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Greetings GraceLife!

This past Sunday, Pastor Keith unfolded the powerful, living fragment of the Gospel found in the book of Philemon in a sermon titled "Embracing Radical Love." Looking closely at the story of Paul, Philemon, and Onesimus, we were reminded that the spiritual debt we owe to God far exceeds any wrong ever committed against us. Because Christ has graciously forgiven us, reconciled us, and adopted us into His family, we are invited to extend that same radical grace, mercy, and forgiveness in all our relationships. If you missed this message or want to listen again, please visit the "Messages" tab on our website. Here is a quick look at events coming up this week and a look ahead as well!

 

This Week at GraceLife

  • Ongoing This Week: July 20th–24th (Monday – Friday) – Vacation Bible School is HERE!
    • Volunteers: Please plan to arrive by 8:15 AM each day. Thank you for serving!
    • Children's VBS Hours: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM daily.
    • Questions? Contact Jackie Lupski, Cean Cerny, or any Children's Ministry team member.
  • July 21st (Tuesday)
    • Recovery Church at Mount Lockwood: Food served at 6:30 PM; meeting runs from 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
    • Leadership Development Series: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM in the Mount Beneva Auditorium/Sanctuary. Week 2 of Gil Jones’s 4-week series on serving God and one another.
    • Note: Tuesday Evening Adult Bible Study is currently on a 4-week break before embarking on our next study.
  • July 22nd (Wednesday)
    • Sisters in Prayer: 7:00 PM at Mount Beneva Fellowship Corner.
    • "Captivating" Women’s Home-Based Study: Meeting this week! Contact Connie Daidone for details.
    • GL Students (Grades 6–12): No meeting this week; stay tuned for the upcoming Student Ministry schedule!
  • July 23rd (Thursday)
    • Ladies’ Bible Study ("Women of the Old Testament"): Led by Beth Lawson, 10:15 AM – 12:00 PM, Mount Beneva Gym Classroom 201B/C.
    • Deep End Dinner & Bible Study: 7:00 PM at Mount Lockwood.
  • July 24th (Friday)
    • Foundations Gathering: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM at Mount Beneva, Room 106. (Note: This 4-week class led by Jeff Lawson & Mike Hamel is specifically for Palm Sunday baptisms only). Childcare is available.
  • July 25th (Saturday)
    • Men’s Bible Study: 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM in Mount Beneva Gym Classroom 201B/C. Join us for learning and fellowship!
  • July 26th (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/Sanctuary)
    • 10:15 AM – 11:30 AM: Adult Christian Education Class ("Biblical Love" taught by Jeff Lawson & Mike Hamel in Gym 201B/C) & GL Students Class (Gym Loft)
    • 10:45 AM – 11:30 AM: GL Kids Classes (Infant–5th Grade, Children's Wing)
    • 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Monthly Prayer Meeting (Mount Beneva Auditorium/Sanctuary)
    • 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM: GL Students Evening Gathering (Gym Loft)
  • July 27th (Monday)
    • GraceLife Recovery at Mount Lockwood: Meets every Monday! Pizza is served at 6:30 PM, and the meeting starts at 7:00 PM. A food pantry is available for meeting attendees starting at 7:45 PM.

 

Looking Ahead

  • August 2nd (Sunday) – First Sunday Luncheon
    • Join us in the Mount Beneva Gym right after the 10:30 AM service for freshly grilled hot dogs and hamburgers! Please bring a side dish to share.
  • August 9th (Sunday) – Next Baptism Service
    • Publicly profess your faith! Sign up online at GraceLife Summer Baptism or at the Connection Center. Pre-baptism meetings with GL leadership are required, so please sign up early.
  • August 15th (Saturday) – Kairos Cookie Warriors Needed
    • We are collecting 30 dozen home-baked cookies for a 1-day Kairos Prison Ministry event. Look for the sign-up sheet in the lobby soon!

 

Stewardship Thoughts

Paul’s letter to Philemon reminds us that we owe our very selves to the Lord because of the immense debt He cancelled on our behalf. True Christian stewardship springs from a heart transformed by this radical love and mercy. As we manage the time, talents, and treasure God has entrusted to us, let us give generously, joyfully, and sacrificially to advance the Gospel and serve His body:

  • Giving generously regardless of circumstances,
  • Investing resources in advancing the gospel,
  • Viewing giving as a partnership in God's work,
  • Trusting God to provide for our needs, and
  • Treating stewardship as an act of joyful worship and obedience. Amen!

