Weekly Update

Hi GCN Family,

This past Sunday we began a series through the book of Esther. Spoiler alert: The story of Esther has a good ending, but it has a very dark middle. The subplot of the whole story is the threat of genocide against the Israelites. This is one of the darkest times in Israelite history.

Eventually, Queen Esther realizes that she must go before the king and plead for her peoples’ lives. The king doesn’t yet know that she is also an Israelite, and she knows that she would be risking her own life simply by approaching him. However, she persists: “I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:16)

Such courage!

What does it look like for you to exercise courage in the face of fear? Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is standing up for God-given convictions, despite fear. The Holy Spirit will help us!

We live in a time when we’re being pulled in different directions about what’s “right” and what’s “wrong.” If we’re not careful, it’s going to be difficult to know what to stand up for. I pray that we are a church who is not swayed by trending sound bites or ideologies, but that we are anchored in the way of Jesus. For more about the way of Jesus, read Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), or his first sermon in a synagogue (Luke 4:14-30), or his posture towards a Samaritan (John 4:1-26,39-42).

Holy Spirit, give us eyes to see people the way you see people. Give us courage to stand up for Your Ways. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

THE BIG THINGS…

1. This Sunday, Pastor Osmany Espinosa will be joining us. He is the Missional Ministry Director for the Mid-Atlantic District Church of the Nazarene. Specifically, he helps local churches to be better resourced in Spanish-speaking ministries and to better reach out to people in a local community whose first language is Spanish. After the worship service, he’ll be meeting with some of our pastors and leaders as we dream ahead to the future. Good days are ahead!
2. Pray for our Honduras Mission Team. Our mission team takes off on Thursday, June 26th, and will arrive back on Tuesday, July 8th. They will be working with Ministerio La Vos and The Timothy Center, which are all a part of our ministry partners, Cocal Gracias Ministries. The team members are: Oscar Benitez, Annie Brown, Pastor Kevin Liddle, Tony Maturana, Tony Norbedo, Kim Prestipino, Prentiss Searles, Adilia Sequeira, and Pastor Karen Van Gilder
3. Summer Fun Groups! CLICK HERE to find the full list of Fun Groups. Here’s a look at what’s coming up in the next few days:
   • Movie Night. TONIGHT (Wednesday) @ 7:00pm. In the Goshen Room at church.
   • Creative Crafting. This Saturday (June 21st).
   • Sunday Lunch Bunch. This Sunday (June 22nd). Meet right after church and head out for lunch together.

Much Love,
Pastor Brian