•WELCOME: Please welcome to the GBF Family our newest members Jessica Cook and Thomas and Jane Mrozinski!!

•Mega Sports Camp: The Children's Ministry will be hosting a Sports Camp on June 28-July 2 from 5pm-8:30pm. Details will soon be posted!

•Camp KIDJAM- We have three spots open! May payments are due TODAY. Please see Mandy to sign up or pay!

•TeamKID and IMPACT Banquet: Everyone is invited to attend our "End of the Year" Banquet this Wednesday in the sanctuary! Banquet will begin at 6:30!

•MEN’S MONTHLY BIBLE STUDY: The next study will be on May 18th @ 107 East Main (Roy’s house) from 7pm-8pm.

•GBF 101/BAPTISM/COMMUNION: Please sign up at the Welcome Center (Kiosk) as our next class and baptism is scheduled for May 30th.

•MAY 29-30: We will be joined by several of our friends from the Navajo reservation: Pastor Wesley Castillo, his family and several congregates from Pine Hill Church in New Mexico will be HERE to worship with US! More details to come...

•YOUTH MISSION TRIP– The Satellite Students will travel to the Reservation in New Mexico on June 19-26. Contact Casey Layman for more info: clayman@shermanisd.net

•PRAYER FOR STUDENT MINISTER: Please pray for God’s leading towards filling our open student minister position and for our great group of volunteer leaders in the interim.

•LIFELINE GROUP LEADERS NEEDED: Are you a member of GBF who is not a perfect person but a REAL person, not a Bible expert but someone who LOVES God's people? Interested in leading a small group that meets in a home for the purpose of authentic community and spiritual growth? We want to hear from YOU!!! Contact Roy for more info: roy@thegbf.com Lifeline Groups: Love one another... -Jesus (John 13:34)

Sunday, 2010-04-25

•TEAMKID: April 28- Last SPIRIT NIGHT- Praise and Worship/Pizza/Testimonies

•BREAKAWAY WEEKEND 2010: May 1st & 2nd (Saturday 10am through church on Sunday). Is a time for students to grow closer together, closer to their leaders; learn more about the God that loves them, all in a setting that is FUN for all involved. In short, it’s a time for students to take a break, and BREAKAWAY from the influences that discourage them as young Christians, and a time to be encouraged by the love of God, their leaders, and one another.

•May 5- "End of the Year" Banquet will be held on you don’t want to miss it. Awards will be given to all!!

•MEN’S MONTHLY BIBLE STUDY: The next study will be on May 18th @ 107 East Main (Roy’s house) from 7pm-8pm.

•GBF 101/BAPTISM/COMMUNION: Please sign up at the Welcome Center (Kiosk) as our next class and baptism is scheduled for May 30th.

•MAY 29-30: We will be joined by several of our friends from the Navajo reservation: Pastor Wesley Castillo, his family and several congregates from Pine Hill Church in New Mexico will be HERE to worship with US! More details to come...

•YOUTH MISSION TRIP– The Satellite Students will travel to the Reservation in New Mexico on June 19-26. Contact Casey Layman for more info: clayman@shermanisd.net

•PRAYER FOR STUDENT MINISTER: Please pray for God’s leading towards filling our open student minister position and for our great group of volunteer leaders in the interim.

•LIFELINE GROUP LEADERS NEEDED: Are you a member of GBF who is not a perfect person but a REAL person, not a Bible expert but someone who LOVES God's people? Interested in leading a small group that meets in a home for the purpose of authentic community and spiritual growth? We want to hear from YOU!!! Contact Roy for more info: roy@thegbf.com Lifeline Groups: Love one another... -Jesus (John 13:34)

•CAMP KIDJAM: For those who have signed up but have not paid, April payments are due please contact Mandy Turner.

Sunday, 2010-04-11

• WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY: “The Titus 2 Women” for the last time this Thursday @GBF from 7-9pm.

• MEN’S MONTHLY BIBLE STUDY: Will be on April 20th @ 107 East Main (Roy’s house) from 7pm-8pm.

• GBF 101/BAPTISM: Please sign up at the Welcome Center (Kiosk) as our next class and baptism is scheduled for April 25th.

• COVENANT MEMBERS MEETING: We will have an informative meeting for all GBF members on April 25th, 5pm, in the GBF Worship Center.

• GBF 101/BAPTISM: Please sign up at the Welcome Center (Kiosk) as our next class and baptism is scheduled for April 25th.

• April 28- Last SPIRIT NIGHT- Praise and Worship/Pizza/Testimonies

• TEAMKID: "End of the Year" Banquet will be held on Wednesday, May 5th, 2010. You don’t want to miss it, awards to all!!

• MAY 29-30: We will be joined by several of our friends from the Navajo reservation: pastor Wesley Castillo, his family and several congregates from Pine Hill Church in New Mexico will be HERE to worship with US! More details to come...

• YOUTH MISSION TRIP: To Navajo Reservation in New Mexico June 19-26. Contact Casey Layman for more info: clayman@shermanisd.net

• PRAYER FOR STUDENT MINISTER: Please pray for God’s leading towards filling our open student minister position and for our great group of volunteer leaders in the interim.

• LIFELINE GROUP LEADERS NEEDED: Are you a member of GBF who is not a perfect person but a REAL person, not a Bible expert but someone who LOVES God's people? Interested in leading a small group that meets in a home for the purpose of authentic community and spiritual growth? We want to hear from YOU!!! Contact Roy for more info: roy@thegbf.com Lifeline Groups: Love one another... -Jesus (John 13:34)

• CAMP KIDJAM: For those who have signed up but have not paid, April payments are due please contact Mandy Turner.

Sunday, 2010-04-04

• COVENANT MEMBERS MEETING: We will have an informative meeting for all GBF members on April 25th, 5pm, in the GBF Worship Center

• YOUTH MISSION TRIP: To Navajo Reservation in New Mexico June 19-26. Contact Casey Layman for more info: clayman@shermanisd.net

• TEAMKID: "End of the Year" Banquet will be held on Wednesday, May 5th, 2010. Details will soon be posted!

• PRAYER FOR STUDENT MINISTER: Please pray for God’s leading towards filling our open student minister position and for our great group of volunteer leaders in the interim.

• LIFELINE GROUP LEADERS NEEDED: Are you a member of GBF who is not a perfect person but a REAL person, not a Bible expert but someone who LOVES God's people? Interested in leading a small group that meets in a home for the purpose of authentic community and spiritual growth? We NEXT SUNDAY: Israel "Chetsiy" (Hebrew for “more than I expected!”) Sunday...A group from GBF recently traveled to Israel; next Sunday morning they will be sharing their most memorable moments with the GBF congregation!
• want to hear from YOU!!! Contact Roy for more info: roy@thegbf.com Lifeline Groups: Love one another... -Jesus (John 13:34)

• MAY 29-30: We will be joined by several of our friends from the Navajo reservation: pastor Wesley Castillo, his family and several congregates from Pine Hill Church in New Mexico will be HERE to worship with US! More details to come...

• WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY: "The Titus 2 Women" meets every Thursday @ GBF from 7-9pm.

• MEN’S MONTHLY BIBLE STUDY: Will be on April 20th @ 107 East Main (Roy’s house) from 7pm-8pm.

• CAMP KIDJAM: For those who have signed up but have not paid, April payments are due please contact Mandy Turner.

• OFFERING BOXES: If you have come prepare to give, our offering boxes are located at the North and South doors as you exit the sanctuary.

• GBF 101/BAPTISM: Please sign up at the Welcome Center (Kiosk) as our next class and baptism is scheduled for April 25th.

Know well...make well known.

Yesterday was Palm Sunday, the day that Jesus made his “The Triumphal Entry” into the cit of Jerusalem. The following sets the scene:

Matt 21:8-11
Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting,” Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

What a beautiful picture right! The crowds making the way for Jesus, praising, “Hosanna!” The word Hosanna in Hebrew means “save, we pray”, see Psalm 118:25-26. But remember, Jesus is received by the words “Hosanna, Hosanna!” and just a few days later the crowds of this city would yell, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”…How is this?

In Matthew 21:10 we have a very important question, a question that many are still asking today. Look at the end of verse 10, “the city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” You have the crowds answer in verse 11, and we know what would be said regarding Jesus just a few days later, “let him be crucified” Matt 27:23. But what is our answer when we are asked that question? If someone were to say to one of us, “you are a Christian right? Well who is this Jesus?” I hope our answer would be simple, but layered. I hope that we would be able to give a very clear and personal short answer, but one that we could talk about for a lifetime. I pray that our answer would be the same today and forever, but also, that it would be even richer as our journey with Him goes on. In short, I hope we know, and are getting to know our Jesus.

And this is eternal life…know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ…” John 17:3

Let’s be a people who know our God well, that we may make him well known!!!

-Layman called pastor

Sunday Recap...The Essence of Christian Community

Sunday Recap…

It sure was good for me to be back with the church family after being out for a week. LOVED ISRAEL! (you’ll be hearing more about that in the near future) but it was good to be home, and what a way to bring in the spring, SNOW! crazy hu?

Hey don’t forget that we have a Family Easters Celebration immediately after CG this week. We’ll have bounce houses, an egg hunt for the kids, and hot dogs for all. Bring a lawn chair, and enjoy the fellowship, it’ll be EGGTASTIC!

Also, we’ll have a baptism for Parker Johnson at the Crelia’s house (formerly the Scales’ house) at 4 pm on Sunday! If you need directions to the Crelia’s contact the church office: secretary@thegbf.com

Man that Rhome can preach right!

Here is a recap of the Word that he shared with us on Sunday:

THE ESSENCE OF CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY
Our Bible text was from Ephesians with the application portion coming from Ephesians 4:25-32. I highly recommend reading the text from your Bible and spending some time in prayer about its contents.

Here are Rhome’s 5 points from Sunday:
1. Speak the truth to one another
2. Be angry at the right things and don’t let the your anger go long
3. Share with one another, be generous
4. Watch what you say and how you say it, be edifying
5. Forgive one another

As I read these 5 things I can’t help but think what a great case they are for Lifeline groups. We need some small groups to begin meeting in homes on a regular basis for the purpose of authentic community and spiritual growth, a place where the “one anothers” from the Bible can be learned and lived out. The first step to getting groups like this started are identifying and equipping some leaders to lead these groups. I know God has laid it on the hearts of some folks to lead a group like this. Remember, you don’t have to be a Bible teacher to lead a Lifeline group, but you do have to have a desire to love people. You don’t have to be a perfect person to lead a Lifeline group, but you just have to be a REAL PERSON. If you are interested in Lifeline group leadership, please let me know! roy@thegbf.com ….don’t wait on someone else to do it if the Lord is calling YOU...remember, God does not always call the equipped, but many times he equips the called!

I’m really pumped for our next two Sundays together. This week REMEMBER THE PASSION OF CHRIST….Then next week, CELEBRATE THE RISEN SAVIOR!

Have a great week,
The Layman called Pastor

EaSteR FaMiLy CeLEbraTIoN

This Sunday, GBF will be hosting an informal Easter family celebration. Immediately following Community Groups, we invite ALL families and individuals to stay for a time of fun and fellowship! Hotdogs, bouncehouses, and an egg hunt will be held on the playground on the northside of the property! The old elementary gym is reserved as a backup, in case of bad weather circumstances!

WHAT TO BRING: Lawn chairs or a blanket to lounge on and an Easter basket or sack for any children who want to participate in the egg hunt

DONATIONS: Please send candy/surprised filled egg donations to the church office (Monday-Thursday from 9am-2pm) or drop them off at the children's hall at GBF!

It's gonna be an EGGSalent time:-)

BIG GOD - small hands... recap,

You are not a god created by human hands
You are not a god dependent on any mortal man
You are not a god in need of anything we can give
By Your plan, that’s just the way it is

You are God alone from before time began
You were on Your throne Your are God alone
And right now in the good times and bad
You are on Your throne You are God alone

You’re the only God whose power none can contend
You’re the only God whose name and praise will never end
You’re the only God who’s worthy of everything we can give
You are God and that’s just the way it is
Unchangeable...Unshakable …Unstoppable…That’s what You are
(Phillips,Craig, & Dean - You Are God Alone)

Acts 17:24-25
24The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.

So we don’t serve God as though He is in NEED…How do we serve Him?

1 Peter 4:11
whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

2 Chronicles 16:9
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.

We serve Him by the strength that he supplies, bringing GLORY TO HIM. Our service is to make much of GOD!
As we serve, we look to HIM, and as we look to HIM, we rely on HIM to supply us, support us, and empower us, so it is to HIM that the GLORY belongs!

Matthew 5:16
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Serving our God knowing that HE is receiving the glory is all the more reason to “Serve the Lord with gladness!” –Psalm 100:2

This Sunday we are going to being talking about CONNECT with one another, John 13:34 will be a good place to start reading ahead.

Have a great week GBF!

Do You Want to Help Send a Child to Camp KIDJAM???

The GBF children will be attending Camp KIDJAM this summer for the fourth time! We need your help to send a few extra kids that would not have the opportunity to attend! This Sunday we will be taking up a special love offering to raise scholarships for the camp. The camp cost is $255. Our goal would be to send 4 additional students. Any donations would help make this goal possible. For more information regarding the camp or scholarships please contact Mandy Turner at 903-818-7722/ mandy@thegbf.com.

Sunday Recap...SERVE: Grace Bible Battleship

"even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” - Jesus, Matt 20:28

Our life as Christians is to be a life that follows the example of Jesus to SERVE.
The church can many times be approached as a cruise ship, where all of our desires are fulfilled. But we ought to be more like a BATTLESHIP, where we all have a role to fill. (See Romans 12:5-6 and 1 Peter 4:10)

Some time this week, go back and look at Philippians 2:1-8, and really let that text soak in. Jesus is the ultimate servant, looking to the interest of us in obedience to the Father. Our life should be one of obedience to serve others as well and as Philippians 2 tells us, it's about having HIS mind, (the mind of CHRIST) seeking his attitude, not our own, and not the self seeking attitude of this world. Having a servant's heart takes a NEW PERSPECTIVE. One that says: Praise God for the opportunity to SERVE!!
See also, Matt 20:20-28 and Jesus' example of serving in 20:29-33.
Don't forget, it all comes down to "basin theology" : )
Have great week in the Lord Grace Bible Battleship family! We'll see you Sunday, if not before.
Roy