Pastor Paul's Paragraphs

      I thank the Lord for our youth and children's ministry here at Grace. If you were to attend one of our children's junior church services on a Sunday morning, you might hear the children use the term "Big Church". "Big Church" refers to what goes on in the main auditorium. For the 30 to 50 people who attend the children's church service, "Big Church" helps to define the big auditorium, the big people in the auditorium, and the big number of people in the auditorium. We have included our children's church program in "Big Church" on several occasions this summer. I love the enthusiasm this brings to the auditorium as the children pack the front rows.

      There is another contrast that I want to draw in relation to "Big Church". For many years now, I have believed that people end up visiting Grace and then staying at Grace for one primary reason: the develop-ment of relationships. There is always the rare exception, yet I find that people become part of "Big Church" because relationships have been developed. These relationships typically move one towards a closer walk with God and one another. I like to call this "Little Church". "Big Church" is made up of several cooperating "Little Churches". If you look around on a typical Sunday morning, you will find several smaller groups sitting together in the midst of "Big Church"- little churches meeting together and making up our big church. Let me say it one other way: in the midst of being big it is always beneficial to be little. The smaller church family is where real ministry takes place, where care is extended and love communicated.

      So, as we move into the fall, expect an emphasis on small. I don't mean that we shrink our church or chase people away. I simply mean that we will emphasize aspects of ministry that are small-group driven, where more intimate ministry takes place. This will be accomplished through Sunday School, home groups, prayer groups, specific Bible study for both men and women, and much more. And this is where I would ask you to seek the Lord and begin to ask how you will fit into this "Little Church" emphasis. You may not be comfortable speaking to large crowds but would you be willing to share your life with one or two people in a small group setting? Would you be willing to open your home to a few people on a weekly basis for two or three months? Could you take a Sunday morning message and discuss it further with three or four people, asking the questions: What did the preacher say? How does this apply to my life?

      As we look to the future together, thanks for the privilege of being your pastor and sharing my life with you in both "Big Church" and "Little Church". It is my joy to be part of the family here at Grace.

      Pastor Paul

Kids Korner - Pastor Greg

      West Coast Camp...what a WONDERFUL week it was...here are some of the highlights...

      Campers: This was the largest group of junior campers we have taken in my 4 years going to West Coast Camp! We had 28 kids go with us to camp this year. Praise the Lord! They were such a great group to work with. Thank you, parents, for letting them go away for the week!

      Counselors: In addition to myself, we took 3 other adults from our church to serve as counselors: Jennifer Payne, Kristi Varricchio and Jason Tamura. I am so thankful for their help! We had a great time working with the kids, both in the fun times and serious times.

      Accommodations: What can I say? You haven't lived until you've spent a week with a dozen junior campers in a teepee up in the mountains! Who wants to sign up for next year?!

      Food: I don't care what other people may say, food is GREAT at camp! Spaghetti, hamburgers, hot dogs, chili dogs, pizza, biscuits and gravy, tacos, nachos - tasty, tasty, tasty! The Lassen Pines staff put out a great spread for us each day. And the Snack Shack provided that sugar rush we needed in the middle of the day! Junior Camp motto: "Only take what you'll eat and eat what you take!" And remember, "hand sanitizer is your friend!"

      Games: What fun! Counselor Hunt, Chariot Races, Pool Baseball, Mission Impossible, and more! We had a great time and had fun in the sun! Go Blue Team!

      Activities: There was so much to do! There is ALWAYS something going on at camp! Lake time (complete with swimming, "The Bullet" water slide, "The Blob" inflatable, and more!), Gutter Ball, Archery, BB Guns, Go-Karts, Fishing, Paint Ball, Craft Area, and more!

      Music: The kids really enjoyed "Hey, Jesus Loves Me" and "F-A-I-T-H". We also learned the fun song, "Baby Shark", which everyone loved!

      Bible Hour: Chris Finchum (one of our WOL Missionaries) was our morning Bible hour speaker. We learned a great deal from the life of Joseph. We can please God by loving others, by saying no to sin, by serving others with humility, and by forgiving others.

      Evening Meetings: Mike Calhoun was our evening Bible teacher. He taught us many things about Jesus Christ and about ourselves. It was a challenging time to hear from God's Word each night!

      Decisions: While camp is fun, exciting, adventurous, and yummy...the most important part is the preaching and practice of God's Word. We rejoice in 4 children accepting Christ as their Savior. And many of our kids went forward on Thursday night to tie a ribbon onto a wooden cross, a symbol of their decision to dedicate their lives to Christ.

      How we praise the Lord for a great week of camp! Thank you for giving to scholarships and thank you for praying for our kids. God did a mighty work in all our lives and we give Him glory! We hope even more kids can attend next year!

      Pastor Greg

The Month in Focus with Pastor Ben

      Well, it's about that time again! My how the month has flown by! I just got back from summer camp last week-I think I've recovered? If you hadn't heard, the youth group went to Pilot Lake this year. I was put in charge of games and I also taught a workshop for the junior high boys.

      We took 22 kids with us to camp. We had 11 boys and 11 girls. Half of the teens were in junior high and the other half in high school. It was definitely different, but we still learned something. Don't ask me just yet if we will be returning next year, that will be something I will be working on in the next few months. What I will tell you, though, is what I've learned over the past month.

      In July I took time away for some prayer and prep time. I got away from everything and just camped out. I took time to listen to God, got deep into the Word of God, read some books and just had some solitude time. My alone time, combined with camp and this past Sunday's service, have helped me to refine my ministry. It has given me some ideas for this next year. One thing I have learned is that God is always teaching us. We may not realize it at the moment, but He is always teaching us. We need to be willing to listen and apply. Most of you reading this have kids and you know how frustrating it is when they don't listen to the instructions you give them. Can you imagine how frustrating it is to God when we don't listen to Him? We are all guilty of doing this at one time or another, but that's one thing that has struck me this past month.

      As I refine my ministry and more strongly develop my focus and philosophy, I realize I am going to need some help. I've said it before and I'll say it again, "I can't do this myself". This is not "Pastor Ben's youth group", it's the "Grace Baptist youth group". I told the kids at camp, if I were to die today, this youth group would still be here and it needs LEADERS. It does not need just one leader (i.e. the youth pastor) it needs multiple leaders who can connect with different kids that have different needs. Has God been trying to get your attention? Have you been looking at this youth group hoping someone would step up and be a leader? How about you? Come and try it out for a few weeks. Make a one month commitment and see how God uses you.

      The giving up of your time is the ultimate act of love. Time is the one thing you can never get back. When you give your time to these kids and in turn to God, you will see the difference it can make. Ask God what He would have you do for this local body of believers.

      Pastor Ben

Wacky Water Frenzy

Summer J.A.M. 2006

Wednesday, August 23, 6:30 PM
Grace Baptist Church

For all kids Pre-School though 6th Grade.
Water Slide! Water Games! Water Balloons! Snacks!
Treats! Prizes! Come prepared to get WET!
Don’t forget to bring a friend!

Round-Up

Coming September 17

Join us for this special Sunday as we “Round-Up” everyone after the summer vacation season!! The morning service will be followed by Dinner on the Grounds. Watch for more details next month!!!!

September Events

GCA/Preschool Upcoming Dates

Men's Retreat at MacKerricher State Park

September 8-10
Sign-up table in the church foyer.

For more information speak with Terry Sloan or Pastor Paul.

• Great Fellowship
• Great Friendships
• Great Environment
• Great Time with the Lord

Youth Group Announcements

Leaders

Are you a leader? Are you able to spare a minute to talk with a teenager about God, school and life? Are you willing to pray with a teenager about family issues, personal issues and worldly issues? Then you are just the type of leader we need. Join Pastor Ben on August 30th at the Dinner & Introduction of Fall Programs to find out where our youth group is heading and how you can help direct them.

Calendar of Events

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