Participating in what Jesus is doing is so awesome. In December, Grace Communion Derby held our Parent’s Day Out/Day Camp. Our goal was to provide parents with time for themselves and make connections with children in the neighborhood. Seven children, grades K-5, attended. Twelve adult members participated to assist and love on the kids.
The event was held from 10:00a.m. – 4:00p.m. Our Sunday School teacher, Sue Ann, created a fantastic program for the children. The activities included:
Reading Christmas stories,
Decorating cookies,
Painting wreaths,
Playing games,
Drawing with sidewalk chalk,
Assembling and flying foam airplanes,
Making personal lunch pizzas,
Making cards,
Building with Legos,
Watching the Candy Cane Legend movie, and
Playing with model trains, including a scavenger hunt within the display.
Here are a few comments from some of the adults:
One boy said he wanted to come again next week!
There were enough adults to give one-on-one attention between scheduled activities.
The day was full of opportunities to build relationships.
We had special structured activities, but the unstructured engagement was so sweet, like a lesson in shoe tying on the floor.
I honestly cannot say who had the better time, the children or the adults. Our members are in their 60s, 70s, and 80s.Yes, we were tired, but we found, with the help of Jesus, we could participate with him. Now we are planning a two-day day camp next June. Participating with Jesus is a blessing on a whole new level.
29The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Chosen One.” John 1:29-34 NRSVUE
John the Baptist believed that a savior would come, but he wasn’t sure Jesus was that Savior until God revealed this to him. Maybe John had an inkling, but it took a revelation from God, an epiphany if you will, to confirm this. And then John believed.
It took an epiphany from God for each of us to believe that Jesus is God and our Savior. None of us did anything to deserve this special, amazing truth being revealed to us.
What about those who do not believe yet? God will reveal the truth to each of us when the time is right. Remember 2 Peter 3:9: The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Prayer: Abba, we are grateful with every fiber of our being that you have given us this gift now. And we thank you for your promise that you will not withhold this gift from anyone and one day, when the time is right, all will have the opportunity to know you. Abba, thank you.
By Sondra Peters Pastoral Team Member, Clarksville, TN, US
As I travel around the world visiting our various GCI regions I hear and learn many new things. I become informed about cultural nuances, and I am asked to clarify various aspects of what we believe in GCI, and how our theology informs our practices.
In my recent trip to France, I engaged in a lively discussion with our leaders. They shared that many of the GCI members are former Catholics, and their view of Lent is based in traditional Catholicism. Based on their past experiences, they view Lent as a works-based practice that is intended for a Christian to establish their personal worthiness. It feels like a backward step into legalism, and a move away from the vicarious atonement of Jesus that alone makes us worthy.
The French leaders went on to express that the phraseology that we have used, “Easter Preparation” is acceptable, and our members can embrace it. For former Catholics, it aligns with our grace-based Christ-centered focus.
In the greater Christian community, Lent is celebrated by Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Eastern Orthodox, Lutherans, Methodists and Presbyterians. The practices in observing Lent and the importance placed on it vary. The conundrum for GCI is that in primarily Protestant-based regions, using Lent as terminology to describe what we call Easter Preparation is acceptable and interchangeable, and therefore it has appeared in some of our GCI publications. Please understand that this is not intended to create confusion, nor is meant to be offensive to any of our former Catholic members (be they in France or any other country with strong Catholic influence).
It is extremely important to know that the GCI worship calendar is informed by GCI theology. The pure intention is to rehearse and celebrate the salvific events of Jesus Christ. In no way are our celebrations designed to throw us back on ourselves and place our eternal salvation on human works. Our goals are to point to Jesus, be focused on Jesus and to worship him only. This alone is why we promote and support the GCI worship calendar.
For our members who have had challenging experiences and carry painful memories associated with Lent, please use the terminology “Easter Preparation.” We have openly asked our leaders across the international churches to contextualize the tools that we provide from the Home Office. We have often experienced that clear communication is difficult, especially when translating from one language to another.
In France and several other countries, I have been asked why I only carry the title of President and why the title of “Pastor” is not included? Most understand why Pastor General was dropped because General is a military title. The sentiment that members convey is that they see me as the Pastor of the denomination, and I embrace this role.
This letter is written out of my pastoral heart to extend the care and love for our members who may have experienced misunderstanding and hurt. Written out of my pastoral mindset, I desire that all of us in GCI relentlessly pursue Jesus and see that he is central in every season, year in and year out.
Everything begins and ends with Jesus. This is the focus of a healthy church. This is the focus of GCI. May God continue to bless us as we keep Jesus the center of the center.
Greg Williams
P.S. Are you interested in a fuller explanation of the primary worship days and seasons? Check out this list.
