GRACE HAPPENINGS. National Day of Prayer Thursday, May 5

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1 GRACE HAPPENINGS A WORD FROM PASTOR STEVE On May 21 & 22 Jayne and I will embark on an adventure that we ve never attempted before, and one that has us a bit nervous in undertaking. But as the saying goes, we re going for it! We are going to attempt to complete the Four State Challenge on the Appalachian Trail which is hiking about forty-four miles in four states (Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia). That doesn t sound too bad so far and we did that part of the trail last year so what s the big deal? Well, the big deal is in order to complete the challenge; those forty-four miles must be completed in a twenty-four hour period. Right now you re probably thinking, they really are crazy. That s probably true, but we are joining six other crazy people to attempt to complete this challenge. How does one prepare for a hike of this magnitude? Train, workout, train, workout and train some more! We ve been hitting the gym hard for the last eight weeks and last weekend got out on a hiking trail to get some miles on our feet, bodies and gear. The one blessing of this hike is it is a supported hike which means someone will be meeting us at different road crossings where we will restock on water and food so we don t have to carry much weight or even stop to filter water to drink. It will be all about putting the miles behind us. hiked I was reminded of that familiar verse found in Psalms. Psalm 119:105 says, Thy Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. When one considers the actual lamps used during biblical times, it was a lamp that only illuminated enough area for the next step. God is speaking to us through this verse, reminding us that He will illuminate the next step and then the next step and then the next step. We are often impatient desiring to see the end of the path He has us on and He is asking us to trust Him for the next step alone. Hiking with a head lamp is a different experience as the rest of the area around you is dark and while today s technology allows us to see more than just the next step, one needs to be certain of that step before proceeding to the next one. Jayne and I are being asked how we will complete such a long hike in such a short time. One step at a time. Some of those steps will be difficult and some will be easy. God tells us that His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path and we are to take one step at a time in life on the path He s given us to walk. And the path He s given us to walk is not one that we will finish in twenty-four hours, but rather one that will take a lifetime to complete and His desire is that we trust Him as we take those steps until He calls us home. National Day of Prayer Thursday, May 5 Commit now to pray on Thursday, May 5, for our nation, our church and our families. There will be a Celebration of Prayer that day (6:00 8:00 p.m.) at the WJTL Junction Center. The community is invited to this Celebration of Prayer scheduled to begin at 5:50 p.m. at The Junction Center. The evening will feature Prayer Leader Beau Eckert of Calvary Church and Michael W. Smith. Also on stage is The Matt Goss Band. Last weekend was a brand new hiking experience for us as we hiked for the first time in the dark utilizing head lamps. As we Many local communities are also sponsoring prayer times throughout the day. Check your local newspapers and Courier for times and places. Glorify God Through Family During but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15 May 2016

2 To go Along with the Family Theme for 2016, May s Theme is Mothers But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. Luke 2:19 Mother s Day May 8 Ladies Appreciation Banquet Friday, May 6, at 6:00 p.m. OWLS NEWS If you missed the program in April with Elva Hurst, chalk artist, you missed a very inspiring and uplifting afternoon! The 107 people who attended the program (not all from GBC) were really blessed by Elva s testimony of how she came to Christ including being told to leave her parent s home. Elva makes her pictures come to life. In the words of one who attended, They really speak to you. Ladies of all ages are invited to a special dinner in their honor made by Chef Pastor Steve and served by the men of GBC Jayne Warner will be sharing a message following dinner Sign-up today at either entrance to church Men: Sign up today at either entrance to church to serve M is for the million things she gave me O means only that she s growing old T is for the tears she shed to save me H is for her heart of purest gold E is for her eyes with love light shining R means right and right she ll always be Put them all together they spell mother A word that means the world to me By Lyricist Howard Johnson Submitted by Audrey Brooks 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 Carol Sarver John Gay Nina Johnson Gerry Gladfelter 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. details, including pictures, to gracebaptistyork@comcast.net or put a hardcopy in the secretary (Marchant) mailbox. May s meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 17, with a little different twist. The meeting will begin at 12:30 (a little later than usual) to give you time to eat lunch at home instead of eating together at church. An Ice Cream Social will be held in the church pavilion to start off the meeting. Ice cream will be provided; bring your favorite topping to share. Bring your own lawn chair. Glenn Hilt will be closing out the program. The OWLS are planning two Van Trips this year. The first, is on Tuesday, June 28, leaving the church at 8:45 a.m. The group will visit the Biblical Tabernacle Reproduction and the Mennonite Information Center in Lancaster. Lunch will be at Yoder s Restaurant and Buffet in New Holland. Cost of trip is $20.50 (includes Tabernacle and Buffet lunch, beverage, tax and tip) and must be paid no later than June 19 by cash or check payable to GBC to Marlene Marchant. On Friday, December 2, the OWLS will travel to the Bird-in- Hand Dinner Theater to enjoy Our Christmas Dinner, a new musical and a buffet lunch (sounds like this group likes to eat!). More information to come soon. Everyone 55 and over are encouraged to attend the monthly OWLS meetings and travel with the group! 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 6:00 Against the Flow Youth 6:30 Evening Worship Service Wednesday: 7:00 Bible Study & Prayer for Adults / Pioneer Clubs / Against the Flow Youth

3 QUILTING DAY Ten ladies gathered at GBC on April 16 to make baby quilts and of course, enjoy a great time of fellowship and lunch. Terri Nuss was gracious enough to submit a few pictures and her impressions of her very first Quilting Bee at GBC: I was blessed to be able to participate in my first quilting bee at Grace Baptist. The efforts of Pearl, Sue and others to organize this event made sure we were ready with quilt kits and a great lunch to sustain us throughout the day. Be sure to order your Sandwiches!! This Month only Proceeds go towards purchasing Bibles for Good News Jail Ministry Orders due Sunday, May 8 Place orders in Basket above the Mailboxes Pick up your sandwiches on Wednesday, May 18 Hand money to Missy Henise, Kathy Wagaman or slide under door to Secretary Office We weren't required to have any specific skills. If you can pin, sew, iron, cut/trim, or tie you can be helpful. This event helped me to find and dust off the sewing machine I recently moved from Texas and to retrain on some lost skills! However because I sat by Thelma I got distracted with her stories and I think I ripped out more than I sewed. Sigh! I found a group of gals with warm hearts and hands who were eager to create comfort and joy quilts for others. I also felt a new kindred spirit with my sisters. We listened to music, swapped stories, and ate brownies. How much better can it get when we are in service together for the Lord! At youth group we have been learning about FEAR. Fear asks you questions about you. It asks you questions about God. It asks you questions about your future. And it makes you doubt So fight back with your own questions. Here's some to get your started: Who is bigger God or your problem? Who defeated Satan, sin and death? Who is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords? Isaiah 41:10- So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Thanks all for a great day! Noteworthy Dates in May Mother s Day May 8 Baby Dedication during the Morning Services Contact Pastor Steve if interested in dedicating your child No Evening Service/Activities Communion and Baptism Service May 15-6:30 p.m. Contact Pastor Steve if desiring to be baptized Also, during this service hear a Ministry Update from our Missionaries with DiscipleMakers serving at Penn State, Kevin and Maria Noyes Saturday, May 14 Leave the Church at 5:30 a.m. YOUR ADVENTURE IN TRIBAL MISSIONS... IN PENNSYLVANIA Where youth discover missions. Food and fun, music and teaching highlight your Youth Day experience at Wayumi, for 7th through 12th graders. Your day starts at 8:30 a.m. and lasts until 8:00 p.m. Lunch and supper are provided, and you'll take part in games and team challenges. Plus, you'll go home with a nifty T-shirt and a better idea of what God is doing among unreached people groups and how you can be part of His work.

4 A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself Remember our HEROES Memorial Day Monday, May 30 No Evening Services/Activities On Sunday, May 29 Date Done Right Night And a Very Special Night It Was for Dads and their Daughters And Moms with their Sons Tuesday, May 31 2:00 7:30 p.m. GBC s Multipurpose Room And Here s a Big Thank You from House of Hope For supporting them once again during the Month of April

5 GBC Missionary Committee News The GBC Missionary Committee has many ways for you to get involved with missions. Here are some of the projects going on now: 1. A form has been placed in your mailbox asking about interest in a possible July 2017 mission trip to Honduras. Please sign your name to the bottom of the sheet if you are interested and place it in Michelle Noll s mailbox by May 15. Additional forms are in the library and back of the sanctuary. 2. You can help send Bibles to the prisoners at the York County Prison through the Good News Jail and Prison Ministry. A flier with information was placed in your mailbox. You can buy sandwiches during the month of May, donate money to help purchase Bibles (use an 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. Chaplain Dave Hildebrand will join us on Sunday, June 26, to receive the donated Bibles. 3. Human Life Services is holding its annual 5k Walk/Run at Cousler Park on Saturday, May 14. If you cannot attend the event that day, you can sponsor a walker or runner from GBC. See Michelle Noll or Frank Collins to sponsor a walker or runner. ~Submitted by Michelle Noll MAIL OR A BIRTHDAY OR ANNIVERSARY CARD TO OUR MISSIONARIES Lisa and Jeff Garlick (5/20) Child Evangelism Fellowship P.O. Box 3037 York, PA cefyork@juno.com Joel Sellers (5/22) 3140 Long Boulevard, Apt. 204 Nashville, TN keithnbeverly@gmail.com Dave and Tina Hildebrand (5/23) 5607C Mt. Pisgah Road York, PA dthildebrand@aol.com Ocean Commotion Diving into Noah s Flood!! VBS 2016 June :00 8:30 p.m. Children Age 2 through Grade 8 Registration Sheets Coming Soon!! Mandatory Staff Meeting May 1 at 5:00 in the Sanctuary STAFF STILL NEEDED FOR VBS Sign up downstairs on the door leading to Pastors offices/children s classrooms or Call or Helen Etner or Pastor Jon Or the Church Office CRAFT NEEDS Check the wall in front of the Sound Booth for Items that are Needed take a slip of paper (or as many as you like), purchase items and place in boxes in CE Office See Kathy Wagaman with Questions

6 SNACK NEEDS Watch the Sound Booth Wall for Items you can provide for the Children s Snacks See Michelle Noll with Questions ITEMS NEEDED TO BORROW FOR 7 TH AND 8 TH GRADE UNDER WATER LOUNGE Bean Bag Chairs Inflatable Chairs/Rafts/Loungers Moon or Saucer Chairs Beach Towels Surf Board or Boogie Boards/Body Boards Contact Jayne Warner with Questions MEALS BEING SERVED FOR STAFF AND CHILDREN BEFORE VBS BEGINS EACH EVENING Contact Brenda Apple to see how you can help 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. Contact Stan Stull for location. Nursing Home Ministry Conducting monthly services as follows: Autumn House Assisted Living - 1st and 5th Sundays at 2:00. Contact Charles Geesey 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. HOW CAN YOU SERVE THE LORD AT GBC? There is a need for individuals/families who will serve the Lord by visiting first time attenders to GBC. This is usually done on Sunday afternoons. Paul Buser will provide you with the address and a gift to deliver. Teach or help all ages for Sunday School or Children's Church, contact Jayne Warner or Pastor Jon. Teach or help Wednesday nights with Pioneer Clubs, contact Kathy Wagaman. Enjoy caring for babies through 2 years old? See Deb Goeke to serve in the nursery. Applications to work with children and youth in Sunday School, Children's Church, Pioneer Clubs, and Nursery are available on the wall at the top of the steps in the library. Interested in joining Grace Baptist Church? Paul Buser will be more than happy to talk with you. To receive urgent prayer requests and praises, serious church weather announcements/cancellations, the Sunday and Wednesday Praise/Prayer Sheets and the monthly Church Newsletter, sign up for Hotline s by providing your address to Marlene Marchant. Don't have an address? Give Marlene Marchant your name and phone number to receive by phone the urgent prayer requests and church announcements. Hank Wagaman and Helen Etner will train you to work in the sound booth--sound, Power Point, and/or camera to record services. How about driving the van to bring others to church for Sunday School and second service? Josh Lindsey will give you the route so nobody is missed! Wendy Amspahcer and Leasha Folk are looking for more singers to join the choir. Practice is Thursday at 6:45. Contact Brenda Apple to sing in the Christmas and Easter Cantatas. Let Sherry Stayer know you would like to sing or play an instrument as special music Sunday morning or evening. Pammie Landis schedules meals to be delivered to those who have been hospitalized, just had a baby, etc. If you don't have the opportunity to talk with these folks at church, put a note in their mailbox with your name and phone number or the church.

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