Excited and Thankful

So, it’s a rainy November Tuesday, just 2 days before Thanksgiving. I’m home today. My normal day off is Friday, but, since Friday is a holiday this week, I’m taking today to be away from the office. The girls are busy with school and Shawna is writing a huge email to someone, so I’m sitting at the kitchen table, looking out across my yard at the Grace Church construction zone.

There’s a lot to be thankful for. The construction is moving right along. Despite the predictions of the wooly bear caterpillars and the acorns, winter has not yet arrived with a vengeance. This means that the construction continues and we hope to have the steel structure added to the foam/concrete walls so that a roof can go up soon. The lobby is coming together, as well as the Welcome Center and Conference Room. There are a lot of changes at Grace Church and they’re changes that will help us Meet & Move more people.

The changes go beyond those evident to visitors to 501 W. Lincoln. We have a redesigned website that is very cool – do people use that word around here? Not only is the new look very contemporary, but the site is strategically laid out to communicate who we are becoming as a local church. There’s still lots to be done, especially to the CONNECT page, but it’s exciting to experience the new look and feel. It is a much better reflection of our church and our mission.

But the changes that I’m most thankful for are happening in our church family. Grace Matters is behind us now. You probably noticed that it has been 2 months since my last post. That’s because our CONNECT Team has been working frantically during that period. During Grace Matters, we saw a 55% increase in our CONNECT groups, with 45-50% of our adult congregation involved. In addition to that, Grace Matters proved to be a church-wide campaign as our Youth and ABF classes also participated in the series. Together, as a church family, we took a fresh look at Ephesians and the grace of God for us, His church. From the stories I have been hearing, there is new or renewed enthusiasm for being actively engaged in the work of the Kingdom of God. We saw 20 people commit to living out the fullness of the Gospel of Grace here at Grace Church by being baptized on the 15th. And, our Communion service on the 22nd was amazing as nearly 400 people came out to rejoice in all that God has done for us in the past, His ongoing presence today, and our anticipation of a future celebration with Him in Heaven. I saw many of our groups sharing in the Bread & Cup together. What an incredible way to wrap up the fall season!

Though Grace Matters is finished, our commitment to living out God’s plan for us is kicking into high gear. With Christmas upon us, many of our groups are reaching out to struggling families in our community. The local food pantry sent us names of local families that need a Christmas dinner. Our groups have begun planning for providing those groceries, and a whole lot more. They are ready to reach out to our neighbors to minister to them physically, emotionally, socially, and of course spiritually. Look at the update I received from one of our leaders:

Just wanted to update you. Our group made contact with (the mother) and are going to provide her with a Taste of Grace Christmas Meal Box, as well as some small gifts for all four of her children. We were also able to pray with her on the phone and have a very nice first touch. One of the couples in our group has minimal plans on Thanksgiving Day, so is contacting her again to see if they can deliver a meal on Thanksgiving as well! We’re really looking forward to blessing this whole family. Praying that our connection will be more than just a “drop off”.

Do you see why I’m excited and incredibly thankful to be here, ministering alongside such a great bunch of people? I’m reminded of what Paul wrote back to the Thessalonian Christians:

We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers loved by God, that He has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. 1 Thess. 1:4-5

This Thanksgiving Season, I’m thankful for what the Lord has done and thrilled about what He still has for us.

Grace and Peace to you all in Christ Jesus, our LORD