Elder Installation Ceremony

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Installation Ceremony of Kevin Godin as an Elder of Grace Bible Church

Pastor Bill, Bill Wilkins, Everett Sollars, Rob Roelofs and Wayne Sourbeck lay hands on Kevin and pray for him as he steps into this important role in our church leadership.

Kevin & wife Beth
We are delighted and honored that Kevin has accepted the role of Elder and we're convinced he will serve this office to the highest honor of our Lord. Kevin and Beth and their children, Abby and Zach, are a vital part of our congregation and we're blessed to have them as members of Grace Bible Church.

If you missed yesterday's service, please take the time to listen to Pastor Bill's excellent message titled "Elderology 101" to glean more insight into the role and responsibility of an Elder as well as the role and responsilibity of those in the congregation. You can access this message by going to www.gracebiblesouthgate.org and once there, go to 'Listen To Recent Sermons'. This is a message that needs to be listened to often, taken to heart and then obeyed.

Thank you Kevin and Beth for your willingness to serve our church and

our Lord in this area of ministry

Nursery

Infant Nursery Update ...

If perhaps you've not been to church in the past couple of weeks, we wanted to post these photos so you can see the beautiful changes that have been made to our Main Level Infant Nursery.

We wanted this room to reflect our desire to welcome babies and their parents
by giving it bright colors and a welcoming atmosphere.


We have gifted members in our congregation who gave of their time to
make the changes in this room happen.
Our sincere Thanks to everyone who helped make this re-decorating effort possible.
A special Thank You to Nancy, Lynn, Sandy, Jerry, Clyde, Don, Wayne and Duane for using the gifts and talents God has given you for the good of our church family and our visitors.



May we be known for our love of one another and our caring for each person who comes to Grace Bible Church. It is our desire to be all that we can be for the glory of God and for the good of His people.

March, 2009

Looking at the month of March at Grace Bible Church ...

Sunday, March 1 -

Communion Service with Elder Craig McGlassion

Wednesdays at 6:15 - Coffee, Dessert, Fellowship and Bible Study in the book of Ephesians.

Sunday, March 8 - Discipleship Flock Meeting

Sunday, March 15 -

Installation Ceremony for Elder Kevin Godin

Tuesday, March 17 -

Ladies Bible Study begins ... Time: 9:30-11:30 a.m.

*See February's post for complete information*

7:00pm - Elder's Meeting

Sunday, March 22 -

Outreach Teams Planning Session for 2009

Sunday, March 29 -

Fellowship Flock Meeting

March Birthdays & Anniversaries

Rob Carpenter - March 7

Nancy Connell - March 9

Chris Plaza - March 14

Bill Wilkins - March 15

Linda Sourbeck - March 17

Camilla McKee - March 31

Stan & Harmony Solgot - March 2

Danny & LaShawn Toma - March 30

Toddler Nursery Schedule

Toddler Nursery Schedule - March & April, 2009

March 1 - Kelly McKee

March 8 - Rachel Norman

March 15 - Harmony King

March 22 - Karen Roelofs

March 29 - Beth Godin

April 5 - Nancy Connell

April 12 - Kelly McKee

April 19 - Rachel Norman

April 26 - Harmony King

Ladies' Bible Study

Beginning March 17 - Ladies Bible Study at Grace Bible Church

You're Invited to Join Us

Wanda Gabbert - Class Leader

Beth Moore - Author & Speaker

Beginnning Tuesday, March 17, a Ladies' Bible Class will be held from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m at Grace Bible Church. Classes will be held each Tuesday morning for 10 weeks and the subject is "Believing God" from the book of the same name. You must purchase a workbook (for a cost of $10.00), and we'll be watching a video each week that is taught by Beth Moore. Wanda Gabbert will be leading each week's discussion. Ladies, please sign up by seeing Sandy McGlassion so workbooks can be purchased prior to the beginning of the class. All ladies are invited to come and bring a friend or friends with you.

Here's an excerpt from the introduction to the book:

"Believing God: Experiencing a Fresh Explosion of Faith by Beth Moore is based on Isaiah 43:10 and explores what it means to not only believe in God but to believe Him.

Do you take God at His Word, believing what He has told you, or do you just believe in His existence and the salvation He offers? Beth Moore came face-to-face with this question well into adulthood. At first, her response to God was, "Lord, of course I believe in You. I've believed in You all my life." Over time, the Holy Spirit led her to understand He was saying, "I didn't ask you to believe in Me. I asked you to believe Me." Through studying the lives of Abraham, Moses, and others from Hebrews 11 as examples of persons who believed God, Beth encourages women to deepen their own trust in God and receive a fresh word from Him."

