Greetings GraceLife!

This past Sunday, Pastor Joe continued our ongoing series, A Sinner in Love with God: The Life of David, with a message titled "Come Empty Handed." Drawing from 2 Samuel 4:1–12, Pastor Joe highlighted how we often measure our value by our usefulness, assuming that being busy or accomplishing big things for God is the same as being faithful. In 2 Samuel 4, two military commanders murdered Ish-bosheth and brought his head to David, convinced they had accomplished something great that earned the king's favor and reward. Yet, they completely misunderstood what the king actually wanted. They tried to present a "bloody resume" of their own works rather than trusting the God who redeems them. As followers of King Jesus, we are reminded that no resume of good works, morality, or ministry service can earn God's favor. We come to our King with empty hands, resting not on what we have accomplished for Him, but entirely on what He has already done for us.

If you missed this message or want to listen again, please visit the "Messages" tab on our website.

This Week at GraceLife

  • September 22nd (Tuesday): Recovery Church at Mount Lockwood. Food served at 6:15 PM; meeting runs from 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
  • September 22nd (Tuesday): Mid-Week Study for adults. Continuing our journey through 2 Peter! Join us at 7:00 PM in Mount Beneva Gym Classroom 201B/C.
  • September 23rd (Wednesday): A new GriefShare support group begins meeting at 7:00 PM in Room 201B/C, Mount Beneva.
  • (Note: Sisters in Prayer (SIP) is taking a break through the end of September and will reconvene on October 7th.)
  • (Note: Women of the Old Testament has concluded its series and is currently taking a break until October 15th.)
  • September 24th (Thursday): Coloring Club. Group meeting from 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM at the end of the children's wing in Room 106 at Mount Beneva.
  • September 24th (Thursday): Deep End Dinner & Bible Study. 7:00 PM at Mount Lockwood.
  • September 26th (Saturday): Saturday Morning Men’s Bible Study. 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM in Mount Beneva Gym Classroom 201B/C.
  • September 27th (Sunday) at Mount Beneva:
    • 8:15 AM – 8:30 AM: Open Leadership Prayer Time (Room 106)
    • 9:00 AM & 10:30 AM: Worship Services (Auditorium)
    • 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM: GL Students Discipleship Class (Gym Loft)
    • 10:15 AM – 11:30 AM: Biblical Love Adult CE Class (Room 201B/C)
    • 10:45 AM – 11:30 AM: GL Kids Classes (Infant–5th Grade, Children's Wing)
    • 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Monthly Prayer Meeting (Auditorium)
    • 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: GL Students Evening Gathering (Gym Loft, Grades 6–12)
    • 6:30 PM: The Plunge (A new meeting hosted by Kathy and Fred Packwood)
  • September 28th (Monday): GraceLife Recovery at Mount Beneva. Pizza is served at 6:30 PM, meeting starts at 7:00 PM. Food pantry available at 7:45 PM.

Looking Ahead

  • First Sunday Luncheon (October 4th): Held in the Gym at Mount Beneva following the 10:30 AM service. Please plan to bring a dish to share if you can.
  • October 7th (Wednesday): Sisters in Prayer (SIP) reconvenes at 7:00 PM!
  • October 7th (Wednesday): New Grace Group The Well begins! Meeting Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM and rotating between the Jones and O'Bryant homes. The discussion topic will focus on joy, centered on Psalm 51:12 as the key verse.
  • October 15th (Thursday): Women’s Bible Study launches its new series entitled Boundaries at 10:15 AM in Mount Beneva Room 201B/C.

Stewardship Thoughts

Generous stewardship flows from a heart that understands we cannot put God in our debt. We do not serve, give, or labor to build a spiritual resume that earns the King's favor or obligates Him to bless us. Instead, we serve and give from acceptance, never for acceptance. When we recognize that Jesus has already redeemed us out of every adversity and given us His grace freely, our stewardship becomes a joyful, empty-handed response of gratitude. Giving back to God is not an attempt to prove our worth or usefulness, but a freedom-filled privilege to participate in the work He is already accomplishing in and through His church.

What an encouraging privilege it is to steward our resources to build up the body of Christ and advance His kingdom:

  • Investing in Unity & Relationships: Using our time and influence to encourage one another, speak truth in love, and build up the church in Christlike grace.
  • Nurturing the Next Generation: Joyfully giving our time and resources so our children and students grow up understanding servant leadership, forgiveness, and complete trust in God.
  • Generous Kingdom Giving: Trusting God cheerfully with our finances to advance the Gospel and protect our church as a haven of grace, healing, and truth.
  • Caring for Our Church Home: Preserving and maintaining the facilities God has entrusted to us so our congregation and surrounding community have a welcoming place to gather and minister together.

Ministry Highlights & Ongoing Opportunities

God has gathered us together into one family so that we can encourage and serve one another. Consider where you can plug in and serve this week (check the sign-up links available throughout this newsletter):

  • GL Students Ministry (Grades 6–12): Join us in the Loft (upstairs Mount Beneva Gym) Sundays from 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM for Discipleship class, and 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM for our evening gathering!
  • Volunteers Needed:
    • Hospitality Ministry: Assist with coffee/donuts for morning services or event prep/clean-up. Use the sign-up link in this newsletter or stop by the Center Post!
    • GraceLife Kids: Caregivers and teachers needed on Sunday mornings. Use the sign-up link in this newsletter or stop by the Center Post!
    • Greeters & Connection Center: Welcome team members needed for both 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM services. Use the sign-up link in this newsletter or stop by the Center Post!

Sunday Mornings at Mount Beneva

  • Parking: Please let us know of any parking issues you may have.
  • Lobby & Greeters: Greeters are available to welcome and assist you. Visit the Connection Center for questions, sign-ups (or use the sign-up links in this newsletter), books, t-shirts, and nametags.
  • Hospitality: Enjoy complimentary coffee, tea, and pastries refreshed throughout the morning.
  • Auditorium Care: We are so grateful for our beautiful facility! To help us preserve our new carpet for years to come, please refrain from bringing food into the auditorium and ensure all drinks are in spill-proof cups.
  • Leadership Prayer: Open prayer time in Room 106 from 8:15 AM – 8:30 AM.
  • Worship Services: Held in the Auditorium at 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM.
  • Christian Education: 10:15 AM – 11:30 AM for Adults, Room 201B/C.

Group Prayer Opportunities

  • Leadership Prayer Time: Sundays from 8:15 AM – 8:30 AM in Room 106.
  • Monthly Prayer Meeting: Last Sunday of the month (September 27th) from 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM in MB’s Auditorium.
  • Weekly Morning Prayer Time: Tuesdays at 6:30 AM in Gil’s Office. .
  • (Note: Sisters in Prayer is on break through September and returns Oct 7th.)
  • Prayer Chain Requests: Submit requests via Prayer Request Form, email, text, or verbal request to leadership or the Admin Team.

Ways to Give

  • In-Person: Cash or check during Sunday worship services.
  • Bank Bill Pay: Set up recurring or one-time giving through your bank.
  • GraceLife App / Website: Click the Give tab to give online.