Category: Flagstaff

Grace Continues

On By MarkIn church, Flagstaff, GRACE, ThanksLeave a comment

Just a quick note of thanks to the family of Grace Community.  Yesterday we spent the first Sunday of the New Year displaced from our normal meeting place.  We’ve had to do this only one time before.  As anticipated, it actually went off very well.  As mentioned in earlier posts, the school we meet in had an electrical problem due to the extreme freezing weather we’ve had.  So we moved Sunday church services to our rather small Ministry Center.  I believe we have 80 chairs. Maybe close to 100 by the time every desk chair and old metal chair was found.  In three services, each less than an hour, we had about 315 make their way through Grace.

What grabbed my attention was that the message of Grace went forth, without a hitch.  The set up people, techs, and musicians all put in extra to make sure Grace had a home.  Thanks also to the sign guy for making the necessary changes so people would find their way.  It was also encouraging to meet guests. Imagine that, guests finding their way to a church that wasn’t meeting in the normal place.

Thanks to all.  I think it’s because we really believe in what we’re about. We have the awesome privilege of carrying the message of grace.  I’m pretty sure this is going to be an amazing year for Grace.  So, here we go!

Not Just One Day – Thoughts on GivingThanks

On By MarkIn Family, Flagstaff, GRACE, ThanksLeave a comment

Laurie and I enjoy getting out and hiking.  By the term hike, what I really mean is a nice walk in the forest. We save the strenuous stuff for prepping for a Grand Canyon hike or pushing ourselves a little up the Lost Burrito trail.  But mostly, it’s getting out and enjoying the forest and watching our dogs run like they were bred to do.

Because we don’t get out enough, almost every time we do, one of us will say, “we really should do this more often”.  We don’t say that because we feel guilty about our health. We don’t say it because someone is telling us we should. We certainly don’t say it because someone said that to be a good resident of Flagstaff, you have to hike, eat granola and vote liberal.  No, we say it because we thoroughly enjoy it. There are several things good about getting out and hiking. I won’t list them out, because that’s really not the point.

Here’s the all too obvious point; giving thanks for God’s activity in our life is not limited to Thanksgiving.

“I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.” Psalm 9:1

Certainly throughout Israel’s year, there were days set aside for remembrance and worship.  So, we too get to worship each week on the first day. And we get to tell of His goodness and grace 24/7. Let’s give thanks today. And then again tomorrow, and the next day.  And not because we have to. We get to enjoy all of His blessings!

If you’re reading this, then you probably know me a little and I need to at least attempt a brief list of His wonderful deeds in my life:

  • Life eternal with God
  • My Laurie is cancer free and I love her more each day
  • That God allows me to serve Him by serving the wonderful family at Grace Community
  • Family and friends to share life with, sometimes randomly
  • That my house has been full the past few days with family
  • We get to eat. Every day.
  • That someone had the odd idea of a pie made of meat that is minced. That it sounds gross and few like it.  And for pumpkin pie as a chaser.
  • Good doctors who have helped us both this year
  • Grace that has saved me and kept me and allowed me to share that with people who God created to know Him.

God’s Masterpiece – YOU

On By MarkIn church, Flagstaff, GRACE, LeadershipLeave a comment

There’s an old song I remember hearing the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir sing, “God is working, He’s still working, God is working even now”.  That was the essence of this past Sunday’s sermon.  According to Ephesians 2:10, we are in fact God’s masterpiece because of the gift of salvation we’ve been given by His amazing grace.  We are who we are because of Him. And He’s still working on us.  Our salvation is secure, but our sanctification is a daily, growing process.  You can listen to the sermon and watch the video we used by going to our website.

Don’t forget to sign up this week to help the Flagstaff Connect opportunity.  I’m so in awe of how our church is stepping up to serve throughout Flagstaff.  I’m telling you guys, this is huge.  I’m hearing of people filling sandbags for flood victims, and groups going to Hope Cottage and others giving blood and some serving our senior citizens.   This is taking the message of Grace and living it throughout our local community.  I’m so thankful we have these opportunities.   God bless each of you for giving of yourself!

NEWS:

On Tuesday, August 17th we’re having a Leadership Vision Night! I am so pumped about this one night event where we will gather as a church and hear what’s coming and pray for God’s blessing on this coming semester.  I am really looking forward to sharing my heart with the Grace family and encouraging you to say “Yes” to what God is leading us to be and to do!  Mark the date and remove all excuses.  I really want you to be there for this evening.  We’ll have something for all the kids, so you don’t even have to get a babysitter.  We got you! Plan now.

Remember, you’re God’s masterpiece. You’re in His hands. He’s got you.

So… trust Him!

3 Services at Grace for Father’s Day

On By MarkIn church, Flagstaff, GRACELeave a comment

With the fire causing evacuations in the neighborhood, Grace will NOT be meeting at Sinagua. Instead, we will have 3 services at 9, 10 and 11 at the Grace Ministry Center (office) at 963 W. RT 66. If you’re a regular, maybe come to the 9 or 11 and give room for others at the regularly scheduled 10 a.m. service.
We’re praying for our firefighters and neighbors as we go through this difficult time.
Yet with all of that, we’re very excited we have a place to go for our time of worship and the teaching of the Word. Come expecting. Pray for what God may do in His creative ways.
And it is Father’s Day! I have something for the dads. If I were a dad, I’d be there. Just sayin!

