Weekly Update | April 27, 2023
Weekly Newsletter 04/27/2023
Grace and peace to you all!
“And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed…’” (Luke 1:46-48)
Everyone pursues happiness and joy in life. The world runs after temporary substitutes that never satisfy. Believers know the better way, but sadly often search for joy in the wrong places too. Hear then the invitation of this passage; look at Mary’s true joy. It is the joy of a humble heart!
When Mary says “for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant,” she identifies herself as a lowly servant. Only humility can bring you to the point of magnifying and exalting the Lord the way Mary did. And this is the link between joy and humility. Humility recognizes the need in salvation (“God my Savior”), but also is able to see the majesty and the glory of God, which brings true joy.
Why is this important? Since the Fall, the human heart is under the bondage of pride. It is pride that eventually keeps people from magnifying and rejoicing in the Lord. Because of pride, worship can become dull and dry. Because of pride, a ministry can lose its passion and focus on the God of the Bible.
Take some time to look into your own heart and prayerfully ask God to reveal to you if there is any pride that has been hindering you from fully rejoicing in the God of your salvation. Confess and turn away from any pride, and embrace God in purified and renewed worship that magnifies the Lord. Then, you will know the joy of the humble heart!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Continue supporting the churches working among the people who have suffered from the war in Ukraine: gfchurch.com/ukraine/
Friends, starting from next month, we will be holding an extra Communion service for those who cannot attend Sunday morning services. On the Thursday following the Communion Sunday, part of the prayer service will be dedicated to the Communion.
The Scripture memory text – Job 37:23-24
23 The Almighty—we cannot find him;
he is great in power;
justice and abundant righteousness he will not violate.
24 Therefore men fear him;
he does not regard any who are wise in their own conceit.”
A romantic evening for couples is coming up on May 6. https://mygracefamilychurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1718226
Below are the services and meetings for this weekend:
- Thursday (6:30 PM) – Kid’s Bible School (open to all but required for parents), followed by Bible Study (Proverbs) and prayer for the whole church at 6:45 PM.
- Saturday (8:00 – 9:30 AM) – Men’s prayer breakfast
- Sunday services:
- Worship Service in Russian at 9:00 AM
- Worship Service in English at 11:15 AM
- Family Evening Service (Baptism) at 5:00 PM
On behalf of the elders of GFC