The month of November is best known for one thing:  Thanksgiving.  It is a time of celebration, of food, family and fun.  But Thanksgiving also provides us with an opportunity for something a little more spiritually substantial.  The expression of gratitude based upon a recognition of what God has done for us.

I want to invite you to join us for a special celebration of Thanksgiving as a church family on Sunday, November 18^th; to celebrate who God is and what He has done in our lives.   Remembrance is a powerful force in our lives, and serves as a necessary motivator for how we live in the future.  While the past may not always be filled with wonderful memories, they are testimonies to the faithfulness of God through time.  Our God is faithful, and our celebration of that gives us perspective as we live for the future.

So much of what we do in the present is based upon what we remember from the past.  Take, for example, our daily travels around the city in our cars.  We have learned that certain roads traveled will bring us to certain destinations.  Bridges we cross will hold us up and roads we travel on won't crumble underneath us.  Sure, sometimes there are detours, roadwork or traffic jams, but we keep going, because we know the way we have gone before.

Apply that to your spiritual life:  Your life in relationship to a God who is faithful beyond anything in this world.  Sometimes the most difficult times of life can only be navigated by remembering the things that have been proven to be true in the past.  This is why storytelling has been such a great tool for one generation to share a message with the next.  We can laugh about it, but we all need to hear "I remember when . . ." and "Years ago when I was your age . . ."   We all need to remember "when", so that we might live confidently in the present with a vision for the future.

Join us at Love Joy High School on November 18^th as we celebrate and "remember when . . ."   It will change the way you live in the present!  And remember, this is an excellent time to invite a neighbor, friend or coworker to join in the celebration, as together we are committed to reaching our community for Christ!

Pastor Joel B. Walters

What is the most important thing you've learned about walking with God? 

How do you keep your time with God fresh? 

Who was influential in your spiritual growth? 

My Grandma Wheeler was a strong Christian woman and although I did not grow up in a Christian home, she was the person who introduced me to Christ.  Although I grew up in Chicago and my grandma was in Pennsylvania, she remained a strong Christian influence in my life through the years.  In addition, I had a great Youth Pastor who encouraged and challenged me in my teenage years.  Blair has also been very influential in my spiritual growth throughout our marriage.

If you could experience an event in the Bible, which one would you choose? 

How has being in a Life Group at Grace impacted your life and the life of your family? 

What is something the people of Grace would be surprised to know about you? 

I played volleyball for my college.  I went to Trinity College in Deerfield, IL and enjoyed playing on their team during my college years.

Some Day I'd like to... .travel to Italy to explore my Italian heritage.

 
Join the FUN, Kids!

Come join the family of Grace Church as we open our doors for an exciting evening of games, food and fun for kids of all ages!  Kids will be treated to candy and other assortments of goodies, in a family-friendly event, featuring carnival-style games, large inflatable obstacle course and face-painting!  BRING YOUR FRIENDS! - Wes Tarbox

Lights! Camera! Auction!

Thanks to all the GEM and Grace families who donated items and services for GEM's annual dinner and auction held October 19th.  Thanks to the generosity of all who attended and purchased donated items approximately $9000.00 was raised!  We praise God for His continued faithfulness to GEM Express Preschool & Kindergarten.  He has been faithful to provide the resources which are necessary to grow and develop Grace's weekday ministry to preschool and kindergarten age children.  Thanks also to the GEM board and teaching staff for all they did to ensure this event was a success. 

Diana Abbott