GBC Community Update: Answering the 'Why?' Question

​Good morning!  It looks like our heat wave is going to be lasting for a few more days at least. While we may joke about the snow we’ll be complaining about in a few months we do need to watch our attitudes in days like this.  With everything going on and now adding extreme heat and humidity its easy to get impatient with people around us. Remember: grace in all things. What a great chance for all of us (me especially!) to work on our patience.
 
 
GBC Serves!
We had the opportunity as a church to serve at the Sunday Night Supper this past weekend.  I want to pass the following report from Andrea Thornton on to all of you about it:
"We had the privilege of delivering food for a meal at the Royal City Mission on Saturday July 4 for 75 people in need. On the menu were grilled beef burgers with cheese, lettuce, tomato, and packets of ketchup, mustard and relish; bunches of grapes, muffins and chocolate snack cakes, chip bags as well as coke, ginger ale, water and juice.  Thank you to everyone who contributed to this meal:  the Martinis, the Pethericks, Sofia Rojas, Darrell Spencer, Carroll Chapman, Shamala Joshua, Elaine Finlay, Marj Diebel, Donna Chapman, Linda Fazekas and Sandy McDonald.  The Royal City Mission team packaged the meals into takeout containers and distributed them outside their church.  We pray this will be a blessing to the many people in need during this difficult time."
 
It would be easy with all the distractions of Covid to forget those in need.  Thanks to Andrea Thornton for coordinating and your team for letting your lights shine!
 
 
“Twenty+” Small Group Starting Soon!
Speaking of letting your light shine, Natalie Spencer shares the following about a new small group forming this summer. Read below and let Natalie know if you’re interested in being part of this:
“Calling all YOUNG ADULTS!! A 6-week summer IN-PERSON group is starting on Thursday, July 9th at 7pm for those that have graduated high school OR are in their twenties. We are focusing on the struggles of being a Christian in today's world climate and how to lean on God through it all. RSVPs are needed due to Covid guidelines. Contact Natalie Spencer for details. Cell number: 519-827-5993.”
 
 
Wednesday Prayer
Jacob and Karen Ginter host a weekly prayer gathering on Wednesday nights from 7-8pm. Join them as they pray through scripture for this current situation and for all of us.  You can connect through Zoom or by phone.   Here are the details:
GBC Wednesday Night Prayer
Time: 7-8pm
 Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/923156764
 Meeting ID: 923 156 764
 To join by phone…
Dial  +1 647 374 4685 Canada and then enter Meeting ID
 
 
A thought for the day: Answering the ‘why?’ question
You’ve likely heard this all before. So please take this as a gentle reminder. I find many (myself included!) are asking the ‘why?” question these days.  That’s a healthy thing to do in changing times like these but when this leads to more questions there are a couple of things we can remember as we go through tough times:  First off, remember WHOSE you are. Ephesians 2:10 says we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. So, God isn’t surprised by what’s going on, He’s still in charge and He’s working things out for His glory.  As much as it’s nice to know we have purpose our main purpose is not what we do but who we are in Jesus.  Times of testing show this to ourselves and the world around us, it’s part of our witness.
As we deal with the inevitable and very real ‘why?’ questions it’s good to remember that a disappointment can be God’s appointment based on what you do with it. He that is in us is greater than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4), He’s working things out.  Those classic words of Proverbs 3:5-6 come to mind: trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, in everything you do remember He is the King of Kings and He’ll make your path straight.  Not easy, but straight, and it’ll lead you to a finish line where once crossed there are no more ‘why’ questions.
I hope this is a good reminder for you as you go through the week ahead, make it a great one!
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris