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 back welcome table.
We’re so glad you’re here with us!
Grace & Peace to you!
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Announcements;
Men's Retreat; October 9-11 Palomar Christian Conference center. Cost; $199
https://www.hopechurchvista.com/mens-ministry
Volunteer opportunities;
Rising Tide Ranch; 1st Saturday of the month. 9-12. 12-1 BBQ/testimony food is provided. RSVP by DM on Instagram or lisa@unleashedworldwide.com
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.
What word or phrase stands out for you today? What do you think God is saying to you?
Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Offertory Prayer
Faithful Father, thank you that you give the gift of abundant, eternal life. You have said that you are a Good Father who gives us good gifts. Your generosity overflows to us. Everything we have is a gift from you. As we bring our offerings to you, we give back to you from the abundant blessings you have given us. May our gifts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord our God. Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving, honor, and power and strength, be unto you our God forever and ever. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, 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 lives.
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
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
Preaching/Teaching; We typically preach through the weekly passages of Revised Common Lectionary
Title: “Root to Fruit”
Sermon by Nate Wells
Who are you becoming?
Philippians 2:1-13
2 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
VS 6 “did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage.”
Jesus does not treat his status as something to exploit for himself.
An example of this process from Gospel Fluency by Jeff Vanderstelt
Gossip (bad fruit)
Why? because I want people to know I was wronged and I believe I deserve to be avenged (misplaced identity)
Why? I believe God does not really care about my sufferings (wrong belief in what God has done)
Why? I believe God is unloving (wrong belief in who God is)
TRUTHS ABOUT GOD -> REPENTANCE
I believe God is loving (true belief in who God is)
I believe God has condemned evildoers who reject Jesus or if the offender is Christian, Jesus died on the cross to express God’s justice against the sins of the offender (true belief in what God has done).
I believe God has brought justice for me showing that He cares for me. He knows what happened to me (identity in Christ)
I do not need to tell others about how bad the offender is. I find peace in the love God has for me. I can love my offender because God has loved me. I can forgive because I am forgiven. (good fruit)
Key takeaway; If we root our lives into God we get all the benefits of being loved, cared for, provided for and confidence in life to the full, not because of our hard work but because we belong to the creator of the universe.
TRUTH; If Jesus didn’t use His position for Himself, neither should we.
Biblical humility isn’t: “I’m worthless.” It’s: “I don’t have to make everything about me.”
“Continue to work out your salvation…for it is God who works in you to will and to act…”
We work out what God is already working in.
“Beneath every sin is a failure to believe a truth about God” (Tim Chester)
Matthew 21:28–32 — The Two Sons
“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ “ ‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.
The first son says, “No,” but later changes his mind and goes.
The second son says, “Yes,” but never goes.
God desires obedience, not the appearance of obedience.
Action Step
Pick one area of obedience you’ve been postponing—forgiving someone, serving someone, making something right, giving generously, changing a habit—and turn your “I should” into “I will.”
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
Lasting Change Haiti
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 God allowed our team to accomplish this past week through your support and generosity.
Successful crops from all the beans that went out to churches and families
New roof for a church in need in Fond Lantanier
Bibles for Pastor Wilson’s Church
Microfinance loans for widows to start small business
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.
Bible Study Resources
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.
Lectio Divina Journals
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 or pick one up at the welcome table at church.
Through the Word
If you’re looking for a great simple way to study the Bible check out the through the word app, study plans, and other resources.
GP Bible Study
Join the Grace and Peace bible study to study with us in person.
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.