Grace Blog
Preparing for Grace Gathered :: March 14, 2010
Over the past couple of months, God has continued to use the Sunday gatherings to minister to more and more people from our community. Because of God’s blessing, we are seeing more people attending our gathered services now than at any other time in our church’s history. It is exciting to see how God is working in our community and with that comes a stewardship of and sensitivity to the needs that accompany these people. The elders continue to ask those of you in the Grace family that can the early service to please consider doing so to allow for more seating in our 10:45 service.
If you are new to the area or are looking to attend one of our services this Sunday, visit our “New to Grace” menu on our website where you will find information such as directions, what to expect, the latest at Grace, and other frequently asked questions. We look forward to meeting you and have the opportunity to share the love of Jesus and how He has changed our lives!
Bible Study: The Gospel Centered Life: An Addendum
For the past three of Sunday’s, Pastor Tim has been addressing the social implications of the gospel as it relates to the poor, needy, and marginalized. Last week, we discussed the implications of the gospel as from the life of Christ, namely righteous living includes an incarnational presence, neighboring community, and generous welcoming of the poor and marginalized. This week, we will examine the implications from the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, focusing on stewarding the mission through sacrificial giving.
Grace Gathered (Worship Services)
In our gathered worship services (8:00am and 10:45am), we will renew our hearts through the means of grace as God reveals Himself to us through His Word and by His Spirit. Pastor Tom Ascol will continue his series on “The Gospel-Driven Church”–an exposition on the book of 1 Corinthians. The text will be 1 Cor. 2:1-5 which focuses on the true nature of gospel-driven preaching. How did the Apostle Paul approach the Corinthian church? What was his message? How did he present it? Why did he deliver in this manner? These questions strike at the very heart and character of what biblical, gospel preaching is all about.
During our time of singing, we will seek to humble ourselves before our Sovereign King and recognize that apart from Him we are nothing. Below is YouTube video of “Let Us Adore”–one of the gathering songs we will be singing this Sunday. Let us anticipate the gathering of God’s people in corporate praise with hearts adoring our Savior Jesus Christ!
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. Don’t forget to spring FORWARD this Saturday night by turning your clocks ahead one hour!!!
3. The annual GBC Picnic is schedule for this Saturday, March 13, 2010 at Lakes Park in Ft. Myers. Festivities will begin around 11:00am at pavillion C1, so come early and enjoy a wonderful afternoon of fellowship and fun with the entire Grace family!
4. Our next Grace Community Group meets this Sunday, April 4. If you are not part of one of our groups and would like to be, please see Pastor Tim who will assist you in getting connected with a group in your area. For more information, click here.
– Words and Music to “Let Us Adore” by Reuben Morgan. Copyright © 2005 Hillsong United Music
Labels: Cape Coral, Grace Baptist Church, Grace Gathered | posted by TimBrister at 4:30 pm | Categories: Grace Gathered |
Preparing for Grace Gathered :: March 7, 2010
Over the past couple of months, God has continued to use the Sunday gatherings to minister to more and more people from our community. Because of God’s blessing, we are seeing more people attending our gathered services now than at any other time in our church’s history. It is exciting to see how God is working in our community and with that comes a stewardship of and sensitivity to the needs that accompany these people. The elders continue to ask those of you in the Grace family that can the early service to please consider doing so to allow for more seating in our 10:45 service.
If you are new to the area or are looking to attend one of our services this Sunday, visit our “New to Grace” menu on our website where you will find information such as directions, what to expect, the latest at Grace, and other frequently asked questions. We look forward to meeting you and have the opportunity to share the love of Jesus and how He has changed our lives!
Bible Study: The Gospel Centered Life: An Addendum
For the past couple of Sunday’s, Pastor Tim has been addressing the social implications of the gospel as it relates to the poor, needy, and marginalized. Numerous questions were generated from last Sunday’s discussions on the 12 observations made from the New Testament regarding the poor. We hope to pick up where we left off by answering those questions and looking at the horizontal implications regarding to the poor in relation to the vertical gospel realities as experienced in the gospel.
Grace Gathered (Worship Services)
In our gathered worship services (8:00am and 10:45am), we will renew our hearts through the means of grace as God reveals Himself to us through His Word and by His Spirit. Pastor Tom Ascol will continue his series on “The Gospel-Driven Church”–an exposition on the book of 1 Corinthians. The text will be 1 Cor. 1:26-31 where the apostle Paul exhorts us to “consider our calling.” When we look at what we were when God called us and saved us, it is a constant reminder that all that we are is because of the grace of God, and all that we would ever become is to boast in the cross and glorify God.
During our time of singing, we will seek to humble ourselves before our Sovereign King and recognize that apart from Him we are nothing. Below are the lyrics to “I Will Glory in My Redeemer”–one of the modern hymns we will be singing this Sunday. Consider the lyrics and allow it to prepare your heart and mind for this coming Lord’s Day.
