Welcome to the home page for Grays River United Methodist Church. Our church is one of the oldest the valley and is enriched with the generational wisdow dating back more than a century. We are an open and welcoming group who love to see new faces. Come and experience our friendly community. Children's time is featured each Sunday, with Sunday school lessons starting in the Fall based on the One Room School House
Got questions? Need to connect? At Grays River United Methodist Church, we believe that God is at work in you.
Come join us in worship with our Pastor Pam Brokaw.
After Jesus was crucified and resurrected from the dead, the Apostles went out into the world. With the truth of God and God's power flowing through them, they spoke of the truth of Christ and God's love for all people.
They made a lot of noise.
How much noise are we making?... [read full article]
Pastor Pam
29-December-2012
The Gospel of Luke 2 tells the story of the time the then 12-year-old Jesus journeyed with his parents, Mary and Joseph, to Jerusalem for the festival of Passover. When the festivities were over, the family headed back home. But Jesus had remained behind. His parents looked for three days... [read full article]
So many of us remember the hymn "Jesus Loves Me," and yet so many of us struggle with really believing that he does.
God's love, the love of Jesus Christ, is that wonderful gift that is given to us so freely and yet it is often so illusive. What keeps us... [read full article]
Pastor Pam
28-December-2011
This time of year many of us contemplate the future. We may ask: "What is my path? What will the future hold? Is there hope for a better future? Where to begin?"
Philippians 4:13 points the way with the words: "I can do all things through him who strengthens me."
At Grays... [read full article]
by Minister Pam Brokaw
What a blessing to be here as Minister at Grays River United Methodist Church!
I am so excited to be part of a worship and fellowship history in the community
that goes back many, many years. We love Jesus in Grays River and we show our love in... [read full article]
Pastor Richenda
23-June-2011
Time grows short. This will be my last Sunday at Grays River United Methodist Church, and I am so very grateful to have been a part of the Grays River community for the last two years! We have done so much to further our commitment to God’s work and God’s... [read full article]
Pastor Richenda
16-June-2011
This Sunday, June 19, will be our annual Blessing of the Animal's worship service. God blessed the animals God created on the fifth day of creation, celebrating all of creation and calling it 'very good.' As Christians, we deeply respect all that God has created, and this Sunday we take... [read full article]
Pastor Richenda
21-May-2011
I am hoping now that the infamous May 21 “doomsday” deadline has come and gone, we can return to a sense of normalcy in our lives. It makes me frustrated when Christian teachings are distorted in order to frighten and cajole people. I ran into someone at the market quaking... [read full article]
Pastor Richenda
14-May-2011
Rosburg hall is all decked out and ready for tea goers to come and enjoy a lovely tea-and-fruit-and-sandwiches luncheon. Come and enjoy the fun. Our theme this year is "A Home-Sweet-Home Photo Album" and a chance to reminisce about the Grays River of long ago. There are also a number... [read full article]
Pastor Richenda
24-March-2011
Update! We packaged 10 complete kits and they were sent out March 30. May they be a blessing to each family who receives them.
Grays River UMC is responding to the crisis in Japan by putting together 'Layette Kits' for infants in need. These kits are organized and shipped through the... [read full article]
Pastor Richenda
07-March-2011
Wednesday, March 9th at 5:00pm please join us for an Ash Wednesday service, a time of reflection and return.
What is Ash Wednesday?
Ash Wednesday is the day Christians celebrate the beginning of Lent. Lent is a time of reflection, and an opportunity to encounter the light that lives within you... [read full article]
Pastor Richenda
28-February-2011
I don't know about you, but I love reading stories about real people who have done amazing things with their lives. I saw this video from a friend's facebook page, and I just had to post it here. Imagine a world where this is no suffering...perhaps we will never know... [read full article]
Pastor Richenda
27-February-2011
Regrettably, due to snow and winter weather, Grays River Church's Potato Luncheon and Sunday Services are canceled for February 27. The Potato Luncheon is rescheduled for next Sunday, March 7th. [read full article]
Pastor Richenda
21-February-2011
I have been inspired over the past week by a few TED Talks. For those who aren't familiar with TED talks, these are presentations by leading technologists and scientists which are video taped and posted online. Many of these talks are fascinating, and one I saw recently by Nicholas Christakis... [read full article]
Pastor Richenda
28-January-2011
Upcoming! February 27th from 11:30am to 1:00pm is our annual baked potato luncheon (with all the trimmings!) This is our annual opportunity to support the Sunday School...not to mention it is always fun to get together and share a meal. All are very, very welcome.
(This poster in... [read full article]
Pastor Richenda
22-January-2011
Nothing But Nets is a United Methodist organization that seeks to find an end to Malaria. In many African countries life is hard enough. Nothing But Nets strives to do one simple thing: to make bed netting available so that people can sleep without fear that they or their children... [read full article]
Pastor Richenda
16-January-2011
Regrets, but due to the rain and flooding worship services and fellowship is canceled at Grays River United Methodist Church. Stay warm and dry, and we will see you next week. Prayers for all those who must travel today. [read full article]
Pastor Richenda
31-December-2010
Just a quick note to wish everyone a very blessed 2011.
As celebrations for the new year ring out all over the globe, 2011 rolls over across date lines, continents, and oceans. Though not all of us share the same calendar or mark the same day as bringing the new... [read full article]
Pastor Richenda
01-December-2010
Charged up for Charge Conference?
In the United Methodist Tradition, we hold a special meeting every year called the Charge Conference. The Charge Conference is an opportunity to come together as a church community and have a voice in some of the big picture business of church life. Issues discussed are... [read full article]
Pastor Richenda
01-December-2010
Advent is here! Advent is the weeks leading up to Christmas and Grays River United Methodist Church will present their annual Christmas Program this year on December 19, at 5:00 pm.
To see this poster in a larger size, click here.
All are welcome! Come and celebrate Christmas with us.
[read full article]
Pastor Richenda
28-November-2010
Amazing, wonderful, inspiring, awesome!
What is a Flash Mob? For those who don't know, a 'Flash Mob' is a group of people who assemble and suddenly make themselves visible within an otherwise anonymous crowd for the purposes of doing something random and/or unexpected. It is harmless and fun, and can be... [read full article]
Pastor Richenda
24-November-2010
I sit here at the laptop at the cusp of Thanksgiving (it is 11:50 pm) and I am contemplating the big bowl of jello cooling in the fridge, the big bowl of stuffing cooling in the garage (because there is no more room in the fridge) and the turkey awaiting... [read full article]
Pastor Richenda
19-November-2010
This video is absolutely too cute not to repost. I don't know the little girl or her family, but her rendition of the story of Jonah and the Whale is well worth watching.
The video was uploaded to the vimeo site (http://vimeo.com/16404771) by the Corinth Baptist Church.
[read full article]
Pastor Richenda
15-November-2010
We have had the opportunity this week to take a look at prayer, specifically, the Lord's Prayer.
Many people know the Lord's Prayer by heart, or they are at least very familiar with it. If you know any of the bible, you know this. We get the Lord's Prayer as we... [read full article]
Pastor Richenda
05-November-2010
Recently, the Skamokawa and Grays River United Methodist Churches had the honor to sponsor a talk by United Methodist photojournalist and missionary Paul Jeffrey.
Paul Jeffrey is a senior correspondent for the United Methodist Women's magazine Response, and he also works with Act Alliance an organization of... [read full article]
Pastor Richenda
01-November-2010
During the first century, the phrase ‘Jesus is Lord’ was used as a contrast to the popular greeting amongst Roman citizens who said ‘Caesar is Lord.’ Because early Jesus followers refused to swear allegiance to the Roman empire (and its wars and merchants and kings, Rev 12), the empire saw... [read full article]
Pastor Richenda
29-October-2010
We are concluding our seven week sermon series on the bible. During these seven weeks, we have moved through the bible starting with Creation, and ending this Sunday with the Book of Revelation. Whew! It's been an informational series, and a chance to take a look at our bible as... [read full article]
Pastor Richenda
24-October-2010
What a success!! Thank you to everyone who came to help and support the Grays River Bazaar this year. It was a whole lot of fun and we served up a whole lot of delicious stew and cookies.
