EVANGELISM

The heart of evangelism is sharing the story of Christ, the good

news of how God took upon himself the sin and shame of the human

race so that all who believe might be saved.

Why aren’t we more eager to share it? Why don’t we race out to

share the good news? “O taste and see that the Lord is good.”

(Psalms 34:8). Once we know the truth from the inside out, we will

always have something to tell others.

“Christians and non-Christians have something in common,” says

Rebecca Pippert. We’re both uptight about evangelism.” The Bible

tells us that true faith comes by the preaching and hearing of the Word

of God. “So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes

by the preaching of Christ.” (Romans 10:17)

How are we to tell others? We proclaim the good news of what

God has done through the telling of the gospel. But the gospel is also

proclaimed when we tell our story of salvation, for our story shows the

power of the gospel. Our task is to tell “His” story and “our” story in

the hope that it will one day become “their” story.

As a congregation that has reached a low plateau, it is incumbent

upon us to reach out to the “seekers” and the “searchers,” those who

have never known Christ and those who have drifted away, if we are

to remain a viable force for Christ in Weed.

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the

name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching

them in everything I have commanded you. And surely I will be with

you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

Peace,

Elder Gerry Watson

Evangelism Chairman

GRACE COMMUNITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH MCCLOUD COMMUNITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

OCTOBER 2016

Grace Notes

Scroll

October 2 - Charley Pace

October 14 - Don VonTungeln

Have you been down to 1090 N. Davis Street lately? Looks like they are building a new

church on both sides of the street. Pray that all in the neighborhood will start attending one or the other when the buildings are complete. The more people attend leaves more crumbs and food for me. I might just visit both churches. The contractors are moving so fast that I have to find a new place to hide and sleep. I think I’ll just prepare a place in the sanctuary near the ramp to the stage area; it is close to the door if I ever need to exit quickly. From that location I will be able to hear the preacher and listen to all the great music. The roof is a beautiful color and the steeple will be a great show piece once it’s mounted on the roof. You sure picked some great colors for the outside. When will you grade the parking area so that you can pour the asphalt? I might need some places to relax and hide outside. I know that you are all anxious to get back to your new building and so am I. I get quite tired traveling back and forth from one location to another. If you haven’t been by the building site recently, you should make an effort to at least drive by. But don’t slow the workers down as we need to get it finished ASAP! PEACE THE MOUSE

Page 2 Grace Notes

OCTOBER Sermon Series: Ephesians:

To the Praise of His Glory

COMMUNION ELEMENTS: OCTOBER: June Watson NOVEMBER: Nancy Wallace

Lay Reader Greeters and Ushers

2 Mike Krause Don VonTungeln

9 Marge McDowell Marge and Neil McDowell

16 June Watson John and Joyce Christ

23 Neil McDowell Jim and Sharon Ray

30 Jim Ray Jan Mauck and Marylin Harrington

“Life is a gift to you.

The way you live your life is your gift to those

who come after. Make it a fantastic one!”

October Prayer Focus: The Image of God

Brothers and Sisters, Last month I wrote to inform you that instead of writing a stand-alone and somewhat disconnected article each month in the newsletter, I would instead be writing on a particular topic that would serve as the focus for our prayers as a congregation in the coming month. And last month we focused on the theme of Creation. This month I would like to focus on the concept of the Imago Dei (i-maw-goe day), which is Latin for the phrase found in Genesis 1:27 which is translated as “the image of God”. These words carry with them the idea of a special stamp being placed on humans that is different from all other aspects of creation. In his book, The Liberating Image, J. Richard Middleton puts it this way, “The Imago Dei designates the royal office or calling of human beings as God’s representatives and agents in the world, granted authorized power to share in God’s rule or administration of the earth’s resources and creatures.” So you can see that our existence as image bearers in God’s creation gives us a unique role and responsibility to God, others, and His kingdom. Many times we can forget that all people are image bearers, not just followers of Jesus. Therefore, this truth ought to reach out to everyone we know. Neighbors, friends, family, spouses, and anyone else no matter what their beliefs or biases may be. They are an image bearer of God and as such have inherent dignity and worth. Understanding this will greatly help us as we desire to know God and make Him known. This month I would like to encourage you to pray along these lines. First, as an image bearer of God you are created with a purpose. Based on Genesis 1:26-28, an image bearer’s purpose is as follows: • Reflect God’s character in His creation. • Steward His creation. • Recognize, respect, and work to reinforce Biblical masculinity and femininity. • Expand God’s creative role in creation with fruitfulness. So as you pray reflect on these roles as they pertain to your personal life. Ask yourself, “Is my life lived as someone who consistently desires to make God known?” “If the earth and all that’s in it belongs to the Lord (Psalm 24), does my treatment of it reflect my appreciation of it and of God?” “As a man/woman how am I rejoicing in the uniqueness of my gifts and dispositions to be a blessing to God, others, and others of the opposite sex?”, and “In what ways am I actively participating in expanding the kingdom of God to those I come in contact with?” These questions and more will help guide us in taking a healthy inventory of our lives as image bearers. Secondly, as an image bearer of God you are called to reflect God’s character in His creation. So as you pray ask the Holy Spirit to give you the desires of His heart. Ask Him to cause you to hate the things He hates, to love the things He loves, grieve over the things that grieve Him, and rejoice over the things He rejoices over. God is merciful, so be merciful to those who don’t deserve it. God is forgiving, so forgive others when they hurt you. God is truth, so tell the truth. God is glorious, so glorify Him in all that you do. In doing this, you will reflect the character of God in His creation. And third, as an image bearer of God you have been given a calling. Genesis 1:27-28 says, “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him male and female He created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them. ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion.’” This states that humans are properly related to God, other humans, and the earth. So because of this, humans are religious creatures, social creatures, and rulers over and caretakers of creation cultural creatures. Therefore, the calling of every image bearer is to worship God, love others, and work joyfully in the world. That is our general calling. But each of us has a unique calling of God on our life. Maybe you are called to serve overseas as a missionary. Or maybe you are called to be an algebra teacher. We should never view a calling as insignificant simply because it isn’t something like pastor or missionary. Every calling matters. So as you pray, ask God to help you live out your calling with fervency, humility, and joy. Peace and Rest,

Pastor Nick Welch

Page 3 Grace Notes

FALL FESTIVAL at Weed Elementary School Monday, October 31st Last year, Grace Community Presbyterian Church joined with the Resource Center and other local organizations in having a Harvest Festival at Weed Elementary for all the neighborhood children. Several hundred children enjoyed came and enjoyed the participation of the community, in what usually is an evening of children in the streets Trick or Treating. Safety is provided at the school. Session has agreed for Grace Church to participate again this year. We are in the planning stages now, and will need several volunteers that night. To assist in planning and to volunteer that night, please contact Gerry, Nick or Betty. Come join the fun!

We’re on a roll!! Both Bible Studies

are under way, but we’d sure like to

have YOU join us in one or both.

It’s not too late to jump in!

1-Sunday mornings at 10:30, after

having refreshments, we meet to dis-

cuss Pastor Nick’s sermon. We then

look at the next Sunday’s scripture,

discuss what we think it means, and

the following Sunday we compare

our interpretation to pastor Nick’s

explanation. Sometimes we’re way

off base, and other times right on!

2-Monday evenings, 6:30-8:00, we

meet in member’s homes, jump-starting

with coffee & cookies. We could

also meet at the church occasionally.

Pastor Nick leads us in some great

discussions in our study,

Biblical Foundations for Life.

Grace Community Presbyterian Church / 20510 Big Springs Road / P.O. Box 219 / Weed, CA 96094 (530) 938-4571 gracepc@cot.net www.snowcrest.net/gracepc