Kids Grace and Student Ministries oper-
ate, to our Community Groups, to our
Outreach efforts with ONE Love and in
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Restoring people to God, through Christ.
Naivasha, Kenya. We see Gods plan un-
folding in our midst, and we welcome
you to be a part of that unfolding!
Some first steps at Grace include our
Newcomers Desserts, which are held
quarterly; getting plugged into a Com-
munity Group; and getting involved with
the Men of Grace, EveryWoman, Mar-
riage Builders, or any of the other great
ministries we have here! Visit the
Starting Point desk to find out more and
to speak with some warm and welcom-
ing people that would love to answer
any other questions you have about
Grace!
I look forward to getting to know you,
and welcome to Grace!
In Christ,
Lead Pastor Rob Strong
 Table of Contents

Starting Point Connecting you to Grace 4

Winter 2011-2012 Event Schedule 5 Current Sermon Series:
Advent Conspiracy 2011

For the Advent Season, well be

MINISTRIES
focusing on ways that we can:
Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give
Starting Point 4 More, and Love All. The Christ-
mas season is here and we
LIFECHANGE D.E.S. 5
want to choose to be intentional
Grace Kids 6 with our decisions this year!
Student Ministry 7 See inside for practical ways to
Give more!
Inreach 8
Next series: James
Outreach 9

Sunday Service Times

LIFECHANGE Opportunities 5 9:00 AM

Pastors and Staff 10 Worship Service

Full Grace Kids Program

Ministry Leaders 10
(Infants 5th Grade)

Student Ministry Program

(6th 12th Grade)
Graham kendrick
On October 23, 2011 we had the distinct
10:30 AM
honor of having world-famous worship
leader Graham Kendrick join us for both Worship Service
our Sunday morning services, and for an (Children Welcome)
evening concert at Grace Community. Childcare
Graham is known as the father of modern (Infants Kindergarten)
worship music, and with songs like Adult Discovery Classes
Knowing You and Amazing Love, we
were not disappointed as he took us into
Gods presence in some amazing ways.

Our worship director, Matt Beattie was able to spend some time with Graham, between a
dinner the evening before, and a worship training seminar on Sunday afternoon. His humil- Grace Community Office Hours
ity, that was the thing that really stuck out to me, said Matt, he is clearly a gifted musician Monday Thursday | 9AM 2PM
and his accomplishments speak for themselves; but the fact that Graham so clearly is a man
after Gods own heart was the most lasting impression I have. Phone: 978. 256. 2626

We were truly blessed by this experience, and are looking forward to Grahams prophetic Email: joyce@grace-community.org
words, that God wants to move among us, playing out at Grace as this year progresses.

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Join the journey: Connect into the life of Grace Community.
If this is your first time connecting with us at Grace Community, welcome!
We are a community that seeks to restore people to God, through Christ. Believing
that the local church is the primary tool God uses to reach into the world, we are pas-
sionate about engaging you with this community of Christ-followers.

The Journey:
1st stop: Pick a service to attend.
Sundays at 9AM
Worship/ Youth/ Kids Grace

Sundays at 10:30AM
Worship/Kids Grace/Adult Classes

2nd stop: Begin seeking LIFECHANGE.

Deepen your faith
Join a Community Group. (list on Page 6)
Attend a Discovery Class. (Sundays at 10:30AM)
Connect with the Mens, Womens or Prayer ministry.
Express your faith
Find a ONE Love opportunity coming up, and join in.
Begin tithing regularly.
Get Baptized.
Share your faith
Pray for your neighbors.
Seek genuine ways to share Jesus with people.
Begin writing down your faith story.
3rd stop: Serve.
Find out where help is needed
Often in the Sunday Program there are needed positions listed
see if any of them seem like a good fit and give it a shot!
4th stop: Become a member.
Membership classes happen quarterly, sign-up to attend.
Visit Starting Point to sign up, or email: mikeadams@grace-community.org

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 Winter 2011-12 Event Schedule

Christmas Eve Services:

December 24th, at 4PM & 5:30PM

Christmas Day Service:

December 25th, at 11AM

Winterfest 2011:

January 28th Grace Kids: you

dont want to miss it!

