The Grand Communicator

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Sun City, AZ Permit No. 114

Published by Grand Community Baptist Church — The Community Church in the Heart of Grand

18350 N Goldwater Ridge Drive Surprise, AZ 85374

May and June 2015

Gary Dodrill, Interim Pastor Phone: 623-975-6262 Fax: 623-975-9924 E-mail: [email protected] Web page: www.grandbaptist.com

A Wonderful Church Family

Published by Sandra Williams

by Pastor Gary Dodrill Interim Pastor

ICE CREAM OUTREACH OR CURRENT RESIDENT

Summer is a great time to get to know new people and a perfect way to do it is enjoying ice cream. Age is not a factor when it comes to having a craving for ice cream in our hot summer months. For May and June, I want us to invite our neighbors and friends for a relaxing and fun time eating ice cream. Use your imagination but here are several ways: Invite several couples to go to the local ice cream parlor and just have fun. Invite your neighbor or friend to join you at church and afterward head out for ice cream.

NINETY-DAY CHALLENGE Several of you have shared with me your exciting stories of accepting the 90-day challenge! Responder A: I do not give money to panhandlers, but I decided to give a backpack. I pick up back packs at the second had stores—wash them—and fill them with Ritz crackers, peanut butter, Gator aide, soups, tuna fish, spam, canned fruit, etc. I sometimes stick in a pair of new socks, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc. I include Guideposts, Country magazine, Bible, devotional books, etc. I make a fleece blanket for them. I have a passion to care.

Come Worship with us Sunday Services Bible Study at 9:00 AM Worship at 10:00 AM Evening Worship at 6:00 PM

Choir Practice at 4:30 PM

I gave it to a woman, probably in her 40’s. I do not know if she had any teeth on top, but she had two teeth left on the bottom. I thought to myself there is no way anyone would hire her. So she will probably spend the rest of her life panhandling in the streets. SO SAD!!! She obviously made some really bad choices in her life and now will have to live with those choices.

Responder B: I am an artist and draw horses. However, on Easter weekend God spoke to me about painting a picture of Jesus. I painted a picture of Christ and I gave it to the church on Easter Sunday. Responder C: I have this song that I have always wanted to play but never had the courage. So I am going to purchase a guitar and take lessons to learn it. Responder D: I have wanted to invite my neighbors over and get to know them. So within the ninety-days I will do it.

Mondays

Wednesdays

Thursdays

7:00 am

Men’s Bible Study

EXPRESS OUR APPRECIATION

6:30 pm

AA Meeting

6:00 pm

Bible Study & Prayer Meeting

What a wonderful church family we have and I am proud to be part of Grand Community. I have watched how our volunteers give back to make our experience of being part of the family of God awesome. Each time we see one of our volunteers, look for ways to show our gratitude to them. Here are some ideas. Invite them out to breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Find out what they like and give a small gift. Send a card. You get the idea.

10:00 am

Women’s Bible Study

Serving The Gracious People of Grand Community, Interim Pastor Gary

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Missions

T HE GRA N D CO MM UNI CAT OR

by Sarah Bacon

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. “ Matthew 5: 14 – 16 ( ESV )

Lunch Bunch

T HE GRA N D CO MM UNI CAT OR

by Donna Peasley

We are beginning a lunch bunch ministry to help people get better acquainted with each other and to find some new friends. It will be once a month activity - probably on Tuesday and starting in May. At lunch time of course!

Anyone want to co-host this new activity? We need at least 2 people so there is always someone in charge. Details are beA Missions Corner has been established in the church ing worked out. Watch the bulletin for the latest information. foyer with updates of newsletters from missionaries working with NAMB, IMB, and other missions we support, as Donna Peasley 623-975-0441 well as tracts for your taking. We can all be partakers of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to pray for the Solos by Carol Heenan requested needs of the missionaries here and abroad by reading the various news letters from them. Please join the Solos for food and fellowship on May 15th. Entertainment will be a video by comedian Jeannie Robertson. On May 14th all the ladies are invited to a baby shower There will be lots of laughter. Watch the sign up sheets for for Crisis Pregnancy Center. Don’t forget to fill those ba- food information. Glenda Graham and Donna Peasley will be by bottles which are due to be returned by the end of the hosts. May. Hosts are needed for the June 19th social. “Let’s be a lamp for Jesus – And spread His light around – So many live in darkness – For the Savior they’ve not Solos are providing a service to the Church by folding the bulfound. letins each week and the newsletters every other month. We Light up the darkest corners – Of lonely people’s minds – will have a sign-up sheet at the next meeting and in the back Tell them of His salvation – So they’ll be Heaven bound. of Church. Please help whenever you are available. If you Let’s keep our lamps filled up with oil – Then our light will have any questions contact Carol Heenan - 512-992-9188. shine bright – So Jesus will be seen in us – Even on the darkest night. “Bring Home the Bacon” Let’s be a lamp for Jesus – Bring hope to some each day – And tell of His salvation – To all who come our way. This expression for success in competition came into vogue A lamp that shines for Jesus – Is what I want to be – And from a prize given to happy marriages. At the church of Dunwhen I spread His Light around—May His love be what mow, in Essex County, England, a “flitch” (half the side of a they see. “ hog) used to be given annually to the man and woman who, after a year of matrimony, were judged to have lived in greatest “A Lamp for Jesus” by Helen Gleason 2003 - taken from harmony and fidelity. The earliest recorded case of the rewardThe Gospel Tract Harvester - March 2005 ing of the bacon took place in 1445.

