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From Pastor Wes
"Shavuot"
For thousands of years, Jewish people have celebrated the first fruits of the harvest with a great feast. This celebration goes back to Exodus 34:22 and is called "Shavuot."
The arrival of a new and successful crop meant that there would be food for the health and life of the people. Without it, health and life would be in jeopardy--and possible starvation.
Shavuot has been one of three great feasts on the Jewish annual calendar when people from many different areas and nations would come to Jerusalem to celebrate.
It was during the Shavuot celebration around the year 33 AD when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples and to many others--the "birthday of the Church" of Jesus Christ. We call it "Pentecost."
How fitting that the Holy Spirit came in power during the Festival which celebrated the firsts fruits of the harvest!
Every generation since then has seen a harvest of souls for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. But never more so than what there is around the world.
Approximately 2 billion of the 7 billion people on earth now self-identify as Christians. Imagine what this world would be like if 2 billion people were filled with the Holy Spirit!
The words of the prophet Joel were quoted by Peter on the first occasion of the Holy Spirit's Pentecost:
"In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people."
Acts 2:7
May it be so!
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Pentecost Sunday this Sunday
 For 33 years, Jesus Christ was God in our world in human flesh. As He prepared to leave, He said to the His disciples: "I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-- the Spirit of truth" (John 14:16-17).
This promise from Jesus was fulfilled on Pentecost Day. The Holy Spirit came with power upon the disciples and 3000 people were brought to faith in Jesus Christ in one day! This Sunday, we will remember and celebrate the first Pentecost and worship believing that God can it again. Praise God for all the ways the Holy Spirit is working in our world. May He do His full will in freedom in our lives, church and nation! Please be in particular pray for this! |
My Hope America with Billy Graham
"My Hope America with Billy Graham" is a nationwide effort to reach people across the United States with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Following a simple biblical model, "My Hope America with Billy Graham" combines the impact of video programs with the power of personal relationships.
Are there family and friends that you know and love, but you also know if they were to die today that they would not make it to heaven? Do you believe there is anything you can do that may make an eternal difference in that person's life?
Grace Community Church will be holding 2 preparation meetings for this ministry initiative on Tuesday, May 28 at 1:30 pm and 5:30. Come out and see what it is about! No cost to you, register here.Food will be served at the 5:30 session for those who are coming straight from work.
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Kids and Teen News
Hey Everyone! There is a lot
This week we continue looking finding our identity. Pastor Matt discusses what he's learned. Curious? Come to youth group at 7p! Next week, we will have a special guest speaker sharing his journey and how God has changed his identity. No hints on who it is, you'll just have to come and see!
This Thursday, Amanda Bayne, Sadie Weyna and Pastor Matt will be traveling to Eastern Nazarene College for the 2013 Regional Teen Bible Quizzing Finals. The teens have worked hard learning and quizzing on the book of Matthew this year and it all comes down to the final quiz meet. Keep us in prayer as we travel to the college in Quincy. Pastor Matt will (try to) post the daily happenings on our Facebook page every evening from Thursday Night til Saturday evening. Root for team Jalapeno Kool-Aid!
June 2nd is Youth Sunday! Be prepared to be blessed by the youth and young adults of our church in drama and song. Pastor Matt will also be bringing the message. Invite friends and family!
VBS is coming! our Kingdom Rock VBS will be rockin' on July 8-14! More information is on the way! If you would like to volunteer for VBS this year, please contact me via email. Ask anyone who helped out with VBS last year, it was an a amazing experience!
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Men's Ministry Upcoming Events
Men, we have only two more sessions in "The Quest" before we break for the summer. The next one is Tuesday evening, May 21 @ 7:00 pm at Pastor Wes' home. Even if you haven't been able to make it to any so far, you'll benefit from this time and session together. The last session in this series will be Tuesday, June 4, then a wrap-up BBQ at Pastor's home on June 11th.
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GCCN Logo Items Have Arrived!
 The caps, polo shirts, mugs, have arrived!
If you ordered any of these, please bring your payment this Sunday and collect your items from Marly Paul. Either checks or cash are acceptable. |
Part-time Workers Needed
Grace Community Church will be accepting applications for two upcoming part-time employment positions: 1.) Someone to clean the church building on a weekly basis; 2.) Someone to assist with office duties. |
Culinary Missionaries
 Thank you to those who are providing casseroles for the International Students Inc. of Princeton University this Friday! Please bring your casseroles to the Church by 5:00 pm. We will be leaving for Princeton at 5:15. Thanks for the great and generous response on this--your kindness is much appreciated!
Thank you also to Roger and Yvonne who provided a fabulous Sunday dinner on Mother's Day! |
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Upcoming Events
May 16-18, Regional Teen Bible Quizzing at ENC
May 19, Pentecost Sunday
May 26, Guest Speaker on Societal Issues
May 28, Preparation Meetings for "My Hope with Billy Graham"
June 2, Youth Sunday, youth-led Sunday Morning worship service
June 16, Father's Day, Celebration of RockSolid Men's Completion: "The Quest"
June 23, Graduation Sunday--Celebrating our Graduates. Dinner to follow.
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Final Good News
"'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' --Acts 2:17-21
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Church Office
GraceCommunityOffice@gmail.com
609.737.3184
Pastor R. Wesley Tink Mobile: 609.226.9615
Pastor Matthew Brown Mobile 917.226.7621 |
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