Fear Not! God’s Favor is Unmerited
December 15, 2024
Mary was not fully married when the angel came to her and said, “Do not be afraid, you have found favor with God.” He then told her she...
Discipleship
WORSHIP SERVICES
Sundays | 10:30AM | In-Person or via Livestream
We encourage you to join us for worship every Sunday morning at 10:30 AM, either in person, or via livestream at our church YouTube page.
SMALL GROUPS
If you are interested in joining with others to share life and dive deeper into the sermon and what it means for our lives, please contact Pastor Melissa.
30 DAYS OF PRAYER FOR OUR COMMUNITY
JAN 5 – FEB 3
God has placed us where we live for a purpose. Prayer is an integral part of our ministry and mission as Christians and spiritual renewal in our region will not come without prayer. During the month of January, we will engage in 30 days of prayer for our neighbors and friends by following the Capital Region Prayer Guide. Hard copies of the prayer guide will be distributed on Sunday, January 5. As we use the guide—which was written and compiled by members of Grantham Church—we trust it will grow our love for the people around us and awareness of their needs. And as we pray, we invite God’s Spirit to show us how we can join his work in our community.
MEET THE PASTORS
SUN, JAN 19, 12PM | C8-12
For those newer to Grantham Church, Meet the Pastors is an informal opportunity over lunch to get to know our pastors and hear more about our vision and direction as a church. There is also time to ask questions about who we are and what we’re about, in addition to learning more about next steps toward forming deeper connections. If possible, email Pastor Melissa if you plan to attend: mlowther@granthamchurch.org.
“WE THE CHURCH” SERIES
FEB 2 – MAR 2
God’s heart is that all would come to know him. And his plan for accomplishing that mission is to work through disciples who make disciples. Beginning February 2, we will engage in a 5-week sermon series called “We the Church,” which will stir our imagination for what Jesus can do through us, his church.
Join a 6-week small group! During this series, we have several leaders ready to facilitate short-term small groups to help us process the series and move it to ground level action. We invite you to sign up for a small group, which will meet weekly for six weeks, beginning the week of January 26 and ending the week of March 2. There are groups available at various locations and times. Sign-ups will begin after service on Sunday, January 12.
“We the Church” will help us understand and engage with God’s mission to use his church to make disciples that represent the good news of Jesus to every person we encounter, every day.
Recent Sermons
Advent Lessons and Carols Service
December 8, 2024
Throughout church history, Advent has been a time of meditating upon the ultimate issues of death, judgment, hell, and heaven. Yet it is...
Fear Not! God Hears Your Prayers
December 1, 2024
It seemed like another day in the Temple, until an angel appeared and frightened Zechariah, a Jewish priest. The angel said, “Don’t be...
Thanksgiving Service
November 24, 2024
Today we are celebrating God's faithfulness over this past year and expressing our gratitude for the good things he has done.
Adult Learning Communities (Sundays @ 9AM)
Interested in, or questions about Learning Communities, contact Pastor Melissa Lowther.
J-TERM LEARNING COMMUNITY
SUNDAYS IN JANUARY, 9AM | Fellowship Hall
Sacred Practices: Cultivating Habits that Draw Us Close to God
Our everyday habits have the capacity to orient us either toward or away from God. During this unique, combined 4-week Learning Community, youth and adults will engage with various spiritual exercises that will help draw us closer to Jesus. Through hands-on activities, stories, and intergenerational conversations, we will explore different ways of relating with God and hearing his voice, both personally and together in community. Join us in Fellowship Hall beginning January 5 at 9am.
LEADERS: MJ Fair, Melissa Lowther, Becky Owen, Rich Stuebing
Beyond Sunday Mornings
MEN’S BIBLE STUDY
FRIDAYS @ 6:45–7:45AM in the Coffee Shop
The men’s weekly Bible study resumes meeting on January 3, 2025, at 6:45am and welcomes new early birds as we study the Scriptures together. We include much discussion and emphasis on practical application of biblical truth. We always end promptly at 7:45am to allow time to get to work or other engagements. Meet in the Grantham Church Coffee Shop.
LEADERS | Rich Stuebing, John Yeatts
MOMS TOGETHER
1st WEDNESDAY of the MONTH
1st WEDNESDAY of the MONTH
Are you a mom who wants to gather to connect, support and learn from other moms? We have a place for you! Our Moms Together group will meet the first Wed. of each month from 9:30-11 beginning Sept. 4th lead by Melissa Cohen. Child care will be provided, it is informal, light refreshments will be served, and there will not be any homework. If you would like child care provided please register with Pastor Denise.
Want to support our moms? We have a place for you too. We are looking for a mentor mom or two, and a hospitality person to get the coffee started and organize the refreshments. Most of all, we need loving arms to care for the children of our moms. Please contact Pastor Denise if you can help in any of these ways.
GRANDMOTHERS IN PRAYER
4TH THURSDAYS @ 9:30–11AM in C8–C12
All Grandmothers are invited for a time of fellowship and prayer for our beloved grandchildren. During the time together, we will be using Philip Yancey’s book Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? with discussion led by various grandmothers. From September-April, we will discuss chapters 18-22 of the book. Instead of the regular 4th Thursday meetings in November & December, there will be a Christmas brunch
LEADER | Velma Yoder
Community Life
FELLOWSHIP MEALS
1st & 3rd SUNDAYS @ 12PM in Fellowship Hall
1st & 3rd SUNDAYS @ 12PM in Fellowship Hall
Sharing life around the table is one of the best ways we can connect together as the body of Christ. Over a meal we meet new friends, celebrate God’s goodness, and carry one another’s burdens. Grantham Church has partnered with One80 Ministries to host this time where God can strengthen our friendships across divides, encourage us as we journey together in our faith, and provide a welcoming space for anyone seeking to be known and loved. There’s room at the table!
Winter-Spring 2025 meal dates are:
- February 2 & 16
- March 2 & 16
- April 6 & 27 (note 4th Sunday: with Congregational Council)
- May 4 & 18
To help make these meals possible, contact Dawn Isley to find out about volunteer opportunities.
LIBRARY BOOK CHAT
The Library Book Chat meets to share informally about inspiring books, both fiction and nonfiction. When you have a book to present, contact Edie Asbury to set up a mutually agreeable time to meet, either by Zoom or in person, and other Book Chat participants will be invited to join the meeting. This is a great way to hear about what others are reading on their discipleship journey!
LEADER | Edie Asbury
Children (birth–grade 5)
Questions? Contact Pastor Denise Fogelsanger
LEARNING COMMUNITIES | Sundays, 9–10AM
BIRTH–24 MONTHS | C11 (NURSERY)
Loving care will be offered in the nursery
2–5 YEAR OLD PRESCHOOLERS | D23
Preschool children will be using the Wee Wonder curriculum to explore what it means to come to church, God made the world, and thanking God this fall.
KINDERGARTEN–5 GRADE | D26 & D27
School age children will be using the Shine: Loving in God’s light Curriculum. This fall they be learning about becoming a People of God as they learn about the family of Abraham and Sarah through stories from Genesis, and the Journey to Freedom from stories of Exodus and Joshua.
CHILDREN'S CHOIR | Sundays @ 10–10:20AM (D20–22)
Children 3 years up through high school are welcome to join as we practice songs that will be performed in the worship service throughout the year.
NURSERY & PRESCHOOL CARE | Sundays @ 10:15AM (C11)
INFANTS & TODDLERS
Birth- 24 months will receive loving care in the nursery (C11) during the worship service.
PRESCHOOLERS
Children aged 2-3 year old will be in D21, children aged 4-5 year old will be in C19 where each class will have a time of play and Bible Stories.
KIDS' OWN WORSHIP | Sundays @ 11AM (during the sermon)
Children in K-5th grade will join their families for the first part of the worship service. At the start of the sermon, they will be invited to a special worship service. Children in Kindergarten through 5th grade will meet in the area near the mailboxes. We will then split into 2 classes and move to the Children’s wing.
- Kindergarten through 2nd grade will continue using the Gospel Project as we work our way through the Bible. This fall we will be learning about Jesus’s life as He lived among the people.
- The 3rd through 5th graders will be using Bible Studies for Life Curriculum.
More Children's Ministry
SING AND PLAY
FRIDAYS, @ 9:30–10:15 AM or 10:30-11:15 AM
SEPT 27 – DEC 6
FRIDAYS, @ 9:30–10:15 AM or 10:30-11:15 AM
SEPT 27 – DEC 6
Sing & Play, a time for preschoolers and their favorite caregivers, to come play in the Fellowship Hall with 8 different stations to choose. We will be resuming on Fridays for the fall starting on September 27 and running through December 6, with 2 sessions that will last 45 minutes each (one at 9:30-10:15am; and the other at 10:30-11:15am)
Youth (grades 6–12)
Questions? Contact Youth Coordinator, Chrissy Hoffner
Youth Ministry
If you are in grades 6-12, come hang out with us!
LEARNING COMMUNITY
SUNDAYS @ 9AM-10AM in C15 (Youth Room)
SUNDAYS @ 9AM-10AM in C15 (Youth Room)
Sunday mornings in Learning Community, we meet over hot cocoa and occasional snacks for discussion and prayer.
YOUTH GROUP
SUNDAYS @ 6PM–8PM | C15 (Youth Room)
SUNDAYS @ 6PM–8PM | C15 (Youth Room)
Sunday evenings in Youth Group, we meet for lessons, games, snacks, and small group discussions.
We have other “extra” activities sprinkled throughout the semester. Check it out on the Youth Page.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Youth Ministry makes a difference. 15 years ago, statistics showed that Christian youth stayed in school longer, were healthier, felt better about themselves, were more likely to volunteer their time to help others, and had better relationships with their parents. Statistics today show that nearly six in ten (59%) young people who grow up in Christian churches end up walking away. We need to build relationships with the teens to help them understand and own their faith.
Do YOU want to make a difference in the life of a teen?
College Students
Below are ongoing opportunities.
Questions? Contact Katie Logan.
FELLOWSHIP MEALS
1ST & 3RD SUNDAYS, after the service
- September 1 & 15
- October 6 & 20
- November 3 & 17
- December 1 & 15
PRAYER PARTNERS
We have families & individuals who would love to come alongside you during your time in college through prayer, occasional meet-ups, and general relational support. If you’d like to get connected with someone, contact Katie Logan.
TEXT UPDATES
Receive texts about twice/month with reminders about what’s happening at Grantham Church, as well as short devotionals & encouragements. Text “@gccollege” to 81010 to sign up.
Worship Arts
Interested in, or questions about Worship Arts, contact Pastor David Perry.
Music Opportunities
WORSHIP TEAM
A collective of musicians, tech volunteers, and Scripture readers that help lead our congregation in faithful and heartfelt worship. In particular, we are looking for more volunteers to run projection and sound.
the Art Gallery
COMING TO THE ART GALLERY
SEPTEMBER 2024
Questions?
Contact the Office