weekly blast

June 11, 2025


We love the time that we get to gather as a community each week! We hope you will invite your friends and family to join us this Sunday at one of our services - 8:30 & 11am traditional services or 9:30 & 11am contemporary. 


WE WANT TO REMIND YOU THAT IF YOU MISS ANY OF OUR WEEKLY SERMONS IN EITHER OUR TRADITIONAL OR CONTEMORARY SERVICES, YOU CAN ACCESS THEM ON OUR WEBSITE HERE .


GET INVOLVED! We love being able to serve our families and our community and we have SO many opportunities to plug in at The Purple Door Church. We are fully open and have all of our activities available to our congregation and community! There are plenty of places for you to serve – WE NEED YOU and want to encourage you to check out list of opportunities – go to our website:OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE  . 


PRAYER REQUESTS - We want to remind you that we are here for you! If you need prayer during this time, please reach out to us HERE . You may also drop prayer requests into our Purple Prayer Box in our parking. It’s located at the front of the lot facing Columbus Street.


THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Thank you again for continued giving and gifts that support our church! It is through YOU that all the amazing ministries of our church are able support our community and beyond!



We also want to encourage you to check out our NEXT STEPS  tab here on website where you can find in-depth information about our different ministries and events, including Bible studies
and small groups. 

what's new!

what's new this week at purple door church

ALL CHURCH


COMMUNITY MEAL – You’ve seen the vision – now come be a part! Our next community meal is June 14th, 4:30-5:30pm. Sign up using this link :  or contact Andrea at the church office, AndreaN@gcumc.org.  Menu: baked beans, coleslaw, and shredded chicken sandwiches!



THE PEACH TRUCK IS COMING! We’ve been a stop for The Peach Truck for the past several years and YAY – THEY’RE RETURNING! You can visit their website and order HERE .


LOOKING FOR A SIMPLE BUT IMPORTANT WAY TO SERVE? We are looking for volunteers to facilitate family check-in.  This is a touch point to welcome and meet families as they arrive on Sunday mornings. Please email pastor Brandi, BrandiB@gcumc.org.

 


GROVE CITY WOMEN OF FAITH ANNUAL YARD SALE!

 

Moving? Cleaning House? Unwanted Items? Downsizing? Start gathering up those items you no longer want or need for our annual yard sale! We will accept decor, kitchen items, crafts, holiday items, glassware, tools, toys, furniture, men’s tools, garden items, etc. 


PLEASE NO CLOTHING OR SHOES (those can go to our free store!).

 

Drop off to the BACK door of the FLC:

Monday, June 16th:        9-9pm

Tuesday, June 17th:         9-5pm

Wednesday, June 18th:  9-3pm

 

SALE FOR CHURCH MEMBERS ONLY:

Wednesday, June 18th: 4-9pm

 

OPEN TO PUBLIC:

Thursday, June 19th:      9-5pm

Friday, June 20th:           9-5pm

Saturday, June 21st:      8am-12pm

 

We are in need of volunteers especially on Saturday for the clean up beginning at 12:30pm until we are finished, around 2pm.

 

Proceeds benefit local, national and international missions. Questions? Contact the church office, 614/875-5612 or communications@gcumc.org. 


VETERANS LUNCH & LEARN - June 17th, noon. We are the host site for this free luncheon (note: we are not the entity putting it on. We are simply the host site). RSVP to 614.332.6740. 


CALLING ALL WOMEN - we will gather for a fun afternoon at St. Marks on June 21st at noon. Join the women’s group of St. Marks and Miriam's Circle for some fun! Please email Pastor Brandi, brandib@gcumc.org


BAGS OF HOPE – BATTLING FOOD INSECURITY IN OUR COMMUNITY – Even though school is out, food insecurity remains – probably even more so. We continue to support kiddos and their families in our local community during the summer, so keep bringing in those food items for our program. Specific items listed at our Amazon link:  Thank you for continuing to support these kiddos and their families during this time!


GIVING


QUESTIONS ABOUT GIVING? If you have any questions regarding your giving, we have a new email address for that department. Please send all inquiries to finance@gcumc.org. 