For additional information, please see Wanda Gabbert or Sandy McGlassion. You may also contact the church office at 734-282-0115 or sandym@gracebiblesouthgate.org.

Men's Conference

For Men Only ....

Fellowship in the Gospel '09

Detroit-Area Men's Conference May 1-2, 2009

"Fellowship in the Gospel. It's the name of our first Bi-Annual Men's Conference. It's what the speakers and the organizers of the conference share in. It's what we hope the men of Metropolitan Detroit (and the surrounding areas) will immerse themselves in at the conference and then be better equipped to do after they leave. Fellowship in the Gospel is what we all need: exhorting one another in the truth of Colossions 2:6 "[A]s you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him".

Keynote Speaker: Pastor Joshua Waltz of Parker Hills Bible Fellowship

in Parker Hills, Colorado

Break-Out Sessions: Leadership Qualities in Light of the Gospel

Criticism...Can You Take It?

Pastor Bob Johnson Cornerstone Baptist Church (Roseville, MI)

Forgiveness... How Much is Enough?

Pastor Fred Froman Holt Baptist Church (Holt, MI)

Can Patience and Anger Co-Exist?

Pastor Don Magee Lakes Baptist Church (Walled Lake, MI)

I am absolutely certain that this teaching opportunity will be a blessing to all who attend. I intend to attend, and would encourage you to clear your calendar for it as well. We could carpool at the church in several vehicles and spend Friday evening together. Then again, in the morning, travel and spend much of Saturday there together. Consider it a retreat without leaving the metro area! Please check out the link below and if you wish to attend, please sign up on the white board outside my office or send me an email. Pastor Bill Connell

http://www.fellowshipinthegospel.com/.

Something to Think About...

What Does Luck Have To Do With It?

Joni Eareckson Tada is one of the most gracious and effective Christians in the world. She has lived with the results of a diving accident that broke her neck during her teen years. At 50 she continues to radiate Christ to a listening world. Joni is known by thousands of Christians, perhaps millions, through her books, radio program, and conference speaking.

Once my brother asked Joni how she made it through the difficult battle with her paraplegia. I later heard her give the same answer in a large conference in Orlando. Her reply will surprise you. "I suppose what helped me get through this more than any other thing" she said, "was reading Loraine Beottner's Reformed Doctrine of Predestination." Now that caught you off guard, didn't it?

What she was saying was that she came to understand through this book that God is in control. And if God is in control then her accident wasn't just a fluke, but a purposeful arrangement by a loving God. She could trust a God like that. That accident cost her freedom and brought chronic suffering. But to Joni, that diving accident was a huge gift from God—a platform for speaking to the world about her favorite subject, Christ.

I know that it might seem insensitive to say that God is in control. But this is what the Bible teaches, like it or not. When we analyze national tragedy we sometimes recoil from the notion that God could be in control of His world. We seek to protect God from such an accusation. But the Scriptures don't do this.

The Bible teaches that all good things, as well as all tragic things, come from God. (See Lam. 3: 37-38) They usually come via secondary sources, that is, they are delivered on your doorstep by other people or through the convergence of events and complex connections. Without being a tempter or evil (James 1:13), God determines all things, while still leaving men responsible for their actions. Complicated? Sure. But true nonetheless.

A clear illustration of this can be seen in the death of Christ. Is the death of Christ a good thing? Of course. Did God just "hope" that everything would work out to accomplish the greatest event of the universe? Did God feel lucky that it all worked out as He projected?

The early Christians did not think it was luck that brought about Jesus' redemptive death. Here's the way they put it in a prayer meeting:

For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. (Acts 4:27-28)

We can think of all events, tragic or good, under two categories. They are either for the punishment or for the benefit of the person, but they're all in the end for the glory of God. Now think carefully. First, realize that everything that happens to a non-believer is a tragedy. Even mercies from God, if sinned against, work out for the worse to the non-believer. Every apparently good thing coming to a person who will finally reject God, only serves to make his judgment more severe. (See Rom. 2: 4-6)

But for the child of God, life works out exactly the opposite. The Bible says, "All things work together for the good of those who love God, the called according to His purpose." (Rom. 8:28).
So, when a difficult thing comes into the life of a believer, as in Joni's swimming accident, then the end result is good. It is for a loving purpose. Even discipline from God toward true believers is for the good. And when sinful people are involved, we can say with Joseph, "You meant it for evil; but God meant I for good." (Gen. 50:20)

As one theologian said, "Tragedy is anything that happens to a non-believer." And we can add, "Good is anything that happens to a true Christian." This can only be said because God is in control. And luck, well, it isn't even there.

This article by Jim Eliff - http://www.ccwtoday.org/

February, 2009

A look at Grace Bible Church events for February

Communion Service, Feb. 1 with Elder Rob Roelofs

Tuesday, Feb. 3 @ 7:00 p.m.

Special Elders Meeting

Wednesdays at 6:15

Coffee & Dessert will be served, followed by our on-going

study in the book of Ephesians with teacher Kevin Godin

A time of prayer will be held after Bible Study

You're all invited to join us!

Friday, Feb. 6 is the deadline to get all committee reports

in to Sandy McGlassion

Sunday, Feb. 8 Pastor Bill's sermon on the Apostle Paul's

exhortation to the Elders in Ephesus from Acts 20

Sunday, Feb. 8 at 6:00 p.m. - The Discipleship Flock Meeting will be held at

the home of Sandy Horning. Tom Gabbert is facilitator.

Tuesday, Feb. 10 @ 7:oo p.m.

Regular Elders Meeting

Sunday, Feb. 15 - Annual Church Business Meeting

following the morning worship service

Sunday, Feb. 22, 6:00 p.m.

Fellowship Flock Meeting

February Birthdays & Anniversaries

Jerry Golden - Feb. 3

Everett Sollars - Feb. 8

Clyde Moore - Feb. 20

Linda Gosline - Feb. 21

Tom & Jan Royal - Feb. 7

Toddler Nursery Schedule

Toddler - Preschool Nursery Schedule

Feb. 1 - Harmony King

Feb. 8 - Karen Roelofs

Feb. 15 - Beth Godin

Feb. 22 - Nancy Connell



Mar. 1 - Kelly McKee

Mar. 8 - Rachel Norman

Mar. 15 - Harmony King

Mar. 22 - Karen Roelofs

Mar. 29 - Beth Godin

Twelve Myths

photo by M. Vogt @ morguefile.com

12 Myths About Cohabitation

1. Everybody is doing it.

No, nearly half of all couples are not.


2. Living together is a step toward marriage.
No, it is a step toward breakup – either before or after the wedding.

3. We are in a committed relationship.
Untrue. The only truly committed relationship is marriage.

4. Living together is a trial marriage.
Actually, cohabitation is the worst possible preparation for a healthy marriage.

It increases the odds of divorce by 50 percent.

5. We can’t afford to move apart.
Singles can save just as much money by living with someone of the same gender.

6. We love each other, so it’s okay.
If you really loved each other, you would do what is best for each other and for the relationship – what is sanctioned by God and proven through the ages to be the safest, best, and most fulfilling way to love.

7. It can’t hurt anybody.
At least one partner is hurt if the relationship disintegrates, which it is likely to do.

Also, since cohabiters are as likely as married couples to have children, if the relationship ends, the children feel abandoned and experience significant trauma that can have lifetime effects.


8. A marriage license is just a piece of paper.
No, it represents a way of life, a state of being blessed by God and sanctioned by the church, government, and community. It affects every aspect of life, health, happiness, longevity, and sex. They’re all better with that “piece of paper.”

9. We’re getting married anyway.
Don’t be so sure. Half of couples living together do not marry – and those who do are much more likely to divorce. Even a month’s cohabitation damages the relationship.

10. What we do is no one’s business.
Cohabitation is everyone’s business. It threatens society morally and burdens it financially. Eight out of ten cohabiting relationships will fail.

11. The Bible doesn’t mention cohabitation.
Jesus confronted the woman at the well, saying, “You have had five husbands, and you are not even married to the man you are living with now” (John 4:18 NLT). It was a gentle rebuke, but she was convicted, telling others, “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did” (John 4:29 NLT).

12. Cohabitation,marriage, and divorce are simply different lifestyle choices.
“This is the most powerful and dangerous myth,” write Linda Waite andMaggie Gallagher in The Case for Marriage. “Marriage is not only a private vow, it is a public act, a contract, taken in full public view, enforceable by law and in the equally powerful court of public opinion.”

From Mike & Harriet McManus, Living Together: Myths, Risks & Answers

photo by k.kiser @ morguefile.com

"In the end, we are the sum total of all our own choices. The decisions as to what I shall allow my mind, emotions, will and spirit to be exposed to rests with me. Whether or not my life shall be intractable or mellow under God's good hands in large part depends upon who I permit to beat a path through it."

W. Phillip Keller

-A Gardener Looks at the Fruit of the Spirit-

God's hearing of our prayers doth not depend upon sanctification, but upon Christ's intercession; not upon what we are in ourselves, but what' we are in the Lord Jesus; both our persons and our prayers are acceptable in the beloved [Eph 1.6].

It was a choice saying of Augustine, 'Every saint is God's temple, and he who carries his temple about him, may go to prayer when he pleaseth'.

"Prayer is nothing but the breathing that out before the Lord, that was first breathed into us by the Spirit of the Lord".

-Thomas Brooks-

Holiness or Hardness Toward God?

He . . . wondered that there was no intercessor . . . Isaiah 59:16

The reason many of us stop praying and become hard toward God is that we only have an emotional interest in prayer. It sounds good to say that we pray, and we read books on prayer which tell us that prayer is beneficial— that our minds are quieted and our souls are uplifted when we pray. But Isaiah implied in this verse that God is amazed at such thoughts about prayer.

Worship and intercession must go together; one is impossible without the other. Intercession means raising ourselves up to the point of getting the mind of Christ regarding the person for whom we are praying (see Philippians 2:5 ). Instead of worshiping God, we recite speeches to God about how prayer is supposed to work. Are we worshiping God or disputing Him when we say, "But God, I just don’t see how you are going to do this"? This is a sure sign that we are not worshiping. When we lose sight of God, we become hard and dogmatic. We throw our petitions at His throne and dictate to Him what we want Him to do. We don’t worship God, nor do we seek to conform our minds to the mind of Christ. And if we are hard toward God, we will become hard toward other people.

Are we worshiping God in a way that will raise us up to where we can take hold of Him, having such intimate contact with Him that we know His mind about the ones for whom we pray? Are we living in a holy relationship with God, or have we become hard and dogmatic?

Do you find yourself thinking that there is no one interceding properly? Then be that person yourself. Be a person who worships God and lives in a holy relationship with Him. Get involved in the real work of intercession, remembering that it truly is work - work that demands all your energy, but work which has no hidden pitfalls. Preaching the gospel has its share of pitfalls, but intercessory prayer has none whatsoever.

-Oswald Chambers- My Utmost for His Highest

Grace Bible Church is calling and encouraging all who attend our church and all who read this blog to join us in a special time of prayer this Friday, Jan. 16. The men of our congregation will meet at the church at 7:00pm that evening; those who can't attend are encouraged to pray through-out the day.

We will pray specifically about our nation and its gigantic needs. We will pray specifically for members of the Supreme Court, the president-elect and his cabinet, the Bush family, our senators and members of congress. We will pray about the threat of Islamic terrorism, liberalism, indifference, naivete, and intentional deceit in this wicked world. We will pray for a heartfelt, sincere, and effective response by God's people to all that is godly in our nation and in the world. And, we will pray until we are done.

We will also pray for the transition of government and the financial mess that looms large over our country and especially our state of Michigan. We will pray concerning the lack of Godly character in our leaders and the continuing attack on the sanctity of human life as evidenced in Washington, Lansing and pretty much, through-out our country. We will pray about the ascending rate of ungodliness; about apathy and indifference to all that truly matters in this life.

We will pray by name for the following:

President George Bush & Vice President Dick Cheney

President-Elect Barack Obama & Vice President-Elect Josephn Biden

The members of President Bush's cabinet:

Dept. of Agriculture: Ed Schafer

Dept. of Commerce: Carlos Gutierrez

Dept. of Defense: Robert M. Gates

Dept. of Education: Margaret Spellings

Dept. of Energy: Samuel W. Bodman

Dept. of Health & Human Services: Michael O. Leavitt

Dept. of Homeland Security: Michael Chertoff

Dept. of Housing & Urban Dev.: Steve Preston

Dept. of the Interior: Dirk Kempthorne

Dept. of Justice: Attorney General Michael Mukasey

Dept. of Labor: Elaine Chao

Dept. of State: Condoleezza Rice

Dept. of Transportation: Mary E. Peters

Dept. of the Treasury: Henry M. Paulson, Jr.

