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!

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.

Missions Update

WAYS YOU CAN GET INVOLVED AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE

This year, the city of Arvada plans to provide hotel vouchers to address the needs of our unhoused during cold weather.  The city is partnering with community churches to supply participants with “brown-bag meals.”  How can you help?  Donate items and help us assemble the dinner bags.

Sundays in November—drop off meal kit donation items in designated bin in the church Narthex.  Items needed for the dinner kits: Granola bars, apple sauce, tuna packets, peanut butter & crackers, bag chips/pretzels, gallon zip lock bags, and spoons

Sundays, November 2 and 23—join the Mission Committee after church in the Library to assemble dinner kits.

Sunday, November 16—join us in the church basement for pizza & pop to hear about our church-sponsored mission, the Remar orphanage in El Salvador.  This past month Tom Olschner and the Gonder family traveled with a group of volunteers to build houses in El Salvador with the Fuller Center for Housing. During this trip, Tom visited Remar and is excited to share a slide show, tell stories, and answer questions.

Mark your calendars and join the Mission Committee for these three
Sunday events in November! Questions? Contact Amy Dempsey at
amy.dempsey@imail.org or 303-981-9995.

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 DEC 9 AT 7:30PM

Join us on Tuesday, December 9, at 7:30pm fora performance by Colorado Symphony Concertmaster Yumi Hwang-Williams and pianist Richard Steinbach! 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.

BUILD PROJECT WITH FULLER CENTER FOR HOUSING

If you enjoy travel, helping other people, and construction work, then please consider joining Tom Olschner on a build project in El Salvador, September 27-October 5, 2025.  The build is organized through the Fuller Center for Housing and will involve five days of construction near the mountain town of Apaneca working alongside the future homeowners and Salvadoran crew members.  The Fuller Center for Housing is a Christian nonprofit doing an amazing work throughout El Salvador.  You can learn more through the button below or call Tom at 720-394-0907.

TUES MAY 13 AT 7:30PM

The Second Tuesdays Concert Series presents Angela Mitchell, soprano and Brett Mitchell, piano, performing Spring Awakenings on Tuesday, May 13, at 7:30pm. This delightful recital will feature works by Finzi, Barber, Copland, Bernstein, Rodgers and Hammerstein and more! Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students through high school, available at the door the evening of the performance or through the button below.

JULY 6-9 / 5:30-8PM

Grace for a fun week to learn more about our world. Kids will participate in a hands-on mission project that will provide kids in North America with new warm clothes and blankets. We’ll meet on July 6-9, from 5:30 to 8pm. The $25 registration fee includes dinner and a T-shirt. https://vbspro.events/p/cogarvada or email Abby (abbym@cogarvada.org).  

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

Pat Nevin and Mike Reed have been trying to keep up with the needs of the church building every time something goes awry, and they are ready to start up a new Facilities Team. If you’re a person who’s great at fixing things and can volunteer some of your time, we’d love to have you join us! Please contact George Coates (1georgec22@gmail.com) or 303-870-5531 if you’re interested.

PLACE ORDERS ON SUN MAR 23 & 30 IN THE LOBBY

On Easter morning, we decorate our sanctuary with flowering plants and the flowering cross which both symbolize the new life that emerges from Jesus’ death on Good Friday.  The flowering plants show us how people all over the world are personally touched by our risen Lord.  The flowering cross shows us how the rugged cross blooms as a vibrant and colorful symbol of resurrection.  For the next two weeks, you will have the opportunity to donate and dedicate to one or both of these symbols of new life.  Forms can be found in the Sunday bulletin, and the Worship Committee will be collecting forms and money this Sunday and next Sunday, March 30, in the Lobby.

WED MARCH 5 AT 6PM / ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE

Join us for our Ash Wednesday service, at 6pm on Wednesday, March 5.  There will be the Imposition of Ashes and Communion, and it will be our first service with Pastor Whit. All are invited!

DONATED ITEMS NEEDED

Please join the CoG Mission Committee in hosting a toiletry drive for indigent women at the Denver Women’s Correctional Facility. These women have no outside support and are in dire need of basic necessities. A donation table will be in the Narthex for the next two Sundays.

Donations must be the exact brand and sizes listed below by the Department of Corrections. Most items can be purchased at Dollar Tree or Amazon. Thank you so much for caring and helping those most in need.
+ Shampoo, 12 .5 oz. or less (Suave, Pantene Pro-V or VO-5, Baby Shampoo)
+ Conditioner, 12.5 oz. or less (Suave, Pantene VO-5)
+ Deodorant, (Any stick deodorant or roll-on anti-perspirant)
+ Toothpaste, 6-8 oz. (Aim Fresh Mint, Crest, Colgate, Close Up, Arm & Hammer, Sensodyne);
+ Bar Soap, (Dial, Coast, Dove)
+ Lotions, 10-12 oz. (Jergens, Cocoa Butter, any brand Shea Butter, any brand Aveeno)
+ Cotton Swabs
+ Petroleum Jelly

TUES FEB 11 AT 7:30PM / COMMUNITY OF GRACE SANCTUARY

The Second Tuesdays Concert Series is pleased to present Steinway Artist Hsing-ay Hsu in a Valentine Recital: "Two by Two."  Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students through high school, available at the door the evening of the performance or thru the buttons below.

Coffee Volunteers Needed We hope you have been enjoying our Sunday morning coffee time. We have a great, but small, team that makes that possible each Sunday. We are currently in need of the following people to: + Make coffee the first Sunday of the month, + Make coffee and clean up after service on any f ifth Sunday of the month (there are about four fifth Sundays a year), and, + Substitute when coffee makers are sick or out of town. If you would like to see coffee time continue on a regular basis, please consider signing up for one of the vacant spots. Training will be provided. If you are interested, contact Mary Ray (maryray50@hotmail.com).