GBC Community Update: God is preparing us for eternity

Good morning. What a beautiful sunny morning after some dreary days. I don’t know about you, but I always find sunny days so encouraging. Speaking of encouraging, thanks to all who came out and let their lights shine as part of the Junction Neighborhood Group pumpkin carving event Sunday. Thanks Andrea for again leading out on this and for your leadership with this group!
 
 
Fall GBC property work day this Saturday
It’s that time of year again!  Our annual fall cleanup led by the Property Team is going to be held this Saturday (November 4) from 9-12. We will be preparing our property and building for winter and doing some general maintenance. No skill necessary, come for 1 hour or 3.
 
 
November church calendar is here
Our November calendar is here (Where DID October go?!?) so you can see all that is going on here plus pray for us as well. You can get copies at the back of the Auditorium or by asking Andrea or I.
 
 
GBC Men: Join us for IMPACTUS, a conference to help your walk with God.
God calls men to live their faith in belief and action. Steadfastness is not being stuck or stubborn. It is not a legalistic approach to faith. It is both being committed to the faith and resolute in the face of challenges. It is unwavering stability, and consistency lived out in lives of humility, deep relationships, and fruitfulness.  This is our journey as men.
Plan to join other GBC men on Saturday, November 18 as we attend this year's Impactus Men's Conference at Compass Point Bible Church in Burlington (8:45am to 3:45pm) and explore this call to live the adventure together.  
To register as part of GBC's group, click on the following link.   If needed, the passcode for our group is 'GBCMEN'.  Register by October 30 to access the discounted rate!  
https://brushfire.com/impactus/impactusmensconference/559158/register?group=54e88592-a4c5-4089-9ba9-ad5125634b0d
The cost per ticket is $55 - but please note that a donor has offered to sponsor complimentary tickets for anyone for whom the cost is a barrier, so please speak to Pastor Dan if you would like to access a complimentary ticket.  



Baby shower for Leah Lewis
Please join us for a baby shower for Janet and Kevin Lewis’ new baby, Leah, on Saturday November 25.  It will be an open house in the side auditorium from 2 to 3 pm.  If you would like to contribute to a group gift, please give your contribution to Andrea Thornton or e-transfer to Andrea’s personal email [email protected]
 
 
Thought for the Day: God is preparing us for eternity.
On Thursday I shared a bit about having hope.  So, what have we learned about living with hope in times like this?  We know that God is preparing us for eternity but also helping us each day until that point.  When you really understand this truth, it’ll change everything about how you deal with difficulties. God is using everything in your life—the good, the bad, and the ugly—to prepare you for eternity.

Peter describes this so powerfully in his first letter: “So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold”.

You will certainly have trials in the days and years ahead which is not a happy thought on a sunny day! But wait for it, better days are ahead.  1 Peter 1 reminds us that our trials are temporary. They will pass one day.

In the meantime, these trials will help you grow. They’ll test your faith—and strengthen it. You’ll be better because of them and that can give us the hope we need to not only carry on, but let our light shine! I hope this truth encourages you today.
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris