Please send your Grace Moments to graceumcsanramon@gmail.com
Royal's Baptism & A Thank You Note
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February 26, 2020
Dear Grace United Methodist Congregation,
We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the wonderful celebration we had last Sunday. The baptism of our son is special to us, and we are honored to have celebrated it with all of you. We are grateful to find a welcoming community who instills and follows God’s love.
Read MoreBaby Shower (A Mini Movie) and Thank You Message from Staci & Jeff Whiteside
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To our Grace UMC family,
Thank you all so much for your generous baby gifts and for throwing us a baby shower! With our families so far away, we are beyond blessed to have your support during this exciting time. We look forward to welcoming this precious gift from God into our family, and we cannot wait for you all to meet Baby Whiteside!
Love,
Staci and Jeff
Read MoreThank you note from Velma & Sandi
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Friends at Grace,
Thank you so much for the nice luncheon and birthday celebration. It was a special day! We miss seeing you all on Sundays, but hope to see you again soon!
Love,
Velma and Sandi
Read MoreDifferent, But Same
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I never knew that I would receive the “Baby Shower” that I cannot translate in Korean because Korean has no such word. Though influenced by Western culture Koreans on these days have “Baby Shower,” Koreans traditionally have a “100th Day Celebration” and “First Year Anniversary” for newborn babies. Living in a different culture and tradition is exciting, yet sometimes unfamiliar and anxiety-producing. Baby Shower was the one. I was asked to let people know what I needed—people do not express their needs explicitly in Korean culture; the one who receives the shower comes, eats the food prepared, and enjoys unpacking the gifts—parents of the baby prepare and throw a party in Korea. The Shower was fun but somewhat uncomfortable.
Read MoreTasting the Goodness of the Lord
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Dear Pastor Peter,
My wife Lindsay and I are deeply grateful to you and the UMC. It was a pleasure to get to know you and the congregation. The first time that I stepped through the doors of the church and met the people there, I felt very welcomed and grateful to taste the goodness of the Lord.
Read MoreMiles of Smiles to Turlock
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Our sleepy little town of Turlock was hit with laughter, love and lots of hugs on August 8th. Pastor Peter, Jenny and Judy came to surprise Monzelle for a birthday visit. She was so uplifted by their friendship and kindness. Monzelle has been going through some health issues and she felt comforted by the presence of old friends. Watching her regale stories of adventures past made for a lovely afternoon.
Read MoreFinding Grace in Adopting a Family
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Shortly after the November 8, 2018 Camp Fire in Northern CA, I found a Facebook page called, "Paradise Fire Adopt a Family" which then only had 3,000-4,000 members. It has now grown beyond 33,000. The page was created to allow survivors to vent their hurt, fright, frustrations and to reach-out for assistance.
Read MoreA Note from a family impacted by the Camp Fire and more
/Wow, what a journey our quilt took getting to us! It is so beautifully made and we can feel the love in each stich. Thank you very much for wrapping us with grace as we move forward from our loss.
- With blessings and love to you all, Pam & Bob
Dear Melissa and Rich
Thank you so much for the lovely quilt. The colors are perfect and the Bible verse is so appropriate to what I am going through right now. Please express my thanks to the quilters at Grace UMC. Their ministry has given me great comfort. Heartfelt thanks.
- Diana
Grace in the Banana Bread
/On the 1st day of the 2018 Fall Boutique, I saw an elderly lady, a wheelchair user, and, next to her, her daughter buying cupcakes for her mother. The lady looked and sounded somewhat headstrong, as she made her choices. I couldn’t figure out who she was: ‘Maybe a customer who came for the Boutique,’ I concluded. Then, her friend, Monzelle, came and talked to me, saying “I want to introduce you to my friend, Hilda.” I realized right at the moment that it was the 92-year-old German lady whom she always spoke about.
I went up to Hilda and said, “Hello.” Then, Hilda began speaking to me in German! I lost words and thought, I can understand English, but German? All those years of studying German were for naught! So, I did what I usually do, when somebody speaks a foreign language that I cannot understand. I smiled and nodded my head. Then, Monzelle intervened and told Hilda, “You have to speak English to him.” Then, Hilda began speaking in English to me. She said many things that I can’t recall now. Yet, I still clearly remember that she was funny and did not let me go. If it had not been closing time for the Boutique, she would have gone on forever. I told her, before we parted that “It was nice seeing you and I hope to see you again soon.” This elderly, vibrant, lady was very sweet, happy, and funny. What a joy it was to meet her.
Days passed. And on Tuesday, before beginning our Bible study, Monzelle took out a loaf of bread and said, “Pastor Peter. This is special Banana Bread that Hilda baked for you. She said, “This is for the preacher so that he may remember me.” She liked you and the conversation you had with her last Friday.” I was astounded because of all the work she did to bake that bread. It took 14 bananas, 1 cup of sugar, some nuts, flour, and other ingredients. Overwhelmed and blessed, I told the people in the Bible study, “Let’s share the bread together.” They said, “You keep it, Peter, and take it home. She made it just for you.” I thought of her, her gift, and that God’s Grace was in it. She shared her heart with a new young preacher, and my heart is deeply grateful for her. I don’t have the words to express what a grateful and graceful moment that was for me. This is my Grace Moment.
Pastor Peter Hyun Ho Park
A Note from the Cameron Family
/Dear Pastor Peter and Grace United
Thank you very much for baptizing our daughter Shayne at your beautiful church. It means so much to the entire Cameron family, especially since our two boys were baptized there before her. It’s very special to us.
With Love,
Matt & Bridget Cameron
A Note from the Willet and Leon Families
/Oct. 13, 2018
Dear Pastor Peter and Grace UMC congregation
Our family would like to sincerely thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping us create a beautiful home going service for our beautiful mother, Lucille. The words of encouragement, the hard work and the sincere love were sincere testimony to her memory. The service remains a beautiful and unforgettable memory for us.
Again, sincere gratitude to all, with much love. God bless.
The Willet and the Leon Family
