An Important Experiment This Sunday with Grace Community Church
We have a great experiment this week at Grace Community Church. I’m one that chooses to look for the positive in every negative situation, so I really want to see what I can grasp from this opportunity.
Because our church meets in a school, today I had to write our first email to the church announcing that services are cancelled Sunday due to inclement weather. Here is the email:
Grace family,
Due to impending weather, Grace Community Church will not have services this Sunday, January 31, 2010. As this is written there is no snow falling, but the weather forecast is currently very threatening for our area, so the school system, in a precautionary measure, has cancelled all school activities for the weekend, which obviously impacts us. We are sorry for this inconvenience, but thankful for the advance notice and understanding of the need to protect the well-being of large numbers of people.
Please take this opportunity to enjoy some family time, rest, and spend some time reading the Bible and praying on Sunday. A few notes for those of interest:
*If you had planned to invite a friend, have them come with you next week. We will launch our new series for adults and children next week.
*If you normally give to the church or other causes we support, you may make those donations online (http://www.gcomchurch.com/give), mail them to Grace Community Church, PO Box 3136, Clarksville, TN 37043, or save them for next Sunday.
*If you have prayer needs or other items to communicate to the staff, please send them to office@gcomchurch.com
*Please pay special attention to the Grace website (http://www.gcomchurch.com) and the Grace Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/gcomchurch) for announcements you would have received Sunday. You might also want to make sure you have joined the Grace Facebook group, where we often send emails.)
Thank you for your faithfulness. Be safe and we look forward to seeing you next week.
Grace staff
Now here is the experiment. Will it make a difference? Will it matter to anyone that Grace Community Church will not meet this Sunday? Sure, it’s just one week, but what if it were every week? Would that matter to our community? Are we making enough of a difference that it would matter if we were no longer here?
What do you think? Has Grace made a difference in your life or in the lives of others you know? Please share a word, sentence, paragraph or story with us here on the blog where others may enjoy them. (If you don’t attend Grace Community Church, but want to give a shout out to the difference your church is making, feel free to share.) Your comments will help me stay positive, because I’m really going to miss my friends at Grace this week, but will also be a blessing for others to read your stories.
57 responses to "An Important Experiment This Sunday with Grace Community Church"
Grace Comm. has been a blessing to Kenny and me in ways I can't even express–and in such a short time! The leadership has been incredibly supportive of the vision God has given us to minister to the poor of Clarksville…but the reason we started coming in the first place was b/c the worship team needed a fill-in bass player. Kenny hadn't been play much at all, and this opportunity has been LIFE to him. He was created to worship, and being able to do so with a great team at such a loving church as been amazing. We'll be there tomorrow after several weeks away, and I can't wait!
You and Kenny are awesome. Great days together ahead! Love you guys.
Grace has been my saving salvation through my husband's diagnosis and treatment for his cancer. I can't even imagine not having all of you to lean on in this difficult time. I enjoyed the church before this tragedy, but have been so impressed with the out-pouring of love from all. Thanks to all of you.
Diana, I shared your comment with the staff. I hope we are always this type of church.
if Grace were no longer there – God would no longer have the conduit to change thousands of lives in this community. Thank you to all the staff and pastors!
Thanks Susan. Makes my day!
I am a pastor's wife in Clarksville, and I "play hooky" by coming to Grace sometimes. Though my theology is much more progressive, I do love praise and worship music, and like being able to blend into the crowd and have a nursery for my child to go to. I can actually worship when I come to Grace. So, thanks.
Thanks for "playing hooky" with us. I'm curious what the more "progressive" theology means. not sure I've heard that term. Either way, glad you are with us when you can be. Over the years God has allowed many ministers and spouses to join us for a time or season. God bless.
Progressive is another word for liberal. For example, I was quite distressed when you responded to the Haiti earthquake by focusing on the missionaries who would "bring God" to Haiti. God is already there and I feel the most Christlike response to such a disaster is to feed the hungry, heal the injured, and help rebuild their homes, schools, and hospitals.
Thanks for the anonymous comment…got to love those! I don't remember using the words "bring God" to Haiti, but I'm not a word smith, so I possibly did. Anyway, I agree with you that the "Christlike response" is to feed the hungry, heal the injured, and help rebuild. That's kind of why we do ministry the way we do. Thanks for your comment.
Here's the thing. Today I discovered there's a big difference between me making the choice not to go and not having that choice at all. That's the moment I realized how much I missed it…you…Grace!
Ray, dude, I think you just rocked at my experiment! Thanks! Love it.
It's a bummer we can't gather to worship this Sunday but it's okay-there's always next Sunday
And, we are looking forward to a great day next week!
I am definitely sad that we won't be having GCC today. I really enjoy watching the babies at the 10:00 service, and then going to listen to the 11:30 service. GCC is a WONDERFUL church and I am so thankful to be a part of it!!! I LOVE GCC!!!
Thanks Kelsey for sharing and for serving at Grace!
