Slideshow image

Greetings GraceLife!

This past Sunday, Pastor Joe continued our series, A Sinner in Love with God: The Life of David, with his message titled "Help Worth Celebrating" based on 2 Samuel 6:11–19 and 1 Chronicles 15:26. Looking at David’s second attempt to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, Pastor Joe showed us the beautiful relationship between reverent obedience and exuberant celebration. After Uzzah's death, David realized that human pragmatism and mere enthusiasm cannot replace God's explicit word; yet when the Levites carried the Ark as God commanded, God graciously helped them carry it. After taking just six steps, they paused to sacrifice and give thanks.

True worship isn't about manufacturing excitement or relying on our own strength. Jesus—our great High Priest—has obeyed the Father perfectly, given His life on the cross, and given us His Spirit so we can draw near to God with full confidence. Whether you are brimming with joy or weary and struggling, obedience to Christ isn't a burdensome duty—it's the pathway to His full, supernatural joy. As we depend on His grace for every single step, we are freed to live and worship with hearts full of genuine gratitude. If you missed this message or want to listen again, please visit the "Messages" tab on our website.

This Week at GraceLife (Mt Beneva unless otherwise noted)

  • October 27th (Tuesday): Weekly Morning Prayer Time. 6:30 AM in Gil’s Office.
  • October 27th (Tuesday): Adult Mid-Week Study at 7:00 PM in Room 201B/C studying Radical Forgiveness.
  • October 28th (Wednesday): Sisters in Prayer (SIP) meets at 7:00 PM in the Fellowship Corner.
  • October 28th (Wednesday): The Well meets at 7:00 PM, rotating between the Jones and O'Bryant homes.
  • October 28th (Wednesday): GriefShare support group meets at 7:00 PM in Room 201B/C.
  • October 29th (Thursday): Boundaries (Women’s Bible Study) at 10:15 AM in Room 201B/C.
  • October 29th (Thursday): Coloring Club meets from 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM in Room 106.
  • October 29th (Thursday): Deep End Dinner & Bible Study. 7:00 PM at Mount Lockwood.
  • October 30th (Friday): Biblical Foundations meeting from 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM at Mount Beneva in Room 106.
  • Note: The Big Picture of the Bible group will Not be meeting this Friday, October 30th, but will resume the following Friday (November 6th).
  • October 31st (Saturday): Saturday Morning Men’s Bible Study. 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM in Room 201B/C.
  • November 1st (Sunday):
    • DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME REMINDER: Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday, November 1st! Don't forget to set your clocks back 1 hour before bed on Saturday night so you can enjoy an extra hour of sleep and arrive right on time for worship.
    • 3-SERVICE SCHEDULE: Worship services at 8:45 AM, 10:00 AM, and 11:15 AM in the Auditorium.
    • 8:00 AM – 8:15 AM: Open Leadership Prayer Time (Room 106).
    • 10:00 AM – 12:15 PM: GL Kids Classes (Infant–5th Grade, Children's Wing).
    • 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Biblical Love Adult CE Class (Room 201B/C).
    • 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: GL Students Evening Gathering (Gym Loft, Grades 6–12).
    • 6:30 PM: The Plunge (Room 201B/C).
  • November 2nd (Monday): GraceLife Recovery will be held in the GYM. Pizza is served at 6:30 PM, meeting starts at 7:00 PM. Food pantry available at 7:45 PM.

Looking Ahead

  • November 8th: Our GraceLife Sarasota Anniversary, Installation of Pastors, and Fellowship Luncheon all wrapped up in one Celebratory Sunday morning at Mt Beneva!! We’ll join in fellowship at the Gym immediately following our 11:15am service.  Please bring a side dish to be served alongside our fried chicken entree at the luncheon if you can.  Come enjoy this celebration with us! 
  • November 11th: Coffee with Jesus meets on the second Wednesday of the month from 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM at a member's home.

Stewardship Thoughts

What a joy it is to know that God doesn't leave us to walk the Christian life in our own strength! Just as He helped the Levites carry the Ark step by step, God promises to supply us with all the grace, strength, and help we need for every area of our lives. Because Jesus has secured our complete acceptance before the Father, our stewardship is not a heavy obligation or a way to earn God's favor—it is our uplifting, grateful response to His continuous help and presence. When we recognize that everything we have is sustained by His gracious hand, giving and serving become wonderful opportunities to celebrate His goodness!

Here are uplifting ways God invites us to participate in His joyful work:

  • Resting in His Help: Celebrating that Jesus faithfully equips us with grace for every step, filling our hearts with peace and security as we steward our daily lives.
  • Partnering in Gospel Work: Supporting the faithful proclamation of Christ's uncompromised Word so that others in Sarasota can experience the liberating power of His grace.
  • Investing in the Next Generation: Joyfully sharing our gifts, time, and resources to help our children and youth grow up anchored in the love and strength of Jesus.
  • Caring for Our Church Family: Generously stewarding our home at Mount Beneva so it remains a welcoming, spirit-filled place of refuge, encouragement, and fellowship for all.

Ministry Thoughts: Returning to Serve Together (Locally)

As Pastor Joe taught this week, dependence on God is not theoretical; it is very daily and very practical. God doesn't call us to serve in our own self-sufficiency, nor does He expect us to manufacture excitement on our own. Just as God helped the Levites carry the Ark step by step, He actively equips us when we take steps of obedience to serve one another. Serving isn't an extra burden on your schedule or a way to earn God's favor—it is a joyful opportunity to experience His real spiritual help as He refreshes hearts across our church family.

When you step into a serving role, you extend the very grace and help of Christ to someone walking through our doors. Every warm greeting, every cup of coffee served, and every lesson taught to our children proclaims that King Jesus is actively present and His grace is sufficient!

Where is God inviting you to step out, trust His help, and serve our church family this week?

  • Volunteers Needed:
  • Special Call for Greeters & Connection Center: Welcome team members are sorely needed throughout our Sunday services. Stop by the Center Post to sign up or volunteer through a Connect Card OR reach out to a current Greeter or someone at the Connection Center!
  • Hospitality Ministry: Assist with coffee/donuts for morning services or event prep/clean-up. Stop by the Center Post to sign up!
  • GraceLife Kids: Caregivers and teachers needed on Sunday mornings. Use the sign-up link in this newsletter or stop by the Center Post!

Ministry Thoughts: Expanding our Scope of Service (Globally)

Our call to global ministry springs directly from the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18–20, where Jesus declares: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me... and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Just as God provided real, daily help to His people as they carried the Ark to Jerusalem, our Savior promises His actual presence to sustain us as we bring the Gospel to the nations. We don't carry the Gospel in our own strength; Jesus goes with us and equips us every step of the way.

Our Operation Christmas Child (OCC) campaign is underway! Through Samaritan’s Purse, gift-filled shoeboxes bring practical joy and the message of Jesus to children around the world. Every gift packed is a tangible step of obedience, trusting that God’s presence and power go with each shoebox to touch young lives with His love.

We invite you to stop by the OCC table in our Lobby to learn how you can stuff shoeboxes with toys and share the Gospel globally. Donations will be accepted through November 22nd.

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 8:00 AM – 8:15 AM.
  • Worship Services: Sunday Worship Services meet at 8:45 AM, 10:00 AM, and 11:15 AM in the Auditorium.

Group Prayer Opportunities

  • Leadership Prayer Time: Sundays from 8:00 AM – 8:15 AM in Room 106.
  • Weekly Morning Prayer Time: Tuesdays at 6:30 AM in Gil’s Office.
  • 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.