Pastor Paul's Paragraphs

     Let's talk "Small Groups". Most of you know that I love small group ministry. It was 1977 when I had my first experience running a home Bible study for teenagers in Lynchburg, Virginia. Yes, I was involved in small group ministry in the church that I attended before coming to our home here at Grace. Beyond the food and atmosphere that we provided as home group hosts, the real joy was watching our group struggle and grow in their choices and lifestyles as they were challenged to seek and serve the Lord. Then there are the five couples who have come through our home group and ended up as husband and wife. Some from our group are now scattered around the world and it is always exciting to hear from them and to hear how they are staying faithful to the Lord and serving Him.

      Many years ago I realized that it is all the small things in life that I do that really matter. Very seldom does someone refer to a message or Sunday School class lesson that they remember from a very long time ago. But try doing something for someone and they will remember that event for a lifetime. God desires to love the world and He does that through each and every one of us. That is why I love small groups - it is such a dynamic tool and atmosphere that enables each of us to impact a life over a period of time.

      Small groups allow each of us to influence a small number of people that we happen to invite into our home. And the format of our small group meeting is quite simple. Groups meet once a week for about one hour. The one hour is divided into four sections of about fifteen minutes each. In the first fifteen minutes, just talk and get acquainted - hear testimonies and struggles and life issues that surround us. In the second fifteen minutes, discuss the Sunday messages -what did the pastor actually say? The third fifteen minutes are the most important: take the knowledge of the Word of God as shared in the Sunday message and summarize it in our small group. Then discuss how you would individually apply it to your own life. How does this Bible knowledge impact and change me? The final fifteen minutes is a time to share and care and pray for each other. Then eat a cookie, decide where you are going to meet next week, who will bring the cookies next week (this is very important) and you are all done. Hopefully start to finish is 60 to 90 minutes total.

      Being involved in a small group is an opportunity for in-depth fellowship and friendships. It is a place to bear burdens and celebrate victories. It's a place to give and receive inspiration, to live up to God's best. A small group experience is not all serious. Warmth and acceptance is the best atmosphere for fun and relaxation, spontaneous get-togethers and building life-long friendships. Small groups can be the difference between church attendance and being a part of our church family. Consider a few of the recent "one another" messages from Sunday mornings. The small group is one great place (not the only place) to practice them:

     Be devoted to one another (Romans 12:10)

     Accept one another (Romans 15:17)

     Care for one another (1 Corinthians 12:25)

     Encourage one another (1 Thes. 5:11)

     Build up one another (1 Thes. 5:11)

     Serve one another (1 Peter 4:10)

     Love one another (1 John 4:11)

      I trust you will consider being part as we put new emphasis on an old style of meeting that goes all the way back to the beginning of history. Christ said it this way in Matthew 18:20, "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them."

      Pastor Paul

Kids Korner - Pastor Greg

      It's already September?! Can we stop the clock for just a few days first?! What a busy, busy summer this has been! There is so much to praise the Lord for! JUNE: Vacation Bible School, reaching out to hundreds in our community. JULY: West Coast Camp, taking our largest group ever to Junior Camp. AUGUST: Wacky Water Frenzy was a HUGE success with 126 kids involved (and boy, did they get WET)!

      And now, here comes the Fall! We are very excited about the coming year of Children's Ministry. This summer we incorporated something called "Summer Sabbath." This was an opportunity to give our volunteers some time away from their respective ministries so that they might get rested, refreshed and ready for the active school year program schedule. I have heard from several of them that they are indeed ready to go! Praise the Lord!

      Our Children's Ministry focus begins with the smallest in our care. We are excited about the many new babies being born in our church! While this does create a unique set of challenges for us, we have a plan in place to be able to minister to all of our little ones, from infancy to toddler age. I am so thankful for our committed Nursery staff. If you'd like to join them, please let me know!

      Our ministry to elementary age children is "G.R.A.C.E. QUEST." There are three components to this: Sunday School (meeting at 9:15 every Sunday morning), Children's Church (meeting at 10:30 every Sunday morning) and Midweek Club (meeting every Wednesday night at 6:45). We have a well-qualified staff of volunteers in place to help meet the spiritual needs of your children. Our approach is Bible-based, age-appropriate and kid-friendly. I should also add that it's a lot of FUN! If you would like more information on "G.R.A.C.E. QUEST", I have prepared a packet of material available to parents to give you an overview of our philosophy and to help answer your questions.

      Another opportunity for involvement is with the "God Squad." This is a group for our 5th and 6th grade young people, who are still too young for the "youth group stuff" and too old for the "little kid stuff." There is a heavy emphasis on service, ministry and involvement. We want to train leaders! So, in addition to having fun activities from time-to-time, these kids lead worship in Children's Church and get involved in other service opportunities (like preparing the Candy Canes at Christmas time and the Resurrection Eggs at Easter).

      While I do not have an exact count right now, it is safe to say there are over 60 people on our Children's Ministry Team. Our ministry to children simply could not take place without them. They are a blessing; they are a joy; they are a challenge. Their dedication and faithfulness humbles me and causes me to thank God for them every single day. Our children are not simply "the future," they are "the today." May our efforts in the coming year bring forth good fruit and glory to His name. Pray for us.

      Pastor Greg

The Month in Focus with Pastor Ben

     Well, it's September again. September is always a second new beginning. When kids are involved, you get two "new starts." Everyone always gets a "New Year". But the beginning of the school year is also a "New Year". It's nice to take those times to reflect and think.

      As I've taken the opportunity (again) to think on my first year here, I see a lot of good stuff. Have I made mistakes? Sure. If I could do some stuff over again, would I? Probably. Would I do a lot of it the same? Yes. More importantly, have I learned from my mistakes and successes? Definitely.

      What is that kind of action and reflection called? Growth. I've been told by others that they can see how I've grown; now I'm starting to see it. I see it in the decisions I make, I see it in the relationships I have, I see it in the way I look at God's Word. How is it that I'm able to grow? It's because this church is doing what it's supposed to - it's acting as a greenhouse. In a greenhouse the conditions are set to encourage growth. The temperature and humidity are controlled; the glass allows the sun to come through in all of its glory, and the plants are fed on a regular basis. But the greenhouse cannot cause the plants to grow – only God does. Likewise God has caused growth in me.

      God can and does want to create growth in you. He wants to see you change and be different. He wants you to be different than you were last year. As in John 15, sometimes the Gardener has to prune back some branches so that it'll bear more fruit. Do you have branches you're not letting God prune? Are you a tree with legs - always running away from the gardener? Let God grow you and see what kind of fruit you can bear.

      Pastor Ben

Round-Up BBQ

September 17

Lunch Menu
BBQ Tri-Tip
Ranch Beans
Bread
Salad
Dessert
Sweet Tea

• Casual Western Dress
• 9:15 AM Sunday School
• 10:30 AM Morning Service
• Lunch in the gym following the Morning Service
• No Evening Service

Sign up sheet on the bulletin board in the church foyer.
A-M: Bring a Salad
N-Z: Bring a Dessert

Baby Dedication

We will be having a Baby Dedication Service on Sunday, September 24. If you would like more information, please speak to Pastor Paul or call the church office to make an appointment.

Home Group Bible Study

If you are interested in having a part in a home group, make sure to attend the evening services of Sunday, September 10 & 24.

October Events

Changes For Life - Weight Loss Group

Sue Garvin, Group Leader

Contact Information:
Sue Garvin: 673-3693
Grace Baptist Church: 673-6847

Do you want to lose a few pounds and achieve a healthier lifestyle? Then this is the group for you!

Group leader Sue Garvin will give guidelines and help you reach a healthier weight, eat more nutritionally and establish a more active lifestyle. Meetings will include a confidential weigh-in (to help you keep track of how close you are to your goal weight) and group training and discussions with nutrition guidelines, healthy recipes and exercise helps.

First session begins on Monday, September 25 in the Choir Room at 6:30 PM.

New Members

If you are interested in becoming a member of Grace Baptist Church, join Pastor Paul at 4:30 PM, on Sunday, September 10. Not sure what you have to do, to become a member?

Not sure if you are ready to become a member?

If you have any questions, see Pastor Paul.

Calendar of Events

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