Missing a Sunday morning won’t be a big impact since I rarely connect with anyone during that time… Sunday night community group is another thing though!
Stephanie, we need to connect you on Sunday mornings. Perhaps you could serve in one of the areas, such as greeting, information tables, or one of the children's areas. Most people that connect in a real way on Sunday mornings are serving somewhere. If you are interested, email me at ron@gcomchurch.com. In the meantime, glad you are connecting at community group! Thanks for commenting.
As usual, Jason and I will feel as though a huge part of our week is missing by not having the opportunity to worship with our family at Grace. We love what Grace has been, is, and will continue to be as we walk through life with countless questions. We know Grace is the right place when Weston is disappointed because there is no Cross Street, or when he wakes up and asks, "Is today Sunday." WOW, how our lives have been enriched through our experiences with Grace.
Jason and Shery, from the first night in my living room, you and Jason have continued to be a huge part of Grace Community Church. Cheryl and I are so thankful for our friendship with your family.
Grace has changed my life!!!!!! I was baptized, joined a community group and started a whole new life. I was never able to call myself Christian before attending this church. Its brought me closer to God and my family closer too. This is the best thing to ever happen to me. Its been life changing and I've never been able to say that about a church before. I cannot wait until next week to attend with my husband and continue with the learning experience.
Leigh Ann, I love seeing you every week. It was great being a part of your baptism too! Thanks for commenting.
Kellie & I will definately miss coming to Grace on Sunday. I look forward to it all week! I’ve never been so excited about going to church. As a matter of fact, when I serve at Guest Services at the 10:00 service I tell people that I’ve been looking for this church my whole life, and it’s true! God is doing great things through the staff & people of Grace Community Church. The people are so full of love & compassion. The spirit of God moves in mighty ways every Sunday, and then throughout the week in our community groups. I am looking forward to seeing what He will do next!
You two do a great job. I watched Kellie Sunday introducing a visitor to the church. So glad are paths crossed again after all these years and glad we are serving together! Thanks!
It ALWAYS makes a difference in our week when we are not at Grace… not only to us, but to our children. When we told our kids church was canceled, our ten year old said, "But I had my last kick start class and I worked so hard!" We all look forward to Grace every Sunday and the boost that it gives us to start our week! Thank you Grace for giving us a place to come together and be real, to grow in our relationship with our Lord and for loving us enough to keep us together even in the snow!
Mine too Renee. Thanks for sharing.
PS. Renee, you might consider pointing some of your readers to the father question (since you have so many) I'd love their feedback.
Will do! I will wait till this evening… I get more hits then for some reason.
I love Grace. I love to hear our voices raised in worship praising our Lord. We are the church. I will miss all of you this Sunday. Teach your kids a Sunday school lesson. Turn on WayFm and "shout to the Lord". check out Mrs. Heather's MySpace and listen to Jesus Beat (my little one's favorite). Turn off the tv, computer, cell phones and play! If you don't have kids…so what…play anyway. Rejoice in the Lord always.
It will make a difference to me that Grace is not meeting this weekend! I love seeing God work through the people of Grace, I love working with the amazing kids in Cross Street, I love the beautiful worship music and the thoughful and challenging messages that make me really think and I know that God is always present! You can see God at work every weekend at Grace! But just look outside at the beautiful snow, and you can see God at work in your back yard. He is Amazing! I guess I will use what I have learned at Grace to 'Worship at home." I will miss the people of Grace, but I will jam out on YouTube to some Daniel Doss Band and Building 429 and talk to The Big Man Upstairs! Thank you for all that you do to make Grace Community Church happen every weekend! GCC is changing lives! Have a wonderful and safe weekend!
Wow, Holly, thank you. Great tribute to the work of God at Grace. Thanks for working with kids! I'm sure they will miss you!
I just finished reading Mitch Albom's book Have a Little Faith and thought of you and Chad throughout the book! GCC makes a HUGE difference in people's lives. I for one am thankful that you all listen and follow God's calling in your life!
Wow, what a compliment Cindy. Thank you.
I was raised in a different type church environment. After I had been going to GCC about 6 months, I went to my brother (who was recently appointed an Elder), and I told him," *******, I am now going to a great church (because John and I had quit going to church); I love it, I love the people, and guess what *****(brother), they asked me to be a greeter!!! and John is an assistant teacher! I will never leave there and you can say all you want to about me going to this new church". He didnt look at me, but very quietly with a smile on his face stated, "yeah, I heard about that place". Awesome!
I think the greatest impact is when people find that our fellowship is not just for followers/believers… but our gathering is geared towards the person that is searching for truth. We have never invited so many people to church as we have since we've been gathering at Grace…. because we really think that anybody would be welcome there… and they don't have to "have it all together" or be a certain way or dress a certain way. Grace is a picture of Jesus… just simple, accepting, and full of grace and love.
Great reminder.
