Mat and Pam Morgan are excited to announce the birth of their first grandchild – Henry Morgan Zeng, born on October 26th weighing in at 8 pounds 3.4 ounces and 20 ½ inches long.
Mommy and Daddy (Jessica and Johnny Zeng) are over the moon. As you can see from the photo Henry is very happy and healthy modeling GCI’s Hope Swag.
Brothers and Sisters,
Grace Communion Miramar (FL) celebrated Pastor Charles Taylor for his 30 years of devoted pastoral ministry over the weekend. What an accomplishment worthy of honor! That kind of longevity in pastoral ministry is due to the unflinching grace and faithfulness of our Triune God. As Charles would be the first to declare, all glory to God!
Charles, thank you for your devotion of love and service to God’s beloved children in your care. There is something praiseworthy for staying the course. We salute you and give thanks to our loving Father for you.
The congregation crafted this brief but beautiful video tribute to Charles and family: 30 Years of Ministry
Whatever you do, picture Christ in the person you are doing it for; it makes such a difference when you put your heart into it. Colossians 3:24 (The Mirror Bible)
Anthony Mullins
Regional Director – US Southeast
Coventry Peace Campus is a well-known hub of activity in the community of Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
The space hosted an open house for the artists who occupy the building. Our church sponsored the jazz trio to entertain visitors as they traveled through the building. We opened our church door for visitors and we walked around, met artists, had conversations with community members, and introduced ourselves.
We are now working with the social worker of one of our middle schools and have been able to give Ten Thanksgiving gift cards to families in need of food assistance. We attached a card to let them know Jesus sees and loves them. Our Love Champion Pat Shiels toured the school and was able to see firsthand where our prayers and assistance are needed.
We are in person and on zoom learning to navigate the new technology and stay connected. We are watching and participating as the Lord expands our reach and our witness!
Tamar Gray
Pastor, Grace Communion Cleveland
“I truly feel like I matter and that I have something to offer. There’s a communal willingness to learn and recontextualize new ideas that I also don’t see very often in other spaces. Essentially, I choose to participate with GCI in ministry because I feel valued, and I want to cultivate and share that same type of love with others.” Check out this month’s GCI Profile to get to know Matthew Arquero, member of Cornerstone Community Church, our congregation in San Diego. To read his full profile, click the image below.
John 1:1-14
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
How fitting it is that Epiphany follows Christmas. In Jesus’ earthly ministry, being near did not always equate to being known. In fact, it sometimes meant being misunderstood, ridiculed, and rejected. But if we allow Jesus to make himself known to us as he makes himself near to us, everything changes. We begin to see in him life, a life that is the light of all humanity, that is not overcome by darkness, that gives light to everyone. Epiphany invites us to respond to the nearness of Christ with a devotion to knowing him as he reveals himself to be.
During this Epiphany season, I invite us to sit together at Jesus’ feet and learn his ways, the contours of his life, the sound of his breath, the dance of his light. As we grow in relationship with Jesus, I wonder if we would begin to see all things anew, illuminated by his light. Would we see everything, as corrupt as it may become in this present evil age, as touched by his hand in its creation and touchable again in redemption? Would we come to know his light intimately enough to see it even in the dark? Would we come to recognize him in unexpected places? To receive him in places we once thought barren? Would we become bolder disciples, exposing to the light parts of ourselves we’ve long kept hidden or witnessing to the light in places we had believed beyond hope? I believe we would.
Church, let us by the power of the Holy Spirit be grown again and again into those who recognize, receive, and bear witness to Jesus.
How is Jesus making himself known to you personally and corporately today?
Holy God, thank you that you not only draw near to us in your incarnation, but you reveal yourself to us in Christ’s ongoing ministry. Guide us that we may know you more each day, each hour, each moment, and that we would be transformed by knowing you.
By Cara Garrity
GCI Development Coordinator
As we look back on 2021, we celebrate the ways Father, Son, and Spirit moved in and among us. Together we moved forward developing and building healthy Faith Avenues. We celebrate the ways our fellowship grew in our walk with Jesus, as well as with one another. Below are the resources and praise reports that were accessed the most this year. Check them out if you missed them, or would like a review:
The votes have been counted and our winners of the Healthy Church Challenge are here! Congratulations and thank you to all who sent in submissions and supported our GCI youth through the voting process. Please click the names below the video for links to the winning submissions.
1st Place:
Daniel – Ghana (15-17)
Makayla, Ziva and youth – Ghana (11-14)
Margaret and Zayne – Fiji (8-10)
2nd Place:
Noelle and Ignite Youth – Columbus, OH (15-17)
Alexandra, Helena and Tracy – Kenockee, MI (11-14)
Jeremine, Naa and Ethan – Ghana (8-10)
3rd Place:
Sam and Lily – Mooroolbark, VIC, Australia (11-14)
Mogau – Polokwane, SA (8-10)
