Grace Blog
Preparing for Grace Gathered :: December 6, 2009
As we enter this Advent season, we have the privilege of celebrating Jesus who is Immanuel, God with us. In Him, all the promises of God find their yes and amen, and through Him, we have access to the throne of grace. Let us come boldly through the mediatorial work of Jesus our great High Priest who was born to die, a lamb to be slain, that we might through his death find life!
Bible Study: The Gospel-Centered Life
Tim Brister and Rick Tarter continue the final section of The Gospel-Centered Life which focuses on how the gospel works through us. This week takes us to the important issue of forgiveness and how the gospel not only informs us why and how we should forgive but also empowers us to forgive as God has forgiven us. We encourage you to read and meditate on Matt. 18:21-35 which will be our primary text during Sunday’s teaching.
Grace Gathered (Worship Services)
During Grace Gathered, Pastor Tom will be continuing his series through the book of Proverbs, this Sunday focusing on “Vocational Wisdom.” What does God’s Word have to say about work, sloth, and productivity? How do you view your work–a divine calling or a secular obligation? God desires for all of us in the workplace to labor in light of the gospel and those where in the image of God is being renewed.
“Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” is a classic hymn of Charles Wesley which we will be singing as a congregation. Below are the lyrics. Consider the words as you prepare your heart to worship Jesus this Sunday.
Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.
Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.
Grace Scattered: Community Groups
This Sunday evening, Grace will be scattered across SW Florida through our Grace Community Groups. These groups are intended to cultivate opportunities to gospel one another, discuss and apply Gods Word from the morning, and foster life-change through authentic community. If you are not currently in a GCG and would like to be, please see Pastor Tim Brister. For more information, including FAQ, maps, and host homes, click here.
Reminders
1. Those who are look to visit with us or are coming down as Snowbirds, please note the schedule change for Sunday morning. We have two morning services (8:00 and 10:45) with Sunday School in the middle at 9:30am.
2. Christmas Outreach has begun! If you have not picked up bags of Bibles to distribute to your neighbor and friends, be sure to pick some up at the Welcome Center.
3. This Sunday is the deadline for all applications pertaining to the 2010 short-term mission trips. If you have completed your application, you can turn them in to the church office or Pastor Tim Brister.
4. For those attending the 8:00AM service, we want to welcome you to come early for a time of light breakfast and prayer at 7:00AM in the Fellowship Hall. The pastors and those serving in various ministry teams will also be attending, praying, and looking to Jesus for the launch of a wonderful Lord’s Day together.
Labels: Grace Baptist Church, Grace Gathered, Lord's Day | posted by TimBrister at 1:45 pm | Categories: Advent, Grace Gathered |
He’s Here - The Jesus Storybook Bible
The Jesus Storybook Bible has been a great gift to our family for our family worship. We are close to completing it for the second time, and our boys are increasingly loving their Bible with each time of learning about Jesus. Below is a video narration of the birth of Christ. I encourage you to share this with your children sometime during this advent season. You can pick up a copy at Westminster Bookstore for just $11 and change.
Labels: Advent, Jesus, Sally Lloyd-Jones, The Jesus Storybook Bible | posted by TimBrister at 12:17 pm | Categories: Advent, Jesus, Parenting/Family |
