Category: GRACE

October, rough month for blogging

On By MarkIn Baptism, Family, GRACELeave a comment

Not sure how that happened, but I just noticed I wrote one time all of last month. I won’t try to catch up now, not all at once.
This Sunday at Grace we’re baptizing some amazing people who will share their story via video. I just LOVE our baptisms! People standing for Jesus!

We’re also at week three in our study in Ephesians. If you can, read the rest of Chapter one in prep for Sunday.

On a personal note:
Laurie’s grandma passed away last week in Three Rivers, CA. This past summer, we were able to stop in one afternoon for a sweet visit with this godly woman. I’m glad Laurie was able to go for the memorial service yesterday and spend some time with her mom and other relatives. She’ll be back tomorrow afternoon, for which I’m most anxious.

Why Grace @ Noon?

On By MarkIn church, Family, GRACELeave a comment

Last Sunday I visited 3 different churches in Albuquerque as I began my study break week.  I’m kind of a freak like that, I guess.  I love the church. I love how God is using the church today. I have a lot to say about my observations, so I hope to in future blogs.

But for now, just one quick observation from last week that will help answer the above question.

Each church was unique in how it welcomed me at the door. By far, my favorite was the church that greeted me with an older gentleman saying, “Welcome, make yourself at home”.  That was it. Simple and to the point. I won’t comment here on what they could have done better once I got inside, but I will say I loved that as an opening line.  You see, that’s what a church is. It’s a home. A home for family.

A couple of times each year, maybe more, we have what we call Grace@Noon.  Essentially we have a meal after the church service to encourage people to stick around and get to know a few more people.  It does involve a lot of food. We have an amazing crew of people working to provide a meal for around 500 people!  But it’s really not about the food.  It does use the entire Commons area at Sinagua.  Children’s Church adjusts a bit as we set up and prepare to use every possible corner in the Commons. But it’s really not about how many people fit into a room.

It’s all about extending what Grace is about to a wider circle of people.

Most everyone who attends Grace does so with the same group of people.  Call it a family, call it roommates, or ministry peers, we all have our circle.  Many even sit in the same part of the auditorium each week, again, surrounded by the same people that like that particular vantage point.  Nothing wrong with that… until.  Until you meet someone who goes to the same church as you but sits on the other side, or works most weeks in a certain ministry, and you don’t even know you’re in the same church. Or until you meet someone who ‘used’ to attend Grace but never connected with the people, the family of Grace.

As Grace grows and we see more people coming to our church services, we will have to work harder at welcoming others and making sure people feel ‘at home’.

So yes, that’s the biggie behind Grace@Noon.  Get to know just a couple of more people. Widen your circle just a bit. Guess what? If we all do that, the church remains friendly, welcoming, and best of all; family.

Thanks to everyone who serves at Grace in any way shape or form. Thanks for the team putting together our meal time so we can enjoy some extended ‘family time’.

What a great week

On By MarkIn church, GRACE, Theology, WorshipLeave a comment

This has been a great week. It started with an almost record attendance at church as we witnessed three people getting baptized.  Each Sunday the worship has been amazing, our worship team is doing an excellent job.  You are a great church that loves to worship the Lord.  I love being a part of that!

I’ve had several meetings with new members of Grace.  The Grace 1.0 class was just a couple of weeks ago. We now have several new members. I just love getting to know these dear people that want to make Grace their home.

I finished teaching the class on “Telling the Gospel”. I absolutely love helping our church family in sharing the gospel.  The next class starts this coming Monday. Jason Alley will be teaching on Theology Proper.  Come to the Ministry Center at 6:30 this Monday.  You’ll be glad you did!

Then the following Sunday, which happens to be 10-10-10, I’ll finish up Habakkuk and right after church we have Grace@Noon – this is our way of saying we’re having a huge lunch. We have ordered food for the entire church. So, plan on sticking around after church on Sunday, Oct 10th and you’ll get a good meal and have the chance to meet a few people.

God bless you, as you also celebrate the week God has giving you!

HUGE Sunday Coming!

On By MarkIn church, GRACE, GraceGroups1 Comment

I say it’s huge, and I guess it really is. It’s huge because we start a new series on an OT guy we know very little about but who passes on an amazing message that we NEED today.
Also, many Grace Groups are beginning this week. This is a huge part of our church family experience at Grace. Many people signed up a couple of weeks ago in the gym. There’s room for more and this week you’ll see the updated list of Grace Groups available.

I’m praying now that you’ll find a place to connect at Grace via the Grace Groups. This is where we discuss and apply the sermon and enjoy doing life together.

