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Greetings GraceLife!

It is good to reflect on the message we receive from His Word each week…Pastor Joe’s message this past Sunday, #23 in the series “A Sinner in Love with God”, this one called “Recognizing Grace”, based on 1 Samuel 25:32-44, was the third in a mini-series on foolishness, wisdom, and "recognizing Grace".  Pastor Joe called on us to examine our moments where Grace is received as a “no”; a “no” to something you were ready to do, and in fact, maybe excited to do, but God’s answer was a clear “no”. David’s reaction to Abigail’s plea for him to refrain from blood vengeance against Nabal and his people was to recognize that the restraint message was of the Lord, to respond quickly to that message, and to rejoice and be thankful that Grace’s “no” had prevented him from doing evil.  We are called to do the same when His Grace intercedes and says “no” to us!  As usual, you are encouraged to listen to this message again (and again! perhaps) through our website (select “Messages”).  We are so blessed to be able to do so!          

Here is a quick look at events coming up this week and a look ahead as well.  

Apr 28th – New Hope Girls, our ministry in the Dominican Republic, will visit us at MB, in the Auditorium/Sanctuary, at 7-8:30pm tonight!  (This is in lieu of our usual Adult Bible Study.) NHG founder, Joy Reyes, will be speaking with us; beautiful bags crafted by local D.R. women will be available for sale; and coffee/light refreshments will be served.  Come hear of the wonderful work of our God through this ministry!  

Apr 29th –  Sisters in Prayer at MB, 7pm, Fellowship Corner; no meeting of BLAZE Youth, but  new Student Ministry schedule coming soon!  

Apr 30th 

  • Women’s Thursday morning Bible Study at MB, 10:15 - noon, Room 105
  • Deep End Dinner/Bible Study at ML, 7pm  

May 2nd – Saturday Men’s Bible Study at MB, Gym Classroom, 201C, 8-9am

May 3rd  at MB

  • 8:15 – 8:30am – prayer time with our leadership in Room 105
  • 9am worship service in Auditorium/Sanctuary
  • 10:30am worship service in Auditorium/Sanctuary
  • 10:15 – 11:30am -- Adult Christian Education (CE) merged class in the Gym classrooms; BLAZE Youth classes in the Gym Loft
  • 10:45 – 11:30am -- GL Kids -- infant-5th grade classes
  • Immediately following the 10:30am worship service, we’ll join together for our First Sunday Luncheon in the Gym; please remember to bring a dish to share if you can.  See you there!   

A new Book Release!  “Power for Ordinary People: The Story of Ruth” is a newly published Bible study and devotional by Dr. Joseph Davis!  Copies will be available for purchase THIS SUNDAY at the Connection Center.  

Now through May 10th (Mother’s Day) – Diaper Drive for Food Pantry   

More event/activity details where available –

April 28th – No Adult Bible Study at MB tonight!  Instead, please join us in the Auditorium/Sanctuary for our New Hope Girls ministry visit, 7-8:30pm!  

More about Sunday Mornings at Mount Beneva

  • Parking – Please let us know of any parking issues you may have.  
  • Lobby
    • Greeters are available to welcome and assist you.  (As you’ll see later in this post, we need more Greeters and Connection Center volunteers!!  If you would like to serve in this way, please speak with someone at our Connection Center.)  Also,  visit the Connection Center with questions, or for sign-ups, books, t-shirts and more!  
    • Nametag requests continue to be processed. Nametags can be located in the drawers by the sitting area.  
    • Coffee, snacks and pastries are provided for your enjoyment and are refreshed throughout the morning by our hospitality team. Please enjoy your food in the lobby and bring only lidded beverages into the auditorium/ sanctuary.  Thank you!
  • Open prayer time with our leadership is available to you, Room 105, 8:15 – 8:30am.
  • Worship services are held in the auditorium/sanctuary at 9 and 10:30 am. 
  • Christian Education classes are held from 10:15-11:30am for Adults in the Gym classrooms and our BLAZE Youth in the Loft;  and from 10:45-11:30am for Children in the children’s wing in the main building.  Our Adult CE classes have been merged into one (Better Together!) and will be a continuation of the current “Biblical Love” study.  The merged class meets in Gym classroom 201B/C.  Jeff Lawson and Mike Hamel will share in teaching the class.
  • Connect Cards can be found under the seats in the auditorium/sanctuary and at the Connection Center.  Use these to provide contact information, request contact from us, or ask for prayer.  (An online version of the Connect Card is also available through our website.)
Looking a little further ahead…!   

Now through May 10th (Mother’s Day) –  Diaper Drive for Food Pantry  – In response to regular requests for diapers at our Food Pantry (at ML), we, in honor of Mother’s Day, are asking for donations of disposable diapers that we can supply to our Food Pantry for distribution over three more Sundays (Apr 19th, Apr 26th, May 3rd, May 10th).  A collection area for diapers is in our MB Lobby for your donations.  

Tonight!!!!  April 28th – New Hope Girls at MB, 7-8:30pm, in Auditorium/Sanctuary – The leadership and team from New Hope Girls will be visiting us, from 7-8:30pm, Tuesday evening at MB, in our Auditorium/Sanctuary to share their ministry of hope to “hopeless” girls in the Dominican Republic!!  Please feel free to visit their website at  newhopegirls.com.  Created and led by Joy Reyes, hers is a remarkable story of God’s calling and His work through Joy and her team as they rescue girls from exploitation and abuse.  You won’t want to miss this opportunity to hear what great things our God is accomplishing through our missionaries in the Dominican Republic!

May 3rd – First Sunday Luncheon, MB, right after the 10:30am worship service – We’ll be having spaghetti and meatballs, with garlic bread and whatever side dishes you bring to share! 

May 13th – New Women’s Bible Study coming up, Wednesday evenings – watch for details!

July 18th – Day4Hope (D4H)

July 20th-24th – Vacation Bible School!  Volunteer sign-up sheets are now available in our MB Lobby, along with a flyer providing more details about this exciting opportunity to serve.  

Stewardship Thoughts 

How can we steward or manage well what God has given us when Grace provides that “no” answer that Pastor Joe spoke of in Sunday’s message?  Remember, sometimes the “no” redirects, protects, or matures.  When Grace says “no”, you are invited to steward trust.  Trust that God is still present, still intentional, and still good – even when the outcome doesn't align with your desires.  This kind of trust isn’t passive; it’s an active, daily decision.  

Ministry Spotlight

There are seasons in ministry where prayers for growth go unanswered, opportunities close unexpectedly, and the fruit you hoped for doesn't appear.  You prepare, serve, and pour out – and still encounter a “no” – not just personally, but in the very work you believed God called you to.  When Grace says “no” in ministry, you are invited to pray, “Lord, help me to serve You faithfully, even when ministry feels difficult or unfruitful.  Guard my heart from measuring success the wrong way.  Teach me to depend on Your Grace, not my strength or results.  Use even my limitations for Your purpose, and let my life reflect Your sufficiency.  Amen.”          

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 10:15-11:30am
  • Sunday evenings 4-5pm
Other Group Prayer Opportunities

In addition to our Weekly Prayer Meetings on Sunday mornings and Monthly Prayer Meetings, we also have a prayer chain here at GraceLife, a way for many to pray for the needs of those in our GraceLife family.  

  • How do I request prayer for myself or others?  You may submit your requests for prayer through our Connect Cards, email, note, text, or verbal request to our leadership or member of our Admin Team, or to Cindy Lanoue-Foster or to me (Dreama).  We’ll then post your prayer request for distribution to those who have indicated their desire to be part of our prayer chain.  
  • How do I become part of the prayer chain?  Just indicate to a member of our Admin Team that you’d like to be part of the prayer chain OR sign up at the lobby’s sign-up table (by the seating area) and we’ll make that happen.  Prayer is powerful and we are privileged to pray for one another.
Volunteers Needed – 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!  

Volunteers Needed – Children’s Ministry 

We are so blessed that our Children’s Ministry continues to welcome more and more children to GraceLife!  That means that more and more volunteers are also needed for 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 our Children’s Ministry, please stop by the Connection Center or contact Jackie. 

Volunteers Needed – Greeters and Connection Center 

We are seeking more volunteers to serve as Greeters and at the Connection Center for both the 9am and 10:30am Sunday morning worship services.  Whether it’s a first-time visitor to GraceLife or a member of our GraceLife family, we want each person who enters our Lord’s house on Sunday morning to be warmly welcomed, to be assisted as needed, and to be, frankly, surprised at the evidence of abundant love at GraceLife.  If you are interested in serving in this way, please stop by the Connection Center and let us know.  

Reminder

Please identify your giving recipient as “GraceLife Sarasota”. If you have questions, please contact Randy Coryell or Dan Deems.