Weekly Newsletter 01/12/2023

Shalom!

Prayer, it’s a spiritual discipline that we talk a lot about, know a lot about, but practice very little. The beginning of a new year is always a good time to reconsider various aspects of the Christian life, and prayer is one of them.

We heard on Sunday that the vision for this year can be described using one word – discipleship. This is part of the Great Commission mentioned in Matthew 28:18-20 and all other passages in the New Testament that talk about “one another,” and there are 59 of them. Before doing anything else, a Christian prays. Before we dive into discipleship (which we’ll talk more about throughout this year), we want to seriously pray about this! Prayer is one of the first steps toward discipleship. Prayer opens doors in our heart for people. Prayer opens the door for God to work through discipleship. We are called to pray for one another (Jas. 5:16). This is why we will seek God’s wisdom for this through prayer. Prayer will prepare our hearts and the hearts of those with whom we meet and will be meeting.

Why do we pray? Firstly, we express our honor (Matt. 6:9). Secondly, we show our obedience (Matt. 6:10). Thirdly, demonstrate our dependence in both physical and spiritual things (Matt. 6:11-13). And most importantly, in prayer we express, develop, and strengthen our relationship with God. This is the most valuable element. Christ taught His disciples to begin with the words, “Our Father!” This expression is possible in only very close, family relationships.

I remember in my seminary class on prayer how the professor assigned a daily hour of prayer for homework. This practice is probably my most valuable assignment that I completed in all my studies. We learned more through this daily prayer over 15 weeks than attending the class itself. That’s the crux of it all, we learn spiritual disciplines best specifically through practical application.

And now a couple important announcements:

1. Men’s winter camp: Registration is open for all brothers, young and not only. Please note that this is approaching very quickly; don’t delay registering. Remember, the main point of such retreats is to study the Scriptures together. This year we’ll be studying 1 Timothy. You can register here: https://mygracefamilychurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1549526

2. Kairos course (evangelism and missions): The Kairos course will be held at our church February 3-12. If you are planning on attending this course, please register as soon as possible. This greatly simplifies the logistics, since the course is dependent on how many people have registered.
To find out more about the course, schedule, and registration, visit the website http://gfckairos.com. The last day to register is January 15^th.

Continue supporting the churches working among the people who have suffered from the war in Ukraine. Go to our Give page or click the Donate button below. Select "Mission to Ukraine" fund when donating.

Acts 4:11-12

¹¹ This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.
¹² And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Upcoming events

• Saturday, January 21st (9:00 AM–12:30 PM) – All church staff prayer meeting                  
• Sunday, January 22nd (6:00 PM) – Family service and membership meeting  

Thursday (6:30 PM) – Children’s Bible School (open to all but required for parents), followed by Bible Study (Proverbs) for the whole church at 7:30 PM.

Sunday services

• Worship Service in Russian at 9:00 AM
• Worship Service in English at 11:15 AM