A Message from Pastor Austin
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"Into the Light."
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:13-16
As the heat of August gives way to the cool of September, the beams of glorious sunlight shine through our home windows at different angles. I discovered this Sunday afternoon, after returning from church. I walked into my bedroom, changed into shorts and a comfy shirt. I strolled into the bathroom to brush my teeth after my post-church coffee. As I was brushing, I could feel the wonderful warmth of the sun on my forehead. Somehow the beams of sun were at just the right angle to fit perfectly in our 12x12 inch window above our mirror. Opening my eyes and to my horror, I thought I saw Yoda. I’m not green, don’t have tons of wrinkles, and I am taller than Yoda, but it was me. But to my astonishment, Yoda and I had something in common. Like an operating room super-light, the sunlight illuminated my ears, and the hair growing out of them! I am no supermodel, I don’t spend a ton of time on my appearance, but I try to shave often and throw a little hairspray in my hair occasionally. But this hair ... where in the world did that come from?! I actually heard a voice in my head, (Yoda Voice) “MMMMM hairy ears you have .…” I frantically spit out my toothpaste, slung open the drawer, and grabbed the tweezers. Problem solved.
“MMMM better you look,” I thought.
I am trained in theology, not in dermatology, but I don’t think those hairs grew overnight. They had been there all along, those nasty hairs! It wasn’t until the light shone on them that were they exposed.
Sin lives in the dark shadows of our world and our hearts. Criminals' alarm clocks buzz as the sun sets. Cockroaches crawl out of their holes under the cover of darkness.
Jesus declares,
“I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who
believes in me should stay in darkness.”
John 12:44
John proclaims,
“The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.”
John 1:5
On our own, we are in darkness - stumbling and fumbling around, stubbing lots of toes along the way. We think we can light our own way, but the candle burns out and we are left with nothing but darkness.
But in the starlight of Bethlehem came the promised One. The prophesized light in the darkness, that would bring radiant light to all the world. Those who believe in Jesus no longer have to hide in darkness, but instead enjoy everlasting life. In Christ, nothing will overcome the darkness of our world.
So don’t be afraid, step into the light! You have nothing to be ashamed of. You are made perfect in Christ Jesus our Lord, and by His precious blood you not only belong in the light, you are the light of the world that points to Jesus and his salvation for all people including you. What a blessed gift.
In Jesus, saved you are!
AMEN
Join us Sunday as we continue our sermon series The Secret of a Content Heart. I can’t wait!
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Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
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Would you like to submit your offering online?
Click the link below to securely give to Grace Fellowship.
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Would you like to submit your offering by mail?
Please send offerings to
Grace Fellowship Church
PO Box 4280
Gypsum, CO 81637
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SUNDAY SERVICE
September 6, 2020
9:00 & 10:30 am
(Kids Church with Ms. Debra during the sermon
at the 9:00 am service.)
CHURCH SERVICE SIGN UP
Please reserve your attendance.
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Online
LIVE video message on
Facebook Sunday morning at 9:00 am or view the recording anytime available on Facebook, Vimeo or YouTube.
Click the image below to connect.
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MASKS
Face coverings are required at all times.
With the State’s mandate requiring face coverings in all indoor spaces, Grace Fellowship will follow Eagle County’s public health guideline which requires wearing facial coverings in all public spaces, including outdoors when six feet of physical distance cannot be maintained. Face coverings are required during the entirety of the church service.
- If you are at risk or think you are at risk, please carefully consider watching online.
- If you are sick or think you might be sick, please do not come to the church building for your safety and the safety of others. Please join us by watching online.
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Hi Kids!
Kids Church and Sunday School are BACK!
THIS SUNDAY!
3 yrs - 2nd Graders
Kids Church with Ms. Debra
Every Sunday during the 9:00 am service sermon.
Debra can't wait to see you!
September 27
3rd - 6th Graders
Sunday School with Susan
9:00 am
Sunday School will be hosted every other week.