LIFECHANGE Opportunities

Deepen
Old Testament Overview Class
Doctoral Student Jamie Bryson will
walk you through this adventure.
No, it wont be too much for you. In
fact, for many of you, it is time to
face-your-fears and learn about the
first part of your bible. Starts in
January 2012.

Share
Mission Lowell: Living Waters
Every day you have the opportunity
to join Grace Community volunteers
to serve the homeless at Living Wa-
ters Center of Hope in Lowell. We
serve breakfast, Lunch or Dinner.
There are games nights and bible
studies, in short, there are opportu-
nities for everyone.

Want to share a LIFE

CHANGE experience? We
would love to hear from you!
Please tell us about how God
has worked in your life.

Email: mikeadams@grace-
community.org

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 Grace Kids Director: Priscilla Sellers
Email: priscillas@grace-community.org

At Grace Community Church, kids are important to us!

Our childrens program, Grace Kids is designed to help each and
every child know, love, and follow Christ. Through our Sunday
School Program, Vacation Bible School, Winter Festival and
Each year we have hundreds of kids show
many other activities, we are committed to helping all kids grow
up to two of our biggest events, Winter-
in their faith. fest (an indoor winter carnival for ages
Our vision is for all children to: 12 and under) and Vacation Bible School
* Give their hearts to Christ. (VBS). These are only a part of the great-
* Relate to and develop friendships with others. er whole of Grace Kids, but theyre a
* Apply Gods truths directly to their lives. great chance to reach out to friends
* Care for others in the community. and get them in the doors of Grace
* Equip themselves to share their faith with family and friends. Community!

All proceeds benefit Grace
Communitys One27 Academy
& orphan children in Kenya.
Please plan to join us at 7 p.m. on Decem- Following the play there will be an intermis-
ber 17th at the church as Grace Communi- sion with punch and treats followed by a
tys Childrens Ministry presents, The Rus- carol concert by the children, and a short
sian Shoemaker, a touching tale that message from Pastor Rob Strong.
draws from Matthew 25:40. The play
There has been an amazing team of eight
(which 54 children from ages 5-11 have
adults working with the children to make
been fervently rehearsing for over two
this happen, said team member Fiona Stu-
months), depicts the story of an old shoe-
art. God is doing something in the hearts
maker in a Russian village who is waiting for
of our children thats very exciting. The kids
Jesus to come. While Jesus himself doesnt
have really grasped what it means to give
actually show up, he does send a widow, a
and care for others, and they are enthusias-
lamp lighter, carol singers, and a group of
tic about helping raise money for others. It
orphans, who cause the shoemaker to real-
has been such a blessing to see them
ize that, ...whatever you did for one of the
grow.
least of these brothers and sisters of mine,
you did for me. We hope to see you there!

Sunday Mornings at Grace Kids9am Service

Nursery Toddlers Pre-K and Kindergarten 1st 5th Graders

We have great, clean and organized
environments for your little ones to
spend time in theyll be taken care of
by loving volunteers.
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Learning Bible stories, spending time This year were working through the
with other kids, and loving volunteers, Orange curriculum, filled with appli-
these kids have a blast on Sunday! cable Bible stories and lessons we
are sharing Jesus with kids each week!
* all volunteers are required to have a CORI check
grace student ministry Student Ministry Director: Jake Scott
Email: jakes@grace-community.org

We know the only thing that Living a God-Breathed Life

changes faster than the world
around us is you, the middle
school student. You are emerg-
ing from childhood, and to free-
doms, responsibilities, and chal-
lenges unlike any you have ever
experienced before. The beauti-
ful thing is you do not have to go
it alone. Come and experience
this emergence side by side with peers who know what you are
going through, and adults who remember what it was like (or at
least they think they do).
Come, have fun, be challenged, and meet new, awesome
people!
Winter Retreats 2012
Middle SchoolJanuary 27-29th
High SchoolFebruary 6th-8th
Genesis says human life originated from God's
very breath. Timothy writes in his second book
that the Bible is also brought to life by God's
breath. This winter we want merge the two. We
are going to focus on not just the why, but the
how of living a life marked by the Bible, by
spending the entire weekend giving the stu-
dents tool to use while studying the Bible for
themselves.

