WHO WE ARE
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WE ARE A WORSHIPING CONGREGATION
We worship and grow spiritually to be more Christ-centered and Spirit-led. We Gather, first and foremost, to worship and give honor to our Lord Jesus Christ. We hear the Word of God, and what that Living Word says about the life we're living today. We share in the Sacraments to experience God's Grace, forgiveness and love in ways we can taste and feel. And then we are Sent to serve and share God's good news with the world in what we say and do. We strive to make our worship joyful and meaningful through both formal and more relaxed worship services. We encourage every member to deepen their knowledge of Scripture and relationship to Christ. We endeavor to teach and guide our children well. WE ARE A CARING CONGREGATION One of the things we do best at Grace Church is to care for our members, especially in times of crisis. We have shared the turmoil of loss and crisis, the tears of grief, the test of broken relationships and the temptations to lose heart in difficult times. We have also shared the joy of weddings, births, the delight of new faith, and the celebrations of God's blessings, known in many different ways. We seek to care for one another with the love of Jesus. WE ARE A CHANGING CONGREGATION In the past few years we have been praying and working hard to meet challenges of the future. We are proud of our heritage and we seek to protect the values of our past, while recognizing that God is leading us into a new present and future. We seek to invite and welcome all people into Grace. And so we seek to be creative and are willing to do things differently, even risk failing. But, like the biblical story of Acts, we are confident that God's Spirit is guiding us to fulfill the Mission that God has for us in this time and place. WE ARE A GROWING CONGREGATION When a congregation speaks of growth, often the first thing we speak of is some numerical indication of growth. However, God's idea of growth also includes developing relationships in the community around us, and living faithfully in daily life, growing to see our neighbors, and people we don't know, in a different light. Over the last seven years, Grace has welcomed over 75 new members, and we're thankful that we continue to grow in numerical ways. And yet we seek to Grow in God's Grace even more. WE ARE A SERVING CONGREGATION We seek to help each individual discover God's special "calling" for their lives. We truly believe God has special ways to use all of us to be a blessing in this world. Together we can serve joyfully to reflect God's love for all people. Whether you are a long standing member or one who is brand new to the faith and Grace Church - We invite you to join us in an exciting journey into God's future here at Grace. WE ARE A WELCOMING CONGREGATION We strive to be a congregation that truly welcomes all persons. We value diversity in race, ethnicity and sexual orientation. All are encouraged to come and worship with us and join in the life and mission of Grace. We are beginning the journey to become an ELCA Reconciled in Christ congregation. https://www.reconcilingworks.). Our wedding guidelines do not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. We have intentionally made our building and worship space accessible to those who have visual, hearing and mobility issues. Our convenient location in central Virginia makes us an ideal location for statewide church functions. We have a relationship with a local historically African American congregation and seek to better understand the struggles our nation faces with regards to Racial Justice. (Click on “MORE” at the top of the page and select the “ANTIRACISM”, tab, as well as a fuller idea of the range of ministries Grace is involved in). |
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