New Directions. The Website Edition Newsletter of Grace Community Baptist Church November/December 2011, Volume 7, No. 6

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1 New Directions The Website Edition Newsletter of Grace Community Baptist Church November/December 2011, Volume 7, No. 6 From the Pastor: As I mentioned in the July quarterly business meeting report, we have been in discussions about a new and very unique possibility concerning the Southside building. This process has been going on for months as the refining of the shape of this new potential ministry is developed. The Trustees are currently reviewing, clarifying and revising some of the legal aspects regarding this possibility. Southeast Christian Church sees the tremendous value of the way this building is being used and wants to partner to help it along and provide for major maintenance and updating projects as well as actual ministry itself. The possible new ministry is to form a new taxexempt (501c3) entity called the Southside Ministry Center (SMC). This new organization would then lease the building from Grace for 10 years (with the option to extend it for another five). Our major contribution is that we would be leasing the building for $10 a year to this new organization. During this time all maintenance and up keep on the building and virtually all on the grounds would be the responsibility of the SMC and no longer the responsibility of Grace. A lease commitment is important because of the sizable multi-year financial investment that Southeast is making toward this building and ministry. With this funding that the SMC will be receiving, many necessary maintenance concerns and projects to update and modernize the building can take place. (A new roof and energy efficient windows are just a couple of updates that would be accomplished fairly soon.) The funding will also provide for a director that will oversee the building maintenance and the ministries that are currently in place as well as planning for new opportunities. In this respect we would no longer have to oversee the building s physical maintenance and the general activities that are going on. The director will coordinate mission groups and missions interns coming to the SMC for various projects. It is also hoped that it will be something of a training ground for those considering missions. The director will also seek out ways that the SMC can become self-sustaining. The building would still be used as it is for ethnic churches, but this funding and a director focused only on the ministries in this building will allow for greater ministry opportunities in reaching the ethnically diverse population in the surrounding area. The main focus is still to help reach ethnic groups and that will not change, we should simply be able to do it in a greater way than ever before. With this partnership the ministry of the Southside Building can be enhanced and expanded in ways we never could have thought or been possible before. It will insure the building is kept in very good working condition and that important ministries to reach various people groups are being accomplished. On a purely practical matter, at the end of the lease or if the SMC does not work out, the building will have been well taken care of, updated and be in be in better shape than it was. This is a very unique opportunity and I know of nothing like it anywhere. What has been going on at the Southside building has been rare and very distinctive already; with this potential the amazing ministry that is going on can be expanded in incredible ways to reach and impact more people. Nevertheless, we need to be in much prayer that God s will is done. Even a great idea that s not God s will is not a good idea. May God bless Grace Community Baptist Church for by His grace being such a unique body of Christ! Donnie - Soli Deo Gloria

2 Kids Korner Can you believe it is already November? Where has this year gone? Hopefully, in this year you have found many opportunities to worship and serve our Lord who blesses us so richly. On Saturday, November 12 there will be a Family Bonfire at our home and all are invited to join us for food, games, s'mores, and much more! Wear warm clothing and come prepared to have fun. I will leave driving directions on the front pew for anyone interested in driving out or you may meet at the church at 3:00 PM and ride the bus. Christmas program practice is going well, and The Light Before Christmas program is planned for Sunday evening, December 18 at 6:30 PM. Following the program will be the church Christmas Party. As the year comes to a close, be very thankful that in these ever-changing and volatile days, we have an ever-present, steadfast, and loving God to go to for all things. Blessings, Mary Ann Children s Christmas Program Sunday, December 18 6:30 P.M. followed by the church Christmas party with a special, jolly guest Children s New Year s Eve Day Party Saturday, December 31 ** 11 AM 1 PM Grab a noise maker and a silly hat for the big balloon drop at noon! There will be plenty of snacks and games as well. Bonfire at the Alexanders November 12 3:30 7:30 P.M. Be at the church at 3:00 P.M. if you wish to ride the bus. Everyone is welcome to attend. Please bring an appetizer and/or dessert to share. Children not coming with their families will need a signed permission slip. Children ages six and under must be accompanied by an adult.

3 While they were sleeping It was an evening like any other. Ordinary men were doing an ordinary job. Shepherds were keeping watch over their flock by night (Luke 2:8). Was it chilly? Were they tired? When angels appeared with news of a Savior, had the shepherds been talking about their troubles or sharing a good joke? How quickly, how mysteriously, how unexpectedly an ordinary night became the turning point of human history. How remarkable that God chose to set his great rescue plan in motion when only a young couple was paying attention and only a few shepherds were awake. God s work is sometimes so secret we may wonder if he s there or if he cares. The Christmas story tells us that God works out breathtaking plans for our lives in the dark, often while we re sleeping or going about our ordinary routines. Lord s Supper Sunday, November 13 Remember to set your clocks back one hour before you go to bed on Saturday, November 5. The Church Ministries Committee will meet on Sunday, November 6, following the worship service. Lunch will be provided. Christmas Eve Service Saturday, December 24 5:00 P.M. Christmas Day Worship Service Sunday, December 25 10:45 A.M. Note: Sunday School will be Cancelled on Christmas Day Wednesday Services Wednesday activities will be cancelled on November 23, December 21, and December 28.

4 Serving in Ministry Nursery Workers Sunday KidsWorship November 6 Susan Flaker/Sarah Fields Tom/Darlene Littrell/Tom Jr. November 13 Karen Francis/Nicki Laun Colleen/Joshua/Jim Quinter November 20 Pam Wachter/Tim Miller Mary Ann/Children 2 Helper/Carl Alexander November 27 Sandra Gullion/Sue Fields David/Rachel/Holly Francis December 4 Jeff/Jackie Riley Alice Shelman/Pam Wachter/Sue Fields December 11 Susan Flaker/Sarah Fields Jackie/Zach/Jeff Riley December 18 Karen Francis/Nicki Laun Tom/Darlene Littrell/Tom Jr. December 25 Sandra Gullion/Sue Fields Jim/Joshua/Colleen Quinter Nursery Workers Wednesday Night November 2 Colleen Quinter/Carl Alexander December 7 Sandra Gullion/Alice Shelman November 9 Alice Shelman/Holly Francis December 14 Colleen Quinter/Sue Fields Nov. 16 Mary Ann Alexander December 21 No nursery Nov. 23 No Services December 28 No nursery Nov. 30 Karen Francis/Carl Alexander Greeter Ministry Front Door (facing National Turnpike) Pre-Sunday School: Sue Fields Front Door (facing National Turnpike) Pre-Worship Howard Sloss Back Door Nov. David Francis Parking Lot Greeter Rick Shelman Back Door Dec. Karen Francis Guide Greeter Darlene Littrell Side Door (by Secretary s Office Joyce Applegate September Oct. (4 Sundays) Bus Driver of the Month November Carl Alexander December Joe Fields Financial Report Offerings $ 9, $19, Expenses $10, $14, Offerings - Year to Date $113, Expenses: Year to Date $125, Attendance Report Average Attendance September: Sunday School 72 Worship 104 October: Sunday School 66 Worship 113 Plan now to stay and help decorate the sanctuary for Christmas on Sunday, November 20, following the worship service. Lunch will be provided. The work can be completed quickly with plenty of volunteers. Cornucopia Cornucopia, a Greek word meaning horn of plenty, has origins in Greek mythology. But the cornucopia became a religious symbol and was even stamped on Jewish coins. Overflowing horns, now common as Thanksgiving centerpieces, came to symbolize abundance and blessings.

5 GRACE COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH 7300 National Turnpike, Louisville, KY Phone: (502) Website: gcbc.ws THE CHURCH STAFF Donnie Gullion, Pastor Mary Ann Alexander, Director of Children s Ministries Michael Fay, Worship Leader Sue Fields, Secretary A little smile, a word of cheer, A bit of love from someone near, A little gift from one held dear, Best wishes for the coming year... These make a Merry Christmas! John Greenleaf Whittier HIS HEART HIS HANDS HIS VOICE 2011 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering National goal: $175 million Week of Prayer for International Missions December 4 11, 2011 We will be preparing and distributing food baskets at Thanksgiving and Christmas. You can help by contributing non-perishable food items: instant potatoes, macaroni and cheese, stuffing, cake mix and frosting, peanut butter, jelly, canned green beans, corn, peas and fruit. You may leave your donations in the kitchen or in Sue s office. Financial contributions are also needed for perishable items. This year s theme reminds us that as followers of Jesus, we the Church are called to be the body of Christ. We are His heart, His hands and His voice in the midst of a world filled with unreached peoples. We are part of the task to fulfill the Great Commission. And although we Southern Baptists have been praying, giving and going for 160 years, the task is far from finished. Prayer guides for the Week of Prayer will be distributed in the bulletins on Sunday, December 4. Special offering envelopes will be in the pew racks during all of December. We ask that you prayerfully consider what God would have you to give and donate accordingly. Scouting for Food The Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts will be collecting food on Saturday, November 19. Some of the food they collect will be used in the food baskets we prepare, and the rest will be donated to Fairdale Area Community Ministries.