I Will Glory in My Redeemer
I will glory in my Redeemer
Whose priceless blood has ransomed me
Mine was the sin that drove the bitter nails
And hung Him on that judgment tree
I will glory in my Redeemer
Who crushed the power of sin and death
My only Savior before the Holy Judge
The Lamb Who is my righteousness
The Lamb Who is my righteousness
I will glory in my Redeemer
My life He bought, my love He owns
I have no longings for another
I’m satisfied in Him alone
I will glory in my Redeemer
His faithfulness my standing place
Though foes are mighty and rush upon me
My feet are firm, held by His grace
My feet are firm, held by His grace
I will glory in my Redeemer
Who carries me on eagle’s wings
He crowns my life with lovingkindness
His triumph song I’ll ever sing
I will glory in my Redeemer
Who waits for me at gates of gold
And when He calls me it will be paradise
His face forever to behold
His face forever to behold
His face forever to behold
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. Our next Grace Community Group meets this Sunday night, beginning at 6:00pm. If you are not part of one of our groups and would like to be, please see Pastor Tim who will assist you in getting connected with a group in your area. For more information, click here.
3. The annual GBC Picnic is schedule for Saturday, March 13, 2010 at Lakes Park in Ft. Myers. Festivities will begin around 11:00am, so come early and enjoy a wonderful afternoon of fellowship and fun with the entire Grace family!
– Words and Music to “I Will Glory in My Redeemer” by Steve & Vicki Cook. Copyright © 2001 Sovereign Grace Music
Labels: Cape Coral, Grace Baptist Church, Grace Gathered | posted by TimBrister at 10:04 pm | Categories: Grace Gathered |
Preparing for Grace Gathered :: February 28, 2010
Over the past couple of months, God has continued to use the Sunday gatherings to minister to more and more people from our community. It is exciting to see how God is working in our community and with that comes a stewardship of and sensitivity to the needs that accompany these people. The elders continue to ask those of you in the Grace family that can the early service to please consider doing so to allow for more seating in our 10:45 service.
If you are new to the area or are looking to attend one of our services this Sunday, visit our “New to Grace” menu on our website where you will find information such as directions, what to expect, the latest at Grace, and other frequently asked questions. We look forward to meeting you and have the opportunity to share the love of Jesus and how He has changed our lives!
Bible Study: The Gospel Centered Life: An Addendum
Last Sunday, Pastor Tim walked us through what Scripture says about the “poor” in order to build a biblical/theological foundation and framework for our thinking and living. During our adult Bible Study time (9:30am), he will pick up the issue of the poor as it relates to the gospel and lead a discussion on what the implications are for us today. Should we care for the poor? If so, are we only to care for the poor in our congregation? If not, what are some specific ways Scripture shows us how we can care for the poor in our community? These questions and others we hope to address from Scripture with the intention of bringing it home to our church and our social responsibility in our communities.
Grace Gathered (Worship Services)
In our gathered worship services (8:00am and 10:45am), we will renew our hearts through the means of grace as God reveals Himself to us through His Word and by His Spirit. Pastor Tom Ascol will continue his series on “The Gospel-Driven Church”–an exposition on the book of 1 Corinthians. The text will be 1 Cor. 1:18-25 where the apostle Paul brings up a very powerful argument on “the foolishness of preaching.” Of all the ways God has determined his purposes of salvation to be accomplished, the plain preaching of the Gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit is chief among them.
During our time of singing, we will focus our attention on the cross and the glories of Calvary. Below are the lyrics to “The Power of the Cross”–one of the modern hymns we will be singing this Sunday. Consider the lyrics and allow it to prepare your heart and mind for this coming Lord’s Day.
The Power of the Cross
Oh to see the dawn of the darkest day
Christ on the road to calvary
Tried by sinful men, torn and beaten then
Nailed to a cross of wood
This the pow’r of the cross
Christ became sin for us
Took the blame, bore the wrath
We stand forgiven at the cross
Oh to see the pain written on Your face
Bearing the awesome weight of sin
Ev’ry bitter thought, ev’ry evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow
Now the daylight flees, now the ground beneath
Quakes as its maker bows his head
Curtain torn in two, dead are raised to life
‘Finished!’ the vict’ry cry.
Oh to see my name written in the wound
For through Your suf‘fring I am free
Death is crushed to death, life is mine to live
Won through Your selfless love
This the pow’r of the cross
Son of God slain for us
What a life, what a cost
We stand forgiven at the cross
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. Attention men: On Monday, March 1st, you will have the opportunity to hear from one of the top leadership experts, Chris Brady, on leading well through adversity and suffering. This meeting will take place at GBC from 7:00-9:00PM. You will not want to miss this challenging time together!
3. Our next Grace Community Group meeting will be on March 7, beginning at 6:00pm. If you are not part of one of our groups and would like to be, please see Pastor Tim who will assist you in getting connected with a group in your area. For more information, click here.
4. The annual GBC Picnic is schedule for Saturday, March 13, 2010 at Lakes Park in Ft. Myers. Festivities will begin around 11:00am, so come early and enjoy a wonderful afternoon of fellowship and fun with the entire Grace family!
