Pastor Paul's Paragraphs

     The song's lyrics include the words "and grace flows down and covers me." The 19th century hymn writer used the words "Amazing Grace." The contemporary song writer wrote "and it was all because of God's amazing grace." Our church hymn book includes the titles "Grace Greater Than Our Sins," "Only A Sinner Saved By Grace," "Saved By Grace," and "Wonderful Grace Of Jesus."

      The Apostle Paul recorded in 2 Corinthians 12:9: "And He said to me, ‘My grace is suffi-cient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmi-ties, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

      Dr. David Jeremiah uses the title "Captured By Grace" in his latest book.

      A quick search of the New King James Bible reveals that the word "grace" is used over 100 times in the New Testament and 20 times just in the book of Romans. A New Testament

     Greek Lexicon defines grace as:

     "of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues."

     Let me encourage you to read that definition again, slowly, and thoughtfully.

      I find myself at a loss for words when speaking of God's grace. Thus, I turn to the Scriptures to paint a few word pictures.

• Genesis 6:8: "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD."
  
  
• Psalm 84:11: "For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly."
  
  
• John 1:14: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."
  
  
• Romans 3:24: "being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."
  
  
• Romans 5:20b: "...But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more..."
  
  
• 2 Corinthians 8:7: "But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also."
  
  
• Hebrews 4:16: "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

      A few things that jump out at me from these verses: grace is all about God reaching to man; the LORD is the one who gives grace; Christ is the embodiment of grace; we are justified by His grace; there is an abundance of God's grace; God desires that we abound in grace; and mercy and grace can be ours for the asking. Wow, what an amazing grace. Take a look at the stars and ponder God's marvelous grace.

      Pastor Paul

Unprecedented Opportunity for Hope & Healing

ABWE is excited to begin building the Wendell Kempton Medical and Ministry Center, in Togo, West Africa. Currently $4.8 million has been raised (or committed) to the $5.5 million project. We invite you to become a part of this exciting effort to bring the gospel and compassionate medical care to a needy people.

It’s common knowledge that Africa is a troubled continent with unbounded poverty, disease, oppression and corruption. What is not so commonly known is the way God has made these needs a launching pad for the gospel as His church has responded to them in the spirit of Christ. ABWE missionaries have been in the forefront of those efforts, working with AIDS victims and their families, orphans, victims of abuse, and those with inadequate healthcare or unsafe health practices. All of these ministries have resulted in spiritual healing and church growth, to God’s glory.

Grace Baptist Church will be taking a special offering on Sunday, December 19, to go towards the building of the Wendell Kempton Medical & Ministry Center. Watch for more information in your Sunday bulletin.

Fast Forward 2010

Who: All teens in Junior and Senior High  Cost: $39 Per Person

When: November 5, 2010 (Meet at the church by 5:00 pm)

Where: The Stockton Thunder Arena

What: Enjoy all the excitement of a professional hockey game followed by a huge youth rally! Midnight pizza party, bowling and skating.

Contact Jason Tamura for more information or to register.

Ladies Of Grace

"I’m Thankful to be An American"
Saturday, November 6 at 9:30 AM
Meet in the Youth Room.
A patriotic lunch will be served.
Bring a side dish to share.
Dress in your patriotic attire!

Thanksgiving Family Dinner

On The Grounds November 21, 2010

Join us for a special Thanksgiving Dinner following the morning service. Dinner rolls, cranberry sauce, beverages and dessert will be provided.

Each family is to bring one or two side dishes and some type of chicken dish to share. Be sure that you provide enough chicken to serve your family plus a few more people. See your Sunday bulletin for more details.

November Events

December Events

Church & School Announcments

November:

• November 11 - Veterans Day - GCA, Preschool and Church office closed.
  Did You Know? Veterans Day also commemorates the time and day at which the major hostilities of World War I were formally ended: the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.
• November 14 - Operation Christmas Child Collection Sunday! Don’t forget to bring in your shoe boxes. Make sure each box has a Shoe Box Label, a Donation Envelope with $7 for each box and two rubberbands to help secure the box.

December:

• The church office will be closed December 21 through December 31. If you would like something published in the Sunday bulletin or January Grace Notes, please see Abby in the church office.
• Steve Gledhill and his son-in-law, Chris Finchum, will be speaking at the 10:30 AM service on Sunday, December 26. There will be Sunday School or evening service.

Salvation Army Angel Kids

Grace Baptist Church would like to participate in the collection of Christmas gifts for the less fortunate children in our community. Angel tags will be hung on the Christmas tree in the church foyer beginning Sunday, November 28. Pull the tag and return the tag with the gift by December 8. All gifts may be placed under the Christmas tree in the church foyer.

Youth Group Christmas Coroling

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Please join our youth group for a time of fellowship and caroling. Spread Christmas cheer to those in nursing homes, our shut-ins and the elderly. This activity is open to everyone! Watch for more details in your Sunday bulletin or see Jason Tamura.

GBC Choir Christmas Presentation

"When Love Was Born"
Sunday, December 19 at 6:00 PM

This special program will center around readings from Mary’s "diary" with music from our choir, solos and Ladies Ensemble.

Honor A Loved One This Christmas

Grace Baptist Church would like to give you the opportunity to remember a loved one or special friend this Christmas season by purchasing a poinsettia in their memory or in their honor. These plants will be used as part of the church decorations. Because of the planned arrangement for these plants and the need that they all be the same size, the church will be purchasing the poinsettias.

A list of those donating poinsettias and for whom they were donated will be published in the December 12 bulletin. You will also have the opportunity to take your poinsettias after the morning service of December 19.

If you would like to be a part of this special remembrance, please fill out the form below and return it, along with $13.00 for each poinsettia you would like to donate, to the church office by Sunday, December 5.

If you have any questions please contact Abby or Lori in the church office or send an email here.

Print the form (click here).