Praise God! After almost three years of gathering virtually through Zoom and YouTube Live, God opened a door for GCI Lancaster to come together again in a church building. During that time, we had a few different spaces that we considered, but for one reason or another (including one of our signatory’s cars almost being broken into), we knew the Holy Spirit was not opening those doors. While we waited for the right door, we continued to serve our community through winter clothing drives, local resource centers that serve the homeless and moms in crisis pregnancies, and luncheon invitationals.
On January 1, 2023, we held our first in-person Sunday service since March 2020. It was such a blessing to come together again! Some of our members, who had not continued when we moved online, have said they are so glad to be back with us again. Within the first three weeks, we have had a few new visitors and one that is becoming a regular.
This month has been exciting and challenging, transitioning back to an in-person gathering in a new building. Our young people are really enjoying being involved in every aspect of the service, from running the online chat to being greeters and ushers. We were able to purchase new equipment to continue live-streaming. *See editor’s note below.
We look forward to all that God will do with us in this new place and the people that he will bring us to, to participate in the work the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are doing in West Lancaster.
By Susanna Martinez Treasurer
*Editor’s note: It’s an important service GCI Lancaster is providing. If you’re not already, prayerfully consider how your church can provide both an in-person option and a digital option. With some planning and intentionality, you can include your neighbors who may not be able to attend the in-person gathering. See our Church Hack for more information.
When Love Avenue Champion Jimmy Crouch approached me last May about an engagement idea that he and his wife had for the neighborhood, I had no idea how impactful it would become. It began as setting up a simple hot dog stand on the front porch of the church on Sunday evenings for a couple of hours and offering free hot dogs, chips, and a drink to anyone stopping by. But it soon became a regular gathering place each and every Sunday thereafter to sit and talk with those who stopped by.
The attendance started with a handful of people and has continued to grow every week. Now we average around 30 people, many who come every week to join in fellowship. From something so simple, we have three people who are now attending church with us, and two were baptized on January 8. It just goes to show that something as simple as a hot dog can be a ministry to others. To God Be the Glory!
“The first kernel of wisdom to start with is to let our dependence and trust in God permeate all our worries of today.” ― C.S. Lewis
Join us in prayer this month as we thank Father, Son and Spirit for the way they move in and through our fellowship of believers. Click the link below to download the February Prayer Guide and check out what’s happening in our churches around the world. #WeAreGCI#FellowshipOfBelievers
A few months back, Communications Director Michelle Fleming shared an assessment tool that Replicate Ministries uses in helping to debunk several myths about ministry. Replicate Ministries encourages all the churches and leaders they serve to come on board to what they call, “All Play, Everyday Disciple-Making Movement.” I really like this catchy phrase. It points to the biblical posture of a priesthood of all believers. It also reminds me of a slogan we sometimes use in GCI, “making disciples who make disciples.”
In the spirit of an “all-play” mentality, I am writing a short series on the 4 Es of pastoral ministry – engage, equip, empower, encourage. (Keep in mind that our Avenue champions need to think and operate out of the 4 Es too.) My first entry is on engagement.
To engage, in the purest sense, is to recognize and recruit. Everywhere we look, we see people who need Jesus. When I say need, the needs can run the gamut from forgiveness, to healing, to meaning and purpose in life. Maybe the person you see is simply looking for acceptance or true friendship.
Several years back, Christian researcher and author George Barna informed the church that the greatest need in Christianity was for Christian believers to be engaged in relationships with non-believers. This engagement runs deeper than just hanging out and being friendly. It means befriending another, taking the time to listen and hear the good and the bad, and everything in between. It means sharing life experiences and making lasting memories. It means being there in tough situations and in times of celebration. It means talking to God about your friend as well as talking to your friend about God. It is life-on-life; it is place-sharing. Read More
To engage is to induce to participate. The apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinth church says that he became all things to all people that he may win some to Jesus. He wanted Jews and Greeks alike to come to Jesus and share in the blessings of the gospel. He especially had a soft spot for his native people. In Romans 10:1, he wrote, “Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.” Engagement includes our directed interest and investment in others.
Engagement doesn’t end when a person hears the gospel and attends church. In many ways, this is still part of the beginning of engagement. Think in terms of the healthy church Avenues.
For the Hope Avenue, engagement begins in the parking lot and into the lobby as people are warmly greeted and appropriately attended to. Think of a progression from the hospitable welcome to the sanctuary gathering where the message is centered in the person of Jesus. When I say message, it is inclusive of the songs being sung, the scriptures being read, the prayers being raised, and the sermon being preached. The entire experience is to honor and celebrate Jesus.
The Faith Avenue provides spaces where the new believer (in community with veteran believers) can grow in their understanding of Jesus, and be equipped with the tools of spiritual disciplines, enabling them to grow in their personal, daily worship. In my years of being a lead pastor, I falsely assumed that regular Sunday attenders were being discipled because they got to hear my fabulous sermons. I was naïve to believe that, especially when I frequently noticed people nodding off while listening to me. Ultimately, sermons are to inspire, to help people see that the gospel is real and exciting, and always point to Jesus, but discipleship needs a deeper dive.
To engage is to occupy, involve, and include. It means to be a living, active part of the body of the church.
Many years ago, I read an inspirational book by Ray Stedman called Body Life. Here is a quote from him that sums up this aspect of engagement.
The church is a living organism. In the physical body, the hand moves when the brain says to. So too the members of Jesus’ spiritual body takes [sic] direction from Him as our Head. Jesus gives each member gifts and talents, making himself alive within his church. He equips his people to love one another, and to serve in unity his kingdom. This is Body Life.
Within “body life,” there must be a pastoral perspective. (This includes the lead pastor as well as members of the Faith Avenue who are serving to help new believers establish their walk with Jesus and find their “best fit” in the life of the church). It is important to truly see the person and help them identify who they are in Christ. This begins with the secure knowledge that they are a beloved child of God, included in the life and love of Jesus. In relationship, we help them identify their personality strengths, their life experiences, their passions, and how the Spirit is gifting them to fit into the body. We trust the Spirit to place members in the body as he sees fit. This is much easier when the members of the body are able to engage in the process and confirm the calling.
Engagement is a relational process that begins with befriending, leads to growing in understanding, to deepening the level of sharing and caring, to mutually being impacted by the presence of Jesus, and to an understanding of what it means to be adopted into a personal and intimate relationship with our Father. Engagement is integral in all stages of making disciples. Engagement is who Jesus is and what Jesus does. As the Scripture reminds us, we love him because he first loved us!
My prayer is that GCI will be an even more engaging Church. May our Faith, Hope and Love Avenues expand as engagement is happening throughout.
Are you considering volunteering, but you have questions?
Check out our Q&A.
Q: The conference is 3+ days. Will I be expected to serve the entire time? Every session? What’s my time commitment? A: Each shift or session is 2.5 hours or less. We ask that you choose and serve for one shift. Of course, you can choose more than one shift.
Q: Do I have to create my own lessons / curriculum? A: No. We will provide a lesson and activity with all supplies for your session.
Q: How many other adults will I be with? A: Depending on the age group, you will be with at least 2 other volunteers during your shift.
Q: Can I request which age group I help with? If I’d rather serve with teens, can I request that? A: Absolutely. On the sign up, you will see that the shifts are organized by grade/age and times. You can pick any open slot.
Have additional questions or want to volunteer? Please send an email to home.office@gci.org
Melissa Nolan is a GCI elder and facilitator of the fellowship group in Clearwater, FL, US. Melissa had a cancerous brain tumor removed three months ago. She underwent a second surgery to treat infection on January 19.
The cancer has spread to both her lungs but cannot be treated until her overall condition can be stabilized. She is in the critical care unit of at Tampa General Hospital. She and her husband, Gerald, would appreciate your prayers.
On December 11, GC Surrey Hills joined our neighbors and celebrated “A Very Surrey Christmas” by participating in the Christmas parade. There were floats, golf carts, 4 wheelers, and even a muscle car decked out for Christmas and spreading joy (and candy) throughout the neighborhood streets.
We saw more people sitting outside with their families to watch the parade than any other year so far! Our float theme was “The Greatest Snowman,” a spin-off of the popular “The Greatest Showman” movie. The Love Avenue team did a great job getting the float together. Our resident cowboy, Cowboy Steve, provided us with a wonderful trailer and pulled us safely through the parade.
After the parade, we headed to the Golf Club where neighbors and the Lion’s Club served free hot chocolate and cookies. It was sponsored by two neighborhood-owned businesses: Grounds 4 Compassion and A Latte Love Coffee House. We filled the club house, because this neighborhood loves to come together! We may need to start looking for a larger space for next year. Two of our amazing neighbors came to the clubhouse as Mr. & Mrs. Claus so that parents could get pictures.
In addition, 48 children in our neighborhood were adopted by other neighbors for Christmas. The gifts piled in and were delivered to the kiddos before Christmas! Together, as neighbors, we wanted to make sure that each and every neighborhood kiddo had a VERY Merry Christmas.
The Spirit is moving throughout Surrey Hills, and we are SO blessed to be a part of what Jesus is doing. God’s love is flowing throughout the neighborhood. What a gift it is to be in relationship with him and one another!
American Heritage Girls Troop TX1595 was chartered in 2021 by our GC Richardson church family as a vessel for engaging our neighborhood and sharing the love of Jesus with them.
The troop organized its winter awards ceremony in December to celebrate the wonderful achievements of the girls over the previous four months. Close to 40 people, including 9 girls and their families, gathered for an inspiring night of recognition, prayer, food, fellowship, and fun. More than 10 adult volunteers, including parents and grandparents, were honored for their role in running the troop.
Camping, badgework, and social events keep the troop members learning and growing in relationship with each other and with Jesus all through the year.
The troop has served in many ways, including packing Operation Christmas Child boxes and participating in the City of Richardson’s Christmas Parade. This year’s float depicted the book, The Gifts of the Animals, in the Christmas Storybook themed parade. It was well attended by the Richardson community.
Currently, only one of the girls attends our fellowship with her family. The troop reflects our neighborhood’s ethnic diversity and members come from Catholic, house church, Baptist, Pentecostal and other Christian faith traditions. We look forward to welcoming more girls and families in the future including those who do not yet enjoy the blessing of intentional intimate relationship with Jesus.
American Heritage Girls’ mission is building women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country. Learn more at americanheritagegirls.org.
Here is a list of the primary worship days and seasons in the Western Christian worship calendar. Some churches celebrate all of these, others only some. GCI asks its congregations to celebrate (as a minimum) the days/seasons of Advent, Christmas, Holy Week and Easter.
Advent Season—spanning the four Sundays prior to Christmas. This season focuses on Jesus’ ultimate return and looks forward to the Incarnation.
Christmas Season—beginning with Christmas Day on December 25 and continuing through January 5. This season focuses on the Incarnation, which includes Jesus’ birth, the worship of the shepherds, and the worship of Simeon and Anna.
Epiphany Season—beginning with the day of Epiphany on January 6 and continuing to the day before Ash Wednesday—the season includes the Baptism of our Lord (the Sunday after the Epiphany) and Transfiguration Sunday (the Sunday before Ash Wednesday). This season focuses on Jesus being the light of the world, sharing the story of the Magi from the East, and the story of the transfiguration.
Preparation for Easter—beginning with Ash Wednesday and continuing through Holy Saturday (thus overlapping Holy Week). This season focuses on Jesus’ ministry and his journey to the cross.
Holy Week
Passion (Palm) Sunday (Jesus’ triumphant entry and his lament over Jerusalem)
Maundy Thursday (The last supper with his disciples, the new commandment to love as he loves, and the promise of the Holy Spirit.)
Good Friday (Jesus’ death and burial)
Holy Saturday (A day of reflection of Jesus in the tomb and the hope of the resurrection. Often considered a day of recommitment.)
Easter Season—beginning with Easter Sunday and continuing to Pentecost, including two special celebrations:
Easter Sunday—celebrating Jesus’ resurrection.
The Ascension of our Lord—40 days after Easter Sunday (Jesus’ promise to always be with us (Matthew 28), and our inclusion in his ascension.
Day of Pentecost (Jesus sends the Holy Spirit and begins the New Testament church.)
Ordinary Time—the period following Pentecost until Advent Season, including three special celebrations: (Walking with Jesus – sharing his love and life with others in mission and ministry.)
Holy Trinity Sunday—the Sunday following Pentecost (Jesus, as part of the Holy Trinity.)
All Saints Day—held the weekend after Halloween (We are all included in Jesus’ plan of salvation.)
Christ the King Sunday—the Sunday before Advent Season begins. (Jesus reigns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.)
Praise God! After almost three years of gathering virtually through Zoom and YouTube Live, God opened a door for GCI Lancaster to come together again in a church building. During that time, we had a few different spaces that we considered, but for one reason or another (including one of our signatory’s cars almost being broken into), we knew the Holy Spirit was not opening those doors. While we waited for the right door, we continued to serve our community through winter clothing drives, local resource centers that serve the homeless and moms in crisis pregnancies, and luncheon invitationals.
On January 1, 2023, we held our first in-person Sunday service since March 2020. It was such a blessing to come together again! Some of our members, who had not continued when we moved online, have said they are so glad to be back with us again. Within the first three weeks, we have had a few new visitors and one that is becoming a regular.
This month has been exciting and challenging, transitioning back to an in-person gathering in a new building. Our young people are really enjoying being involved in every aspect of the service, from running the online chat to being greeters and ushers. We were able to purchase new equipment to continue live-streaming. *See editor’s note below.
By Susanna Martinez
