What a year 2020 was…
It was so strange that we had more free time than ever… but we weren’t able to meet together with our friends and family.
And who knows when things will be back to “normal”. I can’t wait to be able to go to a concert again, or to see a Wake Forest Football game again. I miss those big events … but way more than that…. I can’t wait to have friends over for a long drawn-out dinner again. How I miss life-giving moments with dear friends!
2020 taught us that community matters. God make us with a longing for belonging. He made us with an urge to merge. This past year, we’ve spent a lot of time talking about the global pandemic, but we haven’t spent as much time lamenting the social pandemic of isolation and loneliness and their serious consequences.
God made us to be connected. And Jesus had a dream for his followers to be a community that models connection. He told his disciples:
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35
On Sunday, we’ll dig into this dream God has for us… even in the middle of COVID. The world is hungry for this kind of community… especially today. To get ready for Sunday: read John 13. Think about your own experience of community or lack of community this past year.
If you are able, join us in person at BECAHI. Register here. Or click here to join us at 8:30 and 11 for modern services or at 9:45 for our classic service.
Sunday is Commitment Sunday. Sunday, we will act out being “better together” as we make our commitments to the work of GRACE Church in 2021.
There are 4 ways to make your commitment this week:
1) IN WORSHIP – Bring it to one of the services on Sunday.
2) DRIVE-THRU DROP OFF – Sunday 9 am-12 noon at BECAHI –
No need to get out of your car. The trustees will receive your commitment card. Follow the signs.
3) MAIL IN YOUR CARD – mail your commitment card to the church office.
4) ONLINE RIGHT NOW – www.gracecb.org/2021commitment
I want to thank you in advance for making your commitment this week. It will help the staff and session in their planning as we move forward into a very exciting year!
I can’t wait to worship with you on Commitment Sunday.
It is a privilege to be your pastor!
Dr. Marnie Crumpler
Senior Pastor
PS. On Sunday, we mark 3 years of worshipping at BECAHI. We are so grateful for our partnership with BECA and will thank BECAHI’s principal, Holly DeNofa in our Sunday services.