Dear Friends and members of Grace Baptist Church,

Tomorrow we celebrate “Rally Day” at Grace Baptist. Have you ever wondered, “What is ‘Rally Day’?” Rally Day is observed in some congregations to celebrate a new start or a renewed effort in involving children, youth, and adults in Sunday morning classes for Christian Education. At Grace we celebrate rally day by gathering around tables to share a pot-luck breakfast. At breakfast we’ll highlight the educational and discipleship offerings for children, youth, and adults this fall, not only on Sunday morning, but also throughout the week.

As we return to our “academic year” schedule with Christian Education Opportunities for all ages at 9:30 followed by our worship service at 10:45 a.m. we’re beginning a new sermon series focused on the purposes of the church.

When reading through the New Testament, after the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, one discovers the book of Acts or the Acts of the Apostles. This is a companion volume to Luke’s Gospel. Throughout the book Luke offers summary statements. One of those statements is found in chapter 2:43-47. In that statement we hear the early church doing five things: Fellowship, Discipleship, Service (Ministry), Outreach, (Mission / Evangelism) and Worship. Over the next five weeks, we’ll ponder one of these actions each Sunday.

Tomorrow, we’ll begin with fellowship through the lens of Matthew 18:15-20. In that passage we hear a oft quoted and familiar promise, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” Tomorrow, we’ll discover that the passage is not so much about celebrating God’s presence when two or three believers come together, rather the passage invites us into fellowship with one another.

See you tomorrow,

Pastor David