I just gotta say this. I’ve been blown away at how many people are at Grace BEFORE we start. Our auditorium is filling up before the 10 am start time. That’s awesome! And that’s all I’ll say.

Can’t wait for Sunday to begin our new study together and our Grace Groups.

Grace in Relationships

On By MarkIn church, Community, GRACE1 Comment

Even wonder what makes your best friend your best friend?  Ever stop and think about the people you feel closest to?  How about those you feel safest around?

Yep, it’s probably all the same answer.  I call it ‘grace in relationships’.

We do our best around people who accept us for who we are and are quick to extend grace as we live in our humanness.  These are the same people that love us too much to let us stay in our junk. They’re quick to lend a hand, say a hard thing, speak the truth in love, sit and listen, and talk to the Creator on our behalf.  But always extending grace.

Our biggest struggles seem to be when we’re in the pressure cooker of trying to impress others or always finding ourselves living defensively.   I’m not a relationship expert. I am a follower of Jesus and I rather enjoy watching others around me follow Him too.  As mentioned in church a few weeks ago, we are His masterpiece, and He is working on us.  Listen, just the fact that He’s working on us is evidence of His grace.  He doesn’t give up on us. He doesn’t leave us alone to rot.  He graciously puts us in community so we can see Him and quite frankly, so we can ‘be’ Him.  You see, the church is the body of Christ.  We don’t get that title by staying away or hiding alone. We get that as we assemble ourselves and commit to community.

This week at Grace we’re gonna learn something about the beauty of connecting in our community.  If I were you and was anywhere close to Flagstaff, I’d be at Grace on Sunday.  Just sayin.

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!

Identity In Christ

On By MarkIn Bible, GRACE, Identity, Jesus!1 Comment

Last Sunday I read a few verses that described who we are in Christ and I wanted to make the whole list available to you! I hope these words encourage you today. Don’t forget to keep Gal 2:20 on your mind this week.

Can’t wait to see you on Sunday as we take back our faith!

Have a great week!
Pastor Mark

I got this list from:  http://crossinglouisville.com/2009/05/03/our-identity-in-christ/

Who Am I?
Matt. 5:13 I am the salt of the earth.
Matt. 5:14 I am the light of the world.
John 1:12 I am a child of God (part of His family).  (see Rom. 8:16)
John 15:1, 5 I am part of the true vine, a branch of His (Jesus’) life.
John 15:15 I am Jesus’ friend.
John 15:16 I am chosen and appointed by Jesus to bear His fruit.
Acts 1:8 I am a personal witness of Christ for Christ.
Rom. 6:18 I am a slave of righteousness.
Rom. 6:22 I am enslaved to God.
Rom. 8:14, 15 I am a son of God.  (God is my “daddy” so to speak) (see Gal. 3:26, 4:6)
Rom. 8:17 I am a joint-heir with Christ sharing His inheritance with Him.
1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19 I am a temple (home) of God.  His Spirit dwells in me.
1 Cor. 6:17 I am joined to the Lord and am one spirit with Him.
1 Cor. 12:27 I am a member of Christ’s body.  (see Eph. 5:30)
2 Cor. 5:17 I am a new creation (new person).
2 Cor. 5:18, 19 I am reconciled to God and am a minister of reconciliation.
Gal. 3:26, 28 I am a son of God and one in Christ.
Gal. 4:6, 7 I am an heir of God since I am a son of God.
Eph. 1:1 I am a saint.  (see 1 Cor. 1:2; Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:2)
Eph. 2:10 I am God’s workmanship (handiwork) created in Christ to do the work He planned beforehand that I should do.
Eph. 2:19 I am a fellow citizen with the rest of God’s people in His family.
Eph. 3:1 / 4:1 I am a prisoner of Christ.
Eph. 4:24 I am righteous and holy.
Phil. 3:20 I am a citizen of heaven and seated in heaven right now (see Eph. 2:6)
Col. 3:3 I am hidden with Christ in God.
Col. 3:4 I am an expression of the life of Christ because He is my life.
Col. 3:12 I am chosen of God, holy, and dearly loved.
1 Thes. 1:4 I am chosen and dearly loved by God.
1 Thes. 5:5 I am son of light and not of darkness.
Heb. 3:1 I am a holy brother, partaker of a heavenly calling.
Heb. 3:14 I am a partaker of Christ … I share in His life.
1 Pet. 2:5 I am one of God’s living stones and am being built up (in Christ) as a spiritual house.
1 Pet. 2:9, 10 I am a part of a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession to proclaim His excellencies.
1 Pet. 2:11 I am an alien and stranger to this world that I temporarily live in.
1 Pet. 5:8 I am an enemy of the devil.
1 John 3:1, 2 I am now a child of God.  I will resemble Christ when He returns.
1 John 5:18 I am born of God; the evil one (the devil) can’t touch me.
Psalm 23 & 100 I am a sheep of His pasture.  Therefore, I have everything I need.

