The Light Shines

by Anna Morais

Looking for something new and exciting?  Why not try our new S.O.A.P. Bible study being held each Wednesday evening from 7 - 8:30 PM at Grace Exchange Church! 

Led by Pastor John Curtis, the mid-week Bible study is based on the S.O.A.P (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer) format found  in the book “The Divine Mentor”  written by Wayne Cordeiro.

Participants highlight and journal a verse or set of verses in a section of Scripture, then “drill down” into what it’s saying (observation), how it applies (application), and end with a concluding prayer.  This helps to keep our hearts and minds from straying from God’s Word. 

So come on down and join the fun!  Everyone is welcome and we encourage you to bring a friend!

   by Anna Morais

Facebook -  what is Facebook?

Facebook is a global social networking website that connects people with friends and family who work, study, and live around them. Users can add friends and send them messages, or update their personal profiles to notify friends about themselves.  Additionally, users can join networks organized by city, workplace, school, and region.

People use Facebook to keep up with friendships old and new, to upload an unlimited number of photos, to create advertisements, and to simply share what’s on their mind.  With 4 million users within 50 miles and 31,000 within 10 miles of Milford, Facebook helps us to connect with people we’ve known in the past and people we’ve lost touch with, as well as our current “circles” of friends.  Facebook helps us to connect and share with the people in our lives.

As such, GEC is now taking full advantage of the social and networking opportunities to share God’s Word.  If you are currently on Facebook or plan to be, consider joining our GEC page and help us connect with outsiders as we bring the message of hope through the Gospel of Jesus Christ into their lives!  Let us connect and share Jesus with the people in our lives.

by Anna Morais 

As the Christmas season quickly approaches once again, GEC has been busy getting ready for our second annual Christmas Bazaar scheduled for December 5th, from 9 AM - 3 PM.

Similar to last year, donations will be taken up until the week before the event.  Boxes are located in the Fellowship Room of the church for donations of glassware, toys, fashion accessories, knick knacks, attic treasures, etc.  Due to lack of space, we will not accept  items such as TV’s, computers, and/or used clothing.  Ladies will once again be asked to bake and make wonderful edible items for our bake sale and volunteers will be needed on the day of the event.

Also, on Sunday, December 20th, GEC will hold a special Christmas service at 10:00 AM.  Members are encouraged to invite family and friends for some special Christmas music, a Christmas sermon, and some friendly Christmas cheer.  A free light luncheon and a time of fellowship will follow.  Everyone is welcome.

by Anna Morais 

As forecasters predicted an accumulation of heavy rain on Oct. 3rd into the morning of Oct. 4th, MCC churches were put on weather watch as together we apprehensively stood by waiting for a possible break in the weather to be able to continue on with HOPEJAM 09.  Weather reports were indicating heavy rain on Oct. 3rd  with possible brightening skies later in the day on Oct. 4th (the HOPEJAM rain date) and the call had to be made to cancel HOPEJAM 09. 

Although the rain cleared up earlier on Sunday morning, the Town Park was left with wet and muddy soil that would not have allowed for a proper HOPEJAM to take place.  It was a disappointment for the MCC and the community alike. MCC will be meeting at the end of October to discuss a possible alternate event.

 by Anna Morais

Although it seemed like it never would transpire, in late August of 2009, the Curtis family sold their Millbury home of 22 years and made a permanent move to the community of Milford.

Following the call of God to come to Milford and pastor what has now become Grace Exchange Church, the Curtis family made a decision to plant  themselves within the Milford community to help better serve it while shepherding the church which God has called them to oversee.

After visiting many Milford properties (and after a few failed  offers), the Lord made the way for the family to enjoy a lovely four bedroom home on Memory Lane in the heart of Milford.  Within walking distance to the church, downtown, and local Milford shopping, Memory Lane is ideally situated to help the Curtis’ adjust to this new phase of ministry bestowed upon their lives. 

The Milford community welcomes the Curtis family as do the members of Grace Exchange Church.  May their days among us be filled with great joy as together we worship God and preach the Good News of His Kingdom to Milford and the surrounding communities, and throughout the whole world. Welcome John, Leah, Abby, Joshua, and Anne!

 by Anna Morais

Pastor John & Leah, along with over 5000 ministers and believers from around the world, gathered for Foursquare Connection 09, held in Anaheim, California., from May 25th - May 29th.

Along with relatively short business sessions, attendees enjoyed diverse worship, teaching, training, and a host of other activities and exhibits.  The theme was “Wide Open,” inspired by Rev. 3:8.  Pastor Jack Hayford stated, “The door is wide open!” and the appropriate response for the people of God is to see through the door, to view the harvest, and to embrace the opportunities.

