The Grace of God.

3. It keeps happening…again and again… and I can’t stop it, not that I want to. Everywhere I look, each place I am, wherever I travel…. I see it, I experience it…. I don’t ask for it….it just happens… It is a gift…..given freely. I can’t do anything to make it happen….and you certainly can’t buy it or earn it… It’s amazing…….almost indescribable…… to know that I am loved….for who I am not judging me by what I say, where I was born, my status, colour, faith….. … but loved completely as me… And there are no conditions…..only this overwhelming sense of being loved…… This is GRACE ………God’s love, freely given, totally undeserved, in Jesus. And there are no conditions…..only this overwhelming sense of being loved…… This is GRACE ………God’s love, freely given, totally undeserved, in Jesus. And it keeps happening….all around me…as people offer their love to others…freely, without condition……total…..complete……undeserved… Grace releasing grace to build on grace to offer grace ….until one day the whole of creation with be full of grace ….. full of God…. Stephen Poxon, President of the Methodist Conference 2008/2009

4. The grace of the spirit comes only from heaven, and lights up the whole bodily presence. Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892) Grace comes into the soul, as the morning sun into the world; first a dawning, then a light; and at last the sun in his full and excellent brightness. Thomas Adams (1583?-1652 )

5. Plenteous grace with thee is found, Grace to cover all my sin; Let the healing streams abound, Make and keep me pure within. Charles Wesley (1707-1788) Grace is an energy; not a mere sentiment; not a mere thought of the Almighty; not even a word of the Almighty. It is as real an energy as the energy of electricity. It is a divine energy; it is the energy of the divine affection rolling in plenteousness toward the shores of human need. Benjamin Jowett (1817-1893)

6. When I selfishly cried for milk or comfort, you loved me. When I hit my brother and watched him cry, you loved me. When I told a lie to get out of trouble, you loved me. When I said those words that hurt so many, you loved me. When I put myself first and my family second, you loved me. When I consumed more than I really needed, you loved me. When I took for granted those who care for me, you loved me. Through all the stages of life, you loved me. Love without question, Love without measure, Love that know no bounds, Love undeserved. Graciou s God, thank you. Amen. Richard Vautrey, Vice-President of the Methodist Conference 2009/2010

7. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 (NRSV) Grace can pardon our ungodliness and justify us with Christ’s righteousness; it can put the spirit of Jesus Christ within us; it can help us when we are down; it can heal us when we are wounded; it can multiply pardons, as we, through frailty, multiply transgressions. John Bunyan (1628-1688)

8. A heron swooping low over the water A pas de deux exquisitely performed The high jump executed to perfection What grace , we say. It fills us with wonder. We marvel at the gift of beauty in motion. And your grace , O God - love freely given. It fills us with wonder. We marvel at the gift of beauty in action. David Walton, Vice-President of the Methodist Conference 2008/2009

10. God of glory, through your amazing grace set all free from fear set all free from hate. Through your amazing Grace set all free for compassionate service set all free for just living. May your free grace overwhelm each and all to the glory of your name. Amen. Peter Whittaker, Chair of West Yorkshire District How can you sing of amazing grac e and all God’s wonders without using your hands? Mahalia Jackson (1911-1972)

11. [The Lord] said to me, “My g r ace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities for the sake of Christ: for whenever I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NRSV)

12. Christ is no Moses, no exactor, no giver of laws, but a giver of grace , a Saviour; he is infinite mercy and goodness, freely and bountifully given to us. Martin Luther (1483-1546) Govern our minds, O Lord, with your wisdom and our hearts with your infinite grace . Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) O for a thousand tongues to sing My great Redeemer’s praise, The glories of my God and King, The triumphs of his grace ! Charles Wesley (1707-1788)

13. Grant us grace , O Father, to address you with our hearts as well as our lips; to find you in strange places as well as the expected; and to wait for you in the secret sigh as much as in the song of praise. Amen. Jane Austen (1775 -1817) If the Lord be with us, we have no cause of fear. His eye is upon us, his arm over us, his ear open to our prayer – his grace sufficient, his promises unchangeable. John Newton (1725 -1807)

14. Grace , grace , God’s grace , Grace that will pardon and cleanse within; Grace , grace , God’s grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin! Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold, Threaten the soul with infinite loss; Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold, Points to the refuge, the mighty cross. Julia H Johnston (1849-1919) The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. 2 Corinthians 13:13 (NRSV)