ALL CHURCH

THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY - resumes Sept. 11^th at 10am in the Hospitality Room. We usually end around 11:30am. We will be studying some of Jesus’ parables. Everyone is welcome!

Our next MEMBERSHIP CLASS is Sept. 14^th. If you are interested in joining the class, please call the church office at 614.875.5612 or email communications@gcumc.org.

We will be having a MINISTRY FAIR ON Sept. 14th! If you would like a table to share about your ministry, please contact Pastor Brandi. We hope everyone will use this as an opportunity to see what is happening and get plugged in!

BAGS OF HOPE – as you know, we provide weekend food bags to some of our local kiddos in the area schools to help battle food poverty. We are currently up to 89 weekly food bags per week. We are grateful for all of the support and appreciate the continued support – but most of all, the kiddos are grateful! WE COULD STILL USE A DELIVERER OR TWO! If you are able and willing to help, please contact Pastor Brandi, BrandiB@gcumc.org.

ARTS IN THE ALLEY PARADE ON Sept. 20^th – PLEASE RSVP TO PASTOR BRANDI IF YOU PLAN TO WALK SO SHE CAN COMMUNICATE WHERE TO MEET, ETC. We hope everyone will put their purple on and walk with us. We are in need of individually wrapped candy donations, and you can drop them by the Info. Desk!

MISSIONS TASK FORCE

As Pastor Lizzy shared with us last week, we’d LOVE for YOU to be a part of our MISSIONS TASK FORCE – to help dream BIG for the ministries of our church! THIS SUNDAY, stop by our table during the Ministry Fair, and if you have an idea for a ministry we can implement, please feel free to put your idea in the IDEA BOX on the table. We are excited to see how God will continue to grow the ministry of the Purple Door Church and St. Mark’s as He has set us in place for such a time as this! 

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/VBS

9/14 - 5:00 Boys Small Group/Girls Small Group for Preteen and

            Older; 6:00 Normal Youth

9/21 - Normal youth

9/28  - Youth Fall Event

The Worldwide event, SEE YOU AT THE POLE is coming up on SEPTEMBER 24TH! This is an event of prayer as students gather around the flagpole at their school and pray together. We would love to have students praying at each school, and adults who will be there to support and deliver donuts. If you would be willing to help, please email Pastor Brandi, BrandiB@gcumc.org. 

MERGE

WE ARE BACK NEXT WEEK! We are excited to gather together on 9/17 back in the building! Be sure to sign up and join us! Sign up here .

FREE STORE

Always in need of toiletry donations or new socks & underwear.

MISSIONS TRIP TO MEXICO!

ST. MARK'S

SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR CULTURAL FIESTA – OCT. 5^TH! If you’ve experienced our Cultural Fiesta in years’ past, you know it’s a great time to experience so many things: cultures of 11+ other countries (all of whom are congregants at our St. Mark’s Campus!), food from those countries, and fellowship with our brothers and sisters are our other campus. It’s a GREAT time. More details to come!

MERGE! 

Merge is our mid-week family Programming that runs during the typical school year! We meet Wednesday evenings, 6-8pm. Sign up to attend here . 

HEY TEENS (7th-12^th grade)! YOUTH! SUNDAY NIGHTS, WE MEET AT 6PM IN THE FLC FOR A TIME OF DINNER, WORSHIP, MESSAGE & SERVICE OPPORTUNITY! If you were able to go to camp all week long this year, you can join us Sunday evenings for youth group! This is our summer schedule:

We are looking for DINNER volunteers! Sign Up here .

Don't forget about our YOUTH SMALL GROUPS!  The second Sunday of each month at 5pm, we have a GIRLS SMALL GROUP and a BOYS SMALL GROUP.  These groups are open to those preteen and older.

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 .

GOLDEN AGERS LUNCHEON SEPT. 26^TH, 11:30am – MUST RSVP! If you are over the age of 75, we encourage you to join us for this delightful luncheon. A time to gather and laugh and enjoy a delicious meal. Sign-ups will be available in the Great Hall the following Sundays: September 7^th, 14^th, 21^st. Reservations can also be made by calling the church office (614.875-5612), Peg Addington (614.270-1639) or Sue Flowers, (614.357-7935).  This luncheon is provided by the Grove City UM Women of Faith.      

CANE’S FUNDRAISER – WHO DOESN’T LOVE CANE’S AND THAT FANTASTIC CANE’S SAUCE?!?

SEPT. 24TH, 4-9PM, STRINGTOWN ROAD LOCATION

Mention the fundraiser when ordering or apply code RCFUND96 to online orders and Canes will donate 15% to Purple Door!

🌟LIGHT THE WORLD TREE AUCTION–NEW THIS YEAR! We’re inviting our church ministries, Bible study groups, circles, small groups, members, and families to decorate and donate 3-ft Christmas trees for our first-ever silent auction! Trees will be displayed at both campuses throughout November, and the highest bidders will take them home. All proceeds support our mission team’s trip to Mexico. Sign up at the ministry fair to help us light the world this Christmas!

TRIPSTERS:

CANCELLED! THE WILDS OF OHIO, FRIDAY, SEPT. 26TH. Encounter rhinos, cheetahs, giraffes, and other rare and endangered species on a 2 hour private safari an on an open-air bus, then enjoy a private cookout lunch. Cost: $165/person, due at the time of registration

SMOKY MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS TRIP – DEC. 1-4, 2025

Cost: $949 double occupancy

$899 triple occupancy

$829 quad occupancy

$1,199 single occupancy

$250 per person deposit due w/reservation

Final payment due by 10/1.

WHERE: Pigeon Forge, TN

ACTIVITIES: Pirates Voyage Dinner Show; Guided Smoky Mountain Tour w/a Musical Guide; Titanic Museum, Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas (w/meal voucher), 3 breakfasts, 2 dinners, luggage handling, all taxes & tips above services, driver’s gratuity, tour escort

*itinerary subject to change

FOR RESERVATIONS/MORE INFO: Sue Bailey, 614.805.9645

MENS RETREAT is coming up November 14th-16th. Please register BY SEPTEMBER 28^TH. Deposit is $30; total cost is $170. Please reach out to Kyle Jordan or Bo Blackstone with questions or stop and talk to them at the ministry fair.  

FALL SPORTS are about to be in full swing! If you or someone you know needs sports equipment, it is available in our SPORTS CLOSET!  When the season is over, you can drop off the items that no longer work! Contact Pastor Brandi with questions!

DO YOU HAVE THE GIFT OF TEACHING? LEADING? BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS? WE NEED YOU! We are looking for volunteers who would like to teach Bible studies, lead small groups, gather church community together. (And if you are looking for a small group, we also want to know!) If this feels like a place God might be leading you, please reach out to Pastor Brandi, BrandiB@gcumc.org.

JOIN US FOR A MOVIE! SEPTEMBER 21^ST, 4pm, we will be showing the movie "Small Groups." After the movie we will be starting a churchwide Bible study talking about the importance of small groups. We hope you will join us!We have had people asking, so here you go! 

ARE YOU PROFICIENT IN A SKILL OR TRADE? We are seeking volunteers that have skill trades or just like to work with their hands that might be willing to serve in the church using those skills! If you're willing to come alongside and help, contact Tony Haughn, Tonyhaughn1@gmail.com. 

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. 

Friday October 3

Sunday November 2* (may get rescheduled)

Friday December 5

NEEDS:

BOTH CAMPUSES NEED BIBLES. Go here  to our specific Amazon link!

REMINDER – OUR ALUMINUM 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: 

BAGS OF HOPE - FOOD/BACKPACK PROGRAM – LOCAL SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS

Many children in our community experience food poverty and we are trying our best to provide for those needs. We have partnered with many local schools to send home weekend food bags for those kiddos. Check out the Amazon Wishlist we’ve created with specific food items for those who would like a simple way to grab some of our needed items. One of the best parts: you can have it delivered straight to the church (2650 Columbus St., Grove City, OH 43123)! 

 Amazon Wishlist 

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! MERCH! Check out the website at HERE  for merch! T-shirts, hoodies, hats –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! You can also request your favorite name brands be used – for an increased price! If you ordered merch, you can pick it up at the Info. Desk!

TECH – We are in need of tech personnel for our traditional services. Training provided. 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 .

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 - traditional services - 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 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.

*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 - VIA ZOOM - a study on praying the Scriptures

PASTOR BRIAN’S FALL BIBLE STUDY - From Heroes to Zeros: Lessons from the Judges of Israel. We will explore both the triumphs and the tragedies of the Judges of Israel and what they have to say to us today. We’ll look at the familiar judges such as Samson and Gideon, plus a host of the more unfamiliar as well. The Pastor’s Bible Study began Sept. 2nd and runs through November 18th – time: 6:30-7:30pm. Please join us!SATURDAY MORNING WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY - VIA ZOOM - meets the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month, 8am.

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

THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY

This study meets every Thursday morning at 10am studying the Parables of Jesus.

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 3^rd 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.

This year, we would love to give a BILINGUAL BOOK to each kid! If you feel led, please share the good news with them: https://a.co/aY7SmM1.

“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 3^rd Saturday of the month at 9am, we go through our building and make it pretty! Email Pastor Lizzy for more info: lizzyo@gcumc.org.

We hope you will participate in our new mentor program, ADOPT A FAMILY OR FRIEND. Psalm 145:4 “One generation shall praise thy works to another and shall declare thy mighty acts.” Jesus invested in others, and Paul did the same. Indeed, the Apostle expected older believers to teach and train younger believers (Titus 2). When we do what the Scriptures mandate, we can expect God to bless it. When the generations learn from each other, the church will be stronger.

So, what are you signing up for?

ADOPT A FAMILY GUIDE

• Pray for the paired family weekly.
• Connect with this family when you see them at church. All we are asking is that you go out of your way to say “Hi! Good to see you! How was your week?” to this family. 
• Have two meals together in this coming year. It certainly doesn’t have to be fancy, and this can be at a restaurant, at your house, or you bringing take-out meal to their house! 
• Go a long way in making sure families know they are thought of.
• Connect with the family once a month outside of church. This can be in a phone call, email, Facebook message or something more formal. 
• Offer help/resources as able. 
• Give cards on their birthday, anniversary, other special times. A gift is absolutely NOT expected, but handwritten cards can be in a phone call, email, Facebook message or something more formal. 

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 3^rd 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.

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.

SUMMER GIRLS-

Newborn-3 mos., 9 mos -all

6-6x, 7-8 -shirts and shorts

16&up- all

WINTER GIRLS-

12, 18 months - sleepers

9 & 24 months - all

7/8 - pants

Coats -All

MEN-

Shorts-33&below

Ath Pants/Ath Shorts-All

SS Shirts-S,4X,5X

LS Winter Shirts-S,M,3X&up

Pants/Jeans-38&below

Coats & Belts-All

BOYS-

Shorts-6,7,12&up

SS Shirts-7,12&up

LS Winter Shirts-12&up

Pants-6,7,10,12,16&up

Infant-24 mo only

Coats-All

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.