February 12, 2021
Expectations

And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
    because he has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
    and recovering of sight to the blind,
    to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." 
- Luke 4:16-21 
 
What are you expecting for Valentine’s Day?

A letter? A rose? A box of chocolates? A box of candy? What about a box of disappointment?

I once had a highly successful businessman tell me that the key to success in life was determined by setting the proper expectations. He said if you set expectations properly, everything will fall into place. He continued, and I sat on the edge of my seat. I was like a freshly, unwrapped sponge just longing to absorb every ounce of wisdom he would pour out in front of me. He smiled and said, "I told my wife before she married me ... don't expect anything." We all laughed. And he concluded, "We have had a great marriage!"
 
The people of Nazareth longed for a Messiah to save them but He was not what they expected. Maybe they imagined He would arrive with a large cape surfing on a lightning bolt. Maybe they thought the Messiah would come in armor and destroy the persecuting soldiers right in front of them. The people were watching and listening for the Messiah to return; a Messiah that they expected. 
 
Enter Jesus. You know, Jesus, Joseph's son. It was great to have Him home again and He was the Bible reader and teacher of the day. The servant would have reached behind the silk curtain, grabbed a scroll, and handed it to Jesus. The unrolling of the scroll would not have been unusual ... that was expected. The reading would have been familiar ... that was expected too. It's what happened next that shocked everyone. After reading the scroll, Jesus sat down to teach. Luke tells us all eyes were fixed on Him when He said the unexpected:
 
"Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."
 
You can feel the tension and hear the gasps. The people had their idea of who the Savior would be. They never imagined the Savior would be Jesus; they were wrong. 
 
Maybe you have an idea in your mind of who or what your Savior will be. Maybe it's a new job that you think will solve your problems. Maybe it's a political leader or the passage of new legislation. Maybe you think about your new workout, your new home, your new friend. So often we receive nothing but a box of disappointment. 
 
Time and trial have proven that none of these things we think of will save us now or into eternity. There is sin and evil in the world and we need a Savior. We have one. Jesus came to announce the Good News to the poor, proclaim liberty to the captives, give sight to the blind. Jesus came for sinners, like me and like you. He said so. Turn or swipe the page to Luke 5:31-32. Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but the sinners to repentance." 
 
Some think that being Christian means you will have a five-star luxury life. No disappointments; nothing but roses. But nowhere in scripture does God say that. In fact, after the reading and teaching, Jesus didn't get a banquet or a reception. There were no cookies and cake, no punch or coffee. There was no letter, no rose, and certainly no box of chocolates.

Jesus got a death sentence. His own friends and family tried to throw him off a cliff! Why? Because Jesus was not what they expected. 
 
So, what can you expect? One word ... Peace. 
 
"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." 
John 16:33
 
Struggles and trials in our lives will continue until Christ comes again. They just will. But Jesus came to save us eternally from the death we all deserve and took our sins upon Himself so we can live in Him. We can live in our struggles with peace and confidence knowing that Christ came for us, died for us, and saved us. I don't know about you, but that brings me peace. Happy Valentine’s Day.

In Christ’s Endless Love,
 
Austin 

See ya Sunday - I can't wait
Austin

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Sunday Services
February 14, 2021

9:00 AM + 10:30 AM
-or-
ONLINE


Due to physical distancing, please help us to plan by reserving your seat today!

Please sign up by 10 pm on Saturday night.

(overflow seating available in the lobby)
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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 masks 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.
 
KIDS CHURCH SIGN UP (Ages 3 through 2nd grade)
Please reserve your kids’ attendance with Ms. Debra during the sermon at the 9:00 am service
Help us ensure that we properly adhere to Eagle County’s public health guideline of maintaining six feet of physical distancing by reserving a spot at Kids Church. Kids Church follows the kids sermon. We can’t wait to see them!

NURSERY
Nursery for Newborns – 2 year olds.
Nursery is open! Grace Fellowship continues to follow Eagle County’s public health guidelines, and nursery care attendants will wear face coverings while caring for your children. We are ready and excited to see your little ones!

NURSERY SIGN UP
Please reserve your child’s attendance in Nursery at 9:00 or 10:30 am.
Please reserve your child’s attendance at 9:00 or 10:30 am where our nursery attendants will lovingly care for your kiddos while you enjoy church.

*Please know that we are doing everything we can to keep our guests safe by following guidelines suggested by our health officials. If you have any concerns however, please plan to join us online every Sunday!

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.
February 28 at 11:45 am

We will discuss adding a budget item that was not contemplated at our December meeting.
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
Would you like to submit your offering online? Thank you!
Simply click the link to securely give to Grace Fellowship.
Would you like to submit your offering by mail? Thank you!

Please send offerings to

Grace Fellowship Church
PO Box 4280
Gypsum, CO 81637
Ash Wednesday Service

Wednesday February 17, 2021
6:30 PM

Please join us as we begin the journey to Easter, and stop and remember what Jesus did for us.
Grace Fellowship
Shopping Team!

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!

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

Please pray for . . .

  • the family of Kris Berlinski who died this week. Pray for comfort for her father Don, mother Elaine, brother Rob and sister-in-law Carolyn.

  • the family of Andy Janowsky who died this week from complications with COVID. Andy was Pastor Austin's friend and co-worker.

  • the families of the men lost in the avalanches. Pray for comfort and strength through this incredibly difficult time. May God's loving arms wrap them all in His love.

  • Janice who is recovering from heart surgery.

  • Sue, Dave Carle's mother who is struggling with her health.
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  • Juan Marcez, who is recovering from COVID.

  • all those in our church and community who are sick with COVID and other illnesses. We also pray for families who are quarantined.

  • strength, comfort and support for Carol Proffitt who has been sick and is homebound, and her daughter Pam who is caring for her.

  • Virginia Hurd, who is at Castle Peak and is very weak, and for all the residents and staff of Castle Peak.

  • complete healing for Sal as he continues treatment for leukemia. Please continue to pray for strength for Lisa and Kathy as they care for them.

  • 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; little Sal Marchetti; Amanda; Jonette; 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
See you Sunday Online!
Contact Information
Phone: 970-445-3101
Email: Austin@GraceGypsum.com 

Staff and Volunteer Staff
Pastor Austin Kraft, 970-688-1100, austin@GraceGypsum.com 
Nancy Kraft, Administrative Assistant, 303-870-3433, njokraft@yahoo.com
Susan Flock, App and Website Coordinator, 970-361-4771, flock21@aol.com
Israel Hernandez, Worship Team Leader, 970-331-6177, Israelh08@hotmail.com
Jesse Meryhew, High School Youth Leader, 970-390-3617 jesseleemeryhew@gmail.com
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!