Pastors Pen
Her name was Ashley, she was a little 8-year-old red-headed girl! On Sunday night after church, she went missing. Her mother, Cindi, was frantic as she screamed, “I can’t find Ashley”. All of those still present earnestly searched the 5 buildings at Desert Hope Church (located in a demographically changing neighborhood of Phoenix), to no avail. After a thorough search of buildings and grounds, the police were notified. As the spotlight of the police helicopter circled the neighborhood, congregants grabbed a hold of each other’s hands and began to pray. Needless to say, Cindi was beside herself, thinking the worst had happened.
After 30 minutes of searching into the church parking lot speeds Anne in her Chevy station wagon. Ashley had stowed away in the back and yelled “surprise” when Anne pulled into her home driveway. Before many had cell phones, Anne had no way to notify Cindi or others that Ashley was safe, so she sped her way back to the church (some distance away). There was a great deal of relief that Ashley was safe and plenty of hope that Ashley’s parents would know how to provide the right kind of discipline.
I have thought many times, I wonder what would happen if we had such earnestness for the spiritually lost, for pre-believers?
I have also wondered when new believers feel like running away because the journey gets hard how the church can raise up mentors (disciplers) who will provide love, instruction, and discipleship to newer believers.
Can’t wait to celebrate with you this weekend, the crazy amazing things God is up to in our church and our lives.
Save the Dates
Serve the City– On Sunday, June 26, we will have an abbreviated service and then join Summit from 10 am to 12 for various service projects. So come dressed in work clothes and join this opportunity to build unity in the Body of Christ and serve Buffalo. A list of projects will be available to sign up for next weekend.
Power Cooking at GF-July9, 9-12:00 Text Jill Thorson (307-217-0801) to register
Community VBS @ Summit-July 25-28 @ Summit
Baptism & Potluck Picnic– August 13 &14 at the Train Side of the Park.
Mexican Fiesta Dinner & Auction—September 9, 5:30-8:30 @ Bomber Mtn. Marietta Wright has donated 17 “Art from the Heart” drawings that will be auctioned. We will also be looking for other items of value: guns, antiques, times shares, etc. All proceeds will go to the Building Fund, More details will be forthcoming. For any questions see Tom Ostlund or Ronda Schlicting.
Family Night Kickoff– September 21
Equip-Open Heavens–November 4-6 with Peter Xu and Marietta Wright
God’s Provision
Over the following weeks, it will be awesome to see how God provides. Half a truckload of new products has been given to Grace to sell at a garage sale. Carol Herman is building teams to get ready for the garage sale which will be held from 9 AM to 2 PM on July 2. The week prior a team will ready things both from what has been donated and out of the GF building. On July 2 will be a team who serves at the sale and then a team of folks to help with clean-up.
All proceeds will go to the GF building fund
Contact the church office (684-7511) to volunteer
Cemetery Creek Campus Update:
Our present Building Fund is $206,398. Thank you, Lord, for blessing each of us with Your goodness.
Our Building Committee is gathering information for Dale Buckingham, our architect, that an artist rendition of what a new building on the Cemetery Creek Campus will look like.
June: Conceptual Design Phase
July: Schematic Design Phase
August: We hope to have an artist rendition and projected cost of the new building
All young adults ages College to 30
You are invited on June 29, to Pastor Paul and Marlyce’s home 555 S. Pinnacle Dr. for a picnic dinner @ 6:00. Please let us know if you are coming through text 307-621-0194.
Opportunity to Serve
We are looking for someone to head the Amie Holt services once a month. We cover the 4th Sunday of each month. The services are about 30 minutes and consist of a few songs and a short devotio8nal. If you are interested in head this ministry, contact Stephanie Berglund (307-887-5208)
Baptism & Picnic
August 13 & 14 at the train side of the park. This will be a potluck meal with the church providing the meat, drinks, and table setting. If you are interested in baptism contact Pastor Paul (307-621-2314) or Stephanie(307-887-5208).
Save the Date
Children’s Ministries
Saturday Nights
Children’s Church @ Grace Fellowship 5:30pm– 7:00pm
Sunday Mornings
Children’s Church @ Grace Fellowship 9:00am–10:30am
Student Ministries
Flashpoint Youth for Middle School & High School Students
Saturday Night
Hang out, games, snacks, lots of fun @ the Brown House after the worship service until about 9:00
Adult Small Groups
Thursdays
Prayer for Missions in the Prayer Room @ GF 12:00pm–1:00pm
Fridays
Friendship Ministries text 307-267-9833 or email krystalbybee@yahoo.com for location, etc.
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