Dept. of Veteran's Affairs: Dr. James Peake

Office of Management & Budget: Jim Nussle

Environmental Protection Agency: Stephen Johnson

White House Chief of Staff: Joshua B. Bolten

United States Trade Representative: Ambassador Susan Schwab

Office of National Drug Control Policy: John Walters

The appointed members of President-Elect Barack Obama's cabinet:

Attorney General: Eric H. Holder, Jr.

Dept. of Agriculture: Tom Vilsack

Dept. of Commerce:

Dept. of Defense: Robert M. Gates

Dept. of Education: Arne Duncan

Dept. of Energy: Steven Chu

Dept. of Health & Human Services: Tom Daschle

Dept. of Homeland Security: Janet Napolitano

Dept. of Housing & Urban Dev.: Shaun Donovan

Dept. of Labor: Hilda Solis

Dept. of State: Hillary Rodham Clinton

Dept. of Interior: Ken Salazar

Dept. of Transportation: Ray LaHood

Dept. of Treasury: Timothy F. Geithner

Dept. of Veteran's Affairs: Eric F. Shinseki

Chief of Staff: Rahm Emanuel

National Security Advisor: James L. Jones

United Nations Ambassador: Susan E. Rice

White House Counsel: Gregory B. Craig

White House Press Secretary: Robert B. Gibbs

Justices of the Supreme Court:

John Roberts, Jr. Chief Justice

John Paul Stevens

Antonin Scalia

Anthony Kennedy

David Souter

Clarence Thomas

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Stephen Breyer

Samuel Alito, Jr.

U.S. Senate:

President Pro-Tempore: Robert Byrd

Majority Leader: Harry Reid

Democratic Whip: Richard Durbin

Minority Leader: Mitch McConnell

Republican Whip: Jon Kyl

Michigan Senators:

Carl Levin

Debbie Stabenow

U.S. House of Representatives:

Speaker of the House: Nancy Pelosi

Majority Leader: Steny Hoyer

House Republican Leader: John Boehner

House Majority Whip: Jim Clyburn

Republican Whip: Eric Cantor

Dave Camp, Michigan, 4th

John Conyers, Jr, Michigan, 14th

John D. Dingell, Michigan, 15th

Vernon J. Ehlers, Michigan, 3rd

Pete Hoekstra, Michigan, 2nd

Carolyn Kilpatrick, Michigan, 13th

Sander Levin, Michigan, 12th

Thaddeus McCotter, Michigan, 11th

Candice Miller, Michigan, 10th

Gary Peters, Michigan, 9th

Mike Rogers, Michigan, 8th

Mark Schauer, Michigan, 7th

Bart Stupak, Michigan, 1st

Fred Upton, Michigan, 6th

Michigan State Government:

Jennifer Granholm - Governor

John Cherry - Lt. Governor

Andy Dillon - Speaker of the House

Pam Byrnes - Speaker Pro Tempore

Kevin Eisenheimer - Majority Leader

Dave Hildenbrand - Minortity Leader

"If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, pray, seek My face and turn from their wicked ways I will hear them from heaven and heal their land"

2 Chronicles 7:14

"As we look at this country at the present time, we see a nation in moral and spiritual decline. Morally we have become bankrupt, as the barriers of decency have been swept away so that there are no restraints. Vulgarity and indecency are the norm. There is no limit to the obscenity shown on television. We are a sex saturated society in all that we see, hear and read; bribery and corruption have become a part of public life. We may not be attracted by such matter, but our children and grandchildren face growing up in a society which is falling apart."

Rev. Eric Royden, April, 2002

Will you join us in praying, not only on Friday, Jan. 16, but through-out the year for these needs? You can pick up a list of those we're praying for at Grace Bible Church; or, please feel free to copy this post and use it as a guide during your prayer time.

"We all have a voice. Some are bold and daring. Others thrive behind the scenes. And some prove that actions still speak louder than words. From Jan. 18 - 25, 2009, join millions of believers using their unique voices to support the Sanctity of Human Life."

