Thursday, January 7, 2020 |
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VISION SUNDAY
2021 THEME: LOVE EAST TEXAS
Matthew 22:34-40
Sunday Morning Preaching Team:
Celebration Worship, 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. Pastor David
Resonate Worship, 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. Michael Gossett
South Campus, 10:30 a.m. Dustin Slaton
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Praise & Worship
8:30 & 11:00 a.m.
Celebration & Resonate Worship
(Preschool Childcare Available)
9:45 a.m.
CONNECT Groups
Visit the Online
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PASTOR DAVID
D-NOTES
The remainder of this article was written on Wednesday before the protesters stormed the U.S. Capitol building. I’m adding these comments to call you to intercede in prayer for our nation. I was saddened by the scenes of protesters breaking windows and storming their way into our nation’s seat of government and occupying the House and Senate chambers. I was more saddened to see the flags that associated the matchless name of Jesus on the same flag as Trump. There have been thousands of marches and protests in our history, but the last time the U.S. Capitol Building was stormed
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and overtaken was by the British on August 24, 1814 when, after burning the Presidential Mansion, they set fire to the Capitol.
This is a sad day in our history. You can lay the blame wherever you choose, but as I said recently, Satan is the Great Divider. He wants to divide every nation, every church, every family and every marriage. Whatever your opinion about the election, one characteristic that has always distinguished America from the other nations of world has been the orderly transfer of power between Presidential administrations. The fact is that we are no longer “the shining city on a hill” that President Reagan quoted so often from the Pilgrim, John Winthrop. To hear his remarks as he left office in 1989 click here.
This Sunday is Vision Sunday! It was a year ago when we hosted an exciting “Family Reunion Sunday.” We united Celebration, Resonate, and South Campus together for two amazing worship experiences. On that day, we revealed our new VISION STATEMENT for Green Acres. Of course, because of COVID, we aren’t yet able to have a “Family Reunion” type gathering (yet). But we ARE going to re-emphasize our vision and values this Sunday. We will also officially relaunch our theme for 2021, which is LOVE ETX.
We need your help to keep gathering. As you comply with our mandatory mask requirements and continue to keep a healthy spatial distance while inside our facilities, we are blessed to be able to continue to gather. Please don’t put others at risk by not complying with these simple precautions. And as we often say, if you don’t feel safe regathering in person, we encourage you to continue to watch on Livestream or television on Sunday mornings.
During 2020 we prayed hundreds of times for a COVID-19 vaccine to be developed. As you know, the vaccine was released last month. This is an answer to prayer and it is a source of hope as we move into 2021. However, in order for the vaccine to be effective, at least 75% of a community needs to be vaccinated. I have received a number of questions from our members about the safety of the vaccine, and whether or not I will take it. Based upon the excellent advice of the medical community here in Tyler (including my daughter and son-in-law), I encourage everyone to be vaccinated when you have the opportunity.
As you can see in the picture below, Cindy and I received our first vaccination yesterday. There are all kinds of baseless rumors and conspiracy theories spinning around about the vaccine. This is a time for us to apply the WISDOM that God supplies. It is also a time for patience. It will be several months until the vaccine is available for everyone. Until that happens, we will need to continue to observe all the COVID protocols when we gather.
I believe the sooner GABC members are vaccinated, the closer we will be to the time when we can shake hands and hug again. There are several places providing the vaccine for those over 65. We scheduled our appointment last week by going to the main Christus Mother Frances website and clicked on the COVID-19 tab on the right side of the screen.
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God willing, our Wednesday activities will resume on January 13. These include:
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Wednesday Morning Bible Study 10:00 a.m. Galilee Room
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Wednesday Evening Meal 4:45 p.m. (see the next paragraph)
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W.E.B.S. 6:00 p.m. Worship Center
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Kidz Praise 6:00 p.m. Various locations
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Celebration Choir & Orchestra 6:45 Worship Center
Due to the impact COVID has had on our Midweek Meal participation, we are making an adjustment beginning January 13, 2021. Each Wednesday, a wonderful meal will be available at the Connections Café from 4:45-6:00 p.m. In addition, a Kids Meal will also be available. Please note that our intent is to offer the buffet in the future, but due to current participation levels, it has become difficult to plan appropriately. We hope to see you in the Café beginning Wednesday, January 13.
