Published: February 14, 2008 10:52 am         

7,750 ounces of chocolate, hand-delivered

Grace Community Church’s “blue crew” is sweetening up the Maple City today for Valentine’s Day.

Around the city, the blue crew — named because they wear bright blue sweatshirts and T-shirts with the church’s name on them — will randomly hand-deliver to people 5,000 1.55-ounce bars of Hershey chocolate.

Crews were out this morning and will continue handing out Hershey bars from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.

“There’s nothing quite like a delicious bar of chocolate, but that doesn’t begin to compare to what Jesus has to offer us and it’s all free,” said the Rev. Jim Brown, lead pastor at Grace Community Church. “We want our shoppers and business owners to know without a doubt on Thursday that no one loves them more than Jesus. In fact, that is what the Valentine’s Day card says that will be passed out with the Hershey bars. There are so many people out there who are hurting and alone on Valentine’s Day and just need to know that someone loves them and that someone is Jesus. So if one person comes to know that, it’s worth all 7,750 ounces.”

“Our theme this year at Grace is ‘raise the bar,’ and we are constantly trying to think outside the box as we reach out to people,” Brown said. “Jesus tried different ways to connect with people and that’s what we’re trying to do. We just want to get out of the way and let Jesus take charge. As people eat that last piece of chocolate and wad up that wrapper, we will be praying that they will have a desire to know the everlasting goodness there is with knowing Jesus.”

A large group of college students will be involved with the blitz. “Having them onboard makes it really special,” Brown said. “We have a group of high school graduates from all over the country who are taking a year of intensive study for college credit right here at our church. They live with families in our church and take classes online through a Christian university.

“They are also taking trips to Vietnam, Israel and to model churches and organizations throughout the country as part of this year of training. They have been serving in our outreaches and other church activities and events this year here at Grace, and it’s been great having them here. The only problem is keeping them out of the chocolate.”

For more information about Grace, call 533-7546 or go to www.gracecommunity-church. com.