GCC...what's happening...family style

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times of the year and I would like to yell out a quick, “Happy Thanksgiving to all of you at GCC, the Church of Second Chances.” Due to some interesting adventures this past summer with my “health”, our family will be doing something different. Traveling is very hard on me, so we decided to stay home, conserve our energy and relax before the upcoming Christmas season here at GCC. Another great season where we here at GCC pull out all the stops and take no detours as we do everything we can to share the gospel with our community.

As I think of Thanksgiving it causes me to think of “family” and how important the thought of family is, even in my own personal life. I remember there have been many times in the past that my family has had conflict and many of those times were centered around Thanksgiving moments. Some of those Thanksgivings I would love to forget, however through it all I love my family, I am proud of my family and could not even imagine my life without them. With 9 brothers and sisters, 30 some nieces and nephews and up to 16 some great nieces and nephews we are bond to have conflicts as all of our different personalities and views come into play; yet as I reminisce about times we have argued I also remember times of incredible blessing to have such a family. This summer, when I was ill, I cannot even begin the outpour of love from my family through notes, cards and how some of my family traveled via car and plane to spend time with me.

Just as we all have immediate families, we are also a FAMILY here at GCC, the Church of Second Chances. Our desire is to love God, our community and beyond. Within our FAMILY, just like any family, there will be moments of conflict which may overflow into areas in your life, in your life of worship. Something to remember as followers of Jesus and members of the ROYAL FAMILY of God is that, just as we give those in our immediate families second chances, we need to be willing to do the same with our church family….to show and give them second chances, or as our son says….”Daddy, can I have a fourth chance?” We all have weaknesses and moments where we struggle. In those moments when we see a brother or sister struggling, we need to be willing to love and encourage them…encourage each other during our times of struggle and uncertainty.

Church family, I love you and these are areas I believe we should always be thinking about, be on guard about, and be aware of as it states in His Word, “Satan is like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.” May we not be his next meal.
This past weekend we had an incredible Elder’s retreat where we spent time making some changes for the better; steamlining and organizing things, and I am excited to share that over the next month we will be spending time sharing about the churches future and what is in store for us here at GCC, the Church of Second Chances. WOW, I am pumped!
In a final note, we want to rejoice in the Hundred Grand Dash and the work God is doing here. I know our number is up in the amount needed per person, but I still believe God can do anything and He can provide so that our church no longer has a mortgage by the end of 2010. Stepping out on faith, we will be having a mortgage burning party on January 16th. We’re also going to be praying and thanking God for watching over us in December. I look forward to see what God has in store for us.

I remember as a young Senior Minister one thing I never wanted to give up was “the pulpit”. In my “older years” I have come to believe that you should hear from your Elders from time to time as they stand behind “the pulpit” or on the level as Paul does. We were blessed with Paul Brunsman’s teaching last week and I am very excited to hear Dave Ray, one of our Elders, preach for the first time today, and what God has to say through his heart.
December 12th we’ll have our Children’s Program, so please invite all your friends and family to this event. I read in our church history that the record attendance was 167. Since I have been here it’s been 123. Let’s break both of these records as we celebrate Jesus and share His love for us and those who are lost. We have so many chance, through many venues to invite our friends and family over the next coming weeks to hear about THE ULTIMATE GIFT! First, December 12th through the Children’s play. Second, December 19th at our “Christmas Sunday” with a dinner following. Fourth, experience at the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service December 24th and fifth, as we come together for another wonderful celebration of the season on December 26th.

So, can it be done? Can we break 3 or 4 records during this season of events at GCC as we attempt to “out do” the next special event? Please invite everyone you know, friends, family and even strangers to this special worship time. Let’s reach out to our community and enjoy this opportunity to share the Gospel.