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February 10, 2017
Grace & Peace to You Grace Church,
I hope that you’ve been enjoying our series on Revelation at both our East and West campuses on Sunday mornings. Pastor Jeff and I certainly have enjoyed the challenges of our message preparations that a book like Revelation provides.
I thought that it might be a good idea to share some of the resources that we’ve been using with you in the event that you might like to “dig a little deeper” into your own personal study of Revelation. While some of the resources we’ve used have been more “academic,” others have been quite accessible and would be a great addition to any Christian’s library.
From left to right they are as follows:
Each of these books have proven to be great assets to Pastor Jeff and me as we have sought to wrestle our way through the book of Revelation. It’s our prayer that they will do the same for you.
I look forward to seeing you Sunday when the Tribe gathers, my friends. Until, may we continue to live the Kingdom of God in the way of Jesus in ways that are authentic, compelling, and true!
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Eric |
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Pathway Points
Stepping Up for Jesus
Monica Lebsack, Creative Ministries Director
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Last week, I asked you how you were doing with the Bible reading challenge that Pastors Eric and Jeff gave us at the beginning of the year (GraceNotes). Hopefully, you’ve started over one more time, and, as David Barnhart’s dad says, you’re beginning to look rather consistent.
I’ve noticed over the years that one reason people struggle to read scripture daily is the way they read it. Most of the time, when taking up a challenge like this, people approach the Bible in a blunt force way, trying to read it like a novel from beginning to end. Then, they get overwhelmed by 40 different authors writing 66 different books to a variety of audiences with a variety of needs. The Bible is an amazing collection of books with Jesus in every single one (see The Whole Bible Guides Us Toward Jesus), but to truly appreciate that, we need a different approach as we read it.
My Saturday morning small group is practicing reading scripture and looking for Jesus in each passage by answering 4 questions (see DNA for a more in depth description):
- Who is God? Describe his characteristics that show up in this passage. (i.e. loving, patient, jealous, etc.)
- What has he done? Describe his actions in this passage. (i.e. saved, listened, redeemed, etc.)
- Who are we in light of that? Describe our characteristics as Christians based on this passage. (i.e. child of God, blessed, set apart, etc.)
- How do we live? Describe our actions based on all of that. (i.e. be patient, bless our enemies, choose God’s will over the pleasures of the world, etc.)
If you’re at all interested in practicing with us, join us at Grampa Tony’s on Columbus at 9am Saturday mornings.
Stepping up with you in His strength!
 Monica
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Current Series
@ both Campuses:
REVELATION
This week's message:
"Serious Symbolism"
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(Requests will stay on the prayer list for 1 week. If you have a repeating request, please check the box on your Relationship Card, and your request will remain on the list for 4 weeks.)
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 One Call Now
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 SCOUT SUNDAY
FREE “Thank You” Pancake Breakfast from our Scouting troupes to the congregation:
West Campus—Today, Feb. 12th
East Campus—February 19th
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Levi's Table
February 13
6:30-8p
Uptown Grill
3 E. Main St., Bay City
in the uptown development
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 Please be sure to put your FULL NAME on your offering envelope each week to ensure giving credit. If you would rather used your assigned number, please call the office, and we will provide it for you. Thank you!
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Nursery Help Needed on March 19
If you are willing and able to care for Grace's youngest members on March 19 at West Campus, please see Elizabeth Hulka in the nursery.
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FOOD PANTRY NEEDS
The food pantry at West Campus is in need of the following food items:
Pork & Beans
Peanut Butter
Mac and Cheese
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Thanks to all who donated used Bible study books. Our collection was extensive with several sets of multiple copies for Bible study at the Salvation Army. The single copies will be utilized for prison ministries. Major Mike was very appreciative and thanks us all. ~ Marty and Linda
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Pastor Eric's Bible study will not meet on the second Thursday of the month.
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Mental illness, just like physical illness, is real. Becoming educated about a topic helps us move beyond uncomfortable feelings some might experience. Let's welcome our speaker from the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) of Midland on Tuesday, February 28th at 7:00 p.m. at West Campus. There will be a presentation and a question/answer period. Also, one of the unique practices of UMW is a Lenten Call to Prayer and Self-Denial devotion featuring Maternal and Child Health, also on February 28th. All are welcome!
Thanks so much to all of you who worked so hard to make the UMW Soup Supper go so well! We appreciate Larry Appold and all of the men who worked in the kitchen, Ellen Adams who baked all of the bread, all of you who made soup and desserts, Jim Braun who did so many dishes, and Caroline and John Darbee, Susan Caister and the youth group for all of the help with clean up. If you served soup, worked in the dining room, kept the salad and dessert tables filled or helped with clean-up, you had a part in helping us earn almost $1,400 that will be used for many of our missions! Judy Knopp & Carrie Diaz (co-chairs)
Ruth Circle will be meeting Monday, February 13th at 7:00 p.m. Please bring filled Hope Tote for Good Samaritan Rescue Mission. Hostesses are Bev Gottschiling and Judy Knopp.
Dorcas Circle will be meeting at West Campus on Tuesday, February 14th at 11:30 a.m.
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 Grace Church is assembling a team for the Bay County Relay for Life Event on May 20th. Please contact Rick Thibo if you’re interested in participating in this worthy cause to help the fight against cancer.
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The New Membership Class will be held Sunday, March 26, 12:30p, at West Campus. Join us for lunch and discussion about Grace Church.
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