Church In Real Life
Warren, Merton & Grace
History matters, offering insights into who we are and where we’re going. Beginning as a small church plant nearly 182 years ago, Grace Hill Church has endured a mixed history of fundamentalism and reformed theology, name changes (there have been three), building changes (over five locations), leadership turnover, and multiple mergers and splits.
How does a small church survive such instability?
Jesus is the Answer
Nine individuals came to the Wisconsin Territory to settle in the Town of Warren (now Village of Merton). On August 31, a local church beagn. Originally named Warren Baptist Church and then for many years First Baptist Church of Merton, our name is now Grace Hill Church.
Three Names, One Gospel Message
Despite the changing landscape of the Merton community, and the regular changes over the years, one thing is certain: God has preserved this church to be a light in our neighborhood for his glory and the joy of Jesus.
Summering Together
The days are getting longer, the evenings are getting warmer, boats are cruising the lakes, and neighbors are working up their gardens. Spring is in full bloom and Summer is around the corner! Though there are more than enough warm weather activities that keep us busy, we want to find time to be together this summer.
Summering Together
Rather than planning summer church events and programs, we want to encourage everyone to join the Grace Hill Church “Summer Group” where every member has the option to invite or join in on any activity or event throughout the summer.
The “Summer” group on Church Center is the Grace Hill hub for all summer activities. If you're heading to a concert at Nixon Park, hiking the Ice Age trail, paddle boarding down the lake, riding bikes on the Bugline, setting up a camping excursion, or venturing off to any community event in the area - just drop a message in the Chat feature and trigger a notification for others in the church to join in on the summer fun! Or better yet, simply join in on the fun as others post their summer adventures and invite you to tag along!
Youth Night
Our next youth night will be Saturday, May 10th from 4-8pm at Grace Hill Church. Come ready to showcase your impressive camp skills in a competitive evening of camp games strung out across the church property. Chef Cody will prepare a cookout meal and share a devotional time in God’s Word.
Saturday, March 10th | 4-8pm
We currently meet once a month to learn and grow. Every meeting is different. Sometimes it's a party. Sometimes it's a service project. Often we have deep theological conversations. 7th-12th graders from inside and outside the church are welcome to join.
Ascension Day
Jesus Went Up
This will be a simple evening to celebrate, reflect and focus on the One who went up. We will begin by gathering on the front lawn to send our prayers and our voices upwards. And then head indoors to indulge on ice cream floats!
Thursday, May 29th @ 7pm
We will have a brief moment to release many things up into the sky (remember the bubbles, pigeons, and fireworks form last year) as a symbolic way to recall the promise that just as some standing by watched Jesus go up, in the same way He will come again!
“When he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” - Acts 1:9–11
Pray Without Ceasing
While we continue to encourage you to gather regularly for prayer during our small groups and in our corporate gathering on Sunday mornings, we remain committed to pursuing additional opportunities to call God’s people towards unity in prayer.
24 Hours of Prayer
Come join fellow brothers and sisters for a special time of prayer at Grace Hill Church. Everyone is welcome to participate however, whenever, and as often as they feel led by the Spirit. The doors of the church will open from Friday, May 16th, beginning at 7pm and then continue through Saturday evening, May 17th at 7pm.
May 16-17th | 7pm-7pm
Whenever you arrive at the church you will find several prayer stations set up throughout the building with guided prayer needs for you to follow at your own pace. In addition to the ongoing self-guided prayer, the pastors will also be providing a guided time of corporate reading of Scripture, responsive reading, and prayer at the top of every hour in the main auditorium.
He Gave His Life
On Sunday, April 27th, we will begin a new sermon series through the Gospel of Mark. Commonly viewed as the earliest, Mark’s gospel was the likely written closest to the actual events of Jesus. This has made Mark the topic of intense study in the so-called “quest for the historic Jesus.” Many scholars believe that in Mark’s Gospel we have the least enhanced and most historical portrayal of Jesus.
The Gospel of Mark
For the first few centuries of the church, Mark’s Gospel was regarded as the least important. This is perhaps not surprising, since Mark is the shortest and about ninety percent of the content is found in either Matthew or Luke.
He Gave His Life
Mark has many unique qualities. Most significantly, in the earliest manuscripts, the Gospel of Mark ends in a strange and abrupt way, with the fear and silence of the women who discover the empty tomb, and with no resurrection appearances. Yet his writing is the most dramatic of all the Gospels. Mark is a fantastic storyteller, with a rapid, lively style and a multitude of vivid details. And most importantly, Mark highlights the life of Jesus, the Son of Man.
The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Mark 10:45
What Goes With Donuts?
Arrive early on Easter morning to celebrate the resurrection of Christ with fellow brothers and sisters of Grace Hill. There will be a breakfast bar and a photo booth beginning at 9am. So come early, enjoy the morning, and share some time with one another!
Breakfast | 9am
Grace Hill will provide the drinks and donuts. You bring whatever else you need to make the breakfast complete! Bring on the egg dishes, ham, and bacon!
Worship | 10am
It Is Finished
Join us on Friday, April 18th at 7pm for a time to remember Christ’s finished work on the cross through song, scripture and prayer.
April 18th @ 7pm
“Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
Isaiah 53:4–6
Youth Seder
Our next youth night will be Saturday, April 12th from 4-8pm at the Enge Home. Join us for a traditional Passover dinner, often called a Seder. This is an immersive meal filled with Gospel saturated imagery. It’s a meal that points us to the cross of Christ, and his victory over sin and suffering. Come ready to feast and reflect on what Jesus came to earth to accomplish on our behalf.
Saturday, April 12th | 4-8pm
We currently meet once a month to learn and grow. Every meeting is different. Sometimes it's a party. Sometimes it's a service project. Often we have deep theological conversations. 7th-12th graders from inside and outside the church are welcome to join.