I want to start by saying how grateful I am for our church family!

I resonate with the apostle Paul when he writes, “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy…” (Philippians 1:3-4).

He’s at work in you and through you! I’m grateful for how Jesus is at work among us and in us, how he invites us to reflect his heart to a world in need. When we join him in this, we witness lives being transformed.

Next week we’ll hear several testimonies about life change at our baptism/worship service at Beulah Beach. If you can join us Sunday, August 21, at their lakefront conference center in Vermilion, we’d love to see you there! If you’d like to purchase dinner meals (by Wednesday 8/17), or you’re also welcome to bring your own picnic meal.

If you’ve given your life to Jesus but haven’t yet taken the step of baptism, it’s not too late to sign up! We’d love to celebrate this spiritual milestone with you.

I’m also so grateful for the generosity of our church family. This is what equips us to make an impact locally and globally. Your missional giving allows Alliance workers to be present among the unreached and overlooked in some of the most spiritually desolate areas of the world. You play a vital role in introducing lost, wandering, and suffering people to the One who promises never to leave or forsake them. This video expresses various international workers’ gratitude for your support.

2 Things happening this month that really make Grace feel like family: our Small Group Leader Workshop is being held on August 20th and August 27th from 9 – 11 AM (MH Campus). Pick the date that works best for you!

Making space for friendships at Grace is so important! Leading a small group is one of the best ways to find and make lasting connections. Whether you’ve led a group before and want to brush up on your community-building skills, or you want to see what leading a small group entails, Pastors Steve Harper and Tom Sefik will walk you through the process.

Finally, Esther Lewis is putting together a Grace Family Cookbook. If you’d like to submit a recipe, you can submit it here. The cookbooks will be bound together and sold at this year’s Christmas Craft Show to benefit Grace Youth ministry’s 2023 trips!

Grateful for you, Grace fam!