GBC Community Update: growing fruit takes patience

​Good afternoon!  I hope you’re making this a great week.  It’s hard to believe we’re at the end of October already.  While time may fly there’s at least one constant- God’s love. Stay connected to it no matter what’s going on.
As I mentioned the other week, the GBC Phone Team is being resurrected to keep in touch with those not joining us physically. I want you to stay connected to your church family! Thanks to Joan, Helen and Patrick who are doing the call outs.
 
 
Join us on Sunday!
This Sunday in our 7 churches series we’re going to be looking at Pergamum, a church that had a big problem Jesus identified. Find out what it was when you join us.
If you’re interested in believer’s baptism in November please let me know.
 
 
Update from the Elders: Are you a person of prayer?
We’ve always been a praying church but as we’ve been led by God this year, we’ve felt the stirring to bring a bit more focus and structure to our corporate prayer life and organization.  There are a number of things starting to happen in this area but for now, we’re looking for people of prayer to participate and lead in this new prayer ministry. Are you interested? Are you curious?  Do you feel God stirring you in prayer?  Contact Patrick Thornton for more details or to get involved.
 
 
Thought for the day: Growing fruit takes patience!
On Tuesday I introduced what the Fruit of the Spirit is and how to get it.  Now let’s jump in and try to understand what this means for our journey as followers of Jesus.  As with any fruit, we won’t see it and enjoy it right away. We won’t see evidence of the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives the second we surrender our lives to Jesus. Fruit starts from a seed and that seed contains everything for the plant to begin and produce more fruit. In order for a tree to yield fruit it goes through a cycle where it must be planted in good soil, it must be nurtured, it must have a light source; it must be watered until it reaches maturity. The fruit is initially a seed, then a seedling, then a sprout, until it’s a fruit (ripe for picking!). What does this mean for our spiritual condition? First comes the planting, which happens when we accept Jesus into our life and then the WAITING for the fruit to grow and then ripen.  We’ll look at that process next week. Until then, be patient and allow God to grow fruit in you in his timing.
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris