grace•ology

A Special Service this Sunday!

If you are in town this Sunday, I know we haven't advertised it much as we've already been hitting on our January Series (which will be awesome), but we have a great opportunity this Sunday.  It will be a great follow-up to this past Sunday, where we get to come together and really apply this thing about seeking and desiring God.  We'll worship, hear from the Word through Pastor Mike, and spend some time in prayer.  Corporate prayer is something I want more of in my life.  It's a great time to be purposeful and seeking God together.  My hope for all of us is that we'll get more than just a taste Him.  Come HUNGRY! Come Early!     

PS...Starting January 11, look also for our small group signups!

Christmas Eve at the Plaza Theatre

I am SO excited about our Christmas Eve services this week. Just listening to the creative process of our team as they have come together makes me know they'll be better than ever and a lot of fun. I can't wait!

I am also excited to hold them at The Plaza Theatre. This is an amazing facility in the heart of our city, and it's a great place to bring family or friends who do not want to come into a church. Bring them with you -- we will make room!

And an important note about that: someone told me this Sunday that they couldn't come to our services because they could only come at 5pm and that one was full. PLEASE DON'T THINK THAT! We will do EVERYTHING we can to make room for you. 

Our tickets were to help us plan for seating (we had a kid on every lap and had to turn people away at 5pm last year, and don't want to do that if at all possible). However, we have left room in each service for those in the community who might get one of our mailer postcards and come, as well as those who would bring extra friends and family members that didn't have a ticket. There should be room. 

If you have a ticket for one of the services, please stick with that service if at all possible -- it will be a big help to us. But if you can only come at 5pm, please come on and celebrate Christmas with us!

I'll see you on Wednesday night!

Grace Students Update: Destiny Clothing Drive

This past sunday the student ministries brought in a van-load of large bags of clothing to donate to the Destiny Foundation's Compassion Thrift Store. I want to give a big thank you to all the parents and students who made this possible!!!
Clothing Drive from Norman Tumlinson on Vimeo.

weekend recap

This past Sunday was awesome. The band kicked off Retro Christmas with a 90s version of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and we didn't look back! I loved teaching the first message of this series and I'm just as excited about the rest of them. We also heard the first part of Gabriel's story. If you missed it, watch it below, and then be here for the rest of the series to hear the rest of it! It's amazing.

We had some fun stuff for our volunteers in the VIP Volunteer Lounge — very cool free t-shirts ( we have such an awesome graphic designer) and your chance to get your Volunteer of the Year picture with a life-size cardboard me. Wasn't my idea, but judging from everyone who showed me their Polaroids, it was the hit of the morning. It doesn't take much to make you guys happy, does it?! Cardboard Mike will be making some appearances in the future, if the staff has anything to do with it. He has already been helpful signage at the office. Norm dressed him in a Christmas sweater. 

We also had a drawing for a FlipCam for one of our amazing volunteers. The winning card belonged to Jane Peterson, a graceKIDS volunteer in the funJungle room. Thanks, Jane, and thanks to everyone who serves. You guys are rock stars. We loved celebrating you.

Speaking of that, I spent the day yesterday in Ocala at a church leadership network. I always leave these days being so proud of you, your attitude, your servant's hearts, and your desire to reach people for Jesus. I love this church! 

Be there this weekend... we are headed a little further back to the 80s, and then back a few thousand years to learn as much as we can about our Savior. Don't miss it! 

Gabriel's Story

If you missed Part One at service last week, here it is:

Thank you from Kaley Elementary

Generous Life is already making a difference: Kaley Elementary stopped by today to thank you for feeding 125 of their hungry families this Thanksgiving. You rock, Grace!

don't miss this Sunday, Dec 7th

I'm excited about the start of the Retro Christmas series, these messages have really got me thinking. Plus, each weekend, the band will be doing some Christmas music from recent retro decades — this week is the 90s (yes, that counts as retro for some people!)

I'm excited about surprising our amazing volunteers with some fun stuff this weekend. They deserve it!

I'm excited about sharing Generous Life news with you. We're closer to our own place than ever... and we get to do amazing things for the poor. 

I'm excited about an inspiring story of change we'll be sharing with you over the next three weeks. It's incredible.

Don't miss it....