August 16th, 2023

Stand firm …… with your feet fitted with the readiness 

that comes from the gospel of peace. 

-Ephesians 6:15-

Our family has always loved to watch funny videos on television.  When my daughters were young we watched America’s Funniest Videos, now with my sons we watch Fail Army and other hysterical videos.  If you are not familiar with these shows, they feature real-life funny and sometimes terrifying moments in people's lives.  The shows feature boating blunders, ATV accidents, active animals, and without exception, silly slips.  The video clips are almost always the same, a man or woman walks confidently out their front door then under their covered porch and out into their ice-covered driveway. Viewers cringe knowing the result is always disastrous - feet fly in the air and butts crash to the ground.  OUCH!  

The most stable walker, the strongest weightlifter, and the most astute businesswoman all slip and fall.  The problem is not that people don’t know how to walk, it is that their shoes have no grip against the wet icy surface.  

In the sixth chapter of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul is telling Christians to stand firm against Satan and his devilish schemes.  He encourages them to put on the full armor of God to prepare for the day when evil comes and stand firm.  But there is a problem, without secure and stable footing the armored soldier will crash and fall and all their armor is useless.  OUCH!  To avoid slipping and falling Roman soldiers wore nail spikes in their shoes so they could stand secure.   

Without the Gospel of Jesus, we slip and fall into legalism, we slide down the driveway of life into self-righteousness, we crash to the ground of hopelessness.  No matter our Armor, we must stand firm in the Gospel of Jesus; anything else will result in a crash and fall.  

As you walk down the driveway of life, stand firm in Jesus and the hope he offers to you today.  His promises of forgiveness and hope are perfectly fitted for you.  

See you Sunday as we continue our series The Armor of God.   

I can’t wait!

The Calendar at a Glance 

• August 14, Service for Castle Peak residents @ 10 am

• August 19th, Women's Gathering- Brunch & Blessings @ 10 am (see details below)

• August 20th, Sunday Services, Backpack Blessings (details below), Fellowship Sunday

• August 21st, Service for Castle Peak residents @ 10 am

• August 27th, Sunday Services, Connect Groups Meet

• August 28th, Power of the Purse purse cleaning at Grace Fellowship @ 6 pm to 8 pm (see details below)

Connect Hour Groups will not meet

this Sunday, August 20th!

Instead, join us for

Connect Hour Fellowship 10 am to 11 am:

Coffee & donuts, popsicles, and a bouncy house!

See you then!

Season 2 of The Chosen meets TONIGHT,

August 16th, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm.

Come watch and discuss Episode 3 with us!

We hope you can join us THIS Saturday! Food, fellowship & friendship, and devotion. Bring a friend and a brunchy snack to share!

Join us THIS Sunday, August 20th @ 9 am!

Invite your friends to church!

Stay for fellowship from 10:00 to 11:00.

• Bring your backpack or work bag
• Preschool-Aged to College
• Receive a special gift from us
• Be "adopted" by a Grace Fellowship Family and receive special prayer throughout the school year
• Bouncy House and popsicles for the kids
• Extra coffee and donuts for adults

Don't be anxious; God has you covered!

"Don't be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

-Philippians 4:6

Service Project Opportunity!

When: Monday, August 28th, 6pm - 8pm

Where: Grace Fellowship

What: Come help Corazon de Esperanza

clean and prepare donated purses for the

Power of the Purse event. Donate your new and gently used purses in the lobby.

Sign up for Jackie's Fall Bible Study - Precept Upon Precept Acts-Part 1 of 2

• 8-Week Study beginning September 12th/13th (if you are new to the class) or September 19th/20th for returning students. The study of Part 1 ends November 7th. Part 2 of the study will resume in January. (More details to come for Part 2 later.)

• Dig deep into the transitional time of the beginning of the church period in the Book of Acts.

• Join the Tuesday night Co-ed class or Wednesday night Women's class.

Feed your soul by connecting with God's Word!

Please call Jackie if you'd like to sign-up or if you have any questions...970-401-3810

Sunday Services

August 20th, 2023

9:00 or 11:00

-or-

ONLINE

KIDS' CHURCH at 9:00 am service

(Ages 3 through 5th grade)

Kids' Church follows the kid's sermon. They will further explore the day's sermon theme with their group. We can’t wait to see them!

NURSERY

Nursery for Newborns – 2 year olds.

Nursery is open during our 9:00 am service and during Connect Hour from 10:15-10:45!

Join us on Facebook this Sunday morning at approximately 9:15 AM, or view the recording anytime on Facebook, Vimeo or YouTube.

Click the image below to connect.

LORD JESUS, HEAL OUR LAND, OUR BODIES, AND OUR HEARTS.

Please pray for. . .

• All students, teachers, administrators, and school workers, as they begin another school year. Pray the Lord watches over them and reminds them that they are children of God first and foremost. Pray for the college students who are traveling from home and embarking on a new journey and chapter of their lives and for parents who are adjusting to change without them.

• The people of Maui, their families and friends, after the loss and devastation of life and property from the wildfire. We ask for provision, comfort, and strength as the community moves forward to rebuild their lives.

• Oliver, the 8-year-old boy that we prayed for recently. He has suffered another seizure this past weekend in Mexico. Pray they got him back to the states safely and that he is under the medical care that he needs to heal and recover.

• Kipp Hamberger, who is recovering from surgery.

• Susan Lucas, who has lost hearing in her left ear. Pray that the doctors are able to figure out what is going on and provide treatment to restore her hearing.

• Debra Ketterling and family, as they have been facing some health challenges lately. The Lord is the ultimate healer and provider. Pray for peace, healing, strength, and comfort during this challenging time.

• Our military members and their families. For those that are deployed, please give them courage, hope, and strength and be their power and protector during their mission. God, continue to watch over all military families and bless them for their service.

• Hope in Jesus to rise within our valley and our world for the many hurting people out there. Help us to continue to shine the Light in the darkness, share the Good News with others, and minister to those around us.



• Carol Proffitt, who has been sick and is homebound, and for those who are caring for her. Pray for continued care and provision during this difficult time.

• everyone in our congregation and their families who are dealing with the pains and trials of cancer and other illnesses including Todd Purse; Connie Kerr; Keith; Chris; Sharon Hlavinka; Rance Ketterling; Darlee, Amanda; Jerry Wiisanen; Rosemarie; April; Suzanne, Mary's sister-in-law; Bonnie Lamotta; Mark Von Soosten, Aaron, Ryan, John Kirchner, Oliver, Sue Carver,

GOD'S WILL BE DONE