FEB 20-22 / YMCA OF THE ROCKIES ESTES PARK

Rest Fest is a youth retreat (6-12th grade students) hosted by local churches coming together to help our younger generation understand God’s design for rest. The retreat will be at the YMCA of the Rockies Estes Park, February 20-22. Cost is $159 per person. Contact Abby McCubbin (abbym@cogarvada.org) and let her know you’re coming! There’s still time to sign up!

AVAILABLE IN THE LOBBY/NARTHEX

Our theme for Lent is Tell Me Something Good. Let us remember that the good news really is good news!  It is joyful like fine wine saved for celebration. It grows like a mustard seed; it tastes like bread passed through a hungry crowd. It sounds like laughter and feels like mercy.  The good news is alive in our world!!  We have devotional booklets and devotional cards available during the season of Lent in the Narthex/Lobby.

The devotional booklet invites you to journey through Lent with each week offering art, reflections, poetry and hymns to ground you in good news from Ash Wednesday, Sundays, and Holy Week through Easter.

The devotional card is a daily devotion from Ash Wednesday through Thursday of Eastertide.  We ask you chose only the booklet or the cards for your use.  The booklet and cards will be in a basket in the Narthex/Lobby. This devotional was crafted from what was central to Jesus’ life and ministry.  Let the teachings of Jesus lead us forward.  May the good news inspire us to take action in a world desperate to hear, see and taste what is good.

SUN FEB 1 AT 6PM / SANCTUARY

Community of Grace Mission Committee is hosting a Peace Vigil on Sunday, February 1, at 6pm, in the Community of Grace Sanctuary. Everyone is invited to participate. This will be a time of reflection, readings, and prayer. Please dress warmly, as the event will end outside on Wadsworth with a candlelight vigil. Look for more information coming soon.

TUES MAR 10 AT 7:30PM

We are thrilled to present Steinway Artist Hsing-ay Hsu as she presents a program that will include works by Scarlatti, Beethoven, Chopin, Scriabin, and Liszt. Tickets are $20 for adults and can be purchased through the link below or at the door the evening of the performance. Elementary through high school students attend for free. 

SUN DEC 21 11AM

Join us Sunday, December 21, at 11am in the Sanctuary for Cookies, Cocoa, and “C”araoke. Bring a mug and your favorite cookies to share and your voice! It’s going to be a merry time of fellowship for all!

THURS DEC 18 10AM

Presbyterian Women will meet on Thursday, December 18. Set up will be in Fellowship Hall at 10am with potluck meal at 11am. Please bring a small table decoration for us to enjoy. Questions? Contact Dana Easton (slodana@gmail.com).

SUN DEC 21 AT 6PM / SANCTUARY

December can be a dark month with short days and long nights and many people are negatively affected by that darkness. The Blue Christmas or Longest Night service (held on or close to the Winter Solstice) focuses on Christ, who is the Light of the world, overcoming the darkness of loss, suffering, and loneliness. The service provides an opportunity for remembering, letting go, and sharing hope and is one of mediation and reflection. The participants are encouraged to light a candle of remembrance to celebrate life and memory. We hope you will join Pastor Whit on Sunday, December 21, at 6pm for our Longest Night Service in the Sanctuary.

SIGN UP TO RECEIVE DAILY EMAILS IN ADVENT

Journey through Advent with our new daily devotional, "The Will to Dream" from Illustrated Ministry. Sign up through the button below for a daily email to reflect on Christ's hope in our world in the past, present, and future. 

COLLECTING ON NOV 23 & 30

On November 23 and November 30, Carl Kantner will be collecting gently used clothing for Denver Works.  They provide people who can’t afford nice clothes to wear to work with something to wear—or to wear when they interview.

He’s also collecting used shoes—in ANY condition—for Soles for Souls.  Please either tie the shoes you donate together or put rubber bands around them so the shoes are in pairs.  Please label all donations (Denver Works or Soles for Souls) and put them in the closet in the Lobby. Thank you!

