Pastor Paul's Paragraphs

     Happy New Year and welcome to 2009. A new year is always a time to reflect. This New Year is also a time to consider the future, set goals, re-establish boundaries, and begin anew. I recently read a few comments penned by Dr. H.B. London. His thoughts are worthy of our consideration and I have gleaned from his writing to share the following ideas:

      As we begin 2009, let's contemplate the following:

     — A renewed commitment to God's call upon your life.

     — Your promise of daily interaction with the Father as His child.

     — A commitment to guard your heart and to flee those things that might negatively entrap you.

     — A more sensitive commitment to the lost; those for whom Christ died.

     — Perhaps a disciplined and vigilant attitude toward a healthy lifestyle. You are a temple that must be protected.

     — A realization that your spouse and your children need more attention than any other in your circle of influence.

     — To maintain a humble spirit that will not allow envy or pride to dominate your thinking or actions.

     — To love Him back.

     Philippians 3:12-14 (NKJV): "Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

      God calls me His child, He invites me into His presence, He empowers me with His Spirit, He is preparing for me an eternal home, and one day I will live in the reality of Revelation 21:3-4. Until the day He calls us to heaven, may we be found faithful as servants of the King of Kings (1 Corinthians 4:2).

      Pastor Paul

2009 Faith Promise Missions

Think Global - Act Local

January 25 - February 22, 2009

January 25

• Guest Speaker Steve Evers of In Touch Mission International. This organization is focused on spreading the Gospel in restricted access countries and serving persecuted Christians in areas of war zone or severe economic hardship.
• 4:30 PM - Soup Supper in the Gym

February 8

• Missionary Kelsey Pietsch of Western Baptist Home Mission

February 22

• Missionary Steve Gledhill of Word of Life

Read Through The Bible This Year

There are several resources available to help you read God’s Word daily in 2009. Here are just a few for you to choose from:

• Our Daily Bread has a schedule to go along with daily reading. This small book is free and available in the church foyer.
  
  
• www.rbc.org/odb/odb.shtml
  
  
• www.bible.crosswalk.com/BibleInAYear/
  
  
• www.oneyearbibleonline.com
  
  

January Church Announcements

• 2008 Contribution Statements will be available Sunday, January 18. Pick up your statement in the church office following the AM service. If you do not pick up your statement it will be mailed.
  
  
• Volunteer Appreciation Sunday - January 11, 2009. We will be honoring all volunteers in all ministries of Grace Baptist Church at the AM service.
  
  
• The Ladies of Grace will be meeting on Saturday, January 10, at 9:30 AM. Sharon Schultz will be speaking about her recent trip to Israel. Meet in the Youth Room.
  
  
• Soup Supper Dinner - Sunday, January 25, at 4:30 PM. Everyone is asked to bring a pot of your favorite soup to share. Watch for more details to come.

Kids Blast Snow Trip

Who: All kids in 4th - 6th Grade

What: A special time to play in the snow and enjoy God’s creation.

When: Saturday, January 31. Meet at the church parking lot by 8 AM. Parents are welcome!

Cost is $20. Price includes transportation and park entrance fee.

Where: Granlibakken Ski & Snowboard Hill in Lake Tahoe

We will return around 5 PM. Kids will call their parents as we get closer to the church.