|
From Pastor Wes
"Life Well Lived"
About the same time this newsletter goes to your inbox, we are holding the funeral of one of the dear saints of this Church, Mrs. Doris Cowell.
Doris was a slight, unassuming person who never sought the limelight. She died at 96 years if age in the same row home she was raised in as a little girl. She didn't travel far or often. She wasn't known far and wide. But she was a wonderful Christian lady who let her light for Jesus Christ shine on her street for many decades.
She lived frugally and generously. She was frugal in relation to her own needs and generous in relation to others. In these recent years when she was largely confined to her home she sent thousands of cards of encouragement to friends and members of the Grace Community congregation. Also, in our Church library we have two complete shelf units filled with Christian books she would read, pass along to others and then donate to the Church.
For 13 years I have been visiting Doris at her home. She'd always provide a cold, delicious glass of ice tea and we would talk, read scripture and pray together. Right up through 96 years of age she was always praying for others--her family, people of her community and her Church.
Doris' main concern in life was that people would come to know Jesus Christ as Savior. She prayed and worked for that throughout her life.
Is there any higher calling of us?
"God is patient, not willing that any should perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
--2 Peter 3:9
|
|
The First Sunday of Advent
 This Sunday, the First Sunday of Advent, Chaplain Tom Beard will be sharing from God's Word. Also there will be Communion. The following Sunday, Pastor Wes will be begin a three-part sermon series, "Journey to Bethlehem." Everyone of us are traveling somewhere, on our path to something. Have we considered the goal and the way in which God seeks to lead us to where we need to be? Please prepare your heart for Christ's special presence during Advent. |
Festival of Life
Congratulations to Cody Weyna, Sadie Weyna and Rebecca Paul for making the Philadelphia District Team for Festival of Life 2013! They will be representing us at the Regional FOL in next year.
|
First Sunday of 2013: Covenant Sunday
On the first Sunday of each year new year, at Grace Community Church we hold a Covenant Service. First and foremost, this is an opportunity to remember our commitment to God and our salvation in Jesus Christ. For some, it may be an opportunity to commit to Jesus Christ for the very first time--what a great way to start the year! It is also a time to review and renew our commitment to Christ through the local Church, to prayerfully consider our relationship with God in community. Everyone is welcome to Grace Community Church, and one of our opportunities is to hold and have membership, accountability and responsibility in this community of faith. We encourage every member of the congregation during the month of December to prepare for the Covenant Service by go to our website, reading the documents relating to the Covenant and Covenant Service and to prayerfully prepare for this important event in our Christian and Church life. You can access this information by clicking on Covenant Documents and also see much of the Service by clicking on January 2013 Covenant Service. This will be time well invested! |
|
|
Kids and Teen News
Konichiwa! Here's the scoop in youth lives of the youth and kids this week.
We will start a Christmas Theme in Youth Group next week.
December 8th is our last quiz meet of 2012 in New Holland, PA. We'll be on Matthew chapter 16 at that time.
We are planning to have an end of the year party! Stay tuned for more details!
Stay blessed!
|
|
"2012 Paid in Full" Goal
During the course of 2012 we have slipped significantly behind in our ministry commitments. Some in our congregation have lost income. We have also lost some of our dear seniors who were faithful in tithes and offerings. We have also increased our commitment to Children and Youth Ministry by 1800% To end 2012 with all of our ministry commitments paid in full, we need to raise an additional $12,000. That is a great challenge at this time, but as we are all responsive to God's leading, it will happen! Focus not on how little you can give, but how much! God will bless you in countless ways as you trust Him in this! Thank you!
|
|
Christmas Spectacular at Fountain of Life
There will be a Grace Community Church trip on December 7, 2012 to see the wonderful Christmas presentation at Fountain of Life Church in Burlington County. We will be leaving from GCCN at 6:00 pm. Although there is no charge for the ticket for this event, you are welcome to make a donation that would support our youth ministry. Just mark your gift "Christmas Trip." This would be a great opportunity to bring friends and family to an excellent Christ-centered event! Please sign up with Amy Weyna who is coordinating this.
|
|
New York City and Philadelphia Trips
Amy Weyna is planning two Christmas trips for the GCCN congregation. The first one will be on Saturday, December 1, to New York. The transportation cost for this would be $66.00 The second trip is planned for Saturday, December 15 to Philadelphia. Please speak with Amy for all the details.
|
|
|
Pastor Wes Away This Week
Pastor is scheduled to be away Thursday, November 29 through Sunday, December 2. Chaplain Tom Beard will be preaching on Sunday, December 2nd. Pastor Wes will be on a prayer and planning retreat, seeking God's will and power for GCCN in 2013. Please keep him in your prayers that this will be a powerful time of God's closeness, direction and power.
|
|
|
