Slideshow image

Greetings GraceLife!

This past Sunday, Pastor Joe continued our series, A Sinner in Love with God: The Life of David, with a message titled "Acknowledge the King." Drawing from 2 Samuel 5:1–5, Pastor Joe highlighted that some of the most important moments in our lives happen when we finally stop resisting what has been true all along. For seven and a half years, Israel’s elders knew God’s word and promise concerning David, yet they continued to live under a rival, failing kingdom. It was only when every other rival option collapsed that they finally came to Hebron to acknowledge David as their true king. In the same way, we can know the gospel, understand sound theology, and even experience the benefits of Christ's kingdom, while still holding on to rival allegiances and resisting His reign in our daily lives. As followers of King Jesus, we are reminded that salvation is not a matter of making Jesus Lord, but having our eyes opened to recognize, receive, and gladly submit to the King God has already exalted. We do not come to Him with empty excuses or self-made resumes, but with eyes opened by His grace to surrender fully to the risen King who gave His life 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 29th (Tuesday): Weekly Morning Prayer Time. 6:30 AM in Gil’s Office.
  • September 29th (Tuesday): Recovery Church at Mount Lockwood. Food served at 6:15 PM; meeting runs from 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
  • (Note: Mid-Week Study for adults has concluded its series on 2 Peter and is taking a break until launching its new study, Radical Forgiveness, on October 13th!)
  • September 30th (Wednesday): GriefShare support group meets at 7:00 PM in Room 201B/C, Mount Beneva.
  • (Note: Wednesday night Sisters in Prayer (SIP) group will reconvene on October 7th.)  
  • October 1st (Thursday): Coloring Club. Group meeting from 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM at Mount Beneva in Room 106.
  • October 1st (Thursday): Deep End Dinner & Bible Study. 7:00 PM at Mount Lockwood.
  • October 3rd (Saturday): Saturday Morning Men’s Bible Study. 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM in Mount Beneva Gym Classroom 201B/C.
  • October 4th (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)
    • 11:45 AM: First Sunday Luncheon (Held in the Gym following the 10:30 AM service. Please plan to bring a dish to share if you can!)
    • 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: GL Students Evening Gathering (Gym Loft, Grades 6–12)
    • 6:30 PM: The Plunge (Room 201B/C)
  • Please welcome Dominik Svitel, our missionary to Slovakia, who will be visiting us this Sunday!  
  • Support to our Kairos Prison Ministry kicks off this Sunday!  Please see Lobby display for more information.  
  • October 5th (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

  • 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 13th (Tuesday): Adult Mid-Week Study relaunches at 7:00 PM with a new study entitled Radical Forgiveness.
  • October 14th (Wednesday): Coffee with Jesus meets from 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM. This gathering meets every second Wednesday of the month at a member's home.
  • October 15th (Thursday): Boundaries (Women’s Bible Study) launches its new series at 10:15 AM in Mount Beneva Room 201B/C.

Stewardship Thoughts

Authentic stewardship begins when we stop resisting the reign of King Jesus and gladly acknowledge His lordship over every area of our lives. We do not give, serve, or labor to gain leverage with God or use Him as a spiritual life coach to fix our self-made plans. True stewardship is not about seeking the benefits of His kingdom while withholding our allegiance; it is a heart transformed by grace, gladly bowing before the exalted King. When God opens our eyes to see Jesus as our true Ruler, our time, talents, and resources are no longer held tightly under our own control. Instead, giving back to God becomes a joyful confession of faith—an act of surrendering every rival allegiance to participate in the unstoppable advancement of His kingdom.

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

Our missionary to Slovakia, Dominik Svitel, will be visiting us this Sunday, October 4th. Please extend a warm GraceLife Sarasota welcome to Dominik.

Our Kairos Prison Ministry will be holding a 4-day retreat at the end of October for residents of Zephyrhills Correctional Institute.  We ask that you consider supporting this ministry’s event by writing cards and letters of encouragement, by committing to prayer, by coloring placemats, or by baking cookies!  Please see the Lobby display for details.

With a more local focus, please remember that 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.
  • Biblical Love (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.
  • 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.