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Why are we considering church expansion now?
The blessing of being the fastest growing church in the Central PA Conference also means we continually experience space issues. Our largest issue is that we do not have enough rooms to host the many adult and youth Sunday school classes. We also do not have enough meeting rooms each evening for the various present and expanding ministries offered by this church. Grace's membership grew from approximately 234 to over 900 between 1990 and today.
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What needs were identified and addressed in the Building Proposal?
The growth of Grace's membership over the past 15 years has created ministries reaching far beyond the walls of this church. Graceful Moms and GUMY have reached children in the community with a Santa luncheon and changed their lives for a day; if not for a lifetime. The choir has grown from a small group of voices into many "ensembles" and an awe inspiring 100 Voice Choir this Christmas. The youth program has exploded from a handful of children into 3 "Commissions" of GUMY and 30-40 kids at every TY Kids event! Our congregation reached far across the United States with mission work in New Orleans and youth mission work in New York State and Virginia. All members have been inspired by the depth and breadth of our ever-expanding ministries. Listed below you will find ministries that Grace didn't have just 10 years ago:
- Men & Women's Bible Studies
- Graceful Moms (Daytime & Evening)
- Women of Grace
- GUMY (Grace United Methodist Youth)
- TY Kids (Transitional Youth)
- Serendipity Sunday School Class
- POSNK (Parents of Special Needs Kids)
- ALPHA
- Golden Age Club
- Widows & Friends Support Group
- GUTTS (Grace United Twenty & Thirty Somethings)
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- Ballroom Dance
- Adult Volleyball
- Jump for Joy Aerobics / Kendo Class
- 2 Girl Scout Troops / 1 Cub Scout Troop
- Hummelstown Women's Club
- Hummelstown Flower Club
- Music Programs
- Youth Praise Choir
- Junior Praise Team
- Angel Choir
- Men's Ensemble
- Women's Ensemble
- Instrumental Ensemble
- Handbell Ensembles (4)
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What are we proposing to build?
Primarily, the building project will provide resources to support all of the growing ministries of this church.
We can not continue to sustain this growth without additional space. The expansion and addition of Sunday School rooms for adults, teens, and children will include a second floor over the existing Sunday school structure. An additional hallway will be added to improve traffic flow from the Narthex to the All Purpose Room (APR). The addition will include office space for our growing staff, large restroom facilities near the APR, and much needed storage space for tables, chairs, and equipment. The project also includes an enlarged parking lot with improved traffic flow.
Click here to see more of The Vision...
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What is the Master Site Plan?
"Building Grace, Raising Faith" is about the ministry of this church going forth into the 21st century. The Master Plan will guide the future expansion of our church facility for many years. As God and the congregation provide, we will complete this Master Plan. Components of the Master Plan are:
- Multi-functional classrooms to accommodate larger groups
- A stage alcove in the All Purpose Room (APR) and improved acoustics
- A second, wider corridor connecting Sanctuary to the APR
- Larger Narthex adjacent to the APR with additional restroom facilities
- Office space for a growing professional staff
- Additional storage space for tables and chairs, and to facilitate multi-functional use of the new classrooms
- Nursery / Cry Room / Overflow Area for Sanctuary
- Music Ministries Room
- Additional rooms to accommodate our growing ministry with youth
- More parking areas
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What is the "Building Grace, Raising Faith" Campaign?
"Building Grace, Raising Faith" is the theme of the 3-year capital giving campaign to meet the challenges facing our dynamic, developing ministry at Grace. To make room for new members, educational needs, and growing ministries we must expand our building.
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Do we need a Capital Giving Campaign?
Your current giving supports the existing ministries at Grace; the "Building Grace, Raising Faith" campaign will support the new building and our expanding ministries. God will continue to bless Grace United Methodist Church as we move forward; to embrace this challenge is to live up to the stewardship responsibilities given to us by Jesus in the Sermon On The Mount:
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." - Matthew 6:19-21
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What's the price tag?
To complete the entire master plan will cost about $4.5 million.
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Will there be a final vote (decision) for the Building program?
Yes - once we have gathered more solid numbers and after all church members have prayed about where God is leading us and what your commitment will be to this campaign. Before any ground is broken, the congregation will come together for a vote.
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What are the key events?
Season of Prayer: Now! Pray to fulfill God's will for us
February 25: Attend Campaign Launch Sunday
February 25: Lifestyle Commitment Sunday School classes begin
April 1: Celebration Sunday "Proclaiming God's Call"
10:00 A.M at Founder's Hall, Milton Hershey School
April 29: First Fruits Sunday
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What Can I Do?
Pray...
- about what God would have you and your family do to help make this vision become reality.
- for God to be glorified and His purposes accomplished at Grace.
- that God will direct you concerning Hhis will for your specific contribution.
Attend...
- worship services each weekend during the campaign.
- Celebration Sunday on April 1, 2007
Be...
- ready to trust God.
- ready to take steps of faith.
- willing to give sacrificially.
- eager to participate, and get involved!
Like David, who refused to offer God a sacrifice that cost him nothing,
each of us should consider giving sacrificially for the glory of God.
This building expansion will provide the space needed
to do God's work with our expanding congregation and ministries.
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