You’ve been hearing about it for months. And it finally starts this week. 40 days is a strategic time-period throughout the Bible. Whenever God was preparing someone for his purposes, he often used 40 days. For Noah – it was 40 days of rain. For Moses – it was 40 days on Mount Sinai. For Jesus – it was 40 days in the wilderness, For the disciples – it was 40 days with Jesus after the resurrection. I believe God will do something really important in your life and in us together, as GRACE church, during these 40 days as we ask the question, “What On Earth Am I Here For?”
Our “40 days” will officially begin this Sunday. I’ll be launching us into this exciting experience in worship on Sunday. If you’ve already purchased the 40 days book, by Rick Warren, you can begin reading in your book, Day 1 on Sunday.
Small groups also begin this coming week. We now have over 500 people that will be in a group. Don’t miss out. You can still sign up for a six-week group meeting on Sunday or Monday at our Locust Street Campus. Click here to do that now.
Don’t worry that you haven’t read any or much material before your first small group. Sunday mornings, the small groups, and the book reading will all come together to help us fully experience the 40 days!
On Sunday after our 10:30 am service, we invite all ages to join us outside for some food and fun. We will have food available for purchase and will also have cars at the front of BECA for the kids to do “trunk or treat”. No need to sign up but if you would like to join in and give out candy from your trunk, click here to email our Kids Ministry Coordinator, Denise Pierson-Balik.
Also, some other very important events coming up:
On Saturday, October 20, we will host GRACE ON ADDICTION. This one-day conference will feature a team of community professionals and people impacted by addiction. As you know this is a critical issue facing the Lehigh Valley – the statistics are staggering. I am very grateful that our emotional-wellness team is leading us to address addictions and to offer hope in the midst of addiction. The conference is free, but you must register.
Finally, our Master Plan Committee continues their work. After an extensive interview process, the Session has approved the committee’s recommendation and hired Merriman Holt Powell Architects to guide us in our Master Plan process. This national firm has a wealth of experience leading churches around the country in master planning and in church building and renovation. Other than their obvious architectural skills, this firm is particularly skilled in listening and engaging people in the congregation in the master planning process. I anticipate that Bill Merriman and Jim Powell will be on site for a first deep-dive with our congregation sometime in November. Please be in prayer as we continue to dream God-sized dreams for our church. I know God is guiding our every step.
I can’t wait for Sunday and look forward to shaking your hand at the door.
Your pastor,
Dr. Marnie Crumpler, Senior Pastor