From the Pastor's Pen..."Frosting On The Cake" Pastor Paul's Paragraphs Kid's Korner with Pastor Greg
Our Family Friend To Friend Harvest Fellowship Youth/Children's Ministries Training Make-up
October 2003
September 13th my wife and I drove to a little community west of Redding. I had been invited to be a member of an ordination council that Saturday afternoon. After a delicious luncheon prepared by the host church, the five-member council began the process of considering Ron's call to the ministry, reviewing his doctrinal statement and giving counsel where needed.
Why was this weekend one of the most blessed times I have ever experienced in my forty-six years of ministry? Let me share a few details with you.
Ron's parents were very active members of the church I pastored in Cottonwood. They faithfully brought their three young boys (Ron was thirteen when I became pastor in 1961) and daughter to church services, youth meetings and other activities. During a week of evangelistic meetings with Merle Booth, Ron went forward and made a profession of salvation. To this day, he is not sure if he was truly born again then, or years later at the age of 26.
Sam and Gloria tried to give good direction to their children, but two of their sons “sowed some painfully wild oats.” Ron was one of them. Needless to say, this broke the hearts of his parents, this pastor and, most of all, the Lord who he “claimed” to love.
Following high school, Ron enlisted in the Navy and remained there for approximately eight years. He married and had a family of two daughters. While in the Navy, he was constantly reminded that God had a claim on his life and he began to make some wise decisions. He enrolled in Bible college and began to serve the Lord. A few years later he returned to the West coast and once again tried to be in control of his life. Miserable, lonely and empty, Ron finally accepted God's plan for his life and yielded his will to the Master.
About five years ago, Ron and Lorelei traveled from Cottonwood to Lewiston each weekend for Ron to fill the pulpit of a little community church. This continued for about five months. When Village Missions made a decision to appoint a permanent pastor there, Ron was sent to another location in southern California.
Ron and Lorelei were greatly disappointed, but accepted this sudden decision as from the Lord. They were obedient to God and in His time, He allowed them to return to their “first” love, Lewiston Community Church.
Why have I shared all of this with you? Because I was reminded again that God never gives up on us! At the time of salvation, the Holy Spirit comes into the life and remains forever. No matter where one goes, or the lifestyle they choose, the Holy Spirit remains to minister to each of us.
Frankly, I will be forever grateful that when Christ left this earth, in His perfect wisdom He sent the Holy Spirit to indwell the believer. This truth brings comfort to us who have experienced the pain of having a wayward son or daughter. When we have done all that is humanly possible, we have to come to the place of trusting God to continue that conviction work in their lives and have hope for the future.
When I talked with Ron's parents at the ordination service, it was obvious there was unspeakable joy in their hearts as they knew that God had rewarded their faithfulness and God was using their son to pastor a special flock of people.
As we drove back home Sunday afternoon, I was reminded again of the joy there is in ministry and thankful that God allowed me this “frosting on the cake” experience.
Pastor Kuns
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What an exciting time we have been experiencing here at Grace. As we anticipate our 40 Days of Purpose spiritual growth campaign, there is a buzz in the air, an expectation of great blessing and an involvement that is far beyond the norm.
If you are one of the few that doesn't know what is going on with our spiritual growth campaign that begins Saturday, October 11, check out the “Grand Central” table in the church foyer or visit our newly updated and revised web page at graceyc.org. Just click on the 40 Days of Purpose link on the left side of the home page.
I want to thank the small army of volunteers that have taken up the challenge of making this campaign possible. As we focus on the question “What on earth am I here for?” there are many of you who are praying, preparing, printing, promoting, planning, perspiring, and persevering. WOW, over 4100 churches are involved, including all 50 states and over 20 foreign countries. We will all be collectively seeking the Lord and focusing on issues of genuine importance.
We being on Saturday, October 11, at 7:00 PM here at Grace in our church auditorium. This Saturday event is the catapult event that kicks off our extraordinary concentration on spiritual growth. My prayer is that you as an individual and we as a church will never be the same as we await the supernatural. To God be the glory, great things He hath done.
“But be sure to fear the LORD and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you.”
I Samuel 12:24.
Pastor Paul
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The Fall Quarter is now in full swing! What a blessing to be able to minister to these children each and every week! While we are excited about the various PROGRAMS that we have in place to reach our kids, such as Sunday School, Children's Church and Olympian Club, it is the PEOPLE that make it all come together in the Lord's strength.
There is such a fantastic staff of children's workers here at Grace. I'm honored to work alongside them and I wanted to take the opportunity this month for you to get to know who they are. It is my hope and prayer that our church will lift up these workers in prayer as they labor in the trenches for the hearts of our children.
Our Sunday School is divided into 3 age divisions. The Beginners (ages 4 & 5) are taught by Tracy Mansur and assisted by Eileen Newton. The Primaries (1st-3rd grades) are taught by Steven & Trish Sexauer and assisted by Joyce Bennett. The Juniors (4th-6th grades) are taught by Scott Hill and assisted by Austin Webb. Each Sunday morning we have an Opening where I am assisted by Jean Todd at the piano! What a blessing (and a blessing for the kids that I'm not playing!). The Secretary for our Sunday School is Connie Smith, who does a great job with the ordering of material and the record-keeping.
