Faith
Promise Sunday was 11th January 1998. By the end of the year,
Faith
Promise giving would exceed the pledge of $7,276. In February
1998,
Donna Hammons was hired as Youth and Education Director. Don
McGehee
was guest speaker on Scout Sunday. The Youth held a baked potato
dinner fundraiser. During Spring Break, the youth took a
Destination
Unknown trip. A dinner on the grounds and an Easter egg hunt
followed
the morning service on Palm Sunday. The Prayer Ministry held a
prayer
vigil on Good Friday. The Easter Cantata was "The Day He Wore My
Crown." UMW hosted a South of the Border night for the Methodist
Men. Wednesday night sessions included activities for
Kindergarten
through 4th grade known as "God's Property." Outreach Ministries
held a baby shower for the Crisis Pregnancy Center. High School
graduates
in 1998 included Joy Davis, Matt and Mike Schenk, and Ashley Hickman.
At annual conference, Dr.
Ramsey was appointed
to First UMC in New Orleans. Alan and Barbara Einsel came to
Grace
from Houma First UMC. The theme for VBS was "Tell Me the Stories
of Jesus." Kingdom Kamp was held in July 1998 and included an
overnight
at Lake Bistineau State Park. The theme was "Hooked on
Jesus."
The men hosted the second Watermelon Cutting on 12th July. The
Senior
High Youth took a mission trip to the Methodist Home in New
Orleans.
The Junior High group returned to Sager Brown for their mission
trip.
In addition to regular Sunday UMYF, the groups did mission projects and
fellowship activities including skiing, swimming, and a trip to Six
Flags.
In August and September 1998, Alan and Barbara held a series of open
house
fellowships at the parsonage. There was a family night supper on
the fifth Sunday night in August. The program was a presentation
of the youth's summer trips.
In September 1998, Alan and
Barbara led classes
for adults on various subjects on Wednesday nights. The children
met for God's Property and Young Methodist Children's
Association.
Grace youth worked at Tech football games to raise money for
DART.
In October 1998, Grace members participated in "Operation Christmas
Child."
The Second annual chili cook-off was held.
Advent activities included the
Hanging of the
Greens, a Children's Choir musical "A Christmas Journey," the UMW
progressive
dinner, singing Christmas Cards, a Cantata of Sacred Music, and the
Candlelight
and Communion Service. The youth attended a New Year's conference
at the Conference Center in Alexandria. At the end of 1998, the
membership
of Grace was 453.
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