Reminder: not sure about parking. I think we should be fine. If it’s too full, worse case is park over near Safeway lot and have a nice, short walk.  Looking forward to our time together.

Grace Unplugged

On By MarkIn church, Flagstaff, GRACE2 Comments

What an amazing week. I’m not clear on the total amounts of snow reported, but let’s just say a lot! Last night we needed to make a visit to the hospital, so while we were out, we drove by Bookmans and saw the fallen roof. We also drove by our Ministry Center and saw a broken street sign and piles and piles of snow that had been shoveled off the roof (thankfully!).

It’s been beautiful and dangerous all at the same time. Our life with Christ is somewhat like that. Beautiful because of His grace and kindness, and dangerous because we bear His light in a dark world. We are called to love God, love one another and love our neighbor. Times like these give us ample opportunities.

Tomorrow will be somewhat unique at Grace. It’s been a few years since our last ‘Grace Unplugged’. We will all be together in the auditorium, no children’s ministry, and we’ll have an acoustic worship set, no equipment set up. Our trailers are buried as I’m sure the loading doors to the school are as well. Our guys will arrive and get the parking lot and sidewalk ready for you.

This will be a unique service for our church family to gather and pray for one another and for our community and hear from God’s precious Word.  Come expecting.

Blessings

On By MarkIn Christmas, Flagstaff, SalvationLeave a comment

Some people complain about Mondays.  I probably have also. But not this Monday.

Yesterday was the first of the Christmas sermons and 5 people crossed the line of faith to place their trust in Jesus alone for eternal life!  AND we also had 3 baptized, 1 who just recently was saved at Grace!  It is such a blessing to be a part of God’s activity.  Yesterday, I was really going for 2 Cor 5:21 in the sermon, when I came across vs 20 that best summarized the point that we are invited to be participants in the Christmas Story, not merely onlookers.

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

God makes his appeal to lost people through us!  Let’s not simply observe Christmas, let’s participate. Be an ambassador for Christ!

Flagstaff is under a Blizzard warning right now.  Snow is falling big time and schools have already cancelled for Tuesday.  NAU/CCC have also called off finals for today.  A blessing for some, I’m guessing. Also, we’re closing the church office for the remainder of today, and probably tomorrow also.

As we all enjoy the snow and the adjusted schedule that goes along with it, let’s be careful, and thankful!

Love One Another – An Opportunity

On By MarkIn Christmas, Flagstaff, GRACE, Thanks8 Comments

There are various ways we show our love for one another. Here are a couple of opportunities and a reminder for you to consider this week.

Love Others Around the World

Thanks to everyone at Grace for taking shoe boxes to fill for Operation Christmas Child. The boxes are due this Sunday and next.  Thanks for sharing God’s love with children around the world.

Love Others in Our Community

We have just learned of a great opportunity to bless our neighbors right here in Flagstaff.  The Sunshine Rescue Mission is putting together their annual Thanksgiving food boxes that they will give out the week of Thanksgiving.  Here’s how WE can help.  Buy a turkey and deliver it to SRM Monday through Friday within the next two weeks.

AMAZING TIP:  This week Fry’s has frozen Jenni-o turkeys on sale for 40 cents a pound.  I bought mine this morning, for like $7 and saved $24!  So NOW is a great time to go get your turkey, keep it in the freezer until next week when you can drop it off at the mission.  It might be helpful for us to keep track of how many we can provide, so please comment below that you’re in, or drop me an email.  Let’s do this!

Love One Another through your church

This Sunday is an opportunity to worship together at 10 a.m. and then join with us for lunch and our membership class right after church at the ministry center. We love the “one anothers” of our church as we join together for the common mission of Grace Community.

Back at it!

On By MarkIn Flagstaff, GRACE, Laurie1 Comment

It has been pretty quiet in my blog world for the past couple of weeks. I got hit with the bug pretty good. As of today, Laurie and I are both feeling much better. It’s been good to be at the office most of the day to start catching up.

I’ve really missed being around the people of Grace these past couple of Sundays. Both weeks, I came in and preached and ducked out so as not to contaminate any of you nice people. Well, that’s done with for now. I can’t wait to see you on Sunday and catch up some.

This week I’ll be speaking from John 15. Go ahead and read up a little, that’ll help.

It’s a gorgeous day here in Flag, and we’re expecting a quick visit with Leonard and Susie. Hopefully tomorrow we can drive up the mountain and see some of the colors of fall!

I hope you’re able to enjoy this colorful season as well. Can’t wait to see you at Grace on Sunday.

Happy Birthday America!

On By MarkIn Flagstaff, ThanksLeave a comment
Don't miss the bugles
Don't miss the bugles
photo (2)
I'm what you call 'patriotic'.

Hope all are having a safe and happy celebration! Last night we saw a different angle on Flagstaff by walking the crowded streets of the First Friday Art Walk. Today, we enjoyed the pancake breakfast put on by the American Legion, just prior to the annual parade.

What’s the 4th without grilling something? Today was a simple burger with my favorite topping – jalepenos, chased by my almost favorite store-bought cookies.

I think there’s apple pie later!

If you’re anywhere near Flagstaff, tomorrow will be a highlight at Grace. We have 7 missionaries all from Grace sharing what God is doing in their particular ministries. I’m so glad they’re here! Hope you can come, if not, we hope to have something online early next week.

Thank you Lord, for the United States. And thank you that we get to be a part of the larger world outside these borders. Blessings. PM