In This Issue
Advent Sermons
Covenant Sunday
Read the Bible
Kids and Teens
Financial Year
Mission 2013
Christmas Trips
From Pastor Wes
  RWTOct12  

"12/12/12"

 

Today has a nice ring to it, and easy to remember.  

December 12, 2012

 

We won't get this calendar consistency again until January 1, 2101 when we'll have 1/1/01.  That's 89 years from now.  

 

Some people are heavily into numbers or numerology just as some people are focused on the meaning of the star locations, creases in their palm or how the tarot cards fall. 

 

While the Bible tells us to be observant and to watch the signs of the times, it also clearly admonishes us to avoid these occultic practices making decisions and planning our future.  

 

For example: 

"There shall not be found among you anyone...who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord."

--Deut 18:10-12 

 

Yes, today IS unique!  Not because of the abbreviated form of the Gregorian Calendar, but because every single day God gives us is unique and valuable. 

 

 

It is unique because God made it.  It is unique because He has entrusted it to us.  It is unique because this is the day He has given us life and chosen us to be here.  

 

The Psalmist wrote, Lord "teach us to number our days right", to value each day and realize the briefness of life "so that we may become filled with wisdom." 

--Psalm 90:12

 

 

Make the most of this day, 12/12/12 because this is the only time we have it! 

 

Honor God and He will honor you! 

Third Sunday of Advent 
This Third Sunday of Advent, we will continue in the sermon series, "Journey to Bethlehem."  This past Sunday we looked at Mary and Joseph who found their perfect purpose and meaning in life as they served God.  We also saw that Jesus Christ perfectly fulfilled the need of the world by coming in human flesh and giving His life for us. This coming Sunday, we will gain more insights on our pilgrimage from the wise men who came to worship.  Wise people still do! Every one of us are traveling somewhere, on our path to something.  Please prepare your heart for Christ's special presence during this Advent season.
Covenant Sunday 2013  

This first Sunday of each year is Covenant Sunday at Grace Community Church.  First and foremost, this is an opportunity to remember our covenant with 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 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!   
Read Through the Bible in 2013
Have you ever read through the entire Bible?  What a great way to grow in knowledge and understanding of God and your faith. Its a great thing to do with others, so we are encouraging and challenging as many as possible from Grace Community Church to read through the whole Bible in 2013!  There are several ways of doing it, including using a Bible that is set up with 365 daily readings.  If you need one of these, one option is to get it at amazon.com     
Kids and Teen News

Guten Tag! We pray that this Wednesday, "Hump Day" isn't a drag, but a great day in the Lord! Here's what happening in the lives of our teens and kids this week.

 

Continuing with our theme of HIStory, today we will look at the Innkeeper's point of view of the story of our Savior's birth. Join us as we go into HIStory at 7p.

 

Congratulations to Cody Weyna and Amanda Bayne for placing 8th and 9th respectively at the Teen Bible Quiz on Saturday last weekend. The team is working really hard! Praise the Lord!

 

The Youth Group is going to have a bowling/games night on New Year's Eve! More information is coming tonight at Youth Group!

 

Have a blessed rest of the day in the Lord!

 

"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 employment. Some of our dear seniors who were faithful in tithes and offerings have left for heaven.  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, it is vital that we raise an additional $12,000 before the end of the year.  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!!

"Mission 2013" Prayer and Pledge  

During 2012 at Grace Community Church we began a weekly offering plan that supports our local and global missions.  Praise God, in 2012 there been a very positive response to this and it has made a great difference in the fulfillment of our mission! 

 

The plan is quite simple: If every member of the congregation is tithing on their income and also willing and able to give $2.00 per day in offerings  throughout the year, we will be able to financially fulfill all that God has for us!  From this $2.00 per day, one-quarter of it goes to global missions and three-quarters of it goes to youth and children's ministry.  The $2.00 per day offering is called "Mission 2013" offering.   As we draw to the end of 2012, please be in prayer about what God would have you do in 2013 regarding this $2.00 per day pledge.     

Philadelphia Christmas Trips

Amy Weyna is coordinating a trip this Saturday, December 15 to Philadelphia.  Please speak contact Amy for all the details. 

Upcoming Events

December 22  Trip to Philadelphia, see Amy Weyna for details 

December 23  Christmas Sunday

December 25  Christmas Day

December 30 GCCN Year-End "Praise God!" Celebration Service

December 31  New Year's Eve Youth Event

January 1  New Year's Day

January 6  Grace Community Church Annual Covenant Sunday

January 27  GCCN Annual Church Meeting and Celebration

Final Good News
"But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness."  -- 2 Peter 3:13
Contact Info
Church Office
GraceCommunityOffice@gmail.com
609.737.3184

Pastor R. Wesley Tink
Mobile: 609.226.9615

Pastor Matthew Brown
Mobile 917.226.7621