Uprising is a community
of high school students that are wrestling with what it means to be a
disciple of Jesus in todays ever-changing world. Our goal is not neces-
sarily cultural relevance, but rather to be the impetus for a counter cul-
tural movement. We want not just to fit in, but to be change agents in
the world around us. We are the uprising.
We meet Sundays during first service, or throughout the week at peo-
ples homes for student led small groups. Beyond that we have all kinds
of activities, and service opportunities throughout the year.
Do not just come... connect and invest.

Sundays at 9AM... Tuesday nights at 7:00PM Wednesday nights at 6:30PM...

The Uprising and Emerge meet for our Group-6 takes place for teens 9th-12th E-Groups for kids 6-8th grade we have
Sunday Service. Worship, a teaching, and grade its a time of deepening our faith a blast play games and work through a
time to connect see you there! and being mentored! Join us! lesson that builds faith! Dont miss it!

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inreach (adult ministries) Inreach Director: Pastor Mike Adams
Email: mikeadams@grace-community.org

Community Groups at Grace

Billerica Lowell
Brian and Marlies Henderson Jon and Marj Paige
Tuesday Nights Couples/Singles/All Ages Tuesday Nights Couples/Singles/20s & 30s

Boxboro Matt and Michelle Beattie

Jim Andreson Monday Nights Couples/Singles/20s & 30s

Sunday Nights Couples/Singles/All Ages Westford

Chelmsford John and Fran Carroll

Jeff and Cricket Lomicka Thursday Nights Couples/Singles/Older Ages

Wednesday Nights Couples/Singles/All Ages Grace Community

Littleton Grace Walkers (Tim and Carol Slighter)

Jeff and Margie Roffee/ Bernard and Jackie Farrell Sundays 10:30AM Couples/Singles/All Ages

Tuesday Nights Couples/Singles/All Ages

Chip and Karen Spengler
Tuesday Nights Couples with young children

Community Groups are one of the

best ways to plug into the life of
Grace Community Church.
-Pastor Rob Strong

Practice of the Presence of God A class Starting Point Starting At Grace This
Discovery Classes Fall 2011 about serving God in all things, great and class introduces you to Grace Community,
(Sundays at 10:30 AM) small. Based on Brother Lawrences teach- and our beliefs, our history, and why we
ings. This prayer class begins January. exist as a church, takes place February 5.

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outreach Outreach/Onelove Director: Tobias Marx
Email: tobiasm@grace-community.org

Love God | Connect People | Transform the World

ONElove is Grace Communitys outreach movement. As we go into the world to serve the
needy, we understand that expressing our faith is about moving our resources and our-
selves in response to human need.
In particular, we focus on the issue of poverty and from within that framework, three main
impact areas have emerged: Child Justice | Trafficking | Housing. These are the initiatives
which unite Grace Community and together we hope to use our skills, experiences, and re-
sources to address these initiatives both locally and globally.
You can express your faith by participating in any of ONEloves initiatives. To find out more,
please visit www.my1love.org.

