Grace Communique  

September 2008 Newsletter

"I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; but in case I am delayed, I write so that you may know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth." 1 Timothy 3:14-15

The longer I am in the ministry the more convinced I am of the importance and priority of the Church. Our text tells us that the Church is the pillar and support of the truth. The one institution that should be known for truth is the Church. That is the primary reasons we exist, to declare and hold up the truth. Other organizations change with the culture to remain "relevant". Truth is always relevant. We have a unique message that no other organization wishes to declare. 

The central theme of that truth is declared in verses 16 in the form of a poem or a confessional. The subject is Jesus Christ. "He who was revealed in the flesh, was vindicated in the Spirit, beheld by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory." Jesus Christ must always be central in our teaching, singing, serving and growing. If we can stay focused upon him then we will never be irrelevant. What the world needs most is to be reconciled with their creator. That reconciliation only comes through Jesus Christ. So until the whole world has heard of Christ and received his salvation or rejected it our job will ever be the same.

As we look forward to another year of ministry I wish to make you aware of the many opportunities we have to grow in the love of God and to share it with a hurting world. The foundation of our ministry is the Sunday morning Worship services.

During this time we have the opportunity to worship the Lord through singing, offering him our praise, fellowshipping and focusing upon the preaching of his written Word. The Church is more than a spiritual body. It is a visible physical collection of believers to join hands for his work. Without weekly focusing upon God, we soon focus upon things of the world that will only disillusion us.

The next major building block of the church is what we call the Adult Bible Fellowships (ABFs) and the Sunday school. The focus of this time is to deal Biblically with life issues that affect adults and young people at every transition of life. We encourage every person to participate in this time, as it is vital to body life. In this context believers are given a chance to ask questions and to add the insights that God has given them through life. Relationships are fostered and needs are met in a way that can't be done in the larger context of the formal Worship service. It is here that individual needs are met and the one another's of ministry begin. If you feel disconnected from the body, it is because you are missing this key ingredient. You must make yourself available to experience true fellowship.

The Small groups are primarily for training in how to be better servants and teachers. It is the place where every individual can experience pastoral care through lay pastors who have been trained to minister. The small group environment fosters practical sanctification as you live your life in the context of a few friends who help you and hold you accountable. There is a deeper level of fellowship that occurs as you are taught how to live the Christian life through the power of the Holy Spirit. In this context you learn how to use your special spiritual gifts in the service of others.

The net result of the dissemination of the truth in the ministry of the Church is growth. Ephesians 4:15 says, "speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head even Christ." Spiritual growth comes from speaking the truth. But there is more. 

Once a month we will continue with our Praise and Prayer Service on Sunday night. Each month we meet for a time of praise and testimony at 6:00 pm. Then the remainder of the night is given to prayer for ministries in the Church. Our next meeting will be on September 14th. Please make this a priority, you will not be disappointed.

Our youth groups also provide specialized discipleship for the differing stages our youth go through. Please, I implore you; commit yourself willingly to these key body life events. These events and ministries in total are what made the early church so vibrant and we cannot expect to be any more vital by only being partially involved.

Please be sure to check our website for current information and past sermons http://www.gracefreechurch.org/

Contact the following staff people if you wish to lead or be in involved:

Jen Lybarger Children's Ministries 603.313.1499 or gracekids@netzero.net

Nate Towers Youth Ministry (603) 363-4277 ntowers@gracefreechurch.org

Tom Burns Adult Ministry and Small Groups (603) 363-4277 tburns@gracefreechurch.org

Harry Bafundi Prayer Ministry and Mercy Ministry (603) 363-4277 hbafundi@gracefreechurch.org

In Christ,

Pastor Miller