One of my morning devotionals last week posed two questions that stopped me in my tracks: “Who flourishes because you have power? Who flourishes because God has been good to you?”*

I confess I’m not really sure how to answer those questions. My ego wants me to say that a lot of people have flourished because of me, but my realistic side says that there’s no way for me to be sure. Isn’t the answer to that question best answered by the person who is (hopefully) flourishing?

But I understand what the point of the questions are. Ever since Cain and Abel in Genesis, we have been called to look out for and help each other. We know from Jeremiah that our well-being is tied up with the well-being of those in our community and world. As another of my daily devotionals notes, God “absolutely refuses to put us in a position of independence and self-sufficiency. He created us not only to be dependent on him, but to be interdependent with others.”**

Theologian N. T. Wright tells us that every good thing we do in this life will be used as building blocks for our eternal life. What we do here matters, and what we do can benefit others as well as ourselves here on earth while being transformed into something lasting in God’s kingdom to come. Because it is God’s plan for all creation, it is incumbent upon us as Christians to do what we can to foster shalom right here, right now, for everyone.

Often, helping others flourish doesn’t take much effort on our part. Even our smallest endeavors often have effects that ripple farther than our immediate circle in ways that we can never measure.

So, who flourishes because you have power? Who flourishes because God has been good to you?

Be encouraged, build up one another, and pursue shalom!

Lou

Rev. Dr. Lou Ventura

revventura@gbpres.org

*Susie Larson, “Giving and Blessing,” The (in)courage Devotional Bible, Denise J. Huges, gen. ed. (Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017), 1641.



**Chris Tiegreen, The One Year Experiencing God’s Presence Devotional (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2011), April 12.

Upcoming Church Events

April 19

• PW's Bunco Night 6:00pm - 8:00pm in Fellowship Hall

April 24

• Wednesday Night Live
• Dinner, 5:30pm in Fellowship Hall
• KICK, 6:15pm in Room 290
• Bible Study, 6:15

April 26

• Seasoned Saints Luncheon, 12:00pm in Fellowship Hall

April 28

• Combined Service, 10:00am
• Congregational Meeting, immediately following service.

2024 Elder & Deacon Nominations

The CNC and Session are pleased to present the following nominees for approval at the forthcoming Congregational Meeting at 10:00 AM April 28th:

Elders

Carolyn Lewis, Scott Lorimer, Lin Peters, Judi Rogers

Deacons

Penny Johnson, Patti Pluess, Alice Purcell

Congregational Meeting

April 28 | Immediately following 10:00am combined service.

The meeting is to elect the class of 2027 Church Officers.

Please use the link below to read the minutes from the January 21st Meeting.

Worship and Music

WomenSING Sunday

• June 16th
• ALL AGES
• NO rehearsal
• Just show up, 9:00 am for the 9:30 am service. 

Continuing the

Shalom Sermon Series

April 21 – The Covenant of Peace

April 28 – Peace Be with You

Children's Ministry

KICK

April 24th | 6:15pm | Room 290

The Children's Ministry Team is always looking for new teachers*. Use the link below to join the team.

*All volunteers that work with children and youth are subject to a background check.

Adult Ministry

Tuesday Night Ladies' Bible Study

Join the Tuesday Night Ladies' Bible Study as they begin, "Present Over Perfect". Starting April 23rd* at 7:00pm in Room 240,

See Tammy Andre or Linda Marchesano for more information.

*Earlier emails had the incorrect start date of April 9th

The women of the church will be having a "Bunco Night" tonight, Friday, April 19 from 6-8 p.m. No skills or bunco knowledge needed to participate - just a night of fun and fellowship with prizes and a potluck salad dinner.

There is no charge for this event but we do ask that you register to let us know how many to expect. You can register with the link here, scanning the QR Code in the bulletin or by using the sign up sheet in the Narthex. Bring a friend!!!!

PW Novel Ideas Book Discussion

May 30th 6:30pm in Room 230

• The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

July 18th 6:30pm in Room 230

• The Women by Kristin Hannah

Sign up in the Narthex!

Opportunities For All

Be a friendly face to people who walk in our doors! Smile and greet everyone. It isn’t hard to be an usher and we NEED HELP at the 11:00 service! Click on the link below and say YES!!!

Wednesday Night Live

April 24th | Fellowship Hall

International Potluck! Bring a dish representing your heritage.

Dinner at 5:30pm

Bible Study at 6:15pm in the Sanctuary

KICK at 6:15pm in Room 290

Impact at 6:15pm in the Youth Room

Congregational Care

DEACON MINISTRY Deacons are responsible for providing pastoral care and support to the members of the church. This may involve visiting the sick, elderly, or homebound members, offering prayers, providing comfort, and meeting practical needs within the congregation. All members and non-members of the congregation, not in small group, should have a deacon assigned. If you don't have a deacon, have not been contacted by a deacon, and are not in a small group, please reach out to Wayne Stover, at waynerstover@gmail.com and he will assign you a deacon.

In Need of Prayer? 

Please use the link below and let us know how we may lift you in prayer.

Stewardship & Finance

Thank you for your generous support and commitment to GBPC.

In Case You Missed It

Last Week's Service

April 7, 2024

Ongoing Signups

Seeking Office Volunteers

We are currently seeking a pool of volunteers to assist with office tasks and coverage. If interested, please use the link to sign up.

Sanctuary Servants

Volunteers are needed to prepare the sanctuary for Sunday morning worship services on Friday mornings. Please use the link below to sign up.

Chancel Flower Donations

Would you care to donate flowers in memory or in honor of a loved one? Pick up an envelope on the information ledge in the Narthex. Please leave the envelope with the included form and check for $75, payable to GBPC, in the Office Manager's mailbox. You may also place your order online using the link below. Please be sure to include the date you would like the flowers to be dedicated. Deadline is the Tuesday prior to the display date.

Please consider helping this precious young woman recovering from a terrible accident! Greta Marle grew up at Great Bridge Presbyterian Church and is a wonderful example to young adults!