TUESDAYS IN ADVENT / 1:30PM & 7PM / CHURCH LIBRARY

This Advent, I will be offering an Advent Bible study on Tuesdays at 1:30 and 7pm, in the church Library. The study focuses on Cynthia Campbell’s book, Christmas in the Four Gospel Homes.  You can purchase it on Amazon or from Westminster John Knox Press.  If the price is a bit much, let me know.  Together, we will actively engage in reflections on how the birth of Christ is presented in each of the gospels, as if each were a home decorated for the holidays. This interactive approach is a fun way to think about the gospels, our traditions, and how they impact our vision of Jesus. I hope you will join me for some fun reading and reflection. Pastor Whit

NOV 30 & DEC 7

The Christmas season is fast approaching!  Consider purchasing a poinsettia or two during the Poinsettia Sale on November 30 and/or December 7.  Watch for more details in the November 30 bulletin.

SAT NOV 29 AT 9AM

Join us Saturday morning, November 29 at 9am to help with the hanging of the greens.  We will decorate the Sanctuary, entrances, and Narthex through the hallway to the elevator from 9am until Noon. “Many hands make light work!” We look forward to seeing you.

WAYS TO BE INVOLVED & MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Would you like to know just about everything about this year’s Stocking Projects—dates, times, items needed, etc.? Learn more about the Stocking Project through the following link.

BEGINS WED OCT 8 6:30-7:30PM / LIBRARY

Join us in October for a Bible study based on 1 Peter 3:15 to explore the importance of crafting your personal faith story in preparation for sharing it with your family, friends and others. This is a 4-week an interactive workshop/bible study led by Kathleen McCubbin. See you on any Wednesday – October 8, 15, 22, and 29 at 6:30-7:30pm in the library. 

OCT 17 10AM-4PM / OCT 18 9AM-3PM

The Family in Christ Craft Fair will be held on October 17 (10am-4pm) and October 18 (9am-3pm).  Our former church secretary, Margie Bessler, helps facilitate this popular event. Come pick out homemade cookies from 1000’s (support Operation Christmas Child) at the Cookie Walk, have lunch at the Little Bear Cafe, and do your Christmas shopping by browsing through the 70+ vendors.  Location: 11355 N. Sheridan Blvd.  Suggested admission:  Non-perishable foods for local food pantries.

SUN OCT 26 4-6PM AT COG

Join us for an evening of family fun in the Patch, with fall beverages and treats, pumpkin decorating, bounce house, games, and photo opps for the family. The event is at Community of Grace and takes place on Sunday, October 26, from 4-6pm. See you at the Patch!

TUES FEB 10 AT 7:30PM

Join us on Tuesday, December 9, at 7:30pm for a performance by pianist, Daria Podorozhnova. Tickets: $20 adults; free for elementary through high school students. Get tickets through the button below.

SAT AUG 23 10AM / SANCTUARY

Join us August 23 at 10am in the Sanctuary for a fun and informative event focused on helping families navigate the digital world with their elementary school-aged children. Learn practical tips and strategies to manage screen time, online safety, and healthy tech habits. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with other parents and family members facing similar challenges. RSVP through the button below.

ARVADA HIGH SCHOOL

Our mission emphasis in August is Arvada High School. Many students do not have the resources to bring an after-school snack before their away competitions. Every Monday, the Mission team provides snack packs for athletes before they compete at away games. Each student athlete receives peanut butter crackers, a cheese stick, bag of chips, and a granola bar.

On August 27, 5:30-7pm, Arvada High School will be celebrating 125 years of serving students. There will be guided tours, musical performances, food trucks and the re-opening of the AHS History Museum.  The bulletin board in the Narthex highlights the school’s history. If you are a graduate of AHS, please sign the list on the bulletin board so we can recognize our CoG alumni.

FOLLOWING WORSHIP ON SUN AUG 24

Are you interested in joining Community of Grace, a Presbyterian Church, or do you have questions about the congregation? Then join Pastor Whit for New Member Class following worship on Sunday, August 24. This will be an opportunity to discuss the church with Whit and other church leaders, learn about the membership process, and ask any questions you may have about what it means to be Presbyterian.

