Pastor Paul's Paragraphs

      It is with mixed emotions that I look forward to another new year. I love the holiday season. I love focusing on our Lord's coming to earth, the family gather-ings, the decorations, the programs and parties. It is an exciting time of year and quite enjoyable to me. I also feel sad when the decorations come down, get packed away, and put back into the attic, closet, basement, or garage shelf. Yet the New Year brings with it a special something that reminds me of a fresh snow. Everything is new, unspoiled and full of hope and promise. There is one resolution I will not be making this New Year. I will not be making that renewed determination to loose weight. The reason for avoiding this one resolution is the simple fact that Joyce and I have already decided in October of 2006 to start doing some things differently and we are.

      For Joyce and I, the New Year provides both a time of reflection and a time of anticipation. 2006 included several major events and blessings in our home. These events included the addition of two sons-in-law to the family. Kristi was married to Sean Haugan in February and Jill was married to Andrew Hunter in June. In between these weddings was my Dad's graduation as he joined the heavenly host of saints after a seven year bout with cancer.

     I suspect that Dad finally celebrated Christmas last month without all the distractions of the holiday season that so frustrated him in the past. 2006 has truly been a year of transition for Joyce and me. Our auto insurance is much cheaper, the utility bills have gone down, the amounts of groceries coming into the house have diminished, and the rooms in the house are being reclaimed with changing purpose. We travel with greater ease, eat out with less expense, have additional time to serve the Lord, and are rediscovering what "just the two of us" does mean.

      As we anticipate 2007, we look forward to the Lord's continued guidance and blessing in our lives. He is so very precious to both of us. God has placed us amongst a wonderful body of believers and has granted us the privilege of ministry along side of each and every one of you. Our theme for this year will be displayed in the auditorium on January 7th: My Neighbor – My Mission. As we reach out and serve the Lord together, my prayer is that we will have a new and renewed energy in the area of sharing our faith. In 2006 we saw the birth of a large number of babies here at Grace and our nursery is a very exciting place to be on Sunday morning. In 2007 I pray we will see the reality of many being born into the family of God and Grace will once again be an exciting place to be. My Neighbor – My Mission, something to think about as we move into a brand new year that the Lord has blessed us with.

      Happy New Year,

      Pastor Paul

Kids Korner - Pastor Greg

      Happy New Year! With every new year comes talk of "resolutions." Allow me to share with you something written by the great reformer Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758). The language is old, but it certainly gives us all a sense of what we should really "resolve" for this year!

      "Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God's help, I do humbly entreat Him, by His grace, to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to His will, for Christ's sake. I will remember to read over these Resolutions once a week:

     1. Resolved, That I will do whatsoever I think to be most to the glory of God, and my own good, profit, and pleasure, in the whole of my duration; without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence.

     2. Resolved, to do whatever I think to be my duty, and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general.

     3. Resolved, Never to lose one moment of time, but to improve it in the most profitable way I possibly can.

     4. Resolved, To live with all my might, while I do live.

     5. Resolved, Never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.

     6. Resolved, Never to do anything out of revenge.

     7. Resolved, Never to speak evil of any one, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.

     8. Resolved, To study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly, and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive, myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.

     9. Resolved, Never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession which I cannot hope God will accept.

     10. Resolved, To ask myself, at the end of every day, week, month, and year, wherein I could possibly, in any respect, have done better.

     11. Resolved, Never to give over, nor in the least to slacken, my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.

     12. Resolved, After afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them; what good I have got by them, and what I might have got by them.

     13. Resolved, Always to do that which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it.

     14. Let there be some-thing of benevolence in all that I speak."

     (From the Works of Jonathan Edwards, Vol.1)

      What will you "resolve" this year? To lose more weight? To watch less TV? To spend more time with your family? These are all noble, but above all, may we resolve to better follow in the footsteps of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. More time in the Word, more time in prayer, more time with God's people - may it be said of each of us this year.

      Tracy and I wish you all

     a very blessed 2007.

      Pastor Greg

Faith Promise Conference 2007

My Neighbor - My Mission

Show your support on Sunday, January 21, as we kick-off our Faith Promise Missions Conference with our missionaries from West Africa, Tim and Esther Neufeld. Come and hear how your faithful giving is reaching people for Christ all over the world. At 5 PM, join us for a casserole potluck in the gym.

Missionary Cupboard Update

As we prepare for our Missions Conference, we are asking for donations to refill the Missionary Cupboard. So many of the missionaries have been blessed by your giving. We need your help with the following items: restaurant gift cards, 39 cent postage stamps, thank you notes, Wal-Mart gift cards and gas cards. If you have any questions, please see Sharon Schultz.

Nursery Coordinator Needed

Grace Baptist Church is looking for someone with a passion for babies & toddlers. We currently are in need of someone that can come alongside Pastor Greg and help with the scheduling and maintenance of the church’s nursery. If you are looking for a fulfilling ministry opportunity, see Pastor Greg as soon as possible.

King's Daughters

"Our Hope When Times Are Hard"

The first meeting will be on Saturday, January 27, at 9:00 AM in Gym Room 10. For more information see Vicki Gasperoni at the sign-up table on January 7.

Master's Men

Master’s Men will continue their monthly Bible study on the 3rd Saturday of each month at 7:00 AM in the Gym. The next meeting will be on January 20, 2007. If you would like to participate or would like more information, please speak to Terry Sloan.

Choir Rehearsals are Starting

If you would like to be a part of our church choir, then plan to be at the rehearsals on Wednesday evenings in the auditorium from 7-8 PM. First practice is on January 3. For more information, see Lori Rohleder.

Just 4 Youth

"OUT OF THE ZONE"

January 27, 2007

Drivers needed!
See Pastor Paul for more information.

M.I.T. 102 New Members Class

If you are interested in becoming a member of Grace Baptist Church, then join Pastor Paul in his office on Sunday, January 28 at 4:30 PM.

Calendar of Events

Click on the highlighted dates - the events are shown on the right.