– Words and Music to “Every Promise” by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend. Copyright © 2005 Thank You Music
Labels: Cape Coral, Grace Baptist Church, Grace Gathered | posted by TimBrister at 4:04 am | Categories: Grace Gathered |
Preparing for Grace Gathered :: February 21, 2010
Over the past couple of months, God has continued to use the Sunday gatherings to minister to more and more people from our community. It is exciting to see how God is working in our community and with that comes a stewardship of and sensitivity to the needs that accompany these people. The elders continue to ask those of you in the Grace family that can the early service to please consider doing so to allow for more seating in our 10:45 service.
If you are new to the area or are looking to attend one of our services this Sunday, visit our “New to Grace” menu on our website where you will find information such as directions, what to expect, the latest at Grace, and other frequently asked questions. We look forward to meeting you and have the opportunity to share the love of Jesus and how He has changed our lives!
Bible Study: The Gospel Centered Life: An Addendum
During our Sunday morning Bible Study (beginning at 9:30am), Pastor Tim Brister will be leading us in a two-week study on the relationship of the gospel and the poor as an addendum to the series, The Gospel-Centered Life. This Sunday, we will be doing a biblical-theological overview of what God required of His people in caring for the poor, and next week we will will take up the implications for us today as a gosel-centered people.
Grace Gathered (Worship Services)
In our gathered worship services (8:00am and 10:45am), we will renew our hearts through the means of grace as God reveals Himself to us through His Word and by His Spirit. Pastor Tom Ascol will continue his series on “The Gospel-Driven Church”–an exposition on the book of 1 Corinthians. The text will be 1 Cor. 1:10-17 where the apostle Paul appeals to the Corinthian believers to be united with the same mind and heart, not allowing there to be division among one another. As we will see, the solution to such division is unity not around personalities but around the gospel–Jesus Christ life and work on our behalf.
During our time of singing, we will raise our voices with generations of believers in the familiar hymn “The Solid Rock.” Consider the lyrics and allow it to prepare your heart and mind for this coming Lord’s Day.
The Solid Rock
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus’ Name
When darkness seems to hide His face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood
When all around my soul gives way
He then is all my Hope and Stay
When He shall come with trumpet sound
Oh may I then in Him be found
Dressed in His righteousness alone
Faultless to stand before the throne
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. Our second “Intro to Grace” membership class will be this Monday, February 22, 2010 from 7-9PM at the Brister home. This class is intended for anyone seeking to learn more about Grace Baptist Church and is required for anyone seeking membership.
3. On Saturday, February 27, we will hosting our next Buddy Break from 10:00-1:00pm. This is a ministry to special-needs children in our community and provides an excellent opportunity to show the love of Christ in very practical ways. For more information, check out our Buddy Break page.
4. Attention men: On Monday, March 1st, you will have the opportunity to hear from one of the top leadership experts, Chris Brady, on leading well through adversity and suffering. This meeting will take place at GBC from 7:00-9:00PM. You will not want to miss this challenging time together!
5. Our next Grace Community Group meeting will be on March 7, beginning at 6:00pm. If you are not part of one of our groups and would like to be, please see Pastor Tim who will assist you in getting connected with a group in your area. For more information, click here.
Labels: Cape Coral, Grace Baptist Church, Grace Gathered | posted by TimBrister at 10:54 am | Categories: Grace Gathered |
Preparing for Grace Gathered :: January 31, 2010
Over the past couple of months, God has continued to use the Sunday gatherings to minister to more and more people from our community. It is exciting to see how God is working in our community and with that comes a stewardship of and sensitivity to the needs that accompany these people. The elders continue to ask those of you in the Grace family that can the early service to please consider doing so to allow for more seating in our 10:45 service.
If you are new to the area or are looking to attend one of our services this Sunday, visit our “New to Grace” menu on our website where you will find information such as directions, what to expect, and other frequently asked questions. We look forward to meeting you and have the opportunity to share the love of Jesus and how He has changed our lives!
Bible Study: 1 Samuel
During our Sunday morning Bible Study (beginning at 9:30am), Rick Tarter will continue his teaching through the book of 1 Samuel. This class is provided for all adults, and the children and youth will continue their various studies through Desiring God Children’s curriculum and other book studies.
Grace Gathered (Worship Services)
In our gathered services, we will have the opportunity to witness the baptism of Adrian Wilkinson in the 10:45 service and participate in the Lord’s Supper in the 6:00pm service as well. Pastor Tom Ascol will be starting a new sermon series through the book of 1 Corinthians, and we encourage you to take the time to become more familiar with this letter written by Paul as well as the church in Corinth.
During our evening gathering, we will have the opportunity to hear from the Ascol’s regarding their trip to Central Asia as well as a report from the Providence church plant in East Lee County. As we gather together this weekend, dwell on the lyrics to “Every Promise” as we seek to be filled with faith in all that God has promised to be for His people, according to His Word!
From The Breaking Of The Dawn (Every Promise)
From the breaking of the dawn
To the setting of the sun
I will stand on every promise of Your Word
Words of power strong to save
That will never pass away
I will stand on every promise of Your Word
For Your covenant is sure
And on this I am secure
I can stand on every promise of Your Word
When I stumble and I sin
Condemnation pressing in
I will stand on every promise of Your Word
You are faithful to forgive
That in freedom I might live
So I stand on every promise of Your Word
Guilt to innocence restored;
You remember sins no more
So I’ll stand on every promise of Your Word
When I’m faced with anguished choice
I will listen for Your voice
And I’ll stand on every promise of Your Word
Through this dark and troubled land
You will guide me with Your hand
As I stand on every promise of Your Word
And You’ve promised to complete
Every work begun in me
So I’ll stand on every promise of Your Word
Hope that lifts me from despair
Love that casts out every fear
As I stand on every promise of Your Word
Not forsaken not alone
For the Comforter has come
And I stand on every promise of Your Word
Grace sufficient grace for me
Grace for all who will believe
We will stand on every promise of Your Word
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. We have customized a Bible Reading Plan with bookmarks that you can pick up at the Welcome Center. If you have not considered reading through the Bible in a year or have never done so, be encouraged and give it a try! You can also access the bookmarks here on our website.
3. Next Sunday, we will be meeting in our Grace Community Groups beginning at 6:00pm. If you are not part of one of our groups and would like to be, please see Pastor Tim who will assist you in getting connected with a group in your area. For more information, click here.
4. Pastor Tim will be leading the “Intro to Grace” classes on Monday, February 15 and 22. These meetings are for regular attenders inquiring about membership and those in the membership process. We also welcome those in our community who are new to Grace and would like to know more about who we are, what we believe, and where we believe God is taking us in the future to join us as well. The meetings will be from 7:00-9:00pm. The meeting on the 15th will be in the home of Tom & Donna Ascol, and the 22nd in the home of Tim and Dusti Brister.
– Words and Music to “Every Promise” by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend. Copyright © 2005 Thank You Music
Labels: Cape Coral, Florida, Grace Baptist Church, Grace Gathered | posted by TimBrister at 9:22 am | Categories: Holiness |
Preparing for Grace Gathered :: January 24, 2010
Church family, we are in a season where God is blessing in our gathered services. After having begun our second service just three months ago, our second service is already 90% full! We praise God for the many people who are being reached and influenced through the gospel ministry, and we are asking those of you who can come to the early service (8:00AM) to please consider doing so to provide more seating for guests and our Hispanic members as well.
If you are new to the area or are looking to attend one of our services this Sunday, visit our “New to Grace” menu on our website where you will find information such as directions, what to expect, and other frequently asked questions. We look forward to meeting you and have the opportunity to share the love of Jesus and how He has changed our lives!
Bible Study: 1 Samuel
During our Sunday morning Bible Study (beginning at 9:30am), Rick Tarter will continue his teaching through the book of 1 Samuel. This class is provided for all adults, and the children and youth will continue their various studies through Desiring God Children’s curriculum and other book studies.
Grace Gathered (Worship Services)
In our gathered worship services this Sunday, we are looking to take up the radical call of life on mission with Jesus as Pastor Tim picks up his sermon series in Matthew 10. In preparation for this Sunday, we encourage you to read the entire chapter of Matthew 10 and reflect on the radical nature of being a follower of Jesus. Jesus was not preparing His disciples for a life of ease. In fact, they would be called upon to confess Christ at the cost of their lives. However, three times we find in Matthew 10:26-33 Jesus tells His disciples not to fear. We will go deeper and discover why and how we life affirming the mission and denying the fear that would seek to keep us silent when we are called to speak and tempt us to live a life of ease when we are called to count the cost. We encourage you to prayerfully meditate on the lyrics to “Let Your Kingdom Come”–a song which we will sing together in calling us onward in gospel faithfulness.
Let Your Kingdom Come
Your glorious cause, O God, engages our hearts
May Jesus Christ be known wherever we are
We ask not for ourselves, but for Your renown
The cross has saved us so we pray Your kingdom come
Let Your kingdom come
Let Your will be done
So that everyone might know Your Name
Let Your song be heard everywhere on earth
Till Your sovereign work on earth is done
Let Your kingdom come
Give us Your strength, O God, and courage to speak
Perform Your wondrous deeds through those who are weak
Lord use us as You want, whatever the test
By grace we’ll preach Your gospel Till our dying breath
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. We have customized a Bible Reading Plan with bookmarks that you can pick up at the Welcome Center. If you have not considered reading through the Bible in a year or have never done so, be encouraged and give it a try! You can also access the bookmarks here on our website.
3. This Sunday is the deadline for all those interested in participating on any of the 2010 mission trips through Grace. This includes Greece, Dominican Republic, and the possible trip to Haiti. Please have your application filled out and returned to Pastor Tim or to the church office.
4. On Sunday, January 31 during our Baptist and Lord’s Supper service, we will have the opportunity to hear Pastor Tom and Mrs. Donna share their experiences in Central Asia over the past three weeks. You will not want to miss this time of seeing the gospel through baptism, celebrating the gospel through communion, and hearing about gospel advance through church planting reports and overseas missions!
– Words and Music to “Let Your Kingdom Come” by Bob Kauflin. Copyright © 2006 Sovereign Grace Music
Labels: Grace Baptist Church, Grace Gathered, Worship Services | posted by TimBrister at 2:02 pm | Categories: Grace Gathered, Humor |
Preparing for Grace Gathered :: January 10, 2010
This coming Lord’s Day we are continuing to set our eyes on Jesus and anticipate in faith things for this year that are only possible if our almighty Father works for our good and for His glory. This is a year to make much of God and soak our lives entirely in His promises which are yes and amen in Jesus.
In recent weeks, we have continued to see increase in attendance, especially in the second service (10:45am). We want to encourage any of our members who can attend the early service (8am) to please do so that our guests and Hispanic members will have adequate seating. Thank you for your flexibility and faithfulness in this matter!
Bible Study: 1 Samuel
For the month of January, Rick Tarter will be leading us through a directed study through the book of 1 Samuel.
Grace Gathered (Worship Services)
Last week, Pastor Tim preaching on the motivation and method for running the Christian race with endurance, noting the great could of witnesses who ran with persevering faith having not obtained the promise. He also addressed the “weights” that we should lay aside in order that we might run in such a way so as to win. This Sunday, he will continue in Hebrews 12:1-3 and address “the sin which so easily ensnares us” and call us to a gospel-driven running by “looking to Jesus” and “considering Him” who for the joy set before Him endured the cross. The difference the joy set before Jesus should make a difference in the race set before us!
In preparation to respond to the message, we encourage you meditate on the lyrics of “O Great God” which we will be singing together.
O great God of highest heaven
Occupy my lowly heart
Own it all and reign supreme
Conquer every rebel power
Let no vice or sin remain
That resists Your holy war
You have loved and purchased me
Make me Yours forevermore
I was blinded by my sin
Had no ears to hear Your voice
Did not know Your love within
Had no taste for heaven’s joys
Then Your Spirit gave me life
Opened up Your Word to me
Through the gospel of Your Son
Gave me endless hope and peace
Help me now to live a life
That’s dependent on Your grace
Keep my heart and guard my soul
From the evils that I face
You are worthy to be praised
With my every thought and deed
O great God of highest heaven
Glorify Your Name through me
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. We have customized a Bible Reading Plan with bookmarks that you can pick up at the Welcome Center. If you have not considered reading through the Bible in a year or have never done so, be encouraged and give it a try! You can also access the bookmarks here on our website.
3. A church workday has been scheduled for Saturday, January 16 beginning at 9:30AM. Please sign up in the foyer if you are able to assist with needed cleaning and maintenance and remember to bring a bagged lunch!
– Words and Music to “O Great God” by Bob Kauflin, based on The Valley of Vision prayer “Regeneration.” Copyright © 2006 Sovereign Grace Music
Labels: Grace Baptist Church, Grace Gathered | posted by TimBrister at 10:21 am | Categories: Grace Gathered |
Preparing for Grace Gathered :: January 3, 2010
It’s hard to believe it, but here we are at twenty-ten, or two-thousand ten. Whichever way you choose to say it, it is here, and we have the privilege of embracing it will joyous faith in our risen and living Savior Jesus Christ. Below are some notes to assist you in preparing for our first Grace Gathered of this new year. May God direct our hearts and minds to worship Jesus together as the redeemed, the family of Grace!
Bible Study: 1 Samuel
For the month of January, Rick Tarter will be leading us through a directed study through the book of 1 Samuel.
Grace Gathered (Worship Services)
As we begin this new year, Pastor Tim will be exhorting us in a message entitled, “Resolved to Keep Our Eyes on Jesus” (Heb. 12:1-3). We encourage you to read the previous chapter (Hebrews 11) which detail the lives of those who ran with endurance the race before them. We all have a race set before us, and there are weights that need to be cast aside in order to run well, finish strong, and win the prize.
A favorite hymn of many, “Be Thou My Vision” will begin our gathering song for Grace Gathered. Below are the lyrics. This is a great prayer to think, pray, and own for our own lives this new year!
Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart,
be all else but naught to me, save that thou art;
be thou my best thought in the day and the night,
both waking and sleeping, thy presence my light.
Be thou my wisdom, be thou my true word,
be thou ever with me, and I with thee Lord;
be thou my great Father, and I thy true son;
be thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.
Be thou my breastplate, my sword for the fight;
be thou my whole armor, be thou my true might;
be thou my soul’s shelter, be thou my strong tower:
O raise thou me heavenward, great Power of my power.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise:
be thou mine inheritance now and always;
be thou and thou only the first in my heart;
O Sovereign of heaven, my treasure thou art.
