Over the past few weeks I have received “Thank You” letters from Habitat for Humanity, 3e Restoration, Lackey Clinic, and Williamsburg Faith in Action. All of these are among our ministry partners here in the Historic Triangle. All of whom were thanking Grace Covenant for the generous financial gifts we gave to each of them through our Deacons’ Mercy Fund. I write this note, in part, to thank you, the Grace Covenant family, for your faithfulness and generosity to our church and to our common mission.
During 2020 we have been very fortunate as a church. While many – even most – churches throughout the country have been hard hit financially during this pandemic, we are among the minority who have fared well. In fact, thanks to you all, we were not only able to give to the partnering ministries listed above, but we were also able to give more generously than usual to advance the gospel through Tidewater Presbytery and our denomination, the Presbyterian Church in America. Our gifts to our presbytery and to our denomination were used toward church planting, campus ministries, caring for the widowed wives of pastors who have gone to be with the Lord, among many other evangelistic and mercy endeavors. I am thankful we have been in a position to be a blessing to others. I am thankful to God; I thank you; and I am thankful to God for you. Together we have been able to be what God created us to be: Blessed to be a Blessing. This is the very essence of the Covenant God made with Abraham. It is also a wonderful part of Grace Covenants vision and commitment: the more we are blessed, the more we will bless others; the more we receive, the more we will give to others.
I would be remiss if I did not also thank you for the way you have responded to Project Angel Tree. While done differently this year, due to COVID restrictions, we got off to a slower start. It was announced this past Sunday that 21 of the 25 children Prison Fellowship asked us to help still remained. By Monday morning ALL had been adopted. There were even some who wanted to help after all the children had been accounted for! Special thanks to Joy Burkley for coordinating the Angel Tree outreach for us.
These examples, and many others, are great expressions of Grace Covenant’s two-fold commitment: 1) To Love God; 2) To Love Our Neighbors. (Mark 12.28-34) It is a wonderful that we get to do these together.
Finally, speaking of “together”, we had the joy to receive several new members to our church last week. If you have not already, please welcome: Chelsea Kelly, Donna & Lee Priest, and John & Sarah Walrath to our church family. There are a few others who will be joining in the weeks ahead, but who were unavailable to be with us this past Sunday. We look forward to introducing them to you soon. In the mean time, please pray for these folks, and for one another. (John 13.34-35)
Grace & Peace,
W. Dennis Griffith, Lead Pastor
Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church 