Welcome!
Thank you so much for joining us at Grace and Peace Church! Below you’ll find song lyrics, scriptures, sermon notes, and information relating to this week’s service! Also take a minute to fill out our connect form. If you are new we have a FREE MUG for you at the welcome table.
We’re so glad you’re here with us!
Grace & Peace to you!
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Announcements;
Encounter Worship Night — Oceanside amphitheater 6pm Sunday night Nov 9th
Sermon Based Study; Thursdays 7-8pm. Wells home Nov. 20th. All are welcome just text/email if you're interested.
Thanks for giving towards our mission to serve our brothers and sisters in Haiti! We have heard some of the progress of the work on the school that is being expanded and teachers are getting paid monthly to continue teaching. God is at work in beautiful ways!
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Liturgical Worship Readings
Daily Prayer
Help me pay attention today.
I want to be so acutely aware of Your presence in every space.
Help me notice beauty that doesn't beg for applause, conversations that carry Your kindness, and the still, small ways You're working beneath the surface.
Let my feet be rooted, not rushed.
Let my heart be soft, not guarded.
And let my soul remember that You waste nothing—not even times of slowing down.
Psalm 51:10-12
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence,
and do not take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and sustain in me a willing spirit.
Instrument of Your Peace – St. Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith,
Where there is despair, hope,
Where there is darkness, light,
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much
seek to be consoled as to console,
not so much to be understood as to understand,
not so much to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
it is in dying that we awake to eternal life.Offering Prayer
Compassionate Father, thank you that you are our strength and our song, you fill our hearts with joy. May we give our offerings to you with gladness and joy. Everything we have belongs to you and we rejoice to give some of your abundant gifts back to you. Bless the tithes and offerings we give today. Let the majesty of the Father be the light that guides us, the compassion of the Son be the love that inspires us and the presence of the Spirit be the power that empowers us. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.
Psalm 71:1-6
In you, O Lord, I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame.In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
incline your ear to me and save me.Be to me a rock of refuge,
a strong fortress, to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of the unjust and cruel.For you, O Lord, are my hope,
my trust, O Lord, from my youth.Upon you I have leaned from my birth;
it was you who took me from my mother’s womb.My praise is continually of you…
THE LORDS PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Offer Prayers of Intercessions, Petitions, or Thanksgivings to the Lord either silently or aloud. After each person shares we simply acknowledge by saying “Lord hear our prayer.”
Prayer of Gratitude
Heavenly Father, We come before you today with hearts full of gratitude. Thank you for your countless blessings and your unwavering love. Thank you for the gift of life, for the air we breathe, and for the strength you give us each day. Your grace and mercy sustain us, and we are deeply grateful for your presence in our lifes.
Thank you for our family, friends, and the community you have surrounded us with. Thank you for providing for our needs and for guiding us with your wisdom. Even in times of trial, we thank you for the lessons and the growth that come from trusting in you.
Lord, may we never take your blessings for granted. Help us to remain mindful of your goodness and to share your love and kindness with others. We praise your name and give thanks for all that you are and all that you do.
In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
SERMON NOTES & RESOURCES
We typically preach through the LECTIONARY READINGS — For further reading of all the passages click here https://wordtoworship.com/lectionary/acna
GP Mission; We are a community established on experiencing the life-giving grace and peace found in knowing Christ.
"We participate in God's mission as a people. There's individual actions, there's individual moments, but ultimately, this is a symphony." -- MARK SAYERS
" God is our Shaper”
Sermon by Nate Wells
2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5
Stand Firm, Hold Fast.
13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope,17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
Request for Prayer
3 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. 2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 4 We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.
“If you love me, keep my commands.” – (John 14:15)
"Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you..." — (Matt. 28:20)
God is shaping us.
“Stand firm. Let God direct your hearts.”
God wants to keep working through us.
So Paul says; stand firm and hold fast to HIS teachings.
Application; What areas of my life am I still trying to “shape” on my own?
What is shaping you?
“If your strategy to make your inner world ok by making your outer world ok, that is a strategy doomed to fail.” Mark Comer
VS 4-5 We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.
Ephesians 6:10-13
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
So let’s take a quick look at the strategy Jesus had;
John 16:33 – “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
What are you being shaped into?
1. Everyone is spiritually formed, intentionally or not, from murderers to Mother Teresa.
2. Your spirit—your inner self, your will, your character, your “default chooser”—is deeply shaped by your experiences and teachers (who may be actual instructors or parents, peers, "influencers," etc.)
3. Early in life, these experiences and teachers are largely chosen for you; as you get older, you have more choice about who and what shapes you.
4. Christian spiritual formation is what happens when you center your life on Jesus. It isn’t primarily about practices; it's about falling in love with and following Jesus. This love sparks and sustains spiritual disciplines, even when they are hard.
How will you be shaped?
“Those who have no plan for their own life will likely fall into someone else’s plan.”
ACTION STEP
Application;
1. How has God used hard seasons in my life to refine my character?
2. What “rough edges” might He be smoothing out right now?
3. Can I thank Him even in the shaping process, knowing the final purpose will be good?
4. What does my life reveal about the One who shaped me?
Blessing…
Rejoice in knowing that we never walk alone.
Know the grace and peace of Christ walking beside us, guiding and protecting us.
Share this comfort with one another and feel his presence each moment of each day.
Amen
The option to give toward the ministry we partner with in Haiti is always available…
God is at work in Haiti, and we’re grateful to share just a few of the wonderful things He allowed our team to accomplish this past week through your support and generosity.
New Savings Group Started (last photo of all women)
The Outreach Mission – A Week of Transformation
Care Packs for families fleeing from violent gangs who currently pushing to gain more control over cities.
Thanks to the funds you sent, the outreach was a huge blessing. We were able to purchase gas, water, and supplies—and most meaningfully, we bought Bibles. With support from LCH and the local church, they are now walking in new obedience and joy.
Number one task of a Christ follower; Stay in that rhythm of receiving nourishment. A tree doesn’t work to receive but we choose what soil and if it’s near water source or in the care of a constant gardener. Here are a few more resources to study further.
We use Lectio Divina Journals as a guide for our daily spiritual formation. If you would like to journey with us you can order a journal here (link below) or pick one up at the welcome table at church.
https://www.lectiodivinajournal.com/buy/lectiojournal-nodates
If you’re looking for a great simple way to study the Bible check out this resource; https://throughtheword.org
Connect
First time visiting Grace&Peace? We would love to send you updates once a week on what’s happening and ways to connect further. If you have questions or prayer requests fill out the bottom form.