As we stopped to pray before our milestone vote to purchase our new campus property, I was overwhelmed with the goodness of God and the privilege of being your pastor. The unanimous vote was another grace – we are moving into this season together with clarity that we are joining God in his mission to love our city in Jesus’ name inviting everyone to know and show his grace.
Your vote to purchase the Hecktown property is just the beginning of this chapter of our story. We will continue to bring you updates on the property and on the master planning process. We are so blessed to have so many gifted church members as well as professional engineers, architects and other consultants who are helping to lead these efforts. God has certainly brought together an amazing GRACE team. Continue to pray for all these efforts. To God be the glory.
On Sunday, we will gather for worship and continue in our series, On Display. James has a lot to say about wisdom in his book. James talks about an earthly wisdom and a Godly wisdom. And I have to wonder if one of his models for that Godly wisdom was his own mother, Mary.
At both services (9 am – Classic & 10:30 – Modern), we will celebrate moms and those who are like moms to us. Children’s choirs will sing at the 9 am service. Also, before or after services, there will be a photo booth for you to grab a picture with your mom or your whole family (or with some of your GRACE family).
Also, on Sunday, you will hear from one of our college students about her life as a follower of Jesus. She is living her life On Display!
Finally, I want to invite you to jump into SERVE WEEK! This year, we are taking Serve Day to a whole new level. We are making it an entire week… and inviting you to serve right where you live. For each day next week, we have a prompt for you to find your own way to Serve Bethlehem. You could take a meal, do a favor, leave a card, buy a cup of coffee, pull weeds, bake cookies or just give a word of encouragement. Share your stories at servebethlehem@gracecb.org or inspire others to join you by posting it on your Facebook or Instagram with #ServeBethlehem. You can also pick up some #ServeBethlehem Cards on Sunday to leave where you serve.
Monday Serve a friend or family member
Tuesday Serve a neighbor
Wednesday Serve a hero
Thursday Random Acts of Service
Friday Serve a mentor
And then on Saturday, we will all join together to serve throughout the city on Saturday. Click here to pick your place. I’ll be working at Freemansburg Elementary School.
I can’t wait to gather on Sunday, and to scatter to serve next week!
Keep spreading GRACE!
Your pastor and friend,
Dr. Marnie Crumpler
Senior Pastor