A Note from Michael Gossett
“You Belong!”
You do not want to miss THIS SUNDAY in worship! I am beyond excited about what God is doing in you and through our church. These are exciting days to be a part of Green Acres Baptist Church and exciting days to be on His mission!
I want to remind you of a very simple truth: You Belong. Yes, you belong to Green Acres, but more importantly, you belong to God’s Kingdom plan. It is truly amazing to consider this simple truth. Why should we belong? Do we have something to offer the Kingdom? It has less to do with us and everything to do with Jesus. Jesus has called you to be a part of something greater! Greater than our own lives, greater than our own agendas, and greater than our own ambitions. The Lord has called you to belong to Him and His Kingdom! Jesus does not need any of us for the advancement of His Kingdom, but rather has called us to take part because of His graciousness and kindness toward us. Jesus says in Luke 19:40, “I tell you, if they were to keep silent, the stones would cry out.” If we (His church) will not participate in the Kingdom work, then the Lord says that the rocks will cry out. Nothing can silence the message of Christ and nothing can stop the mission of Christ. THIS is the mission to which you and I are called.
What does that mean for us? Jesus says, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Mark 1:17). You and I belong because Jesus called us and placed us in His mission. Our job? Obedience. Our belonging is best understood with this lens and best practiced in the life of obedience toward Christ.
This Sunday, along with Vision Sunday, we are starting a brand-new series in the book of Philippians. The way Paul opens the letter gives us (the church) a renewed understanding of belonging. It is to ALL the Saints of Philippi in Christ Jesus. Paul rapidly gets to the point of how we are to belong. This letter, written nearly 2,000 years ago, reminds us of the timeless truth of belonging to Christ and His people. For those that belong, there is a job to be done and a way to do it.
Philippians 1:1-2 says, 1Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus: To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons. 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Read through the passage, pray for God to speak to you, and be ready to worship this Sunday!
Do not forget! Ladies, the Fall Friendship Dinner is coming, and I can already tell you that this is going to be the best one yet! You do not want to miss this time of encouragement and fellowship. Our Fall Friendship Dinner is our Women’s Ministry highlight event of the year, and we are planning for about 1250 women! This is a great opportunity for you to connect with other women and also invite women from your community to come. You will enjoy a delicious dinner (served by our men), and an inspiring message by Rebecca Carrell. Childcare is provided at a discount! Only $5 per child, $20 family max. Please register your child(ren) for childcare. Registration ends 9/3/24. After that date, you may call Mimi at 903.525.1141 to get on a wait list.
This Sunday is also PROMOTION Sunday! Your kid and student will go up to the next grade in their Connect Group. Our team has worked tirelessly to make sure all the pieces are in the right place, including your child. We look forward to celebrating a brand-new year of ministry with your students.
Starting Point is also this Sunday at 9:30am in Crosswalk right above the Connections Café (Tyler Campus) and right after the 11:00am service at our Flint Campus. If you have just recently joined our church or are considering church membership, this class is for you! It is designed to give you a better picture of who we are as a church family. Together, we want you to have a clear understanding of our mission, vision, and values here at Green Acres. For families with children ages birth to elementary, you are welcome to check your children in with Kids’ Ministry.
THIS WEDNESDAY, I am so excited to tell you about our new season of WEBS (Wednesday Evening Bible Study) starting at 6:00pm. This is for ALL campuses who would like to join at the Tyler Campus in Crosswalk. We have an incredible line up with a rotation of teachers. Starting us off will be the one and only Pastor David Dykes! We will be rotating between Pastor David Dykes, Jim Little, as well as myself. It is going to be a great Fall of WEBS and I personally cannot wait to get started!
MEN! Let’s kick off the fall with breakfast together!!! Come be encouraged on Thursday, August 29th in CW-C. We will EAT WELL, open GOD’S WORD, and get to work by 8 am! Hixon Frank (and others) will be sharing! The cost is only $5. I look forward to seeing you and would love for you to bring someone along with you!
It is about to be an exciting Fall together with God’s church! Cannot wait to see you this Sunday!
You are loved and prayed for!
Michael Gossett