In 2001, a group of people began to meet to discuss the possibility of starting a new church.
* A church committed to reaching out to people who have given up on church but not on God;
* A church that would have a positive impact on the community;
* A church committed to helping people become more like Christ
We met in homes and parks for the first few weeks as we sought to determine whether God was at work in the Round Lake Area. That first year we conducted prayer journeys, outreach Bible studies, carnivals, outdoor worship, and kindness evangelism events. We discovered that there were people in whom God was at work.
Early on we became involved in service to our community. We gathered food and other items for food pantries, homeless shelters, nursing homes and domestic violence shelters. A partnership with the Christian aid ministry, Love INC, enabled us to help many individuals with clothing, home repairs, yard cleanup, rides and more.
Evangelism was a top priority from the beginning. In the first two years we baptized 25 people as we sought creative ways to communicate God’s message of love and salvation.
As we continued to grow, our borrowed worship space became cramped so we moved our worship service to the Avon Elementary School. We also leased an office/warehouse space to serve our ministry center for Awana and other ministries.
Friendliness is the thing that people notice first about us. Grace Chapel is a place where people are accepted the way they are and encouraged to become complete in God.
Diversity is another feature. People of different ethnicities, cultures, and generations worship together and serve God in many ways.
God has done some exciting things at Grace Chapel but we know that the biggest blessings are still ahead.
Our Purpose
Grace Chapel exists for evangelism (reaching out to others), discipleship (spiritual development), fellowship (community), worship (exalting God) and ministry (helping people in need) as described in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) and the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-39) and illustrated by the early church (Acts 2:41-47).
(Matthew 28:18-20 NIV) Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
(Matthew 22:37-39 NIV) Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' [38] This is the first and greatest commandment. [39] And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
(Acts 2:41-47 NIV) Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. [42] They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. [43] Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. [44] All the believers were together and had everything in common. [45] Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. [46] Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, [47] praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
The Five Purposes of the Church
1. Worship that connects people to the holiness of God. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
2. Ministry (service) that impacts people. Love your neighbor as yourself.
3. Evangelism (outreach) that results in committed believers. …go and make disciples of all nations…
4. Fellowship that builds community. …baptizing them…
5. Discipleship that changes lives.…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…
How to become a Christ-follower?
THE ABCS OF BECOMING A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST
Throughout history people have asked these questions: "What is good?" "What is true?" "Does life have meaning? "How can I lead a good and fulfilling life?"
Christians have discovered the answer to these questions in the Bible. The Bible teaches that the most important step a person can take in life is the step of faith in Jesus Christ. It is as simple as A, B, C.
A=ADMIT that you do not fully reflect the good, the true, and the beautiful in your life and character. We all fall short. To be blunt, we are sinners . Romans 3:23
Romans 6:23
B=BELIEVE that Jesus as the Son of God, fully God and fully man, offered His life on the cross to take away your sin and restore your relationship with God., Romans 5:8
John 3:16
C=COMMIT your life to Christ. Acts 3:19
Romans 12:1-2
When we make this commitment, God sends his Holy Spirit to forgive our sin, graciously take away our guilt, give us peace with God, and empower us to lead a good and virtuous life to the glory of God.
A prayer suggestion.
Dear God, I admit that I am a sinner standing in need of forgiveness. I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and commit my life to Him. Please forgive me. Please help me to be more like Jesus. Please give me eternal life. Amen.
A Promise to Claim
"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13
What Comes Next?
After becoming a Christian, let someone know, choose a local church, be baptized, and enjoy your new relationship with your Creator to the max! email us at pastor_jz@yahoo.com
From our Pastor
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Light the night on Halloween
Some Christians hate Halloween. They point to its ancient pagan roots and cry "witchcraft!" They see kids dressed like witches, vampires and sorcerers and homes decorated with jack-o’lanterns, ghosts, and skulls and cringe in disgust.
There are those who turn off the porch light and dim the inside lights in hopes that the neighborhood kids will think theyre not home. "No trick-or-treating here."
Christians are called to be salt and light in the world. Should we hide that light under a bushel one night a year? Jesus calls us to be his witnesses in difficult and, uncomfortable places. Jesus said, "My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one." (John 17:15).
The issue of the occult on Halloween is serious. TV shows and movies reveal a continuing interest in the occult and contemporary practitioners of the occult (a very small number) claim this day as their own. We know that Satan is real and that he "prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1 Pet 5:8). We also know that we are engaged in spiritual warfare "against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Eph 12). But Halloween is not a night to surrender and declare to be "Satan's Day." God did not give Satan a holiday; neither should the church! The Bible teaches, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Rom 12:21).
On Halloween night more of your neighbors are out and open to contact than on any other night of the year. Their children are coming right to your door. Children don't know anything about witches or Satan. They just know that they get to dress up and get free candy. It's the only time they can accept candy from strangers.
Light up your house and yard. Make it the brightest spot in your neighborhood. Get out and interact with your neighbors. Offer prayer or a blessing for every child that comes to your door. Hand out candy with a smile and a kind word, maybe even a tract. Be a blessing on this night and make Satan hide.
Imagine the impact of every Christian in the nation lighting up their homes on Halloween? If Halloween night is dark it's because the light is not on!
We have fun!
“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35, NIV
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Hebrews 10:24, NIV
We value fellowship (community) at Grace Chapel. The Bible teaches that loving relationships should permeate every aspect of church life. The church exists to care for one another and hold one another accountable. The church is a refuge where the hurting find rest and healing. “Come…and I will give you rest”
The heart of community at Grace Chapel is our small group ministry. Small groups create little communities that celebrate the joys and share the sorrows of life.
Picnics, banquets, games and field trips help the people of Grace Chapel enjoy the blessings of life together.
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- By Shelly