"The Great Gift Exchange"
Kids for the Lord Christmas Program
We are delighted to have our Kids for the Lord presenting their Christmas Program, "The Great Gift Exchange" today. We are proud of the many Saturdays and Sundays of work they have done to prepare. If you are one of the moms or dads, please know that we all appreciate your contribution in making today special at Grace Bible Church.
Chronicles of Narnia
The third movie based on the C.S. Lewis books, The Chronicles of Narnia was well received everywhere this past weekend. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is the title of this episode. The books are full of allusions to biblical truth, and worthy of consideration.
In the story, Eustace is magically transformed into a dragon, a character that outwardly shows the hideous barrenness of his inward soul. His only hope is in a transformation that only Aslan (the Christ figure) can effect. "The great Lion, through the mysteries of deeper magic than Eustace could possibly know, can save him - but not without pain. In lying flat on his back, Eustace gives up any dragonish or human power and waits to endure the pain, the surgery without the anesthesia; yet he knows he is in the most excellent care of the Master Surgeon.
"We, like Eustace, do not change easily. It may take a crisis of beastly proportions to make us willing to shed our layers of skin. It is only in God's 'claws' that the real work is done - cutting deep through layers of wrongful attitudes and defensive behaviors to give birth to a changed life. It is painful to be changed. It is painful to put our wills aside and to give up the struggle. In the process, however, we will experience relief in finding the one whom we can finally trust. He has us in his hands, and whether we perish or not, we are at last right with him.
"Spiritual rebirth is the process that 'un-dragons' us. As Jesus promised Nicodemus, we are reborn with new eyes, new sensitivities, and a new reception to God's words of comfort and of grace. And as we lose ourselves in this process, so we gain ourselves - our real selves that God intended for us.
"Are you helping or hindering the work of God's 'claws' in your life?"
(From The Soul of C.S. Lewis, by Wayne Martindale, Jerry Root, and Linda Washington, page 65)
"Jesus replied, 'I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God." John 3:3
Regular Services at Grace Bible Church
Every Sunday, 9:45 a.m.
Sunday School for children and adults in the Fellowship Hall and the Classrooms downstairs.
Every Sunday, 10:45 a.m.
Kids for the Lord Children's Church (through grade six) meets downstairs; Adult Worship Service is in the main auditorium; infant nursery upstairs for the little ones.
Every Wednesday for the Kids, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
TeamKIDz meets for crafts, singing, games and Bible study.
Every Wednesday for the Adults, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
A theological and biblical study entitled "The Doctrines of Grace" meets in the Signs of Life Room; followed by Prayer Meeting.
Special Activities at Grace:Sunday, December 26 - Christmas Sermon
Welcome Visitors!If you are a first time visitor today, please know that we have been praying that you would come to worship with us. If you are looking for a church home, we would be delighted to tell you more about our church family. Please share your questions and comments with us. If there is anything we can do to make you more comfortable, please let us know.
Congratulations Julia!Julia Lagodzinski was awarded her Masters in Social Work
from Wayne State University this past weekend. Congratulations
one a job well done, Julia! We are proud of you!
Prayer OpportunitiesFamily of the Week
Tom & Wanda Gabbert
Missionary of the Month
Biblical Education through Extention - BEE
May you have a blessed Christmas!
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