December 4th, 2024

At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: 

“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” 

Luke 1:39-45

Worship from the Womb

It was remarkable really. He knew he was in the presence of the Savior and so he leapt for joy. He wasn’t on the peak of the mountain, or the steps of the Jerusalem temple. He wasn’t reading scripture in the tent, or sitting in a pew at church. In fact, this precious baby boy wasn’t yet in his crib, and he still worshiped Jesus. In his mother’s belly, John knew he was in the presence of the Lord and so he jumped for joy! John was the very first child to ever rejoice over the Savior and he was still in his mother’s womb. 

John worshipped our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the most remarkable way. Yes, God’s chosen vessel to come into the world was Mary’s womb. God had dwelt in the ark in the tabernacle, and now God incarnate, God in the flesh, dwelt (tabernacled), inside his mother who was carrying him.

Two precious babies in their mother’s bellies - one, John the Baptist, preparing the way for the Lord. The other - Jesus, Lord and Savior to all who believe.  

We can learn a lot from baby John in Elizabeth’s belly. John knew Jesus was near, and the only proper response was joy! We can rejoice this advent season too, because the Lord almighty is with us today.

This week, we continue our Journey to the Nativity, as we witness baby John worship baby Jesus from the womb. See you Sunday- 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 4th - Shine Middle School Girls @ Yeti's Basement from 8:15 am to 9:15 am

• December 6th - Revelation Bible Study Fellowship @ 9 am

• December 8th - Worship Services @ 9 am & 11 am, Connect Hour Fellowship @ 10 to 11 am, Children's Christmas Service practice from 10:15 am to 11:00 am, Annual Congregational Meeting begins @ 12:15 pm

• December 9th - Castle Peak Worship service @ 10 am

• December 11th - Shine Middle School Girls @ Yeti's Basement from 8:15 am to 9:15 am (last meeting until after the new year)

• December 13th - Revelation Bible Study Fellowship @ 9 am

• December 14th - Children's Christmas Service practice from 9 am to 11 am

• December 15th - Children's Christmas Service @ 9 am, Worship Service @ 11 am, Connect Hour Fellowship from 10 am to 11 am

• 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 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.

LWML will be hosting and providing snacks for all to enjoy! (Coffee & donuts will also be served.)

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

Join us December 15th at 9 am when our children will lead us in our worship service,

Symbols of Salvation.

Parent Reminders:

• Practice December 1st from 12:15 pm to 1:15 pm

• Practice December 8th from 10:15 am to 11:00 am (during fellowship hour) *Please note the change of time from 12:15



• Practice Saturday, December 14th, from 9 am to 11 am

Please email Missy Kraft with questions or for information - melissa@gracegypsum.com

Our annual congregational meeting is scheduled for December 8th at 12:15 pm.



All are welcome to attend! Snacks will be provided.

Help Us Decorate 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!

Shine will meet December 11th

from 8:15 to 9:15 am

@ Yeti's Basement!

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

Act Now! Make Your End-of-Year Gifts Before December 10th

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 4th, 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...

• Jasen Brown and his family, whose grandmother recently passed away after being in a serious car accident. Please pray for comfort and peace to surround them during this difficult time.

• 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; 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

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).