December 18th, 2024

 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,  and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger because there was no guest room available for them. 

 -Luke 2:4-7- 

At the end of the service, my face hurt from smiling. 

Sunday, our children and adult readers presented the Gospel of Jesus with the Symbols of Salvation.  We learned how God came to be with us to save us. It was a wonderful day of praise and worship, dance and song, led by children.  Grace Kids, you are an inspiration to us all, thank you! 

As I looked up at the little people standing on the platform, I saw what our Lord Jesus was talking about when he insisted the little children come to him and emphasized that the “kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”  

“These” children included… one girl dressed like an angel beaming with delight reading and singing. One little boy, dressed as a sheep appeared confused one moment, then looked like he was going to cry the next, and was smiling and giggling the next time I looked over!  One somber little lamb sheepishly rubbed his nose, while a young king dressed in his finest robe and crown proclaimed the Gospel with confidence, and then shouted at his brother for not following instructions.  My ears heard one little angel singing with her pure soprano voice, while another angel’s voice cracked like a Colorado windshield. One shepherd appeared lost through one song, but during the next,  moved his arms like a masterful maestro. I glanced at the moms and dads beaming at their precious children with parental pride. I thought to myself, “Yes these are God’s beloved children in whom Jesus was talking about.”  These beautiful children, all of them are a beautiful reflection of God’s love.  

There was one moment on Sunday, that really caught my attention.  It was near the end of the morning, at the end of a jubilant song, where all the children on command, laid down to rest. Suddenly it was silent, quiet, and still.  It was a touching moment. No matter what those kids were doing moments before, now they were resting with the quiet words in the background “O what a glorious night.”  

We are so busy, bustling around shopping, cooking, baking, traveling, and sheepishly rubbing our runny noses, we often forget to stop, rest, and realize how profound the birth of Jesus truly is.  God incarnate came to us to be with us.  Jesus, the Savior of the world is born and that changes everything.   

In the hustle and bustle of preparing for Christmas, let us all remember to stop, be still, and thank God for Christmas. It’s time to be kids again.  

See you Sunday morning and Tuesday night -  I can’t wait!  

Pastor Austin 

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Grace Fellowship Church

PO Box 4280

Gypsum, CO 81637

Proclaim Jesus as Savior. 

Nurture faith in Jesus. 

Serve in the name of Jesus.

Our Purpose

Embrace Christ!

The Calendar at a Glance 

• December 16th - Castle Peak Worship service @ 10 am

• December 20th - Revelation Bible Study Fellowship @ 9 am

• December 22nd - Worship Services @ 9 am & 11 am, Connect Hour Fellowship @ 10 to 11 am

• December 23rd - Castle Peak Christmas Worship service @ 10 am

• December 24th - Candlelight Christmas Eve Services 4 pm & 6 pm

• December 29th - Worship Services @ 9 am & 11 am, Connect Hour Fellowship @ 10 to 11 am

Fellowship Hour

Let's gather for fellowship between services from 10 to 11 am.

Bible study for all ages will resume after the new year!

Let's Journey to the Nativity together -

Invite your neighbors, friends, & family!

We would love for them to join us at our annual Candlelight Christmas Eve Services

4 pm | 6 pm

Fellowship in-between services -

Please bring a holiday treat to share!

Hot cider will be ready!

Bring an Ornament for the Tree!

Grace Fellowship has a tradition of decorating our Christmas tree with ornaments from each church family.

We invite you to bring a family ornament to hang on our sanctuary Christmas tree!

Label the ornament with your family name and the year

and hang it on the tree any time before Christmas!

Gather 'Round the Gospel weekly Bible study

will resume again after the New Year.

Middle School Girls!

We will take a break beginning December 18th and will meet again beginning January 8th.

Act Now! Make Your End-of-Year Gifts

We’re in the final weeks of 2024, meaning you have an opportunity to help create and sustain a space where people can have authentic encounters with others as they share the love of Jesus during the rest of this year, next year, and beyond! 

As a reminder, you can make a grant from a Donor-Advised Fund, give from your IRA, donate stock, or give cryptocurrency to help people discover their gifts and use them for God's glory in our community and the world—all while meeting your financial goals. 

Your contribution will potentially lower your 2024 taxable income while investing in all that God is doing at Grace Fellowship. We recommend making your gift before December 10th to ensure there is time for your brokerage, custodian, or DAF provider to process the gift and return your receipt before the end of the year!

As we continue to glorify God in all aspects of our lives, I hope you feel inspired by your blessings to consider giving in these ways. 

Thank you so much for being a part of our community of believers who proclaim Jesus as Savior, Nurture faith in Jesus, and Serve in the name of Jesus.

Growing Grace Fellowship

If you would like to give to our new church building. please complete the pledge form on Sunday and drop it in the pledge box in the lobby, or Click Here to give online. Thank you to all who have given! We are well on our way to our goal! To God be the glory!

Go GRACE Go!

Sunday Services

December 18th, 2024

9:00 or 11:00 am

-or-

ONLINE at 9:15

KIDS' CHURCH at 9:00 am & 11:00 am services

(Ages 3 through 5th grade) @ 9:00 am & (Ages 3 through 2nd grade) @ 11:00 am

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 – up to 3 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...

• Brookelyn's friend, Becca, who had brain surgery, and for her husband Josh. Give wisdom to the doctors and surgeons, friends and family to surround them with love and care, and a positive outcome and full recovery.

• Brookelyn & Caleb Sharpe, while Brookelyn is on bedrest for the remainder of her pregnancy. Pray for strength and health and that their girls will be born healthy according to God's timing.

• Students who will be preparing for and taking finals to wrap up the semester before Winter Break.

• Individuals and families who will be traveling this holiday season.

• Blake Gould and his extended family, for the loss of his cousin, Paige Hubl. Please pray especially for Paige's mom and two sisters. Lift them up for His comfort and peace.

• Those who are sad, depressed, lonely, and disheartened. May the light of love shine upon them and bring joy to their hearts, despite their circumstances.

• Growing Grace Fellowship New Building Campaign. that the Lord will continue to provide in all aspects of the building campaign from funds raised to the design process.

• 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; Amanda; Jerry Wiisanen; Rosemarie; Suzanne, Mary's sister-in-law; Aaron, Ryan, John Kirchner, Oliver, Debra Ketterling and family, Rita Rodriguez, Julie (Larry Arguello's sister), Elisa Marchetti, Pat (George's sister), Soffia, Kipp Hamberger.

GOD'S WILL BE DONE

Contact Information

www.GraceFellowshipGypsum.com 

Phone: 970-445-3101

Email: Austin@GraceGypsum.com 

Staff and Volunteer Staff

Pastor Austin Kraft, 970-688-1100, austin@gracegypsum.com 

Missy Kraft, Administrative Assistant/Youth Director, 970-445-3101, melissa@gracegypsum.com

Katie Harmon, Worship Director, 812-620-7155, katie@hawk-digital.com

Susan Flock, App and Website Coordinator, 970-361-4771, flock21@aol.com

Pastor Dan Rohlwing, Pastor Emeritus in Memoriam

Sunday Schedule

Worship Services: 9:00 and 11:00 am (nursery provided at both services).

Sunday School: 10:15-10:45 for all ages (Nursery provided)

Kids Church: During sermon-time at the 9:00 and 11 am services.

Affiliation

Grace Fellowship is affiliated with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (lcms.org).