Spring Service Day

One of the biggest most important days in the life of Grace Community is our annual service day when hundreds of us come together on a Saturday Morning and reach out into the surrounding community to show the love of Jesus by serving our neighbors. Building Bridges Spring Service Day is Saturday, April 25th. Our hope is that every Grace Group will serve together that day by taking part in one of the following volunteer opportunities: (and if not your whole group, maybe a few of you.) Please choose one and register today.

To help with a project or to get even more information:
Check out http://www.uservecentral.com/BuildingBridges.html

Howard County

Cedar Lane Walk for Our Stars: Cheer on the walkers from Cedar Lane School (for students with special needs) as they raise funds to purchase much-needed equipment for the school.

Grace Clothes Closet Clothing Drive and Sort: Collect and sort donated clothing at Grace that will be distributed to people in need.

Grace Clothes Closet Clothing Giveaway: Serve at a community outreach clothing giveaway at an apartment building in Columbia. Volunteers are needed for transportation, set up & clean up, and during the giveaway.

Howard County Food Bank: Collect and sort donated food items at Grace to be transported to the Food Bank.

Public Servant Appreciation Donations:
Donate treats to Police and Fireman in Howard County
Organize food trays to be delivered
Deliver food trays

Deep Run Elementary School: Landscaping projects
Laurel Woods Elementary School:
Painting several interior offices
Painting the exterior of a portable classroom
Landscaping/gardening projects
Work with students to complete a craft project for them to take home

Swansfield Elementary School:
Painting the cafeteria
Landscaping in front of school
Reducing the size of the playground. This is a heavy-duty work project.

Baltimore City

MetroKidz Clothing Giveaway: Distribute clothing at Charm City Church in Baltimore

MetroKidz Neighborhood Beautification: Pick up trash in neighborhoods near Charm City Church

Samuel B. Morse Elementary School: Paint the cafeteria of this Baltimore City school.

The Samaritan Women: Assist in the creation of garden plots for a community garden and with other landscape/garden projects.

Touch the World

Is your group looking for new ways to grow in their compassion for the world and take practical steps together in extending grace to the nations? On Sunday April 26th, after the 11:15 service, there will be a reception for Dave and Sandy Blank who represent us in South Asia. Bring your group and come hear how God is moving in Asia and help us to encourage and pray for the Blanks. This is a great opportunity to become engaged in God's work to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:9)! All are welcome, but we do need a count so we can prepare for a light lunch. Please RSVP to Mark or Anna Ruby at markannaruby@msn.com by April 19th. Hope to see you there!

Leader Training Workshops

Since we are having an extra New Groups Launch this spring, we will also have an extra edition of the Leader Training (Shepherding) Workshops. If you have not had the opportunity to take part in either 101 or 201, please join us for these offerings. We are doing 101 at a special time and in a little different format. We will hold this workshop on Sunday Night, April 26th, 7-9pm for a special 2 hour edition of 101. Then on Saturday May 30th, 8:30am-12:30 pm, we will have the 201 Workshop.

These workshops are for you if you are starting a group or have been leading a group for years, but would like to learn how to better create the right environment in your group so that it's members are guaranteed to grow. Is there someone in your group who you would like to see take some more responsibility. This would be a great way to help equip them for the challenge.

Groups are about building a community of believers who take care of each other in so many ways. They are also an environment where everyone encourages each other to continue to pursue a closer relationship with God. Those are two things that we explore in depth in Leader Training 101 and 201. You can register by emailing Cynthia at workshop@gracegroups.net . Please invest in your group and yourself by joining us for the Shepherding Workshops.