“As to the ‘state of the world’ if we have time to hope and fear about it, we certainly have time to pray.” ―C.S. Lewis
Join us in prayer this month as we thank our triune God for another year of lessons and blessings to come. Click the link on the image below to download the January Prayer Guide and check out what’s happening in our fellowships around the world. #WeAreGCI
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On December 3, the GCI River Road congregation joined in the annual Light Parade with the community of Junction City. This year had record turnout of floats and spectators. The overall theme of the parade was Polar Express, and we decided to go with the theme that best represented us. We chose “The Island of Misfit Toys.” We had our own live Bumble, Yukon Cornelius, and Charlie in the Box.
We had great participation in putting the float together as well as those who actually walked and rode on the float. Those that walked handed out candy and toys, while wishing everyone Merry Christmas.
It was a cold clear night, but worth the interaction with many of the local residents of Junction City. It was decided after the event to make the float bigger and brighter! We will remain the Island of Misfit Toys as well.
Many remembered us from our “Christmas in July” and our Trunk or Treat. We are becoming known in the community and look forward to many more opportunities to get involved.
The Orchard is proud to announce its latest round of graduates from the program. In September, the following leaders completed their six-month commitment:
Anthony Caputo
Michael Guibord
Sherry Kinzie
Mike Kinzie
David Marquis
Marlene Reed
George Relic
The Orchard is an online, project-based mentoring program that I facilitate with my cofounder, Mako Nagasawa. It supports Christ-followers in discerning their ministry calling, equips them for participating in the work of Jesus Christ, and assists them in carrying out projects of their own design. Find out more about The Orchard here.
Most of the projects focused on the Love Avenue, and the participants used The Orchard to help them plan how to better connect with their neighbors. As one participant commented, “The Orchard got us moving in the right direction — developing leaders who live like Jesus, love like Jesus, and make disciples like Jesus.”
We congratulate The Orchard graduates on their achievement!
By Dishon Mills Church Planter, Charlotte, NC National Coordinator, Generations Ministry
On the evening of Saturday, December 10, GCI Glendora accomplished our most challenging neighborhood event yet: a living nativity. We called it “The Greatest Gift: A walking tour of the first Christmas.”
We wanted to take advantage of this great opportunity to share the good news of Jesus, the true reason for this joyous season.
Our theme focused on the birth of a new King, Jesus Emmanuel, who is God’s greatest gift to the world. Guided 45-minute tours were given every 15 minutes starting at 5:30 p.m., with the last tour at 7:30 p.m. Nine groups went through, with a total of 115 guests.
The tour itself consisted of six acts in four different areas at the church facility. We also had a petting zoo in the parking lot for the children to enjoy before or after the tour.
We are beyond grateful for the members and friends of GCI Glendora who saturated the event in prayer for two months, and for those who put in extra time and energy to make this event special.
We’re excited to keep the momentum going as we remain obedient to Christ and continually seek to love God and love our neighborhood!
By Jillian Morrison Associate Pastor, Glendora, CA
For decades we have held annual retreats to enable members to gather from around the state for fellowship and learning. The priority has been to find facilities that provide accommodation, meals, and space for fellowship and meetings all in the one location. At the end of each retreat, we discuss what went well and ideas for the following year.
Each year a theme or book of the Bible is chosen as the focus. November works best for our members (end of spring here). This year we decided make it an Advent Retreat. We searched online and found two large, well equipped homes in a Swiss style village (with more accommodation just up the street) in the Tamar River Valley, near Launceston. A brochure inviting members from around Australia was sent out earlier in the year. We ended up with members from three other states joining us.
At our 2021 retreat, we studied the life of Paul, so this time we decided to focus on Paul’s apocalyptic gospel. In short, New Testament apocalyptic writing focuses on God’s plan in Jesus that brings a cosmic victory allowing all people and all creation to share in his loving life of communion and peace for eternity. We discussed key passages in Paul’s writings that use apocalyptic language to communicate this good news, helping us see the bigger picture of what God has in store.
We began with a service late Sunday afternoon and held two morning sessions during the week, Monday through Thursday. We ate most meals together in local restaurants. On Monday afternoon, we enjoyed a river cruise. All Tuesday was spent exploring the beautiful Tamar River Valley. On Wednesday, we gathered for lunch and a relaxing afternoon in a spectacular gorge and park in Launceston. We concluded with a brunch and a visit to a local museum and art exhibition before saying our goodbyes on the Thursday morning.
We plan to hold another Advent retreat in November next year.
By Pastor Phil Hopwood Pastor, Tasmania, Australia
Participating in what Jesus is doing is so awesome. In December, Grace Communion Derby held our Parent’s Day Out/Day Camp. Our goal was to provide parents with time for themselves and make connections with children in the neighborhood. Seven children, grades K-5, attended. Twelve adult members participated to assist and love on the kids.
The event was held from 10:00a.m. – 4:00p.m. Our Sunday School teacher, Sue Ann, created a fantastic program for the children. The activities included:
Here are a few comments from some of the adults:
I honestly cannot say who had the better time, the children or the adults. Our members are in their 60s, 70s, and 80s.Yes, we were tired, but we found, with the help of Jesus, we could participate with him. Now we are planning a two-day day camp next June. Participating with Jesus is a blessing on a whole new level.
Kirk Hayden