KIDS/FAMILY/YOUTH/CAMP/VBS


CAMPERS! We will pray over all campers and counselors during services this Sunday. Please remember that drop off at Camp begins Sunday at 4!


VBS REGISTRATION IS LIVE! Check it out on the top banner on our website! VBS runs July 6-10th, beginning at 6pm each night. Join us for VBS Family Style - worship, time in the Word, missions, snack, game and craft. Preteens and older are invited to a youth time at 7:30pm.


VBS IS COMING UP JULY 6TH -10TH, and registration is LIVE on our website! We have a VBS wishlist for items we need during that week. If you’d like to donate, you can access our wishlist HERE . These supplies will benefit both our Grove City Campus and our St. Mark’s Campus as their VBS also begins in July! Questions? Contact Pastor Brandi, BrandiB@gcumc.org.

 

SUNDAY NIGHT YOUTH is on break the next two weeks for the meet and greet and camp.  We will be back to it on 6/22.

 

MERGE


Just a reminder that spring Merge has wrapped up! Summer Merge will kickoff June 11th - please be sure to sign up using the usual Merge sign up! The summer dates for POOL PARTIES are now listed on the sign up so that families can plan ahead.


ST. MARK'S


Collecting these items:

*LAMPS

*KITCHEN APPLIANCES/DISHES/GADGETS


These items can be dropped off at our St. Mark’s location (5200 Sullivant Ave., Columbus, OH 43228) every Sunday, 8am-6pm or every Wednesday, 9am-8pm).


PLEASE THESE ITEMS ONLY. 


Questions? Contact Pastor Lizzy, LizzyO@gcumc.org! 

relaunching of community meal

Questions? Want to serve? 

Contact Andrea Nance, AndreaN@gcumc.org . 

The GCUMC/PURPLE DOOR CHURCH Community Meal has relaunched with renewed focus and enthusiasm for its mission to support our community! With this relaunch, it’s a great time to reintroduce the mission and its purpose with a little question and answer session - questions we are often asked about this ministry. Look for some new information, some reminders, but all great information to help you plug in if this is an area of ministry you feel called to serve in!


HAVE A QUESTION THAT WAS NOT ANSWERED HERE?

You're welcome to reach out to Andrea & Mark Nance for more information anytime! 

We hope to serve with you at our next Community Meal 💜

  • The Community Meal is a ministry of the Purple Door Church Missions Task Force team. The team at the meal is now led by Mark & Andrea Nance but completed only with support of those who step in to volunteer for the various positions of service that make the meal happen: Kitchen volunteers cooking, dishwashing, plating meals, and/or to-go meals, as well as dining volunteers who deliver the meals to our guests, serve desserts and clear tables, set up & tear down.  

    Another important role is those volunteers who come to fellowship - greet & welcome those to the Purple Door Church as well as sit at a table and listen, chat & even pray with a new friend. These are all ways to show our guests in need how we at The Purple Door Church share the love of Jesus to our community! Every role is important to a successful event!! 

  • We host a meal once per month, the second Saturday of the month, in our Family Life Center (FLC), 4:30-5:30pm. 

    That’s a chance every month to step in and be the hands and feet of Jesus to our community! 

  • If one of the service roles interests you, watch for the Sign-up Genius for each month’s meal to be shared in the Blast! Not tech savvy? Contact Andrea Nance at andrean@gcumc.org to learn about openings for the upcoming meal! It is important for planning to make sure you are signed up before the date of the meal. Please also note, there are service options for those with limited mobility!  Just reach out to Andrea. 

  • We aim to feed 150+ hungry people with each meal. 

    This meal is supported 100% but donations - donations to our Missions, donations designated for the meal specifically, grants, as well as Community Support Partners! Our congregation has done an amazing job making this meal possible to date. This year, we have begun seeking grants as well as partnerships to help support the mission! 

    Have you seen the glass case in the Great Hall this month? With tight planning, we aim for every meal served to cost approximately $2 each plate - that's amazing right!? That means we stretch every dollar donated to feed as many as we can. Bread & Fish – trusting God to multiply!

    If you want to support this meal with a donation or own a business that’s interested in a Community Partnership, reach out to Andrea if you’d like more details! 

  • The overall goal of this meal is to serve our community in need. Food poverty is a serious issue today, and our community isn't spared from this hardship. Did you know another mission of the church is sending home 90+ bags of food home weekly with local school children?! (If you want to know more about that, reach out to Pastor Brandi!) That alone is proof that in our own community, our neighbors, our children’s classmates & their families are struggling with meeting food needs. This Community Meal is our chance to open our church doors and serve a warm meal to that friend in need. It's an opportunity to show the love of Jesus, as we’re all called to do. Just as our church does so well in many other areas as a space to “come as you are” and allow us to make our guests feel loved & seen as a child of God, the Community Meal is our church family setting the table for all in need. 

    We know in years’ past, this meal has been a chance for the church members to commune with one another. The meal was also a drive-thru opportunity to feed those in need when contact was discouraged. This meal has changed with the seasons so many times to meet various needs - it's beautiful! 

    Today, we feel this meal should be built on the foundation of a service to a community in need and an opportunity to welcome a new face to the love that lives behind our Purple Doors! That’s why I think the *fellowship* volunteers of the Community Meal are so important! You get to mingle and share the love of Jesus - showing the community who WE are at The Purple Door Church! 

family & kids

It is time for another rotation of SUMMER INTERNS! If your student will be in 5th grade or older in the fall, we invite them to join the intern team. This is an opportunity to learn more about the church, find a place for them to serve and dream of ministries for the church.  


MERGE! 

Merge is our mid-week family Programming that runs during the typical school year! We meet Wednesday evenings, 6-8pm. The summer dates for POOL PARTIES are now listed on the sign up so that families can plan ahead. Sign up to attend here . 


        

HEY TEENS (7th-12th grade)! Teens meet on Sunday evenings, starting at 6pm for a time of dinner, worship, message and a service opportunity.

We are looking for DINNER volunteers! Sign Up here .


Questions on any of the above or to RSVP for events, contact Pastor Brandi .

If you'd like to visit our Children/Family/Teens page, go here .

all church

DID YOU MISS IT? If you were interested in possibly attending the MEXICO MISSION TRIP but couldn’t make the meeting this past Sunday, you can contact Pastor Lizzy directly for information: LizzyO@gcumc.org.


MERCH ORDERS – Have you ordered Purple Door Merch? If so, your order is at the Info. Desk ready for pick up! Questions? Contact Pastor Brandi! 


STREET CLEANING – 1st Saturday of the month. Questions? Contact Pastor Brandi, BrandiB@gcumc.org. 


MEN! YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN OUR MONTHLY GATHERING. Family calendars book up, so please try to block out these dates for the year. Contact Bo Blackstone to get plugged in. 


Sunday July 6

Friday August 1

Sunday September 7

Friday October 3

Sunday November 2* (may get rescheduled)

Friday December 5


FOR OUR TRADITIONAL SERVICES, WE NEED BOTH USHERS AND COMMUNION SERVERS FOR BOTH 8:30 & 11AM. Are you willing and able to help? Contact Kelli at the church office, 614/875-5612, OR send an email to communications@gcumc.org.  


WE ARE IN NEED OF HELP in our 8:30 and 11am Traditional services. If you have been thinking about ways to plug in to the church and serve God, please pray about helping in these services. We need:

Sound Technicians (Training provided)

Ushers

Communion Servers

****If you would like information on these areas of service, contact the church office, 614/875-5612, or send an email to communications@gcumc.org. 


NEEDS:

ST. MARK’S could use blankets, diapers, wipes, baby clothes, shelf-stable food items, adult clothing


GROVE CITY CAMPUS COULD USE food for our weekend food program. Shopping list here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/XRQLQX8HNMEU?ref_=wl_share.


BOTH CAMPUSES COULD USE BIBLES, AND THOSE ARE OFTEN ON SALE TOO. Go here  to our specific Amazon link!


REMINDER – OUR CAN COLLECTION IS ONGOING and is a way we continue to raise funds for our mission trips. You can leave them at the Info. Desk!


LOCAL SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS: 


    Even though school is now out, the needs in our community continue to rise. During the summer, our provision of food to the students does not stop - we continue to provide food to the students in our community. Keep bringing in those items!


We have created a school partnership Amazon Wishlist  for those that would like a simple way to grab some of our needed items! 


IMPORTANT NOTES - NO GLASS. Cans that have tab tops are preferred. Precooked items are helpful or items that only need water added. This is not an exhaustive list, but examples.

Cereal*Poptarts*Oatmeal*Pancake Mix*Syrup*Peanut Butter*Jelly*Honey*Pasta Sauce*Canned Veggies*Fruit cups*Applesauce*Rice*Pasta*Instant potatoes*Macaroni & Cheese*Ramen Noodles*Granola Bars*Crackers*Soups*Canned Meat - Chicken, beef, tuna, etc.*Fruit Snacks*Koolaids packs

Toiletries - deodorant, Q-tips, shampoo/conditioner, toothpaste, underwear


GET YOUR MERCH ON DEMAND! Many have been asking about church merch – t-shirts, hoodies, hats – well now, you can order it online and get it in a SUPER FAST turnaround – AND – the company will donate $5 back to the church for every item purchased! MERCH UPDATES! Our merch site has updates - Rain jackets, polos and crewnecks! Check out the website at https://www.24tees.shop! You can also request your favorite name brands be used for an increased price!


TECH – We are in need of tech personnel for both our traditional and contemporary services. Able to serve? Contact Traci, traciw@gcumc.org to get plugged in! It’s a GREAT place to be!


MENTAL HEALTH: REAL TALK, REAL SUPPORT - A peer-led, social-emotional support group for parents and caregivers of children with mental health struggles. Two meetings a month:

  • 2nd Tuesday of the month, 6:30-8pm – The Buckeye Ranch (5665 Hoover Rd.), Mary Dunn Building
  • 4th Tuesday of the month, 6:30-8pm – The Purple Door Church, Fireside Room

For questions, contact Sheri Dunagan at sheri.dunagan@att.net or call/text 614-439-7110. Learn more online: www.RealTalkOhio.org.

  • CONNECT ON FACEBOOK HERE .

places to plug in

GET INVOLVED! We love being able to serve our families and our community and we have SO many opportunities to plug in at The Purple Door Church. We are fully open and have all of our activities available to our congregation and community! There are plenty of places for you to serve – WE NEED YOU and want to encourage you to check out list of opportunities – go to our website: https://www.purpledoorchurch.com/opportunities-to-serve.


A LOOK AT WHAT WE NEED: It truly takes the hands and feet of ALL of us to do our part to make this church run day in and day out! We have some AMAZING volunteers who make this place exceptional and a place to call HOME. Here is a look at where we could use some help:

TECH TEAM (both Traditional and Contemporary) - Contact TRACI WURSCHMIDT 

SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS – Contact PASTOR BRANDI 

MONEY COUNTERS – Contact andrea nance 

LANDSCAPE TEAM – Help keep our grounds looking glorious! Kids are welcome! Contact communications

HOSPITALITY TEAMS – Contact Pastor Brandi, or sign up HERE .

WE NEED CHURCH OFFICE HELPERS - We need volunteers to work in the church office. You mainly will be answering the phones and other small jobs that might need to be done. If you are available, we need several spots to be filled on a regular basis: the second and fourth Tuesday in the afternoon from 9am-noon and the first and second Wednesday afternoon, 12-4pm. Also, we always need substitutes to fill in spots for our regular volunteers. If interested, please contact PEG ADDINGTON  or 614/270-1639.

prayer

PRAYER BOX – Did you know we have a Prayer Box located in our parking lot? It is a little purple mailbox located in the front of our parking lot facing Columbus Street. Our Prayer Chain is committed to praying for the people of this church and our city. If you have a prayer request, you can drop it in that box at any time. Prayer requests are collected weekly and prayed over by our committed prayer team.



PRAYER TEAM - Prayer is powerful and an amazing gift from God. We have the opportunity to talk directly to our Creator and the ability to pray on the behalf of others. Our prayer team started meeting this past Monday and we will continue to meet every week on Mondays at 9am. During our time together, we will be praying over our Sunday morning prayer requests, needs of the church, our community and nation. We will be prayer walking the church as well. If you are interested in joining, please contact CLARENCE DINNEN.


TO REQUEST PRAYER - If you'd like us to pray alongside you, you may fill out a prayer card during one of our services and put in the offering plate or in the offering boxes outside of our worship spaces; or, you may send an email to commuincations@gcucm.org . We would be honored to pray alongside you.

bible studies

for more info., contact pastor brandi HERE 

*RIGHT NOW MEDIA - Just a reminder that Right Now Media is available to all of our members as you think about your relationship with God in this upcoming year. Right Now Media is a database FULL of online Bible studies and social groups for individuals, families, children and groups. We often use this media resource in our Bible studies and small groups throughout the year. It’s a GREAT resource for you or for your family to be able to plug in to God’s Word and in the times we use it in our own church group setting. If you’d like to take advantage of this FREE online resource, contact Pastor Brandi to get set up. She just needs your email address. Your faith journey isn’t one you were ever meant to take alone. God made us for community!


MONDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY - on break until after VBS!


SATURDAY MORNING WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY - meets the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month, 8am, via zoom.


CONTACT PASTOR BRANDI, BRANDIB@GCUMC.ORG FOR ZOOM LINKS


THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY

This study meets every Thursday morning at 10am, but is on break for the summer! Join us when we start back up in the fall!


BIBLE JOURNALING - 3RD MONDAY OF EACH MONTH, 6PM, CHURCH OFFICE

Are you creative? Do you enjoy time in the Word? Join the two together, and come hang out with us on the 3rd Monday of the month at 6pm at the church office. Questions? Contact Pastor Brandi, BrandiB@gcumc.org. 


PURPLE DOOR WOMEN’S GROUP: Join our new group! Our focus is on our church and parishioners/shut-ins. Need more info.? Contact Jean Davis, 614/282-8590. We meet on the 2nd Monday of each month at 10am.

st. mark's IGLESIA HISPANA campus

PASTOR LIZZY: LIZZYO@GCUMC.ORG

THE BLESSING STATION -

We offer a small food pantry to our community. If you have food to donate, we look for dry beans, chickpeas, lentils, rice, and pasta; canned goods (tomatoes, corn); cereal; snacks; spaghetti sauce; tuna and chicken.


“THE LITTLE HOUSE” - With the help of the Free Store and lots of donations, we have been operating the “Little House” where we can provide different resources specific to the new families in the country/state. These items include household items, bedding supplies, kitchen supplies, kids toys and when we have some, furniture. This has been a blessing to the community and also to share the love of God. We have the opportunity to pray for those families we are serving and give them a Bible. Contact Pastor Lizzy for more information or ways to connect with this ministry: LizzyO@gcumc.org.


As you know, we were looking for a teacher for our nursery and God heard our prayer. We are thankful to have Micah and Yoselin Eller helping with this group. If you are still interested to come to our campus and serve our Sunday School Classes, let us know! REMEMBER: language is not a barrier. Most of our kids go to school here and speak English.


BOOK COLLECTION! We are collecting Christian base books or coloring books (for babies to high school age). If you have some in good condition, we will take them! We have been buying some for our toddlers at the dollar store. This is to share with the kids who are attending the afterschool program in our church.

There will be a box on the Information Desk with a sign

 “Iglesia Hispana / St. Mark’s Campus.”


CAN YOU GIVE A DAY? Do you love your church and cleaning is something you enjoy? Every month, we have a cleaning day at our west side campus, St. Mark’s Iglesia Hispana. Every 3rd Saturday of the month at 9am, we go through our building and make it pretty! Email Pastor Lizzy for more info: lizzyo@gcumc.org.

united women of faith

for more info., contact BRANDI 

Looking for a place to fellowship with other women, gain encouragement, give encouragement and grow deeper in your faith? We have several groups (aka “Circles”) that meet regularly throughout the week, have different areas of interests, and we’d love to invite you to find your fit!

 

We currently have three Circles:

REBECCA CIRCLE - meets the third Tuesday of the month @ 11:30am. For more info. or questions, contact Ann Beal (614-371-4472) or Peg Addington (614-877-4200), who are the leaders.

 

HANNAH CIRCLE - meets the 2nd Monday @ noon. For more info. or questions, contact Sue Flowers (614-357-7935) or Nina Riley (614-579-4624), who are the leaders.

 

MIRIAM CIRCLE – meets the 3rd Sunday of each month @ 12:30pm. For more info. or questions, contact Brandi Blackstone (614-402-6706) or Tami Adams (614-545-8887), who are the leaders.

 

Each of the Circles would love to welcome new members. You do not need to be a member of our church. If you are interested in any of the Circles, please free to call the leaders or just show up at a meeting. Our UWF Circles are a wonderful way to meet new people and learn more about what actions they each do to help our church family and community.

MISSIONS


CURRENT FUNDRAISERS:

SHOP AT KROGER AND GIVE BACK! Did you know that you can make a financial contribution to our Missions Task Force JUST by shopping at Kroger? It’s simple! All you have to do is link your Kroger Shopping Card to Grove City United Methodist Church.


Go to Kroger.com and log into your digital account (or create a digital account, if not already created).


Scroll down to “Community Rewards” and click. From there, you can select our organization by either scrolling or searching for “Grove City United Methodist Church.” Make sure our name matches our organization number, which is XY804. Enroll. Easy as that! Kroger will make donations to the organization based upon spending of those whose cards are connected to that organization.


Any questions regarding enrollment need to be directed to Kroger individually.


FREE STORE: 


Our Free Store is open every Wednesday, 5-6:30pm and serves 150-275 people each week. Lately, we have been serving individuals from 4 or 5 halfway houses, drug/alcohol rehab centers and addiction recovery centers. Therefore, we have several critical needs, especially for men.


Current critical needs:

Men’s Jeans, Casual Pants and Dress Pants (waist sizes 40 and below) 

Men’s Belts - all sizes

Men’s Summer Shirts (casual and polo) - Small, Medium, Large, 3X, 4X & 5X

Men’s Coats and Hoodies - all sizes

Women - X-Small clothing

New Underwear and Toiletries are always needed.  

Monetary donations are also welcome.

 

******PLEASE NOTE: WE ONLY ACCEPT CLOTHING. WE DO NOT ACCEPT APPLIANCES, TOYS, OR FURNITURE.

 

CAFÉ:

The time slots to volunteer in the café are: 7:30, 8:30, 9:30 and 10:30am.

A sign-up sheet will be on the Mission Counter in the café area. If you’d like more info. or to volunteer, contact Pastor Lizzy . 

 

Refreshments are available in the café upon donation and all proceeds will go to further Missions projects throughout the year.

 

CONNECT & SERVE COMMUNITY MEAL!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THIS MINISTRY.


DON’T FORGET, OUR COMMUNITY MEAL IS THE SECOND SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH, 4:30-5:30PM, and is for our congregation, 

as well as for the City of Grove City!


What is the “COMMUNITY MEAL?” It’s a time for us as the Purple Door Church to come together, to fellowship with one another as it is a meal for our congregation, as well as come together with our community and serve them. It’s a time for us to gather and share God’s Love with others.

 

    Sign up/Questions: contact Andrea at the church office, AndreaN@gcumc.org.

giving

YOUTH OFFERING ENVELOPES

As we teach our younger generation the act giving a portion of earnings back to God through your church to show gratitude for all He has provided us, giving them ownership in actively participating in the church community and develop a generous spirit, we would like to introduce Youth Offering Envelopes special just for them!


A new tool to remind our youth that “God loves a cheerful giver” 2 Cor. 9:7, and that by contributing to their church, they are investing in something bigger than themselves and building a foundation for a life of giving back.


You’ll find these envelopes at the welcome desk, back of the Worship Center or with your Sunday School teacher. 


SUPPORTING YOUR CHURCH FINANCIALLY:  You have a few options: collection plates during all services brought around by Ushers, giving boxes outside of both worship spaces where you can drop off your offering anytime, and also ONLINE through our online offering platform and/or on our website purpledoorchurch.com

Our online portal option (called "Engage") allows you to set up a one-time offering gift anytime, as well as an option for an automated reoccurring option. 

Please note: our online giving platform allows you to help your church with fees associated with your offering. You will see a checkbox in your review screen that shows “I would like to increase my donation to offset processing fees”. 

For help with setting up online giving, or any questions regarding your contributions, please direct all inquiries to finance@gcumc.org . 

You can give directly through our website by clicking here (“Give ”) and following the prompts.