Pastor Paul's Paragraphs

     I love to see and realize the potential in a person. I do this as a husband, a father, a brother in Christ, and as a pastor. I think I learned this from our Lord who does the same- He loves to realize the potential in a person. Truth be known, when the Holy Spirit enters the life of an individual child of God, we possess unlimited potential as we yield to His will and His control. The Word of God tells us;

      Isaiah 41:10: "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dis-mayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:11: "Be-hold, all those who were incensed against you shall be ashamed and dis-graced; they shall be as nothing, and those who strive with you shall perish."

     Isaiah 41:12: "You shall seek them and not find them––those who con-tended with you. Those who war against you shall be as nothing, as a nonexistent thing." Isaiah 41:13: "For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.'"

     2 Peter 3:18: "But grow in grace, and in the

      knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen."

      Life is filled with oppor-tunity and challenge. As I study God's Word, I discover His hand in each of these opportunities and challenges. It is often said that life is a series of choices, It can also be said that life is a series of responses. So much of our lives are a result of choice and consequence. Yet much of our lives are also a mixture of our responses to life as it comes at us.

      As I write today, I am on an airplane headed home from Houston, Texas, after spending the day with a young man who has dedicated his life to working with teens. We have discussed the potential of Chad coming to Yuba City to work with our teens. Our search for a youth pastor is ongoing and active. Last night I met with our teen group at Grace. As best I can recall, there were 25 to 30 of us present. This group included four adults, the rest were teens. We had fun, played some basketball, did some get acquainted games, prayed, studied God's Word, and came up with a list of questions for Chad. I love to see and realize the potential in a person. This includes each and every one of those teens that our church gets to impact. It also includes young men and women who desire to serve the Lord. We have a great opportunity for youth ministry here in Yuba City. I love to see and realize the potential in a person—so does God.

      I have stated to several people recently that there are a few benchmarks that we must consider as a church if we are to invite someone to come and be part of our pastoral staff with a focus on student ministries. These benchmarks include both numerical growth and financial possibility. A review of January and February of this year would cause us to conclude that our numbers are down about 10 percent from this time last year. We would also conclude that we are financially stable with the two pastors we have on staff but without additional resources to afford a third. The Christian life is both a walk of faith and wise counsel.

      With all this said, I would simply ask you to consider being part of our "Mountain of Prayer Ministry Team." Details have been forthcoming for the last several days by way of church letter, Sunday bulletin and the credenza in the foyer. This is a great time to seek the Lord individually and collectively as we consider the potential that God may be calling us to. I love to see and realize the potential in a person, and a church, and so does God. Just what is God calling us to do as a church? I believe we are being called to seek the Lord in a more aggressive way these next several months. James 1:5: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."

      Pastor Paul

Kids Korner - Pastor Greg

     Wow, this is a Grace Notes article I should have written a few weeks ago! Little did I realize what we would be embroiled in as I sit in my office this second to last day of February. As most of you are aware, Pastor Paul and I shared with the church family at our Annual Administrative Meeting that my ministry here at Grace is coming to an end. This brings us great sadness as we have loved this body of believers and poured ourselves into this ministry with every ounce of our being. But God's ways are not our ways, and He can often use the most confusing of circumstances to show forth His glory in an even greater way. It is that promise that I cling to as we enter this month of March.

      With all that has been said, heard, listened to, and perceived (correctly and incorrectly), I would like to issue a Biblical challenge. It is in Hebrews 12:1-3 (NKJV), which reads "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls."

      Three times in those verses we read the word "endurance." Surely this is a time in our church for such a word. We are to endure the race that has been set out before us and we have Jesus as our shining example. When I "consider him," then all I am going through, all you are going through, all this church is going through is seen in a much different light. My challenge for you is to "look unto Jesus" who is the "author and finisher of our faith." When our eyes are fixed upon HIM, then the rest can be brought into focus.

      I will confess to you all a real confusion in the circumstances we have faced. We have often found ourselves "weary and discouraged." It has brought us such a mixed sense of what God's plan could possibly be as we walk this path. But I am absolutely confident in the One who holds my family's future in His hands. And I trust that in the confusion I know many of you feel at this time, that you will be completely confident of the love we will always have in our hearts for the children, families, and people of Grace Baptist Church, Yuba City.

      Would you pray with us that God would reveal His perfect will? Would you pray that God would show us His plan in a fuller way? We would be so grateful. Above all, would you pray that each of us would keep our eyes fixed on Jesus? That will be such a key in the days ahead. May we all anticipate mighty things in the future, because of the mighty God we serve. Grace, peace, and blessings to you all.

      Pastor Greg

Friend to Friend

Baby Shower for A Woman's Friend

You are invited to a shower for babies of A Woman’s Friend Pregnancy and Resource Center. Bring a wrapped gift for a child ages birth to 2 years old. The Director of A Woman’s Friend, Becky Reimers, will be there to open the gifts. Bring a salad and join us for lunch. Meet at Sedonna Zentmire’s home on March 28 at 10:00 am. For more information call Sedonna at 530-741-8572.

Position Available

A Woman's Friend Pregnancy Resource Center & Medical Clinic

is accepting applications for the position of Secretary. This is a 16-hour per week position requiring excellent organizational and computer skills. Please call Becky Reimers at 741-9136 for a job description and application.

For more information about A Woman’s Friend, check out their website at www.awomansfriend.org

Nursery Shower

You are invited to the “Shower of Blessings” for the Grace Baptist Church Nursery. We have cleaned out many old and unsafe toys that were in our church nursery and now we need to restock it.

When: Saturday, March 24th 2:00 - 4:00 PM

Where: Grace Baptist Church

For more information, see Lorene Zieske

The nursery is registered at Target, Wal-Mart & Toys R Us

MOUNTAIN OF PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM

"Then He spoke a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint." Luke 18:1

Our Goal is to Create

1. Hope
2. Personal Change
3. Personal Accountability
4. Corporate Unity
5. Corporate Prayer

Our Guidelines

1. Knee-time Prayer
2. Minimal Talk at Prayer
3. Personal Change
4. Focus on Unity
5. Commitment

GET TO KNOW YOUR DEACON!

Dinner on the Grounds
Sunday, March 18

Following the Morning Service
More information to come!

Youth Progressive Dinner

Saturday, March 17

If you would like to open your home and provide a meal for our youth group, please contact Laurie Craig at 530-671-6906 or Carolyn Manies at 530-674-9610 as soon as possible.

"Legacy by the Sea"

May 5, 2007

Ladies, mark your calendars and plan to join us for our Annual Mother-Daughter Luncheon. If you are interested in helping out with the gift give away, see Joyce Radobenko.

Calendar of Events

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