January 3rd, 2024

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever. 

-Hebrews 13:8-

New Year, Same God. 

Happy New Year! 

Monday, the very first day of the New Year,  we came to our friend’s house in the afternoon bearing store-bought pizza, leftover Christmas goodies, and a salad that Missy made.  Nobody wanted to cook, everyone was tired, and the only expectation was to sit, eat, and watch football.  Wearing my sweatpants, I entered the downstairs family room.  Sitting on the couch, I saw our friend Tiffany, cuddling under a colossal calendar. On the coffee table in front of her, was a large selection of colorful markers. One at a time, Tiffany would grab her marker and write the upcoming family events like piano lessons, wrestling practice, worship team practice, and more.  One after another, each event was carefully added to her new calendar.  At the top of the massive page were four numbers:   

2024

This week all of our calendars changed. We each have our system for keeping track of scheduled events, but we have all been around long enough to know that no matter how carefully we plan - things change.  I didn’t ask, but I don’t think Tiffany entered “kids will be sick” in any box. I also didn’t hear Tiffany ask when the next highway closure will happen, when the game will be postponed, or when her job will be excessively exhausting.  She didn’t enter any of those and neither would we.  We don’t plan for challenges, setbacks, or heartbreak, nor did Mary and Joseph with their precious new baby. 

Sunday, we witness Herod’s murderous plan and Joseph and Mary’s unexpected escape to Egypt with Jesus.  We start our new year by being reminded that our Lord Jesus will not be stopped and His mission to save His people will not be thwarted. The prophecy was fulfilled-  “Out of Egypt I will call my Son.” (Hosea 11:1).  Jesus never changes and neither does his love or his promise for you. 

Herod couldn’t stop Jesus, a cross could not deter Him, and neither will anything that happens in 2024. New Year, Same God.  

See you Sunday - I can’t wait!

Pastor Austin 

Proclaim Jesus as Savior. 

Nurture faith in Jesus. 

Serve in the name of Jesus.

Our Purpose

Embrace Christ!

Growing Grace Fellowship

Our building fundraiser is well underway!

God is providing in BIG ways through all of His people!

We would like everyone to be a part of this journey

that we are on to build our new church home.

Fill out your pledge form on Sunday and drop it in the pledge box in the lobby or Click Here to give online.

The Calendar at a Glance 

• January 7th - Worship Services, Connect Hour Bible Study Resumes for all ages 10:15-10:45 am

• January 8th - Castle Peak Worship Service @ 10 am

• January 9th & 10th - Precept Acts 2 Bible Study

• January 14th - Worship Services, Connect Hour Bible Study 10:15-10:45 am

• January 15th - Castle Peak Worship Service @ 10 am

• January 16th & 17th - Precept Acts 2 Bible Study

• January 21st - Worship Services, Connect Hour Bible Study 10:15-10:45 am

• January 22nd - Castle Peak Worship Service @ 10 am

• January 23rd & 24th - Precept Acts 2 Bible Study

• January 28th - Worship Services, Connect Hour Fellowship Sunday 10:00-11:00 am

• January 29th - Castle Peak Worship Service @ 10 am

• January 30th & 31st - Precept Acts 2 Bible Study

Connect Hour Bible Study for all Ages Resumes this Sunday, January 7th.

10:00 to 10:15 am Fellowship

10:15 to 10:45 am Bible Study for all Ages

(Nursery also provided)

10:45 to 11:00 am Fellowship

Hi Students of the Word,

I am hoping everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas! The New Year is almost upon us, so we need to get back in the Word. 

I have had a chance to slow down after the holidays and make a schedule for Acts Part 2. We will start on January 9th and 10th! I am dividing Lesson 1 and Lesson 4 into two weeks as the following schedule will show. Both of them on the first week you will do homework to the end of Day 3. The next week you will do the 4th and 5th days. So for Week 1 or Lesson 1 you will only need to do the first 3 DAYS. YAAA! So after your break I am easing you in slowly. 

I am so excited to see all of you on Zoom in January. Have a great New Year and I hope one of your resolutions is to take more Precept studies, :)

Schedule for Acts Part 2:

Lesson One- first 3 Days only, January 9 & 10

Lesson One-Days 4 & 5, January 16 & 17

Lesson Two-All of the Days, January 23 & 24

Lesson Three-All of the Days, January 30 & 31

Lesson Four-first 3 Days only, February 6 & 7

Lesson Four-Days 4 & 5, February 13 & 14, This is Ash Wednesday, so Wednesday class will be 1/2 hour later at 7:30 due to my church service

Lesson Five-All of the Days, February 20 & 21

Lesson Six-All of the Days, February 27 & 28

Lesson Seven, All of the Days, March 5 & 6

Lesson Eight, All of the Days, March 12 & 13

As usual, I will send out a Zoom invitation the week of the lesson. See all of you soon.

In Christ together,

Jackie Marchetti

Sunday Services

January 7th, 2024

9:00 or 11:00 am

-or-

ONLINE at 9:15

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. . .

• Growing Grace Fellowship New Building Campaign. We give praise for the progress we are making toward our goal! God is providing through all of you! Please continue to pray about how your family can contribute to building our new church home to further HIS kingdom!

• Kipp Hamberger, who will be having surgery next week. We pray for a successful, least invasive procedure and for a quick recovery. Lord, please guide the surgeons hands and help with pain management.

• For many who have been sick or dealing with medical issues. Lord, ultimate healer and physician, please restore their health and bring them back to church and work where they can continue to serve You and others.

• 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

Contact Information

www.GraceFellowshipGypsum.com 

Phone: 970-445-3101

Email: [email protected] 

Staff and Volunteer Staff

Pastor Austin Kraft, 970-688-1100, [email protected] 

Missy Kraft, Administrative Assistant/Youth Director, 970-445-3101, [email protected]

Susan Flock, App and Website Coordinator, 970-361-4771, [email protected]

Israel Hernandez, Worship Team Leader, 970-331-6177, [email protected]

Pastor Dan Rohlwing, Pastor Emeritus in Memoriam

Sunday Schedule

Worship Services: 9:00 and 11:00 am (nursery provided at 9:00).

Sunday School: 10:15-10:45 for all ages (Nursery provided)

Kids Church: During sermon-time at the 9:00 and 11 am services.

Affiliation

Grace Fellowship is affiliated with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (lcms.org).