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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 "Managing the Promise". Drawing from 2 Samuel 3:6–21, Pastor Joe unpacked the story of Abner—Saul's former commander who knew God’s clear promise that David was the chosen king, yet spent years resisting it to preserve his own authority. This passage brings us face-to-face with a subtle temptation: Do we truly trust God's promises, or are we trying to control the process? While it is easy to say we trust God, we often attach our own timelines, expectations, and desired outcomes to His promises. As Jesus reminded Pontius Pilate in John 19:11, ultimate authority belongs to God alone. Human power is limited, but God is faithful to build His church and fulfill His word His way. As GraceLife continues to grow, we are called to move from trying to "manage" God's plans to surrendering to His hands with humble obedience, patience, and trust.

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

This Week at GraceLife

  • September 8th (Tuesday): Recovery Church at Mount Lockwood. Food served at 6:15 PM; meeting runs from 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
  • September 8th (Tuesday): Mid-Week Study for adults. Continuing our seven-week journey through 2 Peter! Join us at 7:00 PM in Mount Beneva Gym Classroom 201B/C.
  • September 9th (Wednesday): Sisters in Prayer. 7:00 PM at Mount Beneva Fellowship Corner.
  • September 9th (Wednesday): Captivating will be meeting this week, but will then be taking an extended break. We will keep you updated on its return!
  • September 10th (Thursday): Women of the Old Testament Ladies’ Bible Study will take a break this week.
  • September 10th (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 10th (Thursday): Deep End Dinner & Bible Study. 7:00 PM at Mount Lockwood.
  • September 12th (Saturday): Saturday Morning Men’s Bible Study. 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM in Mount Beneva Gym Classroom 201B/C.
  • September 13th (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) — Missionary visit from Robert and Deborah Hale!
    • 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 – 6:00 PM: GL Students Evening Gathering (Gym Loft, Grades 6–12)
  • September 14th (Monday): GraceLife Recovery at Mount Beneva. Pizza is served at 6:30 PM, and the meeting starts at 7:00 PM. Food pantry available at 7:45 PM.

Looking Ahead

  • September 17th (Thursday): Women of the Old Testament Ladies' Bible Study reconvenes at 10:15 AM for the final lesson in the series.
  • September 23rd (Wednesday): A new GriefShare support group will begin meeting in Room 201B/C.
  • September 24th (Thursday): Women’s Bible Study launches a new 9-week series entitled "Boundaries" at 10:15 AM.
  • First Wednesday in October (October 7th): 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.

Stewardship Thoughts

Generous stewardship is rooted in the joyful recognition that our lives, resources, and future are held safely in God’s sovereign hands. When we try to manage or force outcomes in our own timing, giving can feel transactional or stressful. But when we surrender control to King Jesus, stewardship becomes a joyful act of worship. Giving back to God is our opportunity to participate in His eternal work, resting in the promise that He faithful provides for 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 build up brothers and sisters in Christ, trusting His timing for spiritual growth.
  • Nurturing the Next Generation: Joyfully giving our time and resources so our children and students grow up understanding servant leadership 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:

  • 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. Click the link above or stop by the Center Post!
    • Children's Ministry: Caregivers and teachers needed on Sunday mornings. Click the link above or stop by the Center Post!
    • Greeters & Connection Center: Welcome team members needed for both 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM services. Click the link above 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, 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.

Group Prayer Opportunities

  • Leadership Prayer Time: Sundays from 8:15 AM – 8:30 AM in Room 106.
  • Sisters in Prayer: Wednesdays at 7:00 PM at Mount Beneva Fellowship Corner.
  • Prayer Chain Requests: Submit requests via Prayer Request Form, email, text, or verbal request to leadership or the Admin Team.
  • Monthly Prayer Meeting: Last Sunday of the month (next is September 27th) from 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM in MB’s Auditorium.

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.