Grace Presbyterian Church

09/11/2026

Dear Friends,

This week, Matthew's gospel continues last week's story about confronting someone in the church who has hurt you. In response to Jesus instructions for doing this, Peter asks him how many times he should forgive someone who hurts him. Peter thinks he is being generous by offering to forgive seven times, but Jesus suggests he needs to forgive 77 times.
Forgiveness, according to Jesus, is not about counting the number of times you extend it, but a way of living in response to our own experience of being forgiven. Clearly, it isn’t easy, so Jesus tells a story about a man who owes a debt he can't repay and how the person he owes the money, amazingly, forgives the debt. Then, this same man goes to a friend who owes him a lot less money. Rather than forgiving the debt, he throws him in jail.
Having received forgiveness, you would think the man might extend a little grace to his friend.
Why do we find this so hard to do? What is forgiveness, anyway? Does it mean we have to forget the wrong done to us?
Join us Sunday as we explore this challenging story.
Caroline

SUNDAY WORSHIP
September 13, 2026
11:00 AM
16th Sunday after Pentecost

Preacher/Celebrant: Rev. Caroline M. Kelly
Welcome: Matt Orndorff
Liturgist: Natalie Adams
Organist: Dr. Michael Delfin
Director of Music and Worship Arts: Dr. Leslie Poss
Scripture: Genesis 50:15-21, Psalm 103:8-13, Matthew 18:21-35
Anthem: "Sweet Rivers of Mercy" Sheldon Curry
Communion Bread Baker: Ralph Lane
To view/print this Sunday's bulletin, click here:
https://gracetuscaloosa-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/office_gracetuscaloosa_org/IQCSKrc7plYeQaanAkInTq5_AY7RegKLtjyM0j2ZipG5MSY?rtime=ERwaY04Q30g

Children in Worship:
Childcare is offered for infants to age four in the nursery, from 9:30am-12:30pm.
Worship bags designed for children in the pews are located in the Prayground.
The Prayground is designed for children four and younger, where they are invited to play quietly. All children are invited to come forward for the Time with Young Disciples and then go to StoryPath, returning later for communion.

Missed a Sunday?
Past services may be viewed on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/gracetuscaloosa.

09/11/2026

09/11/2026

ANTI-DEATH PENALTY VIGIL
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

11:30 AM-12:00 PM
On the corner in front of
Grace Presbyterian Church

Grace serves as the site for Alabama death penalty vigils in Tuscaloosa. We will host a vigil in connection with the planned ex*****on of Jeffery Lee on September 17. We have a number of signs for folks to hold, but encourage you to bring your own, if you have one.

Please join us as we bear witness to God's love and mercy for all people. Click here for more information about Jeffery Lee and Project Hope Against the Death Penalty:
https://www.phadp.org/ex*****on-alert-11/

If you haven't already, please contact Gov. Ivey to ask to grant clemency.

09/06/2026

Worship September 6, 2026

09/05/2026

Dear Friends,

During my sermon preparation this week, I came across this clever quote: "Whenever two or three are gathered ... it can be really hard to get along." Perhaps that's overstating the case a bit, but it's a helpful reminder, nonetheless, that conflict is inevitable when people hold different opinions.
Conflict is not an inherently bad thing. When it is addressed in healthy ways, it provides an opportunity for creative solutions and stronger relationships. But conflict, when it is not handled in healthy ways, can be very destructive.
God's church is not a group of like-minded people (thank God), so naturally we are not exempt from conflict, either. In Sunday's gospel reading, Jesus helps us come to terms with this reality and offers us a way to restore our relationships when we hurt each other. More importantly, Jesus promises to be present with us, even in the messy stuff ... whenever two or more are gathered.
In such divisive times, God knows, we need each other more than ever.

With gratitude and hope,
Caroline

SUNDAY WORSHIP
September 6, 2026
11:00 AM
15th Sunday after Pentecost

Preacher/Celebrant: Rev. Caroline M. Kelly
Welcome: Caroline Kelly
Liturgist: Adam Miller
Organist: Dr. Michael Delfin
Director of Music and Worship Arts: Dr. Leslie Poss
Scripture: Romans 13:8-10, Psalm 119:33-40, Matthew 18:15-20
Anthem: "Joined Together as One Body" James and Marilyn Biery
Communion Bread Baker: Ralph Lane
To view/print this Sunday's bulletin, click here:
https://gracetuscaloosa-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/office_gracetuscaloosa_org/IQBJ4avEn-2zRIJRfLDlWm-bASV66Y4TdllczOTuKBKIChE?rtime=-KugyuIK30g

Children in Worship:
Childcare is offered for infants to age four in the nursery, from 9:30 am-12:30 pm.
Worship bags designed for children in the pews are located in the Prayground.
The Prayground is designed for children four and younger, where they are invited to play quietly. All children are invited to come forward for the Time with Young Disciples and then go to StoryPath, returning later for communion.

Missed a Sunday?
Past services may be viewed on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/gracetuscaloosa.