UPDATE FROM PASTOR EDDIE - Friday, March 29, 2013

Published: Fri, 03/29/13

Grace House Update from Pastor Eddie
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Think About It...

The resurrection gives my life meaning and direction and the opportunity to start over no matter what my circumstances.  ~Robert Flatt

Let every man and woman count himself immortal.  Let him catch the revelation of Jesus in his resurrection.  Let him say not merely, "Christ is risen," but "I shall rise."  ~Phillips Brooks

We live and die; Christ died and lived!  ~John Stott

Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in spring-time.  ~Martin Luther

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This Sunday - The Lifted Life
This coming Easter Sunday, I feel led to share with you a message entitled, "The Lifted Life." I will be sharing with you the four ways that Jesus has been and can be lifted up. I believe these truths will enable you to more readily live in the power of the risen Christ everyday of the year. Please come and bring a friend. 
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Needed --Children's Gift Packages For Our Mission Trip
The children of Carriacou (see photo left) will be so blessed by the gift packages our mission team will deliver to them from Grace House. If you can help, it will be greatly appreciated. It's simple:

Fill a gallon zip-lock bag with the following items or similar items:

-A Bible story coloring book
-Colored crayons
-Bag of candy (that does not melt. No chocolate)
-Children's scissors
-Stickers

This Sunday we will have bags for you and the packing list you see above. Or, you can go ahead this weekend and buy the contents and bring and put it in the bag. We will have a container for you to drop them off in. 

Again, this is a way to touch the lives of others whom Jesus dearly loves.

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Thanks Grace House Givers!
From time to time I make you aware of some of the ways you help people in our own community. I always want to respect people's privacy while also letting you know how you are making a difference through the financial gifts you give. We are not able to meet every need that is brought before us, but we (all of us together) have been able to help many.

Just recently, you have helped a young man without family in the area to discover the greater depths of God's love and experience a a major course direction in his life. He has gone from being unemployed, without a place to live, without transportation and without direction in his life to now being on fire for Jesus, being reunited with a family member, having a job, having transportation, and having the time of his life. Yeah God!

Also, you were able to help a family with children whose home burned down  and who were displaced without clothes, lodging, food, or money. You helped them to find all of the above. Thank you for the lodging you provided, the food you bought, the clothes you brought and the prayers you prayed....and Thank you Jesus!

In addition, you have also helped others who have been in financial straights with bills to be paid and no money to pay them. A family without work and about to lose their electricity. Another family, with medications needed and no money to buy them. You helped others in times of crisis who had no where else to turn. 

These are just a few examples in the past few weeks of what you help do all year long in just one area of the ministry of our congregation. How? Through what you give to the Lord through Grace House. Thank you so much for your faithfulness. You are making a difference. 
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Resonate Women's Retreat 
Resonate Women's Retreat on Wilson Lake, ten minutes from downtown Florence, April 19-20. Mark your calendars! For more info CLICK HERE.    This is a Grace House event for the purposes of connecting with God and with Grace House women, restoring our souls, encouraging one another, fun, and fellowship. Limited space available for this retreat so be sure to make your decision early! See Jeanette Lerch  or message Mikki Lawrence to sign up.
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Fervent Life Conference
Please be in prayer about the upcoming Fervent Life conference which the ARK is hosting on April 11-14 here in Florence at our facility. This is a wonderful time to be part of a high energy and dynamic gathering of radical believers.

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Our Life Groups Are Up and Running.....
I am excited about our Life Groups that are meeting. I strongly encourage each of you to consider connecting with one of our groups. If you have questions about being in a group or leading a group, just get with Hillard and Charlotte Matthews who lead our Life Groups ministry.

You are now able to view all the options on our  new Life Groups website at LIFEGROUPS.INFO Please check it out!
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Women's Encounter Coming Up!
The North Alabama Women's Encounter will be the weekend of April 26-27. This is an area-wide event with the intent of both deepening your walk with God and also leading women into greater levels of healing and freedom. See Serena Pierce to sign up for this event. pierceserena@yahoo.com  or see her at church. Ask me if you need to be introduced to Serena. 
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Mission Carriacou - Mid- April
Please be praying for our mission team of five people that is heading to Carriacou, April 16-22. We are excited about the opportunity to minister to the precious people there and on Petite Martinique. Pray particularly for Sam Lerch as he works on all the logistics of the trip. It will be a blast for Jesus I am sure.
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Have A Laugh....
"Doc!" the man yells. I've lost my memory!"

"Calm down, sir. When did this happen."

The man looked at him. "When did what happen?"

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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.
CHECK OUT OUR LIFE GROUPS  AND MINISTRIES TO BUILD CONNECTION WITH GOD AND OTHERS