High King of heaven, thou heaven’s bright sun,
O grant me its joys after victory is won;
great Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
still be thou my vision, O Ruler of all.
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. The focus of this week’s GCG will be on Pastor Tom’s message entitled “Giving and Receiving Criticism.” 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. We have customized a Bible Reading Plan with bookmarks that you can pick up at the Welcome Center. If you have not considered reading through the Bible in a year or have never done so, be encouraged and give it a try! You can also access the bookmarks here on our website.
3. A church workday has been scheduled for Saturday, January 16 beginning at 9:30AM. Please sign up in the foyer if you are able to assist with needed cleaning and maintenance and remember to bring a bagged lunch!
Labels: Grace Baptist Church, Grace Gathered | posted by TimBrister at 8:04 am | Categories: Grace Gathered |
Preparing for Grace Gathered :: December 20, 2009
On the Sunday before Christmas, we will be celebrating the Incarnation of Jesus, the promised Messiah who has come to earth to bring peace with God by winning the battle against rebellious hearts, sinful lives, Satan, and hell. Peace on earth comes because through Jesus, we have peace with God (Rom. 5:1).
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. We are on the last lesson which focuses on conflict. Because God has created us to live in community, our lives should express an intimacy and unity that is possible because the mess we leave as sinners is addressed by the gospel as we together grow in grace. Throughout Scripture, we see that the proper way to handle conflict between one another is by remembering and applying the gospel of Jesus Christ to our hearts first and to the situation we find ourselves in. Join us for another engaging and relevant study as we seek to drive the stakes of the gospel deeper into our church!
Grace Gathered (Worship Services)
During Grace Gathered, Pastor Tom will be preaching on the advent of the coming Messiah. Hymns like “O Come, O Come Immanuel” call us to rejoice in the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ. Consider these lyrics:
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orderest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory over the grave.
O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
O come, O come, great Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times once gave the law
In cloud and majesty and awe.
O come, Thou Root of Jesse’s tree,
An ensign of Thy people be;
Before Thee rulers silent fall;
All peoples on Thy mercy call.
O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.
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 this Saturday at the church from 10:00am-12:00pm. We will be distributing Bibles in the surrounding neighborhoods, seeking to invite them to join us for our Christmas Eve service. Come join us as we love our neighbors and share the good news of Chirstmas!
3. Our Christmas Eve service will take place on Thursday, December 24th beginning at 6:00PM. Hundreds of invitations have been hand delivered to families in our community, and we are looking forward to a wonderful evening of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ!
4. On Sunday, December 27th at 5:00pm, the pastors will be hosting a one-hour informational meeting for anyone interested in participating in our short-term mission trips for the 2010 year. Attending this meeting does not commit you to go; we simply want to provide a context to answer your questions, share about the upcoming trips, and get a better picture of where we see God leading us in the future to take the gospel around the world.
5. On New Years’ Eve, we plan on bringing in the new year with a time of worship, fellowship, and prayer all beginning at 10PM on Thursday, December 31st. Come join us!
Labels: Advent, Gospel-Centered, Grace Baptist Church, Grace Gathered | posted by TimBrister at 4:01 pm | Categories: Grace Gathered |
Preparing for Grace Gathered :: December 13, 2009
Looking forward to this Lord’s Day, here are some ways you can prepare yourself for the gathered worship and Bible Study
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. We are picking up where we left off last week on the subject of forgiveness, in particular what does it mean to forgive others as God has forgiven us (Col. 3:13; Eph. 4:32). We will also address how the gospel empowers us to fight against bitterness and unforgiveness and speak to justice and vindication.
Grace Gathered (Worship Services)
During Grace Gathered, Pastor Tom will be continuing his series through the book of Proverbs, this Sunday focusing on “Words of Wisdom.” What does Proverbs have to say about our words, the sins of the tongue? A whole lot, actually! Scripture tells us that no man can tame the tongue, and yet we will be accountable on the day of judgment for our every word. Such an important topic requires a thorough investigation from God’s Word and sincere hearts from serious minds followers to live a life of confession, repentance, and renewal that the overflow of our hearts in our words will evidence the transforming power of the gospel in our lives.
We will be singing some classic advent hymns, including “O Come All Ye Faithful” and “What Child Is This?” But as we come together, let our hearts experience and mouths express the lyrics below.
Speak, O Lord, as we come to You,
To receive the food of Your holy word.
Take Your truth, plant it deep in us;
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness,
That the light of Christ might be seen today,
In our acts of love and our deeds of faith.
Speak, O Lord, and fulfill in us all your purposes,
For Your glory.
Teach us Lord full obedience,
Holy reverence, true humility.
Test our thoughts and our attitudes,
In the radiance of Your purity.
Cause our faith to rise,
Cause our eyes to see,
Your majestic love and authority.
Words of power that can never fail;
Let their truth prevail over unbelief.
Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds;
Help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us.
Truths unchanged from the dawn of time,
That will echo down through eternity.
And by grace we’ll stand on Your promises;
And by faith we’ll walk as You walk with us.