Reflection ONEchild Update

On November 13, Grace Community hosted our 2nd annual Fall one27academy.org/onechild
Clean Up day. Instead of having 2 services, we used the second ONElove offers everyone the
service to take our faith into action. This year approximately 350 opportunity to express love.
people from Grace Community assisted about 35 local families One of the most meaningful
by getting their yards and properties ready for the winter. ways to do this is to become a
sponsor for a child in need.
ONEloves ministry highlight!
ONEchild is ONEloves Orphan
Mission: Lowell is our vision to transform the city of Lowell into
Support Program. Currently,
a kingdom citya community inspired and led by the Spirit of
we have 91 childrenall or-
God to reflect the Kingdom of God. This ministry is an opportuni-
phans in our care. Thirty-one of
ty to express and share your faith, plus its a great way to work
these children are in need of a new sponsor. Monthly sponsor-
together with your family and children. There are several ways
ships start as low as $25/month. For more information, please
to be part of Mission: Lowell:
visit our web site, one27academy.org/onechild.
Every 2nd Wednesday of the month, Grace Soup groups pre-
Financial need
pare soup for Living Waters Center of Hope, a homeless drop-
ONEloves finances are separate from the Grace Community
in center in downtown Lowell.
General Fund. This means we depend on God to lead us and to
Every 3rd Friday of the month, we prepare and serve a meal at provide for us. If you would consider supporting ONElove, please
St. Pauls Soup Kitchen in Lowell. be aware that the following initiatives are our highest priorities:
Starting in January 2012, we will partner with Living Waters in ONEchild Sponsorships
Lowell to offer a Friday evening coffeehouse-style worship Bibles for the Prison
service for anyone interested in attending. Mission: Lowell
We are currently building relationships with local schools. We One 27
really want to be able to partner with public schools to meet General Outreach Fund
student needs. We have done school supply drives and we
have our own Christmas Surprise, a program that provides
Christmas gifts to the most needy families in greater Lowell. The ONElove Team
Tobi Marx Director of ONElove/Outreach
One 27 Update One27Academy.org
One 27 is our ministry devoted to empower young people to Karen Horsey Coordinator, Mission: Lowell
become next-generation leaders. Currently we are building our Shelly Clark Coordinator, Mission: Lowell
first One 27 Academy in Naivasha, Kenya. This Academy will be a Christine Burdick, Sharla Tracy Coordinators, Fall Clean Up
school and home to about 100 children of different ages. Over Emily Marx Coordinator, Christmas Surprise
the last 8 years we have built relationships with our partners in Laura Brown Coordinator, Lowell Schools
Kenya, and together we are planning to open the Grace Chil- Rosalia Barber Grace Soup
drens Center Naivasha in January 2013.

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leadership at grace
Staff
Executive Leadership
Lead Pastor- Rob Strong: robs@grace-community.org
Inreach
Associate Pastor- Mike Adams: mikeadams@grace-community.org
Worship and Arts
Worship and Communications Director- Matt Beattie: mattb@grace-community.org
Outreach
Outreach/ONE Love Director- Tobias Marx: tobiasm@grace-community.org
Emerging Generations
Pastor of Student Ministries- Jake Scott: jakes@grace-community.org
Assistant Director of Student Ministries- Kristine Rego: kristiner@grace-community.org
Childrens Ministry Director- Priscilla Sellers: priscillas@grace-community.org
Childrens Ministry Coordinator- Patti Quigley: pattiq@grace-community.org
Administrative Support
Administrative Assistant- Joyce Goldthwaite joyce@grace-community.org
Finance Administrator- Laurie Bean laurie@grace-community.org
Elders
Chairman- Jeff Palmer: jefepalm@gmail.com
Vice Chairman- Chip Spengler: spenglerchip@yahoo.com
Jim Andreson: jsandreson@gmail.com
Fred Budd: fred_budd@verizon.net
Bill Keating: keatingwe@verizon.net
Brad MacPherson: bradmcpherson@comcast.net
Ted Ross: ted.ross@verizon.net
Rob Strong: robs@grace-community.org

Ministry Leaders
Community Groups- Chip and Karen Spengler: spenglerchip@yahoo.com
Dish of Grace- Laura Schmidt: laura@hyannispoint.com
EveryWoman Ministry- Mike Adams: mikeadams@grace-community.org
Marriage Builders- Leanne Winchester: lwinchester@verizon.net
Mens Ministry- Bill Keating: keatingwe@verizon.net
Prayer Ministry-Jim Andreson: jsandreson@gmail.com
Starting Point- Matt Beattie: mattb@grace-community.org

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