Susan can't wait to see you!
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JOIN US THIS FALL for the study of the powerful book of Ezekiel.
From Jackie:
Ezekiel lived in a time of international upheaval and the judgement of God was upon Israel. Sound familiar to today's events? God used Ezekiel not only to warn Israel, but to give them hope that God has not totally abandoned them. Israel still has a future to look forward to and so do we. Those of you who took Revelation will see so many parallels and phrases from Ezekiel that echo back to Revelation. I am excited to start this series with all of you.
I am hoping that all of you want to join me on Zoom for the fall Precept class on Ezekiel Part 1.
Ezekiel is a two-part study. Part One is 10 weeks long and will start on September 9 (Thursday class is the 10th) and go through November 18 (19th for Thursday class). This includes a zero week to catch up with everyone.
Part Two is seven weeks long and we will start it in January.
Please email me if you are taking the class, and if you live in the Vail Valley, I will order your book for you if you want me to. This will save a little on postage, but you will have to come by to see me to pick it up. :-)
If you live outside the Vail Valley, you will have to order your own book from Precept.org. Make sure you order the Precept Upon Precept workbook in your choice of NASB or ESV. You can order both Part One and Part Two if you plan to join us in January also. You will save on postage that way. I urge you to order soon, as Precept gets busy in August for all the fall classes.
Steps to order your own book:
Click on Shop
Scroll down to Precept Upon Precept, and click on it
On the left hand side is a menu bar named "Tags"
Click on it and scroll down to Ezekiel and click on it
Choose your Bible preference, NASB or ESV
There will be the order page
Call me if you have any questions at 970-401-3810. I text too!
In Christ together,
Jackie
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Grace Fellowship Shopping Team!
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Need Groceries?
We have a team ready and willing to do your shopping for you! For those who have underlying health conditions, or simply need help, please contact coordinator, Susan Flock by text or call.
Susan Flock
970-361-4771
Thank you Susan, Gaby, Kat and Aracely for your faithful service to God's people!
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LORD JESUS, HEAL OUR LAND, OUR BODIES AND OUR HEARTS
Please pray for . . .
- Thanksgiving and praise that Connie Kerr's pet scan went really well! No further growth and good results over all. No chemo this fall and she is so thankful. Thanks be to God!
- The firefighters who have worked countless hours to fight the blazes in our area. Keep them safe and protected.
- Jack Swedlund and his wife Tanya, as Jack is in hospice care at home suffering from cancer.
- Strength, comfort and support for Carol who is home, and her daughter Pam.
- Bill and Virginia Hurd, who are at Castle Peak as permanent residents and unable to see family and friends in person. And for all the residents and staff of Castle Peak.
- Complete healing for Sal Marchetti as he continues to recover, and strength for the entire family who is faithfully taking care of him.
- Everyone in our congregation and their families who are dealing with the pains and trials of cancer, including Connie Kerr; Jack; Pastor Sid; Keith; Chris; Sharon Hlavinka; Brad Bluhm; Rance Ketterling; little Sal Marchetti; Amanda; Jonette; Carol; Jerry; and Suzanne.
- Everyone affected by illness, surgery or accidents - wisdom for doctors, peace of mind for patients and loved ones, and answers and best treatments revealed.
GOD'S WILL BE DONE
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See you Sunday at Church or Online! |
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Contact Information
Phone: 970-445-3101
Staff and Volunteer Staff
Pastor Dan Rohlwing, Pastor Emeritus in Memoriam
Sunday Schedule during COVID-19
Worship Services: 9:00 and 10:30 am (nursery provided).
Kids Church: During sermon-time at the 9:00 am services.
Affiliation
Grace Fellowship is affiliated with the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (lcms.org).
Our Mission
Proclaim, Nurture, and Serve.
Proclaim Jesus as Savior.
Nurture faith in Jesus.
Serve in the name of Jesus.
Our Purpose
Embrace Christ!
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