Weekly Update | December 30, 2021
Weekly Newsletter 12/30/2021
Happy upcoming New Year!
Please read the following letter completely to not miss important announcements for this week!
Another year is passing by, and this is a good opportunity to summarize and analyze the events that happened both in society and in the church:
- – Events of January 6 – don’t depend on people. The assault on the Capitol on January 6 showed that people have become really sucked into politics. This was observable in the previous year, but the events of January 6 are yet another illustration how it is not worth relying and depending on people. As Christians we must always remember that our hope is in Christ! He is establishing a kingdom that is not of this world!
- – The virus – death, danger, and freedom from fear. The continuing anxiety and worries that people are experiencing regarding the spread of various COVID strains has revealed the true condition of people. Fear. Fear of death, of unknowns, of the consequences of the virus. This fear has paralyzed many and makes them incapable of functioning properly. Christians, however, understand that their life is in the hands of God (John 10:29).
- – Vaccinations – the test of key biblical principles. For many, the issue of vaccination has become the most painful. This issue has forced many to recheck their key principles of faith and convictions. For many this has been a difficult process due to a lack of developed biblical skills for a wise and spiritual approach to controversial issues of life. But studying the book of Romans, we concluded that this is an issue of conscience and convictions of each individual.
- – Victory in court – churches can freely gather without restrictions. When John MacArthur’s church won in court and received the right to gather without restrictions, not everyone noticed, but specifically this situation became the precedent for authorities to stop pressuring churches. We thank God that this year we have been able to gather freely. We value this.
- – The book to the Romans – God must be at the center of our lives. This year we finished the study of the book to the Romans and the conclusion is that those who truly applied the Sunday passages definitely grew spiritually. This is God’s mercy.
- – Ordaining – priorities of the church. When Andrey Kobzar was ordained for pastoral ministry in October, we rejoiced for the growing team of pastors. But we were also aware that this natural growth of the church has to do with God being the One who gives the church gifts, in the form of brothers with spiritual gifts for pastoral ministry. Glory to God!
- – Home groups – the value of fellowship. For many people, this year will be remembered by the fact that they really met and lived through the blessings of home groups. This is that place where we got to know each other better, were able to find spiritual support, and of course had the opportunity to serve each other. Continue participating in home groups and invite others!
Everyone who wants to read the Bible together with others, we invite you to join our monthly plan. This is done with the goal of accountability and edification. This plan is good in that it is organized thematically and has a good balance of reading both the new and old testaments. Besides this, there is the ability to share your observations with others. And finally, this plan is available everywhere you have your gadget (phone, computer, tablet). If you are interested in reading the Bible together, download the app “Bible” (by YouVersion where icon contains the text “HOLY BIBLE”), and under the Plans tab you will be able to join our plan using the link that we will be sending out. Here is the link for January’s Bible-reading plan: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/819-lets-read-the-bible-together-part-one/together/47983219/invitation?token=AGuZb3dMkQBIWDHrZxiv9Q
The Scripture memory text this week is – Isaiah 40:28-31
“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
Below are the services and meetings for this weekend (and next week):
Friday (11:00 PM) – New Year’s Eve service on Zoom
Saturday (7:00 PM) – prayer service (prayer for the church; on Zoom)
Sunday services:
- – Worship Service in Russian at 9:00 AM
- – Worship Service in English at 11:15 AM
Monday (7:00 PM) – prayer service (prayer for families; on Zoom)
Tuesday (7:00 PM) – prayer service (prayer for our country, state, and city; in English; service will be led by College Ministry)
Wednesday (7:00 PM) – prayer service (prayer for evangelism and missions)
Thursday (6:30 PM) – Children’s Bible School (open to all but required for parents), followed by Bible Study of Proverbs 1:8-9 for the whole church at 7:30 PM.
As previously, due to the restrictions and orders from the health department, we remind you:
- – Keep social distancing and wearing masks in public places
- – Wash and sanitize hands more often
- – If you have flu-like symptoms, were in contact with a person with COVID, or are in the “high-risk” group, then we ask you to stay home
Elders of GFC