Sunday, May 30, 2010
Patriotic Service & BBQ
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It isn't often that I get excited about something that comes via one of our news outlets. Today is one of those exceptions. Let me preference my enthusiasm concerning the news with an encouragement to get involved in the National Day of Prayer. The date is Thursday, May 6. The Scriptures declare:
"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14
I am convinced that we are called to be involved and the best means is intercessory prayer.
Now back to my enthusiasm about the news today by quoting in part from an article written by Bryan Fischer with the American Family Association. The quote is used with permission from AFA. (www.afa.net)
"Muslim students at Trinity University in Texas are complaining about the phrase "In the year of our Lord" on their diplomas, and inadvertently proving that this is a Christian nation in the process. Trinity, whose name and motto (Latin: "E Tribus Unum", English: "From three, one") are both explicitly Christian, is being accused by Muslim students of using a "bait and switch" tactic, nefariously tricking them into enrolling and then springing this politically incorrect diploma on them without warning at the end of the educational process. We must assume, of course, that these students could not get into Trinity without being able to read, making their accusation ludicrous. Evidence that they were not enrolling in an Imam-led institution can be found in the presence of a chapel (not a mosque) on campus, a Bible on the school seal, and the presence of a Christian chaplain. Exactly what about that chain of evidence did these students not understand? When they choose to attend a school with the name "Trinity," a school founded by the Presbyterian church in 1869, they shouldn't be surprised to find that it is not a madrassa and that it uses an explicitly Christian system of dating. And this is the problem for them. As Senior Sidra Qureshi says, "A diploma is a very personal item, and people want to proudly display it in their offices and homes. By having the phrase 'In the year of Our Lord,' it is directly referencing Jesus Christ, and not everyone believes in Jesus Christ." Now Ms. Qureshi has put her finger squarely on a huge problem for secular fundamentalists. She correctly observes that the "Lord" in the phrase "In the year of Our Lord" is a specific reference to Jesus Christ. But this is precisely the dating formula used in the Constitution of the United States of America. It too, just like the diploma Ms. Qureshi finds so politically incorrect and so multi-culturally insensitive, is dated "in the Year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven." For all Muslims, this makes the United States itself indelibly and inexcusably Christian. And you will notice the Founders compound the problem for Christophobes by identifying the year not just as the year of "the Lord," but the year of "our Lord," meaning that all 55 Framers went on record to declare that Jesus Christ was their Lord.
If you need any additional confirmation, examine for a moment the way Israel dates all of its official documents. All official institutions in the State of Israel assiduously avoid using the Anno Domini ("in the year of our Lord") dating method, and instead substitute the Anno Mundi ("In the year of the world"). So 2010 AD is not 2010 AD in Israel, it's the year 5770. Why? Simple - Israel is not a Christian nation. (In passing, it's worthy of note that the Israeli calendar is dated from the creation of Adam, which makes the nation of Israel officially a young earth country. Who knew?) You've got the same dynamic in Islamic countries. The Muslim calendar is not dated from the birth of Christ or the creation of Adam, but from the year in which Muhammad emigrated from Mecca to Medina, the journey known as the Hijra. For Muslim nations, the system is Anno Hegirae ("in the year of the Hijra"). For Muslims, the current year is 1432 AH. So in Arab countries, the current year is not 2010 AD, it's the year 1432. Why? Simple - they're not Christian nations. Every time you date a check, or pick up a newspaper in the United States, you are bearing silent witness to the spiritual origins of our country. Bottom line: America is a Christian nation. Every calendar in the world proves it."
Pastor Paul
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If you would like to take part in our 12 hours of prayer, please sign-up at the "What’s Happening" bulletin board in the church foyer. The church auditorium will be open from 6 AM to 6 PM for anyone who would like to come and pray.
Can’t make it to the church auditorium to pray? That’s okay. You are welcome to pray from home, work or school. Not sure what to pray for or how to pray? Pick up a Prayer Guide in the church foyer.
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Saturday, May 22 - Youth Activity to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
Everyone from Grace Baptist Church is welcome to join the youth group on their trip to Marine World.
The cost is $26 per person if paid by May 7. Meet at the church on Saturday, at 9:30 AM, and return to the church around 9:30 PM.
See Nita McCants for more information and to pick up your permission slip.
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Sunday, May 23, 2010
6:00 PM- 7:30 PM
Jeff and Heather Baker were life long sweethearts and happily married... for a time. But at her greatest moment of weakness, Heather abandons Jeff, forcing Jeff to raise their young son alone. Ten years later, through a God-ordained encounter, Jeff and Heather meet again. They must wrestle with forgiveness, reconciliation and the pressing of the Savior on their hearts.
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| May 1 | Grace Baptist Church Ladies Brunch |
| May 6 | National Day of Prayer |
| May 9 | Special Mother’s Day Service |
| May 14-16 | GBC Men’s Retreat 2010 - Visit the registration table in the church foyer or see Terry Sloan for more information. |
| May 23 | Tim Farley speaking at the AM Service & Movie Night at 6 PM |
| May 30 | Patriotic Morning Service followed by BBQ at Sam Brannon Park |
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June 14 - 18, 2010 - 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Preschool thru Fifth Grade
Preschoolers must have been in Preschool this school year and fifth grade includes those who were in fifth grade this year.
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June 28 - July 4
Visit our booth, located at the Raley’s Center Parking Lot.
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| June 1 | GCA Summer Enrichment Program Begins |
| June 6 | VBS Meeting following the Morning Service |
| June 13 | VBS Worker Prayer of Dedication |
| June 14 | Vacation Bible School Begins! |
| June 20 | Special Father’s Day Service |
| June 25 | Youth Group Graduation Swim Party |
| June 28 | GCA & Preschool Fireworks go on sale |
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May 7 - Preschool Mother’s Night - 7 PM
May 14 - GCA Noon Dismissal & Teacher Luncheon
May 24 - Fourth Quarter Awards in AM Kindergarten Graduation - 7 PM
May 25 - Last Day of School & Noon Dismissal End-of-Year Awards & 8th Grade Graduation - 7 PM
May 27 - Preschool Graduation - 7 PM
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Pastor Paul's Paragraphs
National Day of Prayer