Cedar Bayou Grace United Methodist Church

ewallace — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 19:22:21 +0000

Dear friends,
Thank you. David and I both thank you for being our church home and family over these past four years. You have been a great blessing in our lives. I have been honored to serve as your senior pastor. The services last Sunday and the wonderful luncheon were particularly meaningful for me. Thank you for that gracious send off. The Staff Parish Committee, chief decorators Nita Davis and Sue Tolleson and so many more made it possible. Your very generous gifts, cards, love offering and words of appreciation meant so much. (I see some new furniture in our future thanks to you.) Thank you all.
In the days ahead David and I ask for your prayers as we transition to Palestine’s First United Methodist Church. I commend you to the care of your new senior Pastor, Rev. John Newsome and continuing care of Rev. Luis Ramirez. Both offer excellent leadership. We pledge to you all our continued prayers. We will always cherish your friendship.
As we move on to our next home, we affirm once again that God is not limited to temples or towns. God is wherever we are. God celebrates with us the joys of life. God helps us in tough times to grow strong and encourages us. God gives other Christians as community to share the journey with us. God has a plan for our lives to give abundant life now and reunion with all the saints for eternity. Due to nothing we ourselves earn, God graciously gives to those of us who accept the gift, the opportunity to journey with him now and be with him forever.
Therefore, we can say with the Psalmist
I shall sing the faithful love of the Lord for ever,
from age to age my lips shall declare your constancy,
for you have said: love is built to last for ever,
You have fixed your constancy firm in the heavens. (Psalm 89:1-2 JB)

Thank you again. May God bless you all.

Pastor Carol Turner

Faith and Freedom Celebration

ewallace — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 19:15:35 +0000

Join us Sunday, June 30th at 12pm in Busch Center for a Faith and Freedom Celebration. On the menu: Fried chicken and Hot dogs. The congregation is asked to please bring cold salads (potato, fruit, bean etc.) and dessert. Join us for food, music and lots of fun. A free-will love offering will be collected.

Bayou Bits:Exploring Creation

ewallace — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 17:12:44 +0000

Bayou Bits is for children ages 3 (must be potty trained) completed Kindergarten. Bits is held every other Thursday from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the gym at Cedar Bayou Grace. Cost is $5 and children will need to bring a lunch. For more information, please call the church office at 281-427-4754.

Dates for Bits:

June 13 – Exploring Space
July 18 – Exploring Plants and Animals
June 27 – Exploring the Oceans
August 1 – Exploring Man

Bayou Bunch: Exploring Creation

ewallace — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 17:05:57 +0000

Join us Tuesdays this summer at 9:00 a.m. as kids in Bayou Bunch explore creation! Bayou Bunch is for children who have completed 1st – 5th grade. Cost will vary depending on activity. For more information please call the church office at 281-427-4754.

Bunch Calendar Dates:
June 25 – Channel 13 to tour the facility and meet Meteorologist Travis Herzog. There is no cost for this outing. Children will need to bring a sack lunch and pocket change. Deadline to register is Sunday, June 23.

July 2 – Bayou Wildlife Park
July 9 – No Bayou Bunch
July 16 – Houston Zoo
July 23 – Houston Museum of Natural Science
July 30 – Bluebell Creamery, Brenham
August 5 – Eagle Point Wave Pool

Everywhere Fun Fair VBS July 8 – 12

ewallace — Tue, 07 May 2013 14:11:52 +0000

Everywhere Fun Fair VBS is July 8-12, 2013! There will be groups for all ages: Pre-K (4 yrs. old) – 5th grade. Register for VBS at the Everywhere Fun Fair table in the hallway, by printing the form below or register online at http://2013.cokesburyvbs.com/cbg . Volunteers are needed for a successful VBS. Contact co-directors Crystal Arthur or Alicia Bryan for more information about this great week of worship, crafts, music, and fun. You may also contact Pam Ansley at 281-427-4754 ext. 103 or pansley@cedarbayougrace.org.

Please click here for the VBS Registration Form

New Senior Pastor

ewallace — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 15:26:05 +0000

Good News !
The District Superintendent met with our Staff Parish Committee recently to recommend Rev. John Newsome as our Senior Pastor. Rev. Newsome comes to us from Bay Harbor UMC where he has served for 7 years. His wife, Janie, is a first grade teacher and they have two grown children. His first Sunday will be July 7, 2013.

