November 30th, 2022

“The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God

is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

-Romans 6:23

Last Sunday, the Cleveland Browns beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-17 in overtime, but that wasn’t the day's biggest news. One furry fan made all the headlines. He wasn’t wearing brown or orange, he wore all black and white. Looking for popcorn and a beer, the curious creature appeared in section 140 at halftime. Twitter and Facebook exploded with videos and pictures of the creature. Why? Because skunks don’t belong in football stadiums, especially in Cleveland - the Browns already stink. (Sorry, Greg).  

Sin doesn’t belong in our lives either, the world is filled with it, and it stinks. God gives commands for His people to not sin, turn from thier sinful ways and trust in Him. God's commands are not for Him, he is perfect, these commands are for us. Our Lord wants us to live knowing that His promises are good enough. When we sin, it stinks not only for us but for those around us. Sin doesn’t belong in our lives and we need help. Thanks be to God that we have help and His name is Jesus. God’s wonderful plan of salvation was to send his Son to become man for our salvation and the best part? Jesus became sin for us and gave us his righteousness. God came to us! and we are fully forgiven!

Now Satan trespasses where he doesn’t belong and tries to convince you that sin belongs in your life. Satan sprays lies and doubts in your ears and on your heart in a desperate attempt to scare you away from the Lord. Satan tells you that you can handle things on your own and that sin, well sin is not really that bad. But that's not what our Lord says, The wages of sin really is death and apart from Christ it just plain stinks. But God, in his endless mercy, sent Jesus, born of a woman for you and for me. The Apostle Paul when speaking of sin asks, “What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of?” In other words, in the end, sin just stinks! But Paul doesn’t stop there, he writes, “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 

Satan? He can hide with the skunks! 

You? In Christ, you can smile because you have Wonderful Salvation in Jesus.  

See you Sunday as we continue our new advent sermon series “It’s a Wonderful Life … in Christ.  

I can’t wait!  

Pastor Austin 

Click or scan the QR Code to download the

Grace Fellowship App from our website.

The Calendar at a Glance 

• December 4th, Annual Congregational Meeting @ 12:15 pm

• December 5th, Castle Peak Worship and Confirmation

• December 12th, Castle Peak Worship and Confirmation

• December 14th, Cookies, Cocoa, and Christmas in Isaiah (see below)

• December 17th, Children's Christmas Program Dress Rehearsal from 9 am to 11 am

• December 18th, Children's Christmas Program at the 9 am service

• December 19th, Castle Peak Christmas Service and Children's Christmas Program at 6:30 pm at Castle Peak Senior Center

• December 24th, Candlelight Christmas Eve Services: 4 pm and 6 pm

• December 25th, Sunday Services at 9 am and 11 am

Annual Congregational Meeting

Please mark your calendar for our Annual Grace Fellowship Congregational Meeting that will be held at 12:15 pm

this Sunday, December 4th. All are encouraged to attend!

NEW!

Cookies, Cocoa, and Christmas in Isaiah

• When: Wednesday, December 14th
• Where: Grace Fellowship
• Time: 9–10:30 am OR 7–8:30 pm
• What to Bring: Bible, Bible app, or Bibles are at church if needed, an open heart, and room for cookies and cocoa.

You are invited to join me as we explore the wonders of Christmas in the book of Isaiah while we enjoy cocoa and cookies together. You have heard the familiar Christmas verses in Isaiah 7 and 9, but my hope is that you will hear these verses anew and see how wonderful God's promises truly are.  God's promised Messiah would indeed come in the humblest way, but it is also this baby Jesus who reigns and rules for all eternity! I am looking forward to our time together. 

-Pastor Austin 

Please click HERE to reserve your spot so we can plan accordingly.

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. -Isaiah 7:14

Mark your calendars with these important dates:

• Saturday, December 17th- rehearsal at church from 9 to 11 am
• Sunday, December 18th- performance at the 9 am service
• Monday, December 19th- performance and Christmas Service for the residents at Castle Peak Senior Center at 6:30 pm. All are welcome to attend!

Please click to email Missy for further communication and details at [email protected].

Let's share the Good News of GREAT Joy!

There will be no Bible Study or Sunday School during Advent. Please stay and enjoy fellowship and meet new people during that time.

Kids: join Missy for extra Christmas Program practice from 10:15-10:45.

Sunday Services

December 4th, 2022

9:00 or 11:00

-or-

ONLINE

KIDS' CHURCH at 9:00 am service

(Ages 3 through 5th grade)

Kids' Church follows the kid's sermon. We can’t wait to see them!

NURSERY

Nursery for Newborns – 2 year olds.

Nursery is open during our 9:00 am service and during Bible Study from 10:15-10:45!

LORD JESUS, HEAL OUR LAND, OUR BODIES, AND OUR HEARTS.

Please pray for. . .

• Larry Arguello, who had back surgery earlier this week. Pray for healing, pain relief, and restoration. If you would like to provide a meal for Larry and Shoka while he recovers and she takes care of him, please click HERE to sign-up.

• Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy to fill our hearts and our valley this Christmas season as we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior and King.

• Carol Proffitt, who has been sick and is homebound, and her daughter Pam who is caring for her. Grant them peace and comfort.

• Everyone in our congregation and their families who are dealing with the pains and trials of cancer and other illnesses including Todd Purse; Connie Kerr; Keith; Chris; Sharon Hlavinka; Rance Ketterling; Darlee, Amanda; Jerry Wiisanen; Rosemarie; April; Suzanne, Mary's sister-in-law; Bonnie Lamotta; and Aaron.

GOD'S WILL BE DONE