September 1, 2024

Dear Grace Family and Friends,

Good morning Grace Baptist Family and Friends!  Let me begin by saying “Thank you” to those who attended last Sunday evening.  We had a special “Prayer Service” and I’ve heard very positive comments.  I was greatly blessed by the service, as well as your response to it.  We’ve done our best to align Grace Baptist in Evans with the principles established by the Apostles for the very first Church in Jerusalem.  Acts 2:42 says, “And they continued steadfastly in the Apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”  I think we do a respectable job in teaching and preaching “the Apostles’ doctrine.”  And I feel good about the “fellowship” within the Church family.  It’s a very positive sign that people don’t rush to leave as soon as the services are over.  We really do enjoy being together.  The reference to “breaking bread” is the observance of The Lord’s Supper.  We do that once a quarter.  That seems to be effective.  It’s not so often as to cause it to become “common place” in our minds.  But our weak link has been in the area of corporate prayer.  We’ve tried several different things to improve this area but nothing has “stuck.”  Based on last Sunday evening, we may have found a solution.  Over the next 12 months we will have a dedicated Prayer Service once each quarter.  At that point we will reassess our progress to determine a path forward.  I would ask you all to pray with me about this new “venture.”  And I want to encourage us all to make those Prayer Services a priority.  There’s nothing to fear.  Everyone who will be called on to pray will know about it in advance.  It will allow us all to make prayer a special emphasis, at least for that evening.  Our hope is that it will become “contagious” and we’ll make prayer a greater priority in our daily lives.  We’re commanded to do so.  Let’s follow God’s lead and see what He will accomplish.  I love you all!  God bless you!

Pastor Bill Hilley