GBC Community Update: Growing fruit takes exercise

​Good morning. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving and took the time to thank God for the many blessings we have. In these turbulent times I think it becomes that much more important to count our blessings.
 
 
Thank you!
Okay, I was pretty speechless Sunday (and that’s saying a lot for a preacher!) by all the cards Jennifer and I received for Pastor Appreciation.  The messages were incredibly touching and several caused me to choke up a bit. I love you all and love this church. Thank you for this tangible expression of support and encouragement, it meant a lot.
 
 
Fall work party coming up
Our fall work party (and trust me, it will be!) is coming on Saturday November 5 from 9am to noon. This is an opportunity for us to help our Property Team with some of the things that need to be done to get ready for winter.  There will be a variety of tasks to do. Please come for all or part and pitch in the help out.
 
 
Thought for the day: Growing fruit takes exercise!
Paul reminds us in 1 Timothy 4 that we are to train ourselves to be Godly.  This means that growing the fruit of the Spirit is like growing a muscle. The muscle is already a part of us but we have to choose to use it if we want to see any growth. We have to exercise faith and believe that we have everything we need for growth. When we exercise our ‘spiritual muscles’ the resulting growth will make us more compassionate, more empathetic, kinder, more joyful, more peaceful, and gentler, with the common strand of love. That’s the Fruit of the Spirit!  As we choose to seek to mature, we’ll see evidence of this growth and the impact it makes on others. Here’s an important point though: growing the Fruit of the Spirit relies on the Holy Spirit producing His fruit in us, with the Holy Spirit's power making changes in our lives day by day. Seek, and then work, to BUILD your fruit!
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris