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Greetings GraceLife!

This past Sunday, Pastor Joe continued our series The Life of David: A Sinner Loved by God with Week 33, titled "No Shortcuts." Looking at 2 Samuel 1, we examined the story of the Amalekite messenger who brought Saul's crown to David, expecting a reward for speeding up David's path to the throne. Instead of taking an easy shortcut or compromising on obedience, David mourned Saul’s death and honored God's anointed.

Just as David refused to seize the kingdom through compromise, Jesus rejected Satan’s offer of a crown without the cross in Matthew 4. True faith trusts God’s timing and God’s path rather than settling for worldly shortcuts. If you missed this message or want to listen again, please visit the "Messages" tab on our website.

A Heartfelt Thank You: VBS 2026: Puzzling Pyramids

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who attended, served, prayed for, and supported Vacation Bible School this past week! It was an incredible week filled with worship, learning, laughter, and seeing God move in the hearts of our young people. We are so grateful for our dedicated volunteers and families who made it such a joyful success!

This Week at GraceLife

July 28th (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 3 of Gil Jones’s 4-week series on serving God and one another.
  • Note: Tuesday Evening Adult Bible Study remains on break.

July 29th (Wednesday)

  • Sisters in Prayer: 7:00 PM at Mount Beneva Fellowship Corner.
  • Note: The "Captivating" Women’s Home-Based Study will not be meeting this week.

July 30th (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 31st (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.

August 1st (Saturday)

  • Men’s Bible Study: 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM in Mount Beneva Gym Classroom 201B/C. Join us for learning and fellowship!

August 2nd (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)
  • 11:45 AM: 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.
  • 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: GL Students Evening Gathering (Gym Loft, Grades 6–12)

August 3rd (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 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. Sign-up sheet available in the lobby!

Stewardship Thoughts

David understood that God’s kingdom cannot be built using worldly shortcuts or moral compromise. True Christian stewardship flows from a heart that values obedience to God over immediate outcomes or personal gains. As we manage the time, talent, and treasure entrusted to us, let us align our resources with God's timing and purpose:

  • Giving faithfully rather than seeking quick or easy shortcuts,
  • Investing in God’s kingdom with integrity and trust,
  • Rejecting compromise to pursue true righteousness,
  • Trusting God to fulfill His promises in His timing, and
  • Viewing stewardship as an act of wholehearted submission to the King.

Ministry Highlights & Ongoing Opportunities

In 2 Samuel 1, we are reminded that knowing facts about the King is not the same as knowing His heart. Serving in the church is an opportunity to align our hearts with His—caring for what He cares about and loving those He loves. Consider how God might be calling you to serve His family this week:

  • GL Students Ministry (Grades 6–12): Join us in the Loft (upstairs Mount Beneva Gym) Sundays from 10:15 AM – 11:30 AM for Sunday School, and 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM for our evening gathering!
  • Handyman Need: GraceLife needs a skilled handyman for approximately 4 hours of service every other week. Contact James Horne at james@gracelifesrq.com.
  • Volunteers Needed:
    • Hospitality Ministry: Assist with coffee/donuts for morning services or First Sunday Luncheon prep/clean-up. Reply to this email to sign up!
    • Children's Ministry: Caregivers and teachers needed 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. 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.
  • Hospitality: Enjoy complimentary coffee, tea, and pastries refreshed throughout the morning. Please bring only lidded beverages into the auditorium/sanctuary.
  • Leadership Prayer: Open prayer time 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.
  • Christian Education: 10:15 AM – 11:30 AM for Adults and GL Students; 10:45 AM – 11:30 AM for GL Kids.

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.

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 "Give" (redirects to Tithely) to give online.