We look forward to spending Sunday, April 22nd with you and your families!
MORNING
8:45am coffee & bagels will be served in the Commons, followed by Sunday school programming for children and teens, and our morning service at 9:30am. This week's message will be "God is Love" from Senior Pastor Cliffe Knechtle.
11:15am
Hike @ Leon Levy Preserve: Come celebrate Earth Day with a fun, family hike.
We'll depart at 11:15am from the East Barn and return at 1:30pm. Come enjoy the trail, lunch and a treasure hunt for kids. RSVP to Community Director Bo Beatty HERE so we can prepare for the event!
EVENING
5:00pm - Sunday @ 5pm Check out our NEW hour-long, evening worship service! Join us in the West Barn Hall for music led by Scott Troyer and message from Senior Pastor Cliffe Knechtle. The sermon will be "God is Love" (the same as our morning service), however childcare and Sunday school programming will not be available. With plenty of parking on site, spread the news and invite friends!
5:00pm - ModernLife:30 All are welcome for our thirty-minute discussion with time for Q&A in the Commons from 5-5:30pm. We look at what the Bible says about current topics that everyone grapples including anxiety, fulfillment, temptation and how to handle pressure. This week, Community Pastor Stuart Knechtle will lead the discussion on why Christ calls us to grow in our faith.
WELCOME NEW GCC STAFF
An official welcome to our newest additions to the Grace Community Church staff; (left) Jill Smith, Family Ministry Coordinator and (right) Carla Gatto, Pastoral Care Associate!
Originally from Poseyville, Indiana, Jill and husband Eric met in San Diego, California and now live in Norwalk with sons Davis and Dawson. Jill shares, "I am most excited about meeting and spending time with families with young children at Grace, and to create opportunities and events where they can get to know each other and develop meaningful friendships." Jill will also work with the Pastoral staff to develop Parenting Workshops and forums to address topics that are pertinent to raising children.
Carla was born and raised in Norwalk, Connecticut and met her husband Steve 25 years ago at church. They currently live in Stamford with sons Nicholas (19 in college) and Harry (16 in high school). "We were drawn to the warmth, the love of Christ and the grace that is so freely extended to everyone who enters the doors at Grace Community Church. I'm excited about the opportunities to share my faith in a relevant and meaningful way with everyone I meet." In her role as Pastoral Care Associate, Carla will meet, pray, encourage and connect with women at Grace, and work with the Women's Ministry team.
COMING UP
SATURDAY, 4/28
Bring your own set of wheels or just stop in for a fun gathering of automotive enthusiasts from 8:30-10am. Enjoy coffee and bagels and browse around the cars with other gear heads. Click HERE to RSVP to Pastoral Care Associate Ken Bopp, or invite friends and just meet us in the upper parking lot of Grace Farms.
SATURDAY, 4/28
Pack up a picnic and meet us at Compo Beach in Westport from 3-6pm. We’ll provide burgers and beverages, you bring friends and your favorite sides to share. Click HERE to RSVP to Bo Beatty.
TUESDAYS, 5/1
Psalm 107 is a call to worship and reminds us that each season of life is an opportunity to reveal the anchor of our souls. In this 6-week Bible study led by Lisa Lynne Kirkpatrick, we’ll discover how our faith is tested, and how the true condition of our hearts is revealed. Group meets Tuesdays, 5/1 through 6/12 (not 6/5) from 7-8:30pm in the West Barn Hall. For additional details or to sign up, click HERE.
SATURDAY, 5/5
Pancakes are on the menu for this special Saturday! Keep your pjs on and get ready for a deliciously fun morning with pancakes, stories, crafts and Zumba! We'll also have lots of coffee! This is a free event, but registration is required so we can be sure to have all your favorite pancake toppings! Click HERE to register, and share the link with friends - this is a community-wide event, all are welcome!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Sign up for the annual Pura Vida Club Feed My Starving Children Food Packing Event coming up on May 18-20. This is an amazing initiative where the entire community gathers at the New Canaan High School to pack 250,000 meals for children in need. Grace Community Church will rally a big team on Saturday, 5/19 from 3:30-5:30pm but there are lots of volunteer spots open all weekend for you, your family, friends, small group or sports team! Register HERE.
NEWS FROM GRACE FARMS
GRACE FARMS
COMMUNITY DINNER & AN EVENING IN THE WILD
FRIDAY, APRIL 20TH
Enjoy a special meal with friends and neighbors, featuring local performing artists. Stay afterwards and spend an evening with raptors and reptiles as Mark Fowler, Grace Farms Foundation’s Nature Initiative Director, shares stories of growing up on the set of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom and highlights the beauty and diversity of our planet’s wildlife. Learn about biodiversity and the variety of living organisms and ecosystems that exist in our area.
Mark Fowler also serves as Chairman of Wildlife and Conservation for the Explorers Club, where he works to save endangered species on a local, national, and international level. Click HERE for reservations.
Click on the icons above to follow us on Facebook, tour our website,
keep up with us on Instagram, or read a daily devotion.Engage
with us, follow us and share all that's great about Grace Community Church.