Speak, O Lord, till Your church is built,
And the earth is filled with Your glory.
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. Our Christmas Eve service will take place on Thursday, December 24th beginning at 6:00PM. Hundreds of invitations have been hand delivered to families in our community, and we are looking forward to a wonderful evening of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ!
4. On New Years’ Eve, we plan on bringing in the new year with a time of worship, fellowship, and prayer all beginning at 10PM on Thursday, December 31st. Come join us!
* “Speak Oh Lord” Copyright ©2005 by Stuart Townend, Keith Getty (Kingsway Music)
Labels: Advent, Grace Baptist Church, Grace Gathered, Proverbs, Tom Ascol | posted by TimBrister at 8:51 am | Categories: Grace Gathered |
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 |
Preparing for Grace Gathered: November 29, 2009
On the heels of Thanksgiving week, we have much to be thankful when it comes to all of the mercies, benefits, and blessings we have received in Jesus Christ from God our Father. From generation to generation, God remains the same, and His faithfulness is evident among us as we have hoped in him and are not disappointed!
A new element of Sunday’s gatherings will be the simultaneous interpretation of Pastor Tom’s message in Spanish during the 10:45AM service (only). Our Hispanic ministry, which has been gathering at 12:15pm will join English speaking members so that the Sunday School and late worship times will coincide. Please pray for Jesus Mena who will be interpreting during our services and for everyone who will be blessed through this exciting new ministry.
Bible Study: The Gospel-Centered Life
Tim Brister and Rick Tarter will pick up from the great discussion we had last week on the relationship between gospel and mission. We will offer a few concluding thoughts from the parable of Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), read through the article in our participant’s guide, and hold a discussion. Some of the questions you might could expect include how the gospel encourages both humility and boldness, addresses judgmentalism and favortism, and transforms our thoughts and affections for the mission. To avoid the ditches of guilt-laden duty (legalism) and indifference (license), we must regularly be learning, enjoying, and applying the gospel to our hearts as we seek to live on mission.
Grace Gathered (Worship Services)
During Grace Gathered, Pastor Tom will be continuing his series through the book of Proverbs, this Sunday focusing on “Financial Wisdom.” How appropriate it is to hear from God’s Word on such an important subject during a time where the temptation to go into debt and have money fuel idolatrous desires than the Sunday after Black Friday! Come prepared to learn and be challenged from God’s Word to live as faithful stewards of the life God has entrusted to us. One of the songs we will be singing congregationally is “Grace Unmeasured.” Check out the words to this song and revel in the riches of God’s grace towards us:
Grace unmeasured, vast and free
That knew me from eternity
That called me out before my birth
To bring You glory on this earth
Grace amazing, pure and deep
That saw me in my misery
That took my curse and owned my blame
So I could bear Your righteous name
Grace paid for my sins
And brought me to life
Grace clothes me with power
To do what is right
Grace will lead me to heaven
Where I’ll see Your face
And never cease
To thank You for Your grace
Grace abounding, strong and true
That makes me long to be like You
That turns me from my selfish pride
To love the cross on which You died
Grace unending all my days
You’ll give me strength to run this race
And when my years on earth are through
The praise will all belong to You
Lord’s Supper
Sunday evening, we will be celebrating the Lord’s Supper and also will be formally recognizing new members who have recently joining. This is a sweet and solemn time of worship where we remember and rejoice in the finished worked of Jesus Christ whose body was broken and blood was poured out for the full and effectual atonement and forgiveness of all our sins. Let us come to His banqueting table sincerity and surrender to His sovereign purposes for our lives!
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. Two weeks remain for applications to 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. Sunday night, December 6th, we will be meeting in our Grace Community Groups. Our GCG’s will be a strategic means of helping distribute the 2,000 bags of Bibles with the good news of Christmas. If you are not currently participating in a community group and would like to be, please see Pastor Tim Brister.
- Words and Music to “Grace Unmeasured” is by Bob Kauflin. Copyright © 2005 Sovereign Grace Praise
Labels: Grace Batist Church, Grace Gathered, Iglesia Bautista Gracia | posted by TimBrister at 9:24 pm | Categories: Grace Gathered |
Preparing for Grace Gathered: November 22, 2009
In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 that we should give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God for us. This coming Lord’s Day, we will have the opportunity to give thanks in a number of ways.
Bible Study: The Gospel-Centered Life
Tim Brister and Rick Tarter will be continuing the study on The Gospel Centered Life in the last section focusing on the third question: “How does the gospel work through us?” This particular study addresses how the gospel not only transforms us on the inside but also propels us on the outside to live on mission for the sake of the kingdom. We encourage you to read Galatians 5:13-15, Ephesians 2:1-10, and Titus 3:1-14.
Grace Gathered (Worship Services)
We will be singing psalms and hymns focusing on thanksgiving, including “My Heart is Filled with Thankfulness” and “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” Pastor Tom Ascol will be preaching from Psalm 116:12-14 focusing on the response of gratitude toward what God offers in His Son and the benefits of trusting in Him on a daily basis. Meditate on the following lyrics and let our hearts be full of thankfulness to our great God!