 

Ministry Highlights & Ongoing Opportunities

In Philemon, Paul reminds us that radical love is not merely a warm feeling, but an active commitment to see others restored, welcomed, and valued as beloved brothers and sisters in Christ. Every ministry opportunity at GraceLife—from greeting visitors in the lobby to discipling our youth or serving in facilities maintenance—is a practical expression of that same gospel grace. When we step up to serve, we put Christ’s love on display and participate directly in the work of kingdom reconciliation. Consider how God might be calling you to use your gifts to serve His family below! 

  • GL Students Ministry (Grades 6–12): Students in grades 6–12 are invited to join us in the Loft (upstairs Mount Beneva Gym) during our weekly meeting times: Sundays at 10:15 AM – 11:30 AM and 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
  • Handyman Need: GraceLife needs a skilled, trustworthy handyman for approximately 4 hours of service every other week. If you can help or know someone who can, please reach out to James Horne, facilities maintenance manager, at james@gracelifesrq.com.
  • Volunteers Needed:
    • Hospitality Ministry: Help needed with presenting coffee/donuts for 9:00 AM or 10:30 AM services, or assisting with First Sunday Luncheon prep/clean-up. Reply to this email if interested!
    • Children's Ministry: Caregivers and teachers with servant hearts needed to help care for our youngest members on Sunday mornings. Stop by the Connection Center or contact Jackie.
    • Greeters & Connection Center: Welcome team members needed for both 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM services to ensure every visitor and member is warmly welcomed and assisted. Stop by the Connection Center to serve!

 

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, books, t-shirts, and nametags (located in the drawers by the sitting area).
  • Hospitality: Enjoy complimentary coffee, tea, and pastries refreshed throughout the morning. Please enjoy food in the lobby and bring only lidded beverages into the auditorium/sanctuary.
  • Leadership Prayer: Open prayer time with leadership is available in Room 106 from 8:15 AM – 8:30 AM.
  • Worship Services: Held in the auditorium/sanctuary at 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM. Connect Cards are available in the sanctuary and Connection Center to share contact info, request visits, or submit prayer needs.
  • Christian Education: 10:15 AM – 11:30 AM for Adults ("Biblical Love" in Gym 201B/C) and GL Students (Gym Loft); 10:45 AM – 11:30 AM for Children (Children's Wing).

 

Group Prayer Opportunities

  • Leadership Prayer Time: Join church leaders for prayer every Sunday morning from 8:15 AM – 8:30 AM in Room 106.
  • Monthly Prayer Gathering – Youth Ministry Focus (Sunday, July 26th | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM in Mount Beneva Auditorium): Join us this month as we dedicate our prayer gathering to one of our most vital ministries—our youth! Youth Pastor Trevan Powell will share a brief update on what God is doing among our students and lead us in focused prayer.
    Why Join Us?
    • Invest in Students: Show our youth they are loved and supported by their church family.
    • Support Leaders: Encourage and bear the burdens of those who serve our next generation.
    • Pray with Purpose: Celebrate God’s faithfulness and pray specifically over student ministry needs.

As Hebrews 10:24 reminds us, “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” We hope to see you there!

  • Sisters in Prayer: Women's weekly prayer group meets Wednesdays at 7:00 PM at Mount Beneva Fellowship Corner.
  • Prayer Chain Requests: Submit requests via Prayer Request Form, email, text, note, or verbal request to leadership, Admin Team, Cindy Lanoue-Foster, or Dreama.
  • Join the Prayer Chain: Indicate interest to any Admin Team member or sign up at the lobby table to receive prayer chain distribution updates.

 

Ways to Give

  1. In-Person: Cash or check during Sunday worship services when collection baskets are passed. Use a giving envelope (available at Connection Center) with your name for cash records. Make checks payable to GraceLife Sarasota.
  2. Bank Bill Pay: Set up fee-free recurring or one-time giving through your bank.
  3. GraceLife App / Website: Click "Give" (redirects to Tithely). You can specify a one-time or recurring gift and choose whether or not to cover processing fees. (If you have questions regarding giving, please contact Randy Coryell or Dan Deems).