Weekly Update

Hi GCN Family,

Worshipping God is taking our eyes of ourselves, and fixing our eyes on Jesus. Worship is allowing our story to be grafted into His much bigger story! That is a summary of what Pastor Lauren and 4 of our students were preaching this past Sunday.

I’ve got good news: The Holy Spirit is at work. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom, and the church is alive and well! What an encouragement to hear testimonies from our young people about how God is uniquely moving in their lives, and calling them to a life filled with worship of Him.

What can we do to foster more of that growth in and through this church? Here are some ideas:

1. Pray for the young people in your life. Don’t limit it to your kids, grandkids, or nieces and nephews. Pray for each student in our youth group. If you would like to learn more about how to pray specifically, reach out to our fantastic youth pastor, Pastor Lauren.
2. Get to know our young people. On a Sunday morning before or after the worship service, take time to ask them questions. Bonus: Ask them how you can be praying for them. (and then, of course, pray for them and let them know!)
3. Prayerfully consider how your life’s purpose is to invest in, disciple, and empower young people. 

 
Legacy is not what you accomplish. Legacy is what others accomplish through you.
 
Discipleship is growing fruit on other people’s trees.

A few more things:

1. What a joy it has been to have Sydney Cochran serve as our ministry intern this summer. Sydney is called by God into ministry, and she is gifted! This Sunday, we will hear a message from Sydney. You will have the opportunity to show some love for Sydney by giving towards a love offering for her. You can give by going to the GIVE page on our website, and then select “GCN Pastors-Staff-Intern Blessing”
2. Pray for our kids and adults away at our District Kids Camp this week!
3. It’s been a great summer of FUN GROUPS. Check out the list of Summer Fun Groups and jump in. Some great ones coming up:
   • Sunday Lunch Bunch. This Sunday, after the Sunday Morning worship service. Meet with Bill and Jill Gale in the foyer, and then head off to a local eatery!
   • Ice Cream. Next Friday, August 1st. At Bruster’s in Gaithersburg.

4. Baptisms. Sunday, September 7th. If you have made a decision to follow Jesus but have not yet been baptized, we encourage you to take that next step! You can either contact one of our pastors, or fill out the CONNECT CARD and select “I’m interested in baptism.”

Much Love,

Pastor Brian