May 22nd, 2024

Greg Olson "Cast Your Nets on the Right Side" 2009

“Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

  -John 21:5-

(Read John 21:1-19)

I was talking with my friend John the other day about the joys of eternal life.  Off the cuff, I asked him a question. “If you could have anything to eat in heaven, and I mean anything, what would it be?”  I emphasized, “I mean if our Lord said name your meal, what would it be?”  

John didn’t hesitate.  “Fish!”  He said, “But it has to be cooked by the Lord.” 

What a fabulous answer, and it reminded me of one of my favorite scenes in scripture in the twenty-first chapter of John.  There we read about the floundering fisherman bobbing in a boat on the Sea of Galilee.  A stranger on shore asks if they have caught any fish, and they answer abruptly with one single word. “No.”  The stranger responds “Throw your nets on the right side of the boat and you will find some.”  They did, and they did.  

Picture the scene:

In the bouncing boat was a group of fumbling fishermen fighting a net full of flopping fish.   Peter didn’t need to see who it was giving them fishing advice, he knew it was Jesus so he dived into the water to be close to his Lord.  

On the rocky shore, Peter saw Jesus cooking over a charcoal campfire, and preparing breakfast for his followers (he didn’t need a net). It is here that Jesus pulls Peter aside and reminds him that he is forgiven.  In fact, Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves him, thereby allowing Peter to proclaim his love for Jesus three times - one for each time he had previously denied him.  Peter proclaims, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” (v.17).  

Jesus restores Peter and then sends him out to ‘feed his sheep’ the Good News of the Gospel.  In Christ Jesus, we are loved, forgiven, and restored too, and sent into the world to share Jesus with the world. 

John, I look forward to the day when we too are dining with our Lord together, but until then, we have a purpose to tell others about him and all he has done.  

Sunday we conclude our series, "Loved and Sent” and I can’t wait!  



In Christ’s Love,

Pastor Austin

Proclaim Jesus as Savior. 

Nurture faith in Jesus. 

Serve in the name of Jesus.

Our Purpose

Embrace Christ!

Growing Grace Fellowship

Our building fundraiser is well underway!

God is providing in BIG ways through all of His people!

We would like everyone to be a part of this journey

that we are on to build our new church home.

Fill out your pledge form on Sunday and drop it in the pledge box in the lobby or Click Here to give online.

The Calendar at a Glance 

• May 23rd - Gather 'Round the Gospel @ 10 am

• May 26th - Worship Services, Graduation Sunday Fellowship

10 am to 11 am

• May 30th - Gather 'Round the Gospel @ 10 am

• June 1st - Kick-Off to Summer BBQ at the Barela's house @ 4pm

• June 2nd - Worship Services, Connect Hour Fellowship

• June 3rd - Castle Peak Service @ 10 am

• June 6th - Gather 'Round the Gospel @ 10 am

• June 9th - Worship Services, Connect Hour Fellowship

• June 10th - Castle Peak Service @ 10 am

• June 13th - Gather 'Round the Gospel 10 am

• June 16th - Worship Services, Father's Day Fellowship

Gather 'Round the Gospel continues

TOMORROW, May 23rd

@ 10 am.

Come and get a weekly dose of God's Word

and time in fellowship with one another.

Summer Connect Hour will be

"Fellowship with a Purpose"

beginning in June through August.

Pray for our 2024 Graduates!

Join us in celebrating them Sunday, May 26th

@ the 9 am service & during fellowship

from 10:00 to 11:00 am.

Vail Valley Young Life

The mission of Vail Valley Young Life is to introduce adolescents to Jesus Christ and help them grow in their faith. The Lord is moving in mighty ways in the lives of kids in our Valley. If you’’d like to connect your middle schooler or high schooler, join our email list by scanning this QR code. We are also looking for adults, young adults and high schoolers who are passionate about their faith and ready to walk alongside middle school or high school students in our community. 

LWML Mission Project Collection

Life Choices Project:

Life Choices is a Christ-Centered ministry providing education, support, healing, and limited medical services for sexual life choice.

$10-$20 Gift cards to purchase essentials from stores like Walmart & City Market

Orphan Grain Train :

Teacher Kits for teachers in third world countries:

• 1- Drawstring or tote bag, plain, new or gently used
• 1- 12-pack pencils, 1- pencil sharpener, 4- highlighters, 2- red pens
• 1- 12-pack chalk, 1 chalkboard eraser, 1 clipboard, 1 adult scissors
• 4- pocket folders, 1 ruler, 4 sheets of sticker (stars or smiley faces)
• Find complete instructions at www.ogt.org

These gift donations will be taken by Nancy Kraft to the Convention on June 6th. Call or text Nancy with questions-

303-870-3433

Annual Kick-Off-to-Summer Gathering!

Mark Your Calendar!

• Saturday, June 1st from 4 pm to 9 pm
• Hotdogs, hamburgers, & drinks provided
• Bring a side dish or dessert to share
• Wear your tennis shoes for our annual kickball game!

Spots are filling up - Register TODAY!

Join us for Vacation Bible School at Grace Fellowship!

Get ready for an adventure packed with games, experiments, worship, Bible stories, snacks, and

small group sessions, where we'll have a blast

learning about God and making new friends!

• Where: Grace Fellowship Church

• When: Tuesday- July 30, Wednesday- July 31, & Thursday- August 1

• Time: 9 am to 12 noon 

• Who: Ages 4 years to 5th grade are invited. (4 year olds must be fully potty trained.)

Vacation Bible School is free to attend. 

Consider making a donation to our VBS program.  

Click HERE to Support our VBS Outreach Ministry

Join our VBS Volunteer Team!!

No experience necessary! Young and old are welcome!

Help is needed BEFORE, DURING, & AFTER

the VBS 3-day program!

• Help craft our SCUBA decor prior to VBS
• Set up on Sunday before the program starts in July
• Serve as a leader or helper during the 3-day program
• Help break down and clean up when VBS is over
• Support our VBS program financially

Contact Missy Kraft- Melissa@gracegypsum.com

OR

Summer is just around the corner and our calendars will be filling up quickly with all kinds of plans. We hope you can join us for our annual church camping trip. Enjoy all that Sylvan Lake State Park has to offer! It's a great time to fellowship with other church members. Bring your 5th wheel, pop-up, or tent it!

All are welcome. Mark your calendars TODAY!

Sunday Services

May 26th, 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. . .

• 2024 Graduates, that the Lord will continue to guide them in their future endeavors and that they recognize His love, His presence, and His provision in all they do.

• The Kraft family, especially the children and grandchildren of Glenn Kraft, Austin's uncle, who was called to glory this week. Glenn was a wonderful man of faith and will be missed dearly.

• Ben Brockett, who will be undergoing some stress tests next week. Please pray for good results and a good plan to keep him on the road to excellent health in the future

• Harriet & Steve Racicot, who will be leaving soon to do mission work in Romania. Keep them in prayer for safety, for God's provision, and for the Lord's will to be done as they share the Good News with others.

• Local teen, Gysselle Lujan, who has been missing for several days. Pray for a safe return home and for peace and comfort for her family and friends.

• Those who struggle with mental illness. Lord, fill their hearts and minds with your truth, your love, your comfort and peace. Remind them who they are in you and give them your everlasting healing.

• Growing Grace Fellowship New Building Campaign. We give praise for the progress we are making toward our goal! God is providing through all of you! Please continue to pray about how your family can contribute to building our new church home to further HIS kingdom!

• 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; 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

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

Israel Hernandez, Worship Team Leader, 970-331-6177, Israelh08@hotmail.com

Pastor Dan Rohlwing, Pastor Emeritus in Memoriam

Sunday Schedule

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

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).