Christ and Culture (3 of 7)
September 25, 2022
The Bible tells us that God’s people are exiles on the earth until Christ returns and brings the fullness of his Kingdom. In the...
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.
DISCOVER GRANTHAM | membership class
WED, OCT. 5 @ 7:00 PM and
SAT, OCT 29 @ 9AM–1PM
For those who are interested in learning more about Grantham Church, join Pastor David Flowers and Pastor Melissa Lowther for a hybrid learning experience engaging in the basics of our belief, values, vision, and operations. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet other new attendees and discern how God might be leading you to engage with our congregation. This class is required for those who would like to pursue membership at Grantham, but anyone is welcome to participate. Please note the format:
- WED, OCT. 5 @ 7:00 PM: 30-minute introductory Zoom
- A few short videos & readings to review on your own between Oct 5-29 (approx. 1 hour time commitment)
- SAT, OCT 29 @ 9AM–1PM: extended session with lunch & childcare provided
All three segments are part of the class. Please register by October 3 if you plan to participate!
Together on the Journey
Young Adults
SUN, OCT. 9 @ 9AM (in C9)
All young adults of Grantham Church are invited to a conversation over breakfast on Sunday, October 9, at 9am. Geared toward those in their 20s who are learning to navigate life as an adult in a tumultuous world, we will dialogue together about the joys and challenges of this stage of life and reflect on what it looks like to grow in our faith during this season. Meet in classroom C9.
Recently Retired
MON, OCT. 10 @ 9:30AM (in C8–C12)
Have you retired within the last couple years? We invite you to brunch at Grantham Church with others who are recently retired on Monday, October 10, at 9:30am. We will dialogue together about the joys and challenges of this stage of life and reflect on what it looks like to grow in our faith during this season. Meet in classroom C8-12. Please RSVP if you are able to attend: Pastor Melissa, mlowther@granthamchurch.org.
Fall Sermon Series
SEPT 11–OCT 23
Christ and Culture
As followers of Jesus, we are called to embrace his teachings and example, proclaim the truth of the gospel, and engage the world around us by embodying the good news. What does that look like today? The Scriptures are a guide in helping us to faithfully navigate an idolatrous world as the people of God. As we read the Bible, we can see that it takes a mixed view of all human cultures. While many elements of culture can be affirmed, we must avoid uncritically accepting aspects of culture without first examining them in light of Christ and the gospel. And since all cultures contain elements of darkness and light, our stance toward culture should be one of critical enjoyment and healthy suspicion. Therefore, as followers of Jesus, we must learn to contextualize the gospel and use cultural discernment as we live in the world as faithful disciples. We do this by entering the culture (affirming what we can), challenging the culture (confronting its idols and darkness), and then appealing to its listeners (offering a new narrative or story) by showing that Jesus and his good news dares us to imagine a better way. Join us this fall for a 7-part sermon series—Christ & Culture—where disciples of Jesus are invited to apply the gospel to every area of life as we seek to follow him in a fallen world.
Recent Sermons
Christ and Culture (2 of 7)
September 18, 2022
We were created to be God’s image-bearers and culture-makers. We can see from the very beginning that God wants us to make things and...
Christ and Culture (1 of 7)
September 11, 2022
In the World but Not of It John 17:15-19; Ephesians 5:8-16; Colossians 1:15-20 The Bible makes a clear distinction between the people of...
Meals with Jesus (7 of 7)
September 4, 2022
Jesus didn’t leave his disciples with just words and stories to remember him by, but rather a commemorative meal that is full of rich...
Adult Learning Communities (Sundays @ 9AM)
Interested in, or questions about Learning Communities, contact Pastor Melissa Lowther.
WHERE IS THE WORLD HEADED?
A study of the book of Revelation
SEPT 4–NOV 27 | A1
Dive into the exciting book of Revelation, which gives us hope that the world is going somewhere. Jesus’ death and resurrection inaugurated the kingdom of God that will be fully realized when Jesus returns to establish God’s kingdom “on earth as it is in heaven.” Revelation bears witness to that kingdom.
TEACHER | Glen Pierce, Rich Stuebing, John Yeatts
SOUNDS GOOD ON PAPER, BUT…
Christian nonviolence in a world gone mad
SEPT 11–DEC 18 | C8–12
Do Jesus’ commands to love our enemies and do good to those who harm us extend to governments and nation states, or are his words an individual ethic? Christian nonviolence sounds good on paper, but can it “work” in a world dominated by bad actors, renegade states, and totalitarian governments? Questions such as these sent Mark C. Cramer and Myles Werntz, authors of A Field Guide to Christian Nonviolence: Key Thinkers, Activists, and Movements for the Gospel of Peace, on a search for answers in Scripture, Christian theology, and ethics. With their book in hand, pacificists, non-pacifists, and the undecided are invited to explore this long-standing commitment within the Brethren in Christ Church and the broader Christian tradition.
TEACHERS | Randy Basinger, Devin Manzullo-Thomas, and Guests
CLASS COORDINATORS | Ken and Yvonne Martin
Beyond Sunday Mornings
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY
1ST, 3RD, & 5TH THURSDAYS (SEPT 15–DEC. 15) @ 9:30–11AM | C9
For our second year of women’s Bible study, we’ll explore the book of Hebrews, using Jen Wilkins’ video study. We’ll “discover through Paul’s letters that Scripture points to Christ as the new and better covenant for us to have access to God.” We’ll usually begin with an icebreaker and opening prayer, then discuss the questions in the workbooks, followed by watching Jen’s teaching video. Finally, we’ll share prayer requests. It’s OK to stop in a couple times to see what we’re about. Please contact Pastor Melissa if you would like to make use of childcare for children, ages birth through age 5.
LEADER | Sarah Becking
MEN’S BIBLE STUDY
FRIDAYS (beginning SEPT 16) @ 6:45AM | C7
A new men’s discussion Bible study on the gospel of Mark will begin this fall. We intend to meet weekly, although we will discuss the frequency and time of meeting on Sept 16. Join us to dig into the life of Christ as told in this short and compelling book of the Bible. The leaders are Rich Stuebing and John Yeatts from the Discipleship Commission.
LEADERS | Rich Stuebing, John Yeatts
GRANDMOTHERS IN PRAYER
4TH THURSDAYS @ 9:30–11AM | C8–C12
All Grandmothers are invited for a time of fellowship and prayer for our beloved grandchildren. During the time together, we will be studying Philip Yancey’s book Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? Meetings are on the 4th Thursday of each month, except for November & December where we will have a Christmas brunch on December 1. Please contact Velma Yoder.
Grandmothers in Pray is cancelled for this Thursday, Sept. 22.
On October 27, chapter 7 (entitled Wresting Match) of Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? by Philip Yancey will be discussed.
LEADER | Velma Yoder
Community Life
WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB
1ST MONDAYS (beginning OCT 3) @ 6:30–8PM | C8–C12
Women are invited to join a book club that will meet the first Monday of each month. The first book to be discussed is Island of Sea Women by Lisa See, facilitated by Helen Gruenewald. Contact Beth Mark, with any questions.
LEADER | Beth Mark
LIBRARY BOOK CHAT
2ND TUESDAYS @ 7PM | ZOOM
The Library Book Chat meets monthly on the second Tuesdays via Zoom to take turns telling others about an inspiring book, with a variety of fiction and nonfiction presented. All ages are welcome; if any children or youth attend, they are given priority at the beginning of the sessions. Contact Edie Asbury to be included in the invitation each month.
LEADER | Edie Asbury
Children (birth–grade 5)
Questions? Contact Pastor Denise Fogelsanger
LEARNING COMMUNITIES | Sundays, 9–10AM
BIRTH–35 MONTHS | C11 (NURSERY)
Loving care will be offered in the nursery
3–5 YEAR OLD PRESCHOOLERS | D23
We will be using the Wee Wonder Curriculum.
KINDERGARTEN–5 GRADE | D26 & D27
We will be using the Shine Curriculum. The lessons teach children how to “Love Jesus, Grow in Faith, Change the World” This quarter we will study the fall of a kingdom.
CHILDREN'S CHOIR | Sundays @ 10–10:20AM (D20–22)
Children will have the opportunity to learn songs of the faith and be able to sing in worship.
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-6th 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 6th grade will meet in the area near the mailboxes. We will then split into 2 classes and move to the Children’s wing.
- The Kindergarten through 2nd graders will meet in D20-22 and use the Gospel Project Curriculum. We will continue working out way through the Old Testament.
- The 3rd through 6th graders will meet in D25 and use the Godly Play curriculum as they explore the Old Testament.
More Children's Ministry
TRUNK OR TREAT | volunteers needed
SUN, OCT 30 @ 5:30 PM
It’s time to start planning how you can make this a wonderful event for our church and neighbors. What theme will you decorate your trunk this year? If you need ideas see Denise Fogelsanger or look at the blue “Trunk or Treat” folder at the Children’s Welcome area. If you did a trunk before but can’t this year and still have your supplies gathered up, consider loaning them to someone else.
Check out the Time To Sign Up link to sign up your trunk and many other ways you can get involved.
ADVENTURE NIGHTS
WEDS, OCT 12–NOV 9 @ 6–7:30PM
Children in 3rd-5th grade are invited to attend 5 weeks of Adventure Nights. We will begin on Oct. 12th, and meet from 6-7:30 for 5 weeks.
Our topic for these adventure nights will be Fear Busters: Empowering kids to overcome their fears. Bring your friends and lets fight our fears with lessons from people of the Bible.
MOMS TOGETHER
WEDNESDAYS, @ 9–11AM in C15 (Youth Room)
SEPT 21, OCT 12 & 26, NOV 9 & 23, DEC 7 & 21
Come for conversation and encouragement. We will be discussing the ideas in Sally Clarkson’s latest book Help, I’m Drowning: Weathering the Storms of Life with Grace and Hope.
Childcare will be provided. Please let Pastor Denise know if you will need it.
Youth (grades 6–12)
Questions? Contact Youth Coordinator, Chrissy Hoffner
Learning Community
SUNDAYS @ 9AM-10AM | C15 (Youth Room)
Carrie Harshberger will lead the youth through The Jesus Creed for Students by Scot McKnight. This is a book about what it means to live a life now before God; it is about the revolutionary vision Jesus has for this world. It’s getting back to the basics, because sometimes starting all over again leads us to think we’ve never been there before. Each morning will begin with Worship and end with a snack.
Evening Youth Group
SUNDAYS @ 6PM–8PM | C15 (Youth Room)
Youth will explore what we believe, why we believe it and why God calls us to communicate the Bible’s truths. Using J Warner Wallace’s Forensic Faith curriculum, facilitated by Tom George, youth will engage and learn to prepare to present the most important case of their lives; they will be prepared to become better “Christian Case Makers”. This study is 8 weeks long, allowing plenty of time for extra activities like Campfire Worship nights, Trunk or Treat and Holiday parties. Each evening will begin with Worship and end with snacks and games.
College Student Ministry
Questions? Contact Pastor Melissa Lowther.
COLLEGE CAMPFIRE
SAT, OCT. 8 @ 6:30PM
College students are invited to enjoy s’mores and good conversation around the fire pit at Grantham Church on Saturday, October 8 at 6:30pm. Come and bring a friend!
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.
BRASS ENSEMBLE
WEDNESDAYS
An ensemble that plays in worship once a month, and plays a variety of repertoire. Rehearsals are Wednesday nights during the school year.
CHOIR
An ensemble that sings in Sunday morning services several times a year. Open to any level of singer, at any time.
HANDBELL CHOIR
SUNDAYS BEGINNING OCTOBER 2 (following the servive)
Have you ever tried ringing handbells? Can you read music? Keep a beat? Watch a director? Meet up with other interested ringers Sundays after worship (around 12) for 30-40 minutes of practice. Contact Chrissy Hoffner if interested.
VISUAL ARTS TEAM
A group of visual artists that come together to work on various projects for our sanctuary visuals.
Art Gallery
CURRENT ART EXHIBIT
“Deep Prayer” the art of Polly Alice McMann
The art gallery is open in A1 whenever the church is open (Monday–Thursday from 9–5pm and Sundays starting at 10am).
Special Worship Services
TAIZÉ
OCT. 9 @ 7:00 PM
Join us on Sunday, Oct. 9 at 7:00 pm in the sanctuary for a service of spoken and sung contemplative prayer, inspired by the Taize monastic community in France.
CAMPFIRE WORSHIP
OCT. 16 @ 7:00 PM
A casual, communal time of singing modern worship songs around a campfire. You are welcome to bring any instrument and/or your voice, and join us on the softball field!
CAROL SING
DEC. 11 @ 7:00 PM
Join us on Sunday, Dec. 11 in the sanctuary for an informal carol sing. Bring your requests!
Questions?
Contact the Office