Care Ministry

Congregational Care

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4

Bridge of Grace and Truth

Care Community
Meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7 PM

Welcome to all who have questions about sexual identity and Christianity! How are we as individuals and as the Church called to respond? Whether you have personal, general or theological questions, our prayer is that you find helpful information and support through our Bridge of Grace and Truth support group.

More information and Resources

Funerals

We wish to walk with you and your family during this time.

May you find comfort and hope to sustain you in this time of loss. Our desire is to serve you in such a way that you are freed from worry and concern so you can focus on your family and friends who have meant so much in the life of your loved one. Our highest goal is to see the Lord Jesus Christ exalted, in life and in death.

More information and Resources

Care Ministries

If you’re a member or regular attendee of Grace Church, and you are in need of support through a difficult season, please reach out to us! We’ll be praying for you, and we’ll also see if we can meet some of your practical needs during this time.

The Care Home Ministry

This ministry meets the spiritual and relational needs of people who reside in an assisted living facility such as a nursing home. As the ministry expands, various types of ministries are provided, including church services, one-on-one visits and off-site participation in church events. Contact: Dennis Barta at 440.243.4885 x117 or [email protected]

Cards Ministry

Please join us to make greeting cards for the congregation and community. We make cards for the Friendship Group at Grace Church, local nursing homes and other ministries.

No experience is needed. Join us for fellowship, fun and serving the Lord.

Types of cards: Valentine’s Day, Easter, Praying for You, Thinking of You, Thank you, Happy Birthday, Get Well, Sympathy, 4th of July, Volunteer Appreciation, Thanksgiving, Christmas

Please contact Andrea Woodward: [email protected] 440-915-3815 for any questions.

Computer Help for Seniors

This ministry assists seniors in Grace Church by helping resolve computer-related problems. Contact: Dennis Barta at 440.243.4885 x117 or [email protected]

Divorce Care

Who We Are

DivorceCare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. Don’t go through divorce alone.

The divorce rate is over 50% in the secular world and around 50% for evangelical Christians. We see this need and want to provide a recovery ministry that would help those facing divorce and encourage plugging into a healthy church to continue their healing, recovery, and rebuilding.

DivorceCare facilitates a support group for people going through a divorce. The group serves those who have been divorced.

When & Where?

The course is available all year at Grace Church with new sessions beginning at the start of each quarter.

Contact: Pastor Steve Harper
440. 243.4885 x107
[email protected].

To learn more about the ministry visit: www.divorcecare.org.

Emergency Relief Fund

As a caring community, Grace Church maintains a way to assist regular attenders who are in extreme or urgent financial need by providing short-term material help, biblical guidance and spiritual support for long-term financial health. The goal is to help families experience the full measure of God’s blessing and provision in every aspect of life. God enjoys blessing those who live to please him, obey his commands and seek him for every need.When the Philippian believers honored God with their money he promised to provide for their needs.

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4.19

How to apply for assistance:

1. Read Frequently Asked Questions and Pathway to Financial Health and Freedom. Pathway offers practical helps and excellent resources to equip you for financial health and freedom for the long-term. Please keep these documents for future reference.
2. Complete and submit the online Application for Financial Assistance.
3.E-mail copies of bills/invoices to [email protected]. Bills must be in the name of the person who is requesting assistance. Failure to provide the required documents delays the process.

The application will be reviewed and information verified. The application will then be presented to the ERF team for consideration. You will be informed of the decision. If the application is approved, a check will be made payable to the service provider and mailed from the church.

Feel free to call Pastor Dennis Barta at 440.243.4885 x117 with any questions.

May the Lord bless you richly!

Financial Counseling

The church aims to help individuals and families who attend Grace, to get their finances in order for the long term. Assistance is offered for budgeting, getting out of debt, avoiding bankruptcy, etc. When the situation warrants, a church financial counselor will be assigned at no charge. The counselor will assess your financial situation and work with you to develop an effective plan for financial health and wellness. Please complete the online application or pick up a printed copy at the church office.

Apply for Financial Counseling

Homebound Visitation Ministry

People who are unable to leave their homes receive care from this ministry. Individuals are assigned a friend who visits them on a regular basis.
Contact: Dennis Barta at 440.243.4885 x117 or [email protected]

Healing With Hope Bereavement Ministry

Healing with Hope ministry seeks to bring a caring presence and living reminder of God’s love following the loss of a loved one. We believe that no one should grieve alone. We will provide someone to talk to, continuous prayer, loving support, and educational resources following your loss.

“Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.” – Matthew 5:4

For immediate resources and guidance we suggest you contact:
Cornerstone of Hope
216-524-HOPE (4673)

For all other questions and concerns regarding classes and events, you can contact us at [email protected].

The Hospital Ministry

Before, during and after a hospital stay this ministry arranges for phone calls and visits. The ministry focuses on a person’s physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.
Contact: Dennis Barta at 440.243.4885 x117 or [email protected]

Job Seekers NetWORK

About Us

We are a career networking group with a mission to help and encourage job seekers. We offer support for those struggling to find a new job, get a better job, or make a career change, and to help everyone discover God’s calling for their life.

Our Purpose

To provide Skills, Encouragement, and Christ-centered Spiritual Support for the Job Seekers in Today’s Market.

Our Vision

To see you find the RIGHT JOB in the RIGHT PLACE at the RIGHT TIME because you are first RIGHT with GOD!

For more information and meeting times, check out our website – www.GraceJobSeekersNetWORK.org

Living Hope Mental Health Ministry

Welcome to Living Hope mental health ministry

offering support to those living with mental illness and those in a close relationship with someone with a mental illness.

Even now there are individuals with this ministry who are praying for you as you experience the difficulties of mental illness in yourself or someone you love. You are not alone.

The Living Hope Ministry Principles of Support represent what we are striving for, our touchstones and aspirations, as we struggle to come to terms with a serious mental illness. This is our belief system regarding universal, necessary truths that guide and strengthen us when life brings us this particular challenge.

We see each individual as God’s unique creation, who He finds exceedingly valuable and precious.
We recognize that mental illnesses are brain disorders.
We aim for better coping skills.
We find strength in sharing experiences.
We reject stigma in ourselves and others.
We won’t judge anyone’s pain to be less than our own.
As God forgave us, we forgive ourselves and reject guilt.
We embrace humor as healthy.
We accept that we cannot resolve all problems and so put them in God’s hands.
We expect a better future in a realistic way.
God never gives up on us, so we will never give up hope!
The personal information we hear at our meetings, stays at the meetings. We share with the confidence that what we say will go no further. What we learn about mental illness and healthy coping we will share with all who will listen! That’s how we combat ignorance and stigma!

Living Hope ministry provides mutual support and assistance through:

A listening ear and helping hand in the strictest of confidence without judgement or unwanted advice.
A listing of community resources that can be of assistance with specific challenges.
Education about mental illness in an effort to combat ignorance and stigma and encourage understanding and support.

To seek assistance or more information contact Karen Jarr 440 239 9423, or [email protected]

A great source of information on mental illness and healthy coping is National Alliance on Mental Illness NAMI at www.NAMI.org and locally at www.namigreaterclevelad.org

The Meals Ministry

This ministry meets a practical need for people without a strong support system (family, friends or small group) who are experiencing the loss of a loved one, serious injury, hospitalization or the birth of a child.

Contact Penny Lottig [email protected]

Handyman Help & Priority Projects

What does this ministry provide?
We provide no-cost or minimal-cost minor home repairs and small projects that can be accomplished in about two hours or less.

Who is this ministry for?
We serve seniors, single women, disabled individuals and special needs families who attend Grace Church and have financial need.

Who serves?
A group of men and women volunteer their time, knowledge and skills. They do not guarantee their work or profess to be licensed/bonded/insured.

To submit a need click here.

Transportation Ministry

When a person needs a ride to church or a doctor’s appointment or needs an errand run, this ministry is ready to serve.
Contact: Dennis Barta at 440.243.4885 x117 or [email protected]

Vehicle Donation- To Give or Receive

The church receives passenger vehicles that are in good working order and then gives them to Grace Church individuals in need.

To Donate a Vehicle
1. Contact Pastor Dennis Barta with a description of the vehicle including year, make and model, mileage and condition. Identify any known problems and recent repairs. Please submit a photo or two.
2. The church will have a trusted mechanic do an inspection to verify it’s condition and any needed repairs.
3. If the car passes inspection the church will take possession of the vehicle and transfer the title to the church.
4. The church will provide a completed Form to attach to your Form 1040.

To Request a Vehicle
1. Individuals in need of a donated vehicle should let Pastor Barta know.
2. When a vehicle becomes available, individuals on record will be invited to complete an application. The application is available online and in print.
3. A team will consider each application and decide who will be offered the vehicle.
4. The recipient will transfer the title into their name and take possession.

The church will do its best to ensure that a vehicle is in good working order but cannot assume any responsibility for the vehicle after the recipient takes possession.

Please contact Pastor Barta with any questions.

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
Hebrews 13.16

Opportunities to Serve

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6.2
“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” 1 Corinthians 12:26

As members of God’s family, caring for one another is both a privilege and a responsibility. Consistent and conscientious care in the name of Jesus ensures that the spiritual, emotional, relational and practical needs of people will be met and Christ will be honored.

Sometimes this kind of caring happens spontaneously within families, between friends or in small groups. Other times care will come from volunteers who see this as their calling and ministry in the church.

To serve in the ministry of congregational care, you can start the process by completing the Questionnaire and Background Check form. A criminal background check is also required prior to active volunteering within the ministry.

OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVEOPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE

Prayer Requests
Encourage Me Now

Prayer Requests

Do you have a need that we can bring before the Lord in prayer? God’s Word tells us to, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7). Allow us to pray for you with whatever is on your heart. Submit your request and it will be placed on our Wednesday Mid-Week Connection prayer list.

Submit Prayer Request