Pastor Paul's Paragraphs

     As I write, summer is preparing to arrive. The beginning of each season is always a special time for me. I have always marveled at the seasonal transitions and this summer is no exception. As I walk along the orchards or past the flower filled homes in our neighborhood, I wonder at the spectacle of God's amazing creativity. This year is the year of sunflowers around our home. With specialty seeds in hand a few months ago, we now have red, yellow, white, and multi-colored sunflowers decorating both our front and back yards. I don't understand all the details of growth but I do know that fertilizer, water, seeds and sunshine are a great combination that God ordained and blesses. It is a wonderful and marvelous thought that God partners with us in the growth process of flowers, fruits and vegetables.

      What is even more wonderful and marvelous is the way in which God partners with us in our own personal growth and further partners with us as we reach out to the world with the message of His amazing love. I It was so great to be back in the routine of Daily Vacation Bible School just a short time ago. The church property was buzzing with some very unique decorations, a ton of energy, and a group of leadership that the Lord blessed. I just this afternoon read through the list of decisions that were made by the children who attended. It is both a privilege and a responsibility of ours to minister to our community. Over 40 leaders were available during this exciting week and God blessed in the growth process by adding children to the eternal Kingdom of God.

      Not only did God use a group of over 40 individuals to minister to children, He also used a large number of children as they ministered to an orphanage in Myanmar through our penny march monies given to the Baptist Children's Home. Even though our penny march was competitive between the boys and the girls, the children were told often that the real winners were the children impacted by the recent cyclone in the country of Myanmar.

      More summer plans will soon be upon us, and before we know it they will be over and a new school year upon us. There is much work going on in the background as we plan and prepare for the future here at Grace Baptist Church. Thanks for the opportunity to serve the Lord along side each one of you. I am often reminded of Mordecai's words to Queen Esther in Esther 4:14, "…Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" We live in exciting and challenging times, and God desires for us to live lives full of purpose and fulfillment during these days together as we seek and serve the King of Kings.

      Pastor Paul

Chicken Dinner on the Grounds

Sunday, July 6 - Following the AM Service

Join us for our annual Dinner on the Grounds. We ask that every family bring some type of chicken dish and a salad to share. This could include a chicken casserole, buffalo wings, baked chicken, chicken & dumplings or a bucket of chicken. Salads could include a green salad, fruit salad, potato and macaroni or pasta salad, it’s your choice! The church will provide beverages, rolls and dessert. There will be no evening service.

Upcoming July Events

June 28 - July 4 - GCA & Preschool Fireworks Booth Fundraiser

Thursday, July 10 - Teen Outing to Miniature Golf & Go Karts
Plan to meet at the church by 6 PM. Bring spending money. For more information, please see Terry Sloan or Laurie Craig.

July 14 - 19 - Word of Life Summer Camp
You still have time to sign up for camp! Registration forms are available in the church foyer or call the church office for more information.

Thursday, July 17 - Ladies of Grace Outing to the Roseville Galleria
Plan to meet at the church by 9AM so everyone can carpool together. For more information, please see Loretta Stone.

Monday, July 21 - Teen Outing to the Jelly Belly Factory in Vacaville
Watch for more details to come or see Terry Sloan.

Sunday, July 27 - Grace Baptist Church Quarterly Administrative Meeting

Missionary News

Word of Life Fellowship Reaching Youth with the Gospel of Christ!

Each spring we evaluate and plan for the fall and winter. We have been examining our missionary financial and prayer support base. We have discovered that our financial support level is declining. Please pray that God will touch the hearts of pastors, leaders and others to help support our ministry.

We have been increasing our ministry footprint in California. We are excited about the growth in our leaders and their ministries. Thousands of young people are hearing the gospel and hundreds of young people are making professions of faith in Christ. Local churches are enjoying successful youth ministry with our Early Learner, Olympians and Student ministries.

Please make an appeal to God for us. We desire to be effective and growing and that takes resources.
Steve Gledhill

Prayer Chain

Don’t forget about our Prayer Chain. We have many Prayer Warriors here at Grace Baptist Church who love praying for their church family. All you need to do is call the church office or send us an email, and we will be sure to get your prayer request out on the Prayer Chain!

Help Protect Marriage

On Monday, June 16th, several California counties began issuing same-sex “marriage” certificates. This follows the order of the four Supreme Court judges striking down Proposition 22, which the voters overwhelming approved just a few years ago to reaffirm marriage as only between a man and a woman.

Yet, this debate is not over. , the Protection of Marriage Amendment will appear on this November’s ballot. The major media would love to see us engage in fierce protests and hostile demonstrations of outrage against the licensing of same-sex “marriages”. course they will take any opportunity they can find to portray us as unreasonable. must not fall into this trap.

So let us keep in mind: battle is not against the same-sex couples who are pursuing the opportunity to “marry”. Our battle is against the flawed reasoning of the court’s decision; our purpose is to reaffirm the traditional definition of marriage. Marriage is at the core of family security and is an essential element in our society. The Supreme Court has effectively rendered marriage meaningless at a time when we should be taking steps to strengthen families.

Fortunately, the Protection of Marriage Amendment will give voters the final say in this debate. We are confident that voters will reaffirm the traditional definition of marriage, just as they overwhelmingly did in 2000, and overturn the court’s flawed decision.