Sunday School Classes

We are committed to providing solid, Bible-based Sunday School instruction tailored to each age group. Our teachers are committed Christians, who love God's Word and have a passion for teaching Christ-centered truth.  In our program of six different classes, we teach our children a survey of the Old and New Testaments, major Bible doctrines, practical Christianity, and Church History.  We look forward to ministering to your whole family!

 

High School Youth

God has blessed Grace with an exemplary group of High School youth.  For the most part, they gladly participate in their Sunday School class.  They have recently requested areas of Biblical and doctrinal topics that they would like to study as a group.  Socially, they have enjoyed activities that range from tubing down the Brandywine River to visiting Washington, DC. 

 

Singles/Young Married Couples

Our encouraging group of high school and college youth from a few years ago has matured into an encouraging group of singles and newlyweds.  We bless God for this!  These young people have their own weekly basketball night and a monthly Bible study.  We seek to incorporate our singles and young couples into the life and service of the church, as we build for the future. 

 

Ladies’ Bible Study

We have two different groups of ladies that meet together for Bible study and prayer.  One group meets on Tuesday evenings, while the other meets on Friday mornings.  During the Bible study, the ladies work through a book by a Christian author, which is particularly relevant to them.  This time of fellowship is enhanced by the ladies sharing special meals and desserts.  

 

Men’s Breakfast

On the first and third Tuesdays of the month, men from the church meet for fellowship over breakfast at a local restaurant.  This interaction is not so much for formal teaching, but for a time of practical interaction and spiritual growth.

 

Harrison House

On the third and fourth Lord’s Days of the month, a Grace family ministers at Harrison House, a long term care facility for the elderly.  One of our men opens the Scriptures and the rest of his family assists in playing and singing music, promoting discussion, etc.  There are a number of true believers at Harrison House, who deeply appreciate our visits.

 

City Gate

Downtown Coatesville is very needy in many ways.  In the midst of this needy neighborhood, City Gate is doing a good work of evangelizing and helping men to get back on their feet.  Some of our men go on a monthly basis to preach the word to these men at City Gate.  We are encouraged by the responsible efforts of some of these disadvantaged men to serve the Lord.

 

Youth Retreat

A highlight for our youth is the annual Delaware Valley Youth Retreat. Young people from a number of our sister churches join with us.  We are anticipating about 100 young people for our 14th annual retreat, which is to be held on January 16 – 18, 2009 (Dr. Martin Luther King weekend).  We work hard to make it a good, fun weekend for the young people.  However, the focal point of the weekend is good preaching directed to the needs of our young people.  We are grateful that God has blessed our efforts with growing friendships among the youth, as well as, we trust, growing relationships with Jesus Christ.

 

Sweetheart Banquet

For many, many years, we have enjoyed our annual Sweetheart Banquet.  With growth in numbers, we no longer fit in homes, but the renovated church foyer affords an elegant setting for our banquet that celebrates God’s gift of marriage.  In recent years, we have encouraged friends to join with us.  Guest preachers bring a message that focuses on marriage with an evangelistic note. 

 

3 on 3 Basketball Tournament

Several of our young men conduct a 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament for teenage guys at a local gymnasium.  The gospel devotional is presented during an intermission from the competition.  The tournament winners receive prizes, while all participants receive tournament t-shirts.  We are glad that this evangelistic outreach introduces us to teenage guys in our community.        

 

Good Neighbor Day

We maintain a booth at the annual July 4th Good Neighbor Day in Downingtown.  We do so to foster a good, evangelical testimony in our community.  The steady foot traffic on this family-oriented day provides a great opportunity for evangelism.  Those willing to take a basic Bible quiz (List the Ten Commandments, Who said it?, etc.) receive a complimentary cold soda or bottled water on a hot day.  Thankfully, the Bible quiz often leads to more substantial gospel discussion.

 

Men and Boys Camping

For many years, we have sponsored a Men and Boys Camping Trip.  More recently, our men have worked to foster friendships with other dads and boys in the community.  This camping trip in early July is full of good, wholesome fun and outdoor activities.  A focal point of the time away is the gospel, which comes during devotionals led by several of our younger men.

 

Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School (VBS) is held during the second week of August for children from four years up through seventh grade. Each year, we teach the children who our great God is and what He has done for us. The teachers do this by helping the kids with scripture memorization, singing Bible songs, and studying God's Word. The children are rewarded with special VBS coins for memory work, bringing their Bible, etc.  These coins can be redeemed at the VBS store, which adds to the fun, learning environment.  On Friday evening, the parents are invited to attend a short program where their children will have an opportunity to sing songs and recite Bible verses that they have learned during the week.

 

Ladies’ Tea

We pray for the development of friendships that will promote the kingdom of Christ in the hearts of our friends.  We are hopeful that friends of our church ladies will enjoy this special day for tea in September.  The center piece of the ladies’ time will be a special speaker sharing her testimony of God’s saving grace in her life. 

 

Fall Harvest Party

Over the years, we have hosted a “fall back” harvest party on the last Saturday evening of October.  With the extension of daylight savings time into November, our harvest party will be a bit earlier in the season.  The campfire, hayride, football, volleyball, dessert competition, and picnic dinner all contribute to a thoroughly enjoyable evening. 

 

Christmas Concert

God has blessed Grace Church with a variety of musical gifts.  We are glad to use these abilities in our Christmas Concert, which draws a full house.  Practice begins in earnest in October after the evening worship, as we gear up for this program of music.  In addition to the music, our Christmas Concert provides a forum for a brief, but explicit sharing of the good news of our Lord’s incarnation for sinners.