August 19, 2026

Aug 19

2 min read

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PASTOR'S PEN

From the desk of Pastor Paul

Each of us need deep encounters with God. I promise you in the days that are coming a superficial walk will not sustain you. Check out Genesis 32, Jacob had a rather superficial walk with the Lord and so God took him on in a wrestling match and gave him a limp. That limp began defining Jacob. Sometimes the mark of wrestling with God looks like a blemish to everyone else but defines us for the future.

The distinguishing mark on Jacob was a limp.

The distinguishing mark on Isaiah was burned lips.

The distinguishing mark on Jeremiah was tears.

The distinguishing mark on Hosea was his marriage to Gomer out of obedience.

The distinguishing mark of Joshua was he hung out in the tent and the glory rested on him, so he became a great leader.

The distinguishing mark on New Testament believers was baptism by fire.

Every believer needs a baptism of the Holy Spirit by fire. Fire purifies anything impure in our lives.

The thing that distinguished these men mentioned and New Testament believers was surrender. Great faith and walking in spiritual victory does not come by striving, but by surrender and humility.

Today I encourage you to ask God to give you a greater hunger for more than you have presently experienced.

Can’t wait to see you this weekend as we continue through Ephesians 1.

Saturday night - 5:30

Sunday morning - 9:30

🔗Message Notes (when available)

WHAT'S HAPPENING!

Save the Date

List of Auction Items & Tickets are available at Grace or Online

(click here)

The Last 100 Days—The Time is Now!

GRACE RACE REPORT

The miracles keep piling up! Our second annual Grace Race was a huge success. We had 88 participants compared with 48 a year ago. Thanks to Stephan Charles and Jaime Heying and their team who made for a successful event. Financial registrations created $3,908 of revenue but individuals who asked for sponsorships raised $5,080. So the race raised nearly $9,000. The GRACE FAMILY is amazing!

Report from the "Use Your Influence" letters

We wanted to give an update from the “Use Your Influence” evening of letter writing even though responses are still coming in. To date, 47 letters have had responses. We have had responses from New York, Louisiana, Texas, many other states and from neighbors in Buffalo. These responses have brought in nearly $6,000.

Here is what is amazing, another individual offered to match a square foot ($200) for each letter that received a response. (So far that is 47 multiplied at $200)

The Miracles Keep Coming!