GBC Community Update: To grow we need each other

​Good morning!  School is underway for both elementary and high school students while most post-secondary starts later in the week.  So, while the calendar says its still summer we know better!  Do remember to pray for all our students. There is still a lot of uncertainty around activities and sports this fall due to Covid concerns which is causing a certain degree of anxiety and upset for students. May we bring them all before the Lord.
 
 
Fall Ministry Launch
While a number of our ministries are getting ready to get underway, our official launch is on Sunday September 19.  We’ll be starting our new teaching series and having our first “Lunch on the Lawn” in a long time. If you are newer to the GBC family, this is essentially an opportunity for you to bring a picnic lunch (we supply drinks) and we enjoy a time of community building as we eat together on our front lawn (remember to bring a blanket too!).
In addition, fall small groups will start up again after that.
More details are to come but mark your calendars!
 
 
Join in prayer on Wednesday night
Our weekly prayer gathering led by Patrick continues here at GBC on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm.  The focus is to be on praying for the gospel to reach people in the city of Guelph, but also allowing for specific requests.  In addition, each night there is typically a special theme for the evening. 
 
 
Summer thoughts to keep you on the journey:  To grow we need each other
An essential element of discipleship that needs to be remembered and especially in these times is that disciples of Jesus never minister alone. As Mark’s gospel records, “And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two” (Mk 6:7). The one time the Gospels record a disciple doing something alone is when Judas goes to betray Jesus. The point is a much broader one and I’d sum it up this way:  it’s not good for us to be alone.   Particularly in times when we are tempted to turn inward, we must intentionally engage in practices of Christian friendship and community (like coming to “Lunch on the Lawn”).
 
Our church family is essential for our spiritual health and growth. Honestly, in times like this, we won’t make it without each other and we will certainly not serve others consistently or well alone either. In the best of times we appear to do alright in independence and autonomy, but we’re only fooling ourselves. The busyness and distraction of “normal times” keeps hidden our desperate need for spiritual family and the consequences of loneliness. The writer of Hebrews said this: “Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the day approaching” (Heb 10:25).  We all need to be in community to grow in God.  Who’s in yours?
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris