Volunteers are more than just people who greet you, change diapers, help out each and every Sunday. They aren't a group of folks who begrudgingly come in early, or stay late to clean or help setup. The volunteers at Grace Church are "Ministry Partners" who get to serve Jesus, care for others, and seek those who don't know Jesus or have lost their way. They receive and share the love of Jesus with anyone and everyone who walks through our doors.
And that's why, on this Family Sunday, we honor all the incredible ministry partners who help us day and day out at Grace Church! Your service to the Lord is seen and appreciated!

Happy New Year!

This Sunday we welcomed Pastor Jack Gilbert, our NextGen Pastor, to share a message with us as we look to the new year!

The peak of the Christmas season is Christmas Day. The plan put in motion, lights on and ready, the music selected and playing. Gatherings with family, friends, and guests and the gifts handed out and celebrated....but what about the day AFTER Christmas?
In the final addition to The Best Christmas Forever series, Pastor Tim talks with us about Simeon. A man of God who was righteous and devout, who was told by the Holy Spirit he would meet the Messiah. His reaction, upon coming in the presence of Jesus Christ, is one that all of us will experience, each time we come close to him. We just have to spend time with Him.

Each and every Christmas we are reminded of the perfect gift that was given for all mankind to receive. A gift that is free and given freely. But not everyone chooses to receive this gift.

This Christmas Eve, Pastor Tim reminds us that we are all the sons and daughters of God and that the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ is the gift that will last forever.

Why would the God of all creation, the one who established His people through the descendants of Abraham and Issac select shepherds and Wise Men to come and see the birth of the Savior? Why not select religious leaders of those days? Why not select someone prominent or influential?
God can see so much more than what we see. He knows and understands the heart. So, why select shepherds and Wise Men to meet Baby Jesus? Because they are the ones on the outside, they are the ones who don't fit in...just like US!

Christmas lights and Christmas music are pretty solid indicators of the Christmas season. However, songs and lights don't last forever. Lights wear out and need to be replaced...even the most beloved Christmas songs eventually lose their luster, or they are replaced with newer more modern versions of the song. And even then, those songs fade away!!

BUT... God's glory and radiance last forever. The songs of the angels, even now, are still being sung in the heavens and God is calling each of us to be a part of HIS glory! Amen!

Putting together the best Christmas plan is difficult...at best! We try to account for every detail and end up adjusting as the days come and go.

But the best Christmas plan pales in comparison to the plan that God had for his children from the beginning of time. The plan of redemption. The plan of salvation. The plan of forgiveness.

As the Christmas season has us put our best efforts into planning and orchestrating Christmas gatherings, let's never lose sight of the perfect plan for ALL of humanity. A child born to a virgin mother, living sinless life, dying on the cross for our sins, and rising on the third day...providing forgiveness for ALL.

As we are blessed by our salvation in Jesus, often times we hesitate to act as He would act. Even when the Holy Spirit encourages us, we still manage to push it down!

This Sunday Pastor Jack Gilbert, our NextGen Pastor, encourages us to look for opportunities to be a blessing to those around us just as Jesus did.

As we close out the Life in the Spirit series, Pastor Tim reminds us that Peter wasn't always the powerhouse of faith and spiritual strength that he is after Acts 2. He often tried to act through his own power and strength, even when he was walking with and learning from Jesus!

But once he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, he too healed and performed signs and wonders as only Jesus did.

This Sunday be reminded, that if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your savior, the Holy Spirit lives IN YOU. You are anointed to go and share the Good News with the world as a vessel for HIS use.

As we receive the baptism of the Spirit, we are given access to spiritual gifts that allow us to minister to people in the same way that Jesus ministered. These gifts don't prove our spirituality or make us more important than others. They are simply tools, for our use, to accomplish Kingdom priorities!

This Sunday, Pastor Tim does a surface review of the gifts of the Spirit as listed in 1 Corinthians 12 and takes a few moments to discuss the importance of using those gifts to help others - not yourself.