Speaker: Pastor Ruthie Seiders, Central Ministries Pastor

Message: Thanks + Giving: It’s Time for Thanksgiving Again

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10; 5:16–18 • 2 Corinthians 9:6–8 • Proverbs 11:24–25 • Hebrews 12:1–3

As the holiday season launches into full speed, Pastor Ruthie Seiders invites us to pause — to breathe in the goodness of God and remember the heart behind Thanksgiving.

Looking at Paul’s earliest recorded letter, Ruthie explores how the Apostle begins not with updates about his own life, but with gratitude for the people he shepherds. This message calls us into that same rhythm:

Thanks + Giving — Giving Thanks and Thankfully Giving.

Through stories of the Thessalonian church, Grace Chapel’s own history, and the joyful legacy of generosity, Pastor Ruthie reminds us that:

True faith is busy (Leon Morris)

Love prompts labor

Hope produces endurance

Gratitude fuels generosity

And cheerful giving is a spiritual practice that shapes us into Christlikeness

As we gather around tables and step into Advent, may our hearts echo Paul’s words:

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances…” (1 Thess. 5:16–18)

Speaker: Pastor Tom VanAntwerp, Wilmington Campus Pastor

Series: Cultivate – The Fruit of the Spirit-Filled Life

Text: Romans 7:18–25, Galatians 5:22–23, Romans 8:5–6, Matthew 27:51

Self-control is one of the most misunderstood fruits of the Spirit. It sounds like something we produce through sheer effort — but Scripture tells a very different story.

In this message, Pastor Tom VanAntwerp explores the tension Paul exposes in Romans 7, the paradox of enkrateia (inner strength), and the cultural swing between self-indulgence and extreme self-discipline. Through biblical insight, spiritual formation wisdom, and memorable images (including Odysseus, the Sirens, and a better song), Pastor Tom shows us:

Self-control isn’t willpower.

Self-control comes from giving the Spirit control.

This Cultivate series finale invites us to open more of our inner lives to God’s Spirit — the One who rearranges our desires, grows all the fruit together, and leads us into a life with God.

What does faithfulness look like in real life? Akash Ahuja (Lexington Director of High School Ministry) takes us from Acadia to the Grand Canyon—showing how a river’s slow, steady flow carved something breathtaking—and how the Spirit forms the fruit of faithfulness in us the same way.

We trace God’s faithfulness through Scripture (Ex 34:6–7), see Jesus finish the work the Father gave Him (John 17; 19:30), explore the Bible’s two meanings of “faithfulness” (trustworthy and full of trust), and watch Jesus restore Peter to faithful service.

Practical next steps land close to home: 1-minute prayers, consistent serving, small gifts—ordinary acts that add up over time.

Speaker: Akash Ahuja, Lexington Director of High School Ministry

Series: Cultivate — The Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23)

Key Texts: Galatians 5:22–23; Exodus 34:6–7; Hosea 6:3; John 17:1–5; John 21

Artwork Mentioned: Under His Wings by Laura Wallace (Psalm 57:1)

What does true gentleness look like — not as weakness, but as strength under control?

In this week’s Cultivate series message, Pastor Tim Ghali, Interim Teaching & Discipleship Pastor, unpacks the story of Jesus and the Samaritan Woman (John 4:1–26) to show how God’s Spirit cultivates gentleness in us — especially in a world that rewards power, pride, and harshness.

Jesus’ gentle engagement with the woman at the well shows us how gentleness restores dignity, opens doors to transformation, and reflects the heart of God to those around us.

Key Themes:

Gentleness as a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23)

How Jesus models strength through compassion

Restoring others through Spirit-led humility

Living gently in a harsh and hurried world

💬 “Gentleness isn’t avoiding truth — it’s bringing truth in love.”

🎧 Part 7 of our Cultivate series: The Fruit of a Spirit-Filled Life.

📖 Scripture: John 4:1–26

📍 Speaker: Pastor Tim Ghali, Interim Teaching & Discipleship Pastor

🕊️ Series: Cultivate – The Fruit of a Spirit-Filled Life

We’re wired to celebrate what’s good—but we don’t agree on what “good” is. Pastor Josiah explores Jesus’ worldview-shifting claim that God alone is good (Matt. 19:16–22) and shows how that truth reframes evil, sin, and even hell. With a vivid “spring and river” picture, you’ll see why swimming toward the Source changes your life, how the Good Samaritan still captures our hearts, and why the invitation of Jesus is to come empty-handed and follow.

Key Scriptures: Galatians 5:22–23; Matthew 19:16–22; James 1:17; Romans 2:4

Big Idea: Goodness happens in us when we respond to God’s call out of ourselves and into Him—the Source of all good.

