the good news of grace august...
TRANSCRIPT
The Good News of Grace
August Newsletter
Vol. 37, No. 8
Sunday Mornings
at Grace August 3 We continue our series on the Old Testament hero Hezekiah with “Crisis of an Invading Army”. (Isaiah 36 & 37 & 2 Kings 18:9-15) August 10 “Crisis of Impending Death” (Isaiah 38 & 2 Kings 20:1-11) August 17 We end the Hezekiah Series with “Crisis of a Legacy”. (Isaiah 39 & 2 Kings 20:12-21) August 24 We begin our new series on James with “Testing of our Faith” (James 1: 1-12) August 31 Guest Speaker: Jason Brown from City Church will be speaking.
Ocean Baptism On Sunday, August 24 we will have our annual Ocean Baptism. If you would like to be baptized at the beach please contact the church office (562.596.1605). A mandatory class will be held before the baptism. If you have questions beforehand contact the church to speak to a pastor. If you are not being baptized we would love for you to join us as we cheer on and pray for those who are being baptized. Plan on walking down to the beach after the 11am service together.
Grace
Happenings
Why go all the way to Washington DC in July for a denominational conference? Here are 6 reasons I’m glad I made the trip: 1. Jesus is Lord and Savior - At the core, our fellowship of churches is about following Jesus as Lord. We’re currently in the middle of a three-year process called the “Identity Initiative” that will seek to capture and verbalize what is most important to us as Grace Brethren churches. I’m encouraged that at the forefront of our identity will be the unequivocal statement that Jesus is Lord and Savior, as well as the careful thought and prayer that’s gone into the process as a whole. 2. International Cooperation - The FGBC has a wonderful heritage of church-planting around the world, and we’re humbled by the way God has used FGBC missionaries to build indigenous movements of churches. In fact, at this point in our history, 90% of FGBC members are outside of North America, and 95% of FGBC members worship in a language other than English. In response to this “coming of age” of church movements in countries like Central African Republic (CAR), Nigeria, Argentina, Portugal, Cambodia, and elsewhere, the FGBC is seeking to create a more “round table” approach, rather than “top-down” approach. 3. Social Concerns - Pastor Don continues to lead our denomination’s effort to understand how biblical truth intersects with questions of our day. You can contact the church office to receive the resolutions adopted by the conference on issues related to immigration, religious freedom, and other important issues. 4. Church Planting and Embracing the Future - While the membership of the FGBC is fairly stable, we want to be a fellowship of churches who embrace church planting and how we can reach more people for Christ. I was inspired by some of the creative and faithful ways people in our fellowship are reaching out, and humbled that many are doing so in far more difficult situations than we are in. 5. A New Way to Explain the Gospel - Pastor Steve and I spent a couple workshops with Jason, one of our church’s missionaries, as he laid out the importance of understanding Honor and Shame, and how it’s different from our western Guilt/Innocence framework. He put together a wonderful 4 minute video showing how he shares the gospel in Honor/Shame cultures. Highly recommended. 6. Our Chaplains Ministering in the Military - We were to able to hear updates from a number of our FGBC chaplains serving in the military. Of the 20 chaplains from our denomination, 6 are members of Grace Seal Beach. They’re getting a chance to do a ton of significant ministry, including baptisms, counseling, evangelism, preaching, and a lot else. Please keep them in prayer. Pastor Don has agreed to serve as the Associate Endorsing Agent for the chaplains, so he’ll take on a more active role in working with our chaplains.
Pastor Bob
National Conference 6 Things I Appreciated about the
of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches
Summer is well underway and so much has happened at Grace already and tons more is yet to come. To view a full August calendar visit
gracesealbeach.org or find a hard copy in the Fellowship Hall.
Coming Soon!
Women’s
Ministry
Save the Date: Charity Luncheon Sunday, September 21 This year we’ll have the opportunity to learn about the Long Beach Rescue Mission and how we can help this very worthy mission that provides food, clothing, shelter and spiritual guidance to the homeless and less fortunate. Tonya Hubbard will be our speaker. We’ll meet in the Offshore Room from 12:15 to 1:30 PM. Save the Date: District Retreat November 7 to 9 Here is an opportunity to get away for a delightful and challenging weekend with women from other churches. We’ll meet at Murrieta Hot Springs. The theme is “The Face of Jesus” (how do you reflect that face?). There will abundant opportunities to meet new friends as well as to strengthen existing friendships with those attending from our own church. For the cost of $175 you’ll receive two nights of lodging, five meals, recreational options and more! Stop by the sign-up table after services on August 10 and 17.
Lights of Love (Secret Friend Encourager Program) “If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another.” 1 John 1:7a By taking the opportunity to be a secret encourager through prayer, notes and perhaps small remembrances for special occasions (optional) you’ll certainly bring the light of God’s love into the life of the special woman you’ll be matched with. Sound intriguing? Please contact Lisa if you have questions or to obtain an information form ([email protected] or 562-596-1605 ext. 16). This is a September-May commitment.
Table Game Evening Friday, August 8 will be our next table game evening. We’ll meet in the Offshore Room between 7:00 to 10:00 PM. Bring a favorite game or two, a snack or just bring yourself! Beverages will be provided. Sign-ups will be August 3 after services. This will be a great way to spend a summer evening.