Yes, Grace Community Church is making an impact in the community… because Grace Community Church (which is the gathering of individuals with the common purpose of worshipping Christ and following Him) is impacting individuals. We learn to worship together and to serve each other. We are learning what the grace of God is… and how to share that grace with each other. We are learning acceptance and forgiveness… while learning strong Biblical truths. I have experienced grace at Grace… my family is learning to love others as we seek to find ways where everyone of us can serve others. Even my middle school children wanted a way to serve… so they serve in Grace Acres and Cross Street. LuEllyn and I thank Grace for allowing us to use the gifts and talents God has given us for sharing the love of Grace, and Jesus, to others.
You guys are awesome Jim. Thankful for years of friendship.
Absolutely, it would make a huge difference…esp. in my life. I count on my church as a source of strength, encouragement, friendship, and spiritual guidance and refreshment. I am going to miss it this weekend!
Thanks Michelle. You are a great encourager.
Ron… is there any way you could record SOMETHING and put it on the podcast thingie? If not this time, maybe a thought for the future? Then in a way… Grace *would* be meeting because I'm sure many families would listen to it as a family worship time.
And if my old 4 wheel drive truck could get me up this hill… I'd be there for worship in the snow! What a hoot!
Teri, what an excellent idea! Wish I would have thought of it (or you would have earlier). Good call for the future and it triggers a thought for Sunday. Thanks
Teri, this was a REALLY good idea…it's going to cause us to do something….
Great idea Teri. Yes Ron. Please put something on the podcast, and know that we would! all be worshiping together!
We are actually thinking of a last minute option, but definitely something to consider for the future.
At least you or Chad could do a FlipVideo thingy or something and post on YouTube then shoot it out via email, twitter, and facebook that it's there. You could record it in the comfort of your favorite study chair and mention the snow ordeal and proceed with what God has placed on your heart. I think it's a great substitute for these situations.
I like the thought of sitting in my favorite study chair. May bring that to Grace someday!
yes, it is going to make a difference…We are going to miss Grace. We were looking forward to several family members that were going to visit Grace with us on Sunday. I have been in church nearly all my 46 yrs of life and I have never experienced church like I have at Grace. I have never seen the excitement in any other church, sad to say most people look so doom and gloom in church and it is definitely not like that at Grace. The first time we visited was the last of November "09 and I look so forward to the following Sunday. The ministry that takes place at Grace far exceeds anything I have ever dreamed Clarksville would ever have…The Lord definitely has His hand on Grace. It is so exciting to see so many of Clarksville''s younger couples in church. I know God definitely has large plans for Grace…Thanks Grace for reaching Clarksville with the Gospel of Jesus Christ…We love you…
Thank you Sherry. You have already made a difference with us, by leading us to a tremendous family where we could share God's love. Thanks for your faithfulness.
Someone on facebook was saying yeah the snow is here! I think it's pretty etc. But I will miss my family of GCC dearly this week. They have helped me become a new person, and God is getting me ready for a new mission coming up. I love to see the smiles of the children, and the hallway between services. I heard someone say last Sunday, they've never been to a church where, after the last song, no one rushed out to get to…wherever. Grace is my family. So I started calling people today about Soles4Souls and inviting them to our next meeting. I agree with Brenda. Call a meeting in the middle of the parking lot, and you'll see how very important GCC to us. Thank you Ron.
Thanks Diane. Your support is always encouraging.
I agree Sheila. Corporate worship helps me grow.
Yes, for me it will make a huge difference. Not only does a Sunday morning at Grace replenish and restore me, but this particular Sunday we were introducing friends to everything that Grace has to offer. Since attending Grace I have yet to leave the building without feeling refreshed and ready for what the following week has to offer. I am really going to miss that experience this Sunday. And I know, some will say 'It's just a building' – true – 'Worship at home' – I can – 'Spend time in prayer' – I will – but it's just not the same. Nothing replaces the feeling of being surrounded by my brothers and sisters at Grace. I'll miss them.
I think the Grace staff needs to know that you are DEFINITELY making an impact in the community. I have been attending Grace since the summer of 09 and I feel like I have grown so much in Christ and I attribute that to the loving community that I have formed. Everyone I've encountered seems to truly be in love with Christ and wanting to spread the love of God with everyone else!
I don't want to say "it wouldn't matter if Grace didn't exist", but I definitely would say that Grace planted an amazing seed in my heart that the Holy Spirit has definitely been reaping! And I'm sure I'm not the only one. God is working amazingly in and through the church, staff, and congregation.
Thanks Nikki! Love seeing the APSU email addresses we see at Grace too! (Great concept of "planted an amazing seed"…that means we are still growing. Love it!)
Grace Community Church is more than our temporary rental space! I belive if you posted for folks to come stand in the snow and worship this Sunday, I bet you would be suprised at how many would show up! Grace is full of people that are growing, healing, and worshipping our Lord and Savior together each week! (not just on Sunday mornings, they are living it out during the week, and through small groups)This is a determined bunch, this is a GOD thing, that is not going away, regardless of the circumstances .
Everyone stay safe in the snow!
Thanks Brenda. This is an encouragement. Church in snow…I kinda like it!