My heart is filled with thankfulness
To Him who bore my pain;
Who plumbed the depths of my disgrace
And gave me life again;
Who crushed my curse of sinfulness
And clothed me in His light
And wrote His law of righteousness
With pow’r upon my heart.
My heart is filled with thankfulness
To Him who walks beside;
Who floods my weaknesses with strength
And causes fears to fly;
Whose ev’ry promise is enough
For ev’ry step I take,
Sustaining me with arms of love
And crowning me with grace.
My heart is filled with thankfulness
To him who reigns above,
Whose wisdom is my perfect peace,
Whose ev’ry thought is love.
For ev’ry day I have on earth
Is given by the King;
So I will give my life, my all,
To love and follow him.
Special Thanksgiving Offering
Every year on the Sunday prior to Thanksgiving Day, we give a special offering over and above our normal tithes and offerings that will go to a designated mission or ministry need. This year, our gifts will be going to Riverside Prison Ministry of our brother Gus Gonzalez. Please be in pray about what the Lord would have you give to this important cause and be prepared to offer thanksgiving to God for what has done and continues to do through the faithful preaching of the gospel in the prisons.
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. Our Spanish Sunday School will begin at 11:00am to be followed by our Spanish Worship Service at 12:15pm.
2. This coming Tuesday evening, we will be hosting our Annual Thanksgiving Dinner on the church property beginning at 6:00PM. Church family, if you have not signed up in the foyer bulletin board, please remember to do so Sunday.
3. Those of you looking for some light-hearted Thanksgiving entertainment might want to come out Thursday morning and watch your pastors attempt the 5k Turkey Trot beginning at Cape Coral Hospital. There’s no telling who will win, but Pastor Ken Puls will definitely be the most prepared!
– Words and Music to “My Heart Is Filled with Thankfulness” by Keith Getty & Stuart Townsend Copyright © 2003 Thankyou Music
Labels: Grace Baptist Church, Grace Gathered, Lord's Day, Thanksgiving | posted by TimBrister at 12:54 pm | Categories: Grace Gathered |
Preparing for Grace Gathered: November 1, 2009
Several things are taking place this Sunday that I want to make you aware of (or remind you). With each coming Sunday, I hope to give you specific ways you can pray and prepare for Grace Gathered. Coming together on each Lord’s Day can become even more meaningful when we prepare our hearts, minds, and (yes) our bodies as God’s people.
Fall Back and Schedule Change
Please do not forget to change your clocks back one hour this Saturday evening. If not, you will arrive one hour early! Also, this Sunday is the launch of our second morning service and the schedule change. Please note the new times of our worship services and Bible Studies:
8:00AM Early Worship
9:30AM Sunday School
10:45AM Late Worship
11:00AM Spanish Sunday School
12:15PM Spanish Worship Service
Those of you who are serving on the various ministry teams, please be sure to arrive early. While we are anticipating a few bumps in the road as we transition, we hope to have everything smoothed out over the next couple of weeks.
Spanish Worship Service
This Sunday, our brother Marcos Perez will be delivering God’s Word in our Spanish worship service, and Pastors Ken and Tim will assist in leading in worship. I want to encourage many of you who attend our English worship services to join us as we continue in our commitment to share the Gospel and the life-changing power of God’s Word to our Spanish-speaking community!
Bible Study and Message Themes
For our adult Bible Study, we will be picking back up in our Gospel-Centered Life study with week two of addressing “heart idolatry.” Two resources in particular I encourage you to check out are David Powlison’s X-Ray Questions (PDF) and chapter 4 of Paul Tripp’s book Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands (called “The Heart of the Matter”). We will focus on addressing the root idols that cause us to rely on “functional saviors” rather than Jesus and offer some suggestions to remove, crush, and destroy those idols in our lives.
For our worship gathering, Pastor Tom will be preaching from Acts 2 on the theme of biblical fellowship. We will be looking at how the early church recently formed after Pentecost. How is the corporate nature of the church different from the world? What unifies believers? What are hindrances to true biblical fellowship? Are we are in agreement on what fellowship is in the first place? Why do we need to participate in meaningful fellowship on a regular basis? These questions and others Pastor Tom hopes to address from God’s Word.
Grace Scattered (Sunday Night)
On Sunday evening, Grace will be scattered throughout SW Florida in through our Grace Community Groups (GCGs) where we hope to share with one another each others’ lives (fellowship) and how the morning’s message is impacting and changing the way we think, feel, and live as Christians. With every message, there is a call for repentance towards God and faith in Jesus. Be sure to connect in a GCG this Sunday night to encourage one another through gospel-driven fellowship that reaches out to our unbelieving community.
Labels: Biblical Fellowship, Grace Baptist Church, Grace Gathered | posted by TimBrister at 8:20 am | Categories: Community, Grace Gathered, News and Announcements |
