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"Miracles are a retelling in small letters of the very same story which is written across the whole world in letters too large for some of us to see."
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This Sunday's Sermon: THE OVERCOMER'S THRONE
There is an interesting promise in the book of Revelation to the one who overcomes. Jesus speaks of us sitting with him in his throne. Is this for now or later? What does it mean? What is necessary for this to take place? I believe you will be encouraged by this teaching that is rooted in a promise from our ascended Lord.
Click to Hear Last Sunday's Sermon
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Baptism Service - This Sunday, Jan. 27th
We are excited about baptizing six more wonderful brothers and sisters this Sunday. We plan to gather in the Commons area at the conclusion of our morning service (around 10:30 a.m.) and have an awesome baptism party. It's not too late for you to be baptized, just bring a change of clothes and a towel, and let us know you want to be baptized.
Also, in case you missed the pictures of the January 11th baptisms, just click the link below: BAPTISM PICTURES
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Life Groups Launching in February
We will be sharing some exciting news about our LIFE GROUPS on Sunday morning, Feb. 3rd and will also be praying and installing Hillard and Charlotte Matthews as our Life Groups Ministry Leaders.
On Sunday, February 17th, we will have LIFE GROUPS SUNDAY. At the conclusion of our morning service, you will be able to check out our various life groups and talk to our leaders at the tables which will be set up in the Commons area. It's gonna be a blast and it is definitely a Kingdom thing.
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On of our dear members, Dorothy Sibley, who many of us affectionately call "Mama Dot or Grand Dot" experienced an exciting vision this past week. She said she was sitting soaking in the presence of the Lord in her home this past Wednesday morning and , well just read what she wrote herself....
.....while lying there, I became very sleepy. As I closed my eyes, I began to see a vision of what look like, a dark blue, a little darker that the sky, was uncertain about what I was looking at. Then I began to see a formation of white clouds, these formation of the white clouds turned into a formation that formed into and image of Jesus. I began to question, "What is this Lord," as I continued to watch, and ask "What is this?"
The vision continued, I saw Jesus releasing doves, (white doves) over certain areas. I kept asking, "What is this Lord?" Then I heard Him say, " I am releasing my Spirit in areas where it has been hard for those who are rebellious and afraid to commit their lives to me, I am pouring out the Holy Spirit, where it will be easier."
Then we were suddenly in Florence at Grace House, where he released another dove, and he said, " I am releasing to those who are walking in rebellion, fear, and would not change, I am releasing a greater anointing, so that they will be able to give their lives to me. It will be easier for them because of the greater flow of my anointing. He said, to watch for the change, that will come in approx three (3) months.
I checked to see if I had been asleep and had been dreaming, but as I closed my eyes again, the vision began to repeat itself.
As I read what she wrote above, I thought, this is what happens during awakening and revival, people who have not bee open and maybe even have some hardness of heart began to melt under the presence of the power and love of God that is poured out through the Holy Spirit. Things happen during these times (kairos) that do not tend to happen at other times. So let's all agree together and pray into this word and seek this fresh and powerful outpouring.
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I encourage you to come and pray anytime from 3 p.m. - 3 a.m. any day in January. You will discover that these times are refreshing and good for your soul in addition to the fact that your prayers matter. Come expecting to meet with God in the place of prayer. Come expecting your passion to be stirred. Come expecting to see the Shoals area changed by His glory and presence.
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Men's Encounter - Weekend of March 1st
Another North Alabama Men's Encounter is coming up the first weekend of March. I have attended the Men's Encounter and it is correctly named. You will encounter Jesus, his love, and his power. I encourage any of you men who have not had the opportunity to attend to prayerfully consider doing so. There are a number of our men who have participated and several who are leaders, so let us know if you desire to attend.
