GBC Community Update: God is with you

Good morning! It was great that so many of you stayed for our annual meeting on Sunday after our service. For those on livestream, sorry we didn’t carry it. I was encouraged by the reports, especially our financial update which shows how faithful God has been to GBC. Thank you, also, to those who’ve faithfully been supporting us financially.
I continue my thoughts below on overcoming fear.  Today we look at the comfort that comes from knowing God is with us.
 
 
Small Groups sign up
GBC’s small group ministry is starting up again!  This fall you have the opportunity to chose from a variety of options ranging from studies that will follow our sermon series, a parenting-focused group as well as Discovery Bible Study.  There will be both live and virtual options.  There’s something for everyone!
Sign up through our small group page!

 
Mission’s Report
Ilir and Kate Cami (work with refugees in Athens, Greece)
 One Heart ministry building
Refugees
 We are working to finish remodeling the One Heart ministry building.  One major step remaining is the necessary license to operate our medical offices.  In order to receive this license, we must have in place a medical director who will oversee the operation of the clinic.  Please pray God will provide the perfect individual to fill this role, that He would be preparing this person even now.
We have continued weekly medical clinics since early June.  We are grateful for a local organization which coordinates European medical professionals who donate weeks or months to serving refugees in Greece.  Please pray for wisdom as we examine patients and proceed with their care.  Current needs far exceed our financial resources and we are unable to help as many as we wish.
This past month we have seen the truth of Romans 8:28.  In mid-August, Arno and Sahar’s youngest daughter had emergency surgery to remove a severely infected tooth.  We praise God she came through the surgery well and is fully recovered.  At the hospital, a doctor overheard Sahar comforting her daughter in a foreign language.  When she learned Sahar was from Iran, she told her she had to meet her boss, a lead pediatrician at the hospital, who is Iranian.  After meeting Sahar and hearing about our work, she eagerly volunteered to help.
 
We also want to ask for your prayers as the situation for refugees in Greece continues to grow more difficult.  Many families we minister to are struggling to find a place to live, and make ends meet.  We help as much as we are able, providing groceries or occasionally covering utility bills.  In addition, many camps around Athens are currently under lockdown without adequate provision of food or medical assistance, due to Covid-19 among the residents.  Please pray that we would use our resources wisely, and that God would fill us with hope that overflows into the lives of those around us (Romans 15:13).  Please pray for a peaceful, long-term solution to the ongoing refugee crisis in Greece.
 
 
Wednesday Prayer
Wednesday prayer time has switched to 3pm on Wednesday afternoons at GBC in the Side Auditorium. So now no need to drive in the dark!  Come out and join Jacob and Karen Ginter in prayer.
For questions or further details please contact Jacob Ginter [email protected] or text 519-803-4453
 
 
Thought for the day: God is with you!
People fear a lot of things. People fear about what the future brings, illnesses, death, Covid, terrorist attacks, financial crisis, and the list goes on and on.
The problem with fear, when not controlled, is it may lead to the stunting of spiritual growth. Instead of moving forward with faith, you stay within your comfort zone.
Thankfully, the Bible tells us in Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
This verse gives us the reason to never be fearful. We don’t need to fear because God is with us. Other passages confirm why we should not be afraid.
Imagine this for a second: God is with you. The same God who is the Supreme Ruler of the entire universe. The same God who made Heaven and the Earth. The same God who holds all the power to protect you.
Will you then still be afraid? The logical answer should be NO. Of course, it’s easier said than done. We’ll look at some other keys from the Bible to overcome fear in the updates to come.  For now, let’s continue in faith.
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris