The Ministries of Grace Church
Growing a stronger relationship with members of God's family. (Fellowship)
Reaching out to others by sharing one's gifts and love. (Ministry)
Adoring God through regular worship and praise. (Worship)
Caring for others in need at home and abroad with talents and money. (Missions)
Enriching your life through study, prayer, and reflection. (Maturity)
Call the office at 717-766-3282 for more information on our ministry programs:
Adopt-A-Platoon Ministries
The Grace UMC Family has adopted a platoon of 24 servicemen serving our country
overseas. Throughout their deployment, we will provide our adopted platoon with regular
care packages, letters and cards of encouragment, as well as our prayers.
Blood Drive Location
Every two seconds someone needs blood. Your community blood bank needs you!
Grace UMC has joined the Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank Community Committment
Program. Donate once, or become a regular Grace UMC "Grace Donor Group" donor.
Education Ministries for Adults
The purpose is to help individuals grow toward Christian maturity through learning the content and meaning of the Bible, seeing their lives more clearly through God's perspective, and to better align their values with those of God and to become more skilled in serving God. There are currently two adult classes being held during the 9:30 to 10:30 Sunday morning time period with open opportunities for the formulation of additional classes. Additional study sessions are available throughout the year.
Education Ministries for Children
Proverbs 22:6 states that we should "Teach a child how he should live, and he will remember it all his life." The goal of our Children's ministries is to share Christ with the children of the community as well as the children of Grace Church. Various age level classes are offered during the 9:30 to 10:30 Sunday School hour on Sunday mornings. Vacation Bible School and other special events are available during the summer months. Confirmation classes are available for the older children to advance their commitment to Christ.
Fellowship Ministries
Growing a stronger relationship with members of God's family fosters deeper intergenerational understanding and caring within the church. The fellowship ministry provides opportunities for developing those relationships through the 9am-9:30am Coffee Fellowship on Sunday mornings and events throughout the year such as special receptions, the Birthday Lunch Bunch and ice cream socials.
Mission Ministries
Grace Church has a history of caring and providing support in the form of goods as well as money to mission work locally and globally. Ongoing contributions to local organizations such as New Hope Ministries, Mission Central, the United Methodist Home For Children, as well as seasonal campaigns for Meals on Wheels, Neighborhood Center and several others are a regular part of our local missions. Support of global Mission Programs such as Rwanda, UMCOR and others take place on a seasonal or as needed basis. Grace has a special affiliation with the Butere Miracle Academy in Kenya.
Music Ministries
We read in Psalm 100:2, "Worship the Lord with gladness, enter his presence with joyful song." Our Chancel Choir sings in the 10:45 service and rehearses at 6:30 on Wednesday evenings. The Children's Choir sings on the first Sunday of the month at the 10:45 service. Rehearsals for the children are held at 9:00 Sunday mornings with the exception of the first Sunday of the month.
Nursery Ministries
Nursery care provides a safe nurturing environment for infants while their parents attend church services. Care is provided by loving volunteers during both worship services.
Nurture Ministries
The primary purpose of the Nurture Ministry is to provide care and support for families and individuals in need due to illness, family criis, death or other circumstances. Through the monthly On-Call program, a specific individual can be contacted to coordinate the supplying of the necessary needs. Those individuals are listed regularly in the Weekly Update and on the Monthly calendar in the newsletter. Pastoral care for those in need and shut-ins are an ongoing ministry and "Home Touch Devotionals" are sent to the homebound members each week along with the Bulletin and Update.
Outreach Ministries
Many of the activities scheduled throughout the year are open to the community and can be classified as outreach ministries. These would include Vacation Bible School and numerous other one time events throughout the year such as Annual Health Fair & Blood Drive, Trunk or Treat for Halloween, Easter Egg Hunt and our Ice Cream Socials.
Prayer Ministries
In order to provide support through prayer to those that are hurting physically, emotionally or socially, there are several approaches available. The Prayer Chain is an ever-ready system or spreading the word when there is need of prayer for a member, friend or some individual or situation in the immediate or larger community. Prayer needs may also be reported to the church office.
Singles Independent Survival Helps
SINGLES is a series of monthly programs designed to offer fellowship and outings. Sessions are held at noontime on the third Monday of the month. This is one of our outreach programs open to the community.
United Methodist Women
Open to all women of the church, the U.M.W. encourages participation in the total life and work of the church. They actively support both Local and Global ministries and participate in bible study at their monthly meetings. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month at 10am.
Web/Communication Ministries
Our goal is to keep our members and visitors connected 24 hours/7 days a week. Join us on our website, receive our monthly newsletters and email reminders, join our blogs or visit us on Facebook.
Welcome Ministries
Our ultimate goal is to offer members as well as visitors a cheerful greeting on Sunday morning to let them know we consider them a part of our church family. Greeters and Ushers may sign up for regularly scheduled times or offer their assistance on an as needed basis. First time visitors receive a follow up visit with the delivery of "Bread of Welcome" loaf.
Worship Ministries
The purpose of the ministry is to provide assistance that contributes to and enhances the worship environment and the meaningfulness of the Sunday Service. Areas of service include Liturgist and Alter Guild. Each of these positions is on a rotation basis. Assistance with audio and visual support is also welcomed.
The goal of Youth Ministries is to assist youth with their spiritual walk with God. The purpose is to provide Youth with opportunities to become more involved in the community and to share with each other during youth events such as The Great Escape and Impact.
