Welcome!
Thank you so much for joining us at Grace and Peace Church! Below you’ll find song lyrics, scriptures, sermon notes, and information relating to this week’s service! Also take a minute to fill out our connect form. If you are new we have a FREE MUG for you at the welcome table.
We’re so glad you’re here with us!
Grace & Peace to you!
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Announcements;
Sermon Based Study; Thursdays 7-8pm. Wells home. All are welcome just text/email if you're joining us or interested in more details.
Thanks for giving towards our mission to serve our brothers and sisters in Haiti! We have heard some of the progress of the work on the school that is being expanded and teachers are getting paid monthly to continue teaching. God is at work in beautiful ways!
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Liturgical Worship Readings
Daily Prayer
Help me pay attention today.
I want to be so acutely aware of Your presence in every space.
Help me notice beauty that doesn't beg for applause, conversations that carry Your kindness, and the still, small ways You're working beneath the surface.
Let my feet be rooted, not rushed.
Let my heart be soft, not guarded.
And let my soul remember that You waste nothing—not even times of slowing down.
A LITURGY for Domestic Days
Many are the things that must be daily done.
Meet me therefore, O Lord,
in the doing of the small, repetitive tasks, In the cleaning and ordering and maintenance and stewardship of things— of dishes, of floors, of carpets and toilets and tubs, of scrubbing and sweeping and dusting and launderingThat by such stewardship I might bring a greater order to my own life,
and to the lives of any I am given to serve, so that in those ordered spaces
bright things might flourish: fellowship and companionship,
creativity and conversation,
learning and laughter
and enjoyment and health.
As I steward the small, daily tasks,may I remember these good ends,
and so discover in my labors
the promise of the eternal hopes
that underlie them.
High King of Heaven,you showed yourself among us
as the servant of all,
speaking stories of a kingdom to come,
a kingdom in which those who
spend themselves for love,
even in the humblest of services,
will not be forgotten,
but whose every service lovingly rendered
will be seen from that far vantage
as the planting of a precious seed
blooming into eternity.
And so I offer this small service to you, O Lord, for you make no distinction between those acts that bring a person the wide praise of their peers and those unmarked acts that are accomplished in a quiet obedience without accolade.You see instead the heart, the love,
and the faithful stewardship
of all labors, great and small.
And so, in your loving presence,I undertake this task.
O God, grant that my heartmight be ordered aright,
knowing that all good service
faithfully rendered
is first a service rendered unto you.
Receive then this my service,that even in the midst of labors that
hold no happiness in themselves,
I might have increasing joy.
Amen.
Offertory Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, thank you that, by you, all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible. You warned us not to store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal, but to store up treasures in heaven. Guard our hearts and may we, in bringing our offerings to you now, store up treasure in your kingdom. May your peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. In your powerful name, Amen.THE LORDS PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Offer Prayers of Intercessions, Petitions, or Thanksgivings to the Lord either silently or aloud. After each person shares we simply acknowledge by saying “Lord hear our prayer.”
Prayer of Gratitude
Heavenly Father, We come before you today with hearts full of gratitude. Thank you for your countless blessings and your unwavering love. Thank you for the gift of life, for the air we breathe, and for the strength you give us each day. Your grace and mercy sustain us, and we are deeply grateful for your presence in our lifes.
Thank you for our family, friends, and the community you have surrounded us with. Thank you for providing for our needs and for guiding us with your wisdom. Even in times of trial, we thank you for the lessons and the growth that come from trusting in you.
Lord, may we never take your blessings for granted. Help us to remain mindful of your goodness and to share your love and kindness with others. We praise your name and give thanks for all that you are and all that you do.
In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
SERMON NOTES & RESOURCES
We typically preach through the LECTIONARY READINGS — For further reading of all the passages click here https://wordtoworship.com/lectionary/acna
GP Mission; We are a community established on experiencing the life-giving grace and peace found in knowing Christ.
"We participate in God's mission as a people. There's individual actions, there's individual moments, but ultimately, this is a symphony." -- MARK SAYERS
“Grace falls evenly, growth happens differently.”
Sermon by Nate Wells
Epiphany - contemplating the truth that God is with us.
Acts 10:34-38 Gentiles Hear the Good News
34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ, 37 you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
Matthew 5:44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
The difference wasn’t in how much God gave.
The difference was in who was willing to receive.
The closing line is; “And I will be with you until the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19,20
Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth.”
It must have been so awkward for Peter to go to Cornelius house…
How do you imagine he felt? What thoughts do you think he was wrestling with?
God Shows No Partiality (Verses 34-35)
DISCUSSION; In what ways can you contribute to creating a more welcoming environment in your community, workplace, or place of worship?
Matthew 3:13-17 it also appears in Luke 3:15-22
The Baptism of Jesus
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw God’s Spirit descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from the heavens said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
ACTION STEPS
Our first priority is ACKNOWLEDGE GOD IN THE MUNDANE AND THE EXTRAORDINARY:
— Dallas willard said “Discipleship means learning to acknowledge God in all we do,”
It’s a strange thought.
When Jesus was here on earth working a miracle in one place, some atrocity was unfolding in another.
In Cana he made wine from water to keep a party going. Somewhere at that same moment some child was being used as a slave.
He healed a woman crippled for 18 years when 18 people had just died from a tower collapsing.
He made no attempt to explain away the tension of tragedy.
He gave no apologies for making a world with such staggering possibilities for suffering.
He offered no tidy explanation for the problem of pain.
Instead, he gave us himself. And he showed us a life.
He carried in his earthly body the weight of the world, yet on a day-to-day basis it did not crush him. He cried for Lazarus. He lamented for Jerusalem. He cared about everything and everyone more than anyone could ever care. And he could still take a nap.
Jesus embodied a present life.
He was with people—rejoicing with those who rejoiced, weeping with those who wept. With, with, with.
His parting words were Behold, I will be with you always.
PETER; “He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.”
JESUS; “I am with you until the end."
How can you be with people? Who in your daily life needs your “with-ness” and witness?
Blessing…
Rejoice in knowing that we never walk alone.
Know the grace and peace of Christ walking beside us, guiding and protecting us.
Share this comfort with one another and feel his presence each moment of each day.
Amen
The option to give toward the ministry we partner with in Haiti is always available…
God is at work in Haiti, and we’re grateful to share just a few of the wonderful things He allowed our team to accomplish this past week through your support and generosity.
New Savings Group Started (last photo of all women)
The Outreach Mission – A Week of Transformation
Care Packs for families fleeing from violent gangs who currently pushing to gain more control over cities.
Thanks to the funds you sent, the outreach was a huge blessing. We were able to purchase gas, water, and supplies—and most meaningfully, we bought Bibles. With support from LCH and the local church, they are now walking in new obedience and joy.
Number one task of a Christ follower; Stay in that rhythm of receiving nourishment. A tree doesn’t work to receive but we choose what soil and if it’s near water source or in the care of a constant gardener. Here are a few more resources to study further.
We use Lectio Divina Journals as a guide for our daily spiritual formation. If you would like to journey with us you can order a journal here (link below) or pick one up at the welcome table at church.
https://www.lectiodivinajournal.com/buy/lectiojournal-nodates
If you’re looking for a great simple way to study the Bible check out this resource; https://throughtheword.org
Connect
First time visiting Grace&Peace? We would love to send you updates once a week on what’s happening and ways to connect further. If you have questions or prayer requests fill out the bottom form.