Weekly Update

GCN Family,

“Joseph NOTICED they both looked upset.” (Genesis 40:6)

This is the same guy who – a few years earlier at age 17 – couldn’t even notice his own father’s favoritism of him. He couldn’t notice his brothers resentment towards him. Now, 13 years later, he’s able to notice a slight look of dejection on a fellow inmate.

It wasn’t easy, but God had been cultivating the gift of empathy inside of Joseph. As it turns out, empathy made all the difference. If Joseph hadn’t noticed that look, then he wouldn’t have interpreted that dream. Pharaoh would have never heard about Joseph, Joseph would have never interpreted Pharaoh’s dream, and Joseph would have never saved two nations from famine.

But it all started with empathy and noticing.

A few years ago, someone in our church shared with me that they had started the practice of taking prayer walks around their neighborhood. As they walked by people’s houses, they prayed this: “Lord, show me where there is hurting. Help me to notice people’s pain. Heal them.”

I like that prayer! “Lord, show me where there is hurting.”

On Sunday, we said that, filled with the Holy Spirit, we are all called to be “first-class noticers.” Jesus was the biggest noticer of all! In fact, so many miracles began with Jesus noticing. He noticed the woman at the well. He noticed someone touching the hem of his garment. He noticed how hungry the crowd of 5,000 were. He noticed Zacchaeus up in that tree.

Our prayer, as a church: Holy Spirit, fill us. Help us to notice the needs of other people, so that we can proclaim the gospel of Jesus uniquely to them. Show us where people are hurting, and help us to point them to You, the Great Physician. Amen.
 
A FEW OTHER THINGS…

1. Stewartown After-School Program. An opportunity to serve! Every Tuesday from 4:00-5:30pm at Stewartown Resource Center. Would you like to serve in this ministry? We’d love for you to! CLICK HERE and select “Stewartown After-School Club”. Or, let one of our pastors know you’re interested.
2. “The Forge” Movie Night. Saturday, October 11th @ GCN. 5:30pm – 8pm. Join us for this powerful movie about what purpose in Christ and discipleship can look like. This is for the whole family! Invite others to join you.
3. LIFE GROUPS. Our Fall Life Group season has begun, but it’s not too late to join one! This is how we do life together. CLICK HERE to access the list of all the groups. There’s something for everyone. We were made for community!
4. EMBRACE GRACE BABY SHOWER. Our next Embrace Grace Baby Shower will be Friday, October 17th at 6:30pm in the Life Center. CLICK HERE for the Amazon Gift Registry. And CLICK HERE for more info and to register. All women invited to the shower.
5. New to GCN or interested in learning more about what we believe and who we are? Join us for the GCN Membership Class on Sunday, October 19th. We’ll provide lunch, and then dive into our calling, our vision, our beliefs, and more. NOTE: This class is for anyone (regardless of how long you’ve been a part of GCN). Also, this class is a part of the process of becoming a member of GCN. However, there is never any obligation to join GCN as a member simply because you take the class. Sign up info is coming soon!

Much Love,
Pastor Brian