You have a voice. Discover yours at http://www.beavoice.net/

(Information gleaned from Focus on the Family January 09 Bulletin)

"The test of a man's character is what it takes to stop him"

John MacArthur

"Grace remits sin and peace quiets the conscience. Sin and conscience torment us, but Christ has overcome these fiends now and forever. Only Christians possess this victorious knowledge given from above. These two terms, grace and peace, constitute Christianity. Grace involves the remission of sins, peace and a happy conscience. Sin is not canceled by lawful living, for no person is able to live up to the law…the fact is the more a person seeks credit for himself by his own efforts, the deeper he goes into debt. Nothing can take away sin except the grace of God. In actual living, however it is not so easy to persuade oneself that by grace alone, in opposition to every other means, we obtain the forgiveness of our sins and peace with God".

- Martin Luther -

Glory to God in highest heaven,

Who unto man His Son hath given;

While angels sing with tender mirth,

A glad new year to all the earth.

~Martin Luther

January Calendar

A look at our calendar this month...

Sunday, Jan. 4 - Communion Service

Wed., Jan. 7 - Bible Study & Prayer Time

Beginning at 6:15 - Kevin Godin continues the study of Ephesians

Tues., Jan. 13 - Elder's Meeting

Fri., Jan. 16 - A special evening of prayer for our country and its leaders

Looking ahead to February ...

Sunday, Feb. 15 - Annual Business Meeting following the morning service

The deadline to turn in Committee reports is Friday, Feb. 6

LaShawn Toma - Jan. 3
Harmony King - Jan. 6

Dean Royal - Jan. 8
Tom Gabbert - Jan. 10
Eric McKee - Jan. 12
Marissa McGlassion - Jan. 13
Joel Ashby - Jan. 13
Rachel Norman -Jan. 16
Tom Royal - Jan. 22
Don Bolton - Jan. 26

Happy Anniversary to

Wayne & Linda Sourbeck - Jan. 30

Nursery Schedule

Jan. 4 - Beth Godin
Jan. 11 - Nancy Connell
Jan. 18 - Kelly McKee
Jan. 25 - Rachel Norman

Feb. 1 - Harmony King

Feb. 8 - Karen Roelofs

Feb. 15 - Beth Godin

Feb. 22 - Nancy Connell

The Christmas Story from Luke, Chapter 2:1-20

1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.
2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.
3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,
5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.
10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.
11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14 “ Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”

16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.
17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.
18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.
20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

Mary did you know that your baby boy

will one day walk on water?

Mary did you know that your baby boy

will save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy

has come to make you new?

This child that you've delivered,

will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that your baby boy

will give sight to a blind man?

Mary did you know that your baby boy

will calm a storm with his hand?

Did you know that your baby boy

has walked where angels trod?

And when you kiss your little baby,

you have kissed the face of God.

The blind will see, the deaf will hear

and the dead will live again.

The lame will leap, the dumb will speak,

the praises of the Lamb.

Mary did you know that your baby boy

is Lord of all creation?

Mary did you know that your baby boy

will one day rule the nations?

Did you know that your baby boy

is heaven's perfect Lamb?

This sleeping child you're holding

is the great I Am.

Christmas Sunday

Christmas Sunday at Grace Bible Church, Dec. 21, 2008

Our Pastor & Worship Team lead the congregation in

beautiful Christmas songs that glorified our Lord

At the conclusion of the service, Rob Roelofs, one of our Elders, surprised Pastor Bill with a card and gift from the congregation.

Rob's words echoed all of our thoughts and feelings for Pastor Bill and his family.

We are thankful he's our Pastor and that Nancy supports him in all he does; she is a gracious woman and we deeply love & appreciate her.

We're thankful for James & Donny and their many contributions at Grace.

These two young men always greet you with a smile and will go out of their way to offer help to anyone who needs it.

With 2008 almost behind us, we now look ahead to the New Year and wait to see what the Lord has in store for us there. If you're reading this and you don't have a church home, why not come and visit us? We'd love to have you join us.

Merry Christmas!

On Sunday, Dec. 14th., the wise men seem to have taken on a familar image! But the true miracle of Christmas is the birth of our Savior JESUS CHRIST Who came that we might have eternal life!!

-Submitted by Everett Sollars-

Christmas Dinner, Dec. 12, 2008

Our annual Christmas Dinner was held on Friday, Dec. 12. Once again we thank Everett & Jacque Sollars as they did an outstanding job of hosting and arranging this function. The decorations were lovely and we thank all those who helped make our church look as beautiful as it does for this special time of celebrating our Lord's birth. A big thank you also to Joel & Clyde for taking all the photos you'll see on these posts.

Christmas Dinner, Dec. 12, 2008