Inside Grace | December 2025

Written By Randi Kisner

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO FEEL LIKE AN INSIDER AT GRACE

 

Christmas Eve Services | December 24 | 2:00, 3:30 + 5:00 PM

Worship the birth of our Lord with us this Christmas Eve! Services will be held at 2:00 PM, 3:30 PM, and 5:00 PM. Childcare (for kids up to 5 years old) will be available at all three services times.

Kids “Christmas Workshop” | Saturday morning, December 13th

Grace Kids! We’re hosting a special Christmas Gift-Making Party where YOU get to make a secret gift for Mom! This event is designed with dads in mind—but if Dad can’t come, don’t worry! Bring another important grown-up (just not Mom, because spoilers!) Come grab some hot cocoa and leave with a gift for Mom! Sign ups available by clicking the image above!

Grace Kids in the Worship service | Sunday, December 14th

We will have the kids join us in the worship service on the 14th to sing and celebrate the Christmas season together. 

We will also be celebrating child dedications in the services on that day. If you would like to dedicate your young child, please contact Pastor Bob.

Leader Spotlight: Josie Ramirez

Last month we let you know that Josie Ramirez is our new Director of Children’s Ministry. Here are eight reasons I (Pastor Bob) am excited to have Josie leading in this way: 

  1. Josie’s heart for Christ - Nothing else on this list would matter if Josie’s heart wasn’t in ministry for the right reasons. I’ve seen over the years I’ve known her a deep passion to know Christ and make him known to others. 

  2. Josie’s biblical and theological insight - It can be a difficult thing to distill complicated, eternal truths into simple messages, and having a seminary-trained Children’s Director is quite a gift for our church. 

  3. Josie’s love for people (Kids, Teachers, and Parents) - When kids come to Grace, we want them to learn they are loved by God in our words AND in our actions. Josie leads with her heart, and we’re stronger for that. 

  4. Josie’s leadership skills - Children’s Ministry is a complicated department. There is a lot to stay on top of, and at the same time keep volunteers motivated to serve. Josie’s ability to recruit volunteers to a compelling mission is a sign of her leadership gifting. 

  5. Josie’s parenting experience - While you don’t have to be a parent yourself to be effective with kids, it sure helps other parents have confidence that you are empathetic at what we’re going through.

  6. Josie’s relational capacity - The scope of Josie’s ministry encapsulates literally the whole lifespan of the church (when we include both kids and volunteers). I’m so impressed at her ability to relate to a wide variety of backgrounds, ages, and life experiences. 

  7. Josie’s passion for outreach - One of the things that I’m excited for you to see in the months to come is Josie’s passion to reach our community. Our church was founded in 1944 to reach kids and students in Seal Beach, and Josie’s heart is to continue that today. 

  8. Josie’s connection to Grace Seal Beach - Josie has been an effective leader here for a number of years and holds our church’s DNA in her heart. It’s exciting to me to have a leader in Grace Kids like that! 

 
 

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES: DECEMBER 2025

This December, we’re bringing back our annual “Devotional Resources Table.” Each year our staff comes up with books and other resources to help you spend time with God each day. 

You can purchase any of these resources directly from Amazon or other sellers, but if you’d like to pick them up in person (often at a supplemented discount from the church), they’ll be on the patio for the month of December (while supplies last).

 
 

2026 Elder Board Update 

Thank you to those of you who attended the Annual Congregational Meeting last month. At that meeting, the members affirmed the budget and elder nominees (Paul Kneeland, Glen Fukumura, and Ben Badgett) by overwhelming majorities. At the close of the meeting, we mistakenly said that the votes were all unanimous, which was incorrect. 

For 2026, the leadership of the elder board will remain the same for another year, with Greg Bartleson serving as Chairman and Paul Kneeland serving as Vice-Chairman.


Here is the full list of elders for 2026: 

  • Glen Fukumura (Finance, Facilities, Children’s Ministry) 

  • Paul Kneeland (Security, Mission, Vice-Chairman) 

  • Greg Bartleson (Life Groups, Student Ministry, Chairman) 

  • Steve Williams (Seniors Ministry, Stephen Ministry) 

  • Tom Enyart (Adult Ministry, Secretary)

  • Ben Badgett (Stewardship)  

  • Chris Howard (Worship Pastor) 

  • Jason Ricafranca (Associate Pastor) 

  • Bob Wriedt (Senior Pastor) 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

Grace Kids Christmas Workshop | December 13 | 9:00 AM

Grace Kids will be hosting a Saturday morning workshop for Dads and Kids to prepare for Christmas. We’ll help dads have a spiritually significant conversation with their kids about Christmas, and build a special gift for mom.

SIGN UP | CHRISTMAS WORKSHOP

Grace Kids in Worship Service + Child Dedication | December 14

We will have the kids join us in the worship service on the 14th to sing and celebrate the Christmas season together. We will also be dedicating young children to the Lord that day, as well.

Christmas Eve Worship Services | December 24

We will have three all-ages services: 

2:00 pm, 3:30 pm , and 5:00 pm 
Nursery/toddler childcare (up to 5 years old) will be available for all three services.

Student Ministry Winter Camp | January 16-19, 2026

 
 
 
 

MONTHLY FINANCIAL UPDATE

MONTHLY FINANCIAL UPDATE:

  • Budget through Oct 31, 2025 - $1,104,140

    Expenses through Oct 31, 2025 - $1,061,141

    Giving through Oct 31, 2025 - $1,057,234

    Giving through Oct 31, 2024 - $992,044

WORSHIP ATTENDANCE

WORSHIP SERVICE ATTENDANCE

  • 2022 Worship service average = 274 

  • 2023 Worship service average = 291 

  • 2024 Worship service average = 317 

  • 2025 Worship service average = 322

 
 
Randi Kisner
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Inside Grace | November 2025