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From Pastor Wes
 "Happy New Year!"
Today, January 1, the first day of a new year!
It's a little bit like a white canvas or a blank page. We don't know yet what will be on there, but we hold the brush or pen in our hand with anticipation and are given the
freedom to begin making our mark.
There is much of life that is what we make of it. Sometimes, there are the big, momentous occasions that we remember for the rest of life--like a graduation, a wedding or a new birth in the family.
But much of life is in the small and repetitive steps....not spectacular or momentous.
But that is where character is fashioned and ultimate success is determined. How we live in the day-in-and-day-out routines define so much who we are and where we are truly going.
If we are on target and keep making those constant and correcting adjustments we reach the goals that matter. If we wander, stray, lose sight of the goal or lose the value of the small choices and daily habits, we miss the mark.
The Apostle Paul said,
"One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things."
--Philippians 3:13-15
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Covenant Sunday at Grace Community Church
This first Sunday of each year is "Covenant Sunday" at Grace Community Church. This is an special annual opportunity to remember our life-giving covenant with God through 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!
You can read the Covenant Service before Sunday, just click on this link, Covenant 2014. This is a celebration of what God has done and what a faith statement of what He will do in 2014.
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Church Dinner This Sunday
Following the Covenant Service this Sunday, there will be a church dinner for the whole congregation. We will reconfigure the Fellowship Hall immediately following the service and will need a good crew for setting up, as well as taking down and cleaning up afterwards. If you can stay for the clean-up, that would make it go fast! If you would like to assist by bringing food to share, please contact Sandi Weyna here and find out what the needs are.
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2014 Bible Goal: The "Sermon on the Mount"
When Jesus taught, thousands would come to listen. Even in our day, people who don't care much for "organized religion" still are attracted to the wisdom and teaching of Jesus and through His teaching many come to know Jesus as Savior.
Pastor Wes is giving a challenge to whole GCCN community this year--to memorize the "Sermon on the Mount." It is found in Matthew, chapters 5-7. There are 111 verses, so over the course of the year, that would mean memorizing just one verse every 3 days. A lot of those verses are short. Some of those verses you already know, such as the "Lord's Prayer."
The real challenge is not memorizing, but sticking with it throughout the whole year. From children to seniors, this would be a great thing to do! If you stick with this, when you come to the end of 2014 you will see that this was one of the very best things you did during the year! Let's encourage one another!
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Mission 2014 Offering Pledge
Tithes and offerings are what financially support the ministry of Grace Community Church. We believe the Bible teaches that as we honor God with the first-fruits of our income, God will provide for our needs. Tithing is 10% and offerings are at the discretion of each person in prayerful response to God's leading. At Grace Community Church the main offerings during the year are the Mission 2014 Offering, Easter Offering and Thanksgiving Offering.
Pledge forms are now available for the Mission 2014 Offering. We are seeking 25 people to pledge $2.00 per day for 2014, that works out to about $60 per month and $730. per year. Eighty percent of those funds go directly to support youth and children's ministry. The remaining 20%, in line with our philosophy as a Church, goes to support mission work around the world.
Please consider what you could do this year and drop your pledge form into the offering plate when you are able to. Please also always mark your offering for this ministry "Mission 2014."
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#yoGo Teen News Now!
 Happy Wednesday to all! Hope you enjoyed your Christmas season!
No youth group night, but we will be starting a new musical theme in youth group next week! Our theme page will be up soon here!
Thanks so much to all for donating all of those socks! We're in the final 2 weeks of our drive. Let's leave it to the teens to bring up the rest of the socks! Here's the charity, The Joy of Sox, that we are donating to! Have a blessed rest of your Wednesday! Stay warm!
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College Age Get-Together
This coming Monday evening there will be a college-age get-together in the Youth room at church so we can "catch-up" with one another what has been going on in our lives. 7:30 pm, Prince's Chicken, Pastor Wes leading a brief Bible study.
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Upcoming Events\
January 4, 2014, Teen Bible Quiz at Toms River
January 5, 2014 Grace Community Church Covenant Sunday
January 6, 2014 @7:30, College/Young Adults Gathering for Fellowship
January 18: Introduction to Class to Grace Community Church
January 26: Grace Community Annual Ministry Celebration
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Good News From God's Word:
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." -- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
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Church Office
609.737.3184
Pastor R. Wesley Tink Mobile: 609.226.9615
Pastor Matthew Brown Mobile 917.226.7621 |
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