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Greetings GraceLife!

This past Sunday, Pastor Joe continued our series, A Sinner in Love with God: The Life of David, with his message titled "Before the Lord". Looking at the painful exchange between David and his wife Michal after the Ark was brought into Jerusalem, Pastor Joe confronted our natural pull toward self-protection and image management. Michal despised David's public, unreserved expression of worship, worrying about how it looked to others. But David rightly understood that true worship is done before the Lord, who chose him by grace.

We so often hesitate to ask for help, admit our sins, or bow in desperate dependence on Jesus because we fear what others might think or how it might affect our reputation. Yet Jesus endured the shame of the cross so that we could be fully welcomed into God's presence. None of us is too important to be humble before Him. Whether you are standing in complete victory or desperate for grace, we are freed from the burden of self-protection to live, pray, and worship openly before our King. If you missed this message or want to listen again, please visit the "Messages" tab on our website.

This Week at GraceLife (at Mt Beneva unless otherwise noted)

  • Tuesday, Nov 3 | 6:30 AM: Weekly Morning Prayer Time (Gil’s Office)
  • Tuesday, Nov 3 | 7:00 PM: Radical Forgiveness (Room 201B/C)
  • Wednesday, Nov 4 | 7:00 PM: Sisters in Prayer (SIP) (Fellowship Corner)
  • Wednesday, Nov 4 | 7:00 PM: The Well AM at a member's home. 
  • Wednesday, Nov 4 | 7:00 PM: GriefShare Support Group (Room 201B/C)
  • Thursday, Nov 5 | 10:15 AM: Boundaries Women’s Bible Study (Room 201B/C)
  • Thursday, Nov 5 | 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM: Coloring Club (Room 106)
  • Thursday, Nov 5 | 7:00 PM: Deep End Dinner & Bible Study (Mount Lockwood)
  • Friday, Nov 6 | 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM: Biblical Foundations (Room 106)
  • Friday, Nov 6 | 6:45 PM – 7:45 PM: The Big Picture of the Bible (Resumes at new time in Room 201B/C)
  • Saturday, Nov 7 | 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Saturday Morning Men’s Bible Study (Room 201B/C)
  • Sunday, Nov 8:
    • Worship Services: 8:45 AM, 10:00 AM, and 11:15 AM (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)
    • 11:15 AM Service: Youth Discipleship Class Resumes! (GL Students)
    • 12:30 PM (Post-11:15 AM Service): Anniversary, Installation of Pastors & Fellowship Luncheon! Join us in the Gym immediately following the 11:15 AM service. Fried chicken entree provided; please bring a side dish to share!
    • 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: GL Students Evening Gathering (Gym Loft, Grades 6–12)
    • 6:30 PM: The Plunge (Room 201B/C)
  • Monday, Nov 9 | 6:30 PM: GraceLife Recovery (Auditorium — Pizza served at 6:30 PM, Meeting starts at 7:00 PM, Food Pantry available at 7:45 PM)

Upcoming Events & Looking Ahead

  • November 11th: Coffee with Jesus meets from 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM at a member's home.
  • November 22nd: Church Decorating Event — Join us after our last service as we deck the halls and prepare our Mount Beneva campus for the Christmas season!
  • November 22nd: Operation Christmas Child (OCC) Shoebox collection deadline.
  • November 28: Salvation Army Bell-Ringing — Join us as we serve our local community through bell-ringing! Sign up in the Lobby.
  • December 6th: Women's Tea — Save the date for a special time of fellowship, encouragement, and tea.
  • December 20th: GL Kids Christmas Trolley Tour — A festive holiday celebration hosted by our Children's Ministry!

Stewardship Thoughts

What a freedom it is to give, serve, and live open-heartedly before the Lord! When our security rests entirely in Christ’s finished work on the cross, stewardship is no longer about managing our image or seeking human approval. Here are ways God invites us to steward our lives before Him:

  • Living Openly Before Him: Dropping performance burdens and trusting that our true standing comes entirely through Jesus.
  • Partnering in Gospel Work: Supporting Gospel proclamation in Sarasota so others may be freed from self-reliance.
  • Investing in the Next Generation: Generously equipping our kids and youth—including our resuming 11:15 AM Youth Discipleship Class.
  • Caring for Our Church Family: Stewarding our Mount Beneva campus as a place of genuine refuge and community.

Ministry Thoughts: Local & Global Service

Serving Locally: Stepping out to serve means laying down self-consciousness and focusing on the God who called us. When you hold open a door, brew coffee, or teach Sunday school, you create a space where people encounter the welcoming grace of King Jesus.

  • Volunteers Needed:
    • Greeters & Connection Center: Welcome team members needed across all Sunday services. Sign up at the Center Post or fill out a Connect Card.
    • Hospitality Ministry: Assist with morning coffee, refreshments, or event setup.
    • GraceLife Kids & Youth: Sunday morning teachers and helpers needed for kids' classes and the 11:15 AM youth class.

Serving Globally:

  • Operation Christmas Child (OCC): Campaign in full swing! Stop by the OCC table in the lobby to pick up a box and learn how to get involved. Boxes will be collected through November 22nd.
  • 30 Days of Prayer for Global Missions (MTW): We invite you to devote the month of November to prayer for global missions. Mission to the World (MTW) has provided a webpage prayer calendar at mtw.org/30dop where you will find a daily prayer request, or you can download and print a paper calendar. You can also follow MTW on social media @mtwglobal. Your prayers are critical to the growth of the worldwide Church!

Sunday Mornings & Practical Details

  • Services & Leadership Prayer: Leadership Prayer in Room 106 (8:00 AM – 8:15 AM). Services at 8:45 AM, 10:00 AM, and 11:15 AM.
  • Prayer Chain Requests: Submit requests via Prayer Request Form, email, text, or verbal request to leadership or the Admin Team.
  • Hospitality & Connection: Stop by the Connection Center for questions, nametags, or sign-ups. Enjoy complimentary coffee and pastries throughout the morning.
  • Auditorium Care: Please help us care for our carpet by keeping food outside the auditorium and using spill-proof cups for drinks.
  • Ways to Give: In-person cash/check, Bank Bill Pay, or online via the Give Tab.