What Happened to Me?
Rom. 5:1 I have been justified (completely forgiven and made righteous).
Rom. 6:1-6 I died with Christ and died to the power of sin’s rule on my life.
Rom. 8:1 I am free forever from condemnation.
1 Cor. 1:30 I have been put into Christ by God’s doing.
1 Cor. 2:12 I have received the Spirit of God into my life that I might know the things freely given to me by God.
1 Cor. 2:16 I have been given the mind of Christ.
1 Cor. 6:19, 20 I have been bought with a price.  I am not my own.  I belong to God.
2 Cor. 1:21 I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God in Christ.
2 Cor. 5:14, 15 Since I have died, I no longer live for myself, but for Him (Christ).
2 Cor. 5:21 I have been made righteous.
Gal. 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.  (The life I am living is Christ’s life.)
Eph. 1:3 I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing.
Eph. 1:4 I have been chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and without blame before Him.
Eph. 1:5 I was predestined (determined by God) to be adopted as a son.
Eph. 1:7, 8 I have been redeemed, forgiven, and am a recipient of His lavish grace, Eph. 1:13, 14 and have been given the Holy Spirit as a pledge (a deposit/down payment) guaranteeing my inheritance to come.
Eph. 2:5 I have been made alive together with Christ.
Eph. 2:6 I have been raised up and seated with Christ in heaven.
Eph. 2:18 I have direct access to God through the Spirit.
Eph. 3:12 I may approach God with boldness, freedom, and confidence.
Col. 1:13 I have been delivered (rescued) from the domain of darkness (Satan’s rule) and transferred to the kingdom of Christ.
Col. 1:14 I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins (the debt against me has been cancelled).  (see Col. 2:13, 14)
Col. 1:27 Christ Himself is in me.
Col. 2:7 I have been firmly rooted in Christ and am now being built up in Him.
Col. 2:11 I have been spiritually circumcised (my old, unregenerate nature has been removed).
Col. 2:10 I have been made complete in Christ.
Col. 2:12, 13 I have been buried, raised, and made alive with Christ.
Col. 3:1-4 I have been raised up with Christ.  I died with Christ.  My life is now hidden with Christ in God.  Christ is now my life.
2 Tim. 1:7 I have been given a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline.
2 Tim. 1:9 I have been saved and called (set apart) according to God’s doing.
Heb. 2:11 Because I am sanctified and am one with the Sanctifier (Christ), He is not ashamed to call me brother.
Heb. 4:16 I have a right to come boldly before the throne of God (the throne of grace) to find mercy and find grace in time of need.
2 Pet. 1:4 I have been given exceedingly great and precious promises by God by which I am a partaker of the divine nature (God’s nature).

I Get to Preach Sunday

On By MarkIn church, GRACE, WorshipLeave a comment

I’ve enjoyed sitting in the congregation these past three Sundays. A big “thank you” to Paul, Doug, and Bob for their timely teachings. I’ll be speaking this Sunday and leading our church in remembering what the Lord has done for us through communion.

Couple of reminders that you’ve heard about: This Sunday is our only summer time Grace 1.0 membership class. If you’ve not yet joined the Grace family in who we are and what we’re doing, then this Sunday is for you. Please call the office today and reserve your spot. We meet right after church at the Ministry Center and provide materials and lunch. We can’t provide childcare so you’ll need to take care of that. Church number is 774-8091.
Also, next Thursday is our blood drive here at the Ministry Center. We’ve just about met our goal, but there’s probably room for you if you’d like to help our community by donating blood.

Can’t wait to worship with you this Sunday at Grace.

3 Services at Grace for Father’s Day

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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 Gives

On By MarkIn church, GRACE, GraceGives, Preaching2 Comments

I’m pretty jazzed about preaching John tomorrow. I really don’t want to finish this book because it’s been such an amazing study on the Gospel of Grace!  Yet, I’m excited because of how it finishes.  Really comes down to two words.  Follow Me.  Many of you have, most of you will be challenged to take the next step in following Jesus.

Tomorrow we’re launching “Grace Gives”.  I really can’t wait to invite our entire church family to give freely of the grace that we’ve received.  This is going to be huge.

Thanks Lord for giving us Your Word and Your Mission!  We are free to live in grace and pass it on to others as well.