We Care

by Gloria Sandlin

The We Care Ministry needs your help! This Ministry is looking for a New facilitator to lead the We Care Ministry Team. If you are looking for a way to help care for others and be a blessing to our church, this may be a fulfilling way to give of yourself and serve our Lord in a very special way. If you should have a calling towards this opportunity, please call Gloria Sandlin at 623-594-9460 for additional information.

By the end of the sixteenth century, couples who came forward to seek the prize were questioned before a jury of six bachelors and six maidens. Only those who gave satisfactory proof of domestic felicity gained the coveted pork. It was awarded at irregular intervals until late in the nineteenth century. Widely publicized in literature, the fact that successful claimants actually did “bring home the bacon” from Dunmow led to the application of the phrase to victory in general. From “What’s in a Word” by Webb Garrison

Submitted by Brother George See---Men’s Ministry

Women’s Ministry

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by Evonne Starrett

Hello, all you Grand Ladies! It is sad to see our snowbirds starting to leave our field! We love having you here and look forward to your return in the fall. Meanwhile our Thursday morning Bible Study continues with the DVD study of "The Shelter of God's Promises", with Sheila Walsh, through May 7. You are welcome to come be with us any Thursday you can!

On May 14 we and the Mission Board are having a baby shower for the Crisis Pregnancy Center to provide the encouragement of clothing, diapers and other baby articles for the girls who are choosing giving birth rather than abortion. At the center they can attend classes on parenting, God's love, and just maturing to the point that they can function well as they go on in life as a mother. For taking these classes they receive credits that they can use to "buy" what they need from the donations of new articles at the "store". If you don't have the time or inclination to shop (?) we will have a money tree so the center can purchase larger things like car seats. There will be a representative there to share more information about the center. This is for ALL the women of the church. There will be more details available before then, but put this on your calendar now and watch for information in the bulletins. On May 28th we will begin a new study. More information and books will be available ahead of time. So let's head into summer in God's word and in God's service. This will be an exciting time of new beginnings, so keep on praying, and remember our strength and joy is in the Lord, and in serving Him!

Men’s Ministry

by George See

The past year has seen many changes in our Men’s Ministry, Church and Private Lives. Men’s Ministry continues to grow in new members and also in spiritual maturity. Men are making a statement about their belief in Christ by being an example in their daily lives. One thing that stands out about what they believe is their love fo r one another as John wrote in 1 John 1:10; “The one who loves his brother abides in the light and there is no cause for stumbling in him.” We have been studying “The Golden rule” and applying the commandment “Treat others as you would like to be treated.” What a difference it can make when we apply this to our everyday life (not only on Sunday Morning; that’s the easy part) but also at home, and to our neighbors.

“Be diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3)

Gary’s Notes

by Gary Cravens

I’d like to thank everyone involved in our Easter Cantata presentation, “It Is Finished”. As many of you have commented, it was one of our best. We couldn’t have done it without the hard work and dedication of our choir, accompanists, sound and media technicians. I’d like to say a special thanks to Beth Moran and those who participated in the Reader’s Theater drama. Your contribution enhanced the message of the musical and helped to share the gospel with those in attendance.

The hand bell choir continues to get better and better. They work extremely hard and it is showing. We will be sad to say goodbye to one of our most faithful ringers who has been with us for more than five years. Coltson Kelley will be graduating from Shadow Ridge High School in May and will be attending Northern Arizona University in the fall. We are very proud of him and his dedication to our hand bell choir. We know he will do well at NAU and will be praying for him as he goes on to future endeavors. The goal of both our choir and hand bell players is to bring glory to God through our music and to lead others in worship. If you would like to be a part of this ministry, just come to choir rehearsal at 4:30 pm on Sunday afternoon or to hand bell practice at 7:00 pm on Wednesdays in the choir room.