On Sunday, January 17, Michael, Dustin, and I will begin a new message series from 1 John. The series is entitled CHRISTIANITY defined. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle John wrote more of the New Testament than any of the original twelve disciples. (Only Luke and Paul account for more of the New Testament text than John). Most scholars believe John penned The Revelation around 96 A.D. from the island of Patmos. Then he wrote his Gospel Account while serving as pastor in Ephesus around 97 A.D. His last writings comprise the three letters of 1, 2, and 3 John, which he wrote just before his death in Ephesus.
These are days of chaos and uncertainty. But our faith and hope serve as an anchor in any storm that we face as individuals, as a church, and as a nation. The night before Jesus was crucified the disciples were worried and afraid. Jesus reassured them with these words. May these words give you strength and hope today.
“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33)
BE COURAGEOUS!
Pastor David
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A NOTE FROM
MICHAEL GOSSETT
I know many of you are aware of the incident at the Starrville Methodist Church in Smith County. The shooting has left many people grieving and hurting. In that shooting, KLTV reports, Mark McWilliams, the church’s pastor, was killed. A second person was shot, and the pastor’s wife was hurt in a fall due to the incident. The apostle Paul reminds us that when one part of the body grieves, the whole body grieves. We are grieving and mourning with them. Incidents like this always remind us of the brevity of life and the importance of living life to the fullest. James 4:14 tells us,
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“Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and vanishes.”
James reminds us how precious life is. This also reminds me how grateful I am for our Safety Team here at GABC. Mike Collins and the team do their best to make sure that you and I are safe as we gather together as a body of believers. I truly believe that we have the best church safety team in the nation! If you happen to see one of these volunteers, tell them how much you appreciate them.
Winter Huddle is this Sunday from 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. This is for ALL Connect Group leaders and Women’s Ministry leaders. I know that you will want to make this a priority as a leader so you can be encouraged and equipped for the winter and spring season of ministry. One thing that I know many of us learned from 2020 is that people need the hope of Jesus like never before. We pray that this Winter Huddle will give us the tools necessary to make sure we are doing our part at GABC to provide that hope to those around us! Come join us! If you still need to register, you can do so by going to GABC.org.
I am so grateful for the way our church has handled our new COVID precaution with requiring masks for all GABC indoor events. I have yet to meet anyone that actually enjoys wearing a mask. I do think there are a few ladies who appreciate the ability to add an additional accessory to their outfit, but overall it is not necessarily enjoyable.
Unity is one of the greatest gifts and signs of a healthy church. We all have been watching what disunity looks like in a nation. The attacks on the capitol are a reminder that Satan is at work. The enemy would love for us to take our eye off the ball which is HIS Kingdom work. This is why we are committed and united around the TRUTH OF JESUS. The Gospel of Jesus is the only hope of unity in our church and in our nation. 1 Peter 3:8 says,
“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.”
The enemy would love for us to be divided over many issues, but it seems that we as a body of believers are 100 percent committed to unity. For that, I am so grateful!
I love getting to serve the Lord and you here at GABC! Thank you for your support as we continue to transform lives with the truth of Jesus!
The best days for GABC are ahead!
Michael Gossett
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NEW BIBLE MESSAGE SERIES
BEGINS JANUARY 17
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Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle John wrote more of the New Testament than any of the original twelve disciples. (Only Luke and Paul account for more of the New Testament text than John). Most scholars believe John penned The Revelation around 96 A.D. from the island of Patmos. Then he wrote his Gospel Account while serving as pastor in Ephesus around 97 A.D. His last writings comprise the three letters of 1, 2, and 3 John, which he wrote just before his death in Ephesus.
Join us in morning worship on January 17 as Pastor David and Michael Gossett start this new series from 1 John.
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Financial Peace University |
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Discover financial freedom by using proven Biblical principles to permanently break free from the bondage of debt.
Nine-weeks beginning
Sunday, January 17
5:30–7:00 p.m., Crosswalk 106
Facilitated by GABC members Robert and Jeanine Grimes
For more information call 903-279-7779
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NOW HIRING
Payroll Administrative Assistant
The Business Office has an immediate opening for Administrative Assistant in Payroll. The position requires duties as necessary to maintain all payroll records, to process all payrolls and to handle any other payroll related function in the Stewardship Office. View full description
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COMING FOR MEMBERSHIP
Bobby & Donna Johnson
Bill, Sarah & Joshua Richardson
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Weekly Budget Giving
Budget Goal: $277,402
Budget Received: $325,969
Yearly Budget Giving
YTD Budget Goal: $14,424,929
YTD Budget Giving: $13,770,203
Building Fund
Weekly Receipts: $8,140
YTD Received $282,798
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GIVING TOOLS
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