God Upholds Us

This past Sunday was Good Shepherd Sunday and I'd like to share some of my sermon insights about how God upholds us, which is one of the core values of Grace.

"Sheep need three things for well-being and an abundant life: good pastureland, adequate water, and safe paths, but sheep cannot secure their needs and or defend themselves. Jesus literally lays down his life for his sheep.  Think about that one, Jesus is lying across your doorway.  What holds all these images together is compassion and concern for the sheep.  Jesus offers to uphold means to comfort us, to protect us, to defend us and keep us.

One of the core values of Grace is that you uphold each other. You are shepherds to each other. You defend and keep each other straight; you support and sustain each other from falling.  And you call each other, anyone of you can turn to one other in the darkness and share Christ’s love, and in that, you uphold one another, serving as an example to those in and outside the flock. 

Many years from now, the story of Grace will be told, people will say that we prayed together, grieved together, worked together, celebrated together, learned together, comforted, and gathered together every chance we could, to eat–to break bread in remembrance of Jesus, and recognizing the risen Christ here in our midst.  And just as a shepherd knows their sheep, you will be known not only as a parish, as a flock, but as individuals as well who knew each other’s strengths and hidden weaknesses. You are the voice of Jesus, calling us and upholding us.

In a dangerous world, the assurance that the shepherd is there and will never leave the sheep to fend for itself means that it can graze and rest in peace.  God knows us each by name; God is concerned for us. God loves us. God uphold us."

Fr. Munoz

If you have any needs, please do not hesitate to call at 

858-395-0203 or email Fr. Munoz

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Sunday Service

April 28th

8:30 & 10 a.m.

The 10 a.m. will also be on YouTube

Bible Study and Healing Service

May 1st

10 a.m.

Welcome to our newly Baptized members,

Liam, Tiana, and Solomon Ruiz

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Vida Joven Foundation

Beth Beall, executive director, will join us this Sunday at both the 8:30 and 10:00 a.m. services to share the mission of Vida Joven and stories of the amazing children the Vida Joven Foundation supports. Vida Joven exists to love, protect, and educate orphaned and migrant children in Tijuana and Ensenada Mexico. Vida Joven is a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego. A Grace trip to the orphanage in Tijuana is planned for Saturday, June 8. Sign-up sheets will be available or register here  To learn more about Vida Joven or to make a donation visit their website at vjkids.org

Sacred Trails: Last Chance to Register for Your Hike!

This weekend, in partnership with the EDSD Creation Care Community, Sacred Trails is providing an opportunity to hike and pray in God's creation. With four hikes offered around our diocese, participants are invited to pick the time and difficulty level that works best for them. Go here to register.

**If you have an upcoming event or need an announcement made**

please email gracesmcommunications@gmail.com 

with your information by Tuesday of each week.

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Prayer List & Ministry

Please contact Pam Wheatland or Fr. Munoz to add a name to the prayer list. Names will be on the list for three weeks and/or ongoing.  

If you are interested in being a part of the Prayer Ministry,

please contact Pam Wheatland

TENS: Sharpen Your Stewardship Toolkit

On Wednesday, May 15, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m., all stewardship committee chairs, members, and practitioners of all levels of experience are invited to a virtual workshop with EDSD and TENS (The Episcopal Network for Stewardship). Together, we’ll learn some best practices for faith-based fundraising and how to create and promote mission-focused campaigns in your congregation. Please register today. The sessions will be recorded and sent to everyone who registers.

General Convention: Ask Me Anything Zoom

Join Bishop Susan Brown Snook, the Rev. Hannah Wilder, and

Rachel Ambasing for a live "Ask Me Anything About General Convention" Zoom session on May 29 at 5:30 p.m. This is your opportunity to engage directly and ask any questions you have regarding the upcoming General Convention. Feel free to submit up to three questions for our speakers. Please share this unique chance to gain insights and have General Convention questions addressed with your congregations. Go here for more information.

Evangelism 101 Course

Students will discuss the theological roots of the gospel and how to lead a congregation toward evangelistic practice by example.

For more information go here. Classes will be held online every

Thursday in June from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.