We’re looking forward to a great future at CBGUMC!

ewallace — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 14:42:12 +0000

Dear friends,
Although changes in pastoral appointments do not happen until July 1 this year, I want you to know that David and I are very sad to be leaving Cedar Bayou Grace. We have enjoyed the people, the church and the community. We cherish your friendships. You will be deeply missed. I thank you for the many words of love and gratitude you have expressed. For the good ministry we have had together, may God receive the praise.
We look forward to what God will do in my next appointment at the First United Methodist Church of Palestine, Texas.
We do not know yet who is coming to Cedar Bayou Grace. We pray for our superintendent, bishop and cabinet as a match will be made that will help grow this congregation in faith and in numbers. I expect the appointment of who is coming to be announced in worship in the next couple of weeks.
Until July we have work to do. For the next three Sundays of April I will be preaching a sermon series on “The Tongue” – lies, gossip and gripes, the damage they do and how and why life is better without them. In May we celebrate. We have a confirmation class to mentor and confirm. We have a senior class to recognize and scholarship. In June we have VBS, visiting mission camps, choir camp and youth programs. All along we have new people to invite to our congregation and must add new places for them to become involved. You are an important part of all these preparations. Ask any staff member or committee chair or me about where you can serve.
Once again I thank you and I challenge you to move into God’s future not in fear but in confident faith. Know that the Christ who unites you is greater than any difference that divides. Expect great things for this congregation in the days ahead. I do.
God bless you.
Pastor Carol Turner

Prayer Service

ewallace — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 19:34:17 +0000

Beginning April 7th at 6:00 p.m. we will be having a Prayer Service in the Chapel. All are invited to come and sing, pray, and listen to how God is changing our lives. Come and let the power of prayer transform your life. If you feel led to give a devotional or have been a witness to the things the Lord has been doing around you and wish to share, please call the church office.

Adult Trip – April 19

ewallace — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 17:55:26 +0000

On Friday, April 19 we’re off to historic Washington on the Brazos where we will have a photo op of the beautiful fields of bluebonnets. We will also tour Independence Hall, where the Texas declaration was signed in 1836, see the Republic Museum, and experience the Barrington living history farm. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy. On the drive back we will stop at the Southern Flyer 50′s and 60′s diner for a dessert of coke floats. Cost of transportation and Washington buildings’ tour will be $15. Your picnic and dessert money will be extra. Depart 8 a.m. and return by 6 p.m. Reservations must be made to the church office no later than Sunday, April 14. For more information please call the church office.

ewallace — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 15:26:25 +0000

Dear friends,
What is the most beautiful place you have ever been? Maybe you have more than one favorite place. Maybe you have pictures or memories that take you back to that place. Maybe you can imagine yourself there right now! I know a place that I haven’t seen yet, but I know I will see it one day and every time I think about it, I am so joyful.
The Bible records Jesus’ last words from the cross. “Woman behold your son.” “I thirst.” “Father forgive them…” And after one of the thieves being crucified with Jesus asked him, “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom” Jesus replied, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” Great music tries to capture these last words. Many sermons and books have been written on them. I have been reading Adam Hamilton’s Final Words from the Cross. Hamilton helps explain what was meant in Jesus’ day by many of Jesus’ words. Consider with me what he says about Paradise.
“The Greek word for Paradise in this verse is a transliteration of a Persian word that was used in ancient times to refer to the king’s garden. The king’s garden was a walled garden that was a place of profound beauty. Sometimes it included a menagerie – like a zoo – combined with beautiful gardens, trees, and water features. When someone was honored in ancient Persia, they were given the privilege of enjoying the king’s garden.
The thought of spending eternity in the King’s Garden with people I love, without hate or violence or stress or anxiety, sounds like paradise to me.”
Jesus offered this Paradise to a condemned criminal. Jesus forgave the very people who yelled, “Crucify him.” He forgave those who tortured and executed him. Jesus had a passion for people. He wanted everyone to enjoy the King’s Garden including me and you. I am so thankful and humbled by his extravagant gift of forgiveness and of invitation to the King’s Garden. I hope you are too. I hope you will join me as we give this good news to people “beyond our doors.”
Love in Christ,
Pastor Carol Turner