This past Sunday was a great day for our church family and friends! We were privileged to witness the Ministry Ordination Service for one of our young men and his family! Stephen and Bethani Bradley were set apart for the “work of the ministry.” For years now I have anticipated this special day for Stephen and his family. Not everyone “desires the office of a bishop.” Sunday we celebrated the “desire” of a dedicated young man and his wife. It blesses me every time I am privileged to have a front row seat to witness such surrender and commitment! Pray for Stephen and Bethani as they seek the Lord’s will for their family! We also witnessed Linville Almond’s “public profession” of faith in Christ. Some months back I asked Lin if he was ready to follow Christ in believer’s baptism. He said, “Not yet.” Recently He came to me and shared that he was now ready for baptism. He shared his faith with me and we planned his baptism. I hope I never get over “ordinations” and “baptisms.” They mean so much to us as Christians! Grace Church, we are so blessed of the Lord! I deeply appreciate your love for Christ! I hope I never take the Lord and His work at Grace Church for granted! Honestly, at times I feel like a “kid in a candy store.” I am so privileged to be your Shepherd! Let’s keep growing together!!!

Keep in mind our partnership with FOOD BANK OF EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA. Greenville is a great place to live and a great place to love! Aren’t you thankful for the doors of opportunity that are open before us? Serving God by serving Greenville is our vision. We must see this together. We must walk through these doors together. We must see the needs around us and do our part to meet the needs of our friends and neighbors! BRING YOUR FOOD CONTRIBUTION BY ANYTIME. If you miss us we will make sure your contribution gets to the right place. I have never been without food. Our family has not always eaten steak, but we have always had food! Let’s do this together! Greenville and our surrounding area needs us… we can help!

This Sunday we will serve The Lord’s Table. Every member of Grace Church should gather as we “remember the Lord’s death until He comes.” The sufferings of Jesus on the cross should prompt an outcry of thanksgiving and praise from each of us as children of God. Jesus paid the ultimate price for our forgiveness. We must never forget His sufferings. We must never forget the price He paid. We must never forget that we belong to Him. He bought us and He has made us His own! I was an outcast from Christ, going my own way and He redeemed me from my own waywardness and sinfulness, making me His own. Dear child of God, you belong to Christ! He bought you with His own blood! Let’s “remember” His death and the price that was paid for our redemption! 1 Peter 3:18 says, For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.

Enjoy your week… see you and yours at Grace Church on Sunday!

Mike and Cheryl <><