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Continue to Pray for the Ricketts Family
Please remember to continue to pray for Jason, Sarah and their four beautiful daughters as they are in the process of getting moved into new housing and adjusting to life in the States. This is a family of world changers who have poured the past eight years into seeing the children and people of Thailand come to know Christ. They have made a difference in a culture and now they are here with us, at least for a season. We are so blessed to have them in our midst. Remember them, and be sensitive to what Father says that you may be able to do to help them during this transitional time. Let's pray that they would get much needed rest and that God's grace would be lavished upon them. They are setting up house, so if you have some quality items that might help them, let them know.
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At 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, we have a great time together. Our Couples in Christ group meet, we have children and preteen groups meetings, and we have a dynamic time of worship and preaching. Come check it out!
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Pray for Phillip, Marsha, and Brian
Pastors Phillip and Marsha Clemmons along with Pastor Brian Shields are in South Africa ministering and coordinating efforts for a Fervent Life conference which will be held there later in the year.
They report the people there are wonderful, God is good, but they have been battling some sickness on the trip, so please be in prayer for their health and safe return early this coming week.
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Wild Game Supper in Moulton
I have been invited to speak at a wild game supper at New Life Assembly of God, 16228 Court St, Moulton, AL 35650, on Friday night, Feb. 1st. They usually have around 300 men from the community who come. It'll be a lot of fun and an opportunity to see some men come to know Jesus. David Clark and Kevin Hughes are planning on going and others, so join with some of these guys and come on.
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~ Serve as a greeter!~Serve in the nursery! ~Serve as a facilitator in 12/7 through January
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Pray About Attending Power and Love
Now is the time to get on board for a life impacting event taking place at Grace House in February. When this was held last year when the ARK was downtown, it deeply affected many of us. You WILL NOT REGRET being at this powerful time of teaching and impartation. Here's more---
We are very excited about the forthcoming School of Power and Love which will be hosted by The ARK and Grace House. This is an awesome time of training and activation. It's a revival atmosphere where love abounds.
Last year so many of us were deeply impacted by the incredible love, power, and anointing of being at this conference. I hope many of you will register and attend. It is life changing. No pressure, just receiving and being activated to do what Jesus did. Please take a moment and check out the details on The ARK's website. Link is below: Alabama School of Power and Love in Florence
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Mission Carriacou - Plans in progress....
Eighteen of us Grace House folks traveled to Trinidad last Spring and saw God change so many lives including our own. Now we are making preliminary plans to travel to Carriacou to minister to the people there on the islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique. These small islands lay just North of Grendada. It has been about five years since I was there with Pastor Happy and his congregation, and I am looking forward to being with them again. We experienced such a powerful flow of God's Spirit and love when we were there before. We may even combine a trip to Trinidad and Carriacou. I appreciate your prayers for all this to come together in God's way and for Him to put our team together. More details later....
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Remember Ross Smith in South Africa
Continue to keep Ross Smith who is currently in South Africa ministering in your prayers. God has opened some amazing doors for them and miraculous provisions have been made concerning facilities for their ministry there. Shirley recently arrived back from South Africa, so please encourage her as well. God is so good and we love how He is using the Smiths. Father bless Ross, Shirley, and Lisa!
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THIS WAS POSTED IN A CHURCH BULLETIN Our church was saddened to learn this week of the death of one of our most valued members, Someone Else.
Someone's passing creates a vacancy that will be difficult to fill. Else has been with us for many years and for every one of those years, Someone did far more than a normal person's share of the work. Whenever there was a job to do, a class to teach, or a meeting to attend, one name was on everyone's list, "Let Someone Else do it." Whenever leadership was mentioned, this wonderful person was looked to for inspiration as well as results; "Someone Else can work with that group."
It was common knowledge that Someone Else was among the most liberal givers in our church. Whenever there was a financial need, everyone just assumed Someone Else would make up the difference.
Someone Else was a wonderful person; sometimes appearing superhuman. Were the truth known, everybody expected too much of Someone Else. Now Someone Else is gone! We wonder what we are going to do.