If you didn't get a chance to come by, our bazaar is... [read full article]
Pastor Richenda
15-October-2010
Another week has passed and I have noticed this one has been a little stressful for me. I have a number of commitments this week, in addition to a scheduled clergy retreat. All the things I have planned are worthy and I am looking forward to them. But even worthy... [read full article]
Pastor Richenda
12-October-2010
As I write this the 33 miners in Chile are being rescued one by one. The sense of relief for the families must be overwhelming. We pray for the families and for the continued success of the rescue. How wonderful is it that so many have pulled so much together... [read full article]
Pastor Richenda
09-October-2010
Please think carefully before you say something as hurtful as ‘Yoga is Demonic.’
First. What does ‘Demonic’ even mean?
Biblically, ‘Demonic’ is a word often used to describe darkness, specifically darkness outside of God. As to what is essential about God, we know that God is described as... [read full article]
Pastor Richenda
02-October-2010
I wanted to follow up Bible recommendations for grownups (find that article here) with Bible recommendations for children. There are so many fabulous resources for children that I cannot mention them all here--not a chance. But I am going to pull out just a few from the pack.
Remember,... [read full article]
Pastor Richenda
01-October-2010
This has been a short week for me. My week began with a gathering of all United Methodist Clergy in the Pacific Northwest Conference in Wenatchee, Washington. We had the opportunity to spend three days together with the cabinet and the bishop to discuss the state of our churches and... [read full article]
Pastor Richenda
21-September-2010
What's upcoming? September 26 is our harvest dinner at the church and we have been inviting friends and family to attend and enjoy a meal with us! It should be deeeelicious!
[read full article]
Pastor Richenda
15-September-2010
This Sunday we begin a new sermon series. This one explores the bible, and over the next few weeks we will have the opportunity to look at this Good Book and try to understand how and why it came to be. We will also be touching in on a number... [read full article]
Pastor Richenda
14-September-2010
Recently we did a service on a difficult topic, the reality of death and dying. We know that death is part of life, but we often do not encounter death and therefore it can be hard to know what to say when we do.
Death is hard enough for us... [read full article]
Pastor Richenda
10-September-2010
This Sunday is a very special Sunday, and for a number of reasons. First, we as a congregation have the opportunity to say 'thank you' to those who have made special memorial contributions to the church, dedicating those things to God and the community of God. Local families are the... [read full article]
Pastor Richenda
09-September-2010
A few services back, I tried to share a short video produced by the group United Methodist Women. Those who were there know it didn't go that well! :-) As such, I promised to post on the site as soon as it was up.
So here's a link to the video:
[read full article]
Pastor Richenda
06-September-2010
We wrapped up our 'Life is Great!' series with a wonderful service and picnic lunch complete all the best picnic stuff and capped with s'mores! Thank you to Ann and Mary for the idea, the fire, and all the fixings. I haven't had a s'more in years and it was... [read full article]
Pastor Richenda
04-September-2010
Below is a reprint of an article from the Grays River Builder published by H. Alta Meserve in 1923. The article was transcribed from clippings, and tells the story of the Grays River Church.
Founded Upon the Sweetest hope in the World, the Promise that Comes Down... [read full article]
Pastor Richenda
02-September-2010
This week we finish up a six week series on the story of the Good Samaritan. We used this story to take a look at how the behavior of the characters in the story can be like the people we know, and like the organizations we all belong too. We... [read full article]
Pastor Richenda
31-August-2010
We are a United Methodist Church! That means we are part of the largest denomination of Christian Churches in America. There are United Methodists all over the world and we are a bunch of 'do gooders' seeking to better understand ourselves, our God, and to make this world a better... [read full article]
Pastor Richenda
31-August-2010
Our ministries are many and varied. Our local community includes the people of Grays River, Rosburg, & Naselle,but we extend our reach as far as possible. We have an active women's group, our Friendship Circle, that holds events year round to support our ministries.
We also offer children's Sunday School, and... [read full article]
Pastor Richenda
31-August-2010
To forgive means ‘to give away.’ It means that the debt you are holding you are going to write off. Instead of holding on for that last dime you feel you are owed, you are going to let go and walk away, or let go and let live. It doesn’t... [read full article]
Pastor Richenda
04-August-2010
Coming [read full article]
