This is what I wrote on Facebook after last Sunday…
Some Sundays, I go home from gathering with my Grace Hills Churchfamily and feel so humbled. I feel smaller than ever, and God seems bigger than ever in my eyes.
I see people bringing people by the droves. Others are finding us, stalking us (in a nice way) and then showing up. And the feedback that I hear leads me to believe God is up to some absolutely amazing things in the lives of people!
Pastors usually dread the “summer slump” when everybody’s gone and attendance bottoms out. We’ve actually grown over the summer! Our average attendance is 35% higher than a year ago. Our nursery is full. Our adult service is so full we’re strategizing about options to make sure there’s room.
And leaders are emerging. One small group is splitting into three and others are forming, and 25 men jumped into our new men’s small groups. Another person is stepping forward to pour into 5th and 6th graders. People have stepped forward with ideas for our Love Week projects. New people are greeting, holding babies, and leading in worship.
And don’t get me started on the spiritual transformation happening in people’s lives. People are following Jesus, growing as disciples, working through big heart and soul issues, and finding healing from the inside out.
I’m just humbled. King Jesus is worthy of so much praise, and I love watching to see what he’s going to do next in our midst! I love you guys and couldn’t ask for a more amazing church family to be part of! See you in the theater next Sunday (and some of you here and there in between)!
This coming Sunday, I’m teaching part 4 in our series on Daniel: Thriving In Babylon with a message about our one true King. God has been using these messages in a powerful way and I expect him to show up in a big way again this weekend. We’re celebrating communion too, so be sure to join us!
We’ve set aside the week of August 2nd through 8th as Love Week. We agree with Janice, who said on our Facebook page, “This should be EXTRA Love Week, because love and service happen every week at Grace Hills Church.” But “Extra” didn’t fit on the graphic very well, so we’re keeping it Love Week.
Here’s the challenge, and it’s really, really simple… Go. Serve. Love. Click here to find out how.
MEN’S SMALL GROUP OPPORTUNITY
Guys!! We’re in the middle of a four-week small group on the book of Jonah all about God’s Relentless Grace. We’re still finalizing the time and place but we are tentatively looking at a private meeting room in Bentonville on Wednesday mornings at 6:30 am at Fellowship at the Deli and again at 4:00 pm at Panera Bread in Bentonville, so pick one and join us!
SMALL GROUP HOST GATHERING
Do you host a small group? Are you interested in hosting a group? We want you to join us for an informational meeting and cookout at the home of Brandon and Angie Cox on Sunday evening, August 30th at 5 PM. You’ll hear about our plans, goals, and strategy for our upcoming Fall Campaign starting the first Sunday in October. We’ll also talk about your challenges, concerns, and blessings from this past year of small group meetings. Have questions? Email Danny@gracehillschurch.com.
NEWCOMERS LUNCH
Our next Newcomers Lunch is Sunday, August 16! If you’ve never been, we’d love to have you meet us at Dinks BBQ in Bentonville at 12:30 and our Pastors will share the vision, values, and story of Grace Hills as well as what it means to consider becoming a covenant member of the church. Or, you can watch the presentation and join online!
I can’t wait to see you at the theater Sunday!
Pastor Brandon