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Steve Luxa
Pastor
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| Current Sermon Series |
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Work. Work. Work.
For most of us work is just a job. A means to an end, a paycheck.
We put in our time and dream of getting out.
But what if work is more than a job? What if our work is something significant in the eyes of God?
What if there's more to work than just...a McJob?
Come and discover a better way as we go
Beyond McJob. |
| Next Sermon Series
Begins October 21 |
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Jesus always flips convention on its head. He pinned servants as the greats among us. He pointed out the destiny of the humbled for exaltation; he put the first last and the last first. So when Jesus gave the talk that we call the Beatitudes, he stuns again by turning upside down all preconceived notions about life, character and who is truly blessed. Come and explore Jesus' upside-down plan in the Beatitudes that will shape our inner lives and character so that we experience the upside of the life God intended for us. | |
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Message from Steve
It was Friday, September 28th when it happened. There was champagne. There was dancing. There was a collective sigh of relief heard throughout Red Sox Nation (and even in my own house with Samuel breathing a sigh of relief). Yes, the Red Sox finally won the American League East division and more importantly, the Yankees did not.
But one of the things I realized shortly after all the celebration and all the hoopla is that the Red Sox start over now, 0-0, just like everyone else including the Yankees. October means starting over, granted with higher stakes than before but starting over nonetheless. October means they are starting over with the chance to do something new and something exciting.
Do you ever feel the same way about October personally? Sure, September is when the kids get to start over with school, sports and activities; meanwhile, parents spend September trying to help our kids to adjust to starting over and adjusting ourselves to their schedules. But October is when the parents get to start over with putting activities into their lives that fit around family demands and job demands. Many times, October is the first chance many parents get to evaluate what's in their lives and figure out how to fit some of the things we want and need in our lives. October can be when we look around and say to ourselves, "Okay, so now what do we need to do in life outside of work demands and family life to enhance life and to find a fuller life, not just a busier one?"
As you look around your life and start over in that way, let me encourage you to consider your soul's needs in it. Consider whether your soul needs to forge friendships with others by meeting with a smaller group of people in a Life Community. We have all sorts, shapes and sizes that meet at all different times, so there is sure to be one that fits you and your life. Just contact Ryan to get connected.
Or consider whether your soul needs to feed regularly at the Sunday morning worship gatherings and at our Point Classes. Sunday morning worship with one another is vital for our soul's health as we enlarge our vision of God, and are spurred on to love and good deeds by one another and the teaching of the Bible (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Or consider whether your soul needs to serve others around GracePoint to grow and to express your God-given shape. There are multiple opportunities to do so, just check the listing of ministry opportunities in the rest of the e-newsletter to express your God-given shape and passion for the good of people and for our good at GracePoint.
So as you start over in October, start over with your soul in mind and in priority. And we do so because we have the chance to do something soul-ishly new and something soul-ishly exciting.
Starting over with you,
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Missions and Outreach Update
In addition to our involvement internationally, the Outreach and Missions Team has been actively seeking ways for our church to become involved in our local area. To this end, we are pleased to share with you that we will be partnering with Place of Promise in Lowell, Massachusetts.
Place of Promise is a Christian non-profit organization that has a residential program designed to help those who are hurting, lost, and broken, to choose and find Life. It owns two houses in Lowell. One house is comprised of men, the other of women and children, all striving towards the goal of living to their fullest potential. The residents at POP come to these homes from a variety of backgrounds and countries. It is a place where each is recognized for the beauty of being a human being created in the image of God and who has something to give to the family and community of Place of Promise.
The center of Place of Promise is a belief that the Way to have Life is to know and have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Jesus does not turn away from the poor, the suffering, or the people who are considered the "fringe" of society, but He loves and empowers them to live to each one's fullest potential. Each one who comes to live at Place of Promise chooses life with a promise that they can be treated as individuals with goals, futures, and hopes.
Place of Promise has been in existence for twelve years and has made a positive difference in the lives of many hurting, broken people. Residents may experience a range of problems including: substance
abuse, mental illness, HIV-AIDS, chronic disease, and/or a history of homelessness. The criteria for admission is not the problem, but a determined desire to live to one's fullest potential and a willingness to surrender to the staff and work hard in order to reach that goal. Each one who comes is assisted in finding the best health care services, day treatment centers, counselors, social services, educational services, etc. available in the Lowell area.
Our church will make an annual donation of $5,000 to this ministry and there will be opportunities for our direct involvement. If you, your family, or your Life Community Group, are interested in more information on getting involved "hands on" with Place of Promise, please contact any member of the Missions and Outreach Team (Bob Givens, Craig Utley, Colleen Young, Emily Roth).
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Ministry Opportunities
We have many opportunities for you to get involved and serve at GracePoint. We ask that you read through this listing and pray about any opportunities you may be interested in.
Greeters: These individuals are the ones who welcome people to church and serve as the first face of people's experience at GracePoint. They not only greet, but also act as tour guides for first time guests and for those who need it.
Host/Hostesses: In the GracePoint Café, there is a need for more hosts and hostesses for making coffee, getting snacks and providing them in a hospitable environment.
Set-up & Tear Down Crew: These individuals would work on the Set-up & Tear Down Crew once per month as part of the team to ready the church for Sunday morning activities in all areas, with the exception of the auditorium.
Graphic Designers: The GracePoint Communications Team is looking for graphic designers to assist with a variety of projects, such as the church directory, sermon series invites, newspaper advertisements, logos for sermon series and updates to GracePoint branded pieces. If you are interested and would like to learn more, please contact Michele D'Agostino at mdagostino27@aol.com.
GracePoint Kidstown invites new volunteers to help in various ways throughout this vital ministry. We welcome parents, but we are also looking for people who do not have kids. Kidstown can be a great place for adults who do not have kids to serve, to connect, and to make a difference. We always welcome people to assist in the classrooms, but we also have several specific needs, that don't require serving in the classrooms. Please email Carter Welch at welchteam@comcast.net or call 978-474-4507 if you are interested in signing up or learning more about Kidstown.
Kidstown Greeters and Registration Table Attendants: We need several people to serve as greeters and at the registration table on Sunday morning, from approximately 9:30-10:20. Ideally, we like people to serve once every 3-4 weeks, for continuity and become a familiar face to kids and parents.
Kidstown Hall Monitors: We need people to help monitor the halls on Sunday mornings. This would be a situation in which you would walk the halls every 10-15 minutes from 10:20 until the end of the service.
Kidstown Administrative Help: We are looking for someone to take on photocopying and mailing tasks during the week. In this role, you would login to the Kidstown network, pull the curriculum for the month, photocopy, cut and staple papers as needed, and then mail the month's program to the teachers.
If you are interested in serving or learning more about any of the opportunities mentioned, please contact Michele D'Agostino at mdagostino27@aol.com (or the ministry leader listed). We thank you for prayerfully considering where you might be able to serve. |
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Financial Update
Below is an update on our financial status through September 2007.
(YTD: May 2007 - April 2008. The new fiscal year began on May 1, 2007.)
YTD Budget: $165,960
YTD Giving: $105,042
YTD Difference: - $60,918
Average September Attendance: 114 (includes KidsTown) | |
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