Tuesday, September 30, 2014

The 7 Best Books on Christian Marriage


A few weeks ago in my sermon I mentioned that you'd be crazy not to read some good books on marriage if you hope make your marriage last. Last time I checked marriage had about a 50% fail rate - so it's not as if the good ones just happen automatically. I received a few inquiries about some books I would recommend, so here are some of the best ones I know of (with links to Amazon). Feel free to add your own recommendations in the comments. 
  1. Sacred Marriage - by Thomas
  2. Love and Respect - by Eggerichs
  3. His Needs, Her Needs - by Harley Jr. 
  4. The Meaning of Marriage - by Keller
  5. For Women Only / For Men Only - by Feldhahn
  6. The Five Love Languages - by Chapman
  7. You and Me Forever - by Chan
There are also some amazing studies on video at Right Now Media. If you are a member at Grace Church - we will provide you with a free subscription to this amazing resource. Just email Larry Shallenberger for your login credentials. 

Hope this helps!

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Volunteer Spotlight: Kerrie Grande


We have some amazing volunteers at Grace Church! They are truly superstars. More than 2/3 or our staff are completely volunteer. I'm going to use some space in this blog to regularly recognize some of the people whose devotion and sacrifice is truly an inspiration to me. This month I want to introduce you to: 



KERRIE GRANDE

 


Kerrie is a member of our volunteer staff at Grace Harborcreek. She has attended Grace for about 2 1/2 years now and has been volunteering in a leadership role with Next Steps and LIVE for about a year. Kerrie said when we talked, “It has been the best 2 1/2 years of my life!" I recently asked her a few questions. 
     
    What do you love about volunteering?  
     I was out of church for so long prior to attending Grace.  I just love the joy, fulfilling contentment and peace that I feel here.  I love that I get to share that joy with others through my volunteer role.

    What are some things you've accomplished since you started volunteering?  
     I think I have improved my people skills and my organizational skills.  This role has helped me to step a little outside my comfort zone, by talking openly and honestly about my faith journey and all the bumps that have happened along the way to get me to where I am today. My volunteer role at Grace has also helped me to accept those bumps in the road as learning tools for my faith, learning tools that I can use when meeting new people, who are in all different places in their spiritual journey. One of the best parts of volunteering in the roles I am currently serving in is that while I have learned a lot about my Christian faith, I have also learned about how much one person can really make a difference to others.  Someone did this for me- reached out to me- and it is an incredibly humbling feeling to get to be a part of this with others on their own faith journey, too. 


What is the craziest thing you have seen at Grace?  
     I started attending Grace Harborcreek when our services were being held in the High School auditorium.  I came from a Catholic background and always thought that church happened in a church building.  So to me, it was CRAZY to hold services in a school and I really wondered how it would work. 

    Thank you so much for your amazing service Kerrie - we're honored to have you on the team!