Hello Grace Church Family and Friends,
I am excited about this Sunday at Grace Church! Everyone receiving this email is invited. You can bring your friends and families with you. As I said, I am excited because this is an “historic” weekend for our church family. Let me explain. While as our Administrative Assistant, Stephen Bradley shared with our pastoral staff that he believed the Lord was calling him to plant a church in the Greenville area. Stephen and Bethani prayed and we joined them. After a few months Stephen confirmed to our church and deacons that he was certain of God’s call to the church planting ministry. He met with a local friend who mentored him through the early stages of church planting. Stephen also shared his calling with our deacons and congregation. He stepped down from his daily responsibilities at Grace Church and began meeting with a group of believers that shared his heart and calling to begin a new church in Greenville. The rest is history! This Sunday Stephen, Bethani and their church family will be our guests for HOMECOMING 2019. Pastor Stephen will bring the Sunday sermon and we will receive a LOVE OFFERING to help Harvest Baptist Church with their expenses. Plan to give generously to our sister church. Let’s bless then in a way that will glorify our Lord Jesus!
The New Testament gives us the Lord’s plan for His church. Our desire is to be obedient to our Lord and fulfill His will for His church. As we make disciples of all nations, we are to baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and Spirit. There is no greater joy than the joy of loving obedience to our Lord Jesus. On top of everything else that is happening this Sunday, Pastor Stephen will be baptizing new believers as well. I can’t think of a more beautiful ending for our HOMECOMING 2019 service, can you? After the service we will go back to our Fellowship Hall for lunch. Bring a main dish, side dish, and a dessert to share with our guests. Serving utensils will be provided. This is going to be a wonderful time together with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
After almost nineteen years I cannot think of a more “historic” service at Grace Church. I was born in 1952; Grace Church was planted in 1953. What a grand joy to know that we have been blessed with such a magnificent opportunity to bring the Gospel to Greenville through the birth of a church body. Not many people ever see this happen in their church. Pray with me for Pastor Stephen and Bethani as we celebrate with their family this Sunday. Glory to God!
In Christ,
Mike and Cheryl <><