GBC Community Update: Being people of hope

​Good morning. What a beautiful day!  Though we’re now halfway through August there’s still lots of summer days like this to enjoy. Seize the day and cherish the moments God gives us.
 
 
Fall Ministry Launch and ‘Lunch on the Lawn’ coming
On Sunday September 11 we will be having our fall ministry launch. There will be a number of exciting announcements and updates on what’s going on at GBC plus after an absence for a lot of years we’ll be having a Ministry Fair.   The Ministry Fair will feature displays and information from a number of out ministries in the Side Auditorium and will be a chance to find out more about what’s happening at GBC or explore the possibilities of getting involved.
As well, we will be having our always-popular ‘Lunch on the Lawn’, a chance to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy some time of community building.
Stay tuned for more details as we get closer.
 
 
No prayer gathering on Wednesday
Our mid-week prayer gathering is cancelled for this week.
 
 
Summer thoughts to keep you on the journey: May we be People of Hope
Hope has been on my mind a lot this recently. With camp the other week and the aftermath, I have been reminded how huge the need for hope is. Kids (and leaders too!) were hungry for the hope that comes from our MONUMENTAL God.
You may recall that early in Covid I did a series called ‘joy in the storm’ and in some ways that’s what Oasis was- finding joy in the CONTINED storms of life.  With continued talks of future Covid waves and now Monkey Pox (plus everything else going on in the world) there’s still lots of storms on the horizon for us.  Whatever it looks like, in the macro of the world or micro of ours we need to seek the joy that comes from hope.
 
It becomes easy to despair and lose hope.  We must face days of fear and testing since we really don’t have a choice. So, may we not passively accept them or capitulate to them. These can and should be days of renewed worship, rededicated service, care, friendship, work, and love. We must be alert to the stranger among us, and we must love one another and be kind to one another as God has been merciful to us.
To follow Jesus is to be a people of hope. And our hope is not in vain, because it’s invested in the creator God of the universe, who has given us life and hope through Jesus. He is worthy of our trust, and He can aid us in conquering our fears. Jesus said the night he was arrested: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart!  I have overcome the world”.  And you know what? He has!  The result is we should be overflowing with hope.  What a great thought to carry us through the week!
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris