GBC Community Update: Turn your gaze to Jesus

Good afternoon!  I hope you’re making this a great week.
As we move into the fall and I’ve begun to work on some ministry planning in the reality of our Covid world its gotten me thinking about how to grow as a follower of Jesus during this all. So, for the next few updates I’ll be sharing some thoughts on how to grow even in a Covid world. I hope its both an encouragement and challenge.
 
 
Join us on Sunday:
If you’re joining us here for our live service, I want to remind you that there’s paving going on on Wellington Street and Silvercreek as well. So, be sure you leave a bit more time to get here and navigate the detours.
Jacob will be speaking on Psalm 23, a favorite of many please join us live or on our livestream.
If you’ve been thinking about coming out on Sunday, I’d encourage you to do so. We have many safety protocols in place to ensure your health. It would be nice to have you back!  Of course we’ll be continuing out livestream as well
 
 
Update from the Elders:
As I mentioned above, fall ministry planning is well underway. Yes, some things will be different, but there will still be opportunities to grow in God and community. Stay tuned for more details coming out soon.
 
 
Thought for the day: When Tempted to turn inward, turn your gaze to Jesus
“Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus…” (Phil 2:4–5).

Under threat, scarcity and stress we sometimes find ourselves understandably becoming self-protective. We turn inward. And yet, the demands of these days call us outward. The needs of those around us—whether children, aged parents, neighbors, a spouse, those who are sick—require our time and energy. This puts us in a bind. We want or need to move outward in love to others, especially those in greatest need, but our own internal resources feel strained and thin.
 
How should we act as followers of Jesus in times like this?
 
First, we must remember that we are disciples of the living, ascended, and enthroned God. When Jesus called his disciples to go and make disciples, they did not make followers of themselves. Rather, Jesus called them to announce the availability of an ongoing discipleship relationship with himself. Every Christian is currently in an intensive, interactive, discipleship relationship with the person of Jesus, and that school of discipleship is always in session. The Jesus who said, “And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age,” remains with us today by his Spirit. When we are tempted to isolate and turn inwards, we need to repeatedly turn our gaze to the availability of Jesus. Throughout our days we need to develop the habit—now more than ever—of finding encouragement and comfort in the real presence of Jesus’ love.
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris