Glory of Christ Fellowship

Since today is the last day of 2014, and tomorrow is the first day of 2015, my heart and mind are focused on what God might do in and through Glory of Christ Fellowship (GCF) over the next year. The elders plan to lay out the details of our vision at the January 18 church members’ meeting, but just to give you a tease, here are some of the things that are capturing our hearts right now:               (1) Although it's been a long journey, we trust that the Lord will provide a Minister for Worship when he is pleased to do so. Whatever his timing, we will be articulating our vision for prospering the worship ministries in the life of GCF both within and without of the church in the early part of the year. We’re excited about amplifying our desire to praise the One who is alone worthy of our praise, and we’re excited about using music as a bridge to the unchurched in our city. (2) I am very excited to preach throu...

In light of Pastor Kevin’s sabbatical, which begins on January 1 and ends on March 31, I thought it good to post this helpful article from Matt Schmucker of Capitol Hill Baptist Church. I hope it helps you to understand the purpose and importance of pastoral sabbaticals for the pastor and people alike. “I have often likened pastors to bell towers: unless they are careful, they will ring one bell in their tower repeatedly. What do I mean? Even the best of preachers can begin to repeat the same theme and tone over and over in their preaching. A staleness or tired familiarity—one bell—begins to ring week in and week out. Why? This exists, in part, due to fatigue. The role of pastor-preacher, if done faithfully, is one of the most taxing jobs in the world. It demands so many skills. It’s emotionally taxing. And it’s both so regular (that sermon is coming!) and so variable (who can predict funerals, illnesses, or member crises?). Congregations need to be aware of this and make pro...

Agape Meal Next Week: There will be an agape meal next Sunday, January 4 after the worship service. You can find more information on the backside of this sheet. Sunday School: We will not be meeting for Sunday School this week (Christmas break) or next week (Agape Meal). Sunday School will resume on January 11. Fighter Verses: We will begin set 5 of the Fighter Verses next Sunday, January 4. The elders of GCF encourage you to pursue Scripture memory in 2015. Outreach Vision Meeting: Please join us on January 10 from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at the church office as we gather to think and pray about how God would have us reach out to Elk River with the love of Jesus this winter and spring. For more information, contact Pastor Charlie (charlie@gcfmn.org).  Stay Connected: All of our announcements are posted on our blog at our church website (gcfmn.org). If you would like to receive our bi-monthly electronic newsletter please contact Traci Veek ( traci@gcfmn.org ). ...

Several years ago, Josh Reeves, Pastor of Redeemer Church in Round Rock, Texas, developed a resource entitled, “100 Practical Ways to Engage your Neighborhood.” The idea behind this resource is to help Christians add gospel intentionality to everyday life, to help lovers of Christ live as missionaries in their own neighborhoods. Several weeks ago I began the process of posting these ideas 10 at a time. Not every idea will work for everyone, but please pray over each list and ask the Lord to help you identify one thing you can do each week. And if none of the ideas on a given section of the list works for you, then let it inspire you to think of something else. Whatever the case may be, ask Jesus to enable and empower you to join him in the joy-producing, God-exalting quest of seeking and saving the lost in our neighborhoods. Here’s the seventh part of the list: Extended neighborhood – The Regular Spots in your City (continued) 61. Invite a neighbor to a local sporting...

§4. Our creation and God’s Incarnation most intimately connected. As by the Word man was called from non-existence into being, and further received the grace of a divine life, so by the one fault which forfeited that life they again incurred corruption and untold sin and misery filled the world. You are wondering, perhaps, for what possible reason, having proposed to speak of the Incarnation of the Word, we are at present treating of the origin of mankind. But this, too, properly belongs to the aim of our treatise. For in speaking of the appearance of the Saviour amongst us, we must needs speak also of the origin of men, that you may know that the reason of His coming down was because of us, and that our transgression called forth the loving-kindness of the Word, that the Lord should both make haste to help us and appear among men.  For of His becoming Incarnate we were the object, and for our salvation He dealt so lovingly as to appear and be born even in a human ...

In Luke 2:22-35 we hear about a man named Simeon who lived in Jerusalem and who was a righteous, devout, and waiting for the consolation of Israel (see Isaiah 40:1-11). Luke tells us that the Holy Spirit was upon Simeon and that he had revealed to Simeon that he would not taste death until he had seen the Lord’s Christ, his promised deliverer, the one who would fulfill all of the promises and purposes of God. One day Simeon was seeking the Lord and enjoying his presence I’m sure, and the Spirit compelled him to go into the temple complex. This was not a random act of leadership on God’s part, rather, it was a most specific act of leadership, for when Simeon entered the grounds of the temple his eyes landed upon the proper object of the temple, namely, the Lord Jesus Christ. He was only a baby, he was so vulnerable and normal, but by the grace of God Simeon had eyes to see that he was so much more than a little baby. Luke doesn’t tell us the timing or details of how they con...

“Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain” (Psalm 127:1). Psalm 127 was written by King Solomon as a “Song of Ascents.” These Psalms were sung in ancient days by the Israelites as they traveled up to Jerusalem for an appointed feast or necessary gathering. So picture a group of people walking up a mountain pass and singing along the way, and as their eyes light upon the sacred temple in Jerusalem they begin to sing the words, “Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” In their day, Solomon was building many things. He built the Temple, a magnificent palace, and other civic and cultural structures. Tens of thousands of Israelites served as laborers in the King’s endeavors, and so for the people of that day these words were particularly pregnant: “Unless the LORD build the house, ...

Several years ago, Josh Reeves, Pastor of Redeemer Church in Round Rock, Texas, developed a resource entitled, “100 Practical Ways to Engage your Neighborhood.” The idea behind this resource is to help Christians add gospel intentionality to everyday life, to help lovers of Christ live as missionaries in their own neighborhoods. Several weeks ago I began the process of posting these ideas 10 at a time. Not every idea will work for everyone, but please pray over each list and ask the Lord to help you identify one thing you can do each week. And if none of the ideas on a given section of the list works for you, then let it inspire you to think of something else. Whatever the case may be, ask Jesus to enable and empower you to join him in the joy-producing, God-exalting quest of seeking and saving the lost in our neighborhoods. Here’s the sixth part of the list: Extended neighborhood – The Regular Spots in your City 51. Frequent a local gym or recreation center 52. Fin...

Hi everyone! Our web-hosting company is experiencing technical difficulties that have essentially eliminated the blog on our website . Therefore, we are going to begin posting our entries here from this date forward until the company resolves the issues. You can check out Pastor Charlie's Blog here and Pastor Kevin's Blog here , though many entries will be posted here and there.  Thanks for your understanding and patience!