“pray without ceasing”
1 Thessalonians 5:17
My golf shoes are ancient but not quite old enough for a museum. Spiders have called my shoes home for the past two years. They have decorated them with dust and webs knowing the owner will not return anytime soon. For Christmas, I received a new pair. The new shoes glistened. Clean and white, but sadly they didn’t fit. I needed to exchange them. This week, I attempted to get a larger pair, but they were sold out, so I searched for another. The store boasted an entire wall of golf shoes. White, red, green, and even sandals- yes, golf sandals. The bottoms of the shoes vary too- some have plastic spikes, while others have bumps. One shoe’s bottom caught my attention. In the middle of the bottom of the shoe were the words… “Pray for Birdies.” If you are not a golfer, a “birdie” is one stroke under par or fewer strokes than expected, which means you are playing very well.
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In his letter to the Thessalonians chapter five, the Apostle Paul sandwiches the words “pray without ceasing” between “rejoice always” and “give thanks in all circumstances.”
With a golf handicap like mine, on the golf course, it is often hard to rejoice or give thanks. But no matter how sandy or wet my Titleist gets, there is always the next tee box. A fresh new start.
It is that way in life. In just a couple of days, new calendars will be hung, a fresh new year will greet us. New possibilities, new challenges, new obstacles. The sandtraps surround the green and the wind changes direction, but golf is just a game.
We were given life, and yet we all are handicaped by our pride, our greed, our sin. Left alone, we would be destined to hell. But God didn’t leave us abandoned, he did something about it and that is what Christmas is all about. The birth of our Savior changed everything! God called the shots and came to us in the most incredible way to save us from our sins, and invited us to confess our sins to Him and receive forgiveness. Thanks be to God!
This new year, remember what Jesus did for you. When you hit a shank, give thanks because Jesus came for you. When you are buried in the bunker, rejoice because Jesus saved you…and regardless of your circumstances, pray always. There is nothing to fear this new year because Christmas changed everything!
Step confidently onto that tee box of life. Jesus gave us a new beginning, a fresh new start. 2022 is a new opportunity to love lavishly, share boldly, and proclaim what Jesus did for you.
Go ahead, pray for birdies. Happy New Year!
See you Sunday, I can’t wait!
AMEN
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Exciting News!
God’s work is always exciting but boy has this week started off with a bang!
At our special congregational meeting held this past Sunday on December 26th, the church board was able to share the incredible news that a very generous gift of $350,000 was made in the name and memory of Pastor Dan Rohlwing by Pastor Mark Dankis and the Dankis Family Christian Foundation. Pastor Mark was a friend of Pastor Dan and is one of Kathy’s, and his family foundation selected Grace Fellowship as the recipient of this significant gift to be used toward the purchase of land or property to further the mission of Grace Fellowship. On Sunday, the congregation approved the board to move forward with presenting an offer to purchase Lot 78 on McGregor Drive in Gypsum for the future development of a new church building.
We share our most heartfelt gratitude with Pastor Mark and his family foundation, and we look forward with both excitement and humbleness over the plans God has in store for Grace Fellowship and our community.
“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
Psalm 107:1
The excitement at Sunday’s meeting was overwhelming, and if you weren’t able to attend but would like to hear more about this generous gift and Grace Fellowship’s future plans, please reach out to Pastor Austin.
Praise God!
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The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:6-7
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Would you like to submit your offering online? Thank you!
Simply click the link to securely give to Grace Fellowship.
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Would you like to submit your offering by mail? Thank you!
Please send offerings to
Grace Fellowship Church
PO Box 4280
Gypsum, CO 81637
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February 5th - Showshoe for Peru
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9th Annual Snowshoe for Peru 5k will take place on Saturday, February 5, 2022 at 10am at Sylvan Lake State Park!
Registration is $30 for in-person and virtual participants at snowshoeforperu.com
Event helps provide safety, education and hope to the youth of Peru involved with Corazon de Esperanza!
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Sunday Services
January 2nd, 2021
9:00 or 10:30
-or-
ONLINE
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KIDS CHURCH at 9:00 am service
(Ages 3 through 2nd 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! We are ready and excited to see your little ones!
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Join us on Facebook Sunday morning at approximately 9:15 AM, or view the recording anytime on Facebook, Vimeo or YouTube.
Click the image below to connect.
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LORD JESUS, HEAL OUR LAND, OUR BODIES AND OUR HEARTS.
Please pray for . . .
- All those who are sick and those who are caring for them.
- Kayla, who broke her ankle and had surgery last week. Pray for a full recovery.
- Praise that the Harkins' niece's baby is out of the hospital and doing great!
- Jackie's sister-in-law, Gwen, who is dealing with serious heart and kidney complications. Pray that her kidneys begin to function properly again and that she is healed.
- Pearl Taylor, who is suffering from cancer. Pray for comfort and healing.
- Shawn and Amy Blake's business. Pray for provisions and guidance.
- Rita, who is making good progress recovering after her surgery. Pray for complete healing.
- Bobby Bauer, who is in the hospital in serious condition battling complications from Covid.
- Debra's mom, who is struggling with health issues. Pray for comfort, peace, and answers.
- April Mabee, a friend of Gaby's who was recently diagnosed with cancer.
- strength, comfort and support for Carol Proffitt who has been sick and is homebound, and her daughter Pam who is caring for her.
- everyone in our congregation and their families who are dealing with the pains and trials of cancer, including Connie Kerr; Pastor Sid; Keith; Chris; Sharon Hlavinka; Rance Ketterling; Amanda; Jerry; Pearl; and Suzanne.
GOD'S WILL BE DONE
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Contact Information
Phone: 970-445-3101
Staff and Volunteer Staff
Pastor Dan Rohlwing, Pastor Emeritus in Memoriam
Sunday Schedule
Worship Services: 9:00 and 10:30 am (nursery provided).
Kids Church: During sermon-time at the 9:00 am service.
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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