Our Children's Church is a great opportunity to introduce the meaning of worship to our children. We seek to prepare them so that they might become active participants as they grow older and transition to the “big church”. This is a primary ministry that Tracy and I are involved in each week with Richard & Alicia Cleary assisting. Doris Rohleder and Lori Patterson also lend a helping hand here for which we are so grateful. There is also a Toddler Children's Church ministry, with a rotating team of workers (Ken & Norma Jo Roberts, Monte & Kelly Gillan, Tracy Mansur & Maggie Craig, Amber Smith & Laurie Craig, Lori Patterson & Karen Burgess).
Our Olympian Club meets on Wednesday nights and we have a great team in place there as well. Our Preschool is taught by Vicki Gasperoni (who also serves as our Children's Ministry Resource Manager) and is assisted by Jill Radobenko and Lori Patterson. I lead the Bible Study in the elementary division, but we have three groups of “coaches” per grade level - Norma Jo Roberts & Tracy Mansur (1st-2nd grade Challengers), John Newton & Leah Harris (3rd-4th grade Conquerors) and Susan Gledhill & Joyce Seibel (5th-6th grade Champions). In addition, we have our Registration Team (Eileen Newton & Vicki Thrash), Game Team (Ken Roberts & Dave Fisher) and Craft Team (Brad & Tracy Foss).
Praise the Lord for all who are serving! If you would like to be a part of our Children's Ministry TEAM, please let me know. Why not take the time to encourage these workers, thank them - above all, PRAY for this team that the Lord has brought together to accomplish this ministry. May we be found faithful.
Pastor Greg
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Bill & Marilyn Webster's son-in-law, Bill Heylman, passed away as a result of a fall.
Jane Davidson is recovering well from a couple of infections.
Burma Iwasaki is recovering from a broken rib.
Bev Ball had successful treatment for an eye condition.
Barbara Haas had successful gall bladder surgery.
Darlene Jones suffered a fall and was briefly hospitalized. Richard & Darlene have now moved into an assisted living facility.
Ethel Eskew & Nita McCants had medical tests done.
Stacy Ross had successful eye surgery.
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Wednesday, October 1 - 10:00 AM
Meet at June Roberts' home. We will make a Christmas craft.
Bring a sack lunch. Dessert will be furnished.
Wednesday, October 8 - 10:00 AM
Meet at Marj Barrett's home. Edna Mae Sauls, sister of Ed White, will speak of her life of spreading God's Word and planting the seed to bring others to Jesus. She was a nurse and also very active in civic projects in Florida. Bring a sack lunch.
Dessert will be furnished.
Wednesday, October 15 - 10:00 AM
Meet at the recreation room at La Serena Gardens on Clark Ave. where Nellie O'Dell
lives. We will be decorating small pails. Bring a sack lunch. Dessert will be furnished.
Wednesday, October 22 - 10:00 AM
Meet at Donna Reid's home. We will have Captain Bills from the Yuba City Fire Dept.
talking about fire safety in our homes. Bring a sack lunch. Dessert will be furnished.
Wednesday, October 29 - 10:00 AM
Meet at Kathleen Morris' home. We will have a pumpkin decorating contest. Bring your already decorated pumpkins and you may win a prize. (You must be present to win.) We will fill out the calendar for November and celebrate October birthdays. Salad will be furnished by Kathleen and Verlene. Everyone else
bring a casserole. Dessert will be furnished.
The planning committee will meet on October 3 at 9:30 AM at
Janice Furtado's home.
Friend to Friend invites all Grace Baptist Church ladies to attend. It is so encouraging and uplifting to get to know these wonderful Christian women. We have many different types of activities: speakers, projects for others, devotions, crafts, videos, making cards for Sunday School teachers to send out, cookie and ornament exchanges and many more things. If you need more information, call Sedonna at 741-3127. If you need a ride, call Sedonna. We do so encourage you to join us!
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WHO: Grace Baptist Church Children's Ministry
WHAT: Annual Halloween Alternative for Children up to 6th Grade
WHERE: Grace Baptist Church Gymnasium
WHEN: Wednesday, October 29, 2003 6:30 - 8:30 PM
ADMISSION: Bring one canned good and admission is free
FEATURING:
| *Maze | *Bounce House |
| *Cupcake Walk | *Hayride |
| *Face Painting | *Food & Prizes |
| *Game Booth |
Questions? See Pastor Greg or Vicki Gasperoni
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Thursday, October 16
2:30 - 3:00 PM / Church Auditorium
For all current and prospective volunteers of
Grace Baptist Church and Grace Christian Academy & Preschool
If you missed the Training Meeting on September 13, you must attend this meeting.
Also please note: If you did not attend annual training in 2002 you must attend this
meeting or you will be in danger of being dropped from the screening system.
Questions? Contact Pastor Greg
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