SIGN-UP FOR YOUR NAMETAG

We will be placing another order for nametags soon. You’ll find a sign-up sheet for these in the church Lobby near the Fellowship sign. If you’ve requested one, please make sure your name is spelled correctly and that it’s on the list. Also, remember NOT to leave your nametags in the hot sun or in a hot car. We also have extra magnet backs if you need them. Questions?  Contact Ann DeMers (ademers@comcast.net).

WAYS TO DONATE

Tom Olschner has been on a 4-week West Coast Bike Adventure raising funds for the Fuller Center for Housing in El Salvador. If you would like to support this fundraising effort you can click the button below or make a check payable to Fuller Center for Housing and leave it in the front office. Thank you for your generous support! (As of Thursday, July 3, $13,275 has been raised through your generous donations!)

Donate Money to CoG through Reusable Grocery Cards
There are reusable grocery cards available from Safeway/Albertsons on a table in the Lobby.  They are free.  Once you get them, you will need to go online and activate them.  Access them whenever you shop at one of these stores, and if you indicate online that you’d like Community of Grace to receive the rewards, the church will receive the rewards quarterly.  King Soopers/CityMarket has a similar online-only program that you may use.  If you have questions, please contact Ruth Curtin (ruthmcurtin@gmail.com).  

SUN JUNE 8 6-7:45PM

You’re invited to a benefit concert on Sunday, June 8, 6-7:45pm, at Wheat Ridge Presbyterian Church (9180 W. 38th Ave, in Wheat Ridge). The concert will feature an all-ages Community Choir singing from the Justice Choir Songbook with additional music by Tony Domenick. The cost is $20 in person or $12 livestream (additional donations welcome). Pulled pork sandwiches and vegetarian chili meals are available for $6. Get tickets at the door or through the button below.

The Lomagundi Clinic is run with the help of a Presbyterian church in Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe, serving about 6,000 patients a year with a staff of 6 and very limited resources. They provide very inexpensive care for Zimbabweans who need it, and rely on financial partnerships with some Presbyterian churches in Colorado.

You're Invited to celebrate the installation of the Rev. Dr. Whit Dempsey as the pastor of Community of Grace. The service begins at 1pm, Saturday, May 31, followed by a reception for all. Please join us for this special service for Rev. Whit and the Community of Grace faith family!

Community of Grace, located at 7755 Vance Dr. in Arvada

UPCOMING GROUP GATHERINGS IN MAY

As your new pastor, I am committed to getting to know each of you and understanding how your faith shapes your life. To facilitate this, I will be hosting eight small-group opportunities. These gatherings are not just about introductions, but about creating a space for deeper, more meaningful conversations. I am eager to hear why the Community of Grace is important to you and what you hope to see as we cultivate a culture of trust, grace, and action. I am looking forward to our conversations.

You will find sign-up sheets in the lobby.  Each meeting will be approximately 90 minutes and they will be limited to 10 people per gathering. All of the meetings will be in the church Library (except Zoom). 

The dates and times for the meetings are:

+ Tuesday, May 13 at 10am
+ Wednesday, May 14 at 6:30pm
+ Monday, May 19 at 2pm
+ Tuesday, May 20 at 10am
+ Wednesday, May 21 at 6:30pm (via Zoom)
+ Tuesday, May 27 at 6:30pm
+ Wednesday, May 28 at 10am

If you have any questions, please contact PNC Co-Chairs, Ann Butcher and Ruth Anne Overfelt, or Pastor Whit.

WED APR 23 1:30PM AT PANERA BREAD

On Wednesday, April 23, Whit will host his first Biscuits with Whit at the Panera Bread across the street from the CoG. He will grab a few tables at 1:30pm and will stay until about 3pm. Biscuits with Whit is designed to be very informal but informative. Come with any questions, concerns, or hopes. For those who work during the day, we will soon announce an evening coffee date, so keep your eye out.