Someone Else left a wonderful example to follow, but who is going to follow it? Who is going to do the things Someone Else did?
When you are asked to help this year, remember -- we can't depend on Someone Else anymore.
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Know Someone Who Would Like to Receive These Updates?
If you are aware of someone who would enjoy receiving these updates from me, just forward this email to them and let them know just to click the link below and they can sign up and opt in to this email list. This is a great way to stay more up to date on the happenings around Grace House and the ARK. Thanks for helping.
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BELOW IS ADDITIONAL GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT GRACE HOUSE
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LIFE GROUPS AND MINISTRIES TO BUILD CONNECTION WITH GOD AND OTHERS
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For over 4 years now, we have been meeting as a group of men to connect more deeply with God and each other. I invite any of you men to join us any Tuesday morning. We meet at Grace House at 6:30 a.m. This is a very informal, interactive, and open time around God's Word. I always enjoy leading this group. Come and join us. Contact me with any of your questions about this group.
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Each Wednesday, beginning at 9 a.m., we have a faithful group of people who meet and pray. This is a time of intercession. prophetic decreeing, and engaging God's heart through prayer and worship. You are invited to join with the ladies who lead this time of prayer for our congregations, city, region, nation, and the nations. Contact Charlotte Matthews for more information.
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Married Couples Class - Weds.
We have an excited married couples class that meets each Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. in the Grace House Children's Center. Bryan and Melissa Gregg lead this group and there is rich fellowship, an interactive style of Bible study, and an atmosphere of love and acceptance. If you are a 20 to early 40 something couple, jump on board and see your marriage enriched! Contact Bryan and Melissa if you have questions.
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Rooted - Preteen Ministry
We are so excited about "Rooted" which is our ministry to preteens led by Allison Fisher. They are currently working on a human video which they will be sharing in one of our services soon. Each Wednesday they meet to study the Bible together and learn how to live a life rooted in Christ during this important transitional time in their lives. Our preteens are awesome. All preteens are invited to attend this weekly gathering to build relationship with Christ and one another. Contact Allison Fisher with your questions.
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Franie Deaton, who directs our children's ministry, does a great job of teaching our children truths that will help them build their lives on Christ and the truths of His Word. Each week's lesson is packed with object lessons, biblical truths, and lots of interactive fun. Our children begin the service with we adults at 9:00 a.m. and then transition to their own children's worship around 9:45 a.m. or so. See Franie if you have questions and to let her know if you would like to be one of her assistants occasionally. We also can use good helpers.
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We have some awesome little ones in our nursery. Jesus instructs us to love these little ones and to create an environment where they are coming to him. Anna Laura Lawrence leads our nursery team. Please let her know if you would like to help with this important ministry at Grace House.
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Our worship team does an awesome job leading us in worship week by week. If you have gifts and abilities in this area, and have been faithful in attending Grace House for a while, and are willing to meet with someone to help access your skill level, or if just would like to know more about our worship team, contact our Worship Pastor, Andrew Lawrence, and he will be glad to help you.
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If you have a heart for missions, whether it is to go on a mission trip or to support those who are willing to go, stayed tuned for announcements about upcoming mission opportunities here at Grace House. Eighteen of us saw God do tremendous things in our lives and the people in Trinidad on our last mission trip. We are planning now for a possible trip to Carriacou this coming Spring. Sam Lerch is our point person for our missions trips, so contact Sam for more information.
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Food is a staple for all our lives and some people have needs in this area, especially in these economically challenging times. We desire to help more and more people inside and outside of our congregation in this area. Larry Bullard is our point person in helping with this important ministry. We are building a list now of those who need help as well as those who would like to help in this area.
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Shelia Gray is leading a crochet class that will meet at Grace House. If you want to learn or already enjoy crocheting, please consider joining in. Knitters are welcome, too. There is a sign-up sheet on the counter in the Welcome Center. The caps that are made are prayed over and blessed and given to people battling cancer.
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