GBC Community Update: Bearing fruit means pruning

Good morning.  Our GBC family picnic is coming up on Tuesday June 20. Mark your calendars and plan to join us for a BBQ dinner, games for the kids and a chance to grow in community. More details will be coming soon!
 
 
Our Youth-Seniors lunch is this Sunday!
As a reminder, our youth and seniors June lunch is happening this Sunday, Sunday June 11.  After our main service, our youth will host the GBC seniors for a lunch that will provide an opportunity to share a meal and build relationship together.
I hope you can make it out.
If you're interested in coming, please RSVP to me so we can ensure food and setup.
I'm really excited about the opportunity to do this again.  I hope you can make it out!
 
 
Baptism opportunity
Baptism through immersion in not only a key element of our growth as believers of Jesus but a great blessing for the church.  So, we are looking to hold our next baptism service in the next month or so. If you are interested in taking this step of obedience, or would like to learn more about baptism at GBC please let me know.
 
 
Thought for the day: What is the fruitful Christian life: Pruning
I’m finishing off today my thoughts on living a fruitful Christian life.  We’ve looked at the fruit of our works and the fruit that comes with perseverance.  I have one last thought to share: the Father prunes. I suspect this might be the least popular one!  Pruning is never fun but it always has a purpose- to grow more fruit.  Our heavenly Father is never nearer to us than when He is pruning us. Sometimes He cuts away the dead wood that might cause trouble, but often He cuts off the living tissue that is robbing us of spiritual vigor.
Pruning does not simply mean spiritual surgery that removes what is bad. It can also mean cutting away the good and the better so that we might enjoy the best. Yes, pruning hurts, but it also helps. We may not enjoy it, but we certainly need it.
At times the Father also prunes us (the branches) by allowing difficult circumstances and situations in our lives such as poor finances, poor health, misunderstanding and conflict with others, difficult relationships, etc. These trials are designed to bring us to the end of our own strength and will awaken in us a need for deeper surrender to the Lord. Remember, you’re never in better hands than when you are being pruned by the Master.  Work with his pruning and watch your fruit grow.
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris