November 8th, 2023

I will give you thanks, for you answered me;

  you have become my salvation.

The stone the builders rejected

  has become the cornerstone;

 the Lord has done this,

  and it is marvelous in our eyes.

Psalm 118:21-23

In vineyards, as fields were prepared for planting, the rocks had to be removed to allow the luscious fruit to grow. But not all stones were thrown out; there were some special stones used as the starting point for the beautiful buildings. This stone held everything else together, it was known as the cornerstone. If this stone were removed, the rest of the building would be out of place and crumble. This cornerstone was so valued that architects, builders, owners, and religious leaders would place wine, blood, or grain offerings upon this stone to honor their gods.  

In Matthew chapter 21, Jesus is speaking to the religious leaders who are trying to control “the vineyard”, the problem is they are tossing out the one stone that serves as the cornerstone to the church. This stone holds ALL things in “heaven and earth” together - his name is Jesus Christ our Lord who was rejected and thrown out of the temple and crucified for you. Jesus says, 

“Have you never read in the Scriptures:

“‘The stone the builders rejected

  has become the cornerstone;

the Lord has done this,

  and it is marvelous in our eyes"?

Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. 44 Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.”



-Matthew 21:42-43 

Jesus is the cornerstone that holds all things together. When your world seems to be falling apart, Jesus holds it together. When you feel as though any second everything in your life may crash to the ground, Jesus holds it together. When you feel like you are teetering on the edge of despair, Jesus holds it together. This Jesus, this Stone, is a firm foundation forever and ever! 

In response, we declare what the psalmist did in Psalm 118 long ago - we praise him! 

You are my God, and I will praise you; you are my God, and I will exalt you.

 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever!  

See you Sunday as we celebrate our Cornerstone I can't wait!

Austin

The Calendar at a Glance 

• November 12th, Worship Services, Connect Hour Groups meet

• November 13th, Castle Peak Service @ 10 am

• November 19th, Thanksgiving Worship Services, Connect Hour Groups meet, please return Operation Christmas Child boxes to church for delivery

• November 20th, Castle Peak Service @ 10 am

• November 26th, Worship Services, Connect Hour Fellowship Sunday (Connect Hour Groups do not meet), Children's Christmas Program practice 12:15 pm to 1:00 pm

• December 3rd, Worship Services, Advent Begins, Christmas-Themed Fellowship Sundays begin during Connect Hour, Children's Christmas Program practice 12:15 pm to 1:00 pm

• December 10th, Worship Services, Christmas-themed Fellowship Sunday during Connect Hour, Children's Christmas Program practice 12:15 pm to 1:00 pm, Annual Congregational Meeting @ 12:15 pm

• December 15th, Women's Gathering @ Grace Fellowship at 6:30 pm. Details below.

• December 16th, Children's Christmas Program practice 9:00 am to 10:30 am

• December 17th, Worship Service, Children's Christmas Program performance at 9 am, Christmas-Themed Fellowship Sunday during Connect Hour

• December 24th, Christmas Eve! Worship Services at 3 pm, 4:30 pm. 6:00 pm. (NO MORNING WORSHIP SERVICES)

Plan to stay for

Connect Hour Bible Study Groups

on November 12th & 19th.

Fellowship - 10:00 to 10:15 am

Bible Study Groups - 10:15 to 10:45 am

Fellowship - 10:45 to 11:00 am

Connect Hour Fellowship Sunday

will be November 26th from 10:00 to 11:00 am.

"Connecting to God & one another

through fellowship and God's Word."

Operation Christmas Child is underway!

Grab a box from church on Sunday or fill a shoe-sized box of your own with toys and necessities for a child in need this Christmas. Return it to church

NO LATER THAN November 19th for the boxes

to be shipped all around the world!

Our children's Christmas program, A Caroling Kids' Christmas, will be on December 17th at the 9 am service.

Children of ALL ages are encouraged to participate -

preschool, elementary, middle and high school.

Practices will be held on the following Sundays:

-November 26th-

-December 3rd-

-December 10th-

from 12:15 to 1:00 pm

and Saturday, December 16th

from 9:00 to 10:30 am

Contact Missy HERE with questions

Sunday Services

November 12th, 2023

9:00 or 11:00

-or-

ONLINE

KIDS' CHURCH at 9:00 am & 11:00 am services

(Ages 3 through 5th grade) @ 9:00 am & (Ages 3 through 2nd grade) @ 11:00 am

Kids' Church follows the kid's sermon. They will further explore the day's sermon theme with their group. We can’t wait to see them!

NURSERY

Nursery for Newborns – up to 3 year olds.

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

Join us on Facebook this Sunday morning at approximately 9:15 AM, or view the recording anytime on Facebook, Vimeo or YouTube.

Click the image below to connect.

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

Please pray for. . .

• The family of George Kerr and his sister, Pat Hale, who unexpectedly lost her son Richard this week. Pray for the love, peace, and comfort of Jesus to surround and overwhelm them all.

• Growing Grace Fellowship New Building Campaign. Lord, we continue to pray through this exciting process of fundraising for our new church home. We trust in your plan. We pray that you touch all of our hearts to join us on this journey in order to further your Kingdom. Your will be done!



• Carol Proffitt, who has been sick and is still homebound, and for those who are caring for her. Pray for continued care and provision during this difficult time.

• 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; Mark Von Soosten, Aaron, Ryan, John Kirchner, Oliver, Debra Ketterling and family, Rita Rodriguez, Julie (Larry Arguello's sister).

GOD'S WILL BE DONE