From the Pastor's Pen...

"The Unforgettable Life"

      A Ministry of Grace Baptist Church
      Before one sports season has ended another one is on it's way. True sports fans never lack for a team to support or a game to watch. Parents who have children involved in athletics experience the dilemma of arranging schedules that would allow them to attend the games. For families that have more than one child involved, it becomes a "rat race" to give equal time to each participant. Sports are good and often provide an opportunity to develop not only physical stamina but good character traits.
      On the national level this past year, several of the most well-known athletes have made some very unwise decisions which have revealed serious character flaws. Well-known Bible teacher, Ted Engstrom, tells the story of a high school basketball coach whose team had a class-A season. A come-from-behind victory in the finals made them state champions. Then the coach discovered one of his players had been academically ineligible when he played in a game earlier in the season. The coach revealed the infraction and the team lost the trophy.
      Later the coach explained: "You've got to do what's honest and right and what the rules say. I told my team that people forget the scores of basketball games; they don't ever forget what you're made of."
      The "What Would Jesus Do" campaign which exploded across our nation a few years ago made a good point: Is what I am doing at this moment what Jesus would do if He had the same choices?
      When we claim Him as Savior and Lord, we take upon ourselves the responsibility of not having our character degrade His. In simple words, our talk and our walk should be consistent with God's Word. We are a mirror or reflection of Him to the world.
      This poem says it simply:
      I am my neighbor's Bible
      He reads me when we meet
      Today he reads me in my home - tomorrow on the street
      He may friend or slight acquaintance be
      He may not even know my name
      But he is reading me.
      Is there an area of your life you would rather people not see? Why not determine to consider it in the light of WWJD and make the right choice. Jesus lived an UNFORGETTABLE life - may we strive for the same.
     
      Pastor Kuns

Pastor Paul's Paragraphs

      Some time ago, Dr. Elmer Townes suggested that when someone visits a church they ask a couple of questions in their mind. The first questions is: "Why am I here?" This reflects a heart desire to connect with God. "I am here to worship. I am here to learn. I am here to connect with God."
      The second questions is: "Who are my friends?" This question reflects another heart desire - to connect with the people of God. "I am here for corporate worship. I am here to study the Word of God with the people of God. I am here to experience God and experience life along-side fellow believers."
      As a leader, I can encourage both one's desire to connect with God and the desire to connect with fellow believers. It is the desire to connect with fellow believers that I want to expand upon. This is called community.
      Community is one of those concepts that everyone believes in. We all think there should be a strong sense of community in our churches. We all think community is biblical and wonderful. Jeff Powell, a pastor of the inner city ministry called Destiny Place, says community involves at least ten ingredients. These are prayer, authenticity, caring, a goal, growth, boundaries, grace, discipline, a healthy environment, and flexibility. He goes on to say, "Mix these elements and you'll have a community that thrives and is alive with the spirit of Christ."
      During the month of March, we are again encouraging involvement in our home study groups. I do not know of a better place to encourage "community." If we were to study the early church as found in the book of Acts, we would discover a dynamic community that was accomplishing all ten of Mr. Powell's ingredients. For the first three hundred years of the church, guess where they met? Yep, you guessed it, homes. As we again emphasize our home Bible study groups, why not consider what the Lord would have you do? Get involved, open your home, co-host a study group, become a group leader - all of these are possible. And the blessings and growth opportunities are just waiting for you. Is it possible that what you are looking for here at Grace is available to you in a home Bible study?
     
      Pastor Paul

Kids Korner with Pastor Greg

      The Apostle Paul, writing to the Church at Philippi, said, "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now." (Philippians 1:3-5) It is revealed throughout the book the special place this church held in the apostle's heart. They were a wonderful encouragement to him throughout his ministry.
      The time has come for us to say goodbye to a fantastic couple who have exemplified the word "faithful." Since my arrival last June, this husband wife have been a constant source of encouragement, not just to Tracy and me, but to our Children's Ministry as a whole. When the need arose for someone to lead the Children's Church, they stepped up to the responsibility. In my capacity as Children's Pastor, I have worked side-by-side with them in Children's Church and they have also been involved in our Midweek programs (S.C.U.B.A. Club in the summer and Olympians now). Special events, conferences, activities - these dear folks are almost always there - when it comes to our kids, there is a genuine love and spirit to be involved in impacting them for Christ.
      Who is this couple? They are Richard & Alicia Cleary, who, as of this writing, are scheduled to leave our area on March 12 for South Carolina. Richard serves our nation as a member of the military and he is being moved from Beale to another base.
      It has been such a joy to get to know them and to labor along side them these past 8 months. They have become wonderful friends that we will dearly miss. As they leave, our prayers go with them and we look forward to hearing how God will continue to use them in another local church (we also look forward to the pictures that they better send when their baby is born!). I am confident they will be a vital asset in children's ministry wherever the Lord leads them.
      There is now an enormous hole to fill. How might God use YOU to help us fill the gap in our Children's Ministry? Our immediate needs are for help in Children's Church and in Olympian Club. Would you be willing to serve with us? If so, please contact me at your earliest convenience and allow me to share with you the opportunities available.
      On Sunday, March 7, we will have a "send-off" party during our Children's Church time (10:30 AM). We would love to have all of our children, Preschool through 6th Grade, to be here for that special morning.
      I want to echo the words of the Apostle Paul to Richard and Alicia - "I thank my God...for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now." May God richly bless you and your family in the years to come. Your time at Grace Baptist Church in Yuba City will not be forgotten.
     
      Pastor Greg

Deacon Caring Group Lunch

Sunday, March 21
Following the Morning Service
Watch Sunday bulletins for more details

     When you come for the morning service on March 21, find the table that corresponds to your last name (A-G; H-P; Q-Z). There you will receive your color-coded name tag. Each color corresponds with a Deacon Caring Group. as you enter the gym for the lunch following the service, you will be seated with your Deacon Caring Group. The table covers will correspond to the colors on your name tag. After prayer, you will be dismissed by tables to go through the food line. During lunch, you will have an opportunity to get to know your deacon and those in your group.

Home Bible Studies

      HOME BIBLE STUDIES ARE GETTING INTO FULL SWING!!
     
      Remember the excitement of our Home Groups started during the 40 Days of Purpose Campaign? How would you like to regain some of that enthusiasm and fellowship?
     
      We have several home Bible study groups that either have begun or will be starting shortly. These will continue through the rest of this winter and into the spring and summer.
     
      If you would like to be part of a home Bible study, please contact Pastor Paul.

      This training meets on the last Sunday evening of each month. It is designed to give you tools to:

• improve your ministry,
• help you grow in your Christian walk
• and help you understand your faith.

Each session features classes taught by Pastor Kuns, Pastor Paul and Pastor Greg with focus on each of the above areas.

Auction 2004 - Partial List

SATURDAY, MARCH 6 in the Gymnasium

9:00 AM Breakfast, Preview and Silent Auction

10:00 AM Live Auction

Breakfast will feature Cindy's Cinnamon Rolls and lunch will also be available featuring a Chinese menu this year.

Partial List of Available Auction Items:

Parental Notification Initiative Petition

Please sign the petition to have the Parental Notification Initiative placed on the November 2004 ballot.

This petition will be available in the church foyer for two Sundays, February 29 and March 7.

For more information on this initiative visit: www.parentalnotification.com

Calendar of Events

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