Women’s Poolside Potluck Get-together Get ready for a fun, relaxing evening at Lori Griffin’s home (413 Crystal Pl. Seal Beach 90740) on Tuesday, August 19 beginning at 6:30. This will be a great way to meet and interact with others. For those who wish to bring food to share (for 6) at the potluck, you’ll have the chance to determine what to bring at the sign-ups which will be after services on August 10 and 17. Swimming is optional. Come join us!
Left: Chris Campbell, Marion Lidyoff,
Suzy Gowin
Top: Chris Campbell, Suzy Gowin,
Maria Saltzgaver, Jonie Hatheway,
Kari Tapie and Linda Archuleta.
Letter fro
m th
e Ed
itor
Ministers of
Hello Everyone and Welcome to August. We are well into summer and the weather has been Sunshine, warm and breezy. We are so fortunate to live in this kind of environment! VBS is over and there is always a little bit of sadness that follows the week. The buildings rang with the voices of 215 children, 85 teachers, helpers and performers. The lawn area was full of kids running, jumping and sometimes sliding down water slides. Every morning and afternoon the sound of singing, shouting and laughing filled our ears. It made for happy days and lots of smiles. Our church is so fortunate to be able to offer this program for our children and the community. It is a fabulous way to imprint Jesus on all their tender hearts and help to make it a lifelong commitment. Of course it doesn’t stop there, those precious little ones bring the message to their families and friends and like a fire it keeps growing. So many hands helped in numerous ways for a great week. You might want to consider helping next year. It is an unforgettable experience! There are a number of services that we provide at Grace that you might not be aware of. These services are available to help our members, those in need and members of the community. We have a front door homeless ministry that happens daily. People come to the front door asking for assistance and one of the pastor’s talks to them to assess their need. Most of the time they are asking for a meal and a McDonald’s card will be given. If their needs are more than this they will be referred to the Long Beach Rescue Mission and given a bus pass. We also have hygiene products, socks, blankets, etc. to sustain them through the day. Karing Kitchens is for our church family members who have had a crisis, tragedy, illness, surgery, baby, death, etc. This service is activated by calling the church office. There is a list of people who willingly bring a meal to those who are in need. On Tuesdays and Thursdays we have an exercise class led by our own Judy Ward in the Fellowship hall from 9:30 – 10:30am. Communion and a visit are brought to those church members who are bound to their home and are unable to attend church services. Pastoral visits to members who are in the hospital, having surgery, home recovering or delivering a baby. This list is not even close to being complete but I thought you would be interested to know about all the services listed. Have a wonderful August and carve out some time to get closer to your Heavenly Father. See you around Grace, Millie Grazie & Ciao, Elena Grana
Join us for our 2nd Annual All-Church camp on October 3-5, 2014 up at Alpine Conference Center in Blue Jay. The weekend will be filled with hiking, worship, games, crafts, great speakers and so much more. Our speakers this year will be Jason Brown and Bill White. Jason & Bill are co-pastors of City Church of Long Beach, a multi-cultural church plant in the Wrigley neighborhood of Long Beach. We hope that you can join us for this weekend of connection, growth and fun. Find a brochure with more information and camp costs on the church website or the Sunday Information Table.
All-Church Camp
Last month our church enjoyed the Second Annual All-Church Picnic. We would like to thank the four women who helped make it such a success, Liz Fukumura, Karin Greene, Kathy Berry and Trish Williams. Each of these women also serve in other vital areas of our church: Children’s Ministry, Women’s Ministry, Art of Marriage Conference, Leadership Council, and many others. Thank you for being coworkers in the gospel of Jesus!
the Month
Vacation Bible
School 2014
Our Great Bible Adventure has come to a close! Thank you to all for your support of Vacation Bible School 2014! There were 212 children and 7 Bibles given to ones who had never had a Bible. Many children rededicated their lives to Christ. There was over $1000 collected in offering that will be able to send children in Sierra Leon to school. It was a wonderful week! To help further the teaching of God’s word, Children’s Ministry will be putting together fall rosters in the month of August. Teachers are needed for Pre-Kindergarten through 4th grade. Please prayerfully consider how you can serve in this precious ministry. For more information, please see Cindy van Beek or Cara Krieger.
Catalina
Summer Camp
The R
ide o
f her L
ife
An island getaway is the sort of thing people dream of for vacations and honeymoons. For the students of Grace Community Church it isn't just a dream. Summer Camp at Intervarsity's Campus by the Sea on Catalina Island is a high point of the year for many students and this year is no different. From August 17-22 both Middle School and High School students will cross over to Catalina for a week of fun and Bible study. Please pray for us as we travel to and from the island and especially for Jesus to encounter our students and guests in ways that will change them. One last thing, please also pray for our adult leaders as they will have anything but a vacation. Camp is hard work and emotionally taxing. Interested in being added to the waiting list for extra spots?
Contacts: Pastor Joe (Middle School)
Riley (High School) [email protected]
The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God will stand forever.
Isaiah 40:8
VERSE OF THE MONTH
Grace member Ana Patterson helped start a "Good News Club" at the public elementary school where she is a teacher. Together with volunteers from other local churches in North Long Beach, they saw 76 kids involved throughout the year, with many of them coming to know Christ! Well done, Ana, we're proud of the way that you're living out a missional life in your workplace.
Good News The
Club
Grace member, Gladys Runkle turned 93 in July and for her 93rd birthday, instead of a quiet
birthday party at home or a sweet tea she decided to take a ride on a motorcycle for her very first
time. Gladys was all smiles as she rode around the church and Main Street while her friends
stood on the street cheering her on. What an inspiration she is!
Happy Birthday Gladys!