Greetings GraceLife!

As we remain thankful for what God has done to bring us “better together” in 2025, we are excited about what He has in store for 2026!  In light of that, please remember, as Pastor Keith reminded us last Sunday, we are called to be and are privileged to be, first and foremost, witnesses for our Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God. As John the Baptist said, “He (Jesus) must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30), showing humility and exalting God above himself. What a great example for our lives in the new year – less of self, more of God.  
 
For your planning…  
 
Jan 6th – Adult Bible Study at MB, 7pm, Room 105.
 
Jan 7th – Sisters in Prayer (MB Fellowship Corner) and BLAZE Youth (MB Loft), 7pm
 
Jan 8th -- Deep End Dinner and Bible Study at ML, 7pm.
 
Jan 10th – Saturday Men’s Bible Study at MB, Room 105, 8-9am.
 
Jan 11th – at MB

  • 9am worship service
  • 10:30am worship service
  • 10:15 – 11:30am -- Christian Education (CE) classes.

Looking ahead…

Feb 1st – Wow!  You won’t want to miss this!

  • Celebration of the Lord’s Table at both 9am and 10:30am services.
  • Congregational Meeting to provide a wrap-up of 2025 and review our budget and plans for 2026!
  • First Sunday (bring-a-side-dish if you can!) Luncheon, 11:30am – 1pm, MB Gym!  

Mar 29th – Palm Sunday Baptisms
 
More details follow…

Through the week –

Jan 6th -- Our usual Wednesday night Adult Bible Study at MB has moved to TUESDAY nights, 7pm, in Room 105! Study leader Jeff Lawson’s focus is the book of Judges, using Tim Keller’s “Judges for You” as a secondary resource. Tonight we will cover Judges 2:16-19, which corresponds to Keller’s book, chapter 2, pages 35-40.  Questions to discuss – What does Israel’s repeated cycle reveal about the human heart apart from lasting transformation? Why does compromise deepen over time rather than stabilize?  
 
Jan 7th -- Our other Wednesday night activities (Sisters in Prayer and BLAZE Youth) will continue to meet on Wednesday nights at MB, 7pm.  SIP will meet in the Fellowship Corner; Youth will meet in the Gym Loft.  
 
Jan 8th -- Deep End Dinner and Bible Study at ML, 7pm.
 
Jan 10th – Saturday Men’s Bible Study at MB, Room 105, 8-9am, led by Lewis Rosove.

Sunday Mornings at Mount Beneva

  • Parking – Please let us know of any parking issues you may have.
  • Lobby
    • Greeters are available to assist you with bulletins/programs, sign-ups, books, t-shirts and more. Visit the Connection Center with questions!
    • New nametag requests continue to be processed each week. Nametags can be located in the drawers by the sitting area.
    • Coffee, snacks and pastries are provided for your enjoyment and refreshed throughout the morning by our hospitality team. Please enjoy your food in the lobby and bring only lidded beverages into the auditorium/ sanctuary.
  • Worship Services are held in the auditorium/sanctuary at 9 and 10:30 am.
  • Christian Education classes are held from 10:15-11:30am. Adults meet in the Gym classrooms, youth (grades 6-12) meet in the Loft (upstairs Gym), and children’s classes are in the children’s wing in the main building.
  • Connect Cards can be found under the seats in the auditorium/sanctuary. Use these to provide contact information, request contact from us, or ask for prayer.

Sunday Morning Adult Christian Education

We have two adult CE classes currently available. We’d love to have you join us from 10:15-11:30am in the Gym classrooms for a deeper dive into God’s Word.

  • Sermon on the Mount led by Mike Hamel
  • Biblical Love led by Jeff Lawson (using Charity and its Fruits by Jonathan Edwards)

Blaze Youth Student Ministry

  • Students in grade 6-12 are invited to join us in the Loft (upstairs MB Gym) during our weekly meeting times.
  • Sunday mornings 10:30-11:30am
  • Sunday evenings 4-6pm
  • Wednesday evenings 7-8pm

Use this link to join the group so you don’t miss out on any of the fun!

Greeting Card Ministry

Brenda Castleyoung and Betty Tucker (with others to be added) create beautiful greeting cards for various occasions. While Brenda and Betty usually meet for card-making on Tuesdays at 11am at MB, Room 105, the day/time is flexible. If you’d like to participate in some card-making and fellowship, please call Brenda (443-254-5422) for meeting times and days. 

Also, if you have cards you’d like to donate for repurposing, you may leave them at the Beneva office in a bag/container marked for Brenda. Thank you!

Ride Share Ministry

We have begun an effort to pair up those in need of a ride on Sunday mornings with those who can provide a ride. There is a sign-up sheet in the Mount Beneva lobby.

If you have a current need for transportation, please respond directly to this email.

Hospitality Ministry

Volunteers are needed for the hospitality team! Please respond to this email if you are interested in helping prepare/serve food for our fellowship times!

Children’s Ministry (Nursery)

Volunteers are also needed for our growing Nursery on Sunday mornings!  We’re looking for volunteers with servant hearts to help care for our youngest members of the GraceLife family.  If you’re interested in serving in the Nursery, stop by the Connection Center or contact Jackie.

February 1st, 2026

Looking ahead to a big day!!  On February 1st, we’ll be celebrating our Lord’s Table at both our 9am and 10:30am services.  Then, after the 10:30am service, our First Sunday Luncheon will be held in our MB Gym.  Please plan to bring a side dish if you can.  We’d love to have you sign up to join us (either add your name to the luncheon list in the lobby or sign up online).  In conjunction with the luncheon, our leadership will conduct a Congregational Meeting to provide a wrap-up of 2025 and to review our budget/plan for 2026!  Mark your calendars; you won’t want to miss this!

Reminder

In  2026, you’ll want to identify your giving recipient as “GraceLife Sarasota”.  If you have questions, please contact Randy Coryell or Dan Deems.