“To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” — Martin Luther
Join us in a month of focused prayer for our neighbors, our church, and our mission. See the January prayer guide here or click the image below.
Would you like to receive this Prayer Guide straight to your email inbox before the first of the month? Sign up here.
As we continue to move forward in our commitment to Healthy Church, we’re focusing on aspects of Kingdom Culture, our theme for 2025. This theme invites us to identify deeply as citizens of God’s kingdom and encourages us to actively participate.
As citizens of the kingdom, what’s important to us? It matters that we acknowledge whose kingdom we belong to — orienting our lives around Christ. One of the ways we do this is to rehearse the story of the gospel through the worship calendar.
Enjoy the following pictures of GCI members gathering during the Advent and Christmas seasons to worship together and to encourage one another with the good news of Jesus’ birth and incarnation.
There are moments in life that pull us out of the ordinary and fill us with awe. One such moment happened when my son Abel invited me to Joshua Tree National Park in California to witness the Milky Way.
Joshua Tree is one of the best places to see the Milky Way during a new moon. My wife joined us, along with my son David and his wife, Holli. We packed folding chairs, a telescope, and binoculars, and set out for a night in the wilderness.
As we gazed upward, the sight that met our eyes left us speechless. The Milky Way stretched across the sky, a shimmering river of stars that declared the infinite creativity of God. Sitting there, surrounded by my family and the vastness of the cosmos, I couldn’t help but reflect on the words of King David.
What is man that you are mindful of him? Psalm 8:4
The sheer magnitude of creation was staggering. Here we were, on a small planet in a vast universe, yet God, the Creator of all, is mindful of us.
On the quiet drive back, I felt an overwhelming sense of God’s presence. It was as though the night sky itself was a canvas painted with His love for humanity — a love that sustains not only us but the entire universe.
As you go about your day, pause to take in the wonder of creation. Whether it’s the sunrise, the stars at night, or the gentle breeze, remember that the Creator of all this beauty loves and cares for you personally. You are not forgotten.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the beauty of Your creation and for reminding us of Your majesty. Help us to see Your hand in the ordinary and extraordinary moments of our lives. May we always be in awe of Your love, knowing that You hold both the universe and our hearts in Your hands. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
By Bermie Dizon, Elder
Glendora, CA, US
Note: This was adapted with permission, from God, in Every Step, a 52-week devotional that invites readers to recognize God’s presence in the everyday moments of life.
We invite you to join us for this U.S. Home Church sermon by Greg Williams. Clothed in Christ
P.S. Our hearts and prayers go out to our members, friends, and all victims who are suffering from the devastation caused by the wildfires in southern California. The multiple fires have been fueled by the strong Santa Anna winds, and we continue to beseech Jesus to calm the winds and for the fires to be put out. We have been able to work with our local pastors to be able to get emergency funds to our members who have lost their homes and possessions. And yet there will be long-term effects, and rebuilding houses and lives will take years. Let’s not languish in our prayer support or allow this catastrophic event to become old news while people continue to suffer. More information about the GCI Disaster Relief Fund is available here.
We also pray for the people of Southeast Australia who are facing extreme fire risk due to dry conditions and a heatwave.
When one suffers, we all suffer.
Greg Williams
Two full-time positions are now open at the Grace Communion International (GCI) Home Office in Charlotte, NC, U.S.
The Media Coordinator position is currently available, and applications are being accepted. See the job description here.
The Assistant Operations Coordinator position is currently available, and applications are being accepted. See the job description here.
If you would like further details on either position or would like a GCI job application, please contact Human Resources at humanresources@gci.org or 980-495-3960.
Please share this announcement with qualified candidates who may be gifted for either position at the Home Office.
The memorial service and internment of Helen Jackson is open to those who would like to pay their respects to the family.
December 21, 2024
Mountain View Chapel at 11:00 a.m.
Graveside Service / Internment will immediately follow.
Mountain View Cemetery
2400 North Fair Oaks Avenue
Altadena, CA 91001
Condolences may be sent to:
Sabrina Mayo
5955 Chimney Rock Dr.
Hoschton, GA 30548
Helen Jackson, born December 25, 1936, died on October 30, 2024. She is the wife of the late Harold Jackson.
Her daughter, Sabrina Mayo, shared the following with Update:
For the past five years, mom has stayed very active. She spent time with her grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, attending soccer games, gymnastic meets, cheerleader competition, t-ball baseball games, and family trips. She liked concerts, and musical performances, and was a member of the Deaton Creek Village Singers. She attended adult dance classes, line dancing, art club, tai chi, water aerobics, Pilates, and women’s Bible study club. She enjoyed these past years of life; however, mom was tired and ready to go. She passed on in a peaceful sleep. She will be missed, but I am happy that God answered her prayers.
Discover the transformative power of Christ’s love in our new series GCI Testify. Join us as members from our global fellowship share testimonies of their experiences with Jesus through GCI congregations and ministries. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness firsthand the impact of the Spirit in and through GCI.
Watch the entire series here.
I am excited that GCI is investing in providing ways for formal education to be part of the development of our leaders.”
Meet José Lopez, the Ministry Training Center Coordinator in Sun Valley and Hawthorne, California.
Click here or the image below to see the entire profile.
