In This Issue
New Sermon Series
Memory Challenge
Teens
Mission 2014 Offering
Annual Meeting
From Pastor Wes
RWTOct12

"Fog and Ice"

This morning the weather reports were warning us about thick fog and black ice.  As you might assume, the traffic reports were reporting on car accidents.

Fog and ice are some of the most dangerous driving conditions--not being able to see ahead combined with icy surprises.

This Sunday, we are beginning a sermon study series in the Letter of James. 
James is a
 book that gives clear instructions on how to deal with the fog and icy patches of life.
Under the inspiration of God, James teaches us about genuine stability, humility, love and patience in times of testing and trial.

As long as we have life, God gives us the invitation and call to move continuously to Christian maturity and healthy community.

When you ride in a car with someone on a day like this, you hope that they have experience and wisdom in contending with the conditions. Similarly, our families, churches and communities need competent, godly people who know how to negotiate through the fog and ice conditions of life.

In the coming weeks, let us grow in ways that help us and others traverse the hazards of life and arrive safely.    

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."
--James 1:5

Real faith always produces real results.  God's work in our lives changes our heart--and then so much more!  As we learn and live God's will, we gain strength, love, humility and patience.  The Lord willing, over the coming months Pastor Wes will be preaching from the Epistle of James, a short letter that gives great insights into the role and results of faith in our lives.  This sermon series will begin this Sunday with Pastor Matt giving an introductory lesson on the joy that is only accessible through life's trials and challenges.
Bible Memorization Goal: "Sermon on the Mount"

Have you joined the memory challenge for 2014?  This Sunday, there will be a sign-up sheet for those who accept this challenge to memorize Christ's "Sermon on the Mount" this year.   

 

The passage 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 key is having a plan and sticking with it throughout the whole year.  From children to seniors, this would be a great thing to do!  If you do 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!  

#yoGo Teen News Now!
Woah! It's Wednesday! We pray that everyone is having a blessed one. Here's what's happening in the lives of our teens this week.

This week, we start a series called Beneath the Song. We're going to take a look at some popular Christian contemporary songs and find the meaning beneath the songs that they have written. Today, we'll look at the song Hello, My Name Is, by Matthew West. Check it out here on YouTube.

In December, the #yoGo youth group sponsored a Sock drive for the homeless in Philadelphia. Thanks to everyone that helped and supported us! We collected 54 pairs of socks for men, women and children!

Have a blessed Wednesday!
Mission 2014 Offering 
There has been good initial response to the Mission 2014 Offering.
This Offering is the backbone of support for our Children and Youth Ministries. In 2013 this Offering raised over $10,000.  The Church Board has set a challenging yet doable goal of $18,000 for 2014.

We will reach that goal if there are 25 people willing to give $2.00 per day for 2014 in addition to tithes.  That would mean $60 per month and $730 per year.  Eighty percent of those funds go directly to support our local ministry.  The remaining 20% 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 Offering."  
GCCN Annual Meeting on January 26 
Our GCCN Annual Ministry Celebration will be the last Sunday of January. This is a time celebrate what God has done in our midst this past year and to look forward to next steps.  Also, we will be electing the new Church Board for 2014.  This is a time of celebration to the Lord!  
Additional Office Assistance Needed
We are so delighted that Athene Kan is assisting in the Church Office each week--thank you!  We will be needing some additional assistance in the near future in relation to bulletin preparation and data entry.  If you are able to devote an hour or two in assisting with vital needs, that would be appreciated.  Please let Pastor Wes know if you are interested.  There may be some remuneration.  
Upcoming Events\

January 19, Start of new sermon series, "Faith in Action"  

January 21-23, District Prayer Retreat, Pastor Wes attends

January 26: Grace Community Annual Ministry Celebration

March 13-16, Regional Festival of Life at Eastern Nazarene College

April 20, Easter

 April 27-29, Philadelphia District Assembly 

Good News From God's Word:
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."  --James 1:2-4
Church Office
609.737.3184

Pastor R. Wesley Tink
Mobile: 609.226.9615

Pastor Matthew Brown
Mobile 917.226.7621