If you prayed with Dom or want to talk more about following Jesus, email: [email protected]

Cultivate – Week 5: Kindness

Big idea: God has been so kind to us, and he is working to make us just as kind as he is.

We all want to live in a kinder world—so why is kindness so hard? Today we walk through Galatians 5:13–26 to see Paul’s “third way”: not slavery to law or flesh, but walking by the Spirit. We explore biblical ḥesed (God’s steadfast kindness), how Jesus embodies it, and how the Spirit grows that same kindness in us—then get practical about exercising the “kindness muscle” in daily life.

Key Scriptures: Gal 5:1, 13–26; Rom 2:4; Titus 3:1–6; Isa 30:18; Ps 86:15; 2 Sam 9

Art Feature: Photo by Dan Smith (Forsyth Dental Infirmary tile frieze) – a picture of a God who waits to show us kindness.

Questions to take into the week

“God, who in my life needs Your kindness today?”

“Where is fear keeping me from being an upstander?”

“Where is my certainty getting in the way of kindness?”

Next step: Join our October Season of Prayer and ask God to both show and grow His kindness in you.

“Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming…” (James 5:7)

In this message, we explore what it means to live a Spirit-filled life marked by patience. Unlike love, joy, and peace—which feel refreshing and desirable—patience is often harder to embrace because it means waiting, enduring, and long-suffering.

Drawing from James 5, the story of Waiting for Godot, and practical spiritual practices, we discover that patience is not passive but an active partnership with God. Patience teaches us to embrace suffering, resist distraction, and experience God’s presence with us in the waiting.

This sermon is part of our Cultivate series: The Fruit of a Spirit-Filled Life at Grace Chapel.

👉 What helps you cultivate patience in your own life? Share in the comments below!

Generosity is a miracle. It’s not something we do for God—it’s something God does in us.

Today, John Rinehart (Founder & CEO, Gospel Patrons) unpacks 2 Corinthians 8:1–9, showing how generosity flows from God’s grace. From the radical example of the Macedonian church to Paul’s charge to “excel in this act of grace”, and finally to Jesus’ own generosity—“though he was rich… he became poor”—this message invites us to give ourselves first to the Lord and join His Kingdom work with joy.

📌 Message Highlights

Generosity as a work of grace, not mere philanthropy

The Macedonians: affliction + poverty → overflowing generosity

Paul’s coaching to the Corinthians: excel in giving

Jesus as the ultimate model of generosity (2 Cor. 8:9)

Practicing generosity today: heart first, then resources

📖 Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1–9

🙏 Takeaway: Generosity is Spirit-formed and joy-producing—evidence of God at work in us and through us.

In Week 3 of Cultivate, Pastor Tim Ghali unpacks the Peace of the Holy Spirit: what it is, what it isn’t, and how followers of Jesus both receive and give Christ’s peace in a noisy, polarized world. This message invites us to move beyond “peace and quiet” toward Spirit-formed shalom that frees our hearts, heals relationships, and witnesses to God’s Kingdom.

📌 Message Highlights

Why Jesus’ first words after the resurrection are “Peace be with you”

The difference between the world’s peace and Jesus’ peace (John 14:27)

Receive: freedom from shame, regret, and self-reliance through the Spirit

Give: practicing peacemaking in families, church, and our public witness

Growing in peace: participation with the Spirit, not passive spectatorship

📖 Scripture

John 20:19–21; John 14:1, 15–27

🕊 Next Steps

Month of Prayer (October): join us in daily prayer and spiritual practices as we seek renewal together.

Group Connect: find a Life Group (in-person or online) and experience community that cultivates the fruit of the Spirit.

We’re praying that today you experience the peace Jesus gives—and become a peacemaker in His name.

Grace Chapel’s Kickoff Sunday marks the beginning of a new ministry season! 🍂✨

This year, our theme is “Centered on Jesus”—an invitation to allow the Spirit of God to transform our natural impulses into Spirit-led reflexes that lead to love and flourishing.

In today’s digital sermon, Pastor Tom VanAntwerp, Wilmington Campus Pastor, unpacks Galatians 5 and the Fruit of the Spirit, beginning with Love. What would it look like if love became your first, instinctive response in every situation?

📌 Message Highlights:

Why our “natural reflexes” often lead us astray

How the Spirit reshapes us from the inside out

The first fruit of the Spirit: LOVE—what it looks like in real life

📖 Scripture: Galatians 5:16–25

🙏 Prayer: “Holy Spirit, have more of me.”

We’d love for you to subscribe, share this message, and join us on the journey of becoming a people truly centered on Jesus.