On
18th January 1987, a church conference was held to approve the new
sanctuary
and office complex plans. The Missions Committee began a
"missions
by the month" program which featured a different missions emphasis each
month. The first project was a letter writing campaign to
missionaries
from the Louisiana Conference. In March 1987, Beth Lewis began
her
duties as our new church secretary. In April 1987, the bids for
the
new sanctuary were opened. The Easter Cantata was "Jesus Lives
Forever."
Jim Moore presented a slide
show on the Harvest
of Hope project a a UMYF meeting. Later in the year, Deborah
Lynch,
Kira and Michelle Lowe, and Misty Wall would participate in a six-day
gleaning
project in Mer Rouge. Missions in Motion raised money for the two
Methodist Children's Homes in Louisiana. Participants received
pledges
for laps made in or on human powered machines. Bikes, big wheels,
and wheelbarrows were used. Workers for Christ Sunday School
Class
sponsored Fredna Akin for $160 on her three-wheeled bike.
The Grace Preschool presented
the program at
the May Friendship Club. The Children's choir played hand chimes
at a morning service, and Ron Deal and Sherry Pody led the singing at a
Family Night Covered Dish event. Once again Grace and Christ
Community
Church held a joint Vacation Bible School. Daily attendance was
over
100 children. They collected money for the Harvest of Hope
project.
During the summer of 1987, the
children enjoyed
Thrilling Thursday outings which included a Cook Park play day, Grace
Water
Day, and Putt Putt Golf. Youth activities included a trip to Gulf
Shores, a visit to the Methodist Home in New Orleans, a youth night
with
the Arcadia Methodist Church, and a trip to the Passion Play in Calhoun.
In October 1987, Rev. Larry
Miller taught a
four session class on Methodist beliefs. At the fall Family Night
Supper, the members of Christ Community Church were our special
guests.
Music included numbers by Grace and Christ Community groups.
December 1987 activities
included the UMW Christmas
party at the parsonage, a Christmas program at Friendship Club by the
Grace
Preschool, the Christmas Cantata, "A Song Unending" sung in the new
sanctuary
on 20th December, Consecration Services for the sanctuary on the same
day,
a Jesus birthday party, and the Christmas Candlelight and Communion
Service.
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