With a distinct theme each night, each plenary speaker expressed a commitment for Foursquare ministers to shape the next generation of leaders under the umbrella of “Wide Open to Dreams & Visions”.  Other themes included “Wide Open to Sons & Daughters”, which focused on the importance of women in leadership, and “Wide Open to Peoples & Nations”, with a special missions focus and diversity within the Foursquare family.

The final service concluded as  Pastor Jack and Foursquare Missions Director Jonathan Hall led the group in prayer, anointing Dr. Glenn Burris as he prepares to step forward to serve as Interim President, beginning Sept. 1, 2009.  The entire convention body united in faith as the 70 former district supervisors circled the 14 new district supervisors with supporting prayer for the movement’s future.

Foursquare Connection conventions are highly recommended by Pastor John to all that may wish to attend in the years to come. Next year’s convention will take place in Atlanta, Georgia.  Announcements and information will be extended on a regular basis.

 by Anna Morais

On Saturday, October 3rd, the MCC will host our 4th Milford area HOPEJAM reaching lives through Jesus and music!  (Rain date is Sunday, October 4th).

As in previous years, there  will be lots of things to do and to become involved in.  HOPEJAM would not be possible without all of you!

Here is a list of the needed items for HOPEJAM 09.    Donation boxes are located in the Fellowship Room of the church and will be available for donations up until Oct. 3rd. 

Any areas that volunteers are needed in will be announced during church services on a regular basis.  You may also see Anna Morais and/or Diane Shockley if you would like to volunteer.  As always, thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity.

Donations Needed:

· Basketballs

· Hand-held DVD Players

· Large Dolls

· Large Stuffed Animals

· Footballs & Soccer Balls

· Skateboards

· Electronic Games

· Gift cards for food and/or gas (any amount)

As well as… Dollar Store Stuffed Animals

Also:

· (1) COOL Bike (preferably gender friendly) w/Helmet

· (1) Boom Box   

 by Anna Morais

As the summer months begin to wane, something new and exciting will begin at “Grace Exchange Church”!  It is a well known fact that the more you learn to write, the better your communication will be.  Did you know that in the book of Deuteronomy (chapter 17 verses 18-20), God required Israel’s kings to write out all of His Word in their own handwriting, then read, every day, what they had written?  He mandated this practice, He says, so that the hearts of the kings might not be lifted up and would not become proud. Thus, regular, prayerful time in the Bible keeps our hearts from straying.

Beginning sometime in late August, Pastor John will lead a mid-week Bible study based on the S.O.A.P (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer) format found in the book “The Divine Mentor”  written by Wayne Cordeiro. We will highlight and journal a verse or set of verses in a section of scripture, then “drill down” into what it’s saying (observation), how it applies (application), and end with a concluding prayer.  More details coming soon!

 by Anna Morais

Save the date!  Milford is hosting the town’s first ever CROP (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) Hunger Walk on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009 at 10 a.m.

Sponsored and organized by Milford area churches, the purpose of the CROP Hunger Walk is to raise funds to help feed the hungry.  In Milford’s CROP Hunger Walk, neighbors and community members will walk together to  take a stand against hunger in our world.  Together, we will raise awareness and funds for international relief and development, as well as fight against local hunger. 

A percentage of funds raised will be allocated to the Milford Daily Bread Food Pantry while other funds will be distributed to Church World Services for a variety of services.

Sign-ups for the seven mile walk through the streets of Milford will begin early this fall. Sponsors can donate up to any amount and   a short walk is being planned for the elderly. 

Please see or contact Jeremy Warnick (jeremy_warnick@hotmail.com) with any questions, concerns and/or if you would like to walk or become a sponsor. 

by Anna Morais 

October 12th, 2008 presented an opportunity to vote for a church name change that would signify a new season of change.  The proposed name change voted and agreed upon was “Grace Exchange Church”. 

Leading up to the name proposal was the fact that the building itself resides on Exchange Street, as well as the fact that our growth as disciples of Jesus is a series of exchanges of old life, old thinking, and old attitudes for new ones.  Scriptures abound testifying of God’s amazing grace lavished upon us.

On July 9th, 2009, the  District Advisory Committee (DAC) for the Northeast District of Foursquare Churches under the   direction of our new District Supervisor, Jim Scott, met and approved of the new slogan name.  Now approved, the Administrative Resource Center for the Eastern US (ARC) will soon meet and notify us with the next step in the name change process.

In the meantime, we welcome “Grace Exchange Church” to the Milford community and beyond.