In This Issue
Sunday and Romans
Ladies of Grace
Youth News
Alabaster Offering

 

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 Thoughts from Pastor Wes 

"Lent and 
Letting Go" 

What does your faith cost you?   Are there cherished habits, attitudes, possessions that you have given up for the sake of Christ, or that He is calling you to let go of?

Today, "Ash Wednesday" is the beginning of the Lent--forty-six days leading up to Resurrection Sunday. 

We Protestants are rightly hesitant to observe religious traditions not found in the Bible--save Christmas.  History has shown that adding spiritual practices to our lives that are not found in the Bible can lead far from Christ-oriented beliefs and behaviors. 

Although we do not generally observe Lent, it is still helpful for each follower of Jesus Christ to regularly examine our selves and to see if there are things that we should release, give up, let go of for the sake of Christ.

Jesus said, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it." 
Matthew 16:24

In this week, when we have heard the horrific news about 21 Egyptian Christians beheaded for their faith in Jesus Christ, this is a powerful reminder of the hope and promise that Christ alone can give.  

We may not be called upon to give up our earthly life because of our faith in Jesus Christ, but what are we holding onto that He would have us let go of?  

Pray, then follow God's will about letting go and God will give you so much more! 
Sunday, February 15, 2015
"For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."  --Romans 1:17

All righteousness is God's righteousness--all else is counterfeit and of no value.  But God credits us with His righteousness and places His righteousness in us by Christ Jesus as we open our lives to Him. 

This Sunday, Lord willing, Pastor Wes will preach on "the righteous will live by faith"-- one of the most fundamental and important truths of Scripture.  Let us prepare our hearts to hear and apply God's word to our lives.  

Following the Worship Service this Sunday, we will be holding a farewell reception for the Benson family who are moving away.  
Ladies of Grace

The ladies Ministry will be having a Ladies Night Out this Saturday evening at 6:00p.m. at the church and will have pizza, an uplifting movie and a refreshing get-together.  . 

#yoGo Teen Newsf
Hey friends and family! It's Teen News Time!

This Sunday, February 22 at 6pm, we will be having a Spaghetti Dinner to help us with funding for Festival of Life and Teen Camp. Click here to see what Festival of Life is all about. Extra points if you find Grace Community people in the video!

Also on Wednesday, March 4, we will be going to SkyZone Levittown for a great time to jump around on trampolines, play dodgeball and jump into foam pits! The Youth Group will be there from 6-8, but if you'd like to go earlier, it starts at 3pm. Here's the poster that you will need to get a special discount and to help us fund raise monies for Camp and Festival of Life. 

As today is Ash Wednesday, we are going to start to give up stuff. Why? What does that mean? Keep us in prayer for this Lent Season!
Alabaster Offering--What Has It Accomplished?
Penny
The Alabaster Offering has provided the funds for: 

4,067 Churches
1585 Land purchases for ministry development
408 Bible Schools and School Buldings;
589 District and Mission Centers
37 Hospitals and Clinics;
                         413 Missionary Homes
                         1097 Local Church Leader Homes

Many people giving a small amount can make a great difference! 
Don't forget your alabaster offering this Sunday!   
Calling Singers and Musicians 
We've got a lot of talent at GCCN--Praise God! Think creatively, perhaps form a duet, trio or.... If you would like to share your musical or artistic talent in one of the morning worship services, please let Pastor Wes know.  A chance to bless others as you honor the Lord!
GCCN Finances in 2015

Praise God, GCCN is "on track" financially through the first six weeks of 2015.  his is due to the faithful and sacrificial giving by the members of the congregation. One person devoted the first two weeks of their salary to God.  Another person inherited some funds and gave a portion of it for ministry--Praise God! 


 Perhaps as much as any other factor, our giving for God's purposes reflects the state of our heart and relationship with Him. Tithes and offerings are both an act of obedience to God and trust in Him.  Jesus said, "Where your treasure is, there is your heart also." --Matthew 6:21

Pastor Wes Away 
Pastor Wes will be away Monday-Monday, February 23 until March 2nd.  Chaplain Tom Beard will be preaching on Sunday, March 1.  For any emergencies, please contact Pastor Matt at his cell phone number.  
Upcoming Events 

February 21, Ladies of Grace "Get-Together"

February 22, Youth Ministry Dinner 

February 23-March 2, Pastor Wes away

March 4, Fundraiser at SkyZone Levittown, 3-8p

March 7, Turn clocks forward one hour before going to bed

March 19-22, Festival of Life at Eastern Nazarene College
March 29, Palm Sunday
April 5, Resurrection/Easter Sunday
April 26-28, Philadelphia District Assembly in Lancaster, PA 

Truth From God's Word
"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ."
---Philippians 3:7
Church Office, Marly Paul, Assistant
609.737.3184

Pastor R. Wesley Tink
Mobile: 609.226.9615

Pastor Matthew Brown
Mobile 917.226.7621