GRACE HAPPENINGS. Glorify God Through Family During but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15

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1 GRACE HAPPENINGS A WORD FROM PASTOR STEVE Vacation Bible School is quickly approaching and as I was praying for VBS a few days ago, the words of the hymn, To God Be the Glory came to mind. 1. To God be the glory, great things He hath done! So loved He the world that He gave us His Son, who yielded His life an atonement for sin, and opened the lifegate that all may go in. Refrain: Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear His voice! Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice! O come to the Father thru Jesus the Son, and give Him the glory, great things He hath done! 2. O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood, to every believer the promise of God; the vilest offender who truly believes, that moment from Jesus a pardon receives. 3. Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done, and great our rejoicing thru Jesus the Son; but purer, and higher, and greater will be our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see. I wondered about the history of this great hymn and found the following: Fanny Crosby ( ) was blinded by an illness as an infant, but she lived a long life full of joy and accomplishment. She entered the New York School for the Blind at age 15, and remained there for 35 years, first as a student and then as a teacher. She wrote poetry from the time that she was a child, and published her first book of poetry, A Blind Girl and Other Poems, at age 24. But Fanny Crosby is best known for her hymns. She wrote more than 9000 hymns during her lifetime. Many, such as "All the Way My Savior Leads Me" and "Blessed Assurance" quickly became standards and are still included in many hymnals a century after her death. Fanny wrote "To God Be the Glory" about 1872, and included it in a collection of hymns entitled Brightest and Best. However, while many of the hymns in that collection became quite famous, this one didn't catch on at least, not in America. But Evangelist Ira Stankey published the song in his Sacred Songs and Solos, and took it with him to England. It caught on well enough there to be included in several hymnals. Then in 1954, Billy Graham went to England for his London Crusade. Someone (almost certainly English) gave a copy of the song to Cliff Barrows, Graham's song leader, and suggested including it in the songbook that they were compiling for the crusade. Barrows had heard the song on an earlier visit to England, and was impressed with its strong note of praise so he included it in the songbook and used it in the crusade. The crowd responded so enthusiastically that he sang it nearly every night. Upon returning to the United States, Graham and Barrows introduced the song to an American audience for the first time at their Nashville Crusade. Once again, the crowd responded enthusiastically, so Graham and Barrows adopted the song as one of their standards. Because of their influence, the compilers of hymnals began including it in new hymnals. To God be the glory, great things He hath done, is doing and will do! Are we praying to that end for VBS here at GBC? Let s pray for a great harvest this VBS and for all that happens to God be the glory! Glorify God Through Family During but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15 June 2016

2 To go Along with the Family Theme for 2016, June s Theme is Fathers Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 Father s Day June 19 No Evening Service/Activities giving you extra time to spend with your father and/or children GBC News Share with your church family special happenings taking place in your Sunday School class, Pioneers, youth group, men s groups, ladies events, whatever is happening at GBC! Feel free to also share your own family happenings school, sports teams, awards presented to a family member, family outings. REMEMBER OUR SHUT-INS Pray for our shut-ins, send a card, make a phone call, pay a visit (call first), make a meal and deliver it or stay and eat with them, pick up groceries / medicines. Addresses and phone numbers are in the directory or put cards of encouragement in the box above the mailboxes in the library and they will be delivered on a regular basis. Wilma Davidson Julie Lindsey Gerry Kline Russ Hearton Charlie and Rita Brewer Grace Baptist Church 3920 East Prospect Road York, PA (717) gracebaptistyork@comcast.net Sunday: 8:15 Contemporary Worship 9:30 Sunday School 10:45 Traditional Worship 6:30 Against the Flow Youth 6:30 Evening Worship Service Wednesday: 7:00 Bible Study & Prayer for Adults / Pioneer Clubs / Against the Flow Youth Carol Sarver John Gay Nina Johnson Gerry Gladfelter details, including pictures, to gracebaptistyork@comcast.net or put a hardcopy in the secretary (Marchant) mailbox. Congratulations Graduates!! Graduation Recognition Day at GBC Sunday, June 12, during both Morning Services GRADUATES: A GIANT STEP INTO LIFE As I was growing up there was a popular group game called "Mother May I?" The leader would try to fool the participants into fouling out. She would say "Mother said to take one giant step forward." If the participants didn't say "Mother may I?" and took the giant step (without permission from Mother) they were out of the game. As our graduates enter into the giant step forward of life after high school, Mother is not around to provide instant advice. Our Heavenly Father is around to change the rules for our well-being. "Father, may I?" should be your approach to the challenges that the world will try to fool you with. Do not be quick to step out. New found personal freedom can cause you to step in the wrong direction at the worst possible time. We recently studied Israel and the prophets in Sunday School. "Father, may I?'' was not in most Israelites hearts or minds. I like Micah's advice in 6:8: "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

3 This was good advice to Israel and it is great advice to you. Examine your heart. Is Jesus Christ your Savior and Lord? If not, call upon Him now for salvation and forgiveness. Then proceed into adulthood by constantly asking "Father, may I?" God has provided a wonderful book of wisdom to get you through life. Study must never end. Paul's second letter to Timothy provides your first homework assignment. Contemplate this: 2 Timothy 2:15, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth." Whether you are going into the work force or college, or both, you will be a target for a sinful world. Let His Word provide the armor (Ephesians 6:11) that is needed and always ask "Father, may I?" Young graduates, you are all capable of accomplishing many good things. If Christ is the cornerstone for your future then you have a better chance to succeed for His Glory. If you are an adult reading this you need to keep our youth in your daily prayers (John 13:34). "Keep looking up!" is always my advice. Our High School Graduates are: ~Tom Greig Susan Lloyd daughter of Rob and Janis Lloyd I have a lot of great memories of my four years of high school at York Suburban. I stayed busy by participating in numerous extracurricular activities which made the time fly by! I played the alto saxophone in the marching band and concert band. I sang in the concert choir and performed as a dancer and singer in the school musicals. I was a member of the school softball team as an outfielder. I was also a mentor for freshmen and new students through our school s link crew program. I had the opportunity to volunteer in the community in many ways through the National Honor Society, English Honor Society, and the Spanish Honor Society. From being involved in these many activities, I developed great friendships that will last many years past graduation. My favorite classes throughout high school were always my Mathematics classes, specifically my Statistics class senior year. I will be attending Millersville University in the fall to major in Secondary Math Education with a minor in Statistics. Upon graduation from Millersville, I hope to return to the area to teach Math and Statistics in a local high school. Anika Folk, daughter of Craig and Sue Folk I have been homeschooled my whole life and I love dancing and horseback riding. I want to attend the Sight and Sound Conservatory from January to December of Whether or not I get accepted into their program, I plan to go for physical therapy after that. Already, it's been amazing to see how God is working to plan my future for me. Dan Bitts, son of Dan and Cathy Bitts Brianna McCaffery, daughter of Mark and Janeth Buser Brianna attended York County Vo-tech School where she studied the nursing program. She played volleyball for her first two years in High School. Then worked for McDonald's for a few months. Brianna next got a job at the York County Nursing Home in the dietary area. Brianna plans to continue working at the nursing home and later go into the EMT program in York. Sorry if you are graduating and were missed from this newsletter. Please the church office with your high school/college memories and future plans, along with a picture and you will be mentioned in the next newsletter. Missionary Visits in June Dr. Dave Arnold, missionary to Africa through World Evangelistic Outreach, will be with us during both morning services (8:15 and 10:45) and the 6:30 service on Sunday, June 5. World Evangelistic Outreach Ministries plants churches and builds schools. Under WEO s leadership there were churches built in Romania, Haiti, and both East and West Africa. WEO has spent the last 18 years working in Sierra Leone, West Africa. Currently, WEO has built 16 churches and 18 schools with more than 4,000 children learning to read and write, but most of all learning about Christ, resulting in many coming to know Him as Savior. The Missions Offering of over $2,500 during 2015 VBS provided over 60 school desks for a school in Africa. Dr. Arnold was with us on July 12, 2015, to receive this gift. This year s VBS offering will again go to Dr. Arnold to sponsor children s schooling with Christian teachers and curriculum, school supplies and uniforms. Chaplain Dave Hildebrand will be with us during both morning services on Sunday, June 26. Chaplain Dave will pick up the Bibles for the prisoners at the York County Prison through the Good News Jail and Prison Ministry. These Bibles were purchased with the profit when you bought (and enjoyed) sandwiches during the month of May, and/or by donating money to this special project, and/or by donating new or gently used Bibles. If you missed a blessing by donating, use the envelope with the Bible on it and give it to Missy Henise, Michelle Noll, or place in the offering plate, or you can donate new or gently used Bibles to the blue bins located at both church entrances.

4 EMPTY NESTERS PLUS PICNIC Tuesday, June 7, at 11:30 Meeting in the Church Pavilion Contact Marsha Loop for details Quarterly Business Meeting Sunday, June 12 6:30 p.m. Mandatory Staff Meeting Sunday, June 5, at 5:00 p.m. Prayer Warriors Needed Sundays, June 5 and 12 6:00-6:30 p.m. In the Sanctuary Come early for the evening service to spend quiet time praying for VBS A list of prayer needs will be available in your bulletin those days and on the table in the back of the sanctuary Every day our kids are challenged to stand for God in their schools, among their friends, in our culture... no matter what. And they re bombarded with the lie that God s Word isn t true when it talks about earthly things (rocks, fossils), so it can t be trusted to tell the truth about spiritual things. Noah experienced the same challenges during the time of the great Flood thousands of years ago. Yet, by God s grace, he was able to Stand for God, Obey God, Trust God, Thank God, and Fear God... no matter what. The biggest watery catastrophe the world has ever known happened during his lifetime. But through it all, Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Mom s Night Out Monday June 13 at 6:30 p.m. Meeting at Jenn Gaidos home to watch the movie War Room Bring a snack or drink to share This will be the kick off for our summer Bible study which will be on creating a battle plan for prayer to fight the spiritual war going on around us. THE OWLS ARE ON THE ROAD AGAIN Tuesday, June 28 Leave Church at 8:45 a.m. on the Church Vans to tour the Biblical Tabernacle Reproduction at the Mennonite Information Center in Lancaster and Buffet Lunch at Yoder s Restaurant Cost is $20.50 for Tabernacle Tour and Lunch Place RSVP in the Marchant mailbox with your money (check payable to GBC or cash) by June 19 Ocean Commotion Diving into Noah s Flood!! VBS 2016 June :00 8:30 p.m. Children Age 2 through Grade 8 At this monumental Vacation Bible School program, your kids will dive deep into the account of Noah and the Flood from the book of Genesis! They ll learn to apply the spiritual lessons from Noah s life to their own. And, along the way, they ll uncover earthly lessons from the Flood: how all the animals fit on the Ark, how the Flood covered the whole Earth, and how we can still see the effects of this Flood today. They ll also learn that the flood legends from around the world are based on the true account in Genesis! Please see the displayed needs for snacks in the back of the sanctuary in front of the sound system area. Take one or more needed items and then bring your item(s) in before Sunday, June 19. All donations should be placed in the kitchen near Pastor Steve s office. Cold stuff should be placed in the refrigerator and nonperishable items should go in the plastic Rubbermaid box marked for VBS donations. See Michelle Noll if you have any questions. Flyers are available in the library and on the table in back of the sanctuary for you to hand out in your neighborhood, at work, to friends and relatives. Don t be slow to register! Do it now to receive a free gift! Additional registration sheets are available on the table in the sanctuary and the library or register online: Staff still needed: decorators, follow-up, clean up on Monday following VBS. Nightly meals will be available from 5:00-5:45 for $1.50 each for staff only and their families. Meal voucher order forms are in staffs mailboxes to complete and return with your money to the Marchant mailbox by June 8. A parent must be with their child(ren) during this time.

5 The Kmett Family are Bangladesh Bound!! On Wednesday mornings for the past two school years my kids and I attended a ladies and children Bible Study called CBS (Community Bible Study) at Church of the Open Door. It was through this Bible Study that I became friends with a remarkable lady, Marilou Long. I quickly learned that Marilou had been a missionary in Bangladesh for many years and I was drawn to learn more about her experiences there. At Christmastime she had our small group of 12 ladies over to her home; it was then that I learned she was actually the chancellor at a school (semiretired) and she learned that my husband, Tim, was a teacher. One thing led to another and my family began seriously considering joining the team of teachers at the William Carey Academy. Although this might seem like it all has unraveled rather quickly, we can look back and see God s hand sovereignly involved for over two years. Located in Chittagong, Bangladesh s second largest city, William Carey Academy provides English-medium instruction using an American curriculum. The goal of the school is to provide a model of international-standard education which will prepare Bangladeshi students for study at world-class universities. ( The students come from nearly every economic level in Bangladesh. Lying in the heart of the 10/40 window, Bangladesh is one of the world s poorest and most overpopulated countries (however, they are making significant progress in economic growth, education, and food production). Most Christian citizens are in the lowest caste. They are discriminated against and have great difficultities finding a good paying job. They are often referred to as sweepers due to their typical jobs of cleaning houses and dealing with sewage. Our family will be working with the missions organization TeachBeyond, who states We exist and serve so that educators will become increasingly effective, transformational models of a Christ-centered life which integrates Biblical faith, learning, and living. We will receive training in Illinois in June and will be leaving in early August in time to settle in and begin the 2016/2017 school year. We are excited to see what God has planned! Amanda Kmett & Family Mal 1:11 For from the rising of the sun even to its setting, My name will be great among the nations. "A DEVO FROM AGAINST THE FLOW - PASTOR JON How do teens manage unrealistic expectations set for them, and how can parents help? We see in Genesis 29 that Leah, a teenager, couldn t live up to anyone s expectations and battled depression and insecurity. The expectations set up for her were unrealistic. With all of the pressures placed on our teens today, parents play a vital role. So, what can we learn from how Leah managed others expectations of her? 1. LEAH SAW HERSELF AS UNLOVABLE: She could not live up to the unrealistic expectations of her father, Jacob, as she had to compete with her sister Rachel who was more favored. The correct response: Zephaniah 3:17: The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with singing. 2. LEAH SAW HER IDENTITY THROUGH THE LENS OF OTHERS OPINIONS: She was told she was not as beautiful as Rachel, not good enough for her father, and she was second best to Jacob. The correct response: John 12:43: For they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. 3. LEAH TURNED TO OTHER THINGS TO TRY TO FILL HER VOID. She had 4 children for the sake of hoping to be loved, but it still did not happen. No matter what, it was not good enough for others. The correct response: Isaiah 43:7: Bring all who claim Me as their God, for I have made them for My glory. It was I who created them. Showing our teens how much God loves them, enough to give His one and only Son for them, they can have a healthy and accurate identity. We as parents must foster an encouraging and healthy environment where God s love is on display.

6 MAIL OR A BIRTHDAY OR ANNIVERSARY CARD TO OUR MISSIONARIES Shelliann Thorpe (6/6) Baden Westwood Road Brandy Wine, MD new_havenbaptist@yahoo.com Yoamy Sanchez (6/6) Apartado Postal #14 La Esperanza, Honduras ericksantic@yahoo.com Keith & Beverly Sellers (Anniversary 6/6) 3140 Long Blvd., Apt. 204 Nashville, TN keithnbeverly@gmail.com Emily Hunt (6/9) Pan American Christian Academy Jardindas Imbruias Sao Paulo, Brazil steveandemilyhunt@gmail.com Dave and Joyce Hilt (Anniversary 6/15) 2774 Meadowbrook Boulevard York, PA david_hilt@ntm.org Sarah Goosen (6/15) PO Box 2137 King Williams Town 5600 Republic of South Africa lsgoosen@gmail.com Elias Buckner (6/16) 625 Holly Street Elizabethtown, PA ben-nikki_buckner@ntm.org Dr. Heather Fowler (6/20) MCH PO Malumghat DT Coxs Bazar 4743 Bangladesh Phool_97@hotmail.com Peter and Paulette Teague (Anniversary 6/23) 939 Bluegrass Drive Lancaster, PA PTEAGUE@lbc.edu Ron and Carolyn Bupp (Anniversary 6/24) 4814 Clair-Mar Drive Dover, PA rbupp@juno.com Rev. Ron Bupp (6/26) 4814 Clair-Mar Drive Dover, PA rbupp@juno.com Melissa Kornbau (6/27) 599C Mound Ridge Road Cook Station, MO timkornbau@gmail.com YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE FOLLOWING WEEKLY / MONTHLY EVENTS IS ENCOURAGED Empty Nesters Plus Ladies Fellowship Meeting the first Tuesday of every month at 1:00 at Marsha Loop s home. Men s Prayer Group Join other men from the church for prayer every Thursday at 10:00 a.m. at Stan Stull s home. Nursing Home Ministry Conducting monthly services as follows: Autumn House Assisted Living - 1st and 5th Sundays at 2:00. Contact Dan Bitts Colonial Manor Nursing Home - 2nd Sunday at 2:30. Contact Paul Buser Manor Care Kingston Court - 4th Sunday at 2:00. Contact Frank Collins Connect Groups Meeting Monthly in Homes: Marchants - 1st Friday at 7:00 Wagamans - 3rd Friday at 6:00 (Contact Hank and Kim or Chip Isiminger) OWLS (Older, Wiser, Loving, Seniors) Meet at the church the third Tuesday of every month at 12:00. Contact Terry Hildebrand for information. GBC Playgroup and Mom s Night Out Contact Stephanie Porta for dates and locations for Playgroup and monthly Mom s Night Out or check out the blog-- Playgroup goes to Tiny Tumblers the 3 rd Monday of every month at 10:00 a.m. Jenny Compere (6/23) # th Street, SW Portage la Prairie MB R1